Outsider Chronicles: A New Arc
Dieing and ending up in another world is one thing. That world being one infested with monsters is quite another. This is gonna be fun...
Hello and welcome back. Nothing to say here, so lets dive right in. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
I smirked as I sidestepped a wild swing from my opponent, tripping them with my sheath as he stumbled past. He stumbled, but managed to catch himself with his mace before he face planted the stage. He turned and glared at me, at which I just grinned. That seemed to really piss him off as he charged, swinging wildly at me as I evaded each attack by shifting my weight.
"Stand still!" he roared as the Fire Dust Crystal in the head of his weapon lit up and fired a wave of fire at me.
I just spun my sheathed sword, activating the Wind enhancement, and performed a rapid Ido slash, unsheathing and resheathing my sword almost faster than the eye could see, releasing a razor sharp disk of green energy that snuffed out the fire and blasted my opponent off his feet again.
BUZZ!
"And thats enough," said Goodwitch as the lights came back up.
In case you haven't figured it out, I had been fighting Cardin in a training match, just like in the series. Unlike in canon however, I had basically spent the entire time toying with the bully while chipping down his Aura. I hadn't even called on my Mask.
"As you can see, Cardin's Aura in now in the red," said Goodwitch, "In a tournament style duel, this would indicate that he is no longer capable of fighting and the official can call the match."
She turned to me, looking a tad disapproving.
"You are doing very well Mr Arc, but you shouldn't toy with your opponents. It is disrespectful and could get you in trouble."
"I know," I said, "I don't play with actual threats."
It took a moment for that statement to sink in.
"Why you little…!" snarled Cardin as Goodwitch fixed me with a flat look.
I just grinned as I headed back to my seat, ignoring Cardin's grinding teeth. He really was a non-entity to me.
"Nice one Jaune!" said Ruby as I sat down behind her.
"Yeah, seeing that jerk getting his ass kicked is always so satisfying," said Yang with a grin.
I returned the grin as Glynda called up the next pair.
"So there we were, in the middle of the night."
"It was day."
"Surrounded by Ursi."
"They were Beowolves."
"DOZENS OF THEM!"
"Two of them."
"But they were no match for us and we took them down and made a boatload of lein selling Ursa skin rugs!"
"Sigh, shes been having this recurring dream for over a month now," I said.
"OK, I get Ren, but how in the world do you know that Jaune?" asked Yang.
I growled. Apparently having a Bond with someone as the Wild Card made them more likely to seek out your company. Now, that was fine, but man could Nora waffle on at times!
"Don't ask," I said.
Yang raised an eyebrow and looked like she was about to do just that, but before she could, the sound of cruel laughter floated over the dining hall. We all looked and I scowled when I saw that Cardin and his buddies were picking on Velvet.
"Disgraceful," said Pyrrha, "I can't stand people like him."
"Hes not the only one," said Blake.
"It must be hard being a Faunus," said Yang.
I gulped down the last of my tea and stood.
"Um, Jaune, where are you going?" asked Ruby, looking a tad worried about the expression on my face.
"Oh, you know, just...taking out the trash," I said, cracking my knuckles as I walked over to Velvets table.
"This'll be good," muttered Ren.
"Hehe, I told you they were real!" sneered Cardin as he tugged on Velvet's ears.
"Please stop," groaned Velvet with a kind of resigned acceptance in her tone.
Cardin's teammates laughed along with their leader, before they suddenly stopped, wide eyed as a shadow with glowing red eyes and a demonic grin appeared behind their leader, cracking its knuckles.
"Ohhhhh Cardinnnnn," said the shadow, making Cardin freeze.
He slowly looked over his shoulder, only to freeze when he saw the monstrous figure in red behind the speaker, massive sword aimed squarely between his eyes. Cardin gave a terrified whimper and keeled over, stiff as a board and foaming at the mouth. The shadow turned his eyes on Cardin's teammates.
"Got something to say?"
"Nopenopenopenope!" said the RDL of team CRDL, shaking there heads rapidly.
"Excellent!" I said, reigning in my KI, "Now git."
They did just that, pausing only to grab their dazed leader. Once the bullies were gone, I turned to Velvet with a grin.
"Are you O...oh, woops."
Apparently I hadn't been quite as focused as I should have been with my KI as Velvet was currently staring at me as a rabbit would a fox.
"Hoo boy, this'll end badly," I muttered, "Helloooo? You OK in there?"
I snapped my fingers in front of Velvets face and the Rabbit Faunus nearly jumped out of her skin. She did snap out of her trance though, so that was something.
"There we are," I said, "Are you OK?"
"E-er, yes," she said.
"Good," I said, "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to catch you in that."
"Oh, its no problem," she said, "Um, I gotta go…"
She sped away, leaving a dust trail.
"Well, that went well," said Yang as I rejoined my friends.
"What even was that?" asked Weiss, "We could feel it from over here."
I blushed slightly.
"Oh, sorry. I still don't have complete control over it, but I did think I'd focused it better than...anyway, that was Killing Intent, my sister taught me how to use it."
"Killing Intent?" asked Ruby, "I've never heard of it."
"I have," said Weiss, "Its where you mix your Aura with bloodlust and push it out, creating an aura of fear around you. Its based on the aura that Grimm put out."
She gave me a shrewd look.
"But if you could use it, that means that you genuinely wanted to kill Cardin just then."
Everyone immediately looked at me in surprise and no small amount of fear in Ruby's case.
"Actually, thats a misconception," I said, "KI isnt produced from a desire to kill, although that can be a part of it, but more of a resolve to kill. I certainly don't want to kill Cardin, and not just because I don't want to clean his blood of my sword, but rather I used my resolve to keep him and others like him from hurting people to focus my will and scare the shit out of him. It helps that he has way less Aura than I do."
"Can you teach us to use it?" asked Nora.
"I can, but its not really something that can be taught," I said, "I can tell you how it works, but you have to figure out how to do it on your own."
I cleared my throat.
"The basic principle is fairly simple, you have to focus your resolve and push it into your Aura. Then, you simply push your Aura out onto whatever you want to affect similar to when you are empowering an object or activating Dust. It doesn't work on people who have more Aura than you and its not particularly effective against Grimm, although it can get them to pause if your Will is strong enough."
"Um, I don't think I like this ability," said Ruby in a small voice.
I sighed.
"Honestly, I'm not surprised," I said, "It takes a strong mind and the ability to call up some real dark emotions in order to use properly. You're just too good a person to do that Ruby."
Ruby smiled at me and blushed as I patted her head.
"Aww, thats cute," said Yang, grabbing Ruby and giving her a noogie, "My baby sister has a crush!"
"YANNNNG!" protested Ruby, shoving her sister off.
We all laughed, breaking the serious mood that had settled over us.
After lunch, we had history with Mr (HEY), sorry, Dr Oobleck, which never failed to give me a crick in the neck as I tried to follow the hyperactive teacher as he whizzed around the room.
"Why can't he slow down," I groaned under my breath as my neck cracked for the third time that lesson.
It didn't help that his fast talking always gave me a headache.
Pyrrha just patted me on the back consolingly.
"So, can anyone tell me what advantage the Faunus had over General Lagoons forces?" asked Oobleck, scanning the room, "Mr Winchester?"
"Well, I know its easier to train an animal than a soldier," he sneered.
He stiffened in his seat as I directed a glare laced with KI at him.
"You never learn, do you?" I growled.
"W-what of it?" growled Cardin, trying to seem unphased.
Before I could respond and land myself in detention, Pyrrha slapped a hand over my mouth.
"If I may sir?" she said, ignoring the steaming glare I was still directing at the bully.
"Yes Miss Nikos?" asked Oobleck.
"It was night vision," she said, "Many Faunus are known to have near perfect night vision."
"General Lagoon was inexperienced and tried to attack the Faunus in their sleep," continued Blake, "His massive army was outmatched and the General captured. Perhaps if he had payed attention in class, he wouldn't be remembered as such a failure."
"He also refused to listen to the advice of those around him," I said, "A big reason why he failed so badly was because he refused to listen to the advice of his officers."
Cardin growled and got to his feet.
"Exactly Mr Arc," said Oobleck, "Mr Winchester, please take your seat and see me after class for additional reading. Now, moving on..."
Once class was over, we all filed out and started towards our next lesson. As we did, a voice called out to me, making me pause and look over my shoulder to see Velvet hurrying towards me.
"You guys go on ahead," I said, "I'll catch up."
My friends nodded and headed off while I stopped to wait for the Rabbit Faunus.
"Need something Velvet?" I asked as she stopped in front of me.
"I-I wanted to thank you for earlier," she said, "A-and apologize for running off…"
I raised a hand.
"Don't bother apologizing," I said, "Its my fault after all. I didn't have a good enough hold on my KI and you caught a blast of it. As for dealing with Cardin and his goons, trust me, it was a pleasure."
I grinned at her and Velvet hesitantly returned it.
"You know, if you ever need help with him again, or anyone else for that matter, come let me know," I said, "I'm always happy to help."
"R-really?" asked Velvet, looking surprised, "E-even a Faunas like me?"
I snorted.
"Whats you being a Faunus got to do with anything?" I said, "I judge everyone as an individual, not by their race. Besides…"
I leant in and whispered in her ear.
"I think your ears are kinda cute."
I pulled away as Velvet burned bright red.
"I-I-I…" she stuttered, before giving up and scurrying away, leaving me to snicker to myself.
"That was a little mean, but I couldn't resist," I said to myself.
I turned to go after my friends, but before I could move, I felt a new bond lock into place.
I am Thou, Thou art I…
You have acquired a new vow.
I shall become the blade of light
That severs the bonds of the Dark Future.
With the Birth of the Priestess Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
will lead to Freedom and new powers.
I blinked. Huh, that was interesting. Guess I made more of an impression on her than I thought.
"So, any particular reason you're watching me?" I asked as I walked past an alcove a short distance down the hall.
Blake stepped out of the shadows, looking a little surprised.
"You knew I was there?" she asked.
"The whole time. Well?"
"I'm curious," said Blake as she fell into step with me, "I'm normally good at reading people, but I can't seem to get a handle on you. You seem to be incredibly laid back, but you can use KI, you are willing to help a perfect stranger and a Faunus at that and that ability of yours, your Huntsman...I've never seen anything like it. I want to know what your game it."
I gave her a flat look.
"Blake, you're overthinking it," I said, "I'm not playing any games with anyone. Unlike most people, the mask I hide behind is visible to all. I don't pretend to be someone I'm not. I helped Velvet because it was the right thing to do, I dealt with Cardin because he's an asshole. I'd do the exact same thing if it was reversed, a Human being victimized by a Faunus. And don't say that wouldn't happen because I know it does. The White Fang comes to mind."
Blake looked a tad uncomfortable at that.
"Also, you aren't exactly someone who should be throwing stones at others for keeping secrets," I said.
Blake froze, stopping in place, her eyes wide.
"How did…"
"Your bow twitches when you're agitated," I said, "Don't worry, I haven't told anyone, but you should tell your teammates at least."
Blake looked down sadly.
"I-I don't know if I can," she whispered.
I huffed.
"You know they'll accept you no matter what, right?" I said, "They're your friends after all. And if they don't...well, they're not worth your friendship in the first place."
Blake looked up at me in surprise, before she smiled.
"Thanks Jaune, I'll think about it," she said.
"Hey, at the end of the day, its your decision," I said, "Now come on, we've got to get to class or Port'll give us a lecture."
Blake nodded and we headed off down the hall. I smiled as I felt another bond snap into place.
I am Thou, Thou art I…
You have acquired a new vow.
I shall become the blade of light
That severs the bonds of the Dark Future.
With the Birth of the Hermit Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
will lead to Freedom and new powers.
It felt weird, but honestly? I kinda liked it. It meant that I was getting stronger and closer to the people I was beginning to care about.
And there we go. Fucking finally! I really like this story and yet BtC has me by the lapels and shaking chapters out of me. Now I'm done with the Sasuke Recovery Arc though, I'll be focusing on this for a bit. Hopefully.
So Cardin got the crap kicked out of him. Thats a major difference, as was Jaune scaring the crap out of him with KI. I wonder how this will change the events in Forever Fall?
So, Jaune gets two new bonds with two cute Faunus girls! Note, that his comment to Velvet in no way indicates a future paring, he only did it to mess with her. Then again…
Next time, Forever Fall, at least one new bond and a possible unmasking. What do I mean by that? Hehehe. Make sure you leave a review!