The Underworld was pretty much what Jaune was expecting. Dark, damp, and unreasonably scary.

It was like a giant underground tunnel that was the size of a large cavern, with a single dirt path that was lined with torches at regular intervals. Jaune was thankful for the light of the torches, the darkness would have swallowed them otherwise. It seemed like anything could jump out and attack them at any moment, and Jaune's imagination came up with all sorts of unwholesome and terrifying creatures.

However, his thoughts were nothing compared to the beast that was guarding the iron gates to the Underworld.

It was a massive two headed hound, easily the size of a large house. It's body was pitch black, darker than that of any Grimm, and it's paws, tails and jaws were blood red. It claws were like jagged blades, and its teeth like curved hooks, made for ripping and tearing into flesh. The tip of its tail was pointed and blazing with a crimson flame, that paled in comparison to the beasts eyes which glowed with living fire.

It approached them slowly, the cavern groaning with every heavy step. Jaune was still, to terrified to move. The beast was directly in front of them now, lowering its massive heads so one was watching him and the other Rogue. Jaune could feel its breath, it wasn't moist and warm like a normal dogs; it was chilly, cold, like a breeze during the coldest night of winter. It opened its mouth, and Jaune thought this would be how he died. He thought it would be the punchline of some really bad joke, being killed in the Underworld.

'SPOTS!'

Jaune jumped in surprise and looked over at Rogue, and his eyes went wide and his jaw dropped as he saw him patting and fawning over the monster like it was a small puppy. The head of the monster seemed really content and pleased, and quite happy to see Rogue. Jaune heard a low growl and turned his head. The head that was watching him had closed its mouth and was staring at Jaune, as if waiting for something.

Jaune thought for a moment and glanced in the direction of Rogue, who was still patting the beasts head. As if sensing him, Rogue looked at Jaune and gestured for him to copy, smiling as if to say that everything was going to be fine,before returning to patting the beast known as 'Spots'.

Despite Rogues relaxed manner and coddling of the beast (which actually looked quiet funny considering the head was twice his size) Jaune was still hesitant.

Nervously, Jaune reached out his hand. Understanding the gesture, Spots second head moved up to meet Jaune's hand. Jaune was surprised, not that the beast understood what he was attempting to do, not by the fact that its dark fur was softer than he expected as he stroked the head of the beast, or at how placid the beast was.

Jaune was surprised by the sound. It was a content, humming sound like the gentle running of an engine. The beast gave a toothy grin, which, though frightening, didn't seem as scary as before, and Jaune couldn't help but let out a small grin of his own.

Spots smiled and, content from being petted by Jaune and Rogue, picked the two up by their collars and carried them over to the massive iron gates of the Underworld. Jaune was surprised and scared, but calmed quickly as he was put down. He looked at Rogue who was smiling as he waved to the beast as he made his way past the gates, and quickly fell into step beside him.

'W-what was that thing?' Jaune asked, nervously looking over his shoulder to see that the monster hound was still starring at them, wagging its tail.

'Thing? Oh! You mean Spots! He's the guardian of this place.' Rogue explained nonchalantly. 'It's his job to guard the entrance to the Underworld.'

Jaune looked back once more. 'He sure makes a terrifying guardian.' Jaune paused. 'Why did he let us in though?'

Rogue looked ahead into the long, torch-lit tunnel. 'That's because I've known him since he was this big.' Rogue put his hands close together till they where just under a meter apart.

Jaune looked at him incredulously, unable to fathom how something that small could grow into something that large. But he had read of stranger things, so he let it be. 'So Spots only let us through because he knew you?'

'Yup. Spots actually takes his job very seriously, so if he doesn't recognise you as a friend, or you are not in the company of someone he knows...I'll just leave it to your imagination.' He ended darkly, causing Jaune to shudder.

The sound of foot steps ahead of them caused the pair to stop moving. Rogue let out a sigh and Jaune didn't understand what he was seeing. No, he did understand, but it was just too unbelievable, incomprehensible.

It reminded him that they were in a place of the dead.

The footsteps came from a skeleton. A moving skeleton, with pitch black eye sockets and carrying a large axe in its bony hands. It let out a ghastly wail that sent a chill up Jaune's spine, and it charged at the pair. Due to all the training he had done with Pyrrha, Jaune instinctively prepared his weapons, drawing his sword and brandishing his shield. However, despite all the training, he was still unsure how to deal with this.

The skeleton was upon him, its axe poised to strike, threatening to tear him in two. Jaune was stunned, temporarily unable to move.

'RAISE YOUR SHIELD!'

Adhering to the command, Jaune raised his shield at the last second. The axe bounced off the shield harmlessly, and utilising the advantage he gained, Jaune quickly lowered it and simultaneously swung his sword at the skeletons head. The blade cut through the bone easily and the skeletons body sunk into the ground.

Jaune's breathing was heavy, surprised by the current turn of events. Are there more of these in here?

'Lot's more of those in here.' Rogue said, as if reading his thoughts.

Jaune looked over at him, his expression a mixture of shock and indignation. 'You could have told me that earlier you know.'

Rogue shrugged as he placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder. 'You probably wouldn't have come otherwise. Besides, what part of 'the Underworld' made it sound like we were going to be taking a leisurely stroll through grassy fields?'

Jaune sighed. Rogue was right. 'Still, it would have been nice.' Jaune paused. 'Why are they attacking us though?'

Rogue began walking forward and Jaune followed. 'That's because the Underworld is a place for the dead. The living aren't welcome here.'

Jaune thought for a moment. 'Makes sense. I guess?'

Rogue chuckled. 'Yup.'

More footsteps could be heard, and out of the shadows came two more skeletons wielding axes, and Jaune once again prepared his weapons. Though there were two of them, Jaune wasn't alone.

At least, that's what he thought.

Rogue immediately retreated behind Jaune and stood there. Jaune gave Rogue a confused and puzzled expression.

Rogue gave a wry grin and scratched the back of his head. 'Yeah...I probably should have mentioned this sooner. Creating the portal to here used up most of my mana. Actually, all of my mana.' Rogue chuckled awkwardly. 'Meaning until we come to an area where I can restore it, you're going to be doing all the fighting.'

Jaune froze in shock.

'Good luck?'

Jaune had no chance to respond as the two skeletons let out a ghastly wail and charged forward.

Ruby quickly played the scenario through her head.

Her and her friends had come across the area where they assumed Rogue and Jaune must have been. Primarily because there was a rather large, swirling vortex that should not have been there. They clustered around the vortex, and decided whether it would be a good idea to go through it or not. They were close together, much closer than they realised, and whether it was a stroke of bad luck or a trick of fate, they fell into the vortex.

Ruby didn't know how long she was out for, but as she came to, she realised that she and the others were no longer at Beacon, she wasn't even sure if they where on Remnant.

'Where are we?' She asked nobody in particular. The others had come to around the same time as her, and were currently dusting themselves off as they stood up.

'Who knows.' Yang mused as she walked over to her sister. Though she acted in her usual manner, Ruby could tell that she was on edge. Ruby was as well. There was something about this place, something otherworldly and frightening. The torches of the long tunnel seemed to only light the path before them, the cavernous tunnel walls and ceiling were dark, and it felt as if the shadows would come alive at any moment.

'Who cares where we are!' Exclaimed Weiss as she cleaned herself off, incredibly annoyed that her clothes were dirty and grumbling as she tried to clean herself off. 'We should really be focusing on finding a way out of here!'

'Weiss is right.' agreed Pyrrha. 'Our only way out vanished.'

Ruby frowned. The vortex they had entered into was nowhere to be seen, so it looked like it was a one way trip. She looked at the torchlit path, it seemed like that was the only way to go, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding, as if a malevolent presence was awaiting tem at the other end. She turned to the others. 'Right. Were going to follow the path. Everyone prepare your weapons, we don't know if their are any Grimm about so it's better that we remain on guard.'

The others nodded and did as asked. They were all tense, though the tunnel was wide and open, if a large amount of Grimm came swarming down the cave then they would be in trouble, and their would be no help for them either.

Thankfully for them, Nora was around. In her usual hyperactive manner she was musing as to all the possibilities as to where they were; 'Candy Land', 'The secret tunnel', 'The rocky path of rockiness'...all of which were ridiculous, but it did manage to calm the group down somewhat.

As they continued to walk down the seemingly endless path, Ruby made her way to Pyrrha, who was walking ahead of the group. It was clearly evident that she was in a hurry, worried for Jaune's safety. Ruby fell into step with her and began to speak.

'You okay?'

Pyrrha's focus was broken, but it did little to slow her advance. 'I'm fine.' Pyrrha glanced at the younger girl and saw the look she was giving her and changed her statement. 'I'm worried. You can feel it, right?'

Ruby nodded, not wishing to speak of the dreadful aura that was gradually growing larger with each step. She decided to change the subject, wishing to speak of less ominous things.'Are you and Jaune still fighting?' She blurted out, though unconsciously.

Pyrrha grimaced and Ruby believed she had stepped on a land mine. It had been on her mind for a while now. It had been a month since the battle with that dark creature, and since then Pyrrha had not spoken a word to Jaune. Jaune had come to Ruby on occasion to ask what he should do, but Ruby had no idea, to the blonde-haired teens dismay.

'I still haven't forgiven him.' Pyrrha said after a moments silence between the two.

'For what?' Ruby asked carefully. 'For attacking that creature a month ago?'

Pyrrha frowned. 'For putting himself in danger like that!' She snapped, her voice raising a little, causing the others to look over in their direction with curious eyes.

Ruby frowned. 'That isn't much of a reason.' She said, causing Pyrrha to raise a brow at her. 'We're here to become Hunter's and Huntress's. We came here to learn how to fight monsters. Last I checked, that was pretty dangerous in itself.'

There was a logic behind Ruby's words, and Pyrrha knew it, but the red-haired girl chose to ignore it. 'It's different.'

Ruby frowned. 'How?'

'It just is.' she replied stubbornly.

Ruby shook her head. 'How?' she repeated. 'He wasn't the only one to attack that thing. All of us did. Remember?'

Pyrrha did. She couldn't forget. Primarily because, after the EnTropy released its bladed tendrils, she had been to stunned to move and Jaune had to push her out of the way. However, in the process of saving her he had gotten himself injured. 'I remember.'

'Then why is it different?' Ruby pressed on, trying to pry the truth out of Pyrrha.

'It just is.' Pyrrha repeated, her voice slowly riding in anger and frustration.

'How?' Ruby repeated, more out of stubbornness than anything else.

'Because.' Pyrrha replied, grinding her teeth.

'Because?'

'It just is!'

'How Pyrrha? How is it different? It's completely unfair to be treating your friend like this for no reason.'

'I have a reason.'

'Then what is it Pyrrha? Jaune is a mess because he doesn't know what to do. He's tried everything he can think of and you keep ignoring him.' Ruby didn't realise how her words were affecting the red-head, who was shaking. 'Just tell me. What reason could there possibly be for you to start treating him like this? It is completely unlike you to-'

'BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO! OKAY!'

Pyrrha and Ruby stopped moving. The others, after hearing Pyrrha shout, something uncharacteristic of her, also stopped and stared at the two teens in shock.

'I-I was to weak.' Pyrrha said, her voice much lower now, though in the silence of the tunnel her every word could be heard by all. 'That...that 'thing' was terrifying; its appearance, its strength...I wasn't able to do anything...I couldn't do anything...So when Jaune rushed out, I knew there was nothing, absolutely nothing, I would've been able to do to save him. I couldn't even cry out to tell him to stop. I could only watch...'

Pyrrha trailed off, unable to find the right words to express her emotions. Ruby suddenly felt really bad for putting her friend in this position. Pyrrha was the strongest student in the academy, so being put in a position where her strength amounted to nothing, especially at a time when the people she cared for were in danger, must of been absolutely terrifying for her.

Ruby shifted uncomfortably where she stood and looked at the others for help. Understanding her silent plea, the others shared looks until Ren stepped forward and moven towards Pyrrha. He came to her side and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Pyrrha looked at Ren and he offered a gentle smile. 'You weren't the only one who felt that way.' He said. 'All of us were terrified of that thing.' Unbeknowest to the two, Yang was going to rebutt but was promptly shut up by everyone else. 'You don't have to beat yourself up over it.'

'YEAH!'

Pyyra and Ruby jumped and Ren simply sighed as Nora appeared out of nowhere. 'We all came out absolutely fabulous in the end! Besides, if its Pyrrha, than Rogue's classes should make her a hundred- no- a bajillion times stronger!'

Ruby was surprised. Not by the fact that Nora was her usually cheery self when she mentioned Rogue's classes with no distaste (Nora really enjoyed the puppet shows) but instead by the fact that a small smile adorned Ren's face.

Unknown to her, or anyone else, even Nora, Ren actually enjoyed Rogue's classes. Though he still had his qualms, due to Rogue hurting Nora, Ren found that studying mana was both beneficial and interesting.

Though it had its own restrictions; such as the amount of mana differed from person to person, making it a limited resource, mana was incredibly versatile in its application. As it wasn't bound by the same restrictions as aura, the possibilities were almost endless. An individual could increase their strength, speed, intelligence, agility, reaction times, to near superhuman levels, as well as perform feats that Rogue described as 'Magic'. Though everyone in his class had scoffed at the term, Ren believed that it was more than appropriate: creating illusions so real that you could feel the breeze, transforming a war hammer into a bird of light, destroying a flock of Nevermores with a single attack...Magic was the only way to describe it.

'She's right.' Said Ruby gaining everyone's attention. 'Besides, Rogue is with Jaune right now, probably, so how much danger could he possibly be in.'

Pyrrha smiled at that and straightened her back. 'You're right.'

With that settled, they once again set out on their way. Ruby smiled, satisfied that Pyrrha seemed to have cheered up a bit. As the group continued to walk down the tunnel, they eventually came to a larger cavern area that looked like a chamber of jagged stone. Aside from an odd, out of place iron gate at the far end of the chamber it was empty.

'You think they passed through here?' Ruby asked as she turned around.

'Where else can they go? Up?' Weiss responded sarcastically, earning an annoyed look from Ruby, which only became more pronounced when Yang started to tease.

'Yeah Ruby. I bet they climbed all the way up to the roof and drilled a whole all the way to the top.' She said as she began to move forward.

Ruby was about to rebut but she immediately shut her mouth. The atmosphere in the room turned cold, and a gust of wind burst through the gates like a lonely howl. Everyone prepared their weapons and stared at the open gates.

Their hearts were pounding, and their grips tightened around their weapons.

Then there was a thud.

and then another.

and another.

Like the beating of ones pulse, the chamber echoed and shook. The Beacon students continued to stare at the gate, into the deep darkness that held whatever manner of horrifying creature within. Slowly, the shadow came to life. Four blazing red eyes appeared from the darkness, and Ruby could feel the malice that was emanating from within, suffocating her. The shadow approached and everyone gasped at the sight as the shadow became a large, two headed hound.

The hound stared at them for a moment, as if judging what it should do. Then the hound gave a sinister sneer, reared its massive heads back, and roared.

The sound of Spots roar reached Rogue's ears.

He turned around and stared into the darkness, but the clanging of iron against steel brought his attention back to the matter at hand. Rogue looked at Jaune and was pleasantly impressed as he once again cut down another skeleton.

Including the previous pair, this makes twenty. Rogue thought as Jaune put his hands on his knees and tried to regain his breath. Not bad.

Jaune had proven to be quiet a capable guard, and he wielded his sword with some degree of skill. Rogue actually found the simple long sword to be refreshing. Considering every other weapon was also a gun, so having something he recognised was nice.

Jaune was gaining experience as well. Through all the fighting, he had learnt how to adapt to the enemy and situation and form a strategy against them. Rogue had to point out a few things here and there, but all in all he was making quite good progress.

In truth, aside from protection, Rogue had deliberately brought Jaune for another reason.

To put it mildly, Jaune wasn't very impressive on a normal day. Shaky, nervous, and generally jumpy as well as somewhat air-headed, Rogue wondered just how he managed to make it into Beacon. To be honest, Rogue thought he would make an incredibly crappy Hunter.

But he had the potential to be a damn fine Hero.

Jaune reminded Rogue of Ash, he saw a lot of similarities between the two; unskilled, nervous, shaky, quite odd, naive, easily manipulated, funny looking...

However, that was exactly why he believed Jaune could become a great Hero.

Despite Ash being, well, 'Ash', he had by his own strength attained the title of Arch-Knight, and in the years that Rogue had been frozen, he had proven to be a capable Hero. All he needed was a push, some confidence, and a pretty girl (Rogue made a note to find Jaune a pretty girl, just in case)

That's how Rogue saw Jaune. Like an unpolished gem, all he needed was to be cleaned up in some areas and he could shine with the glimmer of the sun. All Jaune really needed was the necessary experience and some confidence and he could become much greater than Jaune thought he could be.

Rogue had already seen that the blonde-haired student could be brave, but it was clear that Jaune himself had yet to realise it due to his timid and goofy nature. After some thought (about thirty second's considering he was in a rush) he had decided that experience is the best teacher and had spirited away Jaune in the dead of night and convinced him to accompany him on his trip.

Besides...no way was he going to face Death without any mana.

Rogue walked over to Jaune and checked if he was okay. Though Jaune's breathing had been heavy it had eventually became level, causing Rogue to become even more impressed considering where they were.

They were a bit past the halfway mark of the tunnel. The darkness of the tunnels that had been illuminated by candle light had become replaced by streams of flowing magma (or lava, Rogue wasn't certain considering he didn't know if he was technically underground or above ground) This caused the air to become heavy and hot, making it harder to breathe. But Jaune had managed to adapt to the environment quite well.

'How you feeling?' Rogue asked.

'Tired...really.. really...tired...' Jaune replied between gasps.

Rogue gave a small grin. 'You're doing well, there's an area we can rest just up ahead.'

Jaune simply nodded, to tired to respond. Suddenly, a roar could be heard through out the tunnel, causing Jaune to jump in surprise. 'W-What was that?' He said as the howl faded.

Rogue looked over at Jaune and shrugged. 'It's Spots. Something probably tried to get out of the Underworld again.'

Jaune looked at Rogue with wide eyes. 'Get out? Does that mean they're going to use the portal you made to escape and head to Beacon?' Jaune's mind immediately went to his friends, worried that they could get injured or hurt in a sudden attack. Rogue shook his head and Jaune let out a sigh of relief.

'They can't.' Rogue said. 'I made sure to close the portal as soon as we set foot here. You know, just in case anyone fell into it or something.'

Rogue chuckled at the thought. As if that could ever happen. 'Anyway, we should get moving. You need to rest up, there's also a pond there as well.'

Jaune looked at Rogue in disbelief. 'A pond? Here? How does a pond end up in here?'

Rogue shrugged as he walked off. 'Magic.'

Another roar could be heard, and Jaune quickly followed Rogue as he headed down a side path of the tunnel. He failed to notice that Rogue glanced towards the directions of the roars. And Rogue didn't bother telling him that their was always the possibility that someone else was at work.

Adam clung to the shadows.

His master had ordered him to pursue Rogue as soon as he entered the Underworld.

Adam didn't question the master. The master was wise, the master knew that Rogue would eventually go to the Underworld for master was very, very clever indeed. Master was wise, master was strong, master could give him what he desired, for master was so very, very kind...

No...something is wrong...

Adam grabbed his head as it began to throb. He couldn't explain why, but every now and then he had the feeling that he didn't belong with the master.

How did he meet the master? Adam couldn't recall. The more he thought about it, something seemed off, wrong, like an incomplete puzzle, it felt as if Adam was missing a crucial piece, and he struggled to remember. He was meant to be more than a simple slave...wasn't he?

Adam clutched his head and cried out in agony as he attempted to remember. The memories flashed by like lightning, providing him with little more than a glimpse. He felt as if something was trying to repress his memories, stopping him from finding them. His breathing became ragged and he fell to his knees.

The wounds that he had received from the gatekeeper of this place were still bleeding. Though he had done damage to the mangy mutt, the savagery of the beast almost did him in. However, the beasts attention was grabbed by some other presence that suddenly entered the Underworld, and it had left Adam to die.

But Adam couldn't die yet, he wouldn't allow himself to. After all, he had someone he needed to see. Who was that someone again?

Then the throbbing stopped.

Adam looked around.

Why was he on the ground? The master had given him a task to accomplish after all.

Ignoring his wounds, Adam got back to his feet, clung to the shadows once more, and moved in the direction of his quarry.

Master will be so very, very pleased with me...