(A/N So yeah I'm back, nothing is mine apart from OC and plot, everything is credited to their respective creators, now back to the story! oh and if there's an error then feel free to correct them peace!)
"We're back!"
"Bubah!"
Called a family of three, one was a woman, tall, blue eyes and had a smile on her face, the other was rather shorter than the blond woman, with a tanner shade of skin darker hair, black eyes and wearing a pair of red-rimmed-glasses. In her arms was a baby black hair and blue eyes.
"Saphron! Terra! Oh, my little Adrian! How are you sweeties" called out Arwin as she happily hugged her daughter and her family.
"we're fine mom, we just got hold up a little, sorry for coming in late" Saphron rubbed the back of her head.
Arwin waved it off "no, no its fine, as long as you're here with your family safe and sound"
"Hello Miss Arc" Terra greeted, lifting up Adrian so he could wave to his grandmother
"Oh, nonsense Terra, call me mother, or mom, your family after all" Arwin said taking Adrian from Terra and cuddling the baby "oh, who's a good boy, oh yes you are!" Adrian giggled and snuggled deep into his grandmother's embrace.
"The others are still touring the compound with Jaune's friends, the adults are here catching up" Arwin then handed Adrian back to Terra "You three should go to them, I reckon they're at the lake, Guinevere is probably telling them a story"
Saphron nodded "sure, it would be nice to get to know Jaune's friends" she said with a smile, one that Arwin mirrored, they looked at one another before nodding again.
"Come on dear, let's take Adrian to see the others, I'm sure they'll love him" Saphron took Terra's hand and led them outside.
Arwin, let out a sigh "Willow, your daughter…"
A hand clasped her shoulders "She's a good person at heart Arwin, it's just Jacques's influence and her fear of him that cages her true self" the hand gripped tighter "I failed them as a mother already, but I am still her mother, and I would know if my child is too far to save…"
Arwin placed her hand on hers placating the woman.
"Saphron is the best out of us when it comes to reading people, but I will take what you said in consideration."
"Thank you… bestie"
Arwin snorted "And you called me childish? Oh, where oh when has the Queen of winter melted her cold pompous heart?"
Arwin got hit in the head "Shut it you"
The two friends laughed
Sitting on a table enjoying a few beers Tai and Roland talk and reminisced "I can't believe he's gone Tai; I can't help but feel it's my fault"
Sipping a beer Tai responded "It was nobodies' fault, the kid is a huntsman, like his father, and his father before him. An Arc that protects the people he cares about…"
Roland sipped another beer "Dad also went out like that… sacrificing himself so others can live, damn it I didn't even think that Jaune would have the same fate" Roland crushed the emptied can and threw it into the trash bin
"3 points" said Qrow joining the conversation, drinking from his own flask "Listen Roland, I can't give you any placating words, I ain't got a kid so I can't relate, but I do have nieces, those two are as good as daughters to me, and if either them die, all I can do is grieve" taking another swig form his flask he continued "I would grieve and grieve until I can see their headstones and smile and say goodbye"
The two other men looked at Qrow "Never would have thought words from Qrow would make sense, must be because he's sobered up for once" the Roland and Tai laughed, while Qrow grumbled.
The three settled into a calm silence before Tai broke it "So… my daughter and your son?"
Roland coughed and laughed "Ha! if what Arwin's been telling me during her calls with Jaune are true then I will eat my own boot if they weren't dating by the end of their year!"
Tai laughed "Hell no!"
"What, you going all protective dad on me?" Roland asked
"Nah, Tai never really worried about Ruby getting snagged by some punk" Qrow said taking another swig "Ruby is much like summer, innocent as a white rose, she wouldn't notice someone is interested in her even if they shouted at her face, and even if she did, well, she'll be too awkward to respond"
Tai nodded "and because your lad is much like you from what Ruby tells me during our calls, I wouldn't be surprise if they only realize they like each other once they graduated" Qrow and Tai laughed, this time it was Roland who started to grumble
"I wasn't that bad…"
"No, you were worse, it took me getting pregnant for you to realize you have feelings for me, you dense rock" Arwin called with Willow behind her.
Once more Qrow and Tai bellowed in laughter, while Roland turned as red as a tomato.
(…)
Making her way back after ranging part of the forest of her home a girl around 17 years old made her way through the town, getting greetings and well wishes as she did, she greeted them in kind, her blond hair shining in the daylight like a beacon. Her sapphire blue eyes held kindness and care for the people.
"Hey, Jeanne! You got some guest back at your house!" called out Leo, who was passing by
"Hey there fire hazard!" she joked
"Why does everyone call me that? I set fire to the shop once and it became my nickname!" Leo grumbled.
Jeanne chuckled "who were the guest you were talking about?"
"Some of Jaune's friends in beacon, though I only saw one of them" he answered, "well I need to finish something and get back fast, the old man might force me to clean the furnace… again" Leo sighed
Patting his back Jeanne said her thanks and made her way home.
(…)
The group sitting by the lake was at awe at the story they heard, some even felt like crying at the loss of a kingdom and woes of its people. Guinevere then continued "the Prince, Beren, yes he was the name's sake of the lake, settled his people here in Prospero, but they were still assailed by Grimm as though the black queen retreated, she left her pawns to do her bidding so she could lick her wounds"
"Grimm and humans who allied themselves to her still hunted Prince Beren, but his sword was not an ordinary one, much like the sword used by his father to rend a mighty wound upon a goddess, his sword has magic imbued in it, so he, with the help of his mother, erected a barrier around Prospero that turns back anyone with ill intentions. But in doing so he sealed his sword, leaving it ¼ of its original power"
Guinevere then gave a smirk to the group "Care to guess which sword I am talking about?" her smile was mirrored by her siblings.
It took a few seconds for her question to register, but once it did, Ruby was the first to answer "No way! Really?!" she asked looking directly at Guinevere, her mouth agape.
Guinevere nodded "Yes way little red~" she chuckled
"Umm, sis, care to share with the rest of the class?" Yang called
Ruby looked at the group, her mouth still agape and her hand pointing at Guinevere and her siblings "Crocea mors!"
Once again it took a few seconds to register, but once it did…
"No way!"
"How?!"
"Jaune is a descendant of a king? huh, cool"
"…"
"wild"
Guinevere chuckled at the awed looks "Don't get too excited though, like I said this is a story passed down from one arc to another, it might be true it might not, after all, Crocea mors only "Magical" property is that it never needed maintenance and the shield is an add on from a century back"
This seemed to blow the wind out of the sails of everyone, but still… the thought of one their own being a descendant of a king that ruled a great kingdom made them giddy, especially one red reaper.
'hehe~' she was imagining her with Jaune overlooking a kingdom, hand in hand both adorning smiles while a servant was giving cookies!
She blushed and hid in her hood, good thing no one commented about this as they were interrupted by a family of three
"Hey gang!" Saphron called
"Saph! How are you and Terra? And is that little Adrian!" Guine, faster than even Ruby's eyes can follow snagged Adrian and began twirling him in the air, making the toddler giggle and reach his little hands out "Gin! Guin!" the toddler called.
The girls cooed at the display and Guine hugged her little nephew "Your so cute!"
She then turned to the rest of the group "This here is Adrian Cotta-Arc, the son of my little sister and her wife" she then pointed to Saphron and Terra "and they are Saphron Cotta-Arc and her wife Terra Cotta-Arc"
"Hello everyone"
"It's good to meet you all"
Saphron looked over the group of beacon students and her gaze met Yang and Weiss but she looked away fast enough for them to react.
Her eyes soon settled on Ruby, her silver eyes and her blue cobalt eyes met, Saphron approached Ruby, making the younger girl nervous, her eyes breaking from Saphrons gaze. Soon she felt warmth as she looked up and saw Saphron hugging her tight, Ruby didn't say anything but she hugged back, relaxing and calming down.
Then with a whisper Saphron said "Jaune was lucky to have you by his side" Ruby stiffens and buried her face in Saphrons chest, as she quietly cried.
Saphron was patting her head and letting the girl grieve, Yang took notice and clenched her fist, on one hand she was angry, that was her sister and she was crying, as an elder sister she has a job to comfort her and be with her not some hussy. But on the other hand, she was partly to blame, her jeers and threats of bodily harm to Jaune strained her relationship with Ruby.
So, she sighed and looked down, guilt bubbling up in her chest
Weiss was much the same, she was ruby's partner, and she was one of the first to hurt Ruby, the first was her causing her to literary explode because of her pride, the second was her questioning her leadership and openly challenging her, the third was bashing Jaune, causing a rift between them once more, right after she and ruby actually started to bond.
Saphron looked towards these two, ears twitching as she did, she pulled away from Ruby, the younger girl was red and puffy eyed "Sorry for making you cry Ruby" Saphron said
Ruby chuckled "no, no it's alright"
"Call me Saph then Ruby"
"Ok"
The rest was silently watching none dared to interrupt
"…Um" a meek voice called out from behind them, leaning against a tree, her hand on the bark the other waving awkwardly "Hello?" she half said half asked.
"Jaune?" Velvet asked in disbelief, same shade of blond, sapphire blue eyes and same awkward body langue.
If not for the decently size bump on her chest Velvet and Ruby would have run towards the person like a rocket.
"Umm… no I'm Jeanne, Jaune's twin sister" Jeanne said rubbing the back of her head as she headed towards her elder sister, which was Saph "S-so Ruby, how are you?" she asked in concern.
The others realized something, Ruby was being singled out, it might be because Ruby met a good few of Jaune's Family before them, maybe because Ruby stuck by Jaune. But that doesn't explain why Velvet and her team doesn't get the same treatment as Ruby.
But it was Coco that completed the puzzle "Oh… Oooh~! That's why…" she voiced, her team, and Weiss and Yang looked at her questioning, but she shook her head 'later'
"Hi, nice to finally meet you in person Jeanne" Ruby stuck her hand out, Jeanne shook it with a smile
"Likewise, Ruby, Jaune was very vocal about you whenever we talked over scroll"
Ruby smiled "thanks I- wait, I want to ask a question" she looked at the siblings
"How can we talk through the scroll when Prospero doesn't have a CCT?"
The others are equally interested, Prospero was at the very border of Vale, and there wasn't a CCT tower here, so how the heck could Jaune and his family vid call through scroll?
"Well… you have to thank uncle Oz for that" Amber said, the others looked at the still floating Arc sibling questioningly
"What?" Weiss asked
Amber shrugged "Ask uncle Oz"
"No, not the how you can communicate with Jaune without a CCT this far out but how is Headmaster Ozpin your uncle?" Weiss asked again
Amber looked confused tilting her head "His just uncle Oz since we were born…"
Weiss wanted to ask to for her to elaborate but an elbow from Yang stopped her
"*ehem* I believe we should all go back; Mom is making her famous roast and I've been away for a few weeks so I really don't want to miss it" Guinevere said
The others wanted to protest but shrugged their shoulders when their stomachs started to grumble
(…)
Waking up amidst a field of white roses Jaune sat crossed legged looking at the ornate sword stabbed into the dirt, he was done meditating, he found that meditating helped him in his Aura control and this is the result, the field of bloomed rosses.
It has been a week and Jaune felt this feeling inside his chest pull and pull the better he got with Aura, he asked his aunt what this might be and she jumped up and clasped her hand on his and said 'Your close in finding your semblance! That's great Jaune!' and became even more brutal in their sparing sessions.
Rubbing his left arm Jaune thought 'can't she pull her punches a bit? I felt like my arm was being ripped out of its sockets'
"Gao!"
Looking down Jaune smiled, the little tiger he bonded with was sitting with him looking up at him with care and loyalty "hey Neo" Jaune petted the Jeweled protector 'crazy to think he can turn into a giant flying tiger with jewels on his back worth more than the SDC once he's older' Jaune chuckled at the thought of anyone seeing Neo when he gets to that size.
"Come-on bud" Jaune stood up and reached his arm out so Neo can climb and sit on his shoulders "Aunt morg said she has a test for me" he started to walk and as he passed the sword, he felt the pull again and stopped, he turned and looked at the sword, he faced it, and brought his hand to his face, he looked at his hand then to the handle.
He walked towards the sword, his right hand gripped the blue handle and then he pulled.
But once again it did not budge
Sighing Jaune let go and started to walk back to the castle, as he did, he started to hum out a tune, he passed a creak, he saw more of the pegasi and he even saw some thunderbirds flying overhead. As he spent more and more time here in the sanctuary, Jaune started to see more and more creatures he has never seen before but knows about thanks to the books his aunt has.
"Hey Neo, look a Magikarp" Jaune pointed towards a large red and yellow fish flopping on the edge of the river, Neo drooled at the sight and looked back to Jaune with starry eyes 'can I?' the tiger cub seemingly asked.
Jaune chuckled more and nodded "Sure bud, make sure to head back as soon as you can kay?" Neo nodded hurriedly and jumped off Jaune's shoulder and towards the poor magikarp.
Jaune shook his head 'rest in pieces my fishy friend, literally'
Jaune soon came to the heavy double doors of Lumen, Jaune whistled at the gate that resembled closely to the one he saw in his dreams, the gates opened and let him in, the once desolate and ruined town within was becoming more and more habitable, there weren't remains and skeletons lining the streets anymore, instead there were paved cobble roads and fixed fountains and roofs.
Suddenly Jaune felt a shiver run through his spine 'What is that?', as he came to the inner castle Jaune gulped, his gut was telling him something, something foul. He pushed open the doors into the inner castle and was immediately on guard, torches that gave off light dimmed, the halls were darker and he barely sees 4ft in front of him. Once more Jaune felt like something was wrong, 'aunt morg!' Jaune started to sprint.
Deeper and deeper, he went, and darker and darker the feeling in his heart grew, Jaune finally made it in front of the weighted double doors of the throne room. Jaune can feel something behind these doors, something malignant, fel, evil…
Jaune steeled his heart, his aura flaring a soft golden hue and he pushed open the door.
it was bright, compared to the rest of the castle the throne room was well light as always, but Jaune was frozen in place, his eyes wide, and aura wildly dancing like a crazed waltz. For before him, sitting on the throne of Camlann, was a woman.
White as bone skin, red pupils in a sea of darkness, visible vein like lines pulsing with malignant energy on her face, ashen grey hair done in a bun with six offshoots wrapped together that also suspends several obsidian-colored ornaments, she wore very long, short-sleeved black robe that obscures her feet and partially drags across the ground, her pale arms with clawed nails gripping the arm rest.
"My, oh my, so the heir shows himself at last" the woman said, there was a vileness in her tune, even if it sounded sultry and seductive "Such a handsome face~ I can see the genes of the king is strong millennia later"
Jaune trembled, he was fearful, he was scared, the malice and evil this woman is emitting made him want to hurl and run away.
And he did
It was not cowardly to do so, Jaune knew he can't fight her, just locking eyes with her gave him enough to know she'll murder him without a second thought.
So. Using Aura, he enhances his lower body and sprinted as fast as he can away from her, and wait for his aunt to come 'where is she?!' Jaune thought as he came back out of the inner castle. Just in time too as a black cloud blew away the doors.
Jaune sweated and ran again
"Oh Jaune~! why are you running away? I feel lonely, why don't you give me company?" a sultry voice called out, and it made Jaune double his sprint.
'Great! She's thirsty too!' Jaune thought as he was finally out of lumen
Jaune immediately ran to the forest 'Neo! Meet me at the sword!' Jaune called out to his partner
Jaune jumped, weaved and sidestepped the trees and uneven ground, however his luck ran out as his instincts yelled at him to duck down. So, he did, and just in time too as Jaune heard a swoosh pass over his head.
As he looked up Jaune went pale, trees were cut in half. "Such a naughty little boy~ running away before we could introduce one another"
A haunting voice called out behind him and Jaune stiffened, he turned around and there, walking gracefully towards him was the woman, smirk playing across her lips, showing of razor-sharp teeth "You Arduins are such a… lively family… well after today not anymore, I already dealt with the sorceress"
Jaune's eyes widen in shock and denial "Your lying! And who the hell are you?! and how did you find this place!"
She chuckled, then laughed manically "oh, you poor, poor… worm" her eyes glowed "You dare not know who I am child? I who ruined your cities, killed your people, and…" she smirked "be the one to end your pathetic line once and for all"
Darkness shrouded her form, a whirling typhoon of malice and hate, with red beaming eyes peeking through.
"I am the Darkness, inheritor of the power of a god, High Queen of this world. I. Am. SALEM!" the darkness exploded and once more Jaune was at a loss on what to do, hundreds, no… thousands of Grimm were brought forth, and none where familiar to him
Tall broad-shouldered and muscular body with a head of a bull with sharp and thick horns, covered in bone white plating and carrying a bonelike club. Giant wasp like Grimm with pinchers the size of his torso. Eight-legged reptiles with 6 eyes, thorny backs and forked tongue.
However, there was one, its feet were hoofs, its body, easily 10 feet tall, muscular with the same bone like plating on key areas of the body to provide protection without compromising mobility, clawed hands with one carrying a sword and the other a wispy black whip. Its face was elongated, mouth set in a snarl showing off jagged teeth, on its head were two horns facing backwards, and on its back were jet black wings that seemed to emit black smoke as they moved.
"Do you like my Doomguard [1]? Such a terrible creation is it not?" Salem smiled "a frequent template that brings results, I doubt any huntsmen of your era can even contend with its strength alone"
The Grimm started to rave and become restless, eager for blood and slaughter; their mistress only giggled in glee "Go! bathed in the blood of the Arduins once more!"
With a mighty roar the Grimm charged, and Jaune, seeing he can't out run them gripped the bracelets he got from his aunts and ripped them off, a surge of golden light shone, extending up, towards the heavens like a pillar.
The Grimm and Salem were momentarily blinded, just enough time for Jaune to turn tails and run, once the Grimm regained their sight, they all roared and charged, intent to murder Jaune.
'Neo! Are you there?!'
'Gao~!'
'Good! I'll pick you up and let's hide! I don't know where aunt morg is, but I refuse to believe she's dead!'
Jaune kept running, he heard buzzing above him and saw the wasp like Grimm preparing to dive bomb him. Jaune raised his hand and with a glow a shield made of golden aura appeared. The wasp Grimm bounced off it like a spring, but there was still more to come, the wasps were just the faster ones.
*ROAR! * a deafening wail called out and the heavy stomps of hooves on dirt were heard, bursting into the scene were the Bull-headed Grimm charging right at Jaune like a berserker.
Jaune dodged one, then a second one, but the third managed to hit him with its club sending him flying dozens of feet in the air. Landing with a hard *thud* on the ground, Jaune groaned as he got up, but once again he was hit hard, and once again sent flying.
He rolled on the ground as he landed, stopped only when he hit something sturdy and warm behind his back, bruised but healing, Jaune cracked open one eye, he cringed at what lay before him, in the air, swarming like locust, hundreds of Wasps Grimm buzzed, below them were dozens of those bull-headed Grimm and crawling between them were the lizard Grimm, and at the very front…
As if heralding his death, the reaper that is to take his life away stood, covered in a smog of darkness, towering over even the Bull-headed Grimm, holding aloft its wicked sword and cracking its spiteful whip the Doomguard showed its evil grin. It stretched its dark wings as if to show how hopeless his situation is, how he would die, painfully… and alone.
"GAO!"
A roar, or a much more appropriate word for it, a high pinched mew, called out.
Jaune's eyes fully opened as a small, feline figure stood before Jaune and the horde before him, one lone creature, faced the enemy all for the sake of his partner.
"…No, no!" Jaune struggled to his feet, finding anything to hold on to for support, feeling something warm he gripped it and trembly got up, Jaune cringed when he felt pain flare up his chest 'broken ribs, healing, but too slow for my liking… where are you aunt morg?'
"Neo…" Jaune called out, touched by the loyalty and bravery of his partner "we need to run Neo"
'gao…' Jaune heard in his mind, and a rueful smile came to his lips.
'I'm just being optimistic…' Jaune sighed 'we need to buy time, aunt morg should come anytime now…' Jaune's heart ached when the Grimm advance, and no one stopped them.
"Grrrr…" Neo growled at the Grimm, but it did nothing as the horde continued.
"Wait" Salem called once more, coming out of nowhere as she floated down from the sky
Jaune glared at her "come here to gloat old hag?" Jaune mocked, he was doing something incredibly idiotic here, and he knew it as well, but he needs to at least buy as much time as he can before help arrives 'annoying the hell out of your enemy can buy you a lot of it… or just make your life shorter…' Jaune thought.
Jaune saw Salem's eyebrow twitch in annoyance "You dare… your pain would last week's Arduin" she then suddenly smiled "But for now I want to see you despair, the utter hopelessness that will wash over your face" clicking her fingers heavy stomps started to ring. From the mass of Grimm one of the bullheaded ones pushed itself to the front.
Carrying a body in its arms...
Jaune's eyes widens, his body rigid upon seeing the familiar head of blond much like his own, her eyes closed whilst crimson blood flowed down her slit neck staining the sanctuary with Arduin blood after millennia, she looked so peaceful, serene, as if she was merely sleeping, but will never wake.
Salem chuckled darkly, she raised her hand in the air, the bullheaded Grimm followed its mistresses order and threw the body in the air. Jaune was helpless as the wasp tore apart the body, her blood rained down like an unholy omen, he could do nothing, nothing at all…
Jaune collapses his head bowed and eyes becoming hollow, it was futile… no help, he would die. The familiar sense of weakness and self-loathing bubbled up in his mind. He failed, he failed and failed and remained weak not being able to do anything right, the professors in beacon, team CFVY, his sisters, Ruby, and now his aunt placed their trust in him and he was found wanting…
'Useless' he thought, the negativity around him made the Grimm froth at the mouth at how much he was giving off, 'weak' 'deadweight' 'unworthy'
It continued, Jaune was being engulfed with the negativity, all encompassing, a weight on his shoulders. "Gao!" Neo mewed, sensing his partners emotions.
But Jaune did not hear, he did not hear anything, his despair was so great he blocked out everything… there was no light, no warmth, only darkness and sorrow.
That is… when something shimmered from the depths. A lone beacon that guides.
XXX
Once more Jaune wasn't where he was before but now, he was back in the throne room, only this time there wasn't a crazy Grimm queen on the throne, but a king, garbed with blood red armor resembling dragon scales, holding a familiar sword on his right hand and looking over 12 companions kneeling before him.
It was a start that Jaune realized this was the King he first saw in his visions, the king that stood against the army of death and fought.
"Out there is death, behind us are our people. Tell me. where will you all go to? To your deaths? Or survive just a little bit longer?" the king asked.
One of the companions, holding aloft a hammer, and wearing clothes that befitted blacksmiths than warriors stood up "By your side my king, I make weapons, I can as sure as hell wield them"
The king nodded in thanks.
"As do I" an archer, Arash the one that Jaune saw previously called
"I will follow you till the end" an unarmed man said one that Jaune saw the death off
One by one each of the 12 stood and swore their lives, following their king to their deaths.
And… there was no sorrow in their eyes.
They face their deaths heads held high, but one person caught Jaune's eyes, she looked younger, none of the aged tiredness he can sometimes gleam from her eyes, there standing just off the side of the king was his aunt.
Her eyes, much like the others are firm and unwavering, ready to face her death fighting and without fear.
Jaune then remembered the peaceful look when he last saw her.
'Did you smile, Aunt morg? Even when you were dying? What was your last thought?' Jaune wondered.
What will be his last thought? His last actions before he dies? Will he cower like a coward? Like a child lost in the woods? Or…
Face death and tell him not yet.
He knew what he wants, Jaune knew what his final thoughts were going to be, he knew what his last actions was going to be.
He was going to fight
For his aunt, for those that died because of the monster before him
And for the people who was dear to his heart.
And the world exploded in light
XXX
Salem was idly watching Jaune, her and her Grimm were basking in the despair when suddenly, a bright flash of white light burst forth and bathed the whole area in its soft glow. the positivity, happiness, kindness the hope. It all should have made the Grimm back away and Salem wide eyed, instead…
Salem gave a fond smile as her red baleful eyes glazed over with unshed tears… nostalgic even.
Jaune suddenly stood, back straight, on his right hand was a sword.
the sword set in a stone, a sword that was wielded a hundred thousand times before, a peerless sword whose only equal is in the hands of a faraway family. a sword of selection, a sword of a monarch.
Jaune tugged the sword, and it was released from its resting place for thousands of years
And its name…
He held the sword in the air, its tip pointing high in the sky, sunlight beamed down as if giving the blade more power.
"CALIBURN!"
And he swung…
And the world was bathed in a golden white light, it pushed the darkness, the despair away like a wave, ancient unknown Grimm that once upon a time roamed the world and was revived again this day were cast back into obscurity as they turned to ash.
The light continued until the only ones left standing were Jaune, Neo… and Salem.
Jaune wobbly stood, using Caliburn as a clutch, his blue eyes that had a tint of gold in them stared at Salem. "This is my answer… to… your… darkness" Jaune lost consciousness soon after. Leaving only his partner who was growling at Salem, the creature intent in protecting his partner till death.
But no attack came forth, no Grimm spawned.
Only the proud look Salem was giving to Jaune
Soon particles of energy withered away from Salem's visage, as if she was turning into ash like the Grimm before her. But bone white hair gave way to bright blond and blood red eyes turned to silver moons.
"Gao?" Neo looked in confusion
Morgana stood in Salem's place, a proud smile on her face as she walked towards the two partners.
Still confused Neo growled threateningly but the sound of hooves moved his attention away, from the forest of trees that should have been cut down emerged a familiar bronze winged horse that nuzzled the side of Morgana.
"Be at ease Neo, I am Morgana, all this was just a test for Jaune to grow stronger both in mind and heart" Morgana explained to the little cat.
Neo still looked hesitant but looking at the pegasi that suddenly appeared made the feline relent, Neo strutted to where Jaune was face first on the dirt and laid beside his head.
Morgana chuckled at the display and sat down, combing her hand in Jaune's hair "You're really one of a kind Jaune… to think you have resonance as your semblance…"
XXX
Ruby was hit by a pie…
A tasty apple pie to be specific.
Silver eyes glared mock daggers at the thrower, licking bits of pie flesh at the sides of her mouth, bright blond eyes looked back with amusement.
"…Jeanne…" Ruby called
The girl only smiled "Yes~?"
Stomping her foot on the table Ruby declared "Justice will be swift; it will be brutal! It will be… DELI-!"
The declaration of war was stopped by one unamused mama Arc projecting her aura around the picnic table, a baleful blue shroud covered everyone causing them to shiver, non-more so Ruby and Jeanne.
"Children… do not play with your food" Arwin ordered.
Glynda, who was sitting beside Ozpin on her right and Coco on her left said "I couldn't have said it better myself…" sipping her tea, Ozpin chuckled and Coco shivered.
"YES MA'AM!" even though they weren't the ones being scolded, Qrow, Yang, Tai and even Weiss yelled in agreement.
Arwin smiled joyfully "Good!"
Ruby slumped back down giving a look over Jeanne across from her, both hid smiles as they giggled. It has been a week since they came to be here, Ruby was both happy and sad, happy that she fit in really well with the arc family and sad that she couldn't have Jaune with her.
'Don't worry crater face! You'll meet them personally soon!' Jaune's memory echoed in her mind
Ruby looked over the table, you couldn't even tell a family member died just months ago, let alone they were going to burn his shroud tonight. 'I wanted to meet them with you here…' Ruby thought sadly
Guinevere may talk excitedly and has this big smile on her face, but Ruby can see the slight trembling of her hand as she passed food over to others.
The girls, Nyx, Amber and Andy were all eating with gusto, savoring the food their mother gave them, but Ruby can see they were using it as a distraction, to not think about a dearly departed love one. She should know, that's the reason she likes cookies so much, a reminder of her mother.
Saffron and her wife were also affected, both would take glancing looks at Adrian and gain this… longing look, in their eyes.
Even Jeanne who threw that pie to serve as her not thinking about what they were going to do tonight, who they were saying goodbye too… forever.
It was a daunting, Ruby already had to go through one funeral of a love once, and it was one too many already.
"Can I have some more pie?" Ruby said, Jeanne handed her a slice properly.
Weiss looked on, watching the Arc clan bicker and taunt one another, she watched them tease, embarrass and laugh. This was so foreign to her, growing up with an indifferent father, a dismissive little brother and up until recently, an alcoholic mother.
She may be close to her eldest sister but even then, they kept one another at an arm's length, an invisible barrier that were separating them from truly acting like siblings. Or maybe it was just Jacques Schnee.
Either way looking at the Arc interact with one another hurt, knowing the chances of her family acting like this was zero to none.
A hand soon placed itself on her shoulders, looking to her side she can see her mother, someone who she thought not one week ago was just as indifferent as her father… but after their talk 3 days ago completely changed her view on what it was to be a Schnee.
Flashback
Weiss just woke up in her shared room with Ruby and Yang, having so many children and not knowing how many they would finally end up with, had Roland and Arwin build a house with a lot of rooms, a benefit when they had guest over.
Going to the bathroom to freshen up she made her way down to the living room where she saw no one but her mother, sipping on what she presumes was tea, sitting on the sofa with another steaming cup on the coffee table.
Gulping Weiss made her way to her and sat across from her mother, taking the tea to her lip she gave an experimental sip.
It had a hint of earthiness, yet had this gentle mellow favor with some citrus under tones.
"It is to your liking I take it?" Willow asked, taking another sip
Weiss nodded "It is surprisingly refreshing"
Willow nodded "It's a something Arwin taught me to make when we were in beacon"
"I didn't know you were a huntress, you never told me"
"You didn't ask" Willow replied
That made Weiss twitched 'I would have known to ask if you weren't drunk most of the day'
"cranberries"
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked confused at the random word
"I drank cranberries, the last time I had a sip of wine was my wedding night, to forget it ever happened" Willow supplied.
Weiss was shocked into silence, processing what her mother had just told her, someone she, admittedly put in the 'doesn't care' category had just told her she was faking being drunk for years, and only giving the illusion of an alcoholic to everyone, including her family.
Her hand on the tea cup trembling she managed to say with a quiver in her voice "W-why?"
Taking another careful sip, Willow closed her eyes "To protect my children, from a manipulative murderer" Willow opened her eyes and gave a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping "I was not all successful"
"Father? Manipulative yes… but a murderer?" Father was many things in Weiss's eyes, a narcissistic, overcontrolling, self-entitled, greedy businessman but to kill someone? She could see it yes, but from the tone of her mother Jacques didn't order someone dead, but did the deed himself.
"W-who?"
Willow breathed in deep, placing the teacup on the table "My father, you and your sibling's maternal grandfather, and someone else I care for…"
Once more Weiss was frozen in shock, not knowing how to respond, it was fortunate that Willow continued.
"Jacques was no one back then, some upstart that climbed his way up my father's company, he backstabbed, manipulated, lied and framed his competition, his honest, honorable, and kind competitions" Willow said with a sadly
"If the SDC was the body, then Jacques was the virus, he toppled anyone that got in his way, good honest men and women disappeared, replaced by yes men by Jacques when he usurped their position. Until he reached the top and had my father's ear" Willow spat, her tone growing more and more passionate and disgusted.
"He whispered sweet, venomous words to my papa, manipulating events that showed him as "A good person" even I was fooled by his honey coated words, eating it all up not knowing they were laced with his poison" her hands balled into fist
"He wanted me, desired me, not my love, body or even who I was but the power, the power of having me under his thumb." Willow looked at her daughter who was listening, her eyes wide not knowing any of this.
"However, he had one more obstacle to clear before he could have my hand, one person, one man, someone I loved deeply, someone I would've spent my life with" her gaze met Weiss.
Two cool orbs stare at one another, behind one, a flurry of emotion, questions, fury, shock, the other, sadness, longing, and heartache.
"He was the fourth member of our team, someone who's gallantry and kindness I have never seen in anyone. His name. was Nicholas Arc, twin brother of Roland, part of team ARWN"
A gasp slip through Weiss's lips, how? how closely tied was her family to Jaune's? and why was she just now knowing about all of this!
"He had my heart, and I had his" Willow gave a teary smile "it was perfect, a love straight out of a fairytale, a noble knight meeting a cold princess and him melting her frozen heart with his warm love. It was supposed to be a happy ending" Willow gave her daughter a thousand-yard stare.
"But on remnant Weiss, there is no fairytales with happy endings, not in reality"
Weiss shivered
"We were sent to a mission in the northern most regions of Solitas, it was supposed to be a simple scouting mission, counting the Grimm population and culling a few of their numbers, there was supposed to be a few hundred…"
Tears welled up Willows eyes
"but it was a Grimm festival…"
Once again Weiss gasp
"The info about the area was wrong, false, forged. We were over run, there was 5 hunter teams that took the mission, only 3 people came out alive, 20 professionals, and 3 survive. And even then, barely" her tears flowed freely down Willows face
"Nicolas, knew we wouldn't have made it out alive, he knew we would all die. So, he did what Arcs seem to like to do, he sacrificed himself, he flared his Aura and used himself as bait so his brother, a sister and his lover could live, we did, but only just"
Unbridle raged suddenly replaced her sadness, it was a change so fast that Weiss had to double take.
"Then that… monster pounced on me, fresh from heart ache and trauma he wormed his parasitic self into my heart gnawing at the already wounded roots, I was a fool, I thought it was love, that I moved on, that I can spend the life Nicolas spent saving. It was a lie." Willow spat
"That fucking monster sweet talked my papa to marry me to him, 2 weeks and I was in a dress, and as I lay, my body bare and him on top of me" Willow shivered in disgust "He whispered to me 'Nicolas truly loved you, shame he died, and I need a cash cow' that night he told me, told me all his 'conquest' as if he was a great general regaling his wife with tales of triumph"
Weiss recoiled at the anger her mother displayed
Willows eyes glowed "I was livid, enraged, hurt, betrayed. I pushed him of me and was about to utterly hurt him, but once again he had something up his sleeve, my father, he told me he was poisoning him, that if I did not let him do what he wanted, then my dearest papa would die"
Weiss can't breathe, this was too much, her father… was a monster more than she thought, and seeing her mother, wilt before her as she told her a secret, she doubts even Winter knew, she got up and hugged her mother, and her mother hugged back.
Mother and daughter comforted one another, not since Weiss was 4 did, she felt the warmth of her mother and Willow has not felt the concern of her child since Weiss was born and Winter fussed over her.
The two sat silent, as they basked in each other's affection.
Soon Willow pulled her self together and gave Weiss a loving motherly smile "Thank you, Weiss"
Weiss smile in return
"Now, where was I?"
"Y-you can stop, I-if it hurts you this much mother"
Willow shook her head "No, you need to know this, After Jacques threated to kill father, I was powerless, Nic's death was still fresh and I do not wish to see another person I loved deeply gone… so I followed, like a good little sheep, he had his way with me that night and Winter was conceived, 9 months later she was born, and 9 months later… Jacques killed my papa as he had a new puppet and hostage"
Mother and daughter hugged, seeking comfort in the each other "Then the hostage became you, then Whitley, he held a sword over all of you, it was only thanks to Ironwood that Winter managed to be somewhat shielded and Ozpin taking you in shielded you. I had to pretend, act like a foolish alcoholic so I can watch over you all, even still… I failed your brother, Jacques has sunk his fangs too deeply, his poison too potent for your brother to escape"
Willow hugged her daughter "Please Weiss, live your life as you see it, do not let yourself become like me, a trapped blizzard in a snow globe, in the hands of an uncaring owner"
Flashback end
Mother and daughter smiled at one another 'Even without you here Jaune, you are still saving me' Weiss thought, her time here in the Arc household made her put things into perspective. What it means to be loved by your family, to live life the way you want to.
She saw it in the Arcs, they may have drastically different personalities, but they all share this willful freedom, choice, Jaune made a choice, and that choice led him to her, at beacon, he chose to save her, even though she treated him like trash, unworthy of becoming a hunter.
But all along she was the one unworthy.
Saffron's ears twitched as she fed little Adrian.
Yang was laughing her ass off, why is that? It was all because of the elder blond beside her, Guinevere, or Guin as her family affectionally called her had just finished her story.
"So, Annabeth, Percy and I were out in the deserts of Vacou yeah? Then this Ancient sandworm popped its ugly head out of the dunes, you know, big, long, dry like Saffron's meatloaf" "Hey!" "With many, many, sharp poisoned teeth. We fought for what felt like hours, getting sand all over us, in places we didn't even know could get sand. So anyways, after we found a cave to rest in, Percy, the lovable kelp head that he is, turned to us and asked 'Does Vacou always give such a dry welcome?'"
People around her chuckled or laughed at the story, more so Yang "that's good! any chance I can meet the guy?"
Guin shook her head "He and Annabeth went to Minstral after we finished our mission in Vacou, so maybe next time" Yang nodded, eager to crack puns with a comrade.
XXX
In Minstral, a duo suddenly stopped, the blond one with grey eyes looked at her partner with black hair and sea green eyes "Percy? What's wrong?"
Percy shook his head "It's nothing Anni, come on, dad said he has something to tell me"
He was hit over the head
"Don't call me Anni kelp head!"
XXX
Yang continued to listen to whatever Guin told next, but she also took notice on how the Arcs paid attention, giving loose remarks here and there, with Guin teasing them back. It reflected just how her and Ruby would interact. though she teases Ruby more as an elder sibling should.
'And Jaune was their brother…' Yang lamented, Jaune's only sin was wanting to become a huntsman, and all she and a lot of other people did was condemn him for it, put him down and mock him. She told her self that if Jaune quit it would be better, Jaune was the weakest in their class, dead last and has yet to win a single match against anyone, and she means anyone.
He was a liability, he was weak, that was all they thought, a kid in over his head. Exasperated by CRDL when they all got back from forever fall, Cardin claiming that he 'saved' the day. And like idiots they believe him, they should've known better, she should know better! she got there and he was knocked the fuck out after all!
But no, they were blind and arrogant, they saw a fellow hunter, eager to help and safe guard the people and laughed and sneered. All because he can't swing his sword properly. All because he wasn't blessed like them, to be healthy, to be strong since they were born.
It still made her heart hurt more when she and the rest was told why Jaune didn't get the training he deserved and the story that followed.
Flashback
They were by the lake again, Guinevere telling stupid and funny stories about Jaune, how her and the rest of her sisters made Jaune wear a dress, trained him in ballroom dancing and tasted his first ever cooked 'goop' as Guin says.
"Oh Jaune he was so annoyed when we made him wear that frilly yellow dress, but he still wore it for an entire day! His reasoning was 'I can't be bothered to change' and went about his day like he wasn't killing it in a dress all around town!"
People giggled and awed at the picture of a little Jaune wearing a dress.
However, though the picture showed a smiling yet annoyed looking boy in a dress, said boy also looked… pale, thinner than he should, like he was partly starved.
Seeing the reaction of everyone present Guinevere gave context.
"When Jaune was born, he nearly died, doctors said it was a miracle that he even managed to breathed"
Gasp resounded
"Said he was born with a compromised immune system, that due to some complications Jaune's life was given a set date even before he uttered his first word" Guin's hand trembled "he was so small… so weak, Dad said that he looked like he would croak within hours" her eyes sheened with unshed tears
"But he didn't, he survived the next day, then the next, and so on, but he was weak, scrawny, he didn't walk until he was 5, and even then, for only a few feet" Guin continued
"Vivi always supported him, gave him more love than mom, dad or anyone really, that's why she was Jaune's favorite"
Ruby and the rest looked confused on who this 'Vivi' was so they asked, Guin flinched as they did.
"Oh, I… forgot about that…" Guin took in a deep breath as the others looked at her in concern, that looked also turn on Jeanne who sniffed and desperately wiped her eyes.
"Its fine! Um, if it's too personal I mean…" Ruby whispered
Guin smiled and patted Ruby's head "You're a good girl Ruby, but it's alright, Vivi, or Vivian Morgan Arc was the oldest of us, she was the first to be born and…" Guin looked down
"And the first to fall amongst us siblings…"
…
…
A collective silence graced their group, pity towards the family that has lost much.
"Vivi… encourage Jaune, she always cheered him on and even helped him sneak out of the house when he got better, going down to old Torren and clowning around with Leo in their smithy" Guin chuckled "She always had Jaune's back…"
"Then that mission" Guin gripped the arm on her chair tightly "Vivi and her team was called to clear a bandit camp, it was caught harassing convoys of goods heading towards Vale" there was a cracking that sounded "The bandit group was a problem months ago, but the Vale council refrained from sending more hunters after them, even Uncle Oz was miffed, them saying 'it was just a small group of miscreants' they said 'none threat' they said"
The arms of the chair crumbled and caught fire as Guinevere's hands cracked with blue lightning
"They could handle them they said… they couldn't… turns out there was a rouge hunter among them, experienced, with a broken semblance that turns whatever he touches his weapon, they called him 'the berserker'"
Coco recoiled at the name "You mean that berserker? The one that wore jet black armor with red shining eyes!? The one that said to have massacred an entire platoon of Atlessian soldiers and 2 squads of huntsmen!?"
Guinevere nodded solemnly "My sister, died, her team died… the only silver lining was she took that bastard down with her and dad brought the Arc fury upon the council of vale"
"Her death hurt us all, more so mom me and Saph as we got to spend more time with her, Jaune was too young when she died but he was just as hurt as the rest of us"
Guinevere then let out a sorrowful sighed and look at the budding huntresses before her "you are all still green, yes even those of you a year above, being in our profession comes with risks, prices we must all pay, most often, with our very lives"
"I have lost a grandfather I have yet to meet, a sister I adore and a brother I loved" Guinevere sadly said "I will mourn Jaune, just as I mourned Vivian and visit their tombs like I did with grandfather, then I go back and protect what is left of my family, as an older sibling should"
Yang heard the words, and felt the meaning, it was as if it was directed at her, she looked at Ruby who got up and hugged Guinevere crying onto the older woman's chest, Guin only patted Ruby's hair and hugged the little reaper back.
'As an older sibling should…' Yang thought
"Jaune would've wanted the family to continue on, to walk forward with tear marks on our faces but wills of steel and a burning resolve to do better, be better to save just one more person."
Flashback end
Mama Arc suddenly stood up, everyone looked at the matriarch she had a downcast expression, a small smile and glassy eyes. She looked at everyone in the table and softly spoke "its time to burn the shroud" the mood on the table suddenly shifted, gone was a jovial and fun atmosphere and was replaced by this heavy, sorrowful air.
Jeanne looked down and tried to hold back tears, Nyx, Amber and Andy stopped shoving food in their mouths and rubbed their eyes.
It took awhile but the Arcs and the beacon contingent arrived back at the lake, there was a pyre set up and Arwin held a blue shroud with the golden emblem of two double crescents on it. She stood before and pyre and placed the shroud over it and turned back to the rest.
She took a deep breath and spoke "we are gathered here today in a time of mourning, for we have lost a friend, a brother, a son… words cannot describe the sorrows, so let action be our speaker" Arwin let out waves of her aura the intensity was enough to ignite the pyre and catching the younger kids off guard "Jaune Bedivere of house Arc has fallen in battle, by making sure his comrades made it out alive amidst foes of greater number"
Weiss shut her eyes tight at the words
"He has brought honor to himself and his family" Arwin closed her eyes, forcing out tears "May he rest eternal la vie après la mort" (A/N Translation: life after death via goggle translate)
Every sorrowfully gazed at the rising pyre, none spoke, none moved, only the swaying of the fire and the breeze of the quiet night.
*ROAAAR! *
That was shattered by a deafening wail, a sound familiar to all who gathered and replaced their sorrow with anger, fear, determination
"Grimm! To arms!" Roared Roland as he and the adults led the charge back to gather their weapons, while Arwin and Saphron guided the kids.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes "Miss Adel, call for aid immediately students relieve the town of civilians, let the adults cover you"
"But!" Yang made to protest but was shut down by Ozpin
"Miss Xio-long, our priority is to get as many to safety as possible, Now!" The headmaster ordered slamming his cane onto the ground.
None questioned him again.
What was supposed to be a peaceful farewell to one of their own, turned into a battle, a race against time.
XXX
Every thing was on fire, and not because of his semblance, Leo Valdez looked on in horror as those malefic monstrosities ravage his home, he saw people he knew all his life devoured or torn to shreds by uncaring monsters. The defenders, watchers, and knights of Prospero valiantly protected anyone they could.
But the hoard of Grimm was doubling, for every Beowolf cut down, 4 would take its place.
'How? how could this happen, Prospero has never been breached by Grimm!' Leo was at a loss to what to do, he was helpless.
Then a Beowolf sniffed the air, and turned its gaze to him, he was out in the open, he was just back from an errand and he was in the middle of the main street when Grimm broke through.
The Beowolf growled, its maw open for him to see teeth, then it lunged.
Leo screamed
Then there was blood
"Should I start calling you wuss again Leo?" a gruff voice said
Leo opened his eyes and saw his Uncle Torren standing tall, a Warhammer in his hand the Beowolf's head caved in like a watermelon under his feet.
"Go Leo, Find Roland get the Arcs down here, quick"
*RAAHHH! *
A piercing shriek resounded in the dead air
"We are facing something beyond our understanding" Torren hefted his hammer, his Aura, a shining emerald color enveloped him and the hammer, as cracks of green lightning hit the earth.
From the night fell down a figure, it stood on two legs much like that of a human or faunus, but it was neither, shrouded in a black cloak and tendrils of shadow the figure seem to look at the uncle and nephew pair.
The darkness receded, and a familiar bone mask greeted them.
"Leo! Run now!" Torren yelled and Leo turned and fled
*RAAAHHH! *
The Grimm shrieked again its shadow morphed and formed as it dashed to meet Torren, the shadow twisted and turned.
Until it took the shape of a black scythe.
Torren roared as his Semblance crackled around him, his war hammer seem to be encased by green lightning and grew larger. He swung down his hammer, ready to squash whatever this new type of Grimm was.
His blow resounded like a thunder clap and blew everything in front of him to dust and ruble, the blow had enough force to stun fully grown goliaths.
But as the dust clear
And Black rose petals fell
Torren only had a fraction of a second to pull back his Hammer to defend himself from the Grimm that got behind him.
Black petals trailing behind it
The two combatants clashed, and Torren couldn't help but ask "What are you?"
*RAAAHH! *
(A/N Hey ya'll! How are we? Well I'm good, so I may not be able to update again for a month or two, why? Funny thing, my laptop broke, and I'm using a friends computer to finish this once and for all. So yeah, until I can buy a new one, updates will slow to a crawl, as I can only write using the friend's computer whenever I'm over their place. That's all, see ya'll in a month or two!)