Arc II: The Knight Life
Chapter 18: Lost and Found
A dull thud echoed through the room as his arm shot out, catching himself from falling out the bed and faceplanting on the wooden floor.
Breathing heavily and covered in sweat, Jaune slowly pushed himself up to sit on the edge. Darkness remained, but it was pleasant, without any trace of steel and death. Snoring instead of thunder rumbled as Nora slept atop her covers, while Ren serenely lay on his back and Pyrrha made a rather cute sight as she slightly drooled through an open mouth.
They were still, but they were breathing. Most importantly, they were alive. It helped steady his rapid heart rate, but not enough to wash away the images of Ren, Nora and Pyrrha lying dead upon the cold, stone floor of some dark, ancient and horrifyingly familiar ruins.
And then...him.
His own dark counterpart, irises red with unholy contempt and wielding a Master Sword that had no business being in his hands. And when time came to defend himself, he found his weaponry missing as Crocea Mors was no longer in its sheath; rather, it stood dull, rusty and cracked in a pedestal where the Master Sword should've been. It was upon that appalling realization that he was jarred back into consciousness as Dark Jaune ran him through.
Grabbing his canteen from the nightstand he quickly padded over and exited onto the balcony. Momentarily shivering at the crisp morning air, he saw only the sleepy shadows of the frontier just beginning to wake up for the next day and the light of the Triforce slowly fading away.
"Heh. And it's supposed to be Courage, huh? Fucking hell, this thing's a nightmare machine. Gods, I never felt more scared in my life."
"Scared of what?"
Startled, Jaune jumped and turned to see Pyrrha softly closing the door behind her. Despite her grimacing at the cold air and morning dew, all he could see was her ashen and limp upon the steps of a stone dais. So lost was he in remembering that he didn't even flinch when she raised a hand to catch his attention.
"Jaune? Are you okay?"
"...you're alive."
"Um...I think so? Not like freezing out here will hel - wah!"
The floodgates broke forth as Jaune lunged with a hug, seemingly surprising Pyrrha and staggering back. After several seconds, however she regained herself and held him, both falling to their knees to the sound of his quiet sobbing.
"...I - you're alive. Oh my Gods, you're alive. You're okay."
"...yes, I'm okay. Everyone's okay. You're safe here."
They stayed still for several moments until he slowly drew back, seeing the somber realization on her face. "Good. That's...good. Good to hear."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Jaune paused before shaking his head, and despite his heart protesting at the loss of warmth and contact he forced himself to let go. "We were in this ruined temple. It was really dark, and I saw you, Ren and Nora lying still on the ground. I was too late for them, and there wasn't anything I could do for you either. I...I felt so scared, Pyr. It felt so real."
Her gaze drifted downwards as she felt him tenderly reach for one of her hands, feeling content to let him assure himself of reality while doubly grateful of the predawn darkness in hiding her blush. "I feel that sitting and shivering in the cold is a lot more real than some awful dream, don't you think?"
Guilt lanced through his heart, immediately standing and pulling her up. "Oh. Um, yeah, sorry if I was too loud and woke you up there. You don't have to stay out here with me you know -"
"Relax. I'm just teasing," Pyrrha yawned, slapping his arm lightly and walking past to lean on the balcony rail. "That and it's almost time to get up anyway. Maybe you've been overly stressed about the mission? Perhaps that contributed to your troubled sleep."
"Maybe. We've done some work around the village but it wasn't exactly hard. If anything, it almost felt simple and straightforward. Can't exactly complain," Jaune shrugged, leaning on the rail beside her. The feeling of wet metal, made worse by his cold sweat and a passing breeze instinctively caused him to shiver and subconsciously move closer.
And though her fluffy sweater helped shelter his arms, deep down he couldn't deny how it was her making sure that he was not alone that truly warmed him from the inside out.
"Pyrrha?"
"Hmm?"
"...thanks."
She gave him a tired smile. "Yeah. Glad I could help."
Jaune nodded back and turned towards the forest. "What do you think we'll find in there?"
"Grimm. Trees. Maybe some treasure," she chuckled lightly, gently nudging his shoulder when he failed to reply and wore a distant expression on his face. "Whatever's out there, Jaune, we'll find it together. It'll be a surprise to be sure but one that we'll live through. I promise."
"Together..."
Images of her lifeless corpse with dulled emerald eyes flashed through his mind, forcing him to look back at her and assure himself of the opposite.
"...and alive."
Jaune gently leaned back, joining her in gazing towards the horizon and the buried sun beginning to cast warm and comforting hues of orange across the shadowed forest.
()===|=====+
"We're going on a hike. We're goin' on a hike! Today's the day, hip hip hooray, we're going on a hike!"
It may have been a solid twenty four hours and more since they left Beacon, but they were finally venturing into the vast expanse of beautiful wilderness. Just the four of them - plus one - all alone and nothing but miles of trees and dangerous Grimm.
To the average civilian it would've been a nightmare. But to her? It was nothing more than paradise.
"Ren! Hey, Ren! Do you think we could take home whatever we find as trophies or something?"
"Ruins're to be left for the scientists," Qrow grunted, answering for her partner. "And everything that belongs here, stays here."
Nora pouted. "Aww, that blows. I wanted to hang the skull of an Ursa above our door. Or maybe it should've been a Beowolf?"
"The Grimm disintegrate after you kill it," Ren reminded her. "They wouldn't last long beyond the forest."
"You're right. Nevermore sounds much better."
She chuckled as her deadpan partner sighed, teasingly bumping into him as they walked on. Though it could've fooled anyone else, being far outside civilization revitalized her spirit. When she and Ren escaped their Mistralian home village shortly after its destruction, travelling with a boy as scared as she was through unknown country was nothing short of a real life nightmare. Yet, they persevered, they trained and with a goal in mind they adapted.
Even Ren appeared more relaxed than usual, as if someone told him that he just acquired a new Semblance where he could sleep whenever, wherever and how long he wanted, and then wake up completely well rested. After more than a decade of being by his side, she learned to read him inside and out - she knew he also thought that the Kingdoms felt a little stuffy. But out here? It was freedom, an unrestrained atmosphere of fresh air. A breath of the wild.
And now they both would get to enjoy it with their two best friends.
Nora smiled further at the thought, something which didn't miss Pyrrha's eyes. "You seem to be rather content to be out here."
"Mhm! It's always nice to be out and away from the city. It looks pretty, air's much cleaner and if it gets boring," eyes glinting with dangerous enthusiasm, "then there's always Grimm to hunt."
Pyrrha shrugged. "I guess, though it's probably not wise to have a fair amount of Grimm ambush you when help is rather far off."
"Don't worry. With my Semblance and her enthusiasm we're essentially invisible out here," Ren remarked, coming to her defence. "That being said, I'm surprised we haven't been attacked yet, other than those two Beowolves when we just left the village."
"And you guys made quick work of 'em. So consider this good luck. Rare enough to come by with me..." Qrow called out, then mumbling the last part as he took a swig from his flask.
Judging from the look of betrayal, it seemed karma agreed as he held it upside down and nothing came out.
She snickered and linked her arms behind her head as the huntsman shot her a frown, muttering before replacing it with another, smaller ornate one with an engraving of a rose. Never let it be said he did not go forth unprepared.
"Heheh. I know it's a mission and all, but come on. Aren't you guys having fun?"
Jaune promptly replaced his rather subdued expression with a grin. "Oh yeah, definitely. It almost feels like being back at home, as the village was surrounded by forest. When we got older, me and my sisters went camping as Dad and my oldest sister Ilia are both huntsmen. Oh, and supposedly there's stories about haunted ruins somewhere deep within the woods. We also got curious about that too."
"Ooh! If we ever drop by we should play ghost hunter! Maybe we can see some ghosts or find some long lost hidden treasure buried underground."
"I have a feeling you'd spook them away before they could us," Jaune snorted. "But yeah, feels really good to be out in the field again. How about you, Pyr?"
Pyrrha looked to the side for a moment before nodding in earnest. "I grew up in the city of Argus, in Mistral, so I'm still used to urban life. Otherwise, yes - it's just rather novel for me to spend a lot of time in the field. Most of my travels were always for tournaments so unless it was the inside of a ring I haven't really seen much else of the places I've been to. Any spare time was dedicated to training."
"Yikes. Yeah, it's not like you were on vacation but you think you'd have some down time without any worries," her partner agreed before startling at the sound of rustling coming from their right. Nora narrowed her eyes and alongside the team adopted a defensive pose; Jaune had Crocea Mors halfway out, ready to meet any oncoming threats -
And the squirrel, curiously peeking its head out from the brush eyed them for several seconds before scurrying back into the greenery.
"At least you're on your toes," Qrow sighed, amidst a chorus of relieved sighs. "Though perhaps killing wildlife three times smaller than you with a sword is kinda overkill."
"Quite," Ren agreed, slightly narrowing his eyes with concern. "Are you okay, Jaune? You've been rather jumpy since we left town."
A troubled stare crossed his face but disappeared just as quickly. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just got a little spooked."
"Of Melvin and the chipmunks?" Nora questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing wrong with being cautious, but yeah, you've been kinda twitchy for the whole walk."
"I...sorry," he sighed, scratching the back of his head for a moment. "I don't know what to say. I guess I just want to keep an eye out for anything."
She didn't feel convinced at all when she saw for a fact that there was more than what he was letting on, especially as Pyrrha shot him a look that bordered between knowing and pleading. But truthfully, she also felt uncomfortable with pushing the issue a bit too hard as it also could've been mere fatigue. When she woke up, Jaune looked haggard from an apparent lack of sleep, and so once the initial rush of morning adrenaline from a warm breakfast wore off he began to slow down, even more so after defeating the two Beowolves.
"Hmm. One of the kind old grannies gave me some grilled cheese sandwiches before we left. Maybe I can give him my slice during lunch?"
"...well, alright," Ren sighed. "I suppose it's being better than careless out here. We were ambushed by Grimm earlier, even if they weren't too difficult to deal with."
"Oi! We don't have all day and the crossroads are right up ahead. Y'all gonna come up here?"
"Oop! Coming!"
She rushed alongside her team after Qrow called out to them, making their way around a short bend and entering a small clearing. Rays of sunlight illuminated the glade, a small, beaten wood sign at the centre of the path forking into opposite directions.
"Huh. I guess this is it," Ren observed, heading over to the sign and examining it. "If we head left it'll eventually take us to Mabe Village, while Tarmin's down from where we just came."
Her gaze trailed left and followed the worn dirt track stretching out into the distance, the forest's exit just barely visible and bright with green fields beyond.
Jaune stepped up beside Ren. "And nothing about going right, I take it?"
"No. It does confirm the town's accounts, though. Strange they don't at least carve an alternate path through the forest."
"Have they tried other methods in the past?" Pyrrha inquired.
Ren shrugged. "The archives didn't specify much on that, though I guess they either have before or the local folklore makes everyone too nervous to stay around for long."
"Well, we're here and that's what counts, right?" Nora asked, taking a few steps ahead. Truthfully it didn't feel any different, although the further it led into the bush, the grass began to grow over it presumably due to lack of use. "We know which way to go, and all we have to do is find whatever ruins the archaeologists were at and kill the Grimm harassing them. I doubt the ones we fought earlier were what's been troubling people around here."
"Yeah. Frontier town militia are a tough breed, and against the odd Grimm or small pack that come roving around they're usually able to take care of them," Jaune agreed, nodding to Qrow. "I guess the real mission starts now, right?"
The huntsman grunted. "Yeah. Keep your wits about you. Stay together, watch your flanks, the whole shebang. Nothing we haven't done before, and you guys are doing a pretty decent job so far. That said," his eyes narrowed the slightest bit. "Gotta agree with your friends there when I say that you don't look too good. You sure you're alright?"
Jaune sighed and with it, his shoulder drooped. "...I'm sorry. I'm just a bit tired. Didn't get much sleep last night. But don't worry, I'm good. Arc's word."
Qrow scrutinized him for a while until he shrugged. "Well, if you say so. It's up to you to keep pushing but don't be afraid to call for breaks here and there. Wouldn't do to either fail or be killed on your first mission, eh?"
"...Mhmm. Right."
"Good. Oh, and one more thing."
In a smooth, practiced motion he unsheathed his mechanical greatsword, swiftly turning to face behind them. Alarmed, they followed suit, the sounds of their weapons echoing through the forest. In that instant it was as if the very world itself froze for a moment as the birds above were immediately silenced, and what little breeze drifted through the glade abruptly paused as if hitting a wall. A chill ran down her spine as after several long seconds the world slowly came back to life and began to move once more -
And with it, the shadows as well.
From under a particularly dark section of shade, a figure partially hidden behind a tree trunk fully entered the light. Despite his odd appearance she still felt quite surprised that she neither heard a sound or felt the gaze of anyone else on them for the past several minutes.
So how in Remnant did he manage to sneak up on them with a bag that was almost half the size of Ruby?
Qrow leveled the blade to the man's eyes, who merely grinned back with absolutely no trace of fear.
()===|=====+
"I remember you," he stated, narrowing his eyes and tightening his grip on Harbinger. "You were at the inn during dinner last night."
The odd man chuckled lightly with a rich voice, walking onto the path with what appeared to be various masks affixed to his bag and each jiggling with his gait. Though he seemed unaffected by the weight, what was most unnerving was despite how nonchalant he looked - courtesy of a grin unnaturally plastered onto his face - mirth never reached his hazel eyes. It felt like seeing his Semblance personified because whatever his reasons, he knew for a fact that none of them were good.
"I was. Quite a fine establishment, with the food and drink just as so."
"Agreed," Qrow grunted, briefly thanking himself for remembering to stock up on the liquor before they left town. He lowered his sword but kept it at the ready. "But maybe you can tell us exactly why you've been following us?"
"Ah, short and straight to the point. I respect that," the man nodded, indifferent at the array of huntsmen level weaponry. "It can make for very good business."
"So...you're a businessman, then? A merchant?"
The man turned his head left and he saw Pyrrha wince under his scrutiny.
"Correct. You may call me the Happy Mask Salesman. I am a wandering trader, a peddler of various masks and other cultural artifacts. Long have I walked the world in pursuit of this business."
From his peripherals he could see Ren and Nora exchange confused looks. "Right. Gotta make a living somehow. Hope the Grimm don't mind when you wander around without a care."
"Grimm...? Ah. Right. Those dark, soulless creatures. Worry not for my safety, sir knight. I can take care of myself," the Happy Mask Salesman replied to his raised eyebrow.
"Is there anything we can help you with?"
His head snapped to Ren at a speed which caused the black haired boy to flinch. "I thank you for your concern, but it is the contrary. I wish to offer guidance, and if you will - a warning. Specifically, to you."
At that he slowly turned to face Jaune, who, by all accounts looked like he just saw a ghost.
"It has been quite some time, chosen of Courage."
"Chosen of cour - what the hell is he on about?"
Qrow did a double take between the Salesman and his quarry. "You know, I really think you got the wrong guy here. We're huntsmen from Beacon on a mission, not cosplayers on some fantasy adventure -"
"You're no longer Hylian, to be sure, but I recognize your spirit all the same. I have not forgotten the time you retrieved what was precious to me and stopped the moon from falling upon that world," he continued, unconcerned by the team's shared bewilderment.
"Do you...do you know this guy?"
The blonde shook his head at Pyrrha and glanced away. "U-um, no, I don't."
"...lies? In spite of all we have been through?" the Salesman replied, managing to look disappointed through his perpetual grin. "While we are not friends, I believe that our experiences in that temporal hellscape were more than just walks in the park, especially for one such as you - the destined one who fought the King of Thieves and the demon lord of the mask. Do you not remember, Hero of Time?"
"Dude, seriously. What the hell are you talking about? You better start making sense real fast."
Said Salesman didn't even react, continuing to stare at Jaune who, to his team's growing alarm didn't immediately refute the claim.
"..."
"Jaune!" Nora called out. "What's going on here? I'm really, really not liking this!"
"...Is there something we all need to know?" Ren followed up, voice steady. "I don't know where this is going, but I agree with Nora. Surely this is all some sort of misunderstanding, right?"
"..."
"...Jaune?"
The Salesman glanced between Ren and Nora before returning to him. "Do they not know of the legends? Our history of blood, spirit and hatred passed down through generations? It can't...hmm. Perhaps something happened during my rest," he thought for a bit before examining him like some sort of ancient artifact. "...indeed. Forgive me. You are not the Hero of Time, but nonetheless carry the Hero's Spirit and a portion of the Golden Power. Yet it is weak. Fragmented. Your spirit is broken, as if a great chasm precludes you from calling upon the memories of the past and your destined strength. What happened? And why have you not told you companions? They need to know, for the very fact that you're here means that darkness is coming! Those destined to be the Hero are born only when evil arises, so there is no time to lose! The lines of the Hero and Goddess must be preserved! You must -"
Harbinger sang through the air, its tip resting right before the Salesman's chest and silencing his increasingly desperate raving.
"Okay, I think that's enough," Qrow growled. Beside him, Pyrrha, Ren and Nora all took battle stances, ready to defend their teammate. "Listen, buddy. Whatever you're talking about, you won't find it here. Now we're gonna leave and you'll do the same - in a different direction. Clear as mud?"
His smile subtly took a dangerous edge while failing to register the sword in front. "I do not doubt your prowess in combat, but make no mistake when I say that I am far above you. Even you, for now," he nodded to Jaune with the last bit.
"...somehow, I don't doubt him."
Sighing, the Salesman retreated a safe distance, though Qrow and the others kept their weapons trained on him. ""There is much to be discussed, though perhaps for another time. In the interim I shall leave you with this warning. You desire to head into the Lost Woods, correct?"
Jaune's eyes widened and glanced towards the overgrown path.
"The Lost Woods...? No...is that what they really are?"
"I see. All is not forgotten, then. Do remember that much of its magic remains, so should you become lost you will become like those who dwell within. And do take care to keep your valuables secure. I think we both can learn from my lesson with the mask."
"...right. Thanks."
The Happy Mask Salesman nodded, apparently content and turning away. "As time had proven, our parting was not forever. I am sure that our paths will cross once again, bearer of Courage."
Qrow kept his stance light and his finger above the trigger to Harbinger's shotgun, ready for any sudden moves, although it soon became apparent that the odd man was leaving for good. But just as he was about to holster the weapon, Jaune broke ranks and dashed up a couple of steps.
"Wait!"
The silhouette of the man's large bag halted and turned to reveal the Salesman's curious smile.
"Wait! There's...something I need to ask."
"Oh? Do tell."
"Um..." Jaune began, seeming to argue with himself before facing the Salesman head on. He took off his left glove and held it out to show the incomplete Triforce of Courage glowing amidst the light of the midday sun.
"You're right. I'm not the Hero of Time. But...I remember. Not all of it, just bits and pieces, I know that he travelled through time, stopped the falling moon and trained the Hero of Twilight. I know that he's apparently in here somewhere," he pointed to his head. "But it feels incomplete, like a distant memory or dream I've half forgotten. And you said that my spirit is broken. What do you mean by that?"
The Salesman considered it for a bit before pointing to the sigil of the Triforce. "Do you have any clue as to where the other half of the Triforce of Courage is?"
Qrow's eyes widened. "Wait. Triforce...? Is that what it's called? That tattoo looks hella similar to what I saw in the temple. So, Ozpin was right. There's something goin' on with him that he's hiding. Explains why he didn't want to admit that he knew him."
"No, but I've had dreams, or nightmares, where I've encountered someone who looks a lot like an evil version of me. And he had this too."
"...I see," he replied after a moment of thought. "It seems you cannot fully access the memories of the rest as your piece is sundered. Until Courage is whole - and you find a way to restore your spirit - you will not be able to draw upon your full potential. But make no mistake. What you dream is more than just so."
Jaune gulped and steeled himself. "Are you saying that -"
"The Hero of Time once fought his own inner darkness in single combat. I would not rule it out if others experienced a similar trial," he replied, turning away once more. "Think upon those words. Until then, I look forward to meeting with you again."
Qrow stood still with bated breath alongside the rest of them, watching in silence as the man walked out of sight before sheathing his sword. As they all relaxed, Jaune slowly about-faced, meeting their expectant expressions with a fearful one of his own before putting his glove back on and heading towards the woods.
"Whoa, hold on, blondie. Mind telling us how that random creep knew who you are?" Qrow asked with dawning apprehension, joining his teammates as they all caught up with him.
"Yeah. What was all that about?" Nora inquired, "Whatever he's on, I don't like it. Ever have that feeling where someone just doesn't feel right? I mean, he looked it but I swear he's not human!"
Ren hummed in agreement. "He was strange to be sure, although...'Hero of Time'? 'Bearer of Courage'? Is there something we're missing out on?"
He kept his gaze focused ahead, eventually rounding a corner and following the path through a sizable log tunnel. Qrow kept his suspicious gaze on him, despite vaguely noting a small waterfall atop a pond to the left with other log tunnels to their front and right.
That, and how the moment they stepped through he immediately felt something pulse through his very soul; the sky seemed unusually hazy despite the daylight and the air around them felt full and dense, but not of humidity or dust. He instinctively recognized the feeling of magic, all too similar when Ozpin bestowed upon him and Raven their avian gifts. Judging by how they all simultaneously tensed, it was clear they noticed it as well.
"Jaune."
Pyrrha's voice, polite enough to wait once they entered what was according to the Happy Mask Salesman the "Lost Woods", rang stern, true and clear through the glade. Halting suddenly, Jaune appeared even more distressed and checked their surroundings as if in some sort of misplaced denial.
"Please, Jaune," the redhead sighed with a softer tone, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I, um, think everyone has their secrets. You, me. Ren, Nora and Mr Branwen too. I trust you, and I really don't like this, but...we're worried about you. I'm - we're - feeling that you know more than you're letting on. You know of the monsters at the docks and you won't even deny that you know that Salesman. And this? It's no tattoo, is it?" she asked, reaching out for his hand, only for him to suddenly draw it away.
Regret, anxiety and despair flashed across his face in an instant, sighing in defeat at the sight of Pyrrha's shock morph into one of hurt.
"I...don't even know where to begin," he started, clutching the marked hand to his chest in a gesture that made him appear uncomfortably vulnerable. "Believe me, I wanted to say something, but I guess I just wanted to find the right moment, and even if I did I don't really know how to break it to you guys."
"Well, shoot for it! You never know until you try. It's good a moment as any and this place feels safe enough," Nora offered with a comforting smile, either missing or ignoring his flinch at the mention that they were out of harm's way. "I mean, it's not like you're gonna say that you're some destined hero with magic and power who was born to fight evil, right?"
The gears in Qrow's brain began to turn as he noted her grin faltering upon Jaune's silence.
"Jauney...? Come on, seriously. You're pulling my leg here!"
"Again, I don't know how else to put it," he sighed, glancing around as if searching for excuses rather than threats. "He...the Happy Mask Salesman's right. Long story short, I guess what we're looking for is in the heart of the Lost Woods all around us. And yes, Pyrrha. I know that there's more than just Grimm, and that these monsters are not normal and there's a fuck ton of evil out there, and, and...fuck!"
Qrow noticed Nora flinch as he yelled and threw up his arms, frustratingly shaking his head before ripping off his left glove once more. The Triforce, as it was apparently called, gleamed starkly against his skin, seemingly pulsing in a manner akin to one's heartbeat. He watched his team exchange glances before approaching him.
"I shouldn't be surprised, seeing as Ozpin gifted me and my sister magic too, plus knowing the history of the Brothers and Salem. But this? This is some seriously groundbreaking shit. Definitely magic for sure. No wonder I missed it - that thing's power feels so faint compared to Amber when I rescued her from the assassins. In any case, I gotta let Oz know about this soon. Jaune's most likely is the link that he kept muttering about..."
His attention focused back on the team before him, Ren tracing the glowing lines upon the back of his hand. "Huh. I don't mean this simply because it's your hand, but it feels...warm. Alive," the ninja nodded to Pyrrha. "Any tattoo, dust infused or otherwise does not give this kind of feeling."
"You don't say," Nora returned, poking and prodding at it as if it were a particularly fascinating middle school science project. "I mean, gotta hand it to you, though. It does look kinda cool."
"But aesthetics aside, it still begs the question," Ren sighed. "Magic? Destiny? Hero of Time? Jaune, really, what is going on? What are we missing here?"
Jaune lowered his hand, noting with despair the faces of concern, hurt and most disconcertingly, neutrality upon Ren, Nora and Pyrrha respectively. Guilt seemed to make him cave in on himself, gaze falling as he hung his head in defeat.
"I...I'm sorry, guys. I really am. I don't even know where to begin -"
"The truth. Just the truth, Jaune," Pyrrha interrupted, wearing a smile whose encouragement looked forced and tinged with hurt.
"Ah, well...alright. One reason I didn't say anything at first was because I was scared of this being found out by the teachers," he nodded to Qrow, who did nothing more than cross his arms and raise an eyebrow. "Though looking back, I suppose that just like you guys they'd find out eventually. So, long story short, Nora hit the nail right on the head."
"You're some ancient warrior hero dude with magic powers?"
"Um, yeah, I guess," he chuckled shyly, thankful for Nora's attempt to lighten the mood. "I'm supposed to be some sort of fated hero, and this isn't the first time as well."
"And your...mark. He said it's called the Triforce, right?"
"Yeah. All heroes have this piece here, the Triforce of Courage, though for some reason I don't have the whole thing."
"And you don't know why?"
"No clue, Ren," Jaune confirmed. "No clue. I honestly got blindsided when the Salesman showed up. I don't know him, but I think one of my past lives does. And yeah, that's a thing. Reincarnation and all that," he shrugged, missing the sight of Qrow going rigid.
"Oh yeah it does, kiddo. In more ways than you realize."
"So...that's why you asked him, right? Maybe he could've known something you don't."
"Exactly. Man, you guys are taking it quite well. I don't know how many mental breakdowns I had when I first found out."
"I have my Semblance to thank. I cannot remember the last time I broke down, though it only masks negative emotions. Doesn't immunize me from feeling it, to the contrary," Ren grimly supplied as Jaune and Pyrrha cringed at the implications.
"Believe me, Jauney, I'm in the same boat too. I'm just coping by thinking like this is straight out of the games I always kick you and Pyrrha's butts in," Nora added. "I just have to get used to the fact that freakin' magic exists and that you're some kind of chosen one. Does that thing even do anything besides glow and look pretty?"
"Well, to be honest, it's not as impressive as you might think," he admitted rather sheepishly. "I'm assuming because, again, I don't have the whole thing, but basically it's like someone made 'mind over matter' into a Semblance. Remember Initiation? Forever Fall? When I use it I kind of zone in to the point where all my senses are so sharp that I can react in an instant. I feel so focused, like nothing can distract or stop me when I really want to do something - especially if it involves helping others or saving somebody. There's a little bit more, but that's the gist of it."
Several long seconds passed as they paused to take it all in and glanced between one another.
"Well...alright," Ren sighed. "I still haven't really processed this, and I think we all still have a million questions to ask."
Jaune shrugged apologetically.
"Hey, look on the bright side! Think of it this way. You're like a living RPG protagonist and we're your party! We'll kick butt across Remnant throughout our adventures! Just remember that we're more than just your team, Jauney. We're your friends too. Friends first. I also still don't believe half the things you just said, but we're all gonna have to, right? Just that when there's something goin' on, keep us in the loop too, eh?"
Mutely, he nodded back. "...you're right. I'm sorry. Um...Pyrrha?"
The redhead was just at a loss for words as he was.
"I...well, it's okay. Or rather I want to say it's not but I understand your reasons. At least I think I do. Again, it's also all a lot to take in."
Pyrrha sighed, Qrow recognizing Jaune's expression as the one all men adopt when they realize that their partner just told them that they'd need to talk. To be fair, even if he was indirectly part of the reason why he couldn't say anything in the first place, he couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic.
"Definitely don't miss the drama from my Team STRQ days. Although, man, kid's in a rough spot. At least they all care enough to take care of each other. Isn't that right, Raven?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I understand. I'll answer whatever questions you guys have later. That much, I do promise."
Pyrrha returned with a smaller but more genuine smile that quickly vanished as soon as he approached.
"Huh. Gotta admit that's kinda interesting," Qrow grunted, taking a swig of booze to better mask both his curiosity and lack of surprise. "Although I don't exactly think we're in the right place or have enough time to really sit down and sort a lot of stuff out. We're still have a mission to complete, after all."
"But Mr Qrow! Magic! Reincarnation! Superpowers!"
"As if Semblances don't fit that criteria at all. Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are. In that same vein, I'm just thinking that it's his unofficial Semblance. Won't do to panic out here in the wilds."
He took another swig, frowning at the increasing lightness of the flask.
"Um, Mr Qrow?"
"Already? I haven't even drank that much since we left town. Damn. From that guy to this, my Semblance really has it out for me today."
A sword unsheathed rang through the forest, causing him to look back and see Jaune alarmed and his teammates catching on as well.
"Wha -? Relax, it's just whiskey."
"BEHIND YOU!"
Eyes widening, Qrow spun around, one hand reaching behind him to grab his sword -
And saw nothing, but felt a whoosh of air pass right by his face and rip the flask right out his hands.
"What the hell? Oi! Give that back, you little -"
The words died in his throat as he gaped up at what looked like some sort of garish zombie child atop a tree branch, dancing victoriously and holding a lantern with ethereal blue flames in one hand and the other with the stolen flask.
"Heeheehee! Shiny, shiny!" it giggled, stuffing it in a back pocket. "Why so sad? I'll cheer you up. Let's play a game!"
With that, the demon child hopped off the tree, taking off down the tunnel to their right. Cursing, he unsheathed his sword and followed in hot pursuit.
"Yeah...it really does have it out for me."
()===|=====+
Jaune grunted as he tanked another strike from the monstrous puppet before impaling his sword though the chest, collapsing it into a broken heap. It remained still despite its malicious smile taunting him from below, but he didn't have any time to dwell upon it as he cried out in pain, Aura flaring to protect against something sharp raking down the span of his back. Growling, he turned and ducked under the swipe of another puppet, bringing his sword up and across to cleave it into quarters. Taking a breather, he looked around to his teammates, noting Ren kick and snap his opponent's neck while Nora flattened another one attempting to sneak behind him. To his right, Pyrrha gracefully jumped above two as they struck in unison, tossing her shield in such a manner to decapitate both and catching it back before she landed.
"Man, these things are creepy," Nora shuddered as they regrouped. "I swear, those things look at you even after you killed them."
"No need to tell me twice. I wonder if it ever stole these from a carnival, and then had a bit too much fun," Ren groused, watching Qrow grab one by the face and drive it multiple times into a tree trunk. "I don't know if it's just me, but does anyone else feel weird?"
Pyrrha looked around, staring at one spot in the bush before closing her eyes and shaking her head. "No, it's not just you. This forest feels strange. The further I look out, I start to get dizzy and everything begins to look the same."
"That's the magic of the forest at work," Jaune sighed, walking over to the passage the little thief went through. "It's called the Lost Woods for a reason. Go the wrong way and you'll never make it out alive."
"And that creature?"
"It's a Skull Kid. They're tricky and mischievous. Got some theories on where they came from, but -"
"- do any of them lead back to my stolen flask?"
"If one thing's for sure, they always know the right way to go," Jaune explained to an irritated looking Qrow. "It's their home, after all. Follow them and we won't get lost."
Coming out the end of the tunnel they were greeted by another empty glade with even more log tunnels; it looked almost identical to the one they were in before until he noticed a pale blue light fade into the darkness of a tunnel to their left. Rushing forward, they rounded a bend noticeable only with the ambient light behind until they burst forth into the next open area and right into an ambush.
Jaune grunted as he held his ground against the puppet, the rest of his team flanking around while Qrow leapt over to engage the three or so at the rear. As soon as it tried swiping from the right he jumped back and then forth in a practiced jump attack, rending it in half. Gunshots rang out as Pyrrha engaged more that descended from the canopy, several falling and breaking upon impact while she ducked under one that managed to make it, hopping back to reload and make room for Jaune as he engaged the last few that survived her assault.
"These guys are - ack! - endless!" Nora protested, switching over to Magnhild's grenade launcher and obliterating a small group. "Do these guys just keep coming or is there any way to stop them?"
"Find the Skull Kid!" Jaune yelled back, guarding against two that struck simultaneously. "Ren! Can you climb up and spot for us?"
"On it!" the ninja called back, nimbly leaping above one - then on one - to catch a hanging branch, and then ascend up the tree's trunk.
"Anything!?"
"No!" he yelled back, falling on and destroying one to soften his landing. "I think it's the forest magic. Literally everything up there looks the same. I can't even see the edge of the woods from up there."
They both dodged in surprise when a stray puppet clawed down the middle, then quickly retaliating as Jaune stabbed through it to hold it in place while Ren emptied a magazine into its face.
"Kid's right," Qrow growled, having gone up to check for himself. "Now I'm really starting to understand why the locals stay away."
"Agreed," Pyrrha added, joining in and fishing out her scroll, screen fizzing with static. "Perhaps the forest is affecting our electronics as well. I'm getting some signal but the GPS is going haywire."
Their teacher followed suit and scowled at what he saw. "Seems so. Well, you're the expert here, team leader. Do you know where to head next?"
He glanced around, desperately looking for the telltale blue flame, and to his dawning horror he saw none.
"Shit. Link! Any help here?"
The Lost Woods has changed between every lifetime that I encountered it. As they are said to be reanimated Kokiri, they are also known to be musically inclined. Listen closely for music.
"Right. Guys! Shh."
They heard nothing but wind and the sounds of their own pounding hearts, straining to hear anything out of the ordinary -
And the faint notes of a trumpet drifted through the path to their right, tipping them off. Sure enough, this area looked different as a large pool with a small waterfall took up their front with tunnels flanking either way. Perched atop a hanging willow tree was the Skull Kid, lantern by its feet and taking a sip of Qrow's prized alcohol.
"Pfffff! Huah, gross! Tastes like mud water!"
"Nope. The taste is just acquired," Qrow snickered as the forest kid spat it out, firing a burst from his sword's shotgun and sending him falling into the spring with a splash. Not a second later he hopped back out, landing on the shore with an angry grumble. Taking out his trumpet, he played a mellow, oddly familiar tune before darting left, shielded by a fresh horde of puppets.
"Pyrrha, up top!"
The redhead nodded, Jaune rushing over to jump atop her shield and launch right into the middle. As the rest stumbled back they fell upon them like hungry predators, making quick work of the puppets who presented a threat by virtue of numbers alone. Soon after they took off into the next tunnel, and then the next; left, forward, forward again and then left did they rush through, occasionally fighting more puppets that dropped from the forest tops.
After heading right through another tunnel, the crunch of grass and leaves was soon replaced by that of stone as the next area was filled with various ruined, mossy stonework, and puppets surrounded a pillar of which standing on top was the Skull Kid cheerfully playing his summoning song.
Without a word they leapt into the fray, cleaving them apart left and right. Slicing through another that tried to block his path, he leapt up to the column, only to growl as the Skull Kid giggled and vanished in a puff of leaves, reappearing behind them atop a boulder and blowing more notes.
"They're easy, but frustrating," Pyrrha griped, doing her best to charge right through were it not for the number of puppets that threw themselves in her path. Growling, she hopped back behind him, Jaune fending off another wave while she switched to her Miló's rifle form and tried sniping the Skull Kid. The first round was deflected courtesy of several puppets' bodies while the second missed completely as it giggled and vanished before he could be hit.
"And it looks like he's learning too, so we're just gonna have play along. Hold the line with Qrow. I may have a plan here."
Pyrrha nodded and joined the huntsman as the Skull Kid began to call another wave high atop a tree branch, covering him to run to Nora. "You still got that hookshot?"
"Sure do, Jauney!" she grinned, swatting away a few puppets with her hammer. "What's the plan?"
"Give it to Ren," he replied, earning him a pout as the ginger's partner stopped by upon hearing his name. "After Pyrrha and Mr Qrow finish these guys off he'll try to spawn more, so Ren - hide out of sight close to the tree. Nora, me and you'll spread out to deny him space to teleport to. We'll force him back up there and the moment he does, that's when you come in."
Ren solemnly nodded, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips.
"Break! Pyrrha, now! Shoot him now!"
The moment they did so, Pyrrha fired off several shots, forcing the Skull Kid to disappear -
Only to emerge exactly where he was heading.
With a surprised shriek the Skull Kid jumped back, lantern rattling and barely missing Crocea Mors as it swung down. Poofing away, he reappeared atop a ruined platform and began to play the song once more only to be stopped midway as he was bowled over from the shockwave of Nora's hammer. The few puppets he did manage to summon all tried to attack Nora, buying enough time for him to teleport safely away -
Right into a tree branch Ren shot the hookshot into, causing him to zoom up with incredible speed, and this time he let the tiniest of grins break forth.
"Heh. Gotcha."
The Skull Kid cried out as he was knocked all the way down, Qrow stealing back his flask the moment it dropped out his pocket.
"See, this is why they leave this stuff for the adults. Looks like you had to find out the hard way."
"Ughhh...no, no, no!" the Skull Kid growled, stomping his feet and momentarily scaring them as it managed to actually make the area rumble a little. He vanished into another puff of leaves before reappearing atop a pillar behind them. "It was shiny! Tastes bad, but shiny! Just like you," he pointed to Jaune with his lantern. "You have a shiny too."
He looked to his team, finding them looking back at him. "Uh, okay? What do you mean I have a shiny?"
"Hmm! Yes, you do!" it chittered, leaping from the pedestal to land right in front of him, seemingly taking a couple of sniffs. "Yes! Shiny! Shiny and warm! You smell like the forest too. You don't come from it, but you almost feel like...him..."
The Skull Kid somehow managed to look depressed for a moment before leaping high up into the canopy, which, to their surprise was now filled with various Skull Kids, each with either ripped brown or green rags for clothes.
"Heeheehee! But I had fun, so tell you what! I'll let you all into a secret place. Buh-bye!"
The Skull Kids atop dispersed quickly in a manner akin to spiders scrambling away, one in particular pausing and staring back. This Skull Kid, wearing a small green cap with a tuft of orange hair sticking out eyed him for several seconds until it too vanished into the greenery, and soon they were left alone in the grove.
"Well. That was a thing, huh?"
"I don't think I could look at a puppet the same way again," Jaune agreed, walking back up to Pyrrha. "Or any forest for that matter."
"Guys, check this out!" Nora called, catching their attention as they ducked under a ruined archway into another tunnel, eventually coming out into someplace else entirely.
By some innate sense he could almost feel the magic of the forest dissipate, not alone by how everyone else appeared to relax at the same time, but such relief lasted for only a second and was replaced with mounting horror.
"Ooh! Is this the excavation site? It's so pretty!"
Gulping, he blinked several times, confirming the sight of weathered stonework to their sides and the massive ruined abbey in front of them. Immediately his mind flashed back to the nightmare, the icy grip of fear sparked by realization that this was the exact place he dreamt of - sans rain, thunder and shadow. It still did nothing for him to picture his teammates sprawled out dead or dying, too late for him to do anything.
"This place does look like something Doctor Oobleck would be fascinated with," Ren nodded, walking up with the rest to the entrance. The entrance of which featured a crested and cracked Triforce motif above a pair of doors long rusted open. "I would imagine it quite awe-inspiring in its prime."
"Link...is this...what I think it is?"
Your eyes do not deceive you nor me. It is ruined, but it still stands. I think you innately knew what it was the moment you saw it, both here and in your nightmare, as well as what lies at its heart.
"-une? Do you know what this is?"
"I...of course. There's no way it could be anything else. It could only be -"
"-ou okay? Jaune?"
"The Temple of Time," he finished with a pounding heart. Pyrrha stood next to him while Qrow and his team were at various distances ahead and looking back concerned.
Ren flourished his pistols once more. "I see. Do you know anything about this place as well?"
"Um, yeah, kinda. Don't worry, it should be fine," Jaune replied, harrying up to the entrance though Ren looked unconvinced. "It's a sanctuary. Or at least it was...well, no time like the present to find out!"
With a shining sun they followed in from behind, taking a moment to simply admire its beauty. Much of the temple floor, now more akin to a courtyard was overgrown with moss, the centre of which featured a dais painted with a weathered depiction of the Triforce. The grand hall was probably twice the size of the amphitheatre they received their mission brief in, and with some worry he noted the various piles of bones and archaic weaponry scattered around the temple floor. At the very end below another, larger Triforce motif was a simple, archaic altar and door that led to a rear chamber.
Jaune...
"Right," he muttered, his team's protests resounding as he took off across the marble and grass floor. Jaune rushed through the corridor until he and his team stepped out into the open -
And then his heart dropped completely.
"W-what's the matter?" Ren breathed, panting slightly from their sudden sprint. "What's going o...oh."
Ren fell silent, Nora gasped and Pyrrha stared in shock as they took in the now open air chamber in front of them. They were looks that he missed as he slowly walked forward entranced, not at all paying attention to the water surrounding the raised walkway or the Hylian inscriptions along the ruined chamber walls. His team followed almost reverently, ascending with him as he walked the last few steps up the dais in the centre of the room.
"No...it...it can't be.."
"What is - oh. Oh, my."
"Link...? What...what happened to it? Why is it like this?"
He slowly fell to his knees before the pedestal and held up his left hand as he felt the Triforce come to life, but even that felt weak and muted, lacking any of the strength it always seemed to have when it flared. A wave of despair coursed through his mind as Link himself froze in shock.
...As it stands, it seems that the greatest symbol and strength of our line is now little more than a hollow, broken monument as it has lost the power to repel evil. For all intents and purposes...it's dead.
Jaune hung his head low at the sight of the Blade of Evil's Bane lying serenely in its pedestal. The blade was dull, crossguard caved in and gemstone no longer gold, but black. Link was right; the light of the sun shone onto a weapon which looked old and dead as the ruins of the temple that housed it.
/AN\
Welcome back to A Descendant of Legends!
Firstly, if anyone received an update but the chapter didn't show up - apologies. I mistakenly uploaded the chapter without writing the AN, lol.
Not gonna lie, from a meta perspective the first scene with Jaune and Pyrrha actually made me a little sad as I had an entirely new scene that would've been the start, showcasing what in depth what Jaune dreamed about - but I had to cut it so as to not overstretch the chapter. I did want to compromise on keeping the little taste of Arkos in, so I'm glad that it managed to work out. I also have a plan for the HM Salesman over the course of the story, despite being admittedly a little difficult to try and integrate him but as he himself said, partings are not always forever - you haven't seen the last of him.
In any case, thanks for sticking around and hope you all enjoyed it! Constructive criticism / feedback are always appreciated. Hope to see you all next time!
Roy4: Thank you. It makes me really glad to know that you loved it. When I was first planning Ch16 out, I was originally going with a generic medieval fantasy inspired town with a splash of RWBY, but on a whim I was like 'screw it, I'll go ham with the references' instead. Part of the reason why I chose my FanFiction handle was because I'm a keener for lore, and there was so much potential in RWBY's canon universe that I wish was expanded upon. So, why not fill in the gaps where applicable with Zelda content and RWBY-fy it? Happy to know it all worked out!
As for the HM Salesman, this was his first appearance but definitely won't be his last. He helped at first, just like he did with Link below the Clock Tower but is there more to him? I have my own take on him and other Majora's Mask elements for sure, and only time will tell how they play out - for example, no, they didn't stumble into Ikana Castle or the Stone Tower Temple but I'm keeping in Zelda dungeons for sure. That's just still to come. Again, thank you and hope to see you next time!
Dragon lord Syed 101: Thanks! And yes, Link and his shadow counterpart are fated to meet soon. That'll definitely be a fun chapter to write...fun for me at least, heheh. Thanks, and hope to see you next chapter!
Spartastic 4: Heh, right on. Definitely the best breakfast, and then some dip, cigs and preworkout to get through the rest of the day in between meals, lol. And yes, that makes sense - Tyrian is simple in that he's mad / deranged / unhinged in his devotion to Salem, and they pull it off quite nicely as well. In that same regard I plan to give Cinder and co. their own motivations, and I right now I can at least hint that for some of them, it'll be rather...tragic.
And yes! The first item has been acquired, although realistically a challenge I have to deal with is that many of the items feel almost obsolete in that their Huntsman abilities overtake it - if I plopped in any of Team JNPR or RWBY into OoT and told them to do the Forest Temple, they wouldn't need a hookshot or bow as Weiss could glyph up the broken steps and Ruby could snipe the Poe paintings and Phantom Ganon. Alas, though I'm keeping items in they might not be as heavily relied upon compared to the games. That being said I will find ways in which they can still be useful - in the same vein, the HM Salesman has a part to play and won't go away anytime soon.
In any case, thanks! Glad to know you enjoyed it, and hope to see you next time!
Arsenal: There will be more items for sure! Yes, they bought one in a market vendor and found another in...not so great shape, but this won't be the last that you see of monsters and various Zelda equipment. Hope to see you next chapter!
Fyr RedNight: Thanks! I appreciate it and glad to know you enjoyed them. Hope to see you next time!
Guest: Thanks, glad you liked it!
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.