Arc III: Chaos Named
Chapter 27: Fate Lies In Choice
Breathe in, breathe out.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Breathe in...
Jaune sharply breathed out as he backflipped over the blue Moblin's club, landing as a black Lizalfos rushed in with a shrilly cry. He dodged and blocked its strikes, parrying the last and stabbing its throat before he rolled to avoid the odd sword-like boomerang flying for his head.
"Focus! Pay attention to your surroundings!"
"Gah! I know!" he yelled, leaping away just in time to have the Moblin behind smash its reptilian compatriot instead. The black Lizalfos on the other end drew a serrated spear as he rushed it, dodging it right as it aimed for his neck -
Only to cry out in pain as the boomerang sliced into his back, tearing off a good chunk of Aura.
Jaune growled and chucked it back, to which the Lizalfos easily dodged before defending against his counterattack. Several hits, ripostes and one clumsy parry later, he was forced to disengage as the Moblin ambled its way over, though the boomerang sword returned and lodged itself in the pig monster's cranium.
But distraction nearly cost him as the lizard dashed and scored a glancing hit on his thigh. Jaune immediately grabbed the spear before it could retreat, punching the Lizalfos' face and leaving it wide open for him to ram Crocea Mors through its gut.
Jaune then keeled over, gasping for air while the monsters' remains poofed into nothingness around him.
"I...hah...how's that for situational awareness?"
Link merely raised an eyebrow, and it was the only warning he got as a roar shook the walls of the arena. Sand fell from the towering ruined spires of the Arbiter's Grounds as if the crests of the old Sages judged him from high above and found him wanting. But where he expected to see the light of the setting sun, the sky above was stained by an ugly black darkness with jagged red lines flowing out from the centre; two limp masses accordingly fell from the portal.
"I'd say that it's rather novice for a huntsman-in-training with field experience like yourself," Link finally answered, crossing his arms. "But should you be really treating my voice as if it was more than a distraction?"
"Huh? What do you -"
Jaune immediately spun at the rumbling footfalls behind him, but it proved too late as the first of three Shadow Beasts managed to get the drop on him. Standing at twice his height, it grabbed him with its massive hands, locking his arms to his sides and with them, his sword and shield. Desperately struggling to break free, the monster sought to correct his unruly behaviour by crushing his resolve along with his spine.
"Hrk!"
"Is this the end of Jaune Arc?" Link pondered aloud with a hand on his chin. "Will the soldiers of Twilight finish him this afternoon and end his dreams of becoming a huntsman to save the world?"
The Arc in question began to see red, and with an angry yell, Jaune managed to jab his sword into its wrist, eliciting a shriek of pain and freeing him from its shadowed grasp. This time, he kept his focus true as the moment he hit the ground, he hit it rolling and dodged just in time a swipe from another Shadow Beast. Panting hard, Jaune quickly assessed the three of them, specifically noting their weight, speed and reach.
"Okay...they've got range and they're faster than expected, but it's nothing a little thinking ahead can't help..."
Jaune took the initiative and struck first; dashing straight for the centre beast, he predicted its overhead strike and sidestepped into the path of the other's swing. He blocked its full force, gritting as it was enough to chip off a little smidge of Aura, but the fact that he remained standing allowed him to jump over its second swing and stun it with a helm-splitter slice. After several more slashes to its exposed back, Jaune soon claimed the first of three.
The second one roared and charged him, something which he immediately rolled away to allow it to crash harmlessly into the raised central platform. Jaune then fell upon it in a frenzy, hacking apart its tenebrific skin until its angry howls subsided to a quiet whisper.
"Focus, Jaune! Pay attention to your surroundings!"
Link's words flashed through his mind once more, and expecting a rear attack, Jaune braced his shield as he spun to meet the final beast -
Only to stare as he found it no more than several metres away, having paused mid-sprint to glance between its fallen brothers. It then raised its head skyward and let out a louder, more powerful roar which, to his horror, revived the other two he just killed.
"...for fuck's sake..."
"Remember our lessons, Jaune!" Link called out, walking around to see him backed up against the platform with the Shadow Beasts slowly lumbering closer. "How did the Hero of Twilight manage to defeat these?"
"Ngh! Transform into a wolf?" he grunted, dodging to save his body from erupting in a shower of debris. "Maybe you could, uh, teach me how to do that real quick!"
"His wolf form made it easier, but it wasn't the solution. You can defeat all three even without that ability," his mentor replied. "Let the lessons of the past guide your future!"
Jaune didn't reply as he tried to improvise while simultaneously rolling and scoring indecisive glancing hits.
"Dammit! I need a breather here...if I remember right, the guy usually killed them really fast because he was a wolf. Link's obviously out of the question for help, so how did he - gah!"
He yelped as he just barely missed an oncoming slap. Not wanting to be trapped against the outer wall, he decided it was time for a change of plans; they roared as Jaune rushed them first, parrying one's punch in a flash of blue sparks and causing it to stumble. Jaune then seized the moment by leaping and planting his sword into the Shadow Beast's heart.
One down, two to go...again.
"...of course. He also had Midna, who Link said used her magic to help take out all three at once. Well, I don't exactly have a twilight princess on hand."
There was no time to think as the two were suddenly upon him; the sequel was much like the last, though this time, Jaune fought more cautiously on account of diminished stamina and a need to find the perfect opportunity. As he paused and panted for breath, he finally saw it when they charged him in a straight line.
Memories of Link's lessons and JNPR team attacks quickly flashed through his mind, and so he crouched like a tiger, ready to leap like a dragon at a moment's notice.
The first one roared and swung -
And Jaune backflipped just in time, senses sharpening as the Triforce blazed with courageous light. Landing softly, he unleashed a flurry rush with a single, powerful strike reminiscent of his and Pyrrha's tag team attack; but this time, when both monsters fell, both monsters remained still.
A quiet fizzing sound had them disintegrating and returning to the Twilight portal above, while Link uncrossed his arms and walked towards him.
Jaune collapsed upon the platform's steps, panting as he fished out his canteen for a sip. "That...that was hard."
"You will not grow if you keep fighting enemies that you can easily match."
"Yeah..." he replied, though his mentor's next few words felt slow and distant to hear over his rapid heart rate; that and his rough stone seat never felt so comfortable in the moment.
"Hmm. Y-yeah. I'll just - mhmm."
His canteen was ripped away along with the cozy feeling as Link upended water onto his face, causing him to sputter and respond with some impressive curses.
"W-wha -? I'm here! I'm awake!"
"Yes, and hopefully you'll stay so," the hero sighed before taking a swig himself and tossing it back. "You'll get rest soon enough. But for now, we need to talk."
"Whenever a girl says that you know you're in deep trouble," Jaune quipped, though he apologized when Link raised an eyebrow.
"...indeed. Regardless, the current situation with the Festival and your friends remains quite troubling."
He laid back on the steps, linking his arms behind his head while gazing blankly at the now green-laced portal.
"The portal above lacks the answers," Link reminded him, taking Crocea Mors and examining its blade. "But just like me, it's seen the anger in every move and swing you made today. Uncontrolled emotions will hinder strength, not grant it."
"Yeah, but it still helped. Nothing like a good distraction when something's trying to kill you, then an outlet when you kill it back."
"Hmm. It's a no-fail here, perhaps, but it won't always be the same in the real world."
"I know, I know. It's just...hard. I guess I am still a little pissed off, but I can't help it. Not with everything going on."
Link nodded and gently placed the sword tip-down, clasping his hands around the pommel.
"Pyrrha."
"...Pyr," Jaune sighed. It was refreshing to release emotions pent up over the past twenty-four hours onto baddies that fight back, but it still did nothing to solve the root of the problems in the waking world. Knowing that Maidens, Relics and the Brother Gods existed complicated everything as Ozpin tied Pyrrha's life to that knowledge, hitting close to home at a time when they couldn't even acknowledge each other when the latter returned to the dorm that night.
"Rupee for your thoughts?"
Jaune sat up and stretched. "Pyrrha's gonna take the Maiden powers. I know it. It's just that...why her? Ozpin said otherwise but I don't believe for a second that there isn't somebody better suited for this out there. Pyr's got her whole life ahead."
"Hmm..."
"And now we can barely look at each other, not to mention that she only has six days to decide the next eighty years of her life. That's basically what you tell someone when they've been diagnosed with something terminal!"
Jaune's head hung low. "I...I don't know what to do. Pyr wants to help people. I get that. But at the price of giving up everything you knew to keep the Maiden power safe...? It's too much, even for her. But she's not the kind of person to put that on someone else's shoulders."
Link hummed. "Much as I understand Ozpin's intent, it is an unfair position for you all to be in. The way he acts with that somber look never leaving his eyes...hmm. If they truly found another piece of the Triforce...could it be Wisdom, perhaps...?"
He looked up to see Link kneeling and offering his weapon back handle first. "But never mind that. You are correct when you say that with many things, a clear-cut answer simply does not exist, and unfortunately, it is usually when times are toughest. For someone like us, whose lot in life was determined by the whims of the old gods, we can only do what we can until our destiny is revealed to us."
Jaune looked up quizzically.
"True, we shall one day fight what has plagued the world since time began. However, what the gods haven't decided is the path you'll take to see it done. You'll always find yourself making choices, each with consequences of their own. When the choices are both right and wrong, it is then you look to what you believe in to see the light."
Link stood as Jaune sheathed Crocea Mors, peering down with softened eyes. "I cannot decide how to approach this for you, but what I can say is that Pyrrha doesn't have the benefit of destiny to rely upon for guidance; truly, her fate lies in choice. Be her strength, Jaune, as you always have been. This is when she needs those she cares about the most."
A nod after several seconds of silence.
"...yeah. I will talk to her soon for sure."
"Good."
Jaune leaned back and took in the blowing desert wind, cooling as the sun fell. His anger felt dulled with sober reality, and while regret for lashing out still burned strong, it would be unfair to remain aloof when Pyrrha needed help - the patient kind, as well. They'd been there for each other before, and now the ball was in his court once more.
His body evidently agreed as the waking void soon replaced the twilight sky.
"...and one more thing, Jaune," Link suddenly spoke, already consumed by the darkness. "Best not wait too long. Pyrrha needs you in more ways than you know."
The shadow covered him after, though all he saw at the end of the tunnel was red and gold.
x==)======+
A thick paperback was gently placed down under the light of the desk lamp, followed by ivory hair and a muffled scream into the arms that cradled it.
Confident as Weiss was in saying that she was the most industrious of her three teammates, she was still subject to all the maladies experienced the night before an exam or deadline for a thesis. While alcoholism wasn't appealing for...familial reasons, her depleted reserves of caffeine necessitated the sheer force of will that ensured she remained alert and ready to continue studying.
Never mind that classes were halted and there was nothing to earn, save for the thanks of her closest friends.
A pale leg repeatedly bounced beneath the desk in frustration, though it was a fraction of the general unease her team, JNPR and much of Beacon felt; since their disqualification the previous afternoon, Weiss devoted herself to either tending to Yang or helping Blake read over the books she and Sun brought. It nailed two birds with one stone as both required her to spend time in their room, but while it sounded like progress was being made, it was in fact quite the opposite.
Yang seemed even more withdrawn at night, having rarely left her bed except to eat or shower, while there was next to nothing useful in what was read so far. Considering how Blake looked equally glum, she hadn't much luck either.
"Perhaps we should take a break," Weiss pondered as she stood and stretched. At least the room was calm and quiet, with the chirping of crickets slowly replacing those of the birds as the sun had long since dipped below the horizon. Any other night would've found it perfect for a quick stroll, shower, then bed right after, recent events proved that these times were anything but normal.
Blake's bed dipped softly when she sat upon the edge. "Anything?"
"Nothing," Weiss sighed, smoothing out her pale blue nightgown. "Most of the stories regarding gods were of the two Brothers, while the closest example I could find of reincarnated heroes was that of the Infinite Man. Even though the myth says he's immortal, Jaune...not quite as much."
Blake shrugged. "And I doubt he'd be willing to let us test that theory out."
"Thus we're back to square one," she replied as Blake sat against the wall and huddled her legs.
"...why do you think he's so insistent on something that isn't true?"
"Well, there's always the chance that he is correct, and we just haven't found the right link to it yet."
"I suppose," Weiss conceded. "So whatever proof he gives better be substantial."
"Proof that he gives...?"
"Ah, yesterday I asked if he could provide physical proof to support his claims. It would go a long way if he delivers on that."
"It would, and now I'm curious as to what he'd get. It better be more than just another tattoo, but even then, trust is a powerful thing. We need to approach this with a grain of salt, even if our teammates can vouch for Jaune."
"Agreed. The benefit of the doubt can only get you so far, and character alone cannot prove claims as wild as these. I think we both know how precious trust can be."
The cat faunus hummed after several seconds of silence. "The one who was dear to me in the past always said that he'll change for the better, though he eventually became convinced that the ends justified the means. Such thoughts only slowed his descent into lunacy."
"Hence why you didn't believe Yang at first."
The bed above creaked in response, while Blake closed her eyes and sighed. "...it's not that I never trusted her, it's just that -"
"Trust but verify?"
She looked up and met Weiss' gaze with understanding. "You're more introspective than I'd expect from a Schnee."
"Hmph. I'll have you know that I wouldn't be a good judge of character otherwise."
Blake snorted, though there was no missing how she restrained her smirk. "You know, you could just say that you like us. You don't need word games to hide your feelings."
Weiss huffed and proceeded to retort right as Ruby returned from the gym with an unusually mellow expression. Quickly chirping a greeting, the red reaper kicked off her running shoes and woke Zwei from his sleep by the bookshelf, who then trotted over to greet her.
"Ah, hello, Zwei," Ruby cooed, scratching behind the corgi's ears and receiving a happy little woof in response. "Good boy. You know, I wish I was you, sleeping all day and getting free food whenever I wake up."
"Ruby, you're already like that most of the time anyway."
"Yeah, well, the fact that school's out right now means it's practically vacation!" she retorted, rummaging through the cabinet and making no effort to deny Weiss' observation. "Well...a really crummy vacation, to be honest..."
Silence reigned for several seconds before Ruby cleared her throat.
"Anyway! Before I forget, I bring tidings of...maybe good fortune? Or, well, not exactly, but it's definitely interesting. Um...Yang? I think you might wanna listen in."
The blonde glanced over from her bed and took an earbud out.
"So...what if I told you guys that Yang wasn't the only one who saw things out there?"
The blonde narrowed her eyes and took the other earbud out.
"What do you mean?" Weiss replied, arching an eyebrow. "Are you saying that other people saw Mercury attack her from behind?"
"Not exactly. I ran into Coco and she wanted me to tell you that she knows how you feel and you're not exactly going crazy. Apparently, she also went through the same stuff before losing the semis."
"Stuff like...?"
"Like Yatsuhashi walking up to her when he'd already been knocked out of bounds," Ruby replied to Yang. "Do you think General Ironwood was right? Maybe the stress trying to clutch it got to her as well."
"I'm not sure," Blake answered after the four of them shared a few seconds of consideration. "It's possible, but there's something about all this that makes me feel uneasy."
"How about the environment? The other half of the stage had geysers and stuff. Can't they also spurt toxic gases or something?"
"Geysers mainly blow water and steam, and considering they're artificial, I doubt Ironwood would order them filled with poisonous substances," Weiss corrected her partner. "The legal ramifications would be astronomical."
"...then it's a Semblance."
The three of them looked at Yang, who remained laid back and staring worriedly at the ceiling. "Mercury's got to have some sort of Semblance that makes people hallucinate. I...I wouldn't have seen him attack me otherwise."
And therein lay the confusion. Yang was telling the truth - absolutely no doubt about that - but it still didn't make any sense. Wouldn't it have been better to use such a Semblance in combat? Mercury did so successfully with Emerald against Coco and Yatsuhashi, so why would he provoke Yang into dealing him a potentially career-ending injury after he already lost?
It had fishy written all over it, and not the kind their resident faunus liked either. Judging by her teammates' reactions, they had likely reached the same conclusion.
Blake was the first to speak. "Ruby, is it possible if you can invite Coco, Yatsuhashi or both to come and speak to us?"
A nod. "Mhm! We could probably get the full picture that way, especially since it's similar to Yang's experience," Ruby said as she smiled sadly at her sister. "Maybe it can help you too, sis, by sharing things with people who also went through the same thing."
Weiss watched Yang give her a tired but earnest smile before she turned away, signalling her retreat back into solitude. Considering it was already dark outside and bedtime within, the three of them fell into routine and silently prepared for sleep; but as Blake tidied her bed and the sound of the shower drifted through closed doors, Weiss' dread rose ever so slowly as she mulled over what she'd learned so far.
Mercury's prowess was undeniable and spoke of hard-learned experience in the field, so unless his plan was to cause his family financial stress and doom his team to failure, using his Semblance like that was anything but useful. Speaking of his team, she wondered how CMME must've felt as well; Emerald was polite enough, even though she could see the aptly-named girl's patience running thin when talking to them, and while Ruby had only met Cinder and Fuschia once, she returned with nothing but solid impressions.
In other words, the situation remained troublesome and they were no closer to figuring out a mystery that everyone else already assumed to know the truth behind. It was incredibly grating, especially when Yang continued to suffer for something that truly wasn't her fault.
Weiss sighed, resigning herself to another helpless, restless night. Before she could climb into bed, however, a couple of knocks had her pausing and squinting at the door, while Blake shot her a look that asked who it could be.
The boy that appeared outside answered their mutual question.
"Oh. Arc."
"Hey, Weiss," Jaune greeted, sounding just as tired as he looked. He didn't even wear his ridiculous trademark onesie, sporting a green beater and brown shorts instead. Before she could ask, Jaune looked both ways and handed her a book that looked like it was on the verge of falling apart.
"I - um, is this the -"
"Yeah, the proof you asked for," he replied as he also fiddled around with his scroll. She heard Ruby's buzz behind her the next second. "I also sent over some of the photos from our mission to the forest, so just delete them and give this back when you're done. Seriously, I can't let that get lost or damaged."
Weiss gently passed it over to Blake. "Of course, but what kind of book is this, anyway?"
"It's called the Book of Mudora. To be fair, you can't actually read it, but compare the images inside to the photos I sent you," he finished quickly to allay her sudden confusion. "Hopefully it should be enough. If not...well, I don't have anything better here to give than this."
"I see. And where did you find it?"
"I borrowed it from Ozpin."
Weiss looked at him in disbelief. "The Headmaster...? Well. We promise to keep it safe with us."
Jaune stared as if trying to ascertain her character, though the one she returned it with seemed convincing enough as he was the first to break away.
"For sure," he sighed, taking a step back. "And Yang, is she...?"
The blonde bombshell in question leaned over her bed and rendered a lazy salute.
"Sweet. Sounds good. Guess I better get going then. Have a...good night, I guess?"
Weiss nodded. "As good as it can be. Good night."
Jaune nodded back and turned away as she closed the door, and for a moment, all thoughts of sleep were replaced by curiosity. Ruby then emerged from the washroom in her pyjamas, glancing between her and Blake with the same feeling.
"Did I miss anything?"
"Actually, you're right on time," Blake responded, taking a seat at the desk she left earlier. She angled the lamplight over it while the three of them examined it like a lab specimen ready for dissection.
"Huh? What's this? This doesn't look like the filth you usually hide inside your mattress."
Weiss shot Blake a questioning look that was deliberately ignored as she powered on.
"Jaune dropped this off for Weiss and me. You could say that it's for looking into his claims."
"Wha -? You mean the whole immortal hero thing?"
"The same," Weiss answered. "Do you mind unlocking your scroll? He also sent more through text."
Ruby zipped back and forth, putting it beside the book the moment Blake opened it to a random page. To her immediate disappointment, Jaune was telling the truth; what parts that remained undamaged were completely illegible, filled with a script that was not just vaguely familiar, but also certainly long extinct. After some thought, Weiss deduced it as either ancient Akkalan or Calatian, both of which were kingdoms who preceded Vale in the southern and northern halves of the country, and whose languages were nearly indistinguishable from each other.
Even then, she had no idea who or what Mudora was or where people came across such a find. It was certainly possible for someone like Ozpin to gain access to such a relic, perhaps to also study about what Jaune claimed to be the truth; a thought that her teammates agreed upon, with Blake flipping through some of the contents until she suddenly froze.
"Hmm? Did you find anything?"
She didn't reply and instead took Ruby's scroll, swiping away the reminder that Pyrrha faced Penny the day after tomorrow and focused on comparing the images between them. Even Yang grew interested as she heard the blonde girl hop down from her bed, then gaze curiously over their shoulders.
"...I think you guys should see for yourself."
"See what for - oh."
Oh, indeed. This was...well, then. It looked like Ruby's unwavering and Yang's cautious fate in Jaune was not unfounded as he certainly delivered something.
Yang hummed, quietly echoing their thoughts. "Giving him the benefit of the doubt really did pay off, eh? Guess this proves that the truth really can go beyond what you see at first glance."
Weiss had no choice but to reluctantly concede the point. Jaune returned with none of the things he spoke of after the Breach, but now it no longer mattered as they took in the archaic azure blade within a pedestal of stone, a lifelike example to the drawing in the book. It only fueled her dread as the next several photos showed not just parts of the temple he spoke of, but also a mural that depicted the Triforce and the hero that fought to defend it.
A hero who wielded the same sword and carried an identical mark on the back of his hand.
x==)======+
The sky was painted a beautiful, burnished bronze, with the wind swaying the grass and maple trees as it gently passed through. A few birds chirped, with one blackbird landing nearby to curiously gaze at her before it flew away. Even with distant festivities echoing from the now-resumed Festival, it was still enough to make others forget that the Academy wasn't exactly known for being quiet.
But that was okay. In a life that demanded the highest of energy, a small measure of peace helped assure that there was always a light at the end of the tunnel.
In staring that approaching light down, Pyrrha never felt more scared in her life.
She slumped against the base of a wall, sighing in sync with a passing breeze. Her anxiety no longer drove her restless like when she paced back and forth while alone in her dorm. Instead, resignation was the cherry atop a cake of defeat, which was as hard to swallow as the truth of her situation.
Pyrrha mirthlessly chuckled as she sought happier memories to distract herself. Nora and Ren tried to cheer her up earlier by staging an impromptu nutritional seminar - which admittedly worked for a bit - and on the topic of food, no one could ever forget that ultra-violent, ultra-tasty display of culinary carnage.
"Oh, goodness. That was...that was so long ago, but oh, so fun. So was drenching Ruby in soda when she tried to rush me...hehe. Seeing her so angry never gets old."
As were the other highs of their time at Beacon; there was also that time when they went out for a Friday night escapade, and even though it was interrupted by the attack on the docks, Pyrrha wasn't about to forget all that happened prior, like Yang and Nora's arm-wrestling contests or seeing Ren and Weiss commiserate with each other as their partners ran amok in a weapon store.
Especially when it was only her and Jaune in that café with nothing but sweet drinks and each other for company.
A dull ache slowly throbbed in her heart. The past forty-eight hours were emotionally taxing to the point where she no longer cared about fighting Penny because whenever she tried to distract herself with happier memories, it always led her back to why they existed. One reason was usually mellow, another the polar opposite, not to mention the other four were just dysfunctional as they were.
And chief amongst them was also known as her partner. Even if they weren't exactly on speaking terms right now, Pyrrha missed how Jaune's smile always brightened her morning or the feel of his hand leading her to class, to Vale or to watch whatever shenanigans their friends got up to.
Most importantly, she missed how Jaune's blue eyes revealed the depths of his kindness, and how she wanted nothing more than to run into his arms to feel safe, warm, and far away from all this nonsense of Maidens and destiny -
"...hey, Pyr."
...and yet it seemed impossible when the man in question walked into the courtyard.
With practiced ease, her expression remained neutral as Jaune paused beside one of the pillars, looking slightly awkward like the day they first met.
"...hey, Jaune."
"You ready for the match later tonight? If you want, we could go for a light spar or...something..."
Pyrrha gave him a polite smile. A hollow smile. "Oh. No, thank you. I need to be fresh when the time comes."
"Ah. Right."
Jaune nodded and looked anywhere but at her as the silence descended into an uncomfortable lull. Accordingly, Pyrrha stood and dusted herself off, preparing to leave the courtyard. At least she got her fill of quiet for now. "I'll be preparing my weapons in the armoury if anyone asks -"
"Wait -"
"- so I'll see you tonight."
"Hold on, Pyr -"
"Have a good evening, Jaune -"
"I'm sorry!"
Pyrrha froze in her tracks.
Jaune hesitated, seemingly at a loss for words before he went on. "I'm sorry. I, uh, had this great, big speech in my head I wanted to say, but it all kind of went out the window when I realized that I saw you and that I should just get straight to the point. Pyrrha, I want to apologize for what I did."
The taciturn mask she wore cracked the tiniest bit at his words, but it was the sincerity behind them that made it hurt even more.
"I realize that I was way over my head when I should've just given you space," Jaune continued, encouraged by her pause. "I was worried that it'd be something you'd really regret if you held back like I did. But I was selfish. I focused on how I thought my partner should be when this was all your choice to make."
Her lip quivered.
"...stop..."
"I'm sorry for failing you as a partner."
"Please stop!" Pyrrha cried, thrusting out a hand as if to ward him away. Her eyes widened at the sound of a grunt and cracking stone, and she gasped horrified as Jaune dropped to the ground when her Semblance left his armour.
"Oh...oh Gods, what have I done -"
"Pyrrha -"
"I...I -"
Jaune dashed to her in an instant, gently grasping her arm as she instinctively trembled. "It's okay. Don't worry. I'm fine. You're fine."
"I...but I nearly hurt you..."
"We've been through tougher stuff than this together," he cautiously smiled, gauging her reaction. "It's gonna take a little more than that to stop me."
His calm demeanour, forced as it was, eventually worked as expected when she slowly steadied her rapidly beating heart. It assured not just herself, but also Jaune that everything was indeed okay, even when everything else wasn't. After all, being around him tended to give Pyrrha a certain sense of peace that no one else could easily mimic.
Deep down, she told herself to focus on the problem at hand, though there was no denying how much she longed to be open and close to Jaune again. It only made things harder, but there was no easy way out of this to begin with.
"I suppose," she eventually conceded. "You have only grown stronger since we started Beacon."
"And I thank you for that because I wouldn't be standing here without you."
Pyrrha hummed. "We really have come a long way together, haven't we? We passed Initiation, survived field trips, our first mission, and now we have one more semester until first year is finished."
She walked into the middle of the garden to stand under the twilight sky, while Jaune followed but kept several feet away.
"I met new friends - true friends - and finally lived alongside people who saw each other for who they were. And you know what? I loved it all, and I was happy to accept being your partner for the next four years. Even when I realized the weight behind the secrets you kept. I suppose I should at least thank Ozpin for explaining the rules behind mine."
Jaune remained silent, and while she was grateful for his patience, he nevertheless visibly restrained himself from coming any closer despite her vulnerable mannerisms; it was probably for the best as it would've pushed her away.
"I'm sorry. I know I need to stay strong, unyielding, and...maybe you're right. Maybe I have been putting this off for too long, but I cannot say I was prepared to face something like this."
"Neither of us were. I understand how you feel."
"I know. You are the only one who could," Pyrrha sighed. "Just like how you know that all I wanted was to become a huntress to help protect the world. I felt that it was my destiny, a final goal that you strive for your entire life. I thought I was one step towards achieving that when I came here. You know what's funny? I can achieve that, right here, right now. What about you? You carry the power of the gods. Surely you must believe in destiny, too."
Jaune looked up to the sky, eyes glimmering with reflected light. Glimmering with hope she could not entertain.
"Someone I trust once said that even if we know our destiny, it's up to us to find the road to it." He then looked back at her with a pleading expression. "Pyr, not only are you smart and kind, but you're stronger in many more ways than just fighting. Hell, you were strong enough to believe in me when even I didn't. I totally get how wanting to help people, but this isn't the way. I don't think it's too much to want to keep those we care about in our lives."
He sighed and closed his eyes. "But even if you choose to become the Fall Maiden, I...I'll support you. I always will. I just ask that if you do, it's because you chose to. Not Ozpin."
"I don't have a choice."
"I get why you feel that," Jaune replied, "but you do. If anything, this is Ozpin's fault for not finding someone else who's in a better position than you for this. I don't believe him one bit, only that if you want to, you have the strength to say no."
Pyrrha looked away, downcast as that small selfish part of her fully agreed with what he said. But...would it be right to discard other lives for her own desires? Duty demanded as both a huntress and Maiden candidate that she lay down her life for the sake of others, and while her willingness wasn't in question, the consequences for everyone was. Could she give up everything she loved to become a drifting hermit for the rest of her life, bound to protect a power the common man did not know?
Yet thinking of a life where she abandoned her friends was simply too painful. Without them, she would've become as hollow as her smiles in front of the cameras; what if she ended up on Cardin's team? What if she went to Haven and became part of a team that saw her only as the champion and not the sometimes-sarcastic girl with a secret fondness for comics and Ren's green juice?
...or that she cared for her partner more than she could verbally admit, and that she may never have a chance to truly tell him how she felt?
The irony of the situation was not lost upon her, especially with how Jaune looked at her so pleadingly, full of faith because he believed in her to make the right call. Fate, it seemed, was a cruel mistress; not because of their roles being reversed, but because she truly did have the freedom to choose her destiny.
The destiny to choose her own damnation, anyway.
It was too much, and she closed her eyes as the weight of it all threatened to crush her.
"No..."
"P...Pyrrha...Are you saying that -?"
"No more," she finished, the words coming out uncertainly. "I'm sorry. It's just...how did you do it? How did you cope knowing that everything you knew and did in life was for nothing? All for some sort of sick, divine prank? Of course I don't want to become the Fall Maiden. Yet if I don't, someone else will be ripped from their family and friends and be hunted down for the rest of their lives. Or worse, it may even go to those who we need to protect this power from."
Pyrrha faced him head-on, and it took all her remaining strength to not crumble at his look of despair. "I know this sounds selfish, but I don't want to lose everything I have here. I love being in Beacon and training to become a huntsman. I love Team RWBY and how utterly ridiculous they can act because it reminds me of us. I love Ren and Nora and just how much they put up with each other. I love how subtly he smiles whenever she isn't looking..."
Despite her best efforts, a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"...and...and how she's always the first to quiet down when he talks. How thoughtful she is when it comes to making him happy. I'd miss them so much. I don't want to lose them."
Pyrrha shakily released a sigh as the last of her resistance fell away.
"Most of all, I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
The mere thought was too painful to consider. There was nothing quite like reading cheesy comics one day then being swept off your feet and protectively guided around by a gentleman the next. It only became stronger since the night under the stars and fireworks, because even though she found herself amongst a crowd of strangers, suffice to say that because of him she never felt alone. They knew when they needed each other the most.
Jaune finally closed the distance and gently wrapped his arms around her, and after a moment's hesitation, Pyrrha buried her face into the crook of his neck. In the end, while her life was no longer hers to give, destiny could never steal her heart because Pyrrha surrendered it willingly to the boy who'd won it.
Because he was her partner.
"...because I love you, Jaune."
Pyrrha gazed into his eyes, desperate for comfort, only to see a troubled expression as if Jaune struggled with some conflict within. Before she could comment, his hand gently brushed away a stray tear and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; it allayed her uncertainty, and by the looks of it his as well, as they stared down the path they were destined to walk.
It was bleak and unforgiving, but as Pyrrha melted at the feeling of his lips on her own, it reminded her that she wasn't alone. That Jaune wasn't alone. And when faced with a future as dark as theirs, walking it with who she loved was a choice that fate could never hope to take.
x==)======+
Vale was beautiful.
The view from the opened window only reinforced that fact; with the sun having set and the last of dusk fading to pure night, the lights of Vale's commercial district sparkled like a crystalline fountain beneath a sea of stars. Considering it was the kingdom's capital and largest city in Remnant, its status was plain for all to see, even far into the wilderness beyond the walls because such a dazzling display inspired peace. Security. Hope. Ambition.
Save for the latter, the rest tasted absolutely foul on Cinder's tongue, even after she took another sip of prime Atlesian shiraz to wash it away. Thinking that order and stability were enforceable within a chaotic world was foolhardy and naïve. Reality dictated that power amongst the kingdoms relied on armies of huntsmen, a stake in the global economy and connections with prominent leaders around the world -
All of which Cinder lacked. Yet tomorrow night, with an almost literal push of a button, Beacon would soon find itself protecting a graveyard that once called itself a city.
In the end, true power came from the blessings of the gods, and while the Brothers had long abandoned the world, Salem had not. There was a reason that the people of the ancient world worshipped her and Ozma as deities before they deliberately fell into obscurity, and now, by granting Cinder command over their entire Valean operation, she only stood to gain in influence and inheritance, for the rest of Amber's power was well within reach.
The mere thought of claiming what was rightfully hers sent euphoric shivers down her spine.
Cinder tipped back her glass and finished her wine as she heard footsteps enter the room. Even though she continued to gaze out the window, she was certain that a familiar look of delight would greet her when she turned.
"Ma'am, I bring news."
"Oh?"
"From Torchwick and Adam Taurus," Emerald said, handing her a scroll with texts from two unnamed numbers. "Roman's men are finished distributing dust, supplies and the main cargo amongst the White Fang, and while they were discovered by the authorities on several occasions, all situations have been contained thus far."
Cinder hummed.
"The same also goes for the White Fang. The Grimm have been loaded and are ready to be delivered, while fireteams equipped with the charges are repositioning themselves throughout the city near major landmarks. They're all waiting for your signal."
"Truly," she idly quipped while flicking through the text to cross-reference Emerald's words -
Vale's council chambers? Check.
Major transportation terminals? Check.
Police stations and garrisons for the kingdom's militia and huntsmen? Check.
Weapon and medical manufactories in the industrial district? Check.
Business headquarters in the commercial district? Check.
Seeing the full list of completed objectives was enough to put a smile on her face, encouraging Emerald to do the same. Even for her, it was almost disdainful to see someone so whipped and willing to please, though she and Mercury proved themselves to be somewhat competent in assisting her - especially when they long ago compromised Vale's abilities to truly respond.
If only she could witness Ozma's face when he realized that Amity Colosseum, Beacon Academy and its CCT fell because of his own ineptitude. It was, in hindsight, a pitiful end for an immortal on par with Salem herself - with the backing of the most powerful military in Remnant to boot.
But for Cinder, her triumph over the old wizard was just one more footnote on the chronicle that detailed her ascent to power.
A chronicle that had only just begun.
Emerald's polite cough enticed a sneer as it broke her train of thought, with the green-haired girl standing abashedly and apparently awaiting a response.
"Hmm? Do say again, Emerald."
"A-ah, yes, ma'am. I was just asking if there are any final tasks that we need to complete. If you want, I could go wake Merc up so we can be ready -"
"What tasks remain to be completed are already in the process of being so. The entirety of Adam's forces shall be ready by tonight, a full day away from zero hour. Only with Salem's word shall we begin the next phase of our operations."
"Yes, ma'am."
Cinder rolled her eyes dismissively, though Emerald missed it on account of looking to the side like a wounded puppy. It never ceased to infuriate her - partially because of a time she dare not speak of, when she also didn't know any better in that detestable household - but also how the girl truly was confident when she chose to. Regardless of Emerald's yearning for her approval, what mattered was that she did her job well and did not hinder her path to power.
Her path to ensure she never remained helpless again.
"Worry not, Emerald, for we shall have plenty of opportunities to extol ourselves once we commence the next phase," she began with a saccharine voice, heading over and gently cupping her hand around her cheek. "Powerful as I am, Beacon is still a school full of huntsmen that is further reinforced by General Ironwood's forces. While Watts' virus will neutralize communications and much of their firepower, the rest is in our hands to complete. Every hand that helps is appreciated."
As expected, the girl nearly preened at her touch, and it took all her willpower to not show revulsion at such a lack of self-respect.
"Y-yes, for sure. Thank you, ma'am. I know that our fight against Beacon will be difficult, but I trust you to lead us to victory. You won't let us down."
Cinder smiled, though Emerald failed to see the indifference in her eyes.
"I'm curious, however," she continued, stepping away and glancing nervously at the basement door. "How exactly does that thing fit into all this? Clearly, he's good at fighting, but what's to say he won't turn on us in the thick of it all? I'm not questioning your abilities, it's just that -"
"The wraith is a central component of our Queen's plans," Cinder replied. "While you should not discredit your hesitance to trust, he will not betray us any time soon. The mark on his chest is emblematic of a curse that cages his freedom of will. He is subservient to Salem's will - to my will. That alone is enough for me."
For now, anyway. Nevertheless, Emerald's curiosity was not unfounded; she too wondered as to the true nature of his identity and the power he carried. Salem taught her his name and the bare amount needed to speak to him in his language, but the only other aspect she mentioned was the magic he carried. Not only was it of great importance - especially since her own powers reacted to them - but it was apparently passed down in a similar manner to the Maidens.
Fortunately for her, his successor was clearly defined. While she did not see the three golden triangles upon Jaune Arc, ever since she met him in that restaurant that night, Cinder knew for a fact that he held something. Borderline rubbing up close to him in the Colosseum confirmed it, judging by that rejuvenating feeling nothing else gave her.
They killed two birds with one stone. While Salem was definitely hiding secrets, the questions still remained - what exactly was this shining power, and how did he come to possess it? There were two empty spaces on its sigil as well - does that mean there are other missing pieces?
If so, how could she go about acquiring them?
Her lust for power was temporarily sated by retrieving Amber's power and the anticipation that she would be sent to collect the others, but it would not last forever. When her Queen deigned to keep something so tightly guarded, she had not the strength to resist her curiosity when it meant a chance to gain even a sliver of what his power could be.
Cinder cleared her throat. "Yes...enough for now but not forever. Ahem. In any case, what matters is that Torchwick retrieved a moon pearl Salem specifically requested, which means all loose ends are tied, while his men and the White Fang are positioning themselves to strike. We have forces in Vale, and through us, forces in Beacon. And that 'us' includes our guest down below."
Emerald nodded silently. She could still see that nervousness in her eyes, but why must she remain so when the wraith was perhaps the most game-changing card they had to play? She saw his prowess at Evernight with not just the sword, but also the spear and dagger in a fashion that screamed experience and mastery. He was fast, deadly, absolutely loyal (though forced) and with no shred of hesitation when time came to kill.
And he could not speak back, of course. Even if his differing eyes always replied with equal hatred.
It was everything she wanted in a partner.
The girl, unfortunately, needed to see for herself. Cinder needed to wipe that anxious look off her face so she could see the light. She then, in due order, approached the bolted basement door, but where Emerald's body failed her, loyalty prevailed. Its rusty hinges creaked as she unlocked and opened it, descending into the blackness without pause or an assuring look back.
She was the Fall Maiden, after all, and Cinder would be quick to remind both of them of that fact.
"Emerald...? Do you not trust in my power to command?"
A second set of footsteps joined hers in creaking down the wooden stairs, but when she felt her foot tap concrete, a flick of her hand yielded a small flame at the tip of her index finger.
And at the other end, where the edges of a bed frame were just barely visible, his eyes glowed like hateful embers amidst the stifling darkness. Emerald gasped as she no doubt took in the sight of the Malice that spiderwebbed its thin tendrils throughout the room, though all Cinder did was take another step closer.
She smiled when he slowly rose to meet her.
"You look well yourself," Cinder began subtly tensing in case he tried to attack her like last time. "I suppose that spending time in your element can strengthen your resolve...ah, of course, you don't understand me."
His one good eye narrowed, more so when she offered up her wine flute.
"A token of my goodwill."
The wraith merely stared back, and Cinder felt her smile falter.
"Um...Ma'am?" Emerald interrupted, shying away when his eyes snapped over to meet hers. "I...I don't think he's in the...mood..."
"Perhaps not," she acquiesced, handing her flute over as she produced her scroll and thumbed through the pictures. "but after this, he will be."
A new picture of Jaune Arc was held up in front of his face, and as expected, seeing his successor was provocation enough. Cinder smiled further when he fought to keep his rage under control, though it didn't stop that eye of Malice from growing ever so slightly or continuing to look at that photo when his one good eye returned her gaze.
...and when she told him those beautiful words, filled with a sentiment that transcended the common tongue and ancient Calatian?
"Yes, you heard me correctly," Cinder chuckled as she mimed her finger slitting her throat. "I know you cannot speak, but this is called killing. There shall be much of it, and you and I will see it done. Especially with him."
She flourished Jaune's photo before pocketing her scroll, and Emerald returned her wine.
"The world has need of you, Link. Our time has finally come."
Cinder offered him a drink once more, and with his own free will, he snatched the glass and finished the rest of its contents.
/ AN \
Welcome all to Chapter 27 of A Descendant of Legends!
I honestly don't think I've posted an update as fast as this since Arc I, considering all the hours I've been dunking on Age of Calamity. But hey, despite that and some rather heavy writer's block over the weekend, I finally managed to pull through with something I hope y'all enjoyed. At least I can take a bit of a break now and not overwork myself, lol.
But back to the chapter! Some obviously heavy stuff that I know will stir up emotions, but in the end, I'm happy to see a Jaune that's slightly less dense and a Pyrrha that's more forward have a moment to themselves in idyll's end. It's been the most difficult but ultimately the most satisfying scene to write in this chapter, especially when everyone involved is mentally preparing themselves for when the glass finally shatters. Ahh...it's gonna be good. At least for me ;)
In any case, thanks for sticking around and I hope you enjoyed it! Constructive criticism/feedback are always welcome, and I hope to see you all next chapter!
Roy4: Very personal. I've always considered the end of Arc III the time when I rip the story off the ladder of following alongside canon to become its own standalone story. It's always fun planning out Jaune's Zelda quest to fight the darkness. It will be dark, somber and ultimately transformative for him as a person, leader, and eventually, Hero.
That too involves what Salem's true intentions are. I've tried to sprinkle little hints to help build up what she may be intending, but in the end only time will tell. One thing that I at least can say for sure is that I shall spare no expense when it comes to the variety of Zelda monsters and types of Grimm. That Lynel in Chapter 9 wasn't the last, and in the future, definitely outclassed.
Dragon lord Syed 101: And she does, indeed. Ever the supportive one, and it'll honestly be interesting to test her character when things come to a head in the future. The very near future too, as Remnant's doomsday clock strikes close to midnight.
Fyr RedNight: Thank you! That was what I was aiming for, even though I was worried if it was best to keep repeating cliffhanger endings on varying scales of severity. And though I try to balance many things out, when it all begins, the gloves will be coming off.
Guest: She does indeed, but while Jaune and Pyrrha are worried about the state of the near-future, it is a dark tunnel they will both enter together, and hopefully remain so when emerging out the other side.
Lix231: Almost! The specific incarnation that teaches Jaune is the Link from the Skyward Sword's prequel manga, which for this story I am considering him full canon. While the reason why Jaune can't access the pure memories of the rest of the heroes beyond past locations and monsters fought is something that will be touched upon much later in the story, this Link is indeed an amalgamation in the sense that every Link that comes after him shares the same Soul of the Hero. With Demise's curse, he thus became their spiritual progenitor.
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.