Arc IV: Courage Ascending
Chapter 31: Ashes of Eden
The air was cold and stifled in the hallways, with more than a few stones accumulating dust beneath the moon's ivory light. It was quiet, and oppressively so; an occasional breeze from an open window rustled a few curtains, but even with the faint echoes of Grimm that stalked the corridors, the silence was deafening in its own right.
It shattered like glass when a door opened at the other end.
A few small Nevermore craned their heads towards the approaching group, idly watching as their Queen in the front walked past with a smile that rivalled the sun. It was perhaps the brightest sight in the tower that day, for there was nothing short of the Brothers returning that could ruin her absolute victory.
After all, seeing the fruits of her labour grow here and around the world was intoxicating; Ozma was dead, Beacon had fallen, and the strength of the other academies were compromised. The largest kingdom in Remnant was brought to its knees, largely in part to Cinder's use of the White Fang to sabotage key objectives within the city - weakening their defences from the inside in a form of strategic hemorrhage.
Most importantly, her ritual succeeded. Ironically enough, the Blood Moon was actually an unintended consequence, but even if she needed to further study how it was triggered, she would not complain when it worked so spectacularly in her favour. So many opportunities, and so few hands to grasp them all at once.
Salem gently smiled.
A Nevermore cawed and descended from the rooftops, landing upon her outstretched arm like an owl offering its wisdom. They stopped at an intersection, and thankfully with it, her subordinates' bickering.
"My Goddess?"
"My Queen?"
"Perhaps we need to reassess our plans."
Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows shared a glance that for once wasn't hostile. She began walking down the corridor towards a staircase to the basement, an unbidden command for them to follow. Their breaths misted in the air the further they descended, and reaching the landing revealed a path cloaked in darkness. An occasional torch or dust crystal illuminated the walls, along with a few Grimm hidden in the shadow.
Distant, familiar screams reverberated off the stone.
Watts cleared his throat. "What is your will, ma'am?"
"You will continue the search for the Maidens," Salem replied, pausing and wheeling around to face them both. "Priority, however, falls to Spring. Contact Lionheart if you must, but the Relic of Knowledge is mine."
"I will see it done. And what of the Relic of Choice?"
"What about it?"
"Perhaps I can also make a stop at Beacon to retrieve it," Watts offered, grinning behind his mustache. "I would rather not leave behind loose ends from such careless work -"
He paused as Salem remained unamused, while Tyrian stepped to the side and made no effort to hide his smirk.
"Enough, Watts. Why do you find such malignance necessary?"
"I...forgive me, ma'am," he apologized, having the grace to look at least a little sheepish. "I am not particularly fond of failure, especially with the Relic and the girl with silver eyes."
"Neither am I, though Cinder still accomplished much," She scoffed, turning with Tyrian and walking further down the hallway. The screams and sounds of combat reached a crescendo as they stopped by a door and window overlooking an arena; the new Fall Maiden, broken arm inside a mechanical cast, heaved a series of firebolts towards a pair of Beowolves. Hazel, Mercury and Emerald stood off to the side with passive, interested and worried expressions, but the latter's worry was for naught; training ended as soon as it began and Cinder hunched over exhausted and spent.
"Firstly, while she has much to learn about her newfound powers, one cannot deny the effectiveness of her attack. The Relic of Choice sits inert within Beacon; it will not be going anywhere as the key to it is loyal to me and me alone."
Watts inclined his head. "Yes, ma'am."
"And I trust the search for the other Maidens are going well?"
"I've narrowed down the search for Winter somewhere within Atlas itself, but I've yet to ascertain the exact location."
Tyrian waved his hand as if a student answering his teacher. "Ooh, ooh! Why not pick me, my Goddess? I can sneak in and out from under their noses! Maybe even send a message or two to Ironwood...hee hee hee, it would be so easy to mess with his mind..."
Salem turned away from the window, ignoring Cinder having noticed her and fallen to a knee in deference. "No. For now, I am considering sending you to Menagerie. We have not heard back from White Fang leadership in some time...I'd like to remind them of their duties with a more personal touch. Wouldn't you agree?"
The scorpion faunus cackled and bowed.
"Excellent. That leaves us to the second point," she smiled, turning and heading down the corridor. Behind them, the arena door opened, and four pairs of footsteps eventually joined their own.
"My Queen, I -"
"- that being the girl with silver eyes," Salem interrupted, missing Cinder's grimace and the smug satisfaction on Watt's face. "Though they are no longer our greatest threat, it remains significant despite the systematic culling of the silver-eyed lineage over the centuries. I trust that you will rectify your misstep?"
"Y-yes, ma'am. I will take care of her like the rest."
"Good. But until you recover, you will stay and train with the Fall Maiden's powers. I will not leave my plans in the hands of failure and a magical cripple."
Cinder's eyes fell.
They continued in silence, eventually reaching a set of heavy oaken double doors that barred the entrance to the cellar. She turned and gazed over them all, her pale visage ghostly and sinister from the faint light of Malice that seeped through the cracks.
"We are in a position of strength, and our advantage, while broad, remains to be fully taken. The Blood Moon was more than just an omen of destruction; with its rise, we have entered a new age...or should I say returned to an older one. One where Grimm, silver eyes and Relics will not necessarily turn the tide of battle."
The doors burst open and Salem began descending the steps to the cellar. All but Hazel and Tyrian focused upon the arcane arrangement in the centre, along with a certain figure chained and half-submerged within the pool of Malice.
Not to mention the southeast torch that burned a bright and eerie purple.
"The world, simply put, is immeasurably old. You all know of the Brother Gods and their arrogance, jealousy and cruelty. But have you ever wondered why they arrived in the first place?"
"Ma'am, you taught us that they created the world to bridge their differences," Watts replied, slightly confused. "Though they merely succeeded in destroying humanity to punish your selflessness."
Tyrian protectively shifted closer to Salem with an infuriated look. She herself frowned, fighting past thoughts of happier times; the tower was a castle of joy back then, filled with the laughter of four precious daughters and a loving husband -
"That is correct," she gritted out in a rare show of annoyance. "And since then, it has been a war against their curse as much as it is against Ozma."
"...you said that they descended upon Remnant, my Goddess," Tyrian asked quietly. "Are you saying that -"
"- the time has come for you all to learn the truth. A truth which I myself have learned fairly recently," Salem intoned, pausing by the flaming torch.
"Every world, every kingdom, every nation all are founded upon the ashes of others. Raitang and Orcus, Gods of Light and Darkness, descended from the heavens to rebuild a shattered world. From the magic mirror to the moon pearls required for my spells, these artifacts I ordered gathered are all mementos of a forgotten past."
Dark Link twitched violently, and the group - sans Salem - turned to see him thrash about in the Malice pool with a silent scream. None of them missed how the evil liquid engulfed his wounds and slowly, if painfully healed.
"Hence why you had the White Fang raid museums and other archaeological sites."
"Precisely, Arthur. But there is one that cannot be stolen from some museum - one of unimaginable potential that surpasses all the others, be it the Trident or that shackled shadow. Its power, bound to the soul of an ancient, sealed demon, is so great that it once rent the world itself, and half of that -" Salem gripped her necklace - "belongs to me."
The flames within the torch flared and speared into the air, causing Cinder, Emerald, Mercury and Watts to step back in shock. Hazel remained impassive, having seen it all before, while Tyrian merely clapped in earnest excitement.
"This is the Flame of Destruction, a cursed fire that was lit upon the ascension of the Blood Moon. This is the true victory we achieved that night; it is but one step in a series of dark rites that will reveal and bind the other half to my will. It is a power that may transcend that of the Brothers themselves."
"M-my Goddess..."
Salem smiled, and for once agreed with Tyrian's description. While rising to godhood wasn't at all part of the plan, she would be the closest being to one on Remnant once she gathered the rest of the Triforce. The problem, however, was keeping the more ambitious of the group in check when doing so; Tyrian's fanatical devotion automatically made him the most reliable in that regard, with Hazel coming in second since he focused solely on Ozma's permanent demise.
That left Watts and Cinder, along with her two peons. Tech skills aside, the scientist was easily disposable, but the latter's drive rivalled her own. Salem spared a glance for Dark Link as the flames receded and they all knelt in reverence behind her, though Cinder was the only one to stare back when everyone else's heads were lowered.
"And what of the Arc boy, ma'am?"
Dark Link went deathly still.
"What of him, indeed? I'd prefer to keep her in the dark as I've done all this time, but Cinder will try to learn what she can about the true nature behind the Triforce. Then again...what can she do? I am the definition of immortal with power far greater than everyone here combined, though you can always trust ambition to predict one's next move."
"Ma'am?"
"...I suppose if there's no avoiding it, then perhaps I should twist the flow of information. I'll have to discuss this further with Tyrian and maybe Hazel so they can watch her when it's time; for now, I need the boy alive as he is the only one capable of unlocking the final seal."
She grasped her necklace once more. "Jaune and the shadow share two halves of a similar artifact called the Triforce of Courage. That and another piece - the Triforce of Wisdom - are inert by themselves, but necessary to unlock the full strength of my own. So consider this your test, Cinder. Should you recover well and master your new power, you shall be the one to search for Wisdom and capture Jaune for me."
"Then I shall force him to unlock the seal and fully free Ganon, and once I extract Power from his soul, the Triforce shall be made whole again. The beast thinks he can manipulate me, but he is not the only one who plays the game of intrigue."
And she could finally find release from her cursed existence.
...
...
...Salem...
His voice echoed within her head and she gazed into the burning moon pearl.
Ganon's eyes seemed to smile back.
x==)==
To say time flies would've been an understatement.
Fresh from the shower, Ruby leaned upon an open windowsill and savoured the crisp autumn air. It felt weird, almost wrong to be back so early, but the ever-present thoughts of returning to Beacon only intensified the weight upon her heart.
It had almost been a week after the Fall - as some have come to call it - though much of the time since was little more than a blur, even with the aftermath looping on TV and the CCT-Net. Not that she wanted to shut it all out anyway -
Not when Yang was secluded in the guest bedroom, desperate for updates on their teammates despite the loss of her dominant arm.
Not when Ren and Nora, staying at an emergency shelter for Beacon students without anywhere to go, broke the news that Blake disappeared in the middle of the night and Weiss was escorted away under protest by agents of her company.
Not when Richter Arc arrived for his traumatized son, and despite his team's objections, whisked Jaune back home along with Pyrrha's equipment.
Ruby rubbed her head as intermittent headaches flared once more, though they were nothing compared to the wish that none of this had ever happened, or that Cinder and Dark Link never existed in the first place.
"Why...just...why? W-why would people want to unleash Grimm and monsters, a-and do something so horrible -"
She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes, turning at the sound of familiar footsteps approaching the door.
"Hey, Ruby," Taiyang Xiao-Long sighed, offering a warm, if concerned smile for his daughter as he leaned against the doorframe. "I'll be making dinner soon. We've got some leftover omelettes, but if you want I could whip up some of my world-famous noodles. What do you think?"
Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Sure, dad. If you want to use that excuse to make ramen then go ahead."
"Heh. That's my girl," he chuckled, though his attempt at mirth fell through when Ruby sat on her bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I dunno, to be honest," she said, looking down at her feet with a troubled expression. He made for Yang's empty bed, but thought twice and instead sat beside his daughter. "At least my Aura's back to normal, but...it's just...Yang. Weiss, Blake...and...and..."
Her fists clenched. "I still can't believe them and the others are gone. It's just that I...I wish -"
Taiyang gently threw his arm around her, though she did her best to hold in her tears - not when others suffered worse than she did. She needed to be strong for her team, dispersed as they were, and for JNPR.
For all of JNPR...
"I understand, Ruby," he replied, looking away with a distant expression. "It's...well, I won't pretend that I'm the best at this, but what you and your friends lived through, and seeing your lives ripped out from under it all...I'd be overwhelmed too. It's not fair to you guys to deal with something so grave."
Ruby silently nodded. "...yeah. And dad...what do...no, how do I tell Yang?"
"Tell Yang...?"
"That her partner ran," she replied with a strong, yet pleading look. "She's been banking on knowing Blake was safe, and...and would be there for her, but some of our friends told me that she left."
Taiyang's face fell.
"How do I tell her, dad?"
"There isn't an easy way for this," he eventually began, no doubt remembering when Qrow and Summer came with similar news. "Just be honest. Gentle, but honest. If you want, I can be there when you tell her."
Ruby shook her head and gave him a hug. "No, it's okay. I'm sorry, I dunno how to say it, but I kinda feel like it's a team thing, and as her team leader...well..."
"No worries. I got you," he nodded before heading for the door. He paused and shot her one last smile. "Summer would say the same thing too, you know. Wouldn't have traded her any other leader out there...just remember, if you need me, I'm here, okay? I always am, for you and Yang."
"Thanks, dad."
The footsteps receded down the stairs, and Ruby sighed and slowly made her way to the guest room. Muffled sounds of a TV emanated from within, and after briefly hesitating, she rapped lightly upon the door.
"Yeah?"
Ruby cracked it open and peeked in. Yang looked...tired, to say the least. "How are you feeling? Are you...doing okay?"
A silent shrug was her only answer. Ruby closed the door and did her best to ignore Yang's missing arm as she sat beside her. For a long moment, the only sounds within the room were that of trees rustling in the wind outside and Lisa Lavender's latest disaster exposé, and soon enough, Ruby too found herself glued to the TV.
Vale emerged victorious but at a cost. Recovery was hampered by the damage to critical infrastructure, from rail lines, medical facilities and weakened defences. The other kingdoms fared marginally better, with Atlas having emerged the least unscathed at the expense of being placed under martial law. But from Vacuo to Mistral, Mantle to Menagerie, the strength of huntsmen had been exhausted and stretched thin, fighting off not just Grimm, but forgotten monsters resurrected by the Blood Moon.
Ruby hoped that it would never go red again.
...if only Jaune could assure her of that...
She shook her head from her stupor upon realizing that Yang called her name a second time, and Ruby found her with an expectant look.
"...hey, is it time for dinner yet?"
"Almost. Dad's gonna make ramen again if you're cool with that. I'll make sure to put some extra spice in yours too, the way you always like it.
"Cool. Thanks, Rubes."
She nodded and steeled herself with a deep breath.
"I, um, I got news from Ren and Nora. It's about Weiss and Blake."
Yang dropped the remote and fixed her with wide and anxious, almost excited eyes - the most animated she'd seen her sister since before the Fall.
"O-oh my Gods, how are they? How's Weiss holding up? A-and is Blake doing alright? Especially after fighting Adam...man, I'm glad they're okay. So, when can we see them again? I'm sure dad'll let me go if I asked, maybe do some work around the house and show I'm all good -"
"I'm sorry."
Yang chuckled, though it had an anxious edge to it. "W-what do you mean? They've gotta be fine and waiting for us -"
Ruby silently grimaced, and Yang's frantic laugh quickly faded into the ambience.
"I'm sorry, Yang. They told me that they're gone."
Her face became carefully neutral.
"Gone?"
"Apparently the SDC took Weiss back to Atlas, and Blake just...left. Sun tried to chase after her, but...well..."
Yang's gaze slowly fell along with the last of the light from her eyes. Her good arm instinctively held her bandaged stump.
"Blake left...?"
Ruby crawled atop the covers and snuggled into her sister's side. She didn't miss how Yang flinched at the contact. "I tried to text and call them both, but their scrolls wouldn't pick up."
"...why?"
"I...I don't know, Yang -"
"...why would she just run? I tried to protect her -"
"- I'm sorry, I -"
Yang shook her head. Ruby didn't comment on how her lip quivered, nor the looks of denial, raw anger and something distinctly vulnerable that flashed for a second across her face.
"...so what do you want to do?"
"I don't know."
"Yang -"
"I don't know!" she suddenly screamed, scaring Ruby off the bed, but her fury cooled as quickly as it flared with only guilt remaining in its wake. Yang turned and stared out the window.
"I guess you can just...do whatever you want. You're the leader, after all."
"Sis -"
"Ruby, just leave me alone. Please..."
Several seconds passed before she quietly nodded and headed for the door. "I'm sorry, Yang. I love you...if you need me, I..."
Silence.
The door shut softly behind her, and as Ruby collapsed against the wall and huddled her legs, what tears were held in finally broke free. It was hard to not sink further into despair, seeing Yang so broken when she was a paragon of energy and confidence; her position wasn't supposed to be easy, but this...?
"And to think Ozpin said I had a lotta potential as a team leader. How do we even come back from this? Yang, Blake...Penny, Pyrrha...I need to be strong...but how?"
Ruby blinked away the moisture and sighed.
"I-I don't want to be helpless anymore! But what can I do?"
"You can get some rest before you think of doing something stupid, kiddo."
"Guh!"
She yelped and wheeled to find Qrow leaning against the wall with an unusually sober expression.
"Oh, uh, did you hear all that?"
"Yeah. But hey, sometimes it helps to think out loud, ya know?"
Qrow sat on the floor beside her, and Ruby silently leaned against him for a moment.
"Look, kiddo, I won't lie to ya. The tough spot you're in isn't something that anyone your age or level should have to deal with. Even if you are training to be a huntress," Qrow grunted. "How are you feeling right now, though? Do you still get those headaches?"
"Occasionally. I am feeling better," Ruby replied, "It's just that I don't know where to go from here. This, uh, wasn't exactly in the manual."
Qrow snorted. "No, for sure. I'll let Ozpin know to put that in for next time."
She stared flatly as he looked like he got caught stealing from a cookie jar. "What're you talking about? Cinder killed Professor Ozpin."
He briefly looked away before a little ping rang from his pocket. Qrow drew his scroll and walked opposite to lean against the stairs' railing, replying to texts from a picture of an unfamiliar hazel-eyed teen.
"Uncle Qrow -?"
"Do you wanna know how you froze the Wyvern?"
She simply stared back.
"Huh?"
"The big Grimm dragon," Qrow replied. "You told me there was a bright light and that when you came to, it became stone while Cinder and her goons ran away. All before...you know..."
Ruby's gaze fell. "I remember. I ran with my Semblance as it roared down on them and saw that shadow guy stab Pyrrha. And then everything went white." She looked back at him with a hard gaze. "How did I do that? What...what even was that anyway? A-and Ozpin! I know what you're doing -"
"- it's because you're gifted," he interrupted, "and not in the 'daddy loves his special angel' kind of way, but the way that your mom was. I mean, you know how Remnant's full of legends and stories. Just take the Arc kid for example. And I thought Oz's problems were bad...ahem. Long story short, your silver eyes have magical light that can strike down Grimm, and if what you told me is true, it hurt the shadow guy as well."
"I...what?"
"Jaune's not the only one with magic, you know."
Part of her felt that it should've surprised her, but at this point, there was little shock left to give. Ruby instead focused on what she knew for a fact.
"Right, well, I remember seeing him limp away after."
"Mhmm. But you're still inexperienced with them, and silver-eyed warriors in the past could use them in ways you can't even right now -"
"- then what can I do to change that?"
Qrow fixed her with a stern gaze. She fixed him one back.
"My team's broken, Jaune's team's broken and I don't want it to stay like this forever. I need to do something about it. I want to help however I can."
"Then go get some rest and think about this with a clearer head," Qrow sighed as he headed for the stairs, though paused halfway down. "If I were you, I'd worry about preparing for a long journey to catch the rising sun. Even if it is for learning about cool superpowers, it's not something I'd do by myself."
He offered a wink and headed down the stairs, but while her uncle called out to his in-law regarding dinner, Ruby focused on the words meant for her alone.
"Rising sun...east? It's gotta be Mistral, then. Heh, yeah, that's definitely far."
This was it - not just much needed advice, but a lead that allowed the old gears of leadership to begin turning once more. There was work to be done if she wanted to learn more about her silver eyes and Ozpin, not to mention rebuilding their teams. She could still plan ahead while taking it easy for another day or two, not to mention preparing for a journey rougher than their mission to Mountain Glenn.
Luckily, she wouldn't be alone, and she'd make sure her friends from both teams knew that too.
Walking back to her room, Ruby grabbed her scroll and dialled a familiar number, and as she pondered the logistics of travelling south to Jaune's home village, the mellowed face of a familiar ginger girl immediately lit up upon seeing her.
"Ruuuuuby! Hey! I-it's so nice to see you again! I've missed you sooo much! How are you and Yang doing? Is...is she okay?"
"She's...taking it a day at a time, to be honest," Ruby sighed, then waved as Ren came into view and nodded warmly. "But sorry to be so sudden. Can you guys come over ready for the field?"
"Huh? What's going on? Are you alright?"
She quickly ran them through Qrow's words, and the two shared a glance before looking back with hardened expressions.
"I see. I'll be sure to gather essentials before we come over," Ren agreed. "But I don't want to leave our leader behind. We're not going without Jaune."
"Don't worry. I was just getting to that," Ruby replied, glancing at the wall to Yang's room before turning to Crescent Rose by the nightstand.
"Weiss...Blake...just hang in there. We'll be coming for you guys. I promise."
But for now?
"I think it's time we pay him a visit."
x==)==
It was time they paid their home base a visit.
Perched upon a thick branch high above the woodland floor, Adam Taurus found himself unusually distracted as he canvassed the area for potential threats. And not because of any particular ill fortune, but an abundance of the exact opposite.
They soon fled after the assault on Beacon, and the plans he meticulously crafted for extraction were executed as well as they could be - suffice to say, it could've gone, much, much worse. At least the ragtag group of survivors he led through the dense Mistrali forest were not just in high spirits, but as resilient as one could expect from a group of hardened veterans.
But they were only the tip of the flying spear, and there was still a ways to go before they struck true victory. Revolutions, after all, usually don't succeed overnight.
Nor were they commonly peaceful affairs.
Adam sighed and leapt down, sparing a nod for the vanguard as he headed for what seemed to be an unfolding commotion in the centre. It was a tranquil evening, having encountered only a few monsters along the way, though it was certainly a different story several nights ago.
Even for him, it was hard not to remain shaken from then, mainly because his heart gnawed with both guilt and anger. While he cared not for the devastation wreaked upon the humans, innocent faunus were no doubt caught in the crossfire. If anything, their operation was perhaps a tad too effective, and glancing at the purple-liquid grenades some still carried was just as potent a reminder.
So many questions, and so few answers. He never considered himself religious, but seeing the pure evil that emerged from the chaos was enough to make him wonder just what the hell the two Brothers were doing, much less the origin of their weapons' contents.
"...as long as faunus exist on this planet, I will correct the injustice the humans inflicted upon us. My brothers and sisters have a point, however, in questioning this black magic despite being our most successful attack since the Winchesters' mansion. Still, at this rate, Sienna's seeing us hurt faunus more than help them. The ends justify the means, but we need to keep this under control."
Adam narrowed his eyes as contemplation gave way to that raw, primal fury he'd known all his life. That was the strength that kept him through the Schnee mines and sharpened his instincts when fighting against the same, especially in the aftermath of Blake's betrayal.
Who knew that purging the White Fang from its borderline cultist leadership would be his most dangerous mission yet?
Before he could even begin planning the logistics of internal restructuring, Adam grumpily wandered over to where the group had stopped in place, finding their two unfortunate and unwelcome guests staring down the barrels of multiple guns.
"Now, now, let's be reasonable and talk like gentlemen," Roman Torchwick began with an easy grin, gripping Melodic Cudgel in a non-threatening way. Neo was less inclined with her cane blade already halfway drawn.
"Talk? From you? What, do you think you can still call us animals and get away with it? Shoulda left you behind for Ironwood," Perry replied, eliciting a chorus of agreement from the rest. "Dunno if you've noticed, human, but not only are you still injured, but there's twenty of us and two of you. Or should I say one and a half?"
Roman held Neo back before she could hush him up like the name of her cane, and his diplomatic smile became ever so strained. "Look, I get it. You guys think I'm a prick, and you know what? All the power to you merry lot. This isn't exactly the best place for us either, but hey. We got a job to do, and I'm just trying to be a little professional, you know?"
"Psh. The job's already done. We struck Vale hard and Beacon's in ruins. I don't see why you need to stay around, even if you are a fugitive on the run. Actually, you know what? I'll do you a favour." Perry aimed his pistol. "Here's some motivation. Get lost or -"
"- you attract monsters, patrolling huntsmen or the local bandit tribes," Adam interrupted as Deery lowered her comrade's arm. "Must I remind you of our dwindling supplies as well? I didn't assume command of the Valean White Fang to have you lot die of sheer incompetence."
"I-I'm sorry, sir. You're right, I should've -"
"Yes, you should've," Adam grunted, then whirled on Roman as he was about to retort. "But it seems I need to remind you humans that you only live because of orders from higher - if it were up to me, I'd have dumped your bodies into the ocean before we abandoned the bullhead."
"Yeah. Thanks. Mighty generous of you."
"So don't waste it," he sneered. "Last light is not too far away, but our safe port is. Keep moving."
Adam turned and didn't even bother to acknowledge Neo's hateful glare as they began marching again, with no small amount of disdain directed at them both. He'd gladly end their lives, but even if orders were orders, he wasn't immune to getting pissed off. At this rate, both Sienna and Roman were quickly approaching the point where they'd learn about his limits firsthand.
He clenched his sword's hilt hard, and Adam sighed once more as he scanned the surroundings for threats and a distraction from being annoyed. It helped that the forest was still relatively peaceful, and as seconds stretched into minutes, the only sounds which remained were the crunching of leaves and twigs underfoot along with the occasional breeze. Being in the thick of the brush slowed them down for sure, but it also provided hard and visual cover from huntsmen who patrolled the dirt roads on horseback.
Were it not for recent events, it would've been just another day in the life of a White Fang fighter.
Adam focused on better memories and slowly exhaled his anger out.
And his blood pressure spiked at hearing the echoes of distant aerial gunfire, followed by the loudest and most terrifying roar he ever heard.
He dove into a ditch beneath a large tree, and glancing back revealed the rest of the White Fang in various states of alert as they scrambled for cover. Roman himself was similarly shocked, while Neo seemed to be more curious than scared but was tugged into the undergrowth. Intrigued himself, Adam unsheathed his sword and climbed into the canopy to get a clearer view.
Unfortunately, he'd have to get back down to retrieve his jaw from the forest floor.
A pair of bullheads just visible on the horizon were approaching at breakneck speed, desperately trying to escape a seemingly burning cloud in hot pursuit. Looking deeper, however, revealed that it wasn't an actual cloud, but a swarm of fiery bats and other aerial monsters -
All of which surrounded a dragon similar with scales of brilliant red and a mane of living fire.
Adam sat astonished and watched as the bullheads' defensive gunfire took down many of the small fry but did little else except aggravate the serpentine beast, which was almost as large as the Wyvern from Beacon. The dragon bellowed and reared its head, and he yelled to his troops below to brace for cover.
It proved prudent as a beam of fire speared through the sky.
He didn't see where the other bullhead went, but the one he did barely dodged at the cost of its engines. Adam instinctively ducked as the damaged airship roared overhead, but even with the dragon flying away triumphantly, he focused solely on the familiar insignia that whizzed by in a fraction of a second.
And when a black glyph enveloped the bullhead right before it crashed?
Adam barked out commands down below and dashed in pursuit, not bothering to look back as he leapt from tree to tree. A loud crash reverberated throughout the forest, soon after, and Wilt came free in preparation for slaughter.
Upon reaching the end of the trail of smoke, he leapt from the canopy into a clearing created by the fallen bullhead. A quick survey of the area revealed the burning wreckage itself, but as the White Fang trickled in, Adam barred one of his men from advancing with the flat of his blade, and the others fanned around to secure the crash site.
The heiress defiantly held her ground, raising her rapier despite wavering from her own injuries and the unconscious pilot she shouldered. She fired off an icicle that was easily deflected as the last of her fight left her eyes, and Weiss Schnee unceremoniously tumbled to the ground.
"W-what the - oh. Oh, boy."
"Rejoice, Roman, for you are no longer the most hated person in this group," he drawled as the thief and his partner approached. Adam then gestured for the medics to see Weiss. It was an ironic thought that he'd save the life of a Schnee, though Schnee or not, wasn't often that valuable hostages simply fell from the sky.
Roman ran a hand through his hair. "Oh, man. The hell kind of week has this been?"
Adam's smile was feral.
"It's the best one I ever had."
x==)==
This was the worst week she ever had.
The empty bottle of Colonel Morgan slammed down, though the fact that it was already several hours past sundown meant no one could accuse her of having a drinking problem.
But remembering just exactly why she was stressed only made her wish for another bottle of spiced rum. Never let it be said that leadership was easy; the logistics of smoothly running a terrorist organization whilst factions threatened to split it apart, coupled with her two subordinates' bickering only intensified her oncoming headache.
Not to mention balancing their need to help faunus with fulfilling their shadow client's requests.
The night of the Fall proved a boon in disguise as the horde of monsters that attacked the city emerged from a buried temple in the island's east, and the expedition sent recently began reaching for its furthest depths. Hopefully it would make them happy, considering the types of artifacts plundered in their wake. If not...well...
Sienna Khan stared at her desk's hidden compartment where she kept one of the findings and sighed. What wouldn't she do for some peace and quiet...no White Fang, no annoying lieutenants and no political crisis from Adam Taurus helping destroy a huntsman academy. Just some fish and chips for dinner, followed by a nice, warm shower before heading off to bed.
"...all I'm saying is that he maybe went a little too far, you know? Like, what about all the other faunus who were there when Beacon fell? It's not like they deserve to be treated like shit for the humans' fault!"
"They made their choice, Yuma," Trifa angrily muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as if patiently explaining a simple concept. "They chose to side with the enemy. Don't forget that they also train to fight people like us in addition to Grimm. In fact, I'd say they're actually worse, considering they're basically traitors."
"And here you go again. Are you sure you're not one of the Albains in disguise?" the bat faunus sighed as he wandered over to a couch. "They're still our brothers and sisters. Who's to say they haven't been abused and heckled in class or something, and now you just wanna throw them all away? Maybe they're trying to help other faunus too!"
"By consorting with the enemy, teaming up and making friends with the enemy so that when they become huntsmen and go on missions, they can kill their own people in the name of justice? The people we both fight with and would die beside!?"
"I - well..."
"For Brothers' sakes, Yuma!" she all but snarled, throwing her hands up in the air. "Just...ugh. Why can't you be quiet and stoic all the time like in missions? Look, if I somehow could, obviously I'd save all the faunus and leave the humans behind, but what Adam did was for the greater good!"
"Faunus without a home?" Yuma asked, exasperated. "Faunus with their friends dying beside them because Adam siced monsters upon them in their dorms? This isn't about the greater good, Trifa. He's not raiding SDC convoys or capturing Atlesian generals. He's literally spitting on everything we have worked for as White Fang!"
The smaller girl towered over him menacingly. "We go way back, Yuma, so you know I'd be down to tear you a new asshole."
"The way Adam tore our people a new one?" he innocently asked, languidly splayed out across the couch. "The way authorities around the world are too at a level not seen since the war?" His gaze hardened as he rose. "The way Kuo Kuana's literally at each other's throats about who's right and wrong? Sure, Adam's taking action, but he's doing a bang-up job of making us look like the good guys. He keeps this up and I don't see faunus winning the next Revolution."
Sienna eyed the webs that slowly emerged from Trifa's hands, while Yuma's wings ever so tensed.
"That's enough. Both of you," she growled, and two pairs of eyes widened before they stepped apart in deference.
"Boss."
"Sorry, ma'am."
"I won't deny that the past several days have been more stressful than most," Sienna began, walking around her desk to sit at its front. "Especially since we're so busy as members of the White Fang. But this here's exactly what's tearing us apart."
"Ma'am -"
She held up a hand, silencing the spider faunus. "I took control from the Belladonnas to further our cause, as they failed to understand that words without action are just empty posturing. Our goal is to give faunus the courage to fight back when threatened by humans. Adam Taurus and the Albain brothers, however, seem intent on destroying not just what unites us against the Grimm, but the eradication of humanity itself. And going down that route will not bring liberation, but destruction."
Trifa's gaze fell, but her fists remained clenched. "Ma'am, if I may...?"
Sienna nodded.
"With all due respect, why aren't we taking advantage of this opportunity?" she said, glancing between the two with a pleading expression. "You speak of unity, ma'am, but with this, we can bring everyone together. Even Atlas cowered against the tide of monsters unleashed under the red moon, and we still have some of those weird grenades left. Faunus won't be scared when they see what's on their side -"
"Absolutely not."
Sienna remained impassive as Trifa fixed her with an incredulous look.
"Massacring humans while letting faunus die through collateral damage is not the way. And speaking of that night, don't you remember the horde of monsters that attacked from the desert? We barely fended them off, even with the Menagerie Guard. Why should we, the guardians of faunus worldwide, cause them further suffering just to kill a few extra humans?"
"Ma'am -"
"No more. I'm aware of the growing discontent, but those who challenge our cause and the wellbeing of faunus shall be dealt with severely," Sienna replied, amber eyes narrowing the slightest bit. "It's like you said. What do you call those who betray their comrades...? Ah, yes. Traitors."
Even though it was only a few seconds, the silence that descended was tense and heavy. Trifa eventually snapped to attention before turning for the exit, pushing past her partner along the way.
Sienna and Yuma sighed as the door closed, though neither appeared any happier. Part of her debated giving him a drink too.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. Trifa's a good gal and amazing soldier but -"
"Don't be. It's because we have people so dedicated to the cause that we can still fight. The problem is the sheer amount of lies the Albains spread along with their not-so-subtle efforts to prop up Taurus. Half our people think I'm going off the deep end, and you know what? Can't fully blame them."
"Then show them otherwise," Yuma replied from the couch. "Trifa's right in that a lot of human forces are weak. We don't need an apocalypse to raid SDC mines."
"I wish it was that simple. We still need to consolidate our own loyalists here and ensure that the expedition returns with...valuable cargo."
Sienna walked to a window and gazed across the Kuo Kuana skyline, with the Belladonnas' mansion just visible from the jungle. At least they didn't have to hide in Menagerie, and it helped that they were responsible in no small part for the population's security. This was a glimmer of a future she wished to see around the world, and she would do whatever necessary to prevent the fanatics turning their one refuge into a killing field.
"Cargo...? Is this for the client, ma'am?"
She nodded. "In a show of good faith, half of our payment already reached our accounts, with dust and pirated Atlesian weapon shipments en route. Without these, we'd have to slow down operations for the rest of the year. Most importantly, we've already found valuable artifacts from the temple where the monsters emerged, and we're waiting on the expedition's latest report -"
Several knocks rapped upon the door, and she called out to allow entry. Ilia Amitola closed it softly behind her, nodding to them both as she snapped to attention.
"Ma'am, I bring news."
"Oh? Perfect timing, then. I'm assuming this is about the expedition?"
"Yes and no," Ilia replied, removing her mask as she relaxed a little. "They've returned with something...interesting, so to speak, but they've sustained a lot of casualties from booby traps within. Our men aren't happy."
She hummed, unsurprised. "What did they find?"
"It's some sort of mask, but probably important considering where they found it."
"I see. Thank you for the update. And what's the other point?"
Ilia held out her scroll and Sienna's eyes narrowed at the photo of Blake Belladonna walking towards her parents' house alongside an unfamiliar monkey faunus.
"...hmm. This will probably complicate things," she sighed, leaning back on her office chair. "I'll be reassigning you to maintain surveillance over the Belladonnas, considering your history with the family. Good work, Ilia. Dismissed."
The chameleon faunus nodded and spared a firm glance for Yuma as she left, and he leaned forward to meet her contemplative gaze with one of his own.
"What do you think it is, boss?"
"Nothing good," Sienna frowned, withdrawing a small box from her desk's hidden compartment. Faint orange light emanated through the cracks. "Remember when they brought this back and how we had to put down some of our brothers because of what it did?"
Yuma grimaced.
"You know, even though I've survived and adapted for almost thirty years, from a childhood in Mistrali slums to that raid at the heart of Atlas, I have a feeling that our people's greatest challenge is yet to come."
She opened it and stared at the contents. The grooves of the black crystal - probably just a shard, judging by its broken edges - glowed a dim, pale orange that promised a sinister fate to whoever chose to test it.
"...of all the things we've stolen and dug up so far, this one takes the cake. And I'm not looking forward to knowing what our men brought back."
Sienna sighed and closed the box.
x==)==
His eye instinctively twitched, scrunching at the sunlight that gently warmed his face. The curtains swayed from a light breeze that drifted in with the faint trill of birdsong; it was heaven for any teenager, sleeping in on a weekend with no more homework left until next semester.
Jaune Arc smiled.
Hmm. Yes. This was the life. Maybe he should make breakfast with Nora in one of the communal kitchens before challenging Ruby and Ren to a few rounds of Primal Combat. Never let it be said that it was too early for gaming.
And then he could finally take Pyrrha out to Vale for lunch before seeing one of the new Spruce Willis movies. Or should it be the other way around?
Jaune's smile faded away, as did plans for a day that would never happen.
He slowly blinked awake, taking in not the light grey of the dorm, but a darker one that blended well with the wooden walls of his old bedroom. He couldn't remember the last time he thought of something so nostalgic, so happy, though it was pointless to try and relive it asleep since the sun was already quite high in the sky.
With the constant nightmares that always revolved around that moment, it was welcome a gift as any.
Jaune gingerly left his warm covers and instinctively reached for his scroll before remembering it got busted during the battle. He sighed and took some spare clothes instead, opening the door and finding a hand that was just about to knock.
Knowing Irene, she'd still knock his face anyway.
"'Bout time. We've got eggs and hot dogs for lunch, or brunch in your case."
A snarky retort came to mind, though he settled for diplomacy instead. "Thanks. I'll be down in a sec."
She silently stared for a few seconds, clearly deliberating on whether to rib him a little, but eventually decided to let it go.
"Just...go clean up before you do. Your breath stinks."
"Yes, mom," Jaune sighed, heading for the bathroom and closing the door behind him. With a deep breath, he forced himself to gaze in the mirror.
He was tired, and he looked it. It wasn't surprising, considering he hadn't had a good night's sleep since before the Fall, though colour finally returned to his face after a week's worth of rest fully replenished his Aura. That included strength for his body as well, and Jaune mentally snorted that at least he stopped panting for breath when walking up the stairs.
But that was the extent of it, and Jaune slowly unwound the dressing covering his right eye before delicately washing the skin. Thankfully, the doctor allowed him to forgo bandages after he visited yesterday, though even thinking of getting advanced Atlesian prosthetics to restore his sight felt...too soon, not to mention expensive, even with insurance. Jaune slipped on a black eyepatch instead, instinctively smiling at the pirate jokes Nora would've made.
Oh, how he would've liked to see and hear her boundless enthusiasm again, to Ren's near-silent quips or the adorable disaster that was Team RWBY.
"Heh, remember that Friday night before the docks, Pyr? Man, that was fun. I don't think I've ever seen Ruby rile up Weiss so easily, or the way Blake looked secretly thrilled when Yang promised to visit the bookstore. I wonder what diner we should visit next, just the two of us -"
Jaune's fist clenched and he willed the thoughts away with a deep, controlled breath. He needed to stay strong and keep pushing on. Even if he was far from feeling ready to wield a sword again, much less his own.
And he wouldn't even think about touching Pyrrha's weapons, either.
He returned to his room upon remembering to make his bed - yet another habit picked up from Beacon - but there was no missing how Miló and Akoúo lay untouched upon his desk, practically gleaning in the sunlight. Even though the weapons' rightful owner was gone, that didn't stop him from doing what he could to maintain it; the internal mechanisms were beyond him, but he still cleaned the sword and shield so they'd remain worthy to be wielded by a champion.
...he knew it wasn't healthy, but as the silence stretched on, Jaune bit his lip and pushed those thoughts away. Link would no doubt have words for him, but he had pushed him away too, despite his mentor's insistence to remain otherwise.
The old ghost was definitely there, despite having given him space before trying to ease him out of his shell so he wouldn't be isolated from his family...but it was hard. Hard to face a man who embodied everything he wasn't, who looked like the man that took everything away from him, and...and -
Jaune sighed. It was selfish and unfair to have pushed Link away, but at that moment he felt too tired to care. Maybe it also explained Courage, or the recent lack of it - the divine power no doubt remained flowing through his veins, but not since the Fall had it flared upon his hand.
The distant call of his mother's voice shook him from his thoughts, but as he turned towards the door, Jaune paused and slowly looked back with a raised eyebrow.
"Huh. Was...was this always here?"
Jaune stared at the envelope beside Pyrrha's sword before silently gasping, remembering how Iris brought him something a couple days back and making him promise to read it. Calling out to his family to go ahead, he unsealed the envelope and took a seat.
His eyes widened upon finding who the letter came from, along with the myriad of feelings that coursed through his veins - surprise, joy, anticipation, and guilt.
"Heya, Jaune!
"I'm still hoping you can read my chicken scratch, because if not, well, you know I'll find a way to reach ya. We tried to visit in person but were told that you needed some time and space to rest and clear things up. Just hearing about what happened over there, along with you and your team, I get it. I know this won't change anything, but I'm sorry for your loss. I'm just thankful you and your other friends are safe and sound.
"To be honest, I spent some time trying to word this out, so I hope you get what I'm trying to say. We miss you, Jaune. You leaving the village back then doesn't matter right now - you're still our friend and we'd like to see you again. Spend some time catching up and all, you know? I don't wanna pressure you out of the house or anything, though it might help if you got some fresh air. That, and, well, forgive me for being kinda selfish but it'd be nice to reconnect after so long. Again, if you're not feeling well, that's okay - just remember you're not alone, and you have more friends and family here for you than you think.
"Anyway, that's all I have for now, and you know to find me. You know where to find all of us. The ranch ain't going anywhere anytime soon, and neither will we.
"Take care,
- Malon
- Colin
"P.S. Shad misses you too, but he's still kinda miffed about how you left and you know how stubborn he is. But he'll come around. I'm sure of it."
Jaune closed his eyes and slowly breathed out. He fought to maintain his composure, yet he welcomed the odd feeling beginning to swell in his heart -
Being driven, that is. The feeling of purpose.
"...y'all have no idea how much I miss you guys, either. But, no, I...I'd rather apologize face-to-face. I'm tired of keeping friends in the dark, anyway."
The sound of his mother's voice calling for lunch shook him from his thoughts but Jaune focused solely on when he'd get to see his old childhood friends again. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to go and say hi tomorrow. Just for a little bit.
Not that it stopped him from wondering when he'd see his team and Ruby's again, but...baby steps. As long as they were okay they'd see each other eventually, but right now, thoughts of restoring the Master Sword, hunting Dark Link or confronting the realities of destiny were still overwhelming to process. He was tired. Spent. He dreaded the nightmares that sapped his strength, and more than once had he seen his partner tending to his mother's garden outside, or smiling at him from a living room couch.
It was best he started with the simple stuff. A distraction, in essence, but one that was desperately needed.
Jaune nodded and headed for the door.
- AN -
Hey all, and welcome to Arc IV of A Descendant of Legends!
Short AN so I can focus on comments, but most importantly I want to say thanks to the vast majority of you for being respectful. I think Ch 30 takes the cake for most comments in a single chapter, but hearing people disagree civilly as well as seeing what people liked about it are things I both appreciate.
As for this chapter, it lays the foundations for the rest of the Arc. Here, the two main things I'd like to accomplish are, firstly, the transition from RWBY to Zelda and the mental / emotional recovery of the cast, particularly Jaune. To that end, the next two chapters will feel somewhat slow before kicking up a notch, but overall, at least the first half of Arc IV and the ending will have a decidedly personal touch. After Jaune's lowest point, it only goes up for them all.
Thank you all for reading and sticking around! Constructive criticism / feedback is always welcome. Hope to see you all next chapter!
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…and yes, the title is a Breaking Benjamin reference. Loved the song when it came out and the band for the longest time. Been getting back into them recently.
Faightan Gaims: Thanks for being honest, and I can empathize with what you mean and feel. For sure, that past experiences during the Breach and in the Temple of Time, for example, are pretty intense in themselves too. After all that, Jaune's definitely at his lowest point, but I want to write him recovering, acknowledging he lost the gambit of the stakes and finding he can still have a positive impact when all else feels lost.
Fyr RedNight: Thank you! It's been the hardest one to write so far (from a roller coaster of feels to the battle scenes, trying to keep track of what happens where and all that) but I'm glad you like them. I thought it'd be more touching if she had a sort of departure with dignity, surrounded by her second family instead of just with Cinder, though yes, the implications are severe.
I can only imagine how it'd look like animated – not just Pyrrha's death scene, but also the fight against Dark Link. I definitely agree with how he may be adequate as a huntsman but not as a hero. I almost want to spoil their final fight and the aftermath (part of a few chapters I've prewritten so long ago) because I want it to be epic and satisfying. But I'm glad it met your expectations! Transitioning from huntsman to Hero is a beast in itself, and at an early point the Arcs were named to represent that change. Arc II: Student, or Arc III: Huntsman, for example, with the last one naturally being named as Hero.
And you know what? I like that idea. So much I'd like to say but they're all spoilers, so what I will say is that I may or may not use that when the group's out adventuring and perhaps tackling a dungeon, or something to that effect. That goes for the other races as well; there'll be more than just a few familiar faces we'll all meet along the way.
Thanks so much for the idea! I just feel honoured in the first place that you'd think of me and my story. Thanks again and until next time!
jeremiahkelley93: Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Roy4: Thank you! The intensity was something that I really wanted to drive in, be it their desperation, despair or heartbreak. At least with, for example, Roman Torchwick and Neo, they're both characters I still have plans for that wouldn't do if either got gobbled up by Grimm. Same for silver eyes, which, while useful, their importance still pales in comparison to the Triforce, Master Sword etc.
But yes, and honestly? It was hard on a personal level (again, I myself love Pyrrha and Arkos) and a practical level. There are good arguments for keeping her and not, and going with the former would've fully broken what chapters I've already planned ahead for. I think I have up to Chapter 51 – 52 fleshed out at this point…? Anyway, yes. It's like you said, she had her moment of glory and since her character arc was to end, I'd rather give her a much more dignified send-off than alone with only Cinder and a grief stricken Ruby. Jaune'll have to think of how to go forward, though romance, at least at this point, is far from anyone's minds.
If that changes, it remains to be seen. That and whether Salem or Ganon win their attempts to manipulate each other, as well as who Wisdom will fall to in the end.
Guest: Heheh thank you! I'm flattered :P It's by no means perfect but I'd be lying if I said I don't try my best. What I can say is that while I'm not writing the Relics out completely, they're more means to an end with actual purpose compared to arbitrarily gathering them when there was no need. Spoilers on specifics, but how they'll be used will be necessary to face the King of Evil.
Guest: Admittedly it's been one of the few ideas I thought of maybe once or twice, but not much else, lol, but I definitely agree how it's something that he'd earn the right to use. Yes, spoilers on specifics, but I've a couple ideas on referencing that name at certain points to maximize that "achievement effect".
The Black Wolf of the Arks: No worries! Even the little things can be enough to really motivate someone or make their day – myself included. Frankly, I'm just flattered that you and a few others have taken the time to write me paragraphs of things you love :)
But yes, it's been growing more intense over the past several chapters, and so the next two will be falling action from the climax of Chapter 30. It's like you said, and I think it's fascinating how Jaune meshes destiny and desire in the face of something so personal. How he tackles with this is up to him, but Dark Link, Salem, Ganon – they're not going away anytime soon. It'll be interesting to see how he does it; same with the Relics, as I didn't want to write them out completely, though at least I'd like to give their gathering purpose and with care. Spoilers on specifics, of course, but I can say that to think of them were quest items from RWBY in the face of others. I think Ozpin would definitely be easier to convince, but as for restoring the Master Sword…let's just say I'm excited to show where they'd go to learn such a thing.
And thank you! I wish I could've written more Ozpin vs Dark Link in general, but hey. Happy that you loved it.
Regarding the music video – firstly, seeing the upload date took me way back, lol. That reminded me of how happy I was seeing an old flash series called The Real Legend of Zelda upload its fifth episode after, like, eight years. Nostalgia was had. However, unfortunately I'd have to refuse on the basis that I've already planned something similar. The final showdown with Dark Link and the aftermath were two of a few chapters I've pre-written long ago because I was impatient, lol. However, I don't mind including little bits and references of the video when I revisit said chapter. It fits with what I've planned, and I'd rather tell you this straight up instead of pulling a Nintendo and not dropping any news about BOTW 2.
Thank you for reviewing and giving your thoughts! Good luck and stay safe too.
hirshja: I can see what you mean, though I've always intended to have promises of daunting enemies in the future, with threats great enough to call their survival into question. I'd like to write how they don't just know the stakes, but how to recover from it and emerge stronger than ever.
Guest: Thank you! I'm in the same boat as you are.
Sigma-del-Prisium: Yup, the dice rolled against her favour, but it could never steal her heart and the knowledge that she fulfilled her destiny to protect the one she loved. Together, but never truly so.
Ragegains: I wish you the best for future endeavours as well.
Guest: Yes, agreed. Past heroes soldiered on with only a fairy, twilight princess, sword spirit or no companion at all before. Honestly, though, I think it's cool to have a crossover where his friends are not hand-led through a Zelda adventure, but actively participate in it.
ValiantPanther: It's true that their earlier brushes with death in, for example, the Temple of Time and the Breach were harrowing by themselves, and I see what you mean. For sure, Pyrrha's death has pushed him back, but I'd like to write for him a story of recovery and grasping his future with strength from the past.
I know this is somewhat spoilery, but I agree that if anything, it is the moment for Aura Amp to awaken, as the guilt he'd feel if he discovered it for less would've been too crushing. I'm strongly leaning towards one or two alternate ideas that might actually work better, though how to implement them in the future is the question.
Guest: I agree with the first part. Looking back, I'd have condensed, rejigged and otherwise rewritten some of the events to better reflect the implications of Arc II's ending, and see how I could further develop his character from there. Jaune and Pyrrha's budding romance, however is a priority I'd have kept.
I can see how writing much of what his friends do in battle scenes, for example, can take away some of the limelight away, but I think Jaune has grown stronger and become more tactically apt by virtue of experience. He won against exchange students who would've trampled him and Cardin combined, led RWBYJNPR to victory against a Hydra and blue Lynel, and even lasted as long as he did against Cinder and Dark Link, while exhausted and nearly depleted of Aura. It can be overshadowed by the bigger Ls, for sure, but they're there, and like the Arc's name, it's about him rising to the challenge with a mellow but determined heart.
SentinalSlice: Thank you! I don't doubt that it was hard to read for many, but I'm happy to know you liked the send-off. I felt that it would feel more personal with a pseudo-departure with dignity, and though Jaune's now entering his lowest point, in the words of Aang, he'll be open to the greatest change.
Super heavy weapons guy: Thank you! I'm glad it caught your fancy and has stuck with you since. But don't worry! You're not wrong in thinking that. Dark Link's time will come.
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.