Arc IV: Courage Ascending

Chapter 37: The Stage is Set

The sun slowly dipped below the western treeline, and so did Weiss' rapid heartbeat as the three of them trudged wearily away from yet another monster ambush.

It was like clockwork. Ever since they escaped the White Fang, she joined Roman and Neo on a harried flight east, travelling in the woodwork alongside the road to throw off the bandits that were most certainly after them. Though she was used to early mornings, the late nights and terrible weather with constant running did not a happy Weiss make.

Especially when her companions were an arrogant criminal who thought himself the pinnacle of chivalry and a sarcastic mute who folded Yang up faster than a wrestler could a chair.

"...and I thought meeting Ruby at Initiation was bad. Their reasons notwithstanding, I'm surprised they haven't murdered me in my sleep yet. Perhaps because we get almost none to begin with."

This was the gritty reality of huntsman life, past the advertisements on TV and the CCT-Net. Winter mentioned that soldiers called it "the suck", and while she'd never refer to it with baser language on a better day...it sucked. A lot. Weiss quietly growled as she stepped into a puddle that proved deeper than expected, splashing sludge against her knee-high boots. At least Roman and Neo looked equally dishevelled, a sight that lifted her spirits the tiniest bit.

"...to see that you're not totally incompetent, Ice Queen."

And then it fell again. "Huh? What did you say?"

Roman sighed dramatically. "I was saying that you weren't totally useless against those pig monsters back there, but I take it back. Looks like they managed to take out your hearing."

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh, you are excused," the thief grinned back, then ducked as Weiss scooped up some mud and whipped it at him. Neo glared and gripped her canesword, but Roman shook his head. "It's okay, Neo. Maybe the little heiress will grow thicker skin by the time we get to Mistral. You'd think she had lessons as a child on how not to get offended -"

"Because that was an insult and not a joke, you aggravating buffoon!" Weiss snapped, stomping up to his left to have a meat shield against Neo's retaliations. "At this point, I'm beginning to wish you died back there so I could chance this out on my own."

"Hah! I'd say be my guest, but we all know you wouldn't last long out here," Roman replied, smirk dripping with malice. "Besides, this is how we keep morale up. Fun and jokes for us, and if you're distracted by being angry, then there's less chance of you falling asleep while on the move."

Heat crept up her face, worsened by the fact that Neo looked over with a shit-eating grin. Getting splashed in the face by muddy water to stay awake was definitely not a pleasurable experience.

"W-well, even though it pains me to keep unsavoury company, survival is about doing what is necessary in order to live another day. Is that not the lesson you preach?"

Roman sighed and rubbed a hand through his dirtied orange hair. "Yup. Our next destination isn't too far off, though it can help when you're focused on anything but hunger, pain or sleep deprivation. You're smart enough to realize that."

And begrudgingly as well. Though her willpower was undoubtedly strong, this was the first time where she was well and truly on her own. Weiss had Klein in her earlier years while RWBY filled that void in Beacon. Even training missions were saturated, where students were free to make minor mistakes while having a huntsman nearby to bail them out.

Here, something simple as Aura exhaustion could very well mean her death - if not through combat, then by disease since pests could no longer be blocked by a soul-charged shield.

Fortunately, death by skeeter or Roman's insults took a back seat as the treeline slowly thinned out before giving way entirely; the three found themselves atop a cliff, and nestled in a nearby valley was a small village. Most of the buildings already had lights on inside while a few guards patrolled the walls and front gate.

"Welcome to Shion," Roman grinned, crossing his arms like a proud father watching their child ride a bike for the first time. "I know it's the boondocks for someone like you, but this is as luxury as we're gonna get."

"After getting shot down by a dragon and roughing it in the wilderness for how many days now, I reluctantly but completely agree."

"Huh? No witty comeback? Neo can't talk and she's still more entertaining than you," the thief chuckled as he headed away from the front gate, earning a glare from Weiss. "Come now. Your bed, bath and beyond awaits, Ice Queen."

"Then why are you moving towards the walls and not the entrance?"

"Because I don't want to risk getting recognized?" Roman snarked. "I may be Valean born and raised, though there's always the off chance someone here knows who I am. I'd normally appreciate the infamy, but the times, they are a-changing. Besides, if someone recognizes you, then that'll be even more unwelcome guests for our party. At least Mistral might have a branch of the SDC or something."

Weiss growled but followed along, stealthing with the two of them closer to the walls. Stopping behind some large boulders, they watched as a pair of sentries made their rounds, while a lone guard remained directly straight ahead. Roman nodded to Neo, who then used her Semblance to disguise herself into a young, simple village girl.

"Okay, let's go."

"But what's Neo doing?"

"Giving us an opportunity."

"Are we really...? Oh, my Brothers. I'm about to break the law by trespassing."

Roman gave her a flat look. "And the docks weren't? Whatever. Come on."

Timing their movement after another roving patrol, Roman and Weiss snuck across exposed ground as Neo emerged from cover, picking the occasional flower and acting without a care in the world. The sentry began yelling a second later about curfew, moving further away and allowing them to sneak past and into an alley. More yelling, this time a little panicked, and then a disguised Neo reappeared shortly after.

"See? Nothing to it. Doesn't it feel good breaking the law once in a while?"

"I'm not going to even dignify that with a response."

"You just did," Roman chuckled. "How's your Aura holding up, Neo? Think you still have enough to disguise us as we try to find a place to sleep?"

She nodded and snapped her fingers, causing Weiss' and Roman's appearances to quiver and shift like a kaleidoscope. After a few seconds, in place of Roman stood an ordinary looking traveller dressed in dull browns, greens and greys, while Weiss wore a dark turquoise jacket and slim grey pants tucked into boots. The weirdest part, however, was feeling her ponytail and tiara but seeing brunette hair flow freely instead.

"Wonderful. You look absolutely boring."

There was a smack as Weiss slapped him in the face, then a yelp as Neo stomped on her boot.

"Thanks, Neo."

He led them further into town by way of the backstreets, using the shadows cast by the setting sun to hide from guards that passed by the wall above. It was quiet, and understandably so; a glance into the main thoroughfare revealed nearly deserted streets, with the only people either returning from work or other travellers in search of lodging.

"...shoot. There aren't enough distractions to try and slip away, though I wonder if I could ask around when we find an inn..."

After a short while, they eventually entered a modest two-story building whose sign had the images of a bed and tankard. Inside, it was clear that the tavern was somewhat empty and had definitely seen better days, but it had a distinctly homey feel to it. An old wolf faunus man poured drinks behind the bar, while a dog faunus teen served a hazel-eyed young boy who glanced over suspiciously.

"Welcome to the Evening Memory!" the bartender called out with a friendly smile, which Roman returned. "Be it food or rest, your time here will be one to remember. What can I get you three?"

"Some of both, please," Weiss cut in before Roman could. "We'll take two rooms and a hot dinner of your specials tonight."

The bartender handed her a pair of keys while she pointedly ignored Roman's narrowed eyes. "Second and third doors on the left upstairs. In the meantime, feel free to take a seat wherever you'd like. Melissa, three plates of rice and chicken parm for our newest guests, please!"

Weiss smiled graciously as a grandma-like voice yelled an affirmative out of sight from the kitchen, then took the lead in claiming a table by a window. They sat silently for several minutes, with Roman and Neo sitting across from her, but despite the duo's disguises, there wasn't any hiding their hostility in their glares.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but you've a slim chance of ditching us here in this town."

"Oh, why would I ever think that, Roman?" she said innocently. "I clearly don't know what's good for me anyway, so logic dictates that I stay with you to ensure the highest chances of survival. In times like these, privacy is merely a respite in between our periods of travel."

"Eloquent bullshit as expected from a Schnee."

"If you are unsatisfied with your experience, please contact customer service to file a complaint -"

"Heh. So this dog can bite," Roman scoffed as the young faunus waiter arrived with their orders. The scowl on his face probably meant he heard the thief, though he was much more pleasant when he handed Weiss her dinner.

"Chicken parmesan for the lady."

"Thank you. I can already tell it will be quite delicious."

The waiter grinned. "You're not wrong. I know I'm biased, but this family recipe's the finest chicken parm on this side of Anima."

Weiss nodded after a bite, while Roman and Neo looked similarly placated. "Family recipe? How long has this business been active?"

"Since my great-grandfather, I think...? Probably a bit before that, but it'll be my turn in the future after my grandparents, so I hope I can live up to their legacy."

"...I understand that sentiment."

Roman belched and pointed a fork at the waiter. "I'm sure you will, kid. This really is the good stuff. But what about your parents? Won't the business pass to them first before you?"

Weiss watched as the boy's face fell crestfallen before rising up with anger.

"They would've if they were still here."

"Oh. Sorry 'bout that."

"Hmph. Thanks, but apologies won't bring them back. The SDC made sure of that."

Weiss stiffened, and Neo's gaze slowly swung over.

"For sure. As long as those Schnees get lien in their pockets, they don't care about anything else."

The waiter closed his eyes and exhaled, releasing a fist she didn't even know he was clenching. "I'd strangle them all and more if it meant bringing back Mom and Dad...ahem. Sorry. I shouldn't be getting carried away...a-anyway, um, just call me over if you need anything."

"Will do, kid!" Roman called out as he left before giving Weiss the widest of grins. "Ah, don't you just love seeing your family's work changing lives for the better -"

Weiss downed her cup of water in one go and slammed it back down. The thief chuckled as a few patrons looked over worriedly, but the next few minutes were spent stiffly eating in silence. The good food ironically worsened her experience, exacerbating guilt within.

"...just finish up so you can retire for the night. What happened to his parents is terrible, but it's ultimately not your fault."

"I may not be responsible, but I'm still a Schnee. Father's actions reflect on all of us regardless -"

"- but why must you blame yourself? I thought you wanted to be more of your own person than just a middle child with the family name -"

"- even so, this does not make things right!"

"And will taking the moral high ground bring the boy's parents back?"

Weiss growled as she finished first, nodding to the bartender as she headed upstairs. Even as she heard Roman and Neo approach, she paid them little heed as all she saw was the fury on the boy's face. The anger. The hate.

"...the pain of not having your parents there for you anymore -"

She snapped out of it as Neo clapped, restoring their original appearances.

"Shit's simple, Ice Queen," Roman began, snatching his key from her and unlocking his room. "We'll be taking the window express to get a better view of the town and find supplies for our journey. Don't try anything stupid, least of all thinking you can escape. We'll spot you before you even get a block away."

Silence, save for Weiss gently unlocking her own room and stepping inside. Roman muffled some choice words behind closed doors, and a few seconds later, a glance outside revealed the two thieves taking off into the night.

But as much as she wanted to spite her captor in his face, Weiss merely sat by the door and huddled her knees.

"I could definitely try to make a break for it, even if it's still a journey and a half east to Mistral...but I can't just leave this alone. Ugh. I'm turning into Ruby, aren't I?"

Weiss buried her head in her arms.

"What would she do in my place? If only I could call anyone for help, really, but Shion's CCT was destroyed and so was my scroll during the crash landing. Am I...really helpless out here...?"

As if in reply, Myrtenaster clanged against the wooden floor as she stood. She stared at her rapier for a short while - perhaps the one constant she well and truly had throughout her life. With it, Weiss stared down a Grimm that took a mocking form of her grandfather's armour, fought through White Fang in an abandoned city and managed to survive the Fall itself.

And not just Myrtenaster. Her. Weiss did, with the help of her friends and alone before it. And if she was to truly confront her family's legacy, then perhaps she could start by leaving the places her name ruined in a better state.

"...this is not a wise course of action...but just once, maybe I should take after Yang and just do it before dealing with the consequences after."

With a determined nod, Weiss spun on her heel and made for the door, aiming to make what amends she could.

x==)==

"...extra clothes, check. Sleeping gear and ablution kit, double-check. Snacks for the journey ahead, triple-check."

Within the confines of his room, a shirtless Jaune closed and secured the top of his bag for the final time. The rucksack hadn't seen use since Beacon, and instead of only a few days' worth of supplies, it was filled to the brim with everything he needed for a trip around the world. It was heavy and bulky, though the weight was something he welcomed - it made him feel like he was finally going on a mission again.

But before he put it on, Jaune gently tapped the bronze sword and shield that were secured to the side.

"I'll never forget Miló and Akoúo. You served Pyrrha well, and now it's time to go home."

Confirming that everything was in order for the umpteenth time, Jaune yawned and walked to his desk by the window. A calm wind blew in from the east, while the air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and his sisters conversing with his friends by the front porch. It was a peaceful sight, one that almost had him wishing he could crawl right back into bed and pass out.

Such was the routine over the past several days, anyway, as defeating the Drake almost a week ago expanded their workload. Fences needed mending, houses needed rebuilding and the town's defences needed to be prepared for future Grimm attacks. Accordingly, they were worked to the bone helping with repairs - not to mention the constant training to hone their skills and his newfound Semblance.

"They always said that there was no rest for the wicked, but they sure as hell forgot to mention the good guys too. I don't think I remember what it feels like to be not sore anymore. Probably the only free time we had since then was when we all went shopping a couple of days ago."

But do you regret any of it?

A familiar face with red hair wavered at the corner of his vision, seemingly asking him the same question.

"Not a damn thing."

Jaune headed for the mirror and looked himself over.

What weight he lost in the aftermath of the Fall had since returned, with lean muscle cording across his arms and torso. Jaune then threw on a light tan tank top and pine green short-sleeved hoodie that comfortably hugged his torso. The undershirt tucked into a belt with several pouches and slim brown combat pants, which in turn bloused into knee-high dark brown boots. The newly forged, steel grey breastplate was light and also fit quite nicely, covering two thirds of his torso, while a steel pauldron and combined leather-metal bracers added extra protection to his left shoulder and forearms, respectively.

Jaune stepped back and exhaled. Overall, it was almost like looking at an older, more experienced version of himself from Beacon - which technically was true - but between the greens, browns and armour, he realized that there was something distinctly familiar about it.

"...if anything, it almost reminds me of -"

The Hero's Clothes, I presume? It seems that your attire's theme bears some resemblance.

"Guess so. In that case..."

Jaune took a small hairband and tied his hair in a low ponytail.

Hmph. Taking after the Hero of the Wild, I see.

"Well, hey, maybe he had a good sense of fashion. I thought about cutting it, but I've gotten kinda used to keeping it long."

I've no complaints, but let's not waste any more time. Just don't forget what's most important.

Jaune turned to face his sword and new shield upon a trunk at the foot of his bed. Crocea Mors remained in a sheath that could be attached or detached from the shield, though the latter was made much sturdier than the original. The rim was a thicker, banded iron the colour of charcoal grey while the main face was a lighter gunmetal, but unlike the old, he took to calling it the Shield of the Broken Moon -

A shield in which the twin arcs of his family crest faced southwest beneath a centred golden Triforce.

Combined with the sight of Pyrrha's weapons, the real one began burning softly beneath his glove. It reminded him not just of the dangers that lay ahead, but the newfound abilities that just might carry him through.

x==)==

For the first time in ages, the Aquame Colosseum echoed with the sounds of ringing iron as Jaune sidestepped a black Lizalfos' thrust and sliced into its ribcage. The lizard monster gurgled in pain and desperately lashed out, but Jaune parried the blow and sliced into the side of its neck.

But there was no time to rest as a Wolfos tackled him from the side, sending them both skidding across the stone. Jaune rolled with the momentum and flipped it off before deflecting its claw with his new shield and thrusting outwards. The Wolfos was quick and jumped out of the way, joining several others, and he couldn't follow up as the ground in front of him burst into flame.

"Tch. Cherry picker."

The Fire Wizzrobe cackled and daintily floated to his right while the Wolfos and a Stalfos with Hyrulean knight armour flanked left. The monsters all circled him in tandem, probing and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Unfortunately for them, it was Jaune who was in the perfect position.

"Your Semblance lets you enhance your attacks with Aura. If you ever find yourself outgunned, this might be the force multiplier that can save your life."

Focusing on his mentor's earlier advice, Jaune closed his eye and focused on his Aura. It surged down his arm and into his blade as he drew it low.

The Wolfos howled and leapt for him while the Wizzrobe cast another fireball -

Crocea Mors flared with green-white light -

"Hyaaah!"

And unleashed a powerful Great Spin that caught them all in their midsections, rending through fur and bone. The Wolfos collapsed without further sound while the reflected fireball smashed into the side of the Wizzrobe's face, and Jaune panted out of breath when he came to a stop.

"O-okay, I may have put a little too much Aura into that -"

The Stalfos evidently agreed as it surged forth, punting him back with its shield before trying an uppercut. Jaune staggered and swung out multiple sword beams, each ricocheting off its shield, then rolled around for a back slice as the Stalfos swung down, but the skeleton knight's armour held firm when his attack connected.

Gritting his teeth, Jaune used his Semblance to pour more Aura into his sword before rushing forward. The Stalfos responded in kind and parried his first several strikes while landing superficial wounds on his arms and sides, but Jaune swung the last attack with all his might, cutting through its rusty shortsword with a metallic screech.

This time, it was the skeleton knight that retreated as Jaune rained down blows, though the Stalfos managed to lock his sword arm underneath its own and twisted. He cried in pain as it punched him in the nose, disarming his shield and sending him skidding across the stone.

When he came to, Jaune watched as the Stalfos approached with the smuggest look he'd ever seen on a skeleton. A glance at Link above on the second floor revealed his mentor standing impassively with his arms crossed.

Jaune calmly exhaled...and sheathed his sword.

The Stalfos raised a metaphorical eyebrow before breaking into a sprint.

"...the ways of the sword are known to many creatures, and some have strengthened their guards against shield attacks and back slices. Should you encounter such a foe, you must wait until they're upon you -"

The Stalfos roared and angled its broken sword for Jaune's gut -

"...and before the enemy can see through your ruse -"

Jaune gripped his sword once more, feeling Aura pulse down his arm -

"Unleashed your strength in a decisive, mortal draw."

Both Jaune and the Stalfos cried out in tandem as the air rang out with a single, clear shing, and after a few seconds, a skeletal head landed several feet away, followed by its body collapsing into the ground. He nearly followed a moment later, and he used his sword as a crutch to lower himself safely against the Colosseum's walls.

As the dust settled, and despite the soreness in his muscles and the sting of wounds not yet healed by Aura, it didn't stop a smirk from breaking across his face.

"How do you feel?"

"Super tired, but hey. I followed your advice and kicked ass. At least for most of them."

"Hmph. You most certainly did."

Link tossed him two bottles of red and green potions, and Jaune recoiled at the veritable stench that emanated upon uncorking both. Before he could regret it, he chugged the red one first in one go; it was everything he expected it to taste like and worse, though a glance beneath his green hoodie revealed many of his wounds and bruises fading and healing almost instantaneously.

"Is the taste really necessary? What kind of stuff do you even put in this?"

"Various insects and monster parts. Just drink the other one."

Jaune gagged and did just that. The green potion was earthier in scent and taste, but after a few seconds, the wounds on his arm began to heal faster while his scroll's Aura meter revealed levels replenished by two-thirds.

"Red potions will immediately heal you to a certain level, regardless of Aura, while green potions replenish said Aura," Link explained as he sat in front of Jaune cross-legged. "I empathize with the...distinct taste, but these potions have saved our past lives time and time again."

"I like our dust injectors better."

"I don't blame you, even if these are more effective in the long run. But let's not get distracted. How do you feel, after all that?"

Jaune looked at the monster parts scattered around the arena before glancing back.

"Honestly...I think I'm alright. Between this and the Drake, I...I think I can actually believe it when I say I'm getting better. I'm probably at the point where I could've taken on my Beacon self and won. Maybe even the red Lynel from Forever Fall."

"You've indeed shaken off the rust and unlocked your Semblance, to boot. Perhaps I no longer have to hold back as much for our future spars."

Jaune chuckled. "I think I'd like that. After all this time, I still can't believe I finally discovered my Semblance. If I can power my attacks with Aura or magic, what else do you think I could do with it while defending or attacking? And is there any big difference between the two?"

"The most you can do from a defensive standpoint is covering your body in Aura like everyone else. Remember our early lessons on the Triforce; Aura is the fuel for magic acts, as a person's soul is naturally infused with some magic - an evolutionary remnant from when your ancestors thrived in a world once abundant with it."

"Ah, right. And the Triforce acted as an endless source of fuel."

"At least when all three pieces were in harmony and not amid a cycle like we are now. Much of the magic in this world was drained during the events of the previous Hero's failure, and chances are reuniting Courage also means restoring a source of magic. Until then, the diluted, reduced magical abilities that remained within people became known as Semblances, while dust is the physical, concentrated remnants of it within the ground."

"But what about Ozpin?"

"From being able to sense your Triforce and putting up a fight against Cinder and Dark Link combined, the powers this man had must have been phenomenal. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a wizard for an ancestor. And about using Aura offensively..."

Link took Crocea Mors from his hands and stepped away. Jaune watched as the sword suddenly flashed with calm and controlled, yet violent green light before the old Hero raised and stabbed it in the stone. The ground beneath them shook and spiderwebbed as the energy spilled out from the planted sword before exploding in a cacophony of green fire.

Jaune's mouth was agape when Link returned his sword and sat down.

"The true power of Bombos is an ability that can only be used with the Master Sword, but if you train hard enough, perhaps you can...model, or shape some of your attacks after those. You aren't just limited to enhancing your blade with Aura or slashing away sword beams. With this, at least, your imagination may very well be the only limit."

That...was nerve-racking, yet undeniably exciting to hear. While he probably wouldn't be able to destroy mountain ranges and boil the Great Sea, the possibilities were far beyond what he once thought himself ever capable of achieving. Another part of him said he shouldn't be surprised, considering he was literally the latest in a line of reincarnated Heroes, but knowledge was different from firsthand experience.

Jaune smiled. For a moment, he pictured himself with the Hylian Shield and revitalized Master Sword, standing against the backdrop of the broken moon while facing a horde of oncoming monsters with his friends behind him.

All his friends. Even when the hordes of monsters changed to Grimm, while the sight of Dark Link above Pyrrha had him shaking with such fear, such anger, such desperation -

Jaune's gaze fell.

"What's the matter?"

"Do...do you think that if I could go back in time the way I am now, I could've been strong enough to save her?"

"I think that those are the questions that will destroy any hope for us to keep living and fighting for their memory," Link replied, kneeling in front of him and placing a hand on his shoulder. It was enough to elicit a gasp and stop himself from shivering lightly. "I don't know, Jaune. Maybe, maybe not, and I know this is easier said than done, but it does not do good to dwell on these types of possibilities."

The old Hero stood and stepped a few feet back. "What I will say is that when you leave Hudson in a few days, you not only take the first step in your quest to seal the darkness, and stopping Ganon's return means saving other Jaunes and Pyrrhas having to go through the same fate. Will you fight for that?"

Jaune steadied his breathing, looked at Link and nodded resolutely. The Triforce of Courage slowly pulsed within his veins.

"...I do."

"Hmm? You'll what now?"

"I'll fight," he replied, walking to the centre of the arena and retrieving his shield. "I'll fight for that. But I need your help, as we're all in this together."

Link watched silently as Jaune flourished his sword and fell into a battle stance.

"Don't hold back this time. I'd rather lose and learn than grow stagnant from weaker opponents."

"Very well. We have some time left for a spar or two," he replied, walking up to him with an unconcerned, almost nonchalant expression. "And if you're willing to put yourself through the ringer once more, then who am I to stop you?"

There was a flash of light as Link snapped his fingers, and Jaune recognized the jewelled blade he wielded as the Four Sword. Other footsteps echoed around the Colosseum, and a glance above to his left and right revealed red and blue garbed Links watching from the second floor.

He didn't need to guess where the final one was.

"I'm gonna need a lot of potions after this."

Jaune smirked as the four broke ranks and charged -

x==)==

And the front door closed softly as he stepped out into the front porch.

"Ah, there's our conquering hero!"

"Big bro!"

"Looks like you're all suited up for the journey ahead, Jaune."

Six of his sisters circled around him to see him off. Even Irene, surprisingly, though she stuck to the shade of the awning.

"Karane. Iris. Ilia," he replied as his youngest sister tackled him with a powerful hug. "Y-you guys didn't have to all come out to see me leave, you know."

"After the last time you left? Nonsense," Ilia Arc replied, hands on her hips in a manner not unlike their mother. "If Karane and I were around to stop you, you would've woken up every morning filled with regret. Though I suppose it's a little too late to complain about the past."

Jaune yelped as he felt a slightly-harder-than-normal-but-not-hostile punch on his arm before he was dragged into a half-headlock, half side-hug. When he looked around for help, Irene gave him the finger and Iris giggled while Ilia, Hilda and Marin smirked contentedly.

"Traitors, all of you."

"You're the traitor for stealing all the glory," Karane complained, leaning on his shoulder and almost causing Jaune to fall. "I've been a professional huntsman for how many years now, and then my kid brother shows up to kill the big bad dragon while I was across town. Talk about unfair."

He tried for a nervous smile. "I-I mean, hey, every little bit of help counts, right?"

"Tell that to the huntsman with the red cape. He did a lot of heavy lifting then, but that's beside the point!" Karane huffed, cutting in before Jaune could interject that a red-caped huntress was with him the whole time. "This isn't Beacon you're going to. You're gonna go off and do actual huntsman stuff, with no classes and no safety net. This is the real deal, Jaune. Everything you trained for."

"W-will you be alright, big bro?" Iris whispered, cutting through like a quiet knife. "I guess I should be happy that you actually get to say goodbye instead of just leaving in the dark, but what if something goes wrong? Who're you going to call for help? How are you gonna get back alive?"

Jaune sighed as they all glanced at him with various looks of concern.

"...well, that's kind of what it means to be a huntsman, you know? Technically, I'm not even a huntsman since I didn't graduate...and we're meant to go into the line of fire. Not that it's an excuse or anything, but unlike before, where I just threw myself into things blindingly, I'm as ready as I can be. I have friends to live for and a family to come back to." He nodded to the porch. "And Irene, of course. Can't forget about her."

"Wow, you're so nice."

"I try," he chuckled as Marin stepped forth and wrapped him up in a gentle hug, followed by a teary Hilda and then the rest of his sisters. But once they all had their turns, a shadow detached itself from the porch and stepped up to her taller son with a troubled smile.

"It has been almost a year since you left for Beacon," Syfa Arc began, voice gentle yet firm at the same time. "We have both said what we needed to about what we thought was the start of your journey, but when I see you now, I realize that it's only just the beginning, and there is more to it than meets the eye."

She gently cupped his face and thumbed over his eyepatch before resuming with a quiet tone so only he could hear. "Call it a mother's intuition. I don't know the specifics and likely never will, but there is a...drive, a sense of purpose that guides you now. It may be more than just being another huntsman as well, and I fear that you will face only more dangers from here on out."

"Mom..."

"Let me finish," Syfa whispered, voice cracking despite her best efforts. "I've taken care of you since you were a bubbly little boy and when you lay broken in your bed after losing your girlfriend. You are not the same Jaune that returned, but you are still my son; it pains me to see you go, and instinct screams for me to keep you here...though that would be a selfish thing to do."

Jaune felt her slip a ring and something papery into his hands. "The envelope is from your father, as is the Blue Ring. It is one of his most prized possessions, a keepsake from his time as a student in Beacon. The letter will explain more, but the ring strengthens your Aura against physical attacks."

"I...right. Thank you."

Syfa nodded as she stepped back and released him. "Your friends are waiting at the front gate. I already told them this, but it was a pleasure having them over. Even if it was a bit cramped."

"Possibly the best sleepover I ever had."

Syfa hummed with a smile. "Stay safe, my son. I don't care how long it takes, but all I ask of you as your mother is that you return to us alive."

Jaune nodded and gave her a long, final hug before letting go and promising to keep in touch. He waved back as his sisters did the same, and as the cottage disappeared from sight, all he could think about were the various looks upon their faces -

The hope that he'd fulfill his promise and come back.

The weight of expectation in knowing that this time, he was fighting for them as well.

The fear that they'd lose him again when he was already so close to losing himself.

It mellowed his own smile as he joined the others in the plaza. Ruby wore what Yang once called the "Slayer" outfit while the latter did so vice versa with her "Hunter" outfit. Ren donned a long, dark green, sleeved kimono-coat mix with lighter green and silver trim, held together by a pink sash and his personal crest around the waist, while a grey undershirt tucked into white pants and black shoes.

Nora, meanwhile, rocked pauldrons and a breastplate over a white tank top, while the armour itself was engraved over the heart with a small version of her emblem. Her arms sported pink and white arm tights that tucked into fingerless gauntlets, while her shirt tucked into a pink dress with a slit in the middle. To bottom it off, Nora wore blue leggings that stretched into black and pink combat boots.

"You alright there, lady killer? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now."

He snorted, watching Colin blush as he talked with Ruby while Malon and Nora shared a joke that had them laughing and Shad cringing embarrassedly. Ren merely stood to the side and spared him a glance.

"I'd be an idiot to have spent all this money on new stuff before deciding to just sleep in at the end."

"Nah, you're still an idiot," Yang chuckled, but fell through several seconds later and was replaced by a contemplative look. "Listen. About the trip to Mistral..."

"Hmm? What was that about cold feet?"

She punched his arm lightly. "Like I said. Idiot," she muttered good-naturedly. "It's just that...well..."

This time, Jaune looked at Yang with a concerned expression. The latter sighed and shook her head after a few moments."

"A-ah...never mind. We'll talk about it later, but for now, are you ready to go? Unless you guys have other plans after Mistral, we're not coming back to Vale any time soon."

"Yeah. That's something I still haven't fully accepted yet," Jaune thought as he nodded instead. "I'm good. Triple checked everything before I left the house."

"And again, thanks for giving us room and board. Did you...get a chance to talk to everyone one as well?"

"He will now!" Malon crowed, cutting in with Nora and a shared Shad. To the latter's immense relief, Malon let him go while enveloping Jaune in a tight hug. Despite his oxygen being squeezed from his lungs, he merely smiled and returned the gesture.

"Take care out there, alright? The ranch and Epona will always be here for you. As will I. And my family. You know the drill. Don't do anything too stupid, but if you do, make sure you get a picture of yourself suffering for it so I can laugh when you come back."

"Wow. I feel so loved. You really prepared the stops for this one, huh?"

"Of course, you big dummy! It feels like it's been too short since you returned and now you're leaving," Malon huffed, pushing him back and pouting, though a softer smile eventually broke through. "It's been a while since I heard you and Marin play guitar and sing, so come back so you can treat us all to it once more."

Yang blinked. "Jaune plays guitar and sings?"

"It's been too long. We're all missing out, hun."

"Um, moving on," Colin interjected, saving Jaune before he could die by embarrassment. "...yeah. Everything they said. It was good to see you again, even if it wasn't for long, but make sure to stop by as soon as you can."

"We mean it," Shad agreed, extending a hand that Jaune accepted firmly. "You came back when we needed you most, and as a parting gift..."

Jaune's eye lit up as Colin produced a package of cookies, which Ruby took with the most grateful expression he'd ever seen her wear.

"Thanks, Shad. All of you, really," he replied, smiling as the others responded in kind. "Yeah, I left under shady circumstances and returned under shitter ones...but as I leave this time, I promise that it won't be forever. Arc's promise."

Shad nodded and led them to the front gate with Malon and Colin. A few more relaxed minutes passed before they said their final farewells, and just like his family, they waved as Jaune and his teammates crossed the threshold.

He looked back after a minute or so, gazing at the town that prospered under the late autumn sun while Fallow Ranch stood proudly upon a hill in the distance. Three others stood by the front gate, however, that weren't his childhood friends -

Cawlin and Strich headed back out of sight, while the familiar form of Groose stayed behind a little longer and raised a hand.

Jaune returned the gesture.

And as they all settled in for the journey ahead, there was no discomfort or guilt in his heart, but an odd mix between loss, farewell and anxious excitement rolled into one. It was everything he felt the first time he left, without any darkness hiding his movement nor guilt that came with deceiving his family. In the end, he did return to the smiles of his sisters, the pride of his mother and acceptance from his father.

But the price he paid for it was steep, and in the process, Jaune discovered a world far beyond anything he had ever expected.

And maybe, just maybe, the next time he'd see the demon of his nightmares, the only sword remaining would be the one impaled in Dark Link's heart.

x==)==

There was a solid thunk as the sentry collapsed to the floor, and when his battle buddy tried to raise the alarm, a shadow emerged from behind a corner and walloped him in the temple. With both guards unconscious, another shadow joined the first in stuffing the bodies inside a janitor's closet.

They closed the door and remained still for a minute, listening for any signs of movement, but just like the compound's gates and outer defences, hostile activity was...strangely lacking. Getting in was relatively straightforward, and keeping to the darkness to take out roving patrols? Too easy.

Sharing a nod, they took off down the hallway and peeked around a corner, watching as a camera near the ceiling fell limply after a few seconds. Before they could rush in, however, muffled voices echoed from the end, leading them both to take cover in an open, abandoned office.

"...okay, Blake, what's our plan?"

"See if we can take them both down simultaneously as per the last two," she whispered, and the outline of Sun's head nodded, with her night vision enhanced by moonlight streaming in through a window. They knelt behind a desk with bated breath, and after a few seconds, the footsteps grew louder and so did their quarries' voices.

"...can't wait to go home. This is the third time they forced overtime duties on me."

"...same, bro. I mean, I got bills to pay for too, but I'm tired of leaving my wife alone with our newborn just to show up last minute. You gotta stick up for yourself if management won't, especially since our new chain of command's not telling us shit about what they're gonna do with Sienna."

A sigh, and Blake crept up near the door while Sun grabbed a stapler from a cabinet.

"Agreed. I don't wanna fight my brothers and sisters if I can help it. That's why my leave starts tomorrow so I can miss the shitstorm. And this is our second last patrol for the night. Smoke break?"

"Heheh. Smoke break -"

There was a thunk as Sun tossed the stapler at a garbage bin, missing the shot but doing the job as the two guards suddenly fell silent, followed by the telltale sounds of swords being unholstered.

"Dammit, did Jim leave the windows open again? The raccoon problem around here's bad enough."

"Time to find out."

Blake glanced to Sun, who gave her a subtle thumbs up -

Two White Fang guards entered in with swords at the ready, with one moving opposite her and another towards the window by Sun -

And they fell upon them in an instant. Sun whacked the second guard's forehead with his staff from the floor, while Blake pulled the other closer with her sword's ribbon. He flailed and tried to elbow her, but after a minute or so, the man eventually relaxed and fell limp.

"...not gonna lie, I almost felt bad for that," Sun whispered as they dragged the bodies behind a couch on the side, then closed the door. "They sounded just like anybody else."

"That's because we all were," Blake sighed as she fished out her scroll. "Much of the White Fang were people from all walks of life - doctors, farmers, store owners, the like. Obviously a couple huntsmen or ex-cops here or there, but Atlas and the SDC didn't recognize that. Even before Sienna took over."

"Fair enough. Where we at, though?"

The map of the compound appeared on her screen, and she pointed at an office block on the eastern side. What outer defences were already neutralized, with friendly White Fang having hacked into the base's systems while keeping overwatch along the walls and guard towers. But their main objective - the rebel White Fang headquarters - was built into the mountainside, with the only way in being the front entrance.

A quick glance outside revealed nothing alarming as well; donning a pair of night vision goggles as she spotted movement amongst buildings across the compound, a bat-winged figure clicked an infrared laser pointer on and off into the sky.

"Whatcha looking at?"

"Yuma's good to go. They've secured the barracks and cafeteria on the western side, so we need to relink with them at the headquarters as soon as possible."

"Right. And no signs of...struggle or anything?"

Blake shook her head. "Not that I can tell. It seems like everything's going smoothly."

"Too smooth," Sun replied as he began rifling through a few cabinets. "Do things really go this well in the White Fang?"

She remained mum as the shadowed figure of Yuma blended into the shadows. Everything felt...textbook. There were poorly run SDC mines that had tighter security; have the White Fang's standards declined so dramatically after she left Adam?

Until proven true, she needed to prepare for the worst. Unwelcome anxiety slowly welled in her heart. Something was waiting for them...but what could it be?

"...you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"This is too easy," Blake whispered as they walked to the door. A quick glance and listening halt revealed no movement within the hallway, while the only sounds present were the hum of the air conditioner and the two unconscious guards snoring behind the couch. "What we've seen so far is a skeleton garrison with minimum security, and everything inside's either abandoned or there's nothing of importance."

"Mhmm. And most of what I found here's pay statements, leave passes and other office paperwork. Nothing really out of the ordinary."

Blake sighed as Sun came over. "This isn't right. I don't know what kind, but we're walking into some sort of trap here."

"Probably. Should we notify Sienna and your parents?"

"We're in radio silence until we secure the headquarters. We can't risk anyone breaking into our comms. But even then...we might already be compromised and without knowing it."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But we're already here, and regardless if we're successful or not, it's as good as declaring war. Come on, Blake. Let's keep pushing. We'll make it out alive."

That was...exactly what she both needed and didn't want to hear. Distress began to worm itself into her mind, and for a moment, Sun had longer blonde hair and was missing a tail and arm.

"...re you okay?"

"You're not...I won't leave...do you trust me, Sun?"

"Huh? Where's this -? Oh."

Blake eyed him with a firm, yet fearfully pleading expression, though she relaxed slightly when he gave her a soft, almost mischievous grin and a firm grip on her shoulder.

"We're in this together, alright? We'll fight through whatever comes our way."

"Thank you, Sun -"

"I mean, you owe me a drink after spilling my order that other day, so I gotta claim it somehow."

"- never mind, I take that back."

Blake rolled her eyes and pushed past into the hallway, though she glanced back and sent him a half-grin to let him know she was grateful. He nodded back, and the two stealthily made their way across the compound to regroup with the others. Movement on the roof revealed Yuma giving them a thumbs up amongst a few other loyalists, while more White Fang waited for them in the shadows near the front entrance, stacking up on the door with guns at the ready.

"This'll no longer be a surreptitious op once we breach," the commander whispered to her. Above them, several grunts prepared to rappel into the windows while Yuma was poised to fly into another. "Shall we take point, or...?"

"We will. We can take more punishment with our Aura and training."

"Very well. For the White Fang."

"For the good of all faunuskind."

The masked man paused for a long second, then nodded as he took his position near the end of the line. Taking a position to the right of the doors, the breacher opposite checked the door for traps before the troop behind him fished out a flashback. Another nod, and the White Fang above them made ready to fast rope.

With a loud crash, Blake and the breacher kicked the doors open, followed by the blinding crack of a flashbang -

Glass shattered and fell as Yuma and those above them swooped into the second floor offices -

"Left side, clear!"

"Right side, clear! Room clear!"

And found absolutely nothing in the foyer, save for walls plastered with all sorts of propaganda-like posters, while the secretary's desk and any available countertop had stacks upon stacks of magazines and pamphlets. Regardless of the medium, however, Blake froze as she realized that they all called for Sienna's death, combined with the visage of Adam Taurus enthroned with the Albains by his side.

Even for someone her, who didn't believe in the Brothers...it felt sacrilegious to look at.

She shared a worried glance with Sun as they cleared out the rest of the first floor, then linked up with Yuma and his men up top. They sorted through various office desks and cabinets, finding more of the same along with broken weaponry and a few burnt flags of the original blue-and-white symbol.

"Y-Yuma...what the hell is all this?"

The bat faunus stood silent before shaking his head. Walking over to one of the desks, he pushed aside some posters before holding up chart-sized papers - which then had him grabbing his radio while thrusting them into Blake's arms.

"Bastion, this is Night Echo. Radio check, over."

Blake stilled as she recognized just what those papers were - specifically, the details upon the maps and the locations in Kuo Kuana that were marked as objectives.

One of which was the main White Fang headquarters.

Another of which was the city's CCT -

And marked in a big, red circle was her family home.

Sun growled. "Yuma! Why isn't Sienna responding? Try Ghira and Kali if you have to -"

"Dammit, I know! Ahem. Bastion, this is Night Echo. Radio check, over -"

"You are most certainly loud and clear, dear Yuma."

Everyone froze as the PA system suddenly flared to life with a familiar voice.

"T-Trifa...? What the hell is the meaning of all this!?"

"I should be asking all of you the same thing. Why do you continue to resist our efforts to bring justice for faunus? Why do you continue to support cowardice and mediocrity over our first real chance to strike back for what is rightfully ours?"

"Why do you continue to wish to shed the blood of our brothers and sisters?" Blake interrupted, stepping closer to the ceiling speaker. "Why do you continue to slaughter all those who have dissenting opinions, human and faunus alike? You're not promising justice, Trifa. You're promising bloodshed the likes of which Menagerie has never seen."

"Please. Even the name 'Menagerie' is an insult to faunus. Where is your pride, Belladonna? Did you throw it away when you deserted the cause? Well, it matters not when the failures of both old orders will be supplanted by what our people truly deserve."

"Peace? Justice? Hope?" Sun remarked aloud. "'cause I don't think you're bringing them any of that."

"Better. Watch and see."

A nearby computer flared to life, and when the PA system remained silent, they all slowly crowded around it to see a live feed from just outside Kuo Kuana.

"This, my brothers and sisters, is revolution. This is the dawn of faunus supremacy..."

Blake gasped as a pair of White Fang grunts, all clad in black, kicked a wounded Sienna Khan off the cliff into the sea. The camera feed fizzed for a few seconds until it switched to inside the headquarters, namely the throne room.

And just like the posters, Fennec Albain stood by the throne's left while Corsac girded a kneeling Adam Taurus with a chain necklace that bore the White Fang's crest. The audience roared in salute as Adam turned, unsheathed his sword and held it aloft victoriously.

The sound of a click and fwoosh of flame had them all turning to see the breaching team's commander by the only doorway, holding a flashbang and lit petrol bomb.

"...as some of you were bright enough to realize such, even before this clusterfuck of an operation began."

The commander nodded and turned to her. "For the good of all faunuskind."

Sun tried to tackle her to safety -

Yuma grabbed the nearest two grunts and hurled them towards the windows -

And all Blake saw was a bright flash before her vision went dark.

x==)==

Across Kuo Kuana, as a series of explosions rocked the mountainside compound, the victorious cries of the rebel White Fang echoed through the night. In contrast, there were the cries of loyalists that fought a losing battle in the streets, while more rebels stood atop the city's CCT tower while waving the banner of their faction -

A red circle of snakes, rearing to strike outwards while surrounding the same White Fang wolf head.

Near the eastern jungle, the Menagerie Guard assembled in the Belladonna mansion, staring down an approaching platoon of rebels with increasing apprehension.

Adam Taurus stood proudly over it all, watching the faunus city descend into anarchy before descending into it to restore his brand of order.

Within the rooftop shadows of the captured headquarters, a single tear rolled down Tyrian's cheek as he watched the chaos unfold; with a silent prayer of thanks and awe to his beloved Goddess, he propped himself up on the ledge and idly toyed with an item pilfered from one of the White Fang's expeditions -

A palm-sized half of a broken medallion, faded red in colour with an engraving of the Triforce on one side and the crest of Din Herself upon the opposite.

x==)==

The back door slammed open, startling an alley cat and sending it scurrying into the darkness. Despite the exceedingly late hour, all pretense of sleep was gone as his insomnia was fueled by the most intense hatred he'd ever felt - combined with the utter contempt for himself and his family.

It was, funnily enough, the irony that struck him most. When he woke up, he assumed the day would've been like any other - a busy day serving meals, wiping tables and helping wind down further into the night. Except for a few other houses within Shion, the only light around was the dim orange that seeped through the back door from the bar.

A bar which, just moments ago, sat a scion of the very family that killed his own -

"...and she thinks she can make it okay by fucking apologizing!?"

He angrily sighed and wandered into an alley, partially inebriated and without a care for anything in the world. The Brothers above must've been expert pranksters as well, since he never expected this to happen to him, out of all people. In fact, his first reaction was to do a wipe his eyes since maybe he was seeing something; hidden around a corner, however, he recognized the voice as the same girl that came with the other two travellers, and after a full minute of staring, that snowflake sigil continued to stare back.

But in the end, despite how close his grandmother came to tears and how his grandfather looked so visceral with hatred, they accepted her apology. Even if she bowed to them over and over again, not only did it fail to bring back his mother and father - it only spat upon their memory.

It was too much, and despite the well-intentioned attempts of a human farmboy seeking to calm him down, what was once his home became the den of the enemy.

He downed the bottle of whiskey and smashed it against the wall before throwing it across the stone.

"After all, why? Why shouldn't I just use the master key to sneak into her room and suffocate her in her sleep? Maybe even kill her with her own sword? One strike for all us faunus her family abused and killed for the sake of greed -"

"Hey, kid. You look like a sad sack of shit."

He whirled around with angry silver eyes, seeing only a cloaked shadow emerge close to the back door.

"F-f-fuck off. I'm not - hic - really in the mood...f-for -"

"Oh? And why's that?"

"None of your business."

The figure laughed - a young, female, sharp and sarcastic tone, doubled down when the figure put a hand on a hip. "I'll make it worth your while."

"H-huh? Are you trying to -"

A wad of lien flew and smacked him in the face.

"In your dreams, boy. I'm here to look for something, and considering how pathetic you look right now, maybe we can do each other a favour and make both our nights."

He eyed the girl suspiciously, but after a few minutes of convincing on her part - made possible through the transaction of extra lien - he opened up, telling her about Weiss Schnee as their guest along with two other ordinary looking travellers. And though he couldn't make out her face, he had the distinct feeling she was quite pleased.

"So...what're you gonna do with that info? And why the hell are you so loaded?"

She merely chuckled before whistling lightly, and he stumbled back surprised as a few other cloaked figures emerged from the shadows. "Shay, go on ahead and tell the boss that we've struck gold. And as for you, boy..."

A final wad of cash made his way over. "Consider this insurance money. Thanks for the info, bub."

He called after them and tried to give chase, but when it was clear he was alone in the alley, the dread he felt was enough to sober him completely.

- AN -

Hey there, folks, and welcome back!

With this chapter, we've reached the official halfway point of Arc IV, with the second half of this Arc tackling each of the cliffhangers within this scene. It'll be the last portion of the story that is loosely based on the equivalent canon events (eg. RWBY Vol 4 - 5), and what parts that remain relatively close to it, I did my best to spice up both in previous chapters as well as in the latter half. Rest assured there are a few things that might come as a complete surprise, as in my own personal headcanon, what is currently planned to be the last chapter of Arc IV (Ch 45) is the symbolic end to the RWBY story as we know it, in a volume that I wanted to be a transition from RWBY to Zelda. I'd like to talk more about that part since I'm really excited to write that heavy hitter...but spoilers. At least I got to end Jaune's scenes on a callback all the way to Arc I, Ch2; talk about a trip to memory lane...

Also, I received a few messages regarding the nature of magic / Aura, and rather than take up the whole AN to clear up the confusion, I decided to nail two birds with one stone in a flashback show-and-tell. But as a quick summary, in this story, Semblances are magic (eg heavily neutered forms compared to Ozpin's abilities as seen in the show), Aura, the physical manifestation of the soul, is infused with slivers of magic, allowing others to perform Semblances, while Remnant's ambient magic was greater back when the Triforce infused the world with it. Rather than keep Semblances and magic (the Ozpin kind) separate as in RWBY canon, I thought it best to combine both as lower vs higher forms of magic. At least on my end, it made some things easier to cross with Zelda lore.

Lastly, an important update - despite the nature of the chapter as a series of important cliffhangers, due to my job, the next chapter will be posted sometime in early to mid July instead of the usual biweekly schedule. In a way, it's also an opportunity for me to rest a little, since I recently began to feel longer term physical effects of burnout. To that end, I'm hoping to come back refreshed and with a clearer mind when work loosens up several weeks from now.

Otherwise, thank you for reading and sticking around so far! Concrit and feedback are always welcome, but otherwise I hope you enjoyed it. Cheers!

- Reviews -

MountainBookSage25: I agree, seeing any sort of Ruby - Jaune interaction melts my heart too. From an objective standpoint, I think Jaune's personality is actually quite versatile here, being able to vibe with different characters in different ways and giving them their own unique aura. It's something I want to keep as Jaune becomes more of a destined and literal Hero, especially when Hylia's successor is revealed. While I'll only reveal the Princess' identity when the time comes...heheh, I might do something about people beginning to draw straws on that in the longer term ;) I already have something in the works for where they're going after the events that are after Mistral...we'll just see when we get there.

Super heavy weapons guy: Thank you! I'm glad you liked that! Navi's inclusion was actually more of a last minute thing that I though would be a nice callback, a familiar face after a couple chapters of dread and preparation for the mid-Arc boss fight. Don't you worry about the other Great Fairies, though - there's plenty childhood trauma to go around with that ;) And as for Jaune's sword beam, when he uses his Semblance to pour Aura into whatever weapon he's using, he can then fire it off like a projectile towards his enemies. Think when you're at full hearts in the Zelda games and you can fire sword beams at full health, here I just tweaked some of the mechanics a little.

Guest: Thank you so much! I'll definitely try my best!

Roy4: Thank you! Especially in an Arc that's supposed to be in that awkward phase of not-quite-RWBY, not-quite-Zelda, I wanted to kick up the transition a notch while highlighting Jaune's current and then newly obtained abilities. Epona's inclusion was an important factor, as Jaune had a horseback riding background in this story, but he wasn't a literal mounted knight; I wanted to strike that balance of competent, but not overly so, while making it feel epic and deserving for him. If anything, I took inspiration from TP Link being a goat herder and having some skill already, but not too much - at least until the whole Kakariko raid event. I also reworked some of the Aura / magic mechanics here to make it easier on myself, especially when connecting to Zelda canon, and I decided to showcase more of what Jaune can do in the future.

That being said, the HM Salesman is here to stay, and will be watching over their quest for a while. We shall see how he interacts with the crew as they progress, especially as they discover the means to restoring the Master Sword and the whereabouts of Wisdom - a questline that will undoubtedly tie into revealing the ascension of Hylia's heir.

SentinalSlice: Right, so regarding the issue of Aura and magic compared to canon, in my story I changed those mechanics a little bit. Here, Semblances and magic are one and the same. They're called as such since they're remnants of greater magic that were sealed away by the God of Darkness, and so remain a neutered version of what Ozpin and Salem had. It's become the modern term for magic, helped by people's abilities becoming unique to them and Aura as the fuel that Semblances require to be used. Pool of magic vs act of magic - that's why Navi, as a being of the past, is used to calling Aura "magic".

It's kinda like an RPG. Jaune unlocking Hero's Gambit (which replaces Aura Amp in my story) means he can now use magical abilities in the same way Ruby can run super fast or Nora can channel electricity. I understand that RWBY canon treats Semblances and magic as separate entities, but again, here they're one and the same - just a devolution. Strictly speaking, Jaune and Ozpin do have magic, but whether Jaune will reach the latter's level of proficiency is a different question. A spoiler-y one too.

hirshja: Thank you! I'm happy you liked that!

Guest: Hehe I'm glad you liked that!

Guest: Man, I preened a little when I read your comment. Thank you! Even with a script for many chapters following, it was a little hard to continue writing after the aftermath of Pyrrha's death - from a character's perspective as well as a writer. Writing how they come back and excel from beyond the brink was my goal, however, and I'm happy you're enjoying what I have to offer so far. This train ride still has a long way to go before it ends, and I promise many more kickass things to come. Again, thanks and I'm glad you like it!

Guest: Thanks! Honestly, my biggest focus was to let Weiss' resilience and sheer will shine, even in dire, desperate and unfamiliar situations - a topic that I expanded on in this chapter. Even for someone that is definitely not as helpless as her, she'll still have her moments of weakness as will the rest of the cast. Roman and Neo trolling her the whole time was basically just a bonus, and while I do have concrete backstory for them both, the main problem is deciding where to reveal it. So too was including more Weiss back then, along with the other RWBY girls. Thanks once again!

- Stats -

Upload Date: May 25 / 2021

Chapter Word Count: 9931

Approximate Page Length (Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced): 24.9

- Disclaimer -

The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.