Arc IV: Courage Ascending
Chapter 41: Casus Belli
It was a beautiful morning outside. Sunlight streamed through the open windows and bathed the room in a warm glow, while the city's ambience drifted in with the breeze. His coffee was freshly made, and though he was used to early mornings, it warmed his soul and promised a good start to the day once the meeting finished.
A meeting which he frankly had no place being in.
Hosted by the kind and loyal Headmaster of Haven Academy, Oscar sat at a table perpendicular to his desk while Qrow stood by an open window. Since Ozpin was in control as he brought Lionheart up to speed, Oscar reached for his scroll like any other bored teenager.
...
...
Ah, right. I am the passenger now.
He instead glanced at Ren, Nora and Weiss beside him. Oscar quickly learned that the first two were polar opposites that were a perfect fit for each other, evidenced by Nora snoozing on the shoulder of a serenely still Ren. Weiss was the one he was most familiar with after many days travelling together, and she focused only on drinking her coffee to stay awake.
But it was the three opposite that really caught his attention. Confidence, cheery and...well, hot described Yang to a tee, and since the other girls were just as pretty, it made bunking in a house as a hormonal teenager even more difficult. Especially since Ruby was kind, friendly and quite dorky; Oscar mentally smiled as she explained her desire to learn more about her eyes - silver eyes that shone like the moon, warming her grin and making his heart pound just a little faster -
"Oscar, can you not?"
S-sorry, but I mean, come on! It's, like, impossible to try not to think about it!
Ozpin sighed as he continued talking, forcing Oscar to focus on the last of the six - and with it, his content mood plummeted as he remembered just why he felt out of place.
Looking at a weary Jaune reminded Oscar that while they were all slightly older teenagers, his world and theirs couldn't be any more different. Ruby wasn't just a girl with an innocent sweet tooth, but an experienced warrior who fought at Beacon's Fall. Her uncle Qrow was a renowned veteran and Headmaster Lionheart was one of Remnant's most powerful political figures. All of whom answered to Ozpin - a reincarnated soul from ancient days, brought back by the God of Light for a greater purpose.
Oscar was a farmhand whose Aura was unlocked just over a month ago.
I guess I can help if they ever wanna start up a farm or drive combines, but man, I'm really out of my league here.
"I wouldn't have invaded your soul and memories if I had a choice in the matter," Ozpin remarked as Lionheart flicked through his terminal. "Alas, you are a good person who is willing to do the right thing. I know it is little consolation, but now that we're stuck together, I promise to help you grow stronger in any way I can."
...yeah. I appreciate that. Picking crops and driving combines sure prepared me to fight monsters.
"Quite. I shall return control after this meeting, but I highly suggest we take some time to train today. Since it'll be a while until you inherit my muscle memory, perhaps you could learn some fencing techniques from Weiss or close-quarters combat from Ren or Yang."
I guess. But what about Jaune?
Ozpin glanced at the boy in question. "It might help to break the ice. I know he seems a little distant, but rest assured that his problems are with me, not you."
Oscar hummed, though Lionheart swung the terminal's screen before he could reply so everyone could see. It appeared to be a mass roster for huntsmen in Mistral, and a fair number were either in recovery or worse.
"As you can see, Mistral has a skeleton garrison since the Deputy Headmaster pursued the dragon - codenamed Volvagia, after local folklore - to the Eldin Mountains in the east. I also had to rework Haven's curriculum so students can get graded while attached to professional teams."
Qrow walked over and glanced at the screen. "Yeah, no kidding. At this rate, you're gonna burn them out real fast. Students and huntsmen alike."
"What choice do we have? We're stretched thin as it is," Lionheart sighed, smiling apologetically. "I understand your request, Ozpin, but my hands are tied. I'll have those in the field keep a lookout for...unnatural weather patterns, but that's the most I can do to help find the Spring Maiden. I'm sorry. I really am."
After sharing a glance with Qrow, Ozpin sighed and sunk into his seat.
"Very well. Please keep me in the loop. I must have the Relic of Knowledge to know what Salem's planning next."
"I will, and until then, I shall help any way I can," the lion faunus replied before facing Ruby. "Starting with you, Miss Rose. Unfortunately, I know very little about silver eyes beyond the basics, so the archives might help you better than I can. You and Ozpin have permission to peruse them."
"Got it. Thanks, Headmaster!"
Lionheart smiled. "If that's all, I do have another meeting right after, so I shall let you know if anything useful comes up."
"Sounds good, big guy. Let's call it here," Qrow interrupted as he stood behind his nieces. "We'll keep an eye out as well. I know a few places where I can find some info, so I'll go visit them before we leave."
Yang peered up at him. "Do these places involve a copious amount of alcohol and innkeepers with questionable skirt length? Go for it while you still can, uncle. I believe in you."
Qrow growled and ruffled Yang's hair despite her flailing. "Not to mention having to teach a few last minute lessons. We have a field trip to the training area, oh uncouth niece of mine."
"Then it's settled," Ozpin replied as he and the others stood. "We can plan Qrow's vengeance and the rest of our day during breakfast. Thank you, Leonardo. We'll keep in touch."
The lion faunus shook Ozpin's hand as they tucked in their chairs and headed for the exit. Like a headrush, Oscar felt his physical senses suddenly return to his control as Ozpin retreated, and he steadied himself on the wall before he could fall.
"A little warning would've been nice."
I did. I said I would return control when the meeting is finished.
Oscar grumbled and continued arguing with Ozpin as he unconsciously walked into the reception area. Accordingly, his vision turned green as he collided with Ren's back, only to see that everyone halted in place and was deathly still.
"Oh no."
"Huh? What's going on?"
Nora nodded to their front, and Oscar found Jaune in the centre facing an older man with greasy, fading slicked-back red hair and an expensive suit that strained to keep his belly in check. He and a boy with bronzed armour and a laurel crown eyed Jaune with clear distaste, though a kinder lady stepped forward and hugged him.
"What in the Brothers' names are you doing!?"
"Am I not allowed to greet those who aided us in our time of need?" Demetra snapped as she turned to her husband. "He is the one I told you about - the one who saved Ares and me. The one our daughter trusted."
The man turned to his son, who nodded stiffly before turning back to Jaune.
"Hmph. How underwhelming," he sneered. "I am Priam, a councilman of Mistral and head of the august house of Nikos. In other words, Pyrrha's father. And you are?"
"Jaune Arc. Pyrrha's partner."
"Partner, eh? Well, I retired as a huntsman many, many years ago, so please enlighten me since I've forgotten. What, pray tell, is the duty of a huntsman to their partner?"
Jaune remained silent, though Oscar didn't miss the way he clenched his fists. Yang and Ren looked ready to step in and hold him back.
"You don't know? What say you, my son?"
"A huntsman never leaves their partner behind," Ares replied. "Soldiers call them battle buddies, but when partners are assigned, they put their lives in each other's hands. And I would do anything to keep mine safe out there."
Priam nodded and clapped his son's shoulder. "Well said. This is why you are in the top ranks of Sanctum Academy with a bright future here in Haven." He turned to Jaune with disdain. "But you...? You come to my kingdom, my city, my presence with nothing but failure on your shoulders. No matter how much I tried to convince Pyrrha, she believed that staying in Mistral would hurt her success as a champion. And so she slipped through our household guards and snuck into Beacon without care for her family and the life she left behind."
Weiss' eyebrow twitched.
"And what did she get instead? Well, I...actually don't know. Because she is no longer here to tell me!" Priam roared, stepping into Jaune's face despite being shorter than him by an inch. "Why did you let her die? Bring my daughter back to me! How did a peerless champion like her end up with a nobody like you!?"
Priam stumbled as Nora butted in between them. "What the hell do you even know about Jaune, mister!? Pyrrha was kind, brave, loyal to her friends and even more to her partner! We would've fallen apart if it wasn't for Jaune!"
"What do you know of leadership?" Ares glared, though it was ineffective against Nora. "Do you just blindly follow along like a drone who can't think for herself?"
"I think that being part of a team means exercising your strengths while covering for your teammates when they fall," Ren replied with an eerily calm voice. "Jaune...was weak. When Pyrrha came into his life, he surpassed the limits one thought he'd ever reach. It was because of him that all four of us made it through time and again."
"Team JNPR now and forever," Nora agreed, crossing her arms. "I don't care if you're some hotshot or whatever. I understand that you're her brother, but after everything we've been through, we're family to her too."
Priam tried to retort, but Demetra held him back with a firm grip on his shoulder. Fighting past the shock, Oscar watched as Ruby, Weiss and Yang wore steadfast expressions while shifting around JNR in a show of support. Even Lionheart hovered by the doorway, drawn to the commotion with morbid curiosity. Jaune was the first to break eye contact after a brief but tense staring contest with Ares and Priam, but not to admit defeat.
Placing his bag by a nearby couch, a shing echoed through the room as he withdrew a familiar sword and shield.
Ares gasped. "It's...you brought -"
"Yup. Miló and Akoúo," Jaune replied, twirling the sword around before resheathing it. "Pyr's weapons of choice. Heh. I still remember how she speared my hoodie to a tree during Initiation to break my fall. Good times."
Jaune approached the Nikos family and Ares met him halfway, seemingly mesmerized by his sister's equipment. He then walked past Ares' waiting arms and handed them instead to his mother.
"Yeah, I was pretty wimpy when Beacon started, but because of Pyrrha, I grew stronger than I ever thought I could. We fought together, bled together and even had...feelings for each other. All of this in the face of gods and monsters," Jaune continued, sparing a glance for Priam.
"Pyrrha was torn between duty and desire. It was tough on her and all of us, but in the end, she accepted the consequences without regret. And while she never got the chance to graduate...Pyrrha died as more than just a champion. She died as a huntress. I...I'm sorry for your loss."
Priam and Ares were stunned to silence - with the latter nearly tearing up - and Demetra quivered as she held the sword and shield. She let Jaune close his fingers around hers, and for a moment, they stood holding the weapons together until she whispered something to him under her breath. Jaune visibly deflated before heading out the exit.
Nora and Ren followed after him, and before he knew it, the party had walked through the grand hall and back outside. Even then, as he watched them all quietly talk amongst each other, Oscar didn't just feel awkward and out of place once more, but also a deep understanding of the situation before him.
What are you thinking, Oscar?
"I...well, I knew it was important when Jaune told us what he wanted to do last night, but seeing this just really hits home."
Mhmm. Eye opening, isn't it?
"I went to a normal school so I can't fully understand what it means to have a partner, but Jaune's taking this better than I ever could. I mean, carrying Pyrrha's mementos all the way here..."
Ozpin was silent for a long while, and Oscar watched as Jaune chuckled at one of Ruby's jokes while Ren and Weiss were discussing which breakfast cafe looked the most appealing.
Perhaps he deals with it better now, but our responsibilities and the consequences of past decisions will haunt us for a long, long time. This is the ugly side of duty, Oscar, and though we all carry regrets - myself, most of all - I will not stop until I have fulfilled mine.
"...the same way Jaune won't stop until he fulfills his?"
This time he got no reply. From thoughts of duty, destiny, self-reminders that this was no longer his aunt's farm and that their lives could be in jeopardy any moment, the sheer weight of it all felt overwhelming, and all Oscar could do was sit down and rub his head.
And the best part of his existential crisis was that it wasn't even noon yet.
Oscar yelped as Qrow hauled him to his feet. "You alright, kid? Actually, scratch that. I'll ask you again after we go grab breakfast. Nothing like a good, hot meal to help clear the mind and think straight."
That...sounded like a wonderful idea. It would allow them to rest before going about their day, and maybe even help Oscar think of what he'd want to do for a living over the next several decades.
In other words, just farmhand things.
x==)==
The wind blew calmly as Jaune walked into a small cliffside park. It was silent, empty and afforded him a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape; mountains and forests stretched on for miles, and he could just see Lake Matsu's coastline to the west.
But something unpleasant bogged the back of his mind. After a relaxed meeting turned tense at Haven, they decided over breakfast to split up and run their errands. Ruby and a nervous Oscar returned to the Academy while Nora dragged Ren towards the nearest market for groceries. Yang went with Qrow to train at the safehouse, and despite insisting he tag along, Jaune didn't want to bother anyone when they had more pressing things to do.
He shook the thoughts away when he realized what the feelings were. He didn't need an overload of anger, loneliness and guilt so early in the morning. "At least the view is nice. Is this the closest I'll get to seeing Hyrule before it was destroyed?"
Quite. It's like a forest fire; life thrives in the aftermath as the ruins of the old become the foundation for the future. Forgotten or not, there are things from the past that withstood the test of time. You are one of the greatest examples.
Jaune ignored a frustrated voice and approaching footsteps as he glanced around the park. His gaze settled on a secluded spot against the mountain where the shrubs were unusually overgrown, and for some reason, something about it...called to him.
"One of the greatest examples..."
Mhmm. I know you are still troubled from earlier, so perhaps this may help take your mind off things. Remember the Salesman's words.
"The Salesman? What did he -"
Memories of a dark forest flashed through his mind, and Jaune whirled around so fast that the person behind him yelped and fell over. He chuckled embarrassedly and offered a hand, which was almost crushed by the vengeful strength of her grip.
"Heheh, sorry about that. Didn't know you were coming."
"I called your name twice!" Weiss snapped, crossing her arms. "Are we so far up the mountains that your head is perpetually in the clouds?"
Jaune scratched the back of his head. "I guess so. But I thought you were gonna call your sister before chilling with Ruby or something."
"I don't need to walk back to Haven when I have signal here, and I don't want to disturb Ruby during her research. The real question is what you're doing." Weiss poked his chestplate. "I understand you wanted time to yourself, but it's dangerous to go alone in a city you're unfamiliar with. Hmph. From babysitting one dork to another..."
"Look, it's not about that. Or, well, it was, but..."
Jaune headed over to the spot as she peered at him suspiciously. After a minute of wading through thick, overgrown shrubbery, he came upon a small clearing a couple feet wide. Most importantly, there was a shiny, pentagonal black stone several feet high. A more detailed inspection revealed its surface to be smooth as obsidian, and carved into it were fine grooves that were invisible at a distance - grooves that were etched in a familiar shape.
"What exactly is that?"
"The reason why I was drawn here," Jaune replied as she came over. Upon touching the stone, it hummed faintly and the grooves flared with watery blue light. The Sheikah eye stared back, along with an inscription in their language. "A Gossip Stone..."
Weiss hummed, reaching out before thinking twice and retracting her hand. "This symbol...where have I..."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Oh. Sorry, just lost in thought," the heiress nodded. "But what's a Gossip Stone? And what do those characters mean?"
"We're about to find out," Jaune replied as he equipped the Mask of Truth, and almost immediately, it was like he knew the language all along. "I think it's a riddle. It says, 'Dawn to dusk, with heaven's guidance, the shadows serve in secret silence. From spires of power does wisdom lie, and by hands of courage, the truth shall rise'."
The eye on the Mask of Truth glowed orange when he finished, causing the Gossip Stone to do the same. There was a slight rumble and a section of the mountain gave way like a door, revealing a dark and ominous passage.
"Jaune. What did you do?"
"I...uh...the mask's supposed to help its wearer see through illusions. I didn't expect this."
Weiss' expression was a mix between warning, like a parent would give their child and cautious curiosity. She borrowed the mask to read the inscription, then repeatedly wore and removed it like a test.
"I shouldn't be surprised since this is clearly related to them," Weiss replied as she returned it. "Jaune, there's something you need to know. Remember how Oscar and I were attacked by your...dark self on the way to Mistal? One of the huntresses who rescued us had the same symbol tattooed on her forehead. The rest of her team didn't, even though they all had a similar aesthetic, but I'm starting to think that they might be more than just huntresses."
Jaune hummed. "What do you think? Should I tell her?"
I don't see why not. This may be a clue to finding what the Salesman referred to, so it wouldn't hurt to ask for help.
For the next several minutes, he gave Weiss a crash course on the basics of the Sheikah and his encounter with the Salesman. By the end, she looked exhausted like a student that just came back from a day full of midterms.
"I...I see. I still have many questions, but I suppose it's better we find this sake bar so I have a place to sit when I ask them."
"Yeah. But how did your rescuers fend Dark Link off anyway? The last time I faced him...well..."
Weiss' gaze softened. "They didn't actually defeat him, only distracted him long enough and we barely made it out alive. In any case, we have a lead here regarding your Salesman's instructions, so we might as well investigate."
"Agreed," Jaune mentally replied as he unsheathed his weapons and entered first. When Weiss followed, the hidden mountain door jarred closed, startling and leaving them stranded in ominous darkness. It was stifling and the air wasn't just clammy, but heavy enough that he almost struggled to breathe, and Weiss eventually ignited fire dust along her rapier to give them light via improvised torch.
After several minutes of tense, silent travel, the tunnel opened into a large cavern. Thin shafts of light beamed from cracks in the left wall, illuminating stalagmites and rocky platforms poking from an endless abyss. Two more tunnels were at the right and far end of the cavern.
"Who would've known something like this was below Haven."
Weiss nodded. "Shall I take right and you go straight, or the opposite?"
"We'll both go right. I've seen enough horror movies to know what happens when we split up," Jaune corrected. He sprinted and leapt between platforms, though white light behind him revealed Weiss walking along on a bridge of glyphs.
"Cheater."
"Evening the odds," she harrumphed with a slight, cocky smile. Heading east, they emerged into a tall, circular chamber with a shaft of light beaming from the middle of the ceiling, and judging by the lack of dust, this one had clearly been used by people before. Most of the stone floor felt oddly hollow and loose while rows of shelves lined the walls, spaced out between three columns in a triangle with glass animal statues at their peaks - a boar, owl and dragon.
At least that was what Weiss noticed first. Jaune focused on the literal trove of pots that filled the shelves.
"Oh my gods."
You know the rules, and so do I.
"Jaune, don't -"
Something beneath him depressed the moment he stepped inside. Weiss jumped as an iron grate with a glowing Sheikah eye-shaped keyhole collapsed and sealed the entrance. They looked at the trap switch beneath him before she sent him an icy glare.
"Um...oops?"
Weiss groaned and tried to open, then break the door with gravity glyphs, and when neither worked, she went to investigate the columns. But Jaune only had his eye on the pots, and he lit up upon finding what was inside one, then the next, and even a small chest tucked away behind a few others -
There was a series of crashes, and Weiss turned to see Jaune clutching a fistful of tiny green and blue gemstones. He then proceeded to withdraw a larger one from said chest in a dramatic fashion. "Da da da daaaa!"
"What on Remnant are you doing?"
"Heheh. Sorry, couldn't resist. But now I'm wondering if there's anyone left in Remnant who'd accept Rupees as payment, although we might make bank by converting them to lien."
"Currency from ancient kingdoms...? They might be worth something for archaeological value alone, but we'll never know if we don't find a way out of here."
"True. Have you found anything yet?"
Weiss shrugged. "No. There's nothing that looks like it could lift the door, and while the columns look like some sort of mechanism, I'd rather figure out a way to operate them properly."
"Agreed," Jaune hummed as he paced around. Once again, he was drawn to the floor of gravel and hard-packed stone, and the more he examined it, he realized it shouldn't resonate when he tapped his foot.
"From spires of power does wisdom lie..."
Jaune unsheathed his sword and stabbed the floor. It proved surprisingly easy to pry chunks apart, and after a few minutes of crude digging, the light illuminated a diagram representing the columns' animals drawn in a certain order - this time, owl, dragon and boar.
"Man, if I guessed and went with power, wisdom and courage instead..."
"Is that -"
"- the combination? Let's give it a try," Jaune nodded as grabbed a broken pot shard and whipped it at the owl. The glass statue hummed and glowed yellow, while the dragon and boar followed in kind. After a few seconds, there was a deep, mechanical rumble and a small chest fell from above.
...which was suspended midair with a thin line of web. A pair of black shapes fell with it, followed by several Chuchus and a flock of Keese. Though they were merely a nuisance, the Skulltulas proved frustrating as Jaune and Weiss failed to inflict meaningful hits upon their armoured backs. After a few minutes of sticky webs, narrowly dodged venom and killing them by flipping and stabbing their undersides, Jaune waved away the purple smoke.
A glance at Weiss revealed her to be utterly miserable, wiping off cobwebs and bits of Red Chuchu from her face.
"You, uh, doing okay?"
"I can take Grimm and being dirty in the field," she whispered, tone varying between anger, disgust and defeat. "But still. Bugs. Spiders and...gooey blobs and...more bugs. Eww..."
Jaune grimaced and sniffed his armpit. "I feel you. Let's get this over with so we can get a nice, hot shower back at the house."
Weiss nodded glumly as she cut down the chest and retrieved a small key. Unlocking the door and returning into the main cavern, the two steeled themselves as they entered the other tunnel. It was mostly uneventful, save for a few Walltulas, and before long, the corridor ended at an arena-like chamber. Light from cracks in the walls revealed a grassy interior, and water pooled around evenly spaced stalagmites. Atop a ridge on the other side was a barred, weathered door, along with a pedestal mounted into the stone whose groove looked more like a slit than an actual keyhole.
But before Jaune could enter, Weiss held him back and nodded towards the centre -
Specifically, at the ugly humanoid statue with a thin, stone sword and a tower shield engraved with the Sheikah eye. The statue was a foot taller than him and seemingly deactivated, and upon closer inspection, its head...was its body. It was a torso-face with limbs, and deep grooves were etched across its body like war paint.
They flinched when another grate collapsed behind them, this time without a keyhole.
"Link, what the hell is that?"
I assume it's some form of Armos, but be careful. I've never seen this variant before. Just remember our lessons on enemies.
"Right. If I remember correctly...Weiss, watch its back and if possible, the inside of its mouth. Those are its weak spots," he nodded. Weiss summoned a ring of glyphs around her as they cautiously circled around it, but it was for naught as the statue hummed, and blue and orange energy spread across its grooves. It turned to face them as some of the stalagmites turned out to be Beamos and rose, forcing them to stand back-to-back.
The Guardian Armos opened its mouth to reveal an ancient flame, and after inhaling for a second, the cavern erupted into chaos when it let loose. Jaune rolled and perfectly parried a Beamos' beam to destroy it before taking cover. Having lost visual, the other Beamos focused on Weiss instead; she ripped one out with a gravity glyph and used it to cleave another in half before hurling it at the Armos, which didn't even flinch when it got hit.
Despite its size and weight, its movements were remarkably quiet. But Jaune noticed a trap door on its back open when it inhaled, exposing an embedded crystal as it fired and released the backblast.
"Hmm...I see."
Surging Aura down his blade, he thrusted it towards another Beamos and nailed a bullseye. Taking care of the rest on his side, Jaune caught the Armos' attention and it charged across the cavern with surprising speed. It saved Weiss from being cornered and allowed her to focus on her turrets, but when the Armos attacked, Jaune backflipped over a swing and lunged for its open mouth. Right before he could hit the torch, the Guardian's jaw snapped shut and trapped his sword between his teeth. It then slammed him against a stalagmite, forcing Jaune to let go or risk snapping his blade.
The Guardian Armos halted when an ice glyph froze its legs, but its torso spun like a top and blew her back next to Jaune.
And when it freed itself, the Sheikah construct wavered and disappeared.
Retrieving Crocea Mors, they stood back-to-back and listened intently as its footsteps plip-plopped amongst the grass. Everything suddenly went quiet, and Weiss barely managed to spawn a glyph and shield them from something heavy that crashed above.
"Ugh, that hurts!" she gritted out as the weight disappeared. Once or twice they saw water splash, but there were no other signs of the Guardian Armos. "Got a plan, Arc?"
"I'm pretty sure the flame inside isn't just for attacking, but also its fuel. There's a crystal on its back that might switch it off," he replied. Jaune then fished out the Mask of Truth. "I'll distract it, you extinguish it. Break!"
They split right as the hidden Armos landed where they were, but Jaune was able to track it with the mask's help. The Armos turned and quickly deduced Jaune the bigger threat, swivelling its torso and inhaling once more.
When it fired, Jaune slid back as he weathered the blast against his shield. Against the searing blue flame, Jaune poured Aura into his shield and pushed through before jamming it in its mouth. His Aura plummeted like a falling brick when it crunched down, but for a moment, the Shield of the Broken Moon held firm.
"Weiss! Now!"
Summoning a speed glyph and the Arma Gigas' sword, Weiss propelled off the wall and speared through the rear crystal, deactivating the Guardian Armos and launching Jaune across the grass.
"Owwww. That hurt too, Weiss."
After a few seconds lying in a puddle with ringing ears, Jaune put the mask away and sat up as a tired heiress knelt beside him.
"Are you okay, Jaune?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine. Man, that sword of yours packs a punch! Did your Semblance evolve or something?"
Weiss shrugged, slightly pleased. "It's a work in progress. As a huntress, you can't afford to let your abilities stagnate."
"Yeah, well you've got that down pat," Jaune grunted as they walked past the deactivated Armos and headed for the exit. "But now we need to find a way forward. I don't see any key or switch to open either door, and these things are designed against brute force."
"Maybe there's one hidden in the chamber? Let's look for something that can fit in here."
As Weiss went to inspect the Beamos, a quick look through the Mask of Truth revealed nothing out of the ordinary in the environment.
"There's gotta be something to unlock the doors. Just like the Rupee room, no one would design a place without leaving a way to go in and out, but I'm not seeing any puzzles around here at all -"
He watched as Weiss fiddled around with the Armos before kneeling by its sword.
"...it can't be that simple, can it?"
"Jaune. Check this out. It's thin, it's long...there's a chance it might fit."
With great effort, he willed away a dirty joke as he walked over. When the sword proved too heavy to carry, Weiss spawned a small glyph to carry it back to the pedestal. Testing the Arma Gigas' sword and proving it didn't fit, she guided that of the Armos' into the slit.
It worked like a charm as it clicked into place. Jaune grabbed the handle and turned it with great effort, and as faint, mechanical whirring like cogs echoed through the cavern, the doors' bars began to rise.
"Heh. Hands of courage, am I right -"
"Jaune, behind you!"
It was too late. A shadowy figure dropped behind her, but something hard crashed into his back and blew him back before he could reply. Another yelp had Weiss skidding the opposite way, and despite his angry attempts to knock his assailant over, they merely put their weight on his back.
"G-gah! Who - what -"
"Silence, intruder," a girl's voice responded as she dragged him against a stalagmite. Jaune found himself facing a masked young girl with hazel eyes and long, white hair in a traditional style. She dual-wielded a pair of tantos, and like other figures behind her, she wore tan and indigo kimono armour.
Despite the uniformity, he didn't miss a familiar eye amongst their clothing.
"The shadows serve in secret silence..."
"Who are you? How did you find this place?"
"I...I'm a friend."
"Do friends break into private property, ransack Rupee - er, storage rooms and wreck expensive security systems?"
"Well, when you put it that way..."
The girl sighed as she knelt and removed her mask. She was around his age and quite pretty, with a prominent Sheikah eye tattoo down her face, but before Jaune could comment, she touched his forehead and caused a sharp headache to flare up.
"No matter. We'll get the truth one way or another before we let you go. And you won't...even...remember..."
He suddenly felt sleepy and slowly drifted into unconsciousness -
"Paya, wait! It's me!"
The girl in question paused and looked over as the heiress' voice rang out. Her touch gone, Jaune snapped back to reality.
"Weiss? What are you doing here?"
"Look, we really don't have ill intentions," Weiss continued as she was led over. "This is Jaune Arc, a huntsman from Beacon like myself. He's the one who activated that...Gossip Stone or whatever. But like how you promised not to expose me, we're not here to expose you guys either. Please, just let him explain. Let him explain how we know you're Sheikah."
The ninjas stilled at the word, and Paya scrutinized Weiss' gaze before whispering with the others in a language similar to the Mistrali cartoons he watched. But it was...off, somehow, like an older, archaic version.
"Alright, then. Explain. How did you get in here? How do you even know what a Gossip Stone is, much less who our people are?"
Jaune reached into his pocket, making Paya gasp when she saw the Mask of Truth.
"That can't be real. It was supposed to have been lost for generations."
"It really is the Mask of Truth," he quipped as she stared back dumbfounded. "It's how I was able to read the riddle on the stone. And, well, 'shadows serve in secret silence'? Between that and all the symbols, who else could it be but the Sheikah?"
After a few seconds of silence, Paya sighed and nodded. "Our people were called that once, when we were united before the last Great Calamity. Not anymore. Only us Necluda, the last of the old clans, should know the ancient name of our forefathers. Really, who are you?"
Jaune slowly exhaled, concentrating as a familiar heat flared in his hand before removing his gauntlet and brandishing a humming Triforce. There was a collective gasp and clear shock in the others' eyes, and as they discussed amongst themselves once more, one of them raised the bars and opened the door. On the other side, he could just make out what appeared to be a normal sake bar.
"We have much to talk about," Paya began. "This can't just be mere coincidence. From wraiths roaming unopposed, ancient evils from before the Great Calamity resurrected and wreaking havoc, and now...you. The stories really are true...anyway, we shouldn't talk out here, and I promise your safety while you're with us. We need to ask a few more questions, starting with the mark of the old gods."
Gathering themselves amidst falling adrenaline, they followed the so-called Necluda into their haven. He wondered how things would go, and only time would tell how far the rabbit hole went. But no matter how deep the truth was buried, it was about to see the light of day once more.
It just took hands of courage to dig it out.
x==)==
Just like it only took a single shot to start a war.
Perhaps it was the dusk sky casting an orange glow over the ocean or how civilians boarded up their windows, but as Blake hopped onto the roof, a heavy atmosphere settled over the city she once called home.
She watched as troops fortified their positions, evacuated townsfolk to underground shelters and distributed supplies to those staying at home. Such a scene common around Menagerie pierced Blake's heart since despite all their efforts, the reluctant haven of faunuskind stood on the precipice of civil war.
"Even if the island's name was an insult, there are faunus here lucky to be born without ever knowing unbridled discrimination."
"Our one chance and we're killing it," she sighed. "Why is it that every place I go, people die and everything falls to ruin?"
"In that case, maybe staying put and not running away will fix half the world's problems. Just a thought."
Blake watched as Ilia dropped her chameleon cloaking from atop one of the roof windows. The girl looked confused when she glared. "What? I'm just saying, you know, it probably is that simple. No need for more convoy ambushes or mining camp raids -"
"I'm tired, Ilia. I don't need snark right now."
"I'm tired too, and not just because I need sleep. I'm tired of being labelled as a villain because I fight for what's right. I'm tired of seeing everything I care about fall apart."
She leaned back and stared at the rising broken moon. "Don't worry. If you're wondering, you haven't missed anything. Mr Ghira's been inspecting the frontlines and I'm sure you've seen your mom preparing the house's defences. Has the boss left yet?"
"Even though she's not fully healed, Sienna's taken some troops and disappeared into the jungle as per the plan. Kingdoms across Remnant are also mobilizing huntsmen in case this war spills outside of Menagerie."
"And are you gonna run when that happens, Blake?"
"I think she'll fight for what matters to her," a voice behind them interrupted. Sun came into view a second later. "What guilt she carries from past mistakes isn't gonna drag her down anymore, but inspire her to become a better person."
Ilia scowled, though the monkey faunus was unperturbed. "Wow, you're pretty naïve. You really think so?"
"I know so."
"Right. And how long have you known Blake, Sparky?"
"It's been almost a year now."
"Yeah. And Blake was the first friend I made after escaping Atlas," Ilia whispered, with a faraway look. "Since the SDC got my parents killed, I had no one else to turn to until she and her family took me in. We grew up together, fought and bled together. I'll never blame Blake for leaving a piece of shit like Adam, but what about Mr Ghira and Mrs Kali? What about all of our brothers and sisters?"
She watched as Ilia hopped off and faced her with an angry, hurt expression. Her skin flared red as her eyes welled up with tears. "What about me, Blake? Why did you leave me alone when I...I -"
There was a loud gasp as Blake closed the distance and wrapped her in a tight hug. A shocked Ilia froze as her brain struggled to catch up, and when it did, she didn't reciprocate but didn't resist either.
When Blake let go, she didn't comment on how moist her collar felt, nor how Ilia's eyes and freckles glowed a slight pink. "I won't ever apologize for leaving the White Fang. It's become too violent and ruthless, causing more harm than good. I mean, looking at Kuo Kuana like this validates my point. But I will apologize for leaving you and my family in the dark. I needed to be subtle, but I realized it also caused unnecessary worry."
"You betrayed and left us behind. I thought we were more than that. I thought...we..." Ilia shook her head and looked away. "Whatever. It doesn't matter at this point. Even when you were pining for Adam, I set it aside because the cause always took priority."
Blake felt her heart drop. "Hold on. What are you saying -"
"I'm saying what I had for you is long gone," Ilia whispered. She ignored the dawning look of realization on Blake's face. "I just had to get that off my chest. What does matter is all of this - we may be on separate paths now, but I guess they ended up crossing again. Let me ask you once more, Blake. Will you stay and fight?"
"Will you run away?" was all Blake heard, and for a moment, all she could do was freeze as she processed Ilia's bombshell while wrestling with her own conflicting feelings.
Even when for a moment it wasn't Ilia she saw, but Yang.
And that was enough to reaffirm her resolve.
"I will stay and fight," Blake replied. "I know you don't trust me, and I don't expect you to forgive me off the bat, but if war breaks out tonight, I will watch your back, just like we did in the old days."
"The old days...? They're long gone, Blake."
"Perhaps, but I won't forget the good times either. It is good to see you again, even if the circumstances are not exactly ideal."
Ilia held her gaze and studied her intensely before and looked away.
"R-right. But it's not exactly the best homecoming party, and you brought extra baggage with you too."
"Hey! This baggage has a name!" Sun complained, then thought to himself for a second. "And what do you mean by baggage?"
"The baggage can be a little energetic at times," Blake replied, smirking at Sun. "But he's kind, patient, thoughtful, and he'll help you even when he needs some himself."
"As long as you don't turn into another Adam, then alright."
"I won't. I promise. If I ever begin to slide down that slope, you can join Blake in beating me senseless."
Ilia nodded firmly, but a ringing scroll interrupted before she could respond. As Sun took the call, Blake gazed across the city, focusing on a commotion down in the main plaza; one that grew more heated by the minute as a mass of people headed towards the mansion -
"Guys, we gotta go."
They turned to see a worried Sun. "That right there -" he pointed towards the oncoming crowd - "is you know who. Your dad's about to meet him halfway."
Her heart dropped, and without a second thought, Blake leapt off the roof and landed safely by the fortified entrance. Joined by Sun and Ilia, the three quickly caught up with her father and the platoon of troops he led, along with other armed civilians that decided to help.
Ghira nodded to her as she pushed her way to the front. Standing against them were White Fang and civilians that joined them - the leader of both being a dreadfully familiar figure.
"So here we are, back where it all began. There's something poetic about it, but for the life of me, I just can't find the words."
"Adam."
The bull faunus stepped forward and appraised her before switching to Sun and Ilia. "So the traitor revealed her true colours at last. But who might you be?"
"Someone who just wants to do the right thing," Sun replied, raising his voice. "Someone who believes that we should do whatever it takes to not spill blood tonight."
Adam frowned. "An idealist, then. I was like you once, wanting change through peaceful means even when my family and I slaved for the SDC." He turned to address his own men and Ghira's troops. "But did I get equality and fair treatment? No. They gave me this instead."
Blake grimaced when Adam ripped his mask off, baring his SDC brand for all to see. Angry and horrified gasps filled the air from all sides.
"This is the wage humanity will pay you. I lead the White Fang because there are people here who are born without knowing discrimination, and I will ensure allfaunus across Remnant can enjoy the same rights -"
"But all you're doing is spreading death and destruction!" Blake interrupted, stepping up to the unofficial pulpit. "Did you forget that you were partially responsible for destroying a huntsman academy? Adam, you're not promising these people utopia. You're promising them an endless cycle of violence at levels not seen since the Revolution!"
"I promise the chance to make things right and live a life they truly deserve!"
"So let them! Stop this madness and stop trying to edge us to civil war!"
"Stop trying to preach from the moral high ground, you fucking hypocrite!" Adam screamed right back. Ghira growled and tried to step forward, but was held back by several troops. "You abandoned me in the middle of a mission! What kind of faunus betrays their own people, then waltzes out of nowhere and tells them what to do?"
"I'm not asking anyone to follow me. I'm asking them to remember that we are fallible as the humans you despise," Blake replied, facing the crowds. "We have the power to change this world, but we must be responsible with our agency. Destroying academies, unleashing Grimm and monsters in the streets...you don't fight for equality. You fight for supremacy through genocide."
She took a deep breath and turned to Adam. "To answer your question, I'm a faunus with regrets, and perhaps the greatest one is failing to save you from yourself. I may not know how to eradicate hate, but it won't come by sacrificing innocents in a pointless war. Do us all a favour, Adam, and walk away."
The wind blew calmly through silent streets, but Blake focused solely on his eyes. Adam embodied everything she ran from, and even now, memories of his emotional manipulation sent shivers down her spine. But her friends suffered the consequences for her cowardice. Never again. She didn't want war, but Blake was ready to fight Adam with those beside her to protect the innocents behind them.
For those who stood against her - starting with a scared, armed civilian on Adam's side, who slowly raised his rifle -
Blake sighed relieved as the man dropped it. He was followed by a girl and her spear, and as more lowered their weapons, Adam's mob dwindled to only his White Fang core and the most loyal fanatics.
Hope, it seemed, shone the brightest when things were at their darkest.
But so too did massive explosions.
Blake stumbled as a powerful shockwave rippled through the ground, and everyone turned to see half the Belladonna mansion awash in flames. As she froze and processed what she saw, along with hearing Adam quietly growl something like "Tyrian", a gunshot echoed through the air, followed by another.
And another.
It was only through instinct that Blake drew her sword and parried a random fanatic's attack as the plaza erupted into chaos. She saw Sun and Ilia disappear into the fray, while her father's tall frame picked up a pair of White Fang and hurled them into the crowd.
Her gaze returned to Adam, and his to hers. Blake raised her sword as he put his mask on and unsheathed his own.
With an angry cry, Blake met her monster head-on.
The Menagerie Civil War had begun.
x==)==
"...ooh, okay. What other types of Armos are there?"
"Well, aside from the normal ones, there's Armos Knights, which are like stronger versions of the original, Death Armos, Armos Warriors and one shaped like a totem pole," Jaune explained. "I call the one me and Weiss fought in the cave a Guardian Armos since it was a Sheikah-fied version made from ancient technology or something."
Ruby nodded as she set Crescent Rose down on the workbench. "I know this kinda sounds bad, but I'm actually kind of jealous. I wish I was there to see how it stacked up in combat."
Jaune snorted. "I mean, you do like knowing all there is about monsters. You're a walking bestiary when it comes to Grimm."
"And you're not?" she grinned. "We just spent the last half hour talking about different types of baddies and your trip through a monster cavern. Why didn't you call me so we could kick butt together?"
"Because we had no reception and you had to focus on this?" Jaune replied as he pointed at her eyes. Ruby pouted, continuing to argue while they cleaned their weapons; everyone trickled back after a long day out, killing time by training, playing games or just flat out napping. If it weren't for their missions, he would've thought they were on vacation.
But dinner was a more serious affair. First on the menu was Yang failing to find flights to Menagerie, then Ruby's research yielding little useful information. But she did find records of a few other silver-eyed warriors throughout history, including one known as the Grimm Reaper. Apparently, she was renowned enough that Qrow himself based his weapon on hers, but she hadn't been seen in a few decades.
On account of losing both eyes after a targeted assassination attempt.
That was enough to stir Yang and Qrow's protectiveness, so Jaune opened up about finding the Sheikah hideout. Their sake bar served as a secret haven, hidden by magic technology and complete with a gorgeous mountainside view.
Most importantly...Sheikah. From what little Paya talked about, they weren't pureblood, but rather, descendants of the ancient shadow folk. In the same vein where someone from Vale considered themselves Akkalan or Calatian, they called themselves Necluda since they were the only clan to survive the calamity that destroyed Hyrule.
Ancestry aside, they remained highly distrustful. Paya was a kind, almost dorky exception as she explained her people's history of secrecy. They listened only because of Jaune's Triforce and the Mask of Truth, suspecting him as part of an ancient legend about a warrior that would restore the world and lay the shadows to rest.
Jaune chuckled quietly, clearly having not heard that before. While the Necluda were reluctant to divulge more information about themselves, even after explaining his personal mission, he and Paya exchanged numbers with the latter promising she'd contact him soon.
And that he should keep their hideout a secret or risk learning how the ancient Sheikah silenced the Royal Family's enemies.
"Man, it's been a long day. After meeting the rest of Pyrrha's family and the Sh - er, Necluda..."
How do you feel, Jaune?
"I don't know. Now that I returned Pyrrha's weapons and have a solid lead on what to do next, I can't stop thinking about things to the point where I feel numb. Not in a bad way, just -"
Restless.
"Pretty much. I just wanna get up and do something. The wait is killing me."
I see. Then perhaps you can indulge Oscar for a bit? He's been trying to build the courage to approach you.
Jaune whirled around to see him by the landing.
"Be nice," Ruby interrupted as he stood. "Remember, he's his own person, not Ozpin. Don't be distant like you've been since you two met. He's a pretty nice kid, actually."
"I will," Jaune replied as he and Oscar went to the balcony. He slid the door closed and joined him by the railing. "What's up?"
"Ozpin wants to talk. I-if that's okay with you. Sorry if you're busy or -"
Jaune smiled lightly. "Don't worry about it. I'll talk with him."
Oscar nodded, and after a flash of green light, the farmboy stood straighter and more confidently.
"Mr Arc."
"Do I still call you Headmaster, or...?"
"Ozpin is fine. I am no longer a Headmaster," the immortal sighed, leaning against the railing. "And while it usually wouldn't be for long, everything I knew as normal is now obsolete."
Jaune shuffled awkwardly.
"Forgive me. I shall get straight to the point," Ozpin replied, turning to face him. "I know you still resent me for manipulating you and Pyrrha into an unfavourable position."
He hummed. "Yeah. That's one way to put it."
"Believe me when I say I only want what is best for this world," Ozpin continued. "And I admit I've made decisions that sane people wouldn't. I think it was...nine thousand years since Raitang resurrected me, but it doesn't matter since no one is supposed to live this long anyway. It changes you. Warps you. I made many mistakes over many lifetimes, amongst them the tendency to treat people as little more than pawns."
"...why did you even create the Maidens?" Jaune piped up. "What was your logic for hiding the Relics behind those with power they probably wouldn't want?"
"It was one lifetime where I was desperate and not thinking straight. But I am not here to excuse my behaviour, only show you the reasoning behind my motives."
Ozpin inclined his head slightly. "I am sorry for putting Pyrrha in an unfortunate position and indirectly leading her to her death. Even if I regret it, duty demands it and I'll travel great lengths to fulfill it. I don't expect you to forgive me, but...it's a consequence of my desperation."
"Desperation?"
"Reincarnation is terrible, but from what I understand, you're lucky to be a different person every lifetime. The God of Light cursed me to return by slowly devouring my host's soul. I don't even remember how many times I woke up in another body, only to jump off a cliff immediately after..."
Jaune flinched.
"I'll be frank, Jaune. You and your power are wildcards. It may be our doom, but for the first time in eons, I have hope in defeating Salem and neutering the Grimm threat once and for all -"
"I won't take orders from you anymore," he whispered, making Ozpin blink in confusion. "I'm no longer your student and I have my own goals to pursue."
"Forgive me if I made it sound that way, but I know you suspect that Salem is behind the Fall. Behind all the Blood Moon and the monsters it revived."
"Because she's trying to resurrect something else, but...hmm, maybe later."
"I'm asking for your help. An alliance of sorts, as long as our paths continue to cross. Not for me, but for Pyrrha and -"
"I'll do it. You don't need to use her name like that. Just...don't try to deceive any of us again. And try to save Oscar from the worst of your mistakes."
Ozpin nodded and offered a hand.
Jaune stared and hesitated to take it -
And the door slammed open, revealing a troubled Qrow.
"There you are. Ozpin, we gotta go."
He didn't miss the disappointment on the young boy's face when he turned. "What's the matter?"
"It's Lionheart. He found the Spring Maiden and is preparing a bullhead for us at Haven. We need to go, like, right now."
Jaune and Ozpin shared a glance before rushing back into the house. Everyone else was changing back into their combat gear, and after a few minutes, they grabbed their weapons and took off down the street. Much of the evening rush hour had already died down, and despite the inevitable ascent of the Dueling Peaks, the journey proved relatively smooth.
Even as he and Yang slowed down near a busy ramen stand, finding its customers glued to a special TV news report about explosions and gunfire in Kuo Kuana.
"Guys, hurry up!" Ruby called from up ahead, and Jaune tugged her back along.
Haven was deserted by the time they reached the peak, and as they entered the campus, it was also rather silent.
"Maybe I heard things wrong," Nora wondered aloud. "But isn't there supposed to be a bullhead waiting for us? We would've heard the engines by now."
"You're not wrong, Ms Valkyrie," Ozpin replied. Meanwhile, Qrow groaned when his scroll failed to connect to Lionheart. "Let's go find the good Headmaster."
He took point with Jaune and Ruby as they entered the main courtyard. A quick glance around the area revealed nothing unusual, but upon rounding the fountain, a fidgety Lionheart waited with his arm linked behind him.
"Hello, old friend."
"Evening," Ozpin greeted, tone becoming suspicious when the lion faunus refused to make eye contact. "We heard your call about the Spring Maiden, but...are we to assume that the bullhead will be ready shortly?"
Lionheart...remained mum, and before Ozpin could speak, he fell into a battle stance and brandished his weapon - a shield infused with various types of dust.
"I-I'm sorry. I really am, but you wouldn't want to do that," he stammered as everyone else reached for their weapons. It didn't stop them anyway, but Lionheart spawned a massive fireball and prepared to fire.
"Leo," Qrow, warned, pointing his giant blade at the quivering Headmaster. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"...what he said," Ozpin asked calmly. "Something's wrong. You haven't found the Spring Maiden, have you? What's going on, Leonardo? Why are you doing this?"
"Don't be so surprised, Ozma. After sending Salem information for a very long time, he finally decided to fully commit."
Jaune froze at the sound of her voice.
The doors to Haven's grand hall were thrown open, and they watched as a hulking giant of a man stomped forward with purpose. He gazed over them until landing on Oscar, upon which he sneered and brandished a pair of pure fire and lightning dust crystals. A trio of figures leapt down from above to join him, but Jaune didn't care that Mercury and Emerald flanked the larger man; in fact, the more he stared, he realized he didn't care much for Cinder as well.
Not when his heart rate spiked and his vision swam.
Not when the mark of the Triforce flared alive.
He's here.
Jaune turned to see a Malice writhing with the shadows under a building until the form of the fallen Hero emerged. For a moment, it wasn't Haven, but Beacon; he trembled and breathed erratically, seeing a familiar hint of red laying deadly still nearby -
But Courage burned to an almost painful degree, and something within him snapped. Raw, visceral anger filled his veins, and even as Cinder demanded their surrender, Jaune ignored her and unsheathed Crocea Mors.
Dark Link threw back his hood, brandishing a glowing purple Guardian Sword and his own half of the Triforce.
He didn't know who fired the first shot or struck the first blow, but as chaos erupted, it didn't matter. This was a second chance, and if it meant preventing Haven from becoming another Beacon, then he was hungry for war as they were.
A war of light versus shadow. Past versus present.
Hero versus huntsman.
As Aural flames surged across his sword, Jaune charged with a cry that pierced the heavens.
- AN -
Ooh boy cliffhangers!
But firstly, quick announcement: due to work, the next chapter will arrive sometime in early - mid September.
Anyway, welcome back to A Descendant of Legends. Ch 41 was actually kinda tough to write since despite the word count, I've been crunching in this in between work. In fact, I'll be leaving for more work maybe five hours after this chapter's posted so yay sleep deprivation. Time to cut out the bad habits, but until then, please excuse any mistakes I missed or rougher, unrefined sections in the chapter.
The chapter itself is the start of Arc IV's endgame, and the next two will deal with the climax and aftermath. Arc V isn't far away, and the mini-dungeon scene nailed two Qrows with one stone as I wanted to see how writing dungeons and simple puzzles would go, along with hinting where the next Arc would take the crew. Perhaps it's because it's my first time writing an actual dungeon, even if it's super mini, but man, it was long and hard (heh). I had to remove more puzzles and combat portions to not bloat it while allowing Jaune to solve things naturally. At least I can go ham when they tackle the big ones.
Thanks for reading, reviewing and sticking around so far! As usual, concrit is welcome and updates will be on my profile.
*** Edit (Aug 15 / 2021): Edit because I was sleepfucked and forgot some credits. For those interested, I based the Gossip Stone design off one from a BOTW mod on Gamebanana called Second Wind, so credits to the mod's creators and designers.
- Reviews -
MountainBookSage25: Oh yeah. I was aware of the similarities when I began writing the chapter's outline, and believe me, the cast is gonna do what it takes to not let Haven become a second Beacon. But hey, maybe all it takes is to follow a certain train, lol.
Dragon lord Syed 101: Yup! Most of them are finally back together, and finding the Sheikah is a clear stroke of luck for Jaune. I have some ideas, but we'll just have to see how he grows with Courage, particularly in the chapter ahead.
jeremiahkelley: Thank you!
Roy4: Yup. With writing, this story is my top and only priority, and even then...I still have work, hobbies and other things to spend time doing. That's why I have a notice section on my profile as it's the best way to communicate what's going on and what to expect.
As for the episode, yup! She's finally back with her friends, though Roman and Neo aren't out of the story just yet. I'm already expecting this chapter to raise the hopes of those rooting for Weiss to be the next princess, though there's lots of story time remaining to see where things lead. Especially with the Sheikah as their backstory and role will be expanded upon in the following Arc. Jaune and Ozpin is a tough cookie, though, because while they acknowledge their paths align for now, things won't always be so kosher. I'd have liked to expand more on that this chapter, but it's already a pretty loaded one, so I'll save it for later.
And yeah, it'd be quite amusing. The dread surrounding Salem's kinda diminished when her and Ozpin's continuous cycle is put in that perspective, but we'll see how things go. This chapter isn't just a flashpoint for the protagonists but for Cinder and her group as well. I do so wonder how things might go with the Fierce Deity Mask as well...
Oh, and on a bonus note, Cinder's group (Cinder, Dark Link, Mercury and Emerald) is referred to as FLME, or Flame in my notes. Of all the options the team name generator gave me, it had to be so poetic, lol.
Guest: No worries! That's good to hear. I've been aware of the potential parallels between Haven and Beacon as I wrote the outline, and the cast will do everything they can to prevent a second Fall. They have changed since then, and without a Blood Moon and hacked droids, they stand a better shot. It was a challenge with Weiss since I wanted to have her group (called SONT or Sonata in my notes) have a brush with death without having Dark Link feel too neutered or having the situation be overly deus ex machina. More info about the Sheikah will come soon anyway, and you haven't seen the last of our favourite crime duo too.
I think things'll get interesting too as Jaune embarks on his Zelda adventure, especially as occasional conflicting interests pull them apart. With Weiss, I wanted to write Jaune in a sort of tired-relieved mood when they reunite, but looking back, eh, I think I can do better next time. I might've played into the fact that they're not overly close from back at Beacon, but hey, they're in this spot now so we'll see how things go with them, Yang, Blake and the others. And yes, Jaune lost his right eye when Dark Link injured him during the Fall.
Thank you!
Saiyans4ever: Yeah, I don't blame you. She's shitty person who uses a facade of physical strength to internalize her cowardice. But hey, character flaws can make for interesting tidbits later down the line, so we'll see how things go for her and Vernal.
Guest: Yup, Paya's teammates were able to fend Dark Link off through the use of ancient technology and other Sheikah abilities, although in hindsight, it does feel a little deus ex machina since I wanted to show that while they were good, individually they still don't stand against the might of a former Hero. In terms character-power-arcs, he's actually coming quite close to reaching his peak.
Guest: Don't worry, without spoiling too much, that's what the aftermath chapter's for! It was pretty fun torturing Weiss with constant barbs from Roman and Neo, but you haven't seen the last of those two, and while it remains to be seen how Yang will deal with things after this battle, JN(P)R now and always. We'll see how things go with Cinder and when Jaune and the crew run into even more Zelda characters down the line...I'm glad you like it!
Guest: I agree! I eventually got SS HD and played up unto (spoilers) the Fire Sanctuary, though I haven't played since because I was being swamped with work. The nostalgia factor isn't as strong since I didn't really grow up playing with it, but after seeing the whole fast travel thing, yeah, it's not that big of an issue. I'll get back to it eventually, but I really liked the game!
Reader: Oh yeah, I definitely had the whole "Brother Gods are fallible" idea cooked up all the way back to when I was just starting. I get that they wanted to have Ozma do this by going through some sort of poetic test of himself as a representative of humanity, but it also makes them look quite petty. And with the slow return of Ganon and the ancient, ancient past, they failed the mandate of the Golden Goddesses.
But hey! I won't complain when it gives me things to write about, lol. Especially the challenge of writing interactions between Jaune and the rest of his friends into the Zelda adventure, as well as meeting other Zelda characters. I don't wanna comment too much on the upcoming dungeons since they're up there with Jaune's Hero title, planned ending and Zelda identity that's under tight wraps, but it's honestly an interesting idea, one where I may or may not have similar things in mind. Just like if there'll be any Sages or not, we'll just have to see!
PoetSamurai: I'm glad you liked it, and thank you for taking the time to do so! And don't worry, concrit is welcome and I didn't take this as flame. I'm actually grateful you're being polite and considerate, so thank you.
But yeah, I can see how some fights feel like Jaune wins by the seat of his pants or by external help. As the story progresses, I think it's one of the challenges where I need to find a way to have Jaune's skill / powers etc grow in a way that eclipses the rest without making them feel too insignificant. You're right, beyond characters like Midna, Fi or Navi, Zelda games generally are lonely adventures, and adding a whole ensemble to the mix can really screw with the traditional Zelda formula. I also want to include parts where Jaune goes solo during the adventure, but hey, it's a fun challenge nonetheless, and going forward - starting very soon, too - I'd like to tone down any sort of unreasonable deus ex machina around. We'll see how things go with the rest of the cast as the transition Arc nears its end.
Thank you!
ArcheAryan: Hehehehe I'm glad you like it!
Maelaeran: I can already imagine it. "Friend Jaune, your Wiimote batteries are low! Sensational!" But yes, it'll be interesting to see the circumstances in which Jaune returns to the Master Sword, and with Nora's Semblance, I guess I overlooked that part since I looked at the RWBY Wiki page for it, which says that it allows her to produce and channel electrical energy into her muscles. Maybe it's incorrect or stated in an episode otherwise, though, and yes, Jaune's sword beams or similar attacks are different.
- Stats -
Upload Date: August 15 / 2021
Chapter Word Count: 9914
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.