Arc V: Path of the Hero

Chapter 50: Beat On The Brat

This wasn't at all how it was supposed to go.

If someone told her they'd be doing a stakeout, she would've brought trenchcoats, expensive cameras and shiny black cars to hide in until their target left the office. Life, however, wasn't an Atlesian spy thriller; Ruby peeked from behind the curtain as a pair of bandits in red and black questioned people on the street. Compared to the rest of Windpath, the safehouse and local neighbourhood reminded her of a quiet Valean suburb - probably because it was upon a higher mountaintop. Instead of suspicious stares, residents kept to themselves as if denying their existence.

"Ugh. This is the exact opposite of what we stand for. Huntresses should be kicking butt and taking names, not hunkering down in some random apartment!"

Ruby pouted, for while she hated every second, she couldn't protest why she was here in the first place.

Dramatic sound effects echoed from a TV on the furnace's cobblestone mantle, centrally placed in a cozy living room with dark beige walls and a small, open bar kitchen. Her partner-in-anti-crime sunk into a couch that was occupied by a girl in white and black shin-high boots, a black dress shirt tucked into black pants and a white trenchcoat with pink cuffs, seams and pockets. Squatting atop the cushions, Neo remained laser-focused on winning her online duel.

"Hey, hey, hey! Who wants the good stuff?"

Ruby growled.

Porting a tray of amber-coloured drinks, Roman clacked around the counter with black-brown dress shoes tucked into slim black pants and his trademark mischievous grin. His hair was longer and slicked right in an undercut while his white coat hung loose over a black vest and red dress shirt whose sleeves were rolled to the elbow. But Ruby zeroed in on the fingerless steel-knuckle gauntlets that probably hid all sorts of master thief gadgets. She sure as heck didn't miss the knives, magazines and gas mask strapped inside his coat.

She crossed her arms as Weiss scowled and Neo raised a hand. "This isn't the time to be getting drunk, Torchwick!"

"I was asking the adults in the room, Little Red. Besides, shouldn't you be more grateful after what we just did?"

Ruby rose and the TV echoed with victory fanfare. "W-what are you talking about!? Things were going just fine until you blew our cover, and now the whole city's probably wondering where we are by now!"

"I can't help but feel curious as well," Weiss added, narrowing her eyes. "I suspected you to have kept watch on us since we separated in Mistral, and the fact you knew we were in Windpath confirms that. What do you hope to gain by stalking us?"

"And why are you here instead of a prison cell?" Ruby whispered. Neo muted the TV and stared icily, to which Roman downed a glass and pointed towards a door with a chair propped against the knob. It wouldn't do much, considering who was on the other side, but it made her feel better anyway.

"Because your goals align with your enemies once in a blue moon. It's true my connections here may pale compared to Vale, but hearing you guys were in town was the best news I've had all week. I'll be straight with you, Ruby. I want to bring the Branwens down together."

She almost choked. "The guy who tried to kill me now wants to work with me? No way. Once we're done with Raven, we're gonna come for you too."

Something poked her holstered scythe, and Ruby spun to find Neo stepping away with an innocent look.

"Our travels together may have been…cordial, but threaten her again and I promise you'll regret it," Weiss warned. "For someone who purports himself as a master thief, your diplomacy is lacking."

"Rusty, more like. It's been a while since I played the game, but you know what they say. The best time is yesterday," Roman sighed, leaning against an armrest. "Look, I hate the Branwens as much as you do. They're too much even for a city like Windpath, and while they've been around for generations, under Raven they've become one of the strongest and most ruthless clans too."

"We know that. That's why we're here. Some of our friends nearly died protecting innocent villagers from them."

"Okay, so what's your game plan?" he asked. "Raven won't just let you slap handcuffs on her wrists, not to mention you're running out of time. And weak as they are, Mistral won't ignore a bandit tribe that pillages and murders indiscriminately in the wake of a dragon's rampage. If they send huntsmen to a city that's more hostile than loyal..."

Ruby and Weiss grimaced. The last thing they - or Sun - would've liked to see was another civil war, especially in a kingdom just barely held together. She plunked down on a coffee table opposite the couch. "We planned to gather information on their whereabouts before planning our strike. We figured that if we can make Raven submit or surrender, so too will the tribe since, you know, strength is law and all that."

"Sure, cut off the head of the snake. But your position isn't as strong as you think it is," Roman replied as Neo tossed her scroll at Weiss' face, drawing a startled yelp that turned to screams and gunfire from what at first glance was an amateur horror movie; poor and shaky quality, likely taken from someone trying to stay hidden, but the bird's eye view revealed an unconscious Neptune and a bloody Sage surrounded by Branwen bandits. They parted to reveal a taller figure with a bone-white mask, and the video cut off right as she drew a long red odachi.

"Neo and I evened the odds, but you're still compromised. Unless Beacon's curriculum changed since my time, I don't think they'd last long resisting interrogation."

"Which means she probably knows we're here by now. And if she knows we're here..."

"…all it takes is one portal," Weiss finished, drawing her scroll. "Yang and Qrow need to clear the hotel immediately while we hide and plan our attack. Raven doesn't have any…bond with you, does she?"

"I don't know. I met her once with the others, but Raven knew my mom, not me," Ruby replied before turning to the two thieves. "What do you want? What does Raven want now after saying she wanted nothing to do with what's going on? And where are they holding -"

Roman and Neo flanked the chaired-up door. "Questions you should ask our guest, that also means we're in this together. Can you take it, Little Red? Are you willing to fight beside Vale's former criminal mastermind and be the heroine you always wanted to be?"

Ruby growled and clenched her fists. Could he not get any more aggravating? It was already bad enough that her sister and uncle could be seconds away from losing their lives in a sudden ambush…but what if they could learn how to stop Raven and her clan for good?

"All I have to do is work with the two people who helped bring Beacon down to its knees. I shouldn't, and yet…I don't know. Am I doing the right thing, Mom? Is this okay as long as we're saving people?"

In the end, she joined Weiss in the kitchen. "Urgh. I really, really don't like this. How did you survive travelling across Mistral with them?"

"With unhealthy amounts of self-control. But I believe we should defeat the greater threat together."

"They helped Cinder rig Malice bombs across Vale before destroying Beacon, not to mention Roman literally tried to kill me!" she snapped. "If anything, they're probably trying to get rid of Raven to become famous again! How can we trust working with criminals?"

"Yes, how can we work with our ex-terrorist teammate and her pseudo-boyfriend stowaway?" Weiss retorted. Ruby flinched. "It's true they might have ulterior motives, but everyone's been on patrol all day with nothing to show for it and now two of our allies have been captured. We're…what's the term, grasping at straws? And the longer we remain indecisive -"

"Neptune and Sage are at risk. I know," Ruby whispered. "I just feel like we're walking into a trap."

"I agree, and at least we're prepared to fight our way out."

The two shared a final glance before joining them inside a sizeable storage closet that was stripped bare, save for some dust bunnies and some rotting books. Every step kicked up dust, making Ruby cough and Weiss cover her nose, but Roman and Neo ignored them for the girl chained to a chair beneath a dim lightbulb. Her expression when she stirred was downright murderous.

"Well, well, well, if it ain't the dipshit brigade," Vernal rasped. "Is this where we decide who plays good cop, bad cop?"

"You sound like this isn't the first time you've had a run-in with the law."

"Because it isn't. Why are you so surprised, Schnee? Have you never seen what it's like for normal people beneath your ivory towers?"

Weiss' gaze hardened but Roman stepped forward before she could retort. "Look, we've both seen what life's like on the other side, so I'll be real with you. Give us what we need and we'll let you go without any trouble."

"You mean submit to weakness and betray my tribe? Fuck you," Vernal spat, leaning forward with teeth bared. "You'll be wishing you didn't fuck with me once I get loose. Same goes for the Schnee and the silver-eyed chick over there. Say, where's that blonde friend of yours? I've been itching for a rematch ever since."

Ruby breathed deeply. "What does Raven have to gain by killing innocent people? It's bad enough you steal from the helpless, but do you -"

"Are you dense, dumb or both? We're bandits! Taking from the weak is kind of how we do things."

"Then know your days are numbered," Weiss replied. "We'll be there to stop whatever you're planning, whether you tell us or not. The days of the Branwen Tribe are numbered."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but you have no idea what you're up against. Think you have an edge on us because I'm in chains? It's not just Ruby's sister who Raven can teleport to. Count yourself lucky I'm not so weak that I need rescuing."

Vernal's sneer split into a bloodthirsty grin. "But I'll throw you a bone because it's fun. We won't be here for long since we found some things that'll wipe the floor with those who get in our way. Whether they're young, annoyingly naïve huntresses…or immortals with the power of gods."

Her chuckles quickly evolved into full-blown laughter, and Ruby and Weiss backed away. Neo removed her coat and Roman stepped forward.

Ruby paled. "Don't. You're not gonna -"

"We'll take it from here, Little Red. I know how to make people talk without hurting them. Too much, anyway…"

Too much?

Too much was Sun lying in a coma and Blake worrying if he'll ever wake up again. Too much was seeing your home burn down at night and knowing you're helpless to stop those responsible.

Too much was leaving and slamming the door shut to the manic laughter of someone who had nothing left to lose.

(==|======-

Despite its name, the Golow Underground was bright and full of energy. Miners carried sacks of ore, merchants called out their bargains and taverns were filling up for the lunchtime rush hour. Most importantly, the lack of fear amongst the people nearly convinced her there was no dragon threatening death above them.

Nora enjoyed none of that as they stood before massive double doors at the cavern's highest level. Having ceded the Eldin Ore to the smiths, Daruk requested that they deliver supplies to the village archives, and since Jaune and Oscar were training with the boisterous chieftain - something she tried to join - Ren offered to play postman.

Hopefully postmen received danger pay as Skygor sentries led them through smaller side doors into a tunnel with crumbling archways and broken train tracks. From the light at the end came a breeze which carried a charred, sulfuric scent.

"Renny, are we dead?"

"I'd rather not find out, but I suppose we have no choice."

Unfortunately, neither did the Skygors. Their abandoned homes - square huts with patchwork walls of riveted steel plates – were battered and blackened with dragonfire while statues and fountains were little more than rubble. Ships sat sunken in harbour and deep gashes crisscrossed the village, emitting a faint orange glow from the magma within.

It was shocking, sobering, and painfully familiar, a sight seemingly hit Ren the hardest. His taciturn look was the same one from when they first travelled together, a strong face to give her strength in the worst of times. Even his Semblance aided in keeping his emotions in check, the habits filtering into his personality and making the few moments he did relax ever more precious. But there was none of that here. Just sadness as if witnessing Beacon fall for the first time, or when -

He suddenly pulled her behind some rubble as car-sized green lizards with razor-sharp metallic spines lumbered past, though he pointed west towards a canyon. "We must be fast, but stealthy as we can't risk attracting more monsters. These people have suffered enough."

Before Nora could reply, Ren sprinted down the few alleys that were still passable, though flocks of Guays and Aeralfos slowed their advance until a pair of Beowolves wandered into sight, distracting them long enough to close the distance. A fallen sign with the words "Bridge of Eldin" preceded its remnants, and so they leapt between steel supports, wooden beams and tall rock spires until Nora's hookshot carried them the rest of the way. The narrow, winding path opposite led them to a cylindrical crag overlooking the ocean, with steel framed windows, lava from Dragon's Roost streaming into the side and glowstone torches flanking a round, rolling door with the Skygor crest.

Even for her it was surprisingly heavy, and Ren cleared his throat after they heaved it open.

"Hello? Huntsmen from Golow Village. Is anyone here?"

Worry crept in when her greetings received no reply and they cautiously entered while keeping a hand on their holstered weapons. It was pleasantly warm as if she stepped out of the shower, courtesy of opaque glass-like tubes glowing with orange lava that forked across the ceiling like molten lightning. Painted wood pillars, stylized wall carvings and shelves were arranged like spokes in a wheel, the windowlight meeting in the centre atop an old platform that was probably once used for sumo wrestling.

"Guess since no one's here. Let's go back and tell the others."

Ren was curt. "No. We should make the most of this while we're still here. Split up and search for clues."

Nora felt something…unpleasant as she watched him disappear between aisles…but some time alone could help, right? She stamped out her instinct to follow and chose a different aisle at random, tracing her fingers along the various books and tomes - all strangely free of dust - but none mentioned dragons or humanoid monsters.

"Only records of past chiefs and complicated political stuff that sounds like it was ripped out of Professor Oobleck's diary." She glanced up as the row of books tumbled over with a soft thud. "Where's the cool stuff like monsters and heroes and - huh?"

Within the pile was a book whose cover was a simple ruby Skygor crest. It smelled like it hadn't touched grass in a century and looked like it'd crumble if she so much as breathed on it. The contents more or less disproved that.

"'...the tribe, descendants of fire and stone, suffered greatly when an evil winter blew forth from the mountains. The cold wreaked havoc upon their homes until -' wait. Is this what I think it is...?"

"Ren, I found something!" she called out, not bothering to take her eyes off the page and thus missing the shadow that moved before the window. "'Until a hero of great renown entered the temple and -'"

"'- put an end to the arctic winds.' The legend of Darmani the Third is one amongst many passed down our tribe since ancient times."

Nora squawked and found an old, lanky Skygor man whose face and most of his body were ritually tattooed with black ink, creating patterns with the bronze of his uninked skin. He donned an orange kilt and his hair - dyed orange, red and black - was tied in a side ponytail reminiscent of a certain Ice Queen.

"W-whoa! Sorry, I, uh, didn't see you there," she nervously laughed as she put the book back. "Are you one of the, uh, workers here?"

"Yes. I am Gor Liggs, one of the Skygor Tribe's elders and a keeper of its legends," the monk smiled, bowing low. "How can I help you? To brave the outside dangers and come here means your reason must be urgent."

"It kind of is," Nora agreed as Ren jogged over, expression cautious but nodding nonetheless. "We came with some food and supplies -"

"- but we're also huntsmen here to deal with the dragon," Ren finished. "We were hoping if we could learn more about what we're up against."

The elder's smile waned as he gestured to a windowside kotatsu table where he poured them some tea. "I see. I'm sure Daruk mentioned the difficulties our people face, for we are besieged by something once thought as myth." He slid the book over. "Like Darmani the Third, some of the stories in this old tome may be closer to reality than fiction."

"Which means there must be records of the dragon's death," Ren replied. It was subtle, but she could hear him straining to steady his voice. "Are there any historical references or past heroes who faced similar threats? Daruk mentioned how your ancestors used to live underground."

Gor Liggs gazed out the window to the volcano. "The legends say they lived as fire and stone, mining the mountains in harmony until dragons appeared. A hero then emerged to seal them inside the volcano itself."

That…sounded uncannily like Jaune's story from the Temple of Time. If they were the same monsters, so too were its weaknesses. Gor Liggs shook his head at the thought. "Unfortunately, there is no record of the actual battle, and the last time anyone had been inside - before Revali and Teba, anyway - were mining expeditions generations before my grandfather, though they did not return empty-handed."

Gor Liggs produced a block with hollow grooves in a long, thin pattern while faint carvings of the Skygor crest lined the edges. Maybe some kind of mould, though partial as it was chopped cleanly at the bottom.

"Whether it is from that era remains a mystery, but it is no doubt connected to our people."

Nora hummed. "Well, what about the, uh, fiery guys in black?"

"The Fygors," Ren added helpfully. "Daruk also mentioned something about them being your cousins."

"It is generally believed that our ancestors hid underground to escape some sort of calamity, but not all returned to the surface when it passed," Gor Liggs continued, albeit sadly. "We adapted and became human while they regressed to survive in extreme heat; that is why we are Skygors and them, the Fygors: men beneath the skies and monsters who dwell in fire. When war broke out between our two clans, they were driven back underground and their existence forgotten to prevent further bloodshed, a secret passed down only to chiefs and elders."

The table shook as a slight tremor rumbled across the room, but Gor Liggs sipped his tea and seemed unbothered. "How about you, young ones? What are your names and where do you hail from?"

"I'm Nora Valkyrie and he's my partner, Lie Ren. Call him Ren, though. We're originally from Mistral but we studied in Beacon."

"I see. You were there during the Night of the Red Moon?"

The two remained silent, prompting Gor Liggs to sigh heavily. "Then I need not warn you that courage is no substitute for immortality."

"I promise it won't come to that. We won't let your people experience what happened in Beacon," Ren whispered with a resolute gaze. "You have my word. Thank you for your time."

As he stood to go, Gor Liggs clasped his hand with the mould between. "I have a feeling you will need this in the days ahead. I have not lost hope, for if the monsters of old have returned, then so too will the hero that slew them. I sense not only that same courage within you and your partner, young Ren...but also a hint of something deeper. Please take care of yourselves and remember that life is most precious when it is lived."

Ren nodded and left with an inscrutable expression, and this time, her instincts took control. She barred his path before he could continue. "Ren, is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, Nora."

"But are you? I haven't seen you worked up like this, in, like, forever!" she accused, meeting his sharp gaze. Nora sighed and put her hands on her hips. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

Ren looked away, though she didn't miss how he clenched his fists. "After everything we now know, does Revali still not understand the stakes at play? Has Jaune forgotten why we're here in the first place?"

"Yeah, but if someone tried to bully your friends, wouldn't you want to knock them down a peg? Should Jaune not have defended himself against Cardin?"

"That doesn't matter when people are hiding because of a monster that invaded their homes and destroyed their families! You know how it feels just as much as I do!" Ren snapped, breathing heavily, though it drained when another oncoming tremor persisted. Dragon's Roost erupted in a plume of fire and ash that rained upon the island.

Now she truly understood why they called it Death Mountain, but she swore Golow Village wouldn't become a second Kuroyuri.

(==|======-

The first step was fighting back and winning.

Jaune staggered as he blocked another bomb arrow, followed by Revali grabbing his shield with his boots' talons and trying to ascend. His spin attack threw the ace archer off, though he righted himself by gliding along the rocky edge like a surfboard and clotheslining Jaune in an airborne drive-by.

Thankfully he saved himself with inches to spare. Gut Check Rock was an apt name for the pinnacle Daruk mentioned was once used as proving grounds for one's manliness by climb-racing to the top, though it was kind of redundant when his opponent could fly. Not that it changed the surrounding hundred-metre drop.

"At least I wiped the smirk off his face," Jaune panted. "Any ideas so I can end this as soon as possible?"

This is a fight you started. How it ends is up to you.

Jaune sighed but understood. The aviator was by no means a pushover at range, but Jaune punished Revali's attempts at close quarters without significant damage. Their duel simmered to a tactical draw as Revali burned through most of his ammo while he remained unable to ground him, so they settled for trading fiery glares that rivalled the sulfuric hot springs below.

"Look at you, all pathetic and powerless below. Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"Things that fly have to land eventually," Jaune replied, pointing his sword across the valley. Nora, Daruk, Oscar, Teba and Ren watched with decreasing excitement, and the purple-suited man on the ridge above them maintained his emotionless grin. "So why don't you come down and - wait, what?"

He blinked twice and squinted again. There was no mistaking it - the Happy Mask Salesman met his gaze before disappearing amidst the rocks.

"Why is he...? No...does that mean -"

"Cat got your tongue? Very well, allow me to shake it loose," Revali humphed, nocking a bomb arrow. It was over whether he liked it or not, but he only had seconds to make a choice. Jaune glanced between Revali, his team and the mysterious merchant -

And jumped shield-first so the explosion propelled him across the chasm. He landed haphazardly and sprinted uphill to where he last saw the Salesman, spotting him entering a distant cave while bomb arrows rained around him. Jaune leapt between cover, dangerous pitfalls and zigzagging rock formations in the world's most violent game of cat and mouse to pursue someone Revali wasn't even aware of, ending when Jaune sprinted inside. The elevation - and temperature - began climbing rapidly.

"Just where are exactly you leading me?"

The answer came in the form of a spacious cavern, and while the mysterious merchant was nowhere to be seen, there was a large, precariously placed pile of loose stone above the entrance.

Jaune narrowed his eye. "That doesn't look natural. Don't tell me the Salesman -"

"I have no idea what possessed you to run into some random cave, but the duel is over," the tunnel behind him echoed. He turned to find Revali aiming at him with a gravity dust arrow. "I win. Now yield."

One last glance revealed the arrogant archer and the rock pile, now on the verge of tumbling down -

"Revali, above you -"

"Your attempts at deceit won't work on a huntsman such as I -"

A sudden tremor and the now tumbling deluge of rocks cut him off. Jaune tackled Revali to safety - wondering if he heard a growl amidst the noise - but the entrance was now sealed beneath tons of stone.

"G-get off me!" Revali sputtered, flail-kicking him off in a rather undignified fashion. "N-no! What did you do!?"

"Savin your life," Jaune replied evenly.

"By burying me in here with you? This is somehow all your fault!"

"Yes, all part of the plan. I was four parallel universes ahead of you," he quipped. Revali glared. "Look, we can sit here and complain or try to find a way out of this mess. I don't know about you, but a conveniently placed rock pile above the only known exit seems kind of suspicious."

Revali stopped himself mid-retort and looked around; circular cliffs gave a quarry-like feel as stone paths crisscrossed the air, linking the tunnel entrances dotting the walls, and boulders cracked with magma lit up the cavern in volcanic orange.

"Hmph. Now that you mention it..."

Revali blasted the caved exit with more bomb arrows, though it was too thick for any meaningful damage.

"...and I'm almost out of explosives, so unless you're a mole faunus, be useful and help me find other means of escape," he growled. "Can you get ahold of your team, at least?"

There was no way his scroll would get reception down here...unless...

Jaune fished out his Pirate's Charm and shook it like a glowstick, watching it glimmer to life.

"Ren! Nora! Can you guys hear me?" No response. "Or anyone who has a -"

"...une? Jaune, is that you? Thank goodness," Ren's disembodied voice radiated from the stone. For an ancient artifact, the sound clarity put modern scrolls and headphones to shame. "Daruk and Nora are forcing their way through the rubble, but are you and Revali alright?"

The latter crossed his wings, but Jaune could tell he was equally relieved.

It also meant they missed the enormous shadow hiding above the nearby ledge.

"Y-yeah. We're just trying to find another way out, but..." Jaune gripped the stone like a lifeline. "Get ready to fight. That cave-in wasn't natural, from the way it was placed above the exit and angled towards -"

Above you, watch out!

Something heavy landed behind him and Jaune was thrown forward, shattering the Pirate's Charm upon a jagged stalagmite. He reached for the pieces until a foot of jet black skin crushed them into dust.

That...did not belong to the Happy Mask Salesman, nor was it any Fygor they met before. He was eight feet tall, his skin's fiery aura coiled like a solar flare and his hair reminded Jaune of Yang's - if her golden pride were jagged spikes of crystalline fire dust that trailed from the skull to the small of her back. More crystals grew across his torso, limbs and knuckles, and a crude crown of it sat on his forehead.

And unlike the blonde bombshell, the hatred burning within its eyes was actual fire.

"I...Darbus...Fygor...Patriarch," the monster growled with a voice reminiscent of a blast furnace. "You...kill...brothers..."

Jaune drew his sword as Revali swooped in, but the Patriarch swatted him away like a house fly.

"I...kill...traitor!"

Darbus' jab missed and destroyed a magma rock before he swept low with a roundhouse kick. Jaune backflipped onto a stalagmite and rocketed off in a jump attack -

And stopped midair as Darbus simply caught the blade like a baseball.

"Oops."

Jaune let go and narrowly dodged his fist, but his Aura crackled from the heat and a minor shockwave from the blow itself. The sheer force of Darbus' attacks sent ripples through the air, which meant that even for someone with his level of Aura -

"I can only take a few or risk caving my chest in," Jaune gasped as he sprinted towards his sword. "It's like fighting some cursed cross between a gorilla and a boxer. Holy shit, he's strong!"

He perfect-parried a thrown stalagmite, the impact jolting pain down his arm and forcing Darbus to defend against a helm splitter, but the steel sparked rather than cut, unable to cut through its crystal spines. Darbus then clotheslined him against the cavern wall, now helpless against his flaming fist -

And a volley of bomb arrows distracted him long enough for Revali to airlift Jaune behind cover.

"Do try to survive, Jaune Arc. I will not let this thing steal my victory."

"My hero," he coughed back. "But we gotta hold on until the others break through."

"What's with you and trying to get yourself killed? Have you seen how freakishly strong that Fygor is? It could probably choke the flying fire snake to death as well! And what if he calls for reinforcements, hmm?"

They flinched as Darbus' scream shook the cavern walls, loosening some of the weaker stalagmites.

"Dammit. Any ideas, Link? Or are you still, you know -"

Darbus' strength no doubt outclasses yours, but perhaps you should negate his fire and armour if they're too troublesome.

"...ah. Of course. Keep it simple, stupid."

Jaune pulled Revali close. "Do you still have some ice arrows?"

Rather than grow angry, Jaune saw the gears turning in his head. "I'll distract him, you weaken him. Go for the eyes and between the crystals."

"As if I hadn't figured that out already!" Revali snapped, loosing a volley that provided cover for Jaune to close the distance. He ignored the rumbling stone pile to weave through jabs before leaping back from his jumping ground-pound.

"Revali, now!"

The ice arrows thudded into his forearm, dousing his flames long enough for a few slashes, but Darbus crushed fire crystals on his body for an explosion that replenished his flames while blowing Jaune away. Revali then swooped in and surrounded Darbus with cyclones, smothering the flames until the latter hurled more crystals into the ceiling, raining stalactites on Revali until he fell as a heap of flickering Aura.

For the first time since he began fighting, Jaune felt his Triforce flare. Darbus didn't care and slammed his fists into the ground to fire off small quakes, but Jaune tanked the tremors while pouring Aura into his blade. He bruised his shield arm to perfect-parry the last before unleashing a Bombos attack with a cry -

And green Aural fire flashed white when Revali sniped it with an ice arrow, striking Darbus with an arctic shockwave that momentarily dropped the ambient temperature to early winter levels. The Fygor Patriarch fell to his knees without flames to protect him.

"Now!" Jaune yelled, hacking away like a lumberjack while Revali soared once more and dove with his talons. Darbus roared as their blows now dealt serious damage -

And spread his arms to unleash a fiery explosion that sent them through rows of stalagmites. While his Aura just barely held, Revali's shattered completely.

All he could do was watch Darbus stomp over - his rage spiking upon noticing the Happy Mask Salesman standing in a hidden cave entrance near the ceiling -

"...ready or not, here I come!"

And a gold encrusted club-sword smashed into Darbus' chest, sending him flying across the cavern. The familiar and most welcome shadow of Daruk filled Jaune's vision as he slapped his hands together, and his Semblance sheltered them in a glowing shield of fiery energy from Darbus' furious counterattack.

"I'll hold this bugger off!" Daruk yelled against Darbus' roar, a longer and higher-pitched sound that was far from encouraging. "Get 'em outta here before we're surrounded!"

"On it!" Ren yelled, grabbing Jaune and Revali with Teba while Nora helped Daruk with a stream of pink explosions. As the Skygor Chieftain fought the Fygor Patriarch and the Salesman watched from above, it didn't take long for darkness to claim him and the din of battle to fade into silence…

...

...

...at least until something cold and wet splashed across his face.

"Ow!"

Jaune shot straight up, headbutting Nora and spilling the rest of her canteen's water. "A-ah, sorry! I'll go clean it up -"

Sharp pain lanced through his side, allowing him to keel over instead of stand. His whole body felt like mashed potatoes, and while his Aura was working on overdrive, the worst was clearly yet to come. Back on Gut Check Rock, Nora propped him against a boulder while Teba did the same with a delirious Revali.

"Is...is it over?"

"If we're lucky, then maybe! Brothers be good, what were you two thinking!?"

Jaune flinched and Revali jolted awake before an irate Daruk. "Reckless, careless...and everything in between! Were ya tryna' get yourselves killed, inside unexplored caves no less?"

"That thing attacked us out of nowhere -"

"That thing hunted nearly got your betters! We made him retreat for now, but he'll be back, and if we didn't come then who'd save us from the dragon?" Daruk roared, slamming his weapon tip-down to thunder through their hearts along a rising tide of guilt. Daruk eventually sighed and scratched the back of his head. "I hope ya patched things up because we're gonna work together until my home returns to normal, and I'm not above bonking your stubborn noggins if I have to. Got it?"

Jaune nodded mutely. Revali humphed, then quailed beneath five sets of glares. When they turned to go, he paused when the latter nudged his shoulder. "Why did you go inside? Are you...that...desperate...to win?"

"More curious because the Happy Mask Salesman was leading me somewhere. Whatever it is, I'll have to go back. Even if the others might not like it..."

"I guess it just really got to me, though it's been a while since I fought like that," came out instead. "Even if our own was...interrupted."

A snort. "Hmph. One day, when...this is all over...round two. I'll win again...next...time...hnnngh..."

"Heh. I'll probably be stronger by then, but..." Jaune gazed up at clear blue skies. "Think it'll be enough to beat Dark Link?"

Revali responded by plopping his head on Jaune's shoulder and snoring loudly. Jaune sighed but felt no motivation to move. "Yeah. Me too."

(==|======-

When he did move, Oscar's body creaked and snapped from hours of punishment.

"Ren said the Skygors are basically human now, but by that logic, so is Nora. Ugh. Everything...hurts. Help...me..."

Daruk was certainly a driven teacher. Stern, unyielding, yet fair and kind. Beacon could have used someone of his talents.

"Do your teachers like torturing students too?"

That depends entirely on perspective, though a certain crop-wielding associate would be elated to include him in her combat lessons, Ozpin chuckled. Still, the pain you feel is a welcome one, for it is better to sweat in training -

"Than to bleed in battle. I know," Oscar sighed, starfishing atop the nice, warm bed. The kind that traps you on an early Monday morning, but Oscar was torn between passing out all sweaty from training or risking the frigid journey to the shower beyond.

Only months of extreme huntsman training allowed him the willpower to make the trek, but despite the heat and a fresh set of clothes…it felt weird just sitting still. Even as he stared out the window from one of Daruk's spare bedrooms, the energy he thought exhausted came back with a vengeance, a second wind of restlessness that was more out of place than a farmboy on a quest to save the world.

Oscar frowned.

Rest is equally important to not hamper your recovery, Ozpin intoned.

"I know. Whenever I look in the mirror, I think I have a little more muscle than I used to. I can run longer without getting tired and it takes less time for my Aura to recharge. But it's not enough."

Oscar...

"Just...give me a sec," he whispered, bumping into a curious Ren on the way downstairs before heading outside. While his scroll beeped one in the morning, the Golow Underground certainly didn't feel like it as a few people still milled about, though most stayed near their tents and prepared to sleep. The clanging hammers were replaced by the hum of quiet conversation as Oscar strolled around Daruk's house, garnering curious looks and friendly smiles.

"One day, I'll be strong enough to save them too."

Sighing, Oscar turned an alley that led straight back to base -

"...!"

And ducked behind a dumpster as Jaune landed a few feet away, scanning his surroundings as if worried he'd get caught before darting down the alley. A glance at Daruk's house revealed a second-floor window propped slightly open.

"…am I really that tired or did I just see that?"

Questions that won't be answered if you stay here, Ozpin stressed. Quickly, before we lose him for good.

Oscar nodded, sprinting between buildings and wider streets that would've been packed during the day, but enough people remained so that he could follow from a safe distance. When his quarry veered into an alley, Oscar peeked around for a distinct lack of Jaune, though it wasn't lost on him that the doors to the village weren't far off. "Is he trying to get back into the village or something?"

Perhaps...or even beyond. It's something we - behind you!

Oscar eeped, spun and tripped to find Jaune stepping out from a darkened crevice with a hand on his sheathed sword. The latter deflated. "I knew I was being followed, but I didn't expect it to be you...or is it you, Headmaster? What are you doing here?"

"N-no, it's me! A-and I could say the same thing!" Oscar replied frantically. "I saw you jump from the second floor and, uh...I'm sorry. I got curious."

Jaune managed to look a little guilty. "It's okay. If anything, I'm sorry for almost attacking you. I was a little on edge."

"I figured since you're trying to sneak out." Oscar tilted his head. "Now that I mention it, why are you sneaking out?"

"Because…" he shook his head. "Look, can you go back and keep this a secret? I'll make it up to you, but they'd kill me if they realized what I'm doing."

Oscar considered that. He really, really did.

"Take me with you."

"What? No! It's not safe where I'm going."

"But it's dangerous to go alone, right?" Oscar shrugged. "And isn't it safer when you have backup? At least if they, you know...do find out..."

Jaune blinked. "You can't be serious. Listen, I grew up with seven sisters so that doesn't work on me."

He kicked at the ground and mumbled. "I know I'm only a huntsman legally, but...well, I just wanna see you do something cool. So...please?"

Jaune looked like he was arguing hard with himself, but the last of his resistance crumbled when Oscar gave him the dreaded look. He groaned and continued walking. "You're just like Ruby when she begs Weiss for more cookies. I don't know how she does it, but you. Tell. No. One. Man, they're gonna kill me..."

Oscar grinned, fighting pleasant thoughts of the crimson-haired girl as they nodded to the sentries and entered the tunnel. "I promise. So, why are we sneaking out?"

"Remember when I led Revali from Gut Check Rock into that cave? Let's just say I wasn't running, but following someone. Specifically, the Happy Mask Salesman."

The mysterious merchant? Ozpin whispered. I saw no one when Jaune and Revali came this way, though why would he lead Jaune into an almost fatal ambush?

"So, naturally, I got curious myself. But promise me one thing," Jaune continued as they emerged into Golow Village - now a hellish orange from the magma ruts. "Run back if we get ambushed, whether by Fygors, or monsters or Darbus."

Oscar's grin fell, but he nodded anyway as they took a precarious path southeast to Gut Check Rock, using the moonlight to creep past roving Dodongos until reaching the cave. It was unchanged from the earlier battle, save for broken stalagmites and a lack of suspicious rock piles, though Oscar still tensed now that they knew what lurked in the depths. They followed a stone path that spiralled up the cavern's walls, crumbling apart in some sections before ending at a tunnel where Jaune mentioned he saw the Salesman last. Unlike the others, it didn't radiate burning heat...but something else entirely.

"...the purple man mentioned a knight in green...and though I know not the boy, I do wonder..."

The voice sounded like someone was calling them from a distance. They stepped back while Jaune's hand went to his sheathed sword, and something moved in the corner of Oscar's vision. "That isn't the Salesman. Who are you? Show yourself!"

It was Oscar who replied by pointing at the wall. The shadows flickered with the light from the magma rocks except for a certain spot, and a look through the Lens of Truth revealed a figure that reminded Oscar of both Daruk and a sentient boulder with legs; spiky white hair, a bulging torso, circular eyes and hands that looked like they could crush diamonds.

Jaune gaped.

"If you truly can see me, then follow behind me..."

They traded glances as the ghost disappeared into the tunnel. When they crossed the threshold, however, the cavern walls began shaking as something heavy drew closer. And closer. And closer -

Oscar yelped as Jaune yanked him into a run, narrowly avoiding the massive boulder that crashed down behind them. It was only because of their head start that they just managed to outrun it, leaping aside in the next chamber as rolling death sealed their entrance while embedding itself in the wall opposite. The cracks around it revealed night skies, however.

"A-are you alright?"

"We shouldn't have followed the ghost," Oscar wheezed, coughing dust as Jaune helped him up. "I think it was trying to kill us. Is it too late to go back?"

"Probably. Maybe it wants us to join it in the afterlife. Look around."

When his eyes cleared, the chamber in question featured carvings on the walls along with paintings of actual Gorons. Stalagmites littered the floor and glowed a faint, ethereal purple while a hole near the ceiling allowed moonlight to beam onto a monument -

A monument carved in the likeness of the ghost they followed.

Another glance through the Lens revealed it floating beside the grave, though it slowly apparated into plain sight. This time, a lantern on his belt glowed with pale turquoise fire.

"The purple man said the one who could see me would be arriving soon…it seems that it turned out to be true."

Jaune stepped forward, sword in hand. "So you're what the Salesman wanted me to find. Who are you?"

The ghost waved an arm at the cave paintings, some depicting Gorons dancing around campfires and others, knee-deep in war and conquest. "I am Darmani the Third. The blood of proud Goron heroes runs in me. This feels strange for me to say, but when I was alive, I was a renowned warrior and veteran. Yes…when I was alive…"

"Someone…killed you?" Oscar asked.

"A long time ago, I marched into the mountains to stop the demon that brought a freezing blizzard upon my people. But when it blew me into the valleys, I lingered on without rest knowing that my home was doomed to sink beneath the ice." He gazed at Jaune. "Until a young boy with courage healed my sorrows and put an end to the cold. You remind me of him, young knight. You share a kindred soul."

The hostility Oscar felt softened as Darmani laid a hand on his grave. "I thought peace had come at last, but my people's suffering endured...what was one is now two, and the ancient predators have returned to feast on the remnants. I have no right to ask, but would you lend my descendants your strength? Can you deliver them from their fate?"

There was a moment of silence before Jaune nodded, sheathing his sword and opening his inventory. "I promise, and that includes you as well. We will save your people from destruction...and give you the peace you deserve."

"Then I shall grant you the knowledge to quell the fire of my people."

Darmani began humming a relaxing melody that almost induced him to sleep, but Jaune drew the Goddess' Harp and harmonized into the Goron's Lullaby. He then transitioned into a tune Oscar recognized as the Song of Healing, and for a moment, his doubts about his skill and the Skygors' survival were washed away. Even Darmani looked taken aback, and it wasn't long until his spirit began fading from sight.

"To hear that soothing melody once more...my sorrows are melting away into the song. My strength, my burdens, my hope...thank you...I leave my undying feelings with you..."

When he disappeared completely, the last they saw of the Goron hero was the grave that bore his likeness, now with a mask fixed on its stone face. Jaune took it and traced his fingers over the surface with careful respect.

"Jaune? Is that...?"

"Yeah. Darmani's memento. You...uh, might wanna look away."

The moment he did, a chill ran down his spine as a scream rent the air. Jaune's voice morphed into something deeper, piquing Oscar's morbid curiosity, and he couldn't resist taking a peek mid-transformation to find a hunchbacked, humanoid thing with bloated limbs, face contorted in pain. After a final flash of light, the figure stood to his full height and groaned.

"D-Darmani?"

"Nope. Still Jaune," the figure rumbled. Despite having Darmani's face and body, he retained his eyepatch and a ponytail of spiky white hair, but from deep, bronzed skin and height surpassing the Skygors, this was a true Goron.

"Or at least the shadow of one, but Darmani's strength isn't." Goron Jaune continued when Oscar realized he spoke out loud. The former clenched his fists, eyed the boulder and broke into a sprint, smoothly curling into a rolling stone that crashed into it with a dusty, thundering boom that shook the cavern itself. When the dirt settled, Oscar joined Jaune on a ledge overlooking Golow Village.

"Maybe this is it. Our numbers, Darmani's strength...now, we could probably beat Volvagia for good."

"It'll have to be. He lent us his soul, so it's on all of us to see it through." Jaune glanced down at Oscar, meeting his not-so-subtle starstruck gaze. "Temples are no joke and I know you sat out the last one, but...are you still up for this, Oscar?"

The latter blinked and gazed past the village to Dragon's Roost. The ancient volcano loomed over the ruins with a ring of fiery clouds that circled its crater, brighter than the light of the full moon. Daunting for some, an ill sign for all, and just enough to make him feel a little nervous again.

But that was okay.

Oscar clenched his fists and promised that by tomorrow night, the Skygor Tribe would no longer have to live under death from the mountain.

- AN -

Welcome back to A Descendant of Legends!

While last chapter was RWBY centric, here I wanted to show a little of what's in store for them while focusing more on JNPR's side of things. Still seeing how RWBY's impromptu rescue mission's gonna go, but at least Roman and Neo's back in the mix, and it'll be an interesting challenge to see how their hasty attack on Raven's gonna go. So too is JNPR's side of things as they complete the Skygor sidequest, learning lore and revelations about the ancient Gorons' fate while gearing up for the story's second, fire-thematic temple. Jaune and Oscar might be ready to tackle the evils ahead, but it'll be equally important for Ren and Nora to keep things from fraying at the seams...

Once again, thank you for sticking around and I hope to see you next time!

- Reviews -

Super heavy weapons guy: Thank you!

Guest: Hehe glad you liked that! A little bit more Roman and Neo in this chapter, and while they have canon backstory I've grown to like the whole "trying to survive amidst the chaos" situation. Admittedly, part of that influence comes from Varys from Game of Thrones, though and as we see more of RWBY in their mini-arc, so too will we see the ocean of patience that is Weiss. Now Ruby knows a little of what she had to deal with, lol.

Dragon lord Syed 101: Thanks! Looks like karma bit him back real fast, and while RWBY + Roman and Neo are focused on getting him back, others lurk in the shadows, biding their time to strike...

Guest: Definitely some hints of romance between some of the characters, but we'll just have to see where they go from there!

Guest: Oh, yes! For all her strengths and flaws, one can deny the sheer force of will that drives her ambition. Same with Qrow's desire to protect his family, though Cinder's drive almost reminds me of another dark Zelda sorcerer...either way I'm glad you liked them! I also feel like the Skygor sidequest slowed a little, but it'll be coming to a head soon with the story's version of the Fire Temple next chapter, and we'll definitely have to see where the hunt for Raven leads us. I'm still ironing out how Yang and Blake's character arcs will proceed now that they closed one chapter and opened another on amicable terms, but what's for sure is that there'll be even more of Weiss dealing with Roman and Neo - and now Ruby's got a small taste of what her partner endured!

- Stats -

Upload Date: Sept 20 / 2022

***Edit Sept 25 / 2022: Various minor, major grammar and paragraph rephrasing for clarity

Chapter Word Count: 8100

Approximate Page Length (Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced): 20.3

- Disclaimer -

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