Mortem Ignis thunked onto the ground with a loud splash. Landing in the pool of purple blood that had exploded from Iosefka when she died. Wiping the blood away from his face, Jaune stared soullessly down at the still warm corpse of the woman he would have liked to call friend. Tears streaming down his face, lips trembling as he choked out. "Why did you make me do this?"
Silence was his only answer, together with the sound of dripping blood. Staring into the empty nothing that was the remainder of her skull Jaune buckled over and emptied his stomach.
Doing his best to gather himself together, he pushed past the mounting disgust and horror he felt as eyes stared back at him. Eyes that could only be described as inhuman lined the inside of her skull, intermingled with bluish-green brain matter that wiggled around. The eyes were so interconnected with the inhuman brain matter that still tried to cling to life, resulting in a large eldritch soup of horrors that started back at him. Groaning softly as it wiggled around.
Inhuman eyes staring pleadingly at him with kindness as they begged him to continue what he started. Drawing Gilbert's Flamesprayer he levelled the nozzle towards what abomination the Imposter had forced Iosefka to become.
"I…I… I might never be able to forgive you…but… but I guess I can understand the wish to die human…" Jaune choked up as all the eyes that lined her shattered skulls started to cry. Not for herself, but for him. Looking thankful in death as fire roared and furiously tore into her corpse. Having to do his best to ignore the abhorrent roaring that escaped her burning corpse.
When he knew her corpse to be no more, he continued to hold in the trigger, not stopping before the entire canister was empty and only ashes remained. Holding back a sob Jaune bent down and picked up Mortem Ignis. Who unfortunately had been scared by the flames. The steel, once shining and pristine was now nothing more than a scorched, blackened husk of what it had been. The wooden grip lined with faint cracks and black burn marks.
Seeing an inferno trapped in the cracks Jaune blinked, seeing only smouldering embers in the cracks. "At least I should have enough bloodstone shards to fortify both you and Crocea Mors." Jaune sighed as he pocketed the revolver, a familiar numbness in his chest that Yharnam had long since taught him to push trough. "Ok… Jaune, just… one step at a time. Now is no time to breakdown."
Grabbing the four vials of blood that had been used to turn Iosefka into whatever that had been, he quickly had Isolde spirit them away. Not trusting anyone with them but himself. The warmth Mortem Ignis radiated the only thing that braved the coldness he felt inside.
Not even caring for how his birthmark rune burned. Stepping down the stairs Jaune focused on the pain. Using it to keep himself focused on his task, to bring the little girl and nagging old woman to safety. He could collapse when he was done. But for now the burning pain was the only thing that starved of his impending breakdown.
Stepping onto the cobbled street Jaune stepped over the corpses of mad men. He had killed them with frightening ease. He wasn't sure what was most uncomfortable, how easily they had fallen, or how he felt only a soft pang of remorse. Only sighing when it was over, cleaning Crocea Mors as he stepped trough pools of blood.
"AAAA!-" A piercing scream tore through the skies of Yharnam. And Jaune felt his heart shatter into a million little pieces. Staring dumbly into the distance, the cloudy skies of Yharnam giving him no solace as he felt tears stream down his face.
Jaune recognise that voice. It was the little girl. "No." Jaune whispered horrified to himself, dashing towards the gate before he knew what he was doing. Grabbing the iron grates and tearing with all his might. " . !" With strength he never knew he had, Jaune tore the gate apart. Iron and metal screeching as it was forced to bend. Yellow aura flashing around him.
Tossing himself into a mad dash as he spirited up the familiar streets. Eyes a glow with determination, vermilion blazing around him like a smog as he disappeared down the streets. Leaving nothing but a crimson trail behind from when he crashed into an unlucky mad man patrolling the street.
Muscles and sinew tearing themselves apart, powering trough pain. Not at all caring for how his body seemingly tore itself apart as he channelled a long forgotten arcane art unconsciously. Channelling the art longer and longer, far past what was safe, he sped madly down Yharnam.
A mad burning in his chest and a silent prayer that for once he would be fast enough.
####
"I… I want mummy…" Violet sobbed as she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. Murky water splashing behind her as she felt the warm breath of death tickle her. Not daring to look over her shoulder, lest she lost whatever courage that pushed her on.
Chest burning, and with the tang taste of blood in her mouth she pushed on. Eyes flying open in despair as she tripped. Smooth marry janes not suited for the slippery surface of Yharnam's aqueducts.
Crashing down into the murky water, Violet hastily cast a look over her shoulders. Hope shattering as the monstrous boar with a thousand eyes gleefully stepped towards her. In a panic she tried standing up again, collapsing again as she felt her muscles give out. Fiery pain only eclipsed by the crushing despair she felt shooting trough her as she looked down at her swollen ankle.
Getting up again she collapses again, dry heaving as her lungs burned and something warm tickled down her legs. Not caring in the slightest, she wildly crawled forward in a mad attempt to get away. Looking back, tears freely streamed down her face, staring brokenly into the monstrous smile that greeted her.
Eyes upon eyes shone in perverse joy as the gigantic boar stepped forward. Droll dripping down its mouth as a disgusting and bloated tongue came out and licked an eyeball. A twisted attempt at a smile on its face it stepped forward. Savouring her fear. Taking greedy sniffs of air, as if her terror was a tantalizing wine that it couldn't wait to taste.
Panicky she crabbed backwards, away from promised death. "I… want my mommy…" She sobbed as she crashed into something. Looking up in fright she collapsed as all tension left her. A pair of warm blue eyes stared down at her. "Mommy?" Violet couldn't help but ask as the hunter bent down.
Before she knew what happened a large and warm duster coat had been wrapped around her. The kind hunter even going out of his way to rest his top hat on her head. Wrapping the coat around her she looked up, into the hunters kind eyes. "I'm not your mother… but I did promise her that I would look after you as if you were my kin." The hunter said, giving her the warmest smile she had ever seen.
"You have been a brave girl. But… can I ask you to be brave for just a little longer?" In the moonlight Violet could properly look over him. All anxiety and fear gone, knowing that she was safe.
Her saviour looked dressed for war; sword strapped to his waist with an axe on his back. Vials upon vials in a bandolier around his chest, together with some pots, and other flasks she didn't know what was for. Never having seen her father carrying them when he went out for the hunt. On his back he had a holstered pistol and a shining brass metal device of some kind, together with a cane.
Even if the hunter shook with each step he took. Even if his eyes were bloody red, even if he stunk of blood, sweat, fire and smoke. Violet knew in her hearts of heart's, that she was safe.
And as the hunter rose, calmly drawing his sword. Violet knew that the beasts that had almost feasted on her corpse would not see the morrow.
"You caught me on a bad day. A real shitty, no good, oh fuck, please make it stop day." The hunter whispered softly before madness exploded around Violet as the boar grunted and wailed. The familiar sound of a blade cutting through air and flesh both ringing trough the aqueduct.
Violet sat completely frozen, pulling the top hat down as she wished she had done as the hunter asked and just stayed at home. She would have been safe there, instead of braving the street, looking for her mother. The cacophony of the fight echoing around her, until the boar wailed out harrowingly one last time, followed by a loud crash as silence fell over the aqueduct.
Cautiously she peeked an eye out from under the hat. Gasping in surprise as she stared at her saviour. Sword shining in the moonlight, he gave her a little nod. Making Violet gasp at the amount blood that coated his vest. Dragging down the mask the hunter gave her the warmest smile she had ever seen.
Getting up on shaking legs she ran over to the hunter, barrelling into him as she let her tears flow freely. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Violet sobbed into the hunter's waist, not letting go until he lifted her up. Wrapping her skinny arms around his neck and clinging to his with what meagre strength she could muster, continuing to sob and wail out apologies into his side.
"Shush, none of that. You are safe now and that is all that matters." The hunter whispered to her as he sheathed his sword. Bending down and pocketing something else. Not caring at all at how she had gone against his wishes and stayed home. "Now… why don't we go meet up with granny sourpuss and make our way to the Oeden Chapel? You will be safe there."
"mmhn ok." Violet whispered softly as she leaned into the hunters warmth. "What's your name? Mine is Jaune." The hunter, no Jaune said gently as they made their way through twisting paths. Jaune walking with familiar steps trough the twists and turns, not letting her go even when he climbed up ladders. Something she was eternally thankful for. Right now she just wanted to hug him, bathing in the safety and warmth he brought.
"My name is Violet." She said, peeking up from Jaune's neck as she looked around. Not recognising where she was. Only having been allowed to play around the fountain area, and even then, there hadn't been a lot to explore. They had been few children, no more than ten. But they had made do. They had fun, played games, and for seemingly just a moment they had been allowed to forget the beasts that prowled under cover of the night.
But as the night fell, ten became nine, nine became eight, and now they were just two. Only the sisters Violet and Aurora remained. And then Aurora had snuck out under the cover of night. It wasn't the first night she had done so, but she always made it back safely, so she hadn't questioned it. She wished she had begged Aurora to stay home for the night.
Stopping before a door she had never seen before, Jaune knocked gently, and a nasally old voice answered. "Finally done with your business hunter?"
"Yes… you can say that." Jaune replied shakingly. Violet hugging him tighter as he collected himself. "Let's get going as quick as possible. I know that I can take on most here, but I would rather not have to spill blood tonight if possible."
"Then you have truly lost your marbles lad. The only thing Yharnam have in abundance is blood and beasts. And on the night of the hunt streets, both are in excess. Streets running red." The old crone sneered as she stepped out, double barrel shotgun in hand. Even Violet could see that a single shot from the thing would kill the crone before it killed anything else. Especially with the toothpicks she had for arms. But the crone couldn't care less and continued to speak with her nasally voice. "I see you picked up a stray as well. Was it she you hurried away for?"
"No." Jaune sighed, levelling the cranky old woman a look as they walked. "I went to visit Gilbert and Iosefa's Clinic. To see if they wanted to move to the Chapel for the night. Gilbert declined, saying he was lucky to die a man. He's not dead, but he is certain that he won't live to see the morrow. And Iosefka… Iosefka and the patients were all dead when I got there. A deranged man must have pelted the building with molotovs. Only ashes and rubble remained when I arrived.
"Good riddance I say." The old crone spat, not backing down even when Jaune gave her a harsh glare. "That girl was nothing but trouble since she sat up shop. There was always something… of about her. Even if it is most terrible what has befallen Gilbert, I do envy that man."
"I thought most Yharnamites didn't like outsiders." Jaune asked as he expertly fished out his revolver. Violet flinching into him when thunder cracked in the night. Flinching again at the nonchalance Jaune possessed as he stepped in the blood puddle.
"Most don't. That is unfortunately true." The crone sighed tiredly. Feeling the weigh of decades on her shoulders. "But I have been blessed, or cursed really, to be old in a city that is ancient and have more secrets than a priests closet. That may not sound like much. But I have seen great hunters come and go, until nothing but pathetic miscreants took on the mantle of hunters in a way to justify their mad bloodlust. Back in my day, the night of the hunt was different from now. Why, not even during the downfall of the old Pthumerians were beasts a common a cancer as now."
"Poor Yharnam, she would have cried tears of blood if she saw the great city named after her in its current state." The crone sighed remorsefully up at the churning grey clouds. Clouds that had been threatening rain for ages, yet nothing had fallen. Shaking herself out of her reminiscing mood she sent a look over to Jaune and Violet. "But… I remember… a time when hunters braved the streets and truly brought the fight to the beasts. Not these pathetic excuses that dares call themselves hunters. Bah, Gehrman would be ashamed if he saw how low his hunters had fallen."
"Gehrman?" Jaune asked, stopping, and looking over at the crone. Violet shuddering from the intensity of the glare. Especially the familiarity in which Jaune spoke the name.
"Aye, Gehrman. Firs of the hunters. It's rare for outsiders to know his name. Not many Yharnamites themselves remember." She sighed as they sat foot in the Tomb of Odgen.
Gently Jaune let Violet down, no matter how much she didn't want to. "Please, there are someone who wants to meet you." Jaune sent a look to the old crone, who for once in her life shut up.
Instead opting to rest her weary legs on the steps up to the gate. Her dress might get wet, but she wasn't so insensitive to not allow a child to say a proper goodbye to her parents.
The sound of crunching gravel made her look up, sending the hunter a soft smile. Kindness was a rarity in Yharnam. Especially on a night of the hunt that seemed to last forever. Most doing the smart choice of holing up and praying that the hunters did their bloody work. "I must say, out of all hunters I have met through my life. You are the only truly kind one I have ever met. Not even Gehrman and his apprentice were close to being as kind as you."
At her words the hunter raised an eyebrow, still dressed in only a thick vest with pockets upon pockets, a padded and comfortable shirt, and a pair of heavy-set trousers with brown leather boots. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought he was the young girl's father.
"It might come as a surprise, but not everyone who takes up the mantle of hunter is a kind person. Or a good person for that matter. The hunter lifestyle having a way of turning even the kindest of saints into pragmatic monsters." She said wistfully. "I remember it as if yesterday. Back in olden days when I was just a wee little lass, not to dissimilar from the stray you picked up. Just as the lass, I let my heart get the better of me, wandering the streets after nightfall on a night of the hunt. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by beasts. When I thought everything was over, in a blink of an eye all beasts laid dead."
Chuckling she looked into the hunters blue eyes. "Gehrman and his apprentice having saved me. But even Gehrman, best of all hunters, couldn't spare a young girl five measly minutes to bring her safely back home. I do respect that man with all my heart, yet a quiet part of me resents him for leaving me there alone covered in blood from head to toe."
"You know, when the hunt settles down. I would love to hear more of your stories." The hunter said kindly. "It's almost like I'm back home, sitting on my grandfather's lap as he told me stories from when he was young."
"That would be lovely deary, when this night ends, I have nothing against teaching you what I know of Yharnam and her history. You might be an outsider, but you have already done more good work than most other active hunters. Why, my family can trace their line all the way back to the ancient Pthumerians. So I do know some secrets of my own." The old crone chuckled, taking the hunter's hand with a crocked smile as the little girl came walking back to them.
Tears streamed down her face, yet she managed to smile a bright smile. Walking with a quiet resolve, she took the hunters hand in hers.
"We are soon there. Just a little bit further" The hunter said gently, leading them up the stair, through a corridor and towards a ladder. "Just up here now."
Violet was first to climb up, she might have been exhausted from earlier. But even then, she flew up the ladder with a speed only a child could. Letting out a quiet giggle when she got to the top. "It's safe and warm here." She called back down, making the old crone sigh and turn to the hunter.
"Please turn around, it wouldn't look good for a young man such as yourself to peek up the skirt of a widowed woman… and take this as a reward for bothering to lead me here. I'm sure you will find her more useful than me." Pushing the double-barrelled shotgun in his arms, she sighed but started climbing up. Making it all the way up without a single sound of protest. Only groaning loudly when she came to the top.
Slinging the shotgun on his back, Jaune hurriedly climbed the ladder, giving them a little smile when he got up. "Just up here." He said, not minding in the slightest when Violet took her hand in his. Stepping up the winding stairway the calming smell of incense gradually become stronger and stronger. Until they eventually sat foot in the Chapel proper.
Tension easing out of everyone as they gently stepped into the chapels hallowed halls.
"People? I knew you could do it." The chapter dweller called out in delight. Earning a strained smile from Jaune as he let go of Violet's hand. Carefully taking back his duster coat and top hat. "I'm going to need these if I'm going to save more people." He said as kindly as he could.
"I will see if I cand find some more people with their wits about and lead them here." Getting dressed, he bent down and gave Violet a kiss on the forehead. "You have been such a brave girl, but there are more out there like you. People who need help. I can't leave them alone."
Looking over to the chapter dweller Jaune levelled him a look. "Take care of them will you. You shouldn't need to protect them if the incense wards of beasts. But… just make sure they are all right when I'm out hunting."
The chapter dweller couldn't nod faster, brilliant smile on his face. "I will. I will. You can trust me. All I ever wanted was to help people. They will have all their needs tended to here."
"It's good to know they are in trusted hands." With that he stepped down the stairs and towards the exit. Only for Violet to come storming down and hugging him in a death grip. "Please… take me with you!" She pleaded and looked up with tears glittering in her eyes.
"I'm sorry little one." Jaune sighed as he bent down, doing his best to carefully pry Violet from him as gently as possible. "But there are more people out there that needs saving. I can't stay here when the night of the hunt is on. Just like I saved you, there are many others who need help."
"Then who will save you?" Viole chocked out. Looking up and into clear blue eyes filled with hurt. They were filled with sadness and suffering. Tearing out of his grip she threw her arms around his neck and clung to him like her life depended on it, mumbling a quiet. "Who will save you?"
Gently she felt Jaune break out of her embrace, taking her hands in his as he looked her in the eyes. "I have some companions that I know to have my back." Jaune said gently, a soft kind smile on his lips as he looked at her.
"Then… then take me as an Apprentice!" Violet shouted desperately with tears in her eyes. "Hunters have Apprentices, right?! Take me as yours."
"I… I won't." Jaune sighed as he stood up. "Not because you are a girl, but because the hunt is unforgiving. It cares not for gender, age nor skill. And I won't subject a nine-year-old to its horrors."
Violet felt tears well up in her eyes as she looked up hollowly at the hunter. Gone were the kind eyes, and smile of Jaune. Replaced with hollow eyes that spoke of too much too quickly. Eyes pleading for a quiet respite yet finding none. Violet felt her hearth clench, tears falling freely.
"Give the lass a chance, hunter. She deserves that much at least. It's not uncommon for hunters to take on apprentices, even if the act has fallen from grace in modern times." The old crone said from her rocking chair. "She might be younger than most, not even being into her proper teens. But this night is long and feels to be never ending. And I certainly won't say no to having more proper hunters manning the streets."
Jaune sighed loudly and looked down into her determined eyes. Violet knew the hunt wasn't for the faint of heart. She knew it tended to change people, usually for the worst. She had seen her father slowly loose himself in the blood of the hunt. Her uncle was no better, just a shell of the kind and loving man he had been. But as she started at Jaune's hollow blue eyes, the only thing she felt was a rising determination, to somehow pay back the dept of gratitude she owed him for saving her.
And maybe, just maybe, she could save him from himself.
"A test. A single test, and if you succeed, I will get an apprenticeship contract and a blood ministration." Jaune sighed out, making Violet jump up and tackle hug him. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank. You." She mumbled out rapidly as she clung to him.
"I am never going to forgive myself for this... But here goes." Jaune mumbled to himself as he pulled out a flintlock pistol and its holster from his back. Feeling the weight of the gun in her hand, Violet came to realisation that this was it. Sombre realisation settling over her as she palmed the flintlock, for if she succeeded, she would only know blood, beasts and violence until the sun again cast it's gentle rays over Yharnam.
"Follow me. I think I have an idea for a proper trail for you." With those words Jaune led her down the spiralling staircase and down the study. Looking around before nodding to himself. "It's a simple goal really, but if I take you with me. I will need to know that you can protect yourself. You are too young to really start getting into the thick of things, so you will have to do with firearms for now."
Nonchalantly grabbing a book from the bookcase and flipped it open, Jaune nodded to himself. And placed it standing on the edge of the table furthest away. "Now, before we start. Do you know basic gun safety?"
"Is… it not just point and fire?" Violet asked, cringing slightly as Jaune sighed, falling down in one of the chairs and gesturing for her to come over. "Now, while gun safety exists mostly as guidelines, for hunters it's especially important. You might not think so now, but if you don't know your way around a firearm, I might eat a bullet in the back instead of whatever you were aiming for."
Nodding Violet listened patiently as Jaune went over the basis of firearm safety for her. Never pointing the muzzle at anything unless you were sure you wanted that thing dead, keep your finger of the trigger unless you were ready to fire, know your target, and don't waste ammunition.
"Now, stand properly, something that's essential for you, as all firearms have strong kickback. And you will need to learn how to handle it correctly if you want to become my apprentice." Jaune sighed, looking down into her eyes that shone with determination and resolve.
All aches and tiredness from being chased by the boar was pushed away as Violet breathed out trough her nose and pulled the trigger. A bang echoed out in the study, a far cry from the thunder she had heard Jaune bring when they made their way here. Looking at her target, Violet couldn't help but pout as she saw the book stand untouched. A mark in the wall instead, a good inch over where she aimed.
"Don't worry, practice makes perfect." Jaune said as he ruffled her hair, making Violet melt into his touch. Feeling all worries fade away. "All you need for me to take you on as an apprentice is to hit the book ten times in succession, from the furthest part of the room. If you ever need more bullets, you can always ask the dweller. But I'm going to take one last look through Central Yharnam before taking a crack at Cathedral Ward tomorrow."
With that Jaune disappeared down the ladder, leaving Violet alone in the study. A good fifteen quicksilver bullets for her to practice with being his parting gift. Determination in her veins, Violet breached the pistol and reloaded.
####
"I saved someone." Jaune muttered out weakly as he sat up in his bed. Not caring for the worried looks his teammates sent him as tears freely streamed down his face. "I saved someone." He whispered again, quickly brining up his notebook and writing down that he had saved someone. Scared he would forget, thinking it only a dream.
"Hey Jaune, we were thinking of having an evening out today. Since its Friday and everything. We never have really had the chance to get to properly get to know each other, even if we spend almost every waking moment around… So… wanna join?" Nora excitedly asked. Plopping down next to him, not at all caring for his tears.
"Sure Nora, that sounds great." Jaune whispered gently as he got up. Getting a blazing smile in return. Stretching, he stepped into the bathroom. His heart still ached for Iosefka's untimely demise; he would never forgive her. But he understood. He didn't like it, but he understood. Drying his tears, he grabbed his razor and started shaving. Puberty having hit him like a truck, making him need to shave daily unless he wanted to get stubble all over his face before lunch. Grabbing his razor he brough it down, only to feel it crackle in his hands. "I knew it is plastic but come on. When did plastic crumble like that?"
Groaning, Jaune looked into the mirror as the familiar bloody letters appeared. Eyes shooting awake as he took in the changes.
Name: Jaune 'of' Arc
Level: 50
Blood Echoes: 12540
Insight:10
Vitality: 20-25
Endurance: 13 -17
Strength: 18 -23
Skill: 14 -16
Bloodtinge: 10 -12
Arcane: 6 -10
"Wha?" Sound escaped his mouth, as his grief addled mind tried to take in the changed. He had felt himself growing stronger, able to lift heavier weights as his current ones became easier. His jog around campus had become easier day by day. But never had Jaune expected his stats to shoot up so quickly. Not to mention by so much.
Looking over the stats again, he smiled, pride swelling in his chest. It felt good having his effort's rewarded. Even if deep down, he wished that it didn't have to be this way. That he could have found a way to save Iosefka from whatever it was that happened to her.
Slapping his cheeks he looked into the mirror. "Stop thinking like that. Nothing good ever comes from those thoughts." He whispered to himself, even if thoughts of 'what if' nagged at him as he quickly showered and finished up.
Stepping into the dorm to the warm eyes of his friends he smiled slightly. Looking forwards to an evening out. Given that he didn't use his part of his team stipend the slightest, because he only used Quicksilver bullets from the dream, he had nothing against spending a bit more when he was out with friends.
"When are we heading out? 5 pm?" He asked softly as he sat down on his chair.
"That's as good as any time, I guess. We just have to be back before curfew, but I doubt it comes to that." Ren said with a shrug, looking up from his assignment. Getting into the bathroom, having come back from his morning training. How someone could be up by 5 am, Jaune would never know. But he could respect Ren for doing so.
"That sounds grand Jaune." Pyrrha said, fighting trough a yawn. Of their team of four, she was the only night-owl. Spending hours in the gym to train on her technique and coming back late when most of the team were asleep. A little inside joke in the team was that Nora was fuelled by the sun, as the second it went down, she went from hundred percent energy to minus one percent energy.
"How is your assignment coming along Jaune-Jaune?" Nora asked, already dressed and ready for classes. Only waiting for Ren and Pyrrha to get ready before dragging them out.
"I'm finished, I'm going to deliver it after lunch. I think." Jaune said with a smile, glad to have something else to focus on than the horrors that had happened in the dream. Feeling his mood plummeting the moment he thought back at her. It would always be her, that would dominate his thoughts. At least until the next horror happens.
"So… anything interesting happening in 'The Dream'?" Nora asked curiously. Sighing, Jaune gave a soft smile. Thankful that he knew Nora well enough to know that she was merely curios. Not maiclious in any way when she asked.
"Something good happened. I saved two lives." Jaune replied, not wating to burden his team with Iosefka. Instead settling for the only good thing that had happened in the dream. Proving that some good things could happen in. "I think… No I know that one of them have a saviours crush on me." He continued, remembering how the little girl had clung to him.
"It is not uncommon for civilians to develop crushes on the Huntsmen or Huntresses that saved them." Pyrrha said as she wiped the gunk out of her eyes. Looking marginally more awake now.
"Well… yes. But now one is old enough to by my grandmother, and the other is younger than Ruby." Jaune chuckled at how his friends cringed at the mention of their ages. When Ren came sauntering out the bathroom Pyrrha quickly stepped in. "But… the little girl asked me to take her on as an apprentice. And I honestly don't know what to do."
Silence settled over the dorm as Nora sighed. "Jaune." She said with a seriousness he had never seen before. "I can't begin to imagine what you are going through. But I know that you are someone who shines the second you get a speck of responsibility on your shoulders. I mean… out of all the new teams, we are the ones who get along the best. Not to mention, even if we exclude Pyrrha, we are one of the better teams. And whose fault is that?"
"I mean…"
"Nope. Take the compliment damn you." Nora said trough gritted teeth. When she saw him nodding as a bobble head, she calmed down and leaned back. "But as I said, everyone feels welcome here. It feels like the family me and Renny never thought we would have again. Not to mention how it's clear as day to see that Pyrrha is allowed to be herself in what must feel like forever. And it's all because of you."
Glaring at him Nora sighed out as she saw the clueless look on his face. For someone so tactically inclined, Jaune tended to be more than a little daft when not pushed into a corner.
"What Nora is trying to say is that you should go for it." Ren said patiently, having picked up what Nora was trying to say. "You have really grown into yourself this last month. I don't know how much of that is due to the 'dream' pushing you on. But I know that I can trust you to have my back, no matter what. So… if 'the dream' is really as horrifying as it is. Do your best to prepare the little girl for the horrors she will face when she follows your path. For as it stands now, she will be a 'hunter' one way or another. Your say or not."
"It's not rare really." Nora added from the side, looking morosely at Jaune. "Many orphans who have been saved by Huntsmen tries to blindly follow in their saviours footsteps for one reason or another. Me and Renny here are some of the few lucky ones who made it all the way to an Academy. Most lose their life far to early, some fall of to the side and join a Yakuza clan or bandit tribe instead. And once in, making your way out is almost impossible."
"A strong Huntsman can bring an entire Yakuza family to the ground, alone. For civilians, Huntsmen are the closest thing one can have to modern superheroes. Evey crime syndicate have some huntsmen or huntresses on their payroll, if only as a treat of mutual destruction should a syndicate bring in 'outside' help for their beef." Ren explained calmly. "But that's beside the point. The point being that the little girl I take it."
Nodding softly Jaune looked at them as Ren sighed. "That little girl is endlessly thankful for you saving her. You are her hero." Ren stressed, smiling slightly as a look of horrified realisation settled over Jaune as he finally got it. "You are her hero. She wants to make you proud. To prove that she was worth saving."
"Oh no." Jaune whispered horrified, head falling in his hands as his shoulders shook. Sighing he looked around, seeing the support in his friends eyes.
"I'm sure you can figure it out." Pyrrha said sweetly as she stepped out of the bathroom. With all gathered they got out of from the dorm, Jaune even knocking on team RWBY's door. "If you are not up soon you will be late!"
A mischievous smile on his face that only turned wider when a piecing whistle rang out from the room. Followed by groans, curses, and some sworn oaths of violence towards him. Looking back at his team, they all had the same mischievous smile on their face. "What? It's true!"
"Jaune… classes don't start before two hours." Pyrrha chuckled out sweetly, hiding a smile behind her hand.
"And? With how they fight over the shower I'm not surprised if someone is going to spend the day in the hospital wing soon. Tell me I'm wrong. I dare you; I double dare you!"
The day passed quickly after that, breakfast and lunch couldn't come faster. And before he knew it Jaune was glaring bloody death at his assignment. Re-reading it for the nth time, sighing and rewriting the same paragraph endlessly.
When someone knocked on the door, Nora almost tore it from the hinges. Having been almost impossible to calm down since breakfast. Especially when they were going to have 'a super duper, not depressing in any way, shape or form outing' later. Something he really looked forward to.
"Hi Jaune!" Ruby said, rose petals scattering around. "We're heading down to Vale. Wanna tag along?"
"Ruby! Don't say our plans to our opponents!" Weiss shrieked out. Sounding scandalised as she almost stormed into their room, only stopping outside and glaring bloody death at her team leader.
"Oh come on Weiss. We are just going to hang around, not get a 'look on the competition'. The Vytal Festival isn't even starting before next month at least. Not to mention how the tournament isn't even before the end of next month. We have time." Ruby pouted at her friend and partner.
"Don't worry Ruby. We are going to have a team hangout in Vale later, so we might stumble into you then." Jaune said good naturally.
"Aww… ok..." Ruby pouted as she was dragged out. Sticking her head in with a little smile and giving him a smile. "Oh. And Jaune. You look good."
"A bit old fashioned for sure, but it's clear you suit the look." Weiss said, adding her two lien to the conversation. Finding the light brown of his armoured and padded vest, and shirt much nicer on the eyes than what he wore before. Not many hunters could say they looked good in just jeans and a hoodie, and Jaune wasn't one of them. The many pockets on his vest sending a pang of jealousy trough her.
She wanted dresses with pockets damn it.
"Thank you." Jaune smiled back. "But I really want to deliver this assignment before we head out today. But do have fun."
With that they were gone, and Jaune finally could get back to his assignment. After a good hour or two he sighed out and got up. Knowing that he wouldn't find anything more to nitpick. Planning too just deliver it now. It was finished, he wouldn't get anything but grey hair if he continued working on it.
"I'm going to deliver it to Oobleck, then we can head out." Jaune said with a smile, throwing his coat over him as he stepped out of the dorm. Chastising himself for not bringing his hunter attire over earlier. It was night and day compared to his earlier attire, not to mention how safe and warm he felt. While he loved pumpkin pete with all his heart, he didn't trust his hoodie to protect him the same way he did his hunters garb. Not to mention how stylish the top hat made him feel. Not that he wore it now. After all, there was a place and time for everything.
Walking down the halls of Beacon, he even noticed some girls stopping and giving him a second look. Smile falling slightly when thoughts of Iosefka made themselves known for the nth time today. He had made do, it helped that he wasn't extremely close to her. But her final moments still played on repeat the moment he stopped moving. He had never thought it would be the silence that tore at him the most.
Sighing he stopped before Oobleck's office door. Shaking the memories away. With a brittle smile on his face he stepped in. Not wanting to bring his dour mood with him when they went out. His team didn't deserve that. Not to mention after the night had had in Yharnam, having a day off to just rest and relax sounded almost divine.
A soft "Come in." Rang out and Jaune stepped in. Feeling somewhat better than he did mere moments ago. If only by a bit.
###
Note: And with the first 'true' boss dead we are nearing the end of the prologue. Which should end next chapter, I think. It was also a coin toss about who survived… I have five plot lines where Iosefka survive, and five plotlines for the little girl. It almost came down to a coin toss. But the ideas I have around the little girl, I think are more enjoyable and unique. Especially compared to just having Iosefka be a companion on his hunts or take a role as teacher for arcane and blood rites.
Note: This will also be one of the last 'proper' stat screens, as I will be moving on to use them more subjective. But know that Jaune has sat foot in the 'Low Main Combat School Level', the lowest Level in T2 that's between Lv 31 and 100. He is still the lowest level in his team and entire friend group. Even if he is catching up quickly. Don't worry, his stats would shoot up in some stats faster than other, as he goes from novice to adept, but they will also come to a climb as he becomes stronger. Going from 50 to 51 will take over double the effort of 10 to 30 for example.
If anyone is curious, team RWBY and NPR are all in High Main Combat School level, with only Pyrrha having reached the Low Licensed Huntsman Level.
This is just for me to have a better overview of where Jaune is at the current moment, and the tiers may change as I get more confident it my writing and find a better system to hold myself to. But for now it stands.