Towards the end of the 'Dark Century', a hero arose. Gathering allies of humans and Faunus alike, they would storm the Demon Queen's castle in an effort to end her hundred-year long reign.
[~]
Nora's eyes widened and her hands shook as she saw the Cult of Salem's caravan in the distance. Memories started flashing in her mind. Memories of a time the ginger-haired woman wished would just disappear forever and never coming back.
Memories of a burning house against a raging storm, as a man with golden eyes and a scorpion tail chases her and Ren through a dense forest.
Breathing heavily, the woman placed her hand on the walls of the caravan in an attempt to steady herself. Feeling like the walls were slowly closing in on her, Nora could barely keep herself conscious as the woman fell to her knees.
"-ra! Nora!" a familiar voice reached the woman's ears. Looking up, the woman saw the worried look of Lie Ren mere inches from her face, "Nora, are you okay?!"
"R-Ren… I-it's… It's…" Nora tried to speak only to find that her words were failing her. To her surprise, she found that tears had streamed down her face. Tears that Ren helped to gently wipe away.
"It's okay, Nora. It's okay." Ren said in a soothing tone as he embraced the trembling woman, "It's not him. He won't get to you - to us, ever again."
As Nora sobbed into Ren's chest, the rest of the party looked on with shocked expressions on each of them. Never would they have expected such a reaction from one normally so cheerful and bubbly as Nora.
When Ruby approached the two of them, Ren looked at her before shaking his head.
"I'm sorry but the story… is not mine alone to tell." Ren said, the man standing up before placing Nora in a bridal carry, "Pyrrha, please… help Jaune with whatever he needs. I… can't leave Nora's side right now. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for, Ren." Pyrrha said as the woman placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder, "Please tell Nora that we'll always be here for her no matter what happens."
With a nod and Nora in his arms, Ren silently went to the back of the caravan. Taking charge of the situation, Pyrrha then walked up to the slit that Nora had opened earlier.
"Jaune." Pyrrha said as she picked up the spyglass on the floor.
"Pyrrha, hey." Jaune said as he turned his head as far as he could to face the woman, "How's Nora?"
"She's… not good. Ren's looking out for her as we speak." Pyrrha said as she cast a worried glance towards the direction Ren went in.
"Damn it. I hate it when she's like that." Jaune said with a curse, "I just wish there's some way I could help."
"This has happened before?" Pyrrha asked, shocked at the revelation the blonde had just given her.
"Once. It was before you joined." Jaune said as he turned his attention back to the slowly approaching caravan, "She was… alright after a while but it's not exactly something you want a close friend to ever go through, you know what I mean?"
"I do." Pyrrha said with a soft gaze before it hardened once more, "So, what do we do about the cult?"
"Nothing. Here's hoping Lady Luck smiles on us and they just leave us alone to spread the good name of Salem or whatever bullshit they're selling these days." Jaune said, the vitriol in his voice obvious to anyone who was listening.
"Not to be a downer but from an outsider's perspective and judging from our incredibly short time together, Lady Luck doesn't exactly seem to be your best friend." Yang said, the blonde chiming in from behind.
"She has a point, Jaune." Pyrrha said with a chuckle, "What do you propose we do if they don't leave us alone?"
"If they don't then…" Jaune said, letting his sentence hang in the air for a few seconds before continuing, "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst? Honestly, that's the best advice I can give you when it comes to these guys."
Nodding, Pyrrha then turned to Ruby and her party.
"Yang, as Jaune said, the Cult can be unpredictable so I suggest you stay close to Madam Shionne. That way, you'll be able to ensure her safety should the worst come to pass." Pyrrha said.
"Way ahead of you." Yang said as she blonde put on her gauntlets before tightening the straps of her boot.
"Blake and Ruby, keep your guard up." Pyrrha said, "I'm sorry to have to ask all of you of this since you are our guests but… I don't believe we can afford to take any chances, especially with the Cult."
"Don't sweat it, Pyrrha." Ruby said as she brandished her twin sickles, "Whatever happens, I'm sure we'll be fine."
"Ruby's right. It's just the Cult of Salem, after all." Blake said with a nod, "I doubt things could go so bad that we'd need to fight them."
"She's right." said the Atlesian noble of their party, "I doubt we have much to fear from a group that worships the demon queen."
"Here's hoping your optimism isn't misplaced, Miss Shionne." Pyrrha said, the woman getting started on her own preparations.
[~]
As the Cult's caravan was coming closer to his own, Jaune wiped the sweat on his brow with a handkerchief he made sure to always keep on his person. Whether the sweat was from the hot afternoon sun or the thought of having to deal with the cultists, the blonde-haired man didn't bother to find out.
"Hello there, fellow traveller!" an unfamiliar voice called out. Looking around, Jaune was startled to find that their two caravans were already within speaking distance, "May I ask what brings you out here, so far out from the kingdoms?"
With two of them in the front - both of them wearing black robes - and no weapon of any kind that Jaune could see, the blonde managed to calm himself down, even if a little.
"I'm just a humble travelling merchant, good sir, hoping to find better luck selling my wares in Mistral than I did in Argus." Jaune said with a chuckle.
"Ah, a man of the trade, I see." said the Cultist, a man with black hair, "What sort of items do you sell?"
"Nothing valuable, I assure you, and certainly nothing that would interest men of the faith such you." Jaune said as the two Cultists let out a small laugh.
"Fair enough." said the second Cultist, a man with a shaved head, "Tell me, Mr Merchant, would you like to join us for tonight?"
"Uh… join you for… what, exactly?" Jaune asked.
"Why, for celebrations, of course!" said the Cultist on the left, "For today is the day when the Church of Salem celebrates her birth and provides offerings for her safe return!"
"That's today?" Jaune thought to himself, before cursing, "Damn it!"
"A joyous occasion, indeed." said the bald Cultist in a far calmer tone, "We would be negligent in our duties if we did not at least invite you for tonight's celebrations, Mr Merchant. What say you?"
"I'm afraid my party and I will have to decline that offer of yours, Mr Merchant." Jaune said as he did his best to look apologetic, "We are on a tight schedule, you see, and we simply cannot delay any further."
"Are you sure we can't convince you otherwise?" asked the Cultist, "There is nothing better on this world than praising the great name of Queen Salem."
"Thank you for the generous offer but I'm afraid my party and I really must decline." Jaune said.
"That's certainly a shame." said the bald Cultist, a frown of disappointment on his face, "I suppose our crowd will be lacking a travelling merchant tonight, then."
"Agreed. Well then, Mr Merchant, we wish you safe travels-"
"Your crowd?" Jaune asked as he stared at the caravan, "Pardon me for asking but how many people have you invited to this… celebration of yours?"
"Oh, quite a few, now that you mention it." answered one of the cultists, "And diverse, as well. Men, women, children and the elderly."
"In fact, we have another caravan of people on their way." said the bald Cultist, "Oh, tonight is going to be such a momentous and joyous occasions!"
"I see." Jaune said as his grip on the horses' reigns tightened, "Where exactly are you taking them?"
"To Argus, of course." answered the bald Cultist, "They requested our aid to transport them there and so, we have chosen to give it to them."
"Well then, Mr Merchant, we'd hate to waste any more of your time so we bid you-"
"I'll join you for your celebrations tonight." Jaune said, cutting the cultist off, "In fact, my party and I would love to join you and bask in the glory of Salem."
"Is that so?" asked the Cultist, "Well then, far be it from me to deny your participation. Glory be to Salem!"
"Glory be… to Salem." Jaune said through gritted teeth.
[~]
"What in Oblivion does that guy think he's doing?!" Yang asked as she looked around the caravan for answers only to receive silence in response, "We were free to leave and he just goes and accepts their offer?!"
"Yang, calm down." Pyrrha said before looking towards the front of the caravan, "I've not known Jaune for long but I know he's a good person at heart. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this."
"There better be because I don't like this." Yang said with a huff, "The cult and this feast or whatever celebration they're holding. Too much risk involved. Not to mention the amount of unknowns we're having to deal with."
"I know. I understand your frustrations and I sincerely apologize." Pyrrha said as she bowed to Yang in apology, "I will talk to Jaune and hopefully receive a clear explanation."
"And if his answer doesn't satisfy you?" Yang asked before receiving worried glances from Blake and Ruby. Pyrrha was silent for a while before giving the blonde her answer.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Pyrrha said, locking gazes with Yang as their caravan halted to a stop. Making her way to the caravan door, the red-haired woman opened it only to come face to face with the blonde in question, "Jaune, can we talk?"
"I'm sorry, Pyrrha, but-" Jaune said as he tried to enter the caravan only for him to be pushed back out by his red-haired companion.
"I wasn't asking, Jaune. I'm sorry." Pyrrha said closing the door behind her. Facing Jaune with conviction, Pyrrha continued, "Jaune, can you please explain to me why you'ce chosen to accept the Cult's offer?"
Staring at the woman, Jaune stayed silent as he let her question hang in the air for a few seconds. After what felt like an eternity of silence, the blonde finally gave Pyrrha an answer.
"Pyrrha, do you trust me?" Jaune asked as he took a step back, "We've not been travelling for long - maybe a year or two - but we have been through a lot together."
"We have, yes." Pyrrha said, a hint of a smile starting to form on her face.
"Quite possibly my favorite memory of us has to be our latest journey through Vacuo with Torchwick and Neo." Jaune said with a small laugh, "I'm lucky to still have my arm after that day."
"Really? I'd have thought you would have chosen that time you and Nora were set for execution in Vale." Pyrrha said, laughing as Jaune flinched at the memory.
"I never thanked you for saving us that day, did I?" Jaune asked, the blonde letting out a sigh as he sent a look at the Cult's caravan beside his own, "Pyrrha, I know this all seems reckless right now but… I need you to trust me."
"Why? What do you think is going to happen?" Pyrrha asked as he followed the blonde's gaze.
"This feast they're throwing tonight… this whole celebration, in fact…" Jaune said, "I have a bad feeling about it."
"Do you really believe that?" Pyrrha asked.
"I do. I'm sorry - really, I am - but I just need you guys to trust me. If nothing happens, then nothing happens." Jaune said, "But if something does…"
"If something does… then what?" Pyrrha asked only for Jaune to become silent at the question. With a sigh, Pyrrha stepped to the side, "Yang and her party, they're not happy you've chosen to stop."
"I'm not surprised. I'll talk to them." Jaune said, moving past his companion before stopping in front of the door. Looking back at her over his shoulder, Jaune said, "You deserve an explanation. You'll get it, I promise."
Nodding wordlessly, Pyrrha followed the blonde into the caravan hoping to smooth things over should tensions escalate.
[~]
The sun had set an hour ago and the Cult's celebrations were well underway. Taking a drink offered by one of the Cultists, Pyrrha was surprised at how delicious the drink tasted.
"Good, yes?" asked the Cultist that offered her the drink, "A special brew made from ingredients found in the desert of Vacuo."
"Hey, how's Nora doing?" Jaune asked her as took a bite of the bread he took from their supply.
"Last I checked, she was doing well. Ren was furious, though." Pyrrha said earning an apologetic look from Jaune, "Can't imagine why he wouldn't be, to be honest. Certainly not after Nora's reaction."
"I know and… I'll make it up to you guys." Jaune said.
"At least Yang and her party seem to be enjoying themselves." Pyrrha noted as she and Jaune turned to see Ruby and Blake busy wolfing down the food on their plate while Yang was busy taste testing Shionne's food and making sure none of them are poisoned.
"Well, here's hoping I'm wrong and this was just a bad decision." Jaune said to himself as he sipped on his drink.
[~]
It's been a few hours since the sun had set and the feast had ended not too long ago. When the second caravan from the cult arrived, Jaune certainly did not expect a crowd of over a dozen people to appear.
"It's this late already and they haven't tried anything yet." Jaune thought to himself as he leaned on a wooden pillar of a tent the cultists had set up. Looking over the bodies of people sleeping peacefully, Jaune let out a tired sigh, "Was I overthinking this? Gods, I hope so…"
Walking out into the night, Jaune made his way towards his party's caravan where the rest of his companions had chosen to rest. Before he could reach it, however, the odd sound of rock scraping against metal reached the blonde's ears.
Scanning the area to find the source of the sound, Jaune made his way to the back of one of the Cult's caravans. Leaning against it, the blonde poked his head out to see a lone Cultist kneeling on the ground with their back facing him.
"Well, I guess now I know what that sound was." Jaune thought to himself, noticing the sword in the Cultists hands as well as the whetstone in front of them, "Looks like I was right. I need to warn the others."
As Jaune took a step back to retreat, the sound of the ground crunching underneath him alerted the Cultist to his presence.
"Someone there?" the Cultist ask - a man, from the sound of his voice - turning around to face Jaune as the two of them locked gazes, "Ah, Mr Merchant. So nice to see you again. Tell me, did you find the food prepared tonight to your liking?"
"Very much so, yes." Jaune said as he stepped out from his hiding spot, "Tell me, sir, what exactly are you doing so late into the night?"
"Oh, this? Well, as we've mentioned earlier, tonight is as much of a celebration of Salem's name as it is offering gifts in return." the Cultist said, the man holding the sword in his hands high in the air as its steel glinted in the moonlight.
"And what sort of gifts might you be referring to?" Jaune asked, as his hand dropped to his side where his sword lay sheathed.
"Live sacrifices, of course. Our queen and Goddess demands nothing but the freshest of blood spilled in her name." the Cultist said, oblivious to the dread that was slowly filling Jaune up.
"Might I ask what sort of sacrifices do you hope to offer to Salem?" Jaune asked as his hand was already wrapped around his sword's hilt, "For I do not see any live animals around. Unless, of course, you've kept them hidden in your caravans."
As if Jaune had just told a joke, the Cultist simply laughed at the blonde's question.
"You misunderstand, Mr Merchant. Our queen and Goddess, Salem, has no need for the sacrifices of mindless animals." the Cultist said as he rested the blade on his shoulder, "No, what our Goddess demands is the fresh blood of humans. Every drop of blood offered to Salem brings the day where she returns to Remnant that much closer."
"Tell me, who exactly was it that ordered you to hold this... celebration of yours tonight?" Jaune asked, his grip still on the hilt of his sword.
"Why, the Goddess herself." said the Cultist as he looked to the sky, "She speaks to all members of the Church of Salem. To her children!"
"Come now, we both know that's not true." Jaune said with a chuckle, "So, I'll ask you again: Who was it that told you to kill all these people in Salem's name?"
The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds as a tense silence hung in the air.
"As I've told you, Mr Merchant," said the Cultist, "It was the Goddess-"
"Was it Hazel?" Jaune asked, the Cultist flinching at the blonde's sudden question, "Or was it Tyrian? Tell me, does he still talk to himself?"
"For a simple merchant, you seem to know a lot of things about us, sir." the Cultist said as he became a lot more guarded than before, "Who are you exactly, Mr Merchant?"
"Nobody of consequence." Jaune said with a challenging smirk, "Just a humble merchant trying to make ends meet."
"Oh, I doubt that." the Cultist said as he seemed to observe Jaune much more closely than before, "Hmm... blonde hair... blue eyes... I'm sure some members of the Church are bound to know who you are."
"I was afraid you were going to say that." Jaune said, the blonde sighing before unsheathing his sword and pointing it at the Cultist in front of him.
"Might I ask what it is that you think you're doing, Mr Merchant?" the Cultist asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Your celebration ends here tonight." Jaune said.
"You would dare to stand in the way of our sacred duty-?!" the Cultist, too engrossed in his own words, was unable to react in time as Jaune rushed in towards him. Taken aback by how was the blonde was, there was nothing he could do as Jaune swept his sword up and swatted away the Cultist's weapon.
Before he could even respond, however, Jaune then proceeded to plunge his blade straight through the man's body, killing him in an instant.
"Great… This is just… great…" Jaune said, pulling his blade free from the dead cultist as his lifeless body slumped to the ground, "Gods, I was really hoping to be-"
The sound of a shrill scream piercing the night cut off whatever it was Jaune had to say. Turning around, the blonde sprinted back towards where he just came from to find two members of the Cult, blood-soaked weapons in each of their hands, and a pool of blood under what looked to be a lifeless body.
"Stop! What are you doing?!" a woman screamed only for her pleas to be ignored. Without uttering a single word, one of the cultists raised his blade to kill the screaming woman.
Cursing to himself, Jaune started sprinting towards them with fury in his eyes.
"Damn it! I'm not gonna make it!" Jaune thought to himself as his lips turned into a snarl. Just before the cultist could bring down his blade, however, an arrow suddenly came whistling through the air and embedded itself on the cultist's face.
Turning around, Jaune saw Pyrrha standing in front of the door to their caravan, bow in hand and with another arrow already nocked.
"You! You dare interrupt the sacred duties of the Church of Salem?!" the second Cultist shouted as he pointed his blade at her, "You'll receive divine-"
Before he could say another word, Pyrrha swiftly released two arrows that embedded themselves on the Cultist's chest. Nodding to her, Jaune then returned his attention to the group of people who were slowly starting to stir awake.
"Everyone, wake up!" Jaune shouted as loud as he could, "The Cult of Salem has tricked you! This is-"
The door to one of the cult's caravans suddenly opened with a slam before another group of cultists started storming out.
"Damn it!" Jaune cursed before turning his attention to Pyrrha, "Pyrrha, get these people to safety."
"What about you?" Pyrrha asked. Before Jaune could answer, Ruby and Blake suddenly appeared from inside their own caravan.
"We'll help. I don't know what's going on but it's obvious there's something wrong here." Ruby said, her twin sickles already in hand while Blake herself seemed to be armed with daggers.
"Thank you." Jaune said, "And I apologize. You shouldn't need to-"
"Jaune, it's alright." Ruby said, "And if you really want to make it up to us, maybe you could give us a discount on the fee you're charging us?"
"Deal." Jaune said with a chuckle, "Where's Yang?"
"She's in the caravan, staying by We-Madam Shionne's side." Blake said, the woman throwing one of her daggers at a cultist, killing him as it embedded itself in the cultist's eye.
"Alright then. Let's take care of this little cult problem we have on our hands." Jaune said as the three of them rushed towards the group of cultists in front of them
[Chapter END]
A/N: Okay, well… That is a wrap on Chapter 3. I struggled a bit on this chapter, to be honest but I really wanted to push myself to see how far I could go. How it turns out, I'm sure you'll let me know one way or another.
So, obviously some questions will be raised after this one. All will be revealed in the coming chapters (and hopefully in a satisfying manner).
As always, faves, follows, and reviews are always welcome.
NoXIV signing off.