Arc 2 - Chapter 14 - The Princess's Plea
It was night again, and the howls of the Mad Princess seemed to be the only sound, seeming to echo off the dark street, the shadowed homes of the neighborhood, and the distant walls that protected the city. Not so useful lately, though, because of the Grimm and this Wolf character.
Thankfully, the moon was out tonight and that made things easier to see. And at his perch on the roof of the inn, he saw a lot. Distant canals with parked boats, closed public baths, and a couple of taverns. Oh yes, and a section of the city walls that was destroyed.
From here, it was like the wall was some gargantuan and elongated rectangle-shaped cookie, while the breach in it looked like some animal had taken a bite out of it. From asking around, he found out what he'd already guessed. That the Wolf had caused it. Whoever or whatever it was, it was powerful and did not seem intent on giving up until it reached Ruby. Jaune heard her howl again and it made him squirm. He wouldn't let that thing anywhere near her.
One thing at a time, though. They still had to locate the Blessed first.
Jaune raised his hand high over his head and conjured a light, being brief, so as to not attract any Grimm that could be skulking about. A few seconds later, he saw a light from on a distant roof spark to life for a moment, flashing twice. Meaning Neptune had seen nothing yet.
Jaune rubbed his head, fast getting annoyed with waiting. Strange, since this was only the second night here. About a day and a half here, which accounted for just over half an hour back home. Ruby would still be sound asleep. There was no need to rush or grow impatient.
That damn howl again. For some reason, it picked at him. It made him want to rush over and climb that damn tower and… he wasn't sure what he'd do then.
"Hurry up," Jaune muttered, searching for any sign of the Blessed, thinking he'd seen some movement, only to realize it was nothing. "Come on."
A roar this time. Either the Princess had somehow lost more of her remaining sanity or that was a Grimm. Jaune hoped for the latter. Sounded pretty close too. That's when he saw Neptune's light again. One flash. Two flashes. Then, a third.
No time to waste.
Jaune leaped down from the inn, aiming for the roof down below. He sprinted off as soon as he landed, bolts scraping on tiled roofs, leaping across them, controlling his breaths, listening for sounds of faraway action. There, another roar. Multiple ones, in fact. He even detected what sounded like a person's raging cry. Jaune skittered down to ground level and then picked up his pace, making sure to have his shield ready.
He rounded a corner, almost smiling at his fortune. A pack of Beowolves all in generous lighting thanks to the moon, all scattered about and engaged in combat with two warriors. No time to figure out who they were.
Neptune made their presence known first by dropping onto a Beowolf from the air, his spear crunching through its skull. Jaune followed by launching toward the next nearest one, shattering its mask with one sidelong blow, sliding under another one's swipe, then sweeping it off its feet before driving the end of his shield into its neck. Ripping it out the side for good measure.
"Who in the All-Mother's name are you!?" One of the Blessed shrieked. The voice was familiar. Pompous sounding.
"Not now." called the other one, "let's be rid of these demons first?"
It was an all-out melee from there. This many Grimm was doable for Jaune on his own, even if he might take some wounds. But four super-powered warriors against these tutorial enemies? Jaune almost felt bad for them. Almost.
Spikes of ice speared from the ground and took a few Grimm with them, leaving them suspended in the air, flailing and clawing pointlessly at the ice. Which had to be harder than stone.
One of the Blessed gave a cheering yahoo as he blitzed a quartet of Beowolves, twirling a red and gold staff so fast that it seemed to leave trails of color dancing around him. No way to tell what he looked like with his helmet on, though Jaune was sure he saw that he had a monkey's tail.
It wasn't long before it was over. A short-lived struggle on part of the Grimm, to say the least. Jaune then hurried up to the one with a rapier and grabbed his shoulder. "Finally, you're one of the—"
And something struck him hard in the back of his head. He was sure he heard Neptune shout, but his head was spinning. Needed to lay down. He dropped to the ground like a stone.
Darkness took him a moment later.
When Jaune woke up, he was in a poorly lit, damp, and cold cell. His head ached, but he wasn't bound up, and someone was singing.
Neptune was sitting in the corner of the cell, doing his best to look tragic, while blowing a bad tune through a harmonica. He sang, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow!"
There was no point in questioning him on that. "I'd ask where we are, but these are probably the castle dungeons. Our plan worked. Sorta."
"Provided they don't think we're assassins and kill us."
"Play them a nice song on that thing and it might boost our chances to live out the day.'
Neptune nodded like a wizened sage and blew another tune into the harmonica. "Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there. I'll tell you how I met a guy who hunts hearts for a career."
Jaune ignored him as he sang on, looking out through the bars and down the hall both ways. There was a guard on the right, slumped asleep in a chair and on his way to tumbling out of it. He probably wouldn't offer much resistance if they broke out. Jaune conjured a ball of light just to confirm he could still utilize his power, giving the idea of breaking free and storming the castle that much more of a plausible smack to it. No point though. Break out now and the Blessed will not think twice about hunting down and killing us. We were not killed immediately, and that means, at least, they want to hear us out. There's little else to do but wait.
"Shooting some B-ball outside of the school. When a guy named Jaune, who was up to some good, started saving hearts in my neighborhood!"
Jaune sat back, crossed his arms, and found himself strangely patient. Neptune's singing was awful, but in a dark and dreary cell such as this, perhaps it was on theme. He shook his head as Neptune hit a particularly high note a little too ambitiously, and ended up badly coughing from choking on his spit.
It was hours later that someone did finally come for them. Weiss and Sun. Or rather, manifestations of their person.
Jaune wasn't exactly surprised to see them in Ruby's heart at this point, but it did speak to the apparent range of Ruby's heart, to encompass many aspects of life in her world, if subconsciously. These two were adorned in varied suits of armor. Weiss in white and silver, looking a lot like a battle dress with a silver chest plate and greaves. She had her hand resting on the hilt of her sheathed sword, glaring at Jaune like she was attempting laser-eye him through the head.
Sun by contrast wore loose pants tucked into heavy boots, a cloth over one shoulder, but otherwise bare-chested. He carried the same staff Jaune had seen the night before and had a monkey's tail swaying behind him, which was oddly fitting. He looked the more apologetic of the two, like he'd come across some pups that wandered into the territory of a particularly mean dog, yet was powerless to prevent the slaughter.
Weiss gave her rapier pommel a threatening grip. No doubt ready to draw at the slightest provocation. "Your names?" She commanded.
"Jaune," said Jaune.
"Neptune, my lady," said Neptune, looking both surprised and mesmerized by Weiss's appearance. "I'm sorry, I think we got off on the wrong—"
Weiss returned to him a particularly brutal hiss. "Silence, fool!"
He shut up right away.
Sun leaned down to whisper to Weiss but Jaune heard him. "Uncanny, ain't it? That's as close to looking like your husband as I've ever seen."
Weiss had no such conniptions about expressing her thoughts on the matter. "No doubt he's changed his flesh to seem more appealing." She spoke up louder, angrier. "You insipid worm. You dare attempt to fool me by taking the face of our compatriot? If the Princess did not demand a hearing, I would have you thrown off a cliff and pelted with stones until the ravine is filled."
Neptune glanced at Jaune with that, "holt shit" kind of look. One Jaune could only shrug at. They'd both known they could be killed, but not recognized. But then, that made sense, didn't it? Neptune's Alter would not have recognized Jaune because he hadn't known the real Neptune for long enough. Ruby's heart, and the people in it, had years to acclimate the real people in Ruby's life into its strangely vast system.
But then, why had Ruby's Alter run from them? Thinking about it objectively, it made sense. Jaune had not known Ruby personally for much longer than Neptune. As such, he couldn't possibly be part of her heart. He wasn't important enough. Something about that thought made his guts churn.
Jaune cut through the stunned silence with a question, "A hearing?"
Sun nodded. "Seems like you two are Blessed like us. That's a rare thing. Only subjects of the All-Mother can have such power. Least that's what we thought till recent times."
"Were travelers. Warriors. Traveling warriors." sputtered Neptune. "Just looking for work to put our talents toward."
"Where are you from? Zarazei?"
"Deviants of the Shadowlands, no doubt." accused Weiss.
"A village from across the sea. It's uh… not on your maps."
The two Blessed glanced at each other, not satisfied with the answer, but having little choice but to believe it. Or at least accept it.
Weiss drew her sword. "Attempt no tricks. The magic shackle is cast upon you and cannot access your blessings. Keep your hands above your head and I will consider not running you through the heart. Open the cell, Warrior of Wukong!"
Sun gave a dramatically lazy salute, produced a key, and opened the door, while Jaune and Neptune did as they were told and were led out into the hall. If this magic shackle was on them, then it hadn't worked. Which had to mean that the powers used by the people in this world were entirely different from semblance. Still, it was best they played along for now. They could fight if things started going south.
After navigating the poorly-lit tunnels of the underground dungeons, passing guards and various captives, they ascended a tall flight of stairs up to a heavy-looking door. Sun strained to push it open, gray morning light spilling through the crack until the doors finally gave way.
The dungeons opened up to an elaborate inside garden. A bursting fountain in the middle, benches and trees and finely trimmed bushes everywhere, and two sets of winding staircases on the far left and right, meeting up to another floor. The place even smelled like royalty. No people, though. No servants or stewards, and even only a couple of guards. filled with guards, which Jaune found strange.
"Not very well guarded, are you?" Jaune ventured with Sun. "Why?"
Sun chuckled. "Well—"
"Do not answer him!" complained Weiss, giving Jaune a cold glare. "I will have you know that our security has not been any stronger. Don't let the way things appear fool you. If you plan to invade, you will be greatly disappointed. Keep moving!"
She prodded him in the back with her sword, evidently missing the fact that by answering so defensively, she'd confirmed what was already hard to deny. Dismissed the working staff, most likely. Maybe even most of the guards. This Mad Wolf is coming for Princess Ruby, after all. Anyone in the way, warrior or not, will get little mercy.
They ascended the steps and approached the central archway. Ornately designed with arcane symbols and engravings. The most standout feature, however, was a statue of a woman hovering over the door. Arms wide with invitation, pupil-less eyes seeming cosmic and powerful, looming ever gracefully over the mortal beings below.
"Who is that?" asked Neptune.
Weiss scoffed like she was in the presence of an idiot. "Fool! Do you know anything in your backwater village? Bow your head in respect to the All-Mother!"
Jaune intoned his head like the Blessed did, looking at the goddess curiously. "Sorry, we haven't been in the city long."
Sun looked understanding, thankfully. "Well, I suppose where you come from, your powers may be called something else."
You have no idea how right you are. Jaune made something up quickly. "We have to keep our power secret where we come from. That's why we came here. We heard you might have a use for people like us."
"Can't say we couldn't use some help."
"Sun! I mean, Warrior of Wukong! Don't reveal to our enemies the state of our military strength."
"We have no military. It's just us."
"But don't let them know that!"
"Everyone knows that already, even our biggest enemies. You worry too much. If Yang has her way, they'll be executed anyway."
"Do not refer to the Warrior-Princess so casually!"
Sun grinned at Jaune, ignoring Weiss entirely. "Anyway, you don't know who the All-Mother is, do you? Well, she's our God."
"She is the true God, you mean," said Weiss, raising a knowing finger like she was reciting poetry. "Goddess All-Mother of the Ever-Summer. It was her who birthed our fair kingdom. She built the foundations, she wrote the laws in unbreakable stone, and she Blessed the land with eternal light, growth, and prosperity. She gave all her heavenly power to build this land you so unreservedly stand on." She glared at Jaune and Neptune expectantly and they bowed their heads to the statue once more. "And then she took a human husband and the form of mortal flesh. She became our ruler, Queen-Mother Summer of House Rose, and she ruled like no other. With her silver eyes, she kept the demons at bay and gave us all over a thousand years of peace. A thousand years!" And Weiss nodded, looking pretty pleased with herself for that bit of exposition.
"That was a long time ago now though," said Sun. "Queen Summer has passed now and we are left to protect the kingdom in her stead. Her blessings have begun to fade. The creatures of darkness Invade our city and winter is coming. The dark days are closer now than ever before."
It was all so epic sounding to Jaune, but he understood it somewhat. It seemed Ruby's heart world still had its exaggerated aspects. Summer had seemed to be the axle by which the whole family turned. The world they revolved around. Perhaps it wasn't surprising that Ruby's heart would manifest it as her mother being almost like a God. A land of always summer was heaven itself. A land without her, well, it was chaos to put it lightly. Brimful with fear, destruction, uncertainty, and monsters.
It was a long walk beyond the archway, through the golden halls of the castle, decorated with family busts and portraits, hanging tapestries, and saluting guards. Jaune wondered if that was on purpose. Like taking the death row inmates to the gallows, the journey there would induce stress, fear, and the realization that they would not live past that day. Jaune had known it sure, but only now did he fully comprehend the danger they were in. They'd be able to fight if things went wrong, sure, but Sun had said they had no military. Meaning only the Blessed and possibly local forces defended the city from hordes of Grimm and other enemy forces that probably did have armies. If this was not a bluff, then how many Blessed could there be? And how strong were they?
Jaune did not wait long for an answer. They pushed through a set of tall golden double doors and into a large throne room. Walls hung with long tapestries, a long red carpet leading toward the dais, where four stone thrones sat carved with flowers, thorns, and swords. Vines hung from the ceiling in webbings of intricate design, trees sprang from the walls, and bushels of fruit hung from the branches. Jaune might have been in awe at it all, but it was the assemblage of people that had his attention.
All fitted about the left and right sides of the walkway were warriors in various suits of armor, but all adorned with symbols of the capital and the colors of the royal house. Their heads turned to Jaune and Neptune as they entered and did not look away. Some watched with confusion, others with curiosity, and still more with blatant suspicion. Jaune certainly had not missed the various weapons they carried, either. Not at all.
Normal soldiers, I hope. But I don't get that feeling. All Blessed then. And there are at least a hundred. In an instant, the likelihood that we may be able to fight our way out of here has greatly lessened. Jaune looked ahead, toward a group of three that could have only been the leaders of this small army, and all of them familiar faces.
Princess Yang was a given, stood in the middle, and watched them with hard distrust in her eyes. Nora, wearing armor and a skirt, toting a massive hammer and smiling broadly. Ren with some sheathed knives and looking passive but attentive. Weiss and Sun joined them at their designated spots on Yang's other side, one cheerily nonchalant, the other radiating cold hatred. It could not be denied that, all stood together, they were quite the intimidating ensemble just by themselves.
Sun whispered into Yang's ear, now unfortunately too far away to hear. Yang did not take her eyes off Jaune and Neptune for an instant. Once he was done, she spoke.
"I remember you two from the night before. Out past curfew. It would seem you have purposefully chosen not to heed my orders."
Neptune chuckled nervously. "There wasn't another way to get your attention, uh, your Highness."
"You could have made a formal request at the Lord Chamberlain's office."
"We were… kinda in a hurry."
"Am I to believe then, that the story you told me was but a falsehood? That you lied to a Blessed? To your Princess, no less?"
Jaune began to suspect that lying to either one might be some criminal offense. He wouldn't put it past this world's rules. He realized that this was the seat of power in the Kingdom, very clearly. A monarchy in name, and something of a stratocracy in function. At least it was now, while there seemed to be no official king or queen.
Jaune nodded in answer to Yang's question. "I don't suppose apologizing would be enough for you to let us off."
"It won't." Her eyes narrowed. "I will have your true intentions for breaking into my city now."
Jaune gestured to Neptune. "My friend and I have journeyed from across the sea, looking for a place where we can use our abilities. We heard there were warriors here and we decided to come."
Some whispers were going around. Sayings like, "could that be true?" And "From across the sea?" And "they are blessed?" Accusations of lies were the most frequent.
"That is also what they told us, Your Highness.." nodded Weiss.
"Unfortunately, that doesn't mean we can take it for truth," said Ren simply.
"Our princess does not like lies very much." Said Nora with a manic grin, stroking the giant head of her hammer.
"Lies or not, they don't seem bad intentioned to me," said Sun, rubbing his chin in thought. Ever the homie, even in another world. He turned to the Princess. "We should give them a chance. Let's have them fight for us. If they mean to serve, they should be happy with the work."
Yang frowned. "And what if they serve another master? How can we know they are not under the employ of assassins? How do we know you are not subordinates of the Mad Wolf? Perhaps you have found work already. Work that intends harm upon my kingdom and my family."
Jaune resisted the urge to sigh at all the assenting nods. "Let us prove ourselves. We wanted to get an audience with you so we helped fight the demons—"''
"And you think this absolves you of suspicion?" Weiss cut in. "You could intend on infiltrating our ranks and whittling away our soldiers one after another. Or you could be after the Heir-Princess's life!"
More nods and grunts of agreement. Jaune was starting to feel the wind change. "We are here to fight the demons. We just want to put our skills to work." Jaune decided to make a risky play. "How many have the Wolf killed already? I see plenty of empty seats."
People frowned at him and the whole room was converted to enemies in an instant. Jaune looked at Yang. "You've fought him countless times by now, and each time drove him back. But he gets closer to the castle with every siege. The walls cannot keep the Wolf back, the whole city knows it."
"You dare." Said Yang. "I should—"
"You should let me face him."
Now everyone looked at Jaune specifically, even Neptune. All wide-eyed with shock. Jaune did not let himself falter and tried to keep up his confident tone. "You heard me. Let me face the Wolf. I can defeat him."
Jaune half expected everyone to burst into a chorus of laughter. To fall out of their chairs and choke on their spit, to kick their feet in the air while calling him an idiot. Instead, they all looked at him like he was an absolute lunatic. Which was not a new thing being honest. People often gave him such looks.
Yang's mouth was agape. "You—"
The entrance doors boomed as they were opened again and all turned toward someone that came striding in. Barefoot and dressed in a simple nightgown, she should not have cut such a commanding presence, yet amongst this procession of armed and armored warriors, she appeared to be right where she belonged.
The Mad Princess Ruby. Looking plain but strangely beautiful all the same. Her pink lips were set into a steady frown and her bright silver eyes had a powerful aura to them, which somehow commanded complete silence from the room. Only the padding of her feet across the floor was an exception. She looked like she had just endured a harsh slight and was about to set it right.
Everyone had risen from their seats to bow, but of course, Ruby paid them no heed. She strolled on through Jaune and Neptune as if they weren't even there. She stopped in front of Yang, who did not look cowed like the others and rather like a babysitter with a defiant child in her care. Jaune could tell she was working out how to say what she wanted to say to Ruby in front of all this company and he did not envy that awkward position.
"Ruby, my dear sister. You ought to be in your bedchamber for the current time. I said I would come to retrieve you when you were needed." Jaune guessed that was the less rude way of saying "Go back to your room, where I told you to stay."
"I don't imagine you would have informed me of your intentions to fight the Mad Wolf once more? I had to order my servants to tell me what they heard, and it is well that they did."
Yang had that look like she'd been caught with her pants down and had no choice but to leave them there. "He is our enemy. He seeks to lay waste to the kingdom. He must be repelled!"
"I would ask you again to cease your attempts."
"Never."
"To spare us any further defeats, we must meet his demands, whatever they may be."
"My lady, do you know what that means?" attempted Ren, but lowering her head when Ruby rounded on him.
"He will not have you," said Yang staunchly. "He is a beast seeking naught but to violate you. You are soon to be queen and cannot allow yourself to be defiled."
"So more of my warriors will suffer defeat only to spare my honor? It's madness, sister. Meet his demands. You cannot defeat him."
"I can and will."
Ruby seemed to flare with anger. She turned to look at Jaune, a brief flash of familiarity before reverting to anger once more. "I know these two."
Jaune swallowed anxiously. Was this the end for them?
"How?" demanded Yang.
"The day I left the city border, in the forest, Grimm attacked me. They came to my rescue." Ruby inclined her head toward Jaune. "This is correct, no?'
Jaune fumbled his words but eventually got them out. "Yeah, that's true."
More whispers carried through the crowd of warriors, ones of alleviated suspicions and concerns. I suppose if they wanted the Princess, they had the perfect chance there. We could use more fighters. That boy thinks he can defeat the Wolf. Can't hurt to let him try.
"That should be enough to quell your concerns, shouldn't it?' Ruby said. None of the Blessed argued, not even her sister. "Good. They are welcomed amongst the Blessed, then. Use them well in your battle, sister. Now, everyone but the new initiates are to vacate the room."
The Blessed all began to file out, bowing in respect and complimenting Ruby as they did.. Yang was the last to leave, but she waited for all the others to go before her eyes softened. "Ruby… I'm doing this for you. I'm protecting you. You are soon to be Queen."
Ruby looked up at her. "You cannot protect me forever."
"I think I will try anyway." And Yang kissed Ruby's forehead before stalking past Jaune, the throne room door closing behind her.
Then Ruby turned to them, serious silver eyes fastened on Jaune. "You saw me in the woods."
Jaune did not deny it.
"But I do not believe you are spies or assassins."
"We're not. We've come to help in the fight. Against the demons. Against this Wolf."
Ruby adopted a look of pity. "I do not doubt the two of you may have great strength, but it will not serve you here. The Wolf is in demand of me and he will settle for nothing less."
"I can beat him. We won't let him take you."
Ruby stepped closer, almost seeming to glide toward him. It felt a lot like encountering her in the real world. How she had no qualms about invading his space, while he was too dumbstruck to push her away. Why did she have this power over him? "If you truly mean to protect me and my kingdom, I would ask you to steal me away from the castle and deliver me to the Wolf after the battle. I wish to bring the fighting to an end."
"Ya—I mean, Princess Yang seems prepared to fight," said Neptune.
"I daresay my sister would wage war with the stars if they were to rain on my head. But I did not wish for this. Turn me over to the Wolf. I would go myself, but my sister will have me under constant watch. I need your help."
Jaune stared down at her. Could tell she was serious and unwilling to budge on the matter. But neither was he."What if we say no? I guess you'll go back on that lie of yours?"
Ruby stepped closer, looking up desperately. "I would plead for you to reconsider."
"Why not threaten to have us killed?"
"My wish is that no one should die. Not even you. Please."
Jaune had to stand his ground. This Wolf was bringing the Grimm, he was sure of it. Perhaps beating it and restoring hope to the kingdom would pull the Mad Princess from her spell of despair. Weirdly though, the feeling of Despair was not heavy on her. "I won't let the Wolf bring anyone harm, Princess."
She sighed and turned away, facing the throne. "The Mad Wolf has made his demands. He has made his claim for me and will not be refused. You cannot beat him."
Jaune was not moved. "I think we'll try anyway, Princess."
She chuckled sadly. Shaking her head m like she's been afraid of this outcome, yet still expected it. "Try all you like, but I do not believe you will triumph."
"Is he that strong? Do you think he'll kill us all? Your entire army of Blessed?"
Ruby said nothing for a long moment, then turned to face him. "The Wolf has killed none of my warriors."
Jaune blinked. "What?"
"It is the truth. He comes not for blood and so he sheds none. Those warriors you had the audience of are as of yet the unwounded remainder, while most of them sleep in the Healer's Bay, hoping never to fight again. The Mad Wolf has been repelled only because he refuses to kill my people. Who is to say how long his patience will last?"
Princess Ruby moved on past Jaune, perhaps very aware of the new horror she'd instilled into him and Neptune.
"He will not kill you, or any of my warriors," she said, "because he does not have to."
It is the best thing ever that reviews discussing deep psychological traumas and character relationships give way to theorizing that Jaune and Ruby are gonna bang like animals. It is just perfect.