Princess of Snow's Aura

Aura once belonging to Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company and Heroine of Beacon. For many, the infection is a blight upon Remnant, stripping you of all your will… but, for a fleeting moment, Weiss was glad for the freedom that it was going to provide. Freedom from your own mind and demons… until she realized that she would simply be exchanging one monster for another. In her desperation, she was barely able to summon her trusty Arma Gigas, before succumbing to the sickness, which obeyed its mistress's last command: eliminate all threats to her safety, human or not.

Use this Aura for a superior purpose and save Remnant!

A longer description than usual… but Weiss had always been the most… complicated member of her team, so he supposed it fit, in a macabre sort of way. It was the first time he heard of someone willingly welcoming the infection, in order to escape from themself. Did she really felt like this? Or were her negative thoughts amplified by it? Could it even do that?

There was still so much he didn't know about his new world, even if he felt like he had been walking along for years, after waking up in Ansel. How much time has it actually been? Hours? Days? Weeks? He had no idea…

Jaune sighed, eyes closed, barely managing to bite back his feelings threatening to burst from his chest. What wouldn't he give to be like Winter… completely unbothered by everything and everyone, always in control of your own emotions, no matter what. Must be nice…

Before long, his breathing was once more under control. Three down… just one more left. Arguably the most difficult to find, considering Vacuo's massive desert. She could literally be hiding everywhere... that's gonna be fun… not.

One problem at the time, though. First thing first, the Relic. Where could have she hidden it? It had to be within the mansion, but he had been more or less around the entire place and he hadn't felt its presence in the slightest. Which meant that it was around this ballroom, somewhere. He just hoped that it wasn't on the balcony… because then, he could kiss the damn thing goodbye… or he'll have to ask for Winter to get it.

Hard fucking pass.

He started walking around the, frankly, oversized room, in search of that presence that he already felt twice before. He hummed in disappointment when he felt nothing. Really? Where the fuck…?

He stopped when he passed close to the fallen chandelier. Now that he thought about it, the Arma Gigas had looked particularly pissed when this thing fell down. He assumed that it had been because it now knew that someone was around… but the balcony had been already filled with Turned, which meant that it already was aware of being "surrounded", in a way.

Hmmm… I wonder…

He walked closer to the chandelier, careful to not step on any big shard of glass… then he finally felt it. He closed the distance a bit more quickly (narrowly avoiding stabbing himself in the foot) and carefully searched through the mess of glass and metal.

Ah! Bingo!

Slowly, he grasped his reward for all his troubles. It still made him bitter to think about it. These damn things were not worth the lives of his friends. But hopefully, that could be fixed. It had to be fixed.

The Staff of Creation… this Relic in particular was the one despised the most, purely because it reminded him of the tunnels that he and friends used to try and evacuate the entirety of Atlas and Mantle in Vacuo…

And the sin that he had been forced to dirty himself with. His very first victim, one would say.

Penny… you didn't deserve to go like that…

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RELIC CLAIMED

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Silence stretched on for a bit, as he strapped the Staff onto his back. It was quiet now… too quiet. The sounds of battle coming from outside were also gone. So, either Winter defeated all the Grimm outside…

Or another girl in the world is suddenly going to have a lot of questions left unanswered. Coming back to the main atrium, he noticed that the ice blocking the door was gone as well.

Carefully, he placed his ear against the door. Nothing. Deciding to take a risk, he peeked through a small opening that he made while opening the thing. No Grimm at all.

They were all dead. The only thing left outside… was Winter herself, sitting down a small ice made chair, likely waiting for him to come out.

He wasn't exaggerating when he said that the mansion was completely surrounded by Grimm, earlier. It was a massive, thick black wall, made of hundreds, if not a thousand creatures of darkness. The fact that she managed to kill them all, while at the same time answering his flare and icing up the Arma Gigas… he shuddered lightly to himself.

Maidens were this powerful, once they had enough time to practice their powers…?

Jaune gulped, suddenly glad that the older ice queen was on their side (unlike another Maiden that he was forced to interact with semi-regularly), while he exited the mansion for good, leaving that nightmare behind.

Winter saw him straight away, standing up from her seat, which disappeared as soon as her behind stopped making contact with it.

"Arc. You survived, I see. I am glad to see. If you made it out, then that means…"

He nodded. Weiss was free of her shackles. Another step in his journey was at last completed.

She somehow straightened up even more. But he didn't miss the way her fists started shaking a bit.

"Weiss is finally done suffering… I am relieved, truly. But…"

She was sad and angry that it had to come to this.

"I… suppose so. It has not been easy to know that this was the only way to save her from her fate. Salem will not get away with this…!"

At that moment, Jaune finally had his own epiphany. Just because Winter was good at hiding her emotions… didn't mean that she stopped feeling them altogether. She still smiled, laughed, cried and shouted just like everybody else….

She would simply do it inside, instead of outside. Somewhere that no one could see… because she had to be strong. But now…

Jaune smiled bitterly, taking hold of the Staff of Creation and handing it to her. He couldn't think of a safer place for it.

"Arc… are you sure? You earned this with all your sweat and blood, plas you'll have no guarantee that I can keep it safe! What if I…!"

He gently rolled his eyes. Arguably one of the most powerful people in all of Remnant, and here she was, having doubts. There's a first for everything, huh? He supposed that the loss of a loved one could make anyone doubt their own abilities…

He started walking past her, gently grasping on her shoulders. She could do it… because Winter Schnee was the most reliable person that he knew. She'll face this challenge head on and come out on top, like she always did.

"... Very well then. I suppose that I already deal with Grimm pretty much all the time. Protecting this will not require any additional effort. Here, take these. I'm sure that they will be more useful to you, rather than me."

Obtained: Aura Pill

Obtained: Precious Stone X10

Obtained: Scrap Metal X6

Sheesh! What a loot! Speaking of finding things though…

"Only Whitley made it out alive huh? In Beacon you say? And you promise that he'll be safe there?"

He was sure of it. With Taiyang and Ghira, no one and nothing was gonna enter that sanctuary uninvited.

Winter heaved a small sigh of relief, even if she looked like she bit on a lemon.

"Then, I shall trust you on that. Have a safe journey… Jaune".

He nodded, but before he left, he remembered the letter that Willow had left on the counter. Winter was always fighting, not just the Grimm, but also herself, constantly battling her own emotions, in order to be a rock for everyone else that looked up to her.

So… he decided to grant the mother her final request… by telling her daughter that now, she was free to mourn and grieve to her heart's content, should she feel like.

"Grieve…"

The older woman tightened her hold on the Staff of Creation… before sending him off with a smile. The first real one that he ever saw on her face.

"Thank you… I shall… take that into consideration".

He smiled as well, grasping his Proof of Passage… and pretending not to hear her while she softly cried.

The lives of the Schnee family members were surrounded by pain, death, suffering, tragedy and misfortunes. Most of them self caused, perhaps…

But Winter, Weiss and Whitley had nothing to do with it. They never asked for any of this… and had no blame for it. It was much too late for the father and the mother…

But perhaps, when the end would finally arrive… the children will be able to do what their parents could not and forge a new life for themselves. He sincerely hoped that they would.

No.

He was sure of it.

"Lad! You made it! Why, I was almost sure that you had gotten yourself killed!"

Jaune rolled his eyes. Thanks Gunmetal, your faith is as unshakable as always.

"Don't give me that look. With all the madness going on outside, you can't really blame me for assuming the worst. Now… what can I do for you?"

He searched around his pockets (his very big pockets) and handed off the two items that the blacksmith requested for the upgrade, finally. He only hoped that it would be worth the pain he went through to get them…

Given away: Gravity Dust

Given away: Hard Light Dust

Gunmetal laughed, as he got hold of the items, plus his shield obviously. He also left his dagger and pistol as well, for upgrades. And his charred armor. But he doubted that even the blacksmith could do anything about that…

"Excellent lad! Sit back and relax, this will likely take a while!"

He nodded, leaving the forgery in order to check on everyone currently in Beacon.

Taiyang was standing with his back towards a wall, taking a break from his work.

"Don't worry about me, my friend. I can still fight! Only worry about your next step!"

Ghira and Kali Belladonna also seemed to be relatively well, all things considered, sitting close to one another.

"Taiyang says he's fine… but he's getting more and more tired everyday…"

"Which is why I'm going to be accompanying him from now on, until you come back for good. Do not fret, I won't let anything happen to him".

He thanked the male faunus for his help, before moving on towards Ilia, who apparently decided to also take a break.

"Things in Mistral are more or less normal. Well… the new normal, I should say. Just… I feel like I should warn you. Raven is starting to move. I don't know where she's going and what she's planning to do… but please, be careful, all right?"

Well… that was terrible news. Like, actually outright frightening. Jaune bit back his fear, urging his friend to rest while she could, while he checked on Whitley.

"I… appreciate your concern but… please, just give me some time to process everything…"

He wanted to tell him about Willow… but decided to not do it. Not now, while he was shaken like that.

Finally, he settled with his sister, his sister in law and his nephew, waiting for Gunmetal to finish working.

"Jaune… how long has it been since you last slept?"

His eyes settled on Terra, while he rummaged the question. He doubted that passing out in the cold outskirts on Solitas counted as "sleeping", so… since the beginning, he supposed?

"What?! Are you out of your mind, little brother?! How are you even still standing?!"

Ah… yeah. They didn't know. And… honestly, he didn't even want to tell them at all. It would only cause even more unnecessary pain… so, he kept silent.

"Welp, I'm not gonna let that stand. If you're not gonna take care of yourself, them I'm gonna force you to do it".

His sister's words snapped him out of his thoughts, while her hands took hold of his head and forced it down… on her lap.

"Get some sleep lil bro. You deserve it, after everything you've been through…"

Terra continued from where her wife left off.

"Your body might be fine… but your mind is not. There are different types of fatigues, you know? Close your eyes for a bit, everything will feel better when you wake up. I promise".

… it didn't look like he had a choice in the matter, huh? He yawned without even meaning to. Damn it, now he was actually feeling it…

Just as he was about to close his eyes, little Adrian decided that he was also tired, laying down next to his uncle for a nap. Jaune smiled lightly, gently squeezing his nephew, ignoring Saphron's cooing. What a pain in the butt, his sister was…

He wouldn't have it any other way.

His sleep was light and dreamless. He could feel his friends in his soul trying to reach him… but he couldn't answer their call. His infection simply wouldn't allow it. Not for the first time, he asked himself just how much time he had left… and what would happen if it took over before he could finish his mission. Was there a possible cure, apart from death?

He had no idea. And he likely never will, if things continued as they were. There wasn't much in terms of clear cut answers, it seemed.

Some time later, Gunmetal's voice snapped him out of his small nap. Adrian was still sleeping, and it looked like Terra and Saphron had decided to follow suit… with the latter snoring like a truck. He carefully let go of his adorable nephew, letting him take his place on his mother's lap, while he finally got up. Break's over, time to get back into business.

"There you are, finally! Took your sweet time! Here, your weapons. The shield has been fully upgraded and your dagger and pistol are a bit stronger than before".

Obtained: Upgraded Shield

"Your armor though… I've done what I could. But you're gonna have to find a replacement soon. I doubt that this one is going to handle more than a couple of heavy hits".

Jaune frowned, not exactly happy with the news. He needed some good armor, especially now that his aura reserves weren't as large as they used to be. He just hoped that it would hold, at least for a while.

And would you look at that. At the end of the day, it's always Weiss the one to blame. Shocker.

Shut up! Those weren't his thoughts!

You sure about that?

He ignored the voice in his head that early resembled his own, while he re-entered Atlas Academy, ready to continue…

Oh wait, Roman. He almost forgot about that one. He told him to meet him inside Ambrosius' tunnels, right? Might as well go in and hear what he wanted…

He regarded the portal with a mix of contempt and shame, before crossing it. The insides were the exact same as they were before, minus Penny's body.

He gritted his teeth at that, before walking towards Roman, who was standing close to the edge on the main platform, waiting for him.

"Knight boy, there you are! Thought you wouldn't show up for a second!"

He had been tempted. But in the end, curiosity took over.

"I have one last favor to ask of you, buddy ol pal of mine. You see, finding my scroll and freeing Gunmetal, while advantageous for you, was all done with a clear objective in mind. Find Neopolitan, wherever she may be. First I tried to track her scroll with mine, but that didn't work since communication is mostly down. On top of the fact that she probably doesn't even have hers anymore. So, I changed tactics and found our blacksmith friend with it. You see, he was the one that forged Neo's weapon, and since he has a habit of installing trackers into the weapons that he forges, I thought he would help me. Turns out, Neo is not on Remnant anymore…"

Roman's eyes drifted down.

"She's down there. And if I had to take a guess… she's not herself anymore either".

Roman knew about the Ever After? How? He was dead way before any of that occured!

The thief smirked, tutting.

"That bit of information is for me to know and for you to never find out. But anyway, my last request is as follows. Go down there, find Neo… and do what you do best when it comes to Turned. I will not be asking you anything more after you're done with that".

Neo was still down there? Jaune got closer to the edge of the platform, peering down. He didn't really want to go back into that hellhole. Especially because he had no way to come back…

"Ahhh, don't worry your pretty blonde head about it. Your Proof of Passage can get you out of any situation. In fact, I'm jealous! You have a get out of jail free card that never runs out! I would pay millions of lien to have something like that!"

Distracted with thoughts of that blasted place, plus Roman's chattering, Jaune failed to notice the older man placing himself right behind him.

"Do try not to die, okay? After everything you've been through, that would be simply tragic…"

What…?

Then, Roman's boot connected with his butt and he was free falling down once again. He turned around just in time to see the ginger wave at him with a cheeky smile.

Then everything went black.

Hello?! Is this thing on?! It is thing on?! It is?! Noice.

Welcome back, dudes and gentleladies, to another episode of Auraborne, the show where obvious foreshadowing is obvious ahahaha.

I know, no action this chapter, but after that massive fight from the last one, I think we all earned a moment of respite, didn't we? Take a second to check up on the other NPCs and see how things are going.

Remember when some of you guys compared Roman to Patches? And I said that it wouldn't be like that? Well, sike. Now our little hero will be once again stuck in the Ever After to deal with Neo… or will he?

Review Responses!

merendinoemiliano: I wouldn't mind DragonSlayer, but Blacksun? Poor Sun man, please don't stick him with the garbage tier girl ahahaha

Essiter1987: Yup, some nice Dragon God's like action, just to shake things up a little.

He's not really a good boss though. On the original he was bugged, while in the remake he's just… kind of boring, I suppose. Well, I mean, I'm fairly sure that the Deacon of the Deep and the Ancient Wyvern count as gimmick bosses, especially the Wyvern.

It depends. Full plate armor, no. If the armor has holes or anything along those lines, then rapiers are gonna do big damage. Not as much as a mace or any other blunt weapon, but enough. But place a shield in between and yeah, rapiers take the L then. Scythes are not good weapons, at all, but in Elden Ring they have range, good damage and proc bleed naturally, so that makes them pretty damn strong.

Man, you really like Sister Friede, don't you? I don't blame you, easily one of the best fights in the series, hands down. Maybe someone will write something along those lines, one day. Someone better at writing actions scenes and with more imagination than me.

I hit a bit of a ditch on FF7… so now I got myself addicted to FF16. How came it has not been nominated for Game of the Year, I have absolutely no idea, this game slaps.

I don't really care for RWBY Justice League. It doesn't look bad, but… why? Just… just why? Who asked for it? I didn't, that's for sure.

Hope you had some nice festivities dude, both Christmas and New Year!

behaartzas: The Schnee's misfortune was mostly something caused by Jacques. Jaune wasn't sympathizing with the family, not yet, but with Weiss specifically, since she suffered the consequences of actions that she had nothing to do with. Klein was likely biased towards Weiss, but I will agree with you that Whitley didn't deserve to be left behind like that.

It was a combination of factors, in my opinion. Her teammates, her time in Vale in general, the contrast with Atlas and everything along those lines. Characters are not so simple to change because of one factor, but it's usually more than one thing that happens that slowly change another person's view of the world. But Ruby was a major player in that development, I doubt that Weiss would have been who she is today without her partner.

The Ruby and Blake bit in Atlas was major fucking cringe, agreed.

Weiss is able to decide the dimension of her summons (or at least the Arms Gigas, dunno about the others). The one in the last chapter was massive, even taller than it was during the White trailer, so yeah, one punch from that thing and your ass is very much toast, I promise.

The dress is a RWBY thing, yeah. That's why Jaune added the "somehow", after the functional part. It shouldn't be, but Weiss manages to fight no problem while in it, so… yeah.

Not every boss is going to be or feel the same. Gimmick bosses are a thing that the soulsborne games are very known for (especially Demon's Souls, which was the primary inspiration for the fight, together with that small bit of Father Gascoigne), so we're experimenting a bit. The concentration thing was to give Weiss some sort of weakness, since her Semblance is so damn overpowered that's not even funny.

Yeah, it is a good question. How come Weiss summons the armor instead of the Geist? No idea, you'll have to ask Rooster Teeth. But it likely is a plot hole.

I will admit, the detail about the secret passage was there in order to speed things along a little. And I mean, what guarantees you that Weiss didn't just tell all the details? She could have. We don't know, since alot of things are left very much unsaid in the show. If I can fill in some gaps and make things a bit smoother, I will welcome that. The 1v1 thing was a personal jab of mine, just for the laughs. You're right that it doesn't really make sense, but it's funny.

It's a bit of both. I will not hide that I hate the way Atlas was adapted into the show, especially Ironwood, so some personal bias is there, but again, the infection changes the way Jaune sees and acts at times. He's constantly at a struggle with himself, and sometimes he slips, with those comments. Also, it is Ironwood's fault 100%. I think even Jaune would be pissed at the man for pretty much ruining everything.

It's not a secret that the White Fang has a specific hate boner towards the SDC. There must be a reason for that, don't you think? The attack at Beacon happened after Cinder pretty much took control of that branch of the organization, made of radicals who wanted nothing more than to strike the humans in general. I don't think they count as an example of what the organization actually stands for.

Brother, it is literally shown that Pyrrha uses her Semblance to move Jaune's shield into the proper position to block the Ursa's attack. But maybe you mean the one after the Breach? That… I have no answer for that. My man literally just swung his sword like a dumbass and the Ursa died just like that. I had erased that scene from how outright stupid it is, but I suppose you technically have a point… I guess.

Neo is fucking weird dude. I don't know how to classify her strength wise at this point, she's literally all over the place.

Monty preferred to animate cinematic fights, with lots of flips and cool shit going on. Guns don't really fit into that, unless you're Yang or Ruby, in which case the guns are part of your melee combat.

It's cool, I actually value these kinds of criticism a lot, helps me grow as a writer. Maybe if I was better, a lot of things could have been avoided, but everyone has to start somewhere, huh?

Who knows, at this point? It's all just speculation on our part, other than the fact that the Ace Ops also lost against team RWBY when the dog faunus guy could have just used his semblance and ended everything straight away, so honestly I don't know what to believe at this point. Plot convenience I guess.

The site has had some issues these last few months. Things should be getting better now, but something's always happening with it, unfortunately.

That's all folks! Ta-ta for now!