the Accord
RWBY & Constantine
Jaune Arc / Pyrrha Nikos / Lie Ren / Nora Valkyrie
The brothers had an agreement. No direct influence in the matters of the mortal world. It was an accord they both broke immediately. Each empowering an avatar; they allowed the stalemate between the angelic and demonic realms to roll into the mortal. Jaune Arc is a troubled young man. A "freelance" exorcist he arrives at Beacon at the behest of Headmaster Ozpin. Paired with Pyrrha Nikos, a young woman with her own secrets. Can the pair co-exist, while also dealing with a world were the lines between good and evil are constantly being over stepped.
/==/
Pyrrah Nikos made her way to the Headmaster's office. She had been summoned, via her Beacon issued scroll. A seed of unease tried to take root in her gut, as to why she had received in invitation. Did he know? Had he deduced her true nature? No that couldn't be the reason. If he knew about her true aims he would have sent someone like Goodwitch to confront her; and not just ask her to come to his office. So she suppressed the feeling. Her reason to be at the premiere fighting school, was not exposed. She was free to see to her Mistresses schemes for this place.
She broke out of her self reflection, when she discovered that she was standing in front of the elevator that lead up into Beacon's tower. Licking her lips, she focused herself. She couldn't loose nerve or give any hints at her true intentions. Pressing the up button she waited for the ring that indicated that the carriage was at her level. The doors swished open and she stepped inside.
/=/
"You've seen better days Jaune." Ozpin commented as he sat behind his desk, raising his customary mug to his lips.
"I was attacked." the dishevelled young man replied, as he sat slumped in a chair before the desk, while rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand.
"Really?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow as he set his mug down. "Grimm?"
"In the middle of Vale? It was a demon."
"Well they really do not like you."
"This wasn't some half breed, Oz. This was a full on fledged demon." Jaune sighed, as he rolled his neck. "Not to mention having to free a young girl from having a creep trying to chew it's way through her to manifest."
"Neither of those are possible, Jaune."
"Don't tell me to ignore what I've seen." Jaune snapped, "There's something happening."
"Jaune, grimm can only manifest as shadows. You know this. That's why they dissolve when defeated. They do not have the ability to full manifest at their true strength, as for demons. They are barred by the accord."
"Fuck the accord. There is something..." the ding of the elevator cut off Jaune's rant.
"As yes. She is here."
"Who is here?"
"Headmaster, you asked me to come to your office?"
"Yes, Ms. Nikos. Thank you for arriving so quickly." Ozpin greeted the young woman, dressed in a Becaon uniform. "Please come in, I have someone I wish you to meet."
"Of course."
Jaune cast a glance over his shoulder. She was beautiful, with long flowing crimson hair. She moved with the poise of someone who for the most part was secure in her abilities. He knew her name was important, for some reason; but he couldn't place it, and to be honest didn't care. Ozpin had bent his arm to attend the combat school. Jaune was hesitant. He wasn't a warrior. He didn't have the strength for it. He wasn't one to be a front line fighter. He had other methods, that didn't require to be facing grimm hordes head on.
"Ms. Nikos, this is Jaune Arc."
Jaune noticed the sudden stiffness she displayed, before it was quickly suppressed. His eyes narrowed. Was his reputation so bad that want a be huntresses, and huntsmen acted with revulsion at the mention of his name?
"Jaune, this is Ms. Pyrrha Nikos. The star of this years applicants." Jaune sighed as he stood during Ozpin's introduction. He might as well be civil, "And you're new partner."
That caused them both to stiffen. Jaune recovered the fastest, followed by him glaring at the Headmaster.
"What do you mean, Partner? I work alone, Oz. You know this." Jaune snapped, "Besides I'm not huntsman material. I'm an exorcist."
"Jaune, I asked you to be at Beacon so we can discuss things. But you can not remain on Beacon's grounds unless you are either a staff member, or a student." Ozpin reached forward and collected his mug, "And I would never consider making you a member of my staff, nor would I torture my students with learning your... methods."
"Headmaster, initiation was four days ago."
"Correct, Ms. Nikos, but as a result you have no partner; and as I need Mr. Arc to remain on Beacon grounds for the foreseeable future... this is the only acceptable method to accomplish that task."
"Talk?" Jaune scoffed, "You mean you want to try and leash me."
"No one could leash you. But with the uptick of grimm activity I require talented resources. You are talented, even if you are rather rough with your methods. You have skills, and I want to hone them. You need to hone them." Ozpin took a sip from his mug, "Plus there are... other items I wish to speak to you about."
"Fu..." Jaune's curse was cut off as his body was wracked by a choking fit of coughing. Both Ozpin and Pyrrha watched as he dropped to his knees, holding his hand over his mouth.
"Jaune?" Ozpin asked, as he set his mug down and rose from his seat.
Jaune's fit settled down, and he shook while rising to his feet wiping his hand on his black jeans. Ozpin's eyes narrowed, as he saw the wet mark that appeared on the dark material. Jaune gave a couple more light coughs, before drawing in a raspy breath. Pyrrha looked troubled as she stood still off to the side.
"Jaune, when did this start?"
"A few months, give or take. "
"You shouldn't be suffering like that, at your age."
"Guess I'm just lucky."
"How long?"
"A couple months to a couple years, give or take."
"Headmaster?" Pyrrha asked, her emerald eyes, betraying her concern. "Are you sure he can handle the training regime here?"
"I'm sure he will..."
"I'm not fucking training like that." Jaune snapped, still trying to catch his breath, "You want me to hang around, then I'll work on things I need to practice. I'm not one of your front line Oz. Never will be."
"I see. You WILL have to attend classes, and participate; which includes combat class."
"Of course it would." Jaune sighed, "You couldn't just let me stay in the library?"
"No, and taking in consideration of your early statement, you need to improve; even if it is just to better defend yourself."
"Did something happen?"
"I was attacked, on my way here."
"Attacked?" Pyrrha ran through her memories, and instructions. Everything hinged on her being subtle, this Arc was going to draw more attention to her, than even her own skills already have. "Did you inform the police?"
"It wasn't that type of attack." Jaune replied, his breathing finally returning to a semblance of normal. "It was a demon, and I sent it back to the pits."
"I see. I thought such things weren't possible?" Pyrrha feigned ignorance. She knew it was totally possible for a true demon to enter this realm. She had done it. But to have one of her kind attack Jaune in the open, was troubling. Was he that dangerous?
"You'd be fucking surprised what is possible, even if" Jaune gave Ozpin a glare, "some don't want to acknowledge it."
"I believe I've taken enough of both of your time. Ms. Nikos please escort your partner," Ozpin allowed himself a slight grin at Jaune's deadpanned expression, "to your dorm."
"Yes, Headmaster."
/=/
Pyrrha was nervous, even though she hid it well. Currently she was leading Jaune Arc, her new partner towards their shared dorm. She was already on edge considering her other paired neighbours, and now with HIM invading her privacy. She didn't know his whole story, but she had heard enough. He was young, actually the youngest known exorcist, but he was also not Church associated. He was a freelancer, and there have been stories that he'd even tangled with some of the other side. He was a wildcard, and not something she was comfortable having to account for. Her mission was getting more complicated by the moment.
She heard Jaune snort. She looked over her shoulder and noticed him reaching inside his ratty looking hooded duster. Her eyes narrowed. She could read his body language, he was agitated, but by what? It couldn't be her, could it? Had she given an indication of what she was?
"Witch."
"Bastard." came the counter displeased greeting.
It was then Pyrrha noticed that Weiss Schnee had been closing on them. She turned to make it easier for her to watch both of them. Maybe if they got into a confrontation it would free her of his presence. Jaune pulled his hand from under his coat, and she instantly saw the gold and silver knuckle-duster. He raised his left hand and worked his fingers into a strange formation. In response Weiss brought both her hands up, glyphs forming before them.
"What is scum like you doing her Arc? Beacon isn't your kinda of place."
"Still mad about that little get together?" Jaune replied with a dark smirk.
"As if you were that memorable."
"You seem to remember it well enough."
"Only for how, pathetic it was."
Pyrrha was confused, did Jaune and Weiss have a history? It didn't seem like it was a positive one, if their reactions to each other was any indication.
"Keep telling yourself that Snow Angel." Jaune smirked, "I remember how many times you screamed my name that night."
"You! You! Arrrgggghhhhhh!" Weiss dropped her hands, her glyphs vanishing and stormed off. Muttering and cursing.
"Ummm, that was unexpected." Pyrrha spoke to break the silence, "Do you know each other?"
"You could say that."
Pyrrha didn't say anything further, and just continued forward, covering the short distance to what was going to be their now shared dorm. She stepped aside as she opened the door, and allowed him to enter first. With his back to her, she was tempted. It would be so easy for her to reach out and snap his neck, but she reigned in the impulse. It would ruin her mission. She wouldn't have any worthy explanation to cover her tracks in regard, to such a sudden death.
"So this is it?" Jaune walked in and scanned the small slightly crowded room. Much of the floor space taken up by the pair of twin beds. "My new home away from home. Which one is yours?"
"The one furthest from the bathroom." Pyrrha stammered.
"Hope you don't have issues with sharing a room with a guy like me." he mentioned over his shoulder as she walked into the room, leaving the door open.
"What... what do you mean?"
"I saw your reaction in Oz's office. Guess my reputation proceeds me." he chuckled dryly as he removed his hooded duster and tossed it on the foot of his new bed.
"Your reputation?" Pyrrha once again stammered, while her mind tried to come up with a reasonable excuse as to what she had done what she had.
"Most huntresses, and huntsmen, not mention Church associates don't really like me." Jaune replied as he took a seat on his bed, and leaned forward, his elbows braced on his thighs. "Can't blame them, but then again most of them are useless twats."
"Some of us would say the same about you Arc." came a voice from the doorway.
"And it starts." he commented flatly as he turned his attention to the open door, where an orange haired young woman; and a young man with black hair marked with a touch of pink stood.
"Ren? Nora?" Pyrrha asked, a little concerned her neighbours were standing at her door, with an obvious low opinion of her new partner.
"So what are you doing here, Arc?"
"Ozpin invited me." Jaune replied in an off hand tone, "What's the story for two dogs of the Church? Here to fight the good fight, and save the souls of the innocent?"
"Ren." Nora implored as she lightly touched his arm.
"And what of it?"
"Nothing, we do the same job," Pyrrha sighed figuring the argument was over, only to her roll her eyes as Jaune continued. "I just do it faster and better."
"You're a danger to yourself and everyone around you." Ren stated, "Or did you forget about what happened to Sister Primrose?"
Nora and Pyrrha tensed, preparing to intervene. Only to watch as Jaune's whole body just fell in upon itself, in utter defeat. Even Ren was shocked at what happened next. Jaune started to sob, his body shaking. He leaned forward and crushed his hands against his face. Pyrrha looked to Ren and Nora, trying to urge them to provide an explanation for what she was seeing. Nora shoved Ren into the door frame before pushing past him and dropping to her knees beside the obviously broken form of Jaune.
"He's sorry Jaune. He didn't mean it." Nora offered her words in a soft motherly tone, as she reached out and started to gently rub circles on his back. "Obviously we know there is more than what we know. There is more than what people think happened."
Jaune said nothing, as his sobbing started to become hitched, before transitioning in to a violent coughing fit. He pitched off the bed, to his hands and knees on the floor. His chest heaved; spit, phlegm, and globs of something much darker splattered against the floor. Nora tried patting him on his back, trying to help him clear his lungs. He fell to his side, as the fit slowly played through its course. Ren was in motion then, and with out speaking a word, was assisted by Nora to lift the stricken young man from the floor to lay him softly in his bed.
"I'm sorry, I was out of line." Ren spoke in a soft time, as Jaune lay on his back wheezing, a sheen of sweat coating his face. "No one should be dealing with so many burdens. Primrose, your reputation, an illness and the fact you are marked."
"Give someone else your pity padre." Jaune croaked weakly. "I don't want it or need it."
Pyrrha sat silently trying to digest the massive dump of information that just occurred. Jaune and Weiss knew each other. Jaune was involved in something that happened to a Sister Primrose, he was seriously ill, and he was marked. She wondered where the symbol had manifested, and why. It was a curse of sorts. It manifested on individuals who had committed some great sin, that sentenced their immortal souls to the pits. She wondered what Jaune's sin could have been. He was so young.
Deciding that she would like some more information, and wanting to give Jaune some solitude, she stepped out of the room and beckoned to Nora.
"What's up Pyrrha?"
"How do you know so much about..."
"Jaune?"
"Yes."
"We worked with him once. When we were just starting out in service to the Church. It was a simple assignment; but things went bad, and then worse."
"What happened? If... if you don't mind."
"We were dispatched to a small Hamlet on the frontier. They had requested a cleansing. When we got there, Jaune was already there. So Sister Primrose suggested we combined our efforts." Nora paused. "The place was a cesspool. So much corruption, it was surprising that the grimm hadn't tried invading sooner."
"I take it, they did?"
"Yeah. We were there, for a week; before." Nora took another long pause. "To make it simple. During the week Jaune and Azalea got really close."
"I take it Azalea was Sister Primrose?"
"She was." Nora confirmed. "Anyway... the grimm came. A good sized horde. The only combat capable members of our team at the time were Azalea and Jaune. They fought for two hours, back to back at the main gates while Ren and I got everyone into the emergency bunker."
"She didn't make it did she?"
"No, she didn't." Nora looked down at the tiled floor of the hallway, "We had gotten an distress call out, and a team of Huntsmen dropped in taking the fight to the horde. But by then it was too late. We found him at the main gate, on his knees cradling her. It took the huntsmen, Ren and myself to separate him from her body. So we could get him medical attention."
"What happened?"
"No one knows. He wont say what really happened." Nora looked back into the room where Ren was silently watching over the now sleeping Jaune. "They were sixteen. We all were, and I think they had been intimate. He left the Church after that."
"And rumours started?"
"Yeah. He wouldn't speak on what happened during their last few moments." Nora returned her attention to Pyrrha, "So when he left without an explanation, people decided he left because he was feeling guilty about letting her die."
"I don't understand. Why send such a young team to such a place, and why is Ren so mad?"
"It was supposed to be a simple assignment. Cleanse and Purify, something any group of neophytes can handle. As for Ren... he thinks Jaune is punishing himself; blaming himself for what happened to her. He wants him to face it, and the longer Jaune refuses to... the angry Ren gets. He figures it's a blight to her memory."
"And this being marked?"
"It's on the left side of his neck." Nora sighed, "We don't know why he has it; and like Azalea he wont speak on it."
Pyrrha turned her head from Nora to look into the room and take in Jaune's resting form. She had to force herself from allowing sorrow to rise up in her. She couldn't afford to feel sorry for him. She had a job, to do; but still. To be so young and have suffered so much, it took almost more than she could to manage to stay composed. She watched as Ren said a silent prayer before rising and leaving the room.
"He's resting, for now; but we should get him to the infirmary at some point."
"We?" Pyrrha asked.
"You're his partner, and we know him, despite that I feel he's punishing himself for no reason." Ren took a look into the room before returning his attention to the pair of girls before him. "He needs a medical exam, and unless we take him... he'll never go."
"If you need anything Pyrrha, we're just next door." Nora smiled and patted the taller woman on the shoulder before she and Ren moved down the hallway to their room next door.
Pyrrha waited until they had disappeared into their room, before she entered her own. Carefully she closed the door, and then walked to her own bed. In the darkness she could see everything. So she sat on her bed, facing Jaune's sleeping form. She knew he was a complication, and severe one to her mission. She would have to deal with him at some point. The question was how?
/=/
Jaune looked better the next morning, and had been apparently a slightly better mood, until he was informed that he would be required to wear a school uniform. After some more than colourful comments, he refused, and left the room headed for the cafeteria. Pyrrha jogged to catch up, and when she did she noticed he had his hood up. She figured that was his attempt to pass unnoticed, but considering he was the only person in the expansive room without a uniform and wearing a hood. That the expected the result was moot.
It was during breakfast that her small circle of friends were introduced to her partner. Weiss, Ren and Nora already having met or knew him before hand, just left Blake, Yang and Ruby to experience the pleasures of his company. She noticed how his eyes narrowed when he was introduced to Yang and Blake. It was almost like he noticed, or suspected something.
But surprisingly he held his tongue and was polite, and almost friendly. Until Cardin and his group made their presence known. She stiffened when they started their usual routine, and had to bite her lip to prevent her showing any pleasurable response to the negativity they produced. Their target a second year faunus student. Velvet was awash in what Pyrrha craved. Fear, it was so intoxicating for her. Jaune's sorrow the night before felt okay, but it was nothing to what she was absorbing.
She was broken out of her reverie at the wave of anger that rolled over her from Jaune. His blue eyes were cold, and focused. She watched as he reached into his duster with his left hand and pulled out a heavily dented metal flask. Her own emerald eyes narrowed, wondering what he was up to. She heard Nora and Ren get up and start to move past her.
"Told you they were re..." Cardin released his hold on Velvet's ear as he was splashed by water, "What the..."
Everyone froze as Russel's screams ripped through the cafeteria. He staggered around holding his hands against his face, as steam rose from between his fingers. Jaune said nothing as he dashed forward, and tackled the young man, driving him to the floor. You could have heard a pin drop, as the assembled students watched Jaune mount the writhing figure of Russel Thrush. The slapping of feet told those watching in stunned silence that at least two people could react.
"Restrain him!"
Ren and Nora went to work, and with the seamless precision which only came from years of working with each other. In a matter of seconds, Ren had pinned Russel's legs, while Nora had his arms secured. Jaune stayed where he was, straddling the twisting man's form. They watched as Jaune used his left hand to steady Russel's head, by grasping him by the throat; while pulling what looked like a ring of keys out of his outside right pocket.
"In nomine fratrum, quid estis?" Jaune shouted, his voice radiating power.
Russel continued to try and resist
"In nomine fratrum, quid estis?" he once again commanded.
Russel's struggles started to lesson, almost as if he finally understood he couldn't get free.
"In nomine fratrum, quid estis?" he shouted into Russel's face with every once of will he had.
"Ego sum dolor!" Russel screeched in an inhuman voice.
With impressive hand and finger dexterity, Jaune sorted through the mass of key like objects. Pyrrha instantly knew what they were. They were arcane symbols. Each coded to a specific sphere of demonic nature. She shivered with her own fear. This made Jaune that more dangerous. He didn't rely on the standard force of will using the Holy symbol of the Brothers. Jaune was targeted. He slapped the symbol against Russel's forehead, steam rising from contact, as he screamed with an inhuman voice.
"In nomine fratrum, vos liberi estis"
The inhuman screaming continued for a few more seconds, before slowly dying. Once silence reigned Jaune rose to his feet, and then stumbled to the side to collapse to his knees and succumb to a violent fit of coughing. Nora rushed to his side, while Ren stood, and faced Cardin and his crew.
"Get him to the infirmary. He's been exorcised. He'll need special care." Ren eyed the group of three, and noticing they just stood there, he decided to demonstrate his the power of his own voice, "NOW!"
Ren then stooped to pick up Jaune's discarded flask, before moving to take a knee next to the struggling to breath Jaune. Pyrrha was concerned. She was trying to digest what just happened. Jaune apparently by sight deduced Russel was possessed, and he not only use the arcane to assist in expulsions, but had the pure force of will to accomplish it with out complex rituals. He was getting even more dangerous than she originally thought. She might have to risk acting, or have her mission fail before it could begin.
"Get Mr. Arc to the infirmary, and then I expect an explanation in my office after he has been checked out. Understood?" Professor Goodwitch ordered as she finally walked into the room. Pyrrha rose from her seat, to assist Ren and Nora, as idle chatter slowly returned.
/=/
Jaune spent the rest of the day in the infirmary. Doctor Kitsunne, a fairly overly friendly fox faunus; quickly forced Jaune into a bed, and started prepping for a multitude tests. All it took was her listening to his lungs, and the whirlwind that was Beacon's medical staff went to work. As his partner, Pyrrha was excused from classes as well. Dr. Kitsunne informing her that it was for the best for him to have someone nearby that he trusted. In addition for her to be completely aware of his medical condition. Partner's had to lookout for each other after all.
Pyrrha stood off to the side, just watching and listening. With his shirt off, she got a good look at his better than average physique, along with the tattoos on his forearms. She knew from that simple look that it was a type of magic etched permanently into his skin. Raised lines showed where he had suffered injuries during the trials of his life. She wondered how he got them, if any of them had happened during that mission where he lost that girl. She saw the mark, a compass like structure with a vertical eye shape in the centre. The symbol of her mistress.
She also saw the scars across his wrists. She knew instantly what those meant. He had attempted suicide. Was that why he was marked? She wanted to ask, but held back. That was a conversation for true partners, in the seclusion of their shared dorm. When Jaune was taken out of the room for another test, Pyrrha took the chance to inform Professor Goodwitch what was happening. That got his meeting with Professor Goodwitch rescheduled for after the next combat class. Her scroll was away before he returned. She passed on the message, and he just nodded.
Even after such a short time she could tell he was tired. No exhausted. She was unsure if it was the stress of performing the exorcism, or just how he was generally. She made a mental note to pay closer attention to him. She needed to know how to read him, so she could better anticipate what he would do.
She was broken out of her thoughts when Dr. Kitsunne entered the room with a tablet in her hands.
"So first thank you for putting up with all that Jaune. Now for the results."
"I have lung cancer." Jaune stated flatly, and when he noticed Dr. Kitsunne's eyes narrow he elaborated. "I was told a few months ago, when I ended up in Vale Memorial because of things."
"Well, I can confirm that is the case, and it appears to be very aggressive. Did they give you an estimate?"
"Couple years if I take radical treatment, or a couple of months without."
"I take it you decided to forego the treatment."
"I would rather die quickly, than waste away slowly. Treatment might give me more time, but not the type of time I want."
Well, that's about it. I can prescribe something for pain, and something to help suppress the coughing fits."
"Is there anything? Sometime less invasive, experimental?" Pyrrha asked without really knowing why she had.
"It's okay Pyr. I've accepted it."
"Sorry, Ms. Nikos there is nothing much I can do. Without treatment it will continue to progress."
"Transplant?"
"That could take years to find a suitable donor, which would require him to take treatment; which he has stated he wasn't going to do."
"Pyr," Jaune smiled at her, "It's okay. I know what's going to happen. I've accepted it."
Pyrrha bit her lip, she wanted to say something more, but held back. Regardless of her true nature, and her whole alternative reason for being her at Beacon; she still didn't like to see people just give up. Jaune was giving up; and she had her suspicions as to why. After thanking Dr. Kitsunne for her time and effort, the pair left and made their way towards the dorms. She wanted to ask, to understand, but she didn't. She made another choice. He would sleep soon, and then maybe she could get some answers, directly.
Getting back to the dorm, they met up with Ren and Nora who had snagged them a couple sandwiches. Thanking them the pair bid them goodnight and retired inside. They ate in silence, during which Pyrrha made her plans. She needed to know more about Jaune. She needed to understand him, before she could deal with him properly; and that process would start tonight.
"So how'd you get marked?"
"Why bother asking? Not like it changes anything."
"I saw the scars on your wrists, among other things, while you were getting your medical."
"So that's why you want..."
"Ren said you were marked. Nora told me where it is. I know a little about how people get them." Pyrrha set her unfinished sandwich in its wrapper on her bed. "I can't see how someone my age could have committed that great of a sin to damn themselves to the pits."
"Well I did, and let's leave it at that."
"Jaune, I know we've just met, but we're partners. I want to help. You seem, even to me pretty withdrawn."
"What? Get me to talk about one thing from my past, and you figure you'll find out everything?" Jaune tossed the remains of his sandwich into the wastebasket. "Maybe I should start asking you some questions that you don't want to answer."
"Like what?"
"Why did you look so excited when Cardin's idiot squad was harassing that girl?"
"I..."
"I saw in on your face, and I have a suspicion, so be honest. We're partner's after all." Jaune's face became blank, his eyes hard. It was then she noticed he had that ring of symbols in his hand. "Or should I just jump to the answer?"
"I'll answer if you answer mine first." Pyrrha replied, a hint of fear in her voice.
"So you want to make a deal?"Jaune raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"An agreement. Information for information."
"You sure?" the finger's of Jaune's right hand manipulated the individual symbols attached to the ring. "I have a feeling I know something about you, that if you confirm; means I have to do something... drastic."
"Well it is pretty apparent your planning to act on something." Pyrrha's mind planned her response, to his probably attack, "so why not give me the chance to dissuade you?"
"Okay then, we have an agreement. SO what do you want to know?"
"What I first asked you."
"How I got marked?" Pyrrha just nodded. Jaune sighed before he reached up and adjusted his shirt collar. "I assume you saw it during my medical."
"Not really, I was sort of distracted." she lied.
"Distracted?" Jaune raise and eyebrow, "Do I want to know why?"
"I would count that as a question, and I'd to get to ask another one."
"Guess not." Jaune sighed, "So my mark. You're right that it has to do with someone committing a great sin. But you're wrong in thinking someone my age wouldn't have the opportunity to do such a thing. My sin was murder."
Jaune saw he confused looked, and sighed again.
"My own." Jaune rubbed the back of his head with his left hand, as the fingers continued to sort through the ring of symbols. "I hung myself when I was twelve. I was officially dead for three minutes."
"But..."
"It was a miracle that they were able to bring me back. Did you know time stops when you're in the pit? I suffered for an eternity, before I was brought back." Jaune stopped rubbing his head, and let both of his hands hang limply off of his thighs, "That was the first time I've been in the pit... I slit my wrists for my second time."
"After Azalea."
"I...I... I was gone for two minutes that time, and again for some reason I was brought back." Pyrrha's sensitive hearing caught the sound of dripping water, "Are you possessed?"
"No."
"Why did you do it the first time?"
"I saw things when I was younger. But no one would believe me, treated me as if I was crazy." Jaune never looked up as he answered. "Are you a half-breed?"
"No."
"So you're a full-blood." Pyrrha tensed, as the sound of dripping water stopped. She saw his hand tighten around the ring of symbols. "You're not supposed to be able to be here."
Jaune leapt forward, throwing himself off his bed towards Pyrrha. A glyph forming in front of his left hand, while his right, hauled back as if to throw a punch; the ring of symbols hooked around his middle finger. She fell backwards, Her right hand snapping out knocking his left aside, while her left snapped closed over his fist. She hissed as one of the symbols reacted to her touch. He landed on top of her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He gasped as she clenched her powerful thighs, trying to squeeze the breath out of him.
They rolled off her bed, and slammed into the floor. One second she was on top trying to restrain him, and the next they rolled again. She squeezed her legs as hard as she could. She squeezed his right hand, using her greater strength to cause the bones in his hand to creak under the pressure. Her emerald eyes watched as he grit his teeth against the pain. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out in pain. The glyph before his left hand erupting in a surge of electricity.
He was growling something, but she couldn't make it out. Her mind flew through options, to find some solution that didn't risk her mission. She should be able to over power him easily, yet she couldn't. He was just to set in his attack, to give in to her superior strength. Again she had to keep from crying out as another surge of electricity ran through her nerves. Releasing his right hand, she shifted to her side, using her legs to make him tilt. Once again they rolled, with her gaining top position. She didn't hesitate, She pulled her left back and slammed it against the centre of his chest, unleashing a burst of her demonic power directly into him.
His back arched, and his eyes rolled back into his head, and she started to let out a breath as he started to go limp in her grip. Her own emerald eyes opened wide as his hands suddenly snapped up and grabbed her by the throat.
"Vide et cognosce." he chanted in a voice that wasn't his own, as she unleashed another burst of her demonic power.
/=/
Pyrrha found herself standing on a low rise. Below her a mass of grimm surged forward. She turned her head, and gasped. The horde was moving directly for the gates of a small community. But before them a teen girl and teen male stood. She could see they were exhausted, and couldn't fathom how they were still standing. From the glyphs before their hands blasts of eldritch energy, flames, ice, and lighting leapt.
"They are casting without chanting." Pyrrha mumbled to herself, as she started to walk forward, to get closer, and see who these two desperate individuals were. She walked into the grimm horde, and they separated around her, allowing her unimpeded progress towards her destination.
"Jaune?" she whispered. As she took in the grime and bloodied youthful face. He was clothed in a black cassock with a full white collar. Before her was a young combat trained priest.
From the state of his torn clothing, it was obvious he had been fighting for quite some length of time. As the grimm horde flowed around her, she let her eyes moved to the second figure. The teen girl. Her long purple hair was pulled into a single pony tail, and her jade eyes flashed as she unleashed her magic into the closing horde. She like Jaune showed the obvious signs of a long an protracted battle.
"Azalea." Pyrrha whispered, "Is this?"
She watched as a boartusk suddenly bolted from closing grimm. It caught the pair unaware as they had focused on the rapid approach of a pack of beowolves. They were knocked apart and into the churned up earth. Jaune was the first to recover, impaling the offending grimm with a spike if ice. Azalea was the next to react. She raced towards Jaune and threw herself over him as the claws of a beowulf descended. Pyrrha saw the spray of crimson, and heard the choked cry of pain.
"Az!" Jaune unloaded a wave of flame incinerating anything with in twenty feet of him. She watched as with tears streaming down his face, he turned her over. Dropping to the dirt he gathered her up, ignoring the closing grimm, He pulled her broken form into his lap. "Az?"
"Jaune?"
"Az... stay with me, stay with me. You'll be okay. Just stay with me. Az?"
"I... love... you... Jau..."
She saw her form go limp in his arms, and she recoiled at the pure unadulterated scream of pain, sorrow, rage and fear that was ripped from his throat. It was a perfect storm of emotions. With tears freely flowing he lifted a blood covered hand. A hand covered in her blood; the life of his lover. Pyrrha had never seen white flames before. But she witnessed them now. They coiled and curled, dancing among the grimm as if alive and driven by the purpose of pure vengeance.
Everything faded behind that living curtain of flame, for it to finally drop, and before her the gates opened, and Jaune still sat in mud created from her blood; his body shaking, his arms coiled around her body, crushing her cold breast against him. Pyrrha could swear she could hear him breathlessly begging and pleading for her to come back. To not leave him alone. She watched as the others arrived. The huntsmen rushing out to finish of the remains of the horde, while Ren and Nora dropped to the mud beside Jaune. Tears forming in their own eyes. Pyrrha couldn't handle it. The pure tidal wave of emotions pouring from Jaune. It was overwhelming, forcing her to back away. She could feel her own tears forming. She turned from the scene, only to stop as a white light shone before her.
"So now that you know the depth of his pain," said the winged figure that strode forward. Pyrrha instantly knew who she was. Jade eyes, long purple hair.
"Azalea?"
"What are you going to do, Pyrrha Nikos?" Azalea asked, as her great white feathered wings spread out behind her. Her cassock, unblemished, her face serene. She floated above the ground, her bare feet standing on the very air.
"I..."
"Are you going to kill him?"
"My mission... "
"What is that? To sow discord and pain? To break the foundations of those institutions that guard against the chaos your lesser kind spread? What is your purpose, Pyrrha Nikos?"
"What is his?" Pyrrha snapped at the angelic figure, unable to answer the question.
"His is to suffer. To sacrifice. To be alone."
"How can you do that to someone you love?"
"He does it to himself. His illness is of his own creation. It is the festering of his fear, guilt, and rage, that poisons his body."
"So he's killing himself?"
"What is a third time? He's done it twice before."
"But he's marked. He'll never be able to be with you?"
"No he wont. There is no amount of sacrifice that will wash away the transgressions he can't accept forgiveness for. A forgiveness only he can give to himself." Azalea looked down at the frozen in time scene. "He lives this every night. It has been happening for so long, that it is a fear riddled twisted comfort to him now. His pain is all he lives for."
"You're the one showing this to me. Aren't you?"
"I am. I will not fall. To do so would blemish his love for me, but I can watch over him. " Azalea's shining jade eyes bore into Pyrrha's emerald ones."And I can offer guidance to the one who should take my place."
"What?" Pyrrha stumbled backwards as if she had been physically struck. "I can't."
"You can, and unless you kill him tonight, you probably eventually will." Azalea walked forward, the perfect image of grace, and gently brushed her glowing pale fingers against Pyrrha's cheek. "He needs someone strong to protect him, from the dangers of this life, and himself. You have that strength."
"I can't, he hates my kind. He was trying to kill me."Pyrrha stammered, looking for excuses. "My mission."
"I can not force this upon you. It is something you have to decide for yourself, but." Azalea took a step backwards, and held up her hand with four fingers extended. "I will offer you four boons."
"Boons?"
"Yes, the first will be that the events that lead to these revelations will not have happened. You will have eaten and both fallen asleep. There was no confrontation." one of her fingers lowered. "The second, you will remember all of what you have seen and felt here. It will be as clear to you as if you were here in on that very day.
"The third?"
"He will forget what your are, in fact he will not know what your are, and will not discover it with out you telling him. "
"And the fourth?" Pyrrha asked as Azalea lowered a third finger.
"You will be granted a single request."
"Request?"
"At any point in your life, you can ask for one single result to be taken back. The events that lead to the original event will still have happened, but the original result will be altered in the way you request it to be."
"Why?" Pyrrha looked about herself, and then focused her entire attention upon Azalea's winged form. "Why do this? Why involve me?"
"Because my love for him can not bear to see him suffer so much anymore. Because you are stronger than you think, and are more than some expendable pawn." Azalea then rushed forward and flicked Pyrrha in the centre of her forehead.
/=/
Pyrrha woke with a start. She was in her bed, covered with her blankets. In the darkness she could see him in his bed. Curled upon himself. She knew why, and she frowned. Her mind felt like it was breaking with everything she now knew; and for some reason her heart felt heavy. Could she make the choice Azalea was giving her? For as long as she could remember she lived to savour the fear of others, but now, even with it filling the room, she felt empty. What did this all mean to her mission?
/==/
I seem to be doing a lot of Arkos (Jaune & Pyrrha) pairings in these. Not as sure about this one, as I am about "Arisen", "Hunger", or "I'm so Sorry". I think it has promise, but then again, I think that about most of the stuff I post.
Anyway, hope you enjoy, and for those following "Unleashed", I'm hoping to have another chapter up in the next couple days. I'm feeling fairly creative, so that's why I have all these single chapter posts. I do have another crossover I'm hoping to post in a couple of days, maybe after I update "Unleashed".
I really do need to find some other anime, to focus on other than mainly RWBY. Suggestions are welcome on that front.
Again, enjoy. Comments, suggestions and critiques are always welcome.