He had finally escaped the endless night. His relief had been short lived. His own mind stripped him of the sensation. He had basked in the relief for a short period before taking a step back and digging through his experience. Jaune would never be the same again, he had survived an otherworldly event and laid his family to rest. The huntsmen and huntress he had met the night before had taken painstaking precautions before transferring him to the encampment he stood in.
Plain gray walls surrounded him. He had been provided a cot and a desk to place his tools at. Jaune stood in the center of the room unmoving. His eyes never once drifted from the door. The previous night's events played out in his head on an endless repeating cycle.
Jaune had learned of his father's distress call to the outside world as Ansel fell to the will of the old blood. Even in the face of oblivion, Nicholas Arc had performed his duties as a leader. Ozpin, as he had come to learn, was a man of great power in the bastion of Vale. The man had pulled many strings and favors allowing Jaune access into Vale. Jaune showed no surprise or resistance when he had been marched into the military base and housed in a cell. He still believed that the confiscation of his family's weapons had been wrong, but Ozpin had simply shook his head and explained the difference in laws and customs.
It had been the man who reeked of alcohol that had come to a compromise. Qrow, Jaune reminded himself, deserved his respect and he would commit the name to memory. Qrow had stepped in between him and a team of guards, cutting the tension with ease. Qrow had offered to take care of his family's weapons. He had reluctantly agreed.
Jaune took a deep breath. The air felt strange, too clean to him. He listened intently as he tuned into the soft whirl of the filters. A hiss of pneumatic air drew his attention back to the door. A section of the wall detached from its place sliding over to reveal Ozpin and Qrow.
"I hope your stay has been comfortable." Ozpin waited at the threshold. Jaune simply stared at the man.
"I see, now that you have been released from quarantine, we would like to officially welcome you to Vale. Follow me, we have much to discuss." The men waited as he gathered his items. Once he had stepped into the hall, he turned to Qrow.
"Easy there kid, I can't give 'em back till we get to Beacon. Also, as you can see, I don't have them on me as is." Qrow gave him an apologetic smile before motioning him to follow. Jaune followed as they walked through the maze-like halls of the quarantine building, he ignored the stares and whispers. He didn't blame them, he would have treated them the same, had they stumbled upon Ansel.
As Jaune exited the building, his blood ran cold, suddenly unable to move. Noticing his abrupt stop, Ozpin spoke first."Something the matter?" Jaune's eyes snapped to him.
"What time is it?"
"It is midday, the sun indicates as such." Ozpin pulled a time piece from his coat and hummed in affirmation.
Jaune looked back to where the sun should have been. His legs buckled as he stared up into the starry abyss. It was the same as when he had first ingested the flesh. The abyss shuddered suddenly, Jaune was acutely aware of the watchful gaze of n'ghftnah ot shuggog before the sky let out another shudder. He watched as the darkness bled away from the edges, condensing into the center of the sky. In the blink of an eye, the sky returned to normal and the sun shone.
"Mr. Arc, are you feeling alright?" Jaune shook his head as he felt his body regain control.
"Y''ll ah'lw'nafh" It took Ozpin a second as he mentally translated it.
"Well, we're headed to Beacon, till then let's not talk too much." Jaune nodded and followed the man onto the Bullhead.
Beacon was bigger than he had anticipated. The school was stationed on the edge of Vale, bordering a forest. Jaune stared at the students as they milled about and enjoyed their day. At the sight of their group, the students stood at attention. Ozpin dismissed them as he led him into the halls.
Qrow stopped, to lean against the wall at the elevator entrance.
"I'll be here to pick you up. Whatever you gotta talk about, is between Oz and you."
Jaune nodded as he stepped into the elevator.
The headmasters office had a view of Vale, but other than that the room was bare. Ozpin motioned for him to take a seat as he took his own. The older man pulled out a bottle of liquor and poured two cups. Jaune accepted the drink as it was slid over to him.
"l' mglw'nafh ahornah f' fhtagn ah syha'h." Jaune raised an eyebrow before repeating the phrase, tapping his glass against Ozpin's. They sat in silence for some time before Ozpin spoke up.
"I would like to know what happened, if you're ready to talk about it." Ozpin said as he sipped his drink.
"n'ghftnah ot shuggog, tested ya llll throdog ahl'n'gha, Y' mgep mgepah deemed worthy." Ozpin nodded as Jaune went on to recount the night before. He left the existence of the dream and his deaths out of the retelling. Ozpin reached out and patted him on the shoulder once he finished retelling the story.
"I see, well Mr. Arc, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ansel. The hunters were a great ally to humanity and the fight against the Grimm, even if our methods differed. If Remmant knew of your peoples existence, I'm sure they would grieve too." Jaune knew the words were nothing but honey for his ears. If the world had found out about his kind, they would have hailed them as the cause of the Grimm.
"Now I have a couple questions for you. First, let's start with what you plan to do. You are the last of your kind, as far as we know. You have nowhere to go and no allies. So, what is it that you want to do?"
Jaune had thought long about his next step. Outside of being a killing machine bred from birth, he had no skills. He couldn't just stop hunting Grimm and he couldn't stop looking for answers about the dream. It all led back to Ozpin, the man had more information about hunters than any non-hunter should have.
"If you don't mind having a hunter in your employ, I would like to stay at Beacon." Ozpin let out a sigh of relief.
"You just saved us a lot of time, the questions were geared towards getting you to enroll at Beacon, if you had still wanted to leave, that of course would have been arranged for you as well. However, since you would like to stay here, there will be a dissonance of sorts. We huntsmen and huntresses are stronger than the average person, but we at our core are still just like the average person. While you are not like us at our core, your blood sees to that. In a sense, Hunters can be considered a type of Grimm-" Ozpin held up his hands the moment Jaune's muscles tensed.
"I am not saying it to anger you. Let's take the blood of a grimm, Hunters can bathe in the stuff and their only worry would be becoming blood drunk and losing themselves to their instincts. If a regular human came into contact with their blood, it would poison them, killing them slowly. Once they take their final breath, a brand new Grimm is born. Do you understand?" Jaune stared blankly at the older man.
"Sounds like weakness." Ozpin let out a chuckle in response.
"Yes I suppose it is a weakness of ours, one that you do not share. However, we have aura to protect us and strengthen us from the Grimm, you do not… look at the time, if we sit here talking about the differences between us, then we'd be here all day. So allow me to explain how you fit into Beacon." Ozpin paused as he sipped his drink, his face scrunched up as he downed the last of the burning liquid.
"Strong stuff… Though not to you most likely. Jaune, you will have to get used to working in a team, I know hunters typically work alone, but we do not. The Grimm are deadly foes, and we don't have the luxury of being immune to their blood, so Huntsmen and Huntresses operate in teams. I know you are strong enough to be considered a veteran Huntsman, however your age would draw too much attention even I wouldn't be able to sweep it under the rug. So you will be enrolled in the new batch of first years. Being a first year, means you are assigned to a squad of eight. We do this to ensure the safety of the students first and foremost. Your squad has already been selected and you are to report there next, Qrow will guide you there. But before that, are there any questions you have?" Jaune shook his head, tools had no questions.
"I see, well then try to regain a semblance of sanity, you build your normal from now on." Jaune stood and bowed. Just as he was about to step out Ozpin called out.
"Oh right, one last question. ymg' ah fhtagn?" Jaune whirled around his hand, automatically reaching for his weapon, only to find air. Opzin's form grew hazy and fluid. In the back of his head, he could hear a clocktower. The experience faded just as fast as it came. Ozpin sat at his desk with a patient smile on his face.
"Forgive me, perhaps I misspoke. That will be all Arc." Jaune backed out of the office, his eyes never leaving the headmasters, even as the doors to the elevator closed. His mind raced as he thought about the mysterious man. ymg' ah fhtagn? Jaune ground his teeth as he repeated the phrase over and over. He would find out what the man really knew.
Qrow jumped up as Jaune stepped into the lobby of Beacon.
"Come on kid, I'll take you to your new team and to your weapons." Jaune followed silently.
Team Silver sat in the common room. Ruby looked over at Yang, with puppy dog eyes.
"Rubes you can't open the weapons case, It isn't yours and I'm sure that the new guy would throw a fit if he saw you poking- NORA!" Ruby let out a shout as she lept on her sister, Blake had been faster as she blocked her pounce, allowing Ren and Yang to hold Nora down.
"Aww Renny! Yang! I'm so curious I mean look at the size of the case! What kind of monster does the new guy use!?" Ren sighed as he shook his head.
Pyrrha let out a small laugh as she watched on in amusement. Weiss glared at Nora from her seat.
"Nora control yourself, I'm sure if you ask the new team member he will let you see his weapon. Same goes to you Ruby." Ruby huffed as she glared at her partner.
"You're my partner, you're supposed to have my back!" Weiss ignored her as she went back to reading.
"Yang you have to be curious, even Nora thought it was heavy! I mean it's Nora! She never thinks anything is heavy." A cough drew the team's attention. Qrow stood before them with a frown on his face.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby shot forward at superhuman speeds, Yang not far behind. Qrow let out a cough as he tumbled to the floor in a heap with his nieces.
"Uncle Qrow, what are you doing here? I thought you were on a secret mission?" Qrow groaned as peeled the girls off of him.
"Yeah well I was and I'm back. So, what happened to looking professional for a new teammate?" Qrow mentioned to the side as he sat up. Ruby giggled as she jumped up and dusted herself off.
"Jaune, team Silver, team Silver, Jaune Arc." All eyes snapped onto the figure in the shadows of the common room. A man stepped out dressed head to toe in old style leathers almost every inch of skin covered except for the top half of his face. Two piercing blue eyes surveyed them as they took him in. Yang sauntered over and stuck her hand out.
"Put her there, The names Yang, the one in red is Ruby and my sister, so don't get any ideas. That's Blake, Ren, Nora, Pyrrha, Weiss." Jaune shook her hand before nodding to each person.
"So uh question, is this a fashion statement?" The rest of team SIlver shouted at Yang as she flipped them off. Ruby rushed up to greet their newest member but Jaune was already walking past her. Qrow stepped up beside him and handed him a key.
"Ozpin said you wouldn't like a handprint scanner on your case, so I figured you would appreciate an old lock and key." The boy nodded as he took the key. Team Silver exchanged glances as their newest member stayed as silent as a ghost. Jaune stooped down and inspected the lock before humming to himself.
"Alright, well it's time you all get to combat class. Glynda sent along a message. Something about how this isn't an excuse to skip her class." The team all groaned as they began standing.
"Y' ahor nafl epgoka fahf debt mgahnnn." The group stared at the boy before them.
"Uh… what'd he say?" Nora leaned forward just enough to invade his personal space and see both his eyes at once from under his hat.
"It means, I shall not leave this debt unpaid." Jaune turned to Qrow before bowing.
"Think nothing of it kid. But if you really want to repay it, then let's just say, you keep an eye out for your teammates and we'll be squared away." Jaune nodded before hefting the weapons case over his shoulder with ease.
Yang let out a whistle, she defended herself from Ruby's kick as she continued catcalling their newest member.
Jaune fell into step behind them as they led the way to their class.
"I wonder where he's from?"
"I couldn't place his accent or that language from anywhere I know. Frontier maybe?" The smallest of the group slowed her step until she was walking by his side.
"Don't mind them, they're just curious, is all. I mean I am too, but if you don't feel like sharing or talking about that, then no one can make you." Ruby scratched at her cheek as she looked up at him. His eyes met hers causing her to look away and let out an exaggerated yawn.
"We're a weird bunch, but we all mean well. Also, don't pay Yang any mind, she just likes teasing people." Jaune nodded.
The group arrived just in time for Goodwitch to choose their team as the next batch of fighters. Jaune watched as Ruby went against a student twice her size. Her speed was by far her greatest strength, not allowing the student to so much as scratch her. Her scythe skills were also top notch, the boy never had a chance with his daggers.
Jaune noticed the presence at his side but did not take his eyes off the next fight.
"Mr. Arc, I am glad you decided to stay with us. While I know we will never replace what you lost, I do believe Huntsmen and Huntresses are people who can understand what you are going through more than anyone else." Jaune turned to Goodwitch and nodded his head. His face placid even as his mind hissed. None of these people could ever possibly understand what he was going through. None of them could understand the great old ones, not even himself.
"Thank you for accepting me." Glynda smiled and squeezed his arm before her face regained its usual stern features.
"Well looks like you're next."
Jaune looked back to the fight disappointed, Yang had won and he missed the whole thing. Jaune hefted his case up as he stepped up to the ring. Goodwitch looked between him and his opponent.
"Select your weapon Mr. Arc, you are not allowed to bring them all into battle. Leave the case with your team and return to the ring."
Jaune placed his case in front of his team. They all looked at him, then back to the case. He ignored them as he opened the case. All ten weapons sat in hooks and straps.
"Those things look ancient!" Weiss exclaimed as she leaned in closer. Jaune paid no mind as he looked over each option. His eyes settled on his mothers weapon, gently he unstrapped Juniper Arc's Reiterpallasch. He closed the case and locked it.
"This duel will last until Mr. Winchester's aura breaks or until Mr. Arc cannot continue. Do both parties agree?" Both nodded and readied themselves. The room quieted down as the students eagerly watched the eccentric new student fight for the first time.
"Well new guy, I hope you know you're in for a world of pain." Cardin sneered as he swung his mace back and forth.
"Can you move as fast as Ruby?" Apparently, he had asked the wrong thing as Cardin's face twisted in anger.
"No, but I can break your bones." Goodwitch signaled the start of their match.
"Shame." Jaune transformed his weapon, shortening the blade and opening a compartment. To most it would have looked like he had made his sword break, but for a crazed weapon fan like Ruby it was a thing of beauty.
"Hope you're re-" The first bullet slammed into Cardin's skull, his aura dampening the blow. Cardin staggered back as he blinked away the stars. Jaune did not let up, He fired shot after shot with deadly precision. Cardin would move to protect an area but Jaune would already shoot at the next one. Finally, Jaune pulled the trigger and the dull clicking of his dry fire could be heard. Cardin let out a huff as he lowered his mace from his face.
"Now you're done." Jaune transformed his weapon again and settled into the fencing style his mother had used. Cardin roared as he charged forward. Jaune cocked his head to the side, as he noted all the openings in his opponent's movement.
"Mnahn' mgehye'bthnk." Jaune snarled as his patience ran dry. Rushing forward, he easily dodged the clumsy overhead swing. Jaune stabbed out in a flurry of blows. Cardin roared as each of his swings met nothing but air; each miss ended with him receiving six stabs in return. Jaune lazily danced around the man. He glanced at the aura meter on the screen to his side unsure of when he should stop. The momentary distraction was enough for Cardin to land a wild swing. Jaune rolled back, dampening the blow on instinct alone. Jaune stood, his hat missing from atop his head. Cardin rushed forward, not wanting to lose the advantage he had created. Jaune shook his head as he stared at his opponent coming forward.
Team Silver waited for the match to begin with hushed with excitement.
"My lien is on Cardin." Yang said, causing Blake to stare at her. "None of us were gonna bet on him anyway, so why not." Blake sighed as she looked away from her partner.
"Thirty on Jaune." Yang smiled from ear to ear as Blake mumbled her bet. The rest of team Silver rolled their eyes at the two. Weiss turned to Ruby,
"Looks like he made Cardin angry with that speed comment." Pyrrha let out a laugh as she agreed.
"Jaune seems relaxed for someone about to fight." Pyrrha noted as they all turned to the match. Ruby felt her heart melt as she saw Jaune's weapon transform. Team Silver were all surprised as Jaune interrupted Cardin with a shot between the eyes. Ruby was mesmerized as Jaune pelted Cardin with shot after shot with pinpoint accuracy. The show really began as he danced around Cardin, chipping away at his aura.
"He isn't a beginner with a rapier at all but something feels off… I think he's holding back?" The team all looked at Weiss.
"I do use a rapier you know so it would make sense that I can tell these things you know!" She grumbled before turning back to the match.
"Fuck him up Jaune!" Yang shouted as their teammate slithered around Cardin.
"Didn't you bet on Cardin?" Ren spoke up.
"And? That doesn't mean I want him to win." Ren rolled his eyes as Yang turned back to cheer.
Jaune loosened up as Cardin rushed him. Jaune stood still as the bigger teen raised his mace and swung down with all his force. His attack was faster and sharper than Cardins. Cardin's mace was struck at the hilt, knocking it out of his hands. Jaune backstepped, and with a flourish opened up the boy's guard before he had a chance to react. He let loose a flurry of stabs stopping short just as Cardin's aura broke. The blade hovered inches from Cardin's heart. Goodwitch called the match and approached them.
"Mr. Winchester, I have told you that you must work on your anger, allowing your opponent to cloud your senses with anger is a death sentence. Had this been a real fight, you would be dead right now." She turned her attention to him.
"Mr. Arc, care to explain why you got hit? Something tells me you know the answer." Jaune bowed his head.
"I allowed myself to be distracted, if it were a Grimm that could have ended with it taking my head off." Glynda nodded and looked between both boys.
"Return to your teams." Cardin didn't look at Jaune as they passed each other.
"Holy shit! Jaune that was totally badass. You embarrassed him." Yang jeered as he placed his weapon in its case. He looked at his team as they all gave him various forms of approval. Jaune gave back a thumbs up, which got Yang to cheer and the rest to smile. He took his seat next to Ruby and Pyrrha. Jaune let out a sigh as he looked around, he could feel it coming. He had been avoiding it since he woke up yesterday. He could feel the dream calling, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion permeated his body as his head tilted forward and he drifted to sleep.
Jaune woke up in the Hunter's Dream, the strange hamlet sat atop a pillar surrounded by a deep mist, he had been able to make out faint images of other pillars but could never really see past the fog. Jaune stood and let out a tired breath. Jaune heard movement other than his own, sending him into a panic as he spun around to face the source of the noise. Standing there, was the doll he passed every time he had entered the dream, only she had been inanimate then. This time, the doll stood, staring at him.
"Ahh ah fahf ahoth?" He questioned as he stared at the doll, he approached cautiously, but the doll stood her spot.
"Hello, good hunter. I am a doll, here in this dream to look after you. Honorable hunter, pursue the echoes of old blood and I will channel them into your strength. You will hunt beasts and I will be here for you, to embolden your sickly spirit." Jaune stood there, stunned as the doll tilted her head.
"You have gained insight, Honorable hunter. You have seen past the waking world's veil, in turn gaining madman's knowledge. You must seek more insight if you wish to learn more about the changes happening to you." The doll's voice disturbed him; it was as if the wind carried the sounds to his mind while the doll's face remained unchanging.
"Did you speak with Nicholas? He was a hunter. But now serves only to advise them. He is obscure, unseen in the dreaming world. Still, he stays here, in this dream. Such is his purpose." Jaune froze as he heard those words. His gaze turned to the solitary house on the hill. With shaky steps, Jaune approached the solitary house.
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Originally this was supposed to be posted earlier. But as my amazing beta reader found there were tons of things to comb through. Sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.
R'Lyehian translations
Y''ll ah'lw'nafh = I live
l' mglw'nafh ahornah f' fhtagn ah syha'h = to dead may their rest be eternal
n'ghftnah ot shuggog, tested ya llll throdog ahl'n'gha, Y' mgep mgepah deemed worthy. =
twilight of world, tested me with the great hunt, I have been deemed worthy [rough translation]
ymg' ah fhtagn? = Do you dream?
Y' ahor nafl epgoka fahf debt mgahnnn = I shall not leave this debt unpaid
Mnahn' mgehye'bthnk = Worthless fight or fighter
Ahh ah fahf ahoth? = How is this possible?