In the heart of the lush forest, where the tranquility of nature normally reigns supreme, sunlight filtered through the verdant canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, seemingly painting the day with serenity.
However, for Jaune Arc, the day unfolded quite differently than the picturesque scene suggested. Amidst the tranquil ambiance, a resounding scream shattered the peace, echoing through the trees, heralding chaos.
"Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!"
Peaceful was certainly not the word Jaune would choose to describe his day. Terrifying and chaotic seemed far more apt, given the circumstances. And who could blame him?
The forest reverberated with the deafening crash as Jaune narrowly evaded a hurtling boulder, propelled by a relentless Grimm hot on his heels. This particular foe, a Petra Gigas, embodied the fusion of malevolence and nature, a Geist-infused amalgamation of rocks intent on reducing Jaune to mere pulp.
Damn it, damn it, damn it, you just had to go out and explore Jaune!" The knight berated himself as he ran as fast as he could, his legs aching as he tried to his best to not be crushed by the Grimm's attacks. "Legs don't fail me now!"
Despite the burning ache in his legs and the overwhelming sense of dread gnawing at his insides, Jaune refused to give in to despair. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he pushed himself to keep running, dodging and weaving through the dense underbrush as the relentless pursuit of the Petra Gigas continued. Before it started throwing the boulders it used as limbs, intent on crushing the running boy.
He twisted and rolled, narrowly evading the boulder's impact, but the relentless assault left him reeling. With his back against the wall, or in this case, a giant rock, Jaune reflected on the choices that led him to this perilous moment. Jaune's thoughts raced, his mind a whirlwind of regret and fear. He had ventured into the woods with a simple task in mind, yet now found himself entangled in a life-or-death struggle with a formidable foe.
With a swift twist of his body, Jaune deflected the Grimm's relentless assault with his trusty shield, Crocea Mors. However, his respite was short-lived as the Petra Gigas launched him skyward with a powerful blow.
"Ugh!"
As Jaune soared through the air, his stomach churned with nausea, his thoughts consumed by the series of ill-fated decisions that had led him to this precarious predicament.
All I wanted was to gather some lightning dust for Nora and return to Beacon. How did it come to this?"
Indeed, Jaune's misadventure had begun innocently enough, a simple favor for his friend Nora, it was late, but the girl had forgotten to stock up on lightning dust earlier this week and needed it urgently for an upcoming project. Always eager to help his friends, Jaune had volunteered to go out and buy some for her, However, what was meant to be a quick and uneventful trip turned into a harrowing ordeal as Jaune stumbled upon the lair of the Grimm.
He had decided to take what he thought was a shortcut back to Beacon through the dense forest, hoping to save time and return to his team before nightfall. Little did he know that this shortcut would lead him straight into the path of danger.
Now, as Jaune struggled to regain his bearings mid-air, he glimpsed a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Through the dense foliage, he spotted a clearing not too far ahead, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Jaune braced himself for impact as he plummeted towards the earth. With a loud thud, he crashed into the soft underbrush of the clearing, rolling several times before coming to a stop. Now he was entangled in a harrowing ordeal far removed from his initial intentions.
Crashing back to earth, Jaune's battered form bore the brunt of the impact, his aura flickering dangerously close to depletion. Despite the pain coursing through his limbs, he found solace in the fact that he had narrowly escaped death's embrace.
Pain shot through his body as he lay there, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he pushed his back up to his feet "Could it possibly get any worse?"
His rhetorical question was met with an immediate answer as his stomach rebelled, leaving an unpleasant puddle on the forest floor.
"At least Yang isn't here to see this," Jaune muttered wryly, he needed to stop saying that, well he would soon learn that anyway.
As Jaune got up and dusted himself off he reached to his hip, where he usually keeps Crocea Mors, expecting the trusty sword and mech-shift scabbard to be there ...but his hand met empty air. Panic shot through him as he realized that he must have lost his family heirloom when he was sent flying through the air.
In silent terror at losing his family sword, Jaune looked at his hip and confirmed yea, it was gone. Ok, now it was panic time. Jaune ran around the area, he couldn't have lost it, It had to be somewhere around here. God what would Pyrrah say... God, what would his parents say?!
Determined, he began to search the area, scanning the ground for any sign of his beloved sword and shield.
After what felt like an eternity of searching, Jaune finally caught a glint of metal He turned and saw it was a cave, it didn't seem to go too deep, and inside this cave was Crocea Mors stabbed into a rock with the shield on the floor right in front of it. Relief flooded through Jaune as he stumbled towards the cave, his heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. He approached cautiously, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger lurking within the shadows.
Jaune reached out to grasp the hilt of Crocea Mors, his fingers wrapping around the familiar weapon, relieved that he didn't lose the family heirloom as he walked to the cave, he saw another sword stabbed into the same rock as Crocea Mors. But it was covered entirely in dust and rust so it was barely recognizable. Intrigued, Jaune approached the sword cautiously, his curiosity piqued by its presence alongside Crocea Mors.
It must have been there for quite some time. Jaune couldn't help but wonder who the sword belonged to and what fate had befallen its owner. As he reached out to touch the dusty blade, he heard heavy earth-shaking footsteps approaching behind him. He quickly turned and saw it was the Petra Gigas from before, It crashed into the cave as it reached for the terrified blonde.
With adrenaline surging through his veins, Jaune's instincts kicked into overdrive. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted to survive this encounter. Jaune leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the massive hand of the Petra Gigas as it crashed into the cave entrance. His heart raced as he realized he was trapped, with the formidable Grimm blocking his only means of escape.
The Petra Gigs refused to relent, its massive form relentlessly battering against the cave walls, sending tremors through the stone. With each impact, Jaune realized the imminent danger: the creature aimed to crush him beneath tons of collapsing rock. He had to escape, and fast.
Lost in thought, Jaune suddenly became aware of an unexpected phenomenon. Crocea Mors, his trusted sword and shield, shimmered with an ethereal glow, as did the previously overlooked rusty sword nearby.
"Alright, Jaune, stay calm," he muttered to himself, formulating a plan. "Retrieve Crocea Mors, and make a swift exit. We'll deal with the rock monster another time."
Turning towards the weapons, Jaune's eyes widened in astonishment. Where Crocea Mors and the rusty sword had been lodged, now stood a single, magnificent sword. Its appearance was nothing short of breathtaking.
The hilt boasted a lustrous ebony hue, crowned with a gleaming golden pommel. The guard, adorned with a twin crescent motif reminiscent of his family's emblem, glistened in the dim light. The blade itself, resembling that of a longsword, exuded an exquisite silvery-white sheen. Etched along its length were thirteen radiant golden diamonds, while the edges gleamed with an undeniable sharpness.
CRACK
Before Jaune could even begin to question the fate of Crocea Mors, or what he assumed to be Crocea Mors, the Petra Gigas tore a hole large enough to breach the cave's defenses. There was no time to dwell on the mystery of his beloved sword's transformation; it was time to confront the looming threat.
With determination, Jaune reached out and grasped the sword, finding it surprisingly easy to wield. Yet, as he pulled it free, a brilliant burst of light erupted from the blade, engulfing both Jaune and the Grimm in its radiance. When the glare subsided, Jaune found himself not only holding the sword but also clad in a resplendent suit of armor.
The armor gleamed with a pristine white hue, intricately detailed with delicate golden lines accentuating its form. A chest plate, pauldrons, gauntlets, and greaves adorned his frame, while a metal skirt, embellished with a black cloth featuring a striking white border, billowed gracefully around him.
Atop his head rested a helm in the likeness of a lion, its visor a sleek black instead of the more conventional slits, exuding an aura of regal strength. Completing the ensemble, a flowing black cape trailed behind him, adding an air of majestic authority to his presence.
"W-Whoa" Jaune breathed in awe, hardly believing the transformation that had just taken place. He felt the weight of the new sword in his hand, the power coursing through him as if it had always been a part of him.
But he didn't really get the chance to question his new transformation when suddenly, the Petra Gigas attacked bringing its rocky fist down on the blonde. Jaune raised his new sword and blocked the strike, the blade held up against the Grimm's attack but Jaune buckled underneath the force of the attack. The impact sent shockwaves reverberating through Jaune's body, threatening to shatter his newfound resolve. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he pushed back with all his might, straining to keep the monstrous Grimm at bay.
With each clash of steel against stone, Jaune felt a surge of determination coursing through him. He may not have understood the true nature of his transformation or the origin of his new sword, but in that moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was the fight before him, the battle to survive against insurmountable odds.
As the Petra Gigas unleashed a flurry of relentless attacks, Jaune met each blow with unwavering resolve, his movements fueled by a newfound sense of purpose. With each strike, he grew more confident, more assured in his abilities.
In a flurry of movement, Jaune danced around the monstrous Grimm, his strikes precise and calculated. With each swing of his sword, he carved through the air with a grace and skill he never knew he possessed. The armor felt like an extension of himself, moving effortlessly with his every motion, it was strange he had never fought like this in his life, it was as if his swings were guided.
"Focus Jaune, Grimm first, then magic sword later."
Despite the overwhelming power of his opponent, Jaune refused to back down. With a defiant roar, he summoned every ounce of strength within him, channeling it into his sword as he unleashed a devastating counterattack.
The blade sliced through the air with precision, carving a path of destruction through the Grimm's rocky exterior. With a deafening roar, the Petra Gigas staggered back, its form splintering and crumbling under the force of Jaune's assault.
The Petra Gigas roared in frustration as Jaune's onslaught pushed it back, its attacks growing more desperate with each passing moment. In a final, desperate gambit, the Grimm lunged forward, its remaining strength focused on delivering a fatal blow. It was faster than Jaune expected, the blonde also realized, he didn't have a shield anymore, he couldn't block and with his aura already in critical condition if he tried blocking with the sword he would be launched into the cave wall and turned into Jaune soup, extra chunky.
So, this is how it ends, killed by a Grimm I encountered while simply trying to help a friend? No! I refuse to accept it. I'll make it back, damn it. I won't not die here!"
Jaune's grip on the sword tightened as fear coursed through him, yet his determination burned brighter. He knew he had to escape; to die here would mean failing his team, and he couldn't bear the thought of being the cause of their sorrow., dying here meant he couldn't be a huntsman, that at the end of the day, they were right.
With resolve, hardening his heart, Jaune raised his blade, oblivious to the faint white and golden aura enveloping it. As he brought the weapon down upon the Petra Gigas's fist, he expected resistance or at least some redirection of force. Instead, to his astonishment, the blade sliced effortlessly through the rock, as if it were mere butter.
Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, the Grimm stumbled, its makeshift appendage losing balance and sending it crashing to the ground, as its rocky form splintered even more.
As the shattered remnants of the Petra Gigas's fist flew past him, Jaune gazed at the sword in his hand. It felt natural as if it belonged there. It was reminiscent of Crocea Mors, yet distinctly different. Perhaps with this new weapon, he could finally become the hero he aspired to be. After all, a sword capable of slicing through solid stone like paper was far too valuable to be left in the confines of a dark, dingy cave.
"Now, how am I going to explain the transformation of Crocea Mors?" Jaune pondered aloud. "Sorry, Dad, but it looks like the family sword, is now some sort of super sword."
As Jaune pondered the explanation he would give his parents when they inevitably discovered he had sneaked off to Beacon, he failed to notice the Petra Gigas rising to its feet, preparing to hurl a massive boulder at him.
A sudden sense of impending danger jolted Jaune into awareness, just in time to see the enormous rock hurtling toward him. Knowing that attempting to deflect it with his sword would be futile and likely result in his being crushed—he wasn't as strong as Nora or Yang, who could probably bench-press the boulder's weight with ease—he frantically searched for a shield, realizing he didn't have one.
"I need a shield, but I don't have a shield!" Jaune thought in desperation.
As the rock drew closer, seemingly destined to either crush him or slam him into the cave wall, one of the golden diamonds adorning his blade began to glow a brilliant purple.
"KNIGHT INSTALL: Knight of the Grail, Galahad!"
A commanding voice emanated from the blade as Jaune was enveloped in a radiant purple glow. In an instant, the boulder halted in mid-air, a resounding clang echoing through the cave as it collided with an unseen force.
When the light subsided, where Jaune had stood, there now stood a large, black shield emblazoned with a central double crescent motif, it was huge big and wide enough to cover an entire person. As the shield moved aside, revealing Jaune once more, he was clad in a new suit of armor—a light black ensemble accented with elegant purple and gold lines, complemented by a flowing purple cowl on his shoulders. His helmet had transformed as well, losing the elaborate lion motif in favor of a simpler design, with the visor now gleaming in purple.
Jaune blinked, taking in his transformed appearance and the imposing shield now in his grasp. But there would be time for questions later; for now, he had a Grimm to confront.
Rushing towards the Petra Gigas, now reeling but armed anew, Jaune met its swing with his shield, deflecting the blow with practiced precision. With a fierce cry, he pressed forward, driving into the Grimm's defenses, and with a forceful shield bash, he forced the creature back.
As the monster stumbled, attempting to crush Jaune with its rocky appendage, the young warrior rolled aside, narrowly evading the attack. Undeterred, he continued his assault, wielding his shield as if it were an extension of himself.
"I'm doing it," Jaune thought, determination burning bright within him.
With each clash, Jaune's confidence grew. When the shield began to glow like the sword, albeit with a subtly different energy, Jaune realized its potential. Instead of merely blocking, he began to time his movements, countering the Grimm's strikes with well-placed blows of his own, despite the size of the shield, he was using it with ease.
As the Grimm's rocky limb hurtled towards him once more, Jaune seized the opportunity. With a swift, powerful strike, he shattered the boulder-like appendage, the peculiar glow enhancing the force of his attack.
"I can do this. I'm getting out of here!" Jaune affirmed to himself, seizing the moment of the Grimm's bewilderment.
Bounding forward, his aura ablaze, Jaune leaped towards the monstrous adversary. His shield, now aglow with radiant white and gold light, descended upon the creature with unstoppable force. Though blunt, the shield cleaved through the solid rock as if it were mere butter.
As Jaune landed gracefully, he turned to face the Grimm, only to find it standing before him, seemingly cleaved in two like a character from one of Mistral's cartoons. Then, in a blinding burst of light, the creature erupted into a pillar of brilliance, vanquished by Jaune's newfound strength and resolve.
Jaune exhaled deeply, relief flooding through him as the threat dissipated. He was alive, and he could return to his team. Gazing down at the shield in his hand, he felt a sense of connection to it, as if it belonged to someone who shared his desire to protect those close to them.
"Thank you for lending me your shield," Jaune murmured, though he knew there was no one there, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shield's owner was watching over him.
In a shimmering display, the shield transformed back into the sword from before, leaving Jaune clad in his previous armor, albeit without the helmet. Stepping out of the cave, he felt subtly changed, a newfound confidence coursing through him.
As he emerged into the outside world, Jaune's attention was drawn to a black sheath adorned with golden lines and delicate white accents. It seemed familiar, and as he slid his new weapon into it, he realized it was his old sheath, now enhanced to match his transformed sword.
Securing the sheath at his side, Jaune resumed his journey towards Beacon, only to realize that night had fallen during his ordeal.
"Pyrrha's going to kill me!" he exclaimed, a pang of guilt seizing him as he realized how long he had been absent.
With a renewed sense of urgency, Jaune hurried towards Beacon, determined to reassure his team and explain his prolonged absence. Unaware of the faint purple glow emanating from one of the golden diamonds on his blade, he pressed on, resolved to make things right.
A/N
Hey, like I said, I'd revise chapter 1, and I'm pretty happy with it, god looking at it back when I first started really makes me appreciate that I took the time to improve. But also thanks to you guys for being patient with me, and liking this story besides looking like it was written by a 3rd grader. Yea so thats all, I'll update the later chapters over a week, then I should be good, ciao.
Arthur (Dormant): Once destined to return in the hour of need, Arthur now rests in slumber, his mighty sword Excalibur awaiting the call of the chosen. For Jaune, the blade initially unlocks enhanced strength, speed, and resilience against magic, a mere glimpse of its true potential. But the full power of Excalibur lies dormant, awaiting the unity of the Knights of the Round Table to awaken its legendary might. (1/13)
Galahad: Guardian of Camelot, Galahad's indomitable shield radiates with the divine light of the Holy Grail. For Jaune, it manifests as heightened defense, its holy brilliance shining most fiercely in the presence of Grimm. With each encounter, the shield's sacred aura grows, rendering even the sturdiest of Grimm vulnerable to its radiant power. Blessed by the divine, Galahad's shield cleaves through the darkness, offering protection against the encroaching shadows.