Jaune Arc stumbled back from Hazel's fallen form, his entire body vibrating with the aftershocks of the intense battle. His breath came in ragged gasps, his lungs burning from the exertion. The pain was everywhere, each heartbeat amplifying the throbbing aches that radiated through his muscles and bones. He leaned heavily on his knees, trying to gather his strength and make sense of his injuries.
"You need to assess the damage, Jaune," the well-informed voice murmured. "Focus. Start with the most obvious injuries. It might not have gone through your aura, but the shock and force of the impact still went through your internals."
Jaune nodded to himself, a grimace crossing his face as he straightened up. He gingerly touched his ribs, wincing at the sharp stab of pain. He pulled his hand back, seeing it smeared with blood from a deep gash.
"That was Hazel's jab," the rusty voice noted. "He got you good. Might have cracked a rib or two. You'll need to bind that up with your Semblance."
"Check for internal injuries," the scheming voice suggested. "Pain like that could mean more than just broken bones. Could be bleeding inside."
Jaune pressed his hand against his side again, feeling the heat and the slickness of blood. His vision swam for a moment, but he steadied himself.
"Keep going," the knight's voice urged. "There are still Grimm out there. Vale needs you."
With a slow, deliberate movement, Jaune ran his fingers over his shoulder. The throbbing there was more intense, a constant reminder of Hazel's crushing blow. He rotated his arm, biting back a scream as the movement sent a searing pain through his entire body.
"Dislocated, maybe even fractured," the well-informed voice observed. "You need to set that back in place. Can you do it yourself?"
"I'll have to," Jaune muttered aloud, his voice strained. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he knew would be a world of hurt. With a swift, brutal motion, he slammed his shoulder against a nearby wall, feeling the joint snap back into place. Stars danced before his eyes, and he leaned heavily on the wall, gasping.
"Jaune!?" Nora grabbed him.
"I'm okay, check Ren. Just need to set the bones right before I can heal them."
"Okay," Nora turned back to Ren.
"You've had worse," the rusty voice said gruffly. "Keep moving."
Jaune forced himself to step away from Ren and Nora, they saw him focusing on his breathing to manage the pain and exchanged worried looks. He reached up to touch his cheek, where Hazel's right cross had grazed him. The skin was tender and swollen, but it wasn't too bad compared to everything else.
"Surface wound," the well-informed voice diagnosed. "Nothing to worry about. But that uppercut he landed—how's your jaw?"
Jaune opened and closed his mouth gingerly, wincing as pain shot through his jaw. It wasn't broken, but it would definitely bruise and swell.
"You're still in one piece," the scheming voice reassured him. "That's more than some can say after facing Hazel. Now, check your hands."
Jaune looked down at his hands, his knuckles raw and bleeding from where they had connected with Hazel's granite-like body. The skin was split in several places, and he flexed his fingers, testing their mobility.
"Minor compared to the rest," the well-informed voice concluded. "Wrap them up when you get a chance. For now, focus on staying mobile."
"Don't forget your legs," the knight's voice reminded him. "That last hit to your knee—how's it holding up?"
Jaune shifted his weight, testing his knee. It hurt, a deep, bone-aching pain, but it held. He could still move, and that was what mattered.
"Pain is a reminder that you're still alive," the rusty voice said. "You can't let it stop you now. Ren and Nora are still standing... and that dragon needs some hammering."
Jaune looked around, his vision clearing as he took in the scene. The city was still burning, Grimm roaming the streets, their growls and howls echoing through the chaos. He clenched his fists, ignoring the flare of pain that shot through his hands.
"I know it hurts," the scheming voice said, almost gently. "But you have to keep going. The battle isn't over yet."
"Think about the people who need you," the well-informed voice urged. "Every moment you rest, they're in more danger."
With a deep breath, Jaune straightened up, forcing himself to stand tall despite the agony coursing through his body. He could feel his aura flickering weakly, barely holding together after the intense fight.
"Focus on your aura," the knight's voice instructed. "Even a small boost can make a difference. You need to keep it steady."
Jaune closed his eyes, centering himself and drawing on his remaining aura and then amping it up to knit the damage.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to dull the edge of the pain and give him the strength to keep moving.
"You're doing good, Jaune," the rusty voice said, a note of approval in its tone. "Just a little further."
Jaune opened his eyes, determination hardening his gaze. He took a step forward, then another, each movement sending ripples of pain through his battered body. But he didn't stop. He couldn't afford to.
"Remember your training," the well-informed voice encouraged. "Every step you take is a step towards victory."
As he moved back to where his friends were, Jaune's mind was a chorus of advice and encouragement, each voice guiding him, supporting him. He could hear the distant sounds of battle, the clash of steel and the roars of Grimm, and he knew he had to keep fighting.
"You're a Huntsman," the knight's voice reminded him. "This is what you were trained for. Protecting the innocent, standing against the darkness."
Jaune nodded to himself, his resolve strengthening with each passing moment. He was hurt, yes. Every part of his body ached, his wounds screaming for attention. But there were people out there who needed then, who were counting on them to keep fighting.
"You've come this far," the rusty voice said. "You can't turn back now."
"Find the others," the well-informed voice advised. "You'll be stronger together. Teamwork will see you through this."
He had faced one of the toughest opponents in his life and had come out alive. That had to mean something.
"There's still work to do," the scheming voice reminded him. "The Grimm won't stop just because Hazel is down. Keep your eyes open, stay alert."
Jaune scanned the area, his eyes sharp despite the exhaustion threatening to overtake him.
Ren, and Nora stood over Hazel's fallen form, their bodies aching from the intense fight.
The immediate threat had been neutralized, but the fight was far from over.
Jaune took a deep breath, looking around the area. His eyes landed on Crocea Mors, lying a few feet away. The sword had been his constant companion and it was a symbol of his strength and determination. Having it on his hands kept him calm. He walked over and picked it up, feeling a renewed sense of resolve as he gripped the hilt. The weight of the weapon felt reassuring in his hand.
Meanwhile, Nora had already begun securing Hazel. She pulled a length of rope from somewhere and began wrapping it around Hazel's massive frame, binding his arms and legs tightly. "We can't let him get away again," she muttered, her face set with determination. "Should we?"
"Not with broken bones like that," Jaune growled as he spat on the ground. "I don't want that piece of shit's blood on us, Nor."
"Nora broke his back, he won't be walking again even if he does somehow manage to heal all the damage done to his internal organs," the well-informed voice said. "Only reason he's alive is because of that Semblance of his... but no aura even if you amplify him can heal what's done to him."
Ren, meanwhile, had taken a moment to center himself. He closed his eyes, focusing his aura inward. His breathing slowed, becoming steady and rhythmic as he concentrated on regenerating his aura. He knew he had to stay strong, not just for himself, but for his team. The masking barrier he had maintained throughout the fight with Hazel had taken a toll on him, but he couldn't afford to let it drop just yet. As he regenerated, he also kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to react to any new threats.
With Hazel securely bound, Nora stepped back, wiping sweat from her brow. She glanced up at the sky, her eyes widening as she spotted the Grimm Dragon hovering above. The monstrous creature let out a roar that shook the ground, its fiery breath raining down upon Vale. The city was engulfed in flames, a sea of destruction spreading as the dragon's fire tore through buildings and streets.
"Jaune, we need to do something about that dragon," Nora said urgently, her voice tinged with fear and determination. "Where the hell are all the huntsmen?"
Jaune looked up, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "They're spread out. Looks like it's even worse in Amity Arena."
Amity Arena was swarmed with flying Grimm.
Like bees gathering into a hive.
But the Grimm Dragon was a formidable foe, and they were already exhausted from their fight with Hazel.
But they couldn't stand by and watch as Vale burned.
They had to act, and they had to act now.
Jaune then asked himself again.
Where were the maidens!? Where the hell are the others? Are they fighting somewhere?
"Those Grimm that were in Solitas, Jaune," a scheming voice chimed in. "They were clearly trying to cross somewhere else… if I'm right then Salem's gathering her forces North of Vale… possibly in Vytal Island… and the Maidens might be in there. It looks like they got blindsided while Salem stabbed them in the back."
Jaune gritted his teeth and refocused. The voices in his head were there, but he was consciously ignoring them, focusing on the fight.
"I'll keep them out," the knight's voice sounded domineering, refusing to back down. "Keep on fighting, Jaune."
"Ren, can you maintain your Semblance while we deal with the dragon?" Jaune asked, turning to his teammate.
Ren nodded, his aura already pulsing with renewed strength. "I can handle it. Just be careful up there."
Jaune nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "Nora, you're with me this time. I'll call any Huntsmen that could hear us so they can use this point to converge here."
Jaune pulled out his Scroll, the device flickering with static from the strain of battle. He quickly patched into the emergency frequency, his voice steady despite the surrounding chaos. "Attention all Huntsmen and civilians within range of this broadcast," he began, his tone commanding. "This is Jaune Arc, acting Mediator for Atlas, and leader of Team JNR. We need everyone to gather around Huntsman Lie Ren. We're here to mask him you until you get your aura back for the fight. Come here so I can boost you all back to full aura and we'll kick the damn Grimm back to hell!"
His message sent, Jaune turned to Ren. "Ren, you need to maintain the masking. We can't let any more Grimm through."
Ren nodded, his face pale with exhaustion but his resolve unwavering. He closed his eyes, focusing his aura to regenerate his own with the help of Jaune's Semblance and reinforce the shroud that had protected them from being swarmed by Grimm.
Nora looked at Jaune, her eyes filled with concern. "Jaune, are you sure about this? You know what pushing your aura that hard can do?"
Jaune met her gaze, his expression determined. "We don't have a choice, Nora. We have to give it everything we've got."
Within moments, Huntsmen and civilians began to arrive, their faces a mix of fear and determination. They gathered around Ren, clearly lacking any aura, and some were even holding on to their stumps that were bitten through by Grimm.
"Listen!" Jaune roared as he stood on a fallen debris. "I will now use my Semblance to boost you. Don't get too far!"
Jaune then took a deep breath, focusing on his aura and using his Semblance. He could feel the energy within him, a wellspring of power that he needed to control carefully. He placed his hands on Ren's shoulders, channeling his aura into his teammate with a surge of energy as then extended his aura to the others.
Ren's eyes snapped open, glowing with a vibrant light as Jaune's aura poured into him. The surrounding barrier that hid them from Grimm was strengthened, and the huntsmen and civilians around Jaune could feel their wounds heal and their auras pulsing back to life. One Huntsman noticed his aura going from Red to Green within moments. But the strain on Jaune was immense. He could feel his strength draining rapidly, his vision blurring as he pushed himself to the limit.
Ren's aura flared, creating an invisible domain that hid them from the Grimm all over the vale. But Jaune's body was paying the price. He gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he continued to channel his aura. Sweat poured down his face, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Finally, the toll became too much. Jaune fell to his knees, coughing violently. Blood splattered onto the ground, forming a pool of blood. Nora rushed to his side, her face etched with worry.
"Jaune! You need to stop. You're hurting yourself!" she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
Jaune shook his head, wiping the blood from his mouth. "We can't stop now, Nora. Vale needs us. That dragon is still out there and no one's doing a damn thing, damn it.."
He forced himself to stand, his legs trembling from the effort. He looked up at the sky, where the Grimm Dragon continued its rampage. The creature's fiery breath lit up again, turning the city below into a sea of flames.
Jaune's vision swam, but he refused to back down.
"Let's bring that thing down on the Ground, Nor."
Seeing Jaune refusing to back down. Nora could only grip her hammer tightly and nodded grimly.
"Be safe, you two," Ren nodded, sitting cross-legged as he hid the people
The two of them made their way toward the dragon, their steps quick and purposeful. As they approached, the heat from the flames grew more intense, the air thick with smoke and ash. The Grimm dragon roared again, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent as it unleashed another torrent of fire upon the city.
Jaune and Nora dodged the flames, their movements precise and coordinated. They reached a vantage point where they could see the dragon more clearly, its massive wings casting a dark shadow over the burning city. Jaune gripped Crocea Mors tightly, his mind racing as he formulated a plan.
"Nora, we need to distract it and find a way to ground it," Jaune said, his voice steady despite the surrounding chaos.
Nora nodded, her hammer ready. "Got it. I'll keep it busy. You find a way to bring it down."
With a nod, they split up. Nora charged forward, her aura flaring as she leaped into the air, her hammer aimed at the dragon's head. She swung with all her might, the impact sending shockwaves through the creature's skull. The dragon roared in pain and fury, turning its attention to Nora.
Jaune took the opportunity to move in, searching for a weak point. He noticed the dragon's wings, their membranes stretched taut and vulnerable. If he could damage them, it might lose the ability to fly, grounding it and making it easier to fight.
He climbed a nearby building, scaling the crumbling walls with determination. From his vantage point, he could see the dragon's wings more clearly. With a deep breath, he focused his aura into Crocea Mors, now in two-handed form, the blade glowing with a fierce light. He leaped from the building, aiming for the dragon's wing.
The blade sliced through the membrane, tearing it apart. The dragon let out a deafening roar, its flight becoming erratic as it struggled to stay airborne. Jaune landed on the ground, rolling to absorb the impact. He looked up to see Nora continuing her relentless assault as she grabbed on the Grimm, her hammer smashing into the dragon's scales with brutal force. Each strike from Magnhild sending shockwaves as Nora's amped up aura with the help of his Semblance prevented it from making erratic movements in the air.
The dragon, now severely wounded, began to lose altitude. It crashed into a nearby building; the impact sending debris flying. Jaune and Nora seized the moment, moving in for the kill. Jaune aimed for the dragon's heart, thrusting Crocea Mors with all his strength. The blade pierced the creature's flesh, its roar of agony echoing through the city.
Nora followed up with a powerful swing of her hammer, crushing the dragon's skull. The beast let out one final, pitiful cry before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching as it succumbed to its injuries and turning into black flakes against the burning city.. The flames that had once engulfed the city still raged on, but Jaune thought that at least the dragon's fire was no longer fueling the inferno further..
Jaune and Nora stood over the debris where the dragon disintegrated, their chests heaving with exertion.
"What's next?" Nora gasped for breath.
Jaune pointed his palm at Nora and boosted her again as Jaune then forced his body to stand up and endure the internal injuries he got from fighting Hazel.
Back to Ren. His aura was flickering as he pushed his limits.
He watched as the dragon fell, a sense of relief washing over him as Jaune and Nora made their way back to him.
Jaune looked at his friends, a determined look in his eyes. "That's one Grimm dead. But we can't let our guard down. There are still more Grimm out there."
They could hear it. The dying and screaming and the burning. The festival that had brought joy had turned into another bloodbath.
Jaune knew that all this fear brought more Grimm.
And more Grimm means more battles to fight.
Ren nodded, his aura glowing faintly as he continued to regenerate and maintain his Semblance. "We'll be ready. I mean, we did fine, right?"
Nora grinned, her hammer resting on her shoulder. "Yeah, Team JNR is going to kick more ass today!"
Jaune then turned his attention to the Huntsmen and civilians who had taken refuge, shielded by Ren's Semblance.
Jaune's blue eyes scanned the faces of those who had been hiding. He could see fear and uncertainty, but also a glimmer of hope. He knew that now was the time to rally them, to reignite the fighting spirit within each of them.
"Hey!" Jaune shouted, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "What are you doing hiding? We're damn Huntsmen, damn it! It's either we kill them all or wait to die!"
His words cut through the air, sharp and commanding. The Huntsmen and civilians looked at him, their eyes wide with a mix of emotions. Jaune's presence was imposing, his determination palpable.
"I'll have your back!" Jaune continued, his voice unwavering. "Stay alive and fight, damn it! You saw what my Semblance can do!"
The Huntsmen exchanged glances, their pride stinging. They had seen Jaune, Ren, and Nora take down the dragon and the Grimm-infected Hazel. They felt a pang of shame for their own inaction but also a surge of inspiration. Jaune's blue eyes, filled with determination and resolve, seemed to shine with the light of a knight from a fairy tale, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.
As if the Rusted Knight himself was standing in front of them in a ragged suit and tie.
Some Huntsmen, their faces set with grim determination, stepped forward. Their admiration for Jaune mixed with their anger at themselves, transforming into a burning courage. Those who had lost limbs or were too injured to fight volunteered to guard the civilians, their spirits unbroken, still eager to contribute to the battle.
Jaune felt a rush of pride and relief as he saw the Huntsmen rallying. He tugged on his burnt yellow tie, adjusting it with a resolute gesture. Shouldering Crocea Mors in its two-handed form, he raised his voice once more.
"We're going to kill every Grimm standing in our way!" he declared, his voice ringing with unshakable conviction.
The Huntsmen roared in response, their voices a unified battle cry.
The civilians, though weary, cheered them on, their hope renewed by Jaune's unrelenting drive.
With newfound strength, Jaune pushed his aura to its limits, expanding his Semblance to encompass the gathered Huntsmen. He could feel the strain, but he gritted his teeth and focused. His aura flowed into them, bolstering their own, giving them the boost they needed to fight on.
Jaune felt his own energy draining rapidly, but he refused to let it stop him. He saw the effect his actions had on the surrounding Huntsmen. Their eyes glowed with determination, their auras flaring with renewed vigor.
They looked at Jaune with trust.
One by one, the Huntsmen stepped forward, their weapons raised, ready to fight. They had witnessed Jaune, Nora, and Ren's incredible feats and now felt compelled to match that courage. Some of them, their pride restored, let out fierce battle cries, rallying their comrades.
Jaune glanced at Nora and Ren, who nodded at him with firm resolve. They stood together, ready to lead the charge against the remaining Grimm. The dragon might have been the greatest threat, but there were still countless Grimm to face and kill.
Jaune pointed Crocea Mors towards the horizon, where more Grimm loomed. "Let's show them what it means to be Huntsmen! Show them that they shouldn't have done this when the best that Remnant could offer is around!"
The combined forces of Huntsmen and civilians surged forward, their spirits lifted by Jaune's words and actions. They fought with renewed ferocity, their strikes precise and deadly. The Grimm, sensing the shift in the tide, hesitated, their once relentless advance faltering.
Jaune, Nora, and Ren led the charge, their movements synchronized, their attacks devastating. Jaune's aura infused every strike, his sword cleaving through Grimm with ease. Nora's hammer crushed their foes, each swing a testament to her strength. Ren's fluid movements and precise strikes cut down the Grimm, his Semblance the Huntsmen as they kill through the unaware Grimm.
The battle raged on, but now it was the Huntsmen and civilians who had the upper hand. They fought with everything they had, their determination unyielding. Jaune's presence at the forefront of the battle inspired them to push beyond their limits, to fight for their city and their future.
Hours passed, the sun beginning to fall on the horizon, casting an afternoon glow over the battlefield. The Grimm's numbers dwindled, their once terrifying presence now reduced to scattered remnants. The combined forces of Vale's defenders had turned the tide, driving the Grimm back with relentless force.
Then finally, up above in the air, they saw Vale, Atlas, Mistral airships piercing through the clouds and out of the airships he saw that familiar blaze of a maiden's glow.
"What took you all so long, damn it?" Jaune gritted his teeth as he watched at the figures flying above the skies of Vale and suddenly felt his body exhausted and his aura nearly depleted. But seeing the look on his fellow Huntsmen, he remained standing among them. The faces of those who had fought alongside him, their expressions a mix of relief and triumph as reinforcements arrived.
"Reinforcements are here!" Jaune roared, his voice hoarse as he once again expanded his Semblance, blood dripping on the corner of his mouth as he boosted every huntsman and huntresses around him. "Let's do this! Attack"
The crowd of Huntsmen and Huntresses erupted in war cries as they charged the Grimm once more.