Hey everyone, had this weird idea for a fic floating around in my head involving our resident Blonde boy turned traumatized old folk hero turned slightly less traumatized young man.
Some spoilers for anyone who hasn't watched up too volume nine of Rwby, this is your only warning.
Hope you enjoy.
Jaune Arc, had lived a lone life. Managing to live to be one hundred-eighty-four, most likely a side effect of the Blacksmith reversing his age, he had done a lot. He was a Huntsman of legend, having aided in the defeat of Salem and the restoration of Remnant at the hands of the Brother Gods. He was an uncle, a teacher, well respected by his peers and loved by friends and family.
He never had kids due to what he had lived through, but that never stopped him from being there for his nieces and nephews or their children. He had watched his sisters and friends grow old, watched their children grow old, even watched their grandchildren grow old. It wouldn't be long before their great grand children would grow old as well.
Not to mention all he had seen from his students.
Yet now, as he stood in a strange void after closing his eyes, only one thought dominated his will.
'WHAT DO THE GODS WANT?'
He had been in bed before, ready to sleep after a long day spent in retirement. Had he truly passed away? Would he see his friends and family who had passed long before he had? Was he going to see the Blacksmith once more?
His thoughts were interrupted as... Something came into view. It was human in shape, yet unnatural. Its face missing any actual features, rather bearing an assortment of stars in a random and ever shifting pattern. Its body was a faint blue, with four arms that rested against the "ground" despite running far longer than they should be. It was sitting cross legged, looking down at him due to its sheer size.
This was not anything he had seen before.
"Hello... Jaune Arc." The being spoke, pausing as though it had to think before finishing its sentence. "What...? Who...? he murmured out as the being's face grew closer. "My... Apologies Sir Arc... There is a reason you now stand here, one which you may not enjoy." The being spoke. "Ok... Why am I here?" Jaune asked cautiously while running a hand through the pure white locks of his hair. "There is something, something which requires your aid. It will take time to explain." The being stated whike bringing its hands closer to him. "Well, what is it?" Jaune asked, biting the bullet.
"Your Worlds, both what you call Remnant and what you call the Ever After, are but two worlds in the multiverse. Each are managed by beings of divinity, such as Myself or the Elder Tree." The being explained before pausing. Jaune raised a brow and narrowed his eyes. "In many of these worlds... Souls will reincanate, being born again in a different one after death... with a few exceptions." The being said. "Can you get to the point?" Jaune asked, knowing that he had to cut it short. "The Reincarnation of one you had slain found itself in my world, and has been wrecking havoc ever since reaching maturity. I humbly request that you come and slay her once more?" The being finished.
Jaune was silent for a moment, taking in all he had been told. "You-" He pointed at the god in front of him to enphesize his point. "-You want me to kill someone I had killed before, because they are causing problems in your world?" he inquired, growing agitated. "My children had cast me out long ago, and are insistant on dealing with her themselves. All attempts thus far have resulted in mass death and destruction of the world I had created long ago." The being clarified. "Really, you can't just overturn and do it yourself?" Jaune inquired. "They had bound me, made it impossible for me to influence my world. Do not think I am making this request on a whim... My ire has been set upon and I wish to ease the situation." The being stated as it seemed to glare at him.
Jaune paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "How bad? How much damaged have they all caused?" he asked. The being remained silent, before one of its arms reached behind itself. Returning not long after with a massive orb in hand. "Floods, Great fires, Plagues, and unstable magic have all been unleashed by my children. All have failed due to their arrogance and the power of the newly reborn being you had slain." The being said as images of cities being swept away by floods and fires played through the orb. "Who was it, the one who had been reborn?" he asked, knowing that there were many he had slain in his time.
"The one who you despiced most of all. She has been reborn as a Great Devil and rose to power with the Calamitous Relics of the world in her possession. My children are attempting to strengthen beings native to the world, but I fear it may take too long for them to cultivate a capable warrior." The being said. "Hold on, if they can't create a being strong enough the defeat who I think you're talking about, what makes you so sure someone like me can do it?" he asked. "Both my children and the natives are unfamiliar with the tactics she has used, the methods she has employed. Her old self had influenced her rebirth and brought calamity to the world. You know what she can do, you have cultivated your own power due to a mistake made by the Elder Tree... What did you become known as again? The Unyeilding Paladin, impervious to all conventional harm?" the Being inquired.
Jaune hesitated before huffing. "Yes, I became known as The Paladin of New Vale, Unyeilding to all who would assail her and her people." he said with hesitence. "Far more glorious than your old titles; The Rusted Knight of the Ever After... Cinder's Bane in Vacuo." The Being prattled, seemingly complementing him. "Still, what reason do I have to accept your offer?" Jaune questioned.
The Being remained silent, looking down upon him as the stars in its face began to swirl into a spiral. "I can offer you anything, be it death or life, the greatest riches that none could compare too, But I know what you truly wish for, I know what drives you to action... Jaune Arc." The being said as it sunk down, its face now level with his body. "You refuse to let people suffer; after experincing the pain of outliving so many you cared for. You have watched all those around you wilt and wither as you remained. Even as one hundred years passed since you retired your Titles you stood in the defense of others. You would never stand to see the suffering of innocence, regardless of why they are suffering. Knowing what they are going through, and what I can give you, you would not refuse." The Being explained as it let the orb drop to the floor in front of him.
Jaune could see the chaos, the carnage, the please of mercy made to gods and the flow of tears marking the faces of those still living. He felt his knuckled clench as he grit his teeth at the sounds of carnage. "My children may have stopped me from affecting my world, but I can still bring you there with what you would need to stop her." The Beings paused as it seemed to take in a breath."So, Knight what do you say? One last mission to bring salvation to those harmed by your most despised enemy before you pass to the next life?" The Being asked as it raised a hand infront of him.
Jaune looked at it, before taking a deep breath. "You are asking me to kill Cinder, or what ever she is known as now. You are giving me great power to do so, then when I'm done I'll be dead?" Jaune inquired. "A general idea of my request, you would not simply pass away though, rather I would allow you to reincanate in any manner you desire, in any world you wish to enter." The Being clarified. Jaune took another breath; "Not like I have anything to lose, I've taught enough huntsmen and huntresses to leave an impact on my world, So what's one more mission?" Jaune said. "You have my gratitute Jaune Arc, for accepting my request." The Being said as it raised its form to its feet. Jaune felt himself being lifted, even as he still apeared to be on the ground. Two of the beings hands now had him standing on their open palms.
"Now allow me to grant you what you will need to finish this mission." The Being said as Jaune felt something wash over him. He felt the familiar weight of metal armor and familiar weapons brush upon him. Yet it went deeper, he felt his very soul being touched. "I have one last question?" Jaune asked. "What is it, Sir Arc?" The Being replied. "Why me, why now?" he asked. "All others who had fought her have already been reborn, their experiences battling her having been washed away by the cycle. You are all that is left who have fought her before, all the others had been reborn, long before she had reached maturity." The Being answered.
"I see." Jaune notted, a frown growing on his face. "My apologies if such news has been disheartening, such is just the way of the multiverse, but I will do what I can to fufil your wish when your task is completed." The Being said as Jaune felt his form begin to float. "Will I see any of them, if they had been reborn?" Jaune asked. "If they had been, you will know it, best of luck Paladin." The being said as Jaune felt his eyes grow heavy.
For a moment all he could see was darkness, then he opened his eyes. He found himself in a clearing, lying against a tree. Carefully pulling himself up he felt surprised at the lack of aches and pains he had grown accustomed too in his old age. Eying the sword on his side he pulled it from the sheath, finding the familiar blade of Cocrea Mors in his hand.
He knew it was a copy, The original had been destroyed when he first killed Cinder. Yet as he ran his hands along the blade it felt like he was meeting an old friend after a long time apart. He let the blade slide back into the sheath, then pushed further until he heard a faint click. He now held a bastard sword in his hands, giving it a few test swings with one hand. He put it back on his belt, relieved as another series of clicks was heard.
As he looked around he shifted his shoulders, taking a moment to get used to the armor. He ran a hand to his head, the metal gauntlet running along a helmet which he gave his vision no obstruction.
Yet something drew his attention. Pillars of smoke rose in the air and cries could be heard in the distance. Jaune braced himself before he broke into a sprint.
He had a job to do.