In the command center of Winter's airship, Jaune Arc sat hunched over a table cluttered with datapads and holo-screens. The captured data from Raven's associates lay before him, a chaotic jumble of files, images, and coded messages. His eyes scanned the information, searching for any clue that could lead them to Raven Branwen.
It had been four weeks since the show he did in Mistral.
And most of Raven's known associates were in jail or killed when they resisted arrest.
Winter Schnee stood nearby, her arms crossed and her expression stern. "Jaune, we need to focus. We have to find something concrete here."
Jaune nodded absently, his mind already diving into the depths of the data. He had to find something—anything—that could give them an edge. But as he delved deeper, the voices began to surface.
The Rusty Voice spoke first, its tone grating and impatient. "Look at this mess. We need to find the patterns. There must be something here that connects the dots."
The Well-Informed Voice chimed in, calm and analytical. "Focus on the messages. Raven's associates would have communicated with her. Cross-reference the timestamps with known movements."
The Scheming Voice, sly and cunning, whispered, "Think like her. Where would she hide? What would her next move be?"
Finally, the Knight's Voice, resolute, urged the usual, "Stay true to your mission. Protect the innocent and bring justice to the guilty."
Jaune's eyes flicked across the screens, the voices guiding his thoughts. He sorted through the data, isolating messages, and correlating movements. Winter watched him carefully, ready to step in if his focus wavered.
Jaune muttered to himself, the voices blending with his own thoughts. "Here... there's a message from two weeks ago. Coordinated supply drops near Kuchinashi City. Could be a lead."
Winter leaned over his shoulder, her presence grounding him. "Let's see it. What does it say?"
Jaune opened the file, his fingers dancing over the holographic keyboard. "It's encrypted. We need to crack this."
The Rusty Voice growled. "Simple enough. Just need to brute force the cipher. They got the tools here."
The Well-Informed Voice interjected, "Check for repeated patterns in the code. Raven's not as clever as she thinks."
Jaune nodded, isolating the repeating sequences. Within moments, the encrypted message decrypted, revealing a list of coordinates and dates.
Jaune's eyes lit up. "Got it. These coordinates... they're all supply drops. If we cross-reference these with known movements of Raven's associates, we might find a pattern."
The Scheming Voice laughed. "She's been trying to stay one step ahead, but she slipped. Follow the trail, and she'll lead you right to her."
Winter nodded in agreement. "Good work. Let's plot these coordinates and see where they lead."
Jaune quickly handed over the coordinates into the ship's navigation system. A map of Anima appeared, dotted with the locations of the supply drops.
The Knight's Voice urged caution. "We must tread carefully. This could be a trap."
"Of course it," the Scheming Voice said. "She's all cornered now."
Jaune zoomed in on the map, analyzing the distribution of the coordinates. "There's a pattern here. The drops are in a spiral, tightening around a central point."
The Well-Informed Voice guided him. "The center of the spiral. That's where she is."
Jaune marked the central point on the map. "It's a small, remote village. Perfect for lying low and staging operations."
Winter's eyes narrowed. "We need to move quickly. If she realizes we're onto her, she'll disappear again."
The Rusty Voice growled. "Prepare for an ambush. She won't go down without a fight."
Jaune turned to Winter, determination in his eyes. "We need to act now. Assemble a strike team and move on that village. We can't let her slip away."
Winter nodded, already issuing orders to the crew. "We'll have a team ready within the hour. Be prepared for anything."
The Scheming Voice chuckled. "Time to spring the trap."
As the preparations were underway, Jaune continued to scrutinize the data, looking for any additional clues or potential pitfalls.
The Knight's Voice reminded him of their mission's importance. "Justice must be served. For the victims, for the innocent."
"Fuck that," a Drunk's Voice said. "We need a drink for this and after this is done."
The strike team assembled in the hangar, equipped and ready for action. Jaune and Winter briefed them on the plan, detailing the suspected location of Raven Branwen and the potential for heavy resistance.
Jaune's mind buzzed with the voices, each offering their insights. "Stay sharp, everyone. Raven is dangerous, and she won't go down without a fight. You capture the rest of her crew while I try to make her see reason."
Winter nodded, her gaze steady. "We'll get her associates. But are you sure about this? Facing her alone?"
"Yes. We can't let her other bandits go either. If she escapes, then at least we got rid of more of her ilk. But I still need you to be there to capture her, Miss Winter."
"Got it," Winter nodded.
"She really trusts you now as a comrade," the Yellow Tie's voice said. "Don't fuck it up."
As the team boarded the bullhead, Jaune took a moment to center himself. The Well-Informed Voice reminded him of the stakes. "This is it. Our best chance to capture her."
The dropship descended towards the remote village, the strike team ready for action. As they disembarked, Jaune led the way, his senses heightened by the voices guiding him.
The village was eerily quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind. The Rusty Voice growled. "She's here. I can feel it."
Winter signaled the team to spread out and search the area. She met eyes with Jaune and then nodded in understanding as she lead the rest of the team. Jaune moved cautiously, every sense on high alert. The Scheming Voice whispered. "She's here."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, and Jaune's heart skipped a beat. Raven Branwen transformed from her bird form, standing before him, face hidden by her mask with her sword-arm on her weapon Omen.
The Rusty Voice said. "Fight with everything you've got!"
The Well-Informed Voice analyzed Raven. "Watch her left flank. She favors it."
The Scheming Voice plotted every move. "Keep her off balance. Don't let her regain control."
The Knight's Voice reminded Jaune of their mission's gravity. "This is for all the lives she's destroyed."
Her eyes blazed under the White Fang mask, an intense aura radiating from her. Jaune could feel every muscle in his body coiled and ready like a spring, ready-to-use everything he got. The voices in his head roared to life, each one clamoring for his attention.
The Rusty Voice growled, "This is it, Jaune. You've faced worse. Use every trick, every ounce of experience you've gained from me. Make her pay."
The Well-Informed Voice was calm and analytical. "Remember her movements. Study her attacks. Exploit her weaknesses."
The Scheming Voice whispered, "Think like her. Be cunning. Anticipate her every move. She can your limbs if you don't keep your aura up."
The Knight's Voice, steady and resolute, urged, "For justice. For all the innocent lives she's destroyed."
Jaune took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Raven's. "You are under arrest for crimes against humanity. Surrender immediately or I will be compelled to use extreme force."
Raven's smirk was hidden beneath her mask, but Jaune could feel her confidence. She moved first, her blade flashing towards him with blinding speed as she drew Omen with a quickdraw. Jaune's instincts kicked in, his shield coming up just in time to deflect the blow. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the force of the impact reverberating through Jaune's arm.
The Rusty Voice took control, amplifying Jaune's Semblance. His Aura surged, glowing brighter and more intense. Raven's eyes widened behind her mask as she saw Jaune's eyes blaze with an excess of aura.
Her eyes blazed with the Maiden's fire, while Jaune's eyes blazed with his amplified aura, leaving a trail of light as he moved.
Jaune's muscles burned with exertion as he moved to attack. Crocea Mors, in its sword and shield form, moved with a precision and speed that belied its weight. Each strike was calculated, each parry deliberate. Raven countered with the ferocity of a controlled beast, her movements a blur of lethal grace.
Raven unleashed a torrent of elemental attacks, her power as the Spring Maiden on full display. Flames roared, lightning crackled, and ice shards flew through the air. Jaune's Aura shield flared, absorbing the brunt of the onslaught, but the sheer force of it drove him back.
The Well-Informed Voice guided him, "Use her own power against her. Redirect, deflect, and counter."
Jaune's eyes narrowed, focusing on Raven's patterns. He anticipated her next move, sidestepping a blast of fire and closing the distance between them. His sword slashed through the air, aiming for her exposed flank.
Raven barely managed to parry, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "You're better than I thought," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Guess you can bark and bite."
The Scheming Voice chuckled. "Get under her skin. Make her angry. Angry fighters make mistakes."
Jaune smirked, his confidence growing. "Well, it's easy to fight cowards, Ma'am. I wonder… how did you leave Mrs. Rose to die anyway? She trusted you and looked at what happened. Two wonderful girls left without a mother who actually cared."
Raven faltered at what she heard. She looked at Jaune coldly before her attacks became more frenzied, her frustration clear. She summoned a massive ice wall, attempting to trap Jaune. But the Rusty Voice, relentless and fierce, urged Jaune to push his limits.
"Break through!"
Jaune's Aura flared even brighter, a golden hue tinged with red and blue. His body screamed in protest, the strain of pushing his Semblance to its limits nearly overwhelming. But he fought through the pain, his eyes blazing with determination.
With a roar, Jaune shattered the ice wall, his shield slamming with the force of a dust-loaded missile.
Raven lunged forward, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Jaune met her strike with Crocea Mors in sword and shield form, the clash of their weapons reverberating through the village.
The Rusty Voice took the reins again, amplifying Jaune's power even more. "Push her back. Use everything you've got. This is a Maiden we are fighting."
Jaune's Aura flared brighter, his strength and speed amplified to their crippling limits. He countered Raven's attacks with brutal efficiency, matching her blow for blow. Each strike of his sword and shield sent shockwaves through her body, forcing her to adjust her stance.
Raven's eyes blazed brighter, her Maiden powers surging. She unleashed a torrent of fire and wind, but Jaune stood his ground, his Aura shielding him from the elemental onslaught once more.
He pressed forward. Jaune's body screamed under the strain, but he pushed through the pain. The Well-Informed Voice provided tactical advice. "Focus on her weak points. She's fast, but you're stronger in terms of aura."
Raven's blade clashed against Jaune's shield, and he saw an opening. He disarmed her with a swift strike, sending her weapon flying. But Raven was quick, disarming Jaune with two well-placed kicks.
Jaune raised his hands in a boxing stance, ready to continue the fight.
The Scheming Voice analyzed Raven's movements. "She's relying on her speed, too. Keep her on the defensive."
They engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand combat, exchanging powerful blows. Raven's Aura flickered with each hit, but Jaune's Aura seemed to replenish with every breath he took. His strikes were strong and unyielding, forcing Raven to adjust and weave through his punches.
The Rusty Voice urged him on. "Don't let up."
Jaune's fists connected with Raven's torso, each strike forcing her back. He surprised her with a kick to the left rib, sending her staggering. Seizing the opportunity, he threw her down, slamming her onto the ground with a powerful shoulder throw.
"Don't advance, she waiting for you," the Scheming voice advised. "Do you think she'd the kind who'd go down easy?"
Jaune's fists clenched at his front instead, his eyes locked onto Raven's. Her expression was unreadable behind her mask, but he could sense the intensity in her as she easily stood up and took a stance. Jaune took a deep breath, centering himself. The voices in his head were quiet for a moment, allowing him to focus entirely on the fight ahead.
Without warning, Raven lunged forward, her right fist arcing towards Jaune's face. He barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of air as her punch missed him by inches. He retaliated with a quick jab to her belly, but she twisted away with the grace of a bird, her movements fluid and controlled.
The Rusty Voice growled in his mind, urging him to press the attack. "Don't let her gain the upper hand. Keep her on the defensive."
Jaune advanced, throwing a series of punches aimed at Raven's head and torso. She blocked and dodged with remarkable speed, her eyes never leaving his. He could feel the strain in his muscles, each movement requiring more effort than the last. But he pushed through, driven by determination and the voices that guided him.
Raven countered with a flurry of punches, her fists striking like lightning. Jaune's arms moved almost on their own, blocking and deflecting her blows. He felt a sharp pain as one of her punches connected with his ribs, but he ignored it, focusing instead on finding an opening in her defenses.
The Well-Informed Voice offered calm, analytical advice. "Her jaw is exposed on that mask. Hit that."
Jaune shifted his stance, aiming his next punches at Raven's left side. She blocked the first few, but he could see the stagger in her movements.
His fist connected with her side, and she grunted in pain, staggering back a step.
He pressed the advantage, delivering a powerful right hook to her jaw.
Raven's head snapped to the side, and for a moment, Jaune thought he had her. But she recovered quickly, her eyes blazing with fury. She launched herself at him, her fists a blur of motion. He blocked as best he could, but she was fierce, her punches landing with bone-jarring force.
"She hits hard," the Rusty voice groaned. "No wonder she managed to beat Cinder. Not as hard as that Colossus in Argus, though"
The Scheming Voice whispered in his mind. "Use her anger against her. Make her reckless."
"Come on, you should be strong, right!?" Jaune mocked. "But if you're so strong, then why is Ruby's mom not around? You can't even beat me up! Now I understand why you lost her! Why you failed her! Ah, were you angry because she made a cuckold of you!? Want to get rid of the competition after you fucking left in the first place? Ah, that's it right!?"
Jaune dodged a particularly vicious punch, sidestepping and letting Raven's momentum carry her forward. He delivered a quick jab to her side, then another to her shoulder. She hissed in pain, her eyes narrowing behind her mask.
They circled each other, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Jaune could feel the sweat trickling down his face, his muscles burning with exertion. But he couldn't afford to slow down.
Raven attacked again, her fists flying. Jaune blocked and dodged, his movements guided by instinct and the voices in his head. He saw an opening and took it, delivering a powerful uppercut that sent Raven staggering back.
Raven recovered quickly, her stance more cautious now. She feinted left, then struck with her right, her fist connecting with Jaune's jaw. Pain exploded in his head, but he didn't falter. He responded with a series of quick jabs, forcing her back.
The fight continued, each of them landing blows and taking hits. Jaune's vision blurred for a moment, and he blinked the sweat from his eyes. He could see the fatigue in Raven's movements, the way her punches lacked their initial force.
The Rusty Voice urged him on. "Don't let up."
Jaune advanced, his fists striking. He landed a powerful punch to Raven's belly, then another to her shoulder. She gasped in pain, her defenses faltering. He saw his chance and took it, delivering a devastating right hook to her jaw.
Raven's head snapped back, and she stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. She hit the ground hard, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Jaune stood over her, his fists still clenched, ready for her to get up.
The Well-Informed Voice advised, "She's still testing you. Don't fall for it. Stay on the defensive until you find an opening."
Raven clicked her tongue, threw dirt at Jaune, and pressed the attack, her fists moving with deadly precision. Jaune blocked her punches, his forearms absorbing the blows as he blinked away the dirt.
The Scheming Voice whispered. "Anticipate her moves. She's fast, but you're sturdy."
Jaune ducked under a high punch and countered with a powerful uppercut. His fist connected with her jaw again, sending her reeling back. Raven recovered quickly and went defensive.
He pressed his advantage, his fists a barrage. Each punch was calculated, each strike aimed to wear her down. Raven's defenses wavered under the onslaught, her movements becoming more frantic. Jaune felt a surge of confidence.
But Raven retaliated with a fierce combination of punches and kicks, her fists a blur of motion. Jaune blocked most of them, but a well-placed hook caught him in the ribs, driving the air from his lungs as Raven then sent a kick on the side of his neck.
Jaune winced, but the pain only fueled his determination.
The Rusty Voice urged him on. "Push through the pain. Show her your strength."
Jaune then countered. His fists connected with her torso, forcing her back step by step. Raven's eyes blazed with fury behind her mask, her movements becoming more erratic.
The Scheming Voice chuckled. "She's losing control. Keep her off balance."
Jaune saw his opportunity. He feinted with a left jab, drawing Raven's guard to one side, and then unleashed a devastating right cross. His fist slammed into her mask, sending her staggering back. Raven barely maintained her footing, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The Well-Informed Voice guided him. "Stay focused. Don't let her recover."
Jaune advanced. He aimed a series of body shots, each punch forcing Raven to retreat. Her defenses were crumbling, her movements slowing. Jaune felt a surge of determination.
Raven's eyes behind the mask narrowed, and she lunged forward with a sudden burst of speed. Her fist caught Jaune in the stomach, the impact like a sledgehammer. He doubled over, gasping for breath, but the Knight's Voice urged him to stay strong as she elbowed him in the back.
"Remember why you're fighting. Justice must be served."
Jaune straightened, his eyes blazing with determination. He blocked Raven's next attack and countered with a powerful hook to her ribs. She grunted in pain, her body twisting from the impact. Fists flying in a blur, Jaune kept up the attack.
Raven's movements were becoming more violent, her attacks wild and uncoordinated. Jaune saw the cracks in her defenses and exploited them ruthlessly. He landed punch after punch, each strike pushing her closer to the breaking point.
The Rusty Voice roared. "Just hit her harder!"
Jaune unleashed a devastating combination of punches. His fists connected with Raven's torso and jaw, each strike forcing her back. She stumbled, her body swaying as she tried to regain her balance.
With a powerful uppercut, Jaune's fist slammed into Raven's jaw. She crumpled to the ground, her body hitting the dirt with a heavy thud. Jaune stood over her, his chest heaving with exertion, his fists still clenched.
As Raven lay on the ground, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked up at Jaune, her eyes filled with anger. The mask she wore had been cracked, revealing part of her face.
Raven then rolled and tackled Jaune's leg, her Maiden powers surging as she grabbed Omen, her weapon, with her maiden powers. She lunged at Jaune, intending to stab him. The Knight's Voice commanded focus. "Defend and counter."
Jaune localized his defenses to his palm, side-stepping Raven's thrust with Omen. With a powerful elbow strike, he shattered the dust blade. He followed up with a knee to her stomach, knocking the wind out of her, and a right elbow to her back, directing her towards his left uppercut.
The uppercut connected with devastating force, sending Raven sprawling. She struggled to her feet, her Aura flickering dangerously low. Jaune advanced, his own Aura still blazing brightly as he grabbed Crocea Mors off the ground.
Raven's Aura flickered dangerously, while Jaune's seemed to pulse with renewed vigor, a testament to the remarkable ability of his Semblance.
Raven's eyes held her sword, Omen, its blade shimmering with ominous energy. Jaune matched her, Crocea Mors' blade gleaming as Jaune let his aura flow into it.
With a swift, fluid motion, Raven lunged, her blade arcing toward Jaune's neck. He parried the strike, the clash of their swords ringing out like a bell tolling in the quiet village. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows, each strike more powerful than the last. Jaune's strength and unyielding determination were clear in every swing, while Raven's agility and precision made her a lethal adversary.
"She's recovering," the Rusty Voice noticed. "It must be the maiden's power."
Raven pressed the attack, her movements a blur of speed and grace. She aimed a series of quick slashes at Jaune, each one narrowly missing its mark as he blocked and dodged. Jaune countered with powerful, sweeping strikes, forcing Raven to adjust her stance and weave through his attacks.
The Rusty Voice urged Jaune on, its tone harsh and unrelenting. "Keep her on the defensive. She can't maintain this pace forever."
Jaune heeded the advice, his strikes growing more aggressive while his shield's still raised. He saw an opening and aimed a powerful thrust at Raven's gut, but she twisted away at the last moment, her blade slicing through the air where he had stood. She retaliated with a vicious overhead strike, but Jaune caught her blade with his shield, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through his arms.
"She's really strong," the Well-Informed Voice noted, "Use her momentum against her."
Jaune shifted his stance, adopting a more defensive posture with his shield. He let Raven come to him, her strikes fierce but increasingly erratic. He deflected her attacks with calculated precision, waiting for the right moment. When Raven overextended herself, Jaune seized the opportunity, driving his blade toward her exposed side.
Raven hissed in pain as Crocea Mors hacked through her Aura, but she didn't falter. Instead, she spun away, using the momentum to launch a counterattack. Her blade moved with deadly accuracy, and Jaune barely managed to block the strike aimed at his heart with his shield. The force of the blow sent him staggering back, but he quickly regained his footing.
"Don't let her get to you," the Scheming Voice whispered. "Keep her off balance."
He then aimed a flurry of blows at Raven, each one intended to break through her defenses. Raven blocked and parried, but Jaune could see the strain in her movements, the way her breath came in ragged gasps. He pressed the advantage, his blade a blur of motion.
Raven's eyes blazed with fury. She launched herself at Jaune with renewed vigor, her attacks wild and uncoordinated. Jaune blocked most of her strikes, but a few slipped through, grazing his aura. He ignored the pain, focusing instead on exploiting the cracks in her defenses.
With a powerful strike, Jaune knocked Raven's sword aside and delivered a swift kick to her midsection. She stumbled back, gasping for breath. Jaune followed up with a series of quick slashes, forcing her to retreat.
Jaune advanced. He landed a powerful blow to Raven's shoulder, forcing her to drop her guard. With a mighty swing, he disarmed her, sending Omen clattering to the ground. Raven fell to one knee, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her eyes filled with a mix of rage and resignation.
But Raven wasn't finished yet. With a fierce cry, she lunged forward, grabbing Omen's blade from the ground, twisting her upper torso as her Maiden powers surged and swung the blade at Jaune with all her might.
The Knight's Voice commanded focus. "Defend and counter."
Jaune raised Crocea Mors's shield just in time to block the strike, but the force of Raven's attack sent him flying to one of the houses.. The air crackled with energy as her Maiden powers infused the blade, and Jaune could feel the heat radiating from her. He gritted his teeth, pushing back against her assault.
Raven's eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly light as she channeled the full force of her Maiden powers. Flames erupted around her, swirling in a vortex of heat and destruction. She swung Omen with terrifying speed and strength, each strike a deadly arc of fire and steel, completely splitting the house in half.
Jaune's movements were a blur as he blocked and dodged, his aura straining under the sustained offensive. He could feel the heat searing his skin, the force of each blow reverberating through his bones. But he held his ground, his determination unwavering.
The Well-Informed Voice offered calm, analytical advice. "Her power is immense, but it has limits. Still not as strong as the Curious Cat's blast or Salem's magic. Wait for an opening."
Jaune heeded the advice, focusing on defending himself. He let Raven expend her energy in a flurry of attacks, each one more powerful than the last. When he saw her movements begin to slow, he knew his moment had come.
With a sudden burst of speed, Jaune ducked under a high strike and countered with a powerful uppercut with Crocea Mor's pommel. Crocea Mor's connected with Raven's jaw, sending her reeling back. She recovered quickly, but Jaune pressed the attack, his strikes precise and persistent.
Raven's defenses were crumbling under the onslaught. She tried to summon her Maiden powers again, but Jaune was determined. He aimed a series of powerful blows at her torso, each one driving her back as he scraped through her aura. With a devastating strike, he broke Omen's dust blade.
She then lunged at Jaune with her bare hands, her Maiden powers flaring to life once more. Jaune blocked her strikes, but the force of her attacks drove him back. He could feel the heat of her powers, the raw energy crackling in the air as she made a sword of ice.
Jaune summoned all his strength, his sword moving with blinding speed. He blocked Raven's attacks and countered with another strike to her abdomen. She gasped in pain, her Aura flickering dangerously. Jaune pressed the advantage, his strikes unrelenting.
With a mighty swing, he knocked Raven to the ground. She lay there, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Jaune stood over her and quickly brought the sword down.
But Raven wasn't going to just go down quietly. She manipulated the sword of ice, forcing Jaune to block and deflect.
Jaune could tell the gears in her head were telling her to run away. She unleashed a blast of her maiden powers, the violent gust of wind forcing Jaune back with a raised shield.
Jaune Arc's mind buzzed with the cacophony of voices as he pursued Raven Branwen. Elemental powers rained down upon him, fire and ice swirling in a deadly dance. She was calling the elements on him, then dropped it on him.
He was burning, electrified, and frozen.
His eyes full of aura faltered.
Then his aura shattered at the sustained attack of elements forcing him to kneel.
But Jaune breathed.
Summoning his Aura, scraping the bits left, amplifying it until his eyes glowed with an intense blue light again. He launched an aura-infused slash, the arc of energy slicing through the air and forcing Raven to dive low to avoid it.
Seizing the opportunity, Jaune made a giant leap, focusing his Aura on his back to create a shockwave that propelled him toward Raven with incredible speed.
Raven countered by summoning a sword made of arrows and slashing at him. Jaune shield-bashed the arrows, shattering it into pieces, then deflected her next attack with Crocea Mors. Then, with a throat-tearing war cry, he landed a brutal mid-air axe-kick, slamming Raven back to the ground.
The Scheming Voice warned him. "She's trying to escape! Don't let her get away!"
Jaune dove, landing feet-first with a thunderous impact, forming a crater around him. He tackled Raven just as she had opened a portal with Omen. His head swirled as they tumbled through the void, but he held on, determined to stop her.
Raven kicked Jaune in the face, her Aura shimmering dangerously. Jaune's Aura flickered, but he leaned forward, thrusting Crocea Mors with deadly intent. He was unaware of their new location until they emerged on the other side, surrounded by familiar voices — Qrow, Yang, Ruby, Blake, Weiss, and Pyrrha, who retreated back with their weapons drawn.
Jaune smelled the sea.
He heard them.
But his eyes were on Raven.
"Raven?" Yang said, alarmed.
"Ray!"
Qrow moved in first, seeing Raven's state, although he didn't what was happening, he had no reason not to attack Jaune, his weapon at the ready. The voices in Jaune's head screamed at Jaune to act. He blocked Qrow's attack with his shield, then amped up Qrow's Semblance, causing his weapon to malfunction, the shifting mechanism constantly changing and rendering it useless as he then slipped and blocked Ruby's path.
"Qrow's still deadly with his fists," the Scheming voice warned. "We need to get her back into that portal before she closes it!"
Jaune sidestepped Yang's punch, shoulder-throwing Ruby as she rushed in with her Semblance. Blake attempted a stealthy attack, but Jaune tripped her up effortlessly.
Weiss summoned ice around Jaune's legs, but he tore through it with a powerful kick. Pyrrha's spear came next, and Jaune could feel her polarity trying to pull his weapons away. He shrugged off her Semblance, amping up his defenses, and shoving her with his shoulder, sending her sprawling.
In a blur of blue motion, Jaune disappeared and reappeared behind Raven. He slammed the hilt of Crocea Mors against her, shattering her Aura. Then, with a swift, decisive motion, he stabbed the blade into Raven's thigh, twisting it, immobilizing her. Raven let out a cry of pain, but Jaune didn't waver.
Jaune grabbed Raven by the hair and threw her back through the portal before it closed, charging with his shield, making the others back away. Not allowing them to enter the portal as it closes.
"WINTER!" Jaune shouted as he came out of the portal, hoping she was there already.
Jaune saw her zipped next to Raven. Winter wasted no time. She extended her hand, and a surge of icy energy emanated from her fingertips as she summoned her Glyphs. A swirling vortex of frost and ice encased Raven, forming a crystalline prison around her body. Raven's eyes widened in shock, but she was too weak to resist. Within moments, she was completely immobilized, trapped in a solid encasing of ice.
Jaune, still breathing heavily, watched as Winter's icy powers subdued Raven. He quickly approached, reaching into a pouch at his side to retrieve a device that resembled a collar. The collar was sleek and metallic, with tiny electrodes embedded along its inner rim.
Winter nodded to Jaune as he knelt beside Raven. "Make sure it's secure. We can't afford any mistakes with someone like her."
Jaune hurried placed the collar around Raven's neck, ensuring it was fastened tightly. The collar emitted a low, ominous hum as it activated, the electrodes glowing with a faint blue light. Raven's eyes flickered with a mix of anger and resignation as she felt the collar's power constricting around her throat.
Jaune stood up, his expression resolute. "Raven Branwen, you're under arrest."
Raven's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent, the ice and the collar rendering her powerless. The Atlesian soldiers moved forward, surrounding her and ensuring there was no chance of escape. Winter gave a curt nod, satisfied with the secure capture of their formidable opponent.
"Are the others done in?"
"What did you expect? Let's move out!" Winter ordered, her voice cold and commanding. "We need to get her back to the ship for interrogation."
Jaune and the soldiers followed Winter as they began the journey back to their transport. Despite the victory, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
"Congratulations," the Scheming voice warned. "You just attracted the attention of the Infinite Man. Qrow will definitely tell what he saw."
"Fuck. How was I supposed to know she'd go to Qrow?" Jaune leaned on Crocea Mors.
"She's her brother," The Yellow Tie's voice said. "Of course she would."
Then, as if remembering the strain, Jaune's body shook madly.
"You let him took control for too long," the Yellow Tie's voice sneered. "And now… he's a truly part of you now."
He saw the leaf from the Great Tree fall in front of him.
Then his aura shattered.
Jaune fell back-first on the ground.
Then, he saw the phantom of the Afteran in his full rusted armor looking down at him.
Then he felt it.
The memories completely merging in his head.