Hello everyone!
Here is the second and final part of the Rune King Jaune Arc. This part of Thor: Ragnarok is some of my favorite work from Marvel. The tone, the action and everything that happens in the conclusion of this Arc in Thor's story makes it by far, one of the coolest and most memorable storylines in Thor's run. I have been thinking about by a copy of Thor Ragnarok for a while and just might do it, it's a really cool story. Highly recommend you go and read it for yourself.
Alright, that's enough of that, so without further adieu, let's wrap up this story-line with a bang!
RWBY is owned by RoosterTeeth, the other various franchises are owned by their respective owners.
Chapter Four: Twilight Cometh.
The Beacon students were gathered around the screen, all of them nervous. The last showing was very intense and they have no idea if it's about to get any worse.
"Rune King Jaune and the young child that represents the Arcforce appeared out a light blue portal into an empty courtyard. Broken towers laid all around them while statue of Grimm stood towering over both of them.
"Salem's castle. Long has this castle stood in my memories, haunting me with the ghosts of the past. Standing here once more, I cannot believe I let this place hold such power over me for so long." Jaune said as he looked around. Memories of when he first came here playing in his head. Simpler times, when he was happier and his friends still were alive.
"Such good friends they were. The best. I shall forever hold onto the memories we created together. I hope to see you all soon." Jaune said, before returning to the mission at hand.
The Arcforce said nothing, just smiling at Jaune as the massive man stood in the large courtyard, waiting."
"So that's Salem's castle. Creepy looking place." Yang said, a shiver running at her spine as she looked at the courtyard. Even broken and damaged, the castle of Salem is a place where the souls of everyone the Witch killed linger, a feeling of oppression and malice greater then anywhere else on Remnant.
"What is this about Salem and Ozpin? How do they tie into this story?" Weiss asked.
"Salem was the woman who gathered together humanity to overthrow the gods after they screwed her over. She tried to get them to bring Ozpin back from the dead, but they couldn't see eye to eye and so Salem was cursed with Immortality so she could never see Ozpin again. She tried to kill herself by throwing herself into the Pools of Darkness, but ll it did was corrupt her into a monster. Ozpin on the other hand, was cursed with Reincarnation and was forced to fight against Salem and try to kill her. The two have been fighting for thousands all because the Brother Gods overreacted." Strike said bluntly.
The Beacon students chewed on that information. It truly was sad that both Salem and Ozpin have been forced to fight for so long against one another. Before they could ask another question, the screen started again.
"So, the last knight of Beacon returns?" A woman's voice rang out as a large Beringel Grimm appeared. Being twice the size of a normal Beringel, the skin of this Grimm is also crimson red. A pair of silver horns laid atop his head as the Grimm roared out and charged Jaune.
Jaune didn't move an inch as the Beringel threw its right fist towards him. Jaune simply raised his right hand as a circle filled with Runes appeared around his hand. The fist struck the blue plate and was stopped instantly. The Beringel tried throwing a left haymaker, but that was blocked as well.
"So, this is what has become of you, Mangog. Taken by the last follower of Salem and your strength torn from you. I am surprised you can still throw punches that strong anymore. Before you could punch with enough strength to destroy a mountain into pebbles, but now you can barely hit as hard as a regular Beringel. But such is the price to pay under Cinder's rule. Your strength fails you as Cinder's grows stronger." Jaune said as he placed his left hand on Mangog's head.
"Once you were too much for me, now I am far beyond you. I shall put your soul to rest, beast." Jaune said as a new rune flashed over Jaunes left hand, right before he tore Mangog's soul from his body and shattered the connection between the soul and the body, letting Mangog finally go and be at peace."
"You guys saw that right?" Pyrrha asked, unsure if she really just saw Jaune tear another being's soul from it's body.
"If you mean we saw Jaune rip someone's soul out like it was nothing, then yeah, we saw it too." Yang replies, her eyes wipe from the shock.
"That...that's impossible. No one can tear a person's soul out like that." Weiss says, her voices shaky and small.
"No. There are many beings who can manipulate, extracted, eat or destroy souls themselves Such beings are often specialized in matters concerning the soul and have powers given to them by higher divine beings or either trained themselves to the point their powers grew to such an extent. It varies." Strike says.
"Are we going to see any of those beings?" Weiss asks.
"Yes. In fact, very soon, we are going to watch a reality where one of you eight wields that power. It is a dark universe and it will be hard to watch, but the One-Above-All has decreed we view it." Strike replies as the screen starts again.
"Be at peace, beast. CINDER! Show yourself! We shall end this now!" Jaune roars out to the courtyard.
A second later, a massive fire pillar appears from the citadel. The fire transforms to show the form of woman. She has fair skin, raven black hair and eyes like cinders.
"What is this power the last Son of Arc wields? A man wielding magic the likes of which I have never seen? I who have been trained by Salem and stole the magical knowledge of Ozpin? What are these spells?" Cinder asks.
"I would believe the last Follower of Salem would be able to figure that out by herself." Jaune replies.
"Hm. Runes. The first magic ever created. The words of the gods themselves. Strongest and most powerful magic in this world. How is it that someone such as you learned these powers?" Cinder asked.
"You know, for the longest time I hated you. I lothed your every waking moment, I wanted to destroy you more then anything else n this planet. However, after gaining my new knowledge, I no longer feel anger towards you Cinder. Only pity, and disappointment. I know your heart Cinder. I know why you have done these things." Jaune says. "A small girl, unwanted by her parents. Beaten every day until your skin was more bruised then undamaged, until your blood was flowing across the floor. Having to drag yourself every day across your house to your small, meager room in your family's basement you shared with the rats. Being starved for days on end with only enough water to keep yourself alive. It was hell. Your anger and hatred festered and grew."
"Every punch, every slap, it only increased your loathing for your family until one day, you lead a Beowolf into your family's house and watched in joy as the monster feasted on your abusers. Salem herself was intrigued by your manipulation of her creation and so personally came to meet you. Despite being scared of her, you answered her truthfully and in your eyes, you were awed by her power and you wanted to be like her, so you offered your allegiance to her. Salem accepted and took you in. She trained you, raised you, made you powerful and so you grew to respect and fear Salem." Jaune continued on as Cinder's frown grew as she listened on.
"When you gathered all of the Maiden powers within yourself, you were never happier then when Salem praised you and said you made her proud. And then me and my friends came along, beat you and managed to kill Salem, the one person you truly cared for. Your hatred against me and my friends only grew from there. You have been working with the enemies of mankind for a long time Cinder. You have aided them in their efforts of destroying humanity, all for the purpose of eventually making all that remains of humanity bow down to you as their queen."
"Wow, that is one messed up childhood." Yang commented. even though her mother may have abandoned her and her step-mother died, her dad was loving and kind, He might get angry at times, but he never stuck her or Ruby.
"Yeah." Blake agreed with her partner.
Weiss was silent, remembering all the times her father manipulated and threatened her as a child so she would behave as he wanted. As bad as her father might have been, there was lines he wasn't willing to cross.
The Beacon students had conflicting emotions regarding Cinder. On one hand, she was a villain and a monster who has killed thousands for her own gain. On the other hand, how could she not become a monster after a childhood like that.
"Cinder was silent before she snarled out, "What do you want, Arc?"
"I have come for your Maiden Powers. The power of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter are needed for me to open the vaults and retrieve the Relics once more. I have a plan, but it requires your power." Jaune said.
"Well, Maiden powers cannot be used by a man and I will never work with you, so what shall you do?" Cinder asked.
"I shall take the Maiden powers from you just as you stole them from their rightful owners." Jaune simply said.
Cinder laughed and said, "I see you have grown a sense of humor since last we met. If I recall, it took you, that fiery blonde, her partner, the ninja and his partner to render me unconscious when we last fought. And I have only grown stronger since then. So, what hope do you have?"
"I am not the same man I was back then. You are not the only one who has found new strength and powers. I am far stronger then I have ever been before and I have learned secrets and powers you could never hope to achieve. This shall be over quickly." Jaune simply said. While his words might have sounded arrogant, Jaune didn't seem arrogant. He spoke as easily as he would about the weather. To him, it was already a fact that he would beat Cinder.
"Let's see how you fair against my minions before you can think of fighting me." Cinder replied as dozens of humanoid looking Grimm appeared. Each of them glowing with magical powers, making them far stronger than before.
The Grimm launched themselves at Jaune, who did not move as a large eruption of energy emerged from him, blowing the Grimm back with almost no effort from Jaune.
"You're gonna make this difficult, aren't you?" Cinder asked as she looked at the smoke covered form of Jaune.
"Impossible." Jaune simply said as his right arm was raised, a brightly glowing rune hoving just in front of his opened palm.
An enormous explosion of magical power erupted from Jaune, destroying all of Salem's castle instantly in a large blue explosion. When the light died down, the entire courtyard was vaporized, a massive crater now existing where the castle once stood. In the middle was Jaune and Cinder, both unharmed as the barrier raised by Jaune lowered. Cinder was down on her knees, her face pale with fear."
"Damn. That's some serious firepower." Yang said in awe. Rune King Jaune was on an entirely different level from anything she has ever seen before in her life.
Jaune looked at his counterpart in awe. He was fearless, powerful, and whenever he appeared, he instantly commanded the room. His presence, his aura was just so potent that it outclassed anything near it.
"I hope that can be me one day." Jaune whispered to himself, unaware that Pyrrha heard him and was looking at him in slight worry.
"H-how? The magic of the Runes? The Arcforce?" Cinder gasped out.
"Only after you've lost everything...can you do anything. I have walked the same path as my ancestor, Odin once did. I have destroyed myself and have been reborn. I know the unknowable, I see the unseen. I know why you have done your evil acts and it matters not. All that matters is what happens next." Jaune replied as he looked down at Cinder.
"S-so what now? Shall you break my bones and burn my skin off? Slowly bleed me dry as you force me to experience pain beyond measure?" Cinder asks with a slightly shaky voice.
"You must be punished. You have taken the lives of countless good men, woman and children, human and Faunus. So, your punishment shall be to become less then a human and a Faunus." Jaune replied as he reached out for Cinder's head.
He took a handful of her long raven locks of hair as she pleaded with him.
"No...please stop!" Cinder said as she tried to push Jaune's hand away, but he was too strong. A rune flashed over his left hand as Jaune pulled, Cinder's head and neck stretching until her head detached from her body."
Ruby nearly lost her lunch at the sight of Cinder's head being torn from her bdy.
Yang reared back in her seat, completely unable to believe Jaune would decapitate someone.
Weiss stood still as a statue, her eyes wide as her breathing grew shaky.
Blake was shocked as well, her entire body rigid as she remembers all the times Adam decapitated captives.
Nora was holding onto Ren, her body shaking as well. Ren himself was frozen entirely from the sight.
Pyrrha had a hand over her mouth as she gasped in shock while Jaune simply stood still.
"What have you done? My body! I need my body!" Cinder said in shock and horror at her predicament.
"Not any longer. You shall stay with me Cinder as we journey to the end together." Jaune replied as he tied Cinder's hair into a knot around his belt.
Jaune then placed a hand over Cinder's chest as another rune flashed to life over his hand. Four different colored spheres, one white, one green, one orange and one blue, came out of Cinder's body. They were then compressed into tiny marbles and attached themselves onto Jaune's belt.
"We have the four maiden's power. And now we shall go and retrieve the Relics." Jaune said.
"Incredible. Even I cannot see what is in your heart, Son of Arc. Odin's plan has worked, you're thoughts are completely hidden from the Arcpower. Not even the Brother's can see your thoughts now." The Arcforce said, very impressed at Jaune.
"Indeed. Odin's plan has worked better then any of use could have hoped. And now, we shall use the chance he gave to use to end the reign of the False gods." Jaune replied as the three were covered in a light ring of Runes before they vanished in a flash of light.
"What are you talking about?" Cinder demanded.
"The Brother Grimm, our two so claimed "gods", have been living off of an endless cycle of rebirth and death. They found humanity and made us worship them, which gave them sustenance as well as increasing their power. However, living under their rule grew intolerable to humanity and so they tried to get rid of them, but the Brothers wiped them out and recreated humanity and thus started the cycle over again. They have made humanities and the Faunus's existence shallow and meaningless. Each daring deed and noble sacrifice less significant as they repeated in this never-ending cycle." Jaune said as he moved in front of the Vault underneath what remains of Haven academy.
"Just as my sacrifice of one eye was meaningless and I could not hover on the twilight of death as it has been done before...I had to die...to go into death itself! The cycle must end!" Jaune said as he raised the small orb containing the power of the Spring Maiden as well as raising his left hand as a ring of runes erupted around the hand. As the orb flew forth and opened the vault, several Runes flashed around the vault. Jaune then recalled the orb and placed it back on his belt as he walked into the vault. The rolling hills surrounding him giving a nice and calm atmosphere as he approached the golden lamp on its pedestal.
He took it and walked out of the vault. He then approached the Arcforce and once again, a ring of Runes appeared around them as they were teleported off."
"Why are the Relics back in their Vaults? I thought we already got them?" Weiss asked.
"After the defeat of Salem, the gods took the Relics away and put them back in their vaults to keep humanity from getting them once again. Not that they would have helped fighting against the gods, but the Brothers wanted to make sure that humanity had no chance." Strike replied.
"Can't they detect Jaune opening the Vaults and taking the Relics?" Ruby asked.
"No. When Jaune opened the vault, he also used several runes which block the Brothers from seeing that the vault has been opened and the Relic gone." Strike replied.
"I wondered why he did that." Jaune said as the screen started again.
"The screen showed Jaune heading to the other vaults and repeating his previous actions. Soon, he had gotten the four Relics together and was now teleporting into the ruins of a village.
"Ansel. My home. My hours of my youth were spent walking these streets, resting underneath the shade of these trees as people went about their business. It breaks my heart to see my beloved home in such a state." Jaune said as looked around. The houses were broken down, the street was cracked, the plants were all dead. A perpetual sense of loss and misery seemed to infest every nook and cranny of this old town.
"No time to talk about the pathetic state of your worthless home! What do you mean you're going to end the cycle?!" Cinder demanded.
"It is exactly as I said. I am going to break the cycle. How can there ever be a future for humanity and the Faunus if we are always destroyed? How many times must Salem and Ozpin be forced to kill each other? There is no honor in these false deaths!" Jaune replied as he walked towards his old home.
"Honor?! What have you learned across your journey if not this - there is no honor in death - only living! I want to live!' Cinder shouted.
"You have learned nothing Cinder." Jaune replied as he opened the door.
The walls, although more faded and dirtier than how he remembered them, still nearly made Jaune stop. All the memories of his family flooded back into him. A lone tear left his eye and fell to to the ground as he opened the door to the basement.
"He is right Cinder. There can be no glory of the future in this cycle. It is forever denied and taken away, the sacrifices of those that laid down their lives for the future rendered useless. This cannot go on." The Arcforce said.
"Who are you?" Cinder asked as Jaune entered the basement and went to the back, where a large vault laid. After entering in the combination, the large steel door opened and showed the contents of what laid inside.
Dozens of shining armor suits and dazzling weapons. Halberds, katanas, spears and much more were all gathered together. The last testaments of all the Arc that have ever come before.
"A witness, that is who he is. And if everything goes according to plan, he maybe the only thing left after the end." Jaune said as he began to work. Runes flashed over the armor, causing them to glow and break down, their metal all transforming into a silvery liquid. The liquid then all moved in front of Jaune where he applied more Runes to the metal, causing the metal to start hardening.
"Only death can save us now... and I will bring it. Ragnarok shall be by my hand!" Janue declared as more Runes appeared as he worked."
"What?! Has all that power scrambled vomit boy's brain?! Why would he start Ragnarok?" Yang demanded.
"That shall be revealed soon. He has his reasons for starting Ragnarok. Just sit down a watch." Strike replied.
Yang acquiesced to Strike, crossing her arms and looking pissed as the screen started again.
"The images showed a familiar ring of Runes appear next to a massive volcano. From the light came the Arcforce as well as Jaune, who is wearing a new suit of armor.
The armor is massive, made to fit Jaune's large and broad form. The armor is mostly white with golden out edges for the armor plating, however, on the massive chest plate is the symbol of the Arc in bright gold while his shoulder pads also have the Arc symbol on them as well. On his back is a sky blue cape that flutters in the wind. On his right hip is the head of Cinder while on the left hip is the broken form of Crocea Mors. The Relics of Knowledge is connected to the back of his belt, while the Relic of Choice lays on his head. The Relic of Creation is connected to the left side of his belt while the Relic of Destruction is connected to the right side.
"Do tell me why we made that unnecessary stop at your house to forge yourself a new armor set when your old one was still working?" Cinder demanded.
"Because Cinder, my ancestors gave everything for this plan. To bring about the end of the Brothers and so they deserve to be here at the end, even if it is only in spirit." Jaune replied as he and the Arcforce floated over the edge of the volcano. All around them were armies of Grimm, all of them staring at both the Arcforce and Jaune, but none of them willing to engage the two.
Deep in the magma chamber of the volcano was a single being. He looked humanoid, but he was massive, easily being 100 feet tall. A strange crown sat atop his burning head, the shape looking like a combination of a V and a H, the lower part looking like a V but the ends turning straight up like an H. A massive tail attached to the creature that slowly turned in the magma.
The creature as currently forging something, the massive hammer in his hand being brought down again and again as he worked.
"Jaune, Greatest Huntsmen ever and child of my enemy has come! As I complete this final sword, I seal your fate! You shall taste the power of Sutur! You shall fall before me as your father did!" Surtur said as he completed his sword, the massive long sword glowing a sinister crimson red as flame licked the length of the blade."
"Did that Grimm just talk?" Pyrrha asked, unable to believe the sight before her.
"The gods bestowed great intelligence and power to some Grimm. Sutur was a Apathy once, but he was then given the power of flames and grew into what you see before you. He became called a Alpha Fire Demon Grimm due to his appearance. His strength is massive and he killed many huntsmen before Arthur Arc, Jaune's father, fought him. Jaune temporarily lent Crocea Mors to Arthur as Jaune was too injured to fight at that time and Crocea Mors is the one sword that can kill Sutur. Arthur managed to do great amounts of damage to Sutur all by himself when Sutur got a fatal blow in. Arthur died a hero." Strike said, looking at Jaune.
Jaune smiled at that. He knew his old man would never let innocents die if he could help it. It would be just like him to go fight and die, saving countless people.
"That's sounds like Dad. A hero to the end." Jaune said as a few tears fell down his face.
Pyrrha gently reached out and grasped Jaune's hand. He said nothing, but he opened his hand and intertwined his hand with Pyrrhas.
"Surtur looked up at Jaune and said, "I see that Cinder has met a fitting end. She might have been responsible for me surviving, but she doesn't understand honor like you and I do. What of me, Lord of Arcs? Now that I have returned, what battle shall we wage? Shall we rend the lands around us to ash? Shall we battle until the sun is blotted out? Or shall we fight here in this very volcano until we both burn?"
"No. There shall be no battle Fire Demon. Only restitution." Jaune said.
"What? He killed your father and you don't want revenge? You are weaker then I ever thought possible!" Cinder sneered before Jaune grasped her hair and brought her up to face him.
"Don't speak Cinder. You saved his life and you were the one that allowed him to kill countless thousands. I would toss you into this volcano if I didn't think you would freeze it over with your cold soul." Jaune said before he tied Cinder back to his belt and then turned to face Surtur who was patiently waiting for Jaune to stop talking.
Jaune then brought the seathed form of Crocea Mors out and held it in front of him and said, "Reforge Crocea Mors. Make my sword not only whole again, but make it greater then ever. That is all I ask." Jaune said.
"What?" Surtur asked, completely confused by Jaune's request.
"You could do that yourself, why come here?" The Arcforce asks.
"It is only fitting. Surtur killed my father, he has killed countless innocents as well as Hunters and Huntresses. He is the strongest Grimm to have ever been born and he is the greatest threat to the survival of humanity and the Faunus besides the Brothers. He who is the greatest enemy of mankind shall be responsible of the creation of our greatest weapon in the forge that was used to bring about the end of times." Jaune said.
"Very good. You do have the wisdom of Odin." The Arcforce said."
"Huh, making your greatest enemy create your strongest weapon. Interesting." Ren said.
"That's kind of cool." Nora agreed.
"So, do you think Sutur will agree?" Blake asked.
"Maybe. I can't say. It is a Grimm afterall." Weiss replied.
"If I restore Crocea Mors and make it greater then ever before, would you not strike me down with it?" Surtur asked as his face contorted into a rage fueled one.
"No. How could I if it is in your hands? You have my word as the Lord of Arcs that I myself will blast a trail for you straight to Vale, to which you can lay waste!" Jaune said.
"What?! What are you doing?! I'm the evil one and even I didn't want all of humanity destroyed! For the love of all that is good, don't do this! Surtur will lay waste to everything, there will be nothing left!" Cinder cried out.
"Nothing left, but a final, glorious battle. A final act of humanity and Faunus alike that shall never fade, never be degraded by the repetition of an endless cycle." Jaune replied.
"Truly, you have learned the meaning of your fate." The Arcforce said."
"So, Jaune is going to let the Grimm kill all of humanity?! All for a stupid sense of pride?" Weiss asked.
"No. There is more to it then that. Just keep watching." Strike said as he restarted the screen before anyone could talk.
"Surtur was silent for a moment before he began to laugh. His laughter was a cruel and harsh thing to hear, but Jaune didn't flinch as he waited Sutur's answer.
"HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! The word of a Arc Lord is his bond! I shall have my day! Very well, I agree! Give me the metals you wish to be reforged together with Crocea Mors." Surtur said as he put his sword down and picked up his forging hammer.
Jaune silently had Crocea Mors float over to Surtur. He then sent the four Relics over as well, the four genies locked within floating around Jaune. He had severed their ties with their Relics so that they might survive Ragnarok. He then sent the four orbs containing the power of the four Maidens over to Surtur as well. And then he created a number of Runes floating on metal tiles and sent them over as well.
"Here are your materials, Fire Demon. Divine metal in the form of the Relics, the power of the seasons in the form of the Maiden powers locked within those orbs, and a number of Runes, all of them to be forged within Crocea Mors." Jaune said.
"With materials such as these, I shall construct a blade that shall rend the heavens and the Earth into dust!" Surtur roared out as he began his work.
For many long hours, the sound of Surtur's hammer striking down against his creation could be heard all throughout the dark lands of Vacou. Countless Grimm came towards the volcano, all of them wondering what was happening, but all too afraid to actually find out.
Jaune looked on silently as his ancestral blade was recreated. He never looked away, he never said anything, he merely watched on.
Finally, after several days, Surtur was finished and he held up his creation with a massive twisted smile on his face.
"For the Lord of Arcs, my finest forging! Once this blade was nearly my undergoing in the hands of your father, now it is my greatest source of pride! If ever it strikes me down, I will be pleased to take my death from it!" Surtur said as he showed Jaune his rebuilt sword.
From the outside, the rebuilt Crocea Mors didn't look all that impressive. It was large, easily six feet long and around three inches wide for the blade. The blade's color was shining gold while a line of Runes were carved into the blade itself. It had a very simply crossguard on it with the Arc's double crescent moon symbol on the middle of the crossguard. The handle was wrapped in fine leather and had a very simple pommel to it. All in all, although a very nice looking blade, it didn't look like the divine forged blade that it was."
"Kind of plain looking for a sword meant to be the greatest weapon of humanity." Weiss said,
"Yeah, you would think the sword would be a bit more impressive." Yang agreed.
Ruby herself liked the simplistic design of new Crocea Mors and was already thinking of how to ask Jaune if she could reforgue his blade to look like the Coreaca Mors on screen.
"Hm, nice. That's a nice looking sword." Jaune said. The simplistic design as well as the ties to the Arc family made the blade appealing to Jaune.
Pyrrha and Ren both agreed that the sword did look nice.
"But Jaune could feel the power burning within the blade. The Relics, the Maiden powers and the Runes have enhanced the blades power to an incredible level. It was almost as powerful as him without the blade and that is a significant feat.
Jaune called out to the blade and it responded, flying over to Jaune while angling itself so that Jaune can just reach out and grasp its handle.
Once firmly within his hand, the blade ignited. Gold light seemed to pour out of the blade as if it was a miniature sun and the blade fit perfectly within his hand. This is Jaune Arc's weapon, made for him alone.
He could feel it, the power of nature roaring through his veins now. The fury of lightning, the passion of fire, the coldness of ice, the steadfastness of Earth and the freedom of air. It all flowed within him.
"That is not to be your fate. Crocea Mors shall not be your death. You will not have such honor. Lead your armies to the final bastion of humanity and give them a Final Battle that shall echo throughout the heavens for eternity!" Jaune roared out as he put both hands on Crocea Mors handle and swung down, a massive beam of pure golden light erupting from the blade. The beam carved through the land and seas in a perfect path, all the way to Vale."
Those watching were stunned into silence as they stared in shock at the power of Crocea Mors. They knew Jaune and Crocea Mors were powerful in this reality, but never did they think that the two had reached that level of strength.
"Surtur grabbed his sword and left the volcano, the countless Grimm hordes from all around the world gathered around their king as he lead them down the path Jaune carved for them.
"March to death! March to destruction! March to the fall of humanity and Faunus! March to Ragnarok!" Sutur roared out as the massive army of Grimm marched forwards.
Jaune disappeared from view, teleporting away with the Arcforce.
The three appeared over Vale as Surtur's armies arrived at the massive city.
Despite being outnumbered several hundred thousand-to-one, the remaining Hunters and Huntresses of the last city did not give in. They took up their weapons and went out to face death. With them came every single civilian, each one armed with weapons as they prepared for their final battle.
Surtur broke the wall of Vale with ease, his new sword carving through metal, humans, Faunus and everything else in it's path with ease.
With the walls breached, the Grimm poured into the city, only to kill in the hundreds by the assortment of turrets, Paladins, and soldiers all concentrating their firepower at one spot.
However, Grimm came from the skies as well and dropped down on the defenders who turned to fight them. From then on, the organized battle lines of humanity and Faunus cracked as they fought for their lives.
Even in the face of overwhelming odds, no Faunus or human turned to run. They all knew this was to be their deaths and so they fought to kill as many Grimm as possible before they died.
Countless acts of bravery and heroism were witnessed that day, deeds of honor and valor that would forever earn the defenders a place in the annals of history. However, one by one they fell dead. The last city slowly was overrun by the Grimm."
The Beacon student's were crying, in anger, sadness or something in between was known only to them. This is their worst nightmare, the destruction of humanity and they are watching it happen before their eyes. No words could express their emotions accurately at the sight of such horror.
"Look Jaune! Look at what you've done to Vale, to the people you swore to protect! You should have never been given your powers! I should have had them! I would never have allowed this to have happened! Damn you! Damn you to hell!" Cinder roared out in fury.
"Look." Jaune simply said as he held up Cinder's head.
Near the city of Vale was a massive wolf. Larger then anything save for the tree of Yggdrasil, the massive wolf came running towards Vale, it's mouth wide open.
"Fenris!" Cinder said in shock.
"He does what he is ordered. He swallows all that remains." Jaune said.
"But now the cycle shall start anew. All your efforts are for nought. And the Brothers laugh at your deeds." The Arcforce says as it looks up at Jaune.
"No. I have one last deed to preform." Jaune says as the three are engulfed by the ring of Runes once again."
"What can he possible do next? Humanity and the Faunus are all gone for good thanks to him." Weiss said.
"Be patient Weiss. it shall all make sense soon." Strike says as the screen starts again.
"The three appeared in a flash of blue at Yggdrasil once again. However, it is at a different area then before, one hidden from Jaune's view until he opened his mind through his sacrifice. It was a massive open area inside of Yggdrasil itself, the living beating heart of the World Tree. A thick vein-like object is in the middle of the room that leads off to the rest of the tree. Before it lay a tumor -like object flowing with both darkness and light.
"Where are we?" Cinder demanded.
"We are at the heart of the infection, the heart of Yggdrasil. It is here that we shall purge the universe of the Brothers." Jaune says as three beings covered head to toe in black and white robes appear.
"Jaune Arc. Son of Arthur Arc. Son of Diana Arc. You have no power here." They all said in unison.
"Who are they?" Cinder asks, confused.
"They are the Guardians of Yggdrasil. They make sure the tree is safe and more importantly, they aid the Brothers in finding new worlds to put under their thale." Jaune says as he draws Crocea Mors.
"I shall not be denied Guardians. I shall put an end to this madness here and now. You know you don't have the strength to stop me." Jaune says as his magic roars forth, numerous Runes appearing around him.
The Guardians look at one another and move out of his way.
"There is no need for intervention. You cannot change what has already happened." They say smugly.
"Hah! They are right! You cannot challenge fate itself!" Cinder says.
"True. I cannot undo what has already been undone. I do not have the strength for that." Jaune agrees.
"Then you have already failed. Another cycle shall begin soon, another humanity shall rise, one that shall be a pale imitation of the humanity that has come before them." The Arcforce says.
"Look Cinder. That is the main connection point between the roots of Yggdrasil which draws power from the cosmic void and the branches and leaves of Yggdrasil which contain the lifeforce of all living things. Look at how the vein which connects these two things together has a tumor attached to it. The Brothers did this, they put this here so that they can not only live forever, but also control much of life." Jaune says as he approaches the tumor.
"If one struck the tumor with enough force, the energy would flow back into the Brothers themselves. Their very souls would shatter from the attack." Jaune continued as he drew Crocea Mors once again.
"No! You cannot do this! They promised us! You cannot take this away from us!" The Guardians said as they launched themselves at Jaune, only to run into a barrier.
"Please no! Don't do this! You have no idea what might happen if you do! Please, for the sake of all things!" Cinder pleaded.
"Yes, you do see the way!" The Arcforce said with a content smile.
Jaune raised Crocea Mors above his head, flooding the sword with every scrap of power he has inside of himself as he prepares for the final action of his life."
The students were at the edges of their seats, unable to handle the tension of the situation.
"Before Jaune could bring the sword down, Jaune's view changed. He was once again back in the void as the Brothers called out for him.
"Hold Jaune! We have seen your deeds. You have won our respect and our honor! We witness not only your strength but your wisdom!" The former God of Darkness said.
"You have seen our game and call us out on it. You have bested us and for that, we are in awe. We will grant you that which no other has been granted." The former God of Light says.
"Come to us. Join us above, stand with us and become a God to all those below!" They both said simultaneously.
"You are too late and your respect matters little to me or my fallen friends and family. You so called "Gods." Like a child after being caught and facing the punishment, you offer your apologizes too late. I come as your doom!" Jaune roared out as the void was banished from his sight.
"You must face the consequences of your deeds. The virtues of the heroes you created is fully realized with this ultimate act of sacrifice, this final act of battle, this final act of cosmic ritual!" Jaune roared out as the Brothers looked on in fear as the power with Crocea Mors reached its zenith.
With a mighty swing, the sword struck the tumor and obliterated it. A massive explosion erupted around Jaune, striking and destroying the Guardians in a second. The absurd amount of power released traveled through Yggdrasil, destroying any and all traces of Brothers influence throughout the tree.
The Brothers screamed out in pain as their souls broken and shattered into nothingness, ending their legacy of pain and cruelty.
Jaune watched on as the tree shook for a few seconds before the tree righted itself. Jaune could feel the change in the tree itself. No longer are the worlds scattered across the cosmos under the Brother's influence. They are free to discover who they are without interference at last.
"That was cool." Nora said as everyone else silently agreed with her as they watched on.
Jaune let out a sigh as he saw Cinder's head disappear in a cloud of ash. Jaune let go of Crocea Mors, the great sword standing tall and proud as it stood straight into the ground as it awaits the day for its power to be needed again.
Jaune let out a sigh, suddenly feeling very tired and weak after that last deed. He can feel his body falling into a deep sleep, Whether he shall awaken from it, he does not know.
Jaune felt something and looked down to see root forming underneath him, forging a type of bed.
"Ah, Yggdrasil is thanking me for freeing it from the Brother's influence." Jaune said with a tired smile as he laid down on the bed, a blanket of leaves forming around him.
"As I lay here, slowly falling into a sleep I do not know if I shall ever awaken from, my thoughts turn to my friends and family. I can only hope I shall see them again soon. Will they welcome me with open arms, or shall they reject me for my actions? What I did, I did for a reason, but does that make up for the innocents killed in the final battle? I grieve for their deaths, but I also rejoice in their glorious end. It was a good death." Jaune thought as his eyes grew heavier.
"Whatever fate may befall me, I shall face it with pride and dignity. I shall lay here, silent as my thoughts are stripped from my mind. I shall close my eyes and breathe deep my slumber...For a while at least." Jaune thought as his eyes closed and the screen turned blank."
"And with that, the story of Rune King Jaune comes to an end. Do you have any questions?" Strike asks.
"Yeah, why did that dolt led Surtur to Vale?! He could have wiped out all the Grimm with ease!" Weiss shouted.
"Yeah, I am having a really hard time figuring why he did that." Yang agreed.
"It doesn't make sense." Blake added in.
Ruby nodded her head as well, wanting to know why Rune King Jaune did what he did.
Strike sighed and said, "Even if he killed Surtur's army as well as Surtur himself, that wouldn't have fixed the problem. The Brother's would have either created an entirely new army of Grimm or would have simply wiped out humanity themselves. They have shown the power to do so many times and protecting all of Vale from the power of both Brothers at once would have pushed Jaune to his limit. Thanks to all of their forced believers, the Brothers could have just bombarded Remnant endless until Jaune ran out of energy. Jaune's energy was not infinite. He would have run out and needed to rest and then, the Brothers would wipe humanity out."
"Additionally, there is the fact that Vale couldn't sustain itself much longer. Food was always an issue, medicine was long since gone, order was barely being held together, the city would have fractured by itself in just a little bit of time. The Brothers wanted that, they wanted to see humanity descend into their most primal desires and instincts, acting like animals. They wanted to see humanity humbled, brought low, their pride broken and shattered as they fight just to survive." Strike continued on, the students latching onto each word spoken.
"However, thanks to Jaune, they all died with their pride intact. They spat in the face of the Brothers who declared humanity would die as animals. Each person who died standing up, unbowed and full of pride personally spat in the Brothers face. The remaining Faunus and humans all went down on their own terms, deciding for themselves when their end shall come. It was their choice to stand and fight, as they could have fled at anytime during that final battle, but they didn't. Because they were tired of living in broken down homes, always fighting for food, always scared and wondering if a Grimm would kill them at any moment. They wanted to die in glory then live in shame." Strike said, turning to each of the Beacon students as he spoke.
"That is why Jaune caused Ragnarok. Was it a bad decision, perhaps. Was it the one that needed to happen? Perhaps. I cannot say with absolute certainty what was the right choice to make in that situation, but it was the one he took, for better or for worse." Strike finished as the students digested that information.
"So, what happens next in that universe?' Jaune asked.
"Humanity never returns, but new species rise and take their place. Life flourishes all across the universe as sentient races meet and forge alliances as well as fight wars. It's an incredible tale of successes and failures, all possible because of what Jaune did. He was the spark that started the everlasting fire. And as for Jaune himself, he never awakens from his sleep. His soul journeys to Valhalla where he sits with his ancestors, his father, mother and siblings, as well as his friends in a eternal feast of joy and merriment. A happy ending, to be sure." Strike says as the book closes and is sent off to it's former place on the shelf.
"Before we start the next reality, what were we supposed to learn from that reality?" Jaune asked.
"That sometimes, there is no perfect answer. That sometimes, the path you choose is going to cause pain and suffering. Even though Rune King Jaune's decision was arguably the only choice he had, it still caused hundreds to die. There will be times when you have to make hard and impossible decisions where there is no good ending for anyone. There shall be times where you have to choose you to save, for you can't save everyone. Even for a being such as myself, I cannot save everyone across all dimensions, I'm just not strong enough. That is the cruel truth of all dimensions and realities, not everyone can be saved. You just keep marching forwards and save the ones you can." Strike said to the group.
The students fell silent as they processed his words, their own failures to save people in need coming to their minds.
Another book flies into Strike's hand as he looks it over.
"Oh, a nice one. This is an interesting universe and it is a lot less heavy then the previous two." Strike says as he talks to the book, causing the book to ignite and fly out of his hands. Once in front of the fireplace, the book opens up and shoots out the blank screen before the countdown begins.
The students look in in interest as the numbers reach zero and the next reality is shown.
And that is that!
For all wondering, reforged Crocea Mors looks like a Dwarven Greatsword from Skyrim. I wanted a golden greatsword that wasn't too long and wasn't over designed and I think the Dwarven Greatsword fits the idea in my head perfectly.
And so, the end of the Rune King Jaune's tale. Like I said, Thor: Ragnarok is an incredible comic and I would highly recommend you go and read it for yourselves. Good stuff.
Next universe is going to be one of my favorites and one I have dabbled in a lot. Look out for that.
And with that, if you have any comments or criticisms, leave a review or send me a PM, always appreciated.
Until next time, this is StrikeFreedom10, signing off.
PLUS ULTRA!
Farewell for now!