Glynda stood at the edge of the boat, the sea breeze whipping through her hair. The expanse of the ocean stretched endlessly before her, its deep blue depths mirroring the sky above. Beside her, Jaune leaned against the railing. His expression was one of serene contentment. The boat rocked gently as it cut through the calm waters, heading toward the mainland.
The days in Vytal had been an odd one, but a new type of Grimm seems to have failed to douse that anticipation.. Sumire was a place she had always wanted to visit, up in the mountain, it was a beautiful settlement with rugged beauty and untamed wilderness. She turned to Jaune, who caught her gaze and smiled.
"Do you think Grimm will attack?" he asked, his blue eyes twinkling with excitement.
"No."
"Oh well, who knows what comes out of these waters," Jaune said. "Always be ready they say."
Glynda nodded, catching her billowing hair as she looked at the waters. "It's not as bad as they say it, but it's the waters around Mistral and Solitas that have sightings of Grimm in the water. It's not rare, mind you, but also why it's best to mute our Aura."
Jaune looked at the seas, his blues matching the seas. Glynda could write poems about it, but then again, that would be too tacky.
As the boat docked at the mainland, she and Jaune disembarked, their steps in sync as they made their way to the airship dock. It was quite bare, with a few who wants to visit family and friends. Huntsmen like them were usually welcome to join with a discount. Glynda hadn't been traveling, but even she was not surprise the amount of leeway people give to Huntsman and Huntresses.
The journey to their stop took them across varied landscapes, from dense forests to towering cliffs. Glynda noticed, while riding, that Jaune seems somewhat unsteady.
"You're not about to vomit, are you?"
"Oh, not likely," Jaune said, followed by an exhale. "I've tamed that a long time ago. As long as I keep still."
The airship ride was smooth, the vessel gliding effortlessly through the sky. Glynda gazed out of the window, taking in the sweeping vistas below while Jaune seems to mumble about a Mother and Tree.
The mainland spread out like a patchwork quilt of greens and browns, dotted with clusters of settlements and winding rivers. She leaned back in her seat, her thoughts drifting to her decision to leave Beacon.
She thought teaching had always been her passion. It still does, but the mission that had brought her to Jaune had opened her eyes to a world beyond the academy's walls. She realized how much she had been missing, how many experiences and lessons awaited her outside the structured environment of Beacon.
She came to realize she's still too young. She wasn't like Ozpin, and she knew it herself that this was better. Sure, there are other reasons that she would not dare to speak out, but it was still something she had decided. How can she dare to teach when she knows so little about the world that her would-be students would one day protect?
The airship touched down near a small village, the first stop on their journey. Glynda and Jaune disembarked, the villagers greeting them warmly. They spent the night there, enjoying the simple hospitality and the fresh, home-cooked meals. The next morning, they set off on foot, the path ahead winding through a dense forest.
The forest was alive with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped overhead, and the rustle of leaves whispered secrets to those who would listen. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Glynda felt a sense of peace settle over her as she walked, the rhythm of their footsteps creating a comforting cadence.
"You're good at this," Glynda said, watching Jaune easily traverse the forest.
"Oh, I've been in a place where it was weirder than this," Jaune easily lifted a trunk and made a way.
"This is amazing," Glynda said, breaking the comfortable silence. "It's like something out of a storybook."
"Oh man, only if you've seen that place."
"Maybe we can take a stop there?"
"Haha, no, I don't think I'd want to suffer that place again," Jaune shuddered.
Glynda smiled. "It's still beautiful. There's a beauty to Remnant that you can't capture within the walls of an academy. It's something you have to see and feel for yourself."
As they continued onward, the terrain grew more rugged. They reached the base of a series of cliffs, the jagged rocks towering above them. Glynda looked up, her breath catching at the sight. The cliffs were imposing, but they also promised a view unlike any other. The sunlight, casting long shadows, highlighted the intricate patterns of the cliff face. Glynda could see small ledges and crevices.
Jaune gave her a confident smile. "Ugh, ready to climb?"
Glynda chuckled. "Might as well."
"Well, if I fall, please catch me."
"Just glide, Jaune," Glynda advised. "Your shield can do that."
Jaune then shrugged. "Hey, I can't fly with my Semblance. I mean, maybe if I make my aura explode on my feet and launch myself… but that's troublesome."
Glynda stretched her limbs and gave the base of the cliffs a look. It was littered with loose rocks and small boulders, making the approach somewhat tricky. They carefully navigated through this initial obstacle, each step deliberate and calculated to avoid any potential slips or injuries. The closer they got, the more imposing the cliffs seemed, their sheer size dwarfing the two adventurers.
With their gear secured, they began the climb. Jaune took the lead, his movements smooth and confident despite the suit of armor he was wearing. Glynda followed closely, her eyes scanning for the best handholds and footholds. The rock was cool to the touch despite her gloves, its rough surface providing good traction for their hands and feet.
The first part of the climb was relatively straightforward, a series of gradual inclines and small ledges. Glynda found her rhythm quickly, her body moving almost instinctively. She relished the feeling of her muscles working, the burn in her arms and legs a familiar and welcome sensation.
It was incredibly exhausting, even as a huntress.
As they climbed higher, the wind picked up, swirling around them and adding an extra layer of challenge. Glynda could feel it tugging at her clothes and hair, a constant reminder of the heights they were reaching. She glanced over at Jaune, who seemed unfazed, his focus unwavering. His confidence was infectious, and Glynda felt her own resolve strengthen.
The terrain began to change, the inclines steeper and the ledges narrower. Each movement required more precision and care. Glynda could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, heightening her senses. The world around them seemed to fade away. The only thing that mattered was the next handhold, the next step.
Midway up the cliffs, they encountered a particularly challenging section. The rock face here was almost vertical, with only a few small crevices and protrusions to use for climbing. Jaune paused, studying the route ahead before making his move. Glynda watched him closely, taking mental notes of his technique.
"Careful here," Jaune called back. "It's a bit tricky."
Glynda nodded, her eyes focused on the rock in front of her. She took a deep breath, then started her ascent. Each movement was deliberate and controlled, her hands and feet finding purchase on the narrow holds. The wind was stronger here, whipping around them with a fierce intensity. Glynda could feel it pushing against her, testing her balance and strength.
"How do others do this without aura?"
"I don't know, but hey, at least it isn't a mountain rocky candy?"
"Must be quite a dream to dream of that!" she giggled. "Do you miss the city, Jaune?"
"Maybe," Jaune grinned and pulled himself up.
Glynda reached for a small protrusion, her fingers gripping the rough surface tightly. For a moment, she felt herself waver; the wind threatening to pull her off balance. She adjusted her stance, shifting her weight to find a more stable position. The effort was intense, every muscle in her body working to maintain her grip and balance.
Glynda took another deep breath, then continued upward. The vertical climb was exhausting, but she relished the challenge. She could see Jaune above her, his progress steady and confident. His presence was reassuring, a constant reminder that she was not alone in the climb.
After what felt like hours of climbing, they reached a small plateau. The flat surface was a welcome relief, providing a moment of respite from the strenuous climb. Glynda collapsed onto the ground, her muscles aching but her spirit soaring. She looked around, taking in the stunning view that was beginning to unfold beneath them.
It was a sea of clouds.
Jaune joined her, a smile on his face. "Not bad, huh?"
Glynda laughed, her breath coming in quick gasps. "It's incredible."
From this vantage point, through the sea of clouds, they could see the landscape stretching out below them. The rugged terrain they had traversed seemed distant. Glynda could make out the faint outline of the path they had taken, winding its way through the rocky landscape.
They took a few moments to rest and hydrate, the water refreshing and revitalizing. Glynda could feel her energy returning, the exhaustion giving way to a renewed sense of purpose. She knew the hardest part of the climb was still ahead, but she felt ready to face it.
As they prepared to continue, Jaune pointed to a distant peak. "That's our goal. Think you're up for it?"
Glynda nodded, her eyes fixed on the peak, then around them. "Absolutely. Hope there's no Grimm here."
"Doubt it," Jaune squinted at the sky. "But we better just jump and then wing it."
"In this kind of wind?" Glynda observed. "We'll hit the rocks."
"True, but that's just for the emergency."
Glynda stared at him. "You know this kind of thing… you'd fit in with Beacon with this crazy?"
Jaune grinned.
The last leg of the climb was the most challenging yet. The cliffs grew steeper, the holds fewer and farther between. Glynda could feel the strain in her muscles, each movement requiring more effort and precision. The wind was even more relentless, a constant presence that added to the difficulty.
Jaune led the way, his experience and skill clear in every move. Glynda followed, her focus intense. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, driving her forward. The peak was within sight, its summit tantalizingly close.
At one particularly challenging section, Glynda found herself struggling. The rock face offered few holds, and the wind was especially fierce. She paused, her breath coming in heavy gasps, her mind racing to find a solution. She could feel her confidence wavering, the enormity of the task weighing on her.
"You alright?" Jaune noticed her hesitation and called down to her. "You've got this, Glynda. Just take it one step at a time."
His words were a lifeline, pulling her back from the brink of doubt. She took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. Burning her aura as she reached for a small crevice, her fingers finding purchase. With a determined effort, she pulled herself up, her muscles straining with the exertion.
Step by step, she continued upward. Each movement brought her closer to the summit, and up ahead, she could see Jaune reaching the top.
Finally, after a grueling ascent, Glynda pulled herself over the edge of the cliff and onto the summit. She collapsed onto the ground, her body exhausted, but her heart filled with triumph. The view from the top was breathtaking, a panoramic vista that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Jaune helped her to her feet. "Was it worth it?"
"It's experience. I'll take it," Glynda said, patting her back.
Glynda looked around, taking in the stunning scenery. The landscape below was a patchwork of valleys and peaks, the rugged beauty of nature laid out before them. The sky was a brilliant blue with the sun casting a golden glow over everything.
She felt a moment of pure exhilaration.
"This is incredible," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Jaune nodded, his eyes reflecting the same sense of wonder. "Yeah, it is."
They spent some time exploring the summit, taking in the various viewpoints and enjoying the sense of freedom that came with being so high above the world.
Taking in the view and resting after their climb. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they made their way back down, their path illuminated by the soft glow of twilight.
Glynda Goodwitch spread her arms out to the sky and relished the freedom.