Chapter: 46: Human...
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Penny's voice trembled as she gazed up at her father, her green eyes reflecting a mixture of innocence and curiosity. "What is my purpose?" she asked, the question hanging in the air between them like a delicate thread.
Pietro paused, taken aback by the weight of the inquiry. "Your purpose?" he echoed, his brow furrowing in thought. He studied her for a moment, searching for the right words.
Penny nodded slowly, her expression earnest and expectant.
A warm smile spread across Pietro's face, softening his features. He moved to her and looked at her as his hand gently rested on her shoulder. "Your purpose, my dear Penny, is to be human," he said, his voice filled with tenderness.
Penny tilted her head, confusion clouding her gaze. "Human? What does it mean to be human?"
Pietro's smile deepened as he considered her question. "Being human means to experience the world in all its colors. It means to cry when you're hurt, to feel anger when something is wrong, and most importantly, to love with all your heart."
Penny's eyes widened slightly. "Love? What is love?"
Pietro's smile softened further, his eyes misting with a touch of nostalgia. "Love is-"
Penny's eyes snapped open, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she quickly scanned her surroundings. She was lying on the cold, polished floor of a hallway in Atlas Academy, the sterile white walls and the faint hum of machinery all too familiar. With a groan, she pushed herself up into a sitting position, the disorientation lingering like a fog in her mind. As her vision cleared, she spotted Neon nearby, propped up against the wall, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling steadily.
"Where…?" Penny's voice wavered as she called out, her confusion palpable.
The sound of her voice broke the silence, and both Pietro and Neon turned to face her, their expressions a mixture of relief and surprise.
"Penny!" Pietro exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion as a smile of pure relief spread across his face. "Thank goodness you're okay."
"Father? Neon?" Penny's gaze darted between them, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and confusion. "What… what is going on? What happened?"
Neon shifted slightly, opening his eyes and meeting Penny's worried gaze. "Penny," he began, his voice soft but filled with concern, "do you remember what happened?"
Penny frowned, her brow furrowing as she searched her memory banks, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of her recent past. And then it hit her—Hades. The memory of his attack surged through her mind like a lightning bolt, her eyes widening in horror. "Jaune!" she cried out, her voice trembling with panic. "Is Jaune okay? What happened to him?"
Neon exchanged a brief, somber glance with Pietro before turning back to Penny. "He's okay… for now," Neon said, his tone heavy with the weight of the situation. "He's with Winter and Neptune, holding off Hades."
"No!" Penny's voice was sharp, laced with desperation. She struggled to her feet, her limbs still shaky. "I have to help him! I can't let him fight alone!"
Neon quickly moved to block her path, shaking his head vehemently. "No way, Penny! Absolutely not!" he insisted, his voice firm and unyielding. "Hades wants you—you're his target, we just got you back, and there's no way we're letting him get his hands on you again, not after everything we've been through,"
Penny's heart raced with the urge to protest, the words forming on her lips. "But—!"
Neon quickly stepped in, her voice firm but laced with understanding. "No, Pen, you have to trust us on this one," she said, her gaze steady as she met Penny's eyes. "Leave him to us, I promise, everything's going to work out, you know as well as I do that if anyone can take down that old SOB up there, it's Jaune," There was a confidence in her tone that she hoped would reassure Penny.
Penny hesitated, torn between her fear for Jaune's safety and the stark reality of her own weakened state. She wanted nothing more than to rush to his side, to fight alongside him, but she knew her presence would only make things harder for him and the others. They'd be too focused on protecting her to fight at their full strength. Penny's heart clenched with the weight of that truth.
Her voice was soft, almost pleading, as she finally relented. "Very well… but please, promise me… I don't want him to get hurt,"
Neon's expression softened, and a playful smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. She nodded, her confidence unwavering. "Don't worry, girl! I've got your back!" she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Neon bolted up the stairs, her heart pounding as she rushed to rejoin the battle. The urgency in her steps mirrored the worry gnawing at her mind—were Jaune, Winter, and Neptune still holding their ground? She couldn't shake the fear that they might be struggling without her. But there was no time to dwell on it. She had to get back to them, and fast.
Neptune stood his ground, firing off a barrage of energy shots at Hades, his face set with determination. But the older man moved with unnerving speed, dodging every shot with a smirk that spoke of his confidence, his years of experience. Hades seemed untouchable, a specter moving through the chaos, and for a moment, it looked as though Neptune's efforts were in vain.
But Neptune had a plan.
As Hades dodged the last shot, his smirk faltered when Jaune and Winter appeared before him, their swords drawn and ready. Jaune's blade was poised for a wide slash, while Winter's saber aimed directly at his chest in a deadly jab. They moved with precision, a well-coordinated attack meant to catch Hades off guard. But Hades was faster than they had anticipated.
With a swift duck, he evaded Jaune's swing, feeling the rush of air as the blade missed him by inches. In the same breath, he tilted his head to narrowly avoid Winter's thrust, her rapier slicing through the space where his neck had just been. The ex-headmaster's eyes glinted with cold amusement as he grabbed the front of Jaune's hoodie. Before Jaune could react, Hades yanked him forward, using the momentum to swing him into Winter. The force of the impact sent her stumbling back, the two of them crashing into each other. Hades didn't pause, throwing Jaune aside like a ragdoll, his body slamming into the wall with a sickening thud.
"Crap!" Neptune shouted, his eyes widening in horror as he saw his friends being overpowered.
Desperation fueled him as he focused his fire on Hades once more, unleashing a relentless stream of energy bolts. But Hades, with the same unnerving ease, dodged every shot, his movements fluid and precise as he closed the distance between them. The older man was like a shadow, impossible to pin down, and with each step he took closer, Neptune felt a rising sense of dread.
Just as Hades was within striking distance, his right foot raised to deliver a devastating front kick, Neptune braced himself for the impact. But then, in the blink of an eye, a surge of water erupted between them, shooting up like a geyser and catching Hades off guard. The force of the water slammed into Hades, lifting him off his feet and sending him hurtling into the air.
Winter gritted her teeth, pushing past the sharp pain radiating through her body as she steadied herself. Her breath was ragged, but there was no time to rest. Spotting the ex-headmaster still airborne from the force of Neptune's attack, Winter's eyes narrowed with determination. Summoning her aura, she swiftly conjured a series of Glyphs in rapid succession, creating a glimmering tail of icy platforms that spiraled upward toward Hades. In a flash, she leapt onto the first Glyph, skating across them with blinding speed, her figure a blur of white and blue.
As she ascended, Winter drew her saber, its blade glowing with a fierce light blue energy. The power within her weapon pulsed, resonating with her resolve as she prepared to unleash a devastating attack. Her aura flared around her, the air crackling with energy as she channeled everything she had into this one strike.
Hades, still recovering from his unexpected flight, caught sight of Winter closing in on him. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized the technique she was about to unleash—an attack he had only seen Jaune use before. He hadn't expected Winter to be capable of such power, much less to use it so effectively.
With a fierce cry, Winter unleashed the Arcus Mortis, the brilliant blue energy of her saber arcing through the air with deadly precision. The attack struck Hades at point-blank range, the force of it crackling through the air as it collided with his hastily erected aura shield. Hades poured all his remaining energy into fortifying his defense, but it was too late—the sheer power of Winter's attack, combined with their close proximity, overwhelmed his defenses.
A searing pain shot through Hades as the energy sliced across his upper left side, the force of the blow sending him spiraling backward. He let out a cry of pain, clutching his wounded side as he managed to steady himself in mid-air, his eyes blazing with fury. But even as he glared at Winter, his thoughts consumed by anger and disbelief, he failed to notice the gleaming shield hurtling toward him.
The shield struck him squarely in the side—the very same side Ironwood had shot him before. The impact sent a fresh wave of agony tearing through his body, doubling the pain from Winter's attack. Hades grunted in pain, his expression twisted with rage, but somehow, he managed to land back on the ground, his feet hitting the floor with a heavy thud. His body trembled from the strain, yet he refused to fall.
Winter, her gaze steely and unwavering, landed gracefully beside Jaune's shield as it clattered to the ground. With a fluid motion, she kicked the shield into the air, catching it effortlessly with her free hand before tossing it back to its rightful owner.
Jaune, his face set with grim determination, caught the shield and gripped it tightly, nodding his thanks to Winter, a moment later, Neptune joined them, his eyes filled with the same resolve.
Hades wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes narrowing into a small, venomous glare as he dusted off his torn coat. The sight of his own blood only seemed to deepen the cold fury burning within him. "Impressive," he sneered, his voice laced with disdain. "But still not enough,"
Neptune smirked back at him, unshaken by the older man's bravado. "Says you," he retorted, his tone laced with confidence. "You're already looking worse for wear, Hades, no way you can keep this up much longer,"
Hades's lips curled into a dark, mocking smile. "Is that so?" he murmured, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.
Before Neptune could react, Hades clapped his hands together, and in an instant, his figure vanished into thin air. The next moment, he reappeared above Neptune, his fist drawn back, crackling with lethal energy, ready to deliver a devastating blow.
But just as his fist began its descent, a voice called out, cutting through the air like a whip. "No old timers on the dance floor!"
Hades barely had time to glance up before Neon came barreling toward him, her body twisting into a dropkick with precision and power. She slammed into his chest with brutal force, the impact driving the breath from his lungs and sending him hurtling backward through the air. The old man's eyes widened in shock as he fought to regain control, his body flipping mid-air. With a practiced grace, he managed to land on his feet, though the force of the kick sent him skidding across the floor, his boots screeching against the stone.
Neon landed gracefully, rolling forward with a fluid motion before coming to a stop in front of her friends. She straightened up, a smirk playing on her lips as she squared her shoulders, her eyes gleaming with a fierce determination.
Jaune, still catching his breath from the previous exchange, looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Penny and Pietro?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"Safe and far from here," Neon replied smoothly, her tone carefully neutral. She didn't want to give away their exact location, especially not with Hades listening in. She was glad to see the relief flicker across Jaune's face, even if only for a brief moment.
Jaune gave her a quick nod, his grip tightening on his sword. "Good," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Guess that means I don't have to hold back anymore,"
The trio exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what Jaune was hinting at. Winter's eyes suddenly widened as realization dawned on her. She remembered something crucial—something Jaune had been holding back.
"Right," Winter murmured, her voice laced with understanding. "You still haven't used that,"
Neon turned to Winter, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Used what?" she asked, curiosity piqued.
Jaune sighed, though a wicked grin slowly spread across his face. "This," he said, his voice taking on an edge of anticipation.
With that, Jaune collapsed his shield, reverting it to its sheath form and quickly slinging it onto his back. He then brought his left hand up to his face, gathering his aura with a focused intensity. The energy began to swirl around him, dark and foreboding, as red and black tendrils of aura converged at his fingertips and slowly cloaked his face.
Neptune and Neon watched in stunned silence, their eyes widening in disbelief as they took in the sight before them. Neptune's shock was palpable—he recognized the ominous aura Jaune was channeling. It was unmistakably the aura of the Grimm, something that should have been impossible for a human to wield.
Hades, observing from a distance, was taken aback by the display. His eyes narrowed with a mix of surprise and intrigue. He had never encountered a two-toned aura before, and the sight of it made him question what kind of power the boy was harnessing. Was this some unique semblance? Or something darker? Either way, Hades couldn't deny the interest it sparked within him.
Finally, with a swift, decisive motion, Jaune brought his hand down, the red-black aura dissipating in an instant. When the aura cleared, a Grimm mask had appeared on his face, its dark, jagged lines etched with an eerie precision. The sight of it left Neptune and Neon utterly speechless, their disbelief mirrored in the widening of their eyes. Even Hades, usually so composed, found himself momentarily baffled, unable to comprehend how such a transformation was even possible.
'That's… Jaune!?' Neon thought, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at her friend's transformed appearance.
Neptune, feeling a knot of unease tighten in his chest, glanced at Jaune with hesitation. "Jaune… you still you?" he asked cautiously, his voice tinged with concern.
Jaune turned his gaze toward Neptune, giving him a reassuring nod. But now, the whites of his eyes had turned a pitch-black, and his once-blue irises glowed a menacing red. "Yeah, it's still me, Nep," Jaune replied, though his voice was altered, deeper and more resonant, as if layered with another, darker presence.
Neptune swallowed hard, the unsettling change in his friend's voice sending a chill down his spine. "How is this happening?" he asked, unable to hide the tremor in his voice.
Jaune let out a breath, his expression calm despite the intense aura emanating from him. "Long story," he said, glancing briefly at Neptune before turning to Neon. "But I promise to tell you later," he added, his tone sincere even as the eerie voice persisted.
Neon gave a quick nod, her smirk returning despite the gravity of the situation. "You better," she said, trying to inject some levity into the tense moment. "Because I want to hear all about it."
As they exchanged words, Hades stood back, his sharp mind racing to analyze what had just transpired. He observed Jaune closely, sensing the dramatic surge in the boy's power—it had doubled, no, more than doubled, in mere seconds. Hades couldn't dismiss the transformation as a mere semblance. His eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities, a question gnawing at the edges of his mind: Was Jaune like her? The thought sent a ripple of uncertainty through him, an unfamiliar sensation for someone who prided himself on being in control.
Hades stepped forward, his piercing gaze fixed on Jaune. His voice was laced with curiosity, though a hint of disbelief lingered beneath the surface. "Mr. Arc… how is this possible?" he asked aloud, his eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher the enigma standing before him.
Jaune turned to face the older man, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, his newfound power crackling in the air around him. His red and black eyes glowed with intensity as he clenched his fists. "If you want to know…" he growled, his voice low and dangerous, "you're gonna have to pry it out of me,"
Hades's lips curled into a smirk, amusement flickering in his eyes. "So be it then," he replied coolly, unfazed by Jaune's defiance.
Jaune's shield snapped into place, the familiar weight of it grounding him as he took a fighting stance. His voice was steady, filled with a deadly calm. "I'll end this in an instant, Hades," he proclaimed, his tone carrying an unspoken promise.
In the blink of an eye, both combatants vanished, their movements too fast for the human eye to track. Neptune, Neon, and Winter barely had time to register their disappearance before the two reappeared in the center of the room, their attacks already in motion. Jaune's fist, shrouded in the red and black aura, collided with Hades's blade, enveloped in dark purple energy. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the room, rattling the walls and causing the ground beneath them to tremble.
The sheer force of their clash reverberated throughout the space, sending loose debris flying and causing the lights to flicker. The room seemed to groan under the weight of the immense power that had been unleashed, the two opposing auras swirling and crackling as they fought for dominance. Jaune's red and black aura clashed violently with Hades's dark purple, creating a spectacle of light and energy that left the other three in the room staring in awe.
"What the…!? Jaune had this power the entire time!?" Neptune cried out, his voice tinged with disbelief as he struggled to comprehend what he was witnessing.
Neon, usually quick with a witty remark, found herself speechless. She stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock, the sheer magnitude of Jaune's newfound power leaving her momentarily stunned. She had always known Jaune was strong, but this… this was something else entirely.
Winter's shock ran deeper than that of the others, her heart pounding as she struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before her. She had faced Jaune before, fought him when he had first tapped into the Grimm's power, but this… this was something entirely different. Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of it. 'How is this possible?' she thought, her eyes locked on Jaune. 'He was more powerful than me when he first used the Grimm's power against me, but this… this is vastly different!'
The aura radiating from Jaune wasn't just stronger—it was more controlled, more precise as if he had somehow mastered the chaotic energy that had once overwhelmed him. There was a terrifying elegance to the way he moved now, each motion deliberate, calculated. The raw, untamed power she had witnessed before was still there, but now it was tempered, honed into a weapon of extraordinary potency.
As Winter grappled with her disbelief, Jaune and Hades clashed again, the intensity of their battle escalating with each exchange. They moved with blinding speed, their forms becoming blurs of red-black and dark purple as they traded blow for blow. Every strike was met with equal force, every attack was matched with precise counterattacks. The room seemed to shrink around them, the sheer power they wielded warping the space and making the walls tremble.
Hades quickly realized that Jaune was now matching him blow for blow, a revelation that forced him to reassess his strategy. With a swift motion, he kicked off from Jaune's shield, propelling himself backward to gain some distance.
As he landed, Hades felt something tighten around his ankle. Glancing down, he saw a tendril of water coiling around his leg. His instincts kicked in, and he was about to yank himself free when the water suddenly froze, transforming into a solid tendril of ice that held him firmly in place.
Understanding the trap, Hades snapped his head up and spotted Neptune charging toward him, spear in hand, the weapon crackling with electricity. With a quick calculation, Hades channeled the semblance he had taken from Brian to parry the incoming spear. His blade deflected the electrified weapon, but the maneuver left him momentarily open. In that brief window, Hades twisted his body and drove his knee into Neptune's side. The pain was sharp, but Neptune refused to relent. Gritting his teeth, he pulled his head back and then surged forward, slamming his forehead into Hades's face.
Hades grunted in pain, but the headbutt barely fazed him. His eyes narrowed with cold fury as he grabbed Neptune by the shoulders, lifting the younger boy effortlessly before hurling him upward with tremendous force. Neptune crashed into the ceiling of the vast office, the impact sending cracks spiderwebbing across the surface.
Before Hades could recover fully, Neon and Winter appeared at his sides, moving with deadly precision. Neon struck first, swinging her nunchucks at him with lightning speed. Hades caught the weapon mid-swing, stopping her attack cold. But Neon wasn't deterred—using her agility, she twisted her body and delivered a powerful kick under Hades's chin, snapping his head back.
The sudden jolt gave Winter the opening she needed. With a flash of blue aura, she brought her saber down in a swift, deadly arc, aiming for Hades's exposed side. But Hades, ever the formidable opponent, recovered quickly. His hand shot up, catching the blade just before it could land its mark, the force of the impact reverberating through the weapon. Winter's eyes widened in shock as she felt the strength in his grip, realizing just how close she had come to landing a decisive blow.
Hades moved with ruthless precision. He delivered a brutal punch to Winter's gut, the impact so forceful that she doubled over, nearly retching. Neon, seeing her friend in distress, lunged at Hades, swinging her nunchucks with desperate fury. But Hades was ready; he sidestepped her attack with ease, his movements fluid and calculated. In a flash, he seized her by the face, his grip ironclad, and lifted her effortlessly off the ground. With a savage force, he slammed her into the floor, the impact so powerful that it sent cracks spiderwebbing through the stone beneath her.
Neon groaned, her aura flickering like a dying light, the energy protecting her body rapidly draining away. She lay there, momentarily stunned, her body aching from the sheer force of Hades's attack.
Hades stood over her, a dark chuckle rumbling in his chest. "How foolish," he taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Did you really think you had a chance?"
For a moment, Neon's face reflected the pain she felt, both physically and emotionally. But then, despite the agony wracking her body, a defiant smirk tugged at her lips. "No," she whispered, her voice tinged with both resignation and resolve.
Hades frowned, momentarily confused by her response. His eyes narrowed as he noticed her gaze shift past him. He turned, and what he saw sent a jolt of alarm through him. Jaune had landed in front of him, his blade glowing with a mix of black and red energy that pulsed with a terrifying intensity. The power radiating from the weapon was unlike anything Hades had ever seen the boy produce before.
"Jaune!" Favnhear's voice echoed in Jaune's mind, filled with urgent concern. "If you use this much power, the mask's time limit will be completely used up!"
'Then we better make this count!' Jaune replied internally, his determination solidifying into a fierce resolve.
The aura surrounding Jaune was overwhelming, a vortex of raw, destructive power that seemed to warp the very air around him. For the first time since the battle had begun, Hades felt a cold, creeping sensation grip his heart—fear. The magnitude of the power before him was staggering, and for the first time, he doubted his ability to control the situation.
"W-What is this!?" Hades stammered, his voice betraying his shock as he stared at Jaune, who now seemed more like a force of nature than a mere human. The power he felt radiating from the young warrior was beyond anything he had anticipated, a tidal wave of energy that threatened to consume everything in its path.
Jaune's eyes, now a menacing blend of black and red, locked onto Hades with an intensity that could shatter mountains. The ground beneath him trembled, cracks spreading outward from where he stood as if the very earth feared the power he now wielded.
Hades, the once confident and unyielding ex-headmaster, was now confronted with a power that dwarfed his own, and for the first time in a very long time, he felt a genuine terror creeping into his heart.
Jaune's eyes blazed with fury behind the mask, his gaze locked onto the man who had taken so much from him, who had hurt someone he deeply cared about. Every ounce of his anger, his grief, and his determination merged into a single, ferocious cry. "THIS IS FOR PENNY!" Jaune roared, his voice raw with primal rage.
In that instant, Jaune unleashed his Arcus Mortis, and the power he summoned was far greater than anything he had ever conjured before. The arc of energy, glowing with a fearsome mix of black and red, erupted from his blade and surged toward Hades like a tidal wave of pure destruction. The sheer size and force of the attack dwarfed everything in the room, a terrifying display of the young warrior's unleashed potential.
Hades's eyes widened in shock as he quickly conjured his semblance, producing a series of shields in a desperate attempt to protect himself from the oncoming onslaught. Pouring every last ounce of his aura into the shields, Hades braced himself, hoping—praying—that they would hold.
But as soon as the Arcus Mortis struck the first shield, cracks formed instantly, splintering like fragile glass under immense pressure. The attack's relentless force chipped away at the shields, each impact driving Hades further back. The power was unstoppable and relentless, and it bore down on him.
Hades screamed in rage and desperation, his voice a guttural snarl as he struggled to maintain the integrity of his defenses. He could feel the energy pushing him, grinding him down, forcing him back toward the edge of the room. With every passing second, the cracks in the shields grew larger, and the force of the attack seemed to double in its intensity.
"D-DAMN YOU, ARC!" Hades roared, his voice laced with both fury and fear as he realized he was losing the battle.
His aura flickered, his strength waned, and he could feel the crushing weight of Jaune's power bearing down on him.
Finally, just as Hades reached the large window at the far end of the room, his shields shattered with a deafening crack. The Arcus Mortis slammed into him with the force of a cannon, and in that instant, an explosion erupted from the point of impact, a detonation so massive that it shattered the enormous window behind him. The entire upper floor of the building trembled, walls quaking, and debris flying as the force of the blast echoed throughout the room.
Hades was engulfed in the explosion, his form lost in the blinding light and the roar of destruction. The shockwave rippled outward, rattling the structure and sending shards of glass and fragments of stone cascading down. As the dust and smoke began to clear, the devastation was evident—the floor was cracked, walls scorched, and the once grand office was now a ruin.
As the smoke billowed and obscured one side of the room, Jaune stood, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The mask he had worn shattered and crumbled away, each fragment disintegrating into dust as it fell from his face. With its disappearance, Jaune's eyes returned to their normal blue, but he was far from triumphant. The exertion had taken its toll, and he fell to one knee, exhaustion gripping him.
He had done it.
Hades was defeated.
Neptune, despite the pain that still gripped him, slowly lifted his head and managed a weary smile. "Y-Yeah...! We did it!" he cried out, his voice cracking with a mix of relief and lingering agony.
Winter and Neon, equally battered but driven by the surge of victory, shared in the moment. They smiled through their own pain, feeling the weight of their triumph even as they struggled to stay upright. Jaune, with a half-smile on his face, experienced the same bittersweet sense of victory. The intense strain of the battle had taken its toll, but for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to bask in the achievement.
But the fleeting triumph was abruptly shattered. Without warning, Jaune was struck in the shoulder by a powerful jet of water. The force of the impact was brutal, and Jaune's eyes widened in shock and pain as the high-pressure stream pierced through his shoulder like a bullet, sending him sprawling forward.
Winter, Neon, and Neptune watched in horror as Jaune fell, the pain evident on his face. The exhilaration of their victory turned to dread as they saw Jaune's body crumple, the jet of water splashing violently against the ground where he had collapsed. The room's atmosphere, once filled with the adrenaline of battle, was now thick with tension and fear.
Jaune grunted, the sound escaping his lips as he struggled to lift his head and peer through the haze of pain. His gaze, filled with a mix of anguish and determination, fixed on the source of the attack.
As the smoke began to dissipate, Hades emerged near the now shattered window, his presence as imposing as ever. His left hand was extended, his pointer finger aimed directly at Jaune. A massive gash ran diagonally across Hades's chest, exposing his well-defined torso, his shirt entirely shredded from the earlier explosion. The wound was deep, and the sight of his exposed body, marred by blood and bruises, was a stark testament to the battle's ferocity.
The room fell into a stunned silence. The group was paralyzed by shock as they realized that despite the devastating attack, Hades was still alive, still standing, and still brimming with a dangerous amount of power.
Jaune, his face contorted with pain, struggled to push himself up, his voice strained as he asked, "How...?"
Hades's response came in ragged breaths, his voice barely audible over the crackling energy. "I'll be quite honest, I'm surprised I survived myself," he admitted. "It seems that while your attack shattered my defenses, it did manage to reduce the full impact of the blow."
"Damn monster..." Winter muttered, her voice tinged with both disbelief and anger.
With a sudden, menacing gesture, Hades raised both hands. Before him, a sphere of crackling energy formed, humming with electric fury. The ball of energy expanded rapidly, glowing with an ominous, pulsating light. It was a devastating weapon, aimed straight at Jaune, who lay on the ground, barely able to move.
The intensity of the moment left everyone frozen in fear. They tried desperately to move, but the sheer gravity of the situation rendered them almost immobile. Their minds raced as they realized the horrific truth... Hades was preparing to unleash a final, lethal attack on Jaune.
Hades's lips curled into a sinister smile as he looked down at Jaune. "I must give you my respect, young man," he said, his voice dripping with mock admiration. "You've done more than I ever expected... But this is where it ends,"
With a dramatic flourish, Hades unleashed the deadly attack. The sphere of crackling energy shot forward, a relentless wave of destruction that obliterated everything in its path. The sheer force of it tore through the room, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
"JAUNE!" Winter, Neptune, and Neon cried out in unison, their voices filled with terror and despair.
Jaune, his body trembling from exhaustion and pain, closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact. Anger and resignation intertwined within him; he had fought so hard, come so far, only to face what seemed like an inevitable end.
Just as the attack was about to engulf him, a figure materialized in front of the oncoming blast. With a powerful swing, the newcomer raised their sword, positioning it to intercept the attack. As the energy sphere collided with the sword, something astonishing happened. The ball of electricity began to shrink, its intense power being absorbed by the blade, reducing the sphere to nothing more than a faint glimmer.
Hades's eyes widened in disbelief, his shock evident as he watched his formidable attack dissipate. He struggled to comprehend what was happening, why his energy was being consumed so effortlessly. The attack continued to shrink until it was entirely absorbed by the figure's sword.
From behind the figure, a voice, dripping with disdain, cut through the tension. "Are you kidding me, Arc? Did someone like him really put you on the ground?"
Jaune's eyes flew open, his expression a mix of shock and relief. The voice was unmistakable, and as he looked up, he saw the familiar face of his savior. "Adam!?" Jaune exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment.
Standing resolutely before them was Adam Taurus, cloaked in a dark hooded garment that fluttered slightly with his movements. Unlike his usual intimidating mask, this time a black ribbon covered his eyes, adding to the air of enigma and authority. The sight of this infamous figure appearing in their moment of desperation left everyone in the room stunned.
"What are you doing here!?" Jaune demanded, his voice a mix of surprise and urgency.
Adam's gaze remained fixed on Hades as he responded. "I came for him," Adam said coolly, his voice carrying an edge of determination. "We have some unfinished business,"
Hades's lips curled into a snarky grin. "Adam Taurus! What a surprise," he said with a chuckle. "It's been too long,"
"Not long enough," Adam retorted sharply. "And if anyone's going to end Arc, it's me, though, I must begrudgingly thank him for softening you up for me,"
Hades's smirk widened, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the Bull Faunus. "Even in my current state, I am not to be underestimated," Hades warned. "Do you think you can take me on?"
Adam's blade ignited with a fierce red glow, the light casting an ominous reflection in his eyes. A confident smile stretched across his face. "Of course," he said with conviction. "Prepare yourself, Hades... This place will be your grave,"
"Or yours," Hades countered with a sneer, his eyes gleaming with defiance.
The tension in the room thickened, palpable enough to slice through. The two powerful hunters faced each other, the air crackling with unspoken challenges. Every eye in the room was locked on the standoff, the weight of the moment hanging heavily as they all wondered: who would emerge victorious from this clash of titans?
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I'm back! I'm sorry that I haven't updated most of my fics, I've just kind of been focusing on writing my Original Story, which if you're interested and want to support me (no it's not a paid story, you reading it and reviewing it is supporting me and the story!) please check it out!
It's called: "ROSE: FEAR YOUR WORLD" and thankfully I commissioned an artist to draw three of the characters! (The story is only available on Wattpad, A03, and Neobook)
However, I have not abandoned my Fanfics and I don't plan to they just might not be updated as often.
I apologize if it upsets you that I'm not updating as much as I should be, but know that this original story is a passion project and something I can call my very own creative creation
Anyway! Next up:
Hades and Adam go toe to toe in a clash of titans, can Adam defeat Hades when Jaune could not!? The Arc is coming to a close and things are heating up! Stay Alert!