For Whose Sake?
7 Years Ago
The screaming overpowered the usual racket of the camp. It was high-pitched and came in long stretches like a hog being strangled. At once almost everyone around Jaune stopped what they were doing and flocked towards the source of the commotion.
Jaune stopped his long practice swings, drawn to the disorder. He awkwardly slid his blade back into its metal sheath and he held tightly to it as he walked. The camp was in a state of disarray. They had received word that they were going to be moving up north near the outskirts of Mistral soon. As such most of the tents had been disassembled or torn down. All gear had been loaded into vehicles, they would stand guard in the night and leave at first daybreak. It was far too unpredictable to travel the roads at night, human error could be just as costly as a Grimm attack.
Jaune pushed and prodded his way past larger men, weaseling to the front of the crowd. It was an emergency medical tent. The screaming only got louder as he approached, now it clawed and bit at his ears. Two men were laid out on stretchers, pounding and clenching at their own flesh. Neither had shirts, replaced instead with scars on bare skin that pulsed and shook. Veins that once were blue now turned a necrotic black and spread from their wounds. They convulsed in pain. It took three men per to simply hold them down.
Doctor Crabbe, the resident medical expert, tended to them. He was an old man with wispy gray hair. He hunched and hobbled, his leg had had a bite taken out of it by a Beowulf some years ago, if the rumors were true he had stitched and tended to the wound himself. He often made the claim that he was the greatest medical professional on the continent of Anima. He liked to tell tall tales and embellished lies though, so it was often hard to believe him. Truth or not though his skill was undeniable, even still his flushed puckered face showed he had done all he could.
"Away with you vultures! Have some respect for a dying man's privacy!" He bellowed and shooed at the mounting crowd.
"What is it you old geezer? A Grimm attack? A sickness?" The questions layered atop one another, and it was impossible to make sense of them all.
"You lot will have a lot worse than a Grimm attack if you don't leave now!" Crabbe threatened, Jaune knew the man could barely get out of bed most mornings without assistance. Still, his fury was like a brewing storm, far off but growing larger until it finally crashed down. The medics scurried around the wounded fetching buckets of cool water and ice. The men were sickly pale and their voices cracked like glass as their throats tightened. The once piercing screams faded to garbled whimpers. Jaune traced the thick unnatural black lines that shaped their bodies with his eyes. They branched out from their chests, winding, and circling up and down their skin. One man stared wildly up at the sky, both eyes bulging and streaming with tears. Jaune was uncertain if it was from pain or fear, but he was certain that one eye had turned black entirely.
Despite his better judgment, Jaune took a tentative step forward, morbid curiosity gnawing at him. He was stopped by a loud bellowing voice rising above the clamor. It was loud, clear, and silenced the crowd at once. The men stepped apart, allowing for a single unobstructed path. Jaune forced his way to the front and caught sight of Nix in all his proud uniformity. His strong figure was a stark contrast to most men in camp. He was crisp, perfectly disciplined, and always in a straight appearance. He stuck out like a sore thumb when compared to the rundown appearance of the camp and its people. The men had little to their names despite weapons that had seen their share of battle and mended clothing that bordered on wearable.
Nix strode through with pride. His clear eyes only ever looking forward. Yet it was the man that came after him that caused a deafening silence to descend on the camp.
Jack.
Jack was a man of average height. He walked with a simple cane, supporting a limp that caused his foot to drag ever so slightly. This was the first time Jaune had seen the man in such clarity. His ash blonde hair had streaks of gray that matched nicely with his trimmed beard. His narrow face was highlighted by the clear, bright silver of his eyes though the weariness was unmistakable. He dressed plainly, but every step and drag of his feet seemed to echo.
It was rare for Jack to make an appearance around camp. He was often busy with meetings, planning, basic discipline, and delegating daily tasks to his assistants and Nix. To see him here caused a growing pit of dread to foster inside Jaune. He watched with wide eyes as the man made his way past. Jack barely offered him a glance as he approached Crabbe.
"What is it?" His voice was light and pleasant, Jaune felt suddenly calmer just by hearing it. Crabbe searched for the words, his frustration suddenly disappearing. Jack continued. "A Geist? A beetle? A Chill?"
The medical staff immediately stopped and backed away in fear. The silence that had permeated the camp was broken by a flurry of panicked rumblings and whispers. "We're not sure what exactly it is. It's spread rapidly and we don't know if we can stop it. We have a few men here who were in the scouting party."
Two more men Jaune had not seen before approached. Their nervousness was plain, and they shuffled uncertainly under the piercing gaze of Jack. "There was a Grimm attack as we were heading back to camp sir," One began. "Boars and Beos. Nav and Daff took a nasty blow and before we could get them back here, they started screaming and thrashing sir. We had to fall back, you gotta believe me. There were more Grimm coming and we nearly had to abandon Nav, he just kept screaming and we didn't know what to do."
Jack held up a hand and the man stopped. "Did their aura break before they started screaming?" The mad nodded and Jack sighed. "Crabbe, any unusual punctures or symbols?"
"No sir," He paused. "Well one has a thorny mark running up his spine, but the other has nothing of the sort."
Jack looked at the men on their stretchers and approached them. He stopped at the head of the black-eyed one, silver met pure darkness. There was a pregnant pause before he looked back to the aging doctor. "Take the other and burn out the Nightmare. If he survives the process, see to it he is properly cared for. We don't have much time to sit here and wait. And the longer we do the more likely the Grimm inside them will attract a horde.
Crabbe snapped into motion and began barking orders at the rest of his team. As the medical team moved Jack turned back to the rest of the men, staring on in anticipation.
"You all have work to do I presume? This is none of your concern. Move along." No one needed a second warning and the crowd shuffled into disorganized unity as everyone suddenly desired to be anywhere else. Jaune found himself alone in moments and unsure of what to do. He started at the lamed man, curiosity forcing his feet into place.
Jack brushed the man's sweaty bangs away from his slick forehead and spoke softly. Jaune strained to hear. "Nav is it? It's fine, you'll be ok."
The convulsing man stilled at once, his one normal eye relaxed and his body untensed. "Boss is that you?" His voice was hoarse and constricted.
"Yes it's me, there's no need to worry about anything. You're in good hands." Jack said soothingly.
"I'm scared." The man's tight voice quivered and Jaune felt suddenly like a stranger. He wasn't meant to hear this. But his feet wouldn't move. "I don't know what's happening. Am I ok?"
"Yes, you are. We're going to make sure you'll be up and about in no time." Jack reassured. His words seemed to have a magical effect on the man. Though his body still spasmed in random intervals his breathing had evened out.
"I don't want to die," Nav said, tears streaming from his one good eye.
"And you won't. Just relax and let us take care of the rest. Close your eyes and relax. Can you do that for me?" Nav grunted and closed his eye, the other stared wildly upwards. The man's dark pupil turned a sickening red. "That's it, just relax. You're safe I promise. You had a sister back in Mistral, right? Tell me about her." Jack stood as the man recounted his family, a smile gracing Navs lips. Jack's cane clicked in his hands as he drew a long-tempered blade from it. Jaune stared on in pure confusion. It happened in an instant. The steel broke flesh and Nav stopped mid-sentence, shuddered, and stilled.
Jack turned to Nix who had watched the ordeal in total silence. "Have the medical staff burn the body. We can't risk an outbreak. We move tonight, post us at least ten miles north of here. We'll stage and break for Mistral at dawn. Collect any of this man's personal gear and have it boxed. We'll send a messenger to deliver it to any relatives."
"Sir," Nix said, and so it would be done. As the Atlesian former Huntsman turned to carry out his instructions he spotted Jaune staring wide-eyed at him. "Oi, brat, what are you doing?"
Jaune stumbled for words as the larger man approached. He had never seen something like that before and his head was filled with questions and unknowns. He yelped as Nix easily picked him up by the back of his shirt. "If our leader tells you to move, you move. No complaints and no second guessing."
"Easy now. You're scaring the poor boy." That silken voice rang through Jaunes' ears and despite his earlier uncertainty he was overcome with a firm reassurance that everything was alright. Nix lowered him back down and Jaune was suddenly standing before a killer. "I take it you're the child everyone's been clamoring about." Jaune nodded dumbly and Jack grunted as he crouched to meet Jaune at eye level. "A word of advice from an old man to a younger. Leave now while you can. This is no place for you. If you stay, I promise only worse will come." Jaune suddenly for the first time felt the urge to run. To flee from this lace and never come back. "Have you ever killed a Grimm?" Jaune shook his head. "It's an unpleasant thing. There's no glory in it, no honor. It's a purely brutal kind of sport and before you know it you've lost a part of yourself in the process. If I may ask boy, what do you hope to achieve out here? Why do you stay?"
Jaune immediately thought of August. The man was a warmth that drew everyone in. He was loud and sometimes drank too much but was kind despite it all. He treated Jaune well and that was everything. "I want to be a hero."
Jack laughed. It was a pleasant sort of thing, there was no hint of derision or bitterness that Jaune had come to expect from others around camp. "A noble goal to be sure. But I warn you, there are no heroes to be had out here."
As Jack and Nix left to tend to their own matters Jaune wandered listlessly through the busied camp. His thoughts were a mess of what he had seen and what he had heard. It made so sense to him how a man with such sweet words had committed an act so vile. He had never seen a killing before and the memory of it unsettled him. He eventually took to swinging his sword, trying to clear his thoughts. The ache in his arms felt refreshing and eased the memories. That was how August found him sometime later. No one ever asked for Jaunes help when they broke for camp, no one paid him much attention either. Most men steered as far from him as possible. It was lonely, but it made the time he spent with August more special, and when the burly man finally called for him, he was all too happy to follow along.
The movement of the camp was like the movement of a city. Bright lights shone out across the darkening landscape like torches in the night. Scouts kept a keen eye for any potential threats and dangers as the main body traversed over uneven ground and unfriendly terrain. They camped in vehicles at night and again took to movement as dawn barely broke. They arrived at their destination by midday. The mountainous range that housed the impressive city of Mistral was beautiful. The wide rolling greenery of the forest meshed into a thick cascading mountainscape. The natural waterfalls added a depth of stunning that took Jaunes' breath away. He had never seen such a picturesque landscape. In the far distance, he could barely make out the city, its shadow standing out against the bright sun.
This was as far as they would venture though. It was against the law for such an armed force to make any gesture towards the city. If they neared it any further they would be attacked and rebuffed by the Cities Huntsman.
Jaune wondered what a real Huntsman looked like. Nix was former to be sure, but Jaune wondered if there was a difference between past and current Huntsman. Nix certainly looked out of place in camp but then again, they all were a mismatch of different types of people. He had always held an image of heroic figures standing firm against the hordes of Grimm. A bright shining hero with a large powerful weapon that would always come to the rescue of others. That was how he always saw his father, that proud confident smile and self-assuredness.
He remembered the terror in his eyes in those final moments in that burning city.
He decided to try thinking of something else.
A distraction came soon enough. The whirring blades of an airship deafened Jaune. The wind kicked up and threatened to tear down the tents being set and dust flew all around as it approached. The large hulking machine gently touched down in the center of the camp. Jaune had never seen one before up close. It resembled a fish in his eyes. A hulking mass of steel and wood, with large sails protruding from its top and sides that resembled fins. A long metal nose jutted it out from the front and two massive propellers, one in the back and one in the front enabled it to fly. Proudly displayed on its fish like sails were the symbol of Mistral. A bright blue burning lamp. It was said to represent Mistral's role as a guiding light for humanity throughout the Great War. A literal beacon of hope in the darkest times of Remnant, or at least that was what his mother had told him when he was younger. August completely dismissed the emblem, not understanding why a nation would choose a lousy lamp for a symbol.
More than the unfamiliar ship Jaune was more fascinated with the people who exited it. A group of a dozen Huntsman stepped off the ship's platform. No two looked exactly the same. Some were fair skinned while others were dark, short, and tall. Most were men though one was undoubtedly a female. Jaune couldn't help but feel a nagging disappointment. Nothing particularly stood out about the group. They were nothing like the illustrious stories he had heard since he was an infant, if anything they were downright plain. They observed the camp with watchful eyes as someone else descended from the ship. August stood next to Jaune and nudged him softly in the back. "Straighten up, these are some of the biggest names in Remnant. We have to make a good impression."
Jaune didn't understand what the fuss was about but if August said too then he would listen. He straightened to his full height and tried to look as proper as he could, it didn't do much good. "Are they the reason we came all the way here?"
August nodded. "Jack finally caught a deal for us. You're looking at Kel Scipio and his daughter Lucia. The biggest weapons manufacturers on Remnant, think of the Schnee's but for weapons. They have ties to all the Huntsman Academies, and our merry groups' been buying weapons from them for years."
"If we've been buying from them before, why did we need to travel halfway across the continent to meet them?" Jaune asked. He was answered with a sneer as Caspar trudged up next to August, his permanent scowl firmly planted on his face. Jaune inched closer to August.
"You don't seem to get it brat, we're talking an honest job. Not scouting and not humanitarian work saving ingrates from burning cities. The Scipio's are old Money. The kind of filthy richness you can't even begin to fathom. You see all those Huntsman they got guarding em? How much do you think that costs? This whole operation we got going on doesn't survive on Grimm shit and Dust. We need money and they have it, simple as that."
"But if they have money for Huntsman, why do they need us?" Jaune asked and Caspar began to speak but was cut off by August.
"We're not exactly what you would call honest men, and what we do out here isn't exactly kind work."
Jaune nodded. He knew what they were. He had always known. They were an armed militia. They scoured the continent looking for work, never staying in place for long. They took cheap, brutal, and dangerous jobs in eliminating Grimm and offering protective services for poorer settlements. They were simply the cheaper option. Expendable.
"I don't know all the details, but the Scipio's want to clear out an abandoned mining shaft a few miles from here. It doesn't seem like it's quite in their jurisdiction though and they haven't cleared it with the Mistraltan council." August said.
"So we're going in to help them set up an illegal mining operation?" Caspar asked. "Sounds like an Atlesian thing to do."
"They're purebred Mistraltans. Heard they snagged a deal with Atlas's military though. I'm betting they got a fight raging with the Schnees." August said and Caspar laughed.
"Brothers I would pay money to see the Schnees and Scipios fight one out. It would be a hell of a show, the money I'd get for tickets would make me richer than both of them combined!"
"Why did we have to meet them in person?" Jaune was still confused. "And why all the Huntsman?"
August patted him on the shoulder. "Protection from us. We're a pack of savages to these kinds of people. Grunts and beasts who'll attack at a moment's notice. I'm willing to bet there's not much difference between Grimm and us in their eyes. As for why we're here, well let's just say Jack is far more convincing in person."
Jaune watched as the man in question approached the group of Huntsman, seemingly unbothered by being surrounded by so many highly skilled fighters. They let him pass and he was greeted by a tall slender man dressed in a well pieced together suit that cost more money than Jaune would ever see in his life. The man's hair was curly, long, and pitch black. He stood well above Jack and even most of his guards. His face was clean shaven.
Jaune couldn't hear anything from so far away. The man Jaune assumed was Kel Scipio gestured to the airship and Jack bowed graciously in return. It was a custom in Mistral, a sign of respect. Kel turned and crouched to speak to another person Jaune hadn't noticed. It was a young girl that Jaune thought was maybe a similar age to himself. She had long black hair that curled around her face. She wore a simple blue dress and stylish shoes.
Father and daughter argued for a moment. The girl stomped her feet and threw a fit, ultimately Kel left her stewing in her tantrum and walked with Jack into the airship. Jaune watched the two men disappear inside. He felt himself being pushed and looked to see August smiling down at him.
"Well… Go introduce yourself." He prodded, his eyes showing bright amusement.
"To who?" Jaune asked. August gestured toward the girl and Jaune suddenly felt uncomfortable. He shook his head and tried to slip away but August's grip was firm. "I don't want to."
"Come on, it'll be good for you. You can't spend all your time around men more than twice your age. It's not good for you if you don't talk to other kids." August said as he led Jaune closer to the group of Huntsmen.
As they neared Jaune became increasingly nervous. The group consisted of lean well-built figures. Each carried a specialized weapon, a signature of fully fledged Huntsman, and Jaune had no doubt they knew how to use them. They eyed both August and him with apt suspicion as they neared, one even reached for his weapon and Jaune felt his blood freeze over. August however was unperturbed and barreled past their looks, nothing ever seemed to faze the man. Two huntsmen stopped his approach. He raised his hands innocently and stepped closer to the guards. "Listen, fellas, I get it. You have a job to do, and I can understand. But this little guy here needs to be around others his own age, and we don't get many kids in our line of work. So, could you let him pass? Just a little chat with the girl and nothing more. Tell you what I'll stay right here, and you can both glower at me to your heart's content. Sound fair?"
The two guards seemed uninspired and refused. August sagged a little. Jaune felt a hint of guilt spike through him. August had always done what he could to make Jaune feel welcome in camp. Most of the other men simply ignored him. They murmured and whispered about him as he passed by, called him a bad omen and a curse. There had been no recorded survivors that night years ago, no one but him. It set a bad precedent when August had taken him in, and all others steered as far away as possible afraid they might be next to go. August never bought into that rumor though and as a result, Jaune was grateful to have him around. He didn't need friends, and he certainly didn't need anyone's approval so long as August was around. However, he often felt that he caused an unnecessary burden to the man. August always did his best for Jaune and never asked for anything in return. Jaune wished he could return the favor.
His thoughts were cut short as he spotted Nix navigating his way through the guards and embracing another man of similar height in a powerful hug. The other man had short brown hair and wore a sleeveless white and blue jacket. It was different than the other guards, far more formal. He had a single leather belt around his waist and rather than a large weapon like the others he carried a fishing rod at his waist. A single medal adorned his collar, a clover.
Jaune stepped closer as August tried and failed to convince the Huntsmen to let him approach. He had never seen Nix with anything more than a scowl, so to see him smiling so freely was an alien sight to Jaune.
"Brothers Clover, it's been too long!" Nix said.
"It's good to see you," Clover replied.
"It's good to see you too," Nix said with a smile, Jaune had never seen the man so much as smirk. "What? Are the Atlas elites too good for you? Not enough to do so you figured you'd come out to the boonies?"
"A man's gotta eat," Clover said with a laugh.
"If you're looking for work, we could easily fit you in around here. Not as refined as your upper-class Atlas living but we make do." Nix said.
"As much as I appreciate the offer, I'm comfortable where I am."
"Don't tell me you have a girl waiting for you back there?" Nix said with suspicion.
"No, it's nothing like that. It's more of an arrangement." Clover said with anxiousness.
"Wait, you're telling me that Atlas's number one Huntsman is getting hitched? Who's the poor girl?"
"Well, I see living out here has made you a little looser tongued."
"It's a lot simpler living that's for sure. So, talk, who's the girl?"
"There's nothing official yet, it's more of a political stunt. The general is looking to make connections, so he's been prodding around the Schnees."
"Clover she's only a girl, though I guess you old men do like your younger woman."
Clover snorted. "We're the same age, and it's the older sister. Just turned eighteen, looks like her father is trying to sell her off." Clover stopped and looked at the bustle of the camp, watching with a hint of longing in his eyes. "I'll tell you, man, you got it easy out here. That whole stuffy upper-class life in Atlas is nothing but a pit of Vipers."
"And yet you brought the biggest snake of all out here," Nix said and Clover sighed in response as he ran a hand over his clean-shaven face.
"Enough about me, how about you? Finally, settled down? If not, I know this nice Wendigo, You two could make babies together, be an improvement over your ugly face." Nix laughed in return. Jaune had never heard the man so much as chuckle. He felt oddly uncomfortable with the sound. Clover continued. "You know the generals putting together a team. If you're interested, you have my vote no questions asked."
The familiar seriousness returned as Nix replied. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't, I've still debts to pay here."
"That's a real shame, would've loved to have you back in Atlas." Clover said. He caught sight of Jaune, and his demeanor shifted, he spoke far more softly than before. "And who is this?"
"That's August's runt."
"August had another kid?" Clover asked, Nix simply shook his head. "No, this one's a stray."
Clover crouched down to meet Jaunes eyes, he spoke softly. Jaune felt like the man was mocking him. "Hey there kiddo. Got a name?"
Before Jaune could speak August brushed back by his side. "A bunch of stone faced Boarbustusks the lot of them." He grumbled, his expression lightened when he met Clover. "Well, this is a surprise. How long has it been?" He greeted Clover like an old friend. The two chatted for a moment and Jaune felt more and more out of place. He didn't want to intrude, but he also didn't want to be left out.
"Jaune." He blurted out. "My name is Jaune Arc." His ears tinged in embarrassment.
Clover smiled and ruffled his hair. "It's nice to meet you Jaune." Jaune pulled away immediately, only August could touch him.
"Shy little guy you got there," Clover commented, the smile never leaving his face. Jaune didn't like it, people who always smiled weren't to be trusted. At least that was what August always said.
"He's a bit stubborn," August said as he ruffled Jaunes hair. "Good kid though, earnest above all else. So, don't fancy the little guy could meet the princess over there?"
Jaune reeled back and looked at August with wide disbelief. The man simply let loose that full-bodied laugh of his. "Don't think you can weasel out of this. You need to be around other kids. Back me up here Clover."
"It's true. And I think the girl could do with some company as well. So how 'bout it Jaune?" Jaune's distrust of the man only grew. No one ever called him by his name and hearing it from a stranger felt wrong.
"Stop your glaring and get on with it." August pushed him forward. The Huntsman standing near all eyed him with suspicion, but Clover waved them off. Jaune scuffed his boots in the dirt, trying to delay the inevitable. The girl was sitting under the shade of a nearby tree fussing with her dress. Her pretty face was stricken with sweat and frustration. Her bright green eyes snapped up at Jaune as he approached.
"Are you the Grimm boy?" She asked, "The one I've been hearing about? I asked about you, once the ship had landed and all those dirty men welcomed us. I've never met a child on one of daddy's business trips. Is it true you survived a burning city?"
The girl's voice was light and pleasant to Jaune's ears despite her intrusiveness. In a moment she had jumped up from her seat and was upon him. Her bright eyes turned cold and thoughtful as she prodded at him, like a beast toying with its prey. Jaune had never felt so out of his depth before.
"What's wrong?" The girl asked, "Are you broken? I quite like broken things, you know?" The girl displayed her dress in a flourish. "I fixed this myself. I tore it on our trip here and did all the seam work myself."
"Uh, right," Jaune was lost but he wanted to make a good impression for August's sake. "My name's Jaune."
"Jaune?" The girl played with the name, "That's not a very boyish name if I say so. My name is Lucia Scipio." She said it with absolute pride and assuredness as if her name itself was obvious knowledge.
"That's a pretty name." Jaune awkwardly offered as he cursed his tongue for failing. He hadn't the faintest idea how to go about this conversation and the girl was absolutely steamrolling the conversation. He never had this kind of trouble making friends before, but his years in the camp seemed to have dampened his social skills.
"Isn't it?" The girl continued, twirling a finger through her soft hair. "It was my mother's name." Jaune nodded dumbly, wishing he had refused August's pushing to come here. He took a step back as the girl peered closer to him."They say some pretty terrible things about you. I'm very good at listening you know? I am always listening. Your friends don't seem to like you very much, they say you're bad luck. But you don't look all that special to me." The girl's calculating gaze ran up and down his body. "A little bland is all."
"You're rude," Jaune stated, his uneasiness fading in favor of annoyance. He didn't like being talked down to and he certainly wouldn't let this girl he didn't even know start badmouthing him. Lucia took a step back in disbelief as if she couldn't believe what she had heard seeing her at a loss gave Jaune a smug satisfaction. "I don't care what you think about me."
The girl laughed in response. A small giggle gave way to a full-bellied laugh, the guards eyed them curiously and Jaune felt it was time to leave. As he tried to walk away the girl stopped laughing and brushed close, Jaune could smell the light scent of lavender in her hair.
"Are you sure it doesn't matter?" Her smile turned into something far more mischievous. "I could cause a fuss, and say it was because the mean blonde boy was mean to me. I bet Daddy and all your friends would be upset about that." Her honeyed words were laced with poison and her eyes never left Jaunes face, waiting and watching for his reaction. "Maybe they'd say you really are just bad luck."
Jaune swallowed hard as the hairs on his neck stood up. For the first time, he understood how completely out of his depth he was. August was wrong for trying to set him up with a new friend. This girl was far more malicious and conniving than he could ever have predicted. Jaune shuddered at the thought that all high class people could be like this. "And why would you do that? This job is important to us."
"Because I'm bored, Jaune, and I hope you can help me with that." He hated the way his name sounded on her lips. Yet her smile returned to that initial kindness from before. "Just kidding, you should really see your face."
Frustration and uneasiness turned to full blown anger in moments. Before Jaune could open his mouth to respond the ship doors opened. Jack limped his way across the grassy terrain with Nix following along after him. The two men discussed something in a great hurry before Nix bounded off towards the tents.
A long shadow loomed over Jaune and he came face to face with Kel Scipio himself. The man was large and well built. His crisp attire and clean appearance gave off an air of importance that Jaune couldn't help but be overwhelmed by. Lucia bounded into her father's arms and for a brief moment, Jaune saw a crack in the man's stone cold appearance as he embraced his daughter. Then his cold-eyed gaze returned, and he looked down at Jaune with the rawest form of contempt Jaune had ever seen. Caspar often yelled and beat on him but he at least looked to Jaune as an object of hate, he recognized his existence. The man before him now gave no impression that he saw Jaune as anything worth recognizing.
August's hand slapping down on his shoulder broke him away from the man's piercing gaze. "Time to go kid, we've got a job to do."
Jaune followed along after August, not daring to look back. He heard the faint giggle of Lucia as he left. "Bye-Bye Jaune. Let's see each other again soon."
'Never again would be too soon' Jaune thought.
Jaune
Beacon Tower sat atop the clouds. As the tallest point of Beacon and subsequently the highest point in Vale itself, it literally reached far above the sky. Jaune had never been in such a tall building before, it was a rather new experience. The elevator lurched to a stop and Jaune stepped out into a large room.
The Headmaster of Beacon was a mysterious man. Cryptic and aloof, there was little recorded information about the one who arguably had some the greatest influence over all Remnant. His office offered little insight. It sat directly atop the Cross Continental Transmit System, one of four towers scattered across Remnant that allowed for all established cities to communicate with each other.
The room was littered with gears from above and to the sides with windowpanes stretching across each wall. A large clock face sat behind a plain desk with a view that spanned all of Beacon and much of the city below. The sun was shining brightly in the sky and cast long shadows stretching across the barren room. The office was bare of any personal items and felt hollow and empty. Only the ever-steady ticking of the gears could be heard, like the endless droning of a clock.
The headmaster sat alone at his desk. He looked a far cry from the distinguished, controlled man Jaune had seen on his first day. Now he looked tired and weary. He hunched forward in his chair with his hands clasped in front of his face. His eyes shadowed by dark glasses looked faraway. He seemed as if the world itself was crushing down on him.
The silence was permeable and Jaune coughed to break the growing tension. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Ah. Mister Arc thank you for coming on such short notice." The headmaster gestured to an empty seat across from himself as he looked up. "Please be seated. I will try to make this as brief as possible for both our sakes."
Jaune was unsure why he was there. He had been training with his team early in the morning when he had been called to the headmaster's office. Pyrrha was insistent that combination attacks would make them far more formidable against enemies. Jaune had been having issues properly communicating his intentions with his team and it was leading to more and more mistakes. Pyrrha, ever patient, offered encouraging words and helpful tips that were anything but useful. He had been practicing alone with his sword when the message came through the loudspeakers in the training area.
No reason had been given and his team leader seemed as confused as him. He sat down across from the older man, shifting uncomfortably in the chair. The constant ticking and grinding of gears only heightened his discomfort. "Is everything alright?
Ozpin looked at him, his brown eyes boring into Jaune. The man sighed and leaned back into his chair. "I have lived a long life Mr. Arc, and yet never have I found anything quite as frustrating as politics. However, that is neither here nor there. I have been meaning to converse with you for some time. I had hoped to do so after Initiation, but my attention has been needed elsewhere. I hope all is well with our Academy thus far?"
Attending Beacon had been a complete shift. Suddenly Jaune had felt himself thrown into situations and circumstances he had never experienced before. Just coming and going to classes had been overwhelming. Homework, teachers, schedules, it all swirled together into chaos that left Jaune feeling dizzy. That wasn't even including the mixed feelings he had regarding team training. It had been so long since he had practiced with someone else, much less talked to people his own age. "It's been a bit much."
Ozpin reached into his suit and produced a formal letter, the broken seal was the impression of a green gear. "I watched your fight in the forest," Ozpin placed the letter onto the table and Jaune eyed it warily. "You should be commended for such a fierce display of bravery. Not many would be willing to go to such lengths to protect a pure stranger, even one as honored as Ms. Nikos. Tell me though, why did you go so far?"
Jaune felt his tension rise and he was unsure where this conversation was leading. The letter still sat idly on the table. The same letter that had secured his application to Beacon. He had never read it, it had never seemed necessary. After all, he had been allowed to apply and at the time that was the only thing that mattered. Now though he suddenly dreaded the contents, he hadn't the faintest idea what Jack had said or how much he had told Ozpin. If Jack had told the entire story, everything that happened up until this point, Jaune knew his promise would be shattered.
"I protected my partner," It was the truth, just not wholly honest.
"Yes, you did, and Ms. Nikos has been most gracious with her statements regarding the incident. But let me ask this another way, why did you stay and fight? Surely after the casualties had been taken there was nothing particularly stopping you from retreating, a person of your skillset?"
"The thought never occurred," Jaune said.
"I'm sure it didn't." Ozpin seemed satisfied with his answer. The man reclined in his chair and took a long sip of his mug. "We here at Beacon have a long process of examining and sorting through applicants. Prior training is usually a large point in one's favor and we tend to cull from the training academies. There is however a remarkable few that slip in through other means. Why your own teammates are prime examples of such circumstance. So, when I received this letter from a friend I thought long since deceased I'm sure you can understand my confusion." Ozpin's stare was sharp and focused, it cut into Jaune. "When he asked me for a favor regarding a particular problem of his I wasn't sure what he was planning. Jack is always planning something."
Jaune nodded. Jack was always scheming, always looking for the next opportunity to arise. Ozpin continued. "He said there was a boy he knew. He referred to him as more Grimm than human, consumed with a deep seated need for revenge. He then said he owed another man a favor and was sending both the child and this letter to Beacon in order to pay his debts. He asked me to watch over the child. So, I did. In the forest I saw blunt, direct violence. Do you know why I chose Ms. Nikos as the team leader?"
The question caught Jaune off guard. "Because she's the most balanced fighter on the team?"
"True, but not quite." Ozpin sipped from his mug, "I chose her because she is the least prepared for the role."
"What?" Jaune asked. The idea itself made no sense.
"She may be a phenomenal fighter, and I hear quite a kind soul, but she lacks the needed assertiveness for leadership. Similarly, you lack the restraint and patience to be an effective leader. You'd sooner lunge into a fight headfirst with reckless abandon than to utilize your team. I saw it for a moment when JNPR fought that deathstalker, a well-coordinated attack. Then thrown away in pursuit of self-gratifying violence." Ozpin stopped for a moment and Jaune was speechless, unsure how to process what he'd been told.
"If I may, we have a test we give our applicants to test their knowledge and overall competency before allowing them to come to Initiation. Most of it is common questions and general affairs, however, there is a written portion at the end. Most consider it perfunctory, but my staff and I consider it the most important question." Ozpin leaned forward and cold brown met steely blue, "What is it you hope to do once you become an official Huntsman?"
"Fight Grimm." The answer was immediate, with no room for thought or second guessing.
"You could have stayed out in the borderlands of cities and settlements to do that could you not? If I am not mistaken, you were quite taken with the idea of fighting Grimm if Jack is to be believed." Ozpin countered. "Why the need to be a Huntsman to simply go back to what you were already doing?"
"It's complicated."
"Undoubtedly so, I am sure." Ozpin said, his gaze never wavering, "For whose sake do you swing your sword?"
"For who?" Jaune didn't understand the question.
"Yes," Ozpin said. His patience never wavered even as he watched Jaunes' absolute confusion. "Why do you swing your blade? For whose sake have you taken up this fight of yours? Is it for yourself? For those you've lost? Or for some other reason?"
"Does it matter?" Jaune was surprised by the anger bleeding into his voice. "What difference does it make if I fight for someone else or myself? I'm not doing this because I want someone to like me. I'm not here to make friends or find some cushy job as a bodyguard for the Council. I made a promise, and I will keep it no matter what!"
"And what comes after?" Ozpin's voice was level and calm, cutting straight through Jaune's outburst. "What comes after all is said and done Mr. Arc?"
"After?" Jaune didn't know what he meant.
Ozpin sighed, his tired eyes made the man look far older than his age. "I've been around for quite a while Mr. Arc. I have done many things in many places I am not proud of. Whatever your purpose now, it can only lead to certain destruction. If you swing your blade for simply your own sake you will protect nothing at all, and eventually you yourself will shatter."
"I don't-, "Jaune started, unsure of what he was supposed to say.
"I advise you to look to your team for now. I don't expect an answer today, however, I will be giving you a new task. Glynda was apparently not at all pleased with you destroying her classroom the other day. As such she has demanded a strict punishment, I seem to have dissuaded her from detention, but it appears our dear Professor Port is in need of an assistant for his preparatory class in the mornings. I have nominated you for the position, congratulations."
"Wait what?" Jaune asked. "I thought only senior students could do that?"
"Normally yes, but I feel you can satisfy the role. You have a free period during that time do you not?" Jaune nodded. "Then I see no problems. Well then, I hope to hear good things in the coming weeks. If you'd please see yourself out."
The journey back through Beacon seemed endless. Jaune had finally learned the general layout of the school and his feet walked on their own as his mind raced. There was nothing but confusion. Jaune had hoped he could quietly make his way through Beacon, keep his head low, and graduate. From there he hoped to make his way back out to the Grimm Lands, the borders of humanity and Grimm, and continue with what he had always done.
Now, his entire school life had been violently uprooted in one fell swoop. He had already pushed boundaries with the heiress of the largest and most powerful company on Remnant and encountered mutated Grimm in the woods. Nothing was going to plan and more and more of Jaune's mind gave way to confusion. On top of it all, he had now been saddled as an aid to a teacher. His free period, that he used to tend to his gear, train, and prepare was taken from him. It left him bitter. He had no issues with Professor Port, far from it. The kind old man was in fact Jaune's favorite class. The teacher reminded Jaune fondly of campfire stories in his youth, where men would talk and tell stories of their exploits. Most of the stories were simply fabricated lies that held kernels of truth. It was relaxing to hear Port talk and drone, but if Jaune could, he would rather spend his time searching.
That thing in the forest was still an absolute mystery. Jaune had torn through every book on folktales and legends the library had. Nothing stood out so far and Jaune in his desperation had turned to old History texts and novels. All of his worries and fears amounted to nothing. He was no closer to an answer to what he was fighting than he had been all those years ago. Every day he searched and every day he was met with further uncertainty. His school life had been a disaster from the offset.
He let out a grunt as he laid down. He had made his way back to his dorm. Nora and Pyrrha were both missing and Ren in his usual peacefulness was meditating on his bed. Their dorm was plain if measured against Teams RWBY's. Little adorned the walls, and few personal items denoted much character of the team. All four beds sat abreast of one another with a simple sheet separating the Girls from the boys.
The bed creaked under Jaune, and he shifted in discomfort. The bed was soft and welcoming, and Jaune couldn't stand it. The soft sinking feeling of the mattress made him feel like he was being dragged down. The bed was far too pliable, and he could never fall asleep on it. He had taken to sleeping on the floor his first few nights in the room. After his team eyed him with worry one morning, he now forced himself to stay on the mattress.
"Something troubling you?" Ren asked, his eyes were still closed, he had barely even moved.
"Why'd you come to Beacon?" The question escaped before Jaune could reconsider.
"Why do you ask?" Ren asked. He shifted and turned to face Jaune properly.
Jaune shrugged and stared aimlessly at the ceiling. "Just curious is all."
"Does this have something to do with your meeting with Ozpin?"
"Am I really that easy to read?" Jaune asked.
"Not easy, just rather blunt and direct." Jaune laughed at that while Ren sat quietly for a moment before he answered. "It is a man's responsibility to take action, and never allow oneself to watch as bad things happen to others. That was what my father always strove to teach me, and something I try to live by every day. I came to Beacon to make a difference, in any way I could. I wanted to make sure that no one would have to lose their homes to the evils of this world."
"It was a Nuckelavee right?" Jaune asked, he tossed the pillow out from under his head trying to find any comfortable spot. "The thing that attacked your village?"
"How did you know that?" Ren's voice was laced with suspicion.
"When we first met you got upset over it. I've never seen one, only heard rumors."
"It's very much real," Ren stated his voice making it clear he was stating a fact. "Only one Grimm destroyed my village, and after it was done the rest joined to kill the survivors."
"Has it always been you and Nora?" The two were close, almost inseparable, and Jaune had always wondered about the relationship between the two. Nora was adamant they were strictly close friends and Ren had never commented on it.
"You're awfully curious today," Ren said.
Jaune simply Shrugged. "I'm anxious and bored. I haven't been cooped up like this in a long time and it's starting to drive me crazy."
"Some training may prove useful. I'd be more than willing to assist you with your Aura handling." Ren's handling of Aura based attacks was second to none. Even Pyrrha couldn't match him when it came down to pure skill.
"We're still on for team training tonight, right?" Since their usual routine had been interrupted by Jaune's meeting Pyrrha had sent out a message to his scroll about mandatory training that evening. Jaune had never had a scroll before, and he had no idea how to use it past sending messages and calls. Nora had tried explaining it to him, but it had resulted in just more confusion and Jaune gave up halfway through her lecture.
"I believe so. Would you like to wait until then?"
"Yeah," Jaune set up, his discomfort growing. He had intended to relax and try to clear his head. But sitting idle had never done much for him. He had to move, to prepare. "I'm heading out."
Ren wished him well as Jaune shuffled out of the room. As he closed the door, he realized that Ren had completely avoided his question. Jaune paid it little mind, if Ren had his own share of secrets, it was none of Jaune's concern to pry.
Beacons support shop was its own special section of the school. It housed all the metalworking, and engineering equipment meant for supporting students and staff. Students and Huntsman alike were free to any and all equipment in the enlarged area, often taking advantage to conduct routine maintenance checks or upgrades on their gear.
The room Jaune found himself in was massive, machines lined the walls and tools were to be found in every corner of the workshop. There were few people around during mid afternoon weekends. Only regulars and enthusiasts could be found at this time of day. The floor was a thick concrete stained with oil and grease. Cracks scattered around most likely caused by rouge weapons going off. The air was musky and damp even with a large metal door opened to allow for air.
Jaune settled into a corner of the workshop and drew Crocea Mors. The shining metal gleaned under the overhead fluorescent light and Jaune caught sight of his own reflection. The blade was Jaune's pride and joy, as such it was always cared for. It was sharpened and oiled religiously. Weapons failed when their owners failed to care for them after all. It was a simple blade, but it was strong and reliable. Jaune set it down cautiously as he expanded his shield. The battered metal was singed and blackened from his fight with Yang. Oddly shaped dents lined the edges from where the explosives went off, yet the frame of the shield held firm.
'It worked well enough. But I wonder if there's a better way to gain an advantage. I don't want to risk my own defense in a longer fight.' Jaune thought to himself as he laid out the shield on a table. He would have to reheat the shield to hammer out the dents, afterwards he would cool it down before grinding and smoothing it. 'Gauntlets maybe? But if they go off on impact, I'd lose an arm. A second shield? But that's more weight to carry.'
The options were endless. Jaune had been surprised to learn that most every resource he could want was covered by the school. From food to weapons maintenance and armor every expense that would have cost Jaune months' worth of earnings taking jobs from town to town instead was now as easily accessible. He could afford to test and experiment with combinations of dust and gear to his heart's content. The shield had been a great initial outing but cost him his entire defense, and it only had one time use.
Jaune ran his hand over the scarred metal resting atop the two golden arches that represented the Arc family lineage. The bright golden color Jaune had eyed with fascination and wonder in his youth was now dulled and lifeless. The Sword and Shield had been passed down for generations in his family. Hundreds of years of family history all condensed into a simple symbol upon a shield. Jaune always knew he would one day take up these weapons. He knew it when he was a boy and saw his father training in the yard. He had watched in fascination as the blade danced and spun n his father's larger hands, cutting down invisible enemies one after another. Now the blade was his, had been his for years. He was the last in a generation of fighters that he had barely ever known.
He was broken from his reverie by someone flicking his forehead. "What?" He looked up into the silver eyes of Ruby Rose. The girl had her usual kind smile and that suspiciously innocent look on her face. Her cheeks and nose were smudged with grease.
"Well, I was trying to get your attention, but you kept ignoring me, so I figured I had to resort to extreme measures." She said casually as she stood to her full short height. "Now then. Hand it over." She struck out her hand expectantly.
"Hand over what?" Jaune was entirely lost. Ruby often went a mile a minute. She was nowhere near as random or sporadic as Nora but when she wanted something Ruby was unrelentingly stubborn.
"Your shield dummy. After the terrible abuse you put it through in class, I can't trust you to fix it up, so I'll do it for you." Her words were soft and kind. Jaune had come to learn that the girl had a deep fascination with weapons often going the extra mile of treating them like people.
"It's fine really, I can handle it myself." Jaune reasoned, unwilling to let someone else touch Crocea Mors. He was met by a blank stare from Ruby who stood there unimpressed. Jaune relented and handed over his shield if only to get the girl to leave him alone. Ruby thanked him cheerily and was gone in an instant, leaving only a scattering of crimson petals in her wake.
Jaune refocused his attention on his blade. He went through the usual steps of cleaning and sharpening. He became consumed with the monotonous task and repetition, it was a welcomed respite from the troubling thoughts of the day. There was no deep meaning here, no complex feelings, it was simply him and his work. It was peaceful up until Ruby came crashing back into him a wide cheeky grin and a newly repaired and pristine shield thrust out before her.
"All done!" She chirped.
"Already?" Jaune was stunned. It would have taken at least half a day to finish what she had done in mere hours. The girl practically beamed with pride.
"Don't underestimate me Jaune. When it comes to weapons there's no one better!" She stated with her hands on her hips.
"Don't you have your own weapon to take care of?" Jaune asked as he took back his shield from the girl. The polished metal was smooth, and the dull Arc symbol now blazed brightly under the light. Ruby let out a loud gasp as if she were offended.
"Are you implying that I would ignore and abandon my precious baby?" She was teasing. "I could never leave Crescent Rose all alone. I wouldn't know what to do without her."
"I think you'd be just fine," Jaune said.
Ruby stuck her tongue out at him. "You don't know what you're talking about."
They went back and forth, joking and prodding as they finished their work. Jaune asked her for suggestions in improving his gear and Ruby nearly exploded in excitement. When Jaune finally calmed her down Ruby had promised to start designing outlines and ideas for future weapons. Jaune simply let her go on. He was grateful for her enthusiasm but felt a little awkward asking for her help in something so trivial. He didn't need anything fancy, but Ruby simply would not hear it. In return, she asked for help with their lessons in Grimm studies. It was Jaunes only good subject outside of History and he was always eager to discuss Grimm and their habits.
"So, wait, you get to be an aid to a teacher in your first year?" Ruby asked as they left the armory. "That's so cool!"
"I'm pretty sure it's just a punishment. I doubt it's going to be as exciting as you think." Jaune said.
"Don't be such a buzzkill. You don't have to be so moody all the time. Just enjoy it for what it is, who knows maybe you'll end up being a teacher one day." Ruby said and Jaune couldn't help but laugh at that. The thought of him as a teacher anywhere was something he couldn't even imagine.
Ruby pouted. "You don't have to laugh at it so hard. I think you'd be a great teacher, you know so much about the Grimm and I think it'd suit you."
"I'm not really one for academics. Grimm are what I'm best at, I don't think it'd translate well to the classroom." Jaune said as a thought occurred. "And what about you? You don't want to work with weapons in the future? I think Beacon offers a weapons course, right?"
Ruby sagged in disappointment. "I wanted to take it but its only available to upperclassmen. It's so unfair! And besides, I want to be a Huntress above anything."
"Why?" Jaune blurted out. Ozpins stupid question still lingering in his mind, the words escaped.
"Because I want to be a hero!" Jaune came to a dead stop. He turned to look at the girl. Her bright innocent, silver eyes gazed up at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"A hero?" Words he himself had said so long ago not felt heavy and hollow on his lips.
"Yup! I'm going to travel the world and save everyone I can. I'm going to be the strongest Huntress I can and try to make a real difference." Her bright eyes showed an underlying determination. Her words were excited and bold.
"Do you really think it'll be that easy?" Jaune's mind was a racing mess of confusion. The same words he had spoken so long ago had now been thrown right back at him.
"Nope." Her simple response was even more surprising. And Jaune eyed her curiously. "It won't be easy. And I know I may fail. But no matter what I want to try and do something, anything."
"What if you come to regret it?" Jaune asked, he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to discredit her sincere feelings, but he wondered if it would be best to shatter it now rather than let the weight of the world shatter it for her instead.
"Nope," Ruby said again. "I won't regret it because I chose it for myself. No matter what I won't regret this decision. And I won't go back on my dream just cause it's hard. I want to see it through till the end."
There was a difference Jaune noticed between Ruby's silver eyes and Jacks. Ruby's held a sincerity in them that was genuine. The sincerity in Jacks was fabricated. The girl in front of him wore her soul on her sleeve for everyone to see. Her expression turned curious.
"Why do you ask?" She spoke. "Why do you want to be a Huntsman Jaune?"
Staring into those eyes Jaune felt like he was still in Ozpins office. He felt like he was back in camp all those years ago. His head hurt and his feelings were a mess.
"I don't know."
A.N: And we are finally done! I want to apologize right off the bat for the massive delay. There were extenuating circumstances and honestly, I got caught up with a flashback portion of this chapter. Though this is the final build-up chapter before we can really get into the drama and the meat of the story. They were a lot of things I needed to set-up in this chapter and I think it flows well enough. The major emotional conflict of Jaunes arc is set-up now and going forward it's going to be a lot more fast-paced. The next chapter is going to be the final main POV character and I am exceptionally excited to write for them, Bonus points for anyone who can guess who it is before it's released. Though I do again want to say I I'm sorry for such a massive delay but the next arc should come at a faster pace. Thank you all again for all the support and kindness it really does mean the world and it makes me want to put out as good of a chapter as I possibly can. All credit for this chapter should go to Commissar Arty, for not only being a fantastic beta reader but also for putting up with my constant questions and insecurities. if you enjoyed please leave a follow or a review. It always helps to know where I succeeded and where I failed. Thank you all again and I will see you next Wednesday.
TheSlySage
Hey! It's great to see you again. I'm really glad to hear that everything is calming down for you, it can really be hard when life comes at you full force and I hope you're doing OK. It's great to have you along for the ride, what do you think of the story so far?
paradoxreader
I really struggled with the idea of making Jaune a leader in this story, but I really felt like Pyrrha had the most to gain from that role. And now it forces me to try and find new ways to embrace the dynamic between Jaune and Ruby, I have the general plan for how I'm going to achieve that but that's still ways away. Regardless I'm glad that you've enjoyed it so far and I am excited to hear your thoughts about this chapter
Guest
I hope I can keep making those kinds of fights in the future. There's a lot more conflict right around the corner and a lot of big fights that I am excited to write for. Initially, I wanted to try and make the fights more grounded but as I started writing them all these big action flick kinds of ideas started popping into my head and I really just wanted to get them on paper. Regardless thank you so much for the review and please take care.
DaDragon562
I absolutely agree. Initially, when I started writing this story it was all going to be from Jaunes POV. But as I started writing and as the story started expanding in my mind it became a lot bigger than I initially wanted and as a result, I couldn't do what I wanted to do with only Jaune. So a large portion of these last few chapters have all really just been more from me than they are for the audience, there is a lot of prep work that I'm trying to do because I want to make these arcs and these dynamics feel genuine. So that way win these big climactic moments happen they feel earned and not just cheap. A lot of what I did with these last few chapters was trying to identify and characterize these characters and understand them a little bit better. In the very beginning of this story, I really messed up with Weiss and Yang but having written for them and having tried to develop their own stories I feel like I have a much better grasp of who they are and so going forward as I diverge more and more from the Canon I can stay true to them as characters. And the next few arcs should drastically alter a lot from canon and we are right at the turning point so my wish is that as soon as that big moment happens it just starts a massive effect. We will get a lot more on the Grimm Lands, mainly through Jaunes flashbacks and probably in the next saga as well. I wholeheartedly agree with all of your criticisms and they are absolutely valid but I hope that as more time goes by the groundwork I'm trying to lay will bear fruit. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's the last real setup chapter and I'm eager to hear your thoughts.
Khavros
A big portion of what I want to achieve with this story is to move past revenge come up but to do that I have to embrace it a little bit further. Everything up until this point is set-up. We're right at the cusp of entering the next serious stage of this story and I would like you to stay around but I feel like that's pleading, if you don't enjoy the story then that's perfectly valid and I completely understand. But for as much as Jaune starts to improve through his interactions at Beacon, when it all falls apart I want it to hurt him that much more. Regardless thank you so much for sticking around for so long and if you're ever curious I hope you check out the story in the future. I hope you have a great day.
MaverickWriter
Thank you so much for the kind words, there are him a bit embarrassed that this chapter took me so long to write. I never realized how hard it was to make character fighting styles stick out and for Jaune, I really wanted to build this idea of pragmatism into his fighting. I wanted it to be more direct and upfront and I also want it to evolve over time. It's strange to me that the easiest interactions to write always include Pyrrha. She is becoming one of the most central characters in this early beginning of the story, and I would say her, Jaune, and Weiss are the main character arcs happening at Beacon. Thank you so much for the review it really does mean the world I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please take care.
ornstein
Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words. I'm learning a lot about the writing process and how to create characters through this entire story. Jaune is arguably the hardest character for me to write, there's a lot of balancing that I didn't expect initially and the fact that some of it comes through at all is encouraging to hear. And writing for the other characters really does help me overall expand on a lot of the ideas and world-building that I otherwise would never be able to get to. Thank you again, I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please take care.
SentinalSlice
Absolutely! And I feel he has the best partner to learn from. There's a lot of growth left for Jaune, and I mean a ton. As the story moves forward I really want to focus on the evolution of Jaune not as just a character but also as a fighter. There's a massive threat looming on the horizon and I need Jaune to be ready for it. Thank you so much for the review and I hope you enjoyed please take care.
Rangda
It's here, it's long, and it almost killed me. Not so much focused on the action this time but it does a lot to set up Jaunes character arc for the future. I hope you enjoyed it and I'm eager to hear your thoughts, please take care.
Kabuto S. Inferno
I think the biggest thing I wanted to do with Yang and her reaction was to give it in the context of her father and the potential for Ruby to be hurt by someone else with similar baggage. I don't know if that makes sense but that was the general idea of what I was aiming for. She didn't want Ruby to become close to someone only for them to turn out like their father did and Yang left to pick up the pieces, I may have to address it more thoroughly in later chapters. Yang and I are on completely different wavelengths.
I think there is a certain amount of security that is felt by those who live in or around the major cities of Remnant, and as a result, there is a sort of laxness that comes with that security. To be fair the show itself never really poses the grim as a massive threat outside of really big moments. I really want to explore how once that security falls away there's a massive population of dangerous, violent monstrosities just waiting outside the ruins of a city. I'm sure after the Great War there was a lot of violence and uncertainty that I really wish got expanded on more. Menagerie for example is supposed to be one of the more unhospitable environments in this world but we never see any Grimm on the mainland to my memory. There were so many fantastic designs for Grimm both canon and fanmade that it is an absolute shame that we never get to see these threats really be threatening. I mean we can build up the Apathy for two or three episodes but then team RWBY just slices through some of the most dangerous Grimm in Atlas during a montage? I know RWBY is at its core an adventure comedy, but the stakes never feel consistent, and the threats keep flip flopping. Well, I'm sure it's all fine, as long as Port is around Salem would not dare enter Beacon even in its current state.
On another note, Pyrrha is quickly replacing the role I had intended for Ruby but I suppose it will all work out in the end. This chapter does mark the end from the beginning of Beacon, now we get to move on to all of the spicy drama in confrontations. It makes me exceptionally excited for the next chapter because it introduces the last main POV and really sets in motion everything that's about to happen.
I always knew there was going to be outright critics of Berserks continuation regardless of whatever was done. I am excited to see where the story leads and how they will finish it. There's so much painstaking affection poured into all of Berserk and seeing its legacy carried on like this just feels right. Warhammer 40K huh? I keep seeing it pop up but I'm always hesitant to try and get into it, the lore seems dense. Would you recommend it?
Thank you again as always for the review, and I hope you enjoyed.
NinjaFang1331
Thank you for taking the time to read this story, it means a lot. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please take care.
animeguy1208
Thank you. I'm always worried if I'm striking the right balance between overly edgy Jaune and damaged survivor. Thank you for the review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Theanimemaster9000
Thank you, writing Jaunes fight scenes is a lot of fun and one of the things I look forward to the most in this story. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Crimson Shikyo
Thank you for being awesome. I hope you enjoyed!
