Pyrrha sat at a large wooden table in the dining hall, her tray of food untouched in front of her. The soft clinking of cutlery filled the air as other Huntsmen and Huntresses went about their meals, the room buzzing with light conversation. Across from her, Nora Valkyrie was chattering away with boundless energy, waving her fork around as she spoke.
"—and then I told him, 'If you think you can eat six pancakes faster than me, you're out of your mind!'" Nora said, laughing to herself as she recounted her latest story, her eyes wide with excitement. Ren, sitting beside her, gave a patient, resigned sigh, as though he had heard this particular story many times before.
Pyrrha smiled warmly, her attention half on the conversation and half elsewhere. She was used to Nora's animated storytelling, and it brought a sense of normalcy to the chaos that had engulfed their world. Yet, as much as she enjoyed these moments of calm with her teammates, there was a quiet tension building inside her.
It wasn't until the movement of a shadow next to her that Nora's story was interrupted. Nora finally noticed the figure standing silently to the side, his posture rigid and professional, clad in the white and blue uniform of Atlas. The man wore his uniform with a kind of stoic discipline that immediately drew attention.
"Hey, uh, who's this guy?" Nora asked, pointing at the uniformed soldier as she raised an eyebrow. She cocked her head, clearly confused. "Is he like a new friend or something?"
Ren, who had already noticed the man earlier, finally spoke up, sounding mildly exasperated. "Nora, this is Lieutenant Arc. He's here under General Ironwood's orders... to guard Pyrrha."
Nora's eyes widened as she slowly turned her head towards Pyrrha, an incredulous look forming on her face. "Wait, what? Pyrrha needs a bodyguard? Is that even allowed? I mean, she's Pyrrha Nikos!" Her voice rose in pitch, clearly unable to grasp why someone like Pyrrha, a celebrated champion and accomplished Huntress, would need protection.
Pyrrha gave a small, apologetic smile. "It's true," she said softly, feeling slightly awkward about the whole situation. She hadn't fully adjusted to having Arc around in this capacity, either. "General Ironwood thought it was… necessary."
Nora, never one to miss an opportunity for humor, squinted at Jaune with mock suspicion, leaning across the table as if examining him for hidden motives. "So... you're supposed to guard Pyrrha, huh? Are you, like, monitoring her every move?" Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, but it was clear she was most amused by the whole situation.
Arc, standing as still and formal as a statue, responded only with a polite, "Ma'am," and gave a brief nod of acknowledgment. He remained ever-vigilant, his gaze scanning the room rather than focusing on the conversation.
Nora didn't seem satisfied with his non-answer. She narrowed her eyes further, then leaned even closer to Pyrrha, cupping a hand around her mouth as if to prevent Jaune from overhearing, though her voice was still at full volume. "Is he, like, spying on us? Should we ditch him?"
Pyrrha couldn't help but chuckle softly, though she quickly tried to hide it behind her hand. "Nora, that's a little mean," she replied, though there was a playful glint in her eyes. "He's just doing his job."
Nora, never one to be deterred by a reasonable argument, grinned mischievously. "Too nice, Pyrrha. You're too nice sometimes. Come on, live a little! We could totally ditch him—oh! We could get Ren in on it too! We could sneak out the back, grab some snacks, and leave ol' 'Lieutenant Serious' here to wonder where we went!"
Ren, who had been quietly enjoying his meal, raised an eyebrow at being dragged into Nora's spontaneous scheme. "I don't think that's necessary, Nora. Besides, Lieutenant Arc seems like he's just trying to do his job."
Nora pouted, but her eyes gleamed with mischief. "Still, we should at least test him out! I mean, he's Ironwood's pick, right? And Pyrrha, you could totally ask him for something to see if he listens. What do you think?" She clapped her hands together, looking like she was ready to leap into action.
Pyrrha hesitated, glancing at Jaune, who stood just out of earshot, still scanning the dining hall like a sentinel on duty. She sighed, knowing that humoring Nora would only lead to more of her shenanigans, but at the same time, it was hard to deny that a part of her missed these lighthearted moments. "Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt," she said, giving in to the idea.
Nora's grin widened, practically bouncing in her seat as she leaned closer to Pyrrha. "Perfect! Just ask him to go get you something. I dunno, a drink, or dessert, or something. We'll sneak off while he's distracted."
Taking a deep breath, Pyrrha called out to Jaune. "Lieutenant Arc?" she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Jaune immediately turned his attention to her, standing at full attention. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Could you, um, fetch me a drink from the counter?" Pyrrha asked, keeping her tone as polite as possible. She wasn't used to ordering people around, and it felt strange to ask Jaune to do something so trivial.
Jaune didn't hesitate. He gave a sharp nod and immediately turned to head toward the counter on the other side of the dining hall, leaving his post at her side.
As soon as Jaune was out of earshot, Nora leaned in closer to Ren and Pyrrha, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Alright, let's move! Ren, hit it with your Semblance!"
Ren sighed, but he couldn't resist the smile that crept onto his face. He nodded, his body relaxing as he activated his Semblance. The world around them seemed to dim for a moment, their presence becoming muted, their footsteps silent as they moved.
"Let's go, go, go!" Nora whispered loudly, taking Pyrrha by the wrist as she led them toward the back exit of the dining hall, Ren following close behind.
Pyrrha found herself smiling despite the absurdity of the situation. It felt like old times — Nora coming up with some ridiculous plan, Ren going along with it, and Pyrrha finding herself in the middle of it all. For a moment, they weren't Huntsmen burdened with the weight of the world. They were just friends, sneaking around for fun.
As they slipped out of the dining hall undetected, Nora giggled to herself, glancing back to see Jaune still at the counter, dutifully preparing Pyrrha's drink. "Mission accomplished," she said with a grin.
But Pyrrha couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Jaune was just doing his job, after all. Still, the playfulness in the air was infectious, and for a few minutes, she allowed herself to forget the heaviness that usually accompanied their lives.
They ran through the courtyard, ducking behind trees and statues as if they were pulling off some grand heist, laughing as they went. Pyrrha hadn't felt this carefree in ages. Even Ren, normally so stoic, was smiling as they moved through the shadows.
Jaune's eyes scanned the dining hall as he returned with the drink Nikos had asked for, but his heart sank the moment he saw the empty table. Nikos, Valkyrie, and Lie Ren were gone. He stood there for a moment, holding the glass, trying to process what had just happened. His face remained impassive, trained by years of discipline, but there was a flicker of something beneath the surface — annoyance? Frustration? Maybe both.
With a calm sigh, Jaune set the glass down on the table. He could already feel it in his gut — that Ms. Valkyrie was probably behind this. A part of him wanted to be angry, but he couldn't muster the energy. He wasn't here to be liked, and it wasn't the first time someone had tried to give their security detail the slip. Still, there was a job to do, and as much as he respected Nikos's privacy, she had to know that ditching her bodyguard wasn't going to fly, even if it was done with a bit of mischief.
Jaune reached up to his comms. "Lieutenant Arc to Command," he said, his voice steady but a little sharper than usual.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant," came the quick response from the other end.
"Track Nikos' comms, please. I've lost visual on my assignment."
There was a pause on the other end, static crackling in his ear before Command came back on the line. "Lieutenant, we're showing Nikos' comms are offline. No signal."
Jaune clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. Of course. Valkyrie had probably convinced them all to switch off their scrolls, making it impossible for Command to track them. He bit back the irritation welling up inside him. This was exactly the kind of headache he didn't need.
"Understood," he replied curtly. He tapped his comms off and stood there for a moment, thinking.
He could start a search, but Atlas was a sprawling city, and if they were determined to keep him off their trail, he'd have his work cut out for him. Still, he wasn't about to let this go. It wasn't just about following orders anymore; it was about trust. Nikos and her friends might not have wanted him around, but he had a duty.
Jaune stepped outside the dining hall, his eyes scanning the academy grounds. He approached a few students hanging around the common areas, asking them if they had seen Nikos or her team, but most of them just shrugged, too caught up in their own business to notice. It wasn't until a student waiting for a bullhead overheard Jaune's questions that he got his first lead.
"I think I saw them heading towards the bullheads," the student offered.
Jaune nodded, thanking him. It was a start. He set off toward the bullhead docks, his pace steady, though there was a weight growing in his chest. His thoughts drifted as he walked through the halls of Atlas Academy, heading toward the dock that connected to Mantle.
Why would they want to ditch him? Jaune wondered. She seems like wasn't the type to be reckless — at least, not from what he could read from her. She seems to be a level-headed person. Still, he understood the feeling of not wanting to be followed, not wanting to be treated like a fragile object. But that wasn't his intention. He respected her strength, her abilities as a Huntress. Hell, she could probably take on most threats better than he could, even with all the gear he was carrying. Command said it was to ensure he could keep up with them, and from what they had told him, they've gone through some things that they felt it was needed.
Still, this was about ensuring her safety in a time when Atlas was embroiled in political and military conflict, when enemies like those that did Beacon in were still lurking in the shadows, waiting for any opportunity to strike. Ironwood hadn't assigned Jaune to this task lightly. He had specifically chosen him to protect Nikos for a reason, and Jaune took that responsibility seriously.
As he reached the bullhead dock, Jaune found it crowded with students, civilians, and Atlas personnel. He walked through the area, eyes scanning the faces in the crowd, listening for any mention of Nikos or her team. But there was no sign of them. They had likely already slipped away, and Mantle was sprawling enough to lose anyone who didn't want to be found.
By now, the sun was starting to set, casting a red-orange glow across the towering spires of Atlas and the grittier, industrial skyline of Mantle far below. Jaune stood at the edge of the dock, his hands gripping the railing as he looked down at the streets of Mantle. The city was a labyrinth of alleyways, factories, and cramped housing complexes, all cloaked in the smog and cold that characterized the lower levels. If Pyrrha and her team had gone down there, finding them would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
He took a deep breath and composed himself. This wasn't something to get worked up about, even if a small part of him felt stung by their disappearance. He was used to people not wanting him around, used to being the odd one out. It had been that way during his first days at basic training, and it seemed like, in some ways, it still was. The difference now was that he had a job to do, and he wasn't going to let personal feelings get in the way.
Jaune adjusted the strap of his Crocea Mors strapped to his waist, the weight of his weapon comforting against his back. He exhaled sharply through his nose and began walking again, his boots clacking against the metal floor of the dock. As he made his way toward Mantle, a thought crept into his mind: Maybe this was a test.
He had been given this assignment by General Ironwood himself. It was an honor, one he hadn't expected. Maybe this was their way of seeing how seriously he would take the mission. Maybe she wanted to see if he could keep up with her, if he could prove he was worthy of protecting someone as accomplished as her.
Or maybe they just wanted a break. He didn't blame them for that, either.
Or that simply... they didn't want some outsider like him around.
The hours ticked by as Jaune wandered the streets of Mantle. His uniform drew curious stares from the locals, but he ignored them, keeping his focus on the task at hand. The city was busy, even at this time of the evening, and the cold bit at his skin as he moved through the crowded streets.
He asked around, inquiring at small shops and cafes, but no one had seen Nikos or her team. Some shrugged him off, others gave vague answers that led nowhere. As the evening dragged on, Jaune's determination was still unwavering, but a sense of weariness was starting to settle into his bones.
By the time the sky had fully darkened, and the lights of Mantle flickered to life, Jaune found himself leaning against the wall of a small alley, arms crossed, staring out into the street. He wasn't angry, not really. But he was frustrated.
They didn't want me around obviously, he thought, feeling the sting of that realization. He had taken this assignment seriously, maybe more seriously than necessary. After all, Nikos was a Huntress. She didn't need him to keep her safe from everyday threats. But this was more than just an assignment to him. It was a chance to prove something — to himself, to Ironwood that he could be a protector too.
And now he was stuck wandering around Mantle like a lost dog, while his charge was off enjoying her freedom with her friends.
Jaune closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming his mind. He couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. That wasn't the kind of soldier he wanted to be. He needed to stay focused, keep his head clear, and do his job.
But it was hard. It was hard to shake the feeling that he didn't belong here. That he was just an outsider, someone thrown into a role he wasn't really suited for. He hadn't asked to be a bodyguard, to be assigned to someone like Pyrrha, someone that many admired. And yet, here he was, trying to live up to expectations that felt impossible to meet.
Jaune rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the cold metal of his belt tightened against his waist. He was just trying to do his job. He wasn't trying to be a nuisance. But it seemed like, no matter what he did, he was always one step behind, always just out of place.
As the night grew colder and the streets of Mantle began to quiet down, Jaune made his way back toward the bullhead dock, his steps heavy with exhaustion. There was no point in continuing the search now. They had clearly made it a point to avoid him, and he wasn't about to chase them all night.
When he finally reached the bullhead, Jaune paused at the entrance, looking back at the city below. Mantle was a tough place, full of people just trying to survive in a world that seemed to be falling apart. And in a way, Jaune understood them. He had always been a fighter, always pushing himself to be better, to prove that he had a place in this world. But right now, standing there in the cold night air, he felt more like a shadow than anything else.
With one last glance at the darkened streets, Jaune boarded the bullhead and made his way back to Atlas Academy. As the vehicle lifted off, he leaned back against the seat, staring out the window at the shimmering lights of Atlas in the distance.
He had failed his assignment, but more than that, he felt like he had failed himself... and it was the first day.
After arriving at the Academy, Jaune sat on a bench in one of the quieter corners of Atlas Academy, the cold metal biting through his uniform as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, staring out into the empty courtyard. The evening sky was a blanket of deep, dark blue, the only light coming from the distant stars and the occasional flicker of blue Hard-Light dust from the Academy's towers. A biting wind swept through the open space, but he barely felt it. The cold was nothing compared to the gnawing emptiness inside him.
There was no one around. No other soldiers, no students, no noise — just silence. And in that silence, Jaune came to a realization he had been avoiding for too long.
He was alone.
He'd been running on autopilot ever since Steel Squadron was wiped out. From one mission to the next, focusing on keeping his mind busy, following orders, training, fighting, reporting — it had been his way of coping. But now, with nothing left to do for the day, no orders to follow and no squad to fall back on, it hit him all at once.
His team was dead. His squad, his brothers and sisters-in-arms—gone. The people he had fought beside, bled beside, and laughed with in those fleeting moments of respite between battles... all gone. Carson, Scarlet, Gray. Even Sergeant Brown, the man who had shaped him into the soldier he had become, had been torn away by the cruelty of war. Every one of them had been cut down, leaving him as the sole survivor.
Why was I the one left behind? Jaune thought bitterly, clenching his fists. The question had been gnawing at him for weeks, but he had buried it under layers of duty and responsibility. Now, in the quiet solitude of the academy, it surfaced with a vengeance. Why did I survive when so many others didn't?
He had lived through battles that should've claimed his life. Survived missions that had wiped out entire squads. And what had it left him with? A deep emptiness. A hollow feeling that gnawed at him every time he tried to find meaning in what he was doing.
His mind drifted to Nikos. She had been assigned to him, or rather, he had been assigned to her. Nikos clearly didn't need him. She didn't want a bodyguard trailing after her. And then there was Valkyrie, Lie Ren... her team. It was clear also they didn't want him either to 'spy' on their friend.
He rubbed his hands together, trying to shake off the cold, but it wasn't the weather that chilled him. It was the realization that outside of his duties — outside of the missions, the combat, the orders — he had nothing. No one. The camaraderie he once had was gone, buried beneath the weight of loss and war.
It was a stark, bitter truth. One that left a sour taste in his mouth. He had dedicated his life to becoming a soldier, to serving Atlas, to protecting those who couldn't protect themselves. But at what cost? What was left for him when the fighting stopped, when the guns were silent, and the orders were no longer coming through his comms?
The academy was quiet at this hour, the usual bustling corridors empty as most students were either in their rooms or finishing their assignments. But Jaune felt as if he was the only person left in the world. He glanced around the courtyard, his eyes lingering on the towering structures that made up Atlas Academy, their imposing walls and pristine architecture doing nothing to comfort him.
He had thought that once he became a soldier — once he found his purpose that the loneliness would fade. But it hadn't. If anything, it had grown worse.
He had no family here. His sisters were far away, safe in their own lives, and Saphron had her own family to take care of. As much as he loved them, they felt like distant memories now, a part of a life he could barely remember. The person he had been back then — the naïve boy who wanted to be a Huntsman — felt like a stranger. He wasn't that person anymore. He was a soldier now, shaped by war and loss, by the blood he had spilled and the lives he had taken. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he didn't know who he was outside of that. Even becoming a Huntsman… didn't change anything for him.
Jaune leaned back on the bench, his gaze drifting up to the night sky. The shattered moon hung high above, its broken form casting pale light down on the academy. It was a sight he had grown used to over the years, but tonight it felt different. It felt like a reflection of how he felt inside — fractured, incomplete, and lost.
Is this all there is? He wondered. Is this what my life has become?
He had fought so hard to become a soldier, to prove that he was capable of more than what others had thought of him. But now that he was here, now that he had achieved what he had set out to do, it felt hollow. Empty.
He couldn't go back to the way things were before. He wasn't that naïve boy anymore. But he didn't know how to move forward, either. The missions were all he had left, and even those felt like they were just delaying the inevitable. The quiet moments like this one were the worst, because they forced him to confront the fact that he had nothing waiting for him when the fighting was done.
And that scared him.
For the first time in a long while, Jaune felt a lump form in his throat, and his chest tightened with the weight of emotions he had been trying to suppress. The faces of his fallen comrades flashed through his mind, their laughter, their smiles, the camaraderie they had shared in those brief moments of peace. And now they were gone, leaving him to carry their memories alone.
His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white as he fought against the rising tide of emotion. You're a soldier, he reminded himself. You don't get to break down. You don't get to fall apart.
But it didn't stop the loneliness from creeping in, seeping into every corner of his mind until it felt like a physical weight pressing down on him.
He had lost so much. Too much. And now, sitting here alone on this bench, he couldn't help but wonder if he had lost himself along the way, too.
Maybe this is what it means to be a soldier, he thought bitterly. To fight and bleed for a cause, only to be left alone when the battle is over… and all that's left after the noises die down was… just the quiet.