The dense forest pressed in around them, the canopy above casting shifting patches of light and shadow on the ground below. Pyrrha Nikos, her red hair catching flashes of sunlight, led the way with a practiced, light-footed grace. Jaune Arc followed close behind, shouldering Crocea Mors, not losing out on navigating the forest. His eyes darted about, alert to every rustle and chirp, but it was a distant sound of something sharp and loud that made him pause mid-step.
"Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice low as he glanced over his shoulder.
"Gunfire," Pyrrha replied, her brow furrowing slightly as she listened. "It sounds like some of our comrades have already encountered the enemy."
Jaune hesitated, his curiosity tugging him toward the sound, but Pyrrha continued forward with an air of calm confidence, pushing a low-hanging branch aside to clear the path. Her attention was so focused that she released the branch a second too soon, sending it snapping like a whip to strike Jaune square in the face. His Aura absorbed the blow easily, but he let out a surprised laugh, rubbing his nose.
Pyrrha glanced back, her eyes widening in dismay. "Jaune! I'm sorry!"
He shook his head, chuckling at the branch, which had recoiled sharply after meeting his Aura. "It's fine. Didn't even feel it, really."
Pyrrha tilted her head, watching him with a discerning eye. "You seem to have a lot of Aura. Almost like you don't even notice its effect."
Jaune shrugged modestly. "My master always told me I had a strong one."
"And yet," she observed with a faint, teasing smile, "you look like someone fresh out of the water."
Jaune rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Is it that obvious?"
She gave him a warm smile, her eyes bright with curiosity. "A little, but… I think it's admirable."
They moved forward, easing through the undergrowth with Pyrrha leading and Jaune close behind. She glanced back, the light filtering down in mottled patterns across her face. "Aura," she began, "is the manifestation of our soul. It bears our burdens, shields our hearts, and can protect us if we let it. Have you ever felt like you were being watched, without actually knowing someone was there?"
Jaune nodded, his gaze focused as he recalled those eerie feelings of presence during his training. "Yeah. It took me a while to realize that sometimes… that presence was just my own Aura."
"With practice, your Aura can become a shield you're aware of," she explained. "Almost everything has it, even the animals around us."
Jaune nodded, thinking of the various creatures he'd encountered in his training — none of them like the soulless creatures of Grimm who were simply… soulless. "But the Grimm don't, right?"
"Yes," Pyrrha replied, her tone somber. "They're creatures of darkness, manifestations of hatred and fear. They're empty, unlike us. They have no Aura. No light within them. And that's why we fight them. We are the light, and they are the dark."
Jaune found himself nodding in agreement, absorbing her words. "Right. That's why we're here, why we're training. To protect that light."
Pyrrha's smile was approving, but she continued, her voice tinged with quiet wisdom. "But it's not just about fighting the darkness. It's also about understanding it. Dark and light exist in all of us, and only by acknowledging both can we truly understand our Aura. It's like wielding a sword and shield, but within yourself."
They walked in thoughtful silence, and Pyrrha gestured to his weapon. "When you bare your soul outward, your Aura can deflect harm. It's like a force field, I suppose, if you want to look at it that way. But Aura is more than that. All our tools, our weapons…they're conduits for our Aura. They channel it, extend it. When you wield your weapon, you're not just holding a sword. You're protecting yourself, your soul."
Jaune's eyes took a sad glow as he took in her words. "It's amazing, actually. You know, my master used to say it was just like a force field."
She nodded, looking pleased, and he fell silent, absorbing her insights. As they pushed forward, Jaune navigated through the trees with surprising ease, his steps quick and sure over the uneven terrain.
"You seem to know how to navigate a forest well," Pyrrha observed as she caught up, studying his movements with quiet admiration.
He smiled, his gaze sweeping their surroundings. "You'd be surprised at how I got good at it."
Pyrrha watched him for a second too long, caught in his earnest expression, and didn't notice the low dip in the ground ahead. Her foot caught on a hidden root, and she stumbled forward with a gasp. Instantly, Jaune's arm shot out, catching her by the waist and steadying her before she could fall.
For a moment, they stood close, her face inches from his, her heart racing as she looked up at him, startled. A warm flush spread across her cheeks until her face's fully red, and she straightened quickly, trying to regain her composure. "Th-thank you, Jaune. That was… embarrassing."
He grinned, giving her an encouraging nod as he released her waist. "Not really. Everyone trips up. It's all about getting back up and moving forward."
She gave a small laugh, touched by the sincerity in his voice. "I'm looking forward to the next few years together, Jaune."
He smiled back at her, glancing around at the thickening trees and shadows cast by the rising sun. "Let's get through the initiation first, then we can start planning for the future."
She nodded in agreement, and they continued down the path until they came across a wide, jagged opening in a rock wall—a cave, its entrance dark and foreboding. The air seemed cooler here, and a faint draft seeped out, smelling of earth and stone. They paused, sharing a wary glance.
"A cave," Jaune murmured, squinting into the shadows. "Think there's anything in there?"
Pyrrha's gaze was steady, though a faint edge of tension crept into her voice. "Could be. We're here to encounter opposition, after all."
"Right," Jaune replied, his grip tightening on Crocea Mors. "Maybe we should check it out?"
Pyrrha nodded, stepping forward with purpose. The mouth of the cave loomed larger as they approached, and Jaune felt a familiar twinge of nervous excitement, a pulse of energy that made his fingers twitch as he prepared himself for whatever lay inside. He glanced at Pyrrha, noticing her calm but focused expression.
They entered, each of their steps echoing softly against the cave walls. The faint light from outside barely reached them as they ventured deeper, leaving the rocky passage dim and shadowed. Jaune strained his eyes, adjusting to the darkness while his Aura tingled at the edge of his awareness, alert to any hidden threats.
Suddenly, Pyrrha raised her hand, signaling for him to stop. She pointed ahead, her eyes narrowing as they both listened. A soft shuffling sound drifted toward them, echoing down the tunnel. It was unmistakable that something was moving in the shadows.
Jaune's heartbeat quickened as he held his breath, trying to catch any further hints of movement. Then, as if in answer, the shuffling grew louder, accompanied by a low growl that reverberated through the cave.
He glanced at Pyrrha, whose eyes were sharp and calm. She reached for Miló, her spear, holding it with practiced ease as she assessed the threat.
"Grimm?" he whispered, already certain of the answer.
She nodded. "Most likely a Beowolf. Possibly more than one. They tend to travel in packs."
The growling grew closer, and Jaune could see the faint glint of red eyes piercing the darkness ahead. His grip on Crocea Mors tightened. He glanced at Pyrrha, who met his gaze with a confident smile.
"Stick close," she whispered, her voice carrying an undercurrent of excitement.
They moved in unison, closing the distance with smooth precision. As they neared, a large, dark shape lunged from the shadows — a Beowolf, its jagged, fanged maw stretching wide as it charged.
Jaune raised Crocea Mors just in time, meeting the creature's blow with a powerful block. The impact barely registered through his arms, as his Aura absorbed the brunt of it, and he pushed forward, throwing the Grimm back with utter ease. Beside him, Pyrrha shifted into action, spinning Miló with graceful efficiency. She brought the spear down, slashing through the creature's neck with a practiced motion that left the Beowolf dissolving into ash at her feet.
More growls filled the cave, and two more Beowolves emerged, their movements prowling and predatory as they circled around Jaune and Pyrrha. Jaune moved to cover her back, positioning himself to face one of the creatures while Pyrrha faced the other.
The Grimm leapt forward, its claws raking through the air as it lunged for Jaune. He swung his sword, deflecting its attack with a powerful sweep that left it off-balance. Pyrrha, with her spear flashing in a quick arc, struck down her Beowolf with effortless precision, her Aura radiating strength as she dispatched it with a single, clean blow.
Jaune barely had time to compliment her before the remaining Grimm lunged at him, jaws snapping as it closed in. His training kicked in instinctively, and he parried with a decisive strike, following through with a swing that sent the Beowolf crumpling to the ground, where it quickly dissolved into black smoke.
They stood in silence as the last traces of ash faded into the air. Pyrrha lowered her spear, giving Jaune an approving nod. "Not bad," she said, her tone light but filled with genuine respect.
Jaune let out a laugh, relief and adrenaline mixing in his voice. "Thanks. No wonder they called you a champion"
Pyrrha's smile was warm.
"Come on," Pyrrha said, gesturing toward the cave's interior. "There might be more."
The air in the cave felt charged, almost alive, as Jaune lifted his hand, his Aura glowing in a warm, golden light. It shimmered with intensity, surrounding him in a soft, radiant shield. Pyrrha watched with both curiosity and concern as he summoned his Aura without hesitation.
"Wouldn't that burn out your Aura?" she asked, eyeing him carefully.
Jaune shook his head, a slight smile on his lips. "Not really. I have a lot of Aura and I can just regenerate it, anyway."
Pyrrha raised a brow, intrigued. "Regenerate it? How does that work?"
Jaune looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers as the glow strengthened. "It's my Semblance. I can recharge and replenish my Aura by amping it, even after a hard fight. Keeps me going."
Pyrrha's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "That's incredible. Aura regeneration is rare… but wait-"
"It's not actually regeneration, it's Amp-"
She paused, her gaze shifting to the dark shadows around them. "Do you… feel that?"
"I do," Jaune stopped, scanning the dense thicket ahead. He extended his Aura forward, focusing his senses to pick up the vibrations through the trees and ground. After a moment, his expression darkened.
"Another Grimm," he confirmed, his voice low. "And it's… bigger."
"How big are we talking?" Pyrrha asked, readying her weapon.
He sighed, a bit tiredly. "If I'm right? Probably a Deathstalker."
The name alone was enough to make Pyrrha tighten her grip on her spear. "We should prepare, then."
Jaune nodded, glancing over his shoulder toward the open forest behind them. "Let's not fight it here in the narrow pass. We'll retreat outside and hit it in the open." He paused, glancing at her. "But first, let me boost your Aura a bit. Just in case."
Pyrrha opened her mouth to ask how, but before she could speak, Jaune held his hand out toward her. She felt a warmth spread through her body, something gentle yet powerful, like sunlight after a cold day. It was as if the kindness and strength within Jaune's soul were pouring into her. Her own Aura intensified, glowing brighter and stronger, the energy buzzing under her skin.
She clenched her fists, testing the new strength flooding through her. "I… I feel incredible. It's like I'm supercharged!"
Jaune gave her a small smile. "Good. We'll need that edge against something as tough as a Deathstalker." He nodded toward the cave. "We'll lure it out, and when it shows itself, we'll hit it with everything we've got—full Aura-infused strikes right at its side. Sound good?"
Pyrrha's eyes gleamed with determination as she nodded. "Got it!"
They moved swiftly, retreating from the cave's mouth and positioning themselves in the open area just outside, where the ground was solid and flat. Pyrrha shifted her weapon, transforming her spear into a sword, its blade gleaming in the morning light. Jaune, meanwhile, flicked his weapon, merging the sword with its sheath to form a large, intimidating greatsword. His Aura burned brightly, amplifying his presence in a way that Pyrrha had rarely seen.
Moments later, the Deathstalker erupted from the cave, its massive scorpion-like body forcing its way through the narrow opening with an enraged screech. Its exoskeleton gleamed black and white, its eyes glowing a fiery crimson, and its enormous pincers snapped as it locked onto the two of them. It paused just long enough to take in its new prey.
Jaune caught Pyrrha's eye and made a quick signal.
In perfect unison, they dashed forward, their Aura-infused blades slicing through the air. They struck the Deathstalker's armored side at the same moment, their combined force shattering through the thick exoskeleton with surprising ease. The Deathstalker reeled, letting out an unearthly roar as they left a gaping scar along its side, dark ichor seeping from the wound and splattering onto the ground, leaving a scar on the earth before it turned into a black smoke.
Pyrrha pulled back, her eyes wide with astonishment as she looked at the damage they had dealt. "Wow… that was intense. We did that?"
Jaune let out a breath, a satisfied smile on his face. "Told you. It's nice to have a little extra boost." He looked around, listening closely as the forest filled with the sounds of battle—a distant rumble of gunfire, echoing from deeper in the woods. "We should check out those gunshots. Someone might need help."
Pyrrha nodded, the glow of her Aura still vibrant and strong. "Lead the way."
Jaune turned, his Crocea Mors's greatsword for, resting comfortably on his shoulder as he began to move through the undergrowth. They made their way forward quickly, each step confident and purposeful as they followed the sounds of gunfire. Pyrrha moved beside him, her senses on high alert, ready to jump into action at any sign of danger.
The forest grew denser as they ventured deeper, the canopy blocking more and more light. Jaune's Aura pulsed softly as he focused on the path, leading them through narrow trails and over large tree roots with a natural ease. They navigated quietly, conserving their strength as they neared the sound of the commotion ahead.
Finally, they reached a small clearing, where two figures were locked in combat with a pair of Beowolves. The beowolves' black fur glistened with a malevolent shine, and their red eyes glowed fiercely as they lunged at their prey. One of the students was a boy with green-tinted black hair, his movements controlled and efficient as he wielded a pair of pistols with deadly precision. The other was a girl with short orange hair, grinning wildly as she swung an enormous hammer with surprising agility.
Jaune and Pyrrha exchanged a quick nod before they jumped into the fray, their sudden presence drawing the Beowolves' attention. With a well-timed slash, Jaune intercepted one of the wolves, his Aura bolstering his strength as he drove his greatsword into the creature's side. Pyrrha followed up seamlessly, her sword striking the other Beowolf with a powerful, Aura-infused blow.
The black-haired boy gave them a quick nod of acknowledgment. "Thanks for the assist!"
"No problem!" Jaune replied, his voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline. "We heard the commotion and figured you could use a hand."
The orange-haired girl laughed, her grip on her hammer tightening. "The more, the merrier!" She spun her hammer, slamming it down on the wounded Beowolf with a loud, final thud. The creature disintegrated into ash, leaving the four students standing in the clearing, catching their breath.
Jaune wiped his brow, lowering his weapon. "You two handled yourselves pretty well."
The black-haired boy offered a small smile. "Ren," he introduced himself. "And this is Nora."
Nora grinned, planting her hammer on her shoulder. "Nice to meet you guys! So, you're hunting Grimm too? Oh, oh, take this relic pieces too so we can be like besties!"
She threw two pieces at them. Jaune and Pyrrha caught them as thy laughed at her energy.
"Thanks, just making it through initiation," Pyrrha replied with a small laugh.
"Yeah, well, this initiation's starting to feel like a real hunt," Jaune added with a chuckle. He glanced around, noting the silence that had fallen over the clearing now that the Grimm were gone. The forest seemed to breathe around them, the air still and tense as they regrouped.
As they prepared to continue, Pyrrha glanced at Jaune. "I still can't get over that Aura boost you gave me. It felt… powerful. Do you use it often?"
Jaune shook his head. "Not really, no. I've been training for a while, but using my Semblance on others is new to me. I'm still getting used to it."
Nora nudged Ren, grinning. "Oh, sounds cool, I want a power-up like that! Bet it feels awesome!"
Ren gave them a patient look. "We should keep moving, though. There's no telling what else is out here."
"Everyone look," Jaune pointed.
Columns of stone crumbled to pieces, each one crashing to the ground in deafening waves. Above, a massive Nevermore, a creature of Grimm with wings like shadows and feathers, as sharp as knives, circled, evading blast after blast from Ruby, Blake, Weiss, and Yang. Despite their best efforts, their barrage of bullets and Dust-infused strikes either missed or glanced off the creature's thick feathers, and the Nevermore only seemed to grow bolder as it swooped down through the ruined platforms and shattered pillars.
"None of this is working!" Weiss called, frustration clear in her voice as she barely managed to dodge a falling chunk of debris.
Ruby's mind raced. She watched Blake dart to a higher platform, agile as ever, while Yang unleashed round after fiery round at the beast. An idea sparked in Ruby's mind—a plan that was risky, maybe reckless, but it was something. She looked at Weiss, her silver eyes determined. "I have a plan! Cover me!" With that, Ruby blasted off, a cloud of rose petals in her wake as Weiss followed, her rapier ready.
Meanwhile, down below, Jaune, Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha were battling their own wave of Grimm, the creatures drawn in by the chaos above. Jaune set his teeth as he saw more of them appear, their eyes fixated on him and his teammates, like prey.
"More Grimm!" he shouted, his voice straining with both alarm and determination.
An armored Beowolf, its claws gleaming in the forest light, charged at Pyrrha. She raised her shield, Akoúo̱, deflecting its swipe with a swift, practiced motion, and countered with a clean slash of her spear, Miló. The creature stumbled back, momentarily dazed, but another swipe came her way. But trusted Jaune, who deflected the blow with his shield, forcing the Grimm to recoil just enough for Pyrrha to leap forward and land a direct strike to its face. It howled, thrashing as dark ichor seeped from the wound before the Grimm turned into black smoke.
To their right, Ren darted in with a flurry of gunfire, drawing another Grimm's attention, while Nora loaded her weapon and fired a powerful pink grenade that exploded on impact, scattering several smaller Grimm that were closing in on them. Pyrrha took advantage of the moment, hurling her javelin straight into the eye of a charging Beowolf, which let out a final growl before collapsing to the ground.
Another Beowolf leapt forward, claws poised to strike Ren, who ducked just in time. Jaune seized the opportunity, rushing in and parrying the creature's claw, twisting and swinging his sword with practiced precision to cripple its legs.
"Pyrrha!" he called out, signaling her.
"On it!" Pyrrha raised her shield, hurling it forward like a discus. It sliced cleanly through the exposed neck of the Grimm, decapitating it before it rebounded back into her hand.
Jaune flashed her a quick grin as he focused his Semblance, sending a surge of Aura Nora's way to amplify her strength. Nora's eyes widened as the power washed over her, her whole body seeming to hum with energy. She clenched her fists, feeling almost invincible.
"Let's see how you handle em' Nora!"
Nora noticed the glow surrounding her and let out an exhilarated laugh.
"Heads up!" she yelled. Using Pyrrha's shield as a springboard, she propelled herself high into the air, charging up her hammer as she soared. Her eyes sparkled with glee as she began her descent, spinning down like a thunderbolt. With a fierce battle cry, she slammed her hammer into the ground, creating a shockwave that obliterated the horde of Grimm closing in on them, scattering the monsters in a cloud of dust and ash.
Jaune and Pyrrha raised their shields in front of Ren, blocking the debris from Nora's powerful landing as it rained down around them. They quickly straightened, taking in the remnants of the battlefield as they looked up to see how the others were faring against the Nevermore.
Above them, the Nevermore screeched, dodging and weaving through the hail of bullets. Yang was still burning through her ammo, each shot impacting the beast's feathers with bursts of fiery light. Her strikes had gained the creature's attention as it arched toward her, talons outstretched. Yang leapt forward without hesitation, grappling with its massive beak as she attempted to force its maw open.
"I! Hope! You're! Hungry!" Yang yelled, punctuating each word with a round from her gauntlets. The Nevermore, stunned by her relentless assault, flinched backward and veered into the cliffs, crashing against the stone. But even as it stumbled, the creature quickly regained its balance, spreading its dark wings to lift off.
Yang caught sight of Ruby and Blake on a nearby platform, each of them preparing for the next stage of the fight. Weiss, close behind, had her rapier drawn as she moved into position.
Thinking fast, Weiss sprinted forward, using her Glyphs to leap to the Nevermore's tail. In one smooth motion, she froze its feathers to the stone below, anchoring it down and preventing it from taking flight. With an elegant backflip, Weiss landed gracefully across from Ruby, turning to run toward the others.
As she did, Blake fired the pistol portion of Gambol Shroud toward Yang, who caught the other end with ease. The two of them pulled the ribbon taut between the columns, forming a tightrope just in front of the frozen Grimm. Ruby's eyes sparkled with excitement as the plan clicked into place.
Standing on the taut ribbon, Ruby positioned herself on Crescent Rose, ready to use it as a springboard. Weiss watched her with a raised eyebrow, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "Of course, you would come up with this idea."
Ruby grinned. "Think you can make the shot?"
With a confidence to match her friend's, Weiss huffed. "Can I? Hmm... Of course I can!"
A split second later, Weiss transformed her Glyph into a powerful boost, changing its color from black to red. With an explosive release of energy, Ruby shot forward, her scythe aimed toward the Nevermore with unerring precision. The force of her launch cracked the stone beneath her, and a shower of rose petals trailed behind as she hurtled through the air.
The Nevermore shrieked, thrashing against the ice, but Ruby's scythe found its mark. She hooked the blade around its neck, and they both plummeted toward the cliff wall, entangled in a deadly dance. Ruby didn't falter; with each shot from Crescent Rose, she propelled herself closer and closer to the cliff, the Nevermore still tethered to her scythe as she dragged it down.
From below, Yang, Blake, and a weary Weiss looked up, watching as Ruby climbed, her figure framed against the sunlit cliffside. She dashed through Weiss's Glyphs, each one lighting up with every step she took up the vertical wall. Her friends could only watch, hearts pounding, as she neared the summit, her scythe digging deeper and deeper into the creature's neck.
At the top, with a final cry of determination, Ruby unleashed one last, powerful shot, the recoil sending her back in a swirl of petals as her scythe cleaved clean through the Nevermore's neck. The Grimm let out a fading scream as its head separated from its body, its dark form dissolving into ash and falling to the ruins below.
Ruby landed gracefully, her cape and petals flowing in the breeze as she looked down at her friends, who stared up at her in awe. The massive body of the Nevermore collapsed behind her, its lifeless form tumbling into the depths below.
Jaune and the others, still on the lower ground, could only watch in amazement.
"Wow…" Jaune murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from the sight.
Ruby stood triumphantly at the cliff's edge, smiling down at her friends. Her cheeks were flushed with pride and relief, but a quiet humility softened her expression as she raised a hand and gave them a wave.
Yang let out a laugh, shaking her head as she looked up at her sister. "Well… that was a thing!" she called, her voice ringing through the clearing.
Ruby's smile grew wider, and she waved down at Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora below.
The initiation was over.