Hello all, I hope you have been well and I appreciate your patience with me when it comes to my chapters. I am closing in on finishing my degree and moving forward in my career so finding time to write and rest are few and far between.
Even working and studying doesn't stop my mind from coming up with different ways I want this story to go. I haven't forgotten "One Man Band" either and left the last chapter posted as a good way for me to sit and ponder story elements for a while.
For now, I have left you all in suspense long enough after our last battle and victory and I'm sure you are ready to move forward in this evolution of our Knight.
Let's not waste time and pick up right where we left off.
"I do not own RWBY or any of its characters. All of these characters belong to their respective companies and owners."
Chapter 5: As "Normal" As Possible
All of it felt so wrong, yet the power in it did not go unnoticed.
Jaune flexed his fingers and touched the various points on his "suit" as he could feel everything and even more despite the hard and thick bone plating.
Despite the darkness of the night Jaunes eyes could see as if it were day. The slits in his helmet offered no hindrance as he felt his eyes adjusting to anything. If he focused on a tree the details became so apparent he could make out the details as if he was right against it.
Even his hearing and sense of smell were heightened as he could still hear the retreating thuds of the pack's feet against the forest floor and smell their rancid breath on the wind.
After gathering some strength, he slowly began to make his way back through the forest, stumbling along. The fatigue from the fight could no longer be kept out as he began to close in on the stream he had cleared in his animalistic haze.
Void had not said anything and Jaune did not utter a word aside from grunts as he looked at the stream and picked up the pace before tripping over a thick root as he slid in the grass.
His breath was still heavy as he began to crawl to the stream gathered as much of his strength pushed himself up onto his hands as he soon came to the slow waters.
Jaune peered into the mirror made of water and saw his reflection as his breath caught in his throat. The sight of his glowing eyes made him lean in as he began to twist his head looking over the mask.
Jaune sat up on his knees, he reached up and started to touch the helmet before sliding his fingers around his neck. His frustration grew as he began to claw at the armor more aggressively.
"Jaune what are you doing?" Void asked having kept his voice away waiting to see how his host faired after the fight.
"I...I can't breathe let me out..." Jaune said quickly as he began slamming his fist into the sides of the helmet.
"You can breathe you are merely feeling the effects of.." Void began before being cut off.
"LET ME OUT NOW!" Jaune demanded as his final word held a deep growl mixed in. The voice was deeper and more aggressive as Void obliged him.
Soon the helmet seemed to unharden as the pieces peeled down around his neck in the form of a thick armored collar connected to the shoulders and chest.
Jaune began to take in deep and strong breaths as he knelt more over the water. He all too quickly submerged his head into the cool waters as he felt as though his skin and body were on fire.
Void said nothing merely letting Jaune process all of this as his host soon pulled up from the water as it dripped down his face and neck.
Jaune soon reached up with an armored hand as he pushed his wet hair back breathing in the cool night air.
He felt as though his mind was more settled down as he began to feel a calmness. However, the images of the battle rushed in as he remembered the branch that had impaled him.
The memory alone made his hand move to his stomach before another memory pushed in immediately of how he ripped the Alpha's jaw off and killed it.
It was all bloody and visceral as he hadn't experienced combat like that before let alone by himself.
It all began to take its toll as Jaune couldn't help but turn as he immediately emptied the contents of his stomach on the forest floor as he took this moment.
"I hope this does not become a habit after every fight" Void announced trying to make sense of the situation as Jaune shook his head before finally speaking.
"Why...I didn't...that wasn't" Jaune began as he was conflicted with those actions he had performed.
The brutality of it all was very unlike him as he began to slowly gather himself and stood as he looked down at the armor. In the joints and main areas of flexibility, the tendrils seemed to have woven themselves into a tight almost chain-mail-like design.
Upon looking at the plates that made up the main protection they were perfectly formed to not waste any room yet still held an almost organic and animal-like design to them.
Jaune had to admit he resembled the knights from the stories he was raised on yet in this form he was almost a more aggressive and twisted version.
For a moment Jaune felt like he was one of the bad guys in those childhood stories as he heard Void.
"If you are done looking at yourself I can help perhaps explain some of what has happened" Void stated as Jaune could only stand and wait as his silence invited further speech.
"Those movements and choices you made during that fight were very much you...accept that fact and this becomes easier," Void said bluntly as Jaune could only swallow.
"Next, much of the reason is in response to the negative feelings we have been consuming. Grimm are attracted to negativity because they are creatures largely created from a negative source" Void said as Jaune moved away from his stomach contents in favor of trying to drink a bit of water.
"So what am I becoming a Grimm?" Jaune asked with a hint of fear in his voice as he began to cup water into his hands.
His gauntlets made from bone and tendrils peeled back as his forearms became thicker and more armored but his hands were free to the night air as he began to drink water.
"As if we would become something so lesser than we are now...no you are not becoming a Grimm but as we consume their essence you seem to be absorbing their aggressiveness in combat...it is most likely what kept you alive, aside from me of course" Void stated as Jaune kept drinking before finishing up.
"Can't you filter it? I mean you can do all this other stuff why not that?" Jaune asked as he began to look around and get his bearings as he asked these questions.
"These are part of the power and essence we use to fuel the transformations as well as keep you alive. As of now no I can't filter it as that is too specific...you however can learn better self-control in combat to help this". Void said as his voice began to shiver a bit and wain a bit.
The shift in voice made Jaune stop as he grew a confused look on his face.
"Uh Void what's going on?" Jaune asked as he felt Void in his mind growing farther away.
"That Alpha has much to process within us. Its structure is different I need to apply it properly to make us strong...something else seems to be buried within it as well so I must rest and focus...you will do without me for s bit...remember you manifest what you feel" Void said as the voice grew further away in Jaunes mind.
"This is still our secret Jaune...keep a normal routine until I awake," Void said as soon Jaune felt Void leave his mind meaning he was in full control.
For a moment he felt relief over the solitude as he took in deep breaths still trying to come to terms with the events of the night as things kept evolving and changing around him and he honestly didn't know if he would survive this.
The solitude soon turned to uncomfortable feelings as Jaune almost missed the company as he looked down at the armor before taking a breath and focusing.
He exhaled as the armor shivered and began to return to his skin and into the black liquid Jaune was now wearing a simple black shirt with a familiar-looking worn pair of jeans and boots.
It was his standard look just without his hoodie. Normally the chill of night would bother him but even now he felt like he was perfectly fine.
He smiled a bit as he prepared to take off for Beacon and try to return quietly.
However, the moment he took a step the world began to get blurry as he stumbled a bit. The wound from before had healed but his blood loss was still apparent as he began to stumble and splash water as he moved ahead but as he made it across he soon couldn't take it.
Jauen collapsed against a tree as his face and skin became clammy and his mouth dry as he placed a hand on his stomach.
Part of him liked this, it was proof he was human still and limits applied yet he also knew no human just walked off getting impaled and having their insides stitched back.
Even his aura was in full rush mode to heal him and probably was the reason he was awake for so long but now he was running low.
His vision got blurry as he looked at the river and the area as the shattered moon illuminated it before his eyes began to close only catching a faint shadow for a moment before fatigue took him.
Flashes of images passed through Jaune's mind as he tossed and turned in his sleep. Claws and fangs ripped in the night air as he grunted and tore at the blanket covering him.
Then in almost an instant the image of looking down and seeing the branch out of his stomach took his mind as his eyes shot open and he sat up clutching at his gut.
His breath was heavy as he gulped down air and looked down frantically as he began to touch and press at stomach feeling nothing there as he let out a sigh of relief.
He was still alive and out of danger, yet as he began to wake up more he noticed the darkness of his dorm room as beds were all empty but it was still dark outside. Jaune looked at one of the clocks they kept seeing it was early morning almost 5 am.
"How did I get..." Jaune began to say in a whisper as his ears and heightened senses detected something in the room with him.
His eyes hadn't fully adjusted to the darkness yet and as he strained to see he soon felt a small pressure in his eyes he blinked a bit before the darkness of the room peeled away as if the lights had been turned on.
The moment the room was seeable Jaune was confronted with an empty room. He could have sworn he heard a noise but he wasn't entirely sure as he still felt somewhat disconnected at the moment.
Jaune shook his head letting out a breath as he wondered if he had just gotten back or maybe Void had taken control for a bit. However, as Jaune poked at his thoughts to summon Void he was met with silence as he knew that was a failure for now.
For now, he had the dorm to himself and it was early enough that by now he might as well just get up as he walked to the bathroom and flipped on the light.
He was still in the clothing that had materialized which left him somewhat thoughtful as he turned on the shower and waited for it to get hot.
As he waited he began to test out some things seeing as he had the time he made sure to lock the door and looked into the mirror.
He focused for a moment before soon exhaling as he felt the clothing shimmer before immediately the armor from before erupted out from his skin. Each piece connected to him by small tendrils before they were pulled back into him as the plated segments fit naturally.
Jaune could only look at himself as he finally got to see the armor in full view. Despite the appearance being aggressive it was truly a strong-looking and feeling armor.
It took only a thought before everything broke down and returned to Jaune as he tested a few different outfits before soon hopping into the shower.
The moment the hot water met his skin he let out a groan of happiness as he felt the weariness in his muscles start to leave him. It had been a very jarring twenty-four hours and he was just now having a moment to truly process it all. He had been running on nothing but pure instinct and having Void lingering in the back of his mind watching everything made him feel almost cramped in his own body.
Right now he began to go over everything as he washed his hair and leaned against the shower wall. The pit he had fallen into, Voids ''Birth" and the new abilities that had been showing themselves in his body. Jaune couldn't lie, the power was intoxicating as he was so much more than he had been. It felt like cheating when he remembered his fight with Yatsu. The way he moved and the power behind his hits were things that others had worked hard for or trained their bodies to become like that.
Here Jaune was doing things a full-fledged hunter was capable of. Jaune felt guilt starting to rise but also remembered that he had already gotten into Beacon unfairly and was working hard to become worthy of that place. His swordsmanship had improved and even his tactical mind was getting better when it came to issuing orders to his team but even he knew he would never be at their levels quick enough and constantly worried he would get them killed.
But now he held the power to close that gap, to be a leader worthy of those who trusted him.
It wasn't about becoming a hunter in title or name, Jaune never got into this because he wanted the fame that could come with it but wanted to help people and now maybe he could.
However, he also knew not to be dumb about this as he soon cut off the shower and got out grabbing a towel as he looked in the mirror. Void had no issues when it came to being ruthless nor did he care about eating chunks of energy from Jaune's aura to sustain himself.
Jaune even now could remember the wave of fatigue and weakness that fell over him the moment Void took from him. He didn't want to think what would happen if he had no aura left and Void needed to feed.
He shook his head as he soon walked back into the dorm seeing it was all still empty. Jaune assumed that the rest of his team must still be passed out in Team RWBY's room which meant he still had some solitude as he walked over and began to get dressed.
Many of his clothes, mainly his shirts, weren't fitting so loosely as he slipped on each shirt and ended up taking each off either due to uncomfortable sensations or cause they ripped at his biceps.
Jaune soon sighed as he focused for a moment before the black liquid swirled around his chest and shoulders making a black tank top with his Arc symbol on his chest. He then went on to grab his hoodie and slip it on as he was thankful he had gone up a size with it. The hoodie still fit somewhat snugly but it was more of a form fit rather than before.
It was the end of the week so students were allowed to dress casually for classes, the reason why Jaune wanted his own clothes was due to a worrying thought he had.
Void made it clear that concentration was key in maintaining the transformations and the overall use of his powers and the last thing he wanted was to get hit or caught off guard and drop his need for his clothes. He was already starting to get over the onesie fiasco and the last thing he needed was to be naked in front of his classmates.
Finally, as Jaune slipped on his boots he heard a ping as his scroll lit up on his nightstand earning a trip over as he picked it up and raised an eyebrow.
High Above in Ozpin's Tower around Midnight
"Yes, James I assure you things are well under control and the relic is still very much under proper lock and key," Ozpin said as he sat at his desk with numerous screens in front of him displaying the faces of the various members of his council.
In attendance were James Ironwood, Leonardo Lionheart, as well as Ozpin's field agent Qrow Branwen.
Together they held knowledge that was kept from the public but for good reason. The origin of Grimm as well as the forces at work behind their attacks were things that Ozpin had been keeping for centuries and now that he was surrounded by those who shared the want to defend the masses he felt comfortable sharing things to maintain an opposing force in this never-ending war.
Soon a door opened walked Glynda Goodwitch typed away at some things on a tablet she walked over to Ozpins desk and sat down what she was looking at in front of Ozpin as he went to take a sip from his mug.
They had all been talking for well over an hour and it was getting later by the minute. James could be seen on his screen sitting in his own office as well as Leonardo who twiddled his thumbs as he listened to the conversations more than engaging in them. Qrow was hunkered down camped on a mission Ozpin had sent him on as a bonfire illuminated his face and his flask as he took a sip. They were coming to an end as their conversations always ended with the discussion of the relic in possession as well as scheduling the next time they would talk.
However, as Ozpin looked through what Glynda had brought him his brow furrowed as he looked at her and she simply nodded.
"Got something there Oz?" Qrow said as he knew that look plenty from all the years of working with him.
"Glynda has just informed me that there has been a spike in Grimm movements around the school. Packs of Beowolfs as well as other types seem to be in a wild scatter over something" Ozpin said as James typed a few keys on his end getting the same information that Ozpin was looking at.
"Glynda, do you have any migration alerts? Perhaps some Beowolfs got into a territory war or a Nevermore has been flying too low and spooking other Grimm" James stated Glynda could only shake her head as she tapped on the tablet revealing the data they had ready showing that much hadn't changed.
Grimm could be predictable for long periods which made much of the planning for missions and outings for the students an easy feat, but when behavior like this occurs it always made them all nervous.
There was a thought that they were all sharing right now but none wanted to bring it into existence yet.
"Want me to make my way back Oz? Maybe I need to do some thinning out there" Qrow said as Ozpin shook his head and turned in his chair now holding the tablet as he spoke.
"No no for now Qrow continue with your mission but do be ready in case you are called back. For now, I believe we should hold the students for the day while we send out the drones to do some analyzing of all this spike" Ozpin said as the others nodded before soon the lines were cut as Ozpin rubbed his face and let out a sigh.
"I will begin to fabricate a message to be sent to the student's scrolls and then get the observation protocol ready," Glynda said soon walking away as she began to get everything together just leaving Ozpin alone as he turned in his chair and looked out into the night as he pondered this.
Salem hadn't made a move in a very long time despite the presence of the Grimm. Ozpin had felt he got too comfortable but if this was something just beginning perhaps the tide could be back.
However, at that very moment as he was deep in thought a sound pierced the night air harshly.
Ozpin felt the hairs on his arms go stiff as well as a foreboding feeling that made him rise from his chair as a distant roar echoed through the campus. Something was out there and as he looked out he narrowed his eyes as he knew perhaps he shouldn't take this so lightly.
Ozpin soon typed a few things on his computer before a call sound was made as the other end picked up immediately.
"Qrow on second thought...start your return this way I fear we will need all hands if necessary"
Back to Team JNPR's Dorm and Current Time
"Attention all students, classes for the day have been suspended due to all professors needed for a workshop. No student travel is allowed outside of the campus. Students are encouraged to train or work on assignments", Jaune said as he read the message and felt a sense of relief having a free day as well as just getting a chance to rest more.
Jaune soon packed up some of the stuff he might need for the day as he slid his scroll into his pocket. He walked out of the dorm and was ready to knock on the door to team RWBY's dorm before stopping himself as he knew they all had been working hard...harder than him when it came to their skills.
Jaune quickly typed up a message and sent it to their team chat as he headed for the cafeteria knowing that breakfast was going to be served soon he felt a deep rumbling in his stomach as he began the walk across campus.
The sun was just barely starting to rise Jaune could see the sun beginning to blend with the dark sky leaving a muted mixture of colors in the air.
At that moment he couldn't help but look out at the far tree line and felt the memories of last night imvade as he shook his head and let out a shaky breath.
"Keep it together..." Jaune said under his breath as he headed off to the cafeteria.
He was determined to have a normal day as he needed to wait for Void to resurface.
Eventually, Jaune made it to the cafeteria as he saw just a few students and teams scattered about. He knew he wasn't the only one awake but he was surprised to see entire teams awake as he walked and grabbed a tray and began to fill it up as he was deep in thought.
"Hmm so for now I have taken on normal Beowolfs and an Alpha. I've gotten some new transformations but I wonder what would happen if I took in other types of Grimm..." Jaune thought as he barely paid attention to what he was doing as he grabbed food left and right.
By the time he got to a table, he was already munching down on food as he took a seat brought out his scroll, and set it against a napkin holder.
After a few types images of Grimm began to appear and slowly cycle as Jaune looked at them as well as read small descriptions of each.
The entire time he was doing this he was eating as nearby students couldn't help but notice the muscled-up guy eating a ton of food.
Jaune had finally noticed just how much food he had piled on his plate as he took a moment to breathe and drink some juice to wash down some bites.
Jaune looked it all over as he grabbed boiled eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, pancakes, fresh fruit, grits, multiple pieces of toast, and even some cinnamon rolls.
Jaune felt the hunger in his stomach appeased but not satisfied as he kept eating while watching the Grimm on his scroll as he tried to become prepared for what the future might hold. His fight with the Alpha Beowolf showed him just how badly he was outclassed and that if he was doomed to fight he would need to know his enemies better.
It wasn't until a sound broke his concentration as a tray was placed down across from him making him look up however the owner of the tray was the last person he expected.
"Good morning Jaune" Blake stated calmly as Jaune was currently in the action of making a sandwich out of his pancakes and sausage.
"Oh uh good morning to you too," Jaune said awkwardly as he reigned in his manners a bit as he tried not to eat so wildly in front of a lady.
Blake simply sat her book next to her tray as she sipped at some tea and poked at a piece of fruit from her fruit salad. The two merely sat in silence for a moment as Jaune didn't know what to say and began to eat his pancake sandwich.
This gave Blake a chance to move and grab his scroll as she looked at it seeing the Grimm.
Jaune didn't register her movement till she had his scroll as he sat his breakfast down and tried to swallow only to choke a bit as he hastily drank some juice.
"Interesting choice in morning material," she said as Jaune recovered enough to speak as he rubbed the back of his neck out of nervousness.
"Well..uh...after my fight with Yatsu and Miss Goodwitche's approval of my fighting I figured I should try to push more into that stuff," Jaune said as he went to get his scroll only for her to pull it back a bit.
"You're fighting...you mean how you fought like a Grimm right? Not exactly something you should feel so pushed into learning more of" Blake said as she sat the scroll down and sipped at her tea.
Jaune then got his scroll back as he felt his instincts starting to get frazzled over this conversation.
However, in that moment as he got anxious his senses seemed to slip a bit as his hearing picked up on something.
Blake's heart was beating fast almost like she was nervous or afraid as Jaune wrinkled his brow before looking at her.
"You know...fighting like Grimm is a bad sign...you keep up such things and you might start acting like them," she said as Jaune swallowed a bit.
"Fighting and being a Grimm aren't the same thing. I would never let myself become that" he stated picking up his food a little insulted only to go stone cold still as she spoke.
"And what would you become then? A monster that goes running around in the woods?" she stated as Jaune felt her eyes sharply looking at him.
All of his nerves were on high alert as his thoughts weren't connecting well. Had she seen him? He didn't remember seeing her when everyone was asleep...was she the reason he got back to his room?
"Blake what do you mea..." Jaune began only to hear a calling out of their names as the rest of their teams were now awake and getting food.
Soon the rest of the teams appeared and sat down as comments of Jaunes food amount and the free day began to flow.
Comments about having a lazy day were spoken as well as training and working out. However, Jaune could only quietly finish his food as he cast a glance at Blake while she did the same back to him as she sipped her tea.
This was the rest of breakfast as the two responded to their teams when spoken to but Jaune noticed Blake never took her hand off her knife and used it to poke fruit and eat.
Beacon Workout Room and Indoor Track
After breakfast, Jaune agreed to a workout session with the team to help pass the time. He also wanted the chance to see what his body was capable of now as they soon all got changed.
In Jaune's case, it was a quick in and out in a stall as he just took off his boots and jeans while using his powers to create his workout gear from before.
He opted to take off his hoodie as well as he figured he had enough control right now and didn't need to worry.
Once he was done he joined his team as numerous other students were currently working out as they ran and lifted weights.
Pyrrha and Nora opted to go for a mile run on the track to warm up while Ren wanted to practice his footwork on balance beams leaving Jaune to his own devices.
He soon headed for a corner of the large auditorium. Large glass windows made up much of the room as Jaune got himself centered in front of a punching bag.
People all around were hard at work as Jaune gave a practice swing seeing the bag barely move as he took a breath and began to hit the bag.
His form was sloppy and felt unnatural as he tried to cover the very basics from class but they felt foreign to his muscles.
He took a step back as he breathed in feeling sweat drip down his face.
"Keep it up Jaune!" Pyrrha called out as she and Nora passed by him he gave them a thumbs up before he wiped his face.
He opened and closed his hands remembering the moves he performed last night. They were smooth and felt good but he couldn't go popping his claws here.
Jaune looked at the bag and then pondered something as he closed and tightened his fast and took a stance like that of a beowolf.
In a moment Jaune kicked off and instead of slashing, he slammed his fist into the bag as it jerked in a hard direction before spinning quickly.
Jaune felt a throb in his wrist before a small crack was heard and his wrist felt better immediately.
"Right...gotta change it a bit 'cause Grimm uses claws," Jaune said as he soon felt an unease he turned his head looking around the room he had a few eyes on him but who stuck out were the golden ones eyeing him from across the room.
Team RWBY was all present as well all doing their things yet Blake made sure to keep an eye on Jaune as he soon turned away and he gulped a bit.
He kept training his fighting as he tried to adapt his Grimm fighting style to mix with what he already knew.
The entire time he felt those eyes on him as he tried to put his back to her yet the more he hit the bag the more frustrated he became as her words rang in his mind.
"What are you then? A monster who runs around the woods?"
"A monster..."
"Monster...Monster..."
Jaune had been pummeling the sides of the bag as her words echoed and he grit his teeth. He wasn't a monster he was just someone trying to survive.
At that moment her words came to their peak as he felt her words amplified in his mind.
"MONSTER!"
Jaune let out a low yell as he gave one hard punch the punching bag was ripped from the chain it hung from a hole and was now letting the sand out after Jaune had knocked it a few feet away.
Jaune breathed in heavy gulps of air as he soon realized what he had done he quickly went and picked it up as he turned seeing some of the students slack-jawed over what he had just done.
He quickly returned the bag to the right area as he clumsily tried to re-hang it even as sand spilled out.
Jaune almost immediately hopped on the track as he joined Pyrrha as Nora jumped off to go be with Ren.
"I must say Jaune I didn't know you had been working so diligently. You are looking the part of a warrior" she said happily as she watched him.
Jaune could only give his signature awkward smile as he ran with her before speaking up.
"Pyr can I ask you something?" he asked as she nodded before gesturing to stop by their bags as she needed some water.
Soon the two were sitting down as they sipped on water.
"I noticed you weren't with us all when we woke up?" she said in a question-like manner as Jaune could only shrug.
"Just wanted my bed and didn't get comfy in that bean bag," he said as Pyrrha agreed noting her ache from the awkward sleeping arrangements.
Soon Jaune felt the courage to speak and let the words flow out.
"Pyrrha am I a bad person? I mean between the transcripts and now the whole using Grimm moves...I just worry I'm someone that's becoming a...a" Jaune said only for Pyrrha to speak.
"A monster?" she said as Jaune felt himself go rigid but it didn't last long as she nudged her shoulder at him.
"Jaune, you are one of the hardest working people I know and you just wanted a chance to help people. As I have said you will prove you belong here just as we all have" she said confidently.
Jaune listened feeling a little better as she soon continued.
"As for your Grimm fighting style well...I can't say I understand it but I can say that about everyone's because it isn't what works for me. You are truly meant to be a swordsman but I have seen the way you can adapt" she said as Jaune listened intently.
"We are who we choose to be, our weapons could easily be used for evil but we are the hands that hold them thus we can do good," Pyrrha said as she soon got up and stretched before chiming that she was going to finish her run.
Jaune just sat there watching his team as he processed her words.
He was already worried that Blake had seen something and for now he was grateful Void hadn't woken up yet as he didn't want to deal with whatever could come from that but he was running out of ideas.
It was at that moment he felt a sharp-pitched tone cut through his mind as he immediately grabbed at his head and his breath became shaky.
This didn't go unnoticed as Blake witnessed this while helping Yang on a bench but what happened next got everyone's attention.
In the Professor's meeting room
Due to the nature of the message that had been sent out all of the professors knew there was more going on than a simple workshop as that was the typical cover for meetings like these.
All were in attendance including Professor Port, Dr. Oobleck, as well as some of the other departments within Beacon as well were all sitting at a large conference table as Ozpin soon came in carrying the tablet Glynda had given him the night prior.
From that moment they were all engaged in discussion over the recent spike in Grimm movements and activity. Ozpin always wanted to simply tell his colleagues about the secret war and Salem but he kept it all a secret still hoping it was for the best.
However, as Ozpin began to get into the strange behaviors surrounding the Grimm Professor Port couldn't help himself as his booming voice broke the air.
"Ah never fret my friend! In my days of hunting, I witnessed plenty of odd behaviors out of the Grimm but nothing that was a rising concern!" Port announced as many of the other professors simply let out a sigh and shook their heads.
Ozpin at times enjoyed Port's energy on topics but even now he was worried about one other important piece of information.
"If that is the case dear friend I do ask how has the Grimm you have kept in containment been doing?" Ozpin questioned as Professor Port began to stroke his mustache.
"Well...the Boarbatusks have all been oddly skittish since yesterday. The little devils can't help but push deeper into their cages but I chalked that up to them never witnessing someone so mighty" Port exclaimed as he let out a hearty laugh.
"What about the other Grimm, you recently documented the capture of a stray Beowolf?" Ozpin said as he brought up the document on a screen.
Port merely gave a disregarding wave.
"He was violent yesterday but this morning that subsided into what I could guess is normal for a caged animal," Port said as he leaned back in his chair before an alarm sounded in the room causing him to fall back.
Ozpin quickly typed on the tablet before a warning of Grimm's presence on campus was shown to all Professors.
Port sloppily got up as he brought out his scroll and immediately checked the camera feed on his cages only to have fear wash over his face at the image.
There was the cage, but the bars were mangled and covered in black blood as the Grimm ripped its way out.
"It is loose..." Port said in fear
Back at the Auditorium
Jaune began to feel the high-pitched noise even more as he dropped his water bottle now with both hands on his head as his vision was going blurry.
It was at that moment as his friends saw his struggling that a scream filled the air.
"GRIMM!" a student yelled as everyone heard a crash as a bleeding beowolf crashed through the large windows of the auditorium.
Black blood oozed from its wounds but it didn't care as it growled and sniffed at the air.
The room was filled with hunters in training without their weapons which led to one response...panic.
Soon people were frantically running while others were quickly grabbing equipment as improvised weapons.
The Grimm didn't care as it began to run rampant attacking and trying to get people.
It almost snapped on the first year when a heavy weight slammed harshly into its head making it step back.
Pyrrha was off to the side with her semblance in full use as she hurled weights at the Grimm. Even Weiss grabbed a training sword as a conduit for her to start creating glyphs.
The issues though arose from the various students running into the combat zone.
Some were just trying to escape while others were going in for attacks but stopped when another did the same. They had trained with their teams but not each other and as a result the Grimm took advantage as it swatted away attackers whose aura was not fully ready as shattered sounds filled the air.
Jaune began to rise as he felt a deep pressure in his chest.
"Void...Void!" Jaune harshly whispered but no answer came as a blur of pink ran past his vision.
Nora had acquired one of the bars and loaded the top with weights as she sprung into action.
However, as she leaped to meet the Grimm Blake did the same having coordinated with Weiss for one of their combo moves.
They didn't see each other till it was too late as they crashed and crumbled to the mats Nora's improvised weapon crashed down on their crumpled bodies earning gasps of pain.
The Beowolf's instincts kicked in fully seeing prey helpless and pinned as it charged. Pyrrha tried to get a clear shot but couldn't as she shouted for people to move.
Yang shoved and pushed people seeing her partner in trouble as did Ren as the two tried to get closer.
The air was thick with negative emotions as the Grimm felt its needs more fulfilled than ever.
It soon pushed off now pouncing at the two downed pieces of prey. Time seemed to slow as out stretched hands reached for them but out of fear knowing they wouldn't reach them.
The two in question felt fear as Nora tried to lift the weight but it was tangled up in their limbs. Blake shut her eyes and waited for the pain...but it never came as a new sound filled the air.
Loud thuds and scratching echoed throughout the panic-filled room as Blake opened her eyes seeing an intense sight.
Jaune had cleared the room easily as he felt the strength in his body rise as he pounced as well soon colliding with the beowolf as Jaune wrestled with it.
"Jaune!" a collective voice screamed as they watched the blonde lock his arm around the beast's neck as the two of them thrashed around all over the place.
Jaune dug in with all his strength as his feet pushed into the flesh of the Grimm and his fingers clawed to hold on as it chomped and tried to pull at him.
Jaune wasn't transforming which meant his Aura was at full capacity as claw marks and scratches chipped away at his reserves but he held no fear as he held on to it.
Ren was first to the two as he quickly got them untangled and helped both to their feet. Nora let out a small cry as her ankle twisted and Blake couldn't get her legs steady after the weight had crashed on her knee.
"Ahh!" a pained cry filled the air as the Grimm had gotten its arm far back enough to dig its claws into Jaune it ripped him down and threw him into a stack of weights as it refocused on its escaping prey.
Ren immediately got Nora up on his shoulder and tried to help Blake but they were too slow as Yang was trying to close in but couldn't get through.
The beowolf charged as Blake staggered and pushed the two away as she saw it coming in and used her semblance as a last-ditch effort as she separated from her clone just barely as it crashed through.
Blake was thrown to the ground as she began to crawl away while the Beowolf gathered itself before sensing it had been fooled.
It soon readied itself again as it charged after her now more angry. But as it closed in it was soon knocked to the ground as Jaune came running in having leaped and planted both feet into its face with a harsh crack at the bone as it fell after the high-speed drop kick.
Jaune landed with a thud before scrambling to Blake as he began to gather her in his arms seeing the fear in her eyes as he did not know if it was because of the grimm or him.
Soon though a roar broke the air as the beowolf had enough of this fight as it stalked towards them. The crowd to thick as nobody could help out of fear or aim.
Blake began to breathe heavily as Jaune felt the pressure in his chest growing as he felt a hard crack as he tilted his neck feeling something building.
The cracking followed more as he twisted his head and felt a low growl escape his lips as his head bowed down a bit and his breathing grew heavy.
The Grimm stalked forward knowing its prey was slower and ripe for the kill.
"Jaune! Jaune we have to move now!" Blake called out as she began to try and beat on his chest to snap him out of this. She knew she had confronted him over breakfast with something she still wasn't sure she had witnessed fully yet.
"Grrrrr..." the low and deep growl escaped Jaunes lips as his head slowly rose. The sight of the two was obscured by the Grimm allowing nobody the chance to see them yet many saw something odd. The Grimm had stopped.
Blake swallowed feeling her skin prickle at the noise as she watched Jaunes head rise only to feel herself tuck into herself as she saw his eyes. Gone were the whites that surrounded the sapphire blue from before and now pitch black surrounded his eyes as the blue in the center seemed to glow.
At the same time, the Grimm seemed to set its paws down as it visibly began to shake.
In Jaune's mind flashes from last night played back as he saw the images of the Alpha as it growled and moved with authority, he remembered the powerful roar he had unleashed that sent the Grimm running, and yet now he felt it...the power that Alpha Grimm had within it.
Jaune adjusted Blake in his arms as he began to stand up taller now and took a step toward the Grimm it snapped into the air only to cower a bit as Jaune closed the distance. His hair swaying in front of his eyes shielding the view of his dark eyes.
But Blake knew as she watched the Grimm cower as its head lowered to the ground as if it had been scared into submission. She knew of social connections as well as what animals due in response to certain things and right now...this was the response to a weaker animal encountering a larger animal...a beta or omega...submitting to an Alpha.
Whatever thoughts were had about the situation were quickly ended as a gunshot rang out soon ceasing all movement as the Beowolf crumbled to the ground now beginning to fade Jaune blinked a few times before his eyes returned to normal as he let out a long breath feeling fatigued immediately in his mind.
Jaune looked down seeing Blake in his arms she looked back at him still afraid but less because of him as she realized he just saved her life he felt sweat drip down his chip before shaking his head as he cleared it away.
"Not..a..monster," Jaune said as Yang was quick to get to them Yang slowly helped Blake down and thanked Jaune as she crushed him into a hug making him start to lose air.
He might have lost conscience if not for a voice breaking the air as footsteps cracked broken glass.
"Easy there firecracker don't go adding him to the list of injured," Qrow said as he switched his weapon from its gun mode back into its sheath and grinned at her.
"Miss me?" he said with a grin.
And just like that, we have another chapter, yes I know it has been a bit and I apologize but like I said I never forget my stories I am just slowly adding to them more and more. I am thankful for everyone who gives my words the time of day and who looks forward to the story playing out more.
I assure you the story will always continue even if I am just typing a few words here and there. I do hope you all have a Merry Christmas and I will see you soon with more stories and chapters.
So Until then...
Stay Wild - Bardic