After the Nuckelavee's defeat, Jaune didn't allow themselves to relax completely. Jaune took the lead, organizing patrols to ensure no stray Grimm wandered too close to the reclaimed village. He moved through the ruins, his sword at the ready, systematically eliminating any lingering threats that lingered.
When he returned to the village square, the scene was transformed. What had been a somber, battle-worn settlement was now alive with celebration. Villagers gathered in the square, their faces lit with joy and relief. Some danced, others sang, and laughter rippled through the air. It was a victory hard-won, and they intended to savor it before they started the hard work.
Jaune's gaze found Ren in the middle of the crowd, a cluster of settlers patting him on the back and offering heartfelt praise for the job well done. Ren accepted it with quiet humility, a small, polite smile on his face. At the center of it all, Nora was in her element, enjoying the feast the villagers had hastily prepared. She was animated as ever, her grin wide as she tried every dish in reach, which the villagers happily let her have as thanks.
As the festivities continued, Ren subtly slipped away from the crowd and made his way to Jaune, who was leaning against a broken wall near the edge of the square. The two stood in companionable silence for a moment, watching the celebration unfold.
"You did it," Jaune finally said, breaking the quiet. His tone carried both pride and sincerity.
Ren crossed his arms and let out a slow breath. "It feels… strange."
Jaune turned to look at him. "Strange how?"
Ren's gaze remained on the square, where the villagers danced and celebrated under the glow of lanterns. "It's like I've been waiting for this day for so long. Killing that Nuckelavee, avenging my parents, reclaiming this village…" He paused, his voice softening. "For so long, I thought this moment would bring closure. And it does, in a way. But it doesn't feel as final as I imagined it would. Life... goes on."
Jaune nodded thoughtfully, understanding the weight behind Ren's words. "I think that's because you've always been more than this fight. Your home, your family — it's a big part of who you are, but it's not the only part. You got back at the thing that took it all away, but you're still Ren. There's more to you than revenge, doesn't it?."
Ren tilted his head slightly, considering Jaune's perspective. "Maybe you're right." A small smile crept onto his face. "It does feel… lighter, though. Like a weight I didn't even realize I was carrying is gone."
Jaune clapped a hand on Ren's shoulder. "Then I'd say that's worth celebrating. You've earned it."
Ren's smile grew a fraction, though his voice took on a serious tone. "I couldn't have done this without you. And I don't mean just today. For a long time, it's been me and Nora. I've relied on her so much, but having you guys around… it's different. You've helped us in ways I can't put into words."
Jaune shook his head, embarrassed. "Ren, come on. You're giving me way too much credit. You, Nora, and the villagers had this all figured out before I got here. I just happened to show up with a sword and acted like bait."
Ren chuckled softly. "You're underestimating yourself. Having you here gave me the confidence to believe this plan would work. I don't think I've ever said it outright, but you're more than just a leader to me. You're my brother."
Jaune froze for a moment, caught off guard by Ren's words. He quickly recovered, though, his expression softening into a genuine smile. "That means a lot, Ren. Really. I've got your back too — you know that, right?"
Ren nodded, his smile faint but warm. "Yeah, I know."
The two stood in silence for a few more moments, content with their shared understanding. Jaune's gaze drifted back to the square, where Nora was twirling in a circle with a pair of children, her laughter ringing out like a bell.
"Looks like Nora's already declared herself the life of the party," Jaune said with a chuckle.
"She wouldn't be Nora if she didn't," Ren replied, his voice tinged with affection.
Jaune's smile widened. "I guess we should probably join them, huh?"
Ren gave a small nod. "Yeah. Let's go."
Jaune and Ren returned to the square, stepping into the vibrant celebration that filled the reclaimed village of Kuroyuri. The music of simple instruments mingled with the sound of laughter and joyous chatter. Children ran about, adults exchanged heartfelt congratulations, and the glow of lanterns cast a warm light over it all.
As they entered, Nora spotted them immediately. "Hey, fearless leader, get your butt over here! And you too, Ren! We're doing a dance-off!" Her voice carried above the festivities, drawing attention.
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "A dance-off? I didn't think that was part of the victory plan."
"Everything's part of the victory plan when I'm involved!" Nora grinned mischievously. "Now, are you going to join, or are you afraid of getting shown up?"
Ren gave a small sigh, shaking his head. "You're not going to let us sit this one out, are you?"
"Nope!" she declared, dragging them both into the center of the crowd.
The three quickly became the focus of attention as villagers cheered them on. Ren's usual composure slipped slightly as he found himself caught in the energy of the moment. He performed a surprisingly graceful move that left many clapping in surprise. Jaune, not one to be outdone, joined in with a simple yet charmingly awkward step that earned laughter and applause.
Nora, of course, stole the show with her unrestrained enthusiasm, spinning, hopping, and even pulling off a cartwheel mid-routine. "And that's how it's done!" she declared triumphantly, hands on her hips.
Jaune leaned toward Ren. "She's unstoppable."
Ren gave a faint smile. "It's best not to try when she becomes like this..."
The celebration reached a crescendo when the village leader, an older man with a weathered face and a voice full of conviction, called for everyone's attention. Slowly, the noise subsided, and the crowd turned to him.
The leader stepped onto a makeshift platform, his gaze sweeping across the gathered villagers and the members of Team JNPR. His voice, though aged, carried the weight of experience and hope.
"Years ago, we lost so much in this place," he began, his tone steady but tinged with sorrow. "Life outside the cities has always been grim. Every day feels like a coin flip. Yet we still try to carve out a place we can call home."
The crowd listened intently, some nodding in agreement, others holding back tears.
"Kuroyuri was one of those coin flips," the leader continued. "When we lost it, we could have moved on, found another place to start again. But doing so would have felt like giving up — letting the Grimm win, letting despair win. We stayed because we believed this place was worth fighting for."
He paused, his expression hardening into resolve. "Today, we secured a victory. Perhaps it will last, perhaps not. But we didn't fight because we were afraid of what tomorrow might bring. We fought because we dared to hope for a better future."
The leader's gaze shifted to Ren and Nora, who stood near the front of the crowd. "And hope comes from people like these two — those who refuse to let despair take root."
Ren stiffened slightly as all eyes turned to him, but he held his ground. Nora beamed, her grin as wide as it had ever been.
The leader gestured for them to join him. "Ren, Nora, come here."
Reluctantly, Ren stepped forward, with Nora pulling him the rest of the way. The leader placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"As long as brave men and women like you strive and fight, hope will never die. You've given us more than a victory — you've given us a reason to keep trying. Thank you, both of you."
He turned to address the crowd again. "If there ever comes a time when these two wish to return, let it be known that Kuroyuri will welcome them with open arms. This is your home too, after all."
A cheer erupted from the crowd, a heartfelt acknowledgment of the duo's role in reclaiming the village. Ren stood still, his expression a mix of pride and humility. Nora, however, pumped her fist into the air, basking in the moment.
"That's right!" she declared. "Kuroyuri forever!"
The crowd laughed and cheered again, their spirits lifted even higher.
As the celebration resumed, Jaune made his way toward Ren, who had stepped aside, trying to process the moment.
"Not bad for a quiet guy," Jaune teased gently.
Ren looked at him, a faint smile breaking through his usual calm demeanor. "It's… overwhelming. But damn it feels good."
"It should," Jaune said, his tone sincere. "You've all done something incredible here."
Ren shook his head. "We did it. All of us."
Jaune grinned. "Okay, fine. But you're the one they'll remember."
Ren glanced toward Nora, who was now balancing a plate of food while twirling in a circle with a group of children. "And her, too."
"Definitely her," Jaune agreed, chuckling. "No one's forgetting Nora Valkyrie anytime soon."
Ren exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing. "I think this is the start of something better. For them. For all of us."
Jaune nodded, his gaze drifting back to the festivities. "Yeah. It is."
Jaune, Ren, and Nora stayed in Kuroyuri a little longer after the short battle against the Nuckelavee. With the village reclaimed, their work shifted from fighting Grimm to helping the settlers rebuild. Most of it involved heavy lifting, whether that was clearing debris, reinforcing buildings, or hauling supplies. Jaune's strength made him a natural for the tasks, and Ren's quiet focus kept things organized. Nora, ever the bundle of energy, alternated between cheerfully carrying supplies and entertaining the children of the village with her antics.
As word of Kuroyuri's reclamation spread, more travelers began to arrive. Some were curious wanderers, others were traders, and a few were potential settlers looking to start anew. The trio often found themselves explaining what had happened, ensuring the visitors knew the village was safe — at least for now.
A few days later, a group of Mistral officers arrived by airship, accompanied by several Huntsmen. Their presence brought a sense of security, but it also signaled to Jaune, Nora, and Ren that their work here was done. It was time to move on.
Ren stood in front of the unmarked graves near the village's edge. His hands were clasped together, his head bowed in silent prayer. Nora and Jaune stood a respectful distance behind him, watching quietly. Ren's lips moved slightly, murmuring words only he could hear. When he was finished, he exhaled deeply, as though releasing a weight he had carried for years.
He turned to them, his expression calm. "I'm ready. Let's go."
The three began their walk toward the temporary airship docks. Along the way, they were stopped by the children of the village, who clung to Nora, reluctant to see her go. Nora knelt down, speaking to them in a warm but firm voice, promising that they would visit again to make sure Kuroyuri stayed safe. Her sincerity seemed to ease their worries, and they let her go with smiles and waves.
As they reached the docks, one of the Mistral officers disembarking from an airship recognized Jaune. The officer's face lit up with a hearty laugh as he approached them.
"Well, if it isn't the knight in the red cape! You're getting a reputation, you know," the officer said, clapping Jaune on the shoulder.
Jaune chuckled awkwardly. "Not sure if that's a good thing or not."
The officer grinned. "I'd say it is. Come on, we're headed back to Mistral City. You and your friends need a ride?"
The trio exchanged a glance before nodding.
It was time to move on, and the airship would be faster than walking.
The flight to Mistral City was uneventful, giving the three a chance to rest. As the airship descended, the sprawling city came into view, its distinctive tiered structure rising from the base of a mountain. The lower levels were crowded and chaotic, filled with densely packed buildings and bustling streets. As the tiers rose higher, the architecture became more refined, and the atmosphere more serene. At the very top, perched like a crown, was Haven Academy, its imposing structure visible from anywhere in the city.
After landing, the team disembarked onto the bustling streets of the city's lower tier. Almost immediately, they were greeted with a commotion.
A thief, clutching a stolen purse full of Lien, barreled through the crowd, weaving between startled pedestrians.
Ren's sharp eyes caught the commotion first. Without a word, he stepped into the thief's path and subtly tripped him with a flick of his ankle. The thief stumbled forward, nearly face-planting, only to be caught by Jaune, who grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him into the air like an unruly kitten with one hand.
"Seriously?" Jaune said, giving the thief a look of disbelief as it tried to take out a knife. "You really want that?"
Before the thief could stammer a reply, Nora delivered a playful slap to the back of his head. "Bad thief!" she scolded, wagging her finger.
Nearby, the officer who had given them the ride burst into laughter. "This guy's luck is just awful today. Good catch, team!"
With the thief handed over to the authorities, the trio spent the rest of the day exploring the city. They wandered through the bustling markets, admiring the colorful displays of goods from across Remnant. Nora was particularly drawn to the food stalls, sampling everything from skewered meats to exotic fruits found outside of the kingdoms. Ren kept an eye out for supplies they could take back to Vale, particularly he was interested in spices. Jaune himself took his time browsing, occasionally stopping to watch street performers or examine weapon parts being sold by vendors… which he noted seems both legal and illegal.
As they roamed, the group found themselves drawn to a small performance stage, where a troupe of dancers and musicians entertained a lively crowd. Nora couldn't resist joining in, dragging Ren and Jaune into a spontaneous dance that left the audience cheering.
Eventually, they made their way to the airship docks, ready to board a bullhead back to Vale. As they waited for their flight, a news broadcast on a nearby screen caught their attention.
The screen displayed footage of Pyrrha and Weiss together, their images framed by swirling graphics and dramatic headlines. The news anchor's voice was enthusiastic, bordering on gossipy.
"Two of Remnant's most celebrated young Huntresses spotted together in Argus! What could this mean? Are they collaborating on a mission? Or perhaps… something more?"
Nora burst into laughter. "Oh, my gosh! They're making it sound like Pyrrha and Weiss are you know!"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Now that I think about it, Pyrrha and Weiss are quite famous. Pyrrha's a Mistral champion, and Weiss is practically Atlas royalty. I suppose it makes sense they'd draw attention."
Jaune chuckled, shaking his head at the two being incriminated into some celebrity rumor. "Yeah, but Pyrrha's probably cringing right now. Should we tease her about this?"
Nora gave a grin. "Oh, definitely, fearless leader."
The three continued to joke about the news report as they boarded their bullhead, the city of Mistral fading into the distance behind them.