Beacon Academy always somewhat quieted when the students dispersed after class, though it didn't last long with the students then making a commotion once out of sight from the Professors. Jaune lingered for a moment, gathering his belongings and steadying himself. He headed toward the lockers, where Nora, Ren, and Pyrrha waited.
"Hey, fearless leader, coming with us?" Nora chirped, her usual energy lighting up the corridor.
Jaune offered a soft smile, shaking his head. "Not today. I've got something I need to do."
Pyrrha stepped closer, her concern clear. "Do you need help with anything?"
Nora smirked knowingly. "Bet he's off investigating again. Trying to find a way to Menagerie?"
Jaune chuckled. "Sort of. But not. I'm actually going to visit my master's grave and report back to him. It's been a while, you know?"
The mood shifted, Nora's teasing giving way to quiet respect.
"Will it take days before you come back?" Pyrrha asked gently.
Jaune shook his head. "No, it's not far. I'll be back soon. Don't worry."
With solemn nods, they let him go. Pyrrha lingered a moment longer, watching as Jaune retrieved Crocea Mors from his locker, donned his armor over a hoodie, and walked away.
The trek through the Emerald Forest was familiar and serene. Jaune moved with purpose, ensuring there were no prying eyes or listening ears. Stopping in a secluded clearing, he closed his eyes and whispered the words that bridged this world to a place he knew..
"It's not a place you go. It's a place, you know."
Multi-colored leaves and a ripple of energy enveloped him, and when he opened his eyes, two suns blazed in the sky. The shattered moon of Remnant was no longer see.
The Everafter greeted him with its surreal beauty. The sandy beach beneath his boots shimmered golden, lined with curvy palm trees whose fronds swayed lazily in a breeze. The landscape was dotted with purple bushes, orange plants, and seashells larger than life. Towering above the beach, a massive cliff loomed, its rocky face veined with vines and strange flowers.
At the heart of the Everafter stood the Gigantic Tree, its trunk wide enough to house a village and its cloud-like leaves a mesmerizing blend of green, purple, and yellow. It crowned a plateau that seemed to watch over the acres like a silent guardian.
The Everafter was divided into acres, each in its own realm with unique rules and inhabitants. To an outsider, the Everafter would seem a chaotic, nonsensical place where logic bent and twisted, but Jaune had come to understand its quirks.
He moved through the Overgrown Acre, where vines slithered like living things and cheese plants grew abundantly for the mice who made their homes here. Crossing a bridge, he entered the King's Acre, a land of patchwork-patterned grass and sprawling dirt paths. Red trees, reminiscent of Forever Fall, dominated the landscape, and living toys bustled about under the rule of the Red Prince, who probably would want to fight Jaune if he knew he was back.
Jaune stopped briefly to greet the toy citizens in the market. They waved and chattered, their cheerful voices somewhat making him feel at home.
Further on, Jaune entered the Garden's Acre, where mushrooms as tall as houses dotted the terrain. The Herbalist, an Afteran he had befriended during his time in the Everafter, gave him a warm nod as Jaune passed by.
"Still wandering around, child?" the Herbalist called out, his butterfly wings spread as he lazily took a drag of his smoking pipe.
"Always," Jaune replied with a faint smile, then walked ahead after a brief nod.
Jaune's journey eventually led him to the village his master had founded. It was a quiet place, once inhabited by the Paper Pleasers, gentle Afterans who had ascended and transformed into the Genial Gems. Their crystalline forms sparkled in the sunlight, and they had turned the village into a living sculpture using the water that broke the village.
"Welcome, Young Jaune!" said one of the Gems.
As Jaune greeted them, the Gems hummed melodiously, their way of acknowledging his presence. Though they no longer spoke as lively they once did, their warmth remained unchanged.
Finally, Jaune arrived at the beach where his master rested. Located in a clearing not far from where his beach hut stood on.
The wooden chrysalis stood tall, its surface etched with intricate patterns that seemed to tell a story of battles fought and lives protected. It was here that the Rusted Knight, Jaune's master, had chosen to rest, though not typical of the Afterans.
"Hello, Master," Jaune said softly, standing before the chrysalis.
The waves lapped gently at the shore, and the twin suns cast long shadows behind him as Jaune's voice carried a mix of respect and sorrow.
Jaune stood still, gazing at the statue of the Rusted Knight covered in cocoon like bark. His master's form was perfectly preserved in rusted armor, his sword sheathed in front of him as though standing vigil. The helmet obscured his eyes. Behind the statue was a lone tree that bore the Stopwatch Fruit, ticking softly.
The fruit was powerful, and Jaune often wondered why his master had chosen this place to stand guard. Perhaps it was to protect the fruit, ensuring it remained untouched. Jaune knew how complicated that fruit was and what it does.
Jaune took a deep breath and approached the statue. His words came hesitantly at first. "I have so much to say... and so much I wish I could ask. But seeing you like this really makes me wonder you know? If you're still in that headstone or this is you. Can I even call this a grave?"
He placed a hand on the statue's cold, weathered metal. "Master… I owe you an apology."
Jaune's voice wavered as he continued, but he pushed on, his words tumbling out in a mix of regret and realization.
"I thought I was strong," he admitted. "And maybe I am. I feel like I could crush someone if I wanted to — turn them into nothing more than a stain. But I know better now. Strength isn't enough. It's not enough to just fight or win. I have to hold back, to control myself."
He closed his eyes, memories of recent battles flashing through his mind. "You always said… a great tree's shade doesn't let the flowers beneath it bloom. You were right, Master. I've been arrogant, thinking I could handle everything on my own because I've trained for years long. That I didn't need anyone else. I could become a Huntsman immediately… was what I thought."
Jaune let his hand fall from the statue and stepped back, looking up at the obscured face of his master. A faint smile crossed his lips. "But you were right about something else, too. It is fun — being with friends. With people who I can trust was rewarding."
He began speaking of his friends, his tone soft and reverent, as though introducing them to his master.
"Pyrrha," he started, "she's incredible. Strong, kind, and so… graceful. She's always there, always ready to help, even when I don't ask. And she believes in me — more than I probably deserve. Though sometimes I think she overestimates me. I'm just a Squire know? How can I compete against the Rusted Knight?"
A fond chuckle escaped him. "Then there's Nora. She's loud and reckless and doesn't seem to have an off switch, but she's got the biggest heart. She's the kind of person who'll throw herself into danger without a second thought if it means helping someone."
Jaune shifted his gaze to the horizon, where the twin suns still radiated. "Ren's her balance. Quiet, calm, and steady. He's always thinking ahead, always keeping us grounded. I don't know where I'd be without him. And his one hell of an excellent cook."
He smiled wistfully. "Ruby… she's like a burst of energy—innocent, optimistic, but with a core of steel. She's the kind of leader who inspires you just by being herself. And Weiss… well, she's complicated. But she's dedicated and sharp, and she's been through more than I think any of us realize. And gosh, she has a wonderful singing voice. If you could only hear it, I think you'd like it."
Jaune's voice softened. "Blake and Yang… they're both so stubborn. Blake's so passionate about her cause, and Yang… she's unshakable, no matter what life throws at her. They're all good people — better than I deserve."
Jaune inhaled deeply, then exhaled with a shaky breath. "Remnant," he began, his voice a mixture of wonder and sadness.
"Remnant is... troubled. It always feels like there's a darkness hanging over it, threatening to swallow everything whole. It's strange, isn't it? To live in a world constantly under siege by monsters that manifest from fear and despair. But the people there — they're amazing. They live with that fear every day, and yet it doesn't consume them."
He looked up at the statue, his voice growing softer. "I used to think being a Huntsman was just about fighting Grimm, about strength and skill. I thought that's all it took to protect people. But I see it differently now. If I'd stubbornly fixated on just that — on being stronger, faster, better — I'd have missed what really matters."
Jaune stepped closer to the statue, his fingers brushing the cold wood covering the rusted metal of the knight's gauntlet. "People are stronger than I ever gave them credit for. They don't need someone to come in and save the day for them, not always. Sometimes, they just need to see someone struggle alongside them—to show them it's possible to triumph, even against impossible odds."
His words faltered for a moment as his thoughts turned inward. He let his hand fall, looking out at the endless expanse of the Ever After's strange, vibrant landscape.
"There's a darkness," he said, his voice tinged with unease, "a force that wants to divide Remnant. I don't know what it is yet, or what it wants, but I can feel it. And if I'm going to live in that world, if I'm going to protect the people I care about, I know I'll have to face it one day."
He clenched his fists, his aura flickering faintly around him. "But I understand now why you always protected the way you did. Why you held back when we're helping people outside of the Kingdoms."
Jaune turned back to the statue, his expression solemn. "If people see someone obliterate Grimm effortlessly, without struggle, then their fear of the Grimm doesn't go away, it just transfers. They'll start to fear you. They'll become dependent, waiting for someone else to save them. That's not what they need."
He paused, his words measured and deliberate. "They need to see struggle. They need to see that it's hard, that it takes effort. But they also need to see triumph — to know it's possible to win. That's how you inspire people, how you guide them."
A faint, weary smile touched Jaune's lips. "Still... there's always a time and place, right? Sometimes, a beacon of light must cleave through the darkness."
Jaune's gaze lingered on the wooden chrysalis surrounding his master, the guardian of the Stopwatch Fruit and the protector of the Everafter. The ticking sound felt like a heartbeat in the stillness, steady and unyielding.
"I still have so much to learn," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "And… I'm afraid, Master."
He took a shaky breath, his hands clenching at his sides. "I'm afraid of seeing my family again. Do they even remember me? After everything… do I still have a place there?"
"I could have gone to Argus," Jaune admitted aloud, his voice subdued. He closed his eyes, the image of Saphron's face flashing in his mind. "But… I was afraid. Afraid of seeing my sister again."
His fingers curled into fists as he continued, "I know they stayed in contact with you after you turned me into your squire. Somehow, I always knew. But that's what made it harder. I didn't want to face her, to see what I missed, to explain why I didn't come back or visited the moment I got out. That's why I didn't go."
Jaune blinked, letting out a shaky breath. He glanced down at his hands, his fingers trembling slightly. "And right now… my friends are in danger. If it comes to it, I might have to fight—no, I will have to fight to protect them. Hard. I know what it's like to take a life, but…"
He trailed off, his words hanging in the air like a heavy weight. After a long pause, he looked back at the chrysalis. "It's not a pleasant thought, is it? Taking a life. But I'll have to do it if it comes down to it."
"Anyway, I just want to get these things out of my head. I've been off the center since I got out of this place... but I think I'm fine now," Jaune's shoulders sagged slightly, and his voice softened. "That's all. I'll visit again. I promise."
As he turned to leave, the gentle sound of footsteps behind him made him stop. Then a sweet, kind voice broke the silence.
"You're leaving already?"
Jaune turned around and gave a tiny smile, surprised to see a woman in a flowing red hood. She carried an air of warmth and familiarity. Over her shoulder, she carried a black and gold axe with a long handle and a curved blade. Its design was intricate yet practical, and the trigger mechanism near the blade hinted at its dual purpose as a rifle.
"Autumn," Jaune greeted, a smile tugging at his lips. "What are you doing here?"
Autumn approached the chrysalis with a serene expression, her gaze resting on the statue. "Visiting your master, of course," she said, brushing her fingers against the bark. "Have to make sure those mices aren't trying to eat their cheese here!"
"Were you chopping wood? Please don't chop my master up," Jaune's eyes flicked to her weapon. "You know. Now that I'm seeing it again. Is that a Huntsman's weapon?"
"Huh? I wouldn't chop knighty here," Autumn tilted her head while pointing at the statue, then she started studying the axe as if seeing it for the first time. "Maybe. I'm not really sure. The Blacksmith gave it to me, so I've been using it. It's sharp!" She then ran her hand along the handle, a faint smile on her lips. "I suppose it could be for chopping wood or fighting Grimm. Who's to say?"
Jaune chuckled softly, his curiosity piqued. "Does it have a name?"
Autumn looked thoughtful, tapping her chin. "Hmm, I wonder… all Huntsman weapons usually have a name, don't they? Maybe I should come up with one. Oh, I could ask the Blacksmith!"
"Could also ask the Blacksmith to maintain it."
Autumn's expression looked like she was trying to remember something, but then decided to give up on it. "But enough about that! Why haven't you visited me, Jaune?"
He scratched the back of his neck, a sheepish grin forming. "I've been busy. I guess… I might have forgotten."
"Wow, that's awful of you."
"Sorry."
Autumn shrugged, unfazed by his excuse. She turned her attention back to the chrysalis, her gaze softening. "Hey," she said, her tone playful yet curious. "Do you think he'll turn into a bunny when he comes out?"
"Who?" Jaune asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Your master," Autumn replied, gesturing toward the chrysalis.
Jaune blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I… don't know," he said after a moment.
Autumn chuckled, clearly amused by his confusion. "Well, if he does, I hope it's a cute bunny."
Autumn turned to him, her red hood shifting slightly in the breeze. "Are you leaving already?"
Jaune nodded. "Yeah. I still have a class to get to."
"Oh, right, you're a student now! Okay, go ahead, when you can, you should bring me your friends for tea and biscuits!?"
"Okay, Auntie."
"Hey!" Autumn swung her axe an inch away from Jaune's face. "I'm young! Maybe I was old! But I am forever young and pretty here! I think?"
Jaune raised his hands and laughed helplessly. "Okay, I'm sorry."
"Good boy!" She grinned before letting her Axe hung on her waist.
Autumn then whistled loudly, the sound piercing through the acres. Moments later, the familiar sound of hooves hitting the ground reached Jaune's ears. From the edge of the forest, Juniper emerged, her golden antlers gleaming in the sunlight.
The Jackalope trotted over to Autumn and nuzzled her affectionately.
"Sorry," Autumn said with a wink. "I'm going to borrow Junny-girl for now."
Jaune laughed softly, shaking his head. "Take good care of her."
"Hmph, I always do now that Rusty isn't here! Junny! Now up up away!" Autumn pointed her Axe to the forest, and vanished alongside Juniper with a leap.
He took one last, lingering look at the wooden chrysalis. The statue of his master seemed as steadfast and silent as ever, guarding the Stopwatch Tree… Just Quiet.
With a deep breath, Jaune turned away and muttered the familiar words. "It's not a place you go. It's a place, you know."
In a flash of multicolored leaves, Jaune found himself back in the Emerald Forest, the familiar sights and sounds grounding him once more. Adjusting his hoodie, he took a steadying breath and began the trek back to Beacon.