I do not own RWBY or anything else referenced in this.

I did a thing.

Chapter 1: "Unbound"

The hum of rockets filled Jaune's ears, their relentless roar drowning out his frantic shouts. Trapped inside the cramped, suffocating space of the locker, he slammed his fists against the walls, each blow reverberating back into his trembling frame.

"Damn it, Pyrrha!" he yelled, his voice cracking. "Why did you—why would you send me away?!"

The last image of her burned in his mind: the way she smiled softly, apologetically, as if saying goodbye. The way she leaned in, pressing her lips to his, leaving him too stunned to react. And then, without a word, she shoved him into the locker, sealing him away from the battle that wasn't his to fight.

The metal walls pressed against his shoulders as the locker hurtled through the air. He pushed against them, desperate, his heart pounding with panic and frustration. The thought of Pyrrha alone, fighting against Cinder fueled his anger.

"No! I have to get back!" He smashed his fists against the walls again. "She'll… she'll die if I don't -" Jaune closed his eyes and continued to slam his hands against the locker, his mind drifting to the past. The memories started to play in his mind, as if haunting him with final moments with his partner.

In the heart of the Emerald Forest Jaune stood beside Pyrrha, surveying the surroundings. He had gotten lucky when she had decided to pin him to a tree. What kind of mad man would fling people off a cliff into the wild?! Then again… if he had really been a huntsman in training like his transcripts said…

Jaune shivered. Curse his father's reluctance to train him. Pyrrha prevented a Jaune flavored gusher on ground.

Pyrrha frowned as she studied him, her gaze lingering on the thin red line marring his skin. "Why hasn't that healed?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

Jaune snapped out of his thoughts and blinked, confused. "Healed? What are you talking about?"

Her frown deepened as she stepped closer, her expression softening. "Your Aura. You… do know how to use it, right?"

"Gesundheit."

Pyrrha shook her head with a smile. "You do know what Aura is right?"

Jaune laughed.

"Oh of course I do. But, um, why don't you give me a refresher?"

"Aura is our soul. It protects us. Guards us. It will be there to stop any of the darkness from coming in." Her palm glowed, the red light spilling over him like a wave of warmth. "I didn't realize you didn't have yours unlocked. If I may?" Jaune's breath caught as a surge of energy spread through his body, filling him with a strange, radiant strength. The cut on his cheek sealed itself, the pain vanishing as quickly as it had come. Pyrrha's words. An oath spoken out into the forest as he could feel his energy course through him.

But then… something else.

At the edges of the golden glow, there was a flicker. A spark of magenta, a faint streak of blue energy, dancing like lightning. It was fleeting, disappearing almost as soon as it appeared, leaving Jaune wondering if he'd imagined it. He glanced at Pyrrha, but her smile remained steady, unaware of the brief anomaly.

"Wow," Pyrrha said while breathing heavily. "You have a lot of Aura. It's a part of you now," she said, lowering her hand. "Something that will grow as you do."

Jaune snapped back to the present, his breathing ragged. His fists tightened as he punched the locker walls again, this time harder. He felt something stir within him, a flicker of the same energy he'd seen that day with Pyrrha. It crackled faintly in his chest, a sensation that was both alien and familiar.

The walls groaned under his fists. Sparks of purple, waves of magenta and blue—briefly danced across the metal, disappearing just as quickly. His panic turned to determination, his mind latching onto the glimmer of power.

"I'm not going to let you do this alone, Pyrrha," he muttered through clenched teeth. "I'm coming back."

The energy surged again, stronger this time. Jaune pressed his hands against the walls and pushed with all his might. The metal began to creak, bending outward as the force within him grew.

"Get away from him!" Jaune had roared, throwing himself between Cardin and the hulking Ursa. He remembered the adrenaline, the sheer will to protect, and the way his blade had felt heavier in his hands—like it carried a power beyond his understanding.

When he struck the Ursa, there had been a flash. It wasn't just his Aura; it was something more. Purple lightning had arced from his sword as it cleaved through the Grimm. At the time, he'd chalked it up to adrenaline. But now…

Jaune growled, his muscles burning as he poured every ounce of strength into breaking free. The strange energy coursed through him, crackling along his arms and into the walls of the locker. With a final, guttural roar, the metal gave way, the seams ripping apart as he burst free into the open air.

The cold wind slammed into him as he tumbled through the sky, the ground rushing up to meet him. Blue and magenta sparks flared around his body, cushioning his descent just enough to soften the impact as he hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop.

Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to his feet, his breaths ragged. Beacon's tower loomed in the distance, its spire reaching toward the stormy skies.

"Pyrrha…" he whispered, his resolve hardening. "Hold on. I'm coming."

In the distance Blake and Yang were locked in a desperate battle against Adam Taurus, the White Fang leader. His blade danced with precision and fury, his strikes calculated and brutal. Blake darted in and out, her clones barely deflecting his relentless attacks, while Yang stood firm, her gauntlets blazing with fiery energy.

"Quite the little pickle we have here kitty-cat," Yang huffed. Blake gave her partner a weary glare. Yang should have retreated already. This wasn't her fight. She couldn't get the blond into anymore of her mess.

"I know that look."

"Yang, please -"

"Not happening Blake. As your partner and resident badass, I'm not leaving you here with this psycho." Yang twitched and flicked her wrist. A round of shells flung from her gauntlets before she slapped another clip into each.

Adam watched the two girls, his lips set in a thin line. For many moons he had waited for this day. The day he would get his vengeance on his former partner. Some would call him crazy, possessive if you will. He had heard whisperings of how he was chasing Blake like some psychotic ex. He scoffed silently.

At one time he would have walked that road, his mind a myriad of emotional turmoil. But he was not a child. Long ago, they had shared something. It had started as a shared goal and evolved into more.. Jilted his love may have been, but his goals always were at the forefront. Tracking Blake was not for love.

It was his responsibility.

At any other time, if he had not met Blake and her loud mouthed partner, he would have continued on with his plan. But fortune had smiled upon him. With speed neither of his opponents could track, he was once again in their guard. Adam slammed his foot into Yang's core and she was sent tumbling back. He stood above Blake now, her eyes wide with fear.

"You should have run away. You were always good at that. I would have continued to lay waste to this school. Vale was my goal, and I had already come to terms with your betrayal." Adam stood tall above the girl. "However, with your hubris, you came to your own death."

"FUCK OFF!" Adam and Blake turned towards the rampaging Yang. Blake's eyes widened. Adam sheathed his blade.

"Yang! NO!"

It was over in a flash.

And that was the scene Jaune walked into.

Adam brought his blade out in a deadly arc toward Yang, a splash of red splitting the sky.

Jaune's body moved before his mind could process it, but he wasn't fast enough.

The sickening sound of metal cutting through flesh filled the air, followed by Yang's scream of pain. Her right arm fell to the ground in a bloody arc, severed cleanly at the elbow. She staggered back, her eyes wide with shock and her Aura flickering weakly.

"Yang!" Blake cried out, her voice breaking as she lunged toward her fallen partner. But Adam was already moving, his sword poised to strike again.

Jaune didn't think. He didn't hesitate. His legs burned as he pushed off the ground, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and fury. The energy that had been simmering within him—wild, untamed—burst to life.

"Get away from her!" he roared, his voice carrying across the courtyard.

Violet lightning crackled around him as he closed the distance in an instant. He slammed into Adam with enough force to send the Faunus leader flying backward, his body careening into the darkness and out of sight.

Jaune rushed towards the fallen Yang, his body dropping to hold her head in lap. She was pale, her life blood oozing from the space her arm once was. With a curse, he ripped part of his sleeve off and wrapped it around the stub. Hopefully that would stem some of the flow. As he did this Blake limped to them as fast as she could.

"Yang, oh no." She sobbed.

"Blake, listen to me, you have to get her to safety. There has to be some medical people out there. Get her to safety," Jaune said hurriedly. He received no response. "Blake!" the boy grasped her shoulders firmly.

"I- I, what?"

"Blake, you've got to get her out of here. Breath. You got this. Get to safety. Find someplace to get Yang some help. I don't know who the hell that was, but if you don't hurry he may come back. I hopefully hit him hard enough to send him far away." Blake mutely nodded as Jaune spoke. Her brain tried to process everything that had just happened.

"Jaune. What was that? How?"

"I don't know, and I don't have time to figure it out right now." Jaune stood up while gently lifting Yang. He helped drape the girl over Blake's back and then looked back towards the tower. "I need to get to Pyrrha."

Blake's eyes widened and then looked up to where Jaune's eyes lay. Pyrrha was up there?!

"Don't spend time thinking about it. Blake, just go. Run as fast as you can." Jaune gently grasped Blake's shoulders once more. "You will be okay. I promise." She looked up at him, her eyes still showing the fear and anxiety that was plaguing her.

"How can you promise that? …" He gave her a brittle smile.

"Because an Arc never goes back on their promise." At that, the Faunus let out a choked laugh before leaning her head against his chest. He gave her a gentle hug while rubbing Yang's back as well. The two needed to go.

"Run."

And with that one word, Blake took off as fast as she could. Her partner's life depended on it. Jaune watched them leave and then surveyed the area. He saw no sign of that man that was fighting his two friends, but hopefully they would make it to some kind of medic. Now, Jaune had a job to finish.

"I'm coming Pyrrha."

Jaune's feet pounded against the broken cobblestone, the weight of his armor pulling at his aching muscles with each step. The tower loomed ahead, an ominous silhouette against the storm-choked sky. The air felt heavier the closer he got, thick with a sense of impending finality.

"Hold on, Pyrrha," he whispered under his breath, the name pushing him forward, fueling his every step.

As Jaune reached the base of the tower, he skidded to a halt. The ground was littered with the remnants of battle—scorched earth, shattered stone, and the eerie remains of the broken gears that belonged to Ozpin's office. He didn't have time to process it. His eyes snapped upward, locking onto the stairs winding toward the spire. Somewhere up there, Pyrrha was fighting. Alone.

He forced himself to move, his legs burning as he began the climb. Every step felt heavier than the last, the air itself seeming to press down on him as he ascended. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps, but he didn't slow down. He couldn't.

The sounds of the battlefield faded the higher he climbed, replaced by an oppressive silence that gnawed at his resolve. His thoughts raced with images of Pyrrha—her smile, her laugh, the way she had always believed in him even when he couldn't believe in himself.

"You have a lot of Aura, Jaune," she had once said, her voice calm and kind. "More than most. You just need to believe in yourself."

He reached the top of the tower, his chest heaving, his body trembling from the effort. What he saw stole the breath from his lungs.

Pyrrha stood at the center of the spire, her bronze armor battered and scorched, her shield hanging loosely at her side. Her crimson hair clung to her face, damp with sweat, but her eyes burned with unyielding determination. Across from her stood Cinder Fall, her smirk sharp and cruel as she toyed with the arrow in her hand.

"Pyrrha!" Jaune's voice tore through the silence, raw and desperate.

Pyrrha's head turned slightly at the sound, her eyes meeting his for a fleeting moment. A sad, almost resigned smile crossed her lips. "Jaune…"

Before he could move, before he could shout again, the arrow flew.

It happened so fast. The arrow pierced Pyrrha's chest, the crimson light of her Aura shattering like glass. Her shield clattered to the ground as she stumbled, her knees buckling beneath her. Time seemed to slow as she crumpled to the stone floor, her hand clutching weakly at the wound.

"No!" Jaune screamed, his voice breaking as he surged forward. His legs felt like lead, his movements sluggish and clumsy as though the world itself were working against him.

Cinder stepped forward, her expression almost curious as she knelt beside Pyrrha. She reached out, brushing a strand of crimson hair from Pyrrha's face. "Do you believe in destiny?" she murmured, her tone mockingly soft.

Pyrrha coughed, a spray of red staining her lips. However, she smiled. She smiled in the face of her doom. Turning her head, she glanced at Jaune's frozen face before looking back to Cinder.

"No… I believe in him."

Cinder raised an eyebrow and scoffed as a faint golden light enveloping her opponent. The glow grew brighter, consuming Pyrrha completely. And then, in an instant, she was gone.

Ash. Dust.

Jaune skidded to a stop where she had been, his knees hitting the cold stone with a dull thud. He reached out, his trembling hand brushing against the ashes scattered before him.

"No… no, no, no…" His voice cracked, his breath hitching as tears blurred his vision. "Pyrrha…"

Cinder rose to her feet, her gaze shifting to Jaune. "You shouldn't have come," she said, her tone dripping with disdain. "But… I suppose it's fitting. Now you'll join her."

Jaune didn't hear her. His heart hammered in his chest, his mind spinning with a storm of grief, anger, and helplessness. His vision swam, the world around him growing darker, narrower. The strange energy he had felt earlier began to stir again, but this time it was different—stronger, wilder, unrelenting.

"Pyrrha…" he whispered, his voice trembling with anguish. The flickers of magenta and blue returned, swirling around him like a gathering storm.

"Enough of this," Cinder said, her voice sharp as she raised her hand, fire igniting at her fingertips.

But before she could strike, Jaune's scream tore through the air, raw and primal. The energy around him erupted in a violent surge, the ground beneath him cracking and splintering as violet lightning arced wildly. His hair rose, streaks of silvery white bleeding through the blonde as his eyes snapped open, glowing with an otherworldly red.

Cinder faltered, her eyes narrowing as she took a cautious step back. "What… is this?"

Jaune rose slowly, his body trembling with barely contained power. The magenta and blue energy surged around him, a chaotic, crackling aura that pulsed with raw intensity. Violet lightning arced around him, scorching the earth beneath his feet. His gaze locked onto Cinder, unblinking and filled with a feral rage.

"You…" His voice was low, guttural, almost unrecognizable. "You took her from me."

The air around the tower grew thick with tension, the oppressive silence broken only by the distant flapping of wings. The massive Dragon Grimm, circling above like a predator stalking its prey, let out a deafening roar that reverberated through the spire.

Cinder smirked, her confidence returning as she flicked her wrist, motioning toward Jaune. "Kill him."

The beast responded immediately, swooping down with terrifying speed, its talons gleaming like blackened steel. The ground quaked as the Grimm landed, its colossal form towering over Jaune. It snarled, its glowing red eyes locked onto him as it raised a massive claw and brought it down with devastating force.

The claw struck with a thunderous crash, splintering the stone beneath it. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring Jaune from view.

Cinder's smirk widened. "Such a waste of potential," she said, turning away. "But at least you—"

A deep, resonant voice cut through the chaos, stopping her mid-sentence.

"Is that all?"

The dust cleared, revealing Jaune standing unharmed beneath the Dragon Grimm's massive claw. His aura flared wildly, the magenta and blue energy swirling around him like a storm. His hands gripped the edge of the claw, his muscles taut with an almost effortless strength.

Cinder's expression twisted into a mix of confusion and frustration as the Dragon Grimm growled, pressing down harder. But Jaune didn't budge. Instead, he straightened, his glowing red eyes locking onto the creature.

"You'll have to try harder than that," Jaune muttered, his voice low and menacing.

With a sudden, violent motion, he shoved the claw upward, the force of the push sending the massive Grimm staggering back. It let out a pained roar, its wings flapping wildly as it struggled to regain its balance.

Jaune stepped forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet with each movement. The energy around him intensified, arcs of violet lightning crackling through the air. He raised his gaze to the Dragon Grimm, his expression unreadable but terrifying in its calm.

"Your turn."

The Dragon Grimm roared again, this time lunging forward with its jaws wide open. But Jaune didn't flinch. Instead, he leapt into the air with a burst of energy, meeting the beast head-on. His fist, crackling with power, collided with the Grimm's snout, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. The creature reeled back, black ichor dripping from its shattered face.

Jaune landed gracefully, his gaze never leaving the Grimm as it roared in pain and fury. He could feel the power coursing through him, wild and unrestrained, but for the first time, he didn't fear it. He embraced it.

The Dragon Grimm charged again, its claws swiping wildly, but Jaune moved with an unnatural speed, dodging each strike effortlessly. His movements were fluid, almost instinctual, as he weaved around the creature, his strikes precise and devastating.

From her vantage point, Cinder watched the battle unfold, her smirk faltering. This wasn't the same Jaune Arc she had dismissed as weak and inconsequential. This was something else entirely.

"What is this…?" she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. The energy radiating from Jaune was unlike anything she had ever seen. It wasn't the Aura she knew of. It was something far more primal, far more dangerous.

The Dragon Grimm let out one final roar, its massive form collapsing to the ground with a deafening thud. Jaune stood over it, his chest heaving, his aura still crackling with raw energy. He turned to Cinder, his glowing red eyes narrowing.

"You," he said, his voice low and guttural, each word dripping with fury. "You're next."

The Dragon Grimm lay motionless at his feet, its massive form twitching.. He didn't have time to savor the victory—or even process it. His glowing red eyes locked onto Cinder as she descended from her perch, fire crackling around her hands.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Cinder said, her smirk returning. "But raw power without control is meaningless."

Jaune didn't respond. The energy around him surged, wild and erratic, as if it had a mind of its own. He clenched his fists, the crackling violet lightning arcing from his body and scorching the air. His breathing was heavy, his vision narrowing as the primal power threatened to consume him.

Cinder raised her hand, a blazing spear of fire forming in her grasp. "Let's see how far that power of yours can take you."

With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the spear toward Jaune. He moved instinctively, his newfound speed allowing him to sidestep the attack with ease. The spear exploded against the ground, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.

Jaune charged, closing the gap between them in a heartbeat and pulling his blade out in an instant. His sword swung in a wide arc, the blade trailing streaks of magenta and blue energy. Cinder barely managed to block the strike with a hastily formed shield of fire, the impact sending her skidding backward.

"You don't scare me, boy," Cinder hissed, her voice laced with venom. She retaliated with a wave of fire, the flames roaring toward Jaune like a living beast.

Jaune roared in defiance, slamming his shield into the ground. The energy around him exploded outward, snuffing out the flames and leaving a scorched crater in its wake. He pressed the attack, his strikes wild and relentless, each one driving Cinder further back.

Far from them, the Dragon Grimm stirred, its glowing red eyes reigniting as its form began to regenerate. With a guttural snarl, it rose, its wings unfurling with a deafening roar. It leapt back into the fray, its massive claws swiping toward both Jaune and Cinder.

Jaune dodged the first swipe, his body moving on pure instinct. Cinder, caught off guard, barely avoided the second.

"Couldn't finish your food boy?" Cinder gloated as she sent a mental command to the Dragon Grimm to attack once more.

Jaune didn't wait for the Grimm to attack again. He launched himself at its side, his sword glowing with crackling energy as he drove it into the beast's flank. The Dragon Grimm shrieked in pain, twisting wildly as Jaune's aura flared brighter.

The primal energy surged through Jaune like a tidal wave, overwhelming his senses. His strikes grew more erratic, more destructive, as if the power were taking control. Each swing of his sword sent arcs of lightning tearing through the air, scorching the stone and leaving craters in the spire.

Cinder watched with growing alarm, her eyes narrowing as she realized what was happening. "You can't even control it," she muttered, forming another blazing spear in her hand. "What a waste."

Jaune's attacks grew wilder, his movements less precise as the energy consumed him. His breathing was ragged, his vision blurred, but he couldn't stop. He wouldn't stop. He couldn't stop. His aura flickered, his body's injuries finally catching up.

"Enough!" Cinder roared, hurling the spear directly at him.

It struck true.

Jaune froze, a sharp pain blooming in his chest as the fiery spear pierced through his armor. The energy around him faltered, flickering like a dying flame. He stumbled, his sword slipping from his grasp as he dropped to his knees.

Cinder stepped forward, her expression triumphant as she twisted the spear. "You should've stayed out of this," she said coldly. "But I suppose it's fitting. You'll die just like she did."

Jaune's vision dimmed, the world around him fading into a haze of light and shadow. The last thing he saw before collapsing was Cinder's smug smile—and the faint silhouette of someone approaching from the distance.

"Jaune!" Ruby's voice cut through the chaos like a blade, filled with panic and desperation.

Cinder turned, her smirk fading as she saw the young Huntress standing at the edge of the spire. Ruby's silver eyes shone with a brilliance that seemed to pierce through the darkness, their light growing stronger with each passing second.

"Another pest." Cinder hissed, raising her hand to summon another attack. "Stay out of this!"

But Ruby didn't flinch. Her gaze locked onto Jaune's crumpled form, her heart aching with the sight of him lying so still. The pain, the loss—it all surged within her, mingling with a power she didn't fully understand.

The light from her eyes erupted as a scream tore from her throat, a blinding wave of silver energy that consumed the spire. The Dragon Grimm let out a deafening roar, its body turning to stone as the light tore through it. Cinder screamed, shielding herself as the energy engulfed her, burning away her Aura and leaving her vulnerable. She could feel the Grimm in her body erupt and her body thrown from the tower.

When the light faded, the spire was silent. Ruby collapsed to her knees, her silver eyes dimming, exhaustion overtaking her.

Jaune stirred. His body screamed in pain, the fiery spear still lodged in his chest. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his armor and pooling beneath him. Every breath was a struggle, shallow and uneven.

But he wasn't finished.

Gritting his teeth, Jaune reached up with trembling hands, wrapping his fingers around the shaft of the spear. The pain was blinding, his vision swimming as he braced himself.

"Come on… you're not done yet…" he muttered, his voice hoarse.

With a guttural cry, he pulled the spear free, the weapon clattering to the ground beside him before dissolving into embers. Fresh blood poured from the wound, but he forced himself to stay upright, his hands pressing against his chest to stem the bleeding.

The world around him blurred, his senses dulled by the agony coursing through his body. But somewhere deep within, a spark flickered. It was faint at first, like a whisper at the edge of his mind, but it grew louder, stronger, demanding to be acknowledged.

Jaune closed his eyes, focusing on the flicker of energy. He reached for it, desperate and determined, his thoughts filled with the faces of his team, of Pyrrha, of Ruby.

Then, it happened.

A golden light erupted from his hands, enveloping his chest in a warm glow. The pain dulled, replaced by a strange, soothing sensation as the light seeped into the wound, knitting the torn flesh back together. The golden glow mixed with faint streaks of magenta and blue, a hint of the primal power that had surged through him moments before.

When the light faded, Jaune's hand moved instinctively to his chest. The wound was gone, replaced by a jagged scar that stretched across his torso. His breathing steadied, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn't afraid.

His eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. "My… Semblance?" he whispered, awe and disbelief filling his voice. "How?"

He sat there for a moment, his trembling hands hovering over the scar. The power he had felt. This warmth was different. Still his, but not the same.

Jaune knelt in silence atop the shattered spire, his chest heaving as the golden glow of his Aura faded, leaving only the scar where the spear had pierced him. The air was still, thick with the scent of ash and charred stone. The Dragon Grimm stood petrified behind him, its massive form a silent monument to the chaos that had unfolded.

Ruby lay motionless nearby, her silver eyes now closed, her small frame rising and falling with shallow breaths. She had saved them both, but the toll of her power had left her unconscious.

Jaune staggered to his feet, his body trembling as he approached Ruby. His legs felt heavy, each step a reminder of his exhaustion and failure. He crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You did more than I ever could…" he whispered, his voice cracking.

He sat there for a moment, letting the weight of it all crash over him. The world felt quieter now, the battles below distant echoes in his ears. But that quiet wasn't comforting. It was oppressive, like a void swallowing everything he had fought for.

His eyes drifted to the ground where Pyrrha had fallen—where she had been taken from him. Ashes and dust remained, scattered by the wind. He scanned the area, desperate to find something, anything of her. That's when he saw it: her red sash, tattered and singed but still unmistakably hers.

Jaune picked up the sash with trembling hands, holding it as if it might vanish like the rest of her. His breath hitched, his grip tightening as tears blurred his vision.

"I'm so sorry…" he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I should've… I should've been here."

The anger and sorrow clawed at his chest, threatening to overwhelm him. But amidst the grief, a single thought anchored him: She deserves to be remembered.

Jaune's gaze shifted to Crocea Mors, his family's heirloom sword, resting nearby. With slow, deliberate movements, he tore a small strip from the sash and tied it around the hilt of his blade. The remaining length of the fabric he secured to his waist, letting it hang like a banner—a constant reminder of what they had lost.

He lifted the sword, its edge catching the faint light of the shattered moon above. Then, with all the strength he could muster, he drove it into the stone at the center of the spire. The blade sank deep, the sound echoing through the silent tower. It stood there, immovable, a makeshift gravestone for the one who had given everything.

"Rest, Pyrrha," Jaune whispered, stepping back. His hand lingered on the hilt for a moment before he let it go, the finality of the gesture cutting deeper than any wound.

Jaune turned back to Ruby, lifting her carefully into his arms. Her weight was light, almost fragile, and yet it felt like the entire world was pressing down on him. His footsteps echoed as he descended the ruined tower, each step dragging him further into the abyss of his own thoughts.

When he reached the bottom, the courtyard was eerily empty. The chaos of battle had moved elsewhere, leaving behind only the scars of destruction. In the distance, he saw Glynda Goodwitch approaching, her expression a mixture of relief and worry as she hurried toward them.

Jaune hesitated, his grip tightening on Ruby. Glynda's presence should have brought some comfort, but it didn't. Instead, it only amplified the sense of failure gnawing at him.

As Glynda drew closer, her voice reached him. "Jaune! What happened? Is Ruby—"

But she didn't get to finish. Jaune set the girl down then turned abruptly, his legs carrying him away before he even registered the movement. He ran, his breath sharp and uneven, his vision blurred by tears. He couldn't face her. He couldn't face anyone. Not after what had happened.

He didn't know how far he ran or where he was going. The ruined halls of Beacon blurred together, the shadows and rubble blending into a chaotic maze. All he knew was that he had to get away.

When he finally stopped, he was alone. The world around him was quiet, save for the distant hum of battle in the distance. He sank to his knees, his shield clattering to the ground beside him. It was the only thing he had left now—the shield that once held Crocea Mors, now empty, just like him.

"I wasn't strong enough," he whispered to the empty air. "I couldn't save her."

The silence offered no comfort, no reassurance. It was a void, and it swallowed him whole.

Jaune gripped the edge of his shield, his hands trembling. He had nothing left but the scar on his chest, the tattered sash at his waist, and the weight of his own failure. And so, he chose isolation—not because he wanted it, but because he believed it was all he deserved.

If you made it this far and through the story, kudos. Yes it is I, NanashiX. I've been gone... for quite a long time. I got a new job. Life has been both hectic and crazy. But in a sense, rewarding nonetheless. I had to change job careers. A career that I had for almost five years, I gave up on due to a toxic work environment. I couldn't stay. It was stressful and emotionally breaking me. I'm not going to lie... there was a point where I actually broke down. I called my parents who I wish I could have just drove to and talked to them. I ranted and raved as I cried angry tears. Have you ever been so angry that you cried? Not through sadness, but because you felt so broken and defeated? That was me. After I left my job, I started a career in something else. Something that was completely out of my comfort zone. But I pushed through and I'm doing okay. I can't express to you all how sorry I am that I've been gone. I want to get back into writing and I will try. This idea is sort of just... a way to kind of get back into things. If you've come to this point in my little word vomit... thank you.

Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you again. Nana out.