Sorry about the long wait for the next chapter everyone. Due to moving, everything was delayed a couple of weeks. Then nBappo got busy and couldn't review for over a week. I'm all settled in my new house now and able to write more so there will be some more updates soon hopefully. Everyone seemed pissed that Jaune and Ruby were so rudely interrupted on their first date. Just another offense to add to the criminal's long list of charges. Some good does come out of this and we get to see something I noticed early on in the show. I just added some details to it to fit the world better. Other than that, enjoy the chapter.
Special thanks to Neoshadows for Betaing.
If you continue to enjoy my stories, feel free to check out my p a treon.
P a treon . com (Slash) Dark Betrayer
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.
"Jaune, we have to investigate!" Ruby pushed herself off him and leaped to her feet.
"Investigate? Like, detective style?" Jaune scrambled up too, his hand instinctively reaching for his hip, before realizing their weapons were safely stored in their lockers. "Shouldn't we report this to the headmaster or something?"
"There's no time for bureaucracy!" Ruby tugged at his shirt. "They're getting away!"
She had a point. By the time they sprinted back inside, found a teacher, and gave a full report, that mysterious figure in black would probably be sipping a latte in another kingdom. Criminals weren't exactly known for their patience. Unlike comic book villains who have a knack for monologuing, real-life bad guys prefer efficiency. Tyrian might be the exception, but he was... special.
Rushing in unarmed was a no-go. Ruby knew the consequences of her rash actions all too well. So, as they bolted toward the CCT tower, they whipped out their Scrolls and activated the homing beacon for their rocket lockers. Beacon had this nifty feature to let its students summon their weapons anywhere within its grounds. Given the ever-present Grimm threat, being weapon-ready was a must. Thanks to their Scrolls, the lockers could quickly pinpoint their location and transport their gear. Using them indoors was a Glynda no-no, though.
By the time they hit the tower's base, Ruby wielded Crescent Rose, and Jaune had Crocea Mors. Their lockers popped open in the courtyard. "They can wait," Ruby decided, eyeing the unconscious Atlas guards strewn across the ground.
Jaune kneeled beside them, checking their vitals. "They're out cold but breathing. It seems our spy's trying the stealth approach."
"Time to crash their party?" Ruby grinned, transforming her rifle into her trusty scythe with a satisfying grind.
"One sec." Jaune pressed a button on an Atlas guard's belt. "All set. Let's roll."
"What did you just do?" Ruby shot him a curious glance as the elevator doors slid shut behind them.
"It's one of those emergency Atlas alarms." Jaune explained. "We learned about them from Penny. During an emergency, you can click it and it will alert the main base with your location. I figured this way, the thief can't escape if they are surrounded and those soldiers can get medical attention."
"Oh, right." Ruby didn't want to admit she had zoned out during some of the more technical parts of their friend's explanations. She was starting to understand why people sometimes tuned her out when she geeked out about weapons. "Good idea."
While catching criminals was a Huntsman's duty, protecting people always came first.
"Any idea who the intruder might be?" Ruby whispered to Jaune as the elevator ascended.
"No clue, so stay sharp."
Familiar nerves tingled through Jaune as he unsheathed his sword, transforming his sheath into a shield. Fear of the unknown. He'd felt it a lot early on, jumping at shadows during his early encounters with Grimm. After weeks and months of battling them, the fear had lessened, but he still maintained his guard. People, however, were a different story. Their unpredictability could be scarier than the fiercest Grimm.
Tyrian's manic grin flashed in Jaune's mind, causing his grip on his sword to tighten.
The elevator doors opened to the main computer room. Jaune stepped out, shield raised high, eyes scanning the silent, empty space. Ruby followed suit, weapon at the ready. They couldn't afford to let their guard down. Someone had entered the room ahead of them, and until they confirmed otherwise, they had to assume the intruder was still present.
"Hello!" Ruby called out. "We know you're here! Show yourself!"
Jaune doubted her tactic would work, but credit to Ruby for trying.
His jaw dropped when a woman in black rose from behind a desk. Her outfit—sleeveless black jacket, long gloves, stiletto boots, a black glass mask, and Dust containers strapped to her pants—left her intentions a mystery. Though Jaune couldn't help but notice how the skintight outfit accentuated her curves.
"This isn't a costume party," Ruby quipped. "So why don't you—"
Without warning, the woman flicked her arm, releasing a Dust vial. It erupted into a dozen ice crystals, hurtling toward them. Ruby spun her scythe, deflecting the shards, while Jaune used his shield to bat away the rest. Glancing at Ruby, he noticed her stumble.
'Not exactly sprint-friendly footwear!'
Ruby struggled to maintain her footing in those heels. Unlike the combat boots she was used to, each step required careful adjustment to avoid twisting an ankle. A flash of realization crossed her eyes, and she thrust the tip of her scythe blade into the ground for stability before pulling the trigger. The high-powered rifle bullets roared from the barrel, echoing thunderously in the computer room.
Yet, the shots were effortlessly deflected by the woman's hand. Just her hand. Jaune was momentarily stunned. While someone with a strong Aura could absorb such hits, deflecting them with a mere palm, along with her dust skills, marked her as no ordinary thief. For a moment, Jaune felt a presence akin to Tyrian's—a combat fighter far superior to him and Ruby, or at least the old versions of themselves. Escaping via the elevator seemed unlikely with this formidable opponent in pursuit.
The woman gracefully somersaulted backward, leaping into the air. Glowing dust materialized a bow in her hands, and as she pulled the string back, three separate arrows formed from luminous specs. She released her fingers, and the arrows streaked toward them. Jaune lunged forward, covering Ruby from view with his shield. The arrows exploded upon impact, unleashing a blast of flames. The searing heat washed over him, and his Aura flared as it absorbed the brunt of the attack. Activating his Semblance, he quickly restored the damage.
Without missing a beat, Ruby darted past Jaune, sprinting toward the masked assailant. Her scythe gleamed brilliantly in the ambient light from the computer monitors as she executed a swift horizontal slash. The criminal reacted swiftly, leaping backward and attempting to parry the strike with her bow. However, upon contact, the bow shattered into myriad fragments, disappearing as they scattered across the floor.
In a fluid motion, the woman's left hand emitted an orange glow as she conjured a small dagger, thrusting it toward Ruby's shoulder with lethal intent. Ruby tried to retreat, but her unfamiliarity with the heels she wore caused her to stumble awkwardly. The dagger narrowly missed her, but the assailant wasted no time in following up, slashing downward in a calculated attack with a second dagger that had appeared in her offhand..
Blinded by a surge of rage, Jaune sprang into action, his shield intercepting the dagger with a shower of sparks. With his Aura pulsing fiercely, he swung his sword downward in a powerful arc, the blade radiating a brilliant white glow, reminiscent of fresh snow.
The woman's eyes widened beneath her mask as she dodged to the right, her foot lashing out in a swift kick aimed at Jaune's stomach. Since he was missing his metal chest plate, Jaune absorbed most of the blow with his Aura. The assailant winced upon impact, her kick feeling as though it had struck a solid steel wall, sending her tumbling backward from the sheer force of the counterattack.
As she soared through the air, she swiftly retrieved another vial of Dust, unleashing it. A barrage of floating daggers materialized, forming a deadly wall with their razor-sharp points aimed directly at them. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them hurtling forward. Jaune raised his shield, but its limited size meant he couldn't block them all. Given the explosive nature of her previous attacks, he hesitated for a split second before trusting his instincts. Safeguarding Ruby, he used his shield to fend off one side while swinging his glowing sword at the other, attempting to deflect the deadly projectiles.
It suddenly dawned on Jaune that his blade was glowing—mid-swing. The unexpected phenomenon momentarily startled him, causing him to lose concentration. The glowing energy seemed to trail behind his blade, forming a crescent moon shape in the air that grew larger as it spread. This energy slash obliterated the daggers in its path, blowing away others and slicing a table in half.
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, her expectations clearly not met by Jaune's unexpected attack.
Just then, the elevator door behind them slid open with a BANG!
Bang, bang, bang!
General James Ironwood had entered the computer room. In a split second, his eyes scanned the scene, comprehending the situation instantly. Drawing a pistol from his hip, he unleashed a barrage of gunshots. Among the cacophony of gunfire, Ruby's rifle produced a louder, more powerful bang. As Jaune blocked the incoming knives, Ruby maneuvered the tip of her gun barrel under his arm, firing directly at the woman's chest. Dark red Aura flashed as it absorbed the shot, but its effectiveness was undeniable. The force of the gunshot combined with the woman's leap sent her flying backward toward the window.
With a swift gesture, she hurled another vial of Dust, causing flames to erupt around her, engulfing the computers and electrical equipment. Shielding her face with her arms, she crashed through the glass window, plummeting from the towering height to the ground below, vanishing into the darkness.
"Secure the CCT!" Ironwood barked, pressing a finger to his earpiece. "An intruder has just escaped. Do not let her get away!"
It turned out the woman did in fact get away, with several Atlas robots destroyed and military personnel injured. Winter wasn't able to get there quick enough before the criminal escaped. Extra troops were stationed all around Beacon just in case she returned, but they all knew she wouldn't. Not with this much notice. The dance had continued since Ozpin didn't want to involve the students, but Jaune and Ruby found themselves in his office, giving their first hand account about what happened to him and Ironwood.
"...and then Ironwood arrived and she blew up everything before jumping out the window!" Ruby finished.
"It's a shame you didn't get a good look at her face." Ozpin sighed.
"Whatever they were looking for, they didn't want us to see." Ironwood crossed his arms. "Which makes it even harder to pinpoint the culprit." He looked up and gave the two of them a small smile. "While I can't necessarily say I approve of two students getting involved in security without clearance, your actions did alert us to the situation. Using the emergency alarm on the incapacitated soldiers was exceptional planning."
"It was Jaune's idea!" Ruby declared proudly.
"We didn't know how injured they were, so it was the best way to get medical attention and reinforcements." Jaune explained, rubbing the back of his neck. The thing he did a lot when he was embarrassed or nervous. "The person who busted into the CCT wasn't a normal thief. She had Aura and knew how to use Dust."
"She was at least as good as Weiss was." Ruby agreed with a quick nod.
"Which makes this more concerning." Ozpin confirmed. "You two have traveled with Qrow long enough to understand the significance of striking tonight. A large number of people are allowed onto Beacon's campus due to many students inviting dates from Vale. Our security forces were also occupied with other responsibilities. There's a chance she's not even related to anyone on campus, which only makes it harder to track."
Only Jaune truly understood what Ozpin meant.
And Ironwood of course.
"She definitely regrets showing her face around here tonight." Ruby laughed. "I got a direct hit on her and Jaune used this super cool new move." Her eyes narrowed at her new boyfriend. "Which he never told me about…"
"I don't know what I did!" Jaune raised his hands in protest, drawing Ironwood and Ozpin's attention.
"What happened?" Ozpin finally asked, leaning forward.
"After the thief summoned a bunch of daggers with a Dust vial, I was only able to use my shield to block some of them." Jaune explained, thinking back. "I knew her attacks could explode when she used arrows earlier, so letting them hit us directly was going to hurt. Swinging my sword was all I could do on my right side. When I did though, I realized it was glowing white and then an energy wave shot out and blew away the daggers."
"Hmm, were you amplifying yourself during the fight?" Ozpin asked.
"Yes, why?" Jaune's eyes widened. "Is this a new ability of my Semblance?"
"Yes and no." Ironwood answered, causing the two kids to look at him. "What you did isn't unusual. Many Huntsmen can take their Aura and project it outside of their bodies in different kinds of attacks. You seemed to have channeled it through your weapon and unleashed it by instinct."
"Your teammate, Mr. Ren has used Aura shockwaves that originated out of his fists." Ozpin added. "It's not something most people use, but everyone with Aura has the potential."
"Why?" Ruby tilted her head. "Wouldn't using Aura like that make our attacks more versatile or work better against armored Grimm?"
"It can, but think about where Aura comes from." Ozpin guided her gently, unlike her uncle who would have been more blunt. "It's our own energy. You're sending your Aura outside your body and there's no way to get it back once you do. So that means less Aura to amplify your strength or protect yourself from attacks."
"Oh…" Ruby blinked as it dawned on her. "Wait! Then Jaune was about to do it because…"
"...My Semblance lets me regenerate my Aura." Jaune finished the sentence. Ironwood wasn't kidding when he said that energy blade was and wasn't due to his Semblance.
"It also doesn't hurt that your sword was created many years ago during a time where Semblances were rarer than they are now." Ozpin continued. "Aura was being used, so weapons forged during then were designed to work more efficiently with it. When you amplify your Aura above your normal limit, the excess would eventually flow into your blade when your Aura grows too high."
"I've done that before though." Jaune muttered.
"When you did, were you focused more on strengthening your own body or attacking with your sword?"
"Hard to remember." Jaune admitted, unable to remember.
"You also have more experience with your Semblance now then you did back then." Ironwood reminded him. "Back in Atlas, you had just started to learn how to control it. I'm sure by now you've grown more efficient in using it."
"Oh… looks like I got another thing to add to my list of stuff to train." Jaune sighed and slouched down in his seat.
"You never stop learning, even when you leave these halls." Ozpin chuckled at his reaction. "But the courage you two showed today was admirable. Our culprit obviously didn't expect you two to show up. You might have prevented her from achieving her goal."
"We will have to check the logs and see what she was accessing." Ironwood mused. "Even if she destroyed the computers, she shouldn't have had time to clear the history."
"That's a matter these two won't be interested in hearing." Ozpin assured the general. "It's late and they need to get back to their beds. I'm sure their teammates are worried about them."
"Indeed." Ironwood agreed with a nod. "Oh, and good luck you two in the upcoming Vytal tournament."
"Thank you, sir." Jaune and Ruby replied and then got up from their chairs once they were dismissed. Of course, the moment the two of them left Ozpin's office and the door shut behind them, they started discussing what they knew.
Which wasn't much, so that ended pretty quickly.
"...and I made a huge mistake when fighting!" Ruby moaned as they slowly walked down the empty corridors.
"You slipped with shoes you weren't used to." Jaune pointed out after a moment of thinking what Ruby could have done wrong. "None of us could expect how good she was."
"But I could have kicked off my shoes!"
The boy blinked at that.
"Oh… right… I guess you could have?"
"I was so stupid!" Ruby kicked the floor for a moment, looking dejected. "I just rushed in without thinking about it. Uncle Qrow keeps telling me I need to think more first."
"I thought you did fine." Jaune patted her back as he gazed fondly at the girl next to him. "You switched to your rifle because you realized your footing wasn't steady. Doesn't that show you're thinking about your surroundings?"
"You think so?"Ruby blinked a few times and leaned against Jaune's arm. "Wait! I'm mad at you! I can't be swayed by your words yet!"
"What did I do?!" Jaune's bewilderment was evident at the sudden change.
"You got a range weapon without me!"
It took a moment for Ruby's words to register in Jaune's mind. For months, she had been urging him to incorporate a ranged weapon into his sword. Now, with the discovery of his newfound technique, her suggestion seemed unnecessary. Jaune's Semblance was potent in its simplicity—not flashy or explosive, but solid in its foundation of defense and Aura strengthening. Every day, he was uncovering new applications for his abilities. It occurred to him that Ruby's disappointment stemmed from the realization that her proposal was now obsolete.
Her crestfallen expression was difficult for him to witness.
"It's not a range weapon; it's a ranged attack," Jaune reassured her. "And it's not even long-range—it's midrange at best. Given the prevalence of flying Grimm and individuals who can outpace me, perhaps it's time to consider a long-range weapon, even if it's just a rifle. If I want to keep up with the cool factor, I should probably invest in the best weapon available, and I think only one person can make—"
His words were cut short as Ruby's arm wrapped tightly around his stomach, expelling the air from his lungs with her superhuman strength. His ears were then assaulted by her high-pitched squeal of delight, happiness radiating from her.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! You're the best!"
"Anything for you, Rubes," Jaune managed to croak out, his lungs still recovering.
"You're the greatest boyfriend ever!"
At Ruby's words, her face flushed, matching the shade of her dress. Jaune realized that he was her first real boyfriend, and the full implications might not have fully dawned on her, especially after their first night together was interrupted by the intruder. The excitement had overshadowed everything, leaving little time to process their emotions. Now, with a moment to relax, suppressed feelings began to surface. Given their limited relationship experience—Jaune's previous relationships often sabotaged by his meddling sisters—this was all new territory for the young couple.
"I know I am." Jaune teased her after her grip weakened and he could breathe again. "Plus, I make a mean cookie and girlfriend privileges means you get first dibs on them."
He didn't need air to live anymore. Seeing how happy Ruby's expression was much better. Where that girl got superhuman stealth hugs was a mystery. If that criminal never showed up, they could have had hours to just hang out, the two of them, basking in their new relationships while everyone else was distracted. Even more so than ever, Jaune wanted that woman busted and taken away.
"I'm going to hold you to that." Ruby's gaze was stern, but full of admiration as she looked up at him.
"When do I lie to you, Rubes." Jaune ruffled her hair.
"Only when you have to and I'll forgive you when you do." Ruby winked at him and pushed off him before strengthening her dress out. "I suppose we should head back?"
"Our teams will be wondering where we are." Jaune considered, glancing at his pocket with his Scroll on silent. He probably should check his messages, but that would interrupt his time with Ruby. They still had a bit of a walk to get to their rooms. "But I sure am tired. I don't think I can walk very fast."
Ruby blinked in confusion and then grinned as it dawned on her.
"Ow, my feet hurt too. Stupid lady stilts. Let's go slowly."
"Where have you been?!"
The moment Ruby stepped into the room, she was accosted by Weiss and Yang, their voices sharp enough to make her flinch. The rest of her team had already changed out of their dance outfits into pajamas and had been waiting for her.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?!" Weiss demanded, glaring at Ruby. Her eyes then shifted to Ruby's attire, noticing the scuffs and burns. "What happened to you?"
"Jaune and I left the dance and—"
"Oh god!" Weiss gagged, turning away. "I don't need to hear anymore!"
"What did he do?!" Yang's eyes flashed red momentarily as she too observed Ruby's dress. "Ruby, did Jaune take advantage of you?"
Blake set down her book, her eyes narrowing in concern. Unlike Yang, Blake remained calm, analyzing the situation rationally. They had all noticed Jaune and Ruby slipping out of the dance early, assuming they had gone off to play video games or something. When they weren't found in their dorms, Yang's concern grew more vocal, even making Weiss anxious as the night wore on.
"What do you mean?" Ruby responded. "Jaune would never take advantage of me—for anything. Not even homework!"
"His grades might drop if he did that..."
"Shut it, Weiss!" Yang snapped. "Now, Ruby, tell me what happened after you left the dance." Her red eyes softened to lilac as she focused intently on her sister.
"I was getting tired of the loud atmosphere and my feet hurt," Ruby explained with a huff. "So Jaune and I went outside to get some fresh air, cool off, and sit down. As we did, we saw someone dressed in black racing across the school rooftops..."
Both Yang and Weiss turned to look at Blake.
"I was with you two at the dance the entire time," Blake deadpanned.
"We didn't say anything," Weiss protested, her cheeks flushing slightly as she redirected her attention to Ruby.
"It wasn't Blake," Ruby assured them, shaking her head. "She wouldn't attack Atlas security... not now." Blake looked away at the reminder of her past. "This woman sneaked into the CCT while everyone was busy at the dance. Me and Jaune—"
"Jaune and I." Weiss blurted out instinctively.
"ME AND JAUNE!" Ruby defied loudly over her partner's interruption. "We summoned our lockers and went after her. She wouldn't come quietly and we got into a fight. Her skills with Dust might have even been better than yours, Weiss."
"I doubt it." The heiress scoffed.
"Then what happened?" Yang asked eagerly, wanting to hear more.
"General Ironwood arrived and she smashed a window before escaping." Ruby sighed dejectedly. "We almost had her. We would have had her if it weren't for these darn stilts!" She kicked the shoes off her feet and sighed with relief as the soft rug felt amazing on her sore soles. "Feels sooooo good to be out of these."
"So that's why you were late?" Blake caught on quickly. "You had to explain what you saw in detail then to Ironwood?"
"And Ozpin." Ruby added quickly. "I'm surprised the commotion didn't attract everyone's attention. She literally blew up part of the computer room."
"Everyone else was in the gym with loud blaring music." Weiss reminded her. "The only people who would hear anything would be those who left early." The girl frowned and looked thoughtfully at the wall. "And you two left pretty early."
"So what were they after?" Yang aske, wanting more information. "Did you see?"
"No, they blew up the computers." Ruby repeated with a sigh. "They are going to examine the logs to see if they can identify what she was looking at. But JAUNE AND ME," Silver eyes locked on Weiss, daring her to interrupt again. "Stopped her before she could do much since we saw her enter."
"You're going to need to use proper grammar eventually." Weiss sighed and shook her head.
"It's more of the fact you choose to interrupt in the middle of something important, Weiss-y." Yang explained, rolling her eyes. "Leave that for later. So some really strong women broke into the CCT and was able to fight Ruby and Jaune to a standstill. Jaune aside, Ruby's not a pushover. They had to be good."
"Hey, Jaune's gotten strong too!" Ruby instantly jumped to his defense. "He covered for me when I stumbled. Plus he discovered a new way to use his Semblance..." Her face suddenly darkened. "Argh!" She jumped on her bed and buried her face in her pillow. The rest of her team stared at her because of her strange actions.
"Er… Ruby?" Yang asked, confused, taking a step closer. "What's wrong?'
"I kept trying to get Jaune to let me upgrade his sword with a range weapon," Ruby explained. "Now he doesn't need it because he can apparently shoot his Aura out of his sword!" Sure, Jaune made it up to her by saying she could make him a range weapon, but it wasn't the same thing as modifying his main weapon.
Her words were met with stunned silence.
"Shoot Aura out of his sword?" Yang repeated, blinking a few times.
"LIke channeling his Aura through it?" It dawned on Blake first since she had a lot of experience out in the field. "Oh! That makes sense. He has a large quantity of Aura and with his ability to push it beyond normal limits, I can see it leaking out."
"He learned how to channel Aura outside his body already?" Weiss blurted out.
"You know how to do that?" Yang spun around to look at the heiress.
"My glyphs are just that." Weiss explained simply, holding out her hand and creating a small circle with an intricate pattern in it. "I use a small amount of Aura to create this. Other people can channel Aura out of their hands into punches. I'm pretty sure a couple people in the upper classes can do that."
"Professor Ozpin said Ren could do it too." Ruby admitted softly. "Jaune poured his Aura into his sword and did a cool slash that flung the energy out like a blade."
The corner of Blake's lip twitched.
"You mean all this time I could have been punching people at range?!" Yang demanded angrily. "How come no one told me this?!"
"Because while you have a considerable amount of Aura, using Aura Manifestation consumes all the Aura you invest in it," Blake explained thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. "It's fundamentally different from using Aura to fortify your body. If you miss with an attack like that, you're essentially wasting your Aura. Fighters like Weiss and I, who rely more on agility and finesse, don't have as much Aura to spare as Jaune. His Semblance allows him to compensate for this weakness quite cleverly."
"How come everyone else knows about this except us?" Ruby demanded, crossing her arms with a huff.
"You were probably daydreaming during the announcements," Weiss responded matter-of-factly, rolling her eyes. "I've told you before, you can't just doodle in your notebooks; you have to pay attention."
"You do remember I missed a few months of classes, right?" Ruby retorted, her cheeks flushing.
"It was mentioned two or three times before you left. Professor Port even mentioned using it once in an emergency," Weiss countered, her voice tinged with exasperation.
"I couldn't stay awake listening to him!" Ruby admitted with a sheepish grin.
"Let's stay on topic," Blake interjected sternly, bringing the conversation back on track. "It's late, and I'm sure we're all tired—"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
A high-pitched, gleeful cry pierced the silence, causing everyone to stop and turn toward the door. They all recognized the unmistakable sound—it was Nora from across the hall. Even for Nora, the volume was unusually high.
"What's Nora so excited about?" Weiss groaned, massaging her temples.
"Jaune probably told her about fighting a criminal with Ruby," Yang guessed, raising an eyebrow. "Seems like something she'd love. Although she might be upset she missed out on the excitement." Blake's lips twitched upward again slightly at the corner, hinting at a suppressed smile.
"Or Jaune might have told her we're officially dating-..." Ruby blurted out, then quickly covered her mouth in a panic, her eyes widening.
Her teammates' eyes widened in surprise, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity.
"You're what?" Yang repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of concern.
Ruby kept her hands over her mouth, regretting her slip-up. She had planned to break the news to her teammates gradually, especially Yang. The last thing Ruby wanted was for her sister to storm into Team JNPR's room in a fit of rage. While Jaune might be able to handle Yang's anger, nobody deserved that kind of confrontation. Ruby's mind raced, considering every possible way to explain the situation without triggering a physical altercation. She loved her sister dearly, but she knew all too well that Yang could be impulsive when it came to matters of the heart.
"About time."
An unexpected savior appeared in the most unlikely of allies.
Weiss.
"Huh?" Ruby gaped at her.
"Huh?!" Yang was also caught off guard.
"It was pretty obvious the two of them would get together." Weiss yawned and sat down at the edge of her bed. "They spend all their time together and the way Ruby looks at him. No idea why, but whatever floats her boat. At least he isn't bothering me anymore."
"Weiss is right." Blake added, joining in. "I actually thought you two were already dating when you returned. It wasn't until you asked him to the dance that I realized you hadn't."
"I had to work through my feelings." Ruby glanced at the floor as her face burned in embarrassment. Her knees were shaky and she plopped down in a chair. "It turned out he was too. We both asked each other out at the same time. Well, he beat me to it by a second, but I was about to!"
"Okay, I'm going to go over there and ask Vomit Boy a couple ques—" Yang had started to stand up, her eyes flashing red for a moment.
"NO YOU WILL NOT!"
In a flash, Ruby sprang to her feet, ignoring the ache that had settled in from hours of wearing uncomfortable shoes. She positioned herself between Yang and the door, her silver eyes narrowed, displaying a rare glint of anger. This wasn't the playful, puppy-like anger people were accustomed to seeing; it was genuine, intense emotion. Ruby was deadly serious.
"You will not approach Jaune and threaten him in any way!" Ruby's voice was cold, cutting through the tension. "He makes me happy, and the last thing I'm going to let you do is drive him away like you've done with several guys back at Signal!"
"They were just trying to use you like—" Yang began to protest, but Ruby wasn't having any of it.
"Do we have an understanding?" Ruby interrupted, her arms crossed defiantly over her dress.
"The threats were just jokes—" Yang tried to explain, but Ruby cut her off once more.
"You will not threaten him, even in jest!" Ruby's voice brooked no argument.
Yang glanced around the room, seeking support. This bold new Ruby was unsettling. Most people with siblings understood the protective instincts that kicked in, especially with younger sisters. It was common to hear older siblings make light-hearted threats when their younger siblings began dating. Yang had taken on the role of protector, watching over Ruby, but it seemed her teammates didn't share her perspective.
Blake pretended to read her book, unaware that it was upside down, while Weiss busied herself with brushing her hair before bed. Neither was willing to get involved in the heated exchange. Both had already expressed their opinions on Yang's overprotective tendencies, and it seemed Ruby was now ready to drive the point home. It was a conversation that had come up sporadically but was now reaching its climax.
"Do you understand?" Ruby's voice softened, yet remained firm as steel. "I won't forgive you if you threaten Jaune in any way."
Despite being physically larger than Ruby, Yang felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from her sister.
"I... okay, I promise," Yang relented, letting out a long, exasperated sigh. "I won't do anything. I guess Jaune isn't a bad guy, and it's clear he cares about you."
"Thank you!" Relief washed over Ruby as she hugged Yang tightly. "Jaune's amazing, and I know you'll see that he'll treat me right."
"He better," Yang muttered under her breath before addressing Ruby more clearly. "You're old enough to make your own choices now." Her words were tinged with reluctance, but Ruby focused on the underlying message—that Yang was finally giving her some space and trusting her judgment. Blake and Weiss exchanged a glance, their expressions reflecting a quiet satisfaction with the resolution.
"Congratulations!"
Nora enveloped Jaune in a bone-crushing hug as he relayed the events to his team. He had just arrived, catching them all before they headed to bed. Ren and Nora had planned to stay up and wait for him. Both had been intrigued by the masked intruder, but when Jaune revealed that he had asked Ruby out, the atmosphere shifted, becoming more cheerful. Nora's high-pitched squeal nearly burst his eardrums, followed by a hug that threatened to squeeze the life out of him.
"Nora, let him breathe," Ren intervened, placing a hand on Nora's shoulder, prompting her to release Jaune.
"Hehe, sorry, Jaune-Jaune. I was just so happy for you!" Nora apologized, clapping her hands together. "It was soooo obvious you two would get together, but Ren made me promise not to say anything."
"He did?" Jaune raised an eyebrow, glancing at his friend.
"I wasn't sure if you two had discussed it or not," Ren admitted. "If we mentioned it, you might have overthought it, affecting your relationship with Ruby. This should have been a choice between you two, without outside influence. It seems you've made your choice."
"That's why we didn't mention other stuff either..." Nora glanced nervously at Pyrrha, who shook her head.
"He knows; we talked about my former crush," Pyrrha assured them, her tone factual, almost monotone. Jaune wisely chose to remain silent on the matter. In past confrontations, Pyrrha's feelings for him had accidentally been revealed, causing quite a stir. Had he been aware and pursued a relationship, things might have taken a different turn. However, due to his stubbornness, there was no turning back the clock.
Jaune was willing to accept his fault, albeit reluctantly. His stubbornness had prevented a satisfying resolution. No matter how hard he tried, a part of him couldn't fully forgive Pyrrha for almost shattering his dream. While things had ultimately worked out better than anyone could have imagined, the ends don't always justify the means. It might have been selfish, but feelings aren't easily changed. Despite his reservations, he was making an effort to maintain a civil relationship with Pyrrha and include her as a valued member of the team.
The wall was still there and it was impossible to tell how long it would last.
"I don't know when I started feeling that way about Ruby." Jaune rubbed the back of his neck as he addressed Nora. "When we left the dance and just walked around… it just felt… right?"
"Awwwww!" Nora gushed at him.
"So I asked if she wanted to actually officially date." The boy continued, his eyes falling to the ground in embarrassment and then let out a soft chuckle. "Turns out Ruby was trying to get the courage to ask me the same thing and I beat her by half a second."
"It's good you two feel the same way." Ren commented with a small smile. "Unrequited love can be quite painful." Pyrrha frowned at him, her green eyes flashing for a second. Though to Jaune's surprise, Nora seemed to have paused for a moment. Her attention was now on Ren. "But it's late and I know you're excited, but there's plenty of time to discuss this tomorrow. We should get some sleep."
"But it's the weekend!" Nora whined loudly.
"Give Jaune time to process everything."
"We can talk about it more tomorrow, Nora." Jaune assured her.
"Promise?" The girl's lip trembled as she acted sad.
"I promise." A chuckle escaped his lips. "And you know I keep my promises."
After receiving another bone-crushing hug from Nora and enduring a round of playful teasing from Ren, Jaune finally managed to escape the enthusiastic interrogation. He didn't mind discussing the events of the night; in fact, he found comfort in talking about happier topics, like his budding relationship with Ruby. As he lay on his bed, a sense of contentment washed over him, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Between facing off with Cardin, arguing with Pyrrha, and narrowly missing the masked criminal, it was a relief to have something finally go his way—even if their first night together had been interrupted. A smile crept onto his face as he recalled Ruby's joyful expression when he asked her to be his girlfriend.
There was one thing left on his mind as he laid there and relived the recent events, realizing he had forgotten to consult Ren about shooting Aura. Jaune made a mental note to bring it up the next day. Curious about mastering his new Aura technique, Jaune pulled out his Scroll, pretending to browse aimlessly before sending a message to his mentor, Qrow. After all, Qrow had offered to help him train while at Beacon, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to take him up on that offer.
'So I recently learned to shoot Aura from my sword. Think you could help me master it?'
To his surprise, his Scroll buzzed almost immediately with a response from Qrow.
'Sure, kid. Oz told me about it. Meet me at his office at 9pm tomorrow.'
Rather than feeling relief or excitement, suspicion flooded Jaune's thoughts. Qrow's message lacked his usual playful banter and was surprisingly straightforward, which raised concerns. Ozpin and Ironwood had previously assured him that his Aura Slash technique wasn't groundbreaking. So, why the formal meeting at Ozpin's office? The location suggested a private conversation about an important matter.
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
Amber.
The urgent summons likely pertained to Amber's condition. If it were about the criminal, Ruby would have been involved. It had been days since he attempted to heal Amber with his Semblance. Being called back could mean either good news—that his Amplification had worked—or bad news—that his assistance was no longer required.
Considering the late-night meeting time, Jaune suspected it was good news. The timing seemed deliberate. A daytime call could easily convey bad news, but a nighttime summons implied a longer, possibly more involved discussion. Nine o'clock also meant fewer students were likely to see him entering the headmaster's office, reducing the risk of unwanted questions.
He pondered his cover story. If questioned, he could claim he was meeting Qrow for late-night training, a believable excuse given Qrow's irregular schedule. Most students were aware of his apprenticeship with Qrow, so nothing would seem out of the ordinary. The key was to maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention to himself when working with Ozpin.
A frown creased his forehead as another thought occurred to him.
'I'm becoming Qrow... damn it!'
The idea was both amusing and unsettling. He admired Qrow's skills and experience, but he didn't want to adopt all of his mentor's quirks—especially the tendency to be cryptic and secretive. Still, if Qrow could offer insights into harnessing his Aura more effectively, it would be worth the late-night rendezvous and the inevitable questions from his team.
As he tucked his Scroll away, Jaune couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Tomorrow's meeting promised to be significant, potentially shaping his future as a Huntsman and his ability to protect those he cared about. With these thoughts swirling in his mind, he eventually drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with swirling Aura and masked figures, each one a puzzle waiting to be solved.
The next morning didn't bring any real change at first. Nora was bouncing around the room as everyone else got ready to go down for breakfast. Pyrrha didn't really look at any of them, but did chat a little with Ren. Jaune still felt awkward initiating conversation with her without a clear subject. Time was supposed to heal things, but it was happening so slowly. Even if it had been only a few days, it felt like an eternity. Every morning after he woke up and glanced across the room to see Pyrrha waking up next to him, Jaune was reminded of his own idiocy and stubbornness.
Focusing on the positive, Jaune looked forward to getting breakfast. Not the food, even if Beacon's cafeteria served good meals. No, it was to see his brand new girlfriend. As he entered the cafeteria, his eyes instantly locked onto the familiar red cloak. Ruby also stared back at him with a smile on her face and raised a hand to wave to him. Missing the usual enthusiasm, there was a hint of reservation and embarrassment behind her gesture. Like normal, Jaune and his team sat with them, with Pyrrha actually joining them today.
The main difference was Jaune sat right next to Ruby instead of across from her.
"I take it you told them?" Jaune whispered to Ruby.
"I did last night and we heard Nora react from our room." Ruby giggled. "How did you know?"
"Yangs staring at me."
"She won't do anything." Ruby brushed off his worries with one hand. "We talked about it."
"It was actually really uncomfortable being in that room." Weiss admitted. "Blake and I would have left if it wasn't after midnight."
"It was needed." Blake commented, glancing up from her book.
"It was about time!" Nora huffed and crossed her arms. "Should have happened earlier."
"Hmm, maybe…" Blake smirked and went back to her reading.
"I guess Jaune's not all bad." Yang relented at last. "Uncle Qrow likes him."
"Isn't that a bad sign?" Weiss asked them.
"Nope!" Ruby laughed in response.
"Are you okay?" Ren whispered to Pyrrha as the others talked.
"Huh, why wouldn't I be?" Pyrrha looked at him in surprise.
"We both know why I asked." Ren stated simply. "I'm willing to talk if you want to."
"No… I'm good." Pyrrha shook her head. "Fate has a funny way of working out and things just weren't meant to be. We didn't click together and had too much baggage to try anything. I'm rather happy with Mercury now."
"Okay." Ren slowly nodded. "I'm still here if you want to talk about anything."
"Thank you, but I would rather not discuss it."
Her words held a certain firmness, a departure from her usual tone. Ren had grown accustomed to Pyrrha's tendency to apologize excessively, making her recent change in demeanor all the more noticeable. Instead of her typical "Sorry," she had opted for a simple "Thank you." This subtle shift spoke volumes about the changes she had undergone since her encounter with Mercury. While not necessarily negative, it was a change Ren couldn't help but observe.
For now, Ren chose to focus on the positive, celebrating Jaune and Ruby's newfound happiness. He had offered his support to Pyrrha, reassuring her that he would be there if she needed him. Pushing someone to open up about their feelings or problems rarely yielded positive results; it had to come willingly from them.
As Jaune and Ruby interacted, their behavior wasn't overly affectionate, much to the relief of some at the table, particularly Yang and Weiss. Instead, they seemed comfortable and natural around each other, laughing at shared jokes and engaging in conversations with their friends while giving more details about them getting together the night before. Unbeknownst to the couple, many at Beacon had already assumed they were dating, given their close bond.
After a short while, Pyrrha rose from her seat and joined Mercury's team. The departure went largely unnoticed, though Weiss offered a polite farewell. Besides Ren, Weiss had made the most effort to befriend Pyrrha, yet for reasons unknown to the heiress, she had been met with resistance.
As the morning unfolded, Ren continued to observe the dynamics at play within their group, hoping that with time and understanding, they could navigate through the complexities of their relationships and find a way to reconnect.
The day seemed to drag on for Jaune as he found himself lost in daydreams during class, his thoughts centered on Ruby. The mere thought of her sent a warmth spreading through him, making it hard to concentrate on anything else. She had quickly become an irreplaceable part of his life. Her strength and cool demeanor captivated him in ways he hadn't expected. How he had managed to win the heart of such an incredible girl was a mystery to him.
Feeling the urge to share his happiness with someone close, Jaune pulled out his Scroll and messaged his sister, Saphron. Her response took slightly longer than usual, suggesting she might be sharing the news with their younger sister, Terra. It took a full thirty seconds.
'ABOUT TIME!'
Reflecting on it, Jaune realized that the connection between him and Ruby had been special from the start. Their travels, battles with Grimm, and intense training had left little room for contemplation of their feelings. Beacon, with its slower pace, offered them the opportunity to relax and spend quality time together, whether it was through sparring sessions, training with their teammates, or even playing video games. Recent gaming session with Nora had been a wake-up call, reminding him that he needed to sharpen his skills to maintain his competitive edge.
While Jaune cherished the moments he spent with Ruby, he understood the importance of balancing their time with their teammates. Their recent "date" had been a memorable experience, despite its unconventional end. Teaching Ruby the basics of dancing had not only enhanced their time at the dance but also equipped her with skills for future formal events, as Weiss had pointed out.
As the day drew to a close, Jaune found himself on his way to the headmaster's office for his "training" session with Qrow. When he had mentioned the training to Nora, he had half-expected her to express interest in joining, either to watch or because she felt their team deserved specialized training. However, to his surprise, Nora had neither insisted on coming along nor displayed any signs of jealousy.
"Have fun!"
Jaune paused with his hand on the doorknob and turned around suspiciously.
"What?" Nora asked innocently, tilting her head. Pyrrha looked up from her desk and frowned, as she too found this behavior odd. Ren just shook his head and smirked.
"Just to be clear… you aren't planning to follow me?" Jaune asked slowly and realized he made a mistake.
"Oh! I should have done that!"
"No Nora." Ren rushed to Jaune's rescue. "Remember what you said earlier?"
"Oh, right…hehe." Nora tapped the side of her head with her knuckle. "It's okay, Jaune. We know you're training to be stronger so you can lead our team to victory in the Vytal festival. Just promise you'll show off any cool moves we can use."
"I'll try." Jaune felt himself smile at this. If he learned how to do that Aura Slash again, she would probably freak out in excitement.
Glad that Nora wasn't going to try to stealthily, something he was sure his friend was incapable of, follow him, Jaune left his dorm room and finally made his way to the headmaster's office. As he approached the office door, Jaune couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Whatever awaited him inside, he knew that tonight's meeting with Qrow would be an important step in his journey, both as a Huntsman and in his relationship with Ruby.
"Welcome, Jaune." Ozpin greeted from his desk. Like usual, Ironwood was there along with Qrow. "Glynda couldn't be here today due to some other issues arising but that won't affect what we're planning to do tonight."
"Amber's condition improved then?" Jaune really hoped he was right and his eagerness betrayed him.
"Yes, a tremendous amount!" Ironwood interrupted, his voice barely containing his excitement. "It appears that amplifying Aura beyond the normal limitations does allow one to start healing their soul! If this continues and she wakes up, she'll be able to tell us who attacked her. Not to mention the potential scientific and medical advancements."
"Calm down, Jimmy." Qrow laughed at the man. "We're all excited for Amber's recovery, but we still have to stick to the plan."
"The plan?" Jaune titled his head automatically in confusion.
"We are still only going to have you amplify her Aura for a couple of hours every few days," Ozpin explained to Jaune, his gaze focused and serious. "The goal is to avoid overstimulating her system and potentially sending her into shock. If her condition continues to improve, we may consider extending the duration of your amplification sessions."
"Well, I've gotten pretty adept at amplifying myself," Jaune chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I've been doing it quite a bit lately to help sustain my endurance during training."
"That's precisely what we intended," Qrow said, grinning and giving Jaune a playful wink. "We designed it with maximum versatility in mind. Your ability to amplify both yourself and others simultaneously was an unexpected but welcome discovery."
"You've come a long way since your time in Atlas," Ironwood acknowledged, his expression stern yet approving. "Thanks to your efforts, we're closer to identifying those responsible for Amber's condition and preventing further harm."
"I'll do my best," Jaune vowed, his determination renewed. Just as before, when lives were at stake, he couldn't afford to let fear or hesitation hold him back. Those worries could wait; now was the time for action.
As before, Jaune was escorted down into the Vault by Ozpin and Ironwood. The setting remained unchanged, with the medical capsule containing the unconscious dark-skinned woman at its center. A chair had been set up for Jaune, for which he was grateful. Standing for extended periods while concentrating could be taxing.
Placing his hands on the glass, Jaune gazed at the sleeping woman inside. Her appearance was unchanged: the simple white top and shorts, and the scars that marred her skin. He noticed that scars didn't seem to fade with his amplification healing, much like the small scar on his knee from a childhood accident.
Could it be his imagination, or did her complexion look a bit less pale than before?
Shaking off the distracting thought, Jaune focused his attention and began to concentrate. He channeled his Aura into Amber's, initiating the amplification process. Concurrently, he maintained a portion of his Aura for himself to ensure he wouldn't deplete his own reserves. As both processes were set into motion, Jaune intensified his concentration, fully immersing himself in the task at hand. When he set his mind to something, he was unwavering in his commitment.
Gradually, the Vault was bathed in a soft white light as the amplification took effect, filling the space with a serene glow. Jaune continued to focus, his determination unwavering, as he worked to aid in Amber's recovery.
"Wake me up when he's done." Qrow yawned. "I'm going to take a nap." He turned and moved further away from them and down one of the darker passageways of the Vault.
"I have to make my way out too," Ironwood checked the time after examining the instruments. "Vital signs are stable, all equipment is operating normally. If there's any issue Ozpin, contact me immediately."
"Will do, James." Ozpin replied with a nod of his head. "Good luck on your other endeavors."
"Hopefully we'll finally find some information on what the infiltrator in the CCT was after." The man sighed and headed out. "Data got corrupted."
Jaune barely registered the people behind him were talking, with his full concentration on the task before him. A life was always more important than some random words. This wasn't his first rodeo and the emotions rose up within him as he stared at the woman's face. So young and yet because she had some weird power, she was a target. Did she really deserve to be attacked like that? Of course not. It was all because of that Grimm Queen Salem and her minions. He needed to think of a way to stop her, but what could he come up with that a military General, Ozpin, Qrow, and other people in their group couldn't think of?
The boy really wished he could talk to Ruby about it. Even if no new ideas came from it, at least it would be reassuring just to share ideas with her.
"Jaune, you've done enough for tonight." The boy flinched as Ozpin put his hand on his shoulder. "It's been over two hours."
"Has it?" Jaune blinked and shook his head, finally feeling the sweat on his body and his stiff arms. "Time flies by when I'm focusing."
"As it does for most of us, but you should still be mindful of your surroundings." Ozpin smiled at him before removing his hand and allowing Jaune to get up and stretch. "Her condition continues to improve, purely thanks to your help."
"It's the least I can do since I have the ability to." Jaune replied simply. "It's just something I should do, regardless of who they are."
"It's good to see the younger generation willing to help others so passionately." Ozpin smiled and patted his shoulder again. "How do you feel?"
"Stiff?" Jaune stretched a bit. "But otherwise I feel awake? Boosting myself always makes me feel so energetic. Like when I drink a lot of soda."
"Hmm, then see if Qrow's awake." Ozpin suggested. "You two can use one of the side passages for some training since you're already here. He mentioned you asked him about using Aura Manifestation."
"Oh, that's what it's called?" Jaune blurted out.
"I thought we mentioned it, but maybe we didn't. Sorry about that. There were other more pressing matters at the moment. But do try not to stay up too late. Your team will be worried."
"I'll try not to sir," Jaune promised as he went off to find his mentor.
It didn't take long to find Qrow, who was snoring loudly in a chair against the stone wall. An idea flashed in Jaune's mind. How many times had Qrow knocked him around during their training? The pain from those sessions might have faded, but the memory hadn't. Fueled by the relief of Amber's recovery, his new relationship with Ruby, and perhaps not thinking things through completely in the late hour, Jaune decided to act on his impulse.
He pushed the leg of Qrow's chair.
BAMN!
The chair slid loudly on the stone floor, and Qrow tumbled backward with a resounding crash. Jaune's guilt surged instantly. What if he had caused a concussion?
Rushing to Qrow's side, he started to help him up, concern evident on his face.
"Are you alright, Qrow? I didn't mean for that to happen," Jaune said, his voice tinged with guilt.
Qrow groaned as he sat up, rubbing the back of his head where it had hit the stone floor. His annoyance quickly shifted to realization as he took in his surroundings.
"DAMN IT RAVEN! WHAT THE FUCK…. Huh?" Qrow blinked, remembering where he was. "Fucking shit… what the hell happened?"
"Ozpin told me to finish up, and when I came to wake you, you fell off your chair," Jaune quickly lied, fear evident in his voice. "Bad dream?"
"It's rare I don't have a bad dream, kid," Qrow admitted, stretching as he stood up. "Raven liked to kick the chair out from under me when we were kids. Can't tell you how many times I was sleeping in one and found myself on the floor thanks to her."
"Sounds like a sister." Jaune tried to joke.
"She was some kind of sister." Qrow rolled his eyes. "So Oz left already?"
"He said we could use the empty wings to do some practice." Jaune explained. "Can you teach me how to use… Aura Manifestation? That's what the professor said it was called."
"Ugh… that's not something I'm really used to." The man groaned. "I'm sure Oz told you the downside to that?"
"Yeah, most people give up the Aura they extend outside their body." Jaune recited. "With my Semblance though, I can make up for that weakness. It will also give me a range attack which I really need if I'm going to fight more flying Grimm or even to use on larger Grimm that a small sword slash won't do much damage too."
"At least you thought this through." Qrow looked almost amused. "A lot of free time to think while healing Amber?"
"Actually, I'm mostly focusing on her and not letting my mind wander so I can give it my all."
"I suppose that's fine." Qrow mused. "It's late and I doubt you'll want to be up for too much longer. I sure the fuck don't. So we'll do a little sparing to see if you can relive the feeling you had in the CCT."
"Huh, don't you need to explain kind of how to do it?" Jaune wondered.
"You know that's not how I do things, kid." Qrow snorted loudly. "Trial by fire." He drew his sword and clicked the switch. Gears grinded against each other as the sword blade's sections split apart and extended into his scythe. "I am going to fight a little differently though."
"How so?" Jaune drew his sword and opened his shield up from the sheath form.
"My scythe has a much longer reach than your sword," Qrow explained. "Rather than getting up close, I'm going to knock you around from out of your reach. The only way you'll get to me and avoid being beaten black and blue is to extend your own range. Which leaves only one option available to you as you don't have a gun."
"Ugh… I regret asking for your help." The boy moaned as they moved to a wider section of the empty vault. "This is going to suck."
"Yeah, what can I say?" The shrug from Qrow was more amused than anything. "Oh, by the way. If you think my blows are stronger than usual, it's totally not because you and Ruby are dating. This is pure training."
The blood from Jaune's face drained away all color.
"Ah…. So she told you?"
"You know she has a hard time keeping things from me." The smile on the man's face wasn't pleasant.
"Shit…" Jaune regretted coming down to the dark vault alone with his mentor.
Feel free to leave a review, comment, suggestions, or ideas, I love reading them. If you have a question you wish to ask and would like a quick answer, feel free to message me directly. I try to respond to those within a day or two. Comments, I tend to respond to in the next chapter
Dark: I feel we need to go off and do some new adventure. Since the missions were done earlier in this story than canon, I have a lot of time to do fun things before the Vytal festival. The question is what would be the most interesting. I got a couple ideas and I'm playing around with them. The main idea?
Two words.
Survival Exercise.
nBappo: I'll let this man cook. For now.