Sunshine Chapter 34: By Heavens Decree, a rwby fanfic

Chapter 34: By Heaven's Decree...

blaiseingfire: Thank you and his character development isn't over yet!

XXX

Night had fallen, enveloping the tent where Sun found himself with Chairo and the tribe's Bruja. There she sat, meticulously adorning his chest, neck, and face with ancient words and symbols.

The Bruja, with her dark brown skin and dreadlocked hair adorned with golden beads and feathers, exuded an aura of mystique. Her black and gold gown, with snake-like patterns, added to her enigmatic presence. Her luminous yellow eyes often entranced Sun, and hawk claws dangled from her ears. Yet, her nose and mouth remained concealed beneath a black silk shawl.

"Uh... is this really necessary?" Sun ask.

"Shush, chico," the Bruja commanded.

Her voice, resonating like the chorus of a dozen voices, sent shivers down Sun's spine.

Observing Sun's unease, Chairo chuckled softly. "Fear not, Sun," he reassured. "The Bruja means you no harm unless you dare to mock her," he teased.

The Bruja's gaze shifted momentarily to Chairo, a playful glint dancing in her luminous eyes. "Ah, the eternal jest of Chairo," she remarked with a smirk behind her shawl, her voice a melodic blend of amusement and admonition.

Chairo nodded sagely, a knowing grin playing at the corners of his lips. "Indeed, my dear Bruja," he replied, his tone laced with affectionate banter. "Wisdom may be my mantle, but mischief still resides within,"

The Bruja chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the dimly lit tent like the rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze. "As it should be," she conceded, her demeanor softening with fondness.

With practiced precision, she inscribed complex symbols and glyphs upon Sun's skin, each stroke imbued with ancient power and meaning. As the symbols took shape, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint scent of incense and the crackle of the campfire outside.

Finally, the Bruja leaned back, her task complete. With a satisfied nod, she regarded Sun with a newfound intensity, her gaze piercing through the veil of shadows.

"Está terminado," she declared, rising from her seat. "I will fetch the incense, lie down and relax," she instructed, her movements graceful yet purposeful.

Chairo's nod, coupled with the gentle curve of his lips, conveyed a reassuring warmth that enveloped Sun like a comforting embrace.

As Sun's teacher drew nearer, a ripple of apprehension danced across Sun's features, etching lines of uncertainty upon his brow.

"Is this... going to be scary?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of trepidation.

Chairo met Sun's gaze with a soft smile. "At first, perhaps, it may feel like your soul is being torn from you, but that sensation is fleeting, once it passes, you'll find yourself... wherever you felt most at peace, things will be strange, but upon entering the realm of spirits, seek what you desire and return," Chairo explained. "Do not wander too far, and whatever you do, Sun... do not stray toward the abyss," he cautioned.

Sun felt confused by Chairo's warning, but before he could seek clarification, the Bruja reappeared with a large stick of incense, directing Sun to recline on his back before her. As he lay there, he gazed up at the tent's roof.

The Bruja ignited the incense and began swirling it around. "Relax, Chico. Ease your mind and body," she instructed Sun. Breathe in and out slowly, clearing your thoughts. Focus on nothing but the sight of the tent's roof."

Sun emptied his mind following her guidance, fixating on the mundane sight above him. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, as the Bruja chanted in an ancient tongue. He repeated this process until a heaviness settled over his eyelids, and they slowly drifted shut. With each breath, he felt the world around him blur.

Suddenly, pain surged through his body like a wave. It was as if needles were piercing every inch of his being, the sensation overwhelming. Yet, just as swiftly as it came, the agony dissipated, leaving Sun disoriented but intact.

Even though the pain lasted only a moment, it felt like an eternity, and the sensation etched into his memory like a scar.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and the familiar sight of the tent vanished. Instead, Sun found himself standing on what seemed to be the ocean's surface, the waves rippling around him as if he were on solid ground.

Sun's gaze swept the surreal landscape, revealing a myriad of spirits and creatures. Fish-like beings glided through the air while what appeared to be mermaids swam gracefully beneath the waves. Fairies flitted about in the air, and majestic dragons and thunderbirds soared overhead, their forms crafted from light and thunder.

The scene before him resembled the fantastical tales told by tribe elders and found in storybooks, yet here it was, unfolding before his eyes.

It felt like a dream come true to the young Faunus, an inexplicable sensation swirling within his head and heart.

"My, my, my, it seems he was right; you would visit me," a voice echoed around him. "Seems he's getting a lot of things right as of late,"

Sun whirled around to behold a towering figure behind him, a woman of immense proportions, surpassing the size of any ordinary human. Her skin emitted a soft blue glow, accompanied by wisps of ethereal smoke. Elongated, pointed ears framed her face, adorned with long, flowing dark blue locks. Her eyes gleamed with a deep blue hue, the sclerae and pupils dark, while the irises shimmered with a lighter shade.

Veils of wispy smoke billowed around her waist, resembling the delicate folds of a skirt. Though she appeared nude-like, a veil of blue smoke veiled her form, obscuring the details. Adorned in opulent gold accessories, she wore a chain headdress, oversized hoop earrings, a choker, and ornate cuffs dangling from her wrists. A single bracelet adorned her left forearm, while anklets adorned her feet, and a chain belt culminated in a large ring with three prongs encircling her waist.

With a beckoning gesture, the woman summoned Sun closer, his curiosity driving him toward her. It felt though she, this enigmatic spirit before him, held the answers he sought.

"Welcome, Sun Wukong," she greeted him. "I've been expecting you, or... at least this version of you," she added cryptically.

Sun found himself perplexed by the woman's cryptic words, uncertain of the meaning behind her reference to "other versions" of him. "What... do you mean?" he inquired, his confusion evident in his voice.

With a melodic giggle, the woman reassured him, "You'll understand in time, trust me, young man," Her words carried an air of mystique. "Now, I believe introductions are in order, I know who you are, Sun Wukong,"

Sun nodded, accompanied by a small smile. "Yeah, that's me," he confirmed.

The woman giggled once more, her laughter echoing softly. "A pleasure, young man, I am Jinn," she introduced herself. "The spirit of knowledge, and I believe you have some questions to ask me; luckily for you, we've met outside of my confines, so I am allowed to answer as many questions as you wish,"

Encouraged by her invitation, Sun hesitated briefly before asking, "W-Where are we?"

Jinn curled her lips into a serene smile. "In Vacuo, yet we are not," she explained, her voice carrying an ethereal quality. We are in a place called the Astral plane, a realm we- I mean you humans were once able to interact with physically, however, because of a certain event and a sudden change, you are not allowed to interact with this plane anymore," she concluded.

Sun nodded, though his mind was in turmoil, struggling to grasp the complexities of what Jinn had just revealed. He understood little beyond the fact that this world was beyond his reach, a realization that filled him with a profound sense of loss. The thought that he would never again look at the wondrous sights and creatures surrounding him weighed heavily on his heart.

Despite his inner turmoil, Sun pressed on, recalling Chairo's warning about not lingering in the spirit world for too long. "If I can ask... Do you know what my destiny is?" he inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do I become a Huntsman? Do I just keep traveling with the tribe? Do I... can I be forgiven for what I did?" Sun's questions spilled out in a rush, his desperation evident.

Jinn regarded Sun with a mixture of sadness and compassion. "Oh, sweet boy," she murmured, her tone gentle. "Someone such as yourself should not be asking such questions at this age or dealing with the turmoil you are struggling with." Her words carried a weight of understanding, acknowledging the burdens Sun carried at such a young age.

"Was I not meant to do what I did?" Sun's voice trembled with uncertainty as he asked Jinn the question.

Jinn let out a weary sigh, her expression thoughtful. "I'm afraid that I am not qualified to answer that; the questions of causality are better suited for those... two," she replied, her tone tinged with regret.

Sun furrowed his brow, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. "What is that?" he asked, stumbling over the unfamiliar word. "Caus- whatever, what does that mean?"

"Causality is the relationship between cause and effect," Jinn elucidated, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "It refers to the influence by which one event, process, state, or object contributes to the production of another event, process, state, or object, the cause is partly responsible for the effect, and the effect is partly dependent on the cause."

Sun stood there, his mind grappling with the abstract concept. The explanation seemed only to deepen his confusion.

Sensing his bewilderment, Jinn offered a more superficial analogy, a faint smile on her lips. "Think of it like this: on a hot day, when people are exhausted, tired, and overheated, and because of this event, the cause will have people seek out water, ice cream, or other means of cooling off, the event of a hot day had the effect of people buying drinks, go swimming, or other things to cool down," Jinn explained.

Listening to Jinn's analogy, Sun's understanding of causality deepened. "So, it's like destiny?" he ventured, seeking confirmation. "Causes and effects that lead to something in the end?"

Jinn gently shook her head, her expression grave. "No, causality is nothing like fate or destiny," she clarified, her voice carrying a weight of wisdom. "Destiny is something predetermined for you, something you cannot escape; however, causality operates differently, it encompasses the interconnected chain of causes and effects that result from various choices and actions, Unlike destiny, there's no predetermined path or fixed outcome, instead, causality leads to a multitude of possible outcomes, each contingent upon the choices made by individuals or groups,"

Sun absorbed her words, mulling over the profound implications of causality versus destiny. The distinction shed new light on his understanding of the world and the role of choice within it.

"In reality, Sun, you have multiple choices, multiple outcomes, each different than before; even your origins may be different, your friends, family, and events you will be a part of may be different; there is no such thing as a singular path," Jinn elucidated, her voice carrying a tone of profound insight. "Those who believe so, those who believe they are "destined" for anything, are fools; after all, do you think the gods have really given certain people such grand fates? No, the Gods have no plan for you or your people; they have not bestowed upon any of you some predetermined fate or a grand destiny, which is why you are given the ability of free choice; otherwise... what's the point of you, Faunus and Humans?"

Sun's brow raised in shock, his mind grappling with the implications of Jinn's words. "So... I don't have any amazing or sad destiny waiting for me? I can... choose what I make of myself?"

Jinn nodded, her smile reassuring. "Yes," she affirmed. "You Faunus and Humans always have a choice, However, because you believe in some plan or grand fate, you all put yourselves in your own little private traps, you become ensnared in them, unable to break free! You scratch and claw, but only at the air, only at each other, and for all of it, you never budge an inch," she explained.

"But... Sometimes... Don't we step into those traps?" Sun questioned earnestly. "Don't we have the right to do so? To ask questions about why we are here and what our future is? Don't we have the right to enter that trap?"

Jinn slowly nodded, her movements deliberate and weighted. "Of course, we all enter that trap, and we have a right to, we all want to know why we are here, why we are born, and what our future holds for us; however, it becomes a trap only if we let it be, if we obsess over it... if we seek too many answers about it," Jinn conveyed, her voice carrying a tinge of melancholy, as if she herself, had once been ensnared in the same dilemma. "Knowledge is an amazing yet terrible thing. Knowledge is a trap, one that I was born into..."

Sun regarded her with a somber expression. "I'm sorry," he offered sympathetically.

Jinn shook her head, exhaling deeply. "Don't be," She said. "I don't mind it anymore," she replied.

"But you should," Sun insisted.

Jinn chuckled softly, the sound laced with sorrow. "Oh, I do, but I said I don't," she admitted.

"Jinn... Are you free?" Sun inquired.

Jinn appeared taken aback by his question but managed a gentle smile. "In a way, I am, and yet, I am not," she confessed. "But this is not about me, young man, this is about you, now, ask your questions,"

Sun pondered for a moment, his gaze drifting between the vast expanse of the ocean beneath him and the boundless sky above. Eventually, he found the words he sought and turned his attention back to Jinn. "Jinn... Am I free?" he asked earnestly. "Free to do what I want with my life? Free to choose for myself no matter what? Free to feel how I feel? To do what I wish to do?"

Jinn regarded the young boy with warmth in her eyes. "Sun Wukong," she began, her voice conveying assurance. "You are absolutely free... Free to do whatever it is you wish, you are as free-flowing as the water and as infinite as the sky and sea," She told him.

Sun's smile widened at Jinn's words, a newfound sense of clarity and determination shining in his eyes. Evidently, her simple affirmation had sparked a profound shift within him. No longer burdened by doubts of fate or the weight of past actions, he felt liberated.

At that moment, conversing with Jinn, the embodiment of knowledge, and being reassured that there were no predetermined paths or expectations imposed upon him, Sun found peace.

Yes, that was it... He was now at peace, and he would remain so forevermore.

"By Heaven's Decree," Jinn spoke with a voice that resonated like distant thunder, her words carrying the weight of ages past. "You are Free,"

Sun listened intently, his heart stirred by the solemnity of her declaration. It was as though the very fabric of the universe had shifted to grant him this profound liberation.

The words echoed in Sun's mind, reverberating with a sense of destiny and purpose. "Free," he repeated softly, the word tasting like honey on his tongue, sweet and empowering.

With a newfound sense of resolve, Sun met Jinn's gaze, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity and determination.

XXX

As fall break approached, Starr had a break from classes, and her friends dispersed to spend time with their families. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with her tribe. Luckily, her cousin had reached out, providing directions to where the tribe was stationed. With this knowledge, Starr embarked on her journey back to her roots, eager to visit her old mentor and cousin, hoping that time had healed their wounds and brought them peace of mind.

Upon her return to the tribe, Starr was greeted warmly by familiar faces and elders who expressed their joy at her homecoming, their prayers for her well-being evident in their words. Among the welcoming party were the younger children, some of whom Starr had rescued during the raid. They bombarded her with questions about her experiences at school, eager to hear tales of adventure and discovery.

Patiently, Starr answered their inquiries, regaling them with stories of her time in Oscuro and the knowledge she had gained. Satisfied with her responses, the children scampered off, bidding her farewell. As they departed, Starr couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of belonging.

With the children off to their pursuits, Starr made her way through the encampment, exchanging greetings with other tribe members along the way. Eventually, she reached Chairo's tent, which appeared more imposing than she remembered.

Entering the tent, Starr's voice echoed, calling out to her old teacher, eager to reconnect and share stories of their time apart.

"Master! Are you in here?" Starr's voice rang out.

Seated cross-legged at a small table, engrossed in writing within a weathered book, Chairo glanced up, greeted by Starr's familiar face. A wide, welcoming smile graced his features. "Ah! Starr! Welcome back!" he exclaimed.

With a grin stretching across her face, Starr fully entered the tent, taking a seat opposite Chairo. "It's good to see you again, Chairo," She told him, "How's everything?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Chairo paused in his writing, considering Starr's question. "Things have been great, relatively quiet around here. We've welcomed a few new faces into the tribe, but aside from that, nothing of significant importance to report," he responded, his tone relaxed and content.

Starr nodded, relieved to hear that the tribe had experienced a period of peace and stability in her absence. "And how's Sun?" she asked, her smile faltering slightly as a hint of concern flickered in her eyes.

Chairo smiled, knowing her true question: "He is better if that is what you mean," Chairo said.

Starr's smile widened, and the worry that had clouded her eyes dissipated like morning mist. "That's good," she exclaimed, her voice laced with palpable relief.

"Indeed," Chairo affirmed gently, his expression reflecting a sense of contentment. "I believe he's better than he's ever been,"

"Really?" Starr's curiosity was piqued.

"Yes," Chairo confirmed with a reassuring smile. "I would suggest going to see him, Starr, I believe you may find him overlooking the camp on a dune to the west," he informed her.

Expressing her gratitude, Starr assured Chairo that she would indeed seek out her cousin. With a promise to return for further conversation, she bid farewell and exited the tent.

As she departed, Chairo's smile lingered, his thoughts drifting to the intriguing dynamics that awaited Starr's discovery, particularly her cousin's newfound presence. Indeed, even he found himself astounded by the remarkable transformation within the young boy.

Starr embarked on her journey toward the spot indicated by Chairo, her footsteps leaving imprints in the soft, shifting sands beneath her feet. As she traversed the expansive desert landscape, the sun cast long shadows across the dunes, painting the horizon in hues of amber and gold. In the distance, a towering mound of sand stood like a solitary sentinel against the vast expanse of the desert.

Drawing nearer to the dune, Starr's keen eyes caught sight of a lone figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the setting sun. A sense of familiarity washed over her as she recognized the unmistakable profile of her cousin, Sun. His unruly mop of blonde hair danced in the gentle breeze, a beacon amidst the desert sands.

Starr pressed onward, a smile gracing her lips, her anticipation growing with each step. As she ascended the dune, the figure of Sun came into clearer view. His back turned toward her as he stood in silent contemplation.

Approaching him from behind, Starr's gaze fell upon a subtle yet significant change in Sun's attire—the addition of a fifth golden ring adorning the back of his shirt. Five gleaming circles, each representing a milestone in the arduous journey of mastery, formed a testament to Sun's dedication and perseverance, a symbol of his unwavering commitment to his training.

A surge of awe swept over Starr as she realized the magnitude of her cousin's achievement. He had attained a level of mastery that few had ever reached, surpassing even the esteemed Chairo himself. The significance of those five golden rings resonated deeply within her, filling her with a sense of pride and admiration for Sun's remarkable feat.

Shaking off her reverie, Starr tore her gaze away from the golden rings and focused on Sun. With a wide smile spreading across her face, she called out to him, her voice ringing out across the desert landscape.

They embraced each other tightly, the warmth of their connection palpable in the air around them. For a few precious moments, they held onto each other, finding solace in the familiarity of their bond before reluctantly pulling away, their smiles mirroring the joy that radiated from within.

"You look good, Sun," Starr remarked, her eyes shining with genuine affection.

Returning her smile, Sun nodded in agreement, a sense of contentment evident in his expression. "I've found a sense of peace, Starr," he confessed, his voice tinged with a newfound serenity.

Starr raised an eyebrow, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. "Peace, huh? And here I was thinking you were always a troublemaker," she teased, unable to resist a jest.

Sun chuckled, his laughter echoing in the quiet desert air. "Believe it or not, I've turned over a new leaf," he quipped, his tone light and carefree.

Starr chuckled in amusement, "I'll believe it when I see it," Starr told him.

As they strolled back toward the campsite, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Each was eager to catch up on the events that had unfolded during their time apart.

Unbeknownst to them, a silent observer watched from the shadows, a gentle smile gracing their lips. Though not Jinn's familiar presence, this enigmatic spirit observed Sun's departure with quiet approval, their ethereal presence blending seamlessly into the desert landscape.

XXX

We're not done with Sun yet! The following two Chapters are about Sun's time at Oscuro Academy, before we finally jump back to the present with Jaune and the others.

Now, Sun's attitude isn't changing drastically. He'll still be his goofy, lovable self, but he'll have this sense of being a better fighter while also seeming like a monk at times, being wise and philosophical at certain points because of his interaction with Jinn.

Also, were you a bit surprised I included Jinn in this Chapter? I bet you were!

Anyway, I have a few questions you should try and answer~!

What did Jinn mean by this "Version" of Sun? What is the Astral Plane? Why is it closed off to the 2nd version of Humans? Why was Jinn able to answer so many questions? What did she mean by Confines? Who was the Spirit watching Sun?

So many questions! I wonder what the answers are!