Heya! Long time no see! Sorry for the delay, but life's been kinda busy
Anyways, Jaune vs Kiryu! Also, new cover by my good friend tsugeru. Thanks a lot buddy!
Soundtrack is, with context, DESTINY - From Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Enjoy!
The rooftop of Beacon Academy was often quiet during most times of the day. Be it morning, afternoon, or dusk, not a lot of students had any real reason to go there. And in the night and dawn, most would prefer either the library or their own dorms, content to spend time with their friends or alone.
However, what most didn't know was that the silence was often used to the advantage of two specific people.
Clang!
"Ouch!"
A dull thud sounded and Jaune groaned as he fell on his butt. Pyrrha withdrew her spear and backed off, giving Jaune time to regain his senses along with his sword and shield.
But as she stood here with no one else but her partner, Pyrrha felt that this silence was for the best. She readied herself, weapons in hand and ready for another round of sparring, and knew that if anyone else was watching they'd think she was overaccommodating – and from there, gossip would fly around her peaceful life here in Beacon.
And as Pyrrha looked down, her stance still ever so complete, she realized that just maybe Jaune wasn't as psyched up as her.
With his butt on the ground and a good distance away from his partner, Jaune groaned and stood back up. He felt sweat running down his brow and laughed, his armor and shield in hand as he tried his best to get back into his stance.
Pyrrha smiled as she watched her partner try his best. "Come on, Jaune. We've still got a few rounds to go here."
"Heh, easy for you to say, isn't it?" Jaune chuckled and rolled his shoulders. She could see the tiredness in in his body as he adjusted his stance, eyes filled with happiness as they did their training. He smiled at her, "Right then, Pyr. What did I get wrong that time?"
"Hmmm… I think you did well enough." Pyrrha relaxed and approached Jaune, who was still in his stance. "But," She added and tapped his right leg with her spear. "Your stance's just a bit too tense. Loosen up next time, okay?"
"Got it. Fluid movements." Jaune nodded, "Anything else?"
"Honestly? Nothing else that I could point out." Pyrrha backed off and gave Jaune an encouraging smile. "From here on out, the only way you'll grow is if you find your own ways."
"Really?" Jaune tilted his head, "You're sure about that?"
"Pretty much." Pyrrha nodded. "If you can find out your own ways, then your style will be completely unique. That way, we can be much more unpredictable."
"If you say so…" Jaune trailed off, but she noted he did seem just a bit unsure. Nevertheless, she saw him shake his head and cast away his doubts. With that determined gaze she had so often saw, he looked to her and readied his stance again. "Round two?"
Pyrrha smiled and raised her eyebrow, "So you're not counting the last thirty-eight rounds we had?"
"Hey! This one's gonna be different, Pyr." Jaune whined.
Pyrrha giggled softly, covering her hands as Jaune playfully groaned again. "Sure sure, Jaune." She went back to her stance, "Round two it is."
They each settled in their stances, Pyrrha ever ready and Jaune beginning to show signs of fatigue. Even so, he made the first move and rushed at Pyrrha with a cry.
Or maybe despite so, Pyrrha thought.
Jaune reached his partner and brought his sword down. Pyrrha deftly dodged to the side, moving her spear to tap Jaune's knee. Jaune nimbly dashed away, spinning around and swinging his sword at Pyrrha.
Pyrrha quickly cancelled her attack and blocked the sword strike with her shield. She pushed his blade away and moved in, thrusting with her spear. Jaune chambered her strike with the back of his sword and brought it down with an overhead strike. Pyrrha twirled her body and let the sword miss her nose by mere inches. She elegantly landed behind Jaune and slashed him right at his back.
Jaune stumbled forwards, his Aura flaring in his back, and quickly turned around with his stance ready.
Pyrrha looked at her partner and quietly thought to herself. She had expected him to groan how unfair it was that she had pulled that kind of athletic move. How it was unfair that she used something that was so out of his league.
But as she looked on, she instead saw him take a calming breath and harden his gaze. His eyes became calculating, his stance fluidjust like she told him, and was clearly planning a way to outmaneuver her.
Without another word and another cue, he silently lunged his sword forward at her. Pyrrha deflected the blow with her shield and pushed in with a spear lunge. Jaune blocked it with his own shield and swung his shield forwards, hitting Pyrrha square in the face.
Clang! "Ouch!" Pyrrha stumbled back, dazed for just a moment. By the time she regained her vision, she saw Jaune coming in for a rising swing from her left.
Pyrrha brought her spear low, ready to deflect. This one will take just a bit more effort-!
But Pyrrha's eyes widened as Jaune feinted his attack, instead going in for a pommel slam to her head.
A smack, and Crocea's pommel hit Pyrrha's head true. Pyrrha stumbled back again, but not without sending out a wild swing in front of her. She faintly heard Jaune grunting and knew her wild attack had at least grazed him back.
"Tch." With a grunt, Pyrrha took a final step back and firmed her footing. She regained her focus and looked forwards, seeing Jaune land on his feet as well but with a new rip on his hoodie.
And then, with a wordless signal, the two of them lunged at each other once more.
"Hyah!" Jaune roared and swung from her left with Crocea. Pyrrha ducked down and appeared on his side, slamming her shield to his gut.
"Gah!" Pyrrha heard Jaune grunt and moved in. As Jaune took a step back, she thrusted her spear aimed for his head. Jaune let his body fall into a roll, the spear missing him just in time.
Thinking quickly, he recovered from his roll and immediately threw his shield right at Pyrrha. The champion, caught by another surprise, quickly batted the shield away with her own. 'Just what is he thinking?'
And then he was upon her once again, swinging his sword from her left. Pyrrha moved her shield to block, the attack seeming suspiciously slow-
And then he roared and fainted again, instead going in for a punch with his free hand. But Pyrrha saw this coming and parried it with her spear, knocking his hand back-
And yet Jaune swung his sword at her again, before her parry could even finish. And this time, Pyrrha felt it in her bones that this would be different.
Pyrrha's eyes quickly darted to the sword. And in an instant, with the idea of Crocea hitting her the only thing in her mind, all notions of holding back went to the wayside. Acting purely on instinct – eyes sharpened beneath the moon like a seasoned fighter – Pyrrha dropped to the floor and let Jaune's sword miss her by a hair's breadth.
She could hear her partner's gasp of surprise, but it never registered with her. In a flash, she sent her legs out and caught his in a sweep, and she heard him groan and fall once more.
Thud!
Jaune groaned as he fell roughly on his back, the armor he brought to Beacon ringing as its silver metal slammed against the rooftop floor. He quickly scrambled to get up, pushing hos body off the floor with both hands -
Shing!
But Jaune's ideas died in his throat as his neck met the tip of Pyrrha's metal spear.
Jaune stopped in his tracks and looked up, his warm and tired breath meeting Pyrrha's metal spear. And yet, as he looked into his partner's eyes, he saw a coldness and calculating that he had never seen directed at him before.
"U-uhm… ding ding?" Jaune chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, the other waving in front of her with an empty palm, "You win, Pyr…?"
And then, just like that, Pyrrha's eyes returned to normal and she gasped in shock. She looked down at her partner and noted everything – his position, her moves, and the new rip she had made on her partner's precious hoodie – and swiftly withdrew her spear from his throat with horror.
Pyrrha covered her head and quickly stepped back with embarrassment, feeling the heat flood to her cheeks. "I'm sorrryyyyyyyyy!"
"Huh? A-ah, don't be worried Pyr! It's fine, really!" Jaune quickly stood back up and grabbed his shield once more, transforming it into a sheath and putting his sword safely within it. He approached his partner, who still had her head in her hands in embarrassment, and gave her a calming smile he knew she couldn't see. "See? Don't worry, Pyr. I'm all fine!"
"But your hoodie…" Pyrrha mumbled through her hands.
"O-oh, oh this?" Jaune looked to the side of his arm and did see the large rip Pyrrha had made. But he shrugged and shook it off, "Pfft. I'll stitch this up in no time, don't worry too much about it!"
"But you told me it took you eating 50 cereal boxes… and winning that raffle too…" Pyrrha mumbled.
"Ah, that's nothing." Hearing her partner's words, Pyrrha peeked through her hands and could see Jaune's smile – awkward, and obviously bummed to some degree at his hoodie being broken.
And yet…
And yet he still gave her a smile, all to make her happy.
Pyrrha closed her eyes and giggled, lifting her head out of her hands. And she could just feel it, in the change in the air, that Jaune was glad that she had cheered up.
Opening her eyes again, she could see Jaune before her, quietly laughing alongside her with the sun beautifully rising behind him. She could see other things as well – the sweat in his brows, the way his muscles seemed used after the workout, the way he held himself, tired but glad that he had trained…
And the smile as he laughed with her. With her.
Pyrrha saw Jaune turning around, the sun framing his face as he looked at the sunrise. "It's morning," She heard him mumble, "Class' gonna start soon, huh…"
"I suppose so." Pyrrha said, and then asked, "How are you feeling, Jaune?"
"I feel great!" He smiled again as he turned to her, "Really felt myself improving back there. I think we did good this time, right?"
"If you think so." Pyrrha nodded. But in her mind, she quietly thought too herself – that he was amazing.
It was amazing how he fell down so much and yet always kept getting back up. Yes she knew that she was a champion and that Jaune had a long way to go before he could stand a candle to her – and yet a part of her expected him to have given up by now. To have found a shortcut or just quit their trainings just like that.
And yet it was amazing how he never did. He never gave up, always improving and always coming back for more.
And it was amazing how he never resented her for being better. Never hated her for always beating him down in their matches. Never once had a seed of jealously for her actions and ambitions.
And what was more…
Jaune let out a small chuckle, his back towards her. "Guess I'm really fortunate getting a partner like you, huh Pyr?"
"Oh, I'm sure you would've managed either way." Pyrrha said encouragingly.
But Jaune didn't take the bait. Instead, he let out a breath and his body wholly relaxed, and with utmost sincerity "Seriously, though, Pyr… thank you. I-I'm living my dream here in Beacon, and I… I couldn't have managed it without you."
Pyrrha smiled, not that he could see. "Anytime, partner. Anytime."
And it was amazing how despite everything she was –everything she ever did, everything she always represented, the number of skills and money she had at the tip of her fingers– he never once looked at her like an object. Never once asked for something she would never give in an instant, never asked for something that was too much.
And it was amazing how he was growing so quickly and never took pride in it. Never revelled in the fact that he got in Beacon with fake transcripts – fooling the likes of Headmaster Ozpin – and never took pride in having a champion and a No. 2 Team right off the bat.
Pyrrha had met many a kind of fighters in her time as a champion. Some ex-students, others fully fledged Hunters and Huntrsses, and some others self-taught. And yet in all her time fighting and getting to know them, she had never met someone more… sincere.
Jaune had never asked her for anything more. All he wanted was to follow his dream of becoming a Hunter. No fame, no glory, nor riches. He wanted to because it was his childhood dream, simple as that.
Pyrrha looked at him from behind fondly. Sure, he was dorky. Sure he was awkward, and had a tendency of embarrassing himself in public. Sure he was scrawny and weak, and nowhere near the ideal knight that princesses usually dreamed of.
But he was honest and cared for all of them. He always did them right and never cheated on them.
And with his smiles, with his laughs and nervous gestures…
He did it all because he cared for her – because it would make the world for him to see her happy.
Pyrrha heard her partner speak again, lifting an arm against the rising sun, "The sun sure is pretty warm this morning…" Jaune whispered.
A lot of people had described falling in love as a rush in their chest – as something utterly dominating that drives an adrenaline that can't be stopped. Something that made your heart race and dominated your mind so utterly and completely, leaving nothing in your thoughts other than spending time away with the one you love.
Pyrrha disagreed, because that was not what she felt. Love felt warm, and calmed your heart down until you could see the world as it was. It was a feeling of being home, of being accepted and knowing that the one that loved you saw you for what you are. Of knowing that the man who you loved cared for your happiness and wanted nothing but the best for you, asking for nothing in return. That you being happy – not money, not fame, not power - was enough for him.
She knew that he would never approach her or use her for his own gain like so many others. That she would always have a place with him, that she would always be home by his side, where he'd give her everything he had even if she knew it wasn't perfect.
That the dorky, awkward, and scrawny Jaune wanted nothing but the best for her.
And it made her feel warm and safe.
Loved.
And for her, that was enough.
"Yes…" Pyrrha said, stepping just behind her partner, "I suppose it does feel quite warm this morning."
And with the rising sun casting him in a silhouette, Pyrrha knew that she'd follow him anywhere. She'd sooner give up being a Huntress than see him left by his lonesome.
Of that, she was certain.
Looking at the scene before her, Pyrrha could only wonder just where did it all go so wrong. Just what kind of mistake did she do, and why did it seem that she could never fix it?
She never wondered why these things happened to her – but she never stopped wondering what he'd do if he was in her shoes.
But that train of thought would never work now, and she had to wonder just how could she ever fix him?
"Jaune Arc." The newcomer – Kiryu, Pyrrha recognized– growled with barely-contained hatred, "I'm only going to say this once – You're under arrest. Come with me quietly and face justice like a man."
And then she saw her partner – who had just opened up and let his team in – shut himself back in with that smirk she just knew wasn't who he really was.
"Oh really~?" Jaune leaned heavily on one foot, head tilted back and raising an eyebrow at Kiryu. "And what for?"
"For maiming, murder, and countless war crimes I could never count." Kiryu grit his teeth, his fists starting to shake with rage.
"Kiryu." Bladewolf spoke up from Jaune's side, "Calm down. Our current situation is not as simple it seems-"
"Like hell it is!" Kiryu shouted. He pointed a finger at Jaune, "He's a killer! A mercenary and a war criminal! I could understand working with, with- bending your rules quite a bit, but I could never excuse someone who's body count is numbered in the thousands!"
"Come on – Kiryu, was it? - this is war." Jaune shrugged at Kiryu. "You can't expect to hold back and be on the winning side."
"And I don't believe that killing everyone you see, even ones who were so clearly defeated, in cold blood was the right thing to do either." Kiryu growled, "But here we are now, Arc." He spat the name as if it was poison.
And on the side, the cold reality hit Pyrrha. Because it was one thing to hear Jaune admit that he had killed thousands, but it was another to hear someone so wounded declaring it from his heart.
And the words she heard from Kiryu only served to sink that knife in deeper. "You've killed thousands under Desperado's contract. Left families irreparably broken from your actions. Entire countries have fallen from your actions… or is it all a game for you? Do you even care about what you've done?!"
Jaune's posture changed, his back straightening and his eyes shooting him a cold glare. "I do care. But it's not like I can change the past now, can I? What's done is done."
"If you really did care then you'd face the consequences right this instant – there's no reviving the dead and so because of that there's no delaying justice." Kiryu growled.
Kiryu shot a glance to Pyrrha and she felt her skin go cold. He stared back to Jaune, "You don't deserve people waiting for you when you're the reason people never came back home."
"You've got a one track mind, huh." Jaune shifted in his position and narrowed his eyes, "But don't you dare bring my Team in this. They did nothing wrong."
"Is it that easy for you to say that? And not show an ounce of remorse?" Kiryu shot back. "Was it that easy for you to turn sides? Was it so easy for you to take contracts without another thought? Was it that easy for you to kill Sera without a second thought?!"
"Sera… whoever he was, I'm sorry for your loss." Jaune gave a minute nod of his head, "But…"
Pyrrha saw Jaune tilt his head ever so slightly to her, to Team JNPR, and knew he thought about them. About the threat looming over them, about keeping them all safe and happy.
"But I won't go down now." She saw her partner tilt his head back to Kiryu with newfound determination. "I've got something to live for."
"You don't have the right to say that to my face." Kiryu spat.
"Then I guess we're at a crossroads, then." Jaune finished. "I'm not going away now. Not when I've got something to protect."
"But you won't run from justice forever." Kiryu growled. Wordlessly, he flicked his hands and let a metal glove cover both his hands.
And from the sides, seeing Kiryu enter a stance, Pyrrha could see it clear as day. How Jaune's actions had affected his life in more ways than she could ever know.
She saw in Kiryu's expression how he had lost so much from Jaune's actions. Family, friends, life, she could only begin to imagine what he went through.
How Jaune couldn't, and shouldn't, be excused for his actions. How he had killed so much, destroyed so much, that justice finally come knocking. But his dogged determination remained, his honesty and wishes that she fell in love with, even if in a different form.
Even through everything, he still cared for them. Cared for her, even if he didn't care for himself.
She could see Jaune sigh and know this wasn't what he wanted. She could see the barest glints of regret shine through in his stance as he drew his sword. She could see how this wasn't what he wanted, and yet he'll do it anyways.
"I know," She heard her partner say, "But I won't let you stand in my way, Kiryu. Justice didn't stop me back then and it won't stop me now." Jaune let the words hang and gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, and Pyrrha heard everything he couldn't say.
Not when his world was in the balance, not when his team needed him, and not when she still wanted him here.
Jaune tilted his head back and Pyrrha saw him give her an apologetic glance. From the corner of her vision, she saw HF Murasama's tip lower ever so slightly as he spoke to her, "Sorry, Pyr. But I gotta deal with this first in a little bit."
And he flashed her a weak grin, "Don't wait up for me, okay? Get some rest."
Pyrrha raised a hand in protest, "But I-."
But then Pyrrha felt her hand being grabbed by Nora, and as she turned her head, Pyrrha saw her female teammate give her a silent shake of the head. With reluctance, Pyrrha lowered her hand and turned away from her partner.
Jaune glanced back and saw his team walking away, clearly unhappy yet following his order nonetheless. From Ren to Nora to Pyrrha, he gave them all one more uneasy smile and tried his best to calm them down with one last glance.
And as his Team disappeared around a corner, Jaune turned back to Kiryu and put his smirk back on. Jaune raised HF Murasama at the ready again, "So then. You wanna take me in? Then you better give it everything you've got, cause I'm not gonna hold anything back."
"I'm ready." Kiryu said deadpan. He raised his fists, and Jaune ethereal blood-red flames rise from his body. "Face me."
They each stood ready in their stances, settling their minds and resolve for the fight. They shed their doubts and focused on their enemy, waiting on a silent cue all fighters knew about…
Jaune felt a sweat drop down his brow but shook it off. Something felt off, but he couldn't back down now.
But that something kept nagging at the back of his mind as he looked long and hard at Kiryu. Something that sent him on edge, that made him uneasy about this whole thing. His gut instinct was yelling at him, and yet he didn't know why…
"Hm." Kiryu shifted his footing and brought his fists ever at the ready, and Jaune knew he had to push through.
"Hah…" And with a silent cue, Jaune rushed forwards and swung HF Murasama down. Kiryu dodged to the side and swung a haymaker for Jaune's cheek. Jaune parried the blow with the back of his sword and went for a slice to Kiryu's chest.
"Hya-! Oof!"
Jaune's attack was cut in short as Kiryu quickly lifted his knee and hit Jaune in the gut, staggering him back and using his sword to support him. Jaune growled as he stumbled back, and with a roar, dragged his sword across the floor and rushed at Kiryu again.
And as red sparks flew from the floor to the air, Kiryu readied himself right as Jaune reached him with HF Murasama lifted high.
"RAHHH!"
'Jetstream' Jaune Arc
Lost Son of the Arc Family, Leader of Team JNPR
Vs
Kiryu Kazuma
The Dragon of Dojima, 4th Chairman of the Tojo Clan
Clang!
Kiryu blocked Jaune's swing by crossing both his hands over his head, stopping it in its tracks. With buckling feet, Kiryu roared and pushed Jaune off him.
"Grk-!" Jaune stumbled back and settled back into his stance, twirling HF Murasama in his hand. He steadied himself and saw Kiryu settle firmly into his stance, their eyes locking on to each other. And with it, they could each see the motivations that drove them both.
'I won't let you take me away – I'm not leaving them again!'
'Whatever you have here doesn't matter – I'll bring you to justice!'
"ORA!" Kiryu rushed forwards and threw a punch Jaune's face. Jaune tilted his head back and stepped to the side as the punch flew over his face. Jaune swung his sword from the side as he came back up, using Kiryu's open guard to cause quick damage-
Clang!
Jaune grunted as his sword was stopped in its tracks. He looked to Kiryu and saw a glint in the Yakuza's eyes – his metal gauntlets had stopped HF Murasama right in its tracks.
"Did you really think I didn't read up on you?!" Kiryu roared and pushed Jaune away. As Jaune stepped back, Kiryu moved forwards and threw a haymaker at Jaune's cheek.
Jaune ducked right as Kiryu's fist was about to hit him, but Kiryu didn't let up and threw punch after punch at Jaune. "Hah! Hah! Sei-ya!"
Jaune dodged and dodged, but it seemed that Kiryu would never let up. 'Gotta get out of his range!' He saw Kiryu rush forwards with a straight punch and dashed back, right out of his fists' domain.
Kiryu missed but quickly settled back into his stance, letting out a calming breath as his Dragon style raged its flames. Jaune raised his sword again and watched Kiryu with sharp eyes. 'Focus…'
Kiryu roared again and rushed at Jaune, fury in his eyes and red flames in his cocked-back fist. Jaune knew he couldn't beat the man in hand to hand, but what he could do was control the range.
And so, Jaune swung his sword from the side before Kiryu could reach him. Kiryu's rush was stopped in his tracks as he was forced to block. His entire body rang as he did his best to stop Jaune's swing – but the samurai wasn't done.
"Hah!" Jaune pulled back his sword and swung at Kiryu from the other side, forcing the Yakuza to block again. Jaune swiftly pulled back his sword and swung again, this time rising from below, and Kiryu could do nothing but keep blocking as the attacks continued to come.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Jaune relentlessly struck at Kiryu's defences, each attack accompanied by a step forwards. His glowing red katana repeatedly met metal, and Jaune could see each clang was accompanied by a sweatdrop going down Kiryu's eyebrow. The Yakuza couldn't do this forever and they both knew it.
Kiryu grit his teeth as another clang grated roughly in his ears, his body slightly shaking from the blow. He had to think of something fast! His eyes trailed HF Murasama as Jaune raised it again and found an idea.
Jaune roared and brought his sword down. Like before, his sword met metal gloves and stopped in its tracks. Jaune moved to pull it back once more-
But Kiryu roared and wrapped his hands around HF Murasama, his gloves protecting his fingers. Jaune felt surprise stab his heart, 'What the hell-?!'
"ORA!" Kiryu pulled Jaune in and slammed his forehead into Jaune's own. Jaune yelped as he staggered back and lashed out with a wild swing. Kiryu ducked below the swing and took a step forwards, quickly shifting to Beast. With another roar, he grabbed Jaune while stunned and threw him through the roof.
Crash!
"Argh!" Jaune felt his back slam against the ceiling, and then the free air hitting his face as he roughly landed on the rooftop. Jaune quickly waved his hand around to wipe the dust off his face. Damn it, he was careless!
Jaune stabbed his sword to the ground, using it as a crutch to get back up. He felt fatigue begin to show and cursed himself. He had just gotten off training his teammates, and he had to deal with this too?
But as Jaune shook himself and slowly get back up, something felt wrong. Something felt out of place, like swinging his sword was getting heavier and heavier…
Step!
A flash, and Jaune saw Kiryu jump to the rooftop. Jaune lifted his sword just in time right as Kiryu arrived in front of him, fist cocked back and body glowing purple.
Kiryu roared and let the speed of Rush carry his fist. "ORAAA!"
Fwoosh! Jaune just barely managed to duck a punch aimed for his head. 'Shit, he's changed!' Jaune quickly blocked another attack but found himself overwhelmed with much much more.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Tch!" Jaune blocked as fast as he could as Kiryu's punches came at him from all sides. From his left, from his right, from below, the man didn't break a sweat at all! All the while Jaune found his stamina draining…
"Hyah!" Kiryu dropped low and swept Jaune from below. Jaune felt his feet being knocked from under him right as Kiryu came down with a fist. The samurai quickly slashed at Kiryu's hands, forcing his opponent to back off as swords clashed on metal again.
"Hmph." Jaune rolled as he fell and quickly recovered into his stance once more. He just had time to lift his sword when he saw Kiryu arrive in front of him once more, fist cocked back for a punch.
Kiryu lunged. "ORA!"
'High!' This time, Jaune matched Kiryu's speed and prepared to block. He lifted his sword to parry, when-
WHAM!
"Gah!" Jaune stumbled back as his chest was hit from below the parry. He felt himself being stunned, 'He feinted the punch-?!'
Kiryu threw another attack. "HAH!"
Jaune followed Kiryu's blazing fast fist once again, 'He's going for an uppercut-!'
SLAM!
"Grk!" Jaune stumbled back once more as Kiryu's fist instead feinted and went straight for his nose. Jaune stumbled back once more, holding his head as his vision blurred,
"HAAAAAAAH!"
Jaune looked in front of him and saw the vague shape of Kiryu going in for a high kick. And as such, Jaune ducked-
SLAM!
Only for his head to instead meet with Kiryu's other leg, kicking down and low with his entire body.
"AHHHH!" Jaune crumpled to the ground, his entire body frazzled by the overwhelming attacks coming in, and Kiryu took his chance. The Yakuza quickly closed the distance and kicked the downed Jaune away as hard as he could, using every bit of power Rush had.
"SEI-YA!"
BAM!
Jaune's body skid against the hard rooftop floor as metal met concrete, scraping hard and leaving skid marks along the once-stainless path.
"D-damn it…!" Jaune gasped as he stood back up. He felt his head growing numb from attacks Kiryu had landed and cursed himself. He felt weird and he didn't know why. It was getting harder and harder just to fight, and he didn't know why-!
Jaune cast his gaze forwards and saw Kiryu preparing himself. He saw the Yakuza take a step forwards, changing his that flame from purple to yellow, and knew he had to at least try.
"RAH!" Kiryu slammed his foot into the floor, letting a piece of concrete spike up from below his feet. With a grunt, he lifted it with both his hands and threw it straight at Jaune.
"Hm!" Jaune settled into his stance and swung HF Murasama right as it arrived, slicing the rubble in two. And then, as the rubble parted in two and revealed Kiryu bursting forth, he swung his sword again once more, hitting Kiryu's blocking gloves and forcing the Yakuza back to the ground.
Kiryu landed with a thud. He lowered his fist, eyes searching for Jaune but finding nothing. 'He's gone-?!'
A flash, and he saw Jaune appear right next to him.
"HYAH!" Jaune swung his sword right for Kiryu's chest. Kiryu quickly dodged, skidding back but immediately rushing forwards for a counterattack-
But Jaune flashed and swiftly appeared behind him, swinging for his chest. 'Shit!'
"Take this!" Jaune swung again and Kiryu was forced to block, forcing him in place. Kiryu yelled and threw a swift punch but met nothing but air as Jaune flashed away once more.
'Damn! He's teleporting!' Kiryu quickly turned around, eyes searching all around him to desperately find Jaune-
BANG!
Kiryu quickly looked to his right and saw Jaune dashing towards him, explosion rocking behind the samurai and his katana flying out from his sheath and into his hand.
"KIRYU!" Jaune grabbed his sword with maximum speed and swung it down at Kiryu. "HAHHHH!"
Kiryu roared in turn and readied both his hands to block.
CLANG!
The entire rooftop shook, rubble lifting from the ground and shockwaves emitting from Kiryu's gauntlets and HF Murasama. Kiryu groaned and fell into a knee, feeling his Aura flash and his bones shake.
'That was too much!' Kiryu gasped and saw Jaune lifting his sword high above him, 'Can't take another hit!'
Kiryu saw Jaune's pupils dilate, his mask coming out and closing over his mouth.
"RAHHHH!" Jaune swung his sword down, but Kiryu quickly rolled to the side. With a roar, the Yakuza changed back to Dragon and stood up, bouncing in his steps.
He felt newfound resolve, heat and determination firing through his body. No, no matter how difficult, he will pull through. He must get through! "COME, JAUNE!"
"HYAH!" Jaune swung with an overhead strike. Kiryu tilted his body to the side, the swing missing, and threw a haymaker for Jaune's face. Jaune grabbed the fist with his free hand and forced Kiryu back. Kiryu charged again and went in for a low kick. Jaune met the kick halfway and slammed his pommel to Kiryu's head. Dazed, Kiryu swiftly raised his fists together in panic to block, however it wasn't enough.
"HYAH!"
CLANG!
Jaune swung HF Murasama down with all his might and forced Kiryu's guard wide open. He twirled his sword back and slammed the pommel straight to Kiryu's chest, staggering his breathing.
Kiryu grabbed his chest in panic. "A-Ah…!" That must've been a rib-!
"HAAAAH!"
Kiryu looked up and saw Jaune coming in with another overhead slash. Thinking quickly, Kiryu stepped inside Jaune's guard and grabbed Jaune by the shoulder – he shifted to Beast in a flash – and then twirled, swiftly slamming Jaune down to the ground.
SLAM!
"Grah!" Jaune felt his back slam and quickly looked up. He saw Kiryu's fist raining in from above – blood red and ethereal – and quickly rolled to the side. As Kiryu's fist stuck to the concrete, Jaune quickly stood back up and swung his sword as fast as he could.
Slash!
Kiryu groaned and stumbled back, a wide gash opening on his right shoulder. He gave it a brief look, a glance to just see how bad it was, and quickly shook his head and readied himself once more. It didn't matter – nothing mattered unless he won!
"HAAAAAAH!" Kiryu yelled and rushed back in, kicking at Jaune from the side. Jaune parried the blow and went for an elbow to Kiryu's gut. Kiryu caught the blow and pushed it down, launching a backfist to Jaune's face. "ORAA!"
But Jaune noticed the movement becoming ever so slightly slower, likely due to the wound on Kiryu's shoulder. Jaune tilted his head and let the attack miss, then slashing up with his sword and slicing Kiryu in his unguarded elbow.
"Huagh!" Kiryu stepped back again as blood sprouted from his wound. He let out ragged breaths as he held his arm in the other, eyes glaring with fury at Jaune. He felt his Aura heal him, but he knew that it would be a tall task. This wasn't sustainable and he knew that, but still…
Kiryu looked forwards and saw Jaune twirl his sword and thought about how nonchalant it seemed. And of all the people that suffered under this man, about the carelessness he had in taking a life, about the justice that fell on his shoulders to dish out, and knew he needed to man up and do what he needed to do.
He had to pay, he simply had to!
"AAAAAARC!"
With gentle hands, Nora slowly laid Pyrrha back down on her bed back at the medical wing "Pyrrha, Jaune's gonna be okay." She soothed and gave her best encouraging smile. "I mean, you saw how strong he was when he trained us, right?"
"I know, I know." Pyrrha sighed. She reluctantly rested herself back on the bed, "But I can't help but worry, you know? It's just so different."
"Then how it was before?" Ren asked.
Pyrrha gave a minute nod.
"He's still got out best interest in heart. That's what matters, isn't it?" Nora said, "I mean, he's doing everything he can for our benefit."
"He's always been like that, I know." Pyrrha sighed, "But what he can do now's just…"
"That Kiryu guy's no slouch, Pyrrha." Ren said as Nora took a seat at Pyrrha's bedside. "He knows what coming after Jaune means and he's come all this way, so there's clearly no backing him down now."
Pyrrha turned her eyes to Ren, "You're saying he's not going to die?"
"No. I'm saying that this is both of their decisions to make, since it's the two of them that are fighting." Ren said calmly.
"But I don't want him to fight without us!" Pyrrha shot back, "We're partners, he's not supposed to just send me away!"
Both Nora and Ren didn't know what to answer, because they both knew that that was true. But Jaune's orders were their leader's orders, and with how he was now, was it really wise for them to disagree?
After a moment of silence, Ren decided to speak up first, "We all want the best for him too, Pyrrha, but I don't think anyone here knows what's really going on inside that head of his. I know we swore to be always by his side-"
"But are you really ready to kill, Pyrrha?" Nora finished for her childhood friend.
"Of course I am." Pyrrha said determinedly. "This is war-"
"And we both know that, but I'm asking if you're ready for what it means." Ren said, "Because once you slide down the wrong slope, people will always come after you – just look at Kiryu – and you'll have to live with it for the rest of your life. And if what Kiryu said about Jaune was true… then I think we can never really judge what he did correctly, because we don't know those that felt his actions first-hand."
"Pyrrha… You're our second-in-command." Nora softly said, "We want to help Jaune, we do! But we also want to take care of you…"
Hearing those words, Pyrrha relaxed in her bed with a soft sigh. Of course, they all wanted the best for each other. And Jaune had already sworn to stay with them; and them him, but just how were they going to pull him out of the pit he doesn't know he's in?
Team PNR stood in companiable silence, their presence calming each other. They had gone through tough times with just the three of them, fighting the White Fang and dealing with their drawbacks, and it had tested their patience and resolve as a team, as what remained. It was now just how to shape that resolve into something that would save their Leader…
Ring ring! Ring ring!
"Ah, somebody's calling." Pyrrha looked to her bedstand and saw her Scroll ringing and vibrating in place. She reached out to pick it up, but found that Nora was faster and picked it up for her.
"It's from Indigo." Nora stated, and then quickly picked up. "Hello! Nora here…"
The rest of them listened on as Nora and Indigo continued to speak over the phone. "Yeah, I guess you can say we're okay…"
A pause, and then both Pyrrha and Ren saw Nora's body stiffen. "What…?" She whispered, and they both could see the horror on her face, "Are you sure…?"
Silence, but they could sense the situation getting graver by the second.
"Yes… Yes, yes, I understand, ma'am." Nora said softly. "Yes… we'll bring him too. We'll be there as fast as we can."
Click!
Ren scooted over closer to his partner. Seeing her stiff, Ren placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Nora… what was that about?"
Nora let out a shaky breath, both Pyrrha and Ren's eyes focused on her. "It's about Adam Taurus."
Pyrrha's breath hitched ion her throat as Ren's face turned pale.
"There's a massive breakout going on in the main police station, and Indigo wants us there with Jaune right now." Nora said.
"ORA! ORA! ORAAA!"
Jaune dodged and dodged as Kiryu returned at him with renewed vigour. The man didn't stop even with the wounds on his arm and shoulder, Instead, coming at him with blazing red fury.
But as Jaune moved his body, he felt himself going slower and slower by the second. Something weird was going on, settling in his gut and making his own body's movements slower than they should ever be…
"HYAH!" Kiryu dashed forwards and kicked at Jaune's head. Jaune flashed away and appeared behind Kiryu, bringing his sword up in a rising slash. Kiryu dashed back and avoided the blow by mere inches, quickly rushing back and delivering a straight punch for Jaune's face.
And Jaune could see it - see the metal fist rushing in, the scratches his sword had made, and yet-!
BAM!
The fist hit his face square and sent him staggering back. "Ngh…"
Kiryu rushed back in right as Jaune was dazed smashed his fist square in his chest. He pushed his fist through and followed it up with by slamming his elbow to Jaune's gut. He felt Jaune double over and roared, raising his foot and kicking him square in the chest.
"Ah!" Jaune felt himself fly back, and yet before he could go far, he felt his feet being grabbed by Kiryu and then thrown to the other side.
"GRAHHHH!"
SLAM!
Jaune felt his body slam back on the floor, dust kicking up all around him. He felt his body going weak, but it didn't make sense! This was supposed to be nothing, nothing!
"Damn it…" But as Jaune stood back up, the dust clouding all around him, he still felt that weird fatigue overcome him again. Feeling odd to the core, his muscles weak and his gut wanting to puke in uneasiness, it just didn't make sense!
Stepstepstepstep!
"ORA!" Jaune looked up and saw Kiryu bursting forth, parting the cloud of dust with a punch aimed right for his nose. Jaune grit his teeth and wildly swung at Kiryu, forcing the Yakuza to block and step back.
CLANG!
The dust cloud fully dispersed as a shockwave was sent out from Jaune's blow. Jaune roared and pushed HF Murasama against Kiryu's block, and Kiryu felt his knees go weak as he tried his best to keep it at bay.
"Ngh!" Kiryu stumbled as Jaune pushed his sword in deeper. He looked into the samurai's eye and found determination, and yet… he could also see a slither of something creeping into the back of the samurai's mind.
That was his chance – his only shot at victory and ending this adventure quick. And then, justice will be served – and his brother would finally be back.
"Hah!" Kiryu quickly ducked and let go of his guard, letting the sword fly over his hair. He quickly rose and feinted a punch for Jaune's face. He saw the samurai's panicked eyes flick to his feint and raised his sword to parry.
'He fell for it!'
"HAH!" Kiryu instead kicked Jaune from the side and let his fist kick Jaune's side true. He heard Jaune groan as he doubled over and gave him another punch in the face.
CRACK!
"AGH!" Jaune staggered back and felt his Aura turning low. His body was getting slower and slower, and damn it, he had to finish this now!
The samurai forced himself to recover and swung HF Murasama high. Kiryu saw this and swiftly rushed forward, ducking right as the sword came out and letting it miss over his hair-
"ORA!" SLAM! And delivered a straight Tiger Drop to Jaune's gut. Kiryu felt a smirk grow on his face, satisfaction from hitting that move once more, And yet that satisfaction soon turned to horror as-!
'W-what…?!' Kiryu gasped as his fist stood in place, He looked up with wide eyes and saw Jaune flinching, and yet standing strong and taking the hit head-on!
"Grk-!" Jaune grit his teeth and firmed his stance, refusing to fly away from the blow. He roared and lifted HF Murasama high.
"HAAAAAAAAHH!" Jaune brought his sword down with all the strength and speed he had. Kiryu felt panic grip his body and only had time to barely lift his hands-!
SLAM!
Jaune slammed HF Murasama right into Kiryu, forcing the Yakuza's body straight to the floor.
"Hah. Hah…" Jaune stepped back and took a breather, leaning heavily on his sword. He kept his eyes trained on the dust cloud where Kiryu was, always at the ready. And then, as he had expected.
"Grah…!" He saw a hand coming out of the dust cloud, and then a loud roar as ethereal red flames burst from within it. The cloud dispersed and Kiryu emerged, in a shaky stance but ready as always.
Kiryu felt rage squeeze every fiber of his muscle. This was it, the last of everything he had. But he'll do it. He'll give it his all!
For Nishiki. For Nishiki!
Kiryu clenched his fist and beckoned Jaune forth, slipping into the deepest of his roots. "Kakatte koi!"
Jaune let out a breath. This man didn't seem to give up, did he? The samurai felt his Aura around and knew it was in the red – any more excessive use and he'd lose around half of his powerbase. But Jaune shook any doubts he had and readied his sword once more.
Settling into the Rodrigues stance, Jaune made sure to keep his eyes unfaltering and always trained on the enemy. "I'll be ready." He said with a tilt of his head, his voice slightly muffled through the mask.
Somehow, he felt he deserved this. That disturbing feeling settled in once more, making it harder and harder to just fight-
But he brushed it off and faced Kiryu nonetheless. It didn't matter, Itdidn'tmatterItdidn't matterItdidn'tmatter!
With another roar, Kiryu rushed in again. Jaune saw him come in with a punch to his side and parried it away. Jaune struck back with a swing, but Kiryu quickly changed to Rush and avoided the blow.
Kiryu rushed in again, feinting for a left punch when going for a low right kick. Jaune didn't fall for it and blocked the kick. Kiryu thought quickly and shifted to Beast before Jaune could recover, grabbing his block and throwing Jaune over his shoulder.
'Shit, he's switching!' Jauneyelled and twisted his body, forcing himself to land on his feet. He grabbed Kiryu's hand and threw him over himself in turn. Kiryu turned his fall into a roll, stopping and immediately rushing back in for Jaune.
Kiryu rushed in cross-punched Jaune's gut. "ORAAAA!"
SLAM!
"Grk!" Jaune stood his ground, tanking the blow and kicking Kiryu away. Kiryu's head snapped back with blood coming out of his mouth, a loud crack sounding out from his body.
Kiryu could feel it – the immense pain in his body, the toll of switching so fast, and the soreness in his muscles. He could feel himself sapping so quickly…
But he refused to fall here. He had so much to fight for! And he refused to lose to a scumbag like him!
"ORAAAAAA!" Kiryu snapped his head back and planted his feet forwards. With a roar, he dived in again and responded to Jaune with the strongest Tiger Drop he had. "SEIYAAAA!"
BAM!
"AGH!" Jaune felt immense pain spike in his gut and doubled over, a veritable shockwave exploding through his body. He felt his Aura shatter and even the mechanics in his mechanical suit sputter as he gasped for breath.
Jaune's eyes went wide as he keeled over, desperately clutching his stomach. No, he's not supposed to lose! He had to make things right! He had to…!
But his thoughts hit a dead end. What did it even mean to make things right?
However, Kiryu wasn't done. With a growl, he stood back up and drew his back with a deep red glint in his eye.
And with a roar, he swung it down with all his might.
"ORA! ORA! ORAORAORA!"
SLAM SLAM SLAM!Kiryu punched three more times straight to Jaune's gut, knocking him over and down to the concrete floor. He watched as Jaune fall and felt a rush of excitement, 'This is it!'
Kiryu wound his hand back, prepared to punch down. He saw Jaune quickly raise his sword, desperately trying to keep him off him, but Kiryu thought quicker and strongly punched his sword away.
CLANG!
And with weakness coming over him, Jaune felt HF Murasama fly out of his grip and panic grip his heart. 'No!'
"YOU'RE DONE, ARC!" Kiryu raised his fist once more and brought it down on Jaune.
FWOOOOOOSH!
Jaune could see it coming ever so closer. The metal fist, the glowing red eyes, he was about to lose, and he was too weak to do anything about it-!
And then Jaune's memories flashed before his eyes, reminding himself of what losing meant, of what Kiryu stood for, of what he would leave behind. And only then did he find the source of his weakness-
You deserve this.
Your actions have finally caught up with you, Jetstream.
This is it. Justice.
You must pay and suffer as you've caused, just like how you've laughed at all the lives you desecrated.
Leave them behind – you don't deserve them!
-No, no no no! He won't leave them, not again! Not when he promised her!
A new light burst from Jaune's eyes. "HYAAAAAAH!" Jaune quickly raised his metal right fist and met Kiryu's punch halfway.
BOOM!
"Grk!" Kiryu stumbled back as his punch was strongly denied. He heard a roar and saw Jaune standing up fast, opening his palm and pulling HF Murasama back to its grip. Jaune yelled and rushed at Kiryu, sword high and ready to swing down. Kiryu raised both his hands, prepared to block.
BANG!
But then Kiryu's eyes widened as Jaune disappeared from his view in a sudden explosion. The Yakuza's eyes darted around, 'I can't follow him! Where'd he go-?!'
"HYAH!"
'Behind me!' Kiryu quickly turned around and saw Jaune moving in for a stab. Kiryu raised his hand to block…
SLAM!
"GUAH!" And instead roared in pain when he felt a kick slam to his leg. Kiryu buckled down, the pain shooting right up his body-!
"HYAH!" Jaune yelled and brought HF Murasama down on the downed Kiryu. Kiryu parried the strike, going for a punch-!
SLAM!
"AGGH!" Kiryu yelled in pain as Jaune kicked him down again, forcing him crawling back.
"Hah… hah…" Kiryu growled as he stood back up, the adrenaline beginning to wear off. But no, he can't lose here. Not now-!
Kiryu's face contorted in fury, and he clenched his fist. The flames burned brightly around him and with a draconic roar, he rushed back at Jaune, raising his fist to punch him down.
"AAAAARC!"
Kiryu took one final step and swung down with all his power.
Jaune twirled his sword and ducked.
FWOOSH!
Kiryu's fist flew over his head and opened his guard wide. Jaune grit his teeth and gripped HF Murasama with both hands, taking a step into Kiryu's guard.
Jaune let out a breath and roared his final swing. "HYAAAAH!"
With a spin, Jaune raised his sword from below and slashed Kiryu wide open across the chest.
SLASH!
"UAGHH!" Kiryu flew back, blood splattering wide from his gaping chest wound and entirely sapping his Aura. His flames faded as his energy left him and he dully slammed his back against the hard concrete floor.
Thud.
And with that final thud, Jaune knew Kiryu was out of the fight. For good.
"Hah. Hah…" Jaune stumbled in his steps but forced himself to stand tall. He forced himself through every bit of sickness or hesitation he might've had and walked over to Kiryu stepping on his knee and stopping the struggling Yakuza right in his tracks. With a tired breath, Jaune lifted his sword and pointed it right at Kiryu's neck.
HF Murasama's electricity crackled, red sparks connecting to Kiryu's chin, and Jaune touched the tip of his sword to Kiryu's neck.
"I win." Jaune breathed.
Kiryu narrowed his eyes, chest and arm still bleeding profusely. He felt blood seep through his mouth and forced out with a hateful glare, "…Do it then."
Jaune's vision narrowed, his focus singularly on Kiryu's hateful eyes. He felt his arms rise, the grip on HF Murasama firm and ready for one final thrust to end it all.
With this, no one will go after him anymore. No one will.
His arms reached the apex of its rise and Jaune shook any doubts from his head. His eyes dilated as he firmed his resolve.
"Goodbye, Kiryu."
With a breath, Jaune lowered HF Murasama and moved to lunge it to Kiryu's throat.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But then Jaune's sword stopped in its tracks, just an inch before metal met skin.
"What's wrong?" Kiryu growled with bloody teeth and hateful glare, "I'm not dead yet."
"Grk!" ''I- I can't do it? ' Jaune felt both his hands shaking, metal and flesh in sync to not kill Kiryu right at this moment. Jaune growled, sweat going down his brow as he clenched his teeth, and yet still, his hands removed to do one simple stab. 'Why?! WHY CAN'T I DO IT?!'
This bastard's nothing, nothing! He's killed people for less, so why did he hesitate?!
Jaune looked to Kiryu again, anger-filled eyes searching for answers. There had been some truly odd feelings while fighting this bastard, and only now, looking at him again, did a memory strike Jaune.
The way this bastard spoke, the way he carried himself, and the way he fought with gloves and Aura-based styles and refined fisticuffs, it reminded him of that motherfucker Shibusawa.
Jaune growled. The past has come back to haunt him, eh? So why couldn't he finish it now?! This guy's a fucking Yakuza! He's killed plenty in his day in Brazil, so why? Why did he hesitate now when a single swipe from Murasama would kill him as easily as it did those Favela thugs?!
But then a voice sounded out.
'Our sword is meant to protect.' A certain voice said in his mind, 'Do not take pleasure in bloodshed – you may end conflicts, but you should never go looking for them.'
'M-Master Rodrigues-?' Jaune thought. His mind quickly went down in memory lane as they both stood in that stalemate – and then, staying that way even as footsteps approached them both.
'You're one of the best here.' His master Sakata had said to him, a long, long time ago in a memory he didn't dare sully, and yet he had also once upon a time said, 'Because you're strong but not ruthless. You're the only one I can trust to inherit the Rodrigues Shadow Style – Bruno will never have an ounce of regret once he kills someone with his blade.'
Stepstepstepstep!
Pyrrha rushed into the scene, leading her teammates but pausing as soon as she recognized the position the both of them were in. She could understand Kiryu's condition, his hateful eyes and draining body, having seen it many a times in her experience, but Jaune-
She saw him standing tall over Kiryu, sword crackling and ready to kill, but his gaze seemed to be anywhere but. Her partner was shaking, with empty eyes gazing far and away into something she could never see.
She could see him shake in place, the small clacks of metal as his sword shook in place, a crisis overcoming his mind.
And so Pyrrha desperately reached an empty hand out, "Jaune…"
And then her partner seemed to snap back, but not out of it just yet. Pyrrha took a deep breath and begged him, "Don't do this…"
From her eyes, she could see him shake even more. His baby blue eyes cleared, and yet even more sweat went down his face, and he was still on the verge of uncertainty…
"Jaune… don't you want to be better?" Pyrrha asked. She took a step forwards, keeping her voice soft and knowing it was the only thing keeping her partner sane, "If you kill him… then what use is saving Remnant? It isn't fair to be a villain and a hero at the same time…"
She saw her partner let out a breath. Pyrrha spoke once more…
"I'm not saying you should never kill." Pyrrha spoke softly, "But… if what he said was true… then there's no other way to move forward other than take the responsibility, right?"
Take responsibility.
Take responsibility.
Take responsibility.
CLANG!
Pyrrha saw her partner separate his dual grip on HF Murasama and then letting it go by dropping it to the side. She saw him close his eyes, swallowing a large gulp of air, and then opening his eyes back with an empty gaze and a shaking body.
"J-Jaune…?" Pyrrha reached out.
And then, he collapsed.
"Jaune!" Pyrrha dashed forwards and caught her partner right before he hit the ground. She stumbled under his weight, both of them falling to the ground, and yet she felt him melt in her arms. But then… he didn't seem look at her at all…
His gaze looked to the empty sky, lost and empty, and he let out a scream.
"AHHH!" Jaune slammed his right fist to the hard concrete, rage and anger yet sadness creeping into his voice. And yet, as strong as he was, it didn't smash the concrete nor send any dust rocking in the sky. And in the repeated attempts Jaune did, nothing could increase his strength nor conviction.
"Jaune! Jaune?!" Pyrrha tried to wrangle her partner back in, but it was useless. And, as he slammed his fist weakly down one, final time, she saw him collapse to the rooftop floor face first.
Jaune slammed face first to the floor, crying and sobbing at the ground as the weight of his actions dawned on him. Of what he'd lose all over again, and this time it was all because of his own fault.
Pyrrha hugged her partner as best she could, letting him air it all out – body shaking and conviction nothing – crying out as the sun began to set.
And that's it. Let me know what you think, and as always, thanks for reading.
See you next time.
To Gwynx, of course, he still lost to Big Boss at the end of MGS4 after all! And as always, thanks for reading and for the compliments!
To Xealchim, and here you go. I hope this wasn't too bad, Jaune did win – but it was still at a cost. Thanks for reading!
To Rak0s, true, and yet she still could still go for much longer. Thanks for reading!
To SolSparda36, true, true! He'll need to catch up soon if he wants to survive. As always, thanks for reading!
To Majin Snake, thank you, thank you so much! And thank you for reading!