The forest surrounding Beacon was a blanket of silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft crunch of twigs underfoot. I stood at the edge of the training ground, the air fresh with the scent of pine, anxiety roiling in my gut like a storm threatening to break. Today, I was meeting Angela Ziggler, a Huntsman renowned for her unique powers—similar to mine, she had said. But the notion of training under someone else, especially now, felt daunting.

Mia tugged on my arm, her tiny fingers warm against my skin. "Daddy, are you okay?" Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern. The little fox faunus wore a simple tunic that fluttered in the breeze, and the way her red-orange ears perked up at the slightest sound reminded me of just how much I had to protect.

"I'm fine, sweetie." I forced a smile, the kind that would reassure her. "Just a bit nervous."

"Me too! But we'll do great, right?" She bounced on her toes, each motion filled with the innocent energy only a child could have.

"Yeah," I murmured, though doubt flickered through my mind.

Before I could wallow in my uncertainties, a voice floated through the air, confident and commanding. "You must be Jaune. And this little one must be Mia."

Angela stepped forward, her silver hair tied back, accentuating her strong features. She wore combat gear adorned with faintly glowing accents—a testament to her powers. There was a calmness about her, one I hoped to latch onto like a lifeline.

I nodded, trying to suppress the nervousness that settled deep in my stomach,

"That's right. I'm…"

"Jaune Arc, son of Queen Rachel, heir of Arcadia. Yes, I know." She smiled a warm grin that eased the tension between us. "But today, we're here to focus solely on your training as a Huntsman. Leave the titles behind."

I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the weight of those expectations. Titles had never been my strong suit. "Okay."

Mia stepped forward, her innocent curiosity driving her. "Can you teach my dad to be as cool as you? He's just okay at fighting."

"Oh, is that so?" Angela turned to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, we'll see what we can do, won't we?"

As I caught a hint of mischief in Angela's expression, I couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, I'd say I'm a little better than 'okay.'"

"Just a little?" Mia chimed in, leaning toward Angela as if sharing a grand secret.

"Alright, alright!" I raised my hands in mock surrender, all too aware of how I had floundered in recent battles. "Perhaps I do need some help."

With a soft laugh, Angela motioned for us to come closer. "Let's start with the basics. Your aura is your strength. To harness it, you have to be in tune with your emotions. Do you understand?"

My stomach knotted again. My emotions? They were a tempest of guilt, fear, and uncertainty. "I… I think so?"

Angela's gaze softened. "Let go of the doubt. Focus on what you want to protect."

Mia's joined warmth beside me felt like a grounding anchor. I looked down at her and felt a flicker of determination. "I want to protect my family. My mother. My sisters. Mia."

"Then channel that feeling. Let it fill you." Angela gestured for me to close my eyes. I hesitated a moment before obeying, inhaling the fresh forest air and picturing everything—the warmth of my family, the laughter of Mia, the bright future I wanted. My heartbeat settled, calming the storm within.

"Aura, awaken," I whispered, and as I did, I felt the familiar warmth bloom within me, tinged with the spark of power.

"Focus," Angela instructed, guiding my hand to my chest. "You're not just harnessing power; you're harnessing hope, love, and responsibility. Feel it."

"That's it!" Mia cheered, clapping her tiny hands together, her enthusiasm infectious. "You're gonna be awesome, Daddy!"

I cracked a small smile, the love from my daughter fuelling me. I pushed against the waves of doubt, concentrating, channeling energy from my heart.

"Now, extend that energy outward. Show me your aura."

Breath hitching slightly, I opened my eyes. A golden light started to shimmer around me, swirling with warm hues of blue and green—the colors of my essence.

"That's it, Jaune! Feel it!" Angela encouraged, her voice smooth and steady.

But just as quickly, the warm glow flickered dangerously, the shimmering dissipating like smoke.

"What happened?" Angela questioned, her brow furrowed.

Guilt flooded me. "I—I can't. It's too hard!"

"Jaune." Angela approached, her presence unwavering. "Do not retreat from the emotions that fuel you. Embrace them. Channel your worries, your fears, and transform them."

The frustration built inside, twisting like a coiled spring. "I thought you were here to help me, not to push me into emotional chaos!" As soon as I said it, I regretted the sharpness in my tone.

Mia peeked up at me, her big eyes wide with concern. "Daddy…"

I knelt to her level, suddenly feeling smaller than I had ever felt. "Hey, I'm sorry. I just—"

"But you're trying to get better, right?" Mia interjected gently, her innocent faith in me unwavering.

"Yes, I am." I sighed, brushing my fingers through my hair. "I just had this image in my head of being a strong protector, and I feel like I'm letting everyone down."

Mia put her hand on mine, her warmth seeping into my heart. "You're my hero, Daddy. The best hero!"

Her sincerity pierced through my clouds of doubt. I smiled, feeling a flicker of that old determination reignite.

"Okay, one more time." With a deep breath, I channeled my focus inward and visualized Mia, my mom, and my sisters. Their laughter blossomed in my thoughts, wrapping around the fear and sadness like a comforting embrace.

"Aura, awaken," I whispered, and this time, a bright and steady light erupted around me, illuminating the training ground.

"Yes! That's it!" Angela's voice cut through the air with excitement.

"See, Daddy!" Mia danced in place, joyfully clapping. "I told you!"

"Good, Jaune!" Angela commended. "You're beginning to understand. Now, let's work on controlling it."

But seemingly out of nowhere, a flicker of memory danced through my mind—Pyrrha's laughter, her gentle reminders about strength, courage, and the importance of family. I felt her presence as if she were gesturing me forward, instilling in me the very resolve I needed to channel my emotions.

Suddenly, darkness enveloped the t

raining ground, pulling me out of the moment.

I was on my back, lying on the ground. The shadows animated, swirling aggressively around me like storm clouds. I blinked in confusion, realizing I was not where I had been moments ago.

"Jaune!" A familiar, gentle voice floated around me, filled with warmth and a hint of mirth.

"Pyrrha?"

Her ethereal form shimmered before me, as vivid as I remembered. "You've come so far, but you still cling to fears that weigh you down. There's a light in you, Jaune, and that light must shine."

"I—I don't know if I can," I stammered, insecurity creeping back into my heart.

"Can you feel it?" Her emerald eyes pierced through the haze. "The love you hold for them? Channel that. You will find strength higher than you ever believed possible."

"Pyrrha… I miss—"

She raised a hand, silencing me gently. "You carry my strength with you. Do not forget it. Protect Mia. Protect your family. You owe it to them and yourself."

My heart thundered, the uncertainty wavering against her soothing presence, every moment filled with responsibility and inevitability weighing heavily on my shoulders.

"I will," I promised, my voice steady, the storm within me quieting.

"Did you think I would ever leave you?" she whispered, her form shimmering with undeniable brilliance. Each word resonated within the fibers of my being, urging me onward.

As I reached out, trying to connect, I felt the world twist again. The shadows began to recede, pulling me back to the training ground.

I gasped, sitting up abruptly to see Angela and Mia standing beside me, concern etched on their faces.

"Are you alright?" Angela inquired, her brows knitted tightly with worry.

Mia rushed over, throwing her arms around me. "Daddy!"

"Yes, sweetie, I'm fine." I hugged her, the residual warmth from my dream lingering. "Just… a bit of a distraction."

Angela observed me as if checking for cracks. "That was quite a powerful vision you had."

"Yeah, a reminder, more or less." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a long way to go, don't I?"

"Perhaps," Angela admitted, a glint of encouragement in her eyes. "But you're willing to confront your shortcomings, and that's half the battle."

A smile played on my lips as Mia climbed onto my lap, her small body against mine a reassuring weight. I needed that connection, that love. "Thanks, Angela. I do feel a little stronger."

"Good. Strength requires bonding with your emotions, even the painful ones. Especially those. Embrace them, and you will train both your powers and your heart."

"Ready to try again, Daddy?" Mia's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I ruffled her hair, my resolve strengthening. "Absolutely. Let's get to work."

And together, surrounded by the lush forests and the whispered echoes of strength long buried, our laughter echoed off the trees as I stepped onto the path toward acceptance, both as Jaune Arc and as the protector I was meant to become.