Hello again.

So... this has been in my drafts for like two years now. I take no pride in that.

Between college and... rotting I've had quite the time.

I don't know how long I'll be back for, but I hope to maybe get another chapter out after this one.

That's a big fuckin maybe.

Who knows, the dopamine I get from reviews might get me to lock in again.

Anyways, I've kept you waiting for way too long.

Let's get started.

PS I'm not really good with fight scenes so bear with me. xoxo

PPS ff's app is gonna be the death of me. I usually edit my drafts on the app and it is just trying its damnedest to ruin this chapter

A symphony of clashing blades reverberated through the shadowy cavern as the two warriors engaged in their deadly dance. Every collision pulsed with the raw intensity of brutality and bloodlust that radiated from the fierce combatants.

Jaune quickly realized that, despite the woman before him bearing his partner's face, she was undeniably someone else. The difference was glaring, starting with how she fought. It had been a while since he'd last seen Pyrrha in action, but the elegance of her movements was unforgettable. This woman, however, fought nothing like her. Every strike felt like a twisted amalgamation of his friends' combat styles, all unnervingly concealed behind a single, familiar face.

This woman displayed Pyrrha's tactical brilliance and precision, seamlessly blended with the fluid grace reminiscent of both Ren and Blake. Beneath that finesse also lurked a ferocity and relentless aggression that could only be matched by a fully amplified Yang or Nora. Anyone else in his position would have likely met a swift and brutal end... but Jaune, the man once known as the Rusted Knight, would not fall so easily.

it was only through the virtue of years of dedication to honing his craft that he was able to stand on equal footing with the being before him. that, and his extensive experience of eating dirt in combat spars. "You're pretty strong for a cheap copy." Jaune taunted as he parried an overhead slash from Milo. Talking during such a high stakes fight was often considered a death sentence, but in situations where two fighters were so evenly matched, it was important to preserve your stamina. Even a few seconds of rest could shift the outcome of the fight.

The faux Pyrrha jumped back to create some space between the two. It seemed that even though she was a manifested illusion, she too, needed a breather. "You've never doubted my strength before, Beloved. you make my heart weep." she jested in kind. Her eerie echoed voice held a twisted hint of Pyrrha's 'hello again' voice.

a grimace overtook Jaune's face at that word. Beloved... it was like a spit in the face from a future that could have been. If he had to guess, the only reason why she called him that was because she was an illusion born from a superficial glance at his memories.

... wait

If she was meant to be a foggy version of Pyrrha, was it possible that she shared the woman's weaknesses? Pyrrha didn't have weaknesses in the traditional sense but... well... Jaune had quite the history of getting under his partners skin. "I'm flattered, but we just aren't meant to be." even through his dramatic facade, Jaune never once let his eyes move off of his opponent, "after all, you're like a sister to me!" the gamble had worked a little too well. The faux Pyrrha lunged forwards with a sloppy slash before he could even finish his sentence. regardless of that, a cocky grin appeared on Jaune's face. One opening was all he needed.

In an ordinary fight against a heavily armored opponent, it was difficult to utilize an opening like this due to how few weak spots were available, However this was far from a normal battle. In a world full of mana techniques that rivaled the semblances of his time, nothing was ever truly off the table. It was all a matter of adaptation.

Jaune's method of adapting was born from Ozma's own technique; phantom fist. Although the name was horrendous, Jaune had to admit that the mana art was incredibly versatile. The amount of damage it did comparative to the mana cost was frankly astounding, however it had one massive problem; the recoil. Jaune couldn't afford to take any extreme damage in this fight, but phantom fist was his best shot at quickly settling things.

The blond haired knight had spent many sleepless nights thinking of ways to optimize the volatile technique. Eventually, he had come to a conclusion; all he had to do was use a medium! It was far from a perfect solution. If the medium was something that wasn't capable of withstanding a blast... well... one could only imagine the damage. Luckily for Jaune, his family heirloom was as sturdy as they came.

Crocea Mors began to glow with a dim light as the golden haired knight allowed his mana to surge through the blade. As his opponent's reckless slash sliced through empty space, Jaune seized the opportunity. Ducking low, he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. With the full weight of his body behind it, he slammed the flat of the blade into Pyrrha's chest. The surge of mana, amplified by the centrifugal force of his swing, detonated on impact. The faux Pyrrha's breastplate shattered with a deafening crack, fragments scattering like embers. The force of the impact sent Pyrrha flying deeper into the recesses of the tight cavern.

Jaune couldn't deny the sudden rush of pleasure at his accomplishment. In all honesty, he was incredibly lucky to have successfully managed the attack on the first attempt. Mana arts were usually much more fickle. Setting those thoughts aside, Jaune pursued his prey deeper into the cave. He couldn't allow his advantage to slip away.

When Jaune finally caught sight of Pyrrha once again, he was stunned to silence. Even after suffering such a powerful blow she was already back on her feet and in a loose attack stance. If there was anything to be said about this illusion, it certainly mimicked Pyrrha's tenacity to a tee. Even still, it was clear that this the illusion was very affected by the damage. her breath was haggard and her movements were a touch more lethargic. The attack had been a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

That small rush of dopamine was enough to drive the knight forward to strike.

Jaune's first mistake was believing the gods would turn down the opportunity to spit in his face.

The illusion of Pyrrha had feinted him and he'd been stupid enough to fall for the bait. Jaune only noticed the depth of his mistake once the ground around him began to surge with a faint red glow.

it was quite the blunder. Jaune still wasn't used to fighting mana proficient foes, and had overlooked one critical fact; if he was capable of using magic, then so was a mirror of his mind.

Jaune paid for this mistake dearly. From the ground shot four stone spikes that pierced through his armor, subsequently running through his forearms and shins. He supposed it made sense, Pyrrha was very grounded after all.

...

Yeah, okay. Maybe he deserved to die for that one.

"How unfortunate..." the illusion called with a rasp as a very inhuman grin colored her lips. "Your arrogance has toppled you. I am disappointed in you, Jaune Arc."

The rational side of Jaune had no choice but to agree... however his much more emotional side was far from thrilled. "Arrogance my ass." he seethed though gritted teeth. In normal circumstances, Jaune would have simply chosen to heal himself and immediately counter attack, but this was different. For starters, he was kinda... y'know... impaled, but there was also the fact that his mana was running low. There was very little that large mana reserves could do when faced with a full day of fighting

The situation was pretty dire. He could either try to counter attack and die from blood loss, or heal himself and leave himself open for the mirror of Pyrrha to slash him in two. Neither options left much room for optimism, but that didn't stop Jaune. He refused to die a dogs death at the hand of a worthless imposter.

Unbeknownst to Jaune, that desire to survive had jumpstarted his subconscious mind. As the blood loss began to take its toll on Jaune he simply chose to trust his instincts, the last thing he felt before passing out was the remainder of his mana rushing to his head.

Salem was a great many things; she was a princess, a teacher, and powerful mage in her own right, however, in this moment she could only be described as one thing; a worry wort. Despite the truth of that statement, Jinn and Ozma were smart enough not to voice their shared opinion.

"I'm sure Jaune is fine," Ozma tried to reassure Salem, much to Jinn's amusement. He wore an expression of a parent who didn't know how to console their weeping child. "Jaune is a remarkably strong man, I doubt anything short of a leviathan could kill him."

The brown haired knight's words didn't seem to quell the torrent of anxiety that went by the name of Salem, "Normally I would agree, but you heard Eris! I'm worried!"

Jinn was not usually one to butt in on useless conversations like this but given the possibility of a pending threat she felt justified for what she was about to do. With a lengthy sigh Jinn stepped forward and roughly grabbed Salem by her shoulders before slapping the woman. The action shocked both Ozma and Salem but Jinn didn't care, she was tired of their wining. "For a princess you certainly don't act like one" Jinn scolded with a sharpness beyond her years, "you are a grown woman, stop acting like a child."

Ozma looked like he was about to interject but the man abandoned that idea as Jinn's frosty gaze landed on him. Despite Jinn's first impression of the man, it seemed like he agreed with her to some degree. "You want to go help the blonde knight, do you not? Then focus!" the archivist lambasted, "Listen. The sounds of fighting have dulled. If he's still alive then we'll find him."

Salem looked at her with as if she were in an odd trance before rapidly blinking to focus, "Yes... you're right." the woman sounded downtrodden to a certain degree but that quickly faded, "Thank you. I needed that." Jinn would have found those words more appealing if it didn't sound like it physically pained Salem to say them.

Ozma, the painfully neutral man that he was, quickly chose to change the subject. How boring, "Salem, is your mana sight capable of piercing through stone?" the knight inquired, "you're much more proficient with the technique than I am. We may be able find Jaune quicker."

Ozma's question seemed to distract Salem from her worries, "Its... possible." she reluctantly began as her eyes began to glow once more, "Mana sight is fantastic for short range usage but its clarity is limited to twenty feet. Anything beyond that point is as vague as mana sense."

Jinn vaguely understood what the knight and princess were talking about, but one thing stood out to her above all else, "What is mana sight?" she interjected, her sharp tone now replaced with an inquisitive one "I assume it is as the name implies, but I've never heard of it before."

Salem and Ozma looked at each other in confusion before the princess finally let out a chuckle "I suppose you wouldn't know." the infuriating woman continued with a rather smug tone, "mana sight is a technique that my student created." given the fact that the woman was practically glowing, it was safe to say that Salem was very proud. it made Jinn feel the immediate need to hurl.

Ozma, sensing a growing tension between the two, chose too but his head in yet again. "I'm sure Jaune would love to experience your pride." despite his deceptively flowery words, it was very clear to Jinn that what he really meant, 'I don't care. Hurry up please.'

Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. Jinn liked a man with some bite.

It seemed Salem wasn't privy to the subtext, but she understood the outline. Jinn vigilantly watched as Salem's eyes began to glow and focus into a halo around her irises.

it only took a moment before Salem's face to become a tinge paler. she didnt speak, nor did she move. that certainly wasn't a good sign.

"Salem...?" Ozma hesitantly spoke, very clearly trying to suppress his own worry.

"that's not right. That can't be right" the princess whispered in a tone that could only be described as a guttural mix of disbelief and despair. "I see him. His mana... it's trying to leave his body."

That... that definitely wasn't good. Jinn was acutely aware of what the cause of it was. The only possible reason; he was a half step away from death.

"we need to go." Ozma immediately interjected, attempting to take control of the situation. 'a smart move' Jinn thought. It was very clear that the young princess was not mentally stable enough to deal with the death of a companion. It seemed that Ozma was a reliable knight after all.

"No." Salem snarled with a significantly more solid voice. it was hard for Jinn to say whether or not she was in denial, but there was an odd sense of certainty in her words. "Prepare yourself! they're comi-!"

Salem was unable to complete her sentence. she was abruptly cut off by a familiar blade flying past her head.

The silence had been obliterated in only a moment, quickly being replaced by the visceral sounds of two warriors desperately trying to kill each other. on one side, you had an unidentified redhead that was on the backfoot, and on the other you had the blonde knight who looked nothing of the kind.

there was no opportunity for the trio of onlookers to intervene in the brawl. it would not be stopped. it would not be paused. the fight would only end with one of the two warriors dead...

Jaune felt like he was in a daze. in one moment, he felt like he was embracing death, but in the next? he felt... free. that was the only way he could describe it.

The last thing he could recall was the sudden rush of mana to his head. he couldn't say why he'd made that decision, but he was still alive; he could still fight. That was all that mattered.

it was incorrect to say that jaune had come back to his senses, far from it, but he had once again become aware of his surroundings. his opponent was still standing; that was unacceptable. he couldn't quite place why, but he felt as though he was capable of trampling over anything in his way... so he did.

the knight, using his scabbard, delivered a blow to his opponents neck. it was sloppy and it lacked significant force, but it was enough for a moment of respite. enough for a moment to think.

it was hard to say what was driving Jaune forward. Was it an animalistic drive for survival? perhaps, but as the clasp of his scabbard settled in his hand he learned the true answer.

it was pride. it was spite. it was hate. all of which was aimed at the creature the exuded the essence of all he held dear. He would tolerate this farce no longer.

For the first time since his arrival to the past, Jaune shifted his scabbard into a shield. Crocea Mors was beyond his reach, his shield would have to do.

"Weak!" he furiously growled, striking the center of milo and snapping it in two. "Worthless!" using centrifugal force, he swung around to hit the illusion upside her head with the blunt of his shield. The force of the strike knocked Pyrrha off balance but Jaune did not allow her to fall. he roughly grabbed her wrist before landing a grisly phantom fist enhanced strike to her stomach, "Excuse for an imitation!"

Jaune was not allowed the opportunity for a follow up strike.

a familiar red glow halted his advance as a large spike erupted from the earth. Had he taken the step, he would have been sliced in two.

"You of all people would recognize a fraud, wouldn't you, beloved?" the illusion hissed, notably lacking the faux sultry tone from before. the taunt was poor but it drew his attention for all of a second. just enough time for Pyrrha to gain her footing.

the spike that Pyrrha formed fractured into a set of two lances that the illusion hastily took in hand.

Jaune cursed as his shield reflexively rose to protect himself... but an attack never came. Rather than aiming for his torso, the illusion aimed for his knees, breaking his balance and knocking him to the floor.

"Why won't you just die peacefully?!" the illusion screamed as she attempted to pierce his skull, being stopped only by Jaune's shield. "Why must we wait for you to join us?!"

that... that elicited a response. a very very angry one.

"argh!" the bestial growl erupted through Jaune's lips as a second wind encompassed him. Summoning all the strength he could, Jaune tossed the illusion to the side before jumping on top of her with his shield raised.

"How dare you?!" his shield dropped like thunder, striking the illusion square in the face with the edge of the shield. "You desecrate their memory! Her memory!" a strike, accompanied by a splash of blood on his face. "die!" another strike.

and another.

and another.

and another.

the resistance under him ceased but he did not.

the only thing that caused him to pause was the sensation of arms wrapping around his shoulders.

it was a poor decision to do that to a man running only on adrenaline and a mana high. the owner of those arms learned that lesson the hard way

...

by being vaulted over his shoulder as jaune prepared himself for another attack.

it never came

what hit him instead was a dense feeling of dread. his opponent was dead; her head was splattered across the ground. laying in the middle of that mess was Salem.

...

and she was looking at him with nothing but terror in her eyes.

...

Oh, fuck.

it shouldn't have surprised her

she knew very early on that her pupil had demons in his closet, she understood that he had ghosts haunting his steps, but even still... Salem wasn't prepared to see Jaune so... inhuman.

Even as the illusion of the scarlet haired woman began to fade and the blood that stained his face evaporated, it was like it was still there. Salem couldn't shake the image of her pupil, her friend, panting and in a near dead state while covered in the blood of his enemy. it... it terrified her.

"Jaune... are you alright?" Ozma warily asked, positioning himself in front of Jinn and at her side. it seemed that she wasn't the only one perturbed.

the blonde knight panted for a moment and held Ozma's gaze for a painfully long moment before breaking the silence, "I'm fine." he rasped, very clearly not fine. Damn it Jaune. "is... is the threat-" the man wasn't even able to finish his sentence before collapsing to the ground.

an uncomfortable silence washed over the trio after the man's body hit the floor.

it was jinn that was the first to move, taking a stride forward to eyeball the fallen knight's injuries. "Well, I can't say that today hasn't been uneventful." her voice was just as blasé and uncaring as normal. did... did this not effect her? "Ozma, I do hope you have enough strength to drag him. I have not the muscle for it."

"It would be best to move quickly." Ozma spoke in a voice that even Salem could decipher was forced. "That... that fight was not usual, Salem." it wasn't much in the way of comfort, but she apricated it nonetheless

"don't baby her." Jinn scoffed, strutting forward to dislodge Jaune's sword from the cave's wall, "she's meant to be a princess is she not? she'll need to know what real combat looks like eventually." the woman turned to face Salem before sighing. "Have you forgotten that you just killed a woman? she wanted your life so it was your duty to survive. what is the difference between that and your knight coloring this cavern red with his enemy?"

"it was personal" Ozma answered before Salem had the chance, a peculiar sharpness colored his tone. "there are times when people kill out of necessity. they can resolve themselves to kill because that is their duty. this was not that."

a sharp sigh tore through his lips as he hoisted jaune upon his back, "that woman was not a faceless enemy. she was someone he knew. someone he loved. do not disrespect him by saying this was senseless murder."

a cold tenseness appeared between the two as their icy gazes met

"guilty conscience?" Jinn coyly asked

Ozma didn't honor that comment with a response, merely pushing past her. "come on, he needs a healer."

Salem failed to find the words to express the torrent that was her mind, to share her perspective. How... how had things gone so badly so quickly? they were all laughing together only a few hours ago, but now? it was like the very air between them all was holding its breath

Salem hated it. this... this was not something she wanted. this was not something she desired when she'd escaped from that damned tower.

her objections were a waste of brain power, she'd come to decide. She understood that it was a very fragile excuse, but... for now... for now it was best to pick up the pieces of this travesty.

Boom

First chapter done in like 2 years

god I'm so washed

i hate to leave you on a cliff hanger like this but this chapter is doing everything in its power to not be written.

I PROMISE THE NEXT CHAPTER WONT TAKE ANOTHER 2 YEARS

...

...

...

probably

I'm in a heavy rwby phase at the moment so I'm thinking i may just grind out this story for as long as the motivation flows.

that said... I'm thinking of getting silly again and doing a few more one shot stories.

i know the few that read the arkos one seemed to like it and i quite enjoyed writing it.

I've been toying around with a few ideas. to give you some potential teasers...

1.) lean into the jaune brainrot and do a continuation of coeur's relic fic.

2.) shout out to deferonz. where you are needed has me wanting to write a yang time travel fic. if you are reading this deferonz i will sacrifice my firstborn for an update. love your fics bro

3.) a pre beacon story following the come up of STRQ

4.) just a story of shitposting oneshots. i mentioned it before but i might actually go through with it this time

feel free to leave some ideas if youd like to see something specific from me

that is enough yapping from me

in conclusion we are so back

until next time