King: Do you believe in Fate? ... Knox? What's with the board and string?

Knox: How can it all be canon?! It doesn't work!

King: Let it go, man. Just let it go. Anyway, while he's having a crisis, I want to say thank you for getting us this far. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Also, I got into Fate and I fell down hard. This can only end well in the future. Expect more Fate references in the future.

Inspiration: Fate series (RWBY)

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Whitely looked about the room for a moment "So, what's next?"

"We don't know." Winter explained. "They play at random most of the time, so we rarely have warning about what we'll see."

The scene opened to show the night sky. As it did, a voice over by Opzin started to play, "Humans, created both in Light and Darkness, were gifted by the gods with four great treasures to represent their design." As he listed them off, a silhouette of an intm most of the audience didn't recognize. "Creation," a staff. "Destruction," a sword. "Knowledge," an ornate lantern. "Choice," a crown. "Four relics of great power. However, as with many things dealing with these gods, they were blind to another power playing out."

This got Ozpin to raise an eyebrow. He didn't have the best experience with the gods, but he wouldn't call it altogether bad. At least until they used Ozma as a playing chip to make a point. Ozpin, himself, never knew the gods or had a way to interact with them. But, those memories from another were still there.

The camera moved aside to show the moon over remnant, still whole for the moment. Suddenly, a purple light shot off the planet and through the moon, shattering it to the form they were familiar with.

Ruby gasped seeing that. "Is… is that how it happened to ours?"

Some in the room wanted to argue that it was ridiculous, but learning that magic was real in Remnant, even in a lower form, made it difficult to know what was real anymore.

"As the god of Darkness left the planet and shattered the moon, he unknowingly released a power greater than his own."

The camera caught a glow among the moon's pieces as it started to fall toward the planet.

"Some have come to call it the Fifth Relic, but this is false. This is greater. A relic holds a single power. The Relic of Creation can create. Destruction destroys. So on. This is something else. It holds the power to do anything. Anything! Create, destroy, know, choose, and everything beyond."

The camera returned to Remanet's surface as the glowing item hit the ground. The impact burned everything around it on this life-lacking planet. A stone shattered and morphed to a podium of sorts, holding up the relic. A golden chalice that shimmered with something akin to a holy power.

"We have deemed it the Holy Grail. And its power can grant you any wish you could ever desire."

Nora gasped at the sound of that, "Anything we could ever want?! Can you imagine what we could do with that?!"

"Anything." Jaune chuckled a bit.

"All you have to do is be the last mage standing."

The glow off the Grail covered everything and transitioned the scenes.

The scene showed Velvet as she walked through the streets of Vale. It was almost time to return to Beacon for another year, but she couldn't help but feel like something bad was going to happen soon. Training to become a huntress meant she had that feeling a lot, in fairness. But this one felt… different. As she walked the street of Vale,, she couldn't shake this feeling. What was it?

Coco was getting a little worried for her teammate now, "It can't be good, whatever it is."

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the storefront immediately along her path exploded outward. Smoke and flames forced many around the accident to flee in terror. Velvet, training to be a huntress, was on guard and moving faster to see if there was a way to help. She slid to a halt to find a creature step out from the now destroyed shop. A humanoid beast, that wasn't totally right but also not inaccurate. He appeared human, but his skin was a dark ashen grey. A pair of ragged pants covered his legs, but other than that he had nothing. Fires licked about his body with no sign of harming him. His hair was an oily-black and even had flames dancing at the ends. Two of his teeth descended over his lower lip like fangs. Whatever he was, he was more like a monster. Not even a Grimm, just a monster.

Velvet was instantly hiding behind Jaune, but no one could honestly blame her here. This thing… it looked so wrong and unlike anything they'd ever seen. Even in all the memories stored within the minds of Oscar and Ozpin, there was nothing like this man.

Velvet knew she had to do something. She used her weapon's projector system to create a hard light construct of Coco's weapon. She held the item, leveled toward the monster before her, "Sir! Are you responsible for this?!"

The creature turned toward her, his eyes a bloody red with black sclera. He let out a groan before his mouth opened in earnest. But all that followed was a primal roar. There was no intelligence here. No understanding. Only blood and death.

Ruby made a scared 'eep' sound and dove to the protection behind her chair. Grimm she could handle. This was not that. This was something else entirely.

As it turned toward her, Velvet could feel the murderous intent radiating off this monster. She pulled the trigger and unloaded her weapon into him. Only to find his skin to resist the assault. It was as though there was no aura and his body was simply impervious to her attack.

This ran a fearful shill up many of their spines. The fast this thing didn't have aura and was just that powerful was insane to think about.

He just walked through the attack, each step breaking the sidewalk concrete beneath him. He let out a breath of something like smoke. He let out another mighty roar as he raised a fist to the sky. His intention was clear. Crush this bug until nothing remains. Velvet quickly shifted weapons to create Yatsuhachi's blade up like a shield. As the fist slammed down, the construct shattered and Velvet was sent flying into the opposite building.

She crumpled into the rubble around her, her aura utterly destroyed.

"In a single attack?!" Coco was a little scared now. Contrary to expectation, Velvet actually had more aura than she did. In her team; Yatsu had the most, Velvet was second most, Coco was third, and Fox had the least. They were higher levels than some overall, but the fact was for Velvet to lose all her aura in one attack meant that attack had to hit like a freight train.

The man stepped over toward her again, hand raised back to finish it, only for it to roar in pain. The last thing Velvet remembered before losing consciousness was a burning in her shoulder, a stinging sensation on the back of her right hand, and blond hair.

"Jaune to the rescue~!" Nora giggled.

When Velvet came too, she found herself looking up toward a white canvas. "What the…?"

"Don't move around too much."

The strange new voice caught her attention, making her look toward the owner.

He was a blond man with blue eyes dressed in what looked like an old military uniform. The uniform itself was white, but not completely thanks to what looked like blood at the cuffs of his sleeves. He wore red gloves, likely having been white at one time. He wore combat boots that seemed dirtied by constant use. He had a bandolier over his chest with various pouches at his chest and side.

"Who are you? Where am I?"

The man glanced toward her before looking away for a moment. "Good questions." He set an item down onto a mobile tray she recognized for field medic work. "We can hold off the less important factors for a bit. Right now, tell me, do you feel any pain at the moment?"

"What? Um… no?"

"So he's a doctor?" Coco tapped her foot, a little concerned after that monster ragdolled her teammate.

He nodded and took a clipboard from the end of her bed and started to go through the papers. "Velvet Scarlatina. You're lucky I arrived when I did. Had a nasty gash in your shoulder."

"I what?!" Velvet scrambled to sit up and check her shoulder. She found no sign of damage, but she also found no sign of her gear. She finally realized she was in her underwear and instantly covered herself with the cot's blanket, her face a bright red.

Coco started to laugh a bit, "Damn Vel~ That was a bold style."

Velvet mirrored her counterpart and buried her face in her hands.

Of course, the bold bra they'd all gotten a peak at did surprise many of the audience around her. There weren't too many that had a scandalized face, more than aware of how medical processes worked. That said, faces turned red. Jaune's in particular now that he was dating her.

The blond man just laughed. "If you're looking for your gear, it's over there." He pointed to a stand nearby.

Velvet looked to the stand and her eyes went wide. There on the right shoulder of her outfit was a massive tear in the fabric. Stains of red, likely her own blood, had seeped down the chest and arm a bit. It was all the more concerning that it had pierced her shoulder completely. Which just made her more confused, "How?"

"Hmm?"

"With that…" She didn't want to say it out loud, "I should at least have a scar or stitches, shouldn't I?"

Coco brought one leg up to cross over the other, "That's a good question."

"My guess," Ren spoke with a thoughtful expression, "Jaune is involved there, somehow."

Jaune tapped his chair in thought. "I think Ren is right. The uniform I have is pretty similar to the Arcadian Medical Corp."

Jaune just laughed hearing that. "Please. It was nothing my Nightingales couldn't handle."

"Nightingales?"

"My nurses. They're called the Nightingales." Jaune placed the clipboard back and nods, "You should be good now. But that said, I'd like to discuss something with you,, if you don't mind."

"Um… can I have a shirt or something first?" Velvet's gear was great for movement, but it was a bodysuit with armor pieces. As such, removing them leaves little for her to cover her body.

To his credit, Jaune took a medical gown and offered it to her. "I can stitch up a body no problem, but I was never good with fabric." He laughed, "You might need someone else to fix that."

"It's fine." Velvet put the gown over her and sat on the madical table, "I have a friend who can help fix it. But there's something that confuses me."

"And that is?"

"Who are you?"

"What does she mean?" Penny's head tilted in confusion.

But Velvet actually explained, "I've actually heard of a medical doctor said to be able to heal any injury. Who led a faction of nurses called the Nightingales. Jaune Arc was one of the most famous doctors on all of Remnant."

"Was?" Yang asked, now more confused than before.

"But he would be over three hundred years by now. So, who are you?"

Jaune was quiet for a moment. After a second of silence, he grabbed a chair and sat himself down with the back used as an armrest in front of him. "That's actually part of what I needed to talk to you about. But I need you to hear me out to the end alright? It's going to sound insane. Hell, I'd call me crazy if I heard it."

Velvet knew this could end badly, but she nodded and allowed him to continue.

Jaune took a deep breath before starting. "I am the same Jaune Arc you're thinking of. So, it's like this. Out there in the world, there's a thing called the Holy Grail."

"That fancy cup from the opening?" Nora asked. "What does that have to do with Jaune?"

Jaune continued, "Up until now, it's been quiet. Building power. Well, now it's awake and set off something called a Holy Grail War. Where people living in the current age, called Masters, fight alongside legendary figures from history and/or myth, called Servants. In this case, you are the Master and I am your Servant."

This made everyone pause at how… odd that sounded.

Oobleck was just stunned about the possibilities of interacting with an actual historical figure.

Velvet blinked, confused, "That… sounds ridiculous."

"Would believe me if I told you that big guy that put a hole in your shoulder was a Servant?"

This got Velvet paying even more attention.

"Servants are stronger than your average person because they represent the memory. The legend. Whatever it may be. The big guy was Darius Danitaus, remembered for his brutality and his seeming inability to die despite being burned at the stake. He's strong and hard to beat. Normal means can't really hurt him, hence why your attack didn't seem to hurt him at all."

Oobleck adjusted his glasses, recognizing the name. "I see. Darius Danitaus, once a general of an era before kingdoms, was said to have been unstoppable in battle. He was captured twice and escaped both times by breaking his prison wall. It's believed he possessed an aura and strength amplification semblance, though at the time they wouldn't have been recorded as such. On his third capture, he was immediately taken to be burned at the stake, only to escape again. He is said to have succumbed to his burns and war wounds not long after reaching the safety of the nearby forest.

Yang turned to the professor, "I'm sorry, what? Somebody like that existed?"

"The man himself did, though it's likely that the specifics of the story were exaggerated for effect."

Velvet shook her head to right her mind again before addressing Jaune directly, "But why would anyone take part in this… thing? What's the point?"

"Because if you win, if you're the last Master in the fight, you claim the Grail itself."

Mercury rolled his eyes, "Oh boy, a fancy cup. Great prize."

Jaune continued, his face set in a serious glare, "And if you get the Grail, you get a wish. Anything you could ever want, reality be damned."

That got Mercury to shut up fast.

Everyone was wide eyed at the idea, to have anything. Literally anything.

Velvet blinked, more confused than anything. "What?"

"The Master that wins the War, wins the right to the Grail and any wish they could ever want. Which, unfortunately, also makes you a target for anyone that wants their wish granted." Jaune hung his head a bit, his bangs hiding his eyes from Velvet, "The easiest way to win the war is to be the last Master alive."

The implications hung in the air like a sword above their heads. War was never about who was right but who was left, after all.

Velvet stared at him for a moment before letting her head hang a bit. She didn't even get the choice to join this crazy War.

Jaune perked up and turned his head to the side. "We need to go."

"What?" Velvet looked up to him again, confused for a moment. At least, until the tent's side was torn asunder so hard that they, along with the rest of the tent, were sent flying back.

Darius had appeared again, and not alone. A smaller man (though it wasn't hard given Darius was 7'11") stood next to the giant. He dressed in a dark coat with grey slacks and black shoes. His red-orange hair was cut very short like a buzzcut. He smirked as he looked toward the two, "Knock, knock."

Jaune pushed off the canvas before standing up to brush himself off. "Come on in, door's open."

Yang, Tai, Ruby, and Nora let out a chuckle for that one.

As Velvet freed herself, the man laughed, "I don't know what I was expecting, but a Faunas certainly one. I was under the impression only people were allowed to fight in the War."

Every faunas in the room was glaring daggers at this man now.

Velvet growled a bit, but Jaune stepped in front of her before she could tell him off.

The man laughed in that way a person can't help but hate, "How sad. Why don't you just roll over and die. Berserker! Kill her!"

Darius roared and started to charge toward Velvet, and Jaune by convenience. As a mad berserker, Darius couldn't say anything comprehensible. He could only speak in roars, grunts, and howls. As he reached Jaune, he slammed his fist into the medic's side. Aune, to his credit, held his ground and remained on his feet. That said, he was still sent flying a few feet away. Darius was just that much more powerful.

"Holy crap!" Yang shouted. She was both impressed by Darius's power and Jaune's endurance to take the hit and stay up.

Darius raised his other arm, intent to finish what he started at the market. Jaune was able to close the gap and used a punch of his own to make Darius miss his attack. The Berserker was now focused squarely on Jaune.

The man sighed and shook his head. "Fine. Deal with the Servant. Then we can deal with the…" He didn't get the chance to finish as Velvet closed the distance and slammed her fist into his jaw, mimicking Darius's attack earlier.

Coco grinned and cheered for her teammate, "That's the ticket! Nice shot."

The man fell back, not having an aura to sustain him like Velvet had.

Darius snapped to the side and saw his Master get smacked down. He let out a roar and tried to charge to protect him. Jaune used the tent's remains to try to hold the Berserker. As Darius held for a moment, he realized this man was keeping him from defending his Master. He spun around and backhanded Jaune into the dirt.

Jaune recoiled at the hit and how his body created a trench of dirt from the impact.

The man got himself upright again before holding up his right hand. A red glow radiated out from its back, "I invoke the Command Seal! Darius! END THEM!"

Darius's eyes turned red as he roared. The fires and smoke around him erupted and his body had a faint red mist surrounding him. Darius raised both arms as the flames rose around him. Jaune ran over and in front of Velvet just in time for what was about to happen.

"Wait, what's happening?" Velvet was more than concerned now.

Darius shouted louder than ever as the red mist expanded out over the area, only to be ignited by the flames and exploding. The area, having once been a park area in Vale, had been leveled completely with a massive twenty foot crater in the center.

"What was that?!" Nora shouted, now afraid for them both.

Knox was the one to answer, "Noble Phantasm. Specifically the Noble Phantasm of Darius Danitaus. It's called Eruption of Rage. It's an omnidirectional flame attack that levels everything around him."

The screen showed Velvet as her aura too a heavy hit. It was still there, but lacing. Jaune had taken most of the attack. He shook as his uniform was torn apart and his sin was covered in severe burns. The fact he was standing was a miracle as far as he was concerned. There were also the broken bones from the impact force. Jaune's body was stronger than normal humans thanks to his nature as a Servant, but the attack was super charged by the Command Seal. His body finally gave out and he fell to the ground.

Those who called Jaune a friend, or at least had positive interactions with him, all had a collective gasp in fear for him after that.

Darius's Master grinned and stood up properly, brushing himself off. He walked over to Velvet as Darius had to recharge himself in order to move normally again. "Let's get this over with. You never deserved your place in this War, but now there's one less to get in my way!" He grabbed a charred branch and raised it over his head to attack Velvet while she was down.

Coco wanted to dec this guy so damn hard right now. Many did. Though, one interesting note was Jaune, giving off that 'don't you fuckng dare' energy.

The man was ready to kill Velvet, only to hear a gunshot and find his branch now lacking almost all of its mass. He turned to the side and his eyes went wide in shock.

A bird, a white glowing bird was flying by like a bullet as it curved around the area.

"What the hell is that? How can a bird move like that?"

A laugh grabbed attention to the side. There, Jaune was propped up as he was surrounded by more glowing birds as the bullet bird landed with the rest. "No Doctor is ever complete without his Nurses. To my side! Nightingale!" The birds all glowed before exploding out to become humanoid. They were like glowing silhouettes, all dressed as field nurses. They were all distinct, but featureless.

Everyone was amazed at first. Then someone wanted to ruin it. A cawing sound grabbed attention to their side to see a crow having appeared suddenly. It flew up and landed square on Winter's head. As she tried to shoo it off, she could swear it was laughing at her. Then, the realization hit from a revelation a few chapters ago. The crow flew back and Qrow fell back onto his seat. Now everyone involved was even more amazed and concerned.

One of the nurses seemed to pick something up and chucked it at the man. He dodged to the side and saw the item in question, Did she just throw a hospital bed at me?! Another of the nurses drew a pistol and fired five rounds at him, one tearing into his shoulder. Meanwhile, two more were kneeling by Jaune and Velvet. A glow started to heal both of them and they were back up to a hundred percent in no time.

Nora was starry-eyed, "That's so cool! Is that Jaune's Noble Phantom thing?"

King nodded, "Nightingale. It's named after his Nursing corp, who themselves were named after the bird."

"I was wondering about that." Tai added.

"It summons his nurses to his side to heal any wound almost instantly and defend himself or others."

As the man recoiled back from shock, Darius got his baring again and stood.

"That's not good." Yang was fidgeting in fear for Jaune and Velvet. Though she admitted it was skewed to Jaune, she didn't know why. Must be because I don't know Velvet that well.

Darius roared and started to charge Jaune and his Nightingales. Jaune smirked to himself as his two defencive nurses moved between them. Both drew guns and unloaded into the charging man. As one bullet ripped through Darius's leg, he fell to the ground and roared as he tried to crawl toward them.

"Does he ever give up?!" Whitley cried.

"If he's based on his legend, he never will." Winter crossed her arms.

Jaune turned to Darius, sorrow clear on his face. "You are a sick man. One who cannot be healed. I'm sorry." He turned away as his nurses fired a shot each into Darius's head, finally killing the servant. His body began to dissipate into golden particles.

Ironwood clutched his hand onto his chair. He knew men in combat that had no chance at life. They were going to die in time, and that field medics had to give them the choice to end their suffering on their terms. It was always hard to hear about.

As Darius disappeared, the man squirmed in fear. He ran off, knowing he would die if he remained. He found Velvet's fist in his face for his trouble and knocked him out. "You deserve a lot more than that, but I'll let Vale decide how much."

Ozpnin nodded, happy Velvet made a proper decision befitting a huntress.

The glowing nurses turned back into birds and flew away before disappearing. They survived their first battle, but this was only the beginning.

"Well that's just crazy." Yang groaned, finally coming down from her high.

"If you knew how crazy it could get, you'd call that mundane." Knox deadpanned.

"Well… that's fucking ominous."