32AN 06-01-2024: Sorry, I had a chance to edit and fix some errors. Please let me know if I missed any!
The large group made their way into the Arc Manor. Aurelius was leading the way while Margarette was pointing out things as they made their way through the manor towards their meeting room.
"That is a bust of Jonah Arc, he was one of the first Arc family members to become a warrior. Or hunter as they are called today."
"The painting on the wall there is to commemorate the battle of the Sea Snake Grim's defeat to secure the Island of Arcadia by the four founding Lords."
"This is the first Arc, Alexander who alongside his team came to this island to form Arcadia. There is a public reason for the name of this island but really the four of them had a drinking competition and Alexander won, hence the name Arcadia being so Arc heavy."
Yang and Ruby ate up the tour, Ruby 'oohing' and "ahhing" at every new piece of information while Yang marveled at their surroundings and how fancy the whole manor was. The adults and Arc family quietly listened as they walked through the manor.
Jaune took the time to really observe the guests. His ability to sense and read aura was, in his sister Saphron's own words, quite impressive. He got more than size and density, impressions, and feelings as well. It gave him more to learn by aura sense than the typical hunter in training.
'Summer Rose's aura is so refined, it's as if she is in complete control of her soul.' Jaune could tell that even Headmaster Ozpin's damn near perfect control was even second to hers, 'The woman…her eyes are different.'
His thoughts were accompanied by the Beast's observations as well. Considering Beast was a part of his soul, it wasn't much of a shock that they could communicate within Jaune's mind, the shock was that Beast was actually quite sentient in that he had a completely different perspective and thought process than Jaune.
'Perhaps a semblance.' he supposed.
'No…different. Power is pure light.' Beast growled, not in fear but in an eager hunger for battle.
Jaune wasn't sure what to make of that but Beast was a being of darkness so perhaps the power Summer had was an inverse category and therefore something he wanted to defeat. Jaune wasn't sure really what darkness and light meant for aura but he did know and Beast was always quick to clarify that neither meant good or evil.
'Not evil! We are strong and we are us!'
'I know. Just thinking is all.'
It was still quite strange to him that some of his thoughts could be heard by something else. Though he was getting used to it every day. Especially when Beast could sometimes offer advice, odd that a part of himself could help him…he was a mess.
Back to his observations. Tai was strong, his aura was fierce and firm, showing a monumental amount of experience fighting and overcoming hardships. His build led Jaune to believe that he was a hand-to-hand fighter.
Yang's had a heat to it he was curious about. Perhaps she was a dust user?
'Soul… nature of fire.'
'Which means?'
'Fire.'
Jaune mentally rolled his eyes at the less-than-helpful answer.
Lastly was Ruby. She was excited? Her aura was buzzing constantly and it looked like it wanted to burst from her. Though despite that it seemed to stay beneath the surface never coming close to breaking free. Maybe Ruby had some of that control Summer had. Her aura was also filled with light like her mother. Jaune guessed that it was a hereditary power or trait.
The group came up to the meeting room and was led inside. All of them took a seat with each group taking a side while Ozpin and Aurelius took one of the heads. Jaune sat in the middle with Margarette sitting on Aurelius' right then Olive.
"We've waited long enough I believe." Began Aurelius, "What exactly is the nature of your visit Summer Rose?"
Summer sighed, "You are aware of Ozpin's mission." She said with emphasis on the last word. Yang and Ruby looked at her curiously but didn't speak up.
Jaune turned to his father who narrowed his eyes, Margarette didn't look any different but Jaune could tell that both she and Olive were also out of the loop.
"Yes."
"Well someone attacked Ruby during the horde attack. Hazel Reignhart."
Jaune's eyes shot wide open, even he was aware of who that was! Hazel was a legendary hunter and the whole world mourned his passing. He was the pillar of Mistral for nearly fifteen years!
"I thought he was dead?" Olive said quietly. "The Southern Expedition. He fought to let the others escape, or that was what the reports said."
Margarette narrowed her eyes, "Why would a thought to be dead Supreme Hunter- a hero even, attack your daughter?"
"Silver Eyes." Summer said with a grim expression on her face, "It's a trait she and I share."
Jaune leaned forward and stared at Ruby who 'eeped' and looked away. "So that's what the source of light was. Not a semblance then." He mused aloud.
"You can sense that much?" Summer asked in wonder.
"My son's quite capable, you'll find," Margarette said with a smile.
"Light source?" Asked Yang.
"It's a category of aura." Answered Ozpin, "But let us not get sidetracked. The Silver eyes are nearly extinct. To our knowledge Summer and Ruby are the last two in the world. Hazel was there to kill Ruby due to her potential."
"Are they that powerful?" Asked Aurelius in wonder.
Tai nodded, "I've seen them in action numerous times, they can annihilate grim like it's nothing." He said with a proud smile.
"Why have you not had more children?" Asked Margarette seriously, "If they are that powerful why not have more children? It seems to be in humanity's best interest that more of these Silver Eyes exist."
Summer's eyes narrowed, "I'm not some broodmare. Not everyone wants to have nearly ten children." She said with a frown.
"Seems to be a waste is all." Shrugged Margarette without much care for Summer's irritation, "Genetic potential such as yours and Ruby's shouldn't be at risk of dying out if there is something that could be done about it."
"Mom." Jaune interrupted with a frown, "Let's get back on track." He was aware that his mother could be blunt but usually that wasn't towards someone like Summer Rose. He didn't like his chances of protecting his mother from the woman if she got angry enough to snap.
"Right." Agreed Ozpin while Summer took a deep breath to calm down. "The fact of the matter is that we need a place where Summer can train Ruby that is isolated enough that they won't have to worry about another attempt on her life."
"You believe that someone will come for Ruby again soon?" Asked Aurelius.
"I do not know when, but I want to make sure she is better prepared in case she is alone again when someone attacks her in the future."
"She won't be alone," Yang said firmly. "I'll be coming to train with Ruby as well." Yang noticed that everyone's eyes were on her then she laughed nervously, "If- uh, you let us, that is."
Jaune leaned back in his chair and turned to Summer, "Will Patch be ok with you leaving? My understanding of Patch is that so much is done there due to your presence protecting it from the larger grim that are attracted to the population." It would seem that all the information that Olive forced down his throat was actually coming in handy.
Summer sighed, "Normally no. However, we have a work-around for the distance and to ensure that none of us are here for longer than a few hours at a time." She said and in the next moment, a black and red portal was opened at the end of the room.
Before anyone could say anything Jaune was on his feet and Beast was fully manifested on instinct. Raven, who was entering through the portal, was grabbed by the throat and lifted into the air before anyone barring Ozpin and Summer could realize.
Jaune instinctually put his hand on his sword and glared at the woman, "Who the hell are you?"
"Smells…of death," Beast growled.
"Mom!" Shouted Yang in shock. Tai, face grim, put a firm hand on her shoulder to hold her back from rushing forward. Ruby just watched in alarm having been completely caught off guard by the turn of events.
Summer shot to her feet, "Mr Arc! Please let her go. She was just being dramatic." She said with a frown directed to Raven.
"She's right, Raven Branwen is going to be very helpful in this endeavor," Ozpin said calmly as he stood up to join the others around Beast and Raven. His presence eased the tension slightly due to how calm he remained after the fact.
Aurelius glared, "You planned this? Forgive us for not taking someone waltzing in here like they own the place kindly." Olive and Margarette were less composed at the sudden actions though they stayed silent and in their chairs.
Jaune frowned, then locked eyes with Raven, "I let you go, are you going to cause trouble?" He asked. He was certainly bluffing as he could tell that she was strong and if Summer or Ozpin decided to assist her he was dead. However, at the moment everyone was taking him quite seriously so he'd go with the flow.
After getting a minuscule shake of the head from her, Jaune pulled the beast back and Raven fell to the ground with a cough. Jaune walked over and pulled her to her feet.
"I apologize, I've been a bit on edge lately." He said with an uneasy laugh.
Instead of anger, Raven smirked, "Oh I have no issue with someone being quick to respond to a potential threat. You're a fascinating one, Jaune Arc." There was something else in her eyes that had Jaune leaning away slightly. He looked at the others in the room who were slowly relaxing now that the action was over.
Yang stood up, "Are you alright mom?"
Raven waved her off and took a seat at the table, "I'm fine, let's continue. I was waiting to introduce myself and to explain my semblance. It's critical to this situation."
"Quite." Said Ozpin, "I do apologize for the confusion."
Aurelius and Jaune retook their seats, "No more surprise guests." Said Aurelius with a grunt, "Please continue, though I can guess based on her entrance."
Jaune was quite aware that Yang was staring at him seriously but wasn't going to comment on it. He too wouldn't have been happy if someone attacked his mother and he couldn't do anything about it.
"No more, I promise." Replied Ozpin with a relieved smile, "Now as you've likely guessed Raven possesses a unique semblance: Gateway. She can create a portal between two locations either within a certain range or between herself and someone she has bonded with. She has a bond with several people here but we would like to have one with you, Jaune. So that Summer and the girls can train here and then return home after."
"Prove…worthy of help." A deep growl came from behind Jaune causing him to sigh in defeat.
The others in the room looked at him in alarm. He shook his head, "My semblance doesn't exactly like helping those he deems weak. Or really just in general." It was a fascinating personality quirk and considering Beast was a manifestation of his own deeper personality a fun realization about himself.
"Wait, that monster is sentient?!" Shouted Yang in shock.
Jaune glared and Beast's presence darkened the room, "Beast is my semblance, not a monster." He said firmly, getting a flinch from Yang.
Tai put a hand on Yang's shoulder, "Our apologies, it's certainly a first for us to encounter someone with a semblance like yours."
Raven glared at Yang, "Keep your composure, at least pretend to be strong."
Yang looked down in shame while Tai sent a heated glare at Raven. "Enough." He said firmly.
Summer stood up and went to speak but Ruby beat her to it. "I don't have a weapon right now. But I would be happy to have a spar with you when I do!" She chirped.
Jaune looked at her in surprise. "Really? I was going to help out regardless." Before turning to his parents and adding quickly. "If we all agree, that is!" He laughed.
Margarette sighed, "Must you make such quick decisions, son?"
"If Jaune is fine with it." Aurelius said with a nod, "It wouldn't be right to turn away a family in need. That's not what Arcadia is about. There will be stipulations, however."
Summer smiled gratefully, "Thank you all. We would be happy to offer our services in exchange for this help." Around her, the Xiao Long/Rose family nodded in agreement.
"First is that where you all go in Arcadia, so does Jaune, if he's your access point you don't leave his side while here." He added firmly.
Ruby and Yang nodded, the latter of which was still a bit uneasy but went along with it since their parents didn't object. Aurelius nodded when he saw they didn't have a complaint with that.
"Good! Then while training here, the two girls and Jaune will be running missions. Arcadia is always short-staffed and I want Jaune to get more experience in the field." He announced.
"They are here to train, remember." Summer added, "I agree that practical work is beneficial but I need to have time for one-on-one training with Ruby. Training her silver eyes is the entire point of being here."
"Of course, while that is happening I'm sure we can assist Yang, and Jaune has his own responsibilities. I will have you two in one of our private locations within the grounds for your special training. No need for an escort in one of those situations."
There wasn't much more to discuss after that. Jaune really didn't even need to be here for the remainder of the conversations. Olive and Glynda were talking mostly about the logistics of this situation while his father and Summer would add in stipulations as needed.
After a while, Raven, who gave Jaune a long glance for a moment, opened a portal, and the visiting group left. Jaune sighed as soon as they were gone, he had been on edge the whole time.
"That woman." Growled Margarette, causing him to turn to her, "I do not want that woman around my son."
Jaune frowned, "Which one?"
"Honestly." Olive said with a snort, "You can't be that clueless."
This confused him even more.
"Raven." Signed Olive after noticing that he was still confused, "You couldn't have missed the looks she was sending you."
Jaune tilted his head, "I thought she was looking at me because she was sizing me up in case a fight broke out."
"She was sizing you up alright." Muttered Olive getting a look from their mother.
"Enough!" Shouted Margarette, "This is what I was talking about Jaune. You need to be more aware of these things. She will be far from the last to give you such looks."
Aurelius stood up, "I think that's enough fun for today. Tomorrow you and I will be training together, as you said it's time to learn the sword." He said, directing his attention towards Jaune.
Jaune frowned, "I thought I needed to get the basic fundamentals of aura and hand-to-hand down before we started on weapons?"
"And you have." Answered Aurelius as he left the room with Margarette following behind him.
Jaune sat stunned in his chair while Olive reached over to squeeze his shoulder, "I told you, Saphron said you were doing great."
The next morning the two Arcs stood before one another in one of the family's training rooms. It was bare, holding only a few weapon racks, a fridge, and a few matts that were stacked in the corner.
Aurelius was in his battle attire and had Crocea Mors drawn at his side. Across from him Jaune was in his new armor and had his sword in his hand, idly passing it from hand to hand.
"You have learned at a tremendous pace. While the basics most your age would have mastered as well you've learned them in a week. Now it's time to learn the blade." Aurelius explained. "You can manipulate your aura to cover yourself in the neutral field and then use aura to enhance yourself physically. With time you'll get better and the enhancements and defense will improve drastically."
Jaune nodded, "Right, I'm getting the hang of it the more I practice. My training with Beast has been very helpful as well."
"Quite," Agreed Aurelius, "Now from here you will learn the fundamentals of swordplay. As well as the aura technique of imbuing. With imbuing you can turn any ordinary object into a weapon with your aura. Observe."
Aurelius, from his pocket, pulled out a note card. He showed Jaune that it was a simple piece of paper by flopping it around. Then he flared his aura in his hand and the notecard became stiff with a small nearly unnoticeable glow to it. Then after a moment, Aurelius tossed it towards the wall with a flick of his wrist.
Jaune watched in shock as the paper cut through the air and embedded itself into the solid wall.
"As you can see, I've imbued the notecard with enough aura then hardened it which has turned it into a capable throwing weapon. This is the simplest form of aura manipulation outside of the body and will be the foundation to countless techniques for you to learn."
"I see." Muttered Jaune, "So how should we start?"
Aurelius gestured to his sword, "We're going to do it at the same time as we use the sword. If you don't have your aura flowing through it correctly you'll know in our clash of blades. Watch as I start then try to mimic it."
Jaune narrowed his eyes as his father twirled Crocea Mors through the air. The blade became even more shiny and had a visible weight to it. He couldn't really see it but he could sense the aura flowing through his father and the blade. It was a constant stream coursing through the weapon.
Jaune took a deep breath and tried to mimic the action. It took a few minutes and several helpful hints from his father but after a while he got it working for a moment. It was weak and barely capable of being called successful but it was enough for his father to run him through some exercises. Which was a circuit of a slash in every direction; up and down, left to right, up and down diagonally on both sides, then all over again five hundred times.
Every time Jaune lost focus on his aura he had to start from the top. He was sure it would take him all day. By the time the sun was getting lower in the sky, his father called for him to stop.
"From here you and I will go through some light sparring. I just want you to move and respond to my movements, not fast, just focus on flowing your aura and matching my movements."
Jaune took a deep breath and took a stance.
From there it was a moderately paced dance of swords, Aurelius would go through a motion and make sure to verbally explain the reasons behind the motions while Jaune would try to use his instincts to block the attack. Sometimes it would work, sometimes not.
There wasn't much to be said about their training. It was mostly Jaune getting his body used to wielding a sword and imbuing it with aura. Aurelius seemed pleased with his progress but Jaune only felt like he was barely grasping the technique.
Nearly an hour of their mock spar went by before his father signaled them to stop.
"Ok son, I want you to go through the exercise I showed you every single morning. Five hundred cycles with your aura flowing evenly, if you mess up, start over. No breakfast unless you do it." Aurelius said seriously.
Jaune groaned, "That's crazy! It'll take me hours!"
"At first." Agreed Aurelius, "But after a while, you'll get better and faster. I'm catching you up to people your age in skill Jaune. It's going to be ten times harder than normal because we have to force ten years into one."
Jaune nodded with a sigh, "I understand. What do you think I'll be doing with the others when they start coming?"
Aurelius hummed, "I believe Summer Rose will train Ruby in their silver eye abilities for most of the time. We should set up some training exercises for Yang Xiao Long and yourself so that you two don't waste time. Saphron will assist there. Then I want the three of you running grim extermination missions in the mountains."
Jaune's eyes widened, "Already?!" He's only had one weapon training session!
"Yes," Aurelius nodded, "I can't lie Jaune, we are understaffed here with people capable of killing bigger and older grim. You could take the place of an entire squad with just Beast. I can't let that go to waste."
"I literally just learned how to hold my sword!" Shouted Jaune while waving around his blade wildly, "Now you want me out there fighting super dangerous grim!"
"Kill beasts…no fear," growled Beast making Jaune glare towards the ground.
"No, enough outta you!" Jaune replied, "I'm all for fighting but we need to be realistic. I don't think I'm ready for that, especially if I have to look out for two other people!"
Aurelius growled and stepped towards Jaune, "No! You need to be realistic!" He exclaimed, "You are stronger than you think and are more than capable. It's cowardice that's keeping you from realizing it, I thought you were passed being so pathetic!" He shouted.
Jaune flinched and his aura darkened as Beast slowly manifested. Aurelius' mind caught up with his words and paled. "Jaune I'm-"
"No," Jaune interrupted, "I get it." He said while walking off.
He shouldn't have been surprised since for so long he pushed people away out of fear. Though he was, he just realized that his father always considered him weak and worthless. It was only after the session at Beacon that his father, who he always thought was too busy to come around when he was growing up, wanted to be around him. Jaune only just realized that his father was actually ashamed of him this whole time.
Jaune felt a teardrop as he left the room. For the first time in weeks, Jaune had to force the Beast back inside against its will. His fear, shame, and self-loathing he felt since he was seven came back in full force.
Since the meeting with the Arcs in Arcadia the Rose-Xiao Long Family had been making their preparations for their new schedules.
Summer looked over some documents and books, "Ok, Ruby and I will need every morning together, an hour or two. From there Yang, Ruby, and Jaune will be doing light assignments for Arcadia. It will get them more field experience and I'm sure Arc can look out for our girls." She said to Tai.
"I don't need a babysitter." Groaned Yang while looking away.
Ruby snorted, "I think you do. I mean didn't you trash a bar because the owner was hitting on you?"
"No, and he-"
"You what!" Shouted Tai.
Summer whistled loudly, getting everyone's attention, "Focus please!" She said with a tired sigh, "I don't think you need a babysitter Yang. Nor you Ruby, but I will feel much more confident that someone as capable as Jaune Arc will be out there with you. The three of you should be more than enough for any grim they'll send you after."
When both girls looked to say something she glared at them, "Let's not forget the entire reason we are doing this in the first place! Ruby was attacked! I can't go everywhere with you, nor your father!"
Ruby looked down sadly, "You're right, sorry." she whispered.
Yang pulled Ruby forcefully into her side, "No, you don't need to apologize, you were attacked, it wasn't your fault."
Summer and Tai quickly moved in, turning it into a group hug, "Oh Ruby, I didn't mean it like that. I just worry about it. I know you're strong sweetheart, but we need to be ready next time."
Tai squeezed all three of them tightly, "None of you are weak or incapable. Ruby, you may be super small-"
"Hey!"
"But you're so talented, you're going to be an amazing huntress. Yang, you're a right pain in the ass-"
"Now hold on a second!"
"But you're already far better than I was at your age. Summer-"
"Yeah?" Summer asked with a raised eyebrow seeing the trend.
"You're perfect." He said getting a snort from his wife who was giving him a flat stare while Ruby and Yang giggled at the exchange.
Summer pried herself out of her husband's hold and laughed as Ruby and Yang joined forces to break free but weren't able to shake Tai's iron grip.
It was moments like these that she cherished and fought so hard to protect. The smiles and laughter of her girls and her husband. They weren't the most conventional family for sure, but she wouldn't trade it for the world.
"How'd the meeting go?" Asked a grizzled voice from behind her. On the other side of an open window in their living room was Qrow who was sipping his flask as he peered past her to the three goofballs now wrestling on the floor.
Summer smiled, "It went well. There was a bit of a kerfuffle when Raven decided to be a bit dramatic and portal in mid-meeting."
"How so?" He asked with a roll of his eyes, "and just leave it to Raven to cause diplomatic issues for no reason."
"Jaune Arc. He reacted immediately. I don't even think he realized how fast he moved with his semblance grabbing her. I can definitely see what Oz meant when he called him rough but strong."
"Yeah, ole Oz told me a bit about Jaune Arc. Untrained but filled with more potential than anyone he'd ever met. In his own words, a Rook has joined the field. Whatever the hell that means." Qrow said with a snort.
Summer shook her head, "I give it a year before he's in a whole other league than right now." She said with astonishment. "Anyway, enough about that. How was the assignment?"
Qrow frowned, "Messy. Vacuo is locked up tighter than you can believe. All on the words of Gladius himself. The man decided that he wanted to 'clean up' the deserts before allowing outsiders back in. His forces, called 'Scorpions', are ruthless, killing anyone that can't explain their history and past."
Summer gasped, "How many have they killed?" She asked worriedly.
"Nearly fifty by our estimates. Not as many as you'd think. Really, and this stays between us, I think this may be a good move against her. I wouldn't doubt she had agents in the desert due to its lawlessness but now she'll lose most of them. Either to Gladius or fleeing."
"It's still not right to be judge, jury, and executioner." Summer muttered though a part of her understood the reasoning. Salem did not play fair and sometimes it takes drastic measures to overcome the unfairness of nature.
"What did Oz want you to do?" She asked.
"What does he want me to do, you mean," Corrected Qrow tiredly, "I'm to go up to Atlas to meet with the General. Try and calm him down from sending Schnee out to Vacuo. He believes that Gladius is insulting and targeting Atlas personnel unjustly as he is forcing them out personally. He started by trashing White Knife himself." He finished gravely.
"He did what!" Summer said in surprise, "That was an F.O.B.! It was there to keep them safe and with reinforcements in case of a horde or a leviathan-class grim! No wonder Ironwood is angry."
"Exactly. Times are getting crazy. It's good you're going to be with the girls laying low in Arcadia for a while. The last thing we need is someone coming after Ruby during all this unrest."
"Agreed," Summer agreed quietly as she turned back to her rowdy and still wrestling family, "I hope they'll be alright with what's coming. The fact that Ruby was targeted specifically means that she isn't sitting by anymore. She must be ready to make her move."
"We'll be ready. I've trained the twerp and you're going to get her ready with those eyes of yours. She's going to be ok with all of us there to support her."
Summer smiled at Qrow, "Thank you."
Qrow waved her off, "Don't mention it. Now tell me your honest read on Arc. What do you think of him, not as someone going to him for help? But as a huntress."
Summer frowned as she formulated her thoughts. It took a minute before she answered.
"He's raw in every sense of the word. He clearly has minimal actual training. I can tell by how he moves and carries himself. He's likely barely at the level of a first-year at Signal if you can believe it. But," She paused to look at Qrow, "His aura and semblance are…scary. I can tell if he can get his fundamentals down he'll be one of us. That, Beast he calls it, his semblance. It has this presence of a very old and very powerful grim. Something that I would need to take seriously. I believe he will be a useful ally."
Qrow took a swig from his flask, "I see. Not what I was expecting but I'll take it. Semblance or not, it's odd that Ozpin declared him A-Class without any formal training." He said with a frown.
"After seeing it move on Raven, I'm not doubtful. He also hesitates against his instincts. I imagine once he overcomes that he'll grow at an incredible rate."
"Then let's hope he stays on our side. For Ruby and your sake." Qrow finished with a tired sigh. "Especially if Hazel is one of them now. That man was a force of nature once he got momentum."
Summer could only agree.
It was late at night and the final day before the training in Arcadia was set to begin. Ruby just finished up the last of her repairs on Crescent Rose. It wasn't quite what it was before Hazel crushed it but it was working again and was ready for training.
Hopefully, if she made friends with Jaune and the others in Arcadia she could get more of that metal! Then she could make her baby better than ever before!
Ruby groaned as she set her weapon down, "Yeah, then what?" She whispered to herself.
An upgraded weapon is great and all but against that monster of a man who came for her…did it really matter? She swung it with all her strength and it didn't even cut him.
Ruby took in a shaky breath. It had only been a few days since the attack. Since then she was treated at Beacon. Explained that her genetics were making her a target for a shadow organization that was trying to take over the world or something. Also, her family has been walking on eggshells around her ever since as well.
Now she's going to be put through some crazy training with her mom and it was all to make sure that when- not if!- when another person came to kill her she could protect herself.
Ruby's breathing started to speed up.
It was not that she was overwhelmed by the grim that was close to killing her last week. An enemy of humanity as a whole that she long accepted was out to get her and everyone on the planet. It was numbers that got her, she just got tired out they didn't overpower her or anything!
No, it was that man, no that monster! He was there specifically to kill her! Someone who was considered a pillar of humanity was after her life! She just wanted to protect people and fight grim.
Ruby's breathing became shaky and her eyes moistened.
Now it wasn't so simple. She and everyone she loved was a target. All because of her eyes, her mom was too powerful to be a target apparently so it was her. They wanted to kill her! She'd never even met these people or even heard of them and now they were after her.
Not five days ago her biggest problem was getting home in time for curfew!
The house was silent. She knew everyone was asleep, there wasn't even the sound of crickets outside. It was as if there wasn't anything in the whole world around her. The moon was covered by clouds and in the silent dark of her room, Ruby felt completely alone, overwhelmed, and terrified.
She could only hold out hope that the training with her mother and the Arcs would give her confidence again.
END CHAPTER
So thanks to those of you that reviewed the last chapter it was a nice little side project I wrote and put out to get a feel for people's opinion on it. I know some of it may not be all that new, whatever it's new to me lol.
So as this chapter may have shown, at least I hope it did. Jaune and Ruby are struggling for real for real.
I wanted to take a spin on the Jaune Tropes. "Not trained" "Ignored" "forever underdog" etc etc. This story Jaune is being crushed under the weight of people's expectations and his own hangups. As well as the drama of a family of warriors not understanding him that well. IDK if I portrayed it right but that's what I'm going for. Jaune is strong, everyone knows it but himself.
Ruby on the other hand, wasn't as prevalent this chapter and that was because she was pushing down a lot of her own issues until the end. She will be a bigger focus next chapter.
In terms of abilities and aura. I hope all of that makes sense. I'm of course a nerd for that kind of stuff. Also the training bit with Jaune. I find it boring if I over explain the training session and bog down the story. He's training, you really want to read thousands of words of him swinging a sword?
Anyway please provide some thoughts on the chapter and overall thoughts on the story. I'm very curious for feedback as RWBY isn't a fandom I'm really all that invested in, I've read some stories and I know up to season 7-8 and some of 9 mostly clips. I just use the wiki as needed tbh.
Thanks.