《RWBY — Might Of Olympus》


 Chapter 1: Divine Calling

    I am dreaming. I am asleep.


    I know this because I can see Mount Olympus in the distance, a peak so massive that its summit is lost in golden clouds. The fields around me are a vibrant emerald green, dotted with ancient olive trees said to be planted by the Goddess of Wisdom herself. Rivers of liquid silver flow down the mountainside, and where the streams touch the earth, wildflowers of impossible beauty bloom¡ªanemones in red and violet, irises kissed with gold, and roses exuding the sweet fragrance of love¡¯s raw essence.


    I need to move. I need to find them.


    No, it¡¯s not that I need to find them; they would find me regardless, even if I didn¡¯t want them to. But when dealing with beings of such incomprehensible power, the least I can do is meet them halfway.


    And so I run, my legs picking up pace over this land I have explored a hundred times yet know nothing of. The paths of Olympus shift and change in ways my human mind cannot fully comprehend, always presenting me with something new, making it abundantly clear that I am not in control of my journey here. My chosen direction is theirs to bend and command.


    Lightning flashes above, and I wonder who will find me today. As my mind settles into this world, becoming anchored to the divine realm, my memories of reality begin to return, and my thoughts start to make sense. Tomorrow is an important day. No¡ªtomorrow is the most important day of my entire life, my one and only chance to make it into Beacon. Whoever I meet tonight will be the one by my side during that challenge. The simple notion makes my blood race.


    The air on Olympus is different¡ªthick with energy, charged with the divine essence of the gods. Each breath I take fills me with a sense of bottomless power, but also a deep longing. I can hear faint echoes of laughter and conversation drifting from the great feast just beyond the veil of clouds. Music, sweet and pure, flows from the summit, the sound of Apollo¡¯s lyre blending seamlessly with the rush of the silver rivers.


    But before I know it, the scene falls behind.


    I now stand in a small, carefully crafted garden, every inch of it filled with ethereal, enchanted beauty¡ªflowers that seem to pulse with life, fruit glistening with impossible colors, and statues frozen in expressions of longing. The air is thick with a sweet, intoxicating perfume that threatens to dull my senses. As I pass one of the statues, it comes to life, shedding its stone shell.


    The voluptuous woman giggles, hiding her smile behind a playful hand. Her pupil-less eyes, two spheres of deep, dark purple, sweep over my body before returning to her own naked form, inviting me to follow.


    I can¡¯t deny the temptation, but I¡¯ve grown used to her games by now.


    ¡°Aphrodite¡­ aren¡¯t we past this already? C¡¯mon.¡±


    The goddess huffs, almost offended, as her puppet turns back to stone and crumbles to pieces.


    ¡°Why do you have to be so cruel to me, Jaune? Hmm¡­ Such a bad, bad boy¡­¡±


    Aphrodite reclines on a stone bench at the end of the garden, stretching luxuriously, each movement emphasizing her every detail. Her hair cascades down her flawless, warm body in shifting waves, transitioning from gold to crimson, to pink, to white, depending on how the light hits it. The immense, divine seductress extends a hand and beckons me closer.


    ¡°To think you¡¯re the only mortal I¡¯ve ever allowed to wield me, to use me so thoroughly and do with me as he pleases¡­¡± she whispers through half-lidded eyes, making my soul shiver. ¡°Is it really too much to ask that you fulfill some of my fantasies now and then? I am still a woman, after all. There are needs, cravings, itches that need to be¡­ scratched. If only you would lend me those fingers.¡±


    It feels as though there¡¯s no blood left in my head, as if I might faint just standing in front of her. Facing Aphrodite is always dangerous, but tonight she seems particularly playful. This is what she understands for ¡°being in a good mood¡±.


    I chuckle, fighting not to collapse. ¡°We both know that if I tried, I¡¯d never see the light of day again.¡±


    ¡°Mhmm¡­ True. I do have quite an appetite.¡± The word drips from her lips like thick honey. ¡°Oh, but let¡¯s stop talking about me, darling¡­¡± She sits up suddenly, her slender legs gliding through the air before stretching by my sides. ¡°What can little old me do for a big, strong, girthy¡­ boy like you?¡±


    My fingers reach for my face as I feel something warm and red start to drip from my noise, not in a cute or perverted manner, she is literally turning my brain into mush. She gives me a playful glance and then leans back a bit, her divine pressure giving way for me to exist within her presence.


    Taking my chance, the only one I¡¯ll have, I slowly start to walk forward. My fingers caress her right leg as I step in between her inviting thighs, which she silently spreads just to slightly.


    Once I¡¯m close enough, I look down into her eyes, her bottomless, vulnerable, predatory eyes. ¡°Aphrodite, lend me your strength.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± she huffs, clearly disappointed at my resistance. ¡°Let¡¯s show your little Remnant what true power looks like.¡±


    ?


    Waking up, it¡¯s almost as if it was all a dream.


    ¡°Wakey, wakey, baby. You don¡¯t want to be late, do you?¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice echoes in my mind, making sure I remember she¡¯ll be by my side today. ¡°Mhmmm¡­ Or maybe you¡¯d rather stay in bed with me a little longer?¡±


    If people knew what the voices in my head say to me...


    ¡°I bet they¡¯d be jealous, wouldn¡¯t they?¡±


    By the time I¡¯m dressed and out of my room, our ship has already landed in Vale. A few dozen students disembark alongside me, though most probably aren¡¯t here for the hunter¡¯s exam. I do my best to guess which ones will be my competition. Soon enough, the participants are separated from the crowd, and I¡¯m a little surprised to notice I¡¯m the only guy among them.


    ¡°May I have your attention, everyone?¡± the director calls out, standing atop a small platform and commanding our focus. ¡°As you know, Beacon¡¯s entrance exam evolves significantly each year. This time will be no different. You¡¯ll be undertaking a two-part challenge, starting with a straightforward Grimm hunt. There are no specific rules for this section; you¡¯ll rely entirely on your instincts and training. Once everyone is ready, we¡¯ll begin.¡±


    That¡¯s... one way to do things.


    ¡°Nervous, sweetheart?¡± Aphrodite teases, as always. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everyone here is going through their first time, too. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find someone who understands... Oh, speaking of that, blonde baddie incoming!¡±


    ¡°Hey! You look lost enough. Wanna team up?¡±


    The tall blonde girl in front of me flashes an energetic smile, and I can¡¯t help but notice my eyes drifting down into her ample cleavage.


    Aphrodite, stop that!


    ¡°This isn¡¯t my fault! Those puppies won¡¯t stop looking at me!¡± she protests before retreating to the back of my mind.


    ¡°Eh¡­ Team up?¡± I echo, a little dazed.


    If Yang notices my wandering eyes, she doesn¡¯t seem to mind at all. In fact, she looks almost proud.


    ¡°Well... no rules, right?¡± Yang cracks her knuckles. ¡°Then let¡¯s just grab an easy win by beating everyone else!¡±


    ?


    In truth, the idea of having a partner sounds pretty good to me. But the plan falls apart almost immediately, as we¡¯re thrown headfirst into the action. Calling upon Aphrodite¡¯s gifts, I feel my strength and agility enhanced beyond recognition. I manage to halt my fall by grabbing a tree trunk, though it creaks and snaps under the pressure, easing my descent.


    ¡°Grrr... I like a strong man,¡± Aphrodite purrs.


    Aphrodite is, by all means, one of the best picks I could have had for this entrance exam. She¡¯s powerful, reliable, and one of the Olympians I know most intimately, always willing to lend me a hand... though her playful distractions keep me on edge. Blessings from other Olympians might be flashier, but the raw physical power she grants feels comfortably familiar.


    ¡°Careful, baby. Eyes on the way!¡±


    Suddenly, something small and white crashes into me, and we both tumble to the ground. It takes me a second to realize a girl is on top of me. She¡¯s delicate, refined, elegant like a doll, and her petite frame presses against me, her tight clothing highlighting her slim figure and modest chest¡ª


    Aphrodite!


    The girl slowly regains her senses, her blue eyes narrowing as she pushes herself off me. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Weiss¡¯s angry shout is interrupted as the Grimm that attacked her emerges from the bushes. It¡¯s a hulking, gorilla-like creature, brimming with raw strength. Before Weiss can fully get to her feet, it lunges, ready to crush her.


    Acting on instinct, I dash forward, releasing all of Aphrodite¡¯s power in a single punch. My blow lands squarely on the Grimm¡¯s chest, echoing through the forest with the sound of shattered bones. The beast stumbles back, clutching the gaping hole where its heart should be, before collapsing.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Weiss blinks. Once, twice, thrice. Only then does she remember we¡¯re in the middle of a test. ¡°I¡¯m not going to thank you or anything!¡± And just like that, the short girl gets up and starts running away, hoping to find another powerful grim to defeat.


    I think about following her, but then a notification appears on my scroll.


    Jaune Arc: 40/100 points.


    That¡¯s pretty good!


    ¡°Jaune, go look for that girl,¡± Aphrodite commands me.


    A part of my mind thinks of questioning her, but this time there¡¯s no amusement on her words, only a dark sense of intrigue and power. Realizing I cannot just talk my way out of this, I do as the woman says and start running behind Weiss. Luckily, the clear sounds of violent battle are enough to guide my steps.


    At the edge of the forest, halfway down a small chasm, Weiss and an elegant girl of fiery red hair are facing a small horde of Grimm, many of them like the one I just defeated. And beyond those, as if hiding behind its minions, I can see a gigantic figure made of a single body and two heads, a single serpent with mouth on both ends, eagerly waiting for the perfect chance to strike once the combat starts to settle.


    It wasn¡¯t looking good for the girls, to say the very least.


    ¡°C¡¯mon, pup, save them,¡± the goddess suddenly says with a grin. ¡°Take your chance and be a little hero. This time, I won¡¯t even complain about you wasting my potential.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I ask, a little confused.


    This isn¡¯t the first time she asks me to fight, but never before did Aphrodite ask me to protect someone else. She isn¡¯t exactly a charitable soul, after all, there¡¯s never an action from her without a scheme behind it. But of course, it isn¡¯t like I can just choose not to play either.


    Gathering her power, I feel it materialize as copper wraps itself around my knees and knuckles, then I dive head-on down the steep slope. Trees and shadows pass by before I land heavily on one of the Grimm¡¯s heads, bouncing back into the ground. The girl by my side, the one with the red hair, loses her tempo just for a second to silently process my arrival. Then her mind immediately returns to the battle, trained, disciplined. She¡¯s strong.


    ¡°We must retreat!¡± Pyrrha screams, fighting off her ragged breaths. ¡°Drag them off the nest, pick them apart!¡±


    But as if it could understand what we are saying, as soon as we start taking steps back, the giant King Taijitu launches itself forward, both heads looking to take a bite out of us. As Pyrrha and I dodge out of the way, the twin strike falls upon Weiss, who was still busy fighting one of the gorillas, the attack sending both the girl and her opponent rolling into the ground.


    With a surge of divine might, I rush across the field, leaping above the fallen Grimm and reaching the girl in a single burst of speed. Pyrrha doesn¡¯t fall behind, covering our retreat with shots from her rifle, but our opponent is relentless. As we reach the top of the hill, Weiss stumbles back on her feet with a pained grunt and pushes her rapier into the ground, magic sprouting from it to freeze the entire path down, causing most of the Grimm to slip and fall, but the King Taijitu digs its fang onto the ice and presses forward, unwilling to allow our retreat.


    Yet the King Taijitu presses on, sinking its fangs into the ice to pull itself forward, undeterred and determined to keep us from escaping.


    Then, as if things couldn¡¯t get any worse, a cacophony of rumbling, explosions, and avian screeches fills the air. Trees snap and fall as something massive tears through the canopy¡ªa giant, feathered shadow. A Nevermore dives at us, narrowly avoiding a crash landing and instead sweeping everyone off their feet. The next thing I know, I¡¯m clinging desperately to its black feathers, my grip the only thing keeping me from plummeting to the ground as the Grimm regains altitude and soars above the chasm.


    ¡°Hey there, partner!¡± Yang¡¯s voice rises over the wind, her fists crashing into the bird¡¯s enormous beak to keep it from snapping at her. ¡°I could really use a hand right now!¡±


    Caught on the back of a giant, murderous Grimm, I make a tough call and draw Crocea Mors. I feel a wave of disapproval from Aphrodite, but she holds back her usual taunts, honoring her promise to remain silent. Focusing her power into my blade, I watch as it glows with a vivid pink aura, extending in size and brilliance. With a determined swing, I drive the weapon into the Nevermore¡¯s back, the enchanted blade slicing cleanly through its body like a knife through warm butter.


    The Grimm screeches in pain as one of its massive wings is severed, and we immediately begin to fall. Yang, always quick on her feet, uses the momentum to sprint along the creature¡¯s back, grabbing onto me as we both descend and slowing down our fall with Ember Celica. Holding each other tightly, we crash into the treetops, branches snapping and splintering as they barely cushion our impact into a bearable crash.


    ¡°Hey, handsome,¡± Yang teases once we land, sprawled across the forest floor. ¡°You wanna let go? Or are you planning on keeping a piece of that?¡±


    I open my eyes to see her on top of me, my hands locked around her waist, her fierce gaze blazing with a mischievous light. For a moment, we¡¯re frozen there¡ªher knees planted on either side of me, her curves pressed against my grip, which wanders and tightens. The world seems to hold its breath, and a heat floods through me that I have to struggle to ignore.


    ¡°What about the others?!¡± I manage to say, shaking off the charm.


    Aphrodite¡¯s laughter echoes in my mind. ¡°What? I thought you were eager to play with your little sword.¡±


    Fighting off the temptation, I firmly release Yang and help us both to our feet, dragging myself out of that intoxicating moment. To my relief, my worries are unwarranted. As we make our way back to the hillside, we find that the Nevermore¡¯s fall has crushed a significant portion of the remaining Grimm, and the King Taijitu seems to have been taken care of as well.


    Yang wraps her arms around my shoulders from behind, leaning in to whisper in my ear, ¡°Maybe next time, I¡¯ll make sure I¡¯m the only girl you¡¯re thinking about.¡±


    Even as Yang saunters off, Aphrodite''s delight throbs within me, her laughter echoing as the first part of the test comes to an end.


    It¡¯s going to be a long day


    ?


    Weiss can feel her heart pounding like a drum. The face of the man who saved her¡ªnot once, but twice¡ªis burned into her mind. She recalls his golden hair, the way his skin gleamed with a flawless, almost ethereal radiance, and the knots that twist inside her stomach at the mere memory. Even now, the scent of him, lingering from when he carried her through the forest, makes her breath hitch.


    And she hates it.


    She loathes this inexplicable feeling that has taken her mind hostage and disrupted her carefully honed reasoning, as though she were under a spell. The frustration burns within her, fueling her determination as she finishes adjusting her equipment and tending to her bruises. She steels herself, preparing to face the second part of the entrance exam with renewed strength and focus.


    She refuses to let that brutish, stupid, powerful, knightly¡ªno, annoyingly beautiful¡ªmanly stranger rob her of any more moments of clarity. Weiss clenches her fists. She¡¯ll confront whatever this distraction is, head-on. Not because she has any desire to speak to him again or be near him¡ªno, of course not. But because it is the only way to reclaim her composure, to restore her honor as a huntress-in-training.


    She¡¯s determined. And she certainly isn¡¯t thinking about him. Not even a little bit.


    ?


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    I turn around only to see Weiss Schnee standing there, her petite frame trying to project authority, though her flushed face undermines the effect. Her ice-blue eyes narrow, clearly determined, though something about her expression seems conflicted. ¡°Uh¡­ Can I help you with something?¡± I manage, scratching the back of my neck.


    Weiss pauses, clenching her small fists. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve come here to thank you for your assistance,¡± she declares, her voice tight with carefully maintained poise. ¡°However, as I¡¯m sure you noticed, I managed quite well on my own afterward. So, I would appreciate it if you refrained from interfering with my actions in the future.¡± She lifts her chin, trying to maintain an air of dignity.


    ¡°Ha! Look at the little thing; she likes you!¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice teases, dripping with mischievous glee.


    ¡°What?¡± I blurt out in surprise. Realizing my mistake, I quickly try to focus. ¡°S-Sure¡­ Yeah, no problem.¡±


    Weiss shoots me a weird look, her eyebrows knitting together before she huffs, turning on her heel and marching off, her composure still regal despite the lingering blush on her cheeks.


    Aphrodite isn¡¯t done, though. ¡°And you like her, too!¡± she cackles. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to get a rise out of you for ages, and now you¡¯re telling me you have a thing for small, flat, and feisty? Oh, Jaune, you¡¯re too precious.¡±


    I flush. What do you mean, I like her? We¡¯ve barely even talked!


    ¡°You like her! You like her!¡± Aphrodite taunts in a sing-song voice before her tone darkens, turning sultry. ¡°Goodness, me¡­ I bet she likes being slapped like bitch. I wonder how she¡¯d look with a fat¡ª¡±


    ¡°Aphrodite!¡± I yell before she can finish that sentence.


    Her laughter fades, replaced by an exhausted groan. ¡°Throw me a bone, boy!¡± she complains, her voice now tinged with frustration. ¡°I can¡¯t keep living in celibacy like this. You¡¯re not a monk! How hard can it be to pull your own weight for once? We¡¯re both thirsty, I¡¯m just honest about it!¡±


    I can¡¯t help noticing the weird glances I¡¯m getting from the other students around me after my sudden outburst. My face burning, I retreat to a secluded corner, trying to calm down and push Aphrodite¡¯s intrusive thoughts out of my mind. As much as I want to deny it, the goddess might be more right than I¡¯m willing to admit, and the tension is starting to wear me down.


    Luckily, Ozpin¡¯s voice cuts through the tension, announcing the second phase of the exam.


    ¡°Ahem,¡± he begins, his calm, authoritative voice drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°First of all, congratulations. The first test was designed to weed out anyone unprepared for the challenges you¡¯ll face at Beacon. If you¡¯ve made it this far, consider yourself with one foot already inside the academy.¡± He pauses, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. ¡°However, combating Grimm is only part of the trials ahead. This second test will be quite different. You¡¯ll be facing one another.¡±


    A collective murmur rises from the students.


    ¡°You may choose your own opponents,¡± Ozpin continues, ¡°and your results will remain private. Think of this as a training exercise¡ªa chance to push your limits and, hopefully, enjoy yourselves. Do your best, and remember: this is an opportunity to grow. Good luck.¡±


    A battle against each other? I feel my pulse quicken, both from the adrenaline and a pang of anxiety. There¡¯s little time to worry about Aphrodite¡¯s antics when I need to decide who I¡¯ll face and how to handle this next challenge. I can only hope it¡¯s as simple as he makes it sound.


    But before I can even think about finding an opponent, one finds me.


    ¡°Um¡­ Excuse me?¡± I turn to see the girl in bronze armor¡ªthe one with the fiery red hair¡ªstanding before me. ¡°I hope I¡¯m not being presumptuous, but would you mind sparring with me?¡±


    This girl. There¡¯s something about her I can¡¯t quite put my finger on, but it makes me feel wary. ¡°Why me?¡± I ask, forcing a smile. ¡°You seem pretty strong. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d have no trouble finding someone else.¡±


    Pyrrha pauses for a moment, genuinely surprised. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ exactly it,¡± she says with a soft giggle. ¡°I¡¯d like to face a worthy opponent today, if that¡¯s not too much to ask.¡±


    She gives a humble bow, and I can¡¯t bring myself to refuse. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it. But no promises.¡±


    As she turns toward the arena, Aphrodite suddenly floods my senses, drawing a deep, involuntary breath. The scent of sand and salt fills my nose, and her voice hisses with barely contained disdain. ¡°Poseidon¡­¡± she spits. ¡°Jaune, don¡¯t lower your guard, no matter what. We¡¯ll show them. Oh, we¡¯ll show them.¡±


    There¡¯s no time to dwell on the icy chill of her anger. Before I can reconsider my choice, Pyrrha and I step onto the battleground. She adopts a firm stance, lance at the ready. As always, I leave my weapon sheathed, relying on Aphrodite¡¯s blessing and the raw physical strength she¡¯s given me. She¡¯s always said that a perfect body needs no weapons.


    Pyrrha glances at me, momentarily confused, but I give her a confident nod. Without hesitation, she charges forward.


    Her strikes are both swift and brutal. Each sweeping thrust of her lance feels like a tidal wave crashing over me. I can barely withstand the advantage her reach provides, and fighting back is next to impossible. Every attempt to counter her is met with her shield, expertly driving me back into range of her weapon. If I try to retreat or sidestep, she punishes me immediately, closing the distance with relentless precision. Desperate for a break, I finally manage to drive my fist into her shield, pushing her back just enough to catch my breath.


    I¡¯m in deep water.


    ¡°Jaune,¡± Aphrodite purrs, her voice dripping with intensity, ¡°why don¡¯t you show me what you can do? Just this once. I don¡¯t care what you have to do¡ªdo not lose.¡±


    Gritting my teeth, I embrace her words and unleash her full power. Copper armor manifests around my knees, elbows, and knuckles. This time, I also draw Crocea Mors, both sword and shield, letting Aphrodite¡¯s blessing flow through them.


    Pyrrha¡¯s lips curl into a smile as she watches me ready my weapon, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. I answer her unspoken challenge, launching my shield forward with all the strength Aphrodite has gifted me. To my astonishment, Pyrrha mirrors my move perfectly, her shield soaring to meet mine. The two shields collide with a thunderous crash, sending shockwaves through the air.


    I sprint forward, extending my hand to recall my shield. It whips back to me with a flash of power, just as Pyrrha¡¯s shield returns to her grasp. We share a fleeting second of disbelief, our eyes locking in mutual awe, both of us realizing that this battle is unlike any we¡¯ve fought before.


    Then, without missing a beat, we charge at each other, our blades clashing in a burst of sparks that lights up the arena. The force of our clash sends a tremor through my arm, and I feel the raw, fierce power she wields. In that moment, the world around us fades, leaving only the fire of our duel¡ªa fire that surges through my chest and pounds in my heart, a rhythm I¡¯ve never felt before.


    Unable to hold back a smile, I grip my sword with both hands and deliver an earth-shattering blow that takes my own breath away. She blocks it¡ªof course she does¡ªbut it hardly matters; the pressure of holding her shield makes her wince. She¡¯s swifter than me, more skilled, her form pristine.


    But Aphrodite¡¯s blessing makes my blood boil, and I know I am stronger.


    Crocea Mors¡¯s blade extends even further as I channel my aura into it. I advance, letting the shield fall and placing my weight on the wide claymore. Pyrrha rolls away, delivering two shots I can only partially block with my weapon before shooting her spear forward. I dodge¡ªI swear I dodge¡ªbut it¡¯s as if her weapon curves mid-air, managing to graze my shoulder heavily.


    Before I know it, she¡¯s in my face, landing two kicks on my chest that force me to stumble back, giving her the chance to retreat before I can strike again. She lands on one knee, extending her arm to retrieve her spear. I dodge without looking back, charging at her, ready to deliver another punishing blow. But as I raise my weapon, something heavy slams into the back of my head¡ªmy own shield, flying back at me so hard I can barely keep my eyes open.


    In that moment, Aphrodite¡¯s will blazes like wildfire through my veins, and I manage to finish my attack, crashing into her guard with such force it feels like I¡¯m nailing her into the ground.


    And then¡­ nothing.


    I¡¯m left standing over her, both of us panting like animals, but I don¡¯t have the strength to take it any further. I see the recognition in her eyes and let out a ragged laugh, my grip on consciousness slipping as I fall forward.


    ?


    The next time I open my eyes, I¡¯m in a bed. That¡¯s good. I like beds¡ªor at least I think I do. The next thing I notice is her, sitting right beside me.


    She gives me an apologetic smile. ¡°Welcome back,¡± she murmurs, her eyes almost wet. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to hit your head that hard.¡±


    It feels like static is crackling between my thoughts.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I say confidently, attempting a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve had worse.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± she asks, arching a brow.


    ¡°Nope. Not at all. Please don¡¯t do that again.¡±


    That does manage to make her laugh, which is enough for me.


    ¡°If you¡¯re strong enough for jokes, then maybe I worried too much. I¡¯ll call the nurse on my way out.¡± She stands, glancing back at me as she reaches the door. ¡°Next time, you can go all-out from the start.¡±


    She gives me a small wink, and I suddenly find myself breathless.


    ¡°Aphrodite, still there?¡± I call out, only half-hoping for an answer.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I like you, pup. Technically, I can leave as soon as you go to sleep. I don¡¯t have to stick around for the extra hours, especially not after watching you lose.¡±


    But I¡¯m too dizzy to really listen to anything she¡¯s saying.


    ¡°What¡­ what is this pain in my chest? It feels¡­ good?¡±


    ¡°For your own good, pup,¡± she says, her tone void of humor. ¡°I hope it¡¯s hate.¡±

 Chapter 2: Beforesight

    I am dreaming. I am asleep.


    But Mount Olympus is absent¡ªits golden peak nowhere to pierce the heavens or dominate the horizon. The mountain should stand unyielding, its presence unmistakable from any point in the divine realm. But it¡¯s gone. Something is wrong¡ªsomething impossibly wrong.


    As always, I run, but this time fear drives my steps. No emerald fields surround me. The air reeks of rotting bark and blood-soaked earth. Even here, in this forsaken forest¡ªthis lifeless, secluded wasteland devoid of any godly presence¡ªI know I am not alone. The realm of the Olympians is vast, an endless tapestry, but never have I stumbled into such a vile corner, a pit where dry branches claw at my every step, and darkness instantly swallows the ground I leave behind.


    The rhythm of my strides echoes in the cold night, a hollow attempt to convince me I am alone. But it¡¯s a lie. Whatever hunts me does so without sound, slipping through the shadows like a ghost, never once losing its sight on me. I push myself harder, fighting for any chance to break away, but the chase quickly starts to feel like some twisted game of cat and mouse. My patience runs out as I stumble into a moonlit clearing, a massive boulder at its heart. I step onto the rock, brandishing Crocea Mors, and slowly scan the dry canopy, trying to steady my heartbeat with each deliberate breath.


    "Show yourself," I murmur, voice low and commanding. "I know you''re watching. Show yourself."


    Silence answers. The night conspires to make me question my instincts, but I hold firm. Whatever stalks me is real, I feel it in every tense muscle, in every alert nerve. Turning slowly, I keep my sword ready and let a smirk edge onto my lips.


    "I can see you¡­" I whisper, cocky now.


    That provokes a reaction.


    "How can you see through my spell?" A hollow, ethereal voice drifts through the air, chilling in its calm.


    I chuckle, gripping my shield tighter as I remember her teachings. ¡°A powerful enemy should always be deceived or avoided. Only when escape proves impossible do we stand and face them. Only when cornered do we reveal our true might. But in that moment, there must be no room for doubt.¡±


    "Are you ready, then?" the goddess taunts, her presence inching closer, unseen yet undeniable. "Speak your enemy''s name and bear the weight of your choice."


    Taking a final breath, I clear my mind, banishing the pulse of fear that threatens to spill out of my chest and weaken my legs, my arms, my soul.


    "You are Athena¡­"


    Her attack is instantaneous¡ªa single, crushing blow of her shield, as swift and merciless as death itself. If I hesitate, even for a moment, it will be the end of me. But I don¡¯t. Her strike finds no wavering, no weakness, I am nothing but silent, unyielding focus. Our clash lasts only a heartbeat, and when it ends, I collapse to the ground, breathless yet alive. Alive is enough.


    Athena towers above me, her tall, pale form draped in the shifting shadows of the forest. Her eyes glint with an assessing gaze, and the barest hint of a smile tugs at her lips. Without a word, she turns and walks away, her form disappearing into the shadows. Yet, by some unseen force, I am pulled along. In a blink, the forest dissolves into the vast expanse of her private library¡ªa maze of dark wood and endless shelves, a labyrinth of knowledge stretching into the unknown as a single, organized force of inquiry.


    "Speak to me, Jaune," she murmurs, her voice detached, her focus already elsewhere. She vanishes and reappears between shelves, pulling down tomes with a precision born of centuries. Pages flutter under her swift hands, though I doubt she¡¯s forgotten a single word. The motion seems... restless, nervous even.


    Finally, she halts, turning her long neck to face me. Her eyes¡ªdeep and fathomless¡ªbore into me, framed by a cascade of pitch-black hair against her marble-like skin, her face almost avian in its cold intensity.


    "Your heart has been troubled these past days," she observes quietly. "That is not how I¡¯ve trained you. What weighs on you, child? Is everything okay?"


    Rooted by the weight of her silent presence, it takes me a moment to find my feet. ¡°Y-Yeah, I¡¯ve¡­ Aphrodite¡¯s been helping me, now that I¡¯ve made it into Beacon. She¡ª¡±


    I see a flicker of frustration flash across her face as she takes a deep breath, her brow furrowing just before she returns to her composed stance.


    ¡°Jaune¡­¡± Athena stumbles over her words¡ªa rare thing. ¡°I understand that you are a man, and a young one at that. But please, please, try not to give in to her every whim. There¡¯s no quicker way for a warrior to meet his end than by following his heart. For your own good, I must expect you to be above such matters.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give in to her every whim¡­¡±


    Words can¡¯t describe the look on Athena¡¯s face. She¡¯s not offended by the lie itself; she¡¯s offended that I would even attempt to pass such a thing as truth.


    ¡°How many?¡± she questions me tiredly.


    ¡°How many?¡± I echo, legitimately confused.


    ¡°How many¡­ companions has that woman already tie into your fate with her ceaseless weaving and knitting? Your soul is not a toy, Jaune! What will happen when her threads start to knot together? Do you really think Aphrodite will be there to untangle the mess for you and kiss you on the cheek? No, she¡¯ll stay only as long as you amuse her, feed her, taking every girl you look at and throwing them into your bed, their moans¡ª¡±


    ¡°Doing what?!¡± I finally interrupt, her eyes immediately snapping back to mine.


    She leans down, gently tilting my head up. ¡°You haven¡¯t?¡± the goddess asks, and I shake my head, fighting the urge to retreat from her awkward touch. ¡°Oh, thank the heavens. There might still be some hope¡­¡± But then she pauses, a finger pressed to her lips as she ponders. ¡°Still, that¡¯s¡­ rare. She must have tried by now. Could there be some¡­ impediment? Perhaps physiological or psychological? Erectile dysfunc¡ª"


    ¡°Athena!¡± I drag the divine being back from her thoughts, louder this time.


    Athena clears her throat, rolling her shoulders, slightly flustered. ¡°I ask that you forgive me. Now, where were we?¡±


    Wiping the cold sweat from my brow, I finally reach the reason why I¡¯m standing here. ¡°I¡¯ll be assigned a team today, and they will be my partners for as long as I stay at Beacon. I could really use some help.¡±


    Her gaze lights up with a brimming silver, countless possibilities flashing behind her eyes. ¡°That would seem¡­ acceptable. I was only planning on testing your might today, but if you are in need of direction, I will lend you my perception.¡±


    A pang of amusement flickers within me at how casually she describes a trial of life or death. But deities, after all. Leaving that aside, counting with her aid is an immediate wave of relief. Aphrodite¡¯s¡­ fun, but today I was hoping to have some luck and find someone a little bit more inclined to focus on my academic well-being. In other words, I am in good hands.


    ¡°Athena¡­¡± I take a step forward, savoring the moment. ¡°Lend me your wisdom.¡±


    ?


    Waking up, I¡¯m immediately grateful to find myself on an actual bed. As comfortable as the trip to the academy was, nothing beats the luxury of a real mattress beneath me. Up until now, we¡¯ve all been staying in a special building reserved for new students¡ªthose of us still waiting to be assigned to teams. It¡¯s the best of both worlds: enjoying my own space while living close to everyone else. I could definitely get used to this.


    ¡°Jaune.¡± Athena¡¯s voice cuts through the quiet, sharp and omnipresent as always. ¡°I¡¯ve been reflecting on my words. I believe I owe you an apology,¡± she says as I finish getting ready for the big day ahead and step out of my room. ¡°I cannot begin to fathom what you¡¯ve endured under Aphrodite¡¯s guidance. Worry not, child. From now on¡ª¡±


    Before she can finish, a sharp pain jolts through me. It¡¯s sudden, intense, and oddly not entirely unpleasant. Teeth sink softly into the space between my neck and shoulder, drawing a startled grunt from me as my back arches involuntarily. A pair of strong hands grip me just enough to keep me from escaping before releasing me.


    Spinning around, I find Yang standing there, arms behind her back, a playful grin spreading across her face. ¡°Sorry,¡± she says, not sounding sorry at all. ¡°I just wanted a taste. A girl wakes up hungry for some fun, you know?¡± Her teasing tone is almost enough to make me forget the ache in my neck.


    But then she leans closer, her grin fading as her eyes narrow. ¡°Jaune¡­? Are you okay? You look¡­ different.¡±


    My mind screams under the weight of Athena¡¯s silent disapproval. No, that¡¯s not right¡ªit feels like she¡¯s physically there, dagger in hand, ready to deliver divine judgment. But Yang doesn¡¯t seem to notice my internal panic, and I decide the safest option is to ignore what just happened entirely.


    ¡°Different?¡± I echo nervously, rubbing the spot on my neck where her teeth left their mark.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ You look¡­ serious.¡± She steps closer, her face tilted in curiosity. Then, as if a switch flips, her smirk returns. ¡°Ohhh, I get it. You¡¯re nervous about the team thing, huh? Or¡­¡± Her grin sharpens. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s someone you really want on your team? Someone you wouldn¡¯t mind sharing a room with?¡± She takes another step, and I instinctively back up¡ªstraight into the wall.


    Her warm breath tickles my lips, and her eyes gleam with mischief. ¡°I know I¡¯ve got someone in mind,¡± she whispers, leaning in closer, the space between us vanishing.


    Just as I feel the need to either say something or perish on the spot, a high-pitched voice shatters the moment. ¡°Yaaaaaang!¡±


    A girl in a red hood rushes toward us, exasperation radiating off her like a storm. ¡°Stop playing around! We¡¯re gonna be late!¡±


    Yang pulls back, laughing. ¡°Fine, fine.¡± But not before planting a quick peck on my cheek. ¡°Hey, if we both do well today, you might just get another taste.¡±


    The sisters walk away, chatting like nothing happened. Meanwhile, I lean against the wall, trying to will the blood back into my brain.


    ¡°Athena¡­¡± I manage in a breathless whisper. ¡°I swear, this isn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Her voice cuts through me, cold and firm. ¡°This is my fault. Clearly, I¡¯ve been far too lenient with your training. It seems a watchful eye is no longer sufficient. From now on, I will personally involve myself in your¡­ common affairs.¡±


    Oh, great. Nothing like having a goddess critique your life choices in real time.


    ¡°Hmph.¡± A disapproving huff pulls me back to reality, and I see Weiss standing nearby, arms crossed and chin held high. ¡°Such appalling behavior,¡± she says, disdain dripping from every word. ¡°Though, I suppose I shouldn¡¯t expect better.¡±


    She¡¯s impeccably put together, as always. Her white hair falls loose down her back today, softening her usual sharp demeanor just a bit. She turns her head away with an offended sniff, but she doesn¡¯t leave.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°Uh¡­ should we get going?¡± I ask hesitantly. ¡°Don¡¯t want to be late, right?¡±


    Weiss sighs dramatically, her posture stiff. ¡°It¡¯s not as though I have a choice, is it? We¡¯re heading in the same direction, after all. It¡¯s¡­ logical.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Logical.¡± I nod.


    Athena¡¯s groan reverberates through my mind like thunder.


    And I thought Aphrodite would be hard to please.


    ?


    Half an hour later, we¡¯re crammed into the cargo hold of an airship, grouped in teams of eight. The tight space buzzes with nervous energy as we sit shoulder to shoulder, the hum of the engines providing a faint backdrop. In the center of the room, a hologram of Professor Ozpin flickers to life, his calm demeanor at odds with the tension hanging in the air.


    ¡°Today¡¯s test is about more than just fighting,¡± Ozpin begins, his voice measured and firm. ¡°You¡¯ve proven yourselves capable enough to join Beacon Academy, but this is where the real challenge begins. Teamwork will be your first trial. If you cannot learn to rely on others and offer aid when needed, you will fail¡ªnot just here, but as huntsmen. I¡¯ll make sure of it.¡±


    He pauses, letting his words settle over us. The room is silent save for the occasional creak of the airship, his hologram pacing deliberately in the center. ¡°With that out of the way,¡± he continues, ¡°let¡¯s discuss your collective objective.¡±


    The hologram shifts, displaying a map of the terrain we¡¯re heading toward. Three locations are marked with glowing indicators, drawing our focus.


    ¡°Your task is to retrieve the trophies located at these designated sites. Any student who fails¡ª"


    Ozpin stops mid-sentence. His head snaps to the side, as if addressing someone off-screen, and his calm tone is replaced by sharp, inaudible shouting. The tension in the room thickens instantly. Awkward glances and nervous chuckles ripple through our group, but the unease lingers.


    And then, without warning, chaos.


    A deafening explosion tears through the airship. Heat washes over us in an instant, searing and suffocating. The floor shudders violently beneath us as the world tilts into chaos. My body is flung to the side, the sensation of weightlessness blurring into disorientation. The air fills with panicked screams, desperate and raw, but they¡¯re quickly swallowed by the roar of destruction.


    The spiraling descent seems to stretch endlessly, but it all ends in a jarring, terrible crash. The impact is bone-shaking, silencing everything¡ªscreams, thoughts, even the pounding of my heart. I never thought I would be glad to be heavily tied onto a chair, but it might just have saved my life.


    For a moment, there¡¯s nothing but thick silence.


    We¡¯re all alone, sitting together yet on our own, isolated by the quiet barrier of panic. Then I feel it¡ªa hand on my shoulder, steady and grounding. Athena. Her touch freezes time around me, pulling me into her Quick Thought. It¡¯s a moment of clarity amidst the storm, giving me room to breathe, to think. I exhale slowly, letting the calm wash over me, and give her a silent nod. She releases her divine domain, and time resumes.


    My hand reaches for the button to remove the heavy bar, and I get on my feet, taking a look around to make sure everybody was as lucky as me. ¡°We need to move,¡± I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. ¡°Whatever just happened, we need to be ready for worse, and fast.¡±


    Pyrrha is the first to stand, and together we begin helping the others. One by one, the group stumbles out of the wrecked airship. Minutes pass like hours, every second laced with the fear of another attack.


    Only two remain. One girl sits frozen in her seat, her companion frantically tugging at the safety bar. I move closer, and the one with orange hair glances up at me, desperation in her eyes.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she mutters. ¡°I just can¡¯t.¡±


    Breaking the steel bar with bare hands probably isn¡¯t an option for most humans, but I don¡¯t tell her that. Instead, I focus, Athena¡¯s wisdom guiding me as I analyze the mechanism, pushing aside the panic of it all, turning my mind cold. Emergency safeguards always have a release¡­


    ¡°There.¡±


    I pull at the right junction, and the seatbelt disassembles with a soft click. The dark-haired girl stumbles free, her scarred face flushed with uncomfortable embarrassment as she looks up at me.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she says softly, offering a polite bow. ¡°I¡¯m Rin, Lie Rin. And this is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nora!¡± the smaller girl chirps, a nervous giggle breaking through her tension.


    I nod, gesturing toward the exit. ¡°Rin, Nora¡ªlet¡¯s get clear of the ship until we know it¡¯s safe, okay?¡±


    They exchange a glance, then follow silently.


    We emerge into daylight just as the ground begins to quake. Over the hill, tusks emerge first, followed by a massive boar barreling toward us with a round figure astride its back. The rider¡¯s dark clothes are caked with dirt and blood, a crude, butchered pig mask covering his face.


    ¡°Ho-ho!¡± the man bellows, raising a crude weapon in one hand. ¡°Easy pickings! Ripe for the plucking!¡±


    Before anyone can react, another figure streaks past us like a burst of wind, wild laughter echoing in their wake. The guy in front of me barely has time to turn before the blur grabs him, dragging him away with terrifying speed.


    The boar skids to a halt with a snort, hooves digging furrows into the dirt. The second attacker steps forward into the clearing, a wiry, twitching figure with jerky movements that seem wrong, unnatural. His head tilts to the side, a faint, stuttering voice spilling from behind a crooked mask.


    ¡°P-Port... S-should we¡­ give them time to run? I-it¡¯s¡­ fun.¡±


    The words send a chill down my spine.


    I glance around, careful eyes scanning the faces of my group for any sign of resolve or a plan. Pyrrha is the first to act¡ªsubtle, as always. She shifts backward, herding the others with a quiet but firm hand, guiding them toward the wreckage of the airship for cover.


    But not everyone follows.


    A tall student steps forward, a golden eagle imprinted on his chest, his features twisted with fury. He holds a massive mace, gripping it tightly enough that his knuckles turn white.


    ¡°Let¡¯s show these freaks who¡¯s boss!¡± he shouts, his voice brimming with bravado.


    Two others rally behind him, cheering as they move into position beside him. They stand defiantly, oblivious to the silence behind them¡ªthe rest of us hanging back, watching as their reckless courage isolates them at the forefront of the fight.


    The rider atop the boar lets out a chilling cackle and fires his weapon¡ªa heavy, spiked chain snakes through the air with terrifying precision. It wraps around the raised mace, yanking the eagle-marked student forward with a brutal force that slams him into the ground. His voice quickly becomes desperate. The other two hesitate, their cheers dying in their throats as panic overtakes them. They step forward to try and help, but their movements are frantic, uncoordinated, clinging to the fading idea of glorious victory.


    For the rest of us, that¡¯s all we need to see. Chaos breaks our paralysis, and we retreat.


    ¡°Jaune!¡± Pyrrha¡¯s voice slices through the madness as we sprint away, abandoning all subtlety. ¡°Where?¡±


    The question echoes inside my enhanced mind, ricocheting off half-formed thoughts. Where? Where do we go? The map. The sites. West. Sun. Morning. East. My gaze darts upward, finding the sun¡¯s position, and I point in the opposite direction.


    ¡°West!¡± I shout. ¡°Let¡¯s find one of the places Ozpin was talking about. We¡¯ll figure something out once we¡¯re there!¡±


    Pyrrha nods, determination flickering in her eyes, and pushes ahead. Rin matches her stride effortlessly, her movements smooth and practiced. Nora lags behind, burdened by the massive hammer strapped to her back, her breath coming in uneven gasps.


    The laughter starts again¡ªsharp and wild, closer this time. It stalks us like a predator, growing louder with every step we take.


    No choice.


    I summon Athena¡¯s power.


    The mantle unfurls around me like liquid shadow, flowing down my arms and weaving itself into twin bracelets around my wrists. From the lining of the cloak, I pluck feathers, their edges hardening into sharp, dagger-like blades under my touch.


    Armed and ready, I call upon Athena¡¯s Quick Thought.


    The world doesn¡¯t stop¡ªnot for me¡ªbut it slows. My mind accelerates past the limits of my body, calculating faster than I can move. It¡¯s far from the goddess¡¯s mastery, but it¡¯s enough to plan. To act. I see him¡ªthe supersonic attacker closing the gap between us. His movements blur, but in this state, I can anticipate them. I know where he is and where he¡¯s going to be. My fingers tighten around the daggers, and as I drop Quick Thought, I throw.


    The feathers fly toward him, deadly and precise. He panics, just barely dodging, skidding into the mud before coming to a silent stop. I can see the confusion behind the mask, the silent wondering of how did I just do that. Unfortunately, my companions do the same.


    ¡°Run!¡± I scream wildly, before any of them can argue. ¡°I¡¯ll buy us some time!¡±


    I keep moving, of course, but now deliberately dragging behind. Each time he tries to turn in their direction, I punish him with another barrage of daggers, forcing him to turn his attention to me or be stabbed in the back. The strategy works, turning the chaotic battle into a one-on-one duel¡ªthough whether that¡¯s a victory or a curse, I can¡¯t yet tell.


    ¡°Jaune,¡± Athena¡¯s voice echoes again, untouched by doubt or worry. ¡°Can you tell me who will come out on top?¡±


    Her question cuts through the adrenaline, pulling me into brutal clarity. My mind races, weighing options, outcomes. The truth is clear. Every time I step into Quick Thought, even if just for a split second, a huge portion of my energy vanishes.


    ¡°I¡¯m losing,¡± I admit silently.


    ¡°Yes, you are.¡± There¡¯s no judgment in her tone, only the quiet press of expectation. ¡°What will you do about it?¡±


    Distance. It¡¯s the problem. The further I am, the easier it is for him to read my movements, to dodge my attacks as they move toward him. There¡¯s only one answer.


    I stop throwing.


    The daggers vanish as I take hold of my shield instead, its weight grounding me. Athena¡¯s blessing surges through me, steadying my very soul. If I stand firm¡ªif I believe, without doubt, that I can endure¡ªher power will hold, no matter the attack.


    I brace myself, senses sharp, waiting for the faintest disturbance so I can present my guard. Finally, I hear the soft rustling of leaves.


    But he isn¡¯t there. I turn around and he isn¡¯t there.


    The attack comes from the side, a blur of force slamming into me and sending me rolling into the dirt. My shield slips from my grip, and I gasp as pain radiates through my ribs.


    ¡°N-Not bad¡­¡± the figure stammers, stepping closer, his twitching form looming. ¡°Not bad at¡ª¡±


    Rustling. Soft, faint. The sound of something fragile being stepped on¡­ But he isn¡¯t there.


    I look up just in time to see Rin emerge from nowhere, her silhouette materializing like a ghost behind the attacker. Her fist arcs downward, striking the back of his head with brutal precision. The man stumbles forward, unsteady, before retreating with a grunt of pure pain. He dashes away, disappearing over the hill.


    Invisible. Semblance. Friend. Saved. Good.


    My thoughts tumble over themselves, spiraling into chaos even as the danger recedes.


    Rin extends a hand toward me, her long, dark hair falling loose around her soft, gentle face. I grasp her hand, and she pulls me to my feet with surprising strength.


    ¡°We should probably¡­¡± she begins, her voice quiet, hesitant.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I say quickly, cutting her off as I resume the desperate run. ¡°T-Thank you!¡±


    The ghost of a smile presents itself over her lips, making the shy girl look almost proud.


    ?


    A few minutes later, we reach the designated facility¡ªbut it¡¯s nothing like I expected. What might once have been an advanced research or communication center now lies in shambles, any semblance of awe or safety long since eroded by rust and time. Rin glances at me, her fear plain despite the brave front she struggles to maintain. The hopelessness settling in her eyes is undeniable.


    ¡°We should try to find Pyrrha and Nora,¡± I say, keeping my steps deliberate and steady.


    If I stop now, I know desperation will catch up with me too. So I push forward, leading us into the derelict building, hoping to find a way to call for help¡ªor, failing that, a place to barricade ourselves until we can think of something better. Both plans are short-lived. The sound of combat echoes from deeper inside, sharp and unmistakable.


    Nora¡¯s hammer flies through the hallway, spinning like a whirlwind toward a silent, feminine figure. With a flick of her riding crop, the woman redirects it effortlessly. The wide brim of her witch¡¯s hat tilts as she lets out a soft, mocking chuckle. Her posture shifts, and suddenly every piece of debris¡ªrubble, shards of glass, remnants of machinery¡ªcomes to life. They glimmer as they disintegrate and reform, merging into a spear of pure, unstable entropy.


    Determined to stand my ground, I plant my feet and intercept the spear mid-flight with my shield, parrying an impact that should have crushed me on the spot.


    ¡°Pyrrha!¡± I shout.


    Nora¡¯s hammer returns to her with a vengeance, slamming into the witch from behind. The three of them surge forward, capitalizing on the split-second opening I¡¯ve managed to create.


    ¡°Nora!¡±


    Pyrrha grips her shield with both hands, leaping into the air and turning around mid-flight. That¡¯s all the instruction Nora needs. With a powerful swing, she sends Pyrrha flying forward like a bronze-clad missile. The witch raises her hand to block, but it¡¯s too late. Pyrrha crashes down, using her opponent as a makeshift cushion and landing with a brutally heavy kick.


    And just like that, the battle is over.


    Or so I think.


    Athena¡¯s voice cuts through the fog of victory, sharp and commanding, as my mind accelerates again.


    ¡°Take a breath,¡± she says. ¡°Think.¡±


    I hesitate, her words gnawing at my thoughts. Slowly, I retrace the events of the day, piecing together the subtle signs I missed. My heart sinks as realization dawns, and I cannot honestly believe just how stupid I am. By the time Ozpin emerges from the basement, the fight is already over. He steps into the room with an air of calm, his applause echoing mockingly.


    ¡°Well done,¡± he says with a faint chuckle, his tone as much a taunt as a compliment. ¡°But I dare say you let your guard down, if only for a moment.¡±


    Before I can respond, a barrier of light slams into us, pinning the entire team against the wall.


    Exhausted, I dig my heels in and push back against the barrier. My shield barely creates a small gap, but it¡¯s enough to breathe, enough to think, enough for her.


    ¡°Did we, Professor?¡± I manage to grunt through gritted teeth, my arms trembling from the strain. ¡°Did we?¡±


    The sharp click of a safety disengaging cuts through the tension. Rin stands behind him, a gun pressed firmly to the back of his head.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Ozpin¡¯s eyes visibly gleam with something between amusement and admiration. ¡°Now that¡­ is truly remarkable.¡±


    ?


    The initiation concludes with a small ceremony. One by one, each team steps onto the stage, where they¡¯re formally assigned their names and leaders. Team Juniper¡ªmy team. It doesn¡¯t feel real. Somehow, I manage to walk myself off the stage, my head swimming with a thick fog. Leaning against the wall for support, I glance back toward Pyrrha.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I say quietly.


    ¡°Why?¡± Her radiant smile falters as she turns to me, confusion flickering in her eyes.


    ¡°It should¡¯ve been you,¡± I continue, my voice heavy. ¡°Today, I was just¡­ following your lead.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Jaune¡­¡± Her expression softens, her eyes shimmering with warmth. She steps forward and wraps her arms around me until we hear the clash of our breastplates.. ¡°I¡¯m just glad we¡¯ll keep fighting together like this. It¡¯s hard sometimes¡ªto have no one to lean on. You¡¯ll be a great leader, I know it. Everyone can see it. And one day, you will too.¡±


    Her words settle in my heart like a quiet ember, and I smile, though the uncertainty lingers. I wander the academy grounds under the pale light of the moon, my thoughts pacing with me. Eventually, I find my way back to the dormitory, ready to spend my last night as a novice.


    But when I open the door to my room, I¡¯m met with the last thing I¡¯d ever expect.


    Rin is sitting on my bed. Her tall frame is slightly hunched forward, and the soft rhythm of her breathing fills the stillness. Her dark, glossy hair spills loosely around her face and shoulders, a single streak of pink catching the faint glow of the room. Even with the scar running across the bridge of her nose and cheek, her face carries a rare tranquility¡ªpeaceful, unburdened.


    She¡¯s sleeping. Sitting upright. On my bed.


    ¡°What¡­ do I¡­?¡± I mutter, now fully convinced the last few days have been a fever dream.


    ¡°I swear I¡¯ll talk to Aphrodite first thing in the morning¡­¡± Athena¡¯s voice in my mind is as exasperated as I feel. ¡°Just¡­ be gentle. She was probably waiting for you.¡±


    Steeling myself, I step closer, careful not to make any sudden movements. I poke her forehead lightly, testing the waters. Her head tilts back a bit, but she doesn¡¯t react.


    Gods, she sleeps like a log.


    ¡°Ren¡­¡± I whisper, gripping her shoulders gently. I give her a small shake. ¡°Ren!¡±


    The reaction is immediate¡ªand exactly what I feared. She gasps, now fully awake, her eyes darting wildly around the room. One hand instinctively reaches for one of her weapons, and I take a cautious step back. Her entire frame trembles. She¡¯s shaking like a frightened animal. Tears glisten in her eyes as awareness slowly seeps back into her, clarity pushing the terror away with painful slowness.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡± I whisper calmly, circling around her to sit at the end of the bed. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Take your time.¡±


    Rin doesn¡¯t respond, but the tension in her shoulders slowly begins to ease. The room falls silent save for the uneven rhythm of her breathing. Her fists remain clenched, her knuckles white, then red, as if fighting a battle I can¡¯t see.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she finally whispers, her voice fragile as her form vanishes as if she were hiding under the sheets. ¡°People¡­ People don¡¯t usually notice I¡¯m there. Thank you for¡­ for not leaving me behind.¡±


    Her words twist something deep in my chest. I don¡¯t fully understand what she¡¯s saying, but the pain in her voice is awfully clear. Carefully, I reach out into the empty darkness. For a moment, she flinches, pulling back. But then, after a long pause, she takes my hand and guides it lower, toward her face, holding it there. My thumb brushes against her cheek, warm and damp with tears, until it meets the ridges of her scar. She stiffens under my touch, but doesn¡¯t pull away.


    ¡°What¡­ What happened?¡± I ask as softly as I can.


    She shakes her head, silent tears slipping free. Cold drops hit my hand, and before I can think, I lean forward, pressing my forehead against hers.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I whisper. ¡°I¡¯m here now. You don¡¯t have to worry anymore. I¡¯ll keep us safe.¡±


    Rin trembles as she leans into me, burying her face in my shoulder. Her muffled apology is barely audible, a faint echo of the anguish she¡¯s been carrying inside her soul. We stay like that, time slipping into nothingness. Seconds, minutes, maybe hours. I hold her close, letting her grief seep into me, as if sharing the weight could somehow ease her burden.


    What could have shattered her soul into so many jagged pieces? How had she managed to find her way to me like this¡ªso lost, so raw? She¡¯s not a soldier, not some grand defender of humanity. She¡¯s just a girl: confused, hurt, and scared.


    And I¡¯m supposed to lead them. To guide them.


    This isn¡¯t about me anymore, is it?


    A flicker of warmth spreads through my chest. Athena¡¯s presence lingers for a heartbeat, her silent approval settling over me before vanishing like a soft breeze.


    I won¡¯t let them suffer like this. They deserve better. But if I¡¯m all they have? Then never again.

 Chapter 3: Weirdeer

    I¡¯ve been wandering the fields around Mount Olympus for what feels like hours.


    These landscapes¡ªforests and meadows, stretching endlessly under the shadow of the mountain, have become familiar to me. I¡¯ve traced their paths countless times, always reaching the edge but never daring to step beyond. Today, though, there¡¯s something different in the air, a pull that brought me here. Yet despite my searching, there¡¯s no sign of whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªsummoned me.


    For a while, I start to wonder if perhaps no one did. Maybe I slipped into this realm unnoticed, drifting aimlessly among gods who have more pressing matters. After all, it wouldn¡¯t be strange. The Olympians have their own affairs, their influence spreading far across Remnant. Why would they bother with¡­


    A green dog.


    A massive, furry creature rests lazily in the tall grass, its fur an unnatural shade of green, rolling about as if the ground beneath it were the most comfortable place in all creation. Its tongue lolls out as it pants in blissful ignorance of everything around it. The sight stops me dead in my tracks. Blinking, trying to refocus my mind, I take a step closer. The dog, sensing my approach, pauses its rolling and locks eyes with me, its growl deep and resonant.


    I raise a hand, trying to appear calm, inching forward. It''s like a strange dance¡ªthe creature watches me, wary, but not yet hostile. I move slowly, letting the bizarre situation unfold. Eventually, the dog relaxes, accepting my hand on its head. I begin to pet it, feeling the surprising softness of its fur beneath my fingers. It sniffs me, tail starting to wag. As I scratch behind its ears and down its neck, it flops over, revealing its belly in playful surrender.


    The absurdity of the moment stretches on, and I finally break the silence. "Artemis, are you drunk again?"


    The dog freezes, eyes widening. "I do not know this... Artemis of whom you speak, mortal."


    I blink. "You''re green."


    The wolf¡ªgoddess¡ªhuffs indignantly. "Well, maybe in Olympus wolves are green! How would you know?"


    I laugh despite myself. "You''re literally talking to me."


    Her eyes go wide, and she scrambles to recover. "Rawr... Raw-raw... Awrara..." She drops her head in defeat. "Damn, I blew it, didn¡¯t I?"


    I pat her head sympathetically. "It could¡¯ve been worse."


    She rolls back, sulking. "I had this whole test prepared! I was going to lead you up the mountain in disguise, make you help me like some kind of noble stranger... You know, see if you''d do it out of the goodness of your heart."


    "We... we could still do that if you want?" I offer, half-heartedly.


    She lets out a huff, clearly embarrassed. "No, no. Don¡¯t pity me. I¡¯m not looking for charity."


    The awkward silence that follows is thick. I glance down at her exposed belly, which she''s left vulnerable despite the failed charade. "So... would it be weird if I kept scratching your belly? I mean, it''d be weird to stop now, right?"


    Her ears perk up, and she narrows her eyes at me. "You''ve really been spending too much time with Aphrodite."


    I grin. "Is that a ''no''?"


    She sighs, defeated. "Fine... Just a little bit..."


    ¡°Heh¡­ Artemis, lend me your Wildness.¡±


    ?


    I wake up in my bed. The remnants of the dream quickly fade as reality sets in. Today, we¡¯re all supposed to pack our things and move into our new dorms¡ªshared team spaces for the next four years. It sounds cool, but there¡¯s one small problem... I¡¯m not alone.


    Rin is still asleep next to me, having fallen asleep after we managed to talk things through last night. Well, mostly talk, she didn¡¯t say much.


    "Jaune!" Artemis¡¯s voice screams in my head. "You... You can''t just bring me into your room like this!"


    "Oh, sorry..." I scratch the back of my head awkwardly. "I kind of forgot."


    "You forgot?! I thought Athena was being paranoid!"


    "I didn¡¯t sleep with her!"


    ¡°What do you call this, then?! Friendly bonding?!¡±


    By the time I realize I¡¯m shouting like a lunatic, Rin is already waking up. She opens her eyes slowly, lying still, both hands on her stomach. Her gaze flicks around the room, clearly processing where she is¡ªand pretending she isn¡¯t. A faint blush colors her cheeks, her only outward reaction.


    ¡°Gee, what did Aphrodite do here? Look at her¡ªI''ve seen rabbits whose hearts don''t beat that fast.¡±


    "Rin?" I say softly, glancing down at her. Her eyes dart away. "We should probably start moving stuff. Need a hand?"


    I¡¯m not just offering out of kindness. Honestly, I don¡¯t have much to pack. Not much of a life to bring into Beacon. That was the entire point.


    Rin shakes her head, almost imperceptibly.


    "Hey, Jaune," Artemis interrupts, her tone playful. "Tell her she looks pretty."


    What? Why?


    Without further explanation, the goddess takes my hand and places it gently on Rin''s cheek. Half her face is obscured by her dark hair, and my fingers brush against her scar. Instead of pulling away, she freezes completely.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± I blurt out, panicking. "I just thought... you looked really pretty." Her trembling gaze pierces through me, and I swallow hard. "Listen, I know last night was an accident, but I¡¯m glad you came. I¡¯m here if you ever feel... lonely again."


    ¡°Heavens. You¡¯re corny as fuck, dawg.¡±


    Why don¡¯t you go back to being a dog?!


    Just when Rin is about to say something, we hear a loud knock at the door and stare at each other for a moment. Neither of us knowing what to say, I get on my feet and go see who¡¯s there.


    ¡°Helloooooo~¡± Pyra Nikkos stands in the doorway, fresh as a rose, her uniform immaculate, a bright smile lighting up her face. ¡°Since we¡¯re moving into the same dorm, I thought I¡¯d ask my fearless leader for a bit of help.¡±


    ¡°Oh... Oh.¡± I stumble over my words, desperately searching for a version of this conversation that won¡¯t end in disaster. ¡°Could I, uh... get back to you in like, twenty minutes? I really need a shower and... I sort of promised to help Rin, I think?¡±


    Pyra¡¯s eyes widen slightly before she laughs, a little too casually. ¡°Rin, huh? Guess she beat me to it. Maybe we could all pack together then? Do you know where she went?¡±


    "Jaune, lie. Lie. Lie. Lie. Lie," Artemis urges, panic creeping into her voice.


    My mind blanks. "Uh... she''s here... Do you want to talk to her?"


    I glance back, and to my relief, Rin has already stumbled out of bed, hastily trying to tame her disheveled morning hair into something that resembles her usual look. Her voice is barely a whisper.


    ¡°I need help... Lots of help.¡±


    Pyra''s expression remains overly cheerful, but there¡¯s an edge to it¡ªher eyes closed, posture a bit too rigid, hands neatly clasped behind her back. ¡°I guess some of us started moving in together pretty early¡­¡±


    By the time we begin carrying boxes into the new dorm building, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. It doesn¡¯t help that both Rin and I are carrying just a few small boxes each, barely enough to fill half a room. I can''t help but notice how little Rin and Nora seem to own just a few changes of clothes and less than a handful of personal items. If anything, their past is written in what they don¡¯t carry with them, and it doesn¡¯t feels like they just abandoned their lives like me.


    Still, I decide not to ask. After all, I¡¯m not that different from them.


    Our new living space is surprisingly spacious: two bedrooms¡ªeach with two beds¡ªconnected by a shared common room. Feeling like it isn¡¯t the best moment to be deciding who will be sleeping with who, we agree to leave that for the end of the day and instead go get ready for our first class.


    The lecture hall roars with energy when we arrive, the chatter of excited students filling the air. At the front of the room stands a man whose rounded figure and boisterous demeanor command attention.


    ¡°Ha-HA!¡± he exclaims, clapping his hands together with a theatrical flourish. ¡°I must say, never have I seen such eagerness in the face of danger! Good, very good... I can already tell we¡¯ll be making some magnificent huntsmen out of you!¡±


    Despite his goofy appearance, Peter Port is a scary man, that much had been settled. His semblance¡ªBeastmaster¡ªallowed him to bind wild Grimm to his will and train them, an otherwise seemingly impossibly feat.


    Standing beside him is a tall, sharp-eyed woman whose presence demands respect. Her voice, calm and deliberate, cuts through the silence that follows Port¡¯s theatrics.


    ¡°Indeed, there were plenty of opportunities for bravery during yesterday¡¯s initiation,¡± she says, her gaze sweeping across the room like a hawk searching for prey. ¡°And rest assured, we¡¯ll be keeping a close eye on certain teams¡ªteams we expect will be working together sooner rather than later.¡±


    The room collectively exhales as the two imposing figures step aside, leaving us in the care of the man whose energy seems barely contained by his slender frame. His green hair is as wild as his movements, which are rapid and jittery¡ªlike he¡¯s running on pure adrenaline.


    ¡°Good morning, everyone!¡± he begins, his words spilling out in a caffeinated rush. ¡°First things first, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll all be thrilled to hear that we¡¯ll be heading outside the academy again this evening for a little field research! Exciting, isn¡¯t it? But before we dive into that, I think we should kick off the day with some context! About a hundred years of context, to be precise!¡±


    He pauses, his eyes scanning the room, but it feels less like a pause and more like he¡¯s building momentum for his next sentence.


    ¡°Now then!¡± he exclaims. ¡°Who here can tell me the main reason for war and struggle over the past century? Anyone? Don¡¯t be shy!¡±


    ¡°The filthy Faunus!¡± the guy with the eagle on his chest¡ªCardin Winchester¡ªscreams from the back. He smirks as his cronies erupt in obnoxious laughter and cheers.


    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± Pyrrha instinctively screams, unable to stop herself.


    Cardin¡¯s smirk deepens. ¡°Oh, what¡¯s the matter? Are you still sore from running off like a coward yesterday, sweet cheeks? I guess some teams are just better than others.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Mr. Winchester,¡± the professor interjects. ¡°Since you seem so eager to share, perhaps you can enlighten us. Why has the conflict between humans and Faunus persisted for so long, despite humanity¡¯s overwhelming numbers?¡±


    Cardin leans back lazily. ¡°Well, it¡¯s easier to train an animal than a soldier.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ Not the most open minded of individuals, are you Cardin?¡± Pyrrha continues, struggling to keep herself calm.


    ¡°What? You¡¯ve got a problem with that?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she replies evenly, though her gaze sharpens. ¡°I¡¯ve got the answer. Humans have always relied too heavily on numbers, underestimating the Faunus and their unique abilities.¡±


    Before Cardin can retort, another voice joins the discussion.


    ¡°Many Faunus possess augmented senses, superior physical abilities, night vision, or natural camouflage,¡± says a tall, dark-haired girl from the other side of the room. ¡°Meanwhile, mankind has a knack for rallying behind loudmouthed idiots who charge in without thinking only to fail spectacularly. Sound familiar, Cardin?¡±


    The class erupts into laughter. Cardin¡¯s confident smile disappears for a moment, his face flushing red as he looks around at everyone else.


    Before the exchange can escalate further, Professor Oobleck claps his hands. ¡°Ah, fascinating insights from all parties! Truly a testament to the power of spirited debate! However, let us save such lively discussions for a more fitting venue, shall we? Now, where were we¡­?¡±


    The unease lingers, crackling faintly in the air, but the class settles back into rhythm. Laughter dies down, replaced by the droning cadence of Oobleck¡¯s lecture. When the session finally ends, Cardin is the first to storm out, his team trailing awkwardly behind like sheep with nowhere better to go.


    As I gather my things, a familiar voice finally joins me.


    ¡°Soooo... we killin¡¯ that dawg, or what?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Artemis¡¯s grin is casual, her tone deadly serious. ¡°It¡¯ll be fun! Besides, I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll earn you some points with that Faunus girl you like.¡±


    ¡°What Faunus girl?¡±


    ¡°You know. Tall? Dark hair? Quiet? I like her.¡±


    ¡°Blake?¡± I blink. ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s a Faunus.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, I guess you¡¯d know. Anyway, back to the killing thing¡­¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    ?


    There¡¯s something really unsettling about how easily Artemis can go from charmingly carefree to deeply unhinged. Her relaxed demeanor often makes me forget she¡¯s as wild as the rest of the Olympians, or perhaps even more so. Then again, I can¡¯t entirely blame her. Nestled atop her cascade of chestnut-brown hair is a pair of delicate, deer-like antlers, subtle reminders of her divine connection to nature. She¡¯s shown other animalistic traits, too, especially during hunting lessons. If any deity has an innate affinity for the Faunus, it¡¯s probably Artemis.


    Still, I push those thoughts aside and head for the cafeteria, eager to let the day¡¯s troubles fade into the background and not kill any of my classmates.


    ¡°What took you so long, blondie?¡± Yang¡¯s voice hits me just a second before her hand lands on my backside with an audible smack.


    I flinch, feeling the heat rush to my face as Nora bursts into laughter.


    ¡°I was just thinking about what happened earlier,¡± I mumble, trying to keep my voice steady as I sit next to team RWBY, my ass burning a bit.


    ¡°Eh, don¡¯t sweat it. Idiots will be idiots.¡± Blake yawns, resting her head lazily on one hand. ¡°Not much we can do about it.¡±


    ¡°We could break his legs!¡± Nora yells with unnerving enthusiasm.


    ¡°Finally, some good ideas going around in here!¡± Artemis chimes in.


    I open my mouth to redirect the conversation¡ªcalm things down a notch¡ªbut laughter erupts from the far side of the cafeteria, sharp and cruel. Cardin stands at the center of it, holding a rabbit Faunus girl by her ears. He yanks on them with casual cruelty, his teammates doubling over in laughter.


    ¡°I told you they were real!¡±


    ¡°What a fucking freak!¡±


    Artemis doesn¡¯t say a word, but I don¡¯t need her to. The way her jaw tightens and her fingers flex tells me everything. A deep heat stirs in my chest, an anger that isn¡¯t entirely my own. It¡¯s hers¡ªfierce, wild, and demanding justice.


    And for once, I agree with her.


    Cardin¡¯s odds of avoiding a mysterious accident right outside the academy have just plummeted, but even so, I¡¯m not quite ready to let him be found on a ditch, mauled by wild beasts.


    Not yet, at least.


    Pushing back the fire threatening to boil in my heart, I get to my feet, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I call out. ¡°Let her go.¡±


    ¡°And what if I¡ª¡±


    There¡¯s no second warning.


    My shield connects with his jaw in a single motion, sending him howling to the floor. The sound of cracking impact echoes louder than I expected, and for a moment, the entire cafeteria falls silent.


    Cardin groans, clutching his own face as he struggles to process what just happened. I can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s his pride or his jaw that¡¯s more broken, but either way, he¡¯s done. He stumbles to his feet, eyes watering with pain, and mumbles something unintelligible before fleeing the room with his tail between his legs.


    I glance at the rabbit Faunus. She¡¯s trembling but quickly slips away, out of sight before I can say anything.


    The tension in the room dissolves, replaced by a wave of calm I didn¡¯t expect. Artemis¡¯s fury recedes from my mind like a tide pulling back, leaving me steady and centered. I¡¯d rather avoid things like that, I don¡¯t like picking who to hurt, but what I did was a slap on the wrist compared to what the goddess could have planned if her rage was allowed to fester.


    I exhale deeply and return to my seat with a tired groan.


    It takes a moment for me to notice everyone¡¯s staring. Wide-eyed, mouths slightly open, as if trying to process what they just saw.


    Yang is the first to break the silence, raising a hand. ¡°Well, that was hot as fuck.¡±


    ?


    After lunch, we gather for a field trip. This time, alongside Professor Oobleck stands a woman who wasn¡¯t present during yesterday¡¯s test.


    She¡¯s strikingly tall, her fair yet warm-toned skin mostly concealed by the crisp, Atlesian white of her lab coat. Her attire is accentuated by glossy, jet-black gloves that stretch past her elbows and matching boots that gleam under the afternoon light. Her soft green hair is neatly swept into a tight bun, and a pair of oversized lab goggles obscure much of her face, giving her an unmistakable air of meticulous precision.


    It¡¯s obvious at a glance¡ªthis woman is a scientist through and through.


    ¡°My name is Evelynn Peach,¡± she begins as she offers a slight, professional bow. ¡°I oversee Natural Science and Biological Research here at Beacon.¡±


    ¡°Today marks the first of many expeditions into the wild biomes of Vale,¡± she continues. ¡°These excursions are designed to familiarize you with the diverse forms of life thriving within our kingdom. As Huntsmen and Huntresses, your time will not only be spent fighting Grimm but also navigating and surviving in the unpredictable wilderness. My role is to ensure you have the knowledge and experience necessary to not only endure but thrive in any corner of our borders.¡±


    This time, it¡¯s Weiss Schnee who raises her hand. ¡°And what about other kingdoms? Aren¡¯t Huntsmen and Huntresses meant to operate beyond borders? This almost sounds like an effort to keep us here in Vale.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Evelynn exhales slowly, folding her gloved hands in front of her. ¡°That¡¯s an incredibly valid and intelligent concern. And it¡¯s one I¡¯d love to address¡ªif I had the funding or the curricular hours to go beyond the scope of the largest kingdom in Remnant.


    She leans forward slightly, her goggles catching the light. ¡°Feel free to lodge a complaint with Professor Ozpin. I do. Frequently, in fact. But for now,¡± she continues with a wry smile, ¡°we¡¯ll agree to make the most of what we have, and leave it at that. Shall we?¡±


    And just like that, we begin the hour-long walk to the Forever Fall forest.


    By the time we arrive, everyone is a little winded but far from worn out. The fatigue fades quickly, replaced by awe as we step into the forest¡¯s surreal beauty. The canopy above glows a deep crimson, and the soft rustle of red leaves drifting to the ground creates an almost ethereal sense of rain. The air smells rich and earthy, tinged with something faintly metallic.


    Professor Peach launches into a brief lecture, detailing how the forest¡¯s peculiar conditions were linked to the presence of trace amounts of dust deeply embedded and diluted into the soil.


    Once the explanations are done, the professors hand out the instruments for the task at hand.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have a few hours to gather the specified samples. Stick to your teams, follow protocol, and make safety your priority. But for now, consider yourselves¡­ free-range researchers.¡±


    The tension from the morning feels like a distant memory as everyone naturally divides into their teams. For the next half-hour, we roam the forest, half-heartedly collecting samples while testing just how many trees Nora can drain of sap before the sugar rush catches up to her.


    The answer remains a mystery.


    Instead, we¡¯re interrupted by the sharp crack of glass, followed by the jarring sensation of something sticky splattering across my shoulder. I turn around to look for the culprit, but whoever launched the jar of pink sap is long gone.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Sticky¡­¡± I mutter, inspecting the mess.


    ¡°You should probably wash that off by the river,¡± Pyrrha suggests, leaning closer to examine the dripping liquid. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Rapier Wasps have quite the sweet tooth. And then there¡¯s Nora. She might just suck you d¡ª¡± She stops herself, eyes widening in realization. ¡°Lick you clean of sap!¡±


    Before I can react, Artemis cuts in, looking bored. ¡°Are all teenage girls this thirsty? Girl, just follow him to the river or something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ just step away for a second, before all of this dries off.¡± I mutter, excusing myself and heading deeper into the forest.


    With my jar already filled, there¡¯s not much left to do. Wandering aimlessly, I decide it¡¯s as good a time as any to talk with the wild goddess¡ªpreferably without looking completely insane. Once I reach the river, I set my jar down and take a moment to scrub off the sticky mess.


    ¡°Hey, Arts¡ª"


    ¡°Remember that trick I taught you?¡±


    I pause, confused. ¡°The dog thing?¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    ¡°Right now? Covered in goo? Can¡¯t I clean myself up first?¡±


    ¡°Listen to me, dawg!¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright¡­¡±


    Resigned, I mimic the gesture she taught me, shaping my hands to roughly resemble a dog¡¯s head. The air shimmers faintly, and two spirits materialize from the ground itself, their translucent forms emanating a quiet but undeniable presence of wild power. The spectral dogs regard me briefly, their glowing eyes narrowing as they sniff the air. For a moment, I brace myself, half-expecting them to maul me for being a walking sugar trap. Instead, they begin pacing around a nearby tree, growling and barking at something unseen.


    Before I can piece together what¡¯s happening, Rin suddenly appears out of thin air like a guilty specter. She looks as embarrassed as ever, her gaze darting to the ground as if she¡¯d rather disappear again.


    Sensing her unease, I wave the spirits back.


    ¡°Caught you,¡± I say jokingly, trying to ease her discomfort. ¡°So¡­ Come around here often?¡±


    Rin mutters something under her breath, cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ Saw¡­¡± she whispers, pointing to me. ¡°Cardin.¡±


    ¡°Cardin? You mean this?¡± I pull at my half-washed hoodie. ¡°You think he was up to something?¡±


    Rin nods eagerly.


    ¡°Alright,¡± I sigh, rolling my shoulders. ¡°We can take a look around.¡±


    Closing my eyes, I focus on the connection to the wild spirits, reaching out with my mind. Images of Cardin flash briefly¡ªhis smug face, his heavy boots¡ªand the goddess¡¯s familiars respond immediately. The spectral wolves lower their heads, sniffing at the ground before darting off through the trees. It doesn¡¯t take long before one picks up a trail, its nose locked to the scent. With a soft growl, it turns and dashes toward the horizon, where the light of the setting sun paints the forest in amber hues.


    ¡°Wanna tag along?¡± I ask, glancing at Rin.


    She hesitates for a moment, stepping quietly to my side as we follow the wolf¡¯s lead.


    ?


    It doesn¡¯t take long to find Cardin and his team¡ªnot that they¡¯re making it difficult. Their voices carry through the forest like a beacon, punctuated by laughter and the occasional curse.


    The first glimpse we catch of them is just as ridiculous as one could expect: two of Cardin¡¯s lackeys holding their green-haired teammate, Russel, just outside the mouth of a dark cave. Cardin looms above, grinning wickedly as he tips a jar of sap over Russel¡¯s head. The sticky liquid drips down his hair and shoulders in thick, gooey strands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pussy, Russel,¡± Cardin sneers. ¡°You¡¯re the fastest out of all of us. Just step into the cave, wake up the Ursa, and lead it somewhere near everyone else. It¡¯ll get distracted before it eats your ass.¡±


    ¡°Distracted?! By what, Cardin? What?!¡±


    ¡°The other idiots, idiot! See? That¡¯s why I¡¯m the leader, I¡¯m the one who brains,¡± Cardin says with a shrug. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯ll just run off into the woods. Who cares? Quit whining and do it!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that might just be the worst idea I¡¯ve ever heard¡­¡± I whisper quietly, kneeling behind the bushes. ¡°Any ideas on how to stop them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got one!¡± Artemis happily sings, directing my gaze towards a giant comb, which hangs heavy above our heads not too far away. ¡°Let¡¯s see how he likes being covered in goo.¡±


    That¡­ Might actually be what he deserves.


    ¡°Rin,¡± I say softly, pointing at the comb, then toward Cardin and his gang.


    Her eyes widen in alarm as she looks from the nest to me.  Are you serious? her expression seems to ask, but after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she nods, trusting me¡ªor perhaps just bowing to peer pressure. With careful, deliberate movements, Rin scales the tree. To my relief, once she activated her Semblance the wasps seem oblivious to her presence as anyone else.


    A single sharp slice severs the branch, sending the comb plummeting toward Cardin and his team. Rin ducks back down beside me as we both brace for what¡¯s about to come.


    The moment it lands, chaos is born.


    Screams fill the air as the wasps swarm the group, their angry buzzing drowning out any coherent words. Cardin¡¯s gang scatters in all directions as the insects sting and chase them with relentless fury.


    I can¡¯t help but laugh. The sight of Cardin running in blind panic is satisfying beyond words¡ªuntil he closes his eyes, screams louder, and pushes straight into the dark cave.


    ¡°Well, all¡¯s well if it ends well,¡± Artemis says cheerfully. ¡°What¡¯s for dinner? Maybe we should grab some herbs while we¡¯re here.¡±


    Artemis!


    ¡°What? We left no proof! Nobody can tell!¡±


    I can¡¯t just tell my teammates to kill people!


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± She pauses, thoughtful for once. ¡°Yeah, I guess this one would cry.¡±


    Watching the rest of Cardin¡¯s team scatter like ants, I realize the situation has escalated faster than I anticipated. Gritting my teeth, I race into the cave after him, following the sound of his frantic screams. Inside, the air turns cold and damp, the daylight from the entrance rapidly fading. Just ahead, I spot him on the ground, clutching his arm. His whimpers are drowned out by the growls reverberating from the darkness.


    Two Ursas emerge from the shadows, their glowing red eyes locked onto the intruder who has foolishly disturbed their den.


    ¡°Move!¡± I shout, but he¡¯s frozen in terror.


    The larger Ursa roars, rearing up on its hind legs, claws poised to strike. I don¡¯t hesitate. I raise my shield and slam it between the Grimm and its target, deflecting the blow just in time. Before I can do anything else, Cardin is yanked backward by an invisible force, his cries fading into the distance.


    The Ursas, now focused solely on me, growl and close in, their confusion giving way to fury. I tighten my grip on my shield and draw my blade, my eyes locked on the Grimm. Killing an Ursa isn¡¯t exactly rocket science¡ªthe neck and belly are vulnerable spots, easy enough to stab if you can get close. The problem? I¡¯ve only got one sword, and leaving it lodged in one Grimm leaves me defenseless against the other.


    Keeping that in mind, I step back as slowly as I dare, my eyes darting between the two monsters. Maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhelp will arrive before this turns into a mess I can¡¯t walk away from.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we turn this into a fair fight?¡± Artemis¡¯s voice purrs in my ear, excitement lacing her tone. ¡°Remember our last hunt?¡±


    She isn¡¯t wrong. I could summon a spirit to even the odds. But the one she¡¯s suggesting¡­ it¡¯s risky. It¡¯s a summon I¡¯ve never used before, and in the worst-case scenario, I might just end up facing three bears instead of two.


    I hesitate, my heart pounding as the Ursas lower their heads, preparing to charge.


    ¡°Do it,¡± Artemis insists, her voice carrying a thrill of anticipation.


    I take a breath. Trusting the goddess, I kneel and press my hand to the forest floor, reaching out with my mind to call forth the spirit.


    The response is immediate.


    A storm of leaves whirls around me, fierce and untamed. From the swirling chaos emerges a massive green bear, its form shimmering like moonlight on water. This is no ordinary creature but a manifestation of Artemis¡¯s domain¡ªa predator, an equal, born of my will and her divine essence.


    For a moment, I consider jumping into the fray, using the summoned spirit as cover to sneak in a few stabs. That thought evaporates as soon as I see the chaos before me¡ªthree bears colliding in a brutal storm of claws and teeth, rolling violently across the cave floor in a tangle of fur and rage. It¡¯s raw, visceral, and terrifying. At that moment, it hits me just how out of my depth I am.


    I take a step back, then another, until my instincts take over, and I run away.


    As I retreat, the sound of the fight grows fainter, but another noise rises to replace it. Something massive and ancient stirs deeper within the cave, its low rumble reverberating through the stone like a warning.


    Not my problem. Not anymore.


    Once I¡¯m a safe distance away, I kneel and dispel the spirit. With the immediate danger gone, I start making my way back, my thoughts still racing.


    Rin must¡¯ve carried Cardin out, I reason, though I wouldn¡¯t put it past him to stumble into yet another deathtrap of his own making. Either way, I¡¯m done. The quiet rustle of the Forever Fall surrounds me as I follow the still unfamiliar path back, my nerves still roaring with the aftermath of it all. Artemis, however, remains unbothered.


    ¡°Should¡­ Should I mention you¡¯re still half-covered in sap? No? You do remember that, right?¡±


    The ground trembles behind me, and Artemis¡¯s warning suddenly makes perfect sense. The vibrations grow heavier, more urgent, until I leap for the nearest tree, climbing as quickly as I can. From my perch, I watch as the Grimm thunder past below. There are the two Ursas from before, but leading the pack is something far more menacing.. Its grotesque form is riddled with broken blades and jagged bone protrusions, black ichor dripping from its open wounds and staining the forest floor. It¡¯s a walking nightmare.


    I can¡¯t let this pack blindside the others.


    Tightening my grip on my sword, I leap from the tree, aiming for the Ursa on the rear end. The blade of Crocea Mors cuts cleanly through its neck, the creature vanishing into shadowy wisps. But the Alpha¡¯s still there.


    As the monster turns back, its charge is relentless, breaking through my guard with a bone-rattling force. The impact sends me rolling into the floor, the Grimm¡¯s massive frame stomping over me. My shield barely holds against its crushing weight, and I roll away just in time to avoid its snapping jaws. Crocea Mors won¡¯t be enough for this monstrosity. I don¡¯t even bother holding the blade, instead keeping my shield braced against my chest as it looms over me, reeking of rot and death.


    A thunderous gunshot cracks through the forest, cutting through the tension. The second Ursa collapses mid-charge, its head snapping to the side as a spear digs into it.


    ¡°Jaune!¡±


    Pyrrha¡¯s voice rings out just as the Alpha Ursa slams its massive arms into me. Sparks fly from my shield as each blow lands like a battering ram, leaving me pinned and defenseless. The relentless assault stops only when Nora launches herself into the fray, her hammer crashing into the beast with a force that sends it staggering.


    ¡°Damn, that thing¡¯s naaaaasty!¡± she calls out, already gearing up for another swing.


    The Alpha recovers quicker than expected, shaking off Nora¡¯s blow and rejoining the fight. Gritting my teeth, I force myself back to my feet.


    ¡°Pyrrha!¡±


    I throw my shield toward her. Pyrrha¡¯s response is as fluid as ever. She spins mid-air, her semblance snapping the shield back toward us with twice the force, the impact smashing into the Grimm¡¯s side. Before the beast can react, Pyrrha throws her own shield, redoubling the assault and driving it into a stumble.


    I spot her spear lodged in the fading remains of the smaller Ursa, recover it and throw it toward Nora. She catches on immediately, swinging her hammer in a wide arc. The spear connects with the Alpha¡¯s skull mid-flight, and her hammer drives it home, pinning the creature¡¯s head to the forest floor with a sickening crunch.


    The massive Grimm lets out one final, shuddering groan before dissolving into wisps of shadow.


    ¡°Awww¡­¡± Nora pouts. ¡°It¡¯s already broken!¡±


    I manage a weak laugh, wiping the sweat from my brow. ¡°I think it broke some ribs.¡±


    ?


    The night is quiet, the kind of stillness that wraps around you like a blanket. The silvery moonlight washes over everything. I sit on the roof of the dorm, legs dangling off the edge, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The soothing glow above feels almost like a balm, easing the aches and bruises left behind by the day. I¡¯m about ready to say goodnight to Artemis when the sound of footsteps breaks the silence.


    Pyrrha steps out onto the roof, her presence as warm and steady as ever, though her voice wavers when she speaks.


    ¡°I¡¯ve¡­¡± She hesitates, hugging herself as if the cold has stolen her words. ¡°Jaune, I think I owe you an apology.¡±


    ¡°An apology?¡± I glance at her with a weak smile, confused but curious. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d survive today. I¡¯ll take a few broken bones.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that.¡± She shakes her head, her gaze dropping to the ground. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about the forest.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    She takes a deep breath, her hands clutching her arms tightly. ¡°I talked to Rin. She¡­ explained things. But that¡¯s not right either. She shouldn¡¯t have to explain her actions to me. I just¡­¡± Her words trail off, and she steps closer, sitting down beside me. ¡°I wanted to spend time with you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I chuckle, leaning back slightly. ¡°I mean¡­ I don¡¯t get it. Why do you care about me?¡±


    Her brow furrows, caught off guard by the question. She pauses for a moment, searching for the right words. ¡°Do you¡­ know who I am?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± I answer slowly, unsure of where this is going. ¡°I hope so?¡±


    She lets out a small laugh, shaking her head as she looks up at the moon. ¡°I¡¯m a champion in Mistral. Four times champion, in fact.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ sounds like a lot.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± Her smile is faint, bittersweet. ¡°And you¡¯d think that means people respect me, that they see me as a leader. But they don¡¯t. They see me as their safety net, their insurance, a shield to be raised against the enemy. No one treats me like an equal, like a real teammate. More often than not, it¡¯s just¡­ me against the world.¡±


    I frown, leaning forward. ¡°I mean¡­ wouldn¡¯t it make sense? What if I make the wrong call?¡±


    ¡°Then we struggle as a team!¡± she snaps, her voice breaking free of its usual composure. ¡°Do you know how frustrating it is to always stand at the front? To know no one has your back because they¡¯re all too busy hiding behind you?!¡±


    I sit there, stunned.


    ¡°What happened today,¡± she continues, ¡°you didn¡¯t expect me to come in and fix everything. You didn¡¯t treat me like some savior. Half the time, you act like I¡¯m not even there.¡± She laughs, though there¡¯s a hint of frustration in it. ¡°And I like that. I need that.¡±


    The weight of her words settles in, and I find myself at a loss for what to say.


    ¡°Pyrrha¡­¡± I shift, glancing at her, and see the vulnerability in her eyes.


    ¡°You make me feel¡­ normal,¡± she says, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Like I can just be part of something, instead of carrying it all.¡±


    I swallow hard, taken aback by her honesty. ¡°You¡¯re not alone, Pyrrha. None of us is, not anymore. That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°The same thing she needed to hear?¡± She smiles, pushing herself back up. ¡°Maybe¡­ Some other time¡­ I¡¯ll try appearing on your bed too, if I ever need a reminder.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ Was thinking about that. Maybe we could mix things up a little, change rooms every week, make it random? It¡¯s¡­ Better than just choosing forever.¡±


    She just rolls her eyes playfully and walks away. ¡°Mayble next week we¡¯ll draw sticks. I believe you are a little¡­ booked for the night.¡±


    ?


    I pick one of the two rooms at random, dropping my things onto the first bed I see. Exhaustion weighs heavy on me, and I barely have the energy to kick off my boots before collapsing onto the mattress. By the time the door creaks open, the sound faint, I¡¯m already half-asleep. When no one steps inside, I almost assume I imagined it.


    That idea vanishes the moment I feel the mattress shift under her weight. She crawls in as quietly as she can, but it¡¯s enough to jolt me back to full awareness.


    ¡°Rin?¡± I whisper, trying to mask my nervousness. ¡°What¡­ are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± she hushes, pulling the blanket over us both. ¡°Thank you. For today.¡±


    ¡°For¡­ putting you in danger?¡± I murmur, still trying to piece together what¡¯s happening.


    She doesn¡¯t respond, at least not with words. Instead, she takes one of my hands, her grip firm yet delicate, and guides it to her head. I feel the warmth of her hair, silken threads beneath my fingers, and she lets me comb through it at my own pace. Even in the dark, I can tell it¡¯s long and untamed, flowing like a cascade of shadows.


    And then I feel something.... Something¡­ pointy, smooth, hard.


    ¡°Careful, please,¡± she whispers, a nervous edge in her voice.


    I pause, confused. ¡°Rin, are these¡­?¡±


    Horns?


    Tiny horns?


    She doesn¡¯t answer. Instead, I hear the faint cry of a zipper being undone. She takes my hand again, guiding it to her shoulder, then her back. The fabric parts beneath my fingers, revealing skin textured with small, cold, rigid protrusions. Scales. They vary in size and texture, some barely noticeable bumps, others hard, defined ridges. It¡¯s startling at first, but not unpleasant. Her silence feels like permission, so I let my fingers trace the patterns, exploring cautiously. The curve of her spine is interrupted by those patches of solid armor, her body trembling and bending slightly as I move lower.


    She exhales sharply beside my ear, a breath hot enough to send a shiver down my neck.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± I whisper, pulling my hand back. ¡°Too much?¡±


    She shakes her head. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ Humans don¡¯t¡­ Isn¡¯t it weird?¡±


    ¡°I could get used to it,¡± I answer softly. ¡°But doesn¡¯t it get¡­ exhausting? Hiding them all the time? Even with your Semblance¡­¡±


    Her arms tighten around me, and for a moment, she holds me like a lifeline. Then, with a deep breath, the shimmer of her Semblance fades, and she becomes fully visible.


    I see her clearly for the first time.


    The soft green scales trace delicate patterns down her face, glinting in the faint light. They frame her eyes, small pools of jade that catch and hold the light like precious stones.


    ¡°Humans like them,¡± she murmurs. There¡¯s a tremble in her tone, a quiet grief. ¡°Pull them. Take them. Sell them. There aren¡¯t many dragons left.¡±


    Dragon Faunus. A mythical Faunus. The kind of being most people thought only existed in stories. And yet here she is, trembling in my bed, her vulnerability laid bare.


    ¡°You think you¡¯ll ever be able to walk around¡­ normally?¡± I ask carefully.


    She rests her head against my shoulder, nodding faintly. ¡°I used to think¡­ maybe with the White Fang¡­ But now¡­¡± Her voice trails off, and she clings to me tighter. ¡°Maybe, if you¡¯re there¡­¡±


    Her words hang in the air, a quiet plea hidden in their fragility.


    ¡°I will be there,¡± I say, my voice firm. I pull her closer, resting my hand against her head, fingers brushing against her small, delicate horns. ¡°I promised, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°You promised¡­¡± she echoes. ¡°Human¡­ My human¡­ Mine¡­¡±


    The way she says it, raw and unfiltered, makes my heart skip a beat.


    For a moment, the world feels impossibly still.


    ¡°Damn, and they call me possessive,¡± Artemis¡¯s voice cuts through the moment like a sledgehammer, shattering the haze of intimacy. Her words hit with all the grace of a charging bull.


    Not now! I scream inwardly.


    ¡°No, no, don¡¯t mind me,¡± she says, mock innocence dripping from her tone. ¡°Keep going! Aphrodite will love hearing about this later. She¡¯ll kill me if I don¡¯t give her all the juicy details.¡±


    Go. Away.


    ¡°Fiiiiiine. But remember to pull out, champ. We wouldn¡¯t want dragon eggs on the breakfast menu.¡±


    Her laughter fades like a lingering echo, and I bury my face into the pillow, torn between frustration and sheer disbelief. Rin, oblivious to the divine commentary, leans her head against my chest, her presence grounding me once again as she pressed her soft lips on my shoulder, and I ask myself if I will ever be able to go back to sleeping alone.

 Chapter 4: Proof Of Love

    What comes after me isn¡¯t a being¡ªit¡¯s a force.


    She is a woman, and she is a dove. She is the first ray of sunlight that brushes your face on a cold morning, the whisper of foam that kisses the shore. She¡¯s a smile you¡¯ll miss¡ªperhaps your own¡ªas she is both the vanity in the eye of every mirror and the blood that streaks its jagged shards.


    And so, I don¡¯t run. There¡¯s nowhere to escape.


    The air thickens, mists of impossible colors swirling around me, filling my senses with scents and flavors I can¡¯t name. They bind me, pulling me forward, a puppet on invisible strings, until I find myself cradled on the palm of her hand.


    ¡°Jaune,¡± Aphrodite purrs, her voice honeyed and liquid, her lips impossibly lush. ¡°Oh, sweet Jaune¡­ Do you feel it? Can you hear it? Can you smell it?¡±


    I don¡¯t know what she means. It¡¯s impossible to know. Her presence is colossal, bearing down on me like the unrelenting sun, focused entirely on the insignificant speck that I am. I can¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°It¡¯s my heart, Jaune¡­¡± Her laughter is silk over steel, her fingers trailing down the perfect lines of her abdomen. She teases her own thigh, her essence shimmering into form, every movement a calculated perfection. ¡°Artemis told me. Now I want to know everything. No, wait!¡±


    She reclines into the lush garden around us, her hair spilling like rivers of liquid, shimmering gold over the blossoms. ¡°Show me, pup. Show me what you did to that poor, little thing. Ravage me¡ªlet me feel how mortals sweat and gasp¡ª¡±


    ¡°Aphrodite!¡± I manage to scream, forcing the words out of my strangled lungs.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± She tilts her head, her expression shifting to a feigned pout. ¡°Too tight? They always say they love¡ª¡±


    Her crushing presence lifts, only for her to close the distance in an instant, leaning over me like a wild predator. I¡¯m pinned to the ground, her body coiled with dangerous grace. Her eyes, dark and fathomless, consume me whole.


    ¡°Jaune¡­¡± Her voice wavers, the faintest crack breaking her hypnotic spell. A jagged ache sears through my chest. ¡°Why don¡¯t you smell like anyone¡¯s sweat?¡±


    ¡°We¡­ didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Time fractures. There¡¯s a moment I can¡¯t define¡ªa split second stretched into eternity. The air turns cold, the light dims, and joy evaporates as though it had never existed. There are no clouds, no stars¡ªonly an endless void pressing down.


    Then, the sting.


    Her hand strikes my face, and for a moment, my soul is torn from my body. Pain blossoms, dizzying and absolute, as I blink against the vertigo.


    Aphrodite cries. The sound is unnatural, her tears heavy as the weight of eternity. Somewhere, in some distant corner of existence, a hundred thousand birds are never born to sing.


    ¡°Why am I not good enough for you, Jaune?!¡± she screams, her voice raw and desperate. Her anguish tears through the stillness, each word a blade. ¡°I¡¯ve given you everything! Everything! That I am, that I have! And what do I get? Excuses?!¡±


    Her sobs are uncontrollable, shaking her form. All around us, the vibrant garden withers to ash under the weight of her despair. She clutches herself, her arms wrapping tightly.


    ¡°I try so hard!¡± she cries. ¡°For you, for us! Why can¡¯t I have something for myself? Why don¡¯t I deserve love? Am I a toy? A bitch in heat for you to lead on and never sate? A hole, to be used and abused until it stretches lose?!¡±


    Her words falter, breaking into a whisper so quiet, it chills me to the bone. ¡°Why don¡¯t you love me?¡±


    At that exact moment, two figures rush towards me. One is as swift as a god¡¯s breath, carried by her words to deliver a punishment I cannot endure, coldly exerting its role at the end of life.


    The other one is even faster, and so Aphrodite¡¯s words are left behind, a sentence of doom both heard and unrecieved.


    By the time I realize I¡¯ve moved, Mount Olympus is gone. Instead, I find myself in a realm beyond human comprehension. I cannot tell if I walk upon the surface of the sea or the soft-blue fabric of the heavens, but I stand between two small, twin islands adrift in the space between night and day.


    ¡°How¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah!Youwokeupalready?Don¡¯tdragbehindthen!¡±


    Hermes. Of course.


    Before I can blink, he¡¯s gone¡ªa streak of motion dissolving into the horizon, already bounding onto one of the islands, leaving a faint shimmer in his wake.


    Unwilling to linger on what I¡¯ve just witnessed, I move forward. My steps lead me to a surprisingly modest structure: a large, circular wooden shack crowned with a roof of immense, dark-green leaves. Inside, Hermes stands before a young man with golden hair and deeply tanned skin.


    ¡°So¡­ Anyways.WhendidyousayMissy¡¯scomingback?¡± Hermes¡¯s words tumble out, quick as the wind, barely tethered to coherence. ¡°Don¡¯t think she¡¯ll be thrilled if Dites kicks the bucket like this. Mhm¡­ Can you imagine? It¡¯d be hilarious. Tragic, but hilarious.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s dying, Hermes,¡± Apollo groans, his golden eyes fixed somewhere far away. ¡°As for my sister, your guess is as good as mine. You know she needs time¡ªand space.¡±


    ¡°But you could reach her,¡± Hermes says, his grin as bright and mischievous as ever.


    ¡°If you think that would help, sure. But I¡¯d rather not unleash her... talents on just any issue. She has a way of solving problems with blood, and there¡¯s been more than enough of that already.¡±


    I step into the shack¡¯s threshold, the wood cool underfoot. Both gods turn toward me. Apollo¡¯s expression is one of mild surprise. Hermes merely shrugs, his smile unfaltering.


    ¡°Why¡­¡±


    ¡°You send me to take a look at their meeting, I go take a look at their meeting. Then I¡¯m there, take a look, now he¡¯s here. Already met. You can meet him.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ might have been a good decision,¡± Apollo mutters.


    ¡°Look, I have things to do. Here.¡± In a blink, Hermes produces a bundle of papers and thrusts them into my hands. ¡°Just pretend I¡¯m still here. I¡¯ll be back before you know it.¡±


    And like that, he¡¯s gone.


    ¡°What¡­ is happening to Aphrodite?¡± I ask hesitantly. The air feels thick, tense. ¡°This isn¡¯t because of me, is it?¡±


    Apollo chuckles softly, shaking his head. ¡°Come with me¡­ Jaune, right? Sorry, I try not to involve myself too deeply in my sister¡¯s affairs. We already share enough.¡± Stepping out of the simple abode, he gestures for me to follow. ¡°Walk with me. There¡¯s much to be done, and we shouldn¡¯t waste a moment.¡±


    With no reason to refuse, I follow him into the brilliant Caribbean sunlight. The warmth presses against my skin as we walk. ¡°Is that why you sent Hermes? Did you know something was going to happen?¡±


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Clever. I like that.¡± Apollo glances sidelong at me. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I need from you right now. Tell me, Jaune¡ªhow much has my sister told you about us? About our existence, our origins?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± I falter, piecing together fragmented memories. ¡°You came from another world¡ªa different world. There were humans there, like me, connected to the gods.¡±


    Apollo nods, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°This¡­ shift in realms and roles isn¡¯t something we take lightly. We are ancient beings, rooted like trees to one land. Some of us, like my sister, adapt quickly. She¡¯s found people who resonate with her essence and message, quickly embedding herself in their beliefs and traditions across these fleeting decades.¡±


    There¡¯s something magnetic about the way he speaks. Each word feels deliberate, infused with an almost lyrical quality. His voice flows effortlessly, its cadence carrying emotions as naturally as the tide carries the shore.


    ¡°And then, there are others¡­¡± he continues as our steps lead us to the beach. He shields his eyes from the blinding sun with a hand. ¡°Some of us do not adapt well to sudden change. And Aphrodite¡¯s domain, vast as it is, narrows in such a way that it becomes difficult for her to truly grasp human souls.¡±


    ¡°She¡­¡± I hesitate, knowing correction is inevitable. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem weak. If anything¡ª¡±


    ¡°You thought she¡¯d be the strongest?¡± He laughs softly, the sound as warm as the sun overhead. ¡°Once, in another time, on another world, perhaps she was. But tell me this¡ªwhat is love? Is a love poem an offering to her, or to me? Does the death of a valiant warrior defending his family belong to Aphrodite, or to Ares? Is the love of a sister for her brother the reverence she craves?¡± His gaze grows distant, and for the first time, his radiant features darken. ¡°All beings inevitably desire, but¡­ when you aim for the whole of mankind and beyond, even the fiercest storms can feel like a drizzle.¡±


    ¡°You mentioned she¡¯s dying,¡± I say carefully.


    One of the papers in my hand suddenly ignites, burning away in an instant. Hermes¡¯s voice carries on the wind, sharp and irreverent. ¡°Technically, we¡¯re all drying. She¡¯s just doing it faster than the rest of us. Even me!¡±


    ¡°Always one step ahead, aren¡¯t you¡­¡± Apollo mutters, his tone laced with both frustration and amusement. He turns back to me, his expression softening. ¡°I may have overstated things for a mortal. Aphrodite will not die today, not without further provocation. But her Spirit Origin is becoming rather unstable. Every time she loses control, her time on this plane shortens significantly. Ordinarily, I¡¯d say there¡¯s nothing we can do to stop it from gaining another crack, but¡­¡± He pauses, studying me. ¡°The fact that you survived her outburst may prove¡­ advantageous.¡±


    ¡°What do I need to do?¡± I ask, my voice firmer now, even as anxiety coils in my chest.


    Apollo takes a deep breath, flexing his fingers. With deliberate precision, he twists one finger, then pulls it free with an audible snap. A fragment of light forms in his hand¡ªsoft, golden, and pulsating with a gentle rhythm. ¡°This should help her maintain her form, for now. If you can guide her to the lower realms as planned, it will buy us the time we need to stabilize her Divine Origin. It won¡¯t be easy, but it¡¯s better than nothing.¡±


    Before I can respond, another paper burns in my hand. ¡°Hold up, sunshine,¡± Hermes¡¯s voice interjects. ¡°Aren¡¯t ya gonna tell the kid about the chance he dies? Let¡¯s just say I barely managed to yank him away from Thanatos¡¯s grip. What are the chances he even gets to her? About a coinflip, give or take?¡±


    Apollo groans audibly, rubbing his temples. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be if you were¡ª"


    ¡°Aaand, I¡¯m back.¡± Hermes suddenly appears at my side, grinning as if he hadn¡¯t just materialized out of thin air. ¡°So! Which route are you taking? Hephaestus or Poseidon? Pick your poison.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how a meeting Poseidon would work right now.¡± Apollo shakes his head, exasperation flickering in his tone. ¡°Take him. Give me twenty-four hours, and I¡¯ll figure out how to convince Hephaestus she deserves to stay alive.¡±


    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s your funeral,¡± Hermes quips, flashing a grin sharp enough to split clouds. Before I can respond, he grabs my arm, his grip firm but strangely weightless. ¡°What do you say we make sure you don¡¯t slow me down?¡±


    ¡°Hermes¡­¡± I attempt to smile. ¡°Lend me your Speed.¡±


    ?


    It¡¯s hard to understand how absurd the idea of standing still really is until you¡¯ve experienced the alternative. Until you can be anywhere you want, the moment you want, without the weight of time holding you back.


    At first, it¡¯s disorienting. The vast, infinite layers of the divine realm unfold around me, an endless cascade of drifting light and shadow. There¡¯s no ground, no sky¡ªjust an eternity of space and possibility. I¡¯m here, then I¡¯m not. I¡¯m lost, then I¡¯m found. Reality flickers between moments, and before I can make sense of it, I¡¯m moving again. Always moving.


    ¡°Ha-ha! Not bad for a first-timer,¡± Hermes calls out, his laughter ringing like the clash of silver bells. ¡°Almost looked like you were keeping up with me!¡±


    I wasn¡¯t.


    What Hermes does can¡¯t be called running. It¡¯s more like... ceasing to exist in one place and reappearing in another. Not teleporting, but rather choosing a point in reality and willing it closer. A sensation that defies logic. My legs move instinctively, a human reflex more than a necessity. It feels like I¡¯m playing at the idea of motion rather than actually engaging in it.


    It¡¯s strange. Disjointed. Like wearing a borrowed body, like constantly waking up until you cannot possibly remember what a dream is.


    Before I can think too hard about it, we¡¯re back¡ªstanding at the edge of the storm-like force that radiates from Aphrodite¡¯s dreadful presence. The air is thick and heavy with her power, oppressive but still faintly alluring, like the remnants of a melody you can¡¯t quite place.


    ¡°Just one question,¡± I ask, my voice unsteady. ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°Short answer?¡± He shrugs, his grin slipping into something softer, almost sympathetic. ¡°She won¡¯t be mad at you because we made you do it. With luck, by the time she¡¯s back to herself, she won¡¯t be mad at us either.¡± He flashes that silver grin again, though his tone darkens just slightly. ¡°The worst part about helping someone is convincing them they needed help in the first place.¡±


    ¡°Are all of them like that?¡±


    ¡°Just the ones I¡¯ve met.¡± His reply is quick, punctuated with a wink, but then the lightness fades. His expression sharpens, and his presence feels heavier somehow, as if trying to slow the moment. ¡°Apollo¡¯s light will protect you, but don¡¯t lean on it, for it isn¡¯t real. Don¡¯t look back, there won¡¯t be time for it. Make the most of every step¡ªand run. Run not to survive, but as if your life ends at the finish line.¡±


    He¡¯s gone¡ªa streak of cracking light and laughter, leaving me alone at the precipice.


    I clutch Apollo¡¯s finger, which has now transformed into a faint torch of soft, golden light. Its warmth is faint but steady, a fragile promise in a place devoid of comfort. Lowering one knee to the ground, I let myself savor the stillness for a moment, the reassuring solidity of the earth beneath me. It might be the last time I feel anything so stable.


    Ahead, the horizon is consumed by a massive bubble¡ªa colossal dome that swallows everything in its path. Inside, there¡¯s nothing but darkness, deep and isolating, and a cold that cuts as sharply as bitter nails against skin. It¡¯s as though the entire space has been exiled from light, warmth, and life itself.


    I take a breath, holding it as if to anchor myself, and step forward.


    I don¡¯t advance¡ªI¡¯m pulled.


    It feels like falling into a pool of frozen tears.


    The shadows meet me instantly, clinging to my skin like tar, wrapping around my limbs and dragging them down. They weigh me, turning every movement into a battle. Then comes the pressure. It¡¯s not just physical¡ªit¡¯s crushing, a force radiating from the center of the garden where Aphrodite lays, her shimmering form at once radiant and broken. It¡¯s as if the gravity here answers only to her, pulling me into her orbit. Running straight toward her is impossible. I¡¯m caught in the current of energy swirling around her, a vortex of despair that pulls me sideways, spiraling closer inch by inch.


    Nothing could survive here. No life, no breath, no hope.


    And yet, I¡¯m not alone.


    Shapes move in the periphery¡ªdark, shifting things that evade sight but linger at the edge of perception. They¡¯re not creatures; they¡¯re sickness given form, intelligent and malicious. Their presence presses against my mind, whispering horrors I can¡¯t understand but feel in my bones. They fester in this place, drawn to the agony and tragedy that hangs heavy in the air, feeding on the banquet of Aphrodite¡¯s fraying divinity.


    Every step is a struggle against the weight, the shadows, and the unseen predators that seem to salivate at my very existence. But I press on, clutching Apollo¡¯s faint light as though it might burn away the dread.


    For now, it will have to be enough.


    And yet, I feel it¡ªa darker shadow moving within this sea of nightmares. It doesn¡¯t rush, but it doesn¡¯t hesitate, an unrelenting force of nature drawing closer with each heartbeat I dare to walk on this withered ground. This is something deeper, older, inevitable. A race I was forced into¡ªand though I¡¯ve been given a head start, my soul knows the truth. The reaper will reach me.


    The thought gnaws at the edge of my mind, but I push it away. There¡¯s no time for fear.


    I focus, letting my consciousness slip further into Hermes¡¯s domain. The world around me blurs and frays, the oppressive weight replaced by the disorienting vastness of his realm. For a moment, I am everywhere and nowhere, floating on the edge of infinity. Then, in the blink of an eye, I move.


    It¡¯s not running¡ªnot in any sense that a mortal would understand. It¡¯s a single, deliberate step across the underside of the world, a step that pulls me just beyond death¡¯s cold reach. And when I resurface, I¡¯m there¡ªstanding directly before her.


    Aphrodite trembles, her once radiant form reduced to a fragile silhouette, flickering like a dying ember. She is broken, beautiful, and terrifying all at once. Her presence is overwhelming on a maddening sense, and I feel my knees falter under the sheer weight of her despair.


    Without hesitation, I tighten my grip on Apollo¡¯s finger and snap it cleanly in two.


    The flare erupts like a silent explosion, a light so pure that my eyes cannot perceive it. But I feel it¡ªan energy that surges outward, encompassing us both, cutting through the oppressive darkness like a blade through mist.


    For a fleeting moment, I sense hope, and I wonder if it¡¯s mine.


    ?


    ¡°Awwww! You do love me!¡±


    Aphrodite''s voice coos with delight just as she envelops me in a smothering embrace. For a moment, she¡¯s all I can see, all I can smell, all I can feel¡ªmy entire existence consumed in a suffocating storm of softness. It¡¯s both affectionate and terrifying, her grip tightening until my face is buried unceremoniously in her chest.


    I wake up, gasping for air, drenched in sweat and on the edge of asphyxiation.


    Rin stirs beside me, her ears twitching as her eyes snap open, startled. She glances around the room, her gaze darting to me before she relaxes, pulling herself closer. Without a word, she burrows her face into my shoulder, nudging me back down onto the mattress. Her lips press softly against my neck, syncing with the erratic rhythm of my heartbeat. Occasionally, she sneaks in a playful little bite, whenever she realizes or not.


    I rest a hand on her head, fingers threading gently through her hair as I try to calm my scrambled thoughts. My brain struggles for coherence, for something to say.


    ¡°Me, you really got yourself a freaky one, huh¡­¡± Aphrodite''s voice cuts through the haze, her face appearing over my shoulder with a mischievous grin. ¡°You¡¯ll need to train the little s¡ª¡±


    What was that?


    I don¡¯t even process her words, the panic still rings in my ears like a cruel echo.


    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon. I can¡¯t be perfect all the time,¡± she purrs, tilting her head with mock innocence. ¡°It was just a little accident. What matters is that you came galloping to save me. My sweet, handsome stallion.¡±


    You could have died! I could have died!


    Her grin falters slightly as she leans closer, her breath warm against my ear. ¡°I know,¡± she whispers. ¡°So shouldn¡¯t we make the most of today? Who knows if we¡¯ll get another chance tomorrow?¡±


    Words fail me. The anger bubbling in my chest is so raw I can¡¯t even shape it into coherent thoughts. She feels it¡ªof course, she does¡ªand wisely steps back, her teasing giving way to a moment of genuine regret.


    ¡°Jaune, I¡ª¡±


    Before she can finish, the sound of a door chime cuts through the tension. It rings again. And again.


    Rin groans softly, stirring under the sheets, her golden eyes peeking up at me. As the noise persists, I glance at her half-naked form and let myself enjoy it for a moment. Leaning down, I press a kiss to her lips, savoring the warmth and the way her entire being seems to pause, focused solely on me as my hands devour her skin with genuine longing.


    When I finally pull away, she smiles, her finger absently tracing her lips as if to hold on to the memory.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± I say, grabbing a shirt. ¡°Probably nothing.¡±


    She nods, curling into the sheets with a happy hum as I force myself to leave her warmth behind.


    Half-heartedly, I make my way to the door, irritation rising with each insistent chime. By the twentieth ring, I yank it open, prepared to vent my frustration. Weiss stands on the other side, her arms crossed and her face set in an expression that¡¯s trying very hard to be intimidating. Unfortunately for her, it only makes me want to grab her adorable cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯ve come in search of assistance,¡± she declares, her voice clipped and aristocratic. ¡°I regret to inform you that we¡¯ve been harboring a traitor¡ªa dirty, murderous Faunus and, worse even, a member of the White Fang¡ªhiding right under our noses!¡±


    I close the door.


    By the time I turn around, Pyrrha has wandered into the living room, her brow furrowed in mild concern. She looks at my half-on shirt and disheveled face.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± she asks softly.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry,¡± I reply, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°I think Weiss is having a racism again.¡±


    ¡°I CAN HEAR YOU!¡±

 Chapter 5: Legacy

    ¡°Why are you here, Weiss?¡±


    The question leaves my lips with all the enthusiasm of someone woken up too early on a Saturday morning.


    Weiss Schnee straightens her posture as if delivering a speech. ¡°Well, since my teammates have decided it would be prudent to take a passive approach in the face of these outrageous circumstances, I have taken the liberty of seeking out more¡­¡± She pauses, flicking her fingers in search of the right word. ¡°¡­illuminated individuals.¡±


    ¡°So, everyone else got tired of you?¡± Nora chimes in, head resting on the armrest of the couch.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Weiss huffs, crossing her arms defensively. ¡°If such is the price of pursuing truth, then so be it. Yet, I had hoped¡ª¡±


    Her words spiral into a self-righteous monologue, but my attention shifts to the creak of my door as Rin steps into the room. She moves toward me, head down¡ªbed hair tousled and her features bare without the usual mask of her Semblance, even her scar. I move over to make space for her on the couch, and she sits silently, tucking her legs beneath her.


    Weiss suddenly freezes mid-rant, her gaze snapping to Rin. She raises a trembling finger, her expression a blend of disbelief and scandal. ¡°What¡­ is that?¡±


    ¡°A Faunus,¡± I reply, already exhausted by the direction this conversation is taking.


    Weiss throws her hands up. ¡°Is everyone here a Faunus?! Am I some kind of Faunus?!¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re just¡­ kind of a bitch.¡±


    The words slip out before I can stop them, and the room falls into stunned silence. Weiss gasps as if I¡¯ve just committed a mortal sin. ¡°How dare you?!¡±


    Pyrrha clears her throat, stepping into the fray with her usual grace. ¡°Weiss, I¡¯m sure we all understand how¡­ distraught you might feel right now, but perhaps it would help if you explained what exactly you expect us to do?¡±


    Weiss draws a deep breath, visibly composing herself. ¡°As always, one can count on Pyrrha to be the voice of reason.¡± She adjusts her posture and adopts a tone of forced civility. ¡°What I expect is for you¡ªTeam Juniper¡ªto assist me in locating Blake and any of her associates so that they can be brought to justice.¡±


    Pyrrha¡¯s polite smile falters for the briefest of moments, her right eye twitching as she processes Weiss¡¯s proposal. ¡°Would you mind¡­ stepping outside for a moment? I believe we need to discuss this as a team.¡±


    Weiss hesitates but eventually nods, sweeping out of the room with her usual air of superiority. The door clicks shut behind her, leaving us to bask in the blessed quiet of a warm Saturday morning.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Pyrrha turns to me, her worry plain as she begins to pace.


    I close my eyes, leaning my head back against the wall. ¡°We should try to find Blake. She¡¯s smart. This¡¯ll make sense¡­ somehow.¡±


    Pyrrha presses her lips together, unconvinced. ¡°I agree, but isn¡¯t it a little presumptuous to think we can find her when her own teammates don¡¯t know where she is?¡±


    Nora, now splattered across the table with the grace of a cat in a sunbeam, lifts a hand lazily. ¡°But we do know. Rin and I spent a few weeks in downtown Vale before Beacon started. Lots of Faunus there. If the White Fang¡¯s around now, that¡¯s probably where Blake went.¡±


    Her words hang in the air, a mix of truth and danger. I glance at Rin, who nods subtly, confirming her claim. ¡°That¡¯s where I¡¯d go¡­ Less¡­ People¡­¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Pyrrha murmurs, her gaze shifting toward the closed door, ¡°then it seems we have a starting point. Now we just need to decide what to do with her.¡±


    I let my thoughts swirl for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing against my temples. Athena¡¯s blessing could have made moments like this effortless, but without it, I¡¯m left guessing, reaching blindly for answers. So, I stick to what I know.


    ¡°Can you¡­¡± I hesitate, then force the words out. ¡°Can you take Rin and go look for the rest of Team RWBY?¡±


    Pyrrha tilts her head, surprise flickering across her face. ¡°You want Weiss with you? In a... humble neighborhood? Full of Faunus?¡±


    ¡°If they pull out the pitchforks, I promise I¡¯ll call.¡±


    ?


    ¡°Excuse me, sir! Have you seen any violent Faunus rampaging through here? ¡­Sir? Sir! Are you associated with the White Fang? Are you a criminal, sir?!¡±


    Weiss¡¯s sharp, clipped voice slices through the muggy air as she drives away yet another poor passerby. Most of the day has blurred into a frustrating haze, with me and Nora doing our best to keep Weiss on a leash while walking towards the industrial district.


    To say the area isn¡¯t welcoming is... putting it mildly.


    The transition from the commercial district to here was jarring. While the former showed clear signs of recent unease¡ªVPD presence, assaulted businesses, and an uneasy tension clinging to its streets¡ªthis place feels¡­ resigned. Hardened.


    The storefronts here bear visible scars, windows boarded or patched with haphazard repairs. Thick iron bars shield displays, rain-streaked grime dulling their surface of every facade to a dreary monotone brown. Every building feels like it has adapted to survive apathetic violence, not as a possibility but as a reality woven into daily life.


    This isn¡¯t an incident. It¡¯s not something to rally against or report to the authorities. It¡¯s just... normal.


    I glance at Weiss, who is now interrogating an older man stacking crates outside a dimly lit warehouse. Her pristine demeanor feels almost offensively out of place against the backdrop of patched walls and filthy pavement.


    She waves a hand dramatically in front of the man¡¯s face. ¡°Sir! I demand to know if you¡¯ve had any encounters with the White Fang in this area!¡±


    The man gives her a flat, unimpressed stare before disappearing through the warehouse door without a word.


    ¡°Weiss¡­¡± I pinch the bridge of my nose, sighing deeply. ¡°You can¡¯t demand answers from people like that. We¡¯re not here to threaten anyone.¡±


    Weiss spins around, glaring daggers at both of us, but thankfully doesn¡¯t respond. Instead, she brushes an invisible speck of dirt off her jacket and marches ahead, head held high.


    Nora sidles up to me, her expression conspiratorial. ¡°So¡­ you brought me along because I¡¯ve got a really big hammer and she¡¯s gonna get us into some really big trouble, huh?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    Nora¡¯s grin widens, her sharp teeth flashing for a moment before she falls back into her easy, careless posture. I can¡¯t help but smirk at her candor, but her words give me pause. Truthfully, I don¡¯t know much about Nora beyond her boundless energy and uncanny ability to make light of any situation. But I¡¯ve been watching, and beneath the jokes and bravado, there¡¯s something I don¡¯t understand.


    As Weiss strides ahead, no doubt on the hunt for her next victim, I seize the moment.


    ¡°Nora,¡± I say, careful. ¡°Is everything okay? Between you and Rin?¡±


    Nora freezes. Just for a second. It¡¯s subtle¡ªa hitch in her step, a flicker in her expression¡ªbut it¡¯s there. Then, like a magician flipping a card, she recovers with a bright smile. ¡°What? Yeah, of course! We¡¯ve known each other forever. Why wouldn¡¯t we be okay?¡±


    I don¡¯t buy it, and I think she knows that. ¡°Sure, but you two are¡­ I don¡¯t know. You¡¯re always close. Always watching out for each other. But never¡­ you know. Together-together.¡±


    Nora blinks, clearly caught off guard, and I press on. ¡°When we¡¯re fighting, it¡¯s like you¡¯re always looking for where she is and running the other way.¡±


    The teasing tone doesn¡¯t mask my curiosity, and for once, Nora doesn¡¯t answer back with her usual quip. Instead, she glances down, looking for nothing.


    ¡°Hey, you two!¡± Weiss¡¯s voice cuts through the moment. ¡°Are you planning to be useful today? I just found someone who knows where Blake is.¡±


    We exchange a glance before hurrying after her.


    Standing beside Weiss is a young Faunus, maybe late teens. He¡¯s a little plain-looking¡ªshort hair, sun-kissed skin, and the kind of scruffy clothes that suggest a hard day¡¯s work rather than fighting for rebellion. His small, curved horns peek out from under his mop of hair, but there¡¯s nothing intimidating about him. Just... a guy with horns, worn down by life.


    ¡°Y-yeah, I know Blake,¡± he stammers, shifting awkwardly under Weiss¡¯s scrutiny. ¡°She spent some time with us. Great girl, that one. Helped out a lot.¡±


    I take a cautious step forward, keeping my tone steady. ¡°By us, you mean...?¡±


    ¡°The White Fang,¡± he says with a shrug, trying to appear nonchalant despite his clear nerves. ¡°Well, sort of. There¡¯s no official branch here in Vale. We¡¯re just people. You know... of the people, for the people. All that.¡± His attempt at a confident smile is betrayed by the exhaustion in his eyes as he wipes his brow with a rag. ¡°Did... did something happen to her?¡±


    This guy seems harmless, and no one looks more surprised by that than Weiss.


    ¡°We¡¯re... just looking for her,¡± I explain. ¡°She had some trouble back at the academy and ran off. We¡¯re worried.¡±


    The Faunus nods slowly, then turns to hoist a crate onto an old, battered truck. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve gotta finish up here, but if you don¡¯t mind riding in the back, I can take you to the Animal Shelter. She might¡¯ve passed through there.¡±


    ¡°The Animal Shelter?¡± Nora echoes with a grin.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± the Faunus replies, rolling his eyes with a sigh. ¡°My father hates the name. That¡¯s probably why it stuck. A lot of jokesters around here.¡± He leans down with a grunt, struggling with the weight of a particularly large box. ¡°Name¡¯s Thomas, by the way. Just... give me a second to load this¡­ and we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±


    Before he can protest, Nora steps in, grabbing the crate with one hand and hoisting it onto the truck bed like it weighs nothing.


    ¡°No, no! That¡¯s really heav¡ª¡± Thomas¡¯s voice dies in his throat as he watches the petite girl toss the box up with ease. ¡°That¡¯s... very unfair. But I do appreciate it.¡±


    Thomas quickly hops into the driver¡¯s seat, leaving the three of us to figure out where to sit. Finding space among the piled-up luggage turns out to be a minor quest of its own. Weiss, unsurprisingly, is not in the mood to compromise.


    ¡°Oh, for the love of¡ª¡±


    Nora, growing impatient, shoves me backward. Before I can complain about her putting me on my ass, I¡¯m suddenly far more concerned about her ass. She plops herself down on top of me without a hint of hesitation.


    ¡°There,¡± she says, grinning as she taps twice on the side of the truck to signal Thomas. ¡°We¡¯re all where we wanna be, right?¡±


    The truck sets into motion, and I stare up at the sky, half-winded, my thoughts tripping over themselves. ¡°Nora¡­ You can¡¯t just¡­¡± My voice falters as I try¡ªand fail¡ªto decide where my hands are supposed to go. I feel heat climbing up my neck making rational thought a distant memory.


    ¡°What?¡± she teases, leaning back until her head nearly brushes my chin. ¡°Is this seat Faunus only now? I thought redheads could catch a ride too.¡±


    Weiss looks absolutely scandalized. ¡°Excuse me?! Is your entire team this inappropriate?¡±


    Nora doesn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°We can switch places on the way back if you want. He is looking kinda handsome today.¡±


    I look away, determined to focus on literally anything else¡ªthe creak of the truck, the rumble of the engine, the distant hum of the industrial district passing us by. Anything but the fact that Nora is very comfortable where she is.


    Weiss, of course, is unmoved. Instead, she pulls out her rapier and takes the lid off a nearby barrel. A few apples and oranges tumble out, rolling to a stop at her feet.


    ¡°Weiss¡­¡± I groan tiredly. ¡°Can we at least not steal from them? Please?¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡± She brushes off my complaint, her expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re far too trusting. Appearances can be deceiving, and you shouldn¡¯t judge a book by its cover. He¡¯s a member of the White Fang, after all. We have no idea what kind of foul schemes might be waiting for us. And I will be ready.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Realizing we¡¯re going nowhere again, I let out a slow breath and close my eyes. The truck¡¯s vibrations hum softly through the wood, but it¡¯s the solid warmth of Nora against me that draws my attention. Her presence is overwhelming¡ªher body is strong, powerful in a way that feels both protective and impossibly heavy, like she¡¯s holding me as much as I am holding her. She¡¯s always been absurdly strong, and now I understand why. She feels dense, steady, and no matter how much I might want to move¡­ I can¡¯t.


    Worse, I don¡¯t want to.


    Her soft chuckle pulls me back. I feel it more than hear it, the vibration resonating between us. ¡°See?¡± she murmurs, her voice low as she turns her head slightly, her breath grazing my ear. ¡°Isn¡¯t everything better when you just¡­ relax and stop overthinking?¡±


    An answer forms in my mind, but it dissolves as quickly as it appears. Her closeness is intoxicating, scattering my thoughts like leaves in the wind. She shifts slightly, her weight settling more fully against me, and I can¡¯t help but notice every detail¡ªthe curve of her hips, the warmth of her back pressed to my chest. My fingers, resting cautiously just above her waist, seem to have a mind of their own, tensing slightly as though testing the moment.


    She lets out a contented sigh, and I feel it ripple through me, her comfort somehow infectious. ¡°There you go,¡± she whispers, her tone teasing but softer now. ¡°See? Not so bad, is it?¡±


    The tension I¡¯d been holding in my shoulders slowly fades away, replaced by something quieter, steadier, comforting. And for once, I let the moment happen.


    ?


    ¡°Here we are,¡± Thomas announces as he hops down from the truck. The afternoon light filters through cracks in the building''s metal siding, casting jagged patterns across the pavement. Nora stays behind to help him with the luggage.


    Weiss and I step in first.


    The building in front of us appears to be some sort of¡­ refitted warehouse. Faunus of all ages fill the space, though most are children darting through the maze of crates and blankets. The building feels alive, buzzing with a strange mix of exhaustion and resilience. It¡¯s not the chaos of neglect but the carefully maintained disorder of life. The warehouse itself is a patchwork of improvisation: mismatched furniture, stacks of crates doubling as tables, and blankets spread across the floor.


    It¡¯s¡­ hard to stand here. Hard to breathe in the weight of it all. The first glance is enough to tell me these people aren¡¯t just living here¡ªthey¡¯re surviving, day by day. Supplies are passed hand to hand with practiced precision: crates of food disappearing into the back, bundles of cloth distributed with quiet urgency until they reach the people who need them most. Every gesture carries a sense of hunger¡ªnot just for food, but for comfort, an honest yearning for¡­ anything provided.


    There¡¯s no malice in the looks we get, just disinterest and exhaustion. A few curious glances linger on Weiss and me before the Faunus turn away, preoccupied with their work. It is¡­ humbling, and I¡¯m not sure what to do with that feeling.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I call to Thomas as he steps in behind us. ¡°I don¡¯t see Blake. Maybe we could help out while we wait around?¡±


    Thomas blinks, clearly surprised, but shrugs. ¡°If you¡¯re serious, head to the back. Nana¡¯s in the kitchen. She could always use an extra pair of hands.¡±


    I glance at Weiss, who nods reluctantly. She doesn¡¯t look comfortable, and I can¡¯t blame her. Without a word, she follows me deeper into the warehouse, away from the open floor.


    The kitchen is a small corner of  silent activity. A massive figure hunches over a long counter, chopping vegetables with a rhythm that speaks of long-years of practice. Pots simmer on aging stoves, filling the space with the comforting aroma of something hearty, hopefully enough for the few dozen families we just saw.


    ¡°Nana?¡± I ask tentatively, a bit intimidated by her sheer size.


    The figure turns, revealing a face both ancient and kind. Her snout twitches slightly as she takes us in, and a slow smile spreads across her face, weathered and warm. It pulls at the deep scar running from her chin to her neck, a brutal mark that¡¯s impossible to ignore.


    ¡°Oh¡­ and who might you be, my dear?¡± Her voice is soft but raspy.


    I fumble for words. ¡°We¡¯re... students. From Beacon. We¡¯re looking for a friend.¡±


    At the mention of Beacon, her expression lights up with genuine delight. ¡°Ah, Beacon!¡± she exclaims, straightening slightly. ¡°How¡¯s Ozpin, dear? That man¡ªhe doesn¡¯t take care of himself, does he?¡±


    Weiss steps forward then, her usual formality reasserting itself as curiosity sharpens her features. ¡°Do you... know Director Ozpin?¡±


    Nana chuckles, a low, gravelly sound that morphs into a brief , violent cough. She waves a clawed hand dismissively before leaning her weight against the counter. ¡°Know him? Sweetie, who do you think owns this place?¡± She laughs again, though it¡¯s softer this time, almost wistful. ¡°Were it not for him, few would have made it out of Atlas. Men like him...¡± She shakes her head, her voice trailing off. ¡°There¡¯s too few of them these days.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ are from Atlas? No¡­¡± Weiss¡¯ voice falters before steadying again. ¡°From Mantle?¡±


    ¡°Even lower than that,¡± Nana says. ¡°Used to be a whole other city down in the mines. But that¡¯s the past now.¡± She gestures to the simmering pots with a flourish of her knife. ¡°So, what can I do for you? I hope your friend isn¡¯t in one of these. Folk around here do get hungry.¡±


    I laugh nervously, scratching the back of my neck. ¡°No, we¡­ We were just wondering if there¡¯s anything we can do to help while we wait.¡±


    Her gaze flicks over me, then Weiss, assessing us like she¡¯s sizing up an old set of tools. ¡°Well, young man,¡± she says, a grin curling at the edges of her mouth, ¡°if you can put the sword aside and pick up a knife without embarrassing yourself, there might just be.¡±


    We¡­ Tried.


    Cooking was a disaster waiting to happen. Thankfully, a few others took over after giving us some hurried guidance, sparing the food¡ªand the residents¡ªfrom total calamity. Instead, we were put to work serving meals and attending to the dozens of people who passed through during the next hour. It wasn¡¯t easy.


    Everyone needed something¡ªwhether they admitted it or not¡ªand the sheer weight of that need was overwhelming. Trips back and forth became dizzying, every tray carried and question answered pulling at a thread of exhaustion neither Weiss nor I dared acknowledge aloud.


    Eventually, we found a moment to sit, both of us quietly absorbing the chaotic hum of the warehouse. I noticed Weiss¡¯s wide eyes as she watched the others, moving silently between corners of a space brimming with quiet desperation. For all her grace and precision, she seemed... shaken, her movements wooden, as though unsure if what we were doing could make even a dent in these fractured lives.


    The moment broke when a little girl approached, no more than two years old, her steps wobbly but determined. She clutched a worn doll in one tiny hand, its face partially threadbare, one eye missing entirely. Staring up at Weiss, the toddler pointed at her own face, tracing a line over her eye in quiet mimicry.


    Weiss froze. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt,¡± she said softly, her voice unsteady, as if the words were unfamiliar. ¡°That was¡­ a long time ago now.¡±


    The little girl didn¡¯t respond, at least not with words. Instead, she threw the doll into Weiss¡¯s lap, her small hands gesturing toward the doll¡¯s face before she waddled back to her mother. She returned moments later, clutching a mismatched button and a frayed piece of string¡ªneither of which remotely resembled the originals.


    Weiss hesitated for a moment before pulling a delicate pin from her tiara. With quiet determination, she broke off a small piece, using it to fashion a makeshift needle. Her fingers moved carefully, stitching the button into place while the little girl watched with wide, trusting eyes. The patchwork repair was uneven, imperfect, but the child¡¯s smile as she took the doll back was radiant, giving Weiss a hug before running away.


    Thomas and Nora found us soon after, their expressions guarded but urgent. Thomas, in particular, seemed to struggle with his words as he approached. ¡°Hey,¡± he began awkwardly, his eyes flickering between Weiss and me. ¡°My father just arrived. I told him you guys were here, looking for someone. He¡­ keeps things under control, here and there.¡±


    I nod, forcing myself to my feet. Weiss lingers for a moment longer, her eyes still distant as she stares at the little girl disappearing into the crowd with her mended doll. Only when she noticed both Thomas and me waiting did she stir, pulling herself back to reality with visible effort. She rises slowly, her movements heavy, as if weighed down by invisible chains. I wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d heard a word Thomas said, but she followed nonetheless.


    We follow Thomas to the far corner of the building, to a cramped office. The room reeked of stress¡ªreceipts, manifests, and ledgers spilling from every surface in a chaotic maze. Behind the desk, squeezed uncomfortably into the space, sat a man impossible to mistake. His presence fills the room despite its size, his frame large and powerful even under the wear of age and relentless toil. Yet it isn¡¯t his bulk that catches my breath.


    It¡¯s his face.


    A scar, brutal and raw, carved its way across the entire right side, branding him unmistakably¡ªS.D.C. The letters seared into his skin like an accusation, stark against his weathered features. His gaze, heavy and distant, pins us without effort. And those eyes... they are something else entirely¡ªboth deeply commanding and soullessly empty.


    And then there¡¯s the horns. Or rather, what was left of them. One stood dark and solid, a proud testament to what he once was. The other was nothing more than a jagged stump, roughly amputated, the wound long healed but impossible to ignore. It makes me drop my gaze, a wave of discomfort knotting my stomach. I swallow hard, forcing myself to look back up.


    ¡°My son says you¡¯re looking for one of ours,¡± the man says at last, his voice like gravel dragged through tar.


    ¡°We¡¯re looking for one of ours.¡± I step forward, matching his gaze.


    The man leans back, unimpressed. ¡°Hard times if you¡¯re out in the streets, hunting your own people.¡±


    ¡°Better than your own people being on the streets, wishing they could hunt.¡±


    Beside me, Nora and Weiss shift uneasily as the man¡¯s expression darkens. He nods, slow and deliberate. ¡°Beacon¡¯s always been good to us. And by what I hear, seems that hasn¡¯t changed. What do y¡¯all want to know?¡±


    I cannot help but smile faintly, glancing at Weiss. She hesitates for a beat, then steps forward. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ We¡¯re looking for a woman. She said she used to be part of the White Fang. The¡­ other White Fang.¡±


    At this, the man¡¯s expression tightens. His jaw clenched as he swallows the words like a bitter pill. ¡°You¡¯re looking for trouble, then.¡±


    ¡°Only if they don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for them,¡± Nora quips, her hammer resting easily on her shoulder.


    The man raises an eyebrow at her before shaking his head. ¡°Sorry to tell you, but the White Fang¡ª¡±


    His sentence is cut short as Thomas bursts into the room, his face pale and tight with panic. ¡°Pa¡­ We¡¯ve got people asking for you. They¡­ They¡¯re White Fang. No mistake.¡±


    The man tenses immediately, his powerful frame coiling like a spring. ¡°All of you,¡± he barks, his voice low but urgent, ¡°out the back. Stay on your toes.¡±


    There was no room for argument, and none of us tried. Thomas led us through a back door into a narrow, dark alley, the kind of place you wouldn¡¯t notice unless you were looking for it. The shadows swallowed us as Thomas gestured for silence. We crouched low beneath the window of the office, just out of sight but close enough to hear.


    From our vantage point, I can see the front of the building, where a large vehicle had pulled up. At least half a dozen figures emerged, each armed, but only one entered the building¡ªa figure wrapped in black and red.


    Through the window, I catch glimpses of the younger Faunus stepping inside. His mask, a sharp contrast against his fiery red hair, conceals much of his face, but his voice carries clearly in the tense silence. ¡°I remember you,¡± he says, the words laced with a mocking edge. ¡°Blud, right? Makes sense now. I never knew where you old folk ended up. Did Vale treat you well?¡±


    The older man, Blud, straightens, his broad shoulders rigid. ¡°It did... until we started getting news from the west. Now, every Faunus is just another White Fang maniac.¡±


    The younger Faunus chuckles, low and venomous. ¡°As it should be. Human kindness is unreliable¡ªwe both know that.¡±


    ¡°What do you want, Adam?¡± Blud growls, his voice laced with restrained fury. ¡°Your people have never cared for us. Never cared for Vale. So why pretend now?¡±


    Adam tilts his head, a faint smirk playing at the edges of his masked features. ¡°Pretending? No, Blud. We¡¯ve grown. We¡¯re stronger, more united, guided. I lead my own branch now, and it¡¯s time for Vale to face the truth.¡±


    ¡°And what truth is that?¡±


    Adam¡¯s smirk deepens, his tone smooth but chilling. ¡°That we are the ones allowing them to live, not the other way around.¡±


    Blud scoffs, a bitter sound born of disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re trying to push back a race that outnumbers you five to one.¡±


    Adam¡¯s eyes gleam from behind the mask. ¡°That¡¯s just another way of saying we only need to kill five each. I¡¯m well ahead of the count.¡± He pauses, his voice dropping. ¡°Besides, your people seem miserable enough already. Revolution is but a single stroke away. All they need is a little push.¡±


    Blud¡¯s fists clench at his sides. ¡°So that¡¯s why you came.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got people emptying the docks as we speak. When the dust settles tonight¡­ Let¡¯s just say I don¡¯t need anyone running around, calling themselves the White Fang.¡±


    The room falls into a heavy silence, the tension crackling like a live wire. My instincts scream as I crouch under the window, ready to break through the glass. I have to act, to stop this¡ªbut a sudden voice freezes me in place.


    ¡°Jaune!¡± Aphrodite¡¯s voice is a whisper in my mind, desperate and sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t. You cannot. Don¡¯t.¡±


    I hesitate, her warning clawing at my resolve. But the choice was made for me.


    A dark, swirling glyph materializes inside the office, Weiss¡¯s rapier pointed through the shattered window. Gravity-dust surges, slamming Adam into the ceiling, the impact shaking the office. Before he could recover, Nora tears through the thin wall with a wild swing, debris scattering as she launches herself at the stunned Faunus. He struggles to parry her massive strike with his sheathed blade, the unexpected assault forcing him to react, not attack.


    I feel Aphrodite¡¯s disapproval like a weight in my chest, but there¡¯s no turning back now. I step forward, power rushing through me.


    ?


    Victory was within our grasp¡ªfor a moment.


    Then it slipped through, as if the world itself rebelled against our efforts. Adam moved like a shadow come to life, each step radiating controlled fury. The air thickened, the night seemed to darken, and every advantage we thought we had dissolved. His blade, a crimson streak of deadly intent, cleaved through the gloom like fire. Each swing was a proclamation: not just an attack but an execution, dismantling our hopes with ruthless precision. His strikes didn¡¯t simply cut¡ªthey punished, shredding aura and flesh alike.


    I brace behind my shield, enduring the relentless onslaught. The first blow sends a jolt through my body. The second cracks my stance. By the third, my arms tremble, muscles screaming in protest. Nora fights beside me, unyielding as ever, her defiance burning brighter with every hit she absorbs. Weiss, sensing the danger, leaps onto the roof of a nearby building, summoning a flurry of razor-sharp ice spears. They glint like stars in the moonlight before hurtling toward Adam in a deadly cascade.


    He doesn¡¯t falter. The frozen projectiles scatter harmlessly, dismissed with effortless precision. His attention locks onto me, unrelenting, and I bolt into a nearby alley, the narrow walls my only shield. My boots pound against uneven stone, my breath coming in ragged gasps as his shadow looms behind me.


    I spin around just in time, summoning Aphrodite¡¯s power into my blade. When our weapons clash, the collision splits the night, showering sparks into the dark. The force surges through my arms, threatening to drive me to my knees. His strength is monstrous, each blow heavier than the last. Yet, against all odds, I hold. For an instant, surprise flashes behind his mask¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected resistance.


    But it doesn¡¯t matter.


    He rolls sharply, his kick slamming into my side and driving me into the grimy wall. I raise my shield on instinct, a desperate barrier that deflects his next strike, a blade swing meant to sever rather than wound. Before I can recover, Nora slams into him, her hammer descending like a thunderbolt.


    Adam counters with ruthless efficiency. He presses his sheathed blade into her stomach and fires, the detonation sending Nora away as the sound of breaking ribs slices through the chaos. She falls to the ground, breathless but still alive. Adam shifts his gaze upward, scanning for Weiss.


    The opening is there. I take it.


    Casting my shield aside, I grip my massive, enhanced sword with both hands and swing with every ounce of strength I can muster. The strike is monstrous, a single arc so heavy it could cleave a house in two. The impact sends a shockwave through the air.


    Adam stumbles, his dust-forged weapon splintering under the blow. For a moment, I think I¡¯ve done it. He staggers, visibly straining against the force. But then, the strength of the strike is absorbed by the blade, leaving him standing. My chest heaves as I stumble back, gasping, the dark pressing in around us.


    ¡°You¡­¡± His voice is low, tinged with mocking amusement. A sinister laugh ripples through his words. ¡°You¡¯re interesting. Really interesting. Maybe in your blood, I¡¯ll finally find some answers.¡±


    Seconds stretch like hours as he begins to pace toward me, his movements deliberate, his presence suffocating. My heart races so fast that it drowns out my thoughts. I tighten my grip on my sword, knowing I can¡¯t hold him back again.


    But then, the night explodes.


    A thunderous crack tears through the silence, a raw, unrestrained force of nature. Lightning splits the sky and slams into the street just feet from where I stand. The impact roars like divine wrath, throwing Adam into the distance. His body rolls, limp, down the street before coming to a stop.


    For a moment, I can¡¯t process that I¡¯m still alive. My ears ring, my breath catching in my throat. And then I see her.


    Nora is standing, her form barely holding together, arcs of golden electricity crackling off her body. The energy leaps to the ground, snapping viciously at the debris around her. She¡¯s radiant, terrifying¡ªher entire being consumed by the storm.


    ¡°Nora?¡± My voice wavers, my back pressed against the alley wall. I feel trapped, caught between two forces I can¡¯t hope to match.


    Her eyes meet mine, but they¡¯re hollow, distant. She¡¯s not there¡ªnot fully.


    ¡°Nora!¡± I call again, louder this time, stepping toward her cautiously. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, her expression softens. The storm begins to subside, the golden arcs dimming until they vanish entirely. Her hammer drops slightly in her hands, and her breathing steadies as awareness returns.


    I step closer, hesitating for only a moment before gripping the handle of her weapon alongside her. ¡°Weiss,¡± I murmur, glancing toward the rooftops. ¡°She¡¯ll have found a way out by now.¡±


    Nora nods faintly, exhaustion clouding her features. Together, we move, the alley still smoldering behind us. There¡¯s no looking back.


    ?


    Later that night, I receive a message from Weiss. Her team managed to intercept the operation at the docks. It had been messy, but no one was seriously hurt¡ªnot on their side, at least. It was a victory, technically. Yet after what we¡¯d endured, it felt hollow,


    As for Nora, she barely made it to bed before collapsing. Even in sleep, faint arcs of lightning ripple across her skin, the residual energy snapping harmlessly into the blankets. I sit beside her for a while, watching the rise and fall of her breath, the hum of static filling the silence. That single moment¡ªthe thunderous strike that turned the tide¡ªkeeps replaying in my mind. It feels like a distant echo and a fresh wound all at once.


    ¡°Aphrodite,¡± I murmur into the stillness. ¡°What... happened?¡±


    Her voice brushes against my thoughts. ¡°You should sleep, Jaune.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I admit, exhaustion weighing on every word. ¡°You need to stay here until¡­ Until they¡¯re ready on the other side. Twenty-four hours, at least.¡±


    A soft, exasperated huff answers me, and suddenly, she¡¯s there. Not just a voice, but a presence. She materializes in my view, holding the faint strand of power I carried to her, its glow like a flickering ember. ¡°Apollo, right? I knew the flavor was familiar. Though I didn¡¯t expect him to hand over his domain of Charisma so easily.¡±


    Her gaze softens, and for a fleeting moment, she looks almost human. Almost tired. ¡°Where do I start?¡± she sighs.


    ¡°Are you dying?¡± The question slips out before I can stop myself.


    ¡°Yes and no. My soul¡­ is struggling to remain tethered to this world. You would call that death. For us, it¡¯s... more complicated, even if the result is very much the same.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡±


    She laughs, a brittle, almost bitter sound. ¡°Jaune, I don¡¯t mean to insult, but there¡¯s little a single human can do to sustain the existence of a divinity.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ what?¡±


    Her eyes narrow, and her expression hardens. ¡°Then I find more,¡± she says quietly. ¡°Hundreds at least. Millions if possible. Souls to resonate with¡ªsouls willing to believe, to revere.¡±


    I stare at her. ¡°But you won¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± Her voice rises, sharp with frustration. ¡°Not while Poseidon rules the human realm, forbidding anyone else from setting foot upon these lands! Do you think I like being a ghost, Jaune? A whisper in your mind? Oh, the things I would do were I allowed to roam the earth among your kind¡­ But I cannot.¡±


    Her outburst lingers in the air, raw and unguarded. I let the silence stretch, fixing my gaze on the gentle glow of the moon through the window. Its light feels steady in contrast to the storm within her.


    Eventually, she exhales, the tension leaving her shoulders. ¡°You felt it, didn¡¯t you?¡± she asks softly, resignation in her tone.


    I meet her gaze, my thoughts muddled and heavy. ¡°Why?¡± I whisper. ¡°Just¡­ why?¡±


    Her lips press into a thin line before she answers. ¡°Not every god struggles as I do. Certainly not Artemis.¡± Her voice grows bitter. ¡°She¡¯s found plenty of bodies willing to carry out her will. And Adam? He is nothing if not eager. That boy belongs to her intimately, even if they¡¯ve yet to meet. He is a servant of her Hunt, through and through.¡±


    It¡¯s¡­ too much. I don¡¯t even know what to say.


    ¡°Poseidon¡­ God of the seas, right?¡± I manage, grasping for understanding.


    ¡°No,¡± she corrects sharply. ¡°God of land and sea. A common mistake, but a meaningful one. He rules the mortal realm just as much as Zeus governs Olympus.¡±


    ¡°And Pyrrha is¡­?¡±


    ¡°A champion of his,¡± Aphrodite replies, her words clipped. ¡°Chosen. Blessed by the tides. He has¡­¡± Her teeth clench, her frustration palpable. ¡°A mighty grip over mankind, granting him the privilege of picking and choosing. And so, he remains unbothered by this... this bow of chastity that impedes me.¡±


    A million questions swirl in my mind. I want to push further, to keep asking about the whys and hows, about her family and their fractured ties. But I know where her line is drawn, and I¡¯ve pushed it far enough for one night.


    Instead, I turn my attention back to Nora.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Aphrodite mutters, her voice quieter now, stripped of its earlier edge. ¡°I¡­ I thought I¡¯d have to intervene. And while I¡¯m thankful it didn¡¯t come to that¡­ this worries me, deeply.¡±


    ¡°Was that¡­ a blessing? Or her semblance?¡±


    ¡°Both,¡± Aphrodite answers, her gaze distant, her eyes staring into something far beyond this room. Fear stretches her features, her expression almost alien in its rawness. ¡°It was both.¡±

 Chapter 6: Beneath The Surface

    After our encounter with Adam, the days settled into a deceptive calm, lulling us into something that felt close to normalcy. And yet, there was an unease I couldn¡¯t shake. Every now and then, my gaze would flick over my shoulder, a nagging question echoing in my mind: Are we really safe?


    Even the Olympians seemed preoccupied, lost in their own misadventures. Aphrodite, a near-constant presence in my life, still visited frequently¡ªboth to renew her blessings and to chatter away¡ªbut her divine gaze often seemed distant, fixed on some far-off place ever since that night.


    And so, I find myself without a Semblance today.


    The sound of our boots echoes against the ancient stone of the catacombs beneath Beacon, a rhyth underscored by the weight of the chase. The air is thick with the smell of dust and mold, a suffocating cocktail that makes the darkness feel more oppressive. My shield is gripped tightly in one hand as I push forward, my every step a silent hope that the Grimm won¡¯t find us me¡ªthat they won¡¯t need me.


    A sharp scream cuts through the silence.


    ¡°Nora.¡±


    Her name barely leaves my lips before I turn sharply to my right, running in the direction of the sound. But the catacombs are a maze of twisting corridors and dead ends, and all I find are walls blocking my path.


    My scroll comes out in a flash, the screen showing her position close by. The faint, distant clash of battle bleeds through the stone. She¡¯s just on the other side of the wall in front of me.


    But getting around it could take¡­


    A thunderous explosion reverberates through the catacombs, shaking dust loose from the ceiling. Gritting my teeth, I slam my shield into the wall. Aura floods into my limbs as I press forward, each bash dislodging jagged fragments of stone and sand. My muscles burn, but the wall gives way, a portion collapsing just enough to reveal the chaos beyond.


    Shadows writhe and chitinous forms twist in the darkness in a grotesque blur of motion. Without hesitation, I shove my shield through the gap and kick it forward, forcing my way to the other side before the fragile breach collapses behind me.


    The moment I step through, a whip of jagged teeth snaps toward me. I barely bring up Crocea Mors in time, its blade flashing as I deflect the attack. The whip recoils with a sickening hiss, but there¡¯s no time to think. Nora¡¯s grenades explode with deafening force on the tight space, briefly illuminating the chamber in bursts of light.


    ¡°Jaune!¡± Her voice is almost drowned out by the cacophony of battle. ¡°There¡¯s so¡­ many¡ª¡±


    ¡°I defend, you attack!¡±


    I press my back against hers, synchronizing our movements. Her hammer arcs past me with the force of a storm, while I keep my shield high, intercepting anything that dares approach from behind. Her strength is terrifying, shaking the very walls, but I have no choice but to trust her.


    The chamber is just chaos. Explosions tear through the dark, and sparks fly with every clash. My arms ache as blow after blow batters my shield, sweat trickling down my back. For every grotesque limb that surges toward us, Nora¡¯s relentless assault drives them back. Each second of safety I manage to buy for her feels elongated and painful, forcing me to grit my teeth to the taste of iron.


    Then, as suddenly as it began, it¡¯s over.


    The lights flicker to life, the oppressive darkness lifting to reveal the aftermath. The creature lies still, a monstrous amalgamation of metallic, centipede-like bodies twisted together in a grotesque rat-king fashion. Its lifeless form glints faintly in the pale light, closer to armor than flesh or bone.


    I release a shaky breath, my shield lowering as all fight drains from my limbs. Turning to Nora, I catch her gaze and offer a small, apologetic smile.


    ¡°I told you they¡¯d be okay.¡±


    Yang and Blake appear moments later, strolling down the tunnel with a casual air.


    ¡°What does a girl have to do around here to get her back covered like that?¡± Yang says, punctuating her words with a sharp slap to my ass. ¡°For a guy without a Semblance, swinging an old sword? Not bad, Arc. Not bad at all.¡±


    ¡°Must be tough,¡± Blake adds dryly. ¡°Dealing with an unreliable Semblance.¡±


    ¡°Well, I can cheat a little if¡­¡± My voice falters as I glance down at the twitching remains of the creature. Its metallic segments jitter faintly, disintegrating into black wisps. The silence of the catacombs is broken only by the eerie sound of its dying spasms, but it feels... ¡°How many did you two kill?¡±


    Yang shrugs nonchalantly. ¡°Eh¡­ one?¡±


    Before her smirk has a chance to settle, a tentacle that doesn¡¯t belong to the corpse lashes out, wrapping around her torso. In an instant, Yang is yanked off her feet, her startled yelp echoing through the tunnels.


    We react immediately, weapons drawn as we charge after her, her irritated screams guiding us deeper into the catacombs. The further we go, the more crumbled the structure becomes. The already rough stone walls give way to jagged, natural caverns, the labyrinthine corridors collapsing into chaotic ruins.


    By the time we reach her, Yang is on the ground, growling in frustration as the creature coils around her. The mass of shifting, centipede-like limbs tightens, binding her arms to her back and pressing her face into the dirt.


    ¡°Oh, come on, guys! Just blow the damn thing to pieces! You know I can take it!¡± she yells, voice muffled by the struggle.


    Nora steps forward, but the faint click of her hammer tells me everything I need to know¡ªshe¡¯s out of ammo. With our heavy hitters out of gas, Blake and I exchange a brief, grim look. There¡¯s no way we can take this thing down head-on, not with its armor gleaming like tempered steel.


    Instead, while the others hold their ground in a tense standoff, I slip away. My eyes scan the cavern until I find a narrow gap in the wall, just wide enough to crawl through. The tunnel leads me up and over the chamber, where I press myself flat against the craggy ceiling, inching closer to the monster below.


    From above and with some light, I can see it more clearly now. The gaps in its armor, subtle junctions where the plates meet, are just wide enough for a blade. As the creature shifts, its movements jerky and unnatural, I spot my chance.


    I leap.


    The Grimm twists toward me, startled, and I drive Crocea Mors deep into the crack where its limbs converge. A horrific, guttural screech erupts as dark blood pours from the wound, splattering the ground in thick rivers. The creature¡¯s grip on Yang falters, dropping her unceremoniously.


    Before I can even breathe, its massive limbs grab me by the chest. Pain explodes through my ribs as it slams me into the stone floor, my vision blurring. Again, next thing I know the fight¡¯s over. But this time, there¡¯s no victorious sigh of relief, no energy left for even a faint smile. My head swims, and I sink back against what feels like a solid wall¡ªor maybe the floor? It¡¯s impossible to tell. Everything seems to spin.


    ¡°Alright, alright, maybe you are kinda cool,¡± Yang¡¯s voice pushes aside the haze, teasing and unmistakably Yang.


    I manage to blink up at her, and suddenly, she¡¯s straddling my hips, heavy, comforting, rough. Her vibrant, golden hair cascading around her like sunlight in the gloom. Her hands grip my face, tilting my gaze up to meet her playful, piercing eyes.


    ¡°I could get used to this,¡± she whispers, her grin utterly shameless.


    ¡°Yang! God, at least wait until he¡¯s conscious!¡± Nora¡¯s voice echoes in the distance, a mix of amusement and exasperation.


    Yang just giggles, her chest bouncing as she shrugs off the reprimand. ¡°Oh, believe me, with the way his hands are holding my hips? He¡¯s definitely conscious, and he¡¯s got his priorities straight.¡±


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    ¡°We should still clear the stage for the next team,¡± Blake interjects.


    Yang sighs dramatically. ¡°Fiiiiiine. Since the others are gonna be busy for a while anyway, why don¡¯t we grab something to eat? I¡¯m not wasting another Friday at Beacon.¡±


    ¡°And what about Jaune?¡± Nora asks, glancing back.


    ¡°You two go ahead. I¡¯ll make sure he gets there¡­ once his legs are back in service,¡±


    There¡¯s a moment of shared glances between Blake and Nora before the latter shrugs and waves herself off.


    The quiet of the catacombs wraps around us, broken only by the faint hum of the overhead lights struggling to pierce through the gloom. Yang doesn¡¯t move. She remains where she is, her weight steady on my lap, her fingers absently weaving through my hair. The soft, repetitive motion sends sparks down my spine, easing the ache.


    I lean my head against her shoulder, letting the steady rise and fall of her breathing ground me. It¡¯s steady and deep, a quiet rhythm that contrasts with the chaos we just endured.


    Her scent lingers in the air¡ªsomething faintly sweet, like wildflowers after rain, mixed with the earthier, metallic tang of battle. My eyes flutter shut, and the pounding in my skull dulls with each careful stroke of her fingers. Every touch unravels a thread of tension knotted deep within me.


    I don¡¯t know when it happens, but eventually, I find myself pressing a hesitant kiss to the base of her neck.


    She laughs softly, the sound low and teasing, vibrating through her chest. ¡°Feeling better already?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± I grunt, though the warmth spreading through me suggests otherwise. ¡°Are you sure my head isn¡¯t broken? It feels like it.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she whispers into my ear, her voice dipping lower, ¡°as comfy as this is, once the next team walks in¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯ll start asking questions.¡±


    She shifts slightly, her thighs brushing against mine as she leans in closer, and I find myself leaning back instinctively. Then she shifts again, pushing until her knees press at the sides of my hips and her chest spills on mine. A hollow gasp escapes my lips, and for a moment, the dim light catches her features.


    She¡¯s beautiful.


    Her golden hair clings to her flushed face in damp strands, and a faint sheen of sweat glistens on her skin. Her lips, soft and pink despite countless battles and rough encounters, curve into that familiar, mischievous smile.


    But there¡¯s more to her than just beauty. Yang is warmth¡ªliteral and figurative¡ªsomething that radiates from her in waves, making her seem larger than life. Her frame, strong and unapologetically feminine, feels softer than I would have ever imagined.


    I don¡¯t speak. I can¡¯t. The air between us grows heavy, thick with something I can¡¯t name. Her breath mingles with mine and my focus narrows until there¡¯s nothing but the space between us, and I can¡¯t stop wondering¡ªwhat does she feel like? Taste like?


    Slowly, she leans in, her eyes holding a flicker of uncertainty that catches me off guard. For all her bravado and confidence, there¡¯s something achingly human in the way her gaze softens in the privacy of her actions belonging only to my eyes.


    I wait for the silence in between the beats of my heart, and answer in kind.


    Our lips meet, tentative at first, a gentle press that deepens into something unhurried and lingering. The world around us fades, leaving only the quiet stillness of the catacombs and the warmth of her mouth against mine as we both come back for another taste. Again, and again.


    ?


    Taking a walk through Vale usually helped clear my head. But this time, returning to the city for the first time since our fight with Adam, each step felt heavier. Pacing through the streets, I couldn¡¯t help but count the number of robbed Dust stores, each shattered window a reminder of how much we still had to do. How many more would be hit before we managed to stop them? Strangely, the news had made no mention of the White Fang when briefly going through the news of the incident. But for me, it felt impossible to ignore.


    Eventually, we found a comfortable caf¨¦¡ªquiet enough to unwind and wait while the others finished their training. The clink of ceramic and the faint murmur of conversation created a fragile sense of normalcy.


    Blake, teacup in hand, finally spoke, her voice cautious. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ something I¡¯ve been meaning to ask.¡± She hesitated, the steam from her tea curling around her face. ¡°Weiss gave us a rundown of what happened, but she seemed¡­¡±


    ¡°Catty?¡± Nora joked.


    ¡°I was going to say fishy.¡± Blake¡¯s gaze lingered on her cup. ¡°It felt like she was skipping over details.¡±


    I nodded, my fingers tightening around my mug of hot chocolate. ¡°I mean, I can¡¯t imagine what¡¯s going through her head. It¡¯s still her name on the brands.¡±


    Blake¡¯s eyes sharpened, a flicker of confusion breaking through. ¡°What brands?¡±


    Nora and I exchanged a wide-eyed glance, the air suddenly feeling colder.


    ¡°The brand on Blud¡¯s face,¡± I explained carefully. ¡°The¡­ the S.D.C.¡±


    Her gaze darkened, the weight of unspoken thoughts pulling her shoulders down. ¡°We never really met. I avoided him as much as I could. At first, because I was afraid he¡¯d recognize me. Then¡­ it got harder. Watching people who still believed in what the White Fang was supposed to stand for.¡±


    Yang leaned into her palm, her voice soft but steady. ¡°You think everyone¡¯s okay?¡±


    ¡°Ozpin said there weren¡¯t any victims,¡± I offered, trying to ease the tension. ¡°But we can still check. I¡¯m sure they could use the help.¡±


    Blake¡¯s shoulders shrank inward, discomfort clear in her expression. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t want to keep dragging all of you into White Fang business.¡±


    Nora huffed. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ A bit late for that, don¡¯t you think? We¡¯re already here, the least we can do is¡­ Well, anything, really.¡±


    Blake¡¯s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but after a moment, she nodded. ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe you¡¯re right.¡± Her voice softened, though shadows still lingered behind her gaze. She took a breath, steeling herself. ¡°Do you all think we could go today? I mean, we don¡¯t have plans, and if Weiss wasn¡¯t exaggerating, it sounded like we left a pretty big mess behind.¡±


    Yang leaned back in her chair, arms stretching behind her head with casual ease. ¡°Now I know why we keep Weiss on the team. Three hours without her, and you¡¯re already signing us up for charity.¡± She grinned, eyes glinting. ¡°Fine, but I get to pick where we go tomorrow night. No excuses.¡±


    Smiles and shared glances passed between us, a quiet agreement solidifying over the last bites of desserts and sips of drinks.


    Surprisingly, it didn¡¯t take long to wind our way downtown toward the Animal Shelter. Blake navigated the rougher streets effortlessly, her familiarity with the back alleys now an asset instead of a burden. There was a fluid confidence in her steps, a quiet strength born of no longer needing to pretend innocence.


    But the biggest surprise came before we even reached the building. The repairs were impossible to miss¡ªscaffolding, tools, and workers swarmed the area like bees around a hive. The scale of the reconstruction was staggering, almost overwhelming for such a simple, greyed-out structure.


    Whatever damage we¡¯d left behind, it was more than just a mess¡ªit was a scar. And yet, little remained of it, to the point where everyone seemed to have shifted focus to other possible improvements and imperfections with impressive speed.


    ¡°Salutations, friends!¡±


    A strange, small girl in a safety helmet leaped from a wooden platform beside the building. Her bright eyes sparkled with delight. ¡°Have you come to check on the reparations? Oh! Or have you come to check on me? Well, I must say I¡¯m doing rather delightfully today¡­ although¡­¡± She tilted her head, gears almost visibly turning in her mind. ¡°I don¡¯t remember mentioning I¡¯d be here.¡±


    Yang leaned close, muttering with a grin, ¡°And this is why we don¡¯t kick Ruby off the team either.¡±


    Stepping forward, she cleared her throat. ¡°Penny! We were just, you know¡­ passing by. Seeing how everything¡¯s going. But, uh¡­ why are you working on a construction site?¡±


    ¡°The general said it would be good for my public image! He thought I should learn to aid and repair.¡± Penny beamed, as if construction work were the grandest adventure in the world.


    ¡°The general?¡± I ask, looking around, genuinely confused.


    Blake leaned in, her voice low. ¡°Robot. Artificial soul. Don¡¯t ask. I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°That¡­ somehow doesn¡¯t surprise me anymore.¡± I turned back to Penny. ¡°So, why the entire crew? It looks like you¡¯re almost finished.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but there¡¯s so much more to do!¡± Penny declared enthusiastically. ¡°Mr. Ozpin said we should take the opportunity to make everything even better than before!¡±


    Confusion showed itself across most of our faces, but Blake¡¯s eyes narrowed in understanding. She stepped forward, arms crossed. ¡°If people see funds being diverted to help Faunus communities out of nowhere, they¡¯ll complain. This is a chance to rebuild quietly, without resistance, because the other residents are more likely to stay silent.¡±


    My stomach twisted. ¡°So¡­ no one¡¯s mentioning the White Fang? Just chalking it up to a ¡®terrorist attack¡¯?¡±


    Blake¡¯s gaze dropped, her voice bitter. ¡°People already hate Faunus enough. Give them Faunus-on-Faunus violence, and they¡¯ll be happy to watch blood run.¡±


    ?


    The afternoon at the Animal Shelter was still enjoyable¡ªthere was always something to do, especially now. Whether it was taking care of the food, cleaning, or lending a hand wherever needed, the tasks seemed endless. New and old faces blurred together as the hours slipped by.


    For every Faunus who managed to secure a steady job in the nicer parts of the city and eventually move out, there were those who couldn¡¯t work at all¡ªheld back by injuries, age, or the weight of circumstance. And then there were their children, caught between hope and hardship by a conflict that had supposedly ended before their birth.


    As the sun dipped lower, casting golden light through the shelter¡¯s windows, the students gradually drifted toward each other, wondering what their missing teammates were doing, curiosity pulling them into warm, mingling interactions. In the midst of it all, just as she arrived, Weiss slipped away, her expression tight with purpose. She moved quietly to the far end of the building, where she knocked on the door of the office. A low grunt granted her entry.


    She stepped inside to find Blake already there, her golden eyes glimmering with guarded amusement.


    ¡°Is this¡­ a bad moment?¡± Weiss asked, her voice more uncertain than she wanted it to be.


    Blake tilted her head. ¡°Is it? I thought hiding and shutting out the team were my kind of problems.¡±


    Weiss drew in a deep breath, steadying herself. Her gaze drifted past Blake to the large Faunus man seated behind the desk. His broad shoulders were hunched, his eyes shadowed beneath the weight of his branded scar. The walls behind him, recently patched, seemed sturdier now, contrasting against his frame.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Weiss hesitated, then forced herself to continue. ¡°You know who I am, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Blud leaned back in his chair, his lips a flat line. ¡°Miss, you¡¯re wearing your family¡¯s logo on your back. I assumed you wanted to be recognized.¡±


    Weiss felt her heart skip a beat. A rush of heat bloomed in her cheeks, her blood pounding so loudly she feared she might faint. ¡°I didn¡¯t know we¡¯d encounter anyone from Atlas¡­ or below,¡± she murmured, her tone soft, almost apologetic.


    ¡°I imagine plenty of your kin would sleep easier if we were never found at all. But that¡¯s not how the world usually works.¡±


    Silence stretched between them, brittle and heavy.


    Finally, the man spoke again, his voice low and measured. ¡°What are you looking for here, Miss Schnee? I doubt there¡¯s anything left for my people to offer your family.¡±


    Weiss¡¯s gaze fell to the floor, the weight of her shame too great to meet his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± she whispered. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say anything? Why didn¡¯t you¡­ do something?¡±


    Blud exhaled sharply, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. He traced the scar running down his face with a calloused finger. ¡°Respectfully, I¡¯ve spent twenty years following your family¡¯s command. Now, I do whatever the hell I want. I¡¯m happier this way.¡±


    Weiss stood frozen, tears welling in her eyes, blurring the edges of the room. In truth, not even she knew if there was truly an answer that would make her feel better.


    ¡°Go home, Miss Schnee,¡± the Faunus said, his voice roughened by time. ¡°This pain I carry¡ªyou didn¡¯t give it, and you can¡¯t take it away. All I ever wanted was a world where I could sleep without the echoes of the mines. But I now know that¡¯s beyond my reach.¡± He paused, his eyes softening just a fraction. ¡°If peace can truly be found in this life, I can only hope you and my son might share it.¡±


    Blake offered a gentle smile, a nod of understanding, before guiding Weiss away, back toward the others.


    As they stepped out, Weiss¡¯s voice broke the silence, edged with frustration. ¡°And what were you doing there?¡± she snapped, biting her own lip.


    ¡°Same thing as you, I suppose. Wondering if this is somehow my fault.¡± Her eyes darkened, shadows of guilt flickering across her face. Then, softer, she added, ¡°I¡¯ll probably come back here every now and then. You can tag along, if you want.¡±


    She didn¡¯t wait for an answer. She just turned and walked away, the offer hanging in the air like a quiet promise.


    Left alone in the cavernous warehouse, Weiss suddenly felt a cold breeze sink into her bones. She drew herself up, straightened her shoulders, and set her jaw. Pretending to be angry was easier than feeling vulnerable.


    As she made her way back to the group, she spotted Jaune sitting on an old bench on the main room, surprisingly devoid of Faunus or redheads on his lap. Without ceremony, she stopped in front of him.


    ¡°Can I sit here?¡± Her tone was sharp, not allowing for a dismissal she couldn¡¯t take. ¡°Or do I need permission from one of your companions?¡±


    Jaune blinked up at her, confusion flashing across his face. Before he could answer, Weiss eased herself onto the bench, leaning into his shoulder with an exhausted sigh.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispered, if only for his ears.


    ¡°For what?¡± he asked, a small chuckle in his voice.


    ¡°For opening the door.¡±


    ?


    The night was warm enough to feel soft and inviting, wrapping the world in a gentle hush. But after we returned to Beacon, sleep remained elusive. The quiet of our room only seemed to amplify my restless thoughts.


    Sharing a room with Nora didn¡¯t help. She insisted on sleeping in nothing but the lower half of her underwear, flaunting a smooth, bouncing, full, perky¡­ confidence she often forgot to cover before sitting down for breakfast. But strangely, that wasn¡¯t what blurred my focus.


    No, something deeper stirred inside me, an itch in my soul. A need. A pull, for answers I couldn¡¯t find.


    I rolled over, my breaths shallow and uneven. My fingers clenched the sheets, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Eyes closed, I reached out¡ªgrasping for something intangible, something that pulsed just beyond the veil of sleep, far within the dream.


    I whispered, a command woven with the threads of my yearning.


    ¡°Athena.¡±

 Chapter 7: Heart And Mind

    This time, there¡¯s no gradual descent into a sea of mists to gently guide me toward emerald fields.


    Shelves sprout around me like trees, unfurling from a single point in my vision until I¡¯m submerged in a forest of ink and paper. Here, the leaves are white and etched with letters in every language¡ªboth those known to humanity and those lost or never discovered. The infinite library stretches endlessly in all directions, without walls, only staircases, spires, and shadows held at bay by the flicker of candlelight.


    My presence is less than a droplet in an ocean, a faint trace of blood dissolving in a rushing jungle river. Insignificant.


    But it doesn¡¯t matter.


    She¡¯s coming.


    I run¡ªor rather, I drift. In this divine realm, the simple act of existing elevates me beyond human limitations. I channel all my will into gliding across the smooth floor, merging with the shadows that shroud this place. The flickering lights seem to follow my movements, leaving swaths of books and scrolls in darkness as I navigate the labyrinth. I slip into a corner that feels concealed enough, cloaked by the endless pages and towering spires.


    But, of course, it doesn¡¯t last.


    The shadows ripple and twist ahead, and then she emerges¡ªa figure of pure darkness, cloaked in an unnatural, fluid motion. A stark-white mask shaped like an owl¡¯s face gleams faintly in the dim light. Her form contorts and shifts, not like flesh or fur but like mist caught in an unseen wind. She bends, stretches, and reforms with no regard for the rules of nature or reason.


    She stops not far from me, her voice like a whispered breath through the leaves.


    ¡°I know where you are,¡± the goddess murmurs. ¡°Come out now, and I shall forgive this transgression.¡±


    I might be dumb, but I¡¯m not that stupid.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± Athena mutters.


    Her presence floods the library, a suffocating weight that presses in from all sides. I cling to the shadows, holding my breath, willing myself invisible. Light and darkness are meaningless to her; I know this. So, I crawl into the hollow center of what appears to be a spire, its walls lined with scrolls. Hundreds of them. Perhaps they will buy me a moment''s reprieve.


    But her presence looms closer, closer still¡ªlike a warm breath on the nape of my neck. Time fractures under the weight of her approach, and I make my choice.


    If there was a way in, there must be a way out.


    I focus, reaching for the sliver of divinity buried deep within me¡ªa hook anchored to the very core of my being. When I feel it, the familiar flutter of butterflies in my chest, I pull.


    What happens next defies language. My body unravels, shifting beyond the physical, and for a moment, I¡¯m caught in a storm of motion. I am held, then hurled, spinning through the air before landing hard on my back. The impact knocks the wind from me, and I feel dust scatter around my prone form.


    I¡¯m on a table now, on the library¡¯s highest level. Above me, there is no ceiling¡ªonly the heavens themselves.


    The celestial vault stretches above, not like the night sky, but something more. My eyes pierce its depths, glimpsing layers of motion and detail too vast and intricate to comprehend. The image overwhelms me, and I force myself to look away.


    Below the constellations, dividing infinity, is a simple perch¡ªa bird¡¯s resting place. And below that, looming over me, is the library¡¯s master.


    ¡°That was¡­ hmmm¡­ clever,¡± Athena hums, her piercing, bottomless gaze absorbing the entirety of my soul.


    ¡°How did I do?¡± I manage, still gasping for breath.


    ¡°Quite well, actually. Though you would have done better to stay hidden. Metaphysical displacement isn¡¯t any different from simply running away as long as your opponent can perceive it.¡±


    Her voice is even, but her attention is elsewhere. One cold hand cups my chin, tilting my head to the side as her eyes study me. She¡¯s not looking at me, not exactly. She¡¯s searching, dissecting thoughts and questions I can¡¯t begin to fathom. But there¡¯s something else¡ªan emotion she doesn¡¯t bother to conceal, or maybe she¡¯s too distracted to.


    Excitement.


    ¡°Did you¡­ really not know where I was?¡± I ask, hesitantly.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have been a fair game if I didn¡¯t close my eyes for a bit, would it?¡± She pauses, her brow furrowing in thought. ¡°Light traveling via particle-wave duality¡­ unlikely, but not illogical. Bifrost-like, two-end activation for a divine gate¡­ fascinating.¡±


    She chuckles softly, her voice unexpectedly warm, and the corners of her lips curl into a smile, far more honest that any gesture I¡¯ve even seen from her. It¡¯s elegant, still mindful and disciplined. But for Athena? Such a raw display of pure, thoughtless emotion is rare.


    ¡°Emmm¡­ Athena?¡±


    ¡°Oh, but of course.¡± She straightens, calmness and stone-cold composure sliding back into place like a well-fitted coat. ¡°Jaune,¡± she begins, her tone now regal and measured. ¡°I do believe you shouldn¡¯t be here today.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I admit, finally sitting up on the edge of her desk. ¡°But I have so many questions, and I feel like you might be the only one who can answer them.¡±


    One of her arms extends gracefully to pick a tome from a distant shelf. Without her uttering a word, the book drifts to a nearby table, opening itself, pages turning slowly. She nods toward me, signaling me to continue.


    ¡°You¡­ just want me to try doing that again, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Her cheeks flush ever so slightly¡ªa reaction so subtle it might have gone unnoticed if I weren¡¯t watching her so intently.


    ¡°Well,¡± she concedes, clearing her throat, ¡°if it wouldn¡¯t be too demanding¡­ I do admit your actions are far more engaging than your chosen topics.¡±


    I take a deep breath, weighing my next words carefully. ¡°Let¡¯s make a deal.¡±


    ¡°A deal?¡± she repeats, her tone laced with both amusement and mild offense.


    ¡°Yes, a deal,¡± I say firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll try to do it again. After that, you answer my questions. Real answers, Athena. Not vague riddles or leading me toward the ¡®right path¡¯ kind of wisdom. Straight answers.¡±


    ¡°You presume much, Jaune,¡± she says softly, almost playfully. ¡°But I must admit¡­ you¡¯ve piqued my curiosity. Do grant me a moment.¡±


    She draws the book closer, flipping through its pages with practiced ease. As her eyes scan the text, her free hand traces runes in the air, each symbol lingering briefly before settling into place around the table where I sit. The marks coalesce into an intricate arrangement, glowing softly with white light as the air grows dense with a faint hum.


    Understanding none of it, I watch in silence, feeling like a child staring at a mathematician¡¯s equations. Athena steps back, her gaze expectant.


    ¡°Well,¡± she says, gesturing toward the circle, ¡°let¡¯s see what you can do.¡±


    I nod, closing my eyes to focus. My thoughts drift far away, latching onto something both tantalizing and forbidden: the memory of inebriating lips, a touch that lingers, the soft curves of warmth and desire. The connection feels natural, as if answering a silent call, and I let it guide me.


    A heartbeat later, I blink¡ªand promptly smash my face into what feels like an invisible wall. The force knocks me back, and I land on my ass.


    Athena doesn¡¯t immediately help me up. Instead, she drags me out of the circle absently. A flick of her hand summons a glowing projection of the moment, replaying it from multiple angles. I watch as she analyzes the scene, tilting her head slightly while I flail like a fly caught in a glass jar.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°So interesting¡­¡± she murmurs. ¡°I¡¯ll need to conduct tests on humans¡ªsee if this is unique to your Semblance...¡±


    ¡°Can we¡­ skip to the questions now?¡± I groan, rubbing my aching face.


    Reluctantly, she snaps her fingers, dispelling the glowing runes. ¡°Fine,¡± she says, her voice tinged with disappointment. ¡°But let¡¯s be clear¡ªI can only answer within the bounds of your species'' knowledge. Anything beyond that risks¡­ complications.¡±


    I nod, sitting cross-legged on the floor as I gather my thoughts. ¡°Athena¡­ you¡¯re incredibly powerful.¡±


    She tilts her head, confused. ¡°Thank you?¡±


    ¡°More powerful than Aphrodite?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°More powerful than Artemis?¡±


    Her expression hardens, the playful air vanishing as her brow furrows. ¡°Yes. Has your intervention in Aphrodite¡¯s erosion sparked some sort of fascination with these meaningless comparisons?¡±


    ¡°I just¡­¡± I pause, choosing my words carefully. ¡°I want to understand what¡¯s happening to her.¡±


    There¡¯s a long pause. Then she blinks, and the world shifts.


    Suddenly, the air fills with the sound of flapping wings. I blink, disoriented, and find myself standing in a place I¡¯ve never seen before. The walls rise high, hewn from dark stone and adorned with crimson banners bearing an ursa¡¯s snarling head and claw marks. The symbol of the White Fang.


    Athena strides forward without a word and I follow, compelled to keep up as the immense halls stretch around us. Hundreds of torches flicker along the walls, casting shadows that dance like restless spirits.


    We enter the fortress''s heart: a grand chamber where a thick carpet, its edges trimmed with gold, stretches toward a towering throne. Sitting upon it is a woman¡ªa Faunus. Her figure is poised, her voice echoing as she addresses the hundred masked figures kneeling before her in solemn reverence.


    None of them acknowledge us. Their silence is absolute, their devotion impenetrable. And in the stillness of their disregard, something catches my eye.


    The masks. Every single one bears the same mark: a pair of small, deer-like antlers etched into the foreheads. Even the ornate crown atop their leader¡¯s head carries the same unmistakable symbol.


    Before I can form a question, the stillness erupts. The woman¡¯s voice crescendos, transforming into a chant, a tribal song of roar and fire. It¡¯s soon joined by the voices of her followers, rising like a storm. Drums thunder from unseen corners, their rhythm primal, their vibrations coursing through the stone. The air thickens with energy¡ªa volatile mix of war cries and anguished pleas, raw and unrestrained.


    The room comes alive with a force beyond mere sound. It¡¯s an emotional current so potent it almost knocks me off my feet. And in that moment, I feel it¡ªsomething ancient, something primal.


    Artemis is here.


    Her presence, even if not physical, isn¡¯t subtle or distant. It¡¯s visceral, immediate, and undeniable. A wildfire burning in the heart of the room, roaring to life through the screams of those who call out to her. The energy doesn¡¯t just touch her essence; it amplifies it, shaping it into something unrelenting and raw.


    This isn¡¯t the Artemis of quiet hunts or measured observation. This is the Avenger of the Silver Moon.


    She is vengeance incarnate¡ªa force that cannot be reasoned with or tempered, a ghost bound by the blood and pain of those who have been born as lesser. Their cries, their agony, their desperate pleas¡ªthey are the fuel to her fire. In her essence, there is no room for empathy or compromise. Only a promise of retribution and the rebirth that follows when the land is soaked with blood.


    And then, her gaze turns to us.


    Before her focus can fully settle, Athena acts. Enfolded in her cloak and the sheltering sweep of her wing, I am pulled away. The air shifts, and the throne room dissolves into the comforting shadows of her library. I fall to my knees, gasping for breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.


    ¡°Since when¡­?¡± I manage between deep, shaking inhalations.


    ¡°Since forever,¡± Athena replies, her voice calm, detached.


    ¡°But¡­ it hasn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± she says, tilting her head, her tone almost contemplative. ¡°But soon, none shall remember that. And once every soul in the White Fang believes she has always been part of their journey, it shall become the truth. And she barely had to twist her domain for it to fit¡­ Impressive, I must admit.¡±


    I force myself to stand. ¡°And what about you?¡± I ask, unsure of the answer I want.


    ¡°Oh, Jaune. I am much above such petty squabbles.¡±


    Above us, the starry expanse of the library¡¯s celestial dome comes alive. The images shift and flicker¡ªnot of a single moment, but of countless days across the decade. A civilization of fire and bronze rises before my eyes, its people clawing their way skyward with unmatched determination. Each fragment of history is but a small choice¡ªa spark of ingenuity here, a flash of illumination there. Yet together, these choices form an impossible chain, an unbroken thread of ambition and resilience.


    At the center of it all is Atlas.


    A living, thriving machine of progress. A city that moves with the precision of clockwork, grinding ever forward as if its very existence is the culmination of purpose itself. To push the limits of what can be done, and watch the world follow or be dragged forward.


    ¡°Passion and conflict will lead your people down dangerous paths. And in those trials, they shall learn. There is no need for me to assemble cults or command followers.¡±


    Her gaze narrows slightly, and the faintest flicker of amusement dances in her tone. ¡°Poseidon may claim dominion over the lands and seas, but he cannot command civilization without me. Knowledge is the only beast worth hunting, and I am its keeper. I am the architect of the human journey.¡±


    She pauses, her words hanging in the vast stillness of the library. ¡°And by the time mankind reaches the stars, there shall be an owl in every library¡ªNow and forever, until the last light burns out.¡±


    The magnitude of what she says is already overwhelming. But there¡¯s only last question I need to ask. ¡°And what about Pyrrha?¡±


    Athena¡¯s gaze drifts from the celestial dome, her expression softening. She hesitates, and then¡ªsurprisingly¡ªher form begins to change. The glow of divinity fades, and she steps toward me, her figure shrinking, becoming less imposing, less radiant. Less a goddess, and more... human.


    ¡°Remarkable, isn¡¯t she?¡± Athena says, ¡°At first, I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d enjoy overseeing my uncles¡¯ domain. But Olympus can be so dreadfully stale. Even I need to stretch my wings from time to time.¡±


    ¡°But how did you¡ª¡±


    Before I can finish, the answer begins to unfold before me.


    Her face isn¡¯t the same anymore.


    ¡°A recruiter,¡± she begins, her tone even, matter-of-fact. ¡°A stranger wandering through a younglings¡¯ academy, seeking talent among those too raw to realize their potential. An old Huntsman, arriving with the dawn and vanishing before nightfall, leaving only a few words of advice. A referee in an unfair match, standing up for the challenger when no one else would. A lifetime of strangers met and forgotten, each one nudging her gently toward the path she was meant to walk.¡±


    Her confession hits me like a tidal wave. My voice comes out uneven. ¡°You... groomed her?¡±


    Athena freezes mid-step. ¡°What?¡±


    I swallow hard. ¡°What if she¡­¡± My words falter. ¡°What if she only wanted to be a normal girl? What if she isn¡¯t happy with how everything turned out?¡±


    ¡°Oh, for the love of reason, Jaune.¡± Her tone is exasperated, layered with something else¡ªsomething softer¡ªdisappointment. ¡°We¡¯ve been over this. I didn¡¯t carve her destiny into stone. I laid out a road, yes. But no one¡ªnot even me¡ªforced her to walk it to the very end.¡±


    Her piercing eyes lock onto mine, holding me in place. ¡°You know as well as I do that if Pyrrha had been a ¡®normal girl,¡¯ she would have dreamed of being a hero. That¡¯s what humans do¡ªthey long for what they think they¡¯ve left behind. It¡¯s an endless cycle of chasing the light and begging to be blind!¡±


    ¡°But w¡ª¡±


    I open my mouth to protest, to argue, but she cuts me off.


    ¡°No.¡± Her voice is cold now, edged with a finality that sends a shiver down my spine. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to suffer the insults of a teenager who can¡¯t see past his own desires.¡± She turns away, her presence growing heavier with every word.


    ¡°Go. Return to my sister, keep chasing the unattainable concept of her supposed affection. Perhaps that will bring you some measure of happiness. Most likely it won¡¯t. Either way, I¡¯m done with this conversation.¡±


    And as Athena takes flight, everything around me crumbles.


    ?


    ¡°Pup, finally! I almost thought you weren¡¯t going to come¡­ He-he, come.¡±


    The words barely register as I lay on the ground, struggling to orient myself. Being thrown across the divine realm like a leaf in a storm has left me feeling like a fish out of water, every ounce of strength focused on blinking away the dizziness. Yet even in this disoriented state, the sight before me is impossible to ignore.


    ¡°Aphrodite¡­? What the¡­ are you wearing?¡±


    The goddess, who usually radiates an effortless allure in her bare-skinned splendor, now stands before me in a set of obsidian-black armor. The plates are intricately crafted yet oppressively heavy, their design mimicking the flow of a dress but sacrificing elegance for weight. Every inch of her is encased, the armor covering her entirely from the neck down.


    It takes a moment for the details to settle in¡ªthe harsh glint of metal under unseen light, the edges that are neither sharp nor soft but calculatedly cold. And then I see them: the locks lining the sides.


    That¡¯s not armor.


    It¡¯s a ¡°cage¡±.


    The goddess blushes deeply. ¡°Oh¡­ This thing? Just¡­ A little gift from¡­ my ex, to try and help with my¡­ condition.¡±


    As usual, my eyes take their time climbing to Aphrodite¡¯s face. When they do, I can¡¯t miss the disheveled exhaustion etched into her features¡ªan unusual look for someone who¡¯s supposed to embody self-perfection.


    ¡°Is everything okay? You look¡­¡± I hesitate, searching for the right words. ¡°I mean, still hot, but¡­¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± she groans, throwing her hands in the air as if I¡¯d just confirmed her worst fears. With a melodramatic sigh, she steps back and collapses beside a small, stone-crafted pond, her armor clinking softly against the ground. ¡°I¡¯ve been working so hard, and nothing works! I just¡­ I don¡¯t feel like these humans want to believe in me, you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°Have you¡­ tried talking to Artemis about it? I¡¯ve heard she¡¯s, uh, doing pretty well.¡±


    Her head snaps toward me. ¡°Ugh! Please, don¡¯t even mention that bitch. She¡¯s been going around like she owns the place, telling everyone the Faunus will rise up in some great war for the last decade. A decade, Jaune! Where¡¯s the racial war? Huh?¡±


    She sits up abruptly, arms crossing over her armored chest. ¡°And don¡¯t even get me started on the horns thing. Soooo cheap. I¡¯m not putting a ribbon on my ass just so some hillbilly can figure out this is premium meat. They should know better.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± I say, raising my hands in surrender. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just¡­ go back to the start? Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡±


    Her expression brightens immediately, her usual mischievous grin returning. ¡°Oh! I¡¯ve been working on this amazing new thing¡ªget this: ass-play doesn¡¯t count as sex! Isn¡¯t it genius? A whole wave of ¡®virgins¡¯ going crazy, doing whatever they want!¡±


    I blink, trying to process what I just heard. It¡¯s honestly hard to argue with her when she¡¯s so enthusiastic, but I have to make an effort. ¡°Uh¡­ any non-anal ideas?¡±


    She recoils, looking genuinely disappointed. ¡°Well, if you have to know, I¡¯ve also been working on this thing with bees. Trying to give them my personal touch, you know? Swap out the poison for something nicer. Get people in the mood for some fun.¡±


    ¡°So they sting you, and it¡­ makes you horny? Why¡­ Why not just work with honey?¡±


    Her face twists into a pout, and she throws herself back dramatically against the grass. ¡°Because honey always turns into drinks, and at that point, I might as well bend over and let Dionysus tell everyone he owns this kitty!¡±


    Trying to follow the logic¡ªor lack thereof¡ªthere¡¯s only one thing left on my mind. ¡°How¡­ how did you even manage to pull this off the first time?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you should¡¯ve been there! It was amazing.¡± She props herself up on her elbows, her expression shifting to one of nostalgic pride. ¡°I just descended, let everyone know the deal, and then¡ªpoof!¡ªoff I went to do whatever I wanted. Easy peasy. None of this subtle guidance or proving my existence, if someone didn¡¯t believe we¡¯d usually just kill them.¡±


    Her tone grows more casual, almost dismissive. ¡°Eh, I¡¯ll probably just wait another decade or so until Mount Olympus reconnects with Earth or whatever. Yada-yada. It¡¯ll work itself out.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ you don¡¯t actually have a plan?¡±


    Aphrodite waves a hand lazily. ¡°Jaune, sweetie, don¡¯t worry so much about it. Besides, I didn¡¯t call you here for work. I just wanted to talk to someone who thinks I¡¯m cute.¡±


    I blink. ¡°Wait¡­ that¡¯s why you summoned me?¡±


    ¡°Well, duh,¡± she says, rolling her eyes like it¡¯s the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°You¡¯re, like, the only guy who really cares about me. It¡¯s refreshing. And you smell good, too. Like sweaty tits. Lots of fun at Beacon lately?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ yeah. Just Yang being Yang, you know. She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s just like that.¡±


    Aphrodite¡¯s smirk deepens. ¡°Yeaaah¡­ just playing around, huh?¡± She sniffs the air mockingly. ¡°Just remember to wash your teeth before you go to bed, I think her tongue might still be there.¡±


    I feel a bead of sweat roll down my neck, and I know I have to shift the conversation. ¡°Anyway! I also met this robot girl today. She¡¯s¡­ well, it¡¯s kind of complicated. She has the soul of her father or something like that. Team RWBY stuff.¡±


    Aphrodite leans closer, her expression shifting to a mix of confusion and intrigue. ¡°A robot girl with her father¡¯s soul? That¡¯s¡­ weird. Even for your crowd.¡± She taps her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Although¡­ I guess I can understand the appeal of making your own dolls. And maybe¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe?¡±


    She pauses, her eyes narrowing slightly as she bops her head to some inaudible rhythm. Then, with a sly grin, she bites her finger and dips it into the pond beside her. The water ripples, shifting to a soft, translucent pink, almost glowing under the light.


    Before I can ask what she¡¯s doing, she gives me a calculating look¡ªand kicks me straight into the pond.


    Except it¡¯s not water. It clings to me, heavy and viscous, like pushing through a giant mass of jelly. By the time I surface, it feels like I¡¯ve been dunked in spit. ¡°What the hell was that for?!¡±


    Aphrodite leans back, laughing melodiously, her armor clinking. ¡°For being too cute for your own good. But,¡± she adds, stretching luxuriously, ¡°I really should get back to work. So be a good puppy and shoo, shoo.¡± She waves a dismissive hand.


    ¡°Speaking of work¡­ you think you could help me with something? You know¡­ a little bit of something?¡±


    Her smile turns predatory, and she crooks a finger, pulling me closer as though the air itself obeys her command. Before I can react, she presses a small, teasing peck just below my ear.


    ¡°If you really want my company that badly, next time, bring me a more¡­ interesting scent.¡± Her voice drops into a sultry whisper. ¡°I¡¯m generous, Jaune, and oh-so patient, but even I¡¯m getting tired of your dirty little teasing.¡±


    Before I can respond, she punctuates her words with a slow, deliberate lick across my cheek, leaving it wet and tingling. The shock freezes me in place, my breath caught in my throat.


    Then, everything fades.


    I jump awake, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding so loudly I can feel it reverberating in my skull.


    I need a cold shower.

 Chapter 8: Shameless

    He needed a cold shower.


    Jaune woke in the dead of night, sweat clinging to his skin like a second layer. Each movement felt sluggish as he stumbled out of bed, his feet dragging against the cold floorboards. He blinked hard, trying to clear his vision enough to navigate the shadows swallowing the room.


    But then¡ª


    ¡°Ngh¡­ Jaune?¡±


    Nora''s voice pierced the haze, rough with sleep. She turned toward him, her eyes half-lidded and unfocused. ¡°What are you¡­?¡±


    A thick silence settled between them, punctuated by the rustle of sheets. Nora sat up, her vibrant hair a wild mess. She wasn¡¯t wearing anything except a pair of bubblegum-pink panties, her chest rising and falling as if trying to keep pace with her breath. The soft chill in the air coaxed goosebumps to bloom on her skin, her nipples a pale pink against her otherwise flushed form.


    Jaune froze, his steps arrested mid-stride. It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d seen her like this¡ªbut now, for once, he wasn¡¯t the only one caught speechless.


    Nora¡¯s gaze dipped, a spark of awareness flickering to life. Her mouth curled into a mischievous grin.


    ¡°Oh, gods¡­¡± she whispered, a breathless laugh slipping through. ¡°What are you hiding down there, Crocea Mors?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just¡­¡± He gestured vaguely toward the bathroom.


    Nora leaned back against her pillows, her legs parting just enough to be provocative. Her fingers drifted below the edge of her underwear, tracing slow, deliberate circles. Her eyes shimmered with playful edge.


    ¡°You could stay¡­¡± Her voice softened.


    He hesitated, the room narrowing around the two of them. ¡°You mean¡­?¡±


    ¡°Jaune,¡± she gasped, her cheeks flushed. ¡°We¡¯ve been roommates for what, a month now? I think it¡¯s time we stop pretending we don¡¯t need to get fucked every now and then¡­¡±


    Her words struck like a match, igniting something raw inside him. Thought dissolved into impulse. He tore off his shirt and let it fall somewhere forgotten. Closing the space between them, he stood at the edge of her bed, his breath shallow.


    Nora giggled, her laughter laced with anticipation. She shifted forward onto her stomach, her fiery hair spilling over her shoulders as she looked up at him. Her fingers hooked into his waistband, and with a tug, his pants and underwear slipped down.


    He heard her breath catch as his length fell against her cheek, warm, heavy and throbbing. A moment of awe flickered across her wide eyes, her thoughts suspended as she took him in, half of her vision covered by meat.


    ¡°God¡­¡± she whispered, swallowing hard. Her voice trembled with a mixture of surprise and desire. ¡°I thought we were just¡­ playing around a bit.¡±


    The humor in her words barely veiled her fears. Her pulse raced, but she pushed aside hesitation. Leaning forward, she drew a slow, deliberate lick from the base to the tip, allowing him to steal another one of her senses. The sensation imprinted itself in her mind¡ªthe heat, the taste, the subtle pulse beneath her tongue.


    A shiver rolled through Nora, her fingers curling into the sheets. She repeated the motion, savoring every inch, her tongue mapping out his desire with each pass. The world around them faded, leaving only the shared heat of breath and the electrifying connection of skin meeting skin.


    ¡°Nora¡­ can you¡­ stop teasing?¡± Jaune¡¯s voice was thick with need.


    She smirked, her face red with embarrassment, understanding his frustration, though the thought of taking something so massive into her mouth sent a flutter of anxiety into her guts. Still, the desire to please him overpowered her hesitation. She wrapped her lips around the soft, flushed tip of his cock, her tongue teasing the sensitive, dripping ridge as she sucked gently.


    Hoping for a taste of approval, the girl turned her gaze up. Their eyes met¡ªhis gaze dark and clouded with hunger. His hand slid down to her forehead, fingers threading through her hair. He gave a gentle tug, guiding her closer as his hips pushed forward, his lust overriding restraint.


    Jaune groaned, his breath ragged as he slipped deeper into her mouth. Panic was born at the edges of Nora¡¯s mind, but she forced it back, her lips sealing around him. Her breathing grew uneven as he moved, his rhythm unhurried, each thrust a sensual glide along her tongue, marking every corner of her mouth with that overpowering taste.


    She surrendered to the moment, closing her eyes and letting herself fall into the motion. The room filled with the quiet symphony of breathless moans and the slick sounds of her shameless devotion. Heat pooled between her thighs, her free hand slipping down to explore herself. Her fingers found her folds soaked and sticky, her underwear a damp mess.


    She loved the restrictive feeling of Jaune¡¯s hand holding her in place, forcing her to stay still as he fucked her face into submission, his dominance making her feel small yet safe. Protected, used, owned.


    She had never been so wet.


    But he needed more.


    Emboldened, Jaune pushed forward, seeking the depths of her mouth as if it was his to use. He groaned, lost in the feeling, until¡ª


    Her throat clenched. He¡¯d poked too deep.


    Nora gagged, a sharp gasp escaping as she pulled back, coughing. Her eyes watered, her hand covering her mouth as she tried to catch her breath.


    Jaune¡¯s grip vanished instantly, panic replacing his desire. ¡°Nora?! Are you okay?¡±


    She swallowed hard, managing a shaky smile. ¡°Geez¡­¡± She chuckled, the sound a mix of humor and breathlessness. ¡°Did no one teach you how to treat a lady?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, no¡­ it¡¯s okay.¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°Let me...¡±


    Sliding off the bed, she knelt before him, the floor cool against her knees. Her fingers curled around his slick, heated length, marveling at the way it pulsed beneath her touch. A thrill ran through her as she took in the sight¡ªthe glistening sheen left by her efforts. She had managed to take so much of it into her small mouth¡­ Nora could only imagine what her face looked like as he turned it into just another hole for his pleasure.


    Jaune didn¡¯t have to imagine; he¡¯d seen it¡ªthe brief flicker of embarrassment and weakness she fought to hide, the way she struggled to steady herself. That hint of vulnerability painting her cheeks pink made Nora look more human, more beautiful than ever before. For the first time, she looked vulnerable, open.


    And gods, he needed her.


    Without a word, his eyes locked onto hers, he gripped his shaft and traced the tip along her barely parted lips, the slick warmth smearing over that perfect pink on a shameless moment of naked lust.


    A silent command.


    Her breath caught and her heart slowed down, pupils dilating as if bewitched, charmed, entranced. Her mouth opened slowly, willingly, without thought, the hesitation replaced by a hunger that mirrored his own, her tongue flicking out to taste him¡ªtentative, then desperate.  Every breath, every taste, was poison, and Nora wanted nothing more than to drown on it.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Jaune¡¯s hands tangled in her hair, a low groan escaping as he pushed himself into the velvet heat of her mouth. He didn¡¯t hold back, his hips surging forward until he brushed the edge of her limits, barely managing to stop himself before pushing down her throat.


    Nora moaned around him, the sound vibrating through his core. Her fingers clutched his thighs, nails scraping lightly into his defined physique, exploring his muscles to distract herself from the feeling of her own thoughts being fucked away. Her eyes fluttered closed as she surrendered to the rhythm, each wet sound blending into a raw symphony of need.


    ¡°Good girl¡­¡± Jaune gasped, not even thinking about it, giving her head a soft caress.


    The sight, the feeling of Nora shily but eagerly matching his pace was almost too much for Jaune to take on. He tapped dangerously within the line of her limits, and she trusted herself to him completely, the barrier slowly being pushed back every time Jaune explored the end of her mouth, teasing her throat with the threat¡ªand the promise¡ªof slamming into it, claiming it for himself.


    But Jaune knew better. He¡¯d seen her gag, cry and struggle for breath. He would never force her to take more than she could, he would never harm her.


    So she did.


    As Jaune thrust into her soft, precious face, she leaned in, determination flashing in her eyes. His cock slid deeper, forced past the tight barrier of her throat. A strangled gasp escaped her, but she didn¡¯t stop. Her lips sealed around the base of his girth before any of them could think about it, her nose pressed flush to his abdomen, her throat stretched and filled beyond anything she¡¯d imagined. She tried to smile but she couldn¡¯t. There was no moving on her own anymore, only waiting for him to release her.


    They paused, looking at each other in silent acknowledgement of what¡¯d just happened, the sound of their shared, heavy, warm breathing pushing back the silence of the night. Her eyes were shimmering with tears, his wide with awe and desire. But Jaune could recognize what she wanted, the flicker of raw, pure lust hidden behind her gaze.


    And he was going to give it to her.


    Jaune¡¯s jaw clenched. He slid out slowly, the drag of her throat sending sparks through his veins, until just the tip rested on her tongue. Nora answered with a loving, innocent, heartfelt kiss onto his manhood. His fingers tightened in her hair. He drove himself onto her face, deliberate and relentless, until her lips met his base again and again. Her throat clenched around him, tight, slick, perfect. She stayed there, held in place, a willing captive, puppet of lust.


    Both of them stood frozen in that moment, locked together. Time seemed to stand still, the world fading into nothingness. The boundaries of where one ended and the other began dissolved entirely, leaving only the undeniable connection that tethered them.


    And then, like a breaking tide, it started again.


    Jaune was close¡ªno, he was already well beyond his limit. Every muscle in his body strained, his abdomen tight with effort as he fought to hold himself back. The rhythmic sound of their bodies meeting grew faster, more urgent, filling the air with a heated cadence that drowned out everything else. The line between restraint and surrender blurred every time his hips met her delicate face, turning into a mess full of strings of saliva, sweat and precum.


    ¡°Nora¡­ I¡¯m¡­¡± Jaune¡¯s voice was rough, the words barely forming in his mind, let alone escaping his lips. He wasn¡¯t sure she could even hear him over the symphony of their shared cries, wet sounds of sucking and gagging drowning anything else.


    But Jaune couldn¡¯t stop himself, not anymore.


    He clutched her tightly as the orgasm pushed through, his body trembling as he poured himself into her like a wild animal. Nora welcomed him with fervor, her throat working tirelessly to match his rhythm. Each swallow was accompanied by a soft, contented moan, her body responding instinctively to the warmth that filled her, mindlessly offering thanks to its new owner.


    And as he began to pull away, his breath ragged and his body spent, she held him firm, her hands pressing against his hips. Her lips refused to part, determined to savor every last drop of him. Her eyes fluttered closed as she kept on milking his stiff cock with her shallow breaths, a low hum of satisfaction vibrating through her as she made sure not a single drop was left behind.


    Finally, Nora let out a sharp gasp, her body giving in the moment Jaune pulled his cock free, as if her strings had been cut. She collapsed onto the mattress, her chest rising and falling with shallow, erratic breaths. Her flushed face, now streaked with cum, showed a dazed expression¡ªhalf-ruined, half-radiant, with a contented smile tugging at her lips. Jaune stared down at her, a pang of disbelief flickering in his chest.


    This¡ªall of this¡ªwas his doing.


    She looked both utterly spent¡ªbroken, used¡ªand utterly beautiful, her vulnerability striking in the dim light. A thousand thoughts flickered in his mind, but they all dissolved as he instinctively reached out. Gently, he scooped her into his arms, cradling her small, limp frame against his chest. Carefully, he carried her to her bed, the room settling into a hush broken only by the soft rustle of sheets. As he laid her down, Jaune lingered for a moment, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. He pressed a tender kiss to her neck, his lips brushing against her skin with a featherlight touch.


    His hands found her abdomen, tracing slow, soothing circles as if grounding her back into herself. Her body stirred faintly beneath his touch, though her exhaustion kept her still.


    ¡°Jaune?¡± she asked, feeling her throat sore.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Nora''s underwear clung to her, soaked and translucent, the damp fabric molding to the curves of her hips. Jaune¡¯s fingers hooked into the waistband, the slow, deliberate motion of sliding them down her thighs making her tremble. He lifted her legs onto his shoulders, his eyes never leaving hers as he revealed her, little by little.


    For the first time, he saw her completely¡ªlaid bare before him.


    Nora had always thought teasing Jaune was her game, her weapon. But now, with his gaze tracing every line of her exposed body, heat blooming across her skin, she felt stripped of every defense. Truly naked, in a way she¡¯d never known before, both wanting to hide and let herself be explored.


    ¡°I-I think I already came¡­¡± she whispered, only half-jokingly, not sure she could take any more pleasure.


    ¡°Let me make sure, then¡­¡±


    He pressed his lips to the inside of her thigh, soft, featherlight kisses trailing down her skin. Each touch sent shivers up her spine. Her body reacted instinctively, every brush of his mouth against her trembling flesh intensifying the heat pooling in her core. The chill of the room contrasted sharply with the warmth radiating from her, each cool touch of air against her begging folds making her twitch in anticipation.


    By the time Jaune¡¯s lips reached her center, Nora was trembling, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. A soft whimper escaped her as his tongue parted her, coaxing her open with an effortless tenderness. The wetness between her legs only made it easier for him, his mouth moving in time with her shallow, desperate breaths.


    ¡°Jaune! Oh god¡­ Please, slow¡­ I¡¯m¡ª¡± she gasped, her voice breaking as another wave of pleasure came down.


    He didn¡¯t stop. His thumb pressed gently against her, holding her steady as his tongue explored, each deliberate lick inviting her to let go, to surrender to the pleasure he offered. His every motion was careful, as if mapping her, learning her. He kissed, sucked, and lavished her with a reverence that left her trembling, her body arching toward him as if drawn by gravity.


    But then, just as the crescendo began to build, Jaune stopped.


    Nora¡¯s eyes fluttered open, her mind foggy with confusion. ¡°W-What?¡± she managed, her voice raw, almost pleading. Her chest rose and fell with the effort of catching her breath.


    Jaune didn¡¯t answer with words. Instead, he shifted, his strong frame moving over hers. She felt him align with her, his half-hard length pressing against her, the motion unashamed. The friction drew a startled gasp from her lips, her body responding instinctively to the unsubtle tease.


    ¡°We could¡­¡± he whispered, caressing her hips.


    He shifted again, leaning closer. The heated press of him sent shockwaves through her. When his length brushed her folds, dipping in¡ªjust enough to tease, just enough to spark¡ªgiving them a subtle kiss, she felt her breath catch, her back arching involuntarily as her hands fisted the sheets.


    ¡°No¡­¡± Nora gasped, her trembling hand pressing against his chest. Her voice was weak, her resolve even weaker. ¡°We can¡¯t¡­ Yang¡­¡±


    ¡°Yang?¡± Jaune echoed.


    ¡°She wants to¡­¡± Nora mumbled, her cheeks flushed with a deep crimson, caught between embarrassment and yearning. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t¡­ Please¡­¡±


    In truth, every fiber of her being screamed for her to give in. She wanted nothing more than for Jaune to push forward, to fill the aching void inside her and consume her completely. The thought sent heat coursing through her, a visceral, unrelenting need that made her muscles tense and her breath quicken. It took every ounce of her willpower to resist wrapping her legs around his hips, trapping him there until dawn, her cries echoing through the room as he claimed her utterly, letting everyone know that she belonged to him.


    Jaune exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he fought against his own desires. He wanted her¡ªneeded her¡ªbut her hesitation held him back. After rubbing himself into her entrance just enough to feel the tip start to push in, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before pulling away, the absence of her moist heat almost unbearable.


    Instead, he settled by her side and slid his hand down, his fingers finding her needy hole, slipping past her slick folds with ease. His touch was precise, hungry, filling the space where his body had just been. His fingers curled, exploring her depths, drawing soft whimpers from her lips as she trembled beneath him. The digits slipped into Nora with ease, as her body had prepared itself for the most violent and dirty breeding.


    ¡°And what exactly did Yang tell you?¡± Jaune asked, his tone equal parts curiosity and teasing.


    Nora¡¯s resolve crumbled, her moans breaking free despite her efforts to stifle them. ¡°Ah¡­ She said¡­¡± Her voice hitched, her body shivering under his touch. ¡°She said she wants to ride you¡­ to look you in the eyes¡­ until¡­¡±


    ¡°Until what?¡± Jaune pressed, his voice low, intimate


    ¡°Until you make a mess inside her¡­¡± Nora¡¯s words tumbled out in a rush.


    The confession only seemed to spur Jaune on, his fingers moving with a newfound rhythm that matched the cadence of her voice. Each stroke found sensitive ridges, teasing and playing until her gasps turned into cries.


    ¡°She said¡­ she could feel you through her shorts!¡± Nora managed, her voice breaking into a mix of pleasure and embarrassment. ¡°She even sent me a picture of herself¡­ playing¡­ She said she¡­ she wants you so bad¡­ for so long¡­¡±


    Her words trailed off into a moan as Jaune pressed on, his hand quickening its pace, his fingers exploring every curve and hollow inside her. Nora¡¯s body trembled uncontrollably, her head tipping back as waves of pleasure overtook her.


    ¡°That¡¯s my good girl,¡± Jaune murmured, his voice soft and reassuring as his lips brushed against Nora¡¯s ear. ¡°You¡¯ve done so well¡­ now cum for me.¡±


    The low, firm command sent a shiver through Nora¡¯s exhausted frame. The moment his fingers pressed upward her body betrayed her. A surge of overwhelming, flickering sensations broke through her like a dam bursting under pressure.


    Her cry filled the room, raw and sultry, echoing off the walls as her fingers clenched desperately at the sheets beneath her. The world around her blurred, reduced to the waves of euphoria cascading through her body, each one more consuming than the last. Jaune¡¯s touch remained steady, guiding her through the storm as her muscles clenched tightly around him, her breath hitching in ragged gasps.


    The aftermath left its mark, a warm, wet testament to her release soaking the sheets. Still, Jaune¡¯s fingers moved with care, coaxing out the final ripples of her climax, each motion drawing a soft, sweet cry from her lips.


    After coming down, Nora¡¯s cheeks burned with shame as she instinctively tried to bury herself beneath her pillow. Her arms, weak from exhaustion, refused to cooperate, leaving her attempt half-hearted. Jaune¡¯s gentle touch, his lips brushing tenderly along her skin, did little to quell the sting of embarrassment coursing through her. She hadn¡¯t planned for things to go this far. Yet now, with her gaze locked onto his, a strange flutter took root in her chest¡ªa mix of painful trepidation and a hesitant, charming warmth.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a meanie¡­¡± she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she reached for him, tugging him closer. Her back pressed against his chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing grounding her. ¡°You better take responsibility if someone walks in on us like this.¡±


    Jaune chuckled softly, his lips ghosting over her shoulder before pressing a warm kiss to her skin. ¡°Maybe we should let them,¡± he teased.


    For a moment, Nora froze, unsure whether to laugh or protest. The idea was mortifying, yet the way he held her¡ªsecure, unwavering¡ªmade her heart skip. She could feel the solid warmth of him against her, his presence a quiet reassurance. As Jaune¡¯s arms tightened around her, his body settling into hers with no intention of moving, she felt the steady rise and fall of his chest as sleep began to claim him.


    Nora¡¯s thoughts, however, refused to quiet. Her mind raced as she lay still, acutely aware of their shared vulnerability. Her resolve wavered, her body betraying her with a longing ache that coiled low in her belly. She bit her lip, stifling the urge to press herself against him, to push her hips down just enough to catch a feel of the warm rod of meat nested between her thighs.


    Instead, she sighed softly, cursing her sense of loyalty¡ªand perhaps her heart¡ªfor being such a good friend. She knew, deep down, that patience would reward her. Soon enough, the barriers would fall again, and she would have her turn. For now, though, she let the quiet intimacy linger, savoring the warmth of his embrace, falling in love with his debilitating smell, letting herself be weak for him.