Jaune Arc: Fate System

Chapter 18: Existential

Jaune was standing on Beacon's balcony, watching the radiance of the shattered moon. He was always mesmerized by how the moon, broken it may be, still gives them guidance in the depths of darkness.

It was the night after he humiliated Cardin. Jaune was greeted by the awed looks of his classmates and the questions of his team and RWBY regarding his battle, how he gained such strength, what training he did, and even Glynda was eyeing him. Jaune smiled at them and told his team and RWBY that he'll help them in their training, getting him happy squeals from Ruby and Nora.

Jaune's day after combat class had somehow been pretty boring, with only Nora's boundless energy keeping him awake.

Team JNPR and RWBY soon went their seperate ways due to the difference in their schedules.

Once team JNPR went back to their dorms, Jaune quickly whipped up a warm dinner for his team and RWBY, delivering the food to their sister team after eating theirs.

Jaune did give Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora some pointers, like strength and weaknesses with several types of grimm. After their study session, the four of them were already planning on going to sleep, but Ananke had other plans, so after saying goodnight to his friends, Jaune took a walk, and somehow found his way on Beacon's balcony.

"So what did you want to say Ananke?" Jaune asked the voice in his head.

[I told you before that you woud be rewarded if you listened to me, and rewarded you will be. I'll tell you some information about the divinity that gave you the Fate system.] Ananke told Jaune, who was quite shocked about his reward. It may be only information, but he'll be glad if he could get to know the one who gave him a chance to walk his path.

"So, how much information can you give me exactly?" Jaune asked, knowing that Ananke can't everything to him.

Ananke didn't answer but instead showed some visions inside Jaune's head. Jaune was shocked when he saw several visions enter his mind.

One of them was lone man with long golden flowing hair, although he couldn't see the man's, he was sporting several wounds but even then, his posture is stalwart. And even though this was only a vision, Jaune could still feel the majestic aura of the man that almost brought him to his knees if not for Ananke's influence. Jaune gritted his teeth and stood his ground while looking around, making him pale and shocking him to the core by what he saw. The lone man was facing off against thousands of enemies, being surrounded by enemies floating in the sky and by enemies charging from the ground. When Jaune looked at what he was standing on, he was even more shocked to see that it was piles of corpses, he was literally standing on a mountain of corpses.

Before Jaune could see more of the battle, his conciousness was brought into another vision.

Jaune looked around, and he saw that he was on a cliff, overlooking several valleys and rivers. Jaune then noticed a beautiful tree with pinkish leaves on the cliff edge. Approaching it, Jaune saw the same man from the previous vision, meditating under the tree, lotus position, with the rays of the setting sun shining upon him. Jaune approached the back of the man, trying to take a look at his face, but before he could take a look, the vision changed and Jaune found himself staring at blood red eyes. Jaune could only stare back at the eyes, unable to see the face it belonged to, as it was obscured in shadows. Even though he couldn't see his face, Jaune recognized him as the same man from before. Jaune then noticed that the man was sitting on a throne made of gigantic bones, a blood red moon glowing ominously behind him. And just like before, Jaune was taken out of the vision, only this time, he was back with Ananke on Beacon's balcony.

"Was that him?" Jaune asked Ananke, still shocked by what he saw.

[Yes Jaune, he was the one who created me, and the one who sent me to you. Unfortunately I cannot reveal his name or identity. But, I can tell you the titles he was given back in his younger years.] Ananke explained.