Jaune Mercer: Volume 1

Chapter 36: Lazarus

[Atlas- Frost Chambers]

James Ironwood sat in the room. Across from him was an old woman in a hospital bed. She was a thin elderly woman with short, spiky white hair. Her eyes were as blue as the deep ocean. Her attire was a white hospital gown. Her name is Fria Valkyrie, the Winter Maiden.

She took a sip of tea made by James before sighing in joy.

"Good tea," She said.

"I learned from the best."

James looked concerned.

"How are you feeling?"

"Magnificent. Those treatments you have me on are doing wonders."

"My memories. They're all coming back to me."

Fria started to tear up in sadness.

"All of them," She choked up.

James put his hand on Fria's hand in comfort.

"I understand. You've lost so much over these years. The loss of family is...Heartbreaking," He said, almost as he was speaking from experience.

He took out a handkerchief and dabbed away the tears on Fria's face.

"I can't express how grateful Atlas...No... How all of Solitas is for your goodwill."

She smiled at the praise.

"It's what a seasonal maiden does."

"Still, your obligations deserve a reward."

"A reward?"

"Fria. I didn't want to stress you out, but I have been scouring over Remnant, trying to track down any surviving family members. When you started to regain your memory, especially your last name, that narrowed down my search. Recently, I got a match."

Fria looked surprised.

"You did? Who?"

James put away his handkerchief before taking out documents from his coat pocket. He handed them to her.

Fria narrowed her gaze at the information, taking notice of the picture attached. Her eyes widened at the resemblance to her daughter.

"Nora Valkyrie?" She asked, reading the name on the paper.

"She's your granddaughter. She survived a Grimm attack. Currently, she's a student at Beacon Academy."

Fria put a hand over her mouth in shock before she cried like a river. All this time, she thought all of her family had died.

James went over and hugged Fria.

"Have the life you deserve."

Fria returned the hug, tears streaming down her face.

"Thank you, James! Thank you!"

From behind, Fria didn't notice James's eyes turn crimson.

"Think nothing of it."

[A Week Later]

In Ozpin's office, the headmaster convened with his inner circle. While Glynda, Tai, Qrow, and Amber were there in person, James, Leonardo, and Theodore were present via scrolltime.

"And that's the case. Fria Valkyrie is alive, but her magic as the Winter Maiden has disappeared," James said.

"This is the third time this has happened," Glynda said.

"Yeah, first it was Qrow. Then, Amber. And now Fria,"

Amber was silent, only taking short glances at Ozpin.