Chapter 1: Into the Flames
Abandoned Deceived Route
Jaune turned onto his side as the sun bled through the curtains, hitting his face. He opened his eyes to see his girlfriend, Weiss. His head began to hurt as his mind raced with the different options he'll have to face. He slowly dragged himself out of bed as he held his head.
Jaune: Ugh, this headache. What should I do...
His voice trailed on while he walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. As Jaune was in the bathroom Weiss finally woke up and began to get dress.
Weiss: Jaune! Are you in the bathroom?
Jaune: Y-Yeah, I'm almost done!
Weiss: Alright don't come out yet. I'm still getting dressed.
Weiss slipped out of her nightwear and into her dress. The group had planned to meet with Haven's headmaster in hopes of enrolling. Jaune though... he had other plans. He looked at himself in the mirror, noticing the bags under his eyes he began talking to his reflection.
Jaune: This is it, huh? I knew they'd catch up to me soon... Cinder, I've come to a decision... I'm sorry, Weiss.
As Weiss strapped Myrtenaster to her waist Jaune stepped out of the bathroom allowing Weiss to enter. He walked over to Gan Jiang and Mo Ye sitting on the table. He stared at the rope connecting the two for a bit.
Jaune: ... Would a chain be better?
He shrugged before he tied his weapon across his torso.
Jaune: Weiss, I'm gonna go ahead and see if the others are ready. I'll wait for you out front, okay?
Weiss: Y-Yeah that's fine.
Jaune made his way through the halls, examining the burn scars on his hands as he did. In the living room he only found Ren, Nora, Ruby, Qrow, and Oscar to be ready.
Jaune: So we're just waiting for Yang and Weiss?
Nora nodded after looking around.
Nora: Yup! Seems like it.
With a sigh Jaune sat down beside Ruby. The girl blushed, clearly still not over her feelings for Jaune. She began moving a hand closer to the boy before Weiss turned the corner and moved to sit on her boyfriend's lap, glaring at Ruby. Ruby looked away, a look of shame on her face.
Ruby: S-Sorry.
The tension quickly dissipated as Yang turned the corner appearing to be in a rush.
Yang: S-Sorry I took so long!
Ren uncrossed his arms as he sat up.
Ren: It's fine... as long as we're all ready to go.
Yang nervously rubbed the back of her head as the others stood up.
Jaune: It looks like we're all ready. Oscar, did you manage to get some training with that cane.
Oscar: Y-Yeah... I still could use some work, but I should be good.
Jaune: That's good... You might need it soon.
Everyone questioned Jaune's vague statement. However, their trust in him was too great for their own good.
/ / /
Jaune steeled his resolve as the group walked to Haven.
Jaune: 'I can't fail Salem.'
The academy was just up ahead, the silence was still. There wasn't a single student chattering amongst one another. It was... ominous.
Ren: Huh... I guess school is still out.
Ren made sure to keep a lookout, his paranoia only grew with the silence. As the group entered the school they found themselves face to face with Leornardo, Haven's headmaster. However, the look on his face was a nervous on.
Ozpin: Leo... what is the meaning of this?
Jaune gripped the roped of his Meteor Hammer, a stern expression on his face. Everyone else quickly followed suit, grabbing their weapons as Leonarder grabbed his and Cinder walked out from behind him.
Ruby: Cinder... what are you-
Ruby cut herself off as Emerald, Mercury, and three new faces walked out. Raven, Vernal, and a burly man by the name Hazel. Jaune gritted his teeth as Cinder's group got down and stood in front of our heroes.
Jaune: So... this is what you meant.
Our heroes looked at Jaune.
Ruby: Jaune... is something wrong.
Ruby tried to reach out to the boy before he started to walk towards Cinder, Gan Jiang in one hand and Mo Ye in the other. Yang cocked her gauntlets.
Yang: Jaune, Cinder is dangerous you shouldn't face her alone.
Jaune: ... I'm sorry.
With a dark expression on his face, Jaune swung Gan Jiang towards Yang. As Yang is knock back Ruby quickly catches her.
Ruby: Jaune... what is the meaning of this?!
Jaune: I had a choice, Ruby. I can't stay with you.
Weiss tightened her grip on her rapier.
Weiss: So you're leaving us? What about me! You wouldn't just... leave me, right?
Jaune noticed the tear stream down Weiss' face. His expression however was indifferent.
Jaune: ... I have a larger role to play. I'm sorry.
Her heart broke at his words, at his indifference. She... thought what they had was special. Ruby took his words even harder though. Had all this meant nothing to the boy? No, he loved them there was no doubt in his mind. He simply owes his life to Salem.
Jaune: I can't play pretend anymore... I was never meant to be a hero.
Weiss used her glyphs to rush Jaune, but Emerald had wrapped a chain around the heiress and pulled her toward her.
Emerald: Sorry, but I'm not letting you near him that easily.
The standoff was over everyone had to pick their fights. Oscar/Ozpin went against Leo, Yang rushed Mercury, Nora and Ren had to face off against Hazel, and Qrow chose to stop his sister. Ruby... she had to face off against her former friend and Cinder.
Ruby: Jaune... were you ever really our friend?
He remained stoic, dodging the reaper's sweeps with ease. Their fight was no different than a dance.
Jaune: I was... but I don't intend to keep my true alliance a secret anymore.
His words merely fueled her anger towards his betrayal.
Ruby: You... so you don't even have a reason!?
Her sweeps grew sporadic, uncaring for any damage she'd have to endure. Tears welled up in her eyes and she was unable to endure any more blows. The boy used Gan Jiang to strike her side and send her flying; Ruby's aura flashed as she hit the wall.
Yang: Ruby.
As soon as Yang was distracted Mercury struck her open back.
As soon as Ruby was down Cinder signaled to Jaune and Raven to head to the vault.
Cinder: Let's go already!
Raven knocked Qrow to the ground as she and Vernal followed Cinder and Jaune. As the four got on the elevator Yang quickly stood up and knocked Mercury away with the help of her semblance.
/ / /
In the elevator Jaune was finally fed up with being left in the dark.
Jaune: Alright, Cinder... what in the world is going on?
Cinder: ... I suppose it's only right for you to know… Salem requires us to gather the four relics.
Jaune: The... Relics?
Cinder: Right... she never told you. The relics... the crown of choice, staff of creation, sword of destruction, and the lamp of knowledge. Our mission is to... stop Ozpin... and humanity.
Jaune: ... You mean destroy humanity?
Cinder: Sadly yes... I... understand if this turns you away-
Jaune: I'm in.
Raven: Wait what?
Raven looked at the boy with a confused expression.
Raven: Kid, you do realize you can die?
Jaune: So? Not like I can go back.
Cinder stared at the boy worried before placing a hand on his cheek.
Cinder: Are you certain this is what you want?
Jaune gently pushed her hand away and stared into her eyes.
Jaune: Absolutely... I'm done not knowing which side I want to be on.
She smiled at the boy's answer.
Cinder: That's... alright, I won't stop you.
Jaune: So, what do we need to do?
Cinder: Each relic is held in one of the four major academies. Each in a vault requiring a maiden to open it.
Jaune: A maiden? I think I remember hearing something like that during the fall of Beacon.
Cinder: Yes... the four maidens of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I... have the powers of the Fall Maiden. We needed the Spring Maiden to open the vault here in Haven.
Jaune: I see... and I assume that's one of you?
Vernal: ... That would be me.
As Vernal spoke Cinder grew skeptical, but she chose to remain silent.
The rest of the elevator ride was silent, none of them choosing to utter a word. After a while they finally stopped, and when the doors opened they found themselves face to face with a long and narrow bridge overlooking a large chasm, leading to two large doors.
Jaune: Is this the vault, Cinder?
Cinder: Yes... this is it. Well, go on and open it.
Raven and Vernal walked ahead of the two. The elevator had gone back up as soon as everyone walked onto the bridge. Jaune could feel tension in the air the closer they got to the vault. Vernal took a deep breath as she placed a hand on the doors. Cinder glared at the "Maiden" before manifesting a spear of fire.
The bandit's eyes widened as she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen; looking down she saw it, a spear pierced through her gut. As the spear disappeared she stumbled back before clutching her abdomen and falling off the bridge.
Jaune's expression remained unchanged.
Jaune: You saw through her lie as well, huh?
Cinder: Yes... yes I did. Now, Raven... open the vault.
The bandit clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.
Raven: You... you killed her and expect me to just listen?
The boy pointed Mo Ye at her.
Jaune: You hear Cinder... open the vault already.
Raven: No...
The Spring Maiden's voice trailed on as the wind began to twirl around her. With fiery eyes she glared at the duo.
Raven: If you think I'm just going to obey then you have another thing coming.
Cinder's eyes narrowed at the maiden as she accepted the maiden's challenge.
Cinder: I'm not asking.
Cinder drew a bow of fire as Raven prepared to launch a ball of fire. Jaune was not about to back down and prepared to throw Gan Jiang at the spring maiden.
Jaune: Back down Raven... You're outnumbered.
Raven however was not about to start listening to reason. Before long the ball of fire was launched at Cinder, creating an explosion big enough to engulf the two.
Cinder: Gah!! Jaune!
Jaune was launched backwards, but he was still on the bridge. Cinder's flight was interrupted, and before she could retain stability Raven launched another at a stalacite that was overhead. A large chunk was chipped off, and hit the Fall Maiden, knocking her out. Before Jaune could react Raven kicked Cinder's unconscious body off of the bridge.
Jaune: Cinder!! You'll pay-
Raven: You're outclassed, boy.
He clenched his grip and attempted to hit Raven with Gan Jiang. She was too fast however, and she managed to hit Jaune off the bridge before he could react. His eyes widened as he felt himself falling.
Jaune: 'Was this it?'
Out of desparation he tried to wrap Mo Ye around one of the support beams, but the rope fell short. The last thing he saw before the darkness of the chasm engulfed him was Raven opening the vault as a blonde came out of the elevator.
/ / /
How long had he been falling? A minute? An hour? When he saw finally caught up to Cinder he knew he had to save her. With a sigh he accepted his fight and changed his trajectory, grabbing onto Cinder and pulling her close as soon as he saw the opportunity. As he held the maiden he used Mo Ye to hook onto the walls of the chasm.
Once they came to a stop the boy noticed a pool of water.
Jaune: Water? Then maybe...
His dissapointment grew as the only piece of dry land was directly across the lake.
Jaune: You owe me for this, Cinder.
He examined the heavy head of Gan Jiang before letting go of Mo Ye and dropping into the water. Still holding onto Cinder he swam onto the small piece of land, and he set Cinder down as he rested on his back, gasping for air.
Jaune: Gah! Hah... hah... jeez... my clothes are all... wet...
His voice trailed on as he sat up and noticed how Cinder's wet clothes hugged her body tightly. He blushed before looking away and seeing Mo Ye still stuck on the wall of the chasm.
Jaune: I should probably go get that.
Already wet he jumped back into the water. Once he was close enough he grabbed the head on Gan Jiang.
Jaune: Now... how do I get back? I feel like I'd sink almost immediately if I... got it.
He climbed up the rope to yank Mo Ye out of the wall. Once he fell into the water he hugged the wall, stabbing Mo Ye into the wall to keep himself from sinking. As he tossed his weapon onto the small platform he panted while holding on.
Jaune: Jeez, that thing is heavy... I refuse to make it lighter though.
He felt something soft once he climbed back on. With his vision slightly obscurred he gave whatever he grabbed a squeeze. As soon as Jaune heard a moan he quickly realized what he grabbed.
Jaune: C-Cinder! I didn't mean...
His eyes were drawn to Cinder's peaceful sleeping face, a slight blush on it.
Jaune: Still asleep, huh?
He shook his head in an attempt to remove the devious thoughts from his head.
/ / /
As Cinder woke up she found herself wrapped in a cloak next to a fire. She blushed as she realized the cloak was all she was wearing.
Cinder: Where are my- wait...
She soon heard the sound of someone wringing wet clothes. As she turned to face the noise her blush grew as she saw a shirtless Jaune on the edge of the water.
Jaune: Oh... you're finally awake. I went ahead and dried your clothes first-
Jaune was cut off by a fire ball zooming past him.
Jaune: Oi! What's the big idea!?
Cinder: Y-You undressed me! Pervert!
Jaune: You could've caught a cold! Besides at least you have something to cover up.
Cinder: That doesn't change the fact that you- you saw me... y-you know!
Jaune: Oh please, it's not like it would be the first time.
Cinder: Th-That's different!
Cinder grew flustered as she desparately tried to cover any visible skin with the cloak. She got up and grabbed her clothes that were hanging on a wire.
Cinder: H-Hurry up and turn around, p-pervert.
Jaune: Jeez, fine...
Jaune turned around, still blushing. He heard the sound of ruffling clothes shortly after returning to wringing his shirt. As he wrung his clothes he heard Cinder sit behind him before feel a hand on his back.
Jaune: Cinder?
Cinder: ... What was your past really like?
Jaune: ... I thought I already told you-
Cinder: Please... we're alone. You can be honest.
Jaune looked at his reflection in the water, the scars on his muscles reminding him of how far he's come.
Jaune: ... My father often thwarted any attempts I made to become a hero. He... He wasn't afraid to push things too far.
Cinder: What exactly do you mean?
Jaune: ... My family wasn't caught in a blizzard. I... I ran away.
Cinder: What? Why would you...
Jaune: We were... on vacation, yes. I had... gotten my hands on a knight helmet. I was so happy that I showed my father... he wasn't fond of it though.
He smiled weakly as he remembered the few good memories he had.
Jaune: He... told me I should just give up... that I was too frail and fragile to be a hero. That I just... wouldn't make it. I ran to my room and well I was at my wit's end. I had... learned to tie a noose a few months before and hid it under my bed. I... just stared at it.
Cinder was shocked and wrapped her arms around the boy.
Cinder: I'm... so sorry.
Jaune: It was a long time ago... I've grown to appreciate my life more. All thanks to you and the others... so thank you.
Cinder: ... So you promise to not try that again, right?
Jaune: Don't worry... I'm not leaving any time soon.
Cinder smiled before letting go and let the boy put his shirt back on.
Jaune: We should get going... Raven probably gave the relic to Yang.
Cinder: Wait what?
Jaune: It's a hunch... but I saw Yang after I fell down after you.
Cinder: I see... where exactly are we?
Jaune: The lowest level of Mistral.
Cinder: I guess we really should get moving.
Jaune: I already checked this place out a bit while you were asleep. If we're gonna get any info then Lil Miss is likely the best place to go.
Cinder: You sure seem to know a lot...
Jaune: ... Nobles have their connections.
While confused Cinder just wanted to leave as soon as possible and simply followed Jaune's lead. The two walked through the crime ridden streets of lower Mistral. Eventually the came across a bar.
Cinder: Jaune... you sure this is the place?
Jaune: I'm certain...
Jaune and Cinder walked through. She pulled the her hood of her cloak as others stared at her. Jaune walked up to the bartender.
Jaune: We're here to see Lil Miss Malachite.
Bartender: Only one person per meeting.
He looked at Cinder before she spoke.
Cinder: I can stay out here...
The bartender opened a door and led Jaune to a meeting room. Meanwhile, Cinder sitting at a table, waiting for Jaune. Her eyes were drawn to an eerily familiar silhouette.
Cinder: ... Neo?
Cinder was able to jump back as Neo jumped from the rafters and broke the table.
Cinder: Woah, Neo calm down! I'm not here to-
She was cut off as Neo thrusted his parasol at the witch.
Cinder: Neo! Stop!
The witch deflected and dodged the young boy's attacks. Their fight broke multiple chairs and tables before Jaune stepped out of the meeting room.
Jaune: Alright what is...
His voice trailed on and his eyes widened as he saw Neo.
Jaune: Neo!?
Neo stopped in his tracks as he heard the familiar voice. Looking back he saw Jaune running at him. Before Neo could react he felt himself fall into Jaune's embrace. Tears welled up in Neo's eyes.
Jaune: Neo! Oh, I'm so glad you're okay!
Neo gritted his teeth before returning the hug and burying his face in Jaune's chest. He had missed the warm, safe, and reassuring embrace of Jaune. As the hug came to an end Neo looked up at the towering blonde.
Jaune: Neo, are you doing we-
Before Jaune could finish he felt Neo's lips on his. The kiss was full of passion. They had secretly longed for one another during their time separated. Their lips parted and they gasped for air.
Jaune: Hah... did you miss me?
Neo nodded, his eyes glued to his lover.
Jaune: No worries... so did I.
Placing a hand on the back of Neo's head Jaune pulled Neo into another kiss. This time Neo was a lot more prepared. Their tongues wrestled for control, becoming increasingly drunk on eachother's taste.
Jaune: Hah... I love you-
Neo pushed off of Jaune before signing.
Neo: 'Why are you with Cinder?'
Jaune: Oh, Cinder? She uh... we've come to a mutual understanding.
Neo: 'What!? But she killed Roman!'
Jaune: Well... sure she's responsible, but I do kind of owe her.
Neo: 'Owe her!? Do I not matter to you?'
Jaune: You do matter, trust me. I just... didn't realize you were still alive.
Neo: '... Yeah that's fair. Still... don't you wanna stay with me?'
Jaune: I want to be by your side, yes... but I'm playing a role bigger than anyone could imagine.
Cinder: Ahem, I feel like I'm being left out here.
Neo looked at Cinder before signing to Jaune.
Jaune: I see... she says she's willing to help us. Mainly to make sure you don't get any ideas.
Cinder blushed as she heard this.
Cinder: Wh-What?! Excuse you but I'm not some horny teenager.
Jaune: Doesn't matter she's still joining.
Cinder: F-Fine... whatever.
Cinder stormed out of the bar, furious and a blushing mess. Neo gave Jaune a smug look.
Jaune: Oh, shut it. You already killed any chances for some sort of threesome.
Neo pouted before following behind Jaune. As the three walked the streets of Mistral Cinder began to grow curious.
Cinder: Did you get any info from that place?
Jaune: Fortunately I did. Ruby has been spotted taking a train to Argus... My guess is they too have learned of the Relics and are heading to Atlas.
Cinder: Right... think you'll be able to pull through?
Neo tapped Jaune's shoulder and signed to him.
Jaune: Huh!? When did you- How did you get a bullhead!?
Cinder: I'm sorry, the gremlin has a bullhead?!
Jaune: Guess we have a ride.
Cinder sighed, disappointed at being one upped by Neo. Neo began to pull his lover by the sleeve and dragged him as Cinder followed. After a few hours of walking they had finally made it to a parked Bullhead on a cliff.
Jaune: You never cease to amaze me, ice cream... Ice Cream? Neo?
Cinder: Huh... where did the gremlin go...
Jaune: N-Neo! What's with that- mmph!
Neo kissed his lover once more before signing.
Neo: 'No questions love... just enjoy the eye candy~'
Jaune: R-Right... Will do...
Jaune's voice trailed on as his eyes were drawn to a suitcase Neo was holding.
Jaune: Did you seriously... no...
Neo: 'That's right... I kept that suit Roman gave you. Why don't you wear it? I made sure to wash it.'
Jaune: ... Alright fine.
Jaune: I still think the accessories are a bit much.
Cinder: You look fine, Jaune. More than fine actually~
Neo glared at Cinder before she put her hands up in surrender.
Cinder: Right right, I won't try anything.
Jaune rolled his eyes before stepping onto the bullhead.
Jaune: Well? Are you guys ready to go?
Cinder: Oh right right.
The three got on and Jaune started up the Bullhead.
Cinder: You sure you know how to fly this thing?
Jaune: Meh, it can't be that hard.
/ / /
A/N: The Redeemed Route may take a while to release since I really want to focus on the Deceived Route. First image by cslucaris. I was unable to find the artist for the second image so if you know tell me.
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