With my newly braided hair swinging proudly behind me, we made our way to the town square to join the celebrations. The villagers greeted us with cheers and warm smiles, their gratitude shining brighter than any lantern lighting the streets. They had set up a modest but heartfelt dinner in our honor, tables laden with all the local delicacies they could muster.
Though, to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure what half of those delicacies were. Some dishes looked vaguely familiar—roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and cured meats—but others were a mystery. A vibrant stew with a strange, sweet aroma caught my attention, and a platter of fried... something that I couldn't quite identify made Nora's eyes light up with delight.
"Is that... a fried mushroom?" I asked, leaning toward Pyrrha for clarification.
She tilted her head, examining it with the same uncertainty. "Maybe? Or it could be some kind of root vegetable. Either way, it smells delicious."
Nora was already piling her plate high with anything and everything, Ren trailing behind her with a more measured approach. "You guys are missing out," Nora declared, shoving a piece of something crispy into her mouth. "Whatever this is, it's amazing!"
The villagers bustled around us, offering plates and pouring drinks, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Children darted between the tables, their faces alight with excitement, and musicians played lively tunes that set a cheerful rhythm to the evening.
One of the elders approached, bowing slightly as he set a small, ornate bowl in front of me. "For the hero with the golden hair," he said.
I glanced at the bowl, which contained a shimmering, golden liquid. It smelled faintly of honey and spices.
"Thank you," I said, a little awkwardly. I wasn't sure if it was meant to be a drink, a sauce, or some kind of ritual offering. Pyrrha nudged me with a small smile, and I decided to just go for it, taking a careful sip. The warmth of the liquid spread through me instantly, tart and fatty.
As the night carried on, the celebrations grew even livelier. Villagers danced in the square, their movements unpolished but full of joy. The musicians played faster, their instruments ringing out with a spirited tune that drew even the shyest among us into the revelry.
Nora, of course, was the first to leap into the fray. She grabbed Ren by the arm, dragging him toward the makeshift dance floor with a gleeful laugh. He resisted at first, but one look at her bright, determined expression melted his reluctance. Soon, the two of them were spinning and twirling with the crowd, Nora's laughter ringing out like a bell.
Pyrrha and I stayed by the tables for a while, watching the scene unfold. She sipped her drink, her smile soft but content. "It's nice to see everyone like this," she said, her voice barely audible over the music. "After living how long with Grimm under their feet, they deserve this moment of happiness."
I nodded, watching as children wove between the dancers, their laughter blending with the music. "Yeah," I agreed. "It feels good to know we helped make this possible."
Pyrrha turned to me, her emerald eyes catching the glow of the lanterns. "You should join them, you know," she said with a teasing smile. "You've earned it."
Before I could respond, she stood and held out her hand. "Come on," she said, her tone playful but insistent. "I'll be gentle."
I didn't know if I should be offended by that comment, but her confidence was contagious. With a sigh and a grin, I took her hand, letting her pull me into the crowd. The music seemed to swell as we joined the dancers, might have been the magic I was infusing in our steps.
As the night went on, I found myself relaxing, moving with the rhythm of the music and the energy of the crowd. Nora and Ren joined us at some point, Nora cheering loudly as she spun Ren around with wild abandon.
As the festivities began to wind down, the villagers gathered around us, offering heartfelt thanks and well wishes. One by one, they approached to shake our hands, to hug us, or simply to express their gratitude. It was humbling, and a little overwhelming, but it also my heart a little warm.
When we finally made our way back to the inn, the quiet streets felt almost surreal after the energy of the celebration. My legs ached from dancing, and my heart felt full. Pyrrha walked beside me, her steps light despite the late hour. Nora and Ren trailed behind, their voices low as they chatted about the night.
As we reached the door to our room, I paused, looking back at the village. The lanterns still glowed softly in the square, casting a warm light over the quiet scene.
"Ready for tomorrow?" Pyrrha asked, her voice gentle.
I turned to her and nodded. "Yeah," I said.
"You want to do what?" Ren asked, his voice heavy with skepticism.
I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I mean, it sounded a little better in my head, but it still could be fun. Team RWBY hasn't even left Vale yet, so we're ahead of schedule. Why not take a little detour?"
"Because it could be dangerous," Ren said, his tone firm. "You're talking about jumping into a magical pocket dimension tied to your scabbard. That doesn't exactly scream 'safe.'"
I waved him off. "Nah, everyone in there seemed harmless. Besides, don't you want to see the paper people and gem folks? They're adorable. And the gem ones have tiny swords glued to their bodies! How cool is that?"
Nora's eyes lit up like I'd just told her we were going to a festival made entirely of pancakes. "Ohhh, I do, I do! Say yes, Ren! Paper people and gem people? That sounds amazing!"
Ren gave her a long, unimpressed look. "You're only excited because it sounds chaotic."
"And when has chaos ever let us down?" Nora shot back with a mischievous grin.
I scratched the back of my head, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "The villagers there are friendly, and it's not like we're diving into a Grimm nest or anything. Plus, we've faced worse. This is just a chance to explore something new—something no one else has seen before."
Ren folded his arms, clearly not convinced. "And if it's dangerous?"
"Then we handle it together, like always," I said, looking him in the eye. "Come on, Ren. Don't you want to see what's out there? What if we find something amazing?"
Nora grabbed Ren's arm, practically bouncing with excitement. "Pleeease? You can't let Jaune and Pyrrha go without us. What if they find something incredible, and we miss it?"
Ren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I feel like I've heard this exact argument before."
Pyrrha smiled gently. "If Jaune thinks it's worth exploring, I trust his judgment. And if there's any danger, we'll crush it."
With a resigned groan, Ren finally relented. "Fine. But if this goes sideways, I'm blaming Nora."
"Yes!" Nora cheered, pumping her fist in the air. "Team JNPR adventure time!"
I grinned, relieved. "Alright, let's gear up. Once we're ready, I'll open the way to Avalon."
"Alright, you all ready?" I asked, glancing back at my team. We were fully geared up, weapons at the ready. A couple of the village militiamen had agreed to keep an eye on the van and Tigger while we were gone. I didn't know how time worked in Avalon, but it felt like a good precaution to have someone watching over things.
"Ready!" Nora said, her grin wide as she hefted Mjolnir. Pyrrha and Ren gave quiet nods, both focused but curious.
"Alright then," I said, placing an arm around Nora's and Pyrrha's shoulders. Ren rested his hand on my other shoulder. I reached deep into my aura, channeling it into Avalon. The moment stretched, my focus tightening, and then—
With a soft pop, the world shifted.
We landed in the middle of the village, and the sight left my team speechless.
The place had changed since I'd last been here. A sturdy stone wall now surrounded the settlement, and cobblestone paths crisscrossed the ground beneath our feet. The floating obelisks that had once been scattered randomly now hovered in neat formations, their surfaces glowing faintly in the light. Beneath them, new houses had been constructed—small but solid, with sharp, angular designs that matched the gem people who were now bustling about.
The gems themselves moved with purpose, their crystalline forms glinting in the light as they patrolled the village in small groups. Each carried tiny swords or spears, their movements disciplined.
The paper people were just as busy, darting between the houses with bundles of supplies, their flat, delicate forms fluttering in the breeze. They didn't speak, but their movements radiated excitement, and some paused to wave at us before scurrying back to their tasks.
Behind us stood the house they'd built for me. It looked even better than before, with a freshly painted picket fence, a cozy little patio, and flower boxes under the windows. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, giving it a lived-in feel despite the surreal surroundings.
Nora's jaw dropped. "What... is this place?" she finally managed, spinning around to take it all in.
"This," I said, gesturing broadly, "is Avalon."
Pyrrha approached one of the cobblestone paths, her hand brushing against the smooth stone. "This is incredible," she murmured.
"The villagers here—" I gestured to the paper and gem people, "—they've been busy since my last visit. This is... way more advanced than I expected." I said.
Nora crouched down to examine one of the gem people as it marched past, its tiny sword gleaming. "Look at them! They're like... little crystal soldiers!" She reached out a hand, and the gem person paused, tilting its angular head at her before continuing on its way.
Ren knelt beside her, his gaze thoughtful. "It's fascinating. They seem... organized."
"They do," I said. "They've been building this place up, making it stronger. I didn't ask them to, but they've done it anyway. They're... dedicated, I guess."
Nora stood up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is amazing! Why didn't you bring us here sooner?"
"I wasn't sure it was safe," I admitted. "But now... I think it's time we explored this place together."
Pyrrha turned toward the house. "That's yours, isn't it?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "They built it for me. It's a little... much, but it's nice."
Nora grabbed my arm, practically bouncing with energy. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out! I want to see everything!"
Ren chuckled softly. "Let's take it one step at a time, Nora."
As we approached the house, a flutter of movement caught my eye. One of the paper people—a small figure with neatly folded edges and intricate patterns on its surface—detached itself from a group carrying bundles of supplies. It moved towards us with its little stumps, its steps light and quick, as if carried by a breeze.
When it reached us, the paper person gave a deep bow, its head dipping almost to the ground. Then it gestured toward the village with an enthusiastic sweep of its arm, its folded "face" tilting up to look at me expectantly.
"I think... it wants to be our guide," I said, glancing at my team.
Nora's eyes lit up. "A tour? Yes, please!" She leaned down toward the paper person. "Lead the way, little guy!"
The paper person nodded rapidly, then turned and began walking ahead of us, its movements deliberate and precise. We followed as it led us through the cobblestone streets, the sights of the village unfolding before us.
Our first stop was a large open square in the center of the village. Standing proudly in the middle was a statue—a figure carved from smooth, shinny bronze. It depicted a knight in full armor, sword planted into the ground before him, hands resting on the hilt. The details were stunning, from the etching of the armor to the Grimm? he was standing on.
"That... kinda looks like me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Nora tilted her head, examining the statue. "They really nailed the heroic pose. Did you tell them to do this?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "I didn't even know they were building it, I saw it last time but I didn't make the connection."
The paper person gestured to the statue, then to me, before clapping its tiny folded hands together in what looked like a gesture of reverence.
Pyrrha smiled softly. "They must really admire you. You've made an impression here."
Next, the paper person led us to a bustling market area. Stalls made of wood and stone lined the streets, each manned by either a gem person or a paper person. The goods on display were unlike anything I'd ever seen—fruits and vegetables in strange, vivid colors, some glowing faintly in the light while others sucked the light from the area around it. One stall had a stack of what looked like oversized berries that shimmered like polished gemstones, while another displayed leafy greens that emitted a soft buzzing sound.
Nora immediately reached for one of the glowing berries, but the gem person at the stall quickly stepped in, shaking its tiny head and wagging its stubby little arms.
"Guess we have to trade for it," Ren said with a smirk.
The paper person gestured for us to follow again, clearly eager to show us more.
The next area was dedicated to the gem people. Small workshops lined the street, each with tools and supplies tailored to their crystalline forms. One workshop had shelves filled with jars of wax and polish, while another featured tiny hammers and chisels, likely for repairs.
A gem person stood outside one of the workshops, carefully applying a layer of wax to its arm, its movements meticulous. When it noticed us, it gave a polite nod before returning to its task.
"Even they need maintenance," Ren observed. "That's... oddly comforting."
On the other side of the village, we found a similar area for the paper people. This one was filled with jars of paint, brushes, and bottles of oil. Several paper people were gathered around a large table, carefully applying fresh coats of paint to one another. The vibrant colors brought out the intricate patterns on their surfaces, making them look almost like living works of art, further down for them a paper person was working a press, crushing strange vegetables and rocks, squeezing liquids into little jars for the rest of the paper villagers.
Nora crouched down, watching them work. "This is so cool. They're like... artists and canvases at the same time!"
The paper person guiding us gave a proud little nod before gesturing for us to move on.
Finally, we arrived at the edge of the village, where a series of bridges extended outward, connecting Avalon to other floating landmasses. The bridges were a little simple, made of polished bright wood.
The paper person stopped at the base of one of the bridges and turned to face us. It raised its arms in an "X" shape, crossing them firmly in front of its chest.
"I think that means we're not supposed to go that way," Pyrrha said.
"Yeah," I agreed. "Whatever's out there, it's probably not ready for visitors yet."
The paper person nodded in confirmation, then gestured for us to head back toward the village.
"Man... I really want to taste some of those fruits," Nora bemoaned, her eyes locked on a stall piled high with glowing berries and shimmering produce. "My palate can't wait to taste all those yummy flavor combinations."
Ren, ever practical, sighed and knelt down to open the bag of holding slung across his shoulder. He began pulling out various items, setting them on the stall's counter: a spool of reinforced rope, a packet of trail mix, and a spare canteen. The gem person tending the stall examined them with polite interest—until Ren placed a small shard of lightning Dust next to them.
At the sight of the Dust, the gem person let out a series of sharp, musical chimes, its faceted hands gesturing excitedly.
"Looks like that's what they want," I noted, watching the gem person point insistently at the shard.
Ren nodded, pushing the Dust shard forward. In exchange, the gem person carefully selected a basket of glowing berries and a few shimmering fruits, arranging them in front of us with a sense of ceremony.
Nora practically vibrated with excitement. "Yes! Time to find out what glowing fruit tastes like!"
Without hesitation, she popped one of the berries into her mouth. Her eyes went wide, and then she let out a massive burp—except instead of a normal sound, a huge, iridescent bubble floated out. It drifted upward, and when it popped, it emitted a noise that resembled a tiny goat bleating.
We all stared, speechless. Another burp escaped her, forming a second bubble that rose into the air and burst with a sound akin to a quacking duck.
Ren sighed in mild exasperation, though a hint of amusement played on his features. "I guess we know why these are so popular."
Nora beamed, clutching the rest of the basket protectively. "I love them. We're definitely getting more of these!"
I stifled a laugh, turning to the gem person. "Thank you," I said, dipping my head in gratitude. The gem person cradled the lightning Dust shard, its crystalline eyes sparkling as though it had gained a prized treasure.
As we moved on, Nora continued to bubble and burp in equal measure, filling the air with a series of floating, animal-sound bubbles that drifted overhead like a bizarre parade. I had to admit, it was strangely entertaining—and maybe just a little bit concerning.
With Nora still giggling through a series of animal-sound bubbles, the rest of us found ourselves enticed by the various stalls lining the cobblestone street. Gem people manned some stands, while paper people attended others, each offering an assortment of bizarre, intriguing delicacies.
One stall, decorated with swirling pastel patterns, had rows of small, crystalline bottles. As we approached, a gem person uncorked one and poured out a translucent liquid that shimmered in the light, changing color with every tilt of the cup. Pyrrha eyed it warily, but Nora, fresh from her burping escapades, downed a shot without hesitation.
An instant later, her hair started subtly levitating, little crackles of pink static dancing through it. She let out a muffled squeal as the gem person quickly gestured that it would wear off soon—and sure enough, moments later, the floating strands settled back down, leaving her wide-eyed and eager for more.
Ren took a sip of a different bottle—his was a dark green elixir that, for a brief second, caused his eyes to glow with an otherworldly hue before fading back to normal. He exhaled, a gust of ice escaped his lips as he did so, blinking. "Feels… refreshing," he said, still looking a bit surprised by the experience.
Meanwhile, I found a stall selling skewers of unfamiliar meats and salads. The cuts were a mixture of pastel hues and deep purple, served with yellow leafy greens that radiated a soft luminescence. Pyrrha and I each tried a bite—surprisingly succulent, with a tender texture and a flavor that danced between sweet and savory with each mouthful.
"I never knew purple meat could taste so normal," Pyrrha remarked, taking another bite. "Or that salad could glow."
"Better glowing than exploding," I joked, watching Nora slurp down yet another bottle's contents.
Then came a dish the stall owner (a paper person with elaborate folded designs on its 'arms') offered me in a small, ornate bowl: a soft, powdered confection that looked like Turkish delight, its sugar-dusted exterior sparkling under the lights. Without much thought, I popped it into my mouth.
The taste was light, floral, and sweet—really sweet. A wave of warmth spread through my body, followed by a sudden, disorienting shift. My center of gravity lurched, and I stumbled backward.
"What the—" I blurted, only to realize my voice had changed—higher-pitched, distinctly feminine. I glanced down and nearly dropped my weapon. My body shape had altered, curves appearing where there were none before.
Nora cackled, practically dropping her drink. "Oh my gosh, Jaune—you… you…!"
Pyrrha's eyes went wide, and Ren looked on with a mix of astonishment and concern.
I awkwardly balanced myself, feeling entirely off-kilter. Boobs. I had boobs. "This is so weird," I muttered, taking a step and nearly tripping over my own feet.
The gem person behind the stall hurried forward, waving its arms and pointing to a small sign posted at the side. The symbols were indecipherable, but I guessed it was a warning about the side effects.
Thankfully, just as quickly as it happened, the effect began to fade. My figure reverted, my voice dropping back to its usual pitch. I let out a shaky breath, one hand still braced against a table.
Nora erupted into laughter, while Pyrrha and Ren gave me worried but amused glances.
"You okay?" Pyrrha asked, helping me regain my balance.
I nodded, my cheeks burning. "Yeah, just—uh, that was unexpected."
"Unexpectedly hilarious," Nora teased, waggling her eyebrows at me. "I mean, it's not every day you do that."
Ren coughed, looking back at the merchant. "I suppose we should have asked for more details before diving in."
I cleared my throat and tried to refocus, my heart still pounding from the bizarre shift. "Lesson learned. No more random taste tests without a heads-up."
After wandering the village a while longer and sampling one too many bizarre edibles, we eventually decided to retreat to the house the villagers had built for me. The short walk felt surprisingly refreshing—despite the wild array of sights and experiences, Avalon gave off a calming, almost homely vibe.
When we stepped inside, the interior was, if anything, even more impressive than the last time I was here. Plush cushions lined the low-slung couches, and intricately carved shelves displayed various trinkets: tiny sculptures made of paper, polished gem fragments, and curious items that looked like board games. One, in particular, caught Nora's eye: a large, circular board with sliding tiles of different shapes and colors.
"What do you think this is?" she asked, poking at a tile that clicked neatly into a new position.
"Some kind of puzzle game?" Pyrrha suggested, peering over her shoulder.
"It's beautifully made," Ren commented, running a hand over the smooth tiles.
On another shelf sat a little music box, carved from what seemed to be a single piece of gem. Ren picked it up, winding a tiny key on the back. A soft, tinkling melody filled the room, It was strangely otherworldly. It reminded me of a lullaby, well except sung by rock people.
We settled into the seating area, taking a moment to rest our legs and clear our heads. Nora dozed off almost immediately, her head resting on Ren's shoulder while he continued to tinker with the music box. Pyrrha and I tried to figure out the puzzle board, though we were too tired to make much progress.
Just as I was about to doze off myself, a knock at the door startled us. We exchanged looks; I got up to answer, my braided hair swaying behind me.
When I opened it, I found myself face-to-face with the gem person who had traded for the lightning Dust shard earlier. It gave a delighted chime, stepping aside to reveal a smaller gem person standing behind it—a vivid yellow crystal figure no bigger than its arms. The little one was brimming with excitement, tiny sparks of lightning dancing across its gem-like skin.
Both gems chittered and chimed, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. I caught Nora peeking over my shoulder, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the little yellow crystal.
"That's… adorable," Pyrrha said softly, coming to stand beside me.
The older gem person carefully nudged the smaller one forward. It emitted a high-pitched hum, lifting one little crystalline arm toward us in greeting. Tiny jolts of electricity snapped and crackled across its surface, as if the gem person was showcasing its newfound ability.
Ren stepped up as well, spotting the older gem person holding the Dust shard it had received. It pointed to the shard, then to the little yellow gem person, then made an excited gesture of lightning arcing from one hand to the other. A proud gleam shone in its eyes.
"I think it's trying to say it used the Dust to help this little one… grow?" Ren guessed.
Nora's face split into a grin. "So it's like a baby gem person powered by lightning? That's so cool!"
The smaller gem clacked and trilled, a bolt of lightning dancing over its arms. It spun around happily, then stumbled a bit, catching itself on the older gem's arm.
I chuckled softly, stepping back to invite them in. The older gem person nodded in gratitude, guiding the little yellow gem across the threshold. Soon, they stood in the center of the room, both looking around at the house's interior with expressions of interest and curiosity (or at least, that's what it looked like, given their faceted faces).
Pyrrha, eyes warm with amusement, knelt down to the little gem's level. The gem studied her for a moment, then extended a stubby arm, a tiny spark of lightning running along it. Pyrrha held out her hand in return, letting the spark jump over to her gauntlet in a harmless static pop.
"Seems friendly," she commented, smiling at the little creature. "Glad we could help… somehow."
The older gem person gave a series of emphatic chimes, pointing first to the child, then back to the Dust shard. A glowing expression of gratitude, perhaps—Nora's earlier enthusiasm for a trade had apparently created something remarkable.
"So… I guess we're official foster parents of lightning gem babies now?" Nora said, half-joking.
Ren gave her a look, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
A soft pulse of light filtered through the windows of our Avalon house, accompanied by a faint chiming that made everyone pause. I recognized it instantly—the unmistakable signal that the great tree had bestowed more gifts upon me.
"Huh, so that's what happens," Nora said, eyes bright with curiosity as she set down the weird fruit she'd been munching on. "I always wondered how you knew when you got something new."
I shrugged, a little dazed by the sudden influx of energy I felt. "It's like this tingling, and then that chime outside. Feels like someone just turned a dial up in my aura."
Pyrrha stepped closer, her expression inquisitive. "What did you get this time?"
"Two things, actually," I began, glancing at my hands as though expecting some visual change. "First, my aura pool basically tripled itself. I can put a lot more aura into attacks now, which means triple the power."
"Tripled?" Ren echoed, clearly impressed. "That's… significant."
I nodded, my pulse still racing a bit from the sensation. "Yeah, I can feel it. It's like I'm bursting at the seams."
"What about the second thing?" Pyrrha prompted.
I chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. "So, this one's a little weird. It's, uh… a magical tattoo. I can get one—and one other person can too—and it goes on our faces, about the size of my pinkie nail. Once we both have it, we 'share' our training. As in, if one of us goes off to lift weights and the other stays home to study theory if they switch they would notice that it would be a lot easier"
Nora's jaw dropped. "What? Like, if I do a million push-ups, that means you'd suddenly get buff with a light workout?"
"Well, not literally 'buff,'" I said, trying not to laugh at the mental image. "But something like that, yeah. We share our experiences. It's not as straightforward as just stealing each other's gains, more like… it tries linking our progress."
Ren raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. "That could be… pretty useful, actually."
Pyrrha nodded slowly, eyes flicking between me and Nora. "It's an interesting idea. But are you sure it's safe?"
I shrugged. "The tree's gifts haven't let me down yet. And, well, it's not like anyone is forcing this on us. It's just… an option."
Nora was practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, oh! I volunteer! Pick me! Just imagine: I do all the hammer workouts, you do all the nerdy stuff, and we both become unstoppable!"
I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. "Let's think it through, though. We'd have to decide who's best suited to pair up. It might not be as simple as you doing all the hammer swings while I, I don't know, read books."
Pyrrha and Ren exchanged glances, and then Pyrrha gave a small shrug. "We've got time to figure it out. For now, it's just good to know you have the option."
CP Bank:0 cp
Perks earned this chapter :
Sun and Moon mask [100 - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask] [benevolence] You and a consenting person are now bound together. you both will have a mark somewhere visible on you face, one a sun and one a moon. If one of you were to learn a skill the other would have an enhanced learning speed for that skill.
200cp: Mana Battery (Terraria) [Source]
Ordinarily, it takes several minutes of rest for even a small mana pool to regenerate once drained. Now, however, your pool regenerates much faster, even as its size also increases. Your Mana Pool is roughly three times as large, and it replenishes several times faster, even when you are running around and exerting yourself. You can also push more mana into attacks to 'overcharge' them, spending double the mana to get around triple the effect, though that can risk burning out your Mana and slowing your regeneration.
Milestone reached this chapter : none
