Jaune the Imperishable or how Settra got his Golden Body (RWBY/Warhammer Fantasy) ch.8

+++

Settra was alive. Truly, gloriously alive.

The wind on his face, the scent of the forest; oak, pine, damp earth. The simple, fleeting pleasures of the mortal world. It was intoxicating. The rush of adrenaline coursing through borrowed veins, the way the heart thundered in his chest like a war drum. Joy burned in his heart, and battle-lust sang in his soul. The Grimm acquiesced, charging with heavy snarls and growls. Settra rushed as well, a blur to most. A golden wind to Pyrrha. 

The first Beowolf lunged, its massive claws swiping at him, but Settra sidestepped with ease, almost leisurely. With a single, fluid motion, he swung Crocea Mors, now blazing with golden fire. The Beowolf didn't even have time to howl before it was cleaved in two, its body disintegrating into ash before it hit the ground.

Another Grimm attacked from the side, teeth bared and jaws wide. Settra caught it mid-air with Jaune's shield. It tried to bite and claw at Settra but he held the writhing creature aloft, studying it as though it were some amusing, insignificant insect. He responded with a swift headbutt into the Grimm's face with such force, it sent the creature into the next life.

Pyrrha stared.

Crocea Mors burned. Settra wove through the charging Grimm like a golden tempest, every strike of Crocea Mors precise and devastating. Each swing left a trail of radiant energy in its wake, cutting through the creatures like paper. Heads rolled, claws fell, bodies disintegrated into black mist as the golden light consumed them. One Beowolf tried to flank him, but Settra laughed, twisting around to meet it with a savage kick. The force of the blow sent the creature hurtling into a nearby tree, its body snapping like a twig before it dissolved. Another Grimm leapt from above, but Settra didn't even look. He merely lacerated the air, and the Ursa broke into a thousand pieces. The last of the Beowolves lunged at him, its claws outstretched, its jaws snapping. Settra met it head-on, plunging Crocea Mors into its chest. The creature let out a final, pitiful snarl before it exploded into ash, the golden light consuming it entirely.

And then...silence.

The clearing was littered with the fading remains of the Grimm, their black mist swirling and dissipating into the air. Settra stood in the center of it all, Crocea Mors still glowing in his hand. He tilted his head back, inhaling deeply, savoring the stillness that followed the carnage.

"Ah," he said softly, his voice almost reverent. "I had forgotten how sweet victory tastes."

He turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Pyrrha, who stood frozen, her wide eyes fixed on him. Her spear and shield hung limply in her hands, her expression a mixture of awe, confusion, and fear.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha whispered. 

Ah, yes. He was supposed to be Jaune. Now...what would that idiot talk like?

He put on a grin, wide and disarming, though the fire in his golden eyes betrayed the truth. "Everything's fine, Pee-rha," he said, his voice calm and steady, yet carrying that strange, commanding undertone. "The Grimm are dealt with. We need to keep moving, get to the objective. No time to waste!"

Truly, he was as much Thespian as he was King. His mimicry of Jaune was flawless, like himself. 

Pyrrha stared at him, her heart racing. Something was wrong here. She knew it, she felt it. This was not the Jaune she had met in the airship and had gotten to know in a few days. He reeked of smug superiority, even more than Weiss. If Weiss was a flickering flame, then Jaune was like the sun. But...what could she do but take it at face value? He demolished through the whole pack of Grimm, their Alpha included, as if they were nothing more but little insects. 

"R...Right," Pyrrha struggled as she tried to take a step, before stumbling. Gods damn it, she was running out of aura. 

Settra's eyes narrowed. "What's the matter?" he asked.

Pyrrha shook her head but didn't meet his gaze. "It's...my Aura," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I'm running out. I've been fighting for so long, carrying you, protecting you...I don't have much left."

His expression shifted, leaning into something between condescension and incredulous disbelief. "Your Aura?" he said, as though the words themselves offended him. "That is what troubles you? That is your great concern?"

Pyrrha blinked up at him, confused by the sharpness in his tone. "Yes," she said hesitantly. "Without Aura, I-"

"Silence," Settra commanded, cutting her off with a wave of his hand. He stepped closer, his presence towering as his Aura flared, casting the clearing in a warm, blinding light. Pyrrha froze as he placed a heavy, steady hand on her shoulder. His grip was firm but not harsh, his gaze piercing as he looked down at her, his expression now one of regal assurance.

"Do not let such trifling concerns weigh upon your mind," he proclaimed, his voice rising like a king addressing his legions. "You who have carried this fragile vessel, shielded it from harm, and fought with unwavering resolve; I deem you worthy."

Pyrrha's eyes widened, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she stared at him, her mind reeling at the sudden shift in his tone. He continued, his voice ringing with the weight of command, each word resonating with authority.

"Hail to you, mighty Pira, who stood firm when others would falter!" he declared, his golden Aura flaring brighter with every word. "Hail to the indomitable shield who bore the weight of battle so that another might live! Hail to you, for not abandoning this weak, embarrassing boy. Hail to your strength, to your courage!"

Settra's grip on her shoulder tightened, though not unkindly, as he leaned closer, his tone softening slightly, though it still carried a regal edge. "Fear not the dwindling of your Aura, Pyra. For I, Jaune of Arc, shall see you restored a thousandfold. You have stood by this vessel, protected it, and for that, you have earned my favor. You are not merely a warrior. You are a chosen warrior. And I do not allow my chosen to fall."

Pyrrha's lips parted, but no words came. She couldn't tell what startled her more: the sheer arrogance of his proclamation, or the strange, genuine belief behind his words. It was...captivating.

Settra straightened, his hand still on her shoulder as he turned his gaze skyward, his voice rising to a crescendo. "There are great deeds yet undone, enemies yet to conquer, and glories yet to revel in! You shall rise, Pyrrha Nikos, and you shall endure. For I have proclaimed it, and let My Will Be Done!" 

The golden light around him surged outward, and Pyrrha felt warmth flood her body. The exhaustion weighing her down began to fade, replaced by a strange, invigorating energy. Her Aura, faint and flickering, surged back to life, brighter than before. She gasped, her shield slipping from her hand as she stared down at herself.

"I..." she stammered, looking back up at him in disbelief. "How...?"

Settra smirked, his hand falling from her shoulder as he turned away, already walking toward the forest ahead. "Do not question it, little warrior," he said, his tone once again slipping into that faintly amused arrogance. "You have been touched by the will of a King. Now, onward. There are glories yet to claim."

+++

Glynda Goodwitch stared, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Ozpin," she spoke, her tone measured but firm.

"Hm?" The Headmaster of Beacon hummed, taking a slow sip from his ever-present mug of coffee.

"The Grimm," Glynda began, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the screen. "They're moving."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "They tend to do that," he replied blandly.

"Yes, they do," Glynda said, shooting him a pointed look. "But this time, they're all moving."

That gave him pause. His lips parted as if to speak, then closed again. Retreating to Beacon proper, the faculty murmured amongst themselves, their fingers flying across their scrolls as they monitored the situation. The forest feed flickered on their screens, some cameras were offline, but that wasn't unusual. Collateral damage, whether from Grimm or students, was an expected reality. But the ones that were online showed a rush of activity. 

"Headmaster," Glynda pressed, her voice tight. "We should consider intervening. This is far too many for the aspirants to handle."

Ozpin finally reached for his own scroll, scanning the data. His expression didn't change, but the sheer number of red dots on the map was undeniable. After a long moment, he set the device aside and gave a small shrug.

"This is a test of strength and courage, Glynda," he said, his tone calm, almost indifferent. "The battlefield is unpredictable. Sometimes, conditions change."

"But-" Glynda began, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Prepare a bullhead, however," Ozpin cut her off gently but firmly. "If they do get overwhelmed, step in." 

Glynda nodded, though the tension didn't leave her shoulders. "Yes, sir."

​Ozpin returned his mug to his lips. He was fully aware of how heartless this looked but there was no room for gentleness for huntsmen even for aspirants. The realities of their world meant that they were going to be pushed to their limits. This initiation was as much a trial by fire as it was a welcoming ceremony. Humanity could ill afford defenders that didn't have what it took to endure the storm. Wanting to do it was far different to actually having skill to accomplish something. 

Then, he felt it.

It was like a burst of feelings that he swore he felt in ages long past. An explosion of sheer, utter power. 

Magic. 

He nearly spat out the coffee in his mouth. 

Glynda's sharp eyes flicked toward Ozpin as he froze mid-sip, his usually calm demeanor cracking. She watched as Ozpin scrolled through the cameras once more, his eyes scanning every detail on the screens. She stepped closer, glancing over his shoulder, but the chaotic swarm of red dots still told her the same concerning story.

"Ozpin," she said, her voice softer now. "What is it? Did you notice something?"

He paused for a moment, his thumb hovering over the scroll's screen. Then, with a faint sigh, he shook his head and offered her a small, practiced smile. "Just double-checking, Glynda. Nothing more."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, reading between the lines. Ozpin wasn't one to double-check anything unless it truly concerned him, but she chose not to press the matter. Instead, she straightened and folded her arms, her gaze flicking back to the monitors.

"I see," she said, her tone softening. "So you are worried for the aspirants."

Ozpin didn't respond immediately, instead returning his focus to the scroll. His neutral demeanor remained intact, but Glynda thought she caught the faintest flicker of something in his expression. "Of course," he said smoothly. "What else could I ever feel for them but concern?"

Glynda let out a quiet sigh but nodded, turning back to the screens. She didn't believe him entirely. She knew him too well for that but she also knew better than to push when Ozpin wasn't ready to share his thoughts. If he had noticed something unusual, he clearly wasn't ready to discuss it.

For now, though, she let it go. "The bullhead will be ready shortly," she said, her voice quiet. "Just in case."

Ozpin nodded but didn't look up. "Good. Best to be prepared."

+++

Weiss paused.

Everything was quiet. 

Far too quiet. 

The Grimm literally ignored them, rushing past Ruby and her, only stopping if Ruby attacked them. They had been searching for Jaune for what felt like ages, but there was still no sign of him. The forest was dense, the shadows thick, and the constant growls of Grimm in the distance did little to ease their growing concern though it was mostly Ruby muttering for the blonde dork. Every lead, every faint sound, had turned up nothing.

Then, without warning, an Ursa came hurtling toward them, crashing through the underbrush with a thunderous force.

"Look out!" Ruby shouted as she and Weiss instinctively leapt aside.

The massive creature slammed into the ground, skidding to a stop. It groaned, trying to push itself upright, but as it shifted, its body gave out. The Ursa slumped, lifeless, its dark blood pooling beneath it as it vanished.

Weiss straightened, Mysternaster at the ready, her heart racing. "What in the world...?"

Before Weiss could answer, an eruption of noise caught their attention. Battle.

"Look!" Ruby pointed to an opening in the forest. They exchanged a quick, wide-eyed glance before moving toward the commotion, pushing through the thick foliage. When they pushed through, they found a blur of gold and red.

Grimm were flooding in from all sides, yet they were being beaten back. Pyrrha moved like a force of nature, her spear and shield a blur. Her eyes glowed, battle-lust clear on her face as Milo rendered Grimm flesh. Beside her, Jaune swung his sword with a fervor Weiss had never seen before. He was far from graceful, but his strikes were powerful and purposeful, cleaving through the creatures with a determination that made the air around him feel electrified.

Grimm after Grimm fell, their bodies crumpling to the ground as the duo fought in perfect sync. Pyrrha would deflect an attack, and Jaune would follow up with a crushing blow. Jaune would take a hit meant for Pyrrha, only for her to retaliate with overwhelming force. 

"COME TO ME, AND BE SENT TO USIRIAN'S LOVING EMBRACE!" Jaune cackled. 

Weiss blinked. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Jaune. Jaune Arc. A bumbling stumbling idiot that did not even know Pyrrha or her was now fighting like a seasoned warrior. He was quite literally oozing power. Then suddenly, it made sense to Weiss. He was deliberately putting on a stupid act to make people underestimate him. By letting their guard down, he could overwhelm them. Suddenly, a flush of emotions went through Weiss. Regret, for she had seen him nothing more as chaff. He would likely not trust her now. And admiration, for he was so convincing that it even fooled her. 

Still, not all was lost, Weiss felt. She did not need to get him directly. No, perhaps she could use him through Pyrrha? 

Beside her, Ruby stood slack-jawed, her silver eyes wide as dinner plates. Her gaze was fixed on Jaune, who had just let out an unhinged battle cry. Ruby's head tilted. What was an Usirian? Was that...another voice in his head? Her confusion didn't last long, though, as excitement overtook her. Her friend, her bestie, if she dared to say so herself, was demolishing Grimm like they were nothing. Jaune was an unhinged weirdo, sure, but golly that boy was a strong unhinged weirdo. Ruby's heart leapt in joy. Not only did she have a friend who was just as strange as her, but he could totally fight Grimm toe-to-toe without breaking a sweat! This was perfect.

"I'm coming, Jauneeeee!" Ruby cried, Crescent Rose unfolding in her hands as she dashed toward the fray, the scythe singing through the air.

"H-Hey, wait up!" Weiss shouted, rushing into the fray.

With two extra Aura users joining the battle, it was all but over for the Grimm. Ruby's scythe carved through Grimm in wide, sweeping arcs, and Weiss's rapier flashed as she summoned glyphs to control the battlefield. Together, with Pyrrha and Jaune already in sync, they became an unstoppable force. The Grimm screamed and screeched as they fell, their dark forms evaporating into smoke before they even hit the ground. When the last of the creatures had been cut down, Weiss wiped sweat from her brow, the fabric of her dress clinging to her from the exertion. She was utterly exhausted, and her aching muscles screamed for a long, hot bath. She glanced toward Jaune, her mind racing to calculate the right words to say. But someone beat her to the punch.

Again.

"OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, YOU WERE SO COOOOOL!" Ruby shrieked, appearing before Jaune in an explosion of petals, her face lit up with sheer excitement. She practically bounced in place, Crescent Rose already folded neatly across her back.

Weiss groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Jaune turned to Ruby, his eyes were gold. Wait, when were they golden? They flickered with something, Weiss caught. Amusement. "Ahhhhh, Rue-bee!" Jaune greeted. "It is always a joy to be met with such enthusiasm. Truly, your boundless energy is a gift to all who stand beside you."

Ruby giggled, pulling back a lock of hair. "It's Ru-by, silly. Not Rue-bee," she corrected, though her grin didn't falter. "I had no idea you were so strong! And cool! Why didn't you say anything? You were amazing!"

That was a valid question. Something which interested Weiss and Pyrrha. 

"Well, I was..." Jaune paused, as if considering his words. "True power does not require validation. It reveals itself at the right time, when it is most needed."

Ruby tilted her head, clearly only half-following his words. "Ohhh...okay! That makes sense, I guess!" she chirped. "Still, you were awesome out there! Like, totally unstoppable!"

"Imperishable," he corrected. 

Ruby's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open slightly. "Woooooah," she whispered, clearly entranced.

Weiss, who had been quietly standing off to the side, stepped forward. "I knew there was more to you than you let on. You've clearly been hiding your strength all this time. It's impressive, Juan-Jaune" she corrected.

Jaune's head snapped toward Weiss, his posture stiffening almost imperceptibly. The faint smile on his face vanished, and his golden eyes darkened, his expression turning cold. "I require no false flattery. Your words ring hollow, as do your intentions."

Weiss froze mid-sentence. "Excuse me?" she sputtered.

Jaune's lips curled into a sneer, his tone filled with regal authority. "You are dismissed, girl. Your petty attempts at flattery are beneath my notice, as are you."

Weiss bristled, her composure cracking. "I'm trying to compliment you, fool!"

Jaune's gaze remained steady, his tone unwavering. "You mistake me for someone who craves your approval. I do not. Save your empty words for those who are foolish enough to be swayed by them."

"I'm trying to make amends here! Why are you being such an arrogant jerk about it?" Weiss shrieked.

"Amends? Is that what you believe this is? A few choice words, some feigned admiration, and you think the slate can be wiped clean?" He shook his head. "You misunderstand the nature of respect. It is not given freely, nor can it be so easily reclaimed once lost."

Weiss's fists clenched at her sides, redder than blood. "You're insufferable," she snapped.

"And you," Jaune returned smoothly, "are irrelevant. Away from me before I tire of your presence."

Ruby stepped forward hesitantly, waving her arms in an attempt to diffuse the situation. "Guys, come on! Let's just calm down, okay? We don't need to-"

"Stay out of this, Ruby!" Weiss snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. Ruby flinched, her silver eyes wide with surprise.

SLAP!

The girls stared, utterly shocked.

Weiss's head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging from the sudden impact. Her hand slowly rose to her face, trembling, as she turned back to Jaune, her expression frozen in disbelief. Jaune's golden eyes burned with fury, his voice low and commanding, laced with a cold, imperious authority that sent a chill through her spine. "How dare you." He stepped forward, towering over Weiss. "Ruby possesses more heart, more courage, and more worth in her tiny body than you do in one finger. You will not speak to her like that ever again, or I swear, I shall lash you until your skin peels from your bones."

Ruby's eyes remained wide. "J-Jaune, it's okay! Really, I-"

Jaune's hand rose, silencing Ruby with a single gesture. "No, Ruby," he said, his tone softening slightly as he turned to her, though the fire in his eyes remained. "It is not okay. You would forgive her in an instant, I know, but some actions cannot be so easily forgiven." He turned his attention back to Weiss, his expression hardening once more. "She must learn that her behavior has consequences."

Weiss's lips parted, but no words came out. Her pride, her anger, her confusion, none of it could form into anything coherent under the weight of his words and the sting of his strike. Finally, she managed to force out a trembling, indignant, "You...you hit me..."

Jaune's gaze did not waver. "Yes. A lesson you were clearly in need of," he said coldly. "You speak of amends, yet you treat those around you as pawns to be manipulated, tools to serve your whims. You lash out at those who care for you when they do not bend to your will. And you dare to believe that such behavior can be excused with empty words?"

Weiss's face reddened further, her fists clenching as tears of frustration threatened to form in her eyes. "How...dare you," she hissed, her voice shaking. "You don't know anything about me! About what I've been through!"

Jaune tilted his head slightly, his gaze unreadable. "I have no interest in your excuses, Weiss of Schnee. Only in your actions. And what I see is someone who has yet to earn the respect they so desperately crave." He gestured toward Ruby, who stood frozen, her silver eyes darting between them. "You will apologize to her. Now."

Weiss's jaw dropped, her pride warring with the command in his voice. "I-"

"Now," Jaune repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. His golden eyes flared with an intensity that made even Pyrrha shift uneasily where she stood.

Weiss faltered, her shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of his gaze. She turned to Ruby, her face still flushed with anger and humiliation. "I..." She hesitated, then let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry, Ruby," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruby blinked, startled by the sudden apology. "Uh...it's okay, Weiss," she said quickly, waving her hands. "Really, I wasn't-"

"It is not okay," Jaune interrupted, his voice firm but calm. "But her apology is a start. Whether she learns from this or not remains to be seen."

Weiss's head snapped back toward him, her eyes blazing. "You're insufferable!" she shrieked, her composure breaking entirely. "You think you're so much better than everyone else, don't you? That you're some kind of...of judge over the rest of us!?"

Jaune's expression didn't change. "Better than you? Absolutely. But a judge?" He shook his head, his golden eyes narrowing. "No. I am merely one who will not tolerate insolence from those who mistake themselves for more than they are."

"That's enough," Pyrrha said softly, stepping forward at last. She placed a gentle hand on Jaune's arm, her emerald eyes filled with concern. "Jaune...please. Let's not escalate this further."

For a moment, Jaune's gaze flicked to Pyrrha, his expression softening slightly. He gave her a small nod, his posture relaxing ever so slightly. "As you wish, Pi-ra," he said, his tone quieter but still firm. Turning back to Weiss, he added, "Consider this your only warning, Weiss of Schnee. If you cannot learn to treat those around you with respect, then you have no place among us."

Weiss opened her mouth to retort, but no words came. Instead, she turned sharply on her heel, her fists clenched at her sides, and stormed off into the trees, her steps echoing through the clearing.

Ruby shifted uncomfortably, her hands twisting together as she glanced nervously at Jaune. "Uh...Jaune? Are you...okay?"

Jaune's golden gaze softened as he looked at her, his expression almost fond. "I am fine, Ruby," he said gently. "It is you I am concerned about. Do not let her words trouble you. She is...misguided. But she will learn, in time."

Ruby's face flushed slightly, and she gave him a small, awkward smile. "Thanks, Jaune. But, uh...maybe don't, y'know...slap her next time?"

Jaune let out a soft chuckle, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Perhaps," he said. "But sometimes, words alone are not enough for grasping brats. I worry for her parents. They should have taught her the basics of etiquette." 

Pyrrha, still standing beside him, frowned slightly, her worry plain on her face. "Jaune...are you sure you're alright? You've been acting...different, lately."

Jaune glanced at her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed as though he might say something, but then he simply nodded. "I am fine, Pyrrha. Truly." He turned, his posture straight and regal as he began walking toward the edge of the clearing. "Come. We should regroup with the others. There is still much to do."

+++

A/N: Keep in mind, Settra is a ancient Bronze Age God King with powers and an arrogance that makes Mount Everest look small. If anything, he is deliberately being tame. This is a man that has sacrificed his own children. Do not ever, ever think he will not be cruel if he has to be. 

This state of being will not continue though. Again, this is temporary. What will happen in the future is that Jaune can use him like a Stand from Jojo. Jaune could switch places with Settra, but that will have immense consequences.