Jaune the Imperishable or how Settra got his Golden Body (RWBY/Warhammer Fantasy) ch.7

+++

The locker closed with a click.

To say that she had a good nights rest wasn't exactly accurate. She got mobbed by people who wanted her autograph or even invitations to team up. She made no exact promises but the shadow of expectation was upon her. Not even a few seconds to waking up and she had a few walk up, all but trying to get her to agree to team up with them.

"Soooo, Pyrrha, have you given any thought to whose team you would like to be on?"

Pyrrha turned to see the bright blue eyes of Weiss Schnee looking up at her, eager for an answer. Pyrrha did not need to be introduced to her, courtesy of her status as both the Heiress of the SDC and an opera singer in her own right. The Heiress continued. "I'm sure everyone must be eager to unite with such a strong, well known individual such as yourself," she added, full flattery in her voice.

Now, Pyrrha considered herself...removed. In the sense that her social graces wasn't up to par. But even she could recognized bare brown-nosing when she met it. She wanted to reject Weiss on principle, open as she was with her intentions. But to openly do it was likely a bad idea. She did not need her manager to tell her saying no to the SDC's heiress would mean badly for her career.

Now...how would she indicate disinterest while being polite at the same time?

Ah, she got it!

"Hmm..." she hummed with the full performance of an ancient Mistrali thinker. "I'm not quite sure. I was planning on letting the chips fall where they may."

That worked, at least in her mind.

"Well," Weiss crossed her hands to her hips. "I was thinking maybe we could be on a team together."

Oh no.

Weiss was openly asking her.

She was cornered.

"W-well...that sounds...grand!" Pyrrha responded with feigned interest. To her horror, Weiss smiled from ear to ear.

"We will be unstoppabl-" Weiss tried to say but the sound of someone smacking into the wall stopped their conversation. The loud thud echoed through the locker room as Jaune Arc peeled himself off the wall, groaning softly. He rubbed his forehead, wincing at the impact. His disheveled appearance didn't do him any favors: messy hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a slouched posture that screamed exhaustion.

Pyrrha's attention shifted immediately. She ignored Weiss's indignant huff and walked toward the blonde boy, her concern overriding any lingering conversation with the heiress.

"Are you alright?" Pyrrha asked, her voice soft as she stopped a few steps away from him. He looked like he hadn't slept in days which was honestly impressive considering it was only one day into Beacon. Was this what Beacon did to people?

"Oh, I am fine!" the boy laughed. "Just...ah....sleepy." His eyes widened as he saw her. "Oh, hey, it's you, uh, from the airship."

Pyrrha tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing. "Did you forget my name already?" she teased.

Jaune scrambled to his feet, shaking his hands in front of him. "No! No, I didn't forget!" he stammered, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It's…er..."

"Pyrrha Nikos," Weiss snarked, arms-crossed. "Class valedictorian at Sanctum. Top of everything?"

He stared. A flash of annoyance went to her face. "Four time Mistral Regional Tournament champion?"

"Never heard of it," Jaune admitted.

Weiss stared at him in stupefaction. Pyrrha cleared her throat. "No no, it's fine. Weiss."

She walked up, looking her over. "You don't look so well," she said gently. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Jaune hesitated, glancing at the floor briefly before muttering, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just…I haven't slept well, that's all."

Pyrrha's brows knitted together. "Why not?" she asked softly.

Jaune hesitated again, shifting awkwardly under her gaze. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he finally replied, "Reasons."

That was…vague.

Pyrrha tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "How mysterious," she thought to herself, though she didn't press him further. Whatever was bothering him, it was clearly personal.

She offered him a reassuring smile. "Well, if you need anything, let me know. Okay?"

Jaune blinked at her, caught off guard by her kindness. "Oh, uh…sure. Thanks," he laughed.

Pyrrha nodded and stepped back, giving him some space to walk away. Behind her, Weiss crossed her arms, looking thoroughly unimpressed with the entire exchange. "Tch," Weiss clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You know, you really shouldn't give such people attention, Pyrrha. They give you nothing. I however-"

As Weiss began listing her virtues, Pyrrha blanked out, worried, her mind focused on the blonde boy. Whatever his "reasons" were, it was clear he was struggling with something. And for some reason, she found herself wanting to help.

A speaker cracked. "Would all first year students please report to Beacon Cliff for initiation? Again, all first year students report to Beacon Cliff immediately."

+++

"Wait...so, no parachutes?" The blonde stammered.

Ozpin smiled, slowly. "No parachutes."

And like that, they were launched. Pyrrha kept her eyes open, even as the air assailed her. She steadied herself, finding a tree branch to land on. Miló flashed in her hands as she checked her corners. the others, they were sailing off into their own little corners. Pyrrha kept her senses open however and she saw that Jaune was not slowing down at all.

Acting quickly, Miló shifted. She eye-balled it quickly, and threw her spear, catching him. She giggled as he deflated against the tree. Dropping from the branch, she landed on her feet, and made her way towards him. But as she got close, she heard him mutter...

"Not a word, Settra," Jaune cursed. "Not a word."

Pushing her way through the leaves, Pyrrha stepped into view, arms crossed and a curious tilt to her head.

"Who's Settra?" she asked, her tone light but inquisitive.

Jaune froze, his eyes darting to her. A nervous laugh escaped him, forced and awkward. "Uh...no one! He's, uh...no one. Just me talking to myself, you know? Hahaha..." His laughter trailed off as he winced suddenly, clutching his head as if struck by a sharp pain.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha's arms fell to her sides, her concern deepening. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," he insisted, a little too quickly, waving her off despite the tension in his posture. He forced a weak smile. "Really, I'm fine. Could you, um...just help me get down from here?"

Pyrrha nodded. "Alright. Stay still."

She held up her hand and Miló hummed as it returned to her. Jaune yelped, landing in an unceremonious heap on the forest floor.

"Ow..." he groaned, clutching his side as he tried to sit up.

Pyrrha chuckled softly. "You're lucky I was paying attention. You could've been hurt." Her amusement vanished as she saw him clutching his side. The pained groans made her brows knit with concern. "Jaune? Are you alright?"

He gritted his teeth before muttering, "I think...I think I might need a doctor."

Pyrrha crouched beside him. "You don't need a doctor. Just turn on your Aura. it'll heal you."

Jaune blinked, looking up at her, confused. "Turn on my Aura? How's that supposed to help?"

Pyrrha stared at him, her expression shifting from concern to surprise. "You...don't know how to use your Aura?"

Jaune flushed, his gaze darting away from hers. "Uh...maybe not? I mean, I've heard of it, but no one's ever really, you know, explained it to me."

Pyrrha sat back slightly, stunned. This was unusual. Aura was fundamental to combat, to survival. How had he made it this far without knowing? After a moment, she softened, sensing his embarrassment. Her tone was gentle. "Jaune...you can't fight without it. Aura is your soul, your shield, your strength. It protects you and heals you. If you don't know how to unlock it, I can help."

He looked at her uncertainly. "You can?"

She nodded, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Of course. But first, let's make sure you're steady." Standing, she reached out a hand to help him up.

As Jaune got to his feet, wobbling slightly, he glanced at her with a sheepish grin. "Thanks. I guess we're partners now, huh?

Pyrrha's eyes lit up. "Yes. Partners."

Before she could relish the moment, the distant crack of gunfire echoed through the forest. Her smile faded, replaced by a focused frown. Pyrrha instinctively gripped Miló and Akoúo̱, her body tensing. She glanced toward the source of the noise, her warrior instincts screaming at her to rush to the aid of whoever was fighting. But then, she hesitated, looking back at Jaune. He was watching her, clearly unsure of what to do.

"What do we do?" she asked, keeping her tone even, giving him the choice.

Jaune frowned, the noise making him visibly uneasy. After a moment of thought, he said, "I think...we should head north. Focus on getting out of the forest. Isn't that the goal?"

Pyrrha wanted to rush and help. But that would mean leaving Jaune alone. That would likely be fatal. "Do you know how to use that?" she asked gently, glancing at Crocea Mors.

"What, me?" Jaune scoffed. "Of course I do. I am like, a master at this."

And as if on cue, and hearing his boast, something echoed through the leaves and wood. A deep, consuming roar yowl that chilled bone. Pyrrha's head snapped to where it came from, and her eyes narrowed.

"Grimm," she said quietly, her voice tense. "They're nearby."

Jaune stiffened.

Pyrrha snapped back to him. "We need to move. Now."

"Right, moving sounds great," Jaune said, gripping his side as he tried to walk. But after a few steps, he faltered, his face contorting in pain. He stumbled slightly, catching himself on a nearby tree. "Ugh...I don't think I'm moving very fast, though."

Pyrrha stopped, her brows furrowing as she watched him struggle. Oh. Right. She hadn't activated his Aura yet. A part of her wondered how he had managed to get this far without it. How did he even qualify for Beacon? But now wasn't the time for questions, not with Grimm nearby.

"Jaune," she said, stepping back toward him. "Hold still."

He blinked at her, confused. "What are you-"

"I am going to activate your Aura," she interrupted firmly. "You won't get very far without it, and it'll heal you."

Jaune straightened slightly, wincing as he leaned against the tree. "Okay, but, uh...what is Aura, exactly? You keep talking about it like it's this big deal."

Pyrrha softened, her expression becoming more patient. "Aura is the manifestation of our soul. With practice, it becomes our shield. It protects us from harm, heals us, and gives us strength. Everyone has it, even animals."

Jaune nodded slowly, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "And...it can heal me?"

"More than that," Pyrrha explained. "By baring your soul outward as a force, you can deflect harm. You can imbue your weapons with it, making them stronger, more attuned to you."

She set Miló down gently and stepped closer, placing a firm but reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Now, close your eyes and concentrate."

Pyrrha closed her eyes as well, steadying her breathing. She focused on her own soul, drawing its strength forward. Her Aura radiated outward like polished steel: sharp, focused, unyielding. Then, she reached out to Jaune's soul. It was faint, but it was there like a flickering flame, barely burning, a fireplace struggling to catch fire. She prepared to reach deeper, to coax it forward, but then she paused, her breath hitching.

There was something else.

A wall. A block. No, it was more than that. It was like a massive log, thick and unyielding, wedged deep within Jaune's soul. She could feel it, solid and heavy, watching, waiting. It was unlike anything she'd encountered before.

What is this? Pyrrha thought, her brow creasing as she probed it cautiously.

Forcing the question aside, she shook her head and refocused. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to stop her from completing the task. She readied herself and reached in, her voice steady as she intoned:

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality..."

Her Aura surged, flowing through her hand toward Jaune. She felt it begin to seep into him, but something inside his soul stirred. Her fingers twitched as the energy connected, flowing not just into his soul, but into it.

"Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all..."

The wall quaked, and she felt it rumble as if it were alive. Cracks formed, and whatever it had been holding back began to burn hotter, brighter. The fire in Jaune's soul roared to life, and for a moment, Pyrrha hesitated. She wanted to stop, but it was too late now.

"Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder protect thee."

The flames erupted. Pyrrha's eyes snapped open as Jaune seized, his entire body stiffening. His hands clawed at the air for a moment before he collapsed forward, hitting the ground face-first with a sickening thud.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha cried, dropping to her knees beside him.

But his scream cut through the air, raw and agonized. His voice! It was his and yet...not his. There was something different in it, something deeper, almost like two voices overlapping. His body convulsed violently, his back arching as his Aura flared wildly. The glow around him burned brighter and brighter, cycling through a kaleidoscope of colors. Red. Yellow. Turquoise. Gold...So much gold. It poured out of him like a raging volcano, like the light of the sun.

Pyrrha could only watch, frozen in shock. Aura wasn't supposed to do this. It wasn't supposed to hurt. And the colors...! It was chaos. It was power.

It was terrifying.

"Jaune!" she shouted again, reaching for him, but the intensity of the light forced her to shield her eyes. His screams grew louder, more guttural, like something inside him was being ripped apart.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped.

The light vanished, snuffed out in an instant. The forest was dark again and Jaune...He lay limp on the ground, motionless.

Pyrrha stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest. Her hands trembled as she reached out, gently rolling him onto his back. His face was pale, his breathing shallow, but at least he was alive.

"Jaune?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

She didn't expect an answer, and Jaune certainly wasn't in any state to give one. Whatever had just happened, it wasn't normal. It wasn't right. She wanted to sit there and process it, to piece together what she had felt and seen, but the low, guttural yowl that echoed through the trees snapped her back to reality.

The Grimm. They'd would have drawn to the commotion, to the light and sound. The yowl grew louder. And louder. And louder still. Pyrrha's instincts screamed at her to move, to run, to survive. She glanced down at Jaune. He was completely out, his body slack and unresponsive. There was no way he could defend himself.

"Damn it," she hissed under her breath.

There was no choice. She slung Miló onto her back, crouched down, and hauled Jaune over her shoulder in one swift motion. He was heavier than she expected, but adrenaline carried her forward. She didn't have time to complain. The yowls were closing in, the sound of snapping branches and heavy footsteps following close behind. Pyrrha bolted, her legs pumping as she sprinted through the forest. Her breathing was steady, her focus razor-sharp. She leapt over roots and ducked under low-hanging branches, her ears tuned to the relentless sounds of the Grimm in pursuit. She couldn't fight them, not with Jaune like this.

+++

"W-Weiss! Wait up!"

Weiss bit her lip, refusing to slow down. She had been searching for Pyrrha, but her efforts had been fruitless. To make matters worse, the first person she stumbled upon was a noisy child. By the rules, that girl was now her partner. Calling it a disappointment was an understatement. Still, Weiss knew there was little she could do about it.

"Catch up," Weiss hissed, her tone sharp. Regardless of this girl's antics, she was determined to make it to the north first. But just as she spoke, silver eyes locked with hers.

"You wouldn't have to worry about that," Ruby quipped dryly, crossing her arms in mock confidence. To Weiss, it looked like a poor imitation of a child trying to mimic their father.

"Uh-huh," Weiss raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "If you wanted to impress me, try again. Speed isn't everything."

Despite herself, Weiss had to admit Ruby's speed could be useful in certain situations. Not that she would ever say so.

"So what, I gotta do what you say to impress you?" Ruby challenged, pointing an accusing finger at Weiss.

To no one's surprise, Weiss scoffed. "Of course. I was born, molded, and destined for greatness. With me, I turn mediocre into outstanding."

She was the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, Jacques Schnee's daughter. Noble blood flowed through her veins. This was not arrogance, but fact.

Ruby's skeptical expression burned in Weiss's mind.

"What's with that look? You doubt me?" Weiss snapped.

"Well, uh, yeah," Ruby replied bluntly as if Weiss had asked a stupid question. "I just met you. Sorry if I'm skeptical."

Weiss glared at her, then rolled her eyes as she marched forward. "You really had to think hard for that word?" she snarked.

Before Ruby could reply, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the air.

"ARRRRRGHHHH!"

Both girls froze. Myrtenaster flashed in Weiss's hand, Crescent Rose glinted in Ruby's.

"Jaune?" Ruby whispered, her voice shaking. She recognized the voice.

"Who?" Weiss asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My friend! Blonde! Blue eyed! And he sounds like he's in trouble!" Ruby gasped. "We gotta find him!"

Blonde? Blue-eyed? Oh, Weiss understood quickly. She turned and walked away.

"H-hey! What's your problem?" Ruby called after her.

Weiss stowed her weapon and shot Ruby an icy glare. "If he can't protect himself, then he's nothing but a liability. We have our own objectives to focus on."

Ruby stared at her in disbelief.

"What?" Weiss snapped.

"You're mean," Ruby said flatly.

Weiss shrugged. "And you're wasting your breath. We need to-ow!"

Both girls flinched as a sudden flash of blinding light erupted in front of them like a flashbang. Jaune's screams continued in the distance.

"Jaune's in trouble. I'm going to help him," Ruby declared, her voice filled with determination.

"Where do you think you're going? We need to head north!" Weiss hissed.

"I'm saving my friend, with or without you!" Ruby shot back, sticking her tongue out for good measure before turning to run. But before she could take a step, a Boarbatusk burst from the nearby brush, crashing into Ruby and sending her flying.

Weiss's eyes widened, but she quickly recovered. "En garde!" she shouted, Myrtenaster flashing back into her grip. She lunged, aiming straight between the Boarbatusk's eyes.

The Grimm screeched as her blade pierced its skull. It wasn't over however as more Grimm emerged from the shadows, their glowing red eyes fixed on the girls. Weiss went into a stance, her eyes snapping between the multiple Grimm. Her ears registered Ruby groaning until servos shifted, and the Grimm cried out as multiple bullets tore through them. 

"Weiss!" Ruby cried out, Crescent Rose in hand. 

​More Grimm burst through.

"Fight!" Weiss roared as she summoned a glyph. The Grimm fell one after another, Weiss and Ruby moving in sync despite themselves. Weiss, a graceful dancer. Ruby, a carver. Finally, the last Grimm crumpled to the ground, vanishing into a thousand pieces. Ruby stood panting, Crescent Rose resting on her shoulder. Weiss, despite herself, gasped for breath.

"What....w...why?" Ruby managed between breaths, wiping sweat from her brow.

Weiss nodded slightly, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "Something's wrong," she muttered.

Ruby tilted her head, confused. "Wrong? We just beat them. We're fine!"

But Weiss's gaze remained fixed ahead. "Did you notice how aggressive they were? Their attacks were uncoordinated, but relentless. It's like someone dialed their ferocity up to eleven."

Before Ruby could respond, a deep, guttural roar echoed through the forest, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.

Ruby froze. "What...what was that?"

Weiss's grip on Myrtenaster tightened. "An Alpha. It's summoning them. Calling them to it." 

The trees smashed and cracked and broke as the Grimm ran. Boarbatusks, Beowolves, Ursas. At her side, Ruby clutched Crescent Rose, ready for another bout. But the Grimm were ignoring them. Finally, the forest went still.

"Someone must be giving them more trouble," Weiss theorized. "If the Alpha is willing to throw all its cards..."

That meant the rest of the forest would be safe and empty.

"Time to go, Ruby," Weiss declared, turning on her heel.

Ruby hesitated, a conflicted look crossing her face. "But...Jaune?"

Weiss suddenly laughed. It was a sharp, dismissive thing. "Really? Jaune? You think tall, blonde, and scraggly is giving them trouble? No, it has to be Pyrrha."

Ruby frowned, her silver eyes narrowing. "Then why was he screaming so loud, huh?!"

Weiss shrugged, clearly unconcerned. "I don't know, nor do I care. What I do know is that our path is probably open now. We ought to take it."

Ruby stared at her, aghast. "You are really, really mean."

Weiss ignored the accusation, brushing past her. "Go rescue him or whatever. I have an examination to finish."

Ruby stood there, stunned by Weiss's cold indifference. She couldn't believe this. How could someone be so heartless?

Her grip tightened on Crescent Rose as she made her decision. "Some Huntress you are!" she yelled, before turning around and ran off to the direction of Jaune's screams. 

Weiss paused, Ruby's words hanging in the air like a slap to the face.

The accusation hit deeper than she expected. Her body tensed, her fingers tightening around Myrtenaster, but she didn't immediately turn to follow. The sheer arrogance of that girl to tell what it meant to be a Huntress. What did Ruby know about what it meant to be one? About making practical, logical decisions? About sacrifice? Weiss had been raised to believe that emotions only clouded judgment, and that decisions made from sentimentality rarely led to success. But the rawness in her accusation struck something.

​Weiss wanted to be a Huntress to show that there was more to being as Schnee than her father. To prove that she could earn something, on her own. She could go and help whoever was screaming. It might be Jaune, or someone else. And...

"Grah, what am I thinking?" Weiss hissed. Her path was clear. She could leave now, reach the objective, and prove her worth. But the image of Ruby's defiant, determined expression wouldn't leave her mind.

What...what would Winter do?

Weiss paused as her mind told her exactly what her sister would do.

Her grip on Myrtenaster tightened as she chased after Ruby.

+++

Her body burned. 

The Beowulf glared at her, malice and hatred in its eyes. It lunged at her but Pyrrha dispatched it. It was a slower strike than she wanted however. She'd been fighting relentlessly, shielding both herself and Jaune. It was easier at first, isolated Grimm coming to her. But she was running out of aura, fast. 

She was reaching her limit.

And so, she ran. 

Pyrrha sprinted through the forest, Jaune slung over her shoulder like a sack of blonde potato. Her muscles screamed in protest with every step, her breathing ragged, but she pushed herself forward. The trees blurred past her, the ground uneven beneath her feet. She gritted her teeth, refusing to slow down. Behind her, the snarls and howls of the Grimm grew louder, closer. 

She leapt over a fallen log, her balance faltering as Jaune's limp form shifted against her back. She nearly stumbled but caught herself, her legs threatening to buckle beneath the strain. Her Aura flickered faintly, the once bright glow now reduced to a thin shimmer barely clinging to her body.

The Grimm were relentless. Beowolves emerged from the trees on all sides, their glowing red eyes like burning coals in the dark. One lunged at her from the left, claws swiping for her head. Pyrrha twisted, swinging Miló in a wide arc. The spear sang through the air, catching the Beowolf mid-leap and slicing it clean through. Black mist exploded as it disintegrated, but Pyrrha didn't stop. She kept running.

Another Beowolf charged from the right. Pyrrha pivoted sharply, Akouo̱ snapping into place just in time to block its strike. The impact sent a shockwave up her arm, nearly knocking her off balance. She bashed the shield forward, slamming it into the creature's snarling face, and spun, driving Miló through its chest. The Grimm dissolved into ash, but two more took its place.

And then, it happened.

She stumbled, a root catching her boot. She tripped, her legs finally giving out. Jaune slipped from her shoulder and hit the ground beside her with a dull thud. Pyrrha fell to her knees, gasping for air, her chest heaving as she struggled to rise.

The Grimm didn't hesitate. They surrounded her, their growls filling the air like a death knell. Beowolves closed in, circling her and Jaune like predators savoring their prey. Pyrrha pushed herself to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. She raised her shield, her spear trembling in her grasp. Her vision blurred, and her breaths came in shallow gasps, but she refused to fall again. Not yet.

The largest of the Beowolves stepped forward, its glowing eyes locked onto her. It snarled, its black fur bristling as it prepared to strike. Pyrrha met its gaze, her grip tightening on Miló. Her body screamed, her Aura barely clinging to her, but she stood tall. Sweat clung to her all over, her hair frayed. Parts of her armour were dented and broken, but her gaze was strong. Spitting, the Spartan glared at the monster.

"Me man aspoudi, ge kai akleios," she recited. 

The Beowolf roared, its muscles coiling as it prepared to lunge.

"Apoloimen mega rhexas," she focused. The Beowolf Alpha leapt at her, eyes burning. 

"Ti kai essomenoisi puthesthai!" she roared, bracing.

But the Beowolf never got to her. 

A flash of light, brighter than anything she'd ever seen, exploded before her. The Beowolf froze mid-air, its snarl silenced as its body was cleaved clean in two. Its halves hit the ground with a wet thud, disintegrating into black mist almost instantly.

[SPOILER="Golden Wind"][URL unfurl="true" media="youtube:hRok6zPZKMA"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRok6zPZKMA[/URL][/SPOILER]

Pyrrha staggered back, her eyes wide. 

Jaune.

He stood tall, his back to her. His Aura burned around him, a brilliant gold that shimmered like sunlight, illuminating the clearing. His sword was drawn, glowing with the same golden energy, its edges sharp and radiant. The Grimm paused, their growls faltering as they took in the sight of him. The golden light seemed to repel them.

Pyrrha could only stare, her mind reeling. "Jaune?"

He glanced over his shoulder. He looked the same, but different at the same time. Confidence burned in his eyes, a commanding presence that both captivated her and terrified her. "I thank you," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding, layered with a regal authority that sent a chill down Pyrrha's spine. "For shielding this form. For protecting my...vessel."

Pyrrha's heart raced, her grip on Miló tightening as she took a hesitant step back. "Jaune?" she asked again, her voice trembling.

He turned to face her fully, golden light spilling from his Aura like waves of molten fire. His eyes gleamed with something alien, something ancient, something...imperishable. Yet, he smiled, a disarmingly confident grin that sent unease crawling through her. "Little champion," he said, his tone almost amused. "Do not look so alarmed. It is still your partner you see before you. Do you not trust him?"

Her breath caught, her confusion mounting. "What's happening to you?"

He chuckled softly as though the question itself amused him. He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Do not worry. Now, you must rest for carrying him like a sack of grain through danger. It is my decree." 

Before Pyrrha could respond, the Grimm snarled again, louder. Their hatred was palpable, their snarls filling the air as they circled closer. The golden light radiating from Jaune was pissing them off further. 

"Tch," Jaune said. "You dare interrupt the Imperishable?"

The Grimm snarled louder.

Jaune grinned. "Very well!" he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "If you wish to meet your end so desperately, I shall oblige. Consider yourselves honored, mongrels! Today, you will be the first sacrifices to Djaf, the God of Death!"

"Come!" he bellowed, the golden light erupting around him like a blinding sun, Crocea Mors singing with light. "Let me show you what it means to face the Imperishable!"

+++

A/N: For those who want to know, Pyrrha was reciting lines from the Illiad, per the Civ 7 theme.

As for Settra, his soul and Jaune's have truly moulded. What happens next is pure slaughter. This will have some caveats though.