G.N. Chapter 28 (Patreon)

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Chapter 28 Sunflowers Point to Home

The prolonged sigh of relief he let out was utterly involuntary as he awoke in the Hunter’s Dream with his body fully restored, and the pain vanished.

Perhaps he had been foolish not to return from Yharnam sooner, but he had needed to accomplish… something… following his failure. And while it might not seem like much, the fact that he had finally arrived in Cathedral Ward was not insignificant. His talk with the dweller had been most informative.

While the creature had not known of Paleblood, and the scope of his knowledge concerning the beastly scourge mainly was of his own experiences, it was by no means useless. Instead, his knowledge of the Church was the true treasure. The Dweller was able to tell Jaune of the true breadth and reach of the Church.

It was terrifying.

Blood, the Blood, originated from the Church, as did the act of Blood Ministration, the procedure he himself had undergone. From the Blood, the Church gained dominion over the entirety of Yharnam and all its occupants. Cathedral Ward was the centre of their power base, holding the Grand Cathedral, the greatest of their icons and home of Blood Ministration.

From this ward, did the control and power of the Church flow as one with the Blood, a fact the Church made very clear to all Yharnamites. This unsettled Jaune, his knowledge of Gascoigne and the Cleric Beast making him fear what terrors he might encounter here. The fact that the Church also seemed to head up the fight against the Beastly Scourge did not alleviate his worries.

It did go a long way to explain the fanatic mannerisms of the pogroms that wandered about Central Yharnam.

The Dweller was also kind enough to give him a better idea of the layout of Yharnam and the true scope of its size. The city-state was constructed of multiple wards and outlying villages built atop each other, much to his bafflement. In a very literal sense in some regards, Yharnam was created both above and in a valley hamlet. Plainly put, Yharnam was colossal.

The Cathedral ward was above not only Central Yharanm but also positioned above and across from Old Yharnam, a district nearly the same size as Central Yharnam. Cathedral Ward also held a subdistrict comprising a residential area situated proximally to the numerous church-related structures that formed this most ostentatious slice of Yharnam.

Other smaller areas were technically a part of Yharnam, including a few small villages that were a callback to the city's roots and existed on the city's outskirts. The Dweller admitted he knew little of such areas; his home has long been the Cathedral Ward and his life the unadventurous sort.

Jaune pulled his hat off and let his fingers run through his hair, massaging his scalp as the true scope of what lay ahead of him bared down upon his shoulders. The actual size of Yharnam was one thing, but the warning the Dweller had given him about the Church’s protectors worried him the most.

He had fought the Cleric Beast on a bridge that led to Cathedral Ward, just what could be considered protection against Beasts of that size.

Holding his hat loosely in his grasp, Jaune walked up the path to the workshop, a smile finding its way onto his face as he saw the Doll waiting for him. With her hands folded over her lap, his tall companion gave him a welcoming bow; one Jaune was quick to repay, his hat over his breast as he did.

“Welcome home, good Hunter,” the Doll greeted.

“Greetings, how are you, Doll?” Jaune replied, the words leaving his mouth without thought as he spoke the simple courtesy.

The Doll took a moment, her back straightening as her head lilted to the side somewhat, and then she spoke in a paced manner, “I am… well.”

Jaune blinked his mind regarding the Doll curiously before he nodded, “I am glad, if I may, would you happen to know where I might find Gehrman? I find myself in need of his knowledge.”

“Of course,” the Doll replied, gesturing up the stairs and towards the workshop, “Gehrman is warming himself by the fire, good Hunter.”

“Ah, thank you. I will hurry to his side then, until later, my friend,” Jaune waved as he hurried up the stairs.

Had he delayed, he would have seen the look of consideration that ghosted across the Doll’s porcelain features, her head lilting to the other side.

In the Workshop, Jaune spotted Gehrman instantly, the man being right where the Doll had told him he would be. Jaune rolled his shoulders as he approached the man, Gehrman continuing to gaze into the fire. Only when Jaune came to a halt in front of him did the old man turn from the warm glow of the hearth.

Jaune watched as the man wheeled himself about, his head craning to look towards the back door of the workshop. It was then that Gehrman’s features shifted, his grey eyes looking at something that Jaune could not see. His wrinkled face twitched, his head rolling forward on his shoulders as he leaned forward and brought his eyes back to Jaune’s.

“The moon is close,” Gehrman began, forgoing any greeting, not that such surprised Jaune. “It will be a long hunt tonight.”

“… I see,” Jaune replied, trying to hide how the man's words bothered him. Did Gehrman mean that there was more to come and worse to come?

Jaune didn’t even want to give the idea any thought.

Gehrman must have realised Jaune’s current mindset as the man began to speak again, leaning back in his wheelchair and closing his eyes. “If the beasts loom large and threaten to crush your spirits, seek the Holy Chalice.” Gehrman opened his eyes, and Jaune saw the steel of a Hunter for just a blink as Gehrman paid him a knowing look. “As every Hunter before you has.”

“A chalice… like a cup?”

Gehrman’s lips pulled back for a second before he settled his face, his following words hinting exasperation. “A Holy Chalice will reveal the tomb of the gods… where Hunters partake in communion…”

Jaune shuffled in his spot, his arms crossing in front of his chest. Gods… Jaune still knew nothing of Yharnam’s gods. While Gilbert had been forthcoming about the hold of religion on the city, he always talked about the institution rather than the belief. But now here was Gehrman, of all people, discussing them. Even the Dweller had not uttered much concerning the pantheon the people of Yharnam seemed to worship… though he had not asked.

But… He had not taken the Gehrman for a devotee.

“… This chalice, it will aid me in some manner then… how would I go about acquiring one of these Holy Chalices, and I know nothing of this ‘communion’,” Jaune grunted, encouraging Gehrman to divulge more.

The old Hunter grinned, tapping his cane against the floor and leaning forward, clearly taking pride in Jaune’s need for help. Jaune could not help but think about how much this supposed Hunter’s helper's attitude grated on his nerves.

“Most of the Holy Chalices lie deep within the tomb of the gods,” Gherman spoke as he reached for a book on the workbench. “And the few that found their way to the surface…” Gehrman quickly flicked through some pages until he came to an illustration of the Holy Chalice he was discussing, “Were lost again in the hands of men.”

Jaune took the proffered book, his eyes looking at the illustration of this supposed holy relic, though the image was quite misleading. To himself, it appeared as nothing more than a cup, though he would grant that it was an ornate one for sure.

He doubted it would help him slay any beasts… perhaps he could use it to barter with the Church, a holy relic for knowledge pertaining to Paleblood.

A surprisingly strong, wrinkled hand snatched the book back as Gehrman continued to lecture, “But if the old Hunter tales remain true…” he mumbled, tossing the book back on a pile, Jaune letting his eyes linger on where it lay.

“I was looking at that,” Jaune commented but only got a disinterested look as a response.

“… One of the Holy Chalices is worshipped in the valley hamlet. Yet the town is in disarray…” Gehrman shifted in his seat, causing Jaune to wonder if this subject was uncomfortable for him.

“It was burned and abandoned for fear of the scourge, home now only to Beasts.” Gherman smiled. “The perfect place for a Hunter, wouldn’t you say?”

“Right… so you want me to go traipse through a burnt out, ruined town looking for a Gods-be-damned cup… and to top it off, the whole damn place is going to be swarming with Beasts… does that about sum it up,” Jaune reiterated.

“Tis merely a friendly suggestion,” Gehrman shrugged, giving Jaune a smile that made his skin prickle.

“… I will bear your advice in mind as I move forward.” Jaune walked around Gehrman, the man following him with his eyes as he came to stand near the worktable. “But I actually sought you out for another reason entirely.”

“Hmm? Finished the introductory manual already?” Gehrman asked, his tone just shy of mocking, the man no doubt well aware that the material of said text was complex and lengthy.

“Hardly, no, I came across something during my last… outing and something about it… I hope you could shed some light on why I felt drawn to this thing,” Jaune spoke, carefully choosing his words as he began to lay his weapons on the bench, taking note of what would need repairs.

Then Jaune paused, realising he had forgotten something.

“… Pray tell where would the little ones leave an item I asked them to return with?”

Gehrman silently lifted his cane to point at a set of chests beneath a cupboard and some shelves. Jaune was quick to stride over and find that Gehrman was quite correct; interestingly enough, there was also a selection of other items he might need to look through and his spare weapons.

This was probably where they just tossed his stuff if he left it lying around as he let his eyes rest on his Saw Cleaver. A part of him was curious about where his Kirk Hammer was, but with the mysterious device in his grasp, he cast such thoughts to the back of his mind and focused on the task at hand.

“Here,” Jaune sniffed, passing the heavy metallic screw-like tool to Gehrman, “what do you make of this?”

Gehrman turned the device in question over in his hands, and Jaune watched as a smile etched its way onto his weathered features. His beaming expression showed a hint of triumph, and the man even appeared more alive. Jaune realised it was akin to the look he had worn when he showed Jaune how to enhance his weapons.

“Hunter… you have found us a lost treasure of a different sort here,” Gehrman announced, moving to the workbench with the tool in hand.

“Really… what is it?”

“A tool of this very workshop, one that was misplaced,” Gehrman explained, placing the tool atop the bench, his eyes going to Jaune’s Threaded Cane, his expression shifting as he saw the state of it.

“Grab one of your more… intact armaments; this one here needs some attention and is ill-suited for a demonstration,” Gehrman ordered, carefully moving the cane to the side.

Jaune nodded, not disagreeing with the older man's assessment, “makes sense. Will my Saw Cleaver do?”

“Aye, bring it,” Gehrman spoke over his shoulder, reorganising the bench without looking—no doubt the man could boast a familiarity with his space that few could hope to match.

Jaune quickly laid the Saw Cleaver upon the bench, Gehrman’s long-aged fingers rapidly glossing over the weapon, tracing the metal slowly.

“Hm, Hunter, tell me, how much of that text have you consumed?” Gehrman spoke as he unfolded Jaune’s Saw Cleaver, his attention wholly captured by the weapon.

“… Not a lot… I understand the most basic of its premises, but in truth, I have only scratched the surface of the topic,” Jaune admitted.

Gehrman gave a soft, wheezing chuckle.

“Aye, I thought as much; otherwise, you would have known just what you held,” the older man admitted. “A lesson then, a quick one.”

Jaune barely held back a groan; it would not do for the old man to change his mind, and Jaune would not put something like that past him.

“Blood spilt and left to nurture has the potential to become?”

“Coldblood.”

“Which is?”

“A concentration of Blood imbued with power, what is known to be Echoes of Blood,” Jaune again answered, grateful that Gehrman was not asking questions he had no hope of answering.

“Correct, now then, while not scholars, a Hunter must be a superior specimen, not to be found lacking in knowledge of the Blood… Now, what is a Blood Stone?” Gehrman asked, turning to face Jaune, his face an unreadable mask.

“… A hardened substance that forms in Coldblood.”

“Correct now if you cast your mind back to when I first taught you how to enhance your weapons with said stones, I told you that they are that which does not crystalise,” Gehrman continued.

Jaune looked away, thinking back to when Gehrman had first shown him Blood Alchemy; he had even performed a demonstration on the very same weapon they were using now. Nodding, Jaune replied, “Yes, then we used the stones to strengthen my Saw Cleaver.”

“That’s right… Now, Hunter, the purpose of this tool is to use the other product of hardened Cold Blood… Blood Gems,” Gehrman proclaimed, a flash of eagerness in his eyes.

“Blood Gems… I have yet to encounter such a thing. What do they look like?”

“Oh, believe me, Hunter, you will know them when you see them; they are just as their name implies, and should you spot one… as I said, you will know,” Gehrman nodded to himself.

Jaune chewed on Gehrman’s words, his mind already drawing an image of some tiny crystal-like object akin to the Blood Stones. He would have to keep his eyes open; Blood Stones were uncommon enough if Blood Gems were even more so…

“I guess this means we will have to forgo a demonstration of the tool for the time being,” Jaune sighed, a little disappointed.

“Indeed, but I can still explain to you the basic mechanics, then I shall show you how to repair your weapons efficiently. A Hunter’s weapons are their life,” Gehrman warned.

“Very good, proceed,” Jaune waved back to the bench.

Jaune would spend no small amount of time learning from the old Hunter; the man's expertise was seemingly endless, and he was thorough in expounding theory as he demonstrated more basic Blood Alchemy. By the end of the lesson, Jaune was now well-versed in maintaining his weapons and confident that he had become more able to manipulate Blood and Blood Stone both.

He was almost eager to find a Blood Gem now. If Gehrman was truthful, the precious treasures would make his weapons even more lethal. Such would be just what was needed if the night indeed was to worsen.

When Gehrman finished his lesson, he quickly waved Jaune off, stating he was tired and desired peace. Jaune paid the man a shallow bow, figuring such was earned by Gehrman’s aid and decided to wander down to the Messengers and restock.

“Until next time, Gehrman,” Jaune bid over his shoulder.

“Good hunting, fight well, Hunter,” Gehrman replied tiredly.

“I have a name,” Jaune muttered as he walked away.

YVYVYVYVY

Back in the workshop, Gehrman leaned back in his chair and let slip a shaky breath, his eyes fluttering as his body sunk deeper into his seat. Tears welled in his eyes as memories, old and frayed but still powerful, rung about his head, leaving his chest aching.

He was so tired.

Glancing back to the book, the exact text that he had instructed the new Hunter to read, Gehrman felt the sting of loss well in his chest. How cruel for these memories to stir, that he should recall when he himself had been but the student with those both his equal and better.

He was so lonely.

“… Laurance…”

His eyes moist, Gehrman hissed as he closed the book, sliding it off to a corner of the workbench, having no wish to let the thing linger in his vision. With his hand clutching his armrest, Gehrman closed his eyes and let his consciousness drift, desperate for relief… for escape.

But he couldn’t escape.

Not ever.

YVYVYVYVY

Travel between the kingdoms was not a commonality for the people of Remnant. Since the Age of the Establishment, when the four kingdoms were all solidified, it has occurred more frequently but always with an understanding of the risks.

Traders, pirates, explorers, and, of course, Huntsman. These were the sorts to venture forth from the security of the cities of old and travel the breadth of the world. Thanks to these sorts, the kind that faced the dangers of the Grimm and the forces of nature, the world is as connected as it is today.

In modern times, though, travel is still viewed much the same as it once was, with the understanding that you are taking a risk. While travel had become unbelievably safer, and indeed, many more folks tended to travel now than once upon a time, just as many chose to remain in the safety of their settlements.

The main exceptions were much as they once were.

Those who made their living trading and transporting goods, those who ventured out seeking resources and treasure, those banished and unable to live within the confines of the kingdoms and their laws and, as always, those who kill the monsters.

Jaune found his observations accurate as his family had no issues securing transport. Getting the paperwork submitted for their time off was more difficult than getting the family of two Huntsmen on a cross-continental ship. Luckily, Franky, the Reach Guild Master, offered to take care of the paperwork, allowing the Arcs to make good time.

After that, it was a handful of phone calls to some well-made connections and a couple of mentions of their occupation and renown, and everything fell into place.

From the moment of the green light, it was a pure rush. Jaune found his packing relatively easy; he only brought clothes, his Scroll, and its accessories. As such, he was welcome to a front-row seat as the rest of his family swarmed.

He did what he could to help and became the luggage gathering point; it was a testament to the size of their family that the sheer number of bags almost inundated him. By the time they were good to hit the road, it was time for some excited farewells.

Tami was going to house-sit, which was not strange considering she practically lived in their guest room. Orr was quite put out that she wasn’t offered the chance, but Jaune made it up to her by asking her to come around and check on Ramus when she could. Tami was grateful for this as much as Orr was, as she found the massive stag somewhat intimidating.

Jaune found a new respect for Tami’s instincts.

After their goodbyes, the Arcs began the first leg of their journey. From their house to the Airport via transport provided by Ray Shipping courtesy of Scarlett. From there, they flew to the capital, which excited the younger girls and made the two ask if they had time to stop and look around, as it was their first time. Sadly, it was not to be, as they had to head for another port immediately.

Jaune would be lying if he said this part didn’t bother him; Vale was not only a vast city but also densely populated.

Jaune did not like either of those attributes.

Luckily, they were given a wide berth; two fully armed Huntsman walking in the group's lead would have that effect after all. Even still, the younger girls walked into the centre of their group; Jaune wasn’t sure what he would have done if someone barged into one of the younger girls.

But the next leg of their journey carried them north, far above the ground below. While they soared over the mountains and forests of Sanus, he did his best to sleep as he still intensely disliked vehicles. Scarlett was benevolent enough to talk to him for the trip, distracting him and allowing him some peace.

Their next destination was a port town, much like Reach, only designed to be more accessible for seaborne vessels. It was practically a mandatory rest point between Sanus and Anima as it was the most readily available dock for gigantic freighters on the east side of the continent. The only other option was Bastion, which was used by ships following a more southern route rather than those heading westward.

The name of this lovely town… Northguard.

Jaune couldn’t keep the smile from his face when he laid eyes on it, a sense of knowing stirring in his chest as he beheld a land with potent ties to his people.

Once upon a time, this land, this port town, had been the site of numerous battles between the old people of Solitas and the natives of Sanus. Such confrontations existed over a millennia ago, before the unification of the Solitas tribes into the people of Mantle.

After that period, it had been where the Arcs arrived after migrating from their ancestral lands; from this very port, they cut a swath down to Reach, where they would finally settle. Jaune had paid his father a knowing look, the man giving him a boyish grin as the two Arc males acknowledged the other knowingly.

A moment that was ruined by Scarlett calling them both nerds as she disembarked their vehicle.

Upon arrival, Jaune found that Northguard was far more to his liking in size and population; the scent of the sea was also surprisingly pleasant. Jaune was almost tempted to ask if it would be alright if he explored a little, but such a request would only be denied because of their strict schedule.

As they made their way through the town, Jaune let himself take in the ambience of this busy settlement. If he had to describe it plainly, it would be as a port with a town attached to its side. The people who made it up all had the scent of salt about them, and their tanned skin and calloused hands painted a picture of a hard-working group of people. Not to mention, there was quite a bit of variety for the citizens of Northguard.

Numerous different regions of Valeans and even some who looked to have the appearance of some Vacuons. Jaune saw nomadic-looking people waiting for cargo to depart, Urolu fishermen trying to sell their fish wares and even some people who looked fresh from the capital in pressed three-piece suits.

But he also saw colourful and eye-catching Mistrali traders wearing outfits that screamed wealth and ego and their less well-off sailor counterparts who, while not as gilded, still adorned themselves knowingly. Then there was a group of Atlesians, high-tech watches, Scrolls and even their glasses flaunting their origins. It was telling that even the deckhands had something flashy and neon on their person.

But such was the nature of a port near the sea, Jaune assumed. Especially when the docks made up a large percentage of the town itself and were visible no matter where you were, they were the centre of activity; even though they were boarding a passenger ship, Jaune could still see the cargo area.

The cargo ships were titanic in size and also armed with guns that looked like they could turn a house into a crater. They looked more like warships to Jaune, but he supposed such was necessary, considering what he had read about Leviathans. The ship they would be charting passage on was nowhere near their size, but Jaune could still spot some cannons that did a lot to make him feel better.

Unlike other passenger ships in the dock, the one Jaune’s family was boarding was state-of-the-art. Slim fast design, made to get across the ocean as quickly as possible but still possessing armour and weapons. Likely, fighting would be used only if fleeing wasn’t an option, and that was a stratagem Jaune could fully embrace.

When they arrived at their ship, Jaune was not surprised that the captain and crew were all lined up for their arrival. The captain and crew saluted Cloud and Hella promptly; Jaune noted they all looked happy to see the two Arc Huntsman. The captain and Cloud quickly exchanged some words before they began introductions.

When it was Jaune’s turn, he noted that the man seemed to twitch as he stepped forward. This was all it took for Jaune to know the man was a Faunus; it was something he had noticed after his return from his rite. The few Faunus he met that were unfamiliar to him all seemed to have the same initial reaction.

A twitch, a flinch, a moment of hesitance.

Call it what you will; Jaune recognised it well as he got a similar reaction from other animals, including cats and dogs, and one odd goat living near Reach's edge.

The captain seemed to shake the reaction off quickly and smiled at Jaune, “Pleasure to meet you, young man, and may I say you certainly take after your father.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” Jaune replied, grasping the captain's hand and giving it a firm shake, noting that the man had webbed fingers.

Jaune stepped back after the short exchange, instead turning his focus to their ship's crew; at least half were Faunus, and again, that same half all seemed to be sending him glances. ‘How interesting, were Faunus also blessed with the greater instincts of the animals they took their traits from,’ Jaune thought, this being the first time he had such a broad sample pool.

After this exchange, the Arcs were the first to board, followed by the other passengers and from there, it was only a short weight before they were slicing through the waves on their way to Anima.

Jaune found it immensely enjoyable.

Jaune was not alone in this, as Sky and Jade were eager to explore the boat, with Saphron also deciding to tag along. Hella and Scarlett went to the sun lounge of the ship, and Cloud chose to nap with the Twins.

While exploring, Jaune found his mind split; usually, he could not shift his focus away from his sisters, especially Jade, but the sea… captivated him.

Through the course of their trip across the ocean, Jaune spent hours staring out onto the blue expanse, listening to the noise of the water crashing into the hull. At night, he almost couldn’t stop himself from drifting off, and Jade even managed to sleep without dreaming of the Runes.

Jaune was beginning to love the ocean.

In the latter half of their journey, Jaune found something to pique his interest more than the ocean itself. It had been a mundane morning, with his family all deciding to enjoy breakfast on the forward deck, when Jaune felt something. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, his eyes looking about, searching for something…

Then he heard it.

Quietly, he rose from his seat and hurried to the ship's prow, his hands clutching the railing as he looked east.

“Jaune?”

“Kiddo?”

Jaune looked over his shoulder; both his parents gave him curious looks, Hella’s hand slipping to her hip for her weapon. Jaune replied with a soft shake of his head as he pointed out to the ocean.

“There is something big over there, not a Grimm,” he explained, a hint of eagerness entering his tone.

Jade needed no more information and hurried over, standing next to Jaune, trying to see what her older brother was peering at.

She didn’t have to wait long as the sea erupted a few yards from the ship, and a large shape exploded from the water, its body long and arching. Water-stained red rained about it as the creature clamped its ivory jaws on what prey it had lunged to catch. The beast twisted in the air, its silvery body plunging back into the sea along with its prize.

Waves born of the animals breaching smashed into the ship's side, rocking the boat and splashing those close enough with a faint spray.

With salt spray clinging to her face and hair, Jade hollered a long, drawn-out “Wow!”

“That was a big one,” Cloud commented, his eyes wide at where the giant sea-bound predator had been just moments before.

“It's still here,” Jaune commented, his eyes locked on the water unblinkingly.

“Huh?” Jade uttered, looking around wildly for any sight of the giant creature.

Jaune gently guided her head to look straight down off the side of the ship, where a shadow was beginning to grow. Jade went still at the sight, her body rigid as the shadow grew and grew.

“J-jaune,” his sister stuttered, clutching at his sleeve.

Jaune smiled at her calmly, “They don’t attack boats, Jade.”

Hella behind Jade now looked over the edge just in time to see a fin break the ocean's surface as the giant shark showed itself. The beast was long, its body sleek, its fins curved like blades that slashed through the water and its tail long, baring a pointed fin that whipped beneath the water.

It was nearly as long as the ship they were on.

“I haven’t seen one of these since I was a little girl… she’s beautiful,” Hella whispered, looking at the majestic shark as it swam alongside the boat, barely stirring the sea as it moved.

“Tachikiruumi Same…” Jaune announced, looking to his mother to see if he was correct.

“Perfect, Sunshine, you have been practising,” Hella beamed at her only son, her hand coming up to gently stroke at his hair.

“Hey, it's cool that Jaune is a polyglot or whatever, but care to translate for us mere mortals,” Saphron spoke up, looking at the colossal sea creature along with many of the other passengers.

“Severing Sea Shark is the Mistralian name for them… Vale has another name for this particular species,” Jaune spoke up, his hands still holding onto Jade’s shoulders as he gazed into the massive predator's black eyes.

He could have sworn it was staring back.

“… which is?”

“Scythe Tail Sharks… look,” Jaune directed, pointing for his older sister at the long stretched tail of the shark.

“They are said to be good luck for fishermen,” Hella added, “They don’t tend to target people and have a fondness for birds.”

“They like birds?” Sky mumbled to herself.

“Yes, like we like chicken,” Cloud informed the younger girl, holding her up so she could see the beautiful animal.

The excitement soon died off as the Shark had sated its curiosity and began submerging again. As soon as its dorsal fin was beneath the water, a massive crack like a gunshot rung out as its tail snapped with impressive speed, and the colossal predatory fish disappeared.

The audience that had formed along the ship's starboard gave whoops and cheers before returning to their days.

“… Hey, Jaune, how did you know there was a shark?” Saphron spoke up, looking at her brother.

“I didn’t,” Jaune shrugged, returning to his seat and kissing little Lapis on the head while Jade began showing pictures of the shark to Scarlett, who had stayed with them.

“But you-“

“I heard the dolphin, the one the shark got,” Jaune explained.

“Oh, that’s what it caught!” Jade exclaimed.

All of his family would comment and make note of the fact that Jaune seemed ridiculously calm for the entirety of the trip. Hella even asked about it, referencing that Jaune usually hated vehicular travel and had no fondness for cars or air travel.

Jaune replied that he found the ocean calming, stating that the salt air did a lot to settle his nerves.

It was almost a shame when their trip aboard the ‘Odd Odyssey’ ended.

But end it did, and soon the Arcs found themselves finally setting foot on the shores of the continent of Anima, home of the kingdom of Mistral. They arrived in the seaside settlement of Medea, named for an ancient princess whose tale was lost to time. The town was practically the sister of Northguard.

Jaune would admit that the town's architecture showed a staggering difference and had several of what he assumed were heritage buildings. The port that made the settlement valuable was built into the land courtesy of a modern-looking canal that the town seemed to bloom around.

But it was very ‘Mistral’, with giant artistic statues staggered along the canal like watchful titans overseeing the ships as they entered port. The figures were not the only sign of Mistral's tastes as Jaune could also see fountains and garden beds scattered about parks that were nestled between residential and office buildings.

Even in one of the largest trading hubs on Anima, Mistral liked to show their patronage of the arts.

Jaune found he preferred Reaches more natural beauty, though his sisters seemed quite taken with the gardens and the few stores they had time to observe. Hella had to practically drag Scarlett away as they needed to hurry to the vehicle that would carry them the last leg of their journey.

Jaune wanted to scowl at the idea of getting inside another big metal box.

Then he laid eyes on the Mistralian Air Ship.

It was… different to what he had been expecting. It was like a ship of old, wooden and curved, with sails extending from its body like fins more than wings. It was like something he had seen in his history texts; it looked much like the original Airships. Jaune was perturbed; he would have thought Mistral would have taken steps to improve the design.

Atlas certainly had.

Jaune’s family were the only ones to board this ship, with Hella splitting off to discuss something with the pilot. Jaune and his sibling followed their father and entered the belly of the machine, where they quickly loaded their bags and luggage.

Jaune was the last to walk onto the ship's upper deck. He was just in time to witness the airship begin its ascent, the world below growing smaller and smaller as they gained height. After half a minute of rising, they were off, and Jaune was once again forced to admit that he had discovered another type of vehicle he didn’t mind.

While, like the other airships, he was certainly left feeling somewhat trapped, the ability to move around more freely did a lot to assuage such a feeling. As did the separate decks, while Jaune’s siblings found themselves more comfortable below deck, Jaune did not.

He had long since lost his fear of heights.

Death by falling had been some of his most painless deaths.

Watching his older sisters try to tough out the loud, rushing air as they attempted to remain above deck with him was amusing. Neither could, and both ended up eventually heading below deck, but Jaune didn’t mind; he was visited by everyone save the twins at least once, and he went below to see them also.

It seemed Sky was to be his most companionable sibling for this particular leg of the trip as she found herself enraptured by the land passing below.

Flying through the heavens… was an experience, to be sure.

During their flight, Jaune decided to look about the flying transport to keep himself from becoming stir-crazy. Its small size meant there wasn’t much to see, but Jaune found a few things of note.

First was the model of the airship. After finding the name and enquiring with his mother, he discovered that, keeping with the theme of natural beauty, all Mirstrali airships are named after birds. The smaller model his family was situated on was a ‘Swallow’ model.

Jaune assumed this referenced the dual propellers situated at the aft of the ship.

The other thing Jaune found was an emblem.

This time, Scarlett was friendly enough to inform him what he was looking at. His sister had come upon him tracing the intriguing design with one of his hands, his head half-cocked.

“That’s Mum’s family emblem,” Scarlett said from behind Jaune.

Jaune straightened and looked back at his sister, immediately noting the look on her face, the conflicting emotions, the presence of guilt. Jaune had been expecting this.

“There is no need for that,” Jaune responded.

Scarlett appeared to consider playing the fool all for the briefest moments before she shrugged and instead decided to hold her brother. Jaune was slower to return the embrace, just as he always was, not from hesitance but more from a level of consideration.

The two siblings remained like that, Jaune doing his best to comfort, unaware that his sister was doing much the same. When Scarlett pulled back, she chewed on the bottom of her lip, giving her brother a ponderous look.

“You grew again,” Scarlett huffed, her eyes turning fierce.

“I did,” Jaune mumbled, not trying to argue the point.

Scarlett grew a sinister grin as she clasped Jaune’s arms firmly, “Oh, what a shame, and we just so happen to be in the fashion kingdom! Oh well, guess we will have to go do all manner of shopping now, won't we?”

Jaune suddenly felt very worn upon.

“Would it not make more sense to buy cheap clothes for me to grow out of other than wasting the money?” Jaune proffered, thinking his idea to be far more reasonable.

“Blasphemy,” Scarlett disagreed.

Jaune could only sigh, already wanting to head back up on deck and lose himself to the rush of the wind. “Very well, sister, I defer to your judgment…”

“Good boy,” Scarlett laughed, patting his cheek condescendingly, earning a pointed look that made her giggle as her younger, taller brother became pouty.

In the wake of the joy, Scarlett was clearly feeling more comfortable, her eyes coming to lay on the emblem of their maternal line. Instead of a frown this time, she showed a smile that practically oozed fondness as she began to mess with Jaune’s hair. Her brother only continued to pout.

“… How are you holding up little bro?” Scarlett asked, taking her hand away from Jaune’s hair.

“I am perfectly fine… I will be even better once we are off this airship,” Jaune sighed.

“You seem to be holding up better this time.”

“This one does not trap me in a flying metal box,” Jaune grunted, crossing his arms.

“You liked the boat,” Scarlett pointed out.

“Yes… it was much more preferable,” Jaune agreed, leaning back on the wall directly adjacent to the familial emblem.

Scarlett glanced between the two for a moment before humming to herself.

Jaune looked between his sister and the emblem, a question beginning to stir as he noticed the attention she kept paying it. Then he recalled precisely who they were here to visit and remembered something his sister had said many years ago.

“Sister… do you recall, after the announcement of my memory loss, the comment you made pertaining to our grandmother?” Jaune asked, no longer leaning on the wall but looking at his sister animatedly.

“… Not really,” Scarlett frowned.

“You were attempting to disprove my amnesia as a farce, and you stated yourself to be Grandmother’s favourite, I believe…” Jaune stopped seeing the effect his words had on Scarlett, his sister crossing her arms and cocking a hip as she diverted her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“No!” Scarlett scrambled to reply. “No, it's ok. I… was just thinking about how childish I was,” Scarlett admitted. “Mum really let me have it back then; she even took my Scroll… I was such a little shit.”

“I think you are being too harsh on yourself; we were kids,” Jaune shrugged.

“I’m not… why are you bringing this up?”

Jaune blinked, “Oh! Right, I was going to ask whether or not our grandmother has met me before?”

“Oh… yes, but like you were a toddler, like tiny,” Scarlett explained, holding her hand below her knee.

“… Right, so I suppose me not remembering her won't matter then,” Jaune shrugged with a smile.

Scarlett just shrugged, “I don’t know; I don’t recall anything from back then either, to be fair, so I suppose not… You did follow her around a lot, though I remember that much.”

Jaune sighed heavily, running his hand through his hair, “I can only hope so; I really want to avoid any uncomfortable situations.”

Scarlett gave a soft chuckle as she patted her brother on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, Jaune… your family loves you; Grandma is gonna be no different.”

Jaune gave a soft laugh, half nervous, half appreciative, “Thank you, dear sister.”

“Why are you over here staring at the emblem anyway?” Scarlett asked, pointing at the metallic glyph.

“Oh… I was trying to work out what it is?” Jaune replied with a shrug, pointing to what appeared to be a golden crack over a black pool.

“Oh, I know that one,” Scarlett happily cheered, “It’s a decaying tree, the family's namesake; I know the colours are also inverted, but that’s how it's been done since before the war.”

“Ahh, that explains the colour scheme at least; I thought it was a lightning bolt,” Jaune admitted.

“… Yeah, I can see it,” Scarlett agreed, walking off Jaune following her as they headed towards their family.

Not much later, their flight ended, and the Arc family arrived at their final destination.

YVYVYVYVY

The ancestral home of the Kutsuki family was Himawari village on the Isle of Gold. The family emblem was initially designed to represent this, with the dead tree being in a pool of gold symbolic of their homeland.

The Isle of Gold earned its name because the island was host to a literal sea of Sunflowers that practically encircled the outskirts of the isle. As one headed deeper, they would enter a more swamp-like ecosystem. That was the nature of the Isle of Gold; the higher elevated areas played host to the numerous sunflowers while the lowlands were wet and dense swampland.

The island had only a single settlement, Himawari.

The village boasted no significant exports or imports; it was considered little more than a sightseeing area to most and was known to be a quiet and mostly peaceful village. The people of the village, for the most part, were highly independent, with the only major draw of the village being the combat school.

Shrine Academy was considered the lesser of the primary combat schools of Mistral; it had the smallest student body and seemed to be almost lazy in its recruiting.

It was also the oldest, boasting origins that went back centuries, the institution having outlived numerous emperors, surviving countless upheavals and only needing to be rebuilt once. Another unusual aspect of Shrine Academy was how the school rigidly adhered to tradition.

It may train future Huntsman, but the school was what it had always been.

The home of the Kutsuki clan.

Hella was unsurprised that the village had not changed much in her time away.

“You going to be ok?” Cloud whispered as he stood directly behind her, waiting for the airship to come to a complete stop. Anyone looking at him might think he was just lazily resting his weapon atop his shoulder, but those trained would know better.

Jaune certainly did, as her son was at her side and looked ready to maul someone, his eyes flickering between Hella and Cloud warily.

“We will be fine,” Hella declared, squeezing Jaune’s arm, her son nodding in response to her words.

“Right,” Cloud agreed with a smile, leaving his weapon atop his shoulder. When he acted like this, kind but ready, Hella was reminded why she fell for him.

A gentle *thunk* let Hella know that the airship was officially grounded, and in response, the rest of her family rose to stand ready to deboard. Hella nodded to her two eldest, both of them carrying the twins for her so she could keep her arms free. She felt somewhat guilty about it but wanted her arms unobstructed, just in case.

When the door opened, Hella was immediately struck by the familiar scent of what was once her home, floral and fresh. It lacked the crispness of Reach with its high elevation, but in a way, it was cleaner thanks to the smaller population of the settlement.

The Swallow had docked directly at the academy, the school being the only area to have an airport, and as such, Hella could also pick up the faint smell of the swamps.

Even she could not keep her nose from curling.

Not for the scent itself but rather the memories such odour rekindled in her mind.

She quickly wiped the look from her face as she stepped off the aircraft, her husband behind her and her son directly to her left. She took a steadying breath as she began to walk forward, her eyes meeting her mother’s as she approached. Cloud and Jaune lagged behind, staying with the girls to give Hella a chance to greet her mother.

Hellebore quickly analysed the small group surrounding her mother, noting that no other members of her family were present. If she had to guess, at least two were servants or lesser staff members. One was an instructor for the academy, pink hair trimmed and parted back, his face cleanly shaved. They surrounded her mother, awaiting her orders, loyal to the institute and, thus, the Kutsuki family.

She looked to have hardly aged, though maybe she had lost some of her muscle as Hella distinctly recalled her mother being a bit bulkier. She was smoking from her beloved pipe, the thin wisps of dark smoke coiling behind her.

Her attire was more casual than what Hella was used to seeing her mother wear. It was a testament to her personality that even after years apart, Hella still visualised her mother adorned in her Huntress attire. Her ebony hair was also greying, but it was still very much like her own, just as long and was presently worn down.

Her eyes were fierce and gold, which Hella imagined would not be out of place on a dragon. For a second, Hella was transported back in time, back to before, when she had stood shorter than her mother… when she had seen the woman as an impossible goal. Hella had wanted to be just like her mother back then.

Now, she swore to be better.

She stopped a reasonable distance away before bowing; she was still not entirely comfortable, and at this point, her instincts were dictating her actions more than she was. “Mother…”

Evidently, the Kutsuki matriarch felt no such instincts as she passed her pipe to one of her servants, walking forward and pulling her daughter into a hug. Hella returned the act, if only not to worsen the tension in the air. Her arms traced down her mother's back, finding her mother was indeed wearing her signature weapon.

Hella smiled; finding the lethal tool absent would have been more strange.

Slowly, her mother pulled away the long sleeves of her robe, dragging across the bare skin of Hella’s arms. The silk tickled her skin and made Hella pay attention to the heavy robe; like any Kutsuki, she recognised it immediately.

The golden robe adorned with ebony sunflowers.

Inverted as was proper.

The mantle of family head, well earned and well worn by her mother since even before Hella had left Mistral for Vale.

“You look strong, my daughter,” her Mother expressed her eastern Mistrali, drawing a few glances from her daughters.

“Thank you, Mother,” Hella breathed, giving the woman a nod and even a smile. Hella was left thinking that perhaps she had been worried for nothing.

“… Your husband is still too bloody tall,” the older woman grumbled, still in her native language, giving Cloud the side eye.

“Nice to see you too, Himiko,” Cloud waved at his mother-in-law, the woman only quirking a brow at the much taller man. “And by the way, haven’t forgotten how to speak Mistrali… just saying,” Cloud announced, looking somewhat awkward.

“Yes, we are all very impressed. Can I meet my grandchildren now?” Himiko asked, looking back to her daughter, her smile returning at the prospect.

“Of course,” Hella nodded.

With grace, the woman glided over to the clustered Arcs, her eyes glancing over all of them before coming to rest on the youngest of the group. Walking up to Scarlett and Saphron, Himiko paid both girls a kind smile before her attention became utterly captivated by the two youngest Arcs.

“They are beautiful,” Himiko complimented in common, bending over to run the back of her finger over the twin's cheeks, both young girls babbling little half-formed ‘hellos’.

Standing straight, Himiko twisted to face Hella before switching back to Mistrali to comment, “I see that the Arc colouring is still unbeaten.”

Hella let a light, humourful sniff slip, “Yes, mother.”

Nodding, Himiko turned back to the Arc children, but she focused on Scarlett and Saphron this time. “You girls… so big now… It is good to see you, my darlings; how have you been?”

Scarlett spoke first, “We are well; it is good to see you, grandmother,” the eldest Arc daughter said respectfully.

Himiko smiled even brighter as she cupped Scarlett's cheek and lightly kissed the girl's cheek. “You are simply stunning, my dear… any men I need to threaten?”

Scarlett gave her grandmother a shrug and a wink, causing the older woman to hide a laugh behind her sleeve. “Oh, you… We will need to get you some proper clothes while you are here; no granddaughter of mine will be lacking proper attire,” Himiko declared, already running her hands over the blouse Scarlett had on. “One look at you, and people will think an empress walks these lands again.”

“Thankyou… Ba-chan,” Scarlett whispered.

Himiko next moved over to Saphron, one of her hands immediately being captured by a curious Lazuli who tried to gnaw at it. “Little northern savage, this one,” Himiko joked, earning a laugh from Saphron and successfully breaking the ice.

“Hello granny… do… do you remember me?”

“Of course, dear, you were my little orange blur. Couldn’t stay still for even a minute; heavens, you were my little tiger,” Himiko spoke lovingly. Saphron seemed to tear up, a smile coming to her face as she leaned into her grandmother.

“You do remember,” Saphron whispered so softly only Scarlett and those with enhanced senses heard.

“Of course I do…” Himiko whispered, embracing Saphron with one arm as her other was still held captive. “… I heard you ran into a bit of trouble last year… are you alright now, my little tiger?” Himiko asked quietly.

Saphron nodded into her grandmother’s shoulder, “Yes, granny… my family was there to help me.”

“Good, very good,” Himiko nodded, gently taking her finger back from Lazuli before moving on to the next pair of Arc girls.

Jade and Sky were far more nervous as this was their first time meeting their grandmother, but Cloud's encouraging smile reassured them. Himiko was far less forward with Sky and Jade, instead choosing to greet them more officially to not overwhelm them.

“Hello there, girls, my name is Kutsuki Himiko, and I am your grandmother; it is lovely to meet you both… can I know your names,” Himiko introduced herself, reaching out with her open palms, offering each girl a hand as the long draping silk of her sleeve flowed back to her reveal her limbs.

Hella saw a glimpse of her mother’s weapon in the coiled rope about her wrists, the black knotted rope looking like nothing more than an accessory to those unaware.

Sky, the more friendly of the two, was the first to take her grandmother’s hand, a gap-toothed smile on her face as she introduced herself, “Hi, I am Sky Arc; you don’t look like a granny?”

Himiko smirked, “Oh, I like you,” she said, amused, before shifting her attention to Jade. “And your name, young lady?”

“Hello, I am Jade Arc. It's nice to meet you finally, grandmother,” Jade spoke, bowing politely, Hella knowing she had asked Jaune how to do so correctly.

“My such manners,” Himiko appraised, “yes, I think I might just have to keep you,” she whispered conspiratorially with a wink, earning her a blush from Jade.

Then Himiko moved to Jaune.

Hella found her lips suddenly dry.

“Ahh, my lucky grandson, the first to be born in my family in over a century,” Himiko announced, walking over to her son. “Brothers help us. He will be as tall as your tree of a husband,” Himiko muttered in her mother tongue.

“It does indeed seem so, grandmother,” Jaune replied in his own accented Mistrali, his words causing Himiko’s golden eyes to flash. Hella resisted the urge to chuckle; she really did need to give her son more credit. He certainly knew how to gain someone’s attention.

“I was not aware any of you children knew proper Mistrali?” Himiko exclaimed, addressing Jaune, eyeing him like a cat would a new toy.

“Only myself and only Eastern, I’m afraid. I have yet to look into learning Loquea,” Jaune explained.

“Spare yourself. It is the inferior tongue… come, boy, let me look at you,” Himiko instructed, gesturing for Jaune to step forward.

Jaune’s face scrunched briefly before stepping away from his grouped siblings, his body tensing slightly under the new scrutiny. Himiko noticed; a smirk on her face as she stalked about the firstborn male Kutsuki in generations.

“Hmm, tall, yes, but not nearly so bulky as your father,” Himiko observed, gently placing a hand on Jaune’s upper arm. Hella, watching this, wondered if her mother was aware of just how intently Jaune was staring at her.

As if tracing a groove, Himiko ran her arm down her grandson’s arm. “My… strong though, yes quite strong… and trained,” Himiko continued, an excited flare to her words.

Jaune remained silent, his gaze piercing as he watched his grandmother move.

Himiko held her arms out expectantly, earning her a curious look from Jaune. Himiko sighed, “Your head boy, bring yourself down here lest I need good grab a step stool.”

Jaune complied, hunching down until Himiko could cradle his head in her palms, her fingers tracing his face’s structure. Her golden eyes seemed to race over Jaune's features, a smile growing on her face that grew even larger when she finally settled on his eyes. “My grandson… You might take after your father, but your face has the best of us Kutsuki. You will have numerous admirers, I am sure of it…” Himiko trailed off.

When Jaune blinked, Himiko jolted slightly.

“… Your eyes… You have good eyes, my grandson, perfect… we will have to be on the lookout,” Himiko announced, releasing her grasp on her grandson’s face.

“Whatever for?” Jaune asked in common.

“Why, whichever maidens manage to get a good look at you, it will not do for me to have my grandson kidnapped while I am hosting him,” Himiko said seriously.

As one, Jaune’s family began to laugh, Cloud the loudest of all.

As their laughter died, another voice suddenly cried out, two figures hurrying to the dock. “Sorry! Sorry!” one of them was hollering, coming to a skidding halt.

The new arrival was a woman who was easily a head shorter than Hella; she had midnight blue hair and burnt orange eyes, but other than that, she was practically a younger version of Hella. She was wearing a kimono but had shunted off the upper half and instead was wearing bindings over her chest decorated with the family emblem. Hella smiled down at her sister, happy to see she was just as she remembered.

“Slept in again, Hinata?” Hella enquired with a raised brow.

“No!” Hinata denied, shaking her head, her cheeks red, “I had to grab someone here!” In a flurry, Hella was suddenly presented with a young dark-skinned girl with platinum blonde hair that was cut very short. She was wearing her student robes and was clearly in her first year, but Hella found herself impressed as, despite her age, the girl's olive green eyes locked with hers without blinking.

“This is Arslan,” Hinata introduced cheerily, showing off the girl like a new toy, “She’s my new student!”

Arslan did not miss a beat; the girl bowed instantly, “It’s an honour to meet you. I’m Arslan Altan, first year.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Hella replied politely, waiting for the girl to straighten up before she continued speaking. “This is my family; the tall one at the back is my husband, Cloud…” Hella went on to introduce each of her children before finishing on Jaune, who was still standing apart from the group.

“And that is Jaune, my son… he’s my student,” Hella finished.

Hinata began to gush excitedly about all her adorable nieces and nephews, practically teleporting to be near the baby twins.

Arslan, however, found her eyes locking on Jaune, a calculating look in her gaze as she seemed to size Jaune up.

“Look, there's one now,” Himiko whispered to her grandson, shooting Hella a look that was pure teasing.

“… Is it too early to go home,” Hella mumbled under her breath, starting to doubt the wisdom of this trip.

A.N.

This chapter is brought to you by my begging on my hands and knees for RT to please flesh out their world more. For the love of god, at least give unique vehicles some identifying name or model, please!

Anyway, we are in Mistral, baby!

And boom, another canon character introduced as well because I can; yeah, I’m great and not at all sobbing at the fact that I didn’t realise Mistral is located on the eastern side of Anima for nearly the entire time I was writing this.

Anyway, I am going to get this out of the way. I will not be going overboard on the Japanese; I will use it for names and locations, but the reason for its use with the shark was to introduce the fact that they were nearing Anima and that Jaune had become more fluent in Eastern Mistrali.

Right, I am going to go collapse on a book of maps and cry tears of joy at the sight of an accurate scale.

Until next time.