Blinking away my sleepiness, I wiped the crust from my eyes, sitting up with a groan. I took the time to slowly look around as my eyes acclimated to the light. It was shabby, the wood was decent enough, wouldn't break if you jumped but you also wouldn't want to risk it, with the door to the room just a few steps ahead of me, a small desk to my side. With a small wardrobe to my other side and a bed that I was currently sitting in. All in all, it was pretty cheap, coming in at only 156 Lien a day.
Wait? What was I doing again?
Right, looking towards the window, a sky clear of any clouds and unbelievably bright greeted me. I stared out that window for who knows how long, waiting for my heart to finally calm down, waiting for my nerves to settle. My fingers itched for my sword yet I made no move to even get up. My skin was cold to the touch, yet even as I continued to stare outside and as the burning in my eyes grew worse, it was a pain that grounded me to the now.
"Damn nightmare, why must you attack me when I'm exhausted?" finally getting up, I was no longer in the mood to take my time. Clenching a towel, I walked to the half broken shower that sometimes didn't work, which was made even worse because it never gives hot water.
Looking in the accursed mirror, the face of a coward welcomed me. Blonde hair, damned blue eyes with a hint of regret. Of course because only The Coward would feel regret.
I didn't know how long I spent glaring at him but I was forced to stop by when I felt a strike of pain from my hand.
Ah, digging my fingers out of my palm. It was a bloody mess that should've taken multiple weeks to heal but thanks to my aura, healing just a light wound only took a matter of seconds.
I already made sure last night to have everything out, not that I had much to begin with. Wandering for 3 years taught me to pack light. First things first, I grabbed my satchel, packing it with the remainder of my water bottles and the few bars of protein I hadn't eaten yet. It wouldn't stave off hunger for long but it didn't need to, just until I got to the next town.
Buttoning up the satchel, I let my eyes wander throughout the room, on the desk laid Crocea Mors in all of her pristine glory. She's seen more battles then I could even imagine, passed down from one Arc to another, at least until she came under me. I'd probably be the last Arc to ever wield the ancestral blade.
For some reason, the thought made my heart ache. My vision blurred a little as it suddenly felt like there was a lump in my throat.
"Come on girl, let's make this a memorable journey." I softly patted the sword before clipping it to my belt. I grabbed my Pumpkin Pete's jacket and slowly put it into the satchel that I had just closed.
I felt my lips twitch as I stared at the jacket, I still remember when I first got it. My sister Saphron got it for me after I ate like 20 cereal boxes of Pumpkin Pete's marshmallow flakes. It was a few sizes too big then and it still is but. It's the last gift they gave me, so damn it all to hell if I'm letting it get damaged.
Making my way downstairs, I went to the bar within the Inn. Going for a light breakfast before I left, I managed to catch a glimpse of the Inn keeper.
He looked quite excited, cleaning tables at a frightening speed for someone without Aura. sparing him no more than a second, I left the Inn. On my way I asked some of the locals for directions towards the town hall.
Arriving within 4 hours, I entered the townhall. It smelled slightly fresher than the Inn but it was a whole lot cleaner but far more cramped with people. The constant chatter was a good reminder as to why I lied about being a huntsman and why I want to be a huntsman.
Seeing all the children who clearly didn't want to be here, expressing their negativity so openly. Their parents, not afraid of their children showing their negativity, it really brought me back. This is good, this is what I want.
So that they can continue to live normal lives, free from the pain, from the Grimm.
Ring!
"Hello, welcome to Dulbog's townhall, how may we help you today?" A kind old man spoke with a practiced cheery tone, it surprised me the first time I was here. Seriously, how can this man know who's in front of him with his eyes constantly closed.
"I'm here to uhh, collect my pay. Oh! Also to announce that I'm leaving town." I sounded so dumb, damn it Jaune, why can't you sound more cool. Like my great-great-grandfather, I bet he never sounded this dumb.
"Right away sir, so sorry to hear you'd be leaving so soon, let me get your pay." the old man then zoomed away at speeds that easily surpassed my own, not that I paid that much attention. After all, he called me sir. Sir! that's what respected adults are called, my smile was a little wider and my back a little straighter, I waited confidently.
"Here it is, 1054.34 Lien." taking the cards, I pocketed them as I looked around, humming softly to myself. They took down the map display's, aww shucks.
"Uhh, how much would a map cost?" It felt awkward to say, after all, this was no store and even then I'd usually just get myself lost then embarrass myself in front of an employee.
"Just miscellaneous tools are free for any Huntsmen who protects our town, once again thank you for your hard work." Well, I guess lying can get you places. I should keep this Huntsman cover more, who knows what other benefits it has.
"Thank you very much, sir"
Ring!
With my parting words I left the townhall for what was probably the last time. If this town survives a few more years I might come back to visit it, just for old times sake.
Looking at the map, it was smaller than an average map. Probably meant to be portable, though sadly it is a more specialized map with only the town and 13 surrounding towns in view. But it was better than nothing. So, after a little guesstimating. I should reach the next town in 5 days time.
Soon I'll be in Vale and then I'll finally be a real Huntsman.
***
Okay, maybe I should've bought a compass.
Maybe.
But in my defense, how was I supposed to know that you needed a compass to read a map, like come on, just follow the roads. Anyways, it might've helped but that's behind me now as is pretty much any chance of getting to Vale by the end of the year..
Crunch
Crunch
"Still, where did all of the trees go?" I yelled out, only to be met with silence. The sand around me apparently didn't care to answer my question.
So much damn yellow, letting go a hot sigh, I drank the last of my water as I wiped my brow. Damn it, why is it so damn hot?
I should've turned around when I saw the tree thinning out but nooo, you just had to push on Jaune. You idiot, so damn arrogant.
Why couldn't you get use your stupid brain, damn it Jaune.
I continued walking, even as the sun fell. I know it's not advised to travel at night but I don't care, it's a desert so unless something ambushes me from under the ground, then I was safe.
This is Vacuo right?
It sure looks like it.
I trekked on, sandy after sandy fill with the sun only seeming to grow hotter, it got so bad that I stopped sweating at some point. Then time passed in the blink of an eye and it was night.
With the sun gone, I tensed my muscles, rubbed my hands, even jumped around. Anything to make more heat. Could Aura probably help with this?
Umm, probably?
Did I know how to make it happen?
No…
"Never again." I could always just cut and heal any frostbite I get, I hope…
Crun-
As I went to take my next step, my instincts screamed at me.
Danger
Danger under me.
Infusing my body with Aura, I jumped as far back as possible. Thank the brothers that I did as a bullhead's length hole expanded from the ground. As a massive darkness overpowered the night darkness around me, then red.
A red light stared down at me, the only light illuminating the monstrosity in front of me. It was at least four stories long if not longer.
Gulp.
Okay, nothing to do but run. Doing just that I turned around, only to freeze.
Why!?
Come on move!
Move damn it!
Why can't I run away!?
…
Do you seriously think you can win?
Let it be someone else's problem!
But…
How many will die before this beast is dead, how many will die because I was a coward?
"Never again"
I turned around, glared at the Grimm in its stupid eye and was promptly smacked in the side by something massive.
Crack!
"Ah!" being sent tumbling, I crashed into the Grimm. It's got me totally surrounded, damn it…
Though it was just a filthy worm, it coiled itself like a snake. Leaving me no way to escape, other than through it.
I coughed as sand was all in my mouth and nose and boy was that unpleasant. With my head now mostly clear I used its glowing eye as a source of light to do a quick once over at my injuries, dag nabbit.
I don't even stand a chance.
It was already a mixture of a green and purple with the skin torn at places and the arm in general being bent in ways it shouldn't, no wonder it hurt like hell. This filthy Grimm shattered my arm before I could even react.
Feeling into my core, I roused my Aura as I pumped it into my arm, supercharging my natural healing process.
Snap!
Pop!
Crackle!
Bitting my tongue, I didn't dare give the Grimm the satisfaction of hearing me cry in pain. Thankfully the process only took a few seconds as my arm healed. I felt slightly colder within my chest but that coldness went away after a few seconds.
Sheen!
Not even bothering to activate the mechashift in my sheathe, I lunged at the Grimm. Slashes might do something.
Bounce!
Okay, maybe not. Changing my approach, I went for a stab.
After all, this filthy Grimm wasn't unkillable, hopefully…
Now that I was expecting it, when the Grimm moved a side of its… body? I jumped and used the momentum of its swing to propel myself to its flesh at high speeds.
"How does it feel, to have your own move used against you?" I smirked at the filthy beast, did they seriously think that I would lay down and die?
Stab!
I felt the flesh give way, Crocea Mors in all its ancient glory pierced the beast.
Sadly, Crocea Mors wasn't built to kill Grimm but humans, so even though I managed to wound it. At most it was like getting stabbed with a toothpick.
Which still hurt but it was nowhere near enough to kill unless aimed right, and I know for sure I didn't aim right.
"Come get some more, you filthy Grimm!" I laughed at the stupid Grimm, did it seriously think it could blindside me twice? Just how foolish are these stupid Grimm?
SCREEECH!!
"Augh!" I felt my vision blur as my knees nearly gave out, the sheer pitch and intensity overwhelmed my sensitive hearing. Had my Aura not rushed to my ears, they most certainly would've bursted, among other things.
Raising my head to glare at the Grimm from a half-kneeling-half-standing position, gripping Crocea Mors just a little tighter, I took a step forward-
Then darkness.
…
All sound left me, sight was nonexistent as pain blossomed all over my right arm, starting at the elbow. It felt like it exploded. I couldn't even feel my hand, the pain then spread through my torso. Like if everything was crushed and torn, the whiplash nearly tore my head off, it felt like I was going to die and there was nothing I could do about it.
Then the light struck.
It was smooth, so warm and comforting that the instant of pain almost felt like a dream yet like the pain. The instant it appeared it was gone.
"Hu-huh?" I groaned stupidly as my senses returned to me, sailing through the air, all I saw was sand-
BOOM!
Thud!
Thud
Thud…
Thump
"..."
"Wha-what in the brothers happened?" I questioned myself as I barely was able to turn myself over, huh. I must've passed out at some point because it was now nearing midday, the sun glaring down at me as it hit me just how dehydrated I was.
"That filthy Grimm must've seriously whacked, how the hell did I survive?" I could barely lift my head, everything was sore. Well except for my Aura but I didn't know if that could ever get sore.
Wait, my Aura felt stronger. Huh, best not to think too deeply about it, even though I've had it for a while it's still a big mystery to me.
"Heh, I think I get why Vacuo's population is so small. Wonder if they've ever killed one of the filthy worm Grimm." letting my head fall, I laid there. The sun baring down at me as my exhausted but somehow still in one piece body laid sprawled out.
"Welcome to Vacuo Jaune, welcome to Vacuo"