Empyrean 17 - Crumbling Bricks

Empyrean 17 - Crumbling Bricks

Jacques POV

He didn’t like to get blood on his suit.

Even as a Gele, he’d always preferred shades of white. There was a certain purity to the colour he’d always admired. Just being draped in white made people trust him more. After all, how could a man like him be untrustworthy?

It was a silly notion, but humans ran on preconceptions. Even the most jaded of men could be subconsciously influenced ever-so-slightly, and if it created even the tiniest chink in their armor? Well, that was often all he needed. 

He’d made his whole damn career on it, after all. Slowly wearing down men and women of greater means, but lesser capability. Through plot after plot, contingency after contingency, no foe could dare stand against him for an extended amount of time.

Yet, no one had pushed him this far before. It wasn’t just Jaune, even though the boy had outplayed him in his whole house. No. This was a co-ordinated attack. The council was against him, of that much he was sure.

Yet, he still had his contingencies. After all, what was a man without a backup plan?

They no longer feared him. He’d made sure they knew he wasn’t to be crossed. Every aspiring huntsman coming through the academy system? He could pay them more, offer them a better life, one where there was less danger, more comfort. 

There was a reason Atlas’ army was mostly automatons. Every huntsman worth their salt worked for Jaqcues anyways.

As he sat in one of his numerous safehouses, flanked by the best huntsman talent money could buy, he allowed himself a sigh. In front of him, tied to a chair, was the battered, bloodied corpse of his secretary. In his words, the man hadn’t even been there when the deal happened. The way he stood by that story was all Jacques needed to know.

Semblances were known to do some magical things. Even then, this was up there.

“The Atlesian bots have moved in on the mines, just as you predicted, sir.” Specter, his right hand man, the Huntsman who had  handled Jacques’ wetwork ever since he was still a Gele. It made sense for him to be useful again now that Jacques was back to being a Gele.

“Then it was the council behind it. Good. That is valuable information” Jacques spoke, taking off his blood-stained gloves and throwing them into the bin. “As things stand now, regaining control of the SDC seems to be nothing more than a pipe dream.”

“Then are we going ahead with gamma contingency?” Specter asked, the lines on his ageing face betrayed his experience, but not a single emotion was readable on that face of his. Jacques had always found it interesting. Even after so many decades, he had not found a way to crack this man. Not that he needed to. Specter and his men were completely loyal to Jacques. After all, if he went down, so did they.

“We do not have the luxury of waiting.” Jacques replied. He had enough liquid cash stashed away in his safehouses and anonymous bank account to last them a while, but he had an army to feed, and when money was the only thing buying their loyalty, the lack of any income put him on a timer.

“Tell me, Specter. Considering the current state of affairs, how likely is it for contingency gamma to succeed?”

“Do you wish for platitudes or a real answer?” Specter asked. Jacques replied with a dry chuckle.

“Does it look like we have time for platitudes, old friend?” He asked. Unlike him, Specter didn’t chuckle, didn’t betray any emotion.

“The mines are lost. We had all useful forces retreat. Yet, their goal seems to be to secure the faunus under our employ.” Specter explained. “Due to that, the bulk of the Atlesian army will be unable to respond to any attack we muster now, which is in line with our predictions. ”

Jacques nodded. Contingency Gamma hinged on the Atlesian army being forced into engagements away from the capital, making it easy for Jacques’ forces to move in and execute their plan. He knew this, Ironwood knew this, anyone in a position of power knew it. The fear that Jacques could make a move on Altas while the army was otherwise occupied was an unspoken threat that had helped maintain a tenuous peace between him and the powers that be.

“I’m sensing a ‘but’ there.” Jacques interjected.

“Because there is one.” Spectre continued. “If we give up on the mines like the plan entails, we should be able to march an army of huntsmen into the capital. Yet there is a deterrent, and a potent one.”

“The Empyrean.” Jacques completed for Specter. “As powerful as he is, can one man really stand in front of our might?” 

It was a legitimate question. The only verification of Jaune’s power he had was that one grainy video. While he appeared to be strong, and while he had slayed Lau, Jacques’ army had other huntsmen who rivaled Lau. Specter, for one, would be a legend in his own right if he was publicly known.

“I saw him when he came to your mansion.” Specter spoke, and for once, Jacques felt a chill rise up his spine. There was trepidation in his voice. Emotion, something that Jacques had rarely felt from the man. There was also certainty.

“There is no conceivable way I could beat him.” Specter stated, not a hint of doubt in his mind. “And If i was to face him with your entire army, the outcome would still not change.”

“Forgive me if that sounds ridiculous.” Jacques stated. “We number in the thousands. He is but one man. Even if he’s supported by whatever huntsmen Atlas can muster up. They would barely be a handful.”

“In the face of someone like him? Numbers might as well not matter at all.” Specter answered matter-of-factly. “You could triple our numbers and we’d still lose. In fact, I am not sure there exists a force in this world capable of taking that monster on.”

“Come on, Specter. At the end of the day. He’s still a man.” Jacques commented. “No man is infallible.”

“I will be honest, Jacques.” Specter spoke, “At this point, I’m not so sure he’s just a man.”

“I didn’t take you for the religious type.” Jacques scoffed.

“Seeing is believing.” Specter stated. “And you know what these eyes can see.”

Of course, Specter’s semblance was simple, if not very effective. The ability to gauge the threat of anyone he wished to scan. In the decades they had known each other for, it had never steered him wrong. Yet, he had also never provided such a definitive answer. 

Every time he’d run across someone powerful, he also found ways to conquer them. Not all the ways included glorious combat, but each and every one of them was effective. It was how he’d carved his legend, in the darkness.

“You do know we have a contingency for that as well, right?” Jacques commented.

“I do, and I still believe it will end in loss.” He spoke.

“As strong as he is, he cannot be in multiple places at once.” Jacques countered.

“But once the contingency succeeds, how will you handle the fallout?” Specter asked. “Mutually assured destruction is bad for business. You taught me that.”

Jacques nodded. “This goes beyond business. Atlas slighted me, so Atlas must burn.” 

Jacques had tried to live within the system. He had successfully built his empire by exploiting the system. He had allowed those on the council to feel that they had some measure of control over him, making sure they never got the idea of rebelling. In return, he had generated the revenue necessary to put Atlas into the skies, quite literally.

Yet this was how they treated him? A message needed to be sent, and it needed to be sent past their little guard dog.

“What use would that be?” Specter reasoned. “Even if we were to destroy Atlas, the Empyrean would chase us, and it would end the same way it did with Lau.”

“Then we will go to a place where the Empyrean cannot find us.”, Jacques sighed, walking over to his desk. With some effort, he pulled up a cubical metal case the size of his torso. Two clasps clicked as it was unlocked and opened. Once the top was off, out floated an unnatural Grimm, one that looked like a red jellyfish.

“Make your plans, Specter. Take as many men as you need. You know the targets. Show no mercy.” Jacques spoke, waving him away with a flick of his hand.

“And what will you do?” Specter asked.

“What I do best. Negotiate a deal.” Jacques answered, as the creature in front of him began to stir. A voice emanated from it, one that Jacques was intimately familiar with.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting this call, Jacques Schnee.” Spoke the voice of a woman, the only woman who could now guarantee his safety.

“Hello, Lady Salem.” Jacques began, clearing his throat.

“I have come to bargain.”

LB

Weiss POV

“What do you mean ‘sit put’?” She screamed.

Winter sighed. She didn’t look good, like she hadn't slept for days. Weiss noted the exasperation on her face, the dark circles under her eyes. It was a far cry from the picture-perfect image of the Ace Ops specialist that Winter always showcased.

No, she was vulnerable, tired, and above all, she was asking Weiss to stay out of something that concerned her on a personal level.

“I believe I made myself clear.” Was all that Winter said, “You are a liability, and you are also a target. One year at Beacon cannot prepare you for what is about to come.”

“What’s about to come? You’re speaking like there’s a war coming!” Weiss shot back, exasperated. “I have experience fighting the White Fang. I could be of help in tracking down father!”

“We’re not tracking him down.” Was Winter’s response. “He has more safe houses than we can raid. We’re short on manpower to begin with.”

“All the more reason to let me help!” Weiss all but screamed.

Winter shook her head. “If he were to capture you, he’d have leverage.” she spoke. “Mother and I may be the primary targets, but you and Whitley are just as valuable to him as we are.”

“Then let me at least help protect you!” Weiss whispered.

“I’m already assigned to the task of protecting Winter.” Professor Goodwitch spoke up from her chair beside the two. “I cannot afford to divide my attention between the two of you.”

“You won’t have to! I admit, Father employs quite a few huntsmen, but they aren’t at my level! I can take care of myself.” Weiss reasoned, only for winter to sigh.

“Weiss. Father’s army is many things, but ‘low level’ is not one of those things.” She spoke. “I’ve had the displeasure of meeting some of his stronger retainers, and I’ll be the first to tell you that compared to them, I come up woefully short.”

“So what chance would you have against them?” She finished, leaving Weiss at a loss for words. 

“If they are that strong, then shouldn’t we move to the academy? Won’t the safest place be next to the General Himself?” Weiss asked.

“Because we’re hoping to divide and conquer.” 

He stepped into the room like he owned it, and considering his sheer presence, he might as well have. Last time she’d seen him, she couldn’t convince herself it was really him. 

Now? Dressed in a suit of armor that looked too intricate, too beautiful to be forged by mortal hands, he stood in front of her. Undeniably the strongest person in the room, and undeniably the same boy she had gotten expelled from Beacon.

He looked at her with a dispassionate gaze, like she wasn’t even worth his notice. A far cry from the enamored looks he’d showered here with during their time at Beacon. 

As his gaze shifted to Winter, she could feel his lack of passion change into concern. She recognised the look. It was the same look he’d given her once, when they’d returned from the dock after confronting the white fang while looking for Blake. It was genuine care, and it was reserved for Winter.

Why did that sting? She couldn’t answer.

“You look like shit.” he spoke, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“I feel like shit.” Winter responded. All pretense was dropped as she couldn’t meet Jaune’s gaze. “I knew it would come to this, but it’s still not easy to believe it’s happening exactly like we’d predicted.”

“It’ll end soon. Jacques can’t afford to wait any longer, lest the military return before he can attack.” Glynda spoke up.

Jaune gave Glynda a thankful smile, and Weiss could swear she saw a blush on the unflappable professor’s face. What the fuck. 

“Exactly. And till then, you guys will stay here.” He spoke.

“What about Fria?” Winter asked. “I heard what you did for her, and I’m thankful. But she could be a target too, in the worst case scenario.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about her.” Jaune spoke. “In fact, she was hoping to get in on the action. She’s far more powerful now than she ever was.”

“Of course. Now that she’s no longer cooped up in that facility, she’d spring at the chance to take some heads.” Winter commented, exasperated. Still, some cheer returned to her face.

“Anyways, I came here to introduce you to another one of your guards.” Jaune spoke, gesturing towards the door, where Weiss saw someone she was not expecting to see that day.

“Penny?” She blurted out, getting a raised eyebrow from Winter. 

“Salutations, friend Weiss!” Penny spoke, moving next to her at a speed she couldn’t even follow. “I have been tasked by friend Jaune and father with the objective of protecting you and your sister!” She spoke.

“You sure she’s up to the task?” Winter asked.

“As she is now, the only person in this room who can defeat her is me.” Jaune answered, giving Penny a pat on the back.

“As always, I remain combat ready!” Penny chirped in. 

He then kneeled next to Winter, locking his gaze with her. “Stay safe, okay? I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen to you.”

“What a ringing endorsement for my abilities.” Winter scoffed.

“You know I don’t mean it like that.” Jaune replied with a smile. “You know better than I what Jacques is capable of. I just don’t want you getting hurt on the off chance.”

Winter scoffed. “We’re unlikely to get attacked anyways. I fear more for my mother.”

Jaune chuckled. “As much of a goofball as uncle is. Nothing short of an army will get through him now that he’s motivated.”

“Motivated?” Winter asked.

“Well, him and your mom hit it off pretty well.” Jaune spoke, and Weiss saw Winter’s visage pale.

“There’s no fucking way, right?” She breathed out, prompting a chuckle from Jaune.

“Ask her yourself once all of this is over.” Jaune spoke, standing back up. His gaze moved over to Glynda, who was soaking in the conversation passively.

“I’m sorry for putting you to work here, Glynda, even though you’re technically not here at my behest.” He gave her a half-bow, something that looked too dignified to match up with Weiss’ mental image of Jaune.

“Oh, don’t mention it.” Glynda shook her head, and this time, the blush was much stronger than last time. There was no fucking way Jaune was not noticing this. 

Then again, his denseness was a reminder of the fact that this was indeed the same Jaune Arc she once knew, just improved in every aspect imaginable.

It made her wonder, just how the fuck had the useless, weak fool who lied his way into Beacon turned into this world-devouring monster? Had Ozpin always known this would happen? Had he truly known the transcripts were fake all along?

Glynda’s presence seemed to indicate that Ozpin had kept good relations with Jaune even after his expulsion. Was it possible that in her haste, she had somehow undone one of Headmaster Ozpin’s plans?

Did he too blame her for losing the chance to have a monster like Jaune in Vale?

“I will, and I hope you understand that you have my gratitude.” Jaune finished, only for Professor Glynda to wave him off.

“Anyways, I must take my leave.” Jaune spoke, and for a second, she felt his cheery veneer break, almost as if he’d been holding back something darker the entire time he’d been in the room. 

It was then that she realized that he hadn’t even perceived her existence the entire time he’d been there, outside of answering her very first question, and that too not for her benefit.

He was forcing himself to be here. For Winter, for Glynda, for Penny. For all he cared, she could die in a ditch. He wouldn’t mourn her, he could barely stand to be in her presence, lest he end up doing something.

It made her feel very small, and very afraid. In her zeal for recognition, she had made enemies with the strongest huntsman of her generation.

“Take care, Jaune. Unlike us, you’re actually going to be out there, fighting.” Winter spoke, genuine concern lacing her tone. Not the type that she remembered either, used with her and Whitley.

Her sister loved Jaune Arc, and she was more than convinced that the feelings were reciprocated.

“I hope it ends up that way.” Jaune commented, stopping at the door. “I hope I’m the only one of us who has to face combat.”

“Something tells me that it won’t be the case.”

LB

Salem POV

Jaune Arc was beyond her.

It was interesting. Not infuriating, not exasperating, but genuinely intriguing. She had been alive a long time. Longer than  almost anyone, save for those four cowardly immortals. Yet, in all her life, there had never been a human who could oppose her directly, not through sheer force.

Sure, Ozma had raised warriors who could push her back. Yet for there to be someone who could outright trivialize her as a threat? Well, that was a first.

It made her want to meet him, to know him, as a person. She knew he was aware of her curse, of her immortality. Yet he was brazenly trying to change the world, completely ignoring the threat she presented. 

Such gall was commendable, if foolish.

Sure, he was a force beyond her capability to conquer. Sure, he could do extreme damage to her ventures. Yet, it was through his actions that another avenue had opened to her. 

Cinder had failed to crush Vale, but now Atlas was ripe for the taking. The relic of creation could be hers, the military might of humanity could be shattered without being faced, all because Jaune Arc did not believe she would act after her repeated failures.

To be underestimated. It was delightful. For once, Salem was the underdog, and it was a novel feeling, one that she was learning to enjoy.

She looked through the eyes of a Seer, floating high atop the remains of Mantle. She hadn’t seen the city for a while. She remembered when it was a bustling metropolis. To see it destroyed by the hands of humans felt wrong. 

That was her job, not theirs.

Yet this would be the field of battle. Schee’s plan had merit. If given access to her forces, it was very probable that Atlas could be brought down within days. While brute force was not her preferred means of confrontation, this was a test.

Not for Schnee. For Jaune Arc.

Schnee had an army. He had a plan, he had the upper hand, and most importantly, he was motivated. Even as he had told her what he was planning to do, she had found it impressive. Not his intelligence, but just how far he was willing to go for vengeance.

Even if he were to go down, he would cause damage. Not just to Atlas, but to the Empyrean.

Atlas believed it was the target of Schnee’s furor. Atlas was absolutely mistaken. No, Schnee did hate the council, Ironwood, and even Jaune. Yet that hatred paled in comparison to the hatred he held for his own blood, his own family.

After all, the attack on Mantle was just a diversion. A diversion in which thousands would die, but a diversion nonetheless. Atlas’ forces were scant at this moment. Every resource they spent defending Mantle would increase the effectiveness of the other strikes Schnee had planned.

Yet, if they allocated resources the other way, Mantle would fall, cutting off all supplies to Atlas. As impressive as it was to have a floating city, when it was reliant on the husk of a city on the ground for its resources, they couldn’t afford to be cut off.

A win-win scenario, with the only variable being Jaune Arc. It was a test of his mettle, of his capability. Would Mantle fall? Dooming Atlas. Or would the other targets fall first? Either way, Atlas would burn.

At the end of the day, Jaune Arc was one man. Salem just wanted to see what he was truly capable of. Yet, if he ended up winning, what was she to do then?

That was the beauty of an immortal life. If he failed, all she had to do was wait. She had already waited for millennia. What more was another century?

For now, all she was interested in was watching the spectacle unfold. After all, very little gave her more joy than watching humanity destroy itself at her behest. Especially when all she had to do was sit on her throne and watch. Prime-time television, available at her behest.

There was only one thing that concerned her, as she watched lines of black converge on Mantle, each consisting of thousands of Grimm. As she watched hundreds of huntsmen dressed in Schnee white cross through the boundary of the city, all headed to the city center unopposed.

Why was Jaune Arc the only one present in Mantle?

LB

Jaune POV

Ozpin’s prediction had come true. 

He’d called Salem an opportunist, someone who reached out to anyone in a position of power that wasn’t directly linked to Ozpin, and even some that were. She reached out to them when they were at their peak, only to become their final lifeline when they were at the end of their tether.

It was how she got them on her side. She became their lifeline. Complete obedience through circumstance. If she were to cut them off, every member of her inner council would be hunted down and killed in days. 

They knew that, so they worshipped her, and in return, they were rewarded with gifts beyond human comprehension.

The sheer army of Grimm that was headed towards Mantle seemed to be Salem’s gift to Jacques Schnee, and as far as gifts went, it was a terrifying one.

He sat crouched atop the clock tower in Mantle’s city center. It was a snowy day, yet the snow did nothing to obscure the never-ending horde of Grimm honing in on the empty city. Neither did it hide the men and women, trained huntsmen in Schnee’s payroll.

All the snow did was remind him of when he killed Lau’s Legion.

The way the Grimm ignored the huntsmen and vice versa felt weird. Unnatural, but made sense all the same. This was how Salem operated, as unnatural as it felt.

As they filled into the city center, they saw him. Instead of attacking him instantly, they silently stood there. Grimm and Huntsman alike stood in silence, thousands of eyes locked onto Jaune. 

He took a deep breath. 

They did not initiate. Instead, one of them strode forward. He was older. Jaune would even say he was older than Lau. Men in their field did not last, and from the way the huntsmen parted as he strode through, he deserved the same kind of respect as Lau had.

Another legend who would meet his end at his hands.

“I am Specter.” he spoke, and Jaune noticed the hesitation in his voice. The man had sized him up, and even with all the forces assembled, he still looked unsure. “I come to you today with a proposal from my master, Jacques Schnee.”

“If you are his messenger, then you know well enough that the time for proposals is over.” Jaune replied, standing up. The Grand regalia, his new armor, did not creak once as he stood tall, a product of its masterwork status.

The drone next to him took off. It rose high. It wasn’t complicated machinery, just a camera drone meant to capture what was to happen here. No one shot at it, knowing that such an action could signal a start to the hostilities.

It was a testament to their fear of him, that they would hesitate this much.

“Even so, I must do what is necessary.” Specter spoke. “Jacques Schnee has requested for your formal surrender, as well as the persecution of those that have wronged him.”

Jaune scoffed. “In that case, I’ll put forth my terms as well.”

Presence activated at full force, beyond what Jaune had ever demonstrated. He could see it spread over the masses. Knees buckled, but none fell, a testament to the quality of warriors that Jacques Schnee had at this beck and call.

“Save for the Grimm, none of you need to die tonight.” Jaune spoke, as he drew his new sword from his inventory. Its burnished metal gleamed, even without any sunlight to reflect it. It was a thing of beauty, and so it was given a name that reflected its beauty.

Luminaire.

“Lay down your weapons, those who wish to surrender, and you will be treated fairly by the Atlesian government.” Jaune stated, pointing his sword forward. The pressure he exuded was immense, yet not one weapon fell. Whether it was loyalty to Schnee, or fear of the Grimm next to them, but not one huntsman faltered in the face of his dominance.

“Blame what happens next on the actions of your owner, then.” Jaune spoke, channeling a hundred thousand mana into all his elemental spells.

Chaos broke out at once. Bolts of lightning struck the ground, eviscerating man and Grimm alike. Nevermore fell from the sky, their wings charred by the heat of the false sun that had appeared in the skies. 

They were impaled on spikes of ice the size of houses, as amongst the cacophony, Jaune took to the skies.

The new Dies Iraes latched to his back, spreading out like the pinions of electronic wings. He hovered over the battlefield, watching his spells wreck havoc, as his Aura was pelted by bullets of all kinds.

Even after his apocalyptic opening, they still fought. It was commendable, but foolish. As he swooped down, cutting straight through a horde of Grimm with his new sword, he couldn’t help but feel something was amiss.

Yet, he had a task to do, and the night was still long.

LB

This is chapter 2/4. Delayed by a day because I was out for some festivities with family who are in town. Will get the remaining two out before friday.

The next two chapters will finish this arc, and then we move on again.

As always, join the discord for more shenanigans. Link is https://discord.com/invite/AP8nG65RmA