Point of View: Jaune Arc
Jaune walked alongside the goddess Dia as the sun continued its slow descent on the horizon, tinting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The streets of Orario still showed the scars of the attack—scattered rubble, blackened walls, and the persistent smell of smoke in the air. But despite the recent chaos, life was already beginning to return. Merchants reopened their stalls, families returned to their homes, and cleanup crews worked tirelessly.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but Jaune could feel Dia's curiosity. It was natural—she had just accepted a complete stranger into her Familia without knowing practically anything about him. And although Jaune deeply appreciated her trust, he knew he owed her explanations.
"Lady Dia," he finally began, breaking the silence. "There are some things I should tell you. About me. About why I'm here in Orario."
Dia looked at him with those gentle green eyes and nodded. "I'd like to hear it, Jaune. But only if you feel comfortable sharing it."
Jaune took a deep breath. "Well, to start with, I'm not from Orario. I'm not even from this region."
"That was quite obvious," Dia said with a small smile. "Your way of acting, your weapons, even your name—all of that gives small clues. Do you come from very far away?"
"More than you imagine," Jaune murmured. He paused, organizing his thoughts so he could explain to his new goddess in a simple way. "A few days ago, I was involved in... a battle. A war, really. My team and I were trying to stop very dangerous people from obtaining something important. But things went wrong."
Dia frowned with concern. "What happened?"
"We got separated," Jaune said simply, though the words didn't capture even a fraction of the chaos and pain of that moment. "We had a kind of magical weapon that allowed us to go from one place to another. In the battle, my team—Nora, Ren, and Oscar—were in charge of protecting civilians and they must have been trapped on one side, while another team, one very close to me, was fighting against the bad guys to give us chances to evacuate. And I..." he grimaced, "I went to help them, but they fell where they shouldn't have fallen and I fell with them much later and... I ended up here."
"I see," Dia murmured. "So you're alone."
"For now," Jaune confirmed. "But I have reason to believe that the other team—Team RWBY—will eventually arrive at the same place as me. I just have to wait and find them when they do."
"And in the meantime?"
Jaune shrugged. "I met the school district. Well, more specifically, Leon Vardenburg and the god Baldr. They helped me, oriented me about Orario and the current situation with Evilus. Leon is even helping me search for information about my friends."
Dia's eyes widened slightly. "The school district? Leon Vardenburg?" There was a touch of astonishment in her voice. "That explains some things."
Jaune looked at her with curiosity. "You know him?"
"By reputation," Dia admitted. "The school district is very respected. If they trust you enough to help you, then..." She looked at Jaune with new appreciation, "you must really be someone special."
Jaune felt his cheeks heat slightly. "I'm not sure about that. But Leon and Lord Baldr were very kind to me. They gave me supplies, information, and even money to survive the first weeks." He paused. "It was also Leon who suggested I come to Orario. He said this is where help is most needed against Evilus."
"And you decided to come," Dia said with a soft smile. "Despite being alone, despite not knowing this place, you decided to help anyway."
"I didn't have anything better to do," Jaune said, trying to sound carefree but failing. "And besides... I can't sit idly by while innocent people suffer. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did."
Dia stopped, turning to look at him directly. Her green eyes shone with something Jaune couldn't completely identify—pride? Admiration? Understanding?
"You made the right decision coming, Jaune," she said softly. "And you also made the right decision allowing me to bless you. I'm honored that you're part of my Familia, even though it's small."
Jaune felt a lump in his throat. "Thank you, Lady Dia. That... means a lot to me."
Dia nodded, and then looked around. The streets were getting darker, the lamps made with magic were beginning to light one by one. "There's more you want to tell me, right? Things that are... more private."
Jaune nodded, grateful that she understood. "Yes. But not here. Not in the middle of the street."
"Then come," Dia said, resuming her walk. "I'll take you to our home. We can talk there more peacefully."
.
.
.
The Dia Familia's home turned out to be an orphanage—a two-story building that, although a bit worn, emanated warmth and care. Jaune could hear children's laughter from inside, and the aroma of something cooking came from the open windows.
"This is our home," Dia explained as she opened the front door. "I take care of several orphaned children here. That's why my Familia is so... well, small. Most of my resources go to keeping this place running. Though I'm not the only one who takes care of the orphanage—there's also Maria, you'll meet her soon. She's probably making dinner."
Jaune felt his respect for Dia grow exponentially. "That's admirable, Lady Dia."
Dia smiled shyly. "I just do what I can."
The moment they crossed the threshold, they were greeted by an avalanche of curious children.
"Dia-sama!" shouted a small girl with pigtails, running toward the goddess. "We were worried! We heard there was an attack!"
"I'm fine, dear," Dia reassured, kneeling to hug the girl. "We're all safe."
The other children—Jaune counted at least six—swarmed around Dia, each competing for her attention. But soon, curious looks landed on Jaune.
"Who is he?" asked a boy with freckles, looking at Jaune with wide eyes. "Is he a knight?"
Jaune knelt to be at the boy's level, offering a friendly smile. "Something like that. My name is Jaune Arc. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Are you strong?" another boy asked enthusiastically. "Can you defeat monsters?"
"I try my best," Jaune responded honestly.
"Children," Dia interrupted gently, "Jaune is my new child. He'll be part of our family from now on, so I hope you'll be kind to him."
The children exchanged excited looks, and Jaune couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. It reminded him of his younger sisters back home.
After a few minutes of introductions and enthusiastic questions, Dia finally managed to escort Jaune away from the curious children. She guided him down a hallway until they reached a simple door at the end.
"This is my private room," Dia explained, opening the door. "We can talk here without interruptions."
The room was modest—a small bed, a simple desk with scattered papers, a wardrobe, and little else. But it was clean and organized, with small personal touches that made it cozy.
Jaune entered, and Dia closed the door behind them.
"Make yourself comfortable," Dia offered, pointing to the only chair in the room. "You can take off your armor if you wish."
Jaune nodded gratefully. His armor, though light compared to some designs, still weighed after such a long day. He began unbuckling the straps, first removing the breastplate, then the pauldrons, and finally the forearm guards.
Dia sat on the edge of her bed, waiting patiently while Jaune settled in. Once he was seated in the chair, feeling considerably lighter, Dia spoke.
"So," she said softly, "what is it you wanted to tell me in private?"
Jaune closed his eyes for a moment, gathering courage. "There are things about me that are... complicated. Things that probably sound impossible or crazy. But everything is true."
"I'm listening," Dia promised.
Jaune opened his eyes and began. "To start with, I'm not from this region because I'm not from this world."
Dia blinked, clearly surprised. "What?"
"I come from a place called Remnant," Jaune continued. "It's a completely different world. With different races, different threats, different rules." He paused. "I'm not exactly sure how I got here. I only know that all this was possible thanks to that magical relic—an incredibly powerful artifact—which transported me during the chaos of that battle I told you about."
Dia looked at him with wide eyes, processing the information. "A different world," she murmured. "That... would explain many things I saw. Not to mention your unique abilities..."
Jaune looked at her confused for a few moments. "Things you saw?" he asked confused.
Lady Dia nodded. "We gods, when we bless someone, can see part of their history, though there are cases where we can't glimpse it, and sometimes the visions are confusing. That's why I knew you were different from others."
"I see." Jaune was thoughtful for a few moments while assimilating the information before nodding. "In my world, there exists a force called Aura. It's the manifestation of the soul, and almost anyone can learn it if trained correctly. It protects you from damage, makes you stronger, faster, and can heal minor wounds." He raised his hand, letting a faint whitish-golden glow briefly envelop it. "This is my aura, it's what you saw when I used it to recharge Airmid's energies."
"Amazing," Dia murmured, looking at his hand with fascination. Despite having seen it before, she still couldn't help but be amazed—she could glimpse that Jaune's affirmation was true. The person's soul being manifested at a mortal's will.
"But that's not all," Jaune continued, letting the glow fade. "In my world, we also fight against creatures called Grimm—monsters of darkness that seek to destroy humanity. And we recently discovered that all Grimm are being controlled by an immortal woman named Salem."
He proceeded to tell Dia a condensed version of everything—about the Huntsman Academies, about the Fall of Beacon, about the relics and the maidens, about his team's journey to stop Salem and her allies.
Dia listened in silence, without interrupting, though Jaune could see emotions passing across her face—shock, sadness, understanding.
Finally, Jaune reached the hardest part. His voice became more tense, more forced.
"Two years ago, I lost someone very important to me," he said, looking at his hands. "Her name was Pyrrha Nikos. She was my teammate, my best friend, and..." he stopped, feeling the familiar lump in his throat. "She died because I wasn't strong enough—she considered me too weak to fight by her side and sent me away without even giving me a choice. A woman named Cinder Fall murdered her."
"Jaune..." Dia began, but he shook his head.
"Cinder is the same person who led the attack on Beacon. The same person who has killed countless innocents. And the same person who..." he closed his eyes tightly, "who forced me to make an impossible decision just a few weeks ago."
The silence in the room was almost suffocating. Jaune could feel tears threatening to escape, but he refused to let them fall. Jaune didn't want to say it—he wanted to hide it and keep it in the deepest part of his mind and conceal it and not know more about it—but it wouldn't be fair to his goddess. She had a right to know what he did, and if she expelled him for it... he wouldn't hold it against her and would be angry about it.
"What decision?" Dia asked softly, though Jaune could hear the apprehension in her voice.
Jaune took a trembling breath. "One of my friends, Penny, was... special. She carried immense magical power, the power of the Maiden, specifically the Winter Maiden. Cinder wanted that power, and during the battle, she managed to mortally wound Penny."
He opened his eyes but didn't look at Dia. He couldn't bear to see her expression.
"The Maiden's power can be transferred in two ways," Jaune continued, his voice barely a whisper. "Naturally when the bearer dies, the power goes to the last person in her thoughts. Or... or it can be stolen by force."
"Penny knew there was no way to save her. The wounds were too severe and there wasn't enough time to heal her in time without Cinder interfering. So she... she asked me to kill her. So the power could go to someone we trusted, instead of falling into Cinder's hands."
He heard a choked gasp from Dia, but continued, needing to get all this out.
"I didn't want to do it, I swear," his voice broke. "I tried to find another way, but there was no time. Cinder was there, and if I didn't do anything she would have been able to kill us both. So I... I took my sword, and..."
He couldn't finish the sentence. The memory was too vivid—the feeling of Crocea Mors sliding through Penny's chest, her green eyes dimming, her final reassuring smile...
"My hands are stained with her blood," Jaune whispered, finally allowing some tears to fall silently, but doing everything possible to contain them. "I'm a murderer. I killed my friend with my own hands."
He closed his eyes tightly, waiting... what? Disgust? Horror? Rejection?
Instead, he felt warm arms surrounding him.
He opened his eyes with surprise to find Dia hugging him, her head resting against his shoulder. She said nothing for a long moment, simply held him while he struggled to compose himself.
"You're not a murderer, Jaune," Dia finally said, her voice soft but firm. "You did something impossibly difficult because there was no other choice. Because your friend asked you to. Because you wanted to protect her from a worse fate."
"But I—"
"You respected her final wishes," Dia interrupted gently. "You gave her the dignity of choosing her own destiny. That doesn't make you a murderer. It makes you... someone who had to carry a horrible responsibility that no one should have to bear."
She pulled back slightly, looking directly into Jaune's eyes. "I'm not going to pretend I completely understand what happened. I wasn't there. But what I do know is this—I don't see a murderer when I look at you. I see someone who is hurt, who carries a heavy burden, but who still chose to come here and help strangers. I see someone with a kind heart."
Jaune felt more tears falling, but this time he didn't stop them. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "You don't know how much that means to me." Despite the wound not having closed, at least it had alleviated the darkness that threatened to consume his heart.
Dia smiled softly, wiping some of his tears with her thumb. "You're part of my Familia now, Jaune. And families support each other, no matter what."
Jaune nodded, allowing himself this moment of vulnerability. After a few minutes, when he finally managed to compose himself, he wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," Jaune murmured. "I didn't mean to break down like that."
"There's nothing to apologize for," Dia said firmly. "We all need to vent sometimes."
Jaune gave her a weak but grateful smile. Then, shaking his head as if to clear it, he changed the subject. "Anyway, now that you know my situation, there's something else I'd like to talk about. My Status as an adventurer."
Dia blinked at the abrupt change but nodded with understanding. "Ah, yes. With everything that happened today, we didn't have a chance to review it properly."
She got up and went to her desk, taking out a piece of paper she had stored. Jaune recognized the form—it must be the transcription of his Status that Dia had made when she blessed him.
"Since you can't read our language yet," Dia said, sitting down again, "I'll explain it to you one by one."
Jaune leaned forward with interest as Dia began to read.
"First, your basic stats," she said. "Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Agility, Magic. They're all at I0 because you just received your Falna today. It's completely normal, since everyone starts in that state, regardless of how strong they were before being blessed."
Jaune nodded. That made sense, though he felt a bit disappointed to know he couldn't compare his strength with that of adventurers, but if Arachnia was an indicator, Jaune suspected he might be an early Level 4 or a very high Level 3. Anyway, it wasn't worth killing himself thinking about that.
Lady Dia continued explaining. "Also, something surprising you have is a development ability—these are normally gained when leveling up. But now understanding a bit more about your strength, it makes a lot of sense." Lady Dia tilted her head while putting a finger on her soft chin, making her look quite adorable. "Aura Control, your development ability is called, and it's at rank F. Which is quite high."
Jaune was surprised by that, but upon learning this event he couldn't help but feel quite satisfied. After all, he had improved a lot in his Aura control since joining Beacon. From not being able to enhance his weapons with aura, to being able to achieve it and to reinforce his own body with it.
"But what's not normal," Dia continued, her voice becoming more serious, "is that you have four abilities from the start. That's... extremely rare. Most people are lucky if they develop a single ability, and generally it's not until they level up a few times."
"Four abilities?" Jaune repeated, surprised. "What are they?"
Dia looked at the paper. "The first is called 'Arceciel Record'. It says you can use the Semblance of people with whom you've had an emotional attachment, as long as that person has died or feels great affection for you."
Jaune froze. "Wait, what?"
"Semblance?" Dia asked, noticing his reaction. "Is that something from your world?"
"Yes," Jaune said slowly, his mind racing. "A Semblance is... it's like a unique ability that each person with Aura can develop. It's personal to each individual. For example, my Semblance is aura amplification—I can strengthen people's auras so they can become stronger, also by improving it this makes a person's natural healing accelerated and strengthens people."
"I see," Dia murmured. "So this ability allows you to use others' Semblances."
Jaune felt a knot in his stomach. Pyrrha. The ability was talking about Pyrrha. She had died, and he had definitely had an emotional attachment with her. Did that mean he could use her Semblance of Polarity?
What about Penny? He had an emotional attachment to her. Not as strong as with his friends or Pyrrha, but he definitely felt affection and admiration for her. But the wording was either that she was dead or that person feels immense affection for him. Honestly, just thinking about it made his stomach churn and he felt like vomiting.
"Jaune?" Dia's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "It's just... unexpected. What's the next one?"
Dia looked at him with concern but continued. "The second is simply called 'Aura'. It says it's the manifestation of the soul, that you can use it for both defense and attack, and that you can unlock the aura of other people."
"I know that one," Jaune said. "It's my usual Aura."
"I suppose it just manifested in your Status. The third," Dia continued, "is 'Semblance Soul Amplification'. You know this one too—it's your ability to strengthen others. But there's a note here that says 'Evolution'."
"Wait, soul amplification? Evolution?" Jaune leaned closer, only slightly surprised. He had already suspected it, but having it confirmed was a pleasant suspicion—that his Semblance had evolved was great news. After all, he knew that Semblances can evolve if a person masters it perfectly or is pressured by something that forces it to evolve.
Not to mention that his Semblance practically forcibly evolved other Semblances through his amplification.
"It means your ability evolved when you received your Falna," Dia explained. "Which probably explains why you can now use it at a distance instead of only through contact."
Jaune blinked. That made sense. That difference was impossible for him to overlook, knowing his Semblance so well. Before today he couldn't do it without contact, but after receiving the gods' blessing he began to feel much stronger than he was before—and now he possessed the ability to connect with multiple people without touching them. The new strengthening and growth. It hadn't been just his imagination.
And although he had many questions about all the new functions of his evolved Semblance, he would discover those little by little as he tested or trained his abilities.
"And the fourth," Dia paused, her expression becoming more somber, "is called 'Arc's Wrath'. It says it gives you resistance to magic-based attacks. The resistance increases the stronger your feelings of anger are. It also grants you immunity to mental attacks."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"Anger," Jaune murmured. An ability based on his anger. He knew exactly who that anger was directed at.
Cinder.
"Jaune," Dia said softly, "this ability... developed for a reason. It reflects something deep within you."
"I know," Jaune said, his voice tense. And despite it being a nice ability, having his hatred and resentment manifest as an ability wasn't something he liked. Despite that, an ability was an ability and he was going to use it. "I carry a lot of anger with me. Anger toward the people who have hurt my friends. Especially toward Cinder."
"Anger isn't inherently bad," Dia said carefully. "It can be motivating. It can give you strength when you need it most. But..." she paused, "it can also consume you if you're not careful."
Jaune nodded slowly. "I know. And I don't plan to let it consume me. But I'm also not going to pretend I don't feel it."
Dia accepted that with a nod. "Then let's talk about your two magic slots."
"I have magic?" Jaune was genuinely surprised—that was something he honestly didn't expect, considering he came from a world where magic had completely ceased to exist and cases of magic were very few.
"Yes. Two spells, in fact. The first is called 'Bouclier Éternelle'—Eternal Barrier. It's short-chant magic that manifests an impenetrable protective barrier in the shape of your emblem. The range and duration depend on your concentration."
Jaune immediately thought of his shield, of the light barriers he could create. "That sounds similar to what I can already do with light dust."
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, but if it's similar, it's possible," Dia agreed. "But this is real magic, not technology. It's usually much more powerful, the more you raise your magic stat."
"And the second one?"
"'Le Chevalier'—The Knight," Dia read. "It's also short-chant magic. It's attack magic—a powerful burst of fire that pursues and reduces all evil. The damage only affects those you consider evil. It's null if you try to use it with malicious intentions."
Jaune remained silent, processing all this. Four abilities. Two magic spells. And all this as a level 1.
"This is... a lot," he finally admitted.
"It is," Dia agreed. "Your potential is immense, Jaune. But it also means you have to be careful. If the wrong people find out what you can do..."
"Evilus would make me a target," Jaune finished somberly.
"Exactly, but not just Evilus. Other gods would also covet you if they found out about your Status and could make your life more complicated on a whim."
Jaune leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling. "So I need to become stronger. Fast. I need to get used to these new abilities, learn to use my magic, and improve my stats."
"What do you plan to do?" Dia asked.
"Tomorrow," Jaune said with determination, "I'll register at the Guild as an official adventurer. Then I'll enter the dungeon to test my abilities and start leveling up."
Dia frowned with concern. "The dungeon is dangerous, Jaune. Especially for a level 1 alone."
"I know," Jaune said. "That's why I'll be cautious. I won't go down too far, just enough to get used to fighting here. Once I better understand my capabilities, I can start taking more calculated risks."
Dia studied him for a long moment, clearly debating with herself. Finally, she sighed. "Okay. But promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to lose my only child the day after accepting him."
Jaune smiled weakly. "I promise, Lady Dia. I won't take unnecessary risks. Not yet."
Dia didn't seem completely reassured, but nodded. "Then let's rest for today. It's been an extremely long day for both of us. Besides, dinner will be ready soon."
Jaune suddenly realized how exhausted he was and how hungry he was. The events of yesterday and today—waking up on an unknown beach, accidentally traveling through time, arriving in Orario, fighting Arachnia, healing dozens of people, dealing with Ellen, and now this—everything was taking its toll and they hadn't given him the opportunity to eat. The last thing he ate was a light meal as a gift from Leon before leaving the school district.
"There's one more thing," Jaune said, standing up. "Is there somewhere I can bathe? I'm covered in dust and sweat."
"Oh, of course," Dia said, standing up as well. "The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. Let me get you a towel."
They left the room together. The orphanage was quieter now—the children were probably already gathering to eat. Dia guided him to a small closet and took out a clean towel.
"Here you go," she said, handing it to him.
Jaune accepted it gratefully. "Thank you."
Then they both simultaneously realized a problem.
"You don't have extra clothes," Dia said, biting her lip. "I'm sorry, I don't have anything in your size. All I have are the children's things or..."
"It's okay," Jaune interrupted quickly. "I'll buy new clothes tomorrow. I'll just use the same thing for tonight."
"Still, I should give you some money for—"
"Lady Dia," Jaune said firmly but gently, "you've already done so much for me. You gave me your Falna, you accepted me into your Familia, you're giving me a roof to sleep under. I'm not going to ask you for more. I have enough money from the school district to buy what I need."
Dia looked like she wanted to argue, but finally sighed. "Okay. But if you need anything, anything at all, please tell me."
Jaune smiled. "I will."
Dia showed him the bathroom—a small but functional room with a large water barrel, a smaller bucket, and a drain in the floor. It was simple, but more than enough.
"The water might be cold," Dia warned. "We didn't have time to heat it today with everything that happened."
"No problem," Jaune said. "I've had much worse training in much worse conditions. Cold water is a luxury compared to some places I've slept."
Dia looked at him with a mixture of concern and respect. "You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
"More than I'd like to admit," Jaune said honestly. "But I'm here. Still standing. And that's what matters."
Dia nodded. "Then I'll leave you alone. My room is at the end of the hallway if you need anything. Good night, Jaune. Once you're done, go to the dining room so you can eat before sleeping. I'll be waiting for you."
"I will, and thank you, Lady Dia."
"Just call me Dia, Jaune. You don't need to use formalities—after all, we'll be spending a lot of time together now."
"I'll try," Jaune commented.
Once Dia left, closing the door behind her, Jaune was finally alone.
He began to undress, taking off his sweaty and stained clothes. When he removed his shirt, he noticed marks on his skin—bruises his Aura hadn't completely healed, minor scratches, and the general dirt from a day of combat.
He knelt beside the barrel, filling the bucket with cold water. When he poured it over his head, the shock of the cold made him gasp, but it was... refreshing, in a way. It helped clear his mind.
As he methodically bathed, he allowed his thoughts to wander.
What does the future hold for me?
It was a question with no easy answer. He was in a completely different world, separated from all his friends, with no guarantee he could ever return home. There were dangerous people here—Evilus, Arachnia, probably many more—who wouldn't hesitate to kill him if he got in their way.
But there was also hope. The school district was searching for his friends. He had allies now—Dia, the girls from the Astraea Familia, Leon and Baldr. And he had power—more power than he'd had in Remnant, thanks to his Falna.
I can do this, he told himself as he rinsed off one last time with the icy water. I can become stronger. I can help these people. And when Ruby and the others arrive, I'll be ready.
With that thought firmly planted in his mind, Jaune finished bathing. He dried off quickly with the towel Dia had given him, shivering slightly from the cold night air on his wet skin. He dressed again in his clothes—though they were stained and needed a proper wash, they were all he had for now.
As he adjusted his shirt, something fell from his pants pocket with a soft jingle. Jaune blinked, looking down to see a small leather pouch on the floor—the gift the god Ellen had given him.
Ah, right, he thought, picking it up. With everything that had happened after his conversation with Ellen, he had almost completely forgotten about it. His curiosity sparked. What would that enigmatic god have given him?
He decided to save it for now. He could open it later, when he had a quieter moment. He tucked it into his pocket before leaving the bathroom.
The aroma of home-cooked food hit him as soon as he stepped into the hallway. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him how hungry he really was. When was the last time he ate? This morning at the school district? It felt like an eternity had passed.
He followed the aroma to what appeared to be a communal dining room. It was a large, cozy room with a long wooden table in the center surrounded by mismatched chairs. The walls were decorated with children's drawings—some hung carefully, others stuck chaotically. A magic lamp (like the ones he had seen previously) hung from the ceiling, bathing everything in warm, welcoming light.
He briefly wondered how exactly those lamps worked—the only thing he knew was that they functioned with a magic stone, instead of Dust.
The children were already seated around the table, chatting animatedly among themselves. And at the end of the table, Dia was helping serve food alongside another woman Jaune hadn't seen before.
The woman was young, probably in her mid-twenties, with brown hair tied in a practical braid. She wore simple but clean clothes—a white blouse and a long skirt. Her brown eyes were warm and kind, and there was a soft smile on her face as she served soup into the children's bowls.
When Jaune entered, several of the children immediately turned.
"The knight!" the boy with freckles shouted excitedly. "Come sit with us!"
Jaune smiled, approaching the table. "Thank you for the invitation."
The woman he didn't know looked up, and her eyes widened slightly upon seeing him. "Oh, you must be Jaune-san," she said in a soft, melodious voice. "Dia-sama told me about you. I'm Maria Martel, the owner of this orphanage."
Jaune blinked with surprise. "The owner? I thought this place belonged to Lady Dia."
Maria laughed softly, shaking her head. "No, this orphanage is mine. Dia-sama is kind enough to help me with the children and provide financial support when she can. But this place has been my home for years. You could say I practically grew up in it."
The place she was referring to and where they were was an abandoned church (or not so abandoned now) located on Daedalus Street. To Jaune, the street seemed like a labyrinth and if it weren't for Dia, he probably would have gotten lost if he had navigated alone.
"I see," Jaune said, bowing respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Maria. And thank you for allowing me to stay here."
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal," Maria said with a warm smile. "Any child of Dia-sama is welcome here. Besides," she added with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "Dia told me how you helped during the attack today. You saved many lives. It's the least I can do."
Jaune felt his cheeks heat slightly. "I only did what anyone would have done."
"No," Dia said firmly, approaching with a bowl of soup. "You did much more than that. And everyone here is grateful." She placed the bowl in front of an empty chair. "Now sit and eat. You look exhausted."
Jaune didn't need to be told twice. He sat in the indicated chair, and was almost immediately bombarded with questions from the curious children.
"Did you really fight the evil spider?"
"Do you have a magic sword?"
"How many monsters have you killed?"
"Can you teach us how to fight?"
Jaune laughed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "One question at a time, please."
Maria clapped softly, catching the children's attention. "Kids, let Jaune-san eat in peace. You can ask him questions after dinner."
The children groaned in disappointment but obeyed, returning to their own bowls of soup.
Jaune lifted his spoon and tasted the soup. It was simple—vegetables, some meat, and a savory broth—but after the day he'd had, it tasted like the best meal in the world. He couldn't help the satisfied sigh that escaped him.
"Do you like it?" Maria asked hopefully.
"It's delicious," Jaune said honestly. "Thank you for the food."
Maria smiled, clearly pleased, and returned to her own seat.
As dinner went on, Jaune found himself genuinely relaxing for the first time in… how long? Honestly, he didn't know. Ever since he started moving actively around Atlas, he hadn't had a real chance to enjoy a dinner peacefully. Not with all the tensions between Team Rwby and the tensions between Nora and Ren. So it had probably been weeks of hectic days.
So this change was welcome, even if he couldn't enjoy it with his friends or his family.
The laughter of the children, the warm smiles from Lady Dia and Maria, the cozy atmosphere of the dining room—all of it blended together to create a sense of home that Jaune hadn't felt in a long time.
For a brief moment, he could forget his worries. He forgot about Evilus, about Arachnia, about being trapped in a different world. He forgot about Cinder and Salem and all the threats lurking in the shadows.
In this moment, he was simply Jaune Arc, sharing a meal with his new family.
The goddess Dia must have noticed, because when their eyes met across the table, she gave him a warm, understanding smile. As if she knew exactly what he was feeling.
"Thank you," Jaune mouthed quietly.
Dia simply nodded, her smile widening.
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After dinner, when the bowls were empty and the stomachs full, Maria stood and clapped softly.
"All right, children," she announced. "It's time for bed. You've all had a long day."
The children protested, but Maria remained firm. One by one, they got up from the table, some approaching Jaune to bid him goodnight.
"Goodnight, mister knight," the girl with pigtails said shyly.
"Goodnight," Jaune replied with a soft smile. "Sweet dreams."
Once all the children were gone, escorted by Maria to their bedrooms, the room became noticeably quieter. Dia began collecting the bowls, and Jaune hurried to help her.
"You don't have to do that," Dia said, but Jaune shook his head.
"I want to help. It's the least I can do."
They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, clearing the table and bringing the dishes to what seemed to be a small kitchen. When they finished, Maria returned with a tired but satisfied smile.
"The children are in bed," she announced. "Now, Jaune-san, let me show you your room."
"Ah, yes," Dia said. "Your room is on the second floor. It's not much, but I hope it's comfortable."
Jaune followed them up the creaky wooden stairs. The second floor was narrower than the first, with a long hallway and several doors on both sides.
"This is your room," Maria said, stopping in front of a door at the end of the hall. "It's a bit away from the children's rooms, so you should have some privacy."
She opened the door, revealing a small but cozy room. There was a single bed against one wall, a small nightstand with a candle, a simple wardrobe, and a window overlooking the street. It wasn't luxurious, but it was clean and functional.
"It's perfect," Jaune said sincerely. "Thank you."
As they talked, Jaune remembered the pouch in his pocket. His curiosity finally got the best of him, and he pulled it out.
"What's that?" Dia asked, noticing the movement.
"A gift from the god Ellen," Jaune explained, opening the pouch. "I almost forgot about it."
He poured the contents into his palm, and both he and the two women gasped softly.
It was a necklace—a thin silver chain with a gemstone-shaped pendant. The gem was a vibrant emerald green, and it seemed to glow with its own light, pulsing softly as if it were alive. It was beautiful—almost hypnotically so.
"That's…" Maria murmured, her eyes widening. "That's definitely not normal. If it came from a god, that necklace has to be something special."
"What is it?" Jaune asked, holding it closer to examine it.
Dia leaned in, squinting slightly. "I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I can feel something… strange emanating from it. It's definitely a magical item of some sort."
Jaune frowned, turning the necklace in his fingers. He could feel it too—a strange, comforting warmth that seemed to resonate with something deep inside him. His Huntsman instincts, honed after years of training and combat, told him this object was important. Special.
But they also told him it wasn't meant for him.
Without thinking twice, Jaune turned to Dia and extended the necklace toward her.
"Here," he said simply.
Dia blinked, clearly surprised. "What? No, Jaune, that was a gift for you. I can't—"
"Please," Jaune insisted. "I feel like this necklace is special, and my instincts tell me you should have it." He smiled softly. "Besides, you've done so much for me today. You gave me your Falna, accepted me into your Familia, gave me a home. It's the least I can do to show my gratitude."
Dia felt her cheeks warm, opening her mouth to protest again, but Maria placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Dia," Maria said gently, "I think you should accept it. Jaune-san clearly wants you to have it."
Dia looked between Maria and Jaune, her expression conflicted. Finally, her shoulders relaxed and she extended her hand, trembling slightly.
"All right," Lady Dia said softly. "I'll accept it. But only if you're sure."
"I'm sure," Jaune said firmly, placing the necklace in her palm.
Dia closed her fingers around the necklace, and for a moment, it seemed to glow even more brightly. Her eyes widened slightly, and Jaune could swear he saw tears forming at the corners.
"Thank you, Jaune," Dia whispered, giving him a beautiful smile, her cheeks still slightly red. "This… this means a lot to me."
Jaune smiled. "You're welcome, Dia."
Maria smiled warmly at the exchange, clearly moved by the gesture.
After a moment, Dia cleared her throat, discreetly wiping her eyes. "Well," she said, her voice a little rough, "it's late. We should all get some rest."
"I agree," Maria said, yawning. "It's been a very long day."
"Goodnight, Jaune-san," Maria said, bowing slightly. "If you need anything during the night, my room is right next to the stairs."
"Thank you, Maria," Jaune said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Jaune," Dia said, giving him one last smile before beginning to walk away. Then she paused, turning back. "Ah, your armor is still in my room. Do you need it?"
Jaune shook his head. "No, it's fine. I can pick it up tomorrow."
Dia nodded. "Then sweet dreams."
"You too."
Jaune watched them walk down the hallway, their figures gradually disappearing into the shadows. Once they were out of sight, he entered his room and closed the door behind him.
The room suddenly felt very quiet. Jaune approached the window, looking out at Daedalus Street below. The magic lamps cast pools of warm light into the darkness, and occasionally he could see someone walking—likely night guards or late workers.
It was a calm, peaceful sight. Very different from the chaos and destruction of only a few hours earlier.
Jaune stepped away from the window and sat on the edge of the bed. The springs creaked slightly under his weight, but the mattress was surprisingly comfortable.
He took off his boots, placing them carefully beside the bed. Then he lay down, staring at the wooden ceiling above him.
His mind was full of conflicting thoughts. Thoughts about the day he'd had, the people he'd met, the challenges waiting ahead.
He thought about Ruby, Yang, Blake, and Weiss. Where were they? Were they safe? Would they arrive in this world soon, or had they already arrived and he just didn't know? He couldn't know for sure; this whole situation was unknown to him.
He thought about Nora, Ren, and Oscar. Had they managed to evacuate the civilians safely? Had they made it to Vacuo? He briefly wondered if they thought he was dead before pushing those thoughts aside before they led him into dangerous emotional territory.
He thought about Pyrrha. About Penny. About everyone he had lost along the way.
But he also thought about the new allies he had made—Dia, Maria, the girls of the Astraea Familia, Leon, Baldr. People who had shown kindness to a complete stranger without asking anything in return.
He thought about his new abilities, the power he now possessed thanks to the Falna. Arceciel Record. The possibility of using the Semblances of those he had lost. It was a gift, but also a tremendous responsibility.
And he thought about Cinder. The person he hated most in his entire life and with whom he had a score to settle. After all, he wasn't going to let her walk away unpunished for everything she'd done.
But not tonight, he told himself. Tonight, I rest. Tomorrow, I begin my path to becoming stronger.
With that final thought, Jaune closed his eyes.
Sleep didn't come immediately—his mind was still too active, too full. But gradually, as he listened to the distant nighttime sounds of Orario—the occasional bark of a dog, the far-off murmur of voices, the soft whisper of the wind—he felt the tension leave his body.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Jaune Arc felt… not exactly at peace, but close. He had a roof over his head, food in his stomach, and people who cared about him.
This was more than he could've asked for. A situation much more comfortable than his journey to Haven Academy. After all, during that trip he slept and bathed in pretty uncomfortable places, not to mention the cold nights they had to endure, but thanks to his friends he managed to partially get used to it. Although Jaune would always prefer the comfort of a home with a roof.
And as the darkness finally claimed him, pulling him into a dreamless sleep, one final thought crossed his mind.
For you, Penny. For all of you. I'll become stronger. I promise.
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Timeline – 3 Days until the Great Feud.
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Author's Note: Here is the next chapter. I decided to split it because it was getting too long. Are you excited for the big battle to begin? Only a few more details are left, such as the meeting the families will have at the guild, and Jaune going to the dungeon to test his new abilities and also registering at the guild. Oh… by the way, should I have someone join Jaune before the Grand Contest or after it? Let me know your opinions.
By the way, did you like the chapter? If you want to support my writing and help me continue, you can do so at ko-fi.com /paxkun12. Any support is incredibly valuable to me and will help me a lot. This is not an obligation— all my chapters and stories will always be free to read. But your support would really motivate me. Not to mention, if you want me to update a particular story, I'll do my best to make it happen. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. PDT: Every donation will go toward repairing my computer because it broke down. And sorry for any spelling mistakes that might have slipped through. Since I'm working on a tablet, it's possible something got past me, but I tried to check everything several times.
F for the computer that fought until its last moments.