Of Veils and the Secrets that Lurk

[Marauder_Barriers]

PROLOGUE

The rain hammers down in thick, silver sheets, turning Vale's asphalt streets into mirrors for the neon glow of storefront signs and the harsh flash of blue-and-red lights. Sirens wail in the distance, mixing with the rumble of traffic that never seems to stop – even at three in the morning, this city breathes chaos.

A cordon of yellow tape stretches across the mouth of an alley and wraps around the brick facade of a wide five-story building, fluttering like a sickly flag against the downpour. Uniformed officers move through the puddles below, their boots squelching, breath pluming white in the damp chill.

Inside an unmarked sedan parked half a block away, the windows are fogged at the edges. A hand wrapped in worn leather curls around a stainless steel flask, tilting it back one last time. The liquid burns warm on the way down, chasing off the cold that seeps through the car's thin frame. With a quiet click, the flask is tucked away into the inner pocket of a dark trench coat, disappearing beneath layers of fabric.

The man leans back in his seat, fingers drumming against the steering wheel – a steady, impatient rhythm. His gaze drifts to the rearview mirror, and for a moment, the dim light catches his eyes. They're a sharp, striking red, set deep in sockets shadowed by heavy bags, as if sleep has been a stranger for far too long. He stares at his own reflection for a beat longer than necessary, then lets out a low breath and shifts his focus back to the building ahead.

He pushes open the car door and steps out into the damp air – the rain's slowed to a fine drizzle now, clinging to the brim of his fedora and beading on the shoulders of his trench coat. Each step sends a small splash up from the cracked pavement as he makes his way toward the cordon, his shoes finding familiar paths through the puddles.

The uniformed officer at the tape is broad-shouldered, with mud streaked across his pant legs and a crease of worry carved deep between his brows. He looks up as the detective approaches, recognition flashing across his face before he lets out a sharp exhale and runs a hand over his short-cropped hair.

The detective lifts a hand in a quick nod, his voice rough from disuse and the liquor he'd just swallowed. "How does it look?"

The officer's jaw tightens. He glances back toward the building's dark entrance, then leans in slightly, lowering his voice even though they're already out of earshot of the other cops. "Bad. Very bad." He curses under his breath, kicking at a loose piece of gravel. "We got here twenty minutes ago – call came in from a night janitor who thought he heard something. Whatever went down in there… it ain't clean. There's glass everywhere, furniture turned over like a tornado hit the place, and…" He trails off, shaking his head. "You're gonna wanna see this for yourself, but fair warning – it'll make your skin crawl. Even after all we've seen in this city."

The detective's red eyes narrow slightly, his gaze shifting past the officer to the shadowed doorway of the building. He pulls the fedora a little lower over his brow. "Lead the way."

They push through the building's front door into a lobby that reeks of mildew and stale cigarette smoke. The building's layout is tight – most units here are studio or one-bedroom apartments, with a handful of two-bedrooms on the upper floors that barely qualify as "spacious." The corridors are narrow, walls painted a faded beige that can't hide the water stains seeping down from the ceiling.

The detective's eyes scan the worn tile floor as they pass a row of mailboxes, most of them dented or missing their numbers. "Where are the tenants?"

"Floors 1 to 4 have been told to stay in their rooms," the officer says, hitting the button for the elevator. "We got people watching them on each floor – making sure nobody leaves, nobody comes in. Standard protocol for a scene like this."

"One to four." The detective's voice is low, his gaze fixed on the elevator panel where buttons for all five floors glow faintly. "As I recall this place has five floors." A knot tightens in his stomach, a familiar twist of unease he's learned to trust over the years.

The officer's hand hovers over the button for the fifth floor. After a long pause, he answers simply: "Gone."

The detective's brows draw together sharply. "Gone?"

"Gone." The officer nods, his face grim as the elevator doors slide open with a metallic groan. "We did a sweep twenty minutes ago. Every apartment on five – all six units – not a single soul in any of them. Doors were unlocked, some wide open. Looks like they packed up and left in a hurry… or were taken."

As they step inside the elevator, the detective runs a finger along the wall, leaving a streak through grime and spray-painted tags in garish red and black. The landlord hadn't bothered to clean up the graffiti, let alone fix the flickering overhead light that cast dancing shadows across the small space. The elevator lurches as it starts upward, the cables rattling with a sound like bones grinding together.

The elevator lets out a final, high-pitched whine before the doors grind open to swallow them in darkness. Street lights from outside cut thin yellow slashes across the hallway floor, while the beam of the officer's flashlight cuts a sharp white path through the gloom. Several other flashlights bob and shift further down the corridor as uniformed cops move in and out of doorways, their hushed voices carrying in the still air.

The detective pulls his own flashlight from his coat pocket, clicking it on with a soft snick. The beam sweeps over water-stained wallpaper and more graffiti before he follows the officer down the narrow hall, taking a quick left turn at the end. The fifth floor's layout mirrors the lower levels – compact, with doors set close together.

Then he stops.

His red eyes fix on one doorway in particular, even before the beam of his light finds it. Something about the way the door hangs slightly ajar, or the faint smell that creeps out into the hall – metallic and sharp, mixed with something acrid – sets every nerve in his body on edge.

Two officers stand guard outside, shoulders slumped, their expressions tight with discomfort. They straighten up when they spot the detective and his companion, one of them already pulling off a pair of latex gloves as if eager to be anywhere else.

He steps into the room and immediately takes it all in – chaos layered over comfort. A worn sofa lies on its side, throw pillows torn open and feathers scattered across the floor. A small dining table is flipped upside down, its legs pointing toward the ceiling like broken limbs. But it's the blood that draws his focus.

The kitchen and dining area are splattered with it – dark red against the light-colored tile and faded linoleum. The walls hold handprints and smears where someone had tried to steady themselves, or been pushed hard against the surface. On the floor, deep gouges drag from near the kitchen to the far wall – clear signs of a body being pulled across the ground.

His flashlight traces up to a long, jagged stain on the wall: evidence of someone being slashed open. Then he stops at three distinct parallel sets of blood spatter arcs – the kind that show the direction and force of a cutting motion. He crouches low, running a finger just beside one set without touching it.

The shape is wrong. Too wide between the marks, too irregular at the edges.

"Not a blade," he mutters under his breath, his gaze locked on the patterns.

"There's more."

The officer's voice is low and grim, his chin tilted toward a closed door at the back of the apartment – the bathroom.

The detective straightens slowly, his joints creaking in the quiet room. He draws a long breath, letting the metallic tang fill his lungs for a moment before releasing it in a slow stream. With deliberate steps, he moves toward the door, his hand hovering over the knob. For a beat, he pauses – weighing the instinct to turn away against the duty that keeps him moving forward.

Another sigh, short and sharp, and he twists the knob.

The door swings open to reveal darkness, broken only by the beam of his flashlight cutting through the air. What it lands on makes him go still. Even after years on the force, after seeing the worst this city could unleash, something in that small room stops his heart for a second, cold seeping through his chest and freezing the blood in his veins.

He stares, unable to look away, before finally finding his voice in a rough, choked whisper.

"Fuck..."

 

[Marauder_Barriers]

Chapter 1

Jaune Arc stared at the horror movie's credits rolling, a somber string score playing over names he'd already forgotten – not that it mattered much, since nothing about the film had stuck with him besides his growing disappointment.
It was a remake of an 80s slasher classic he'd loved since his dad first showed him the original on a dusty VHS tape. But somehow, the director had stripped out every jump scare and fun practical effect to turn it into an arthouse slog, stuffed full of heavy-handed metaphors and clumsy allusions to childhood trauma that felt more like a college film project than a proper thriller.

"Well. That was something."

The voice came from his phone, propped up against a half-empty bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. Ruby Rose's face filled the screen, her silver eyes crinkling at the corners as she leaned back in what looked like her bedroom chair – a neon-pink gaming headset draped around her neck, posters of bands Jaune had never heard of plastered on the wall behind her. They'd planned this watch-along for weeks, hyped up by glowing critic reviews on Rotten Potatoes. Now he finally understood why the site had quietly removed all the audience feedback.

"That was terrible." Jaune let out a breathy chuckle, reaching for the remote to pause the credits. "I mean, remember when the killer finally showed up? Instead of chasing the lead girl with a machete, he just… sat down and started monologuing about window frames or something?"

Ruby burst out laughing, the sound so genuine it chased away the last of the awkward silence that had hung over the call during the film's final act. "Oh thank GOD! I thought I was the only one! I was sitting there trying so hard to be deep and appreciate the 'artistry' but halfway through I just started texting Yang – she said she'd given up twenty minutes in and was re-watching the original instead."
"Smart woman." Jaune grinned, scooping up a handful of popcorn. "I should've done the same. My brain still hurts trying to figure out what the rain scene was supposed to mean."

They'd been best friends since middle school, when Ruby – new to Vale and still getting used to the city's constant buzz – had accidentally knocked over his entire display at the science fair. Instead of getting mad, he'd laughed when she'd tried to fix it with tape and a wad of bubble gum, and they'd spent the rest of the day sharing fries at the diner down the street. Now she lived just a couple of blocks away from his place in the city's quieter north end, close enough that they could easily walk to each other's houses – but video calls like this still felt like their own little tradition.

"Hey, at least we got through the whole thing," Ruby said, picking up a can of soda from her desk. "That's got to count for something, right? Like… character building?"
"Character building, sure." Jaune shook his head with a smile. "Next time we pick the movie though – and I'm vetoing anything that says 'thought-provoking' in the description."

Ruby snickered through the speakers. "Fair."

Jaune leaned forward slightly, getting a better look at her through the screen – she'd set up the call through her computer, so the view was wider than usual, showing off more of her room than he usually got to see.

It was classic Ruby – organized chaos that only made sense to her. The walls were lined with shelves stacked high with textbooks on mechanical engineering, disassembled clockwork pieces laid out on velvet mats, and small metal contraptions she'd built herself – some functional, some just for fun. A drafting table sat in one corner, covered in blueprints and sketchbooks filled with intricate designs for gears and mechanisms.

In the background, mounted on a rack above her bed, were several orange-tipped replica guns – sleek-looking pistols and a couple of carbines she'd customized with painted details and modified grips. She'd gotten into collecting and tinkering with them after taking a firearms safety course last year, and spent most of her free time either researching their mechanics or adjusting their internal parts to make them fire more smoothly. Posters of vintage military hardware and diagrams of weapon systems were taped up beside her band posters, creating a weird but perfect blend of her two biggest interests.

"Is that the new replica you were working on?" Jaune asked, gun she'd propped up next to her monitor. "The one you said you were modifying the trigger mechanism for?"

Ruby lit up, turning the camera slightly to give him a better view. "Yeah! Check it out – I got the pull weight down by almost half. Still need to fine-tune the sights, but it's already way better than when I bought it."

"Cool." He nodded. "That's M4A1 airsoft gun that we got last week right?"

Ruby's face lit up even more – clearly thrilled he'd remembered their trip to the hobby shop downtown. "Yes! The very same – you should see what I've done with it already!" She grabbed the replica from the rack, holding it up to the camera so he could get a good look. "I replaced the stock with a collapsible one I 3D-printed myself, swapped out the inner barrel for a tighter one to improve accuracy, and I'm working on a custom gearbox setup that'll let it fire in semi and full-auto without jamming. Oh, and I painted the handguard matte black to match the rest of it – way better than the original tan color, right?"

Jaune leaned back, listening with a wide smile as she rattled off specs and modifications, her hands moving animatedly as she explained each part. When she paused to take a breath, he chimed in: "So the inner barrel swap – does that actually make a big difference when you're playing at the field?"

"Massive!" she shot back, already launching into another explanation about hop-up units and BB trajectory. He threw in a few more questions here and there, just to keep her going – he didn't always understand all the technical stuff, but he loved how excited she got when talking about her projects.

After a few more minutes of enthusiastic detailing, Ruby finally set the airsoft gun down, wiping her hands on her jeans. Jaune stretched back on his couch, grinning. "How about we watch an action movie this time? You wanna pick one?"

Ruby's expression shifted to a sheepish grin, and she rubbed the back of her neck. "But isn't it your turn to pick? Kinda feel bad about picking this one haha... I mean, look how that turned out."


"I don't mind. 'Sides, you know the best action movies out there." He smiled, grabbing his remote to switch the movie stream over to one of the big streaming services, scrolling through the action section as he waited for her to pick.

As the loading screen popped up on his TV, Jaune sank back into the cushions of his couch, letting the familiar comfort of his living room wash over him. The soft glow of the screen, the half-empty popcorn bowl, Ruby's animated voice already listing off her top three picks – it felt good, normal. But then his eyes drifted to the calendar on the wall, where a big red circle marked tomorrow's date, and a quiet knot formed in his stomach.

Summer break was ending. Tomorrow would be the first day back at Vale High.

Jaune was never the most outgoing person – he'd always leaned more introverted, content to stick with his small group of friends like Ren and Nora, who he'd known since freshman year. They'd already made plans to meet up before the first period to swap stories from their break. But Ruby was a year below them, in her sophomore year now, and he'd caught glimpses of her during lunch or between classes last year – sometimes sitting alone at a table in the corner, even though her older sister Yang was one of the most popular kids in school, always surrounded by a crowd.

He knew she didn't *mind* being on her own most days – she'd told him once that she preferred having space to think about her projects – but still, he worried.

Ruby had already settled on a classic 90s action flick, and the opening credits were rolling as Jaune grabbed another handful of popcorn. His mind wandered a little as the familiar theme music played, thinking about Vale High – how it was one of those old mixed schools where the middle school and high school divisions were split only by a single wide hallway running down the building's center.

That's how he'd been able to spot her during lunch breaks even when she was still in eighth grade – he'd sometimes cut through the middle hallway to grab extra napkins from the lower cafeteria, and he'd see her tucked away at a table with her sketchbook or a small tool kit spread out in front of her.

Now that she was moving up to the high school side, they'd be in the same building for good. A small smile crossed his face as he thought about it – he'd been meaning to introduce her to Ren and Nora for ages. He could already picture it: Nora would probably bombard her with questions about her airsoft guns, while Ren would be quietly fascinated by her engineering projects. He had a feeling they'd all get along great.

"Earth to Jaune!" Ruby's voice pulled him back to the screen. "You're missing all the good stuff – look, the car chase just started!"

He laughed, leaning forward to focus on the screen. "Sorry sorry – got distracted for a second!"

As the cars careened through city streets on screen, his thoughts drifted back to tomorrow again – then he shook his head sharply to push them away. He'd actually been thinking about offering to pick Ruby up so they could walk to school together instead of just trading quick hellos in the hallway. But he'd quickly dismissed the idea; he knew she and Yang always made the trip as a pair.

And honestly? He still felt weird whenever Yang was around. Every time they'd crossed paths at Ruby's place or run into her downtown, he'd gotten painfully nervous and awkward – and it definitely didn't help that she was stunning. She had that rebel vibe down pat, with her leather jackets and fitted tank tops, but unlike some of the more extreme punks at school, she kept her golden hair and skin flawless – no dye, piercings, or tattoos in sight. It was all in her personality – the way she carried herself, the easy confidence in every word she said – that made her so magnetic.

"Hey, you good over there?" Ruby asked, noticing his brow was furrowed again. "You look like you're fighting with your own brain."

"Yeah, yeah – all good!" He forced a brighter smile, pointing at the TV. "Just wondering how they pulled off that jump scene back then – no CGI or anything!"

Ruby laughed, launching into an explanation about clever camera angles, hidden ramps, and how the stunt team had spent weeks practicing the jump to get it just right. The two fell into a comfortable rhythm after that – watching the movie, trading comments whenever something cool or ridiculous happened, letting stretches of silence settle between them without a hint of awkwardness.

They didn't make it to the end though. A soft knock on Ruby's door preceded it swinging open, and Summer Rose stepped inside – she looked almost like an older version of her daughter, with the same silver eyes and warm smile, though her hair was longer and pulled back in a neat bun, and fine lines around her eyes spoke to years of looking after two girls.

"Ruby Rose," she said in a gentle but firm voice, "it's a school night. You know the rules – time to wrap this up so you can get some sleep before tomorrow."

Ruby let out an exaggerated groan, slumping in her chair. "Awww man – we were just getting to the best part!"

Summer walked over to ruffle her daughter's hair, then glanced at the PC screen where Jaune's face was still visible. Her expression softened into a warm smile. "Hey there Jaune. Sorry to cut your hang out time short, but I gotta get Ruby here to sleep early today. And you should too – I know how you kids like to push it on the first night back."

Jaune waved back, feeling a little flustered – he'd always thought of Summer as the coolest mom he knew, but he still got a little nervous talking to her. "No worries at all, Mrs. Rose! We were just about to call it anyway."

"Good night, Jaune! See you tomorrow!"

"You too – sleep well!"

The call cut out with a soft click, and Jaune stared at the blank screen for a moment before reaching for the remote to shut off the TV. There was no point finishing the movie without Ruby – watching action flicks was always more fun with someone to yell at the screen with. He pushed himself up from the couch and stretched, his joints popping in the quiet of the apartment.

It was pretty basic – just a small living room, three bedrooms, and a cramped kitchen. He shared it with two of his older sisters, who'd moved to the city for work a couple of years ago and offered to let him stay with them once he got into Vale High during his middle school years. Coming from their family's place out in the countryside – with acres of land and more animals than neighbors – the city apartment had felt tiny at first, but he'd gotten used to it.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he sighed. It was still early enough that the night could've stretched on for hours – and it was the *last day of summer* too. But his sisters were both out, off hanging with their friends at some concert downtown, leaving him alone in the quiet space. He'd been looking forward to soaking up every last minute of freedom with Ruby, and her early exit left him feeling like he'd missed out on something important.

Walking over to the kitchen window, he peered out at the street below – streetlights casting orange pools on the pavement, a few cars passing by. Tomorrow was starting to feel a little too close now.

The silence in the apartment was starting to get to him – usually, nights like these were filled with the murmur of his sisters chatting in their rooms, or the sound of him and Ruby yelling at each other over a video game. Now, the only sound was the low hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. He considered browsing the internet to entertain himself, but his phone battery was low and he didn't feel like digging out the charger.

He ended up switching on the small TV in the kitchen, flipping through channels until he landed on a local news station. It was the same as always – reports about political squabbles in a foreign country, updates on the US economy that he barely understood, and the ever-present warnings about rising gang violence in another state.

But then a segment came on that caught his attention. A breaking news report about a murder – specifically, in this district of the city. The reporter stood outside a building a few blocks away, the scene lit by flashing police lights. The victim's name wasn't released, but the reporter mentioned that the crime had occurred in the early morning hours and that the police were already on the case. An interview with a police spokesperson followed, who assured viewers that they were taking the situation seriously and that the district would be seeing an increased police presence in the coming days. The segment ended with the reporter urging viewers to stay calm and stay safe.

Jaune stared at the screen, a chill running down his spine. A murder… so close to home, and so close to Vale High… Hopefully the police will get this sorted out. Sooner or later.

-Linebreak-

The morning sun streamed through the blinds, casting stripes of light across Jaune's face as he packed his books into his worn backpack. He'd laid out his clothes the night before – his favorite hoodie and his favorite pair of jeans – but he still felt a nervous flutter in his stomach as he zipped up the bag.

The smell of frying bacon and sweet waffles wafted in from the kitchen, where his sister Saphron was already at work over the stove. Jade, his other sister, was perched at the small dining table, fingers flying across the keyboard of her laptop – probably working on another freelance article for some obscure online publication. He briefly wondered if she'd found a new client after the last one had dropped her for digging too deep into local politics. She tended to really go after the hard stuff, the stories that nobody else wanted to touch, and it had gotten her into trouble more than once. The last publisher had given her a stern warning after she'd managed to leak a scandal involving a local government worker, threatening to sue her if it ever happened again.

Saphron looked up from the stove, her brown eyes warm with a sisterly smile. "Morning Jaune, ready for your first day?"

Jade looked up from her laptop, adjusting her spectacles with a raised brow. Her expression was as deadpan as ever, the kind that made it clear she wasn't one to sugarcoat anything.

"You're seriously wearing that old hoodie?" she commented, nodding toward the black hoodie Jaune had pulled on, the orange—almost red—underlayer peeking out from beneath the lowered hood. His favorite Pumpkin Pete hoodie, the one he'd had since middle school.

Jaune shrugged, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "It's comfortable. And lucky."

Jade snorted softly but said nothing more, returning her attention to the screen as Saphron flipped a waffle onto a plate with a satisfied smile.

He grabbed one that was already set up and ate some.

Jaune knew Jade meant well. She'd always been the moody but caring one among his sisters—painfully blunt and harsh with her words, sure, but there was a kindness beneath it all that he'd come to appreciate over the years.

He turned to Saphron with a small smile. "I already packed my bag and got my stuff ready last night."

Saphron nodded approvingly. "Good. Well, have a good day today, little brother. Oh, and be back before dark, okay? I just saw the news this morning…"

Jade's fingers paused on her keyboard as she glanced up sharply at Saphron. "The one about the murder on Hawthorne Street?"

Saphron nodded grimly.

Jaune nodded, reassuring them both. "Yeah, I saw the news last night too. Don't worry. I'll be back as soon as I can manage."

He was just about to head toward the door when Jade's voice stopped him.

"Don't go messing around too much," she said, her tone firm but tinged with concern. "The streets are getting dangerous these days."

He turned back, meeting her serious gaze. "I won't. I'll be careful."

Jade nodded slightly, satisfied with his answer, before returning to her work, leaving Jaune with a quiet reminder that the city was no longer quite as safe as it once had been.

Vale High was about eight blocks from Jaune's apartment, nestled on the edge of the city's sprawling green heart – Vale Park, the city's own version of Central Park. The park's wide, tree-lined paths and picturesque lakes gave a rare breath of fresh air amid the dense urban sprawl, and the school's brick façade blended with the surrounding Victorian-era architecture, standing as a proud reminder of the city's rich history.

Jaune stepped out into the morning rush, the city already alive with movement and sound. The streets thrummed with energy—cars honking as they jockeyed for position, cyclists weaving through the gaps between pedestrians, and the steady hum of conversations mixing with the occasional rumble of a distant subway train below the pavement.

Tall buildings rose around him, a patchwork of eras stitched together. Ornate stone facades with intricate carvings and wrought-iron balconies stood shoulder to shoulder with sleek glass towers and imposing corporate blocks. The juxtaposition of old and new was unmistakable here in Vale City, a coastal metropolis proud of its Victorian heritage yet racing forward with modern ambition.

A hotdog vendor's cart sat near a busy intersection, the smell of sizzling sausages and toasted buns cutting through the crisp morning air. The vendor, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile and a stained apron, called out to the early risers—men and women already dressed in crisp suits and practical jumpsuits, grabbing a quick breakfast before diving into the day's grind.

Jaune caught sight of a massive billboard perched atop one of the taller buildings, its bright colors standing out against the gray cityscape. It advertised Schnee Brand Soda, the city's most famous beverage company, known for its sleek cans and sharp, refreshing taste. The ad featured a model holding a frosted can, smiling beneath a vintage script that promised "A Taste as Timeless as Vale Itself."

As he made his way down the crowded sidewalk, Jaune took it all in—the clash of eras, the bustling energy, and the familiar faces weaving through the city's veins. It was a city that never truly slept, and today was just another busy morning in its endless story.

As Jaune continued his walk toward Vale High, he passed a small café nestled between two aging brick buildings. Parked just outside was a patrol car, its surface still glistening with droplets from an early morning investigation. Two officers sat at a corner table on the sidewalk, nursing steaming cups of coffee, their dark jackets showing faint damp patches where the rain had clung earlier.

Jaune walked by casually but couldn't help catching a fragment of their conversation.

"...shit. Never seen the detective so worked up. Not since that case on the old shipping dock. Think it's—" one officer began, voice low and tense.

The other cut him off with a sharp finger pressed to his lips. "Hey, we all promised not to talk about that. You wanna get those freaks from the FBI doing sudden audits again? Fuck, man, we've got enough paperwork as it is."

Jaune's steps faltered for just a moment before he moved on, the weight of their words sinking in as the city's noise swallowed their voices once more.

The snippet of conversation faded from Jaune's mind as the towering silhouette of Vale High came into view. The building looked less like a school and more like an ornate, centuries-old library, its stone façade adorned with intricate carvings and tall, arched windows that glinted in the morning sun.

The sprawling structure was shaped like a giant H, with one wing housing the middle schoolers and the other reserved for the high school students. This layout, while practical, made for a chaotic scene at the main entrance. A steady stream of students flowed through the front gates—kids of all ages and stages of adolescence converging in one bustling hub.

Jaune watched as parents knelt to hug their nervous children, likely first-years of middle school, their faces a mix of pride and worry. Nearby, groups of older students—the ones on the cusp of adulthood—gathered in clusters, laughing and chatting easily, their voices carrying across the courtyard. The energy was electric, a blend of fresh starts and familiar rhythms marking the beginning of a new school year.

Jaune's gaze caught a flash of familiar crimson near the fountain at the center of the courtyard. The statue there was a striking tribute to Vale's Victorian-inspired heritage—an imposing woman wielding a battle axe standing beside a resolute man clutching a sword, both frozen in a moment of defiant strength from days long past.

Beside the statue, Ruby stood out unmistakably in her signature red hooded jacket, the silver gleam of her eyes lighting up as they met his. She waved with enthusiastic energy, a bright smile spreading across her face, cutting through the morning bustle like a beacon.

Jaune couldn't help but smile back.

--linebreak–

"Huh. So this is the high school section. Looks more or less like the middle school side," Ruby hummed thoughtfully as they walked side by side, taking in the familiar yet subtly different atmosphere.

Jaune chuckled. "Yep. I mean, it literally is the same building after all. The layout's the same, but the paintings on the walls are different."

They moved through a lively hallway bustling with students. On one side, large windows stretched from floor to ceiling, flooding the corridor with natural light and offering views of the courtyard outside—the fountain, the statues, and the steady flow of students passing by. The other side was lined with rows of lockers, their chipped paint and carved initials speaking to years of student use, interspersed with doors leading to classrooms humming with the low murmur of early morning lessons.

Despite the constant traffic, it was something of a miracle that the paintings adorning the walls were clean and unblemished. Each was protected behind thick glass, but even that likely wouldn't have been enough to deter the more mischievous students if not for the firm hand of Deputy Headmistress Goodwitch. She was notorious for her strict discipline, and legend had it that she personally punished the students responsible for a particularly infamous incident years ago—when someone had drawn a mustache on one of the portraits. Since then, the students had learned better than to mess with the artwork, leaving the paintings pristine as a testament to her unwavering authority.


There was still some time before first period, so Jaune and Ruby strolled down the hallway, talking and laughing about everything and nothing. The school's morning energy buzzed around them—the excited chatter, the occasional slam of locker doors, and the faint scent of fresh paper and polished floors.

When they finally reached Ruby's new locker, she paused, spinning the combination lock open with practiced ease. Just as Jaune was about to say something, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Jauney! There you are!"

Nora came bounding toward them, her bright smile infectious and her eyes sparkling with excitement. Behind her, Ren walked quietly, his calm presence contrasting with Nora's energetic approach. The silent Asian boy gave Jaune a respectful nod as they drew near.

"Hey Nora," Jaune greeted, grinning. "Hey Ren."

Nora's enthusiasm didn't falter as she wrapped an arm around Jaune's shoulder. "It's the first day! Can you believe it? We're finally all here together."

Ren offered a small smile, his eyes warm but reserved, while Nora's energy seemed to fill the hallway.

"It's only been a month, Nora," Jaune chuckled, shaking his head.

"Pshhh, a week, a month—it doesn't matter! The trio's back in action!" Nora replied with a triumphant grin.

Her gaze then landed on Ruby, who had instinctively moved just behind Jaune, her cheeks tinting slightly pink. Ruby wasn't exactly quiet—she spoke up when she wanted to—but she was painfully shy and awkward around new people. Though she'd heard plenty about Nora and Ren through Jaune's stories, and vice versa during their occasional chats, the three had never met in person before.

Ruby usually left early after school with Yang, so Jaune had never found the right moment to introduce her to them. Now, standing there in the bustling hallway, surrounded by chatter and laughter, Ruby felt the familiar flutter of nerves but also the subtle warmth of something new beginning.
Nora beamed brightly and threw her hands up confidently. "Heya! Name's Nora Valkyrie—Jaune's handler and Ren's caretaker!"

Ren raised an eyebrow, looking mildly amused. "Caretaker?"

Jaune mirrored the gesture, glancing at Nora with a smirk. "Handler?"

The two boys exchanged a brief, knowing look.

Nora held up a finger, cutting through their silent exchange. "Hush, you two. Don't ruin my introduction! I could totally pull it off!"

Her grin widened, filled with playful determination, while Jaune and Ren exchanged amused glances, knowing better than to argue with her.

Ruby shifted slightly, glancing nervously at Jaune before taking a small breath and stepping forward. "H-Hey, my name is Ruby. Jaune's friend."

Her voice was soft but sincere, and though she fidgeted with the strap of her backpack, there was a quiet strength in the way she spoke. Nora's eyes lit up instantly, and Ren offered a gentle nod in return.

"Nice to meet you, Ruby!" Nora said warmly, a friendly smile spreading across her face. "You'll fit right in with us."

Jaune gave Ruby an encouraging smile, glad to see her warming up despite the nerves.

The four of them settled into easy conversation, the contrasting energies balancing perfectly. Ren's calm, quiet demeanor offered a soothing counterpoint to Nora's lively, chaotic enthusiasm. Jaune found himself smiling as he watched Ruby relax, the shy edge softening as she giggled at one of Nora's playful antics.

They talked and laughed together, the morning rushing by faster than any of them expected. Suddenly, the sharp ring of the school bell echoed through the halls, signaling the start of first period.

Jaune glanced at Ruby with a hopeful smile. "Right, see you at lunchtime?"

"Sure," she replied, returning the smile. "Just save me a spot."

The promise of their shared lunch gave him a small spark of comfort as they headed toward their respective classes, the day now truly underway.

-linebreak-

Jaune stepped into the classroom, the buzz of introductions filling the air as students settled into their seats. Familiar faces surrounded him—Nora's bright smile, Ren's calm presence—and several others who made the room feel distinctly like the start of a new year.

Near the front sat a girl with a sharp side ponytail and stark white hair, her porcelain skin almost glowing under the classroom lights. Weiss Schnee, as always, carried an air of regal composure. She was quietly absorbed in a book—most likely the assigned reading for their class—her posture perfect and poised. As the year's top student, she never failed to command attention without saying a word.

Beside her was a tall girl with vibrant red hair that seemed to catch the sunlight streaming through the windows. A delicate golden or bronze hair ornament caught the light near her temple, accentuating the way her ponytail swayed gently as she glanced out at the trees beyond the school grounds. Her expression was thoughtful, distant yet serene.

On the other side of the room, a mane of golden blonde hair bobbed as Ruby's sister, Yang, animatedly chatted with her friends. Her confident laughter carried across the classroom, a sharp contrast to the quiet focus of others.

Jaune chose a seat near the door, away from the windows, preferring a spot where he could observe without feeling too exposed. Beside him, a girl with chestnut brown hair streaked with green highlights was intently sketching something in her notepad. Jaune hadn't seen her before—a new face among the familiar ones—which piqued his curiosity.

He wondered what stories she carried, what talents lay hidden behind those focused eyes.

Feeling awkward, he took a deep breath, gathering his courage to introduce himself to the girl sitting beside him. He opened his mouth to say hello, but before the words could form, the classroom door swung open and the professor entered.

Professor Walter Leaflet, a man in his early fifties with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp spectacles, carried an air of quiet authority. His crisp, tailored suit and calm demeanor immediately commanded attention. As he moved to the front of the room, the murmurs and chatter of students faded into attentive silence.

"Good morning, everyone," Professor Leaflet began, his voice steady and clear. "Welcome to the first period of the new school year. I'm Professor Leaflet, and I'll be guiding you through Advanced History this term."

Jaune's greeting was left unspoken as the class settled, notebooks opening and pens poised. The professor's presence filled the room with a focused energy, signaling that the day's lessons were about to begin.

Professor Leaflet's lecture on the first day was essentially a detailed rundown of Vale's rich and complex history. He spoke with measured clarity about how Vale had started as a bustling trading hub during colonial times, a vital crossroads for merchants from various parts of the world. Unlike many other colonies, it had attracted a significant number of English nobles who decided to settle rather than just colonists looking for new land.

The professor delved into the turbulent period of the civil war and the region's secession from England—a chapter marked by controversy and deep divisions. Despite the rebels' victory, the nobles who had struck a deal with George Washington ensured that English traditions and cultural influences remained deeply embedded in Vale's identity.

Over time, this blending of old English customs with the emerging American spirit gave rise to Vale's unique architectural heritage. The city's many Victorian-era–esque buildings, with their intricate designs and stately facades, stood as living testaments to this fascinating fusion of cultures and histories.

As Professor Leaflet wrapped up, the students sat quietly, absorbing the weight of the city's past and its influence on their present day.

Jaune felt a pang of disappointment when he learned that Ren and Nora had different class schedules. They wouldn't be together this period, forced to part ways until lunch at least. It was a small but noticeable loss, especially on the first day.

The only classmates he shared most of his classes with were the brown-haired girl with green highlights, Weiss Schnee, and Pyrrha Nikos. Pyrrha walked closely behind Weiss, almost like a loyal bodyguard, her posture disciplined and attentive.

Weiss, ever the poised and regal presence, spoke casually to Pyrrha about an upcoming meeting with the Mayflower family—one of the city's old money dynasties that Jaune had heard of but never interacted with. Her tone carried a hint of distaste, betraying her reluctance. Pyrrha responded with curt and polite replies, showing respect but little enthusiasm, her demeanor calm and composed.

Jaune observed the exchange quietly, intrigued by the dynamic between the two and the unspoken weight of their social circles.

As Pyrrha's eyes briefly met Jaune's, she offered him a polite smile, subtle but genuine. Jaune returned the gesture with an equally courteous nod before she turned her attention back to Weiss, agreeing quietly with something the white-haired girl had said.

Jaune was nearly at the door of his next class when a sudden jolt against his shoulder made him stumble slightly. He turned sharply, his mood souring as he caught sight of Cardin Winchester striding past with a smug smirk.

"Watch where you're going, Jauney-boy," Cardin sneered, laughing as he rejoined his posse of rough-looking friends.

Jaune scoffed, unfazed by the bait. He knew Cardin was just trying to provoke him.

One of the best things about Vale High was its strict rules against bullying and the firm enforcement of those policies. Cardin had learned his lesson back in their first year when he and his crew had relentlessly targeted Jaune. At the time, Jaune had been too afraid to speak up, but it was thanks to Ren and Nora's encouragement that he finally told the teachers—and the bullying had stopped.

Now, Cardin's taunts were little more than empty noise.

The bump from him barely caused a ripple in the flow of students passing by—just a few passing glances before everyone moved on, too caught up in their own worlds to pause for such a small scene. Jaune himself quickly brushed it off, pushing the annoyance to the back of his mind as he focused on reaching his next class.

Unnoticed by him, the girl with the green highlights observed the encounter with quiet curiosity. Her eyes lingered on Jaune for a moment longer before she slipped silently into the stream of students around her, following the rest of her classmates without a word.
The second period, taught by Ms. Peach, was a stark contrast to the intensity of Professor Leaflet's class. Home Economics offered a more relaxed atmosphere, with Ms. Peach's easy-going nature encouraging students to breathe a little easier. The classroom buzzed with casual chatter and laughter, a welcome break in the day's schedule.

Among the students were some of the school's athletes. Sun Wukong from the basketball team leaned back in his chair, exuding a laid-back, dude-bro attitude, while Neptune Vasilias, a soccer player known for his smooth talk, chatted animatedly nearby. Jaune caught snippets of their conversation—something about meeting girls at a mixer after school.

'A mixer? On the first day?' Jaune thought, raising an eyebrow in silent incredulity.

Neptune was notorious for having a revolving door of girlfriends. Jaune had observed the guy moving from one relationship to another with ease, and he wondered how someone could manage that. Just maintaining one relationship felt complicated enough.

Sun, on the other hand, seemed more grounded. He mentioned his eyes were set on a girl from another school, hinting at something a little more serious.

Jaune quickly lost interest in their banter. He'd never really clicked with the popular crowd. They seemed troublesome to him, while he was probably just another face in their world—a waste of space in the grand scheme of things.

Lunch period couldn't come soon enough for Jaune. As the bell rang to end the first period, he stood up and began weaving through the crowded hallways, navigating the sea of students eager for their midday break. He headed toward the classroom near the girls' restroom, where Ruby had told him she'd be finishing her morning classes.

When he arrived, he didn't find Ruby waiting outside as expected. Instead, he saw her following Yang into the bathroom. Respecting their privacy, Jaune kept his distance, standing just far enough away to avoid seeming intrusive.

A few moments later, the two sisters emerged from the restroom. But something was off. Yang wore an unusually strict expression, her jaw tight and eyes distant, as if wrestling with some inner storm. Ruby's face was a mix of anger and sullen frustration, her usual bright demeanor clouded.

Yang didn't even notice Jaune as she passed by, her focus clearly elsewhere. Jaune's heart tightened—whatever had happened behind those restroom doors was serious.

"Hey," Jaune called softly as he stepped closer, concern lacing his voice. "You okay?"

Ruby glanced up at his worried face, then sighed and shook off some of her frustration. "It's just Yang," she huffed. "She told me she was off running some errands today, and I was allowed to go home on my own early."

Jaune blinked, puzzled. "Isn't that a good thing? I mean, you've been saying you wanted to try it out."

Ruby shook her head, her smile turning sheepish but tinged with disappointment. "That's not it. I mean, it's great that she's finally letting me go alone, but… I kind of wanted to walk with you."

She paused, looking down for a moment before continuing quietly, "But then she told me not to. She said to go straight home. No stopping, no dilly-dallying, not even a stop at the convenience store. Just head straight back."

Jaune's brow furrowed, sensing the unspoken tension beneath her words.

Jaune stepped closer, offering a comforting smile. "Hey, what she doesn't know won't hurt her. I could go and… you know, 'hurry up' with you," he said with a playful pat on her shoulder.

Ruby's frustration softened, replaced by a bright grin. "Yeah. And we could always sneak a quick look at that hobby shop near the café," she added conspiratorially.

"Atta girl," Jaune said with a chuckle. "Now come on—Ren and Nora are probably waiting for us."

With that, the tension between them eased, and they started walking together.

They reached the cafeteria and headed straight to their usual spot near the indoor plants. Ren and Nora were already there, having reserved two seats. Ruby and Jaune grabbed their food and joined them. Nora immediately took the lead, chatting energetically with Ruby, making her feel at ease. Jaune and Ren exchanged amused glances, going along with Nora's lively antics.

Jaune felt a quiet relief wash over him. Seeing Ruby fitting in so well with his group eased one of his worries.

The afternoon period passed quickly, and soon the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Ren and Nora said their goodbyes, heading off in the opposite direction, while Ruby and Jaune walked together toward their neighborhood.

"There it is! Rick and Alfonse's!" Ruby exclaimed as they spotted the hobby store near a cozy café. The café was buzzing with trendy college students, while Rick and Alfonse's had a quieter, more niche crowd browsing inside.

Stepping into the shop, Jaune was immediately greeted by the familiar scent of plastic kits and glossy magazine pages. The shelves were packed with all sorts of geeky treasures—Battlemace 60k units, Prisons and Phantoms paraphernalia, DM starter kits, and, to Ruby's delight, a whole section devoted to model guns and parts.

The atmosphere was a perfect blend of nostalgia and excitement, a haven for hobbyists and collectors alike.

Ruby immediately slipped into full geek mode, eyes sparkling as she eagerly explored the model gun section. She ran her fingers over the detailed parts, occasionally murmuring to herself about which pieces she wanted to get next.

Meanwhile, Jaune wandered toward the shelves filled with the fantasy-themed Prisons and Phantoms merchandise. His attention was caught by a brand-new edition of the rulebook, its cover depicting a valiant knight locked in battle against a terrifying False Hydra. He stared at the knight, the image stirring a warm wave of nostalgia—memories of running through cornfields as a child, wielding a wooden stick as a makeshift sword and using a trash can lid as a shield.

Jaune chuckled softly to himself, the simple joy of those carefree days filling him for a moment. Then, setting the book back on the shelf, he turned his attention back to Ruby, watching her with a fond smile as she lost herself in the world of her hobby.

The two of them spent a good while browsing the shop, losing track of time as they explored the shelves and shared their excitement over various finds. It wasn't until Jaune noticed the sun dipping low, the warm glow fading from the sky, that they realized how late it had gotten.

"That was fun," Ruby said with a wide smile, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I'm probably going to have to save up more of my allowance for that barrel upgrade for Crescent Rose."

Jaune raised an eyebrow in amusement. "The sniper rifle? You finally going to use it in an airsoft match?"

Crescent Rose was Ruby's pet project—a highly modified airsoft rifle crafted from cannibalized parts and 3D prints. She had painstakingly ensured it met all the club's specifications, but it was nothing short of a masterpiece. Painted in striking red and black, adorned with a large rose emblem, the rifle was as much a work of art as it was a weapon.

It was Ruby's pride and joy—if she ever decided to actually bring it out for one of her matches at the local airsoft club.

"Nah, not yet," Ruby replied with a confident grin. "Still tinkerin'. Perfection requires time, Jaune. And Crescent Rose, while beautiful, ain't perfect yet."

Her eyes sparkled with determination, the passion she poured into her project clear in every word. Jaune couldn't help but smile, admiring her dedication.

They walked along a familiar path through the city, the comfort of routine settling around them. It was a small blessing that both their apartments were in the same direction, making their walks home feel less like a chore and more like an opportunity to talk.

Their conversation flowed easily, jumping from one topic to another—discussing the movie they'd watched yesterday, the latest games on the horizon, and Jaune's enthusiastic take on a new fantasy series premiering on SBO. He was especially excited because this series focused on individual heroism rather than the usual political intrigue and ruthless scheming.

Jaune was so absorbed in his thoughts and words that he didn't notice Ruby suddenly stop in her tracks, her gaze fixed on a shadowed alleyway nearby. It wasn't until he had taken a couple of steps ahead that he realized she wasn't beside him anymore.

Turning back, he saw Ruby staring intently down the alley, her expression unreadable.


"Ruby?" Jaune called softly, but she didn't respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the dark alleyway ahead, her expression distant and tense.

He stepped closer and gently tapped her shoulder, breaking her out of the trance. "Something wrong?" he asked, glancing toward the alley.

It was just a typical city alley—damp, littered with trash bags overflowing from bins, shadows clinging to the walls. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"I don't know... I just... I think I heard someone asking for—"

Before Ruby could finish, Jaune's ears caught it too: a faint, desperate voice of a young girl calling for help.

"What—" Jaune began, but before he could say more, Ruby suddenly bolted forward.

"Ruby!" he shouted after her, quickly following into the alley.

They plunged into the tangled maze of damp, narrow alleyways, the cold walls closing in like the corridors of a dungeon. Ruby moved ahead with an almost trance-like determination, her eyes focused and unblinking as the faint cries for help echoed further into the labyrinth.

"Ruby! Wait! We should go to—fuck!" Jaune stumbled, his foot catching on a trash bag carelessly tossed on the ground.

He caught himself quickly and shouted, "The police, Ruby! The police!"

But Ruby didn't slow down or look back. She kept running toward the desperate voice, driven by something deeper than reason.

Ruby raced through the narrow alleyways, her mind and senses locked onto the familiar voice that echoed faintly but urgently ahead. Amid the damp walls and scattered debris, a vivid image flashed through her thoughts—a girl with ginger hair, freckles scattered across her face, and striking green eyes.

'It can't be... she's—' Ruby's heart pounded as the memory surged forward, fueling her determination to reach whoever was calling.

Behind her, Jaune hurried, struggling to keep pace as she pushed forward with unwavering resolve.

Finally, Ruby's legs gave out, and she came to a halt. Before her stood a curious sight—a two-story house nestled awkwardly between two buildings, right in the heart of the alleyway maze.

It didn't look abandoned or worn-down like the rest of the surroundings. In fact, it looked surprisingly well-kept, its exterior clean and maintained despite the grime and clutter around it. Soft light spilled from the windows, and inside, shadowy figures moved animatedly, their voices faint but lively.

Ruby blinked, confusion clouding her features. *We're still in an alleyway, right?*

Jaune appeared beside her, equally perplexed. He stared at the house as if it were a glitch in the system, something that didn't belong.

"What the hell...?" he muttered.

The house seemed out of place—too bright, too alive amid the decay.

The voice called out once more, clear and urgent, stirring a flood of memories in Ruby's mind—the image of an old friend flashing vividly before her eyes.

Her legs began to move again, inching forward step by step toward the house's entrance. But then, Jaune's hand shot out and gripped her arm firmly, halting her advance.

Ruby turned, ready to ask why he was stopping her, but the question caught in her throat when she saw the expression on Jaune's face—a look of abject terror, eyes wide as they took in the seemingly normal house.

For Jaune, the place was anything but ordinary. Though outwardly clean, it felt rundown, its windows glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. The two upper windows loomed like angry eyes, glaring down at them with silent menace.

Ruby heard a friend's voice calling from within, tugging at something deep inside her.

But for Jaune, a different voice echoed in his mind—a chilling whisper that sent a shiver down his spine:

"It does not belong…"