Chapter Text
Lost.
That would be the best way to describe his situation.
A small boy, no older than five lost in the woods. Far from home and sacred. Blonde hair and tear-filled blue eyes paralyzed the boy.
He didn’t know if these woods had Grimm or not. His father had never made any mention but forbade him from playing here anyway.
But the thought of a Beuwolf or something else popping out of the trees made his head spin.
‘I want to go home.’ Jaune thought.
He wiped away his tears as he looked around. Seeing an endless expanse of green grass and brown bark.
The sun shone high but he knew it would set later. The thought of being in a dark forest made more tears spill from his eyes.
He sniffled and walked to a tree. Taking a seat and pulling his knees close to his chest. The words of his father rang through his mind. His deep and soft voice played through his ears.
‘Remember my boy. If you ever get lost, just stay and place and I will come and find you.’
Jaune sniffled again. He had been gone for a while now. Surely someone knew that he was gone. Surely someone would come and find him.
Jaune wanted to kick himself. The one time he played by himself. Without his sisters dragging him off somewhere to do his hair or some other torment he got lost.
He sniffled again. ‘Someone please find me.’
Jaune wasn’t sure how long he sat there. But eventually, his tears stopped and he thinks the sun has moved some. But he couldn’t tell, the tree blocked his view of it.
‘What if no one finds me? What if I die in these woods?’
The thought had crossed his mind many times and he wanted to cry again. But stopped hearing the rustle of leaves and a soft feminine voice.
“Do not cry little one. You will be alright.”
Jaune’s head whipped around. Searching for the source of the smooth, almost Grandmotherly voice that rang in his ears.
“W-w-who’s there.” He sputtered.
The woods were quiet for a second before that same voice responded. “Someone who only wants to help. Follow my voice young one, I promise to keep you safe.”
“Pinky promise?”
He heard the woman softly chuckle. “Pinky promise.”
Jaune wiped the snot running down his nose with his sleeve as he stood up. The woman’s voice rang through his head as he followed her directions.
He felt like the sun sunk lower as the air began to grow chilly. He knew Fall would be here soon but didn’t know exactly when.
The trees and ground all looked the same. But Jaune felt as if he was moving in the right direction.
The woman’s voice soothed his worries and assured him of his safety. Promising no harm would befall him on his journey.
After a while, he finally made it to a cave. Buried into the base of a mountain with a strange luminescent glow from deep inside.
Jaune felt his breath catch in his throat at the foreboding sight. Memories of a story his sister Saphron had told him of a witch in the woods who liked to eat children.
Had he just arrived at her den?
“I promise no harm will come to you.” The woman said. “Night is fast approaching, and you will need shelter to survive. Wolves like to prowl at night and if they see a defenseless child they won’t hesitate to pounce.”
That seemed to be all the motivation Jaune needed. He didn’t want to get eaten by wolves so he stepped inside.
Immediately at the far end of the cave, he could see a massive shadow. He swallowed hard as he watched it stand and make its way over to him.
Jaune immediately started to tremble in his boots. His legs froze in place and his throat went bone dry.
He couldn’t see what was approaching him. But it was big, bipedal, and pure black. With spikes on its shoulders and head.
Not a single thought crossed his mind. Nor did a word leave his lips. He just stood there, frozen in fear as the figure approached him.
When it got closer to him Jaune saw that it was as if a black suit of armor had taken the form of a golem and came to life.
It was the thing of nightmares, and all he could do was stare at it.
When it eventually got to Jaune the boy slammed his eyes shut and waited for it to eat him. He waited, and waited, and waited.
But nothing happened.
Jaune hesitantly cracked open one eye. Only to see the statue holding out the palm of its hand.
Jaune looked from the palm and then up at the face. The thing's face was blank, yet it held an undercurrent of warmth to it.
“I promised you that no harm would befall you.” The woman’s voice said. But that’s when Jaune realized this golem or whatever it was, was the woman.
Jaune hesitantly took a step forward, and then another. Before swallowing a lump in his throat and stepping onto the outstretched hand.
The golem lifted him up and placed him atop her massive shoulder. After making sure he was secure and wouldn’t fall off she made her way back to her spot inside the cave.
On the roof of it, Jaune could see weird glowing fruit, and his stomach rumbled as he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since lunch.
“Grab some, you must be starving.” The woman urged.
Jaune nervously stood and he felt her hand steady him. The feeling of it almost made him jump in fright. But Jaune was starting to feel more comfortable around this woman.
He grabbed a few of the fruits. Some were blue, others were green and red. After grabbing as many as he could he sat back down on the woman’s shoulder and began eating.
The fruit was juicy and a tad sweet. But not having eaten anything for hours Jaune didn’t seem to care for the taste.
When he got to the last fruit, however. A curvy red one with a green stem. He held it out to the statue.
“Are you hungry?” He innocently asked with wide blue eyes.
The woman just softly chuckled. “I’m fine, eat as much as you need.”
Jaune nodded and ate the last one. Savoring the taste and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
“Those taste good.” He yawned.
“You should get some sleep. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”
Jaune mumbled as he curled up on her shoulder. Resting his arms beneath his head. Once his eyes closed and the woman was sure he was asleep.
She carefully sat back down and looked to her side. Noting the rainbow-colored egg hidden with a few rocks.
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Jaune awoke the next morning to the sound of birds chirping. He sat up and yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he did so.
It was then he remembered what had happened and his heart sank knowing he was still lost in the woods.
Tears began to fill his eyes once more. But that same soft gentle voice filled his ears once more.
“You’re ok, I’ll keep you safe.” She said.
Jaune looked over to the golem with the woman’s voice. Her black stone face showed no emotion. Yet her words were still warm and kind.
Jaune was beginning to feel a little safer with her around.
“W-what’s your name?” Jaune asked.
“Slyvia, may I ask yours?”
“I’m Jaune.”
“A pleasure to meet you Jaune.”
Jaune looked out of the cave. Seeing the sunlight shine in and the greenery outside. He wondered if anyone was looking for him.
“Do you know the way home?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t,” Slyvia replied. “But if you wait here for a few days I can assure you will be home.”
“Why can’t I go home now?”
“Because then you’ll be lost.”
Jaune frowned. “But how does waiting a few days change that?”
“Tell me Jaune, what’s your favorite fairy tale?” Slyvia asked, changing the subject to distract the young boy.
Jaune’s brow lowered as he contemplated in thought. “Hmmm, I don’t know. But I do like the story my Dad tells of my Grandpa. He said he was a great warrior turned huntsman who passed his legacy onto my Dad. Though when I ask Grandpa about the story he doesn’t tell me much.”
Sylvia hummed. “Well, have you heard the one of the maidens? Or maybe of those ancient races that could perform magic?”
Jaune shook his head. “No, my big sisters keep telling me girly stories or witches in the woods.”
Sylvia smiled and began her story. Of how long ago magic was abundant and everywhere. How there was an ancient race of people mixed with different types of animal blood called the Asura. Separated into different clans.
How their land was one of peace and prosperity. A land where they could freely practice magic to their heart's content. Able to control such a thing with the mana cores in their bodies.
But one day tragedy struck and nearly all of them were wiped. How those lucky few who survived scattered like the wind and were forced to survive elsewhere. Living in hiding and squalor.
Alone.
But then a ray of hope was sparked as she told him that new Asura could be born. Which paved the way for a rebirth of magic to the world. Jaune felt happy hearing the story. It had a happy ending and he didn’t like sad ones.
When she had finished telling him stories of Maidens and Asura’s he told her of his dream to be a Huntsman.
How he wanted to save people like his Grandpa and Dad. But was still too young for his Dad to train him.
Sylvia told him she believed he could become one of the best, and Jaune couldn’t help but feel his heart swell.
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The next few days were spent much the same. Jaune would wake up, eat, have Sylvia tell him stories all day, and then fall asleep once more.
Sylvia told him all sorts of stories. Mostly of the Asura’s which she seemed weirdly knowledgeable about.
Jaune didn’t care though. He liked learning about them. About how they wielded magic. Or how beautiful their homeland was. Or how long an Asura could live.
All of it fascinated Jaune to no end and he hung onto Sylvia’s every word. The woman almost felt like a second Grandmother to him.
But on the sixth day. Jaune awoke on the ground, and when he looked around for Sylvia’s golem armored form.
He instead saw a beautiful white dragon as beautiful as the fresh winter snow that blanketed his home.
The dragon was curled in on itself. Its breathing was slow, very slow. Jaune nearly screamed seeing the dragon. But didn’t as he heard Sylvia’s voice.
“Jaune…it’s time for you to go.”
Jaune’s eyes widened in disbelief. “S-Sylvia…y-you’re a-
“I…am.” She weakly replied. “But it’s time for you to go Jaune. It’s time for you to go home.”
“B-but what about you? I-I can’t leave you. Not when you’re like this! That’s not what a huntsman would do!”
Sylvia softly hummed as she lifted her head. Beautiful golden eyes staring at Jaune’s ocean blue.
“Jaune,” She began. “Come closer.”
Jaune didn’t hesitate as he stepped forward. His eyes were still wide in amazement seeing an actual dragon. Not one corrupted by the Grimm.
When he got close enough Sylvia leaned close and pressed her snout against his sternum.
Jaune shakily raised his hands and held it. He was hugging a dragon. It felt weird, like something out of a storybook.
But it also felt oddly comforting at the same time. Like it was something he was meant to do.
Suddenly his chest felt warm and tight. But the feeling didn’t hurt. It felt welcoming and loving.
Like something was growing inside him.
“Sylvia, what’s going on?” Jaune asked.
“Jaune, I need you to do me a favor.” The dragon said. Her voice sounded tired and weaker than he had ever heard.
“A-anything, I promise on my honor as an Arc!” Jaune swore. Some noble childish values filling his heart with pride.
Sylvia breathed out again. “In the corner of the cave…is an egg. Watch over it for me…keep it safe.”
Jaune’s face morphed into one of confusion. “What? Why can’t you keep it safe? You’re still around.”
“Jaune-
“I-I can’t protect an egg! I don’t know what to do with it! There’s so many people better than-
“Jaune!” Sylvia said firmly.
Jaune quieted down as Sylvia pulled her head back. Jaune missed the warmth her scales provided.
“Only you can do this for me. I know what you can do, I’ve seen your potential. It can only be you.”
Jaune grew confused. She had seen his potential. How was that even possible? He was five years old. He had no way of showing anything yet.
“B-but what if I can’t? What if I mess up?”
Sylvia weakly chuckled. “Of course, you will mess up. But I have given you a gift to help you in your journey. Something to help you along the way.”
Jaune’s eyes widened as he looked down. Feeling an odd organ pulsating within him. Right in his sternum, the same place Sylvia’s snout had touched.
“Y-you…y-you-
“Jaune, there is not much time left. You need to take the egg and leave. Just go straight and someone will find you.”
Jaune felt tears sting his eyes and run down his cheeks. “B-but what about you? I can’t- I can’t just leave you!”
“You can.” Slyvia softly said. “Take the egg and go Jaune.”
Jaune was about to protest again when the cave shook violently. The boy fell over and fell flat on his face.
Rocks fell from the ceiling and almost landed on Jaune had it not been for Sylvia’s tail batting them aside.
“You really need to leave Jaune. Take the egg and run. Now!” She demanded.
Jaune stood up and wiped the tears from his cheeks and ran to where the egg was. He grabbed it and was amazed by its beauty.
But the cave shook again, snapping him out of his childlike stupor. He spared one last look at Sylvia who gave him a smile.
“Go Jaune, live your life and become who you are meant to be.”
Jaune wanted to question her. How did she know that? Who was he supposed to be? Why did she give him a mana core?
So many questions, but no time.
All Jaune could do was cry and run away. The egg clutched tightly in his arms as he exited a cave.
Sparing only a single glance back. Jaune saw a dark figure with a scorpion's tail and another with horns standing behind Slyvia. The entire cave then collapsed. Sealing the three off from the outside world.
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Jaune spent hours walking through the forest. The rainbow-colored egg still clutched tightly to his chest.
His tears had long since dried. But he still felt a sense of overwhelming sadness fill him.
Sylvia was dead.
The woman, no Asura, who had saved him. Was gone either killed in the cave collapsing or whatever those black imposing figures were.
Jaune looked down at the rainbow-colored egg. The last thing of Slyvia that existed of her. Her dying wish was for him, some random five-year-old to protect it. The same five-year-old who got lost in the woods.
The same five-year-old she had bestowed magic to.
It still felt weird knowing he had magic now. But with Sylvia dead he didn’t know how to use it, or what to even do with it.
How could he protect her egg if he couldn’t use magic? He didn’t even know how to fight; he was five for Oum’s sake.
But Jaune still held the egg tightly. Trying to keep it warm because he knew it couldn’t hatch if it wasn’t warm.
Or at least that’s what he thought. Dragon eggs and chicken eggs were very different.
‘I don’t know what to do.’ Jaune thought. ‘Why did she have to entrust me with this? I’m just a kid.’
Jaune shakily inhaled as he looked at the egg. The beautiful rainbow scales shining in the sunlight. How could something so beautiful cause him so much strife?
He kept walking, trusting Sylvia that he would eventually run into someone. He hoped it would be soon. He was hungry, not having a chance for breakfast this morning.
Jaune crested a hill and saw more trees, leaves, and grass. A sigh escaped his lips as he had hoped to have found someone by now.
He rocked the egg in his arms like his mother did to him when he was a baby. Humming the soft lullaby she had hummed.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be alright.” He told the egg. “Someone will find us.”
He didn’t know why he was trying to comfort an egg. Maybe he was saying it more to himself.
Jaune sighed before descending down the hill. Feeling the leaves crunch under his shoes. It was the only sound besides a passing breeze that left the woods.
The midday sun came and went. Followed by the afternoon sun. But still, Jaune found no one, and he began to wonder if he would sleep out in the open tonight.
But whether it was out of fear or bravery he pushed on. Sylvia said he would find someone if he kept walking.
He trusted her word. Even if she hid the fact that she was an Asura from him.
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The afternoon sun turned into the sunset. Bathing the woods in the last of its light. Jaune sat huddled against a tree.
His stomach hurt from hunger and his legs were tired from exhaustion. He had been walking all day and nothing, no one, not a single other soul.
Had Slyvia been wrong?
Was Jaune not going to find anyone? Was he going to die in these woods? From either dehydration or being mauled by wolves.
The boy shook as the thought crossed his mind. More tears streamed down his cheeks as he grew scared. Sylvia wasn’t here to protect him anymore.
“I…I just wanna go home.” He wept. “I just want to keep my promise to Sylvia. I want to see my mom, my dad, my sisters.”
Jaune wanted to live.
The sound of barking dogs startled Jaune’s eyes open. Were the wolves coming? Was this it? Was he going to die? Was the egg going to be broken before it even had a chance to hatch?
Jaune squeezed his eyes shut and held the egg tightly. Shielding it with his body as the barking drew closer, and closer.
His breath came in short quick gasps through his nose. Snot bubbling as he trembled in fear. The wolves could probably smell him. He hadn’t bathed in days.
“JAUNE!” Someone yelled.
The boy's eyes shot open. Only to see his father crashing into him. Scooping him up into a bone-crushing hug. The boy cried out in relief as his father held him.
“Oh, my boy! We’ve been worried sick!”
“I’m sorry Dad! I got lost and I didn’t, I tried…
“It’s ok! You’re ok now Jaune. You’re ok.”
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The walk back home was fast. Nicholas Arc wanted to get his son home as quickly as possible.
He had spent the past week looking for him along with others from the town. He had nearly given up hope when the dogs had finally picked up his scent.
Now his boy was back in his arms. Safe and sound but with a weird egg the boy refused to part with.
No matter how much Nicholas tried Jaune wouldn’t budge. So he just sighed and carried the boy back home.
He could ask about the egg later.
When Nicholas arrived home Jaune was immediately embraced by his Mother Anna. Tears of relief streamed down her cheeks as she held her son.
Nicholas just ran a hand through his blonde hair. Body sagging in relief after nearly a week of searching.
But several questions kept running through his mind. Where had he been? How had he survived? What was that strange egg he refused to let anyone hold?
These questions would have to wait.
Jaune went through a harrowing experience and would need some time to readjust. But one thing was for absolute certain.
Nicholas would never let Jaune out of his sight again.
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The next few days that followed for Jaune were almost smothering. Everywhere he went either his Father, Mother, or Sisters followed him.
As if he would be dumb enough to go back into the woods again and get lost.
Despite his protests though they wouldn’t leave him alone. Nor would they stop asking him about the egg.
His father especially seemed to take a profound interest in it.
But Jaune kept his mouth shut. He didn’t know what to say. How could he explain to his Father that he found a long-lost Asura who gave him the ability to use magic and entrusted her egg to him?
His Father would likely brush it off as his childlike imagination or fear as he was lost in the woods.
Did his Father even know what an Asura was?
No, Jaune couldn’t tell anyone. At least not yet. He still needed to wrap his mind around everything himself.
Mainly the elephant in his sternum.
The mana core felt foreign yet comforting at the same time. Like a part of Sylvia was still with him despite what had happened.
He didn’t really understand all that well. But Jaune knew he’d never see Sylvia again. He also would never forget those two dark figures he got a glimpse of.
But the mana core came first. He needed to understand it. If he recalled correctly he could use it to manipulate ambient mana into his core.
The question arose of how the hell he was supposed to do such a thing.
Jaune didn’t know, and he couldn’t even begin to find out how with his family was smothering him.
Not that Jaune hated it.
He was enjoying all the love he was receiving. He had missed it the most when he was stuck in the woods.
His Father’s smile, his Mother’s warm embrace. All seven of his sisters of which Saphron seemed to cling to him the most.
“Saph, you can let go now,” Jaune grumbled.
“No!” Saphron grumbled holding him tighter. “You’ll wander away and get lost again. You’re staying right here where I can see you.”
Saphron was the second oldest out of all the kids. A good seven years older than Jaune.
Saphron was always his favorite sibling. She played with him whenever he wanted and he went to her room when he had nightmares. She always let him sleep in her bed after that.
Mica, the oldest, was always more caught up in her schoolwork and then her huntress work. Leaving little time for the two to get to know each other.
He still loved her. But the two didn’t spend a lot of time together.
The twins, Amy and Tara were always connected to each other at the hip. Both always getting up to some mischief which sooner or later involved him.
Sam was the bookworm of the family. Her glasses are larger than her eyes and her nose is always buried in a book.
Jaune didn’t interact with her much. She never really wanted to play with him. Instead offering to read books with him.
Talia was the tomboy wonder child. The one with an adventurous spirit in her blood. She was always dragging off Jaune to go explore.
It was partially her fault he had gotten lost in the woods when the two were playing hide and seek.
Lastly was Mary, the closest to Jaune in age only being two years older than him. She always bugged him and tried to braid his hair when he was sleeping.
If Jaune was honest with himself. Having seven older sisters was pure torture. But after being stuck in the woods. He wouldn’t trade the time with them for anything else.
Even if they did always seem to disagree and bicker.
“But Saph, you’ve been holding me for over an over now!” Jaune protested.
“And I will hold you for an hour more.” Saphron rebuked. “No matter how much you squirm or protest.”
Jaune grumbled but made no move to get out. Even if he tried he wouldn’t be able to break out of Saphron’s grip.
He was just glad she let him hold Sylvia’s egg while she did so. The thing not leaving his sight for more than a few minutes.
Silence permeated the living room for several minutes. The logs in the fireplace remaining cool.
At least Saphron was letting him watch cartoons while she held him. He always liked watching the talking duck and rabbit.
“Jaune.” Saphron softly called out startling him.
“Y-yeah?”
“When are you going to tell me about the egg?” His sister asked.
As if on instinct Jaune held the egg closer to him. Feeling a surge of protectiveness well in his chest.
“I already told you. I found it in the woods. It made me feel safe.”
While not entirely a lie it was nowhere close to the truth. In truth the egg made him feel more scared than safe.
Sylvia had entrusted her future to him. A five-year-old child who had no idea how to bear such a weight.
Yet her final words kept running through his mind.
‘Live your life and become who you are meant to be.’
What did Sylvia mean by that? How did she know who he was meant to be? Is that why she had entrusted the egg to Jaune?
“Jaune, I know when you're lying.”
Saphron’s voice cut the boy from his thoughts. Although he couldn’t see her gaze he could feel it.
“I-I’m not-
“Jaune.”
“I’m not lying,” Jaune said quietly.
Saphron sighed before spinning Jaune around so he could face her. Jaune looked away as her soft blue eyes bore into his.
“Jaune, you know you can tell me anything right?”
The boy nodded but found the leather of the couch more interesting.
“So why are you lying to me?”
Jaune bit his bottom lip. “I-I-I’m not. I just-just…not.”
Saphron stared at him for a while. A long while. So long that Jaune began to squirm in an attempt to turn around. But her hold didn’t allow him.
Finally after what felt like hours but was probably no more than a few minutes Saphron sighed.
Her hands fell to his shoulders before she pulled him into a soft loving embrace.
Jaune stiffened, surprised by the affection. But slowly, and surely his body relaxed. The warmth of his sister's arms made him feel safe.
Jaune knew he could trust Saphron. He always could and always will. But would she believe him if he told her the truth?
Would she believe him if he told her how he really kept himself alive in the woods? Would anyone believe him?
Jaune didn’t want to take that chance. So he kept his mouth shut. Not seeing the look of sadness in his sister’s eyes.
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More weeks passed and Jaune sat in the room. A decent-sized room where he could be alone and away from his sisters. However, that didn’t stop most of them from barging in.
His bed was a child-sized one with blue bed sheets. Hanging up on his walls were a few posters of cartoons he liked and hand paintings he had done in school.
Near the back of the room close to the door was his closet. Next to his bed was a window that let him look out at the town.
It was a nice view but that wasn’t what Jaune was focused on right now.
In his lap was the rainbow-colored egg. Not showing a single sign of cracking or any change really.
Jaune had no idea how to take care of a dragon egg. Does he keep it warm? Does he leave it be? Does he pet it to soothe any worries it could have?
Was he already letting Sylvia down?
Memories of their final moments flashed through Jaune’s eyes. Most notably the row figures at the end. The one with the scorpion’s tail and the one with horns.
What were they doing there? Were they after Sylvia? If so, why? What purpose did it serve them?
Jaune rolled the egg over in his lap. ‘I’ll protect you. Even if I don’t know how to yet.’
He sighed and lay down.
What was he to do? How could someone like him protect the child that was in this egg?
Sylvia’s child.
Magic was the answer. But how did he use it? He could feel the mana core in his sternum. The orb-like organ felt like a second heart now.
But how did he put the gift Sylvia had bestowed upon him to use? How could he consolidate the ambient mana into his core? He could feel it. But how did he call it to him?
Jaune took another deep breath and groaned. This was all so confusing and too complicated for a five-year-old to handle.
But Sylvia had chosen him and her reasoning went with her.
Jaune opened his eyes and stared at his ceiling. His eyes felt heavy and his body light. Maybe a nap would help clear his head. Or at least by a few hours of peace.
Jaune closed his eyes and his breathing evened out as he drifted off.
Only for his eyes to shoot wide open as an idea came to his mind. When he breathed he sucked air through his nose.
What if the mana core was something like breathing? Where he sucked in the mana like an inhale but never exhaled and held it inside him.
He sat up but froze.
How the hell was he supposed to inhale mana?
Jaune shook his head and put the egg back in his lap. That part didn’t matter, mana was still in the air. He could feel it all around him hanging like a soft fuzzy blanket.
Jaune took another deep inhale and closed his eyes. His mind raced with thoughts as he focused on the mana around him and tried to pull it to him.
He felt the particles shaking in place but not budging. He scrunched his brow and tried harder. Again they shook and fizzled, but this time he felt them budge slightly. He was sure of it.
The five-year-old then poured all his focus into it. Calling, no demanding the mana around him go into his core.
The demand worked albeit slowly. He could feel the particles around him moving at a snail's pace. And it was taking all his focus just to accomplish that.
All Jaune was able to get was only a few particles. But as his eyes shot open and he panted Jaune smiled.
He had called the mana to him, and it answered.