Jaune packed methodically.
He laid everything out on his bed first, the way he always did when something felt important. Clothes were folded neatly and training gear was separated from casual wear. He paused for a moment before reaching for his swords. Lux Aeterna gleamed faintly even in the dimmer light of his room, while Crocea Mors carried its familiar weight, solid and reassuring. He slid both into a reinforced sword bag and fastened the clasps to ensure they didn't spill out.
When everything was finally arranged, he picked up his phone and opened the group chat that had their whole group in it.
Weiss had already messaged, explaining the situation, but Jaune decided to add his own few words to his friends.
I'll be back in a while. Please don't break the house. That is a request, not a challenge, Nora.
He sent it, then hesitated, adding one more message.
I'll bring something back. Probably.
Satisfied, he set the phone aside and finished getting dressed. He chose something clean and understated, nothing flashy, but presentable enough to pass as formal if needed. When he checked the time, he realized he was early. That was fine. Better to be waiting than rushing.
A few minutes later, soft honks drifted in through the front of the house.
He grabbed his luggage and stepped outside.
Parked neatly at the curb was a long, pristine white limousine. Its surface gleamed in the daylight, spotless and elegant in a way that made the rest of the street feel suddenly underdressed. Jaune stared at it, brain stalling for a second as reality recalibrated.
The driver's door opened, and an attendant stepped out. He was dressed sharply, posture immaculate. He approached Jaune, bowed politely, and took the luggage from his hands without a word. Jaune barely managed to nod back before the man carefully stored everything in the trunk, including the sword bag, securing it with deliberate care.
The attendant opened the rear door and gestured. "Please, sir."
Jaune cringed a little, internally, but climbed inside.
Weiss and Blake were already seated.
Blake wore a dark purple turtleneck paired with black jeans, her look was beautiful and effortlessly sharp. She sat comfortably, one leg crossed over the other, gaze calm as she glanced at him. Weiss sat opposite her, dressed in a sleeveless white blouse and fitted white jeans, posture poised and hands folded neatly in her lap.
"Do you have everything packed?" Weiss asked.
Jaune nodded. "Yeah."
The door closed softly, sealing them in. The limo pulled away smoothly, barely a jolt as they started toward the airport.
Jaune shifted in his seat, glancing around before finally speaking. "Is... all of this really necessary?"
Weiss arched a brow. "Define necessary?"
"I mean," Jaune gestured vaguely. "A limo, a private jet. This feels… a little excessive."
Blake hummed quietly in agreement. "It does stand out."
Weiss scoffed. "If we are traveling, we are going to be traveling with style."
She smirked at him, and for just a second Jaune's thoughts stuttered. He quickly looked away, focusing on the scenery slipping past the window as the city gave way to wider roads and open sky.
The drive to Vale Airport passed quickly. The limo did not join the usual traffic lines. Instead, it veered toward a secured side entrance marked only by discreet symbols and an unassuming gate. The attendant stepped out to speak briefly with security, and the gate slid open without hesitation.
They passed through into a restricted area of the airport.
The difference was immediate. No crowds, lines or announcements echoing overhead. The atmosphere was quieter, cleaner and much more purposeful. Personnel moved with, uniforms crisp, and eyes alert. Screens displayed flight paths and clearance codes rather than commercial destinations.
They exited the limo and were met by two officers. Weiss presented a digital ID, the display flickering briefly before shifting to a confirmation screen. Blake and Jaune followed suit, their own LUCID issued credentials accepted instantly.
"No baggage inspection required," one officer said. "Welcome back."
Jaune blinked. "Hmm... I expected a little more."
Blake shrugged. "Special jurisdiction, only for LUCID members."
They walked across the tarmac toward a sleek private aircraft waiting nearby. It wasn't massive, but it was clearly designed for speed and comfort, matte black trim contrasting against a white body marked with a subtle Schnee Corporation insignia.
Inside, the cabin was quiet and refined. Seats were arranged in pairs, wide and comfortable. Soft lighting lined the ceiling. Jaune took a seat by the window, Blake across from him, Weiss settling nearby.
As the engines began to hum, Jaune leaned back, watching the ground crew move with efficient precision. There was a strange sense of detachment as the plane taxied forward, then lifted cleanly into the sky.
Vale shrank beneath them.
Jaune stared out the window, thoughts drifting. Atlas, Ironwood and even Weiss's family. LUCID's reach felt surreal, like stepping into a chapter of his life he had not expected to read yet.
Blake broke the silence. "You look a little tense."
"Do I?" Jaune asked.
"Yes."
He chuckled softly. "Hmm.. I suppose I'm not used to this."
Weiss glanced at him. "Well, you better get used to it quickly. This is tame compared to what's going to be in Atlas."
Jaune was not sure if that was comforting or unsettling, so he just settled for a sigh instead.
As the plane leveled out, the cabin settled into a steady calm. Jaune closed his eyes briefly, breathing evenly. Whatever waited in Atlas, he would face it the same way he faced everything else.
Prepared.
And not entirely alone.
The quiet hum of the engines settled into something almost soothing as the plane cut a steady path through the upper atmosphere. Jaune shifted in his seat, still watching the clouds slide past the window, when Weiss decided to speak again, as if she were easing into a familiar lecture.
"Both of you... haven't been to Atlas, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Yep."
"Well, Atlas is a lot different from Vale," she said. "Or any of the other kingdoms, really."
Jaune turned towards her as did Blake with her attention sharpening.
"It's a little colder," Weiss continued, matter of fact. "Not just the climate, though that is obvious, but the people too. They're not the type to smile often unless its an actually funny circumstance."
"They don't... smile?" Jaune echoed. "Seems like Blake would fit right in."
The person in question punched Jaune on the harm. Hard.
It hurt.
Weiss ignored their antics and continued. "Atlas sits far north, and the weather reflects that. Snow isn't a seasonal event there. It is simply part of life. The cities are built with that expectation. Heating systems are layered into everything. Streets, buildings, even the air traffic routes are planned around different storms."
Blake leaned back slightly. "Hmm. Sounds… rigid."
Weiss gave a small smile. "That is one word for it."
Jaune rubbed his arm. "What about politically? I hear a lot of things, but it is all vague."
Weiss folded her hands together. "Atlas is technologically superior to the other kingdoms. That much is undeniable. It is also deeply proud of that fact. Innovation is encouraged, but it comes with oversight. The military holds significant influence. Not in an obvious dictatorship sense, but in how resources are allocated and how security is prioritized."
She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It tends to create tension because of how the rules function there. But... Atlas only wants to protect their citizens. Unfortunately that comes with control over how that protection happens."
Blake's eyebrows flicked subtly beneath her bangs. "That sounds a little familiar. Menagerie is somewhat similar as well. But that place is a little bit different in the control part."
Weiss glanced at her, then nodded once. "Hmm, you'll have to tell me about it sometime."
Blake nodded.
Jaune considered that. "So where does your family fit into all of this?"
Weiss exhaled softly, already anticipating the question. "The Schnee Corporation is… quite extensive."
She spoke with a careful precision now, choosing her words.
"We supply LUCID with runic technology, materials, and infrastructure support. That alone would make us influential. But that is only one branch. The Schnee Corporation also owns Atlas Bank."
Jaune nodded. "Hmm, I heard of that but I never really put it into perspective. So... like the actual Atlas Bank?"
"Yes," Weiss said simply. "The central financial institution of the kingdom. Technically, the government operates it independently, but in practice, funding still flows through the bank. The military receives its budget through regulated channels. Taxes, international trade, internal investments. All of it touches Atlas Bank at some point."
Blake crossed her arms. "So your family doesn't control the government, but it holds the purse strings."
"That is an inelegant way to put it," Weiss said. "But not inaccurate."
Jaune let out a low whistle. "That is… a lot."
"It is not just profit driven," Weiss added, a hint of defensiveness in her tone. "The corporation funds numerous charities and non profit organizations. Disaster relief, in case of grimm incidents as well as reconstruction efforts and veteran combat support. Everything from research grants to public housing initiatives in colder regions as well as educational programs tend to also fall under our jurisdiction."
She looked down at her hands. "There are entire districts that would not exist without Schnee funding."
Blake tilted her head. "Hmm... And that is where it gets complicated?"
Weiss nodded. "Exactly."
Jaune watched her carefully. The pride was there, but so was discomfort. "So when you say trouble back home…"
"It usually involves expectations," Weiss replied. "And disagreements about how much influence is too much. But... there's more that I'll tell you later about. It's a little sensitive and requires context for me to be able to explain it properly."
Blake hummed quietly. "No worries Weiss. With how much responsibility comes with being a part of the Scnee family, I wouldn't expect things to not be complicated."
Weiss did not respond immediately, but her silence was agreement enough.
A strange sensation rippled through Jaune's spirit then. It was subtle but unmistakable, like a thread being gently pulled free. Blake stiffened at the same time, her eyes narrowing slightly. Weiss paused mid breath.
They all felt it.
Jaune frowned. "Did you feel that?"
"Yes," Weiss said softly.
Blake nodded. "Our spawn point was severed."
The invisible tether that anchored their dream realm return point to the LUCID base in Vale had been cut away. They were beyond the pods' range now. It was not dangerous, but it was significant. If they entered the dream realm here, they would awaken not at the base but at their physical corresponding locations in the Dream Realm.
Jaune exhaled slowly. "Well... I guess that makes this trip official."
The tension eased as an attendant quietly moved through the cabin, offering refreshments. The amenities were understated but indulgent. Warm food that was prepared fresh and drinks chilled to precise temperatures. Seating that adjusted automatically to posture and preference.
Blake accepted a small plate of fish, inspecting it with mild curiosity and hunger. "I could get used to this."
Jaune laughed softly. "You say that like you're not already more comfortable than I am."
She smirked faintly. "I grew up around people who liked excess. I just learned not to trust it."
Weiss sipped her drink, gaze distant. "Atlas excels at making comfort feel deserved."
Time passed smoothly after that. Conversation drifted from politics to lighter topics such as the sights to see in Atlas. Then, it faded as they each retreated into their own thoughts. Outside the window, the clouds thinned, giving way to a vast expanse of white and steel.
Atlas territory spread beneath them.
Jaune leaned forward, eyes widening slightly. Towns were scattered like precise patterns etched into the snow. Roads glimmered faintly with embedded heating lines. Industrial zones hummed with activity, even from this height. With his enhanced vision, he could make out vehicles moving in orderly flows, pedestrians bundled against the cold, lights flickering from windows far below.
They were not ants, but people.
Cities grew denser as they flew onward, clusters of towers rising from the frost like metallic forests. Transit rails crisscrossed between districts. Air traffic lanes glowed faintly, layered and controlled.
Then Atlas City came into view.
The capital rose greater and more impressive than the rest, a crown of steel and glass anchored into the frozen land. Its architecture was bold and angular, designed to withstand storms and time alike. Defensive structures blended seamlessly into the skyline, elegant and imposing.
The plane descended smoothly toward a private air base nestled within a fortified perimeter.
They touched down on a pristine runway marked with military insignia. As they disembarked, officers approached immediately. They saluted Weiss first, then acknowledged Blake and Jaune with professional nods.
"Welcome to Atlas, Ms. Schnee." one said.
They were escorted toward a waiting vehicle.
Jaune stopped short.
The limo before them was sleek and angular, its surface shifting subtly with embedded displays and adaptive plating. Soft lights traced its contours. It looked less like a car and more like a concept brought to life.
Blake glanced at Jaune. "This makes the last one look quaint."
Jaune nodded slowly. "I am officially out of my depth."
Their luggage was loaded with disciplined precision in compartments that sealed themselves seamlessly. Inside, the interior was spacious and quiet and the seats were molded to fit perfectly.
As they drove, the limo glided through the base, offering a brief tour through reinforced windows. Jaune took in rows of advanced vehicles and aircrafts that he had never seen before, weapon platforms hummed with dormant power and soldiers trained in coordinated formations. Engineers moved between hangars, holo-tablets glowing in their hands.
"This is only one facility," Weiss said quietly.
Jaune swallowed. "LUCID's impressive but this is… something else."
The vehicle slowed as they approached a massive structure ahead. Its design was both utilitarian and grand, walls reinforced, entrances guarded.
Blake leaned forward slightly. "So this is where it begins, huh?"
Weiss nodded. "Yes."
The limo came to a smooth stop, and the doors opened.
Atlas awaited them.
.
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AN: Advanced chapters are available on patreon