Forest Of Forever Fall
After the deal is made, Erik and Pyrrha begin training Jaune the very next day. Erik, as a swordsman, teaches Jaune the fundamentals of swordsmanship-stance, grip, timing, and control-while Pyrrha takes charge of his physical conditioning, pushing his endurance, strength, and footwork day after day.
The results are undeniable.
In just one month, Jaune improves dramatically. Where he once stands no chance against Cardin, he can now fight him evenly. The change surprises many students-especially Cardin himself. The more Jaune improves, the more Cardin's frustration and anger grow.
Another month passes...
Today, Professor Goodwitch leads the first-year students into the Forest of Forever Fall.
"Yes, students," Goodwitch says firmly, adjusting her glasses. "The Forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sightsee. Professor Peach has instructed you to collect samples from the trees deep within this forest, and I am here to ensure that none of you die while doing so."
She gestures toward the towering red-leafed trees.
"Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. Be warned-this forest is home to many creatures of Grimm. Stay close to your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at four o'clock. Have fun."
Erik and Pyrrha walk together for several minutes before finding a suitable area. The forest is quiet, almost peaceful, broken only by the rustling of leaves and distant wildlife. They begin collecting the red sap, carefully filling their jars.
Nearly an hour passes.
A first-year student approaches them, clutching a jar filled with red sap-but without a lid.
Fear is written clearly across his face.
Despite the unease settling in his chest, Erik offers a polite smile.
"How can I help you?"
For a brief moment, the student hesitates.
Then he screams.
"I'm sorry!"
He throws the jar at Erik, splashing red sap across his clothes, and immediately turns and runs as fast as he can, disappearing into the forest.
"Hey-!" Pyrrha starts, stunned.
Before either of them can react further, a loud buzzing fills the air.
Rapier Wasps emerge from the trees.
They swarm toward Erik, drawn by the sap. Their stingers strike again and again-but Erik's aura absorbs the blows effortlessly.
Pyrrha's heart skips.
"Erik-!"
"I'm fine!" Erik shouts. "Pyrrha, step back!"
She doesn't hesitate. She runs several steps away just as Erik draws Calibur. With practiced speed, he inserts a Fire Dust crystal into the compartment within the sword's hilt. He plunges the blade into the ground and forcefully channels his aura into it.
The ground erupts.
A fiery explosion ripples outward, incinerating the Rapier Wasps in an instant.
The forest falls silent once more.
Pyrrha immediately rushes back to him, panic clear in her eyes.
"Erik! Are you okay?!"
He exhales and gives her a reassuring nod.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Then-
ROAR!
The sound is deafening.
A massive Ursa Major emerges from behind them.
Erik sees it a fraction of a second before Pyrrha does.
"Pyrrha-!"
The Ursa swings its arm.
Erik shoves Pyrrha away with all his strength.
The blow lands.
Erik's body is sent flying and spinning a lot, crashing violently across the forest floor.
"ERIK!"
Pyrrha's breath catches. Her heart slams against her chest.
For a moment, her mind goes blank.
Seeing Erik thrown aside-motionless for just a second too long-sends a sharp, uncontrollable surge through her aura. Fear twists into anger. Anger into something far more dangerous.
Her training. Her discipline.
All of it fractures.
Only one thought remains.
Destroy it.
Pyrrha rises slowly, planting her feet firmly into the ground. Her grip tightens around her spear as her shield snaps into place. The air around her feels heavy.
The Ursa senses her overflowing negative emotions.
It turns away from Erik and locks its red eyes onto Pyrrha.
ROAR.
They stare at each other.
Pyrrha's jaw tightens. Her voice is low, trembling-not with fear, but fury.
"You will not touch him again."
The forest seems to hold its breath.
The Ursa charges.
Pyrrha moves.
She sidesteps the first swipe, the claws tearing through empty air where her head had been a second earlier. Her spear strikes next, the blade slamming into the Ursa's shoulder-not enough to kill, but enough to draw its attention fully.
The Ursa roars and swings again.
Pyrrha blocks.
The impact rattles her shield, the force driving her boots into the dirt, carving lines into the ground. She grits her teeth and pushes back, muscles burning as she redirects the blow and rolls away before the next strike can land.
She doesn't retreat.
She advances.
Her spear becomes a blur-thrust, sweep, strike. She targets joints, weak points, the softer flesh beneath thick fur. Each movement is precise, drilled into her through years of training... but powered now by something far more personal.
The Ursa slams both fists into the ground.
The shockwave sends Pyrrha skidding backward.
She catches herself, spear digging into the earth to stop her momentum. Her chest rises and falls rapidly.
Her eyes flick, just for a moment-
Erik lies several meters away and she looks Erik Vomiting.
He's fine without a single scratch on him.
That is enough for her.
Pyrrha's aura flares.
She surges forward.
The Ursa raises its arms again, but she is already inside its reach. Her shield crashes into its chest, staggering it back. She spins, using the momentum to drive her spear upward-piercing deep beneath its jaw.
The Ursa howls.
Black ichor sprays as Pyrrha wrenches the weapon free and leaps back, landing lightly before charging again.
"No more," she whispers.
The final strike is clean.
She plants her foot, twists her body, and hurls the spear with everything she has. It flies true-straight through the Ursa's skull.
The Grimm freezes.
Then it collapses into smoke.
Silence rushes in to fill the space it leaves behind.
Pyrrha doesn't hesitate.
She runs.
She drops to her knees beside Erik, hands already gripping his shoulders as she checks him over. Her composure cracks; her voice trembles despite her effort to stay calm.
"Erik... are you okay?"
He blinks up at her, forcing a small smile.
"I'm fine. With my semblance, it hard for me to get hurt. I Just feel... dizzy. The Ursa sent me spinning through the air. I feel like I just played a roller coaster." He exhales weakly. "Thanks for worrying, Pyrrha."
Hearing that loosens the tight knot in her chest-just a little. The fear doesn't vanish, but it eases enough for her to breathe again.
Erik pushes himself up to his feet.
Almost immediately, the world tilts.
He takes a step-and loses his balance.
Before he can fall, Pyrrha is there. She catches him without hesitation, one arm around his back, the other gripping his arm tightly.
"I've got you," she says softly. "Let me help."
Erik doesn't argue. He allows himself to lean against her, his arm resting over her shoulder. Together, they move slowly back toward their earlier spot.
Pyrrha notices the jars.
Her own is still full, sealed carefully.
Erik's is gone-shattered completely, sacrificed to the explosion.
She presses her lips together because she feels bad for him. His hard work just gone like that because a villain want to harm him.
She guides him to sit beneath one of the crimson-leaved trees and helps him rest against its trunk.
"Stay here," she says gently. "I'll fill another jar for you. Just have a good rest."
Before he can protest, she turns and walks away, spear in hand, already scanning the trees for sap.
Erik watches her go.
A quiet laugh escapes him, breathless and soft.
"So this is how it feels to be taken care of. This feeling... Reminds me about how warm when I had mother back then."
He shakes his head, a faint smile lingering on his lips. Then he closes his eyes and rests his head back against the tree, letting the forest's stillness wash over him.
Behind the trees, Pyrrha pauses for just a moment.
She glances back at him-still sitting there with his eyes closed.
Only then does she move again.
To be continued...