A Hero's Dilemma

Chapter 3

Enjoy the chapter.

Cover art by: Notgustiarp

Chapter 3

They landed on a rooftop overlooking the area containing the statue. Even though this was close to the outskirts, it was still enclosed on all sides by buildings. Thankfully, each one gave the figure a wide berth creating an empty plaza surrounding it. With all the extra space around it and what appeared to be old stands, the townsfolk would gather to pay tribute to the figure depicted in the monument.

Surveying the area, she found everything she'd need for the plan to work.

So, all I've gotta do is figure out how to knock that down while either immobilizing or distracting Hazel. Easy, right?

The latter would be the tricky part. She racked her brain but came up empty-handed. Instead, she'd focus on just figuring out options to knock it down.

If I'm lucky, my original idea will still work.

She patted the large pouch strapped to the left side of her belt, resting opposite the empty spot where her scroll would typically be.

She cut that thought off before her mood soured.

Speaking of sour moods.

Still being bridal carried, she looked up and saw the kid's face adorned with a blank expression. A stark contrast when compared to just a moment ago. Did using his Semblance affect his emotions? Or was he already over the previous incident?

"Jaune?"

Flinching, he seemed to be knocked out of his trance. His eyes dilated and began darting around until they came to rest on her. Thankfully, he seemed to come to his senses, eyes returning to normal and focus returning to the present. Instead of speaking, his head merely tilted in question.

He's still reeling from that earlier episode, isn't he?

Grimacing, it dawned on her just how frightened he must be and how much pressure she was putting on this child to essentially keep them both alive.

Just a little further.

Pushing those feelings aside meant burying the guilt and not allowing it to drive her decisions. If only she'd done the same for her grief, then they wouldn't be in this mess in the first place.

"I need you to take me to the base of the statue so I can check its condition up close. Can you do that for me?"

For a second, he didn't seem to register what she asked, just standing there blinking until it seemed to fully sink in. When it did, his face looked conflicted, hesitating briefly. Looking into his eyes showed the inner struggle quite clearly. In the end, he complied.

"Hold on." He muttered before squatting and illuminating briefly. Her only hope was that Hazel wouldn't notice the veritable beacon to their location.

Hmm...actually, that could work.

She was so caught up in finalizing the plan's finer details while they were sailing through the air that she failed to notice the angle they were falling. Realizing too late that it would end a lot rockier than either would anticipate.

They landed roughly, and like before, she nearly slipped out of his grasp. She let out a yelp as her mind was pulled back abruptly.

"I'm sorry!"

As soon as they righted themselves, he was already apologizing.

After getting his footing, he set her down, taking a wide step back immediately after. She initially thought to brush off his apology and focus solely on finding a way to initiate the plan. She was going to give an offhanded reply dismissing it entirely, but...