It wasn't supposed to be like this.
As I lay there, dying, this was the only thought that went through my mind.
I knew I messed up the moment I plucked that damned clock off that tree, but I never imagined just how much I messed up until a long time afterward.
Now? All I am left with are regrets.
Although I can't say it is so bad to go out like this, saving the lives of people, real people from Remnant, two children at that, from that damned cat.
Good thing I dragged my poisoned body across the Ever After to the Tree despite Alyx's distrust of me. Otherwise, who knows what that damned cat might have done to her? It was already bad enough that she was bleeding everywhere on the floor by the time I caught up to them with the Cat, ready to end her life. Thankfully, I was able to heal her with my semblance.
Of course, that does not mean I did not pay the price for it.
The Cat was an Afteran, with all the perks of such an illogical existence to boot.
And while I had grown strong and became a fighter who was worthy of the title of Huntsman, I was still way past my prime, by 60 years by my estimate, possibly even more since I stopped counting after the many mental breakdowns, brief bouts of insanity, and a little bit of amnesia sprinkled in there.
I felt a pair of small hands desperately tearing away at my armor and helm, exposing my grey hair, tired eyes, and scarred torso to the world. Tears struck the ground like rainfall as the little girl, Alyx, tried to stop the bleeding from the absurdly deep gash across my chest.
You're quite quick to change your tune now that you've seen what death looks like, huh? Little girl.
Her shouts and desperate words failed to reach me as I already felt power leaving my body. A perk of having mastered my semblance and evolving it beyond what it once was.
I knew that there was no hope left for me. If I were a little younger? Maybe, but as I am now? Not a chance. Especially now that my Aura broke, making it impossible to use my semblance.
Truly, one of the biggest mistakes I made in my life was not smashing that damned clock as soon as it started turning back time. Now, I no longer had the chance to live long enough to see Ruby and the others, if they ever make it to the Ever After.
Slowly, the world started to grow dark, and I knew it was time for me to go to whatever waited for me on the other side.
Although I hope I don't find my ancestors on the other side. I don't want to face them after sullying their legacy with the blood of an innocent soul.
Also, I am really curious, there were no mentions of the Rusted Knight dying in the story I remember as a child. Granted, a lot of things that were never mentioned in the story happened with us, so maybe she wrote it out of the story?
With great difficulty, I turned my dying eyes to the shattered sword that had accompanied me for so many decades in this forsaken place, stabbed into the ground, through the shimmering body of the damned Cat. I made sure to stab the monster right through its head just to confirm that it was dead.
At least, I was able to bring down that monstrous being to accompany me into the afterlife.
Finally, my vision went black, the last thing I saw was little Alyx's crying face, and the shimmering leaves of the Tree.
Thankfully, I don't have anyone in this world to care about anymore. The paper pleasers could live on their own, and Juniper had already died a long time ago when I was in my forties.
"…..e!"
Hm? What is that?
"…..une!"
That's weird. Now that my vision is gone, are my ears acting up? Or is this some kind of hallucination? It wouldn't be the first time I went bonkers, so that is a serious possibility.
"…..aune!"
Tch! Why does that voice sound so familiar? Where did I hear it from? Give this old man a break and let me die in peace!
"JAUNE!"
…Penny? Impossible!
I snapped my eyes open and, just for a single second, caught the familiar form of the innocent girl who died by my hand before the surroundings were replaced by a black void with golden orbs moving in one direction.
If this is really the afterlife, then it is a rather bland and depressing place.
With no idea what to do, I started following the orbs.
But as I continued walking for who knows how long, I started hearing sounds. Sounds that I was very familiar with, thanks to my experience in forging my own armor in this forsaken place.
The sounds of a hammer striking steel.
Eventually, the sounds grew louder and louder until I finally arrived at the source.
"You finally made it. I have waited a long time for you."
After everything I saw in this accursed place, I should not be too surprised by anything, but here I am, once again blown away by the sheer oddity of the Ever After.
Because standing in front of me is the very manifestation of the Tree.
How did I know this? I don't know, but I just know it to be the truth.
"…And what do I call you?"
"While I have many names, I simply prefer the Blacksmith. I feel like it defines my existence the best."
"Very well. So, what am I doing here? Is this the so-called Ascension that all the Afterans talk about all the time?"
"Well, normally, I would say yes. But that is not the case for you."
"What do you mean?"
"You, Jaune Arc, have somewhere to be."
Before I could express my confusion, I felt a force dragging me in a certain direction. Instincts honed over decades of fighting the insanity of this realm made me reach for Crocea Mors, only to find them missing.
Confused, I stared in the direction of the Blacksmith, only to find her holding said weapon and sheath in her arms.
….This is some next-level bullshit even for the Ever After.
Before I could curse at the 'Blacksmith' for tricking me, I saw a swirling portal manifest in front of my flying body, a portal that was eerily similar to the ones that I remember from a long time ago when we helped the people of Atlas evacuate.
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As the Rusted Knight was sent hurtling through the portal, the Blacksmith turned to her right, where a figure manifested from one of the many golden orbs in the void.
"Are you sure this is what you want? Young one."
"..Yes. I know it is not the most ideal choice, but I don't want one of my friends to die in such a place. I don't want him to be forgotten by those he cares about."
"You do know you could have simply extended his lifespan by reverting him to his youth, allowing him to reunite with his loved ones when they arrive in the next decade or so, right?"
"I could. But at the cost of his already fragile and partially fractured sanity? No. I would rather not do that."
"You are a very compassionate soul, Penny Polendina. Even towards the very person who killed you."
"You know that it was my choice to have Jaune kill me. I chose death over risking the lives of my friends by allowing that woman to gain the Maiden powers."
"I know, after all, it was that very selfless act that made the Tree give you this chance at helping your friends."
The fading form of Penny Polendina said nothing while staring at the place where the portal used to be.
"…So, what now? Do I 'Ascend' just like the Afterans? Or is there a separate place for someone like me?"
The Blacksmith simply smiled warmly at the gentle soul.
"The only thing that can happen to you here, is what you want to happen."
At her words, the android-turned-human gave the manifestation of the mother tree a hopeful look.
"Then…"
And so, a choice was made that changed the world. But is this change for the better? Or for worse?