ITB Chapter 3 Aura

Weiss Schnee awoke with a sharp inhale, her chest heaving as her eyes snapped open. ‘Grimm!?’

Her heart thundered in her chest before her thoughts even caught up. They came at her in a blur of claws, bone, and glowing red eyes. The last thing she remembered was her aura shattering, her limbs too heavy to move, her weapon slipping from her fingers as she collapsed to her knees. She had been about to die. She had been—

Weiss bolted upright. Her breathing was erratic, pupils narrowed. Her head turned in every direction, scanning the space for enemies, expecting fangs or howls or claws to come from the next corner.

Only to feel the sting of stiff muscles, soreness in her joints, and the damp carpet pressing against her palms.

She wasn't dead. But she also wasn't free.

Her eyes narrowed as they darted around. ‘It wasn’t a dream, I’m still here.’

The same damned yellow walls. The ever-present buzz of the flickering fluorescent lights above. The air was still stale. The floor beneath her is still slightly wet and disgusting.

Weiss gritted her teeth, blue eyes narrowing and let out a quiet growl. “So this hell wasn’t a dream after all…”

She rubbed her temples, then pushed herself to her feet—slowly, carefully. Her head throbbed slightly, but not unbearably so. Her legs wobbled, but they held.

She turned—and paused.

Just behind her, folded with surprising neatness, was a black school blazer. That she had been using as makeshift pillow

It was far too big for her. The sleeves were long and the style wasn’t anything worn in Atlas or Vale. A boy’s uniform.

And then it came back to her.

The boy. Brown hair wearing the same blazer with a red armored glove. He had appeared just as she was about to die, had stood in front of her, spoken words she could quite hear from exhaustion, and struck down the remaining Beowolves with raw power. The way he moved—it wasn’t refined like a trained Huntsman, but it was effective. Savage, even. But controlled.

Her heart slowed slightly.

He had saved her.

Her eyes scanned the room. Luckily she found Myrtenaster, resting upright against the wall where someone had clearly placed it with care.

Her fingers tightened.

She wasn’t alone anymore. But where was he?

Before she could ponder further, a door across the room creaked.

Her posture stiffened. Myrtenaster was already in her hand, the point aimed toward the sound as she braced herself.

Another Grimm?

Her legs were still sore, her aura still recharging—but she’d fight if she had to.

The door opened.

Weiss’s eyes narrowed.

A figure stepped in—a girl, no older than herself. She had straight long black hair that brushed past her shoulders, sharp blue eyes, and a brown school uniform.

Not a Grimm.

The girl stopped in the doorway, blinking in surprise as she caught sight of Weiss standing.

“Oh—! You’re awake!” The girl said, surprised but relieved. “Thank god. Issei was worried you might be unconscious for longer.”

Weiss’s weapon lowered just slightly, confusion overtaking caution. “…Who are you? And where’s the boy who was here?”

The black-haired girl stepped in, gently closing the door behind her. “My name’s Yuuka. Yuuka Hana. I found you after Issei brought you back. He’s the one who saved you.”

Weiss exhaled slowly. “So his name is Issei…”

Yuuka nodded and stepped further into the room, brushing her hands against the skirt of her uniform. “He’s out right now. Fighting more of those black creatures. He told me to stay with you while he draws them away.”

“Alone?” Weiss’s voice sharpened. Her tiredness vanished in a heartbeat as she moved toward the door. “He shouldn’t be out there by himself. If he’s fighting those things—he’ll need help.”

Yuuka stepped in front of her before she could open the door. “Wait—stop. You were unconscious and seriously injured. Your body hasn’t even recovered—”

“My aura has recovered enough.” Weiss replied immediately, brushing past her. “It’s healed the worst of my injuries already.”

Yuuka blinked. “Your what?”

Weiss stopped. “My aura. It’s a manifestation of my soul. It protects me and heals minor wounds over time. Don’t tell me you don’t know about aura?”

Yuuka stared at her like she had just spoken an alien language. “Your… what?”

“…You don’t know what aura is?” Weiss asked cautiously. ‘She must be a civilian.’

Yuuka shook her head. “No. That sounds like something out of an anime.”

Weiss frowned slightly, but before she could say anything else—

The door creaked open again.

Both girls turned sharply, Weiss raising her weapon again by instinct.

The door pushed open to reveal Issei.

His uniform was torn at the shoulder, and dust clung to his hair and clothes. The red glove on his left hand flickered faintly before vanishing into embers. His expression was tired, lips drawn tight—but when he saw them, he smiled.

“Hey,” He said between breaths. “You’re both okay… That’s good.”

“Issei!” Yuuka stepped forward immediately, her worry etched into her face as she placed a hand on his chest and another on his arm, checking for wounds. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m fine,” He replied with a shrug, though his wince betrayed him.

Yuuka frowned. “That didn’t look fine. You’re hurt. What happened?”

“I mean, mostly fine,” He corrected. “I got away from them. Took a few down, then gave the rest the slip. Kicked one in the jaw, punched another through a wall.” He winced. “Only got clipped once or twice. Nothing broken. I remembered the path I took getting there—luckily.”

“Idiot,” Yuuka muttered, but there was no venom in her voice. “You should’ve come back sooner.”

Weiss silently studied him. This boy, Issei, was rough around the edges. His movements lacked formality. This strange boy… He looked so ordinary. So wildly not a Huntsman. But something about him—his presence, his posture, his voice radiated comfort.

He had saved her. And judging by Yuuka’s concern, he had been doing it a lot.

Yuuka sighed in relief and gave him a light push toward the center of the room. “Then sit. Now. You’re not going anywhere else until you rest.”

“Yes, ma’am…” Issei muttered with a lopsided grin as he collapsed against the wall and slumped down.

He looked over at Weiss, who hadn’t moved or spoken yet.

Their eyes met and Weiss turned away in embarrassment. 

—---------------------------

The three of them sat along the walls, backs pressed to its surface. Weiss sat opposite Issei and Yuuka with her back straight, her hands resting on her lap, legs folded neatly beneath her, Myrtenaster resting across her lap. Her gaze lingered on the two strangers beside her.

She didn’t trust this place and she still didn’t trust these two.

But they weren’t monsters. And right now, they were all she had and hopefully they knew something about this place.

Her gaze kept drifting to the pair.

Yuuka was seated close to Issei—too close, Weiss thought. She kept fretting over him, glancing at his face every time he so much as shifted or winced. She dabbed a torn cloth against Issei’s brow, checking a shallow cut above his temple.

The way Issei didn’t flinch, just gave her a tired smile, even teasing her lightly for worrying over him.

Weiss narrowed her eyes slightly. ‘Are they a couple?’ She tilted her head. Weiss didn’t know why the thought bothered her. 

With nothing but buzzing light and silence for company, her thoughts became louder, more pressing, until finally—

“The silence is unbearable,” Weiss said stiffly, breaking the quiet. Her voice cut through the stillness like a blade. “I have questions. Do either of you have any idea where we are?”

Yuuka stopped fussing over Issei and looked over.

Issei shifted, resting his arms over his knees. “No clue,” He said, shaking his head. “I was just walking home from school one second… and then bam—I was suddenly walking in this nightmare maze.”

Yuuka nodded. “Same. It just happened. No warning. I blinked… and then I was here.”

Weiss frowned. Her fingers twitched slightly in frustration. “So neither of you have any more information than I do.”

“Sorry,” Yuuka offered, sincere. “We’ve been trying to figure things out too. But we’re no closer than you.”

Weiss sighed, the disappointment hitting her was harder than she expected. She wasn’t any closer to understanding how she got here… or how to leave. “Great.”

Yuuka, noticing the tension, gave a sheepish smile and glanced at Issei, then smiled faintly at Weiss. “I guess we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.” She sat up straighter. “My name is Yuuka Hana. I’m seventeen years old. I go to high school in a city called Fuyuki in Japan.”

Weiss blinked and tilted her head. “Fuyuki… Japan?”

The names were meaningless to her. No kingdom or city matched it. Fuyuki? Japan? Were those islands in the southern sea?

Issei spoke up next, waving a bit lazily. “I’m Issei Hyoudou. Also seventeen. I go to Kouh Academy, also in Japan.”

‘Again with that word.’ Weiss processed it. ‘Is that a Kingdom? Maybe a city-state? Some smaller settlement under another banner?’

She had studied the world’s geography—Remnant had only four kingdoms. Atlas, Vale, Mistral, Vacuo. And some scattered settlements that have become famous in between. But she had never heard of Japan.

She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve never heard of any place called Japan. Or Fuyuki. Or Kouh.”

Now Yuuka and Issei shared a glance of their own. Both of them were now looking at her expectantly.

Weiss hesitated… then cleared her throat. “I am Weiss Schnee,” She said with formality. “Seventeen years old. Huntress-in-training and Heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. From the Kingdom of Atlas.”

Issei tilted his head. “Schnee… Dust Company?”

Yuuka blinked. “Atlas?”

Weiss paused and her heart skipped as she saw the confusion on the face of the two strangers. Their faces were blank, not recognizing one of the five major kingdoms or the most powerful dust supplier in the world. ‘Did they live under a rock?’

She stared. “You’ve… never heard of the Schnee Dust Company? It’s only one of the largest corporations in all of Remnant!”

Issei shook his head slowly. “No. Should we have?”

Weiss sat forward, tone growing strained. “The Schnee Dust Company is one of the most powerful companies in the world! We supply every major Kingdom and settlement with Dust!”

Yuuka frowned. “Dust? You mean like some type of powder?”

“No!” Weiss snapped. “Dust is the physical crystallization of elemental energy! It fuels weapons, powers cities, and supports the global economy! How could you not have heard of it?!”

Issei scratched his cheek awkwardly. “That sounds… pretty fantasy RPG to me.”

“Fantasy?!” Weiss was on her feet now, her voice growing more desperate. “This isn’t some game! Atlas is the most technologically advanced Kingdom in the world! We have airships, combat androids, a global CCT communication systems! The strongest military on Remnant! And you're telling me you’ve never heard of it?!”

Issei scratched the back of his head. “Yeah… I got nothing. You lost me at ‘Kingdom.’”

Weiss froze and her lips parted. She stared at them. They weren’t lying. They truly, honestly didn’t know.

“…Remnant,” She said slowly. “Do you live on Remnant?”

Issei looked over at Yuuka, confused. “Have you heard of Remnant before?”

Yuuka shook her head. “No. Never. What’s that?”

Weiss’s voice faltered. “It’s the name of our world. The planet.”

That silence came again.

Then Issei said softly, “No. Our planet is called Earth.”

Weiss blinked. Weiss’s entire world tilted. Her knees felt weak again, but she didn’t fall.

She stood there, staring blankly at the two strangers who didn’t know Atlas, didn’t know Dust, didn’t know Remnant. And slowly… the weight of it crushed down.

Her mouth opened—but no words came.

Her eyes widened, body trembling just slightly. “No… no that’s not… that’s not possible…Please tell me that this is just a trick. An illusion. A… joke” She whispered.

Issei looked ready to say something—maybe even comfort her—but Yuuka beat him to it.

Yuuka stood now, her expression twisted in disbelief and fear. “Wait—wait. Are you saying…?” Her voice trembled at the weight of what Weiss was saying. Yuuka turned to Issei. “Issei, she says she’s from a different world.”

Issei looked stunned, but the pieces were slowly clicking together. “That's?”

Yuuka clenched her fists. “That shouldn’t be possible.”

Weiss’s shoulders trembled. “You’re saying I’m not even on Remnant anymore?” She took a step back, shaking her head violently. “No… no no no, there has to be a mistake!”

Her voice cracked. Her breathing quickened. “This was supposed to be initiation. I was supposed to be paired with someone, get the relic, return to Beacon and become a huntress. That was supposed to be the start of my future!”

Issei, seeing the white haired girl start falling into despair, stood up, taking a careful step toward her. “Hey—Weiss, right? Listen, I know it’s a lot to take in. It’s overwhelming. But you’re not alone. Just breathe and try to stay calm.”

Weiss met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with tears. “You’re telling me everything I’ve ever known is gone. That I’m trapped in some dimension where monsters roam endless halls and nothing makes sense?”.

Unfortunately Yuuka wasn’t any better as she also started to break from the stress. “Don’t you get it Issei?! Even if we escape from here, there's no telling if the world we arrive in would be ours!”

Issei watching the two girls break could also start to feel his inner turmoil. He missed the sky. The sound of birds, the taste of food. He missed home. His parents. Even Matsuda and Motohama and their stupid rants.

And in the darkest part of his heart, a whisper asked, What if you never see them again? He could have curled up right there.

But then he looked at Yuuka and Weiss. And he knew what he had to do.

“…Screw it,” He muttered under his breath.

He got up, crossed the short space between all three of them—and without warning, pulled them both into a hug.

“Wha—!?” Yuuka gasped.

“Wh–what are you doing?!” Weiss' stiffened voice was tight with confusion.

Issei’s arms wrapped tightly around both girls’ shoulders, holding them in a firm, warm embrace. 

“Look,” He said, his voice softer now, steadier. “I don’t know what the hell this place is. I don’t know if we’ll ever get out, or how we even got here. I know you’re scared.  I’m scared too.”

He felt Yuuka’s breath hitch against his chest.

“I miss my parents. I miss my home.” He admitted. “I miss my friends. I miss knowing I’ll wake up and everything will be fine.”

Weiss didn’t say a word, but her posture sagged slightly in his arms.

“But…” Issei continued, “We’re here. Together. Three strangers who were never meant to meet… and yet we did. And that has to mean something.”

He leaned his head lightly against Yuuka and Weiss’s shoulders.

“I’m not giving up. And neither should either of you. We must keep walking. We keep fighting. And I swear…” His arms tightened around them. “I’ll protect both of you. I’ll do anything I can. So please…”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet both their eyes.

“So please…” He continued, his voice gentler now, “don’t give up without a fight. We still have a chance as long as we’re together.”

For a moment, all they could feel was the steady warmth radiating from him. His heartbeat was firm, steady, and for reasons they couldn’t quite explain, it grounded them—pulled them back from the spiraling thoughts that had threatened to drown them.

The silence returned.

But this time, it was different.

Yuuka exhaled slowly, her hand rising hesitantly to touch his sleeve.

Weiss blinked rapidly, the corners of her eyes glistening—but she looked away, biting her lip.

And then reality crashed back in.

Both girls suddenly became very aware of their position. They were still in his arms.mPressed close. Held firmly by someone of the opposite sex.

Yuuka’s face turned bright red. “O-Okay—!” She yelped, pulling back. “I get it! I get it! Motivational speech over!”

Issei blinked as she practically shoved herself free from the hug, eyes averted and skin pink to her ears.

Weiss, still flushed, gave him a sharp glare. “That was… unnecessarily.” She said, flustered. “Y-You should ask before—doing something like that.”

Issei raised his hands quickly. “Sorry! I just—! It felt like the right thing to do!”

Both girls crossed their arms, facing away from him in embarrassed synchronization.

“…Idiot,” Yuuka muttered.

“…Fool,” Weiss added.

And yet there was no anger in their voices. Just flustered indignation.

Issei chuckled quietly, rubbing the back of his head. “Sorry.”

He sat back down against the wall with a small smile.

Yuuka and Weiss stayed where they were for a moment… then slowly turned back around, visibly calmer, and with a blush on their cheeks.

But their eyes had changed. The fear was still there. The uncertainty. But they weren’t in despair anymore.

The three of them sat back down against the stained yellow walls.

None of them spoke for a moment, each trying to calm the swirling mix of fear and tension in their chests.

Weiss’s hands rested neatly in her lap, Myrtenaster still within arm’s reach. She glanced between the two strangers. Yuuka seated cross-legged, pipe laid across her thighs, and Issei slouched a bit with his back against the wall. Finally, the silence became too much.

Weiss cleared her throat. “Well… now that we’ve all calmed down,” She said, crossing one leg over the other. “We need to consider something more important.”

Her blue eyes moved between the two.

“Do either of you have an actual plan?”

Yuuka blinked.

Issei scratched his cheek.

Yuuka immediately looked over at Issei, brow raised. “Yeah, uh… actually, now that she brings it up, what is our plan?”

He blinked, then looked between them, caught in the sudden weight of their expectation. ‘Oh great. They’re both looking at me like I’m supposed to have the answers.’

He scratched the back of his head. “Uh… honestly? I got nothing solid. For now… we survive. Keep moving. Try to find an exit. And… maybe we’ll find other people who know more than we do.”

Weiss exhaled sharply, almost a scoff. “So… no real plan.”

“Hey, it’s better than ‘sit here until something kills us,’” Issei shot back, crossing his arms defensively.

Weiss exhaled, less out of relief and more out of disappointment. “So… we wander blindly and hope we stumble across a miracle?”

“Got anything better?” Issei asked with a weak smile.

Weiss didn’t answer right away. She shook her head and didn’t argue further. Instead, she straightened her posture and asked, “Then tell me, what do we actually know about this… world?”

Yuuka glanced at Issei, who shrugged.

“Uh… well,” He began, “first thing I noticed, while we're stuck here we don’t feel hungry here.”

Weiss tilted her head. “What?”

“I mean it,” Issei said. “I’ve been walking for who knows how long. Running. Fighting. I should be starving. But I feel nothing at all. Same for… other bodily stuff.”

Weiss’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “You didn’t have to add the last part.”

Issei shrugged. “Hey, it’s important! We’re in a place with no food, no water, and no signs of civilization. If our bodies were still acting normally, we’d be screwed.”

“Still…” Weiss muttered, her tone laced with distaste.

Yuuka shifted slightly and rested the pipe against the wall beside her. “What he’s trying to say is: this place isn’t just weird, it’s unnatural. Something here is affecting our biology. Time’s off too. Feels like we’ve been here for hours, maybe days ,but we’re not tired in the usual sense. Just... mentally. 

Weiss nodded slightly. “I’ve noticed that too. No hunger. No thirst. Just… fatigue.”

Yuuka continued. “From what I’ve figured out… the maze isn’t consistent. The rooms change sizes — sometimes you’re in a hallway barely wide enough to squeeze through, other times in a room big enough to fit a house. Directions are meaningless. You can go in a straight line and somehow end up looping back without realizing it. And now…” she gestured vaguely, “…we’ve been seeing objects. Random ones. A coffee mug in the middle of a room. A chair with no legs. A pile of folders with weird writing in them. They’re placed in a rather disorganized manner.” She shook her head, “…I can’t figure it out.”

Weiss considered this, her brows drawing together.

Issei leaned forward slightly. “And then there are the monsters. Things made out of darkness. We’ve run into… quite a few.”

Yuuka nodded grimly. “Too many. They always find us. Even when we’re careful. It’s like they’re drawn to us.”

Weiss’s eyes sharpened. “Those creatures of darkness, they’re from my world.”

Both of them turned toward her.

“They’re called Grimm,” Weiss continued, her voice firm and precise, as though reciting from a textbook she knew by heart. “Creatures of destruction. They’re drawn to negative emotions, jealousy, grief, loneliness, hatred, fear. They congregate at the source of these emotions, killing any and all Humans and Faunus they encounter on sight.”

Yuuka stared, her fingers tightening around her knee. “You’re saying those things exist in your world?”

Weiss nodded grimly. “They are the dominant race in Remnant. Humanity and Faunus are confined to four primary settlements, the four Kingdoms and a handful of smaller villages that survive with mixed success. Many of them are wiped out every few years.”

“…That’s horrible,” Yuuka whispered.

Issei’s jaw slackened. “Wait… dominant race? If they’re that dangerous and everywhere, how’s anyone still alive? Wouldn’t they have wiped you all out by now?”

Weiss’s gaze darkened. “They almost did. In the early years, humanity was on the brink of annihilation. We survived because of two factors: Dust… and Aura.”

Yuuka sat up straighter. “You said that before, what’s Dust?”

Weiss’s posture adjusted, like a teacher preparing to lecture.

“Dust is a raw material found in crystalline form, mined from the ground. It is the primary fuel for all forms of elemental energy. Fire, ice, wind, lightning — all can be generated through Dust, either directly or through specialized weaponry and skill.”

Issei tilted his head. “So… magic bullets?”

Weiss’s lips thinned, but she allowed the comparison. “Crude, but in essence yes.”

She then tapped her chest lightly. “The second factor is Aura, the manifestation of one’s soul. It forms a protective barrier around the body, healing minor injuries, enhances physical ability, and preserves health. It’s like a second skin—an invisible barrier that can absorb damage.”

Yuuka leaned forward, intrigued despite herself. “So… like a forcefield… that regenerates you?”

“In layman’s terms, yes,” Weiss said. “And within one’s Aura is the potential for someone to awaken their Semblance, a unique ability specific to each individual. No two Semblances are identical. They can manifest as elemental control, enhanced movement, manipulation of objects… the possibilities are vast, and the applications… are personal.”

Yuuka leaned back, her mind spinning. “So… every person in your world has their own personal power, on top of a healing barrier.”

Issei let out a low whistle. “Damn. And here I thought my glove thing was cool.”

Weiss’s eyes flicked to him sharply. “Right. I wanted to ask you about that? Where is the red glove you had when you saved me?”

“Oh that?” Issei with a thought brought out the red glove. Surprising Weiss when she noticed it wasn’t a mechashift weapon. “I actually have no idea where I got it?”

“How do you not know about your own weapon?” Weiss says, looking at Issei suspiciously. 

He scratched his cheek. “It just showed up when I wanted to protect Yuuka. Makes me stronger and faster. Haven’t exactly had time to figure out more. Plus it didn’t come with an instruction manual when it showed up.”

Weiss simply sighed at Issei's explanation and decided to accept it for now. 

Yuuka hadn't said anything for a while. Just sat still, her brows drawn tight, hands folded on her lap as she stared at nothing. She was thinking hard.

Weiss noticed immediately. “Something wrong?” She asked, tilting her head slightly, brushing some loose hair back behind her ear.

Yuuka blinked, as if pulled out of a trance. She turned her eyes to Weiss, then to Issei, then back again.

“…That Aura thing,” Yuuka finally said. “Can anyone unlock it?”

Weiss nodded. “Yes. Aura is part of the soul. Everyone has it, whether they know it or not.”

“Then…” Yuuka hesitated, then drew a breath and looked Weiss dead in the eye. “I want you to unlock mine.”

Weiss’s brow lifted in surprise. “You want me to…?”

Yuuka nodded. “Yes.”

Issei sat up straighter, now interested. “Wait, you can do that?”

Weiss folded her arms, thoughtful. “There are two primary ways to awaken Aura. The first is through training — intense focus, usually at a combat academy or under a mentor. But that takes time. Time we don’t have.”

She paused, then turned to Yuuka.

“The second method… is to have someone whose Aura is already awakened channel theirs into someone else’s. In essence, it’s like igniting a dormant flame with another.”

“Like a spark to a candle?” Issei asked.

Weiss gave a small nod. “Exactly.”

Yuuka exhaled and nodded, her eyes firm with purpose. “Then do it. Please.”

Weiss tilted her head slightly. “May I ask why you’re so eager?”

Yuuka didn’t hesitate.

“Because right now, I’m the weakest link,” She said bluntly, her voice low but steady. “You and Issei, you both have power. Ways to fight back. If we get attacked again, and one of you is too busy fighting something else, I’ll die. Or worse, I’ll get in the way and get one of you killed.”

Weiss’s gaze softened.

Yuuka clenched her fists. “I don’t want to be a liability anymore. I want to help.”

Issei glanced at her, then at Weiss. “Well… if we’re doing Yuuka, maybe I should get mine awakened too. That red glove shows up when I fight, but I don’t know if that’s Aura or something else.”

Weiss took a long breath, then stood gracefully, brushing her dress clean.

“Alright,” she said. “Let’s start with Yuuka.”

Yuuka nodded and stood up.

Weiss stepped in front of her and gestured for her to place her feet firmly apart.

“Stand still. Take a breath. Try to clear your mind.”

Yuuka nodded, adjusting her stance. She placed the pipe aside and closed her eyes, her breathing steadying.

Weiss reached forward and placed a gloved hand gently over Yuuka’s chest — directly above her heart.

“Now, listen to me carefully,” Weiss said, voice soft and solemn. “Aura isn’t just energy. It’s the essence of your soul. It reflects who you are, your strengths, your scars, your dreams. I’m not giving you something new. I’m awakening what was always inside you.”

Yuuka nodded again, trembling just slightly under the contact.

Weiss closed her eyes and spoke, her voice taking on a rhythmic cadence, a mantra that reflected Weiss’s feelings. “For it is in success that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of perfection and grace to rise above all.  Infinite in freedom and unbound by others... I release your soul, and by my hand, grace thee.”

A faint hum filled the air.

Then a pulse.

Yuuka gasped.

Light bloomed.

A soft blue aura burst outward from her chest, enveloping her entire body like a gentle flame. It shimmered, warm and alive, dancing around her in a swirl of energy.

Small cuts on her arms and legs faded. Bruises disappeared. The ache in her joints vanished.

Yuuka opened her eyes.

Her breath caught in her throat. “…I feel…”

Alive. Stronger.

Like her body had been holding back something for years and now, finally, it had been unleashed.

“Whoa…” She whispered, staring at her hands as the light slowly faded.

Issei stared, wide-eyed. “Holy crap, that was awesome. It’s like watching a magical girl transformation in real life.”

Weiss lowered her hand, her own Aura gently settling back into her skin.

“Congratulations,” She said with a small smile. “Your Aura has awakened.”

Yuuka looked at her with stunned gratitude. “Thank you…”

Weiss gave a short nod, then turned a little more serious.

“But be warned. Now that your Aura is active, you must be aware of its limits. It acts as both armor and your strength. But once broken, whether through combat or overuse, it leaves you vulnerable. Weak. Exhausted.”

Yuuka’s expression sobered quickly.

“It recovers over time,” Weiss continued, “but it isn’t infinite. You’ll need to learn how to use it properly.”

Yuuka nodded. “I’ll learn. I promise.”

Issei stood up and clapped his hands together. “Alright, now me next, right? Come on, Weiss, gimme the spark!”

Weiss chuckled softly and shook her head, stepping toward him. “Very well.” Her hand rose to press against his chest above his heart.

Weiss soon closed her eyes.

“For it is in success that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of perfection and grace to rise above all. Infinite in freedom and unbound by others... I release your soul, and by my hand, grace thee.”

Her aura reached forward—flowed forward like a stream of light.

But the moment it touched Issei’s soul—

Everything changed.

—--------------------------

The air around her shimmered.

Weiss gasped softly, her knees locking as a pulse of raw energy struck her chest.

It wasn’t like Yuuka.

Not at all.

It felt… deep. Endless. Like diving into an ocean of pressure.

Her aura was draining faster than she expected, pouring into Issei like a stream into a black hole. She grit her teeth, sweat forming along her temple as she tried to control it—regulate the flow.

‘What is this? His soul is… bottomless! It’s—’

Suddenly, something snapped.

And Weiss was no longer standing in the yellow maze.

She was somewhere else.

—------------------------------------

A world of fire.

Black ash rained down around her like snow. The ground beneath her feet was cracked and burning. Molten rivers of red and gold flowed across a broken landscape.

The sky above was smoke.

But it wasn’t just fire she felt. It was power.

A heat she couldn’t comprehend.

Something brushed against her presence and it was massive. 

A giant, glowing green eye cracked open in the distance.

It stared straight at her.

Not with malice.

Not with kindness.

Just… awareness.

Like a being that had been waiting for her to come closer.

Wh—what are you? Weiss thought—but before she could even take a breath—

The flames surged.

The green eye widened.

And everything—

Collapsed.

—--------------------------------

Weiss collapsed backward, her hand ripping away from Issei’s chest.

“WEISS!” Issei shouted, lunging forward to catch her.

Yuuka darted forward, dropping to her knees beside them. “What happened?! Is she okay?!”

Weiss’s face was pale. Her breathing ragged. Sweat trickled down her neck. She didn’t respond at first, her body trembling slightly in Issei’s arms.

“Yuuka.” Issei turned, panic in his voice. “I didn’t feel anything! I swear! It didn’t work—I mean, I feel okay, but—!”

Yuuka leaned in. “Did anything happen to you? Anything new?”

Issei paused, looking down at himself.

His breathing was normal. His body felt light. The aches in his muscles, the dull sting in his bruised side… gone.

“I… feel good, actually. Like my body’s back to normal.”

Yuuka’s eyes narrowed. “But nothing else?”

“No… nothing I can feel,” he muttered. “Nothing like what happened to you. No light show.”

Then Weiss stirred in his arms, slowly blinking her eyes open.

Both of them leaned toward her immediately.

“Weiss!” Yuuka said. “Are you okay? What happened?”

Weiss groaned softly, sitting up with help from Issei’s arm around her back. She blinked, dazed, and wiped her forehead.

“I…” She shook her head. “I don’t know. It didn’t work. It was like… his soul kept draining mine. No matter how much I gave, it wasn’t enough. And then…”

She hesitated.

Both of them waited.

“…I was somewhere else,” she whispered. “A world of flame. There was… something there. Something watching me. I felt it. It had a single green eye.”

Issei’s brow furrowed. “A green eye?”

Yuuka looked just as shaken. “Wait. What do you mean something was watching you?”

Weiss turned to them, her expression serious—tinged with fear she was barely keeping at bay.

“I don’t think I could have awakened your Aura even if I poured my entire soul into it,” she said softly to Issei. “Your soul is… different. Massive. Ancient. There’s something inside you that doesn’t belong to a normal human.”

Issei’s jaw tightened.

He looked down at his hand.

‘Is it the glove?’ He thought. 

“…I’m sorry,” Weiss said. “I failed.”

Issei immediately waved her off. “No. Don’t be stupid. If trying left you like that, it’s better that it doesn't work.”

Yuuka nodded, still watching Issei warily. “Maybe your powers… just don’t work like that.”

Weiss nodded slowly, though the uncertainty still lingered in her eyes.

But her mind kept returning to that image.

That eye and the flames.

—--------------------------

As Weiss sat quietly, regaining her composure, Issei and Yuuka watched over her with a mix of patience and unspoken concern.

Yuuka noticed and sat forward. “Are you sure you're okay now?”

Weiss nodded once. “Yes. Whatever that… experience was, it has passed. I have recovered most of my Aura.”

Issei looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself. Instead, he gave her a half-smile. “Glad you’re okay.”

Weiss turned to Yuuka next, her tone softening into something more instructional. “While we wait for the last of this headache to fade, I should explain something else to you.”

Yuuka tilted her head. “About Aura?”

Weiss nodded. “Now that yours is unlocked, you’ll want to learn how to use it properly. Seeing as the pipe you’re carrying is your only weapon, let me teach you how to make it more than just a blunt object.”

She gestured toward the weapon. “Aura can be extended from your body into objects you’re in contact with—particularly weapons. It strengthens them. Reinforces the material. It makes them sharper, more resilient, and more effective in combat.”

Yuuka blinked. “So I can make this thing… like, glow and hit harder?”

Weiss gave her a look. “Not glow. This isn’t a cartoon. But yes, it’ll hit harder. And won’t bend or snap as easily.”

Issei whistled. “Man… Aura is like a cheat code.”

Weiss gave him a sidelong glance. “It is the reason humanity still exists.”

Yuuka lifted the pipe and concentrated. “So… I just push my Aura into it?”

“Exactly,” Weiss said. “Focus. Breathe. Will it to reinforce the weapon.”

Yuuka took a breath and closed her eyes. For a few moments, there was nothing.

Then the pipe gave a faint shimmer—barely noticeable.

Yuuka’s eyes opened, wide with amazement. “...Did it work?”

Weiss smiled slightly. “Yes. That was a good first attempt.”

Time passed.

They let Weiss rest until her color returned, and the slight tremble in her fingers vanished. They shared a few words. Eventually, Weiss stood and rolled her shoulder, her white hair cascading down as she turned to the others.

“I’m ready now,” she said.

Issei, leaning against the wall, stood and stretched. “Good. 'Cause I was getting real sick of staring at this cursed wallpaper.”

Yuuka nodded and held onto the pipe.

“Well,” Issei said, adjusting his school uniform jacket, “we won’t learn anything by sitting here. Time to keep moving.”

Weiss nodded. “Agreed. The longer we stay still, the more likely we’ll be found by Grimm.”

Yuuka stepped toward the door. “Let’s just hope we don’t run into anything with more than three heads.”

Issei made a face. “Please don’t jinx it.”

Weiss reached for the doorknob.

She paused and listened.

But nothing was heard on the other side.

Then she opened it slowly.

The yellow hallway stretched ahead. Exactly as it always had.

All three then continued walking hoping to find any clue of where they were.

Done. Tell me what you think and if I made any mistakes. What Semblance should Yuuka have? What do you think they find next? This was quite the info dump so sorry if it's boring but this needed to be talked about. Stay tuned next time for Into the Backrooms.