Chapter 1: Just Over the Horizon

"Is there a contract I need to sign?"

"Yes and no. While a waiver excusing responsibility of the company in regards to the program is mandatory, it's a bit more lenient than that," The man, Mister Grey, regarded him as he gathered things together, "it's not a job per se, with assignments and a fixed pay rate. That would require you working in the company. Rather an Archivist position is based solely on performance and discoveries."

Jaune supposed that made sense - after all, whatever they'd be searching for couldn't all be worth the same.

Jaune certainly hadn't expected to meet at a museum of all places - he thought it would be more of a, well, company. With fancy suited board members and complicated jargon known only by degrees of eight years or higher. He expected it to be complicated, having sat down at the desk fully prepared to be lost and confused.

Surprise, surprise.

The middle-aged man before him continued, directing Jaune's attention at a scroll. "Vale museum is but an expansion of the larger company at hand - the AHC. The Archived History Company. The employees here manage and run the displays like a normal museum would. Various items and artifacts are shipped out to our primary branches in all the major Kingdoms. Of course, you can understand why they can't be the ones out there actively searching."

Of course, it was too dangerous.

Archaeological finds were rare primarily because of Grimm, and Jaune didn't need to do research to figure that out. From what he knew, bandits thrown on top of that only made it worse. What little excavations that could be done needed to meet a set of safety precautions if normal people planned to venture outside the Kingdom.

So what did that boil down to? Professionals.

And if not them, then people who were less qualified but still up for the task. That's where Jaune came in.

Mister Grey slid a sheet of paper Jaune's way, along with a pen. "The waiver. Of course, the company cannot be faulted for the injuries or deaths of Archivists. This is a volunteered program with substantial rewards to success and no penalties for failure. Of course, failure means no pay, but again this is not a required labor and it is solely the individual's choice.

Jaune nodded as he read over the paper; nothing major, nothing crazy that stood out. While they certainly buttered up their words, in the end it was simple.

Archivists explore the region in search of lost artifacts, civilizations, tools and pieces of history. They bring these things back and are paid according to the value. The range of which was anything above five hundred lien. Which was the bare minimum. This of course factoring the risks the Archivists take out in the wildlands.

If you found something, you got fairly paid for it. If you didn't find anything, you lose nothing but don't get any payment. And the obvious risk of death... an ever present issue.

When Jaune first made his interview, they'd stated that deaths had occurred, perhaps not frequently, but it wasn't abnormal.

The more rational side of him raised the question - why was he doing this? Maybe desperation, a desire for peril and mayhem, an attraction to history and legends? It, honestly, was little of everything; all of them wound together with his clenching gut that made him want to hurl right then.

And even through that, Jaune grabbed the pen and signed his name. He wasn't proud of his signature, sloppy and messy unlike his sisters. But they didn't judge here - your handwriting didn't matter; your skill level didn't matter. Everyone had a fair and equal chance.

That's all Jaune wanted.

Grey took back the sheet of paper, glazed eyes boring back into his nervous ones as he put the sheet of paper with a few others, his name signed on it then promptly shelved with the others.

"Mister Arc, you are aware that by signing this you acknowledge and completely accept that the Archivist Company is not responsible for personal injury, grievance, dismemberment or death that may occur to you. Under your government license, issuing your right to Article 3-12 of the Valean Kingdom Law?"

"Yes sir."

The man took out a small device, a little pin with a recorder on it and handed it to Jaune. "Please recite Article 3-12 and exercise your right to way of absolute freedom. This recording will be kept in your files in the event that any lawsuits are filed against the company that violate the waiver's specifications."

Jaune took the recorder, staring at it for a second. Who would've thought such a small device could be so intimidating? It was barely bigger than his finger, just a small black tube with a recording device built in.

Once he spoke into this, he cemented his intention to go through with his choice.

He'd thought about it long and hard. For weeks. Months. About the years of training he put into becoming a Huntsman. He'd come to find out that all that effort just wasn't enough, a measly three compared to the standard eight. Yet Jaune still wanted to try, he wanted to believe that he could be given a chance.

But he hadn't. He'd been told no.

So here he was, two months later, attempting something much more foolish in the face of a crushed dream.

It wasn't safe, it wasn't smart. In fact, his family was rightly concerned. And even Jaune had to wonder if he'd lost his sanity along with his chance at Beacon. He didn't know the answer - all he knew was what he wanted, what he dreamed of, had been taken out of his reach.

He wanted to take it back.

His throat felt dry, and he fought to hold the device steady. "My name is J-Jaune Arc. Age: Sixteen, hereby exercise my right to article three, section twelve of the Valean Kingdom Law: the right to leave the walls of an established society for personal pursuit and freedom."

His wished his hands hadn't clammed up, that the stutter in his voice hadn't made his resolve sound so flimsy. But it did, because he was scared.

Wouldn't anyone be?

Mister Grey took the device back and placed it with his folder, Jaune followed him as he stood up. "And with that Mister Arc, you are all set. Your state issued license for archaeological exploration will be mailed to you within ten business days. As well as a new ID with a specific number to permit passage through the walls. After which you are legally permitted to come and go as you please."

He'd done it, he really had. This was it. With this, his dream could come true.

It didn't feel quite as liberating as he'd thought - between his uneasy legs and rapid thoughts, it was honestly bittersweet. Of course, just because he'd done this didn't mean he had to go through with it. As the man said, there was no consequence for not doing anything.

But there was no reward either. No money, no recognition… no dream.

Jaune didn't want to sit around, he didn't want to wallow in depression while his peers were out there becoming amazing warriors and heroes. No while he knew damn well he could do what they could, too!

He could be a hero.

Sure, an Archivist wasn't a hero. But a Huntsman wasn't necessarily one either.

The Huntsman Academy refused to help him, so maybe the world outside the walls would show him the way. This was a stepping stone, granted a very steep one, but it was his best option.

Mister Grey held out his hand and Jaune firmly shook it. "The Archivist Company thanks you for your willing sacrifice in the pursuit of knowledge. The company cannot support you in any way further than this, the rest is up to you. Are you prepared for that Mister Arc?"

He wasn't.

"I am." Jaune nodded.

"Then may you be safe on your journeys." Grey nodded before taking a seat again, "before you go, are there any questions you might have? I'm no adventurer - nor do I have experience in combat, but you learn a few things in my time working here. And many Archivists before you have passed their knowledge onto others."

Jaune didn't think he had questions at first, but since he was here, it would be nice to know where to go from here.

"I guess… where to I start? Like, what should I do first?"

The employer seemed to the think for a second, gray eyes on his desk as he clasped his hands together. "Hmm, I suppose there are few things... for one, we highly recommend avoiding bandits, even if you might have combat experience. Bandits will attack anyone, so it's best to just avoid them."

Bandits. Just the word was unnerving. He didn't have much in the way of money, and nothing too valuable to steal. But if his name grew or if he just managed to get a stash of valuables and just happen across some thieves…

He didn't want to think about that. Not now at least.

"Other than typical survival knowledge, which is solely dependent on the individual to use or not use, there are many warriors and Huntsmen that look for ways to make money. While there is no official place as far as we know, if you visit taverns and offer payment, that is most likely where you'll find someone willing to aid you. Do this with caution however, as you could very well be showing your pouch to thieves and killers."

So even in places that were supposed to be safe, Jaune had to be aware of who to trust? The boy felt his heart plummet a little at that realization; that he could very well be setting up himself at any time to get robbed or murdered. He was sure he could defend himself when necessary but this...

Could he be prepared for a scenario like that?

"If you're looking for help, the most well known place around here is known as 'The Cache', located in the village Briel if Northern Sanus." Mister Grey cleared his throat, "It notably has Huntsmen that frequent it and according to most, are pretty honest if not a bit harsh. You may be able to find hired hands there. These are good people to ask questions about survival in the wild as well, most are willing to help, especially for an aspiring Huntsman like yourself."

Jaune nodded, more to himself than Grey. Okay, that sounded good. That'd have to be the first place he looked.

"One more thing, there may be odd jobs that you can pick up yourself. Lots of places have what we call Job Boards for people willing to take them. If you're stripped for cash, taking on some of these can be an effective alternative to making money. And I think that's honestly all I can offer you. I'm sorry if that's not satisfactory."

Jaune shook his head. "It's alright, that's way more than I expected. I really appreciate it. You have a good evening, sir."

Jaune turned to leave, pausing just as the employer called out to him. "Good luck Mister Arc."

He paused at the door, hand on the frame... and those fingers clenched a little tighter. His heart threatened to burst from his chest. From his thoughts, from the stupidity of this decision, everything. Months ago, everything fell apart for him.

Now he was trying to piece himself back together. He didn't want his dream to fade away, he'd rather be dead before he let that happen.

So, good luck? Yeah.

He was going to need a lot of that.

~ISA~

The image of his bawling family was still fresh in his head.

The lack of sound, pervaded only by the low hum of the ship, barely did anything to remedy that. Perhaps if there was noise he wouldn't be able to think about it. Be able to pretend it never happened.

No such luck.

His mother, ever the hardened warrior had seemed unmoved. She wasn't a woman to show much emotion beyond intense fury. But she was still his mother, and she tried every excuse in the book to convince him against going. His Dad showed a bit more emotion, but he was only one that supported his decision, even if Jaune knew he didn't exactly agree with it. His older sisters, his twin - Jaune thought he'd be used to the tears by now. But they broke his heart with every drop.

It didn't stop him.

Save for one tiny, little nine-year-old.

'You don't love me!' Jaune could almost laugh if his little sister hadn't been bawling, clinging to his side as if she planned to go with him. But she knew the truth, he wasn't leaving because he was angry or hated them.

He just didn't want to do nothing. He didn't want to be nobody. Jaune wanted to be something - something spectacular. So he could prove the doubters wrong; so he could prove to the world that he was just as capable as everyone else.

Prying the girl off had been hard, as it usually was, but in the end, she'd supported his decision.

Jaune remembered embracing his mom and dad, both gripping him ever so tightly. It made him realize in that moment they were letting their son go, their only son. He couldn't imagine how terrifying that had to be. They could only sit by and watch as he ventured into an anarchic world brimming with monsters, both of Grimm and people alike.

But he made a promise. He promised them many things when he looked them in the eyes.

"I'm going to make you proud." He'd said through his own tears as he regarded his family, "I'm gonna become someone awesome and amazing. And you're gonna be able to brag to your friends and say, 'that's my son, and that's my brother!' I'll call whenever I get the chance. And I'll come visit whenever I can, I promise I will."

They'd smiled for him. And they'd let him go. Whatever they thought, whatever they believed, that was out of his control.

The only path the take was forward.

Jaune was the only one on the ship; which he was glad for, it gave him time to think, to wonder if this was the right decision. Maybe not for his family, hell, it might not even be right for him the end!

But it was his decision. A decision that he was glad to find he didn't regret.

"Alright kiddo," The pilot spoke over the intercom, "I'll be dropping you off in Poro, it's a small village just before the border between Vale and the Grand Steppe. There shouldn't be Grimm for miles and there are plenty of villages nearby. I'd head to one of those to rest up, we'll be landing in an hour or so."

Jaune nodded, though it was obvious his response didn't matter. He was ready - scared, but ready.

Looking out the window, he saw the walls of Vale in the great distance. Natural mountains and manmade structures spread for thousands of miles long and hundreds of miles high. It stretched into oblivion, his bastion of safety for the last sixteen years.

And to the opposite window, an even greater distance. Accentuated by the early rising sun and warm summer air, it was bountiful and big. Scary and exciting.

Jaune's dreams were out there somewhere, just over the horizon.

And now he was chasing it.

Hello readers, my name is ImSoAwesome and welcome to a brand new fic of mine called Event Horizon.

This is a fic that has been a solid month in the making - and you would think that for such a long time I'd have a deep, complex, complicated story full of twists, turns and surprises.

I have only some of those things.

I noticed a lot of my fics in the past lacked the aspect of fun that I used to feel writing fanfiction. Suddenly I was trying to appeal to people with certain ideas that only liked. Let me explain.

I read the things I like. And I write the things I love. That's just how I work.

And I love adventures, I love a story that I can just have fun with and do whatever I want. Where there is no real end goal, just me and the characters I'm portraying going on epic adventures. That's what I want from this.

This fic is for my readers, as all my stories will be, but this fic is also for me as well. So I can feel that aspect of fun again, which had been lost to me for two years now.

You'll notice I added some small details like Jaune's ethnicity and nationality. While these aren't touched upon in canon, I'm going to do them here in my own way. These details don't really matter but they will help make the world feel more natural and real if that makes sense.

In this case the country Jaune was born in is his nationality, so he's Valean. But his racial background, for me, I'll be using the continents since they were there before the Kingdoms. And I'll appropriately align the characters based on skin tone/background, etc.

So in this case, fair-skinned characters trace their origin back to Sanus, and so they are referred to as Sansean.

Of course, this might create some confusion about certain characters, like Weiss or one, But I'll do my best to clarify when it matters.

ISA