The cell vibrates every now and then as it made its way through the Warp, An alternate dimension of almost liquid energy, devoid of life, stars, and light as it is commonly known. The ship rides the warp current, thanks to the Navigators who can see into the warp and follow the light of the Emperor through this hellish place. It was thanks to this, the Imperial Navy is able to travel faster than light to get to planets or systems. He was able to learn this thanks to a navigator that he met on an Imperial world they had managed to save from rebellion.

"Wonder when we'll be out of it. Always get this feeling of dread whenever we warp-jump." he said to himself, looking around his cell. The lights had turned on shortly after the jump, though they were dim but provided just enough to see the picture of him and Pyrrha. He had decided to get off the slab of metal that was his so called bed, deciding to lean against the wall of his adjacent to the cell next to his. He could hear shuffling in the cell, probably another prisoner, doubt it was another Death Korps member.

"Human." a somewhat deep raspy voice came from behind him. Jaune jumped at that point and looked around, that didn't sound human whatsoever.

"Who said that?" he questioned, wondering if it was probably whoever was next to his cell. Gods, he hoped that he wasn't losing it. He was relieved when he got an answer however.

"Me, a fellow prisoner just like you." the voice was definitely coming from the cell next to his. The voice though, it sounded tired but sense of command in them. Jaune calmed down, going back to his original position, he wasn't in any danger. The cell shook more as the battlecruiser made its way through the warp, traveling to the next battle and the next after that. It was never ending, battle after battle. "War is all I will know now huh?" he asked himself as he closed his eyes.

"So, who are you?" he finally asked to the prisoner, maybe pass the time with some small talk. His neighbor was silent for a while, making him wonder if they passed out or just decided to ignore him, but both answers were wrong when they spoke up.

"My name is Kor'O Vior'La Man'me of the fire caste, though the Gue'vesa under my command called me Kor." he responded.

A Tau prisoner, a warrior nonetheless. He knew he wasn't the same Tau that watched him come in, that one was near the bulkhead. The Tau, it was thanks to these Xenos that an entire planet was doomed to be slaughtered. So many innocent people died because the actions of the few that wanted to join them. He couldn't forgive them, not after what they caused. Not after what he was forced to do because of their actions.

"What do you want?" he asked, anger could be heard in his question. That didn't go unnoticed by the warrior but he didn't mind it. He could understand to some extent the human had for him and their cause. But he didn't regret it, it was for the greater good after all.

"You are one of them? The Forsaken ones." he said to him. Jaune was confused by this, "Forsaken ones?" did he mean the Death Korps? He shook his head and decided to answer.

"If you mean the Death Korps, then yes. I am."

"Why are you in here? If you are one of the Forsaken, then why would you be here? With the rest of us prisoners?" he asked, Kor was wondering what this Forsaken did to earn his place among the conquered. Maybe he could sway the human to his side, but from what he had seen and learned, the Forsaken were frantically loyal to their "God" so he doubted it. But it would be good to talk, before he met his death.

Jaune was quiet. He didn't really want to answer that, mostly because he didn't want relive those three days. Those three days of murdering men, women and children. Burning homes and spilling blood. Innocent blood. He couldn't stop himself, despite badly he wanted to and gods did he try, he couldn't. Whatever his Watchmaster did, it made Jaune compliant to any order that he was given. When he was told to burn a family alive, he did without any hesitation. Gods, he hated himself so much and now this thing wants to know why he's here? He sighed, well not like it will matter in the long run. This Tau will be dead soon anyway and it was better than being left alone with his thoughts.

"I didn't follow orders. The ones you managed to turn away from the Emperor's light needed to be punished but I refused to kill the innocent who were still faithful to the Imperium. But they were guilty by association thanks to your actions." Kor listening intently as the soldier explained to him. Kor remembered that many didn't wish to join the Tau Empire or fight for the Greater good, normally they would have been conquered or taken prisoner but the one who commanded the invasion opted to let them leave to their Imperium's space. A controversial move but one that was positively received by the newly acquired Gue'vesa and those that came with them. "I didn't want to kill civilians, People who couldn't defend themselves. People who were scared and crying to be spared. People who were still loyal." Kor heard his voice crack a bit, despite it being muffled by his respirator. "But i was forced to." this perked his interest greatly. This Forsaken Soldier, he was different. First, he wasn't fanatically loyal like the others. If he was talking to another soldier, they would be trying to get to him or cursing him. But this one wasn't. This one was...Kind? Or Innocent? Maybe the former but the latter was most likely gone after what transpired on that planet. Though knowing the Forsaken, it was probably taken along time ago.

"What do you mean forced?" he asked, curious as to how this one was forced to kill.

"My watchmaster, said somethings to me and I couldn't control my body afterwards. Whatever he commanded I did without any hesitation. So I killed all of them." Jaune finished, hoping that would sate the Tau's question.

Kor was silent, hes heard of warriors forced into a trance in order to be compliant perfect warriors. He didn't think the Forsaken would do need to do that to one of their own, not after seeing them fight and what they did to the surviving Gue'vesa. They did whatever was told of them of their own free will but this one had to be put into a trance.

He sighed before speaking; "We were gonna let them leave." he told the young boy, maybe to lessen the hostilities between them. Maybe lessen his guilt on someway.

"What? What do you mean?" Jaune asked, his voice rising a bit.

"Our Shas'O made the decision to allow those that didn't wish to join us to take their ships and leave. To head into your Empire's controlled space." he heard a slight gasp from the soldier.

Jaune was surprised-no stunned! Everything hes heard and read about the Tau is that they conquer any planets that don't willingly join at first. Those that don't stand with them are either killed or taken prisoner. All for their greater good, he's never heard of them letting people leave to safety if they didn't want to join.

"He is an abnormal one. But he knew this would benefit our Empire, show your kind that we are forgiving and plant the seeds of doubt towards your Imperium." he didn't care that he was explaining this to the boy, he was a prisoner just like him and he was dead anyways. Whatever the Forsaken wanted with him, it would lead to his death. "So that next time we sent envoys to join us, we would have a much better success and more of those willing to join."

Of course, there was an ulterior motive to it but still, they were gonna allow those who remained loyal to leave. They weren't be forced to stay but they still died. The Death Korps came in to bring the world to heel and they did.

"Some did escape. Left to your Imperium's space. A few of your cities were almost abandoned before you Forsaken arrived." he said to him.

"Really? So some were able to get away?" he asked. He was a bit relieved at this, knowing some were able to get away before they arrived. Some would be spared the horror and pain that the others felt. It didn't take away the guilt though, it was still there. He did kill those that weren't able to get away and he shot down those that were trying to. He sighed, the heaviness coming back.

"You carry this guilt. Why? You are a soldier much like me?" Kor asked, he had long come to understand the Greater Good demanded sacrifice and blood to ensure all those came under peace.

"Because I never wanted this. I always wanted to save people, protect those that can't protect themselves. Much like how my ancestors did, like…"his voice trailed off as his mind wondered to his friends. "...Much like how they do. Gods they would hate me now."

"We all have to do what must be done, even if it goes against our individual moral codes. You for your Emperor and me for the Greater goo-"

"Greater good?!" Jaune yelled, anger seething from him. "Your "Greater Good" killed so many people. I've read about planets obliterated because it didn't wish to join you. I've even met survivors that we've rescued, telling us how you Tau killed anyone that didn't stand with you!" he waited for a response, tired of hearing about the Greater Good from the Tau he's met briefly. They never elaborated on it, just that it was the best for living beings in the universe to unite under it and the Tau. "You Greater Good has caused nothing but misery for Imperial worlds." He calmed down, realizing he just turned a conversation into an argument. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know what came over me.." he sighed as the two fell silent.

"Your people will never understand, for time neither did I, but eventually i did." he explained, breaking the silence. "I believe you are too, slowly coming to realize your Imperium's beliefs. I can't properly explain it to you, as it I doubt it would matter. But the Greater good is much more and needed for the Universe." Silence grew between them for a while, Kor wondering if the hostilities have returned but was pleasantly surprised when they didn't.

"Why do you call the Death Korps Forsaken Kor?" he asked, the question lingering in his head.

Kor was silent for a bit, before speaking; "Your people, the Death Korps, I see how they throw their lives needlessly. I watched a group charge at us, despite being under heavy fire, they continue charging not caring that their own were falling." he continued, remembering how he ordered that group to be killed. Though it mattered not, as more charged and eventually overcame their fortifications. "You fight with reckless abandonment, not caring in the slightest for your own lives but rather the enemy. I've seen hundreds of Forsaken throw themselves against a Fort, just to cause a small breach in it. I see that you all carry a heavy burden, one that pushes you to fight till death takes you. Thats why I call you Forsaken, because you all have Forsaken yourselves." he finished, waiting for a response. He heard clipping sounds from the cell before he heard a voice no longer muffled by the mask but a young one. One of kindness and hope, but slowly losing both those things.

"You're not wrong Kor, Kriegsmen don't care about our lives much. But you would be surprised that we do care about the lives of our fellow comrades. Yes, we individually have given up our lives but we look at another Kriegsmen and hope they survive the battle to fight on or return home to Krieg." he told him, hearing a small sigh. Jaune smiled a bit, remembering Titus. He told Jaune he hoped he would survive the war and return home one day. To meet his friends, wherever they are in the Imperium. Titus, the only Krieg Guardsmen that watched over him during the previous battles, making sure he was alright. He misses him.

"What is your name? I've given you mine but have no idea what to call you. Truth be told, Forsaken doesn't fit you."

"My name is Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." he chuckled a bit at the last part, it felt good. To laugh like this again.

"From warrior to another, its an honor to meet you Jaune Arc." Kor said as the two conversed more. They may have met on the battlefield as Enemies but the cells brought them together as friends for the time being. Though unbeknownst to Jaune, this would be the last time he felt this happiness.

-Beacon Infirmary-

Jaune's hand hadn't healed that well. His aura having not been able to heal him properly, leaving some of his wounds open partially. They couldn't understand what was wrong, his Aura reserves were well normal for Jaune but it wasn't healing him, it almost as if something was stopping it from doing so. Despite their pleas, Jaune's friends were sent back to their dorms while Glynda Goodwitch stayed along with a doctor to talk about why one of her student's were like this. She may come off as strict and at times heartless, but Glynda cared about all her students. It was her job to ensure they would become the next generation of hunters but she also understood they were children, children who still needed care and attention from time to time.

"Its like his body is fighting off his own Aura. seeing it as a hostile invader." the doctor said, examining the unconscious boy's aura levels. While he was explaining on what he thought was happening, Glynda examined Jaune. Still wondering if this was the same boy that snuck his way into Beacon. She looked at the various scars adorned all over his body, arms, legs and even face. Making notes of them and wondering what caused them, though one caught her eye. She looked closer, hoping she was wrong before seeing her suspicions sadly confirmed.

"Someone tried to slit his throat." she said, looking at the scar, seeing it looked jagged and didn't seem deep. As if the person either didn't know what they were doing or were having second thoughts.

"I looked at it earlier, it appears…" the doctor's voiced trailed off, wondering what transpired that came to such an act.

"Speak doctor, what is it?" she asked, wondering what kind of person would considering doing that to a child.

"...its self-inflicted Headmistress." he said, the atmosphere in the room dropped as her eyes widened in response to what she was told. She backed up a bit, trying to comprehend what she was just told. She looked back at him, still asleep, small tears forming near the edges of her eyes.

"How do you know?" she asked, she tried to remain stoic but memories flooded her head of similar situations of Hunters that lost their will to live and tried to end their own lives in anyway they could.

"If it was an assault, then it would have gone one way and deep. A quick slice. But this, look see these jagged signs here?" he said, pointing at the scar tissue. She looked, seeing more clearly at it. "This is where the knife would veer off, as if he was trying to keep it steady as best as he could, trying to fight the pain off i presume." he explained more, he was gonna continue but stopped when she saw how visibly disturbed she was getting. "Let him rest, right now we have hands bandaged and it appears the aura is making work, albeit slowly since the body still looks like its fighting it off." She nodded and walked away, trying her best to remain calm but also trying to understand what would make him do such an act of self wounding.

-Aboard the Emperor's Judgments bridge-

"My Lord, we will soon be coming out of the warp-jump above The Shrine World Nehru." The Navigator said.

"Good, WatchMaster, go and bring Jaune Arc to the Valkyrie, I'll be there shortly." The officer ordered, his voice muffled a bit thanks to his respirator. The Watchmaster was a bit shocked but acknowledge the order, leaving with two Kriegsmen to fetch the boy. The Officer stayed silent as he looked at holographic monitor, receiving orders about a situation on the Shrine world.

"This will be a good example, to show Arc what's at stake if he doesn't follow orders and keeps following his heart instead of seeing the bigger picture."

WHoo! Chapter 3 is here for you all! I do hope you enjoy it and I'm so happy to see you all liking this story! I love the reviews I've gotten, especially those that have pointed out a few plot holes that i will fix in time!

This chapter isn't as Grimdark as the other two, but thats mostly because I wanted to show you Jaune did have most of his personality intact before it changed as the he went from one war to another. Fighting all kinds of nightmares that a normal Hunter would never encounter. Do note that the self-inflicted injury isn't him trying to ended it because he had given up, no it was for something else that will be explained later on. anywho, i do hope you enjoy the chapter! Till next time!