What does it truly mean to become someone that you're not? For what reason does one have the ambition to become something that overpasses their own limitations? As what everyone has, there was always a spark of envy within someone's heart. And with that envy, one will use that feeling as an excuse to become something even greater. They want to become something that is greater than regular status of an 'regular person'.

Even if becoming something greater required a sacrifice, then would they still let go of something they truly loved…?

Or would they let go and march forward with no hesitation in their minds…?

"Raphtalia, when you grow up, you will eventually come to notice that there are some things in the world that you won't like." Her father spoke wise words as he had Raphtalia sitting on his lap. In front of her, lies a picture book; said book displayed a page that revealed a man standing proudly on top of a monster that had been slayed with his sword.

"Some… things that I won't like?" Raphtalia cocked her head with a confused look. This was the third time her father had read this book to her. This was her favorite book to read on her free time besides going outside where she could play with Rifana and Keel.

"Yes, let's say that you eat something that wasn't to your liking? Or how about someone who might mistreat you poorly? What would you do-"

"Oh stop it, Dear. You don't need to make her worried about others at this age. She's only 12." Her mother walked in with cups of tea for everyone to drink. Her mother smiles as she notices that he was reading Raphtalia's favorite book that was always able to put her to sleep.

"Well, it's better to be prepared than never, right?" Her father scratched the back of his head nervously as he intentionally wanted Raphtalia to be prepared for the real world that was only a few years away.

"True, but still, you're going to make her concerned about strangers now. We don't want her to be afraid of people that could potentially be friends with her." As she sat down on the chair across from them, she sips her tea.

"Well, she better not be talking to random strangers. Because… well, if they look creepy to her, then I might need to… talk to them so they won't talk to her again." Raphtalia found her head cocking to the side because she noticed the weird gleam in his eye.

"Sigh… Raphtalia, don't speak to strangers that look creepy. Well, only speak to people that you can tell has a good heart. Sometimes, in this cruel and harsh world, there exist people that are good and bad." She stares at her mother as she was about to ask her a question.

"Why… should there be a difference between good and bad people? Aren't they still people at the end of things?" When she hears 'good and bad', Raphtalia can only wonder to herself if there actually were people out there that had evil intentions.

"Raphtalia… hmm, when you read this book, what do you think of the person who wants to protect his people from the grasp of evil?"

"A… hero?" Her father smiled.

"That's right. Now, if we're talking about good and bad people, it's hard to tell the difference between the two. One is fighting for the world, and the other is fighting for the sake for themselves and they would sacrifice everything and everyone to have it. Now that you know these types of people, you want to know what makes them similar?"

"It's their drive to want to make a change in the world…" Her mother had answered the question before she could open her mouth.

"Their… drive?" Raphtalia wondered what that word meant. For what reason did that make someone distinctly different from one another?

"Yes, their drive to create something for themselves or for the others around them. However, even if they become good or bad, there is always someone out there to follow them with that goal. To them, that drive is what they needed to hear in order for that person to become their hero." Her father looked at his wife as he smiled at her. For his response, she smiled as well.

"There are bad guys that the hero has to defeat to become acknowledged, Raphtalia. Even if they are the slightest bit similar, they both have different goals. And for that, the good guy has to defeat the good guy." Her mother stared at the book that Raphtalia had in her hands to prove her point.

"Beat… the bad guys?"

"Raphtalia, for a hero, what do you think is the most important rule they have to follow first? Save others, or fight the bad guy?" Her father was starting to test her again. She hated it when her father does that.

"Um… to defeat the bad guys first?" Her father shook her head.

"Incorrect. Their job is to always save the people who are in peril." She pouted at the both of them because earlier, they were simply saying that the hero needs to beat the bad guys.

"That's not fair! I thought you had to fight the bad guys first!" Her mother giggled as her father started to chuckle. Now they were just straight up teasing her now…

"How about this? Raphtalia, if you was a hero, what would you do first? Save us, or fight the monsters?" Her father gave her another question to answer.

"Save my family! I always love my family!" Instantly answering the question, again, her parents started to laugh as she was starting to understand what they meant by saving others.

"That's right. Now, pretend that others were your family. Would you still save them?"

"...I don't know." Raphtalia honestly answered the question. Would she save people that she doesn't even know? What if they ended up being bad people and she didn't even know it?

"Well, it's for you to decide that, then. Well now, I think it's time we all get some rest. Your mother's hero needs to call it a day for the good deed he's done today."

"Father, you were a… hero?" Raphtalia wanted to ask the question as quick as he said that. If it was true, then her father was actually a hero! Maybe she could get some more pointers as to know more about good guys and bad guys!

"Well, he was more like a savior than a hero." Her mother giggled a bit before sitting up from her seat. Then, she noticed that the two of them hadn't even touched their tea yet. For that, she smiles. Maybe they were so into their conversation that they hadn't noticed that it was there for them to drink.

"Hey, that's basically the same thing!" Her father retorded.

"Okay, okay. Maybe you saved my heart when I found myself falling for you."

"Not… what I expected for you to say, but I'll take it!" Her father tries to hide his blush, but failed to even do that. Raphtalia watched the two with a grossed out face. She hated it when they acted lovey-dovey in front of her. She wonders if she would end up doing that when she grows up.

"Alright, Raphtalia, it's time to hit the hay. You have a big day-" Raphtalia wished she could complained to her father that she wanted to stay up for a bit longer, but she couldn't. She was only able to hear a loud bang that was heard throughout the house.

Her front door had been forced opened…

"G-Go! We don't have much time!" A Demi-Human had forced the door opened as came in to start yelling at the family. For whatever reason, Raphtalia and her family could only stare with widened eyes. Not only were they shocked to see someone barge into their house, but there was something else that bothered them all…

He was covered in blood…

"W-what…?" Instantly, Raphtalia's vision was covered as her mother covered her eyes from seeing anything else. She was starting to become afraid now. Why did someone barge into their house to start yelling at them? Why… was he covered in blood?!

"What's going on out there?!" Her father, who was already concerned for the safety of the Demi-Human, asked him what could possibly be out there doing this.

"W-we're being overrun. P-please… you have to go… now!" Before he could say anything else, he was cut off by a brute force knocking the wind out of him. Raphtalia couldn't see anything anymore. Everything that she could see before, had turned into nothing but darkness. However, she wished that it could stay like that. Because after he was done talking…

He was screaming in agony as she heard the shredding of flesh…

"Honey, we're leaving from the back door! Let's go! Raphtalia, don't open your eyes, just hold onto your mother's hand!" And so, even if she had her eyes closed, she could feel the fear in her heart because she couldn't see anything. Even if she wanted to open them, she was going to be afraid of what she was going to see. Until then, she needed to keep holding onto her mother's hand until they were safe again…

How long has it been since I talked to them? Spending my weekend by myself wasn't helping in the slightest. Staying in a hotel for the time being so I could get away from them isn't helping my situation either. For how long must I continue to be like this? How long must I continue to be this… pitiful with myself?

*Ring!* Hearing the first ring, I automatically took out my scroll to see who was trying to contact me. If this was anyone else, I would've declined the call in a second. But this wasn't some random stranger who was calling me about a car or to see if this was the wrong number…

It was Pyrrha…

*Ring!* I was beginning to hesitate as my finger was slowly going to answer it. While my heart wants to answer it, my mind doesn't want to. I can't speak to her, not after what I've said to her. And so… my finger answered the call even if I was reluctant to do so.

"Hello? Jaune, are you okay?" This was definitely Pyrrha. The second I answered the call, I could hear the caring voice that was worried for my well-being. I know I shouldn't hide forever, but… I can't face any of my friends right now. It's… not the best time.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. Look, Pyrrha, now's not the best time. We should just-"

"Look, Jaune, you have to come talk with everyone about this… situation. Me, nor any of your friends want to see you like this. We can help you, Jaune, you just need to open yourself with everyone."

"I… I can't do that, Pyrrha. I can't… bring myself to talk to them; not with what I've done." Fake Transcripts. Just thinking about them makes think of how much of a moron I am. Because I faked my way into Beacon, this was eventually going to come out to someone. Now, because I wasn't quiet, Cardin knows about them. Not doing what he wants will only make him upset and reveal those transcripts about me.

"Yes you can, Jaune. Just talk to us all about it, and everything will become clear to them. They're all concerned, Jaune. Sometimes, you keep disappearing somewhere and we don't even know where you're going! You can't keep doing this, Jaune, this beginning to become childish!" I can only imagine if there was anyone else with Pyrrha as she was screaming at her scroll. They would only stare at her with a concerned look probably.

"Childish? You want to know something about 'childish', Pyrrha? It's becoming the damsel in distress when you, and every one of my friends are risking their necks off and saving me! I'm tired, Pyrrha, I'm tired of being this… burden to you all! I want to be the hero that everyone can look at proudly! Sticking in the shadows won't help me become a better person, Pyrrha! You can't keep looking out for me like I'm not a child, and you're not my mother!"

There was silence in the call. Pyrrha didn't say anything, and I didn't either. Just thinking back to that day on the rooftop was starting to bring up anger that I didn't know I had within myself. I'll admit it, I didn't want to scream at her. Because I was… angry with myself I didn't think to notice how Pyrrha would feel about me screaming at her.

"Pyrrha, I'm sorry for screaming at you. Can you just… give me some alone time?" I wanted to get out of here. I… had to be somewhere else than here where I could just…

Be alone…

"..." Pyrrha didn't answer when I tried to apologize. I was concerned if she was angry with me so I looked to see if she was still in the call.

Turns out… she hung up.

Then, I found myself to be alone, once again…

And so, I find myself walking out of the hotel with no guide of where I'm heading to next. Maybe… getting some fresh air at the docks. Going there always kept my mind at ease. If I hadn't cheated my way to Beacon, where would I be at this day and age? Would I still be trying to become a hero? Or would I… give up on this dream?

Walking through the streets with my hood on wasn't new to me. If I kept my hood on, then people wouldn't have the time to even look my way. I just had to keep walking, and go to the docks so I could find some peace and quiet.

Looking out in the sea, I didn't really expect that much other than the cold sea. So, what could I do here so I could put my mind at ease? I'll… just stay here for a bit so I could… rest. As I walked closer to the water, I knelt down to the water to see the reflection of myself.

"Just by looking at you, I can tell that you're nothing worthwhile. You're no hero, you're just a fake." When I look at the man in the water, I could see nothing but a failure. He couldn't protect himself, and he couldn't protect his friends. Instead, I always attempt to do something that was worth anything, but in the end, I'm always behind them all.

I slapped the water, which did nothing in the slightest.

All that came to be, was the same failure that I had seen only a second ago. I hate myself for my weakness. I understood that it wasn't anyone else that was bringing me down. It was myself who constantly kept berating himself because he couldn't swing a sword correctly.

If only… there was someone under that reflection of myself that could help me become something more. No, this was childish now. There's no one inside the man that's being shown in the reflection.

My fingers gently caress the reflection, wanting to know more about him. Was he actually someone that had a dream to become a hero? Or was he some fake that couldn't do anything good in life? Who was actually the person in that reflection?

My fingers, and soon my entire hand was starting to dig in the water, reaching for something that wasn't actually there...

"Raphtalia, don't let go of my hand, okay?" She still kept her eyes closed as her father told her to do. How long were they going to keep running? She was starting to get tired, and she didn't want to hear the screams from others anymore. Their screams of agony was only fueling the fear within herself.

"...O-okay!" She felt the ground begin to shake as she didn't know what was actually causing the shaking. If she opened her eyes, then she would go against the words of her father, and that wasn't a good thing. Everything had come to a sudden as her and her family had stopped running. There were two things she was starting to hear:

The growling of something huge coming towards her…

And the water from the waves crashing below her...

"Raphtalia… are you okay?" Now that she stopped, her parents had the time to speak to her without having panic in their voice. Were they safe? Could she… open her eyes again so she could see her mother and father?

"Raphtalia… open your eyes." Hearing her mother's soothing and calm voice, she started to slowly open her eyes. They were safe, and everything was going to be okay. She would be able to see her mother and father in good condition.

As she expected, she was greeted with the sight of her mother and father…

Only for her father to be missing an arm…

And a monster that was glaring at them with the intention of not letting them escape…

"M-Mother?" Raphtalia's eyes were beginning to water. Everything that she was bottling up inside… was started to leak out from her eyes. She began crying because she was afraid…

"It's okay, Raphtalia. Everything is going to be fine. You… gotta go, Raphtalia." Hearing her mother's words, her eyes started to widen. What did she mean that she "had to go"? Is… her mother and father not coming with her?

"No! I want to stay with you! I don't wanna go! If I'm leaving, then I want to go with mother and father by my side!" Her mother, not having too much time left, hugged her. Her father also joined in the hug with his remaining arm left.

"I know, Sweetie. You… gotta be strong, you hear me? You survive, and find yourself in this cruel and harsh world, okay? You gotta be strong, Raphtalia. You're my daughter, right?" Raphtalia couldn't stop the water that was flowing down her face. All she could do was stare at her mother and father smiling at her as if there was nothing wrong.

The monster… was starting to approach slowly now…

"Raphtalia… one day, when you become older, you're going to learn the difference between what's right and wrong. When you become stronger, your… sword will be cut down any evil the approaches the world that you care for. When you find love, you're going to… understand that there is always someone out there who's willing to walk down your path with you. Good… luck, Raphtalia." Her father was starting to become pale now. The loss of blood was starting to get to him.

"No! I… don't wanna leave mother and father! I want to live with my family and grow older so I can tell all of the amazing adventures that I went on!" Her mother was starting to cry now. This… was going to be the last time she was going to see her daughter…

"Raphtalia… do you want to live?" Her mother asked, hugging Raphtalia even tighter.

"I do! If my family isn't with me, then what's the point of living?!" She hugged her mother as she didn't want to let go.

"Raphtalia, do you want to grow older and become stronger?" Her father slumped to the ground as he was starting to lose blood even more. Raphtalia could see her father's blood as it started to slide down the cliff that they were trapped at.

"Yes! But with-"

"Do you want to find love?" Her mother didn't want her to continue anymore. Just… one word from her daughter was enough…

"Yes!"

"Do you… want to live, Raphtalia?" Her mother asked her one final time as there was no time left. The monster was already closer than it was before, and it was ready to kill.

"Yes, I want to live and grow strong so I can protect my family!" After saying that, Raphtalia felt her body moving backwards. Feeling her mother's hand push her back, she looked at her with fear.

"Then… live, Raphtalia…" As she was beginning to fall to the water, Raphtalia could only see her mother smiling down at her as she waves goodbye to her daughter. It was a split second for her mother and father to disappear from her sight…

And what was replaced, was the blood of her parents, with only a three-headed dog monster staring down at her…

"NOOOOOO!" With that, she fell into the sea…

Starting to drown, she couldn't see anything but blue starting to cover her vision. She had to get back to the seashore. If she could do that then… she could live, right? She was going to be able to escape from the water's grasp so she could live…

Right…?

She extended her hand out, wanting to reach the shore, but to her avail…

She couldn't.

There was no shore, and there was no one there to save her…

Until… she felt someone's hand gripped hers as she was starting to be brought out of the water. Because of the water's pressure, she was starting to slip into unconsciousness. But before she could close her eyes fully…

She was able to see someone with blonde hair grip her hand, and began to bring her out of the water...