Leviathan in Arc Royale

Leviathan depicted in The Unseen Hunt by Z-Comix. Published: 2018 October 6.

In *Arc Royale*, **Leviathan** was the Jaune Arc from *The Unseen Hunt.* He was the only Jaune to originate from planet Earth, giving him one of the most divergent origins relative to other Jaunes' in the AR continuity. Of the Jaunes' on Ozpin's faction, he is the most visibly driven to win and use the wish for himself, and although his rationale is unknown, he would most likely want to change the timeline to prevent the death and destruction caused by Cinder Fall's soul-consuming campaign. His human form was killed by an unknown sniper at the Docks battle in chapter 7, and his Grimm form was killed by Knight in chapter 8.

## *Arc Royale* from Leviathan's Perspective

### Prelude

*The following contains spoilers for The Unseen Hunt*.

Leviathan was born around the early 2000s on Earth as an ordinary Valean inhabitant, looking to get through school and attain a career in the life sciences. As he progressed through his secondary education, he had a chance encounter with an Awakened in the form of Ruby Rose, although this Ruby Rose was a Grimm that took over since the original Ruby was dying. Eventually, Leviathan was enlisteded as an Awakened as well and managed to defeat the Leviathan with aid from Ruby. Leviathan helped other familiar faces along the way, including Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, Weiss Schnee, and Pyrrha Nikos who all had extremely divergent backgrounds compared to other literary timelines. Leviathan also had to deal with the zeal of American police officers, as both he and the Yang Xiao Long of his universe were killed by police officers. In a final battle with Cinder Fall, he successfully killed her with help from Weiss, Ruby, Blake Belladonna, and Adam Taurus. Despite his death in the physical world, he continued to live on in the Grimm world with Ruby to keep him company for the rest of eternity.

### Discovery

Despite Leviathan's initial preconception, he was not stuck in the Grimm world for all of eternity, as he was soon pulled from his timeline by the Brother Gods to partake in a deathmatch tournament where the last Jaune standing wins. He did not know this beforehand, so he is shocked to awaken on Remnant in bed with Yang, who attempts to kill him thinking he is a pervert. He is defended by Knight, who successfully intercepts Yang's punch. Leviathan has an opportunity to introduce himself and remark that he has seven sisters, much like Knight.

### Ozpin's Office

Following introductions, Headmaster Ozpin announced on the PA system that Team JNPR, along with anyone who sees a Jaune Are, needs to report to the headmaster's office. Leviathan accompanied Teams RWBY, JNPR, and three other Jaunes' to the office where Ozpin attempted to assess the situation. Shortly after, Leviathan and the rest of the group received a crash course in higher deity shenanigans by Jinn, who remarked that Jaunes' from different timelines were pulled to participate in a new test by the Brother Gods, along with the conditions and rewards. To avoid confusion, Leviathan suggested that the different Jaunes' should receive nicknames. As Jaune Arc was the original Jaune, Leviathan christened himself with the title, "Leviathan", with reactions ranging from exasperation from Weiss to awe from Yang. After some more discussion, Leviathan followed Teams RWBY, JNPR, and Knight to collect chairs to receive necessary background to supplement Jinn's exposition.

After receiving this history lesson, Leviathan commented that he never faced or knew Salem, so the name had little meaning to him. Shortly after, Glynda Goodwitch brought Fate into the room, who expressed his cynicism at participating in the Gods' game. Fate addressed the four Jaunes', asking whether Barista, Hunter, or Leviathan could realistically expect to take down Knight if needed, which both Leviathan and Hunter both expressed concern at the prospect of. Fate addressed Leviathan more directly, asking whether he lost anything in his world that he was desperate to correct. While Leviathan did not directly answer, he addressed Yang, alluding to her death by police officers in his universe. After Fate's speech, Leviathan distanced himself from Knight and Fate, concerned they may attack at any given point.

After the other Jaunes' discussed their skills and abilities, Yang asked Leviathan about his name and skills. Leviathan demonstrated his ability to control water, much to Ozpin's interest. When Ozpin commented on the uniquness of the semblance, Leviathan was confused, as his universe does not have the same principles of Aura or Semblance. When Ozpin tried to elaborate commenting it was the manifestation of the soul, Leviathan exploded in anger, horrified at the idea that people in this universe treated their souls as fuel. Ozpin reassured Leviathan that Aura continually regenerated and that people could not run out of it without dying, much to Leviathan's relief. Ozpin commented that Aura was an invaluable resource for their universe as Leviathan could be taken down by simple injuries. Ozpin offered to unlock Leviathan's Aura, but was surprised to realize that he could not reach his soul, as it felt like it was under miles of water. Several members found this confusing, asking Leviathan if he had any explanation, to which he looked over to Fate and decided to hide the reason, waving it off as an incompatibility with different universes.

As Fate was still hiding his abilities, Leviathan and Hunter decided to threaten him, to which Fate finally decided to share his abilities of time travel. As Fate ranted about his situation, he noted that Knight and Leviathan were the only ones who could effectively contribute to fighting, with Knight having the upper-hand. When Knight offered his wish to Fate, Fate decided to tell him to offer it to Leviathan instead. Leviathan agreed and accepted Knight on his offer, with none of the other Jaunes' deciding to bow out considering the potential of hydrokinesis. In a later conversation with Ren, Hunter reflected that Leviathan was desperate for the wish and that Fate had good reason to fear him.

### Fraternization

After meeting with Ozpin, Teams RWBY, JNPR, Knight, and Leviathan discussed the divergences in their lives. As Knight was discussing the class structure of his world, Leviathan commented that it resembled World of Warcraft, a multi-player role-playing game released by Blizzard in 2004 and owned by Activision-Blizzard as of 2008. However, no one knew either the game or company, much to Leviathan's relief. Yang later asked whether the Grimm existed in his reality, to which Leviathan affirmed, much to everyone's shock. To try and explain the Grimm situation in his world, Leviathan drew an analogy to multiverse theory, where Grimm dimension runs parallel with the Human dimension. He explains that people do not typically see the Grimm and vice versa, but that sometimes, people can perceive the Grimm and vice versa, known as "Awakened." Leviathan informed the group that Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha all attended the same school as he, and that Ozpin led the Awakened to hunt Grimm and limit the awakened. He also informed that others were involve,d such as Yang, Ruby, and Weiss. Blake asked whether she was involved, and to her horror, Leviathan revealed that she was a Grimm too. Leviathan, noticing this, elaborated that Blake was a nice Grimm that helped save his life and fight against Cinder in her effort to sacrifice people to gain soul power.

Eventually, Yang was curious about who had sex with who. After Knight shared his ménage à trois with Ruby and Blake, Leviathan revealed that he briefly dated Pyrrha before being interrupted by the Grimm situation, and never got with anyone after, implying his universal transfer happened before a theoretically possible mating with Ruby in the Grimm world. Leviathan also commented that he and Yang were friends, much to Yang's relief, and disapproval from Leviathan and other Jaunes'. Leviathan also witnessed Fate arrive and discuss his sex life and the sexual behavior of everyone except Weiss. Before Fate could discuss his exploration of the final frontier with Ren, Leviathan and the rest of the group received an alert from Ozpin to return to his office.

### Learning of Salem's Jaunes'

Teams RWBY, JNPR, and CFVY made their return with all the Jaunes', sharing information based on what Leviathan, Fate, and Barista shared the Cinder of their worlds. Leviathan witnessed photographic footage showing the appearence of two other Jaunes', Ashari and Null. Leviathan had a chance to learn more about Remnantian society as Glynda explained that the jacket Ashari wore was mainly given to Atlesian Specialists, similar to Winter Schnee. Leviathan noted that those Jaunes' desired the wish as well and that Salem would not wait for Ozpin to make the first strike, much to the latter's agreement. Ozpin also informed the group that another Jaune, Xiong, had been sighted in Vale, likely an neutral individual, but that they should work to gain him as an ally. While Knight agreed, Leviathan dissented, asking whether they could trust this Jaune given the wish agreement. When Knight responded that he had no reason to trust Leviathan either, Leviathan insisted a difference, noting that only one person could have the wish and that he would not surrender it. Leviathan elaborated that he would fight, but only for the wish, not to enlist more possible competitors. When Ozpin tried to get Teams RWBY and JNPR to coerce the Jaunes' into following, Leviathan said that while they were anchors, the anchors could not command them. Yang replied that she and Ruby would go encounter this new Jaune, and that they would die if the anchors fell, much to Leviathan's frustration. Ozpin eventually releted, saying that the Jaunes' could go with their anchors if they liked, but that it was not mandatory.

### Trying to Enlist Xiong

As Team JNPR prepared to head to Vale to find Xiong, Pyrrha commented that Fate was rude compared to Knight, Leviathan, or Barista. Hunter and Ren decided to stay outside while Knight and Leviathan went in, Knight reasoning that he and Leviathan should be sufficient to deal with any combat if needed. As the bouncers were giving the group a hard time, Leviathan used his powers of intimidation to accelerate the process to reach the boss. Xiong soon met with the group, reading their intentions to recruit him for Ozpin's cause. Xiong insisted that he wanted to stay neutral, to which Leviathan inquired why they should allow such a condition if Salem is also looking to recruit Jaunes'. While Yang rebuked Leviathan, Xiong recognized he was serious, and that all the Jaunes' would desire the prized wish. Leviathan witnessed Xiong offer a business deal, where he would supply information about Salem's activities in exchange for his continued neutrality, as he recognized sending the Xiong clan to fight deadlier threats was a cruel fate. As Xiong elaborated that he had people all around Vale who would inform the city of the secret game, the group realized they could not take him to see Ozpin, and granted him neutrality. Xiong, being generous, decided to share two free pieces of information, informing them that there were two other Jaunes', Warchief in Atlas and Headmaster Arc, who sought him out. Leviathan asked if Headmaster Arc demonstrated any skills, to which Xiong replied that he did not, but exhibited great strength and questioned who the current Beacon headmaster was.

### Power Demonstration

The group returned and shared their details about Xiong and the Jaunes' he mentioned to Ozpin. Fate disappeared again, which Leviathan was relieved with, since he would not be competition due to his perceived useless skillset. Eventually, the group decided to exercise their powers by sparring. According to Ren, Knight, Leviathan, and Hunter were planning to participate in sparring to Fate. As Team JNPR and Fate arrived at the sparring arena, Pyrrha witnessed Leviathan talking with Knight, Ruby, and Yang, expressing more jovial emotions that the cynicism of Hunter and Fate. Glynda noted that having Jaunes' fight was a poor idea given Leviathan and Barista lacked Aura, so Leviathan instead demonstrated his hydrokinetic abilities, and Glynda recommended he remain a ranged fighter with Yang as his defense to cover his squishiness. Leviathan also witnessed a fight between Jaune and Fate, extremely lopsided in the latter's favor as he used Nora's grenates for a tactical advantage. Glynda and Ozpin had an opportunity to discuss Leviathan later with Glynda noting that he was co-operative, but had difficulties understanding Remnant's culture and technologies, and that his ability to read English was a miracle. She also notes that he has a "cold feeling" around him, likely a result of his hydrokinesis.

### Battle of the Docks

Eventually, Xiong tipped off Ozpin's group that there was another Jaune, Grimm, at the docks. Ozpin confirmed this, showing the group that there was an unidentified Jaune. After Fate and Hunter decided to not get involved, Leviathan commented to leave them behind and that his hydrokinetic powers should be sufficient. The group left to head to Vale to intercept this Jaune, to either enlist or dispatch him if needed.

As the teams made their way to the docks and encountered Grimm, he introduced himself as Jaune Salem Arc, instigating the fight as Ruby identified he was a Grimm. Grimm witnessed Leviathan send a stream of water straight towards him as the battle began. To try and distract his new adversaries, Grimm broke his thumb to release blood onto the docks and bring out Grimm, but the process was interrupted by Leviathan as he used water to interrupt the Grimm formation and and washed the docks, easily doing the most work to eliminate the Grimm according to Ruby. At some point, Ashari threw a flashbang into the fray. It is unknown how this affected Leviathan, but he was likely far enough away to not suffer adverse effects like Knight. As Ashari was dominating over the rest of the teams, Leviathan brought a large amount of water to discombulate Ashari, who had no way to fight against the water. Leviathan soon dragged Ashari into the ocean, making clear his intent to win by any means necessary, much to Knight's shock. Grimm attempted to stop Leviathan by sending Grimm forward, but both he and Null were washed away.

#### First Death

As Leviathan was attempting to drown Ashari, he came down with an unhealthy case of being shot. As he bled out, Leviathan fell into the water and re-opened the gate between the waking and Grimm world as everyone notices dripping noises and the sky turning red, with onlookers noticing the docks looked deeper than usual.

#### Leviathan's Last Stand

As Leviathan's Grimm form emerged, hunter and civilian onlookers were horrified to see the giant creature emerge from the water. Even Grimm Jaune, the prince of the Grimm, could not control the Leviathan and was barely able to restrain the Grimm summoned by Leviathan. Yang attempted to get Leviathan to stand down, but soon realized that Leviathan would be willing to kill other Jaunes' and their anchors to achieve the wish. Knight transferred an unconscious Ruby to Yang and began to fight with Leviathan, with Yang describing the scene as something out of a video game. Ren tactically realized that Leviathan's advantage was in the water, and that they needed to lure him to an area to restrain his activity. Ren lured Leviathan to an area and had Nora destroy a metal crane, pinning Leviathan in place. Knight soon arrived and began using his metallurgy skill to further secure Leviathan.

#### Second Death

As Leviathan made a desperate effort to escape, Knight stood atop Leviathan and stabbed him through the top of his head, destroying his brain and killing the Grimm. According to Ren, Leviathan looked over to Yang and Ruby with an expression of grief, before dying. Leviathan and his summoned Grimm soon dissipated marking the end of Leviathan and the first Jaune death for Ozpin's faction.

## References

1. ↑ "Freaking vomit-boy!" Yang swore angrily and *kicked*. A body, a gangly body, came flying out of Yang's bed and crashed to the floor. Blake and Weiss were already scrambling up, panicked by Yang's outburst. "You freaking pervert!" Yang roared, up on her feet, hair burning gold. "I can't *believe* you'd sneak into my bed! You're a dead man!"
2. ↑ "Weiss? Blake?" The younger Jaune Arc, still sat on his butt, looked over at Ruby's teammates. "But we're in the waking world? How do I have a body again? This doesn't make any sense."
3. ↑ "*Will Team JNPR please report to the headmaster's office. I repeat, all members of Team JNPR to the headmaster's office. Please also bring Jaune Arc to the office. If anyone should see Jaune Arc, please escort him to the headmaster's office and come in person yourself. Thank you."*
4. ↑ A loud *bang* ripped through the night.

Leviathan jerked.
5. ↑ Another *crack* echoed and he jerked again, driven a step back with his arms flying up. Blood sprayed from his chest.
6. ↑ He stepped back with the force of it, teetering for a moment, for one dreadful instant where his eyes met Yang's across a gulf, where Ruby could have sworn he whispered an apology to them both, before he toppled backwards into the water.
7. ↑ The world shifted. The sky turned red. Jagged black light tore its way across it, forming a horrific crack in the sky itself. The moon turned purest white, seeming to spin on itself and – for a moment – to become whole again. The cracks in it that she'd known all their lives forming into a whole, circular shape.
8. ↑ Distant screams echoed, but the lot of them didn't move. Couldn't. They were prey caught in the sight of an apex predator, still and silent, hoping – praying – that it wouldn't snuff out their life.
9. ↑ Grimm knew it was rhetorical, but he shook his head anyway. That… thing was no Grimm. Or… it was but… it didn't… His eyes burned and he had to look away. The more he looked at it, the more his body rebelled. "I can't control it. Not in a million years."
10. ↑ "Barely. I'm… I'm suppressing [the Grimm]. It's taking a lot of focus."
11. ↑ "L… Leviathan!" she shouted. Her voice wavered but who could fucking blame her? When it – *his, she told herself* – turned its gaze on her, brought those spotlights crashing down on her, she felt colder than ice. The air she breathed out came in a thick mist. "Leviathan!" she tried again. "S-Stop this."
12. ↑ "Please," she said to be safe. "Please can… can you stop the Grimm? You… You're scaring us. C-Can't you turn back? It… It'll be okay. We… We can explain this to Ozpin."
13. ↑ Leviathan roared and water rose up from the ocean around him in large cyclones. He could, she knew. He could and he damn well knew it too. His chance at the wish wasn't over – only his chance of earning it with them, of earning it without revealing himself. If every other Jaune were to die here and now, if Vale were to be destroyed, then he'd win. Technically, he would be the last one standing.
14. ↑ "Yang. Take her." A weight struck Yang's chest and she caught it reflexively, looking down first to an unconscious Ruby and then up to Knight. His face was as if carved from rock and he had his sword in hand. "I will deal with our former ally. Keep her safe, Yang. He cannot strike at her without killing you. Remember that."
15. ↑ Watching Knight and Leviathan do battle was like watching a video game fight. It was impossible, it didn't make sense and yet they acted like it did.
16. ↑ *We need a way to limit his movements,* Ren thought. He scanned the docks before finding what he needed. *Ahah.* Unfortunately, he couldn't be the one to go for it without drawing attention.
17. ↑ Explosions went off either side of him. Nora's grenades erupted in multi-coloured light one after the other, targeting the two giant supports of the industrial crane. It was not one that ran from a vehicle, but a dock-mounted crane, as large as Leviathan and just as heavy. Metal creaked and buckled, snapped and groaned as the world above Ren's head tilted and came crashing down.
18. ↑ Knight struck like a silver comet, swinging through steel *and* scale and gouging great wounds into Leviathan's side. He jumped onto a strut of the crane, touched his hand down and all of a sudden the thing was *alive*. It glowed cherry red, wrapped and coiled around Leviathan, swimming like liquid metal before cooling and hardening into steel bonds.
19. ↑ The sword pierced down and through Leviathan's scales like a hot knife through butter. The beast, so immeasurable and impossible, twitched, thrashed and then collapsed.
20. ↑ Its eyes lolled to the side, toward Yang and Ruby, and Ren swore he saw humanity in them. Grief. And then, with a sudden mist, the light in them was gone.