{Bqtli, zmumujmz bpm cacittg lqitwo gwc oqdm nwz mikp bizomb, xzmamvb bpqa bw Isium Jzivemv ia gwc vwzuittg ewctl. Bpm Jtiks Jtilm eqtt jm eibkpqvo bpqa uqaaqwv wn gwcza, apwctl gwc ackkmml gwc apitt jm oqdmv bpm kqxpmz nwz bpm vmfb xiziozixp.
Nxnzr, V xabj lbh jvyy unir xvyyrq gur tvey. zl thvyq bs xvyyref unir zhpu vagrerfg va lbh naq lbhe gnyragf, lbhe fxvyyf fnirq zl fvfgre naq V jvfu gb gunax lbh va crefba, lbh'yy svaq zl ubzr ba gur frpbaq uvturfg yriry bs gur pvgl bs zvfgeny, sebz gur ryringbe vg vf gur svsgu ubhfr gb gur evtug. Cyrnfr yrg zr gunax lbh va crefba.}
Akame spent hours poring over the letter she got off the Assassin Killer, she finally got most of it translated, it seems that the second half of the letter is in a different cipher, one she wasn't familiar with
{Tilda, remember the usually dialog you give for each target, present this to Akame Branwen as you normally would. The Black Blade will be watching this mission of yours, should you succeed you shall be given the cipher for the next paragraph.
Nxnzr, V xabj lbh jvyy unir xvyyrq gur tvey. zl thvyq bs xvyyref unir zhpu vagrerfg va lbh naq lbhe gnyragf, lbhe fxvyyf fnirq zl fvfgre naq V jvfu gb gunax lbh va crefba, lbh'yy svaq zl ubzr ba gur frpbaq uvturfg yriry bs gur pvgl bs zvfgeny, sebz gur ryringbe vg vf gur svsgu ubhfr gb gur evtug. Cyrnfr yrg zr gunax lbh va crefba.}
Akame stared at the second half trying to figure it out, looking at the sheet of paper she used to decipher the first half, it was a simple imperial cipher, with a letter shift of eight, shift it back eight letters and you get the normal text, but that doesn't work with this one, scrunching her eyebrows she began to work on trying different jumps in letter
(o)
Staring off the ship Leone let out a sigh, her home was locked up and everything she needed she had, hopping up on the railing of the ship she began to walk the circumference of the ship, happily breathing the sea air, it had been a while since she could enjoy something so simple
"Excuse me ma'am are you okay?" a man asked, he was clearly the captain, he had graying brown hair and looked tired
"Yeah, just enjoying myself. How 'bout you?" Leone answered hopping off the railing and landing back onto the deck of the ship
"Just fine, it's not really normal for someone to travel away from Menagerie, any interesting story as to why?" the man asked leaning next to her
"Nah, just finally going to see the world..." Leone answered her mind jumping to Tatsumi, she knew that most people wouldn't want to break anothers delusion
"Word of warning then; a lot of people out there are snakes, so be careful about who you trust." the captain warned earning a hearty laugh from Leone
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind. A lot of people on Menagerie are huge liars so I should be fine." Leone explained causing he man to nod and turn and begin to walk away, Leone sighed and turned back to the railing and leaned on it
"I wonder what Qrow's doing right now... probably drinking... or recovering from a hangover... or fighting in some epic battle... probably not that last one, most fights with him don't last too long." Leone conversed happily
(o)
Ruby looked over her shoulder as Qrow began another coughing fit, blood began to roll from his mouth and they slowed from their jogging pace
"Jaune we need to move faster." Ruby said with a sigh, she was a little winded but she could keep going
"I'm going as fast as I can." Jaune panted as they stopped, he seemed exausted
"He needs to live." Ruby reaffirmed causing Jaune to sigh
"He will live."
"Would you bet your life on it?" Ruby asked as they stopped, Jaune let out a sigh as he began to catch his breath
"We can check these buildings, one of them have to be some kind of doctors' office." Jaune commented earning a growl from Ruby
"Fine, search the buildings I'll move Qrow some where a little more comfortable." Ruby ordered as they rested the stretcher to the ground, Jaune nodded and jogged off to a row of buildings, sitting down next to Qrow she whipped his blood from his face and stared at it on her fingertips
"This is all my fault... I'm so sorry uncle Qrow." Ruby apologized placing her hand on his neck, his pulse was rapid and his breathing was erratic, she began to weep as she placed her head on his chest, for the first time in a long time she felt completely helpless
(\_/)
Qrow rested on a tree branch, on a branch above him Lubbock was resting
"Good work Mosshead, we're in this situation 'cause you couldn't stay whipped." Qrow commented causing Lubbock groan
"We tried okay, but... she was too over baring and I wasn't loyal enough for her tastes... so we just kinda... cant." Lubbock explained tiredly
"Everyone fights, and all relationships have issues. You two had something that I had for a brief few days, then was cruelly stolen from me. Don't you think it's better to deal with a few issues and enjoy the person you have, you have the rest of eternity to work on your relationship and you guys have been together for... how long?"
"We broke up four months ago." Lubbock answered "We were together for roughly two hundred years."
"Ah... well I guess some relationships just don't work out then." Qrow back peddled earning a chuckle from Lubbock
"Yeah, I guess... maybe you would have better chances, you can have Najenda and I'll take Leone." Lubbock offered hearing a snap from just below him causing him to plummet to the ground
"How'd you like my answer?" Qrow asked dropping down near him
"Okay fair enough..." Lubbock said rubbing his tailbone
"There you two are!" Tatsumis' voice came from behind them, both turned to him
"Hey, has Boss given up yet?" Qrow asked earning a hum from Tatsumi
"She gave up a few days ago." Tatsumi answered earning a sigh from Qrow
"How long have we been out here anyways?" Qrow asked turning towards Lubbock
"A few days." he answered causing Qrow to laugh, then place his hand on his gut and grunt "Are you okay?" Lubbock asked watching Qrow begin to cough
"That's not right... I think... I'm..." Qrow collapsed to the ground as everything went black
(\_/)
Tatsumi slammed the door to the livingroom open as he and Lubbock struggled to carry Qrow
"Guys we got a problem!" Tatsumi shouted causing Najenda, Bulat, and Sheele to come from the kitchen and Chelsea came from upstairs
"The poison is effecting him, right?" Chelsea immediately said jumping over the railing of the stairs, as they began to lie him down on the couch
"Yeah, why is it taking effect now?" Tatsumi asked as Qrow began to groan and shiver, Chelsea sat down next to him and drew a needle from her sleeve
"Tatsumi, head into town and get the ingredient on this list, it quite a lot so take Bulat or Lubbock with you." Chelsea ordered reaching into her vest and pulling out a piece of paper Tatsumi and Lubbock ran from the building towards the nearby town after taking the paper "Boss, I need purified water from the spring." Chelsea said turning towards her, Najenda turn and ran into the kitchen Bulat followed after her and Sheele entered the kitchen leaving Chelsea to tend to Qrow.
After everyone left Chelsea sat on her knees and rested her head on his chest listing to his heartbeat, it was panicked and struggling, she knew who he was thinking of right now, as much as it hurt her heart to admit it
"Qrow... I know you'll never see me the way I see you. You cant die here... Leone worked so hard to get back to you... so I'll do everything in my power to make sure you two get to be happy." Chelsea finally said closing her eyes and stabbing him in the wrist with the needle, she was sad that she helped him, but she knew that if he died here he would never have forgiven her
(o)
Yang stared at the airship that she was going to take, it was small and seemed to be more of a drop pod than anything else
"We're still fitting it for you ma'am, it should be ready to go when you're going to be deploying so there wont be any mission delay." the engineer she was next to said, Yang nodded then looked at the map she had circled a few locations on, with a sigh she slipped it into her coat and walked away from the engineer
"Thank you." Yang said dully as she walked out of the hanger bay
(o)
Entering the training room Yang began to test out her new arm, it felt like the real thing, but she knew that she wasn't used to it quite yet clenching and unclenching her fist she tested her grip strength, she could probably crush a diamond if she had really wanted, but her thoughts flashed to Adam for a few seconds, and all doubt she was felling vanished into rage, she felt her eye twitch as she grew angrier by the second she needed to hit something, turning around she swung her fist at who ever walked in behind her, but the target moved with blinding speed to the otherside of her
"Good effort, but you're too angry. That makes you predictable." Esdeaths' voice came from behind her, quickly turning around Yang began to apologize but was smacked upside the head by Esdeath
"I will never understand why people here apologize for nothing. You missed, you have nothing to apologize for." Esdeath commented earning a sigh from Yang
"Sorry... I just... I cant seem to feel anything but angry when I think about Raven or Adam." Yang said earning a hum from Esdeath
"I assume you mean Branwen, but it's probably because you have finally decided to stop lying to yourself about your mother, and your hate for Adam is self explanatory. You deserve vengeance." Esdeath reassured earning a nod from Yang
"Yeah, but it feels... weird, I've never felt this angry before. It physically burns." Yang explained earning a hum from Esdeath
"Your power comes from your pain and your emotions Yang. Let them fester within you, and you'll become unstoppable, but you wont be able to think. You let your anger control you, that itself is a weakness. Let your rage bubble but never boil over, if you allow your power to get out of your control you will be defeated. It is very similar to Demon's Extract. You must be the one in control or you will be nothing more that a tool for your rage." Esdeath lectured placing her hands behind her back, Yang nodded and began to breath slowly
"It will take you some time to properly begin to control your considerable power, but once you have full control over it you might be able to match me in power." Esdeath added earning a surprised look from Yang "Do you really think my power is so unobtainable that you don't even aspire it is possible to reach my power?"
"I just... assumed that... your power comes from Demon's Extract and your time in the empire."
"Of course both add onto my power, but they only add so much. Qrow, Akame, and Raven are powerful in their own rights, but together I cant keep up with them. Luckily for me, Raven cant convince Qrow to attack me again." Esdeath explained earning a raised eyebrow from Yang "She believes that I need to be killed sooner rather than later, and Qrow agrees, but he believes Ozpin when it come to killing me. I hold to much standing, if I were killed it would leave Atlas vulnerable, add in the fact that both Vacuo and Mistral have a negative dispositions towards Atlas, more so now due to the fact that James has placed the world under embargo."
"How do you know that?" Yang asked as they began to circle each other
"Ever since I lost to Qrow the first time, I have been learning more and more about tactics and peace time tactics. I've needed to learn them. To adapt to this new world. To understand why and how I lost." Esdeath lectured as she took a few swings at Yang who blocked them "I don't take failure lightly Yang, failure of my subordinate I can understand if it was something out if their control, but my own failures must be corrected." Esdeath explained as she casually pushed Yangs' attacks away from her
"So you're kinda like Weiss, striving for perfection." Yang summarized earning a laugh from Esdeath
"No, there's no such thing as perfection, the only thing that matters is survival. The apex predator of this world is humanity, Grimm are a close second but still second. I strive to be the apex of humanity, the one person that everything fears due to my power, I was close in the empire... until Qrow proved that I was too close minded, I was focused on the empire and nothing else, so I broadened my horizons to the world I now inhabit. I shall be feared by the Grimm and their master." Esdeath explained as they traded blows, Yang seemed to struggle from the weight behind Esdeaths' blows but stood strong
"I think you're already the apex of humanity." Yang commented as she blocked a strike from Esdeath but her guard couldn't handle the blow, her arms were knocked above her head and Esdeath took full advantage and attempted to deliver a hard blow to her gut, Yang's eyes flashed red and she quickly recovered and headbutt Esdeath... it was a bad idea, collapsing backward Yang grabbed her forehead and let out a groan
"Son of a... what is your head made of?!" Yang asked as she rolled around trying to get the pain and ringing to stop
"Bone... mostly." Esdeath answered earning a groan from Yang
"Ha, ha. Very funny." she commented as she continued to massage her forehead
"This is what I mean, you let your anger lead you, and it lead you into headbutting me." Esdeath lectured earning a nod from Yang "Not the best choice you could have made." she added earning an eye roll from Yang who stood and prepared to go again
(o)
Akame sat reading through the different ciphers she knew, and the known ones that father gave her but they didn't fit this situation, Akame elected to try a different approach placing the sheet of paper down, she rubbed her eyes, whoever was after her had to know her, it might be Roman, but he knows what would happen if Neo found out, and if they failed... and he's not dumb enough to send one person after her, so whoever she was dealing with didn't know her too well, standing from the desk she slid the deciphered paper into her coat along with the undeciphered one, she was going to visit Roman, and see if he could help her with this
(o)
Walking out of the building Akame slid her hands into her pockets and began to stalk her way down, deep into the city below, going until she reached the one place everyone she questioned told her to go... a small seedy bar near the outskirts of the city, entering Akame looked around, until her eyes landed a heavy-set woman with short blond hair, walking towards her two people stepped in her way, both were dressed in similar purple and white garb as they boss
"I have business with your boss." Akame said neutrally staring right past them at the woman
"Let her through." the woman ordered leaning on her table, the two stepped out of her way and let her pass "Well, well, well, it's rare that we get someone so esteemed all the way down here. What can I do you for Ms. Branwen?" the woman asked in a snarky tone
"I need to find Roman Torchwick." Akame answered "And I know you know where he is."
"What makes you think I know where that man is? Last I heard he was in Vale." the woman said she was obviously lying, Akame knew it and she knew Akame knew
"If that's true, then I certainty came to an amateur, I'm sorry you wasted my time." Akame said coldly turning on her heel and began to walk away but the two bodyguards stepped in her way
"Well Akame you certainly do know how to make someone angry." the woman growled "But I suppose that comes with your territory. I do know where Torchwick is." she said after calming herself down, Akame turned back towards her "But that kind of information isn't free." she added, Akames' expression was unchanged
"What do you need?" Akame asked walking back over to the woman
"From you, nothing. I wont even ask for payment, I'll ask for a favor, I just want you to... get rid of someone for me."
"I'm not an assassin anymore." Akame said, it was a lie but she didnt want to ruin her reputation in this society too
"If you want to find Torchwick, you'll have to do this for me." she explained, Akame stared at her for a few moments "This'll be good for the common folks, I swear. It's just to help me nudge the right people in the right direction." Akame stared at her for a few more moments
"Who is the target." Akame finally asked earning a smile from the woman, she then snapped her fingers and one of the patrons from the bar walked over and set a file on the table, Akame flipped the file open revealing a picture of a familiar man, he was old and had a large beard and long hair, all of it was gray
"I believe you know him; Leonardo Lionheart. He is the target I want you to eliminate." Miss Malachite said "He-"
"I can not do this contract." Akame said before she could continue "We have need of him still."
"We?"
"Yes. We." Akame confirmed closing the document "Should he truly be deceiving me and my associates, I assure you he wont live long enough to regret it."
"Your guarantee isn't enough." Miss Malachite said looking none too impressed
"I wasn't giving a guarantee, I'm telling you the process of events should they work in your favor." Akame corrected as she again turned and began towards the doorway "Farewell Miss Malachite." Akame said as she walked past her bodyguards
"Farewell to you as well. Give Qrow my regards." said causing Akame to pause for a few seconds, she then exited the building prepared to interrogate one of her bodyguards
"Tell Neo, we found her. Tell her she needs to pay double if she wants an address." Miss Malachite ordered gesturing to one of her runners
(o)
Qrow shivered after he finished a coughing fit, Ruby placed her hand over his heart and quickly placed her ear to his chest listening to hear if his heart was still beating erratically, but now it was quiet and slow beating at a steady pace, as though he was about to die, or he had been paralyzed
"Hold on uncle Qrow... please..." Ruby begged grabbing onto his hand, she was on the verge of tears when she felt a squeeze on her hand, looking down at him she saw his fingers were clenching onto her hand, after a few seconds he fell limp again
"Ruby!" Jaune called as he jogged over to her, standing up as he arrived to her
"Did you find anything?" she asked Jaune panted for a few seconds
"I found a doctors office, but there was no medicine, some ingredients but there's not enough that can be used to make an anti-venom." Jaune answered earning a whine from Ruby who sat down by Qrow again
"He is doing better... I think." Ruby commented as she hugged him closer to her "hmm..." Ruby whined "This is all my fault... I roped you all into this and now uncle Qrow is like this... Why? Why cant I help anyone!?"
"Ruby?" Jaune asked but Ruby ignored him as she began to rant
"I had the opportunity to kill Cinder and I failed, I wanted her to suffer. I could have let Akame kill Esdeath, but I failed, I wanted to spend the rest of my time with her. I could have stopped Cinder before Beacon fell, if I had just blocked off her retreat but I just wanted to see her bleed." Ruby confessed, Jaune placed his hand on her shoulder "But you're here, correcting your mistakes. No one can blame you for making mistakes." Jaune comforted earning a smile from Ruby
"Thank you Jaune." Ruby thanked "Now then, lets get moving again. Qrow needs-" Ruby began but an extremely loud roar tore through the air causing both of them to freeze and cover their ears
"What the hell was that?!" Jaune asked drawing his sword and shield
"No idea but if it wants to die I'm sure we can oblige it." Ruby commented drawing Crescent Rose and holding it behind her
"Hey Ruby? Why aren't you using your ice swords?" Jaune asked as they searched the perimeter
"It's difficult to maintain them, I have to ensure that they don't melt, don't crack, and don't break, and a bunch of other factors, like the heat of blood melting the blades or things like that. It's difficult, and I dont have to do it all that when its just quick spears of ice I chuck at the enemy."
"That makes it sound far less impressive than how it looks." Jaune commented earning a dry laugh from Ruby
"I can create ice out of thin air, it is still extremely impressive. I'd like to see you try that." Ruby scoffed earning a nod from Jaune
"I'll... um... try that... later." Jaune commented earning another dry laugh from Ruby as they continued to preapre for whatever was coming for them
(o)
Leone yawned as she rolled over onto her back, the setting sun was burning hot and the warm steel beneath her was relaxing, she spent the past few days like this, enjoying the sun and relaxing while doing some intense training to get herself ready for the obvious fights she was gonna be getting into, Qrow was gonna be pissed at her for wasting so much time... rolling over again Leone sighed, closing her eyes she tried to focus on him, he was miles away but most of the time she could feel him thinking of her if she concentrated hard enough... but not right now, right now he wasn't thinking of her...
"Well that's a bit disappointing." Leone commented as she rolled off the roof of the ship back onto the deck, walking towards the bow of the ship she stretched then leaned on the railing with a yawn she stretched again
"I may have lazied around too much." Leone commented as she began to hear footsteps from behind her "So, whats up with you?" Leone asked turning around to look at a tall man with brown spiky hair
"Nothing much... tell me, where are you going?" the man asked he had a gruff voice and had the looks of an assassin, but he had a sympathetic look in his eyes
"Me? I'm finally leaving Menagerie, the whole world is out there waiting to be explored!" Leone answered, it was obvious that this man was searching for her, Ghira scheduled for her to leave tomorrow, but she left earlier, this guy knows his work but not as good as her
"Well I wish you luck on that venture. Are you a faunus?" he asked not too suitably
"Yeah... I moved to Menagerie... after..." Leone said but seemed to be choked up a bit
"After what?" the man asked leaning next to her, this was gonna be good practice for later
"When I was six... my mom and dad were killed by humans... they... tried to take me, probably to sell me to the SDC, but thought I wasn't worth the trouble... so they cut off my tail and left me... to bleed out." Leone answered earning a very sympathetic look from the man
"Not all of us suffered the way you have. But know that all of us fight for you. You should look into joining the White Fang." he said placing his hand on her shoulder, turning away he jumped and flew off the ship, Leone rolled her eyes and went back to leaning
"Moron." was all she muttered
A/N Apparently the last chapter was just a pain to write, 'cuz this was easily made, I got it in like... two maybe three days. The last one took all week but hey, I'll keep doing everything to get these out quickly as possible.