Chapter 5: Si vis pacem
Grimm Monkeys.
I impaled the Grimm on a tree branch.
It had to be Grimm monkeys.
I leaped from branch to branch. Occasionally scaling a tree and jumping down to lower elevations.
I elbowed one in the throat and let its decaying body fall to the forest floor.
Another Beringel infant rushed me with claws extended. I ducked as it soars above me.
The Grimm smashed into the tree trunk with a sickening crack. I didn't bother to check if it was dead. I needed to keep moving.
I counted a dozen monkeys left. There are more Grimm below me but the Huntsmen appear to have it under control.
I punched the Beringel infant in the stomach and sent it crashing into two of its own brethren's.
I then crushed the windpipe of another Grimm with my heel.
There is no longer any point for me to be stealthy. I gained the huntsmen's attention long ago.
Hopefully, My team was able to achieve its objectives. So she could open a portal and get us out of here before things get ugly.
Meanwhile, the Spring Maiden and Akame most loyal follower are playing video games in the airship break room.
"Combo breaker!" Umber yelled happily.
"I'm never playing Alley Fighter with you ever again!" Vernal cried.
"Whatever wimp. After this round, We get back to the mission."
They kept playing for a few more rounds...hours.
Akame PoV
I bashed a Beringel infant head into another infant until both faces were carved in.
The final Grimm pushed me off my branch and onto the ground below. It started beating down on me with its two slender but strong arms. I raise my own arms to defend myself while my eyes scan for a weapon.
It felt like my forearm was being struck by sledgehammers.
I spotted a small rock within arms reach. I waited for an opening and just as it lifted its slender arms, I grabbed the rock with a free hand and swing with enough force to knock the black beast off me.
It recoils in pain. I quickly got on its chest and beat it with a rock until it stopped hollering. I'm thankful that Grimm doesn't bleed or else I would be covered in it.
"By Oum, This girl is nuts," I realized I have an audience. The four huntsmen stood with weapons drawn.
"So this girl is the one causing the trouble?"
"Red Eyes," The huntsmen muttered.
"Sky?" His teammate turned to him," Have something you gotta tell us."
"Boys," Sky pointed around me," She has red eyes and black hair."
"So? Red eyes and black hair aren't that rare," The huntsman with a light greenish-blue jacket shrugged.
I took several steps back as I tightened my hold on the rock.
"Keppel," Sky gulped," I saw those cold eyes before. That's the Branwen daughter!"
I can faintly hear the distant howl of Beowulfs while the forest gives way to nocturnal creatures.
"Get her before her mom notices!" Keppel yelled.
The other two look at Keppel and Sky as they attack me without hesitation. The last two follow soon after.
Normal PoV
Ozpin Office
The immortal wizard rubbed his head as he reviewed the latest Huntsmen casualty report from Mistral.
5 Valish Huntsmen KIA and 2 MIA.
7 Mistral Huntsmen KIA.
6 Atlesian Huntsmen both Military and Freelance KIA with 6 MIA.
They are all dead in one day. It was a failed attack against one of their strongholds and things went from bad to worse. It has only been four years ago when the tribe came close to annihilation.
He collaborated with Leo and Ironwood to use the cover of peacekeeping to search for the Spring Maiden, Raven, and her child more aggressively. Ozpin knows that even with the extra help, Mistral is still a massive kingdom. The three of them don't have enough huntsmen or soldiers to project themselves onto its territory.
Ozpin needed one spark to put an end to what he perceived as a liability to peace. As tragic as the death of Atlas top specialist Aaron Schwarz was. It's what he needed to justify his actions. A false flag operation suggested by Ironwood to paint the entirety of the Underworld as the enemy of peace. Now the public is getting wary of seemingly having zero results fighting a single Bandit group while the Criminal Underworld adapted.
It becomes apparent that other bandit groups and even legitimate tribes are flocking to Raven protection as the war drags on. Unless they want to be wiped out. At the same time, The villages and towns that harbor hatred for the overbearing and inefficient Mistral government are aiding the tribe through hiding its members or offering them resources. Even if in an alternate timeline, those same towns and villages would be targeted by bandits.
Meanwhile, the process of rooting out the criminal underworld has only solidified its power as the threat of annihilation has put aside any feud between criminal factions all over Mistral. The Underworld has unified under a collective leadership that hasn't been seen since the pre-Great War.
Meanwhile, The long term deployment of Atlas Military has started to damage it's own reputation. There have been numerous reports of misconduct especially among the Faunus population which in turn fuel the increasingly violent White Fang. As much as Atlas is set as the protector of Remnant, It's still the capital of racism that even the Mantle military units are treated like second class citizens.
Finally, There a faction of Vale Huntsmen based in Myrtle led by a vengeful Beaufort Winchester. He and his Huntsman have ruined 73 years worth of trust between Vale and Mistral that the Council was forced to revoke his license, take away his son, and deem him and his faction a criminal organization.
The immortal wizard looks at his reflection in the cup. He made many mistakes in his life and this is one of them.
The man took another sip of his hot cocoa. When he lowered the cup, his assistant arrived with another stack of paper.
"Ozpin," Glynda Goodwitch tosses the file onto his desk," Are we certain Salem has infiltrated the Mistral underworld?"
"The evidence suggests Akame might have been swayed. The underworld is still an unknown factor," Ozpin calmly recalled," In all my years on Remnant, I have never seen a child fight like her nor do they have such an inhumane aura. She has every reason to go against us, Glynda. She saw most of her people killed and she almost died herself."
Ozpin took out a medical record of the girl in question. One of which is a life-threatening admission after Atlas nearly whipped the Branwen Tribe off the continent.
"Of course," the combat instructor agrees," She must have felt fear and hatred that day. Now with the type of people she surrounded by, I suspect the child would love to see us burn."
"With how strong she is," Ozpin cleared his dry throat," We have to deal with her one way or the other. Even Mrs. Rose has confirmed Salem has been able to contact Raven."
The two Beacon staff members fell silent upon mentioning one of their very best students and allies. Finally, Glynda spoke up.
"Oz, This is all under the assumption that she is on Salem's side," Glynda pointed out," What if she's not?"
Ozpin wishes he could use the relic of knowledge. But since the Spring Maiden escaped and it wasn't worth the effort to waste a wish at the time, he could only go off clues and hypotheses.
"She is still a loose cannon," Ozpin admitted," Raven needs people she could trust and if she doesn't tell the tribe about us. She would tell her daughter."
"I can't even fathom what the woman is thinking at times. But what if her daughter is just a bystander in all this?"
Glynda didn't like the idea of having to imprison a young child. She has taken a liking to Team STRQ minus Raven. Raven could go die in a ditch if Glynda were to explain how she feels without spewing every profanity in all of the Remnant languages.
"Then we gain a potential huntress to our cause while bringing Akame home to her family," He explained," But her semblance or what I think is her semblance isn't something I have seen before."
Ozpin couldn't forget those eyes.
The black sclera, blood-red iris, and vertical pupils. He hopes it's just the cosmetic effect of her semblance.
The unknown Kanji on her body is a different story mainly because of its unknown oriental design. Even in his many generations of living, it is like nothing he has ever seen before.
There is only one person on Remnant with eyes similar to Akame's.
He didn't know it was possible for the feeling of dread to persist after years. He remembered dropping his mug the moment those eyes came on screen.
The immortal wizard decided to lighten the mood.
"Glynda," Ozpin humored," The Grimm-like eyes worry me greatly but If Akame develops paler skin, white hair, and black veins instead of red kanji markings. You will personally drag Taiyang Xiao Long to my office and force him to explain himself under threat of nurturing."
"Ozpin," Glynda deadpanned," We are well aware of Akame's genetic inheritance."
"It was said in jest, Glynda," Ozpin finished off his cocoa.
Akame PoV
I can't believe I'm actually losing.
My precise movement started to fumble. I unconsciously press my back against a tree. Those Grimm were exhausting to take down. I lack a weapon. Meanwhile, sticks and stones can only take you so far.
I nearly got riddled with bullets as dirt and rocks kicked into the air around me.
The loud engine of drop ships descends from the skies. I see six Atlesian dropships circle above us. The searchlights came down in focus beams, blinding me.
I could barely see several dozen Atlesian knights drop all around me. Their black frames blend into the darkened forest.
"Hands up!" One of the machines commanded," Resistance is futile."
"Do you have enough, you murderer!" Sky, the leader armed with a bayonet shotgun screamed.
Keppel nearly beheaded me with an ax. This isn't an arrest. They are trying to kill me and claim self-defense. I know my mother is nearby. She left me here to fend for myself.
That damn bitch.
Granted, I can understand why they hate me. What was that proverb again?
No rest for the wicked.
Maybe I am cursed to fight all my life.
I gritted my teeth as I avoided being impaled by a drill. It was the Y in team SKYS.
Yale got his drill sword stuck in the ground. I try sending a jump kick to his temple only to feel chains wrap around my ankle.
I was yanked back and bashed into the ground. Again and again.
My aura broke and an intense pain course through my chest.
The chains were removed from my ankle. I struggled to pull myself. Every inch of my body screamed at me to stay down.
I felt a metallic foot stomped down on my spine knocking the last bit of wind out of me.
Then something metallic hit me in the back of the head and I fell unconscious.
My eyes fluttered open. I only see white before my eyes squeeze shut.
"Keep weapons off safety," I heard a female voice commanded," If you so much as see a red portal opening. Unload everything into it."
"Yes, commander!" A chorus of voices affirmed.
"Have you been able to contact anyone ma'am?"
I recognize that voice.
The huntsman-in-training name Sky.
"No, The LCT(Local Communication Tower) has been taken down and someone sabotaged our Coms. We have to fly out of the area until we can get a signal," the woman commanded," And it's commander to you when you're in my ship."
"Sabotaged the coms?" He asked confused," You don't think-"
"Those two girls? They were here after it happened. Besides, They been in the break room playing video games for the last four hours. I sent one of my men to observe them," The commandercaptain explained," They seem like a couple of country girls from a backwater town. Although I have my suspicions."
Those two have been playing video games while I was fighting for my life? What did I expect? They are still kids.
"Payment ma'am?" Sky inquired," Since we captured the suspect we should expect our payment soon?"
"Yes! Of course," She sighed," When we get a signal and reinforcement. It's not like I have 3 Million Lien in my pockets. For now, I want your team to keep an eye on your reward with my men. If her mother appears and takes her little devil spawn away, You aren't getting the money and our chance to bargain an end to these damn gangs."
"Sure commander," I can hear Sky shift his body," Or specialist."
"That's a god's awful salute," I heard the commander walk away," Never do that again."
"Sorry, It's been a while since I transferred to Haven."
I try opening my eyes again only to realize they are covered. I didn't want to alert them that I'm awake. I don't know how many people are around me but I can sense I'm surrounded. Plus, All my limbs and waist are restrained.
I didn't want to take a risk so I waited.
Normal PoV
"Yo! I'm back!" An Atlesian soldier out of uniform walked into the break room," Hey! Are you girls playing Code of Valor?"
Umber threw the controller at him in a fit of rage. He caught it in his hand noting how damaged it has gotten.
"Fuck you! You aimbotting magical girl!" the child ranted and jumped onto a bean bag face first.
"I'm guessing you're winning?"The soldier smiles knowing his main mission is to keep an eye on girls.
"I don't know what Umber's problem is," the maiden shrugged," I could never beat her in Alley Fighters."
"If you don't mind me," He set next to the Spring Maiden," How about you play against a real soldier?"
"Not a problem mister," She smiled.
Meanwhile, As Umber calms herself, She looks at the clock. Her eyes bulged out of her skull realizing what time it was. It's 10:00 PM and they got started on the mission around 6 PM.
'We left Akame outside!' She internally screamed.
She looked around the room.
"Why isn't there more um...soldiers around?" Umber asked.
"We caught a wanted killer," the soldier nonchalantly revealed," Everyone is currently on duty but this lucky slacker."
"How did you do that?" the maiden furrowed her eyebrows in frustration.
"Get good," He replies.
"Wanted killer?!" Umber yells in shock.
Meanwhile, Vernal eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
"The million lien girl," He revealed," What the underworld dubbed as the Man-Slayer Shinigami."
"A-Akame?" Umber stuttered.
At the same time, Vernal struggled to keep a straight face. From the soldier's perspective, it seems like Vernal was frustrated over losing the game.
'Umber,' She thought mentally,' Please be careful not to incriminate us!'
"What are your thoughts on her?" Umber asked the Atlesian soldier. Barely containing her malice.
"What do I think?" He hummed," I think she is a threat. Even after the day she killed my old commander, It has been rumored she continues to take part in raiding and killing my brothers and sisters. My comrades and allies. There's no way Remnant is letting her off the hook."
"But those are just rumors," Umber stared menacingly.
"And every leaked intel from our enemies suggests it to be true," He fires back.
"True?!" Umber was about to erupt when Vernal tackled her.
"Umber! Stop being silly!" She proceeded to drag Umber by the collar and into the women's bathroom," We will be right back."
She tosses the older child in and closes the door behind her.
"Will you control yourself?" she whispered furiously.
"Control myself?!" She yelled and a pair of hands covered her mouth.
"Calm down," She stared into Umber's eyes," We are on an Atlesian airship filled with enemies. Plus, I'm your only ticket getting us off this ship."
"We have a mission and we took too long," Umber counter," We have failed Akame and now they are spreading lies about her!"
The two girls know that Akame hasn't left Malachite Castle for four years. It is more likely that Raven credits some of her kills as her daughter or Atlas is demonizing their friend for propaganda purposes.
Vernal eyes lit up at the slight creaking of the bathroom door.
"Door!" She fired a powerful blast of wind sending the soldier into the far side of the wall. He is knocked unconscious on contact.
"We have to run!" Vernal panicked.
"No! We have to save Akame!" Umber yelled back," You distracted me with these stupid games. It's your fault!"
"So what?!" Vernal eyes lit up once again," I never wanted any of this! I left one war to be a part of another! You could blindly follow Raven I don't care!"
"Is this how you repay kindness?! Why don't you just leave? You got magical powers," the older girl hissed and shoved the maiden," Fly off and leave before you kill all of us!"
"Umber! I have nowhere else to go," Vernal argues as her eyes watered," They pick me to be a maiden because no one will remember an orphan! I'm thankful for your kindness but I don't want to die! I'm scared, Umber. I know what will happen to me when I'm out there."
"Put your damn hands up!" The door suddenly opened with a squad of armed Atlesian soldiers rushing in. A fearful Umber immediately raised her hands while Vernal was still seething with anger.
The last thing the soldiers remember is being ragged doll by a powerful windstorm.
Umber collided into a beanbag and got up soon after the show of force was over.
"I'm leaving," Vernal spoke with coldness and ran out of the room.
The Bandit child bounces up and charges toward the door. She steps over debris and over fallen soldiers.
"I hope you die!" She yelled directly at Vernal's general direction," You damn disloyal scumbag! Coward!"
'I must save Akame! I must save Akame!' She repeated to herself as she ran down the hall opposite of Vernal," I'm not abandoning her again!"
The Spring Maiden knows which way she had to run. She memorizes the route they took to end up in the break room. It's a simple matter of finding either a window or the deck and jumping off.
If only it was that simple.
A single raven silently observes the fleeing maiden.
"Coward," It quietly hissed.
Raven knows that Akame would have been captured. She's the one that led Grimm's to Akame's location. The Huntsmen team was an unexpected variable that she didn't account for.
But she didn't like the idea of seeing her daughter sit around and doing nothing. She needed a way to test her battle prowess. Raven wouldn't hold it against her daughter for her eventual capture. She is proud at how long she lasted without a weapon, exhausted from fighting a dozen adult chimpanzees, and stalemating an entire team of Huntsmen-in-training. It took exhaustion and a small army of Atlesian Knights to finally bring her down.
Raven is nothing short but impressed.
The bandit slowly made her way toward the spring maiden with a sword drawn.
Vernal waved her hands and a pair of soldiers were sent into the supply closet.
She finally found a window and was about to fly out when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Barely, A second later Vernal had a sword pressed deeply inside her mouth, hitting the back of her throat. She gagged as the air suddenly left her lungs in an instant.
Raven slammed the now helpless girl into the window. Spider web-like cracks appear behind her as the former Huntress icy glare burns into the Spring Maiden.
"I don't appreciate disloyalty," She said in almost a whisper.
Vernal knows that if she made a move, the sword will go through her throat and out the back of her neck. Aura isn't going to protect against a sword that is already inside her. While Raven pushes against her chest with her other hand until she couldn't breathe.
"Listen, Umber is by far someone who should be considered weak," She stared directly into Vernal eyes," But she is running headfirst into the fire to save a loved one. A loved one who also cares very much about you. I want you to turn back around and put your power to good use. If not, I will be the Spring Maiden."
And like that Raven transforms and disappears into a portal.
Vernal is shaken by the experience and throws up on the floor. She looked down at the vomit and saw a bit of blood followed by intense acidic pain in the back of her throat.
Vernal knows she was close to death. Now this time, She sprinted back the way she came as adrenaline and fear coarse through her veins.
Akame PoV
"Akame!"
I heard a voice in the distance.
"Akame!"
There it is again.
"Should we go check it out?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Whatever it is, It could be one of the bandits coming to save their little princess," Yale growled," You know, The commander doesn't have any authority over us."
"It will be my fault if we get in trouble," Sky countered, " It's a proper courtesy that we listen."
I can hear the ruckus outside as dozens of footsteps run past the room.
"Oh of course," A rough voice spoke up," It seems those two girls are a part of the tribe."
"I knew it," Sky confessed.
I raised my head.
"Look! She's awake," Keppel pointed out.
"Hey murderer," The rough voice said," I want you to tell your little friends to surrender."
I tested the restrain and noticed its odd property.
"That feeling of constantly being drained? Those are aura-draining metallic arm and leg cuffs," He answered my unspoken question," With a side of waist restrains."
I remained silent. He then pressed something cold and metallic against my skull.
"Sir!" Sky yelled," What are you doing?!"
"Putting our bargaining chip to good use," He sneered. I sense another object held near my mouth.
"Tell them to surrender or you die."
"What the matter with you?" Silver yelled. He was the one that attacked me with silver chains.
"Do you boys have any clue how long my men have been hunting these lowlifes? The operation was officially declared four years ago but for us, it has been five. Five fucking years of ungrateful locals and dead comrades. I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE ANYMORE CHANCES!"
*Click*
"As if I shot a hostage," He scoffed. I heard him load an actual magazine," I'll get court-martialed. But there is leeway for villains like her. Do something stupid girly."
"It's just two girls," Silver walked closer. I heard him being shoved back.
"You can't do that to our teammate!" Sky yelled and I could hear weapons being drawn and raised.
"We don't need to fight," Yale mediated," Our enemies are the bad guys and the Grimm."
The next thing I remember is a metallic banging sound above me and someone dropping down. Barely a second pass and a single gunshot echoed in the room. I can't see a thing but I could smell someone's blood.
The next moment, it devolves into a deafening roar of accusation and screams. I could barely pick out the owner of each individual voice.
"What the matter with you?!"
"I didn't mean to-"
"You shot a child! I thought the big strong military man shouldn't be scared of little girls?!"
"She came after my gun! You all saw that! They're criminals anyway! Those human monsters out there will do the same for all of us! The Branwen tribe are merciless motherfuc-"
Soon came the shoving and the rustling of men. It was a cacophony of anger and hate.
They shot a child. I want to deny who it is because if this was Vernal, her aura would have resisted the shot. Secondly, Vernal wouldn't even bother to rescue me.
"Akame."
The voice became more clearer as I felt someone touch my leg and pull themselves up. Soft fingers touch the white blindfold and before my eyes, the white fabric bleeds red.
Once the person got a grip of the blindfold, She pulled it down and smiled weakly.
"I finally found you," the light in her blue eyes begin to dim," Let's leave-"
She fell limp and slid off me. I saw her dying with my own two eyes. I look up to see the Atlesian soldiers and Mistral huntsman having a yelling contest, not noticing Umber dying in front of them.
I clenched my first when I spotted the man with a rough voice and holding a handgun above him.
He's the culprit.
I looked down at the restraints and saw one of my arms covered by red markings.
My semblance is activating? Even with my aura being nonexistent?
Could this mean my semblance activates based on seeing those close to me get hurt?
Certain semblance can activate even without an aura. It's only weakened and/or substitutes another downside beside draining aura.
My body was filled with the desire to avenge Umber but I fought back. I didn't want to dig a deeper hole for myself.
I could control my emotions. It is my greatest skill. Yet, An unseen force within every essence of my soul is convincing me to attack.
It isn't my emotions that failed me. I felt nothing while I killed Schwarz. I didn't even feel like I'm in control of my own body.
16 Soldiers all armed with Atlas Standard Assault Rifles and SMGs.
4 Huntsman-in-training.
Sky is armed with a Bayonet Shotgun.
Keppel has an Axe cannon.
Yale wields a drill sword.
Silver got silver chains with an iron ball on one end and a small knife on the other.
Finally, the man with the handgun.
The room is circular with a one-way mirror encumbering the whole room. The doorway is a steel blast door. There is barely enough room for all 21 people minus Umber and me.
The vents above us are small but large enough to fit a child. Good, I'm not leaving without her.
*SNAP*
*SNAP*
One after the other, the metal chains holding my wrist broke loose. The sound got them to finally stop fighting.
They looked at me and they all froze in fear.
"She's breaking loose!" One of the soldiers yelled.
*SNAP*
Left leg restraints removed.
A bullet came at me and I raised my left wrist to meet it.
The cuff sends the bullet back into the man's throat. I didn't see blood spattered so I know he'll survive because of his aura.
*SNAP*
All my limbs are now free.
"Do something! Shoot her!" The man yelled.
*Tear*
I ripped the leather strap on my waist.
Five soldiers finally work up the courage to rush me.
But it was far too late.
The next second, I was upon the man with the handgun. He fires once and misses. I focus all of my strength into one strike. The palm of my hand collided with his forehead. I strike forward and his head slams the blast door, denting it.
Blood spattered the white background.
They opened fire but it didn't end well for all of them. The room is small and is enclosed. Bullets ricocheted off the window and walls hitting the soldiers and huntsmen.
I realized the danger Umber was in and grabbed the collar of the dead man. I used his body as a cover. I fell forward and covered Umber with my body and his.
The sound of automatic fires stopped once most of the soldiers were lying on the floor dying or dead. The only solidarity I had for the situation was hearing Umber rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing. I notice the Huntsman-in-training is mostly unharmed and is getting up. I pushed the bullet-ridden corpse off of me and put Umber over my shoulder. In a single leap, I reached the vents above us and dragged my dying friend.
Once I found an exit, I took a knee to observe Umber wounds. She was shot in the stomach. If she doesn't get help soon, She'll die!
The alarm blared throughout the ship as it occasionally shook. I could hear the screeching of Nevermore outside.
"EVERYONE REPORT TO BATTLE STATIONS. INCOMING GRIMM ATTACK: THREAT LEVEL 5," A monotone voice announced," ESCAPE PRISONERS ONBOARD. THEY ARE TO BE APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION. REPORT TO YOUR OFFICERS FOR DETAILS."
Damn it! Where are you, Raven? I know you could save her! Teleport her to a hospital!
I need to yell her name. Even if it is humiliating to ask for her help.
"Mom!" Those three letters felt like acid in my mouth," I need your help!"
I waited a few moments but didn't get a response. Is she even on the ship? Could she even sense my distress? I know she couldn't give a damn about Umber but what about me?
I apply pressure to the wound.
"Umber, Stay with me," I told her even as she lay unresponsive. I'm not losing you.
You may be raised to be a blind sheep but you are more than that.
"Don't die for me," I raised my voice.
"She did good," I know it was her, Raven. I didn't need to look behind me.
"Save her!" I yelled without taking my eyes off of Umber.
"Fine, But you still have a mission to do," She quickly grabs Umber and disappears into a portal.
I was left alone in a cold hallway with a puddle of blood in front of me.
I stood up knowing there was still one more person on this ship worth saving. I can't afford to dwell on the fear that I will lose those close to me. I need to finish this damn mission and find Vernal.
I look at my arms and notice the red markings haven't disappeared yet. This semblance is similar yet different from Murasame Trump Card, Little War Horn. My body feels lighter and my mind more focused. Yet, I don't sense my own aura. Even when in passive, I could tell my aura is presence. I don't even feel a timer for my semblance to end.
I push the intel I gather for my own semblance aside. Now, where would the Spring Maiden be?
I ran through the possibility and decided Vernal is running away from the Atlesians. She isn't adept at stealth and beginners' spearmanship means nothing against professional soldiers. But I know if she backed into the corner, She would use her maiden power to its fullest potential.
And when she uses her maiden powers, The commander would send everyone to stop her.
Meaning I have to follow the sound of destruction and frantic Atlesians until they lead me to her location.
I used my enhanced speed to rush down the hallway until I could locate her.
The airship shook violently. I know it wasn't from the Grimm attack outside. It seems to be deeper within the ship.
I took a turn into another hallway. I'm getting close. I notice scorch marks and ice crystals embedded on the floor and the walls.
I skipped over unconscious crew members and soldiers. As the sound of gunfire and explosives get stronger, I can faintly hear animalistic creatures.
Suddenly, the wall in front of me carved in. The fragments of debris and metal wash over me.
I gaze at the white mass. It was a Grimm mixed with the amalgamation of different animals. The head of a crocodile and arms of a gorilla. It back has six spider-like legs and the torsos of a man. Its lower half is reptilian with web-clawed feet. I haven't seen anything like it in videos or books on Grimm.
I didn't want to risk fighting that thing so I ran away.
Moments later an Atlesian woman spotted me. She bought out an electric prod in an attempt to stop me. Instead, I slide underneath her legs and let her deal with the Grimm at my back.
Her blood-curdling scream was drowned out by the ferocity of the Grimm and the angry roar of the creature of darkness was muted by the sound of battle. I didn't want to waste time. I just kept running.
I nearly ran into a squad of soldiers but quickly hid in a vacant barrack.
"Intruder spotted near the Engine room," One of them commanded," We're going to cut her off."
Engine room?
Why is she there?
The engine room if I recall is near the back of the ship.
I look over to the six soldiers jogging down the hall and weigh my odds. One of them even has a saber at his belt. I took a deep breath and ran past them before they even registered who I am. I snatched the saber from the man's hips with one smooth motion because I didn't intend to be weaponless from now on.
I finally reached the cargo holds where boxes and crates are neatly stacked.
"RAGGHH!" The sound of battle cries assaulted my ears. I saw four figures rush me all at once from the dark corner of the cargo hold.
I dodge a shotgun blast.
I counter the ax and feint a drill sword.
I avoided getting wrapped up by a silver chain.
Once I defend myself I look over to my opponents. It's team SKYS and they're blocking my path to the engine room.
This can't get any worse.
"Block all exits! Fire only when there is an opening!" An Atlesian officer commanded over a dozen men to spread out and form a line covering the way I came in and the route to the engine room.
I'm starting to wonder if my semblance has a bad luck attachment to it.
Hang in there Vernal. I'm coming for you.
I place the saber on a high stance with the tip of the sword pointed at them.
I factor in their weapons and individuals. Yet, I haven't figured out their semblance even in our afternoon fight. They're either useless for combat or subtle.
"What's up with her eyes," Silver stared at me.
"It's her semblance," Sky stated," Rumor has it's an enhancement type. Team SKYS, Don't hold back. The last time she used her semblance, My uncle died."
I see…
He has every right to strike me down. I cannot control the semblance that got me into this mess and nothing can be done about it.
I close my eyes and analyze the situation.
A soldier behind me pulled the trigger.
I opened my eyes and reacted.
I duck out as the bullet leaves the chamber.
More soldiers open fired and I kept dodging until the Huntsman's got in range. That's when the pot shot stops and our close-quarter dance commences.
The bullet casing from their guns hasn't hit the ground yet.
I strike true with each and every one of them.
Sky tried to bash me with the stock of his shotgun. I duck and slash his stomach from right to left.
Keppel came down with his ax and I responded with an upward swing. His ax glided past me by mere centimeters while my sword slashed his face.
Yale charged at me with his drill sword and like an experienced bullfighter, I twisted my body at the last second. While at the same time, I chop downward at his exposed back.
Lastly, I preemptively burst toward Silver before he became a problem. I jabbed at his chest half a dozen times until the final jab launched him into a crate.
Finally, the bullet casings hit the ground.
I have already set the tone for this battle. If they didn't have an aura all four of them would be dead.
Sky would be gutted.
Keppel's face would be split open.
Yale would be cut in half.
Silver would die on the first stab.
The four of them were picking themselves off the ground. I look up to see most of the soldiers still reloading. While the quickest soldier barely racks the slide on his rifle.
I barrel past the armed men and into the engine room with barely a shot going off.
That when I saw her standing in front of some kind of reactor.
Her eyes glow a verdant green with tears in her eyes. She floated above the ground with dozens of soldiers knocked unconscious.
"Do it," Raven appears from the shadows," Avenge Umber and atone for your mistake."
And she did just that.
The power of a typhoon concentrated into a single beam shred the metal frame like wet cardboard.
I tried to reach out to her but I suddenly felt my body being superheated and forced back down the hall and into a room.
Bright flashes assaulted my sight as I hit something hard before it gave way.
I saw fragments of glass and steel in front of me as the fire on my clothes was put out by the wind and cold night. I'm falling from the sky and needed a landing strategy quickly.
I saw a flock of juvenile Nevermore nearby and made my way toward them. They were the size of a condor. I time myself to grab onto a Nevermore with one arm. It struggles to flap its wings with my added weight.
After a few intense seconds, I rolled along the ground and came to a stop.
I'm back in the forest again. Its darkened canvas offers nothing but the occasional sound of frogs and insects. Then the forest went from night to day and flashed in between. The sound of nature is overtaken by the roar of destruction as I look above me.
The behemoth of Atlesian engineering has been set ablaze as large explosions rock the back end of the ship while smaller explosions dotted the rest of its hull. The Grimm even scattered as the airship crashed into the ground.
It appeared to fall slowly from the sky but the end result was a shockwave. I'm relatively close to the crash and got knocked off my feet. The oncoming dirt and foliage blocked my vision but I was able to grab onto a sturdy banana tree.
Once the crash subsided, The forest lit up with fire and smoke. The winged creatures of Grimm circle the carcass of the ship with countless more joining in. I regain my bearing long enough to realize an important detail.
Vernal.
Vernal is onboard that ship. Where is she? What happened to her?
My heart hammered in my chest hoping I didn't lose another person I hold dear. A friend I want to trust.
It is supposed to be a simple mission with minimal risk. Why did everything fall apart?
Did Vernal die in the explosion? If she dies, who's getting her maiden power?
It could be a random person and the mere fact that I yet to feel any newfound power means I didn't inherit it.
But if the last person in her thought happens to be standing next to her…
Raven.
My mother used this mission to kill Vernal. It makes sense. My mother wants Vernal power. She always views Vernal as a weakling with wasted potential. I'm convinced that's true.
Raven Branwen, I'm going to kill you.
I lost Martha.
Umber might be dead.
You killed Vernal.
I haven't even heard from Flaxen in a whole month.
They are the only ones I care for in this band of murderers and rapists you call a family. I held the saber to my side and walked. Even if you become the embodiment of nature, I'll eliminate you just the same as Esdeath.
I will no longer be sidetracked. I believe I'm strong enough to enact my plan. I will eliminate her. I will destroy everything in my path to reach my goal. Finally, I will head home.
And neither Grimm nor humans will stop me.
I ready my saber with renewed vigor. hundreds of red eyes stared at me with killing intent. A horde of Grimm inch closer to me. The forest fire offers me a clear view of the many varieties of Grimm that came to kill me.
Some walk on two legs while some slither on the ground. Some have more spikes and bone plates than the other. A few are larger than a semi-truck.
It doesn't matter if they bring a thousand more. I'm ready for them.
I breathed in and out. My hands held onto the saber. Finally, I rushed the horde.
Normal PoV
The saying that someone has a lot on their plate doesn't do justice for Qrow. He had to deal with the entire buffer.
Summer disappears on a personal mission.
The woman he loved died.
Taiyang is being a useless father.
His nieces almost died searching for Raven.
Salem scheming again.
Meanwhile, the bitch of a sister is setting Mistral on fire. Demolishing 73 years of peace.
Then there is the breakdown of order in the Kingdom.
Then the news about his long lost niece.
Akame the Man-Slayer.
The girl with Grimm's eyes.
The Shinigami of Anima.
At least those are the rumors and wild tales of ill-reputable individuals who are currently banking on the chaos and break down of Mistral. He can't even get an answer off of Lil' Ms. Soon-to-be-Councilwoman Malachite. The huntsmen kept finding brick walls and roadblock the harder he looked. If he pushes too hard, he'll end up with a target on his back.
Qrow was forced to rely on his own resources and it was a long journey. The huntsmen finally found his lead. His wings glided across the tree line and spotted the current hideout of the tribe. A settlement filled with sympathizers.
He doesn't have back up but waiting will guarantee Raven slips past him again.
Qrow knows it is foolish. He's heavily outnumbered and outgunned. But he has to do it.
He approaches through an opening in this fence and changes form.
Qrow grabs a cloak hanging on a clothesline and walks into the mix of townspeople and armed bandits.
Akame PoV
I killed several dozen of them yet none of them came to attack me. I beheaded a Beowulf and slash an Ursus in two. Yet, The majority of them don't attack me. The Alphas Grimm either defend themselves or run away.
This is eerie.
This contradicts everything I learn about Grimm. They should be trying to tear me limb from limb instead of standing before me like statues. Those Beringels earlier today were trying to kill me!
But that strange Grimm on the ship merely stared at me and only gave chase when I ran away. This doesn't make any sense. Why aren't they attacking me?
I stab a small Nevermore in the neck and watch it fade away.
I look down at my arms and notice my semblance is still active.
Maybe because it is the work of my semblance.
I stopped my slaughter to cut myself. I give myself a small incision on my forearm and notice how easy it was to cut me. As if there is no aura whatsoever. I'm not even healing my wound. Even when my aura level is low, The healing process for a small cut is mere minutes. Even the burns on my neck, body, and arms I receive from the explosion haven't healed either. I don't even feel pain.
They no longer recognize me as human.
Fine, If they Grimm isn't going to attack me, then I'll leave. I watch as a pack of Beowulf's parted ways. They were silently beckoning me in the direction of the crash airship.
This is unexpected. I wanted to wait for Raven to pick me up then kill her. But in the meantime, I could check if Vernal's body is still on the ship. Unless she has been reduced to ash or scattered far from the ship, I must bury my friend.
I stopped my musing and hurried to the crash airship.
I made my way near the ship as I saw the survivors fighting off Grimm. They held down a strong point near the bridge of the ship meaning my route toward the engine room was mostly cleared.
The creature of Grimm ignores me as they crawl along the hull of the ship toward the last remnant of human resistance.
Ignore them.
I told myself. They will shoot me in the back. I recall saving a unit of imperial soldiers from a Danger beast only to be betrayed the next moment.
I'm a wanted criminal and they must blame me for their ship crashing.
Why would they accept my help?
The backend of the ship is covered in an impenetrable inferno and I'm forced to find another way in.
I jump into the same opening that strange Grimm came from. I passed the mauled body of the Atlesian women with a few Grimm patrolling the halls.
There is fire scattered throughout the interior but the sprinkler system helped to keep it under control. The downside is the water also invites caution near exposed electrical wires and outlets.
I saw an Ursus munching on a soldier. It looked back at me and I tightened my hold on the saber. Its bloody maw held pieces of flesh.
Instead of a quick battle, the Ursus got back to eating the man. I looked into his eyes and still saw a flicker of life in them.
He was too far gone for me to do anything. I decided to offer him mercy.
A quick stab at his forehead ended his suffering immediately. I remove the blood by flicking it off. I kept walking right after.
Once I reached the cargo room, I saw the unidentified Grimm as it finished off the last member of team SKYS.
The neatly stacked boxes and crates are spilled and broken everywhere. I could see various bodies skewed across the room.
Sky Schwarz fires helplessly into the chimera Grimm as it slowly approaches him with sadistic glee. I kept to the shadows in case my theory on my semblance is wrong. Thus far it's the younger Grimm that doesn't pay attention to me.
The smarter Grimm tended to have a better sense of self-preservation when I'm trying to kill them.
I studied the scene and saw Sky wounds. His stomach was sliced. I don't know how deep but his intestines aren't spilling out; That's a good sign. The only way he could survive is if he could stop the bleeding and focus his aura on healing.
Save him or complete my mission? I'm still at a loss as to why it is taking Raven so long to pick me up?
Sky did try to kill me even if he's justified and this Grimm is clearly smarter and stronger than the average Grimm.
The answer pops up yet again. Why should I save someone who would try to kill me?
I intend to leave.
I stare at all the opening the Grimm could offer in case it decided to come after me.
There are gaps at the back of the legs and arms. An opening at the armpits and a gap between the upper neck and skull bone plates for a well-aimed saber. A direct route to the brain assuming this creature has a central cognitive function.
This Grimm feels like it was meant for me. A huge amalgamation of different creatures, a chimera Grimm, is the stuff of legends. It is believed that chimera Grimm originate from the Grimmland. A legend that somehow got onto an airship without its own pair of wings.
That's too much of a coincidence. This creature is without a doubt one of Salem creations that comes after me or Vernal.
I leaped across the room and stabbed the gap at its neck.
It drops to its knees and disintegrates. It's a simple kill as long as I know its weak points.
Sky breathed a sigh of relief. Then he looked me in the eyes and opened fire.
I ducked behind cover and decided it's not worth my time. I have killed the biggest threat and Sky isn't it.
I spotted the first aid kit on the wall. I hunched down to avoid getting shot and removed it. Nearby, I could see Silver body impaled on a steel beam. I estimated where Sky is relative to my position. Then I toss the first aid kit.
It hit the ground near him with a thud and I proceeded with my mission.
I stepped over the top half of Yale's body and found the bottom half further down.
The engine room despite the destruction had a clear hole. I look around the room to see the dead beneath the reactor. They die from the initial explosion and most of the bodies are intact. I continued to look around and realized there was no huge tear in the hull for Vernal's body to fly out of.
But there's a lot of debris and bodies I have to move. I sighed at the dirty work all for the sake of finding her remains.
15 minutes have passed and I haven't found her.
Vernal is gone.
She has to die.
What is taking her so long to pick me up? I will behead her the moment I see her face.
My semblance must stay active to increase my chance of killing Raven. I'm not waiting any longer.
I know I'm strong. Unfortunately, I must be cautious. I need to make sure I succeed the first time or else I'll never get a chance again.
I must guarantee every advantage is in my grasp. If my mother has maiden power, My semblance will even the odds.
Another 15 minutes have passed.
This is unlike her to keep me waiting in enemy territory. What happened to her? Did she sense my killer intent?
At this point in time, the inferno has whimpered into smoke. I have lined up 17 bodies and none of them is a small child.
I found a dry spot to sit. I sat down with the saber in front of me and waited for Raven.
"Akame right?" I was broken from my thoughts, "Why do you kill?"
I turn my head to see a pale Sky Schwarz. He used his shotgun as a clutch and his other arm on his stomach. A sky blue aura gathered at the arm holding his bandaged stomach.
I didn't want to answer that question.
Why do I kill?
I doubt he has the strength to fight and no longer a threat to me. I'll give him my answer.
"I have killed two people," Since coming to this world, "Because they hurt someone precious to me."
"Only two people?"
"Only two people," I repeated, " And I accept the full responsibility for those deaths."
"But why is everyone saying you killed hundreds?" His blue eyes bore into me.
"Rumors," I dismissed, " Sky Schwarz, I understand your conviction to kill me. You have every reason and right to curse my name."
I look back at Sky prop against the doorway.
"I may even be the cause of your friends and family demise," I try masking my regret. I understand loss and pain intimately.
I'm not even sure if I could go home anymore. Would my father still love me even after everything I did?
"Who are you looking for?"
"..."
"If this about the girl that broke into the interrogation room," He wheezes, "I-I'm sorry for what happened. I have been an Atlesian Cadet in combat school. It wasn't proper protocol. We are all battle fatigued."
"It isn't her," I answered, "You are far too injured to attack me and you can't fend off the Grimm. Rest here, If any Grimm comes nearby, I'll take care of it."
The Huntsman-in-Training sighed. He didn't expect to be helped by an enemy.
"You have a point," He continues to stand in place," But I can't wait here. They need my help at the bridge."
"You're going to die."
"I'm a huntsman, It's my responsibility to fight Grimm and protect those in need," He declared," It's also my responsibility to bring criminals to justice."
The responsibility of a Huntsmen?
"Do you hate me?" I inquired," I want an honest opinion."
" Yes, You killed my mentor and things went to hell when you got on board," He responded," But I beg you. People are dying. The survivors are barely holding on. I know this is a lot of responsibility to put on a 10 year-old but we really need your help."
Help them?
I weigh the decision.
I am safer here. The bastion of emotion overshadows my own lone presence on this ship. It would be insane if I risk my life. The life of a handful of survivors over saving countless more from my mother's wrath.
I have countless moments in my world. When I can't save the innocent because it would conflict with my mission. Either I kill the corrupt politician ending further bloodshed or save one civilian from execution and let the politician escape. The dilemma is always the same no matter the scenario.
That is my old life. Maybe there's hope for me on Remnant. For once, I should try so.
"Of course, Just stay here and keep calm," He explained," I have a duty to protect other. Please stay safe Akame."
"I'm joining," I abruptly got up and walked ahead of Sky," What the quickest way up?"
I couldn't even believe I'm taking part in this.
All routes toward the bridge have been blocked or under heavy fire. The service elevator is gone. Most of the emergency staircase and ladder had been blocked by Grimm or debris.
Sky was able to keep pace even with his wound even as we fought off every Grimm that got near us.
"We need to get on the deck," Sky commanded," We will be mowed down with the Grimm if we force our way through the choke point or the Grimm will eat me first."
"The deck?" I spoke skeptically," That's where the bulk of the horde are."
"But we will be out in the open," He said," I have a signal flare that will let them know we are friendly."
I slashed several Ursus as it charged toward Sky.
"Are you expecting me to hold off a horde in the hope they see us?" I narrow my eyes.
He shot a reptilian Grimm scurrying along the walls.
"From the way you fight, I have confidence you could pull it off and the Grimm seem to ignore you, mostly," He praises," Coms are down and everyone is too busy staying alive to bother checking for survivors. I can't even get an on-ship call in."
"And what about you?"
"Defend me," He answered promptly," If we could cause enough carnage on deck. We'll gain their attention."
This is suicidal. He's risking his own life. I cover my mouth with my hand and sigh while I stab a spider, Grimm.
He nodded his head at a small staircase leading up.
"Don't fall behind and keep a consistent strive," I strolled toward the stairs.
"I'm giving the orders, little girl," He grumbled.
We finally got topside with destroyed drop ships and Atlesian Knights. The sound of gunfire and explosions is deafening but I wasted no time slaughtering the creatures of darkness.
Sky lit the flare as its bright orange glow illuminated the night sky. He frantically moved his arms right and left. I made sure to keep a safe zone between the Grimm and him.
Everything was going well until the saber broke in half. I immediately throw it into the eye of a Nevermore. That same Nevermore spiraled out of control and crashed into a cluster of Grimm.
My aura should have prevented the weapon breakage. It seems that isn't the case when my semblance is active.
Finally, the survivors notice and lay down covering fire.
I dragged my hand along the ground to grab loose rebar. I instantly batted away a full-grown Ursus and carried Sky over hastily created barricades.
I look around to see 50 soldiers and crewmembers manning defenses. A few men and women with red crosses on their uniforms are tending to the wounded. At the same time, I could see a corner with around 20 bodies covered in sheets and body bags. As well as numerous Atlesian Knights in varying states of functionality.
The vast majority are firing out of the bridge windows. Meanwhile, the rear of the bridge is used to create choke points in the stairways and the elevator shaft.
A quick look outside and the horde doesn't seem to slow down. It is almost like an endless wave. The stars became its own luxury as avian Grimm swarmed the night.
I can see it in their eyes. They are all going to die but they will continue to fight on.
"Akame Branwen," A short woman with silver hair and brown eyes approached me with a pair of tall soldiers. She looks at me with undisguised malice.
"She saved my life, ma'am," He vouched and moved in front of me.
"You're the girl that's been constantly spitting on the face of Atlas," She gritted her teeth," I should kill you."
The two guards beside her slowly raised their rifle at me.
I look around for a way to disarm and escape.
"Lower the guns," She ordered them with an added hand gesture.
"We need all the help we can get," Sky spoke up," Please, Ms. Cordovin."
"And what of your team? All of my best men send to watch her? Where are they?" Cordovin reasoned, " What of their lives? Her little gang is waiting for the Grimm to kill us all before they come in to steal our weapons like vultures."
"We don't have time to be divided," I raised my voice," I'm here to help and that's final. What do you want me to do?"
"Maybe we should ask your mommy?" Cordovin spoke condescendingly to me," While we're at it, Why isn't your mommy here to pick you up? Hmm?"
"Ma'am! Our lives are at stake here, " Sky growled," Don't tell me you gave up."
"It is," She turned her back to us," Look around you. Even if we keep holding off the Grimm horde, It only lasts as long as our dust supply and the bravery of my men. This horde is the largest I have seen even throughout my years of service to Great Atlas. I have foolishly underestimated your tribe's child. Now all that's left is to die with honor."
"There must be more options," The huntsman reasoned.
"I have exhausted all the options!" Cordovin stomped her foot, " We can't call for reinforcement because your mother destroyed our coms and we will be overwhelmed the moment any of us leave the bridge."
Those words carry a harsh reality.
I watch as a black vine whip out of the elevator shaft and drag a helpless soldier into the darkness. A Beowulf breaking through the defenses to turn a helpless Atlesian Knight into a chew toy.
I can hear the rapping of claws on the roof above us. The sound of continuous gunfire and the frenzy of the Grimm.
I could smell blood-soaked bandages, burning metal of Knights, and overheated guns.
I could feel the desperation and hopelessness of the situation.
The worst part of this is that they are part of another war that they don't know about. At least in my world, there is an endgame. In this world, there is a figurative pendulum deciding the course of the world. And its current course is tipping in Salem's favor.
Raven should feel my distress. I could reach out to her and ask for a portal to evacuate all of them. In a dream scenario that would be the case. Maybe playing a hero is going to get me killed.
"Sky, Ms. Cordovin," I'm ashamed at what I must do," I can't stay here."
"Of course you can't," Cordovin sneered," Why would you die for us. We're enemies."
"Are you going to shoot me?" I question her.
"No, I have to save the bullet for myself," she walks away and grabs a rifle to aid in the defenses.
"I'm sorry," I wish I could have done more but the risk wasn't worth it. I only had the rebar in my hand to fight off all these Grimm. My mission to end the bloodshed would be for nothing if I die here.
"Thank you for saving me," He smiles while he walks toward a crate of dust bullets," You would have made a fine Huntress."
Huntress.
It sounds like a nice occupation when I first came to this world.
I would fight Danger Beast, uphold peace, and have people look up to me in respect and admiration instead of fear and suspicion. It sounds like the perfect departure from my old life. No matter how much Raven and the Tribe would downplay the role, I could understand the charm of it all.
I know bad Huntsman and Huntress exist like those hired by Ms. Malachite. But at it core exists an altruistic ideal of people willingly giving their lives so humanity can see another day.
I want to start anew. I need a way to make a good reputation for myself.
I reapproached the commander as she ordered her soldiers to set up another line of defense. I watched the soldiers perform a quick salute and tear apart any console and debris to create another line of barricades.
"Ms. Cordovin," I walked up to her until we were eye to eye.
"Mommy haven't picked you up yet? What do I look like? Your babysitter?" She looked away distastefully.
"Commander Cordovin," I saluted," If we make it out alive, I would like to turn myself in."
"You're joking right?" Cordovin shook her head.
"And the reward money must go to Sky Schwarz," I listed," I would also like to help fight against my tribe."
"What games are you playing?" She continued to be skeptical.
"My mother and her tribe have committed many atrocities and I accept the responsibility of all those I killed," I revealed," I want all this bloodshed to end."
We looked at each other in silence before the older woman spoke up.
"Is that what you really want? You need to convince me a bit more."
"Please, I just want peace," I could hear my voice quiver.
"Fine!" She crosses her arms," I have one more plan that could work and wipe that tear away."
Tear?
I wiped away a wet spot at the corner of my right eye.
"I'll follow your order, Commander."
A/N: Akame will end up with quite a reputation by RWBY canon.
The story itself is about Akame wanting to start a peaceful life. But keep getting dragged into problems she either caused or forced into.
And before you say, I'm killing the characters off for the shock value( Like AgK). Wait until the next chapter.
Also, the Ozpin talk was just my jab at the crazy RWBY theories that pop up from time to time including the older ones that age like milk. So no, Akame isn't Salem's magical love child. I can't stress that enough.
And in terms of power level and her semblance.
Akame has her limits. She isn't an army destroyer and a determined force would overwhelm her. I try to factor everything into a fight scene so it would reach a logical conclusion.
Her semblance is one huge chimera mix of Hazel, Ren, Yangs, Raven, and a bit of Ruby. Akame is a glass cannon where her Semblance, at its current state, could only activate if she has a trigger and a target.
Trigger being someone she has a strong connection with getting hurt or killed and Target is a singular person/Grimm. It boosts all physical attributes and ignores mental limitations until the target is eliminated. But there's a huge downside if used for an extended period of time. Which I will get into in the next chapter.
Now leave some review.
