Chapter 11: Retribution
A/N: Laptop barely working and the official app is laggy.
Breathing.
It's a natural activity that requires no input. It's an essential part of life that is often taken for granted. A simple act of life that's available for the rich, poor, young, old, and everyone in between.
But for Akame, breathing has become a luxury.
She tries to focus on healing anything even if it is her pinky toes. She needs to keep fighting even if her goal is a spark in a pure black sky. Sadly, it became everdistant with each passing second. The last ounce of her strength and motor skill is finding her sword.
'I can't even feel my own heartbeat,' She lamented.
She couldn't even feel the ground beneath her or the vibrations of stampeding Grimm. She can't hear the animalistic roar, growl, hiss, screech, or caw of the creatures.
All that was on the ground was an unresponsive body with glassy red eyes.
At least, That how the infamous Shinigami of Mistral is supposed to die. She bled out 5 minutes after she collapsed. The point of no return has been reached. Even the best medical technology Atlas had to offer would only trap her in her own body.
The horde of Grimm that was baying for her blood has parted like a stream against an immovable rock.
What stood separating the horde and Akame's body is a woman with bone pale skin. Her eyes linger on the mask Akame wore. A seamless Grimm bird mask with markings imitating the markings on her face.
"You poor girl," She stared down. The witch conjured half a dozen black arms as if they came from the depth of the underworld itself. The macabre limbs twist and snap around each other as it races to lift Akame off the ground.
Salem approached Akame and removed her mask while using another hand to lift her head. Vacant red eyes stared back at Salem as the Grimm Queen planned her next move.
"I'm impressed you lasted this long," She praises the assassin who still kept a vice grip on her sword even as she near death," It seems you are a worthy investment after all."
A black cloud surrounded and engulfed the dying girl.
"...No," Akame could only mutter an inaudible protest. The assassin knows that evil stood in front of her even if all her senses are weakened, but she can't do anything about it.
Darkness crept around her vision and she finally slipped into unconsciousness.
Lionheart watched in dismay as another district was slowly being overrun. Without any options left, He called a hasty meeting with his assistant.
"Send in everyone," He swallowed," And I mean everyone. I-I'll stay behind to defend the school."
The man with a cowardly heart did everything he could to appear brave but his facade was slowly crumbling the closer the creature of Grimm gets to the school.
"Sir! But what about the relic?" His assistant questions," I can't just leave you alone either."
The assistant has been a loyal follower of Ozpin's inner circle for decades. He is also one of the strongest staff members in the school. More importantly, He is far more well-practiced than the headmaster himself. Lionheart has only been pushing papers for most of his lifetime. Combat was never his specialty.
In another timeline, The assistant is the first to be betrayed by a man he considered a trustworthy comrade.
"If they don't have the key, the vault location, or the spring maiden," He exhaled," W-We have nothing to fear. Trust me, Hui."
"Understood," Fang Hui bowed," Please take care, Lionheart."
The middle-aged huntsmen dressed in grey and white hurried out of the office to rally the remaining staff members and students to support the inner defenses.
In under 15 minutes, the school only has one person left inside.
A few minutes later, The birds started to sing. Instantly, The gate at the front entrance of Haven has been breached by a gale-force wind. What follows is twelve shadows lurking through the courtyard and rooftop. Their steps are accompanied by the slow creeping darkness.
Their names are a relic of a failed rebellion. It was once an intel and assassination branch of the rebellion, who once fought against the Mistral Emperor and his ally to the North. But for the sake of peace, The group and all those associated with them are branded as a criminal organization and swiftly crushed without mercy.
Nowadays, They're criminals from different professions that have sworn loyalty to the Branwen tribe either in recent years or a long-standing history that dates back to the Great War. Not all of them are geared for combat but a single cowardly lion is pitiful and an insult to who they are.
The hallway lights outside his office turned off.
Yet, Lionheart hasn't noticed.
The front door wasn't locked and neither were the windows.
Lionheart notices a window being left ajar.
"Weird," He looked around and his breath hitched. All the windows and the door were slightly opened. He backed away and bumped into his desk as the door creaked open. The lion Faunus eyes were fixated on the darkened hallway like it was an ethereal portal.
Lionheart felt uneasy as eyes silently watched him.
He looked around and noticed patches of his office were darker than normal. Now his racing heart pounded in his ears louder than the sound of war outside his window. A chill ran up his spine and blood drained from his face.
As if he was forbidden to lay eyes on the darkness, A powerful flash of light dazed him. He stumbled around in fear and confusion as he frantically yelled for them to stay away.
In the commotion, he knocked over vases and assorted paperwork. When his vision cleared, he jerked his head around the room.
Nothing.
It was as if it was all an illusion.
He wanted to breathe a sigh of relief but it came off as stuttering. The lion faunus tried to calm his nerves but it was useless. The room felt like it was the tundra of Solitas. He was about to make his way to his scroll to call back his assistant.
Suddenly, The lights turn off and the blood-curdling screams of the headmaster remain unheard except by the shadowed people in his office.
"I'm sorry," A frightened child repeated over and over. But she steeled her resolve to get what she deserved. Vernal takes another step into her former prison.
Akame PoV
I always have a complicated relationship with the concept of parents.
One died from childbirth but fragments of my memory recall a caring mother.
My father sold Kurome and me to slavery. That man was too pitiful to kill when we found him again. He ended up drinking himself to death the next day and we buried him. It was the only time Kurome and I didn't try to kill each other.
Gozuki is a manipulative and stern man that cared for me and the Elite Seven like his own children. But his crime can't be forgiven and thus, he has to be killed.
Martha has always been someone I regarded as the best thing to happen to me. I felt normal. I didn't even feel like myself when I'm with her if that makes any sense. But fate preferred to take her away from me twice.
Raven is in the same category as Gozuki. The bandit leader killed too many people and her semblance is far too dangerous. It had to be done. If I kill her, the Branwen tribe will be severely weakened. It's about time I finish them off too. Every last one of them.
Just one more kill and it will all be over.
It is the only way for me to find a father that cares. At least that is what I recalled. Even if that dream is a distant memory.
Yang, I wonder if you're searching for me too?
I attacked with a renewed burst of adrenaline. I tore away from the Grimm's arms holding me still and sliced at the women with all my strength.
The world shattered like glass and became a black slate.
Huh?!
This woman caught my sword with her fingernails! It can't be!? I didn't have time to react as her other hand smacked me away like a fly. I adjusted and slid along the slippery ground on my feet.
"Salem," I uttered quietly. I look down noting the odd liquid.
Blood.
It reached my ankle. I quickly scan the surroundings with concern. It wasn't the forest nor are there any Grimm.
"You clipped my nails," the Grimm Queen answered with a bored expression," Is this the respect I get for saving your life? Branwen?"
"Branwen," I seethed," That name means nothing."
"Good," Salem disintegrated into the black void. I tightened my grip on my unnamed sword till my knuckles turned white.
The blood drains and the void fades away. Oddly enough, the blood didn't stain me. But Salem's presence felt omnipotent.
I watch as the void turns into an alleyway. I cautiously moved through the foreign surroundings until I spotted a man ahead. He has a large sword strapped to his lower back, a tattered red cape, and a silver flask on his hip. It was the first three features I paid attention to. The rest of his appearances came as a shock to me. He stood frozen like a statue, his body lazily leaning against a wall.
"Qrow," I spoke dryly.
As if my body moves on its own, I slash the sword into his neck only for it to phase through.
"I know this is a dream," I sighed, But I can't help but feel...satisfied?
I looked up again to see my 'uncle' speaking to a man wearing a white military coat with a black vest underneath. A sense of familiarity hits me when I notice the weapon on his hip.
A straight sword with the pommel bearing two olive leaves.
Aaron Schwarz.
A single death is all it takes. I started a war because I let both my semblance and emotion slip just once. I know Martha was far from a pure person but she wanted to set her life right just like me. She means a lot to me.
I learned more about the man after what I did with Malachite's information network. I killed a good man. His only crime is being bound by his duty to protect the people by going after those that prey on them. I can't find one damning evidence to justify killing him. Neither could I find one bad thing about his family. I murdered a good Huntsman.
No, What am I thinking? Raven's is the one that suggested I kill him. It's all her fault.
"Do you want to kill him?" Her voice felt like it was resonating with every cell in my body. It makes me want to vomit.
I wanted to respond but know that any word I say will be used against me. Silence is all I'll offer Salem.
"Martha... means nothing to me."
There it goes again. It keeps repeating in my head as well as on the lips of the man in front of me.
"Will do," Aaron nodded and the image of him faded away.
I can't help but find Salem's attempt to sway me ridiculous. It will take more than repeating voices and false reality to convince me to kill Qrow. I have been trained to resist torture of all forms in my old life and it hasn't dulled since.
Even as the world around me changes to show Martha at the last moment of her life as the sword enters her chest. I look over to see a closet. I narrowed my eyes to see Umber peeked out a small slit.
She saw everything.
Umber. She has seen so much death and destruction already. Even so, She always smiled at me and did anything to help. I hope I can save her too. But if she dies, I will never forgive myself. I push those thoughts aside for now.
"She...means..nothing."
I wanted to roll my eyes or shake my head in disappointment but I remain stone-faced.
Images of my early years invaded my mind.
A warm, fatherly aura.
A fiery spirit.
A cold and conflicted soul.
The buzz and hums of electronics foreign to my world.
A bright light at the doorway.
A cracked bottle of alcohol.
There were a few more doctors and nurses but they weren't important.
I stood there as if I was in the same room, watching them all gathered around.
Is that me crying? I cringed at my past self for acting so vulnerable. I can feel my heart pounding heavily inside my chest and took a deep breath to calm it.
They're laughing, joking, and-
I watch it all fade away. As if it was a distance utopia.
It felt like a spike was being driven through my head as my visions started to develop black spots and I collapsed to my knees.
"I'm sorry," Salem apologized half-heartedly," It seems I can't force my way in."
"Y-you bitch," I stood back up holding my head.
"Foolish," She uttered," But you're only delaying the inevitable. Child, I only wish to help you."
I was going to call her out on her bullshit but stopped. I reminded myself that anything I say will be used against me. Plus, I doubt any of this is real. It's all fabricated images. Good, She thinks I'm young and immature. I could use it to my advantage.
"I'm only here to offer you a deal. Your mother wants to use you for her own means. While your uncle is going to hand you over to a manipulative liar. But I'm here to help set you free," she spoke in a soft tone. That fake motherly behavior makes my blood boil but I calmed down waiting for my moment to strike.
"Akame, It's rude not to talk," It felt like she was breathing down my neck.
Silences.
Suddenly...
Indescribable pain.
I wanted to scream but force it down.
I wanted to topple over in agony but I stayed in place.
It felt as if everything was tearing and mending.
But this pain is no different from Murasame's curse.
I steeled my resolve and took a deep breath.
"How?" Salem sounded annoyed," You should be begging for mercy."
I closed my eyes and meditated until the pain subsided. When I finally opened them again, I saw her standing in front of me.
Salem narrowed her red eyes at me. I could see a pair of bats like wings out of her back. Her hands are tightly clenched. An oppressive killing intent washed over me like a wave.
Yet, I stare at all of Remnant's Evil. I noticed the ground around her is black and tar-like.
"Is that all you got?" I countered.
"I'm far from done," She said threateningly," And your willpower won't last forever unlike myself."
"Because you're immortal?"
"Your mother warned you? Good, I can skip the demonstration. I can't be killed and you, like all mortals, will die eventually. But unlike reality, In this dream," She motioned to the ever-changing environment," A month here could be mere minutes in the real world. When you submit to me, I'll set you free."
I didn't know magic was capable of such a thing. It's an unknown power I have no experience in dealing with. Semblance and even Teigus have abilities that could appear magical but it is all grounded in limitations and a specialty.
"Never," I raised my sword toward the immortal witch," Then I'll keep resisting for eternity."
"Isn't what you desire is peace?"
I clamped my mouth shut.
"A Second Great War is coming and you helped to plant the seed of division. Peace is no longer an option," Salem moved like a serpent across the black liquid," Thank you, For carrying out my plan."
The electric pulse of an Atlesian rifle fired only once.
The sense of burnt flesh invaded my nose.
"I-I didn't mean to-" I watched a young Atlesian soldier take a step back nearly dropping his rifle.
I remember this day. At least the news report and word of mouth from Malachite staff and security guards.
The details were contradictory but the story is that a soldier shot a child.
I look down to see the lifeless body of a little boy with a smothering hole in his chest. It was unfortunate but at least he died instantly. This happened in the main square of a small city in South Anima and the start of anti-Atlas/government protest and rioting.
I look around to see a crowd gather with shock, confusion, and dread on their faces. It wasn't long until new emotions rose to the surface.
Fear.
Anger.
Hatred.
Finally, A brick was thrown alongside loose trash. The mob roared to life and charged toward the lone soldier as he continued to stare in disbelief.
His death was prevented when four students came to his rescue.
Sky and his team? He was there that day?
The scene flashes forward into the night where Mistral law enforcement failed to contain the rioting. Atlas forces stationed there were forced to pull back and deal with the approaching Grimm on its walls. But the damage has been done. Atlas as well as the previous Mistral administration are viewed as oppressors.
A single spark was all that was needed. This world is unraveling before my very eyes and I don't know how to stop it from falling apart.
"These little shows serve a purpose. None of this is a false fabrication but a recreation of events. I'm not here to lie to you, unlike Ozpin. The headmaster of Beacon is a being similar to myself but is a trickster that will mislead and manipulate. He deluded children with false grandiose, martyrdom, and will do anything for the greater good. But I will offer you the truth."
Raven and Vernal warned me about her and the power she wields. It isn't just the magic she uses but her silver tongue. There's no way Salem would be this honest with me?
"I would rather stay here for eternity then serve you," I clenched my sword.
"Akame, How about this. Your surrogate mother, Martha Black, has a son who is currently suffering a cruel fate."
"Wh-what?!"
"Good, Now are you willing to listen? So you want to doom her child to a life of abuse and bloodshed?"
Does she have a son? How could I confirm this is real?! It has to be another trick.
The sound of a broken beer bottle scattering on a hardwood floor as well as a child crying.
The screams of a man with buzzed cut white hair and a red tank top. There were hundreds of scars on his aging body. His fist was covered in blood.
My breath hitched at the state of the boy in front of me.
"Weak, Just like your mother," the venom in the man's voice struck me like a bullet," Worthless piece of shit."
In a blind rage, the boy stood up and charged. He was effortlessly backhanded and stomped on by that man. The hardwood floor creaks and cracks under the repeated assault.
"Marcus Black, A infamous assassin with the semblance to steal other semblances. This is information that could be searched through the underworld. If you continue to deny my word, You could sit here and I'll make this place your prison or do you want to save him. I know you love Martha Black dearly and that father back in Patch, Taiyang Xiao Long? Do you want to see him?"
"Shut up," I spoke beneath my breath.
"Akame, Even if I release you from this dream, You will never know peace," The world changed again," Every organization, whether legitimate or criminal, has taken an interest in you. What will you do? Kill them all?"
Kill them all. Maybe that's the only way.
"KILL HER!" A woman yelled and suddenly a wall of arrows and bullets came from all directions.
I saw it all coming but didn't bother to move. This is all an elaborate setup that-
"GAHHH!" Even inches of my body felt like it was on fire. It feels all too real. The pain became indescribable. My vision faded to black until the pain receded again.
"The wounds and injuries here are as real as it gets," Salem explained," Let's run this again."
A wall of bullets and arrows came toward me and I reacted.
"It's written in your soul," She spoke from within my mind," It is who you are."
I removed the sword from the metallic chest of General Ironwood. I stood in the middle of a battlefield filled with the red-stained white uniforms of Atlesians. Their blood, limbs, and inners decorate the northern tundra like a macabre artwork. There was no one else fighting by my side.
How many simulations did she run?
How long have I been here killing?
"They'll never stop coming after you."
How many times has she repeated this? It's always the same set of messages over and over with slight variations.
Every one of these simulations is me against insurmountable odds. But, I'm glad it's only me. I can't bear to bring those I love into my own mistakes. It's a war I started through my own fault and I want to end it. Even if I end up being an inhuman monster like the Grimm.
"He will use you just like he used your family."
"The Branwen name means nothing to me."
"Interesting, I met another Branwen during the Great War who said the same thing. She died trusting Ozpin."
I ready myself for the next battle. The calming coastal breeze sweeps softly across tall dew-soaked grass. While the sun just pierced the darkened skies above. I looked around and saw a forest to my right and the ocean to my left. A woman was wearing all black and had short black hair. She stood several paces in front of me.
"Why? After everything I did? Why?"
T-that voice! It sounds familiar but older?
Then the woman turned around and there she was.
Kurome.
I always wanted to see her grow up into a beautiful woman like our mother. I want to come home to see my little sister's mental scar heal and a smile on her face with Wave by her side.
All I see now is a lonely woman with lifeless eyes.
"Interesting," Salem softly uttered," Child, Do you have a sense of familiarity? Maybe this is a past life or an ancestor that resonates with you the most?"
Kurome.
Did you reincarnate into this world like me?
Impossible.
"Ozymandias, I...No, My comrades have done everything we can to give you a fighting chance," Kurome hissed," Is peace really that important? We just want a place to call our own? Why do the Faunus get one but not us?!"
"Victory can't be won without sacrifice," A man with a sword and scepter approach from behind me," You may curse my name. Try and kill me with your last breath but the end justifies the means. The sand of Vacuo has been soaked with blood brought on by my hands. I don't want any more people to die. Please, Surrender and abandon-"
"No," Kurome raised her black sword and her eyes lit up," I fought to give a new home to my friends...my family...and I refuse to stop now!"
"Kurome…"
"Night Raid will never surrender!"
The skies suddenly crackled with hail and thunder. The wind tore through the forest and the waves hammered the coastline.
"So you were the one that defeated the ice general," Ozymandias spoke with both pain and respect," Then, I won't hold back either."
Ozymandias sword, staff, crown, and lamp lid up.
I was too stunned by the event to even notice Kurome's black sword coming toward me. But it stopped mere centimeters from my face.
"Of course, Past lives to normal mortals are merely imprints that subtly influence current life. Normally death is the grand finalization but from time to time some souls return to a new body," She lectured," Do you recollect your past life?"
She's right but not entirely.
"No, I don't remember," I partially lied," Yet, I do sense a connection to Kurome. I want him dead."
I kept on lying to the Grimm Queen wondering if she could detect my bluffing.
"It seems Ozpin is still the only soul capable of absolute reincarnation," She smiled," Now, Let's me guide you toward killing him."
I need to make it seem like I'm giving her what she wants.
That's what I've been taught in my past life. I can stop the act now. I must pretend to be loyal. I need to be a double agent where the only other agenda I truly serve is myself.
Kurome...It should be impossible. I need to find out the truth myself if this world Kurome is my Kurome. Maybe Salem has rooted herself in my mind. Maybe I'm starting to crack. How long have I been holding out? I don't know anymore.
"By the way," She paused," I can tell you're lying."
I collapsed to my knees as it felt like my inside was tearing apart. I vomited a black substance.
Damnit!
New plan!
"I...will...eliminate you!" I vowed.
"MY PATIENCE," Salem snapped. She calmly readjusted herself," Is running out, child."
"I thought you were-GLUKK!" I nearly passed out right then and there," Y-you were immortal. Aren't you supposed to outlast me?"
The look on Salem's face. She wants to kill me right this instant but resisting the urge to do so.
"I hate repeating myself."
"You spent what felt like several lifetimes repeating the same message expecting a different result," I insulted," It's the same with this war you have with Ozpin. Spending many generations and countless years expecting a different result. You're both completely insane."
"You must have a death wish speaking to me like that."
I can't believe I'm running my mouth off like this. But I came to accept my fate. Hopefully, I'm going to eventually say something that will make her lash out. Good, I would rather be dead than a pawn.
I'll be set free either way.
"I don't fear you."
"You will fear me."
"Kill me or fu-," My swear was cut short by more intense pain. I stood upright with my sword held in front of me," If humanity could progress this far. I doubt you're doing a good job, Grimm witch. If you're a threat why hasn't victory been achieved yet? Even when humanity only wielded dust crystals tied to a stick?"
"It's only a matter of time," Salem explained cryptically," Is this little rebellion out of your system, yet?"
"Only a matter of time? How long have you repeated your own delusions? This endless war seems like you two are having a lover quarrel," I blurted out," Magic yourself into the sun with Ozpin and spare this world your petty vendetta. Just the two of you. May a permanent death stick this time."
It's an understatement that I struck a nerve. I'm sure I struck all her nerves at once. I didn't even know I could pull it off.
"Die," Salem's eyes were filled with murderous rage.
Spikes appear out of the ground intended to impale me. I barely jumped out of the way as part of my calf had been cut.
Lover quarrel? Salem's reaction implies that she and Ozpin were once a thing. Either that or just the thought of those two being together is sickening.
I timed myself and used the spikes as springboards for my target.
Wait for it.
I narrowly miss being amputated again.
Wait.
A spike glazed my arm.
Now!
I found one that came at the right angle for me to push my feet against. I bend my knees and ready my sword, then I launch.
She didn't have time to react as I bisected half her body.
The void cracked and faulted.
I did it! I broke out of this nightmare.
"Do you think it would be that easy," The void changed to the same alleyway from the beginning," I'm not finished with you."
"Damn you."
"You shall be an empty husk doing my bidding when I'm done."
I felt invisible hands around my throats as I gasped for air.
"You're a murderer," She lifted me off the ground," That father of yours will never accept who you are. Neither will your sister, Yang."
"D-Don't speak f-for them," I choked out," Y-You k-know nothing-about the-"
I heard a crack and like a puppet with its string cuts, I hit the ground.
"Sorry, That was rude of me to do that," She apologized," Let's try again."
Grass.
I slowly got up feeling the stiffness in my neck. I cautiously scan my surroundings expecting another battle. There was no sign of an ambush or other dangers. My focus shifted to the two-story house that seemed all too familiar.
Home.
I reached out toward it with one hand and quickly retracted.
Blood.
It coated my hands and arms. I look down to see the rest of my body being splattered with it.
Could I even go back after what I'm about to do?
Of course, I can. I'm doing what is necessary to stop a killer who's beyond forgiveness.
"What are you planning this time?" I quipped. Do I have to kill my father? My family? Are they going to yell profanity and pretend like I'm some sort of monster? Abandon me because I made the right decision in killing a bandit?
Maybe she is going to be standing over their corpses and Salem would threaten to make it a reality.
I took a step forward mentally preparing myself for Salem's next deception.
Normal PoV
The creature of Grimm washes over the defenses like a tidal wave. Each wave takes a chuck out of the stubborn defenders.
An all-out attack void of any leadership or tactics.
The Creeps, worms, and centipedes burst out of the ground. They are meant by stiff resistance from above.
While Grimm rushing the defenses are losing hundreds of their kin a minute.
Aerial Grimm found themselves dancing with the AA and flak guns below. While Remnant aircrafts kept bombarding them from afar.
"Keep falling back!" An Atlesian commander orders through all the aerial comms," We shall keep withering them away!"
That's the best they could do until reinforcement arrived. If they arrive on time. None of the aircraft of various kingdoms could provide support like bombing runs for the ground forces besides occasional potshots. Heavy artillery bombards the creature while dedicated Militias and Atlesians defend the artilleries.
It was utter chaos everywhere with already jagged battle lines slowly dissolving in the face of overwhelming odds. There isn't a single area of the defenses untouched by Grimm.
Hundreds of Grimm are mowed down but ten thousand more take their place.
The larger creatures of darkness spearheaded the assault as they buried themself deep into enemy lines. While smaller creatures rush into the gaps.
Darkness is consuming light.
The only consolation is that most of the Grimm are of the younger and weaker varieties. Even then, sheer numbers are all the Grimm needs.
But none of the defenders are giving up.
The creature of Grimm will never take survivors. Defeat would result in countless deaths once it spread out like a virus. They only need to buy time by whatever means necessary.
An Atlas soldier was being ripped to shred. In a final act of defiance, he pulled the pins on a dust grenade.
A Mistral Militia fought with his brothers and sisters on top of a makeshift wall created by earth dust. An explosion goes off to his left but he didn't hear the wheezing of shells or the roar of rockets.
'Another one,' He thought to himself. He knows full well that he would rather shoot himself and his own allies if given the decision between a dust bullet to the skull or being a Grimm chew toy. Unfortunately, He wasn't given the luxury to choose his own demise as a swarm of small Nevermores raised the panic militia into the skies.
A huntress from Vale with a completely depleted aura level is surrounded by the force of darkness. She whipped her chain scythe around without any of the grace or meticulous dance of her fighting style. It became a feral and sloppy fight for survival. A body falls next to her. She glances over to see a body that has been picked and torn by the beaks and talons of Nevermore's. He had already died before hitting the ground. A centipede drags her underground before she has time to scream.
Alexander Niko fought himself surrounded by several beringel. Round saw-shield and magnum-kopis meeting massive fists and the occasional chunk of earth or debris. He blocked and exchanged blows with the gorilla Grimms without breaking a sweat.
"Ha! This is the most fun I have since retirement!" He jeered and decided to end the fight by dismantling all the Grimm one at a time.
He can't succumb to despair despite the situation. It would only feed the Grimm. Alex's wife and daughter are safe in the heavily defended city of Argus. The Grimm Horde is no immediate threat to him, his city, or his family. Even if the Grimm beeline towards Argus after destroying Mistral, It would burn itself out.
But Alexander is a huntsman. He must protect humanity, Faunus Kind included. Despite the geopolitical decay Remnant is going through as well as his people's unfavorable view of inner Mistral, He stands by his duty as the world protector.
Alexander jumped on top of a wrecked Mistral aircraft. He scanned around to find his security details and fellow huntsmen fighting off their own adversaries.
Deep in his subconscious, he knows that he is going to die today. He was running low on dust, and his muscles ached. Alex's aura level is still at around 65% but it will run out. There is nowhere for him to rest and recharge.
He lived a good, adventurous life.
Centipedes pop out of the ground next to him. They were freshly cakes in blood and dirt. It was clear as day that these things have skipped the need to bury some of the dead.
The father of the invincible girl did a quick and silent prayer as a green comet descent from the skies.
Arthur Watts feels as if he has succeeded beyond his expectation. It almost felt too easy as if it was apart of some badly written story. First, there was the laughable security network, the poorly defended armory, easy access to a fake ID, and telegraphing the plan on an open channel.
It felt too easy.
He opens a bottle of wine in celebration as he relaxes in a sparsely decorated office on the passenger ship.
Suddenly the intoxicating feeling of success was slowly replaced by suspicion. Finally, Realization hits him like a charging Goliath. Lil Ms. Malachite isn't a fool. She wouldn't be in a position of power if all she makes is dumb decisions.
Watts raced to his scroll to contact his associates.
Hazel was the first person he called. But dead silence was his only response.
He tried calling Tyrian but was shocked when mid-type, someone else called him. He really wished it was a telemarketer or a scammer instead.
"Arthur Watts," A woman's voice answered back," How has it been? I heard you were a brilliant mind back in Atlas?"
'What?! How?' He mentally screamed. Tyrian was meant to assassinate the Councilwoman in the chaos. Where is he?
"Milly Malachite, I presume?" He answers calmly but can't help but feel unnerved.
"Yes," She responded," Now will you kindly turn back on the coalition comms? Could you unbrick my computers too? I got important work to attend to."
"You're in no position to make demands," Watts argued back," You're messing with forces you don't understand."
"On the contrary, I have your people under arrest," Malachite joy could be felt through the scroll," Watts, You're next."
Suddenly, the alert on the airship goes off. The sensors in the forest are tripped. A moment later the engines are taken out by a single rocket from afar. The lights flickered, the ship shook, and the siren blared in response. Watts loaded his revolver and sighed.
He wasn't going to go down without a fight as he pressed a button beneath the desk.
Within the cargo hold, A small army of black Knights flicked on.
Time is limited.
The forest and skies are slowly cleared of Grimm as more migrants to the frontline. Salem still stood with pure focus as she continued her mental torment.
Originally, The Grimm Queen would have all the time in the world to break and reform her new pawn. Only if her horde can pierce through the defenses. Salem isn't able to control her army directly since it took all her focus to deal with a mind of steel. Especially since most of her higher intellect Grimm has been eliminated by the girl in front of her.
It was a difficult decision. Either lead her creations to victory or set them aside for a valuable chess piece. An extension of her power that could operate openly unlike her other pawns.
At least that was the original plan.
Suddenly, Salem's focus was broken by a sharp pain. She lost half her head but could only feel mildly annoyed as Raven Branwen yanked her daughter away and into the red portal.
Barely a second passed, Salem straightened up with no sign of blood or blemishes on her face.
A ray of sunlight bathed the forest. Moments later more light broke through the skies filled with winged Grimm.
"Salem," A weary but determined man approaches the Grimm Queen. He wore a battle-scarred black and green suit. A handful of Chimera Grimm sulked out of the darkness to protect their creator.
"Ozpin, it's been years," She spoke his name with no emotional detachment," You're too late. I have won."
"Won?" Ozpin tightened his hold on the cane," You failed to break the defenses. Mistral is safe and the last of your swarm is being routed. You underestimated humanity's will to stand their ground. My allies will be here soon to deal with you and your abomination."
"Do you want to be reincarnated right here? Right now? While you watch the life of your pawns drain from their eyes?" Salem threatened," But none of you are worth my time."
In a blink of an eye, an elephant-sized porcupine Grimm burst out of the ground and exploded. Ozpin was forced to take cover behind a log as spikes rained everywhere. The projectiles poked through the log and nearly hit the headmaster. When he finally got up to survey the scene, Salem was gone.
Glynda Goodwitch arrives on the scene with a worried expression.
"Ozpin! Slow down! You're putting yourself in unnecessary danger again!" She emulated her point by snapping the neck of a creeping Beowulf.
"She was here," Ozpin retorted cryptically.
"Who? Raven? The child? Salem?"
"Salem," He responded," Glynda, This battle is far from over. Qrow is still missing and…"
His eyes scanned a patch of ground in front of him.
'A child-sized Grimm mask and blood-soaked ground,' Ozpin pieced the mystery of the crime scene together,' Akame Branwen.'
"Oz?" Goodwitch places a hand on the wizard's shoulder as he observes the mask.
"Akame," Ozpin uttered," She has fallen into Salem's hands."
The news struck the combat professor like a Goliath.
"W-What do we tell Taiyang? I don't think his heart can take it," She explained. It isn't going to be easy for the retired Huntsmen to come to terms with the possible death of all of his teammates and the loss of his missing daughter.
Tai hasn't fully recovered from Summer's death.
He hasn't forgotten about Raven either.
While his relationship with Qrow is strained, they don't outright hate each other.
Now the possibility of Akame falling into the enemy's hands might be too much for him.
"What do we do next?" Glynda asked him as she halted a Nevermore and pierced its heart with a tree.
"We find them," He looked up to see waves of flying Grimm mowed down by the Atlesians Air Force.
There is still one area that lies heavily entrenched by the Grimm.
The town that's caged by a wall of Grimm. The last known location of Qrow Branwen before he went dark.
A/N: There really isn't an excuse for my long delay besides working a retail job on the Holidays. I don't have much to say either beside the next chapter will be the conclusion of this story arc.
Regardless of what I plan to happen and who dies or lives. Akame will become the most powerful huntress and a legend. But despite her experience and trump card carrying over, She isn't unbeatable and still has plenty of weaknesses.
The story could develop in many ways but I finally decided on a single path with Akame and her team being antagonistic/rival toward team RWBY and JNPR but mostly the former. Stuff like how they view the White Fang, Salem, Ozpin, morality, and a few other details.
I wanted to finish off the Arc this chapter but it has gone through so many rewrites. I was originally planning to write another fanfic one-shot to help me get back into tempo, ArknightsxCode Geass one shot with Lelouch being the Dokutah. I abandon the idea after realizing I don't have enough background lore and opportunities to branch out.
Another change is who will be the "Esdeath" to Akame. After some thinking, I realize Salem is the better option because Cinder is strong but she jobbed more than Gilgamesh. Meanwhile, Salem is an unkillable Grimm Queen that also going to be a constant threat.
Anyway, Read, and Review.
