Chapter 4: Parabellum

A/N: Nothing bad ever happens. Eevvverrrr.-Chibi Nora.

The other chapter doesn't exist.

Well...I do have multiple scripts and ideas for what would happen if Akame didn't kill the Huntsmen. Basically, Mistral would be completely unchanged by RWBY canon if it wasn't for the spark Akame causes. Akame would still be disliked because of her last name but not a wanted killer.

There are old ideas and story points like both Martha and Flaxen dying together or Akame befriending Neo. And another idea where Martha survived and fled to Vacuo.

But the current story path is far more riskier for me to write. Which I didn't intend but write what you know will make a better story.

In the history books of Remnant, The Great War is a war fought between Kingdoms. But the definition of war isn't just a war between city-states.

A war between villages and tribes is still a common occurrence.

The war against the forces of Grimm is humanity and Faunus' kind eternal war.

As well as the war for equality through peaceful and violent means.

War isn't just between city-states.

In the 4th year of a joint mission to rid the Kingdom of Mistral of it's darker underbelly resulted in the might of Atlas descending onto Mistral with the approval of the Mistral Council but not its people. In another timeline, The War against Crime never happens because the Branwen Tribe didn't aspire beyond being minor nuisances. While the Criminal Underworld didn't have to worry about their own livelihood. But life is never fair to anyone.

Malachite Castle

Courtyard

Akame PoV

I reflect on the past four years.

After I learn about the truth of the world, I realize I'm cursed to always be at war. Sometimes, When I sleep, I dream about a future that has yet to happen and another timeline that wasn't mine.

In all of them, Whether I wander the lands collecting Teigu or fighting alongside the Elder in Wakoku, I am locked in a constant battle.

When I lost control, I didn't even feel like I was in charge of my own body. My semblance hasn't appeared since that day.

I supervise the fight between Vernal and Melanie.

Vernal spear easily kept Melanie and her bladed heels out of reach. If she got close, Vernal would use another part of the spear.

Vernal demonstrated it when Melanie was able to swipe the spearhead aside and came at the maiden with a flying knee. The spring maiden swung the back end of the spear into Melanie's stomach.

The girl in white found a spear pose at her neck.

Meanwhile, I look over Militia and Umber matches. It was a fury of punch and slash unlike the more thoroughly thought out movement of Vernal.

Umber was the definition of unrelenting fury. She wasn't overpowering Militia through power but maneuvers. Militia claw wasn't being used effectively while Umber sliced at her with crescent shape knives.

It finally came to an end when Militia overextends her claw arm. Umber grabbed it and twisted it behind her back.

"Give! Give!" She surrendered with a single tear in her eyes.

"Good work," I congratulated them," Great work learning how to use every part of a spear Vernal. But your lack of initiative can be used against you."

"Thank you, teacher."

"Umber, You won but I notice how you drag out the match," I picked apart the flaw," In a real battle, You could have multiple opponents and that constant movement will make you tired."

"Less wasted energy," She gave the ok hand sign," Got it."

"Militia, If an enemy comes at you like Umber did, Let them tire themself out," I lectured," I saw the frustration in your eyes and because of it, you overextended. Do not lose control of your temper again."

"Sure," She nonchalantly answers.

Melanie, You have successfully gotten inside Vernal defense. But you have sacrificed your stance and been easily knocked over," I analyze," If your enemy isn't off-balance, it isn't worth the risk."

"Thank you," She acknowledges.

I check the scroll to make sure Vernal and the twin's aura level are still in decent shape. I then check Umber for any wounds.

Ever since I took over training for the four of them, Raven has been handling her own business.

Which is great because the less often I see her the better. My bounty isn't getting any smaller. It is actually increasing alongside hers.

My mom needs to die. I could easily kill her and anyone within her vicinity if my semblance activates. I just remember being on autopilot with my desire to kill that man. If my semblance works on wanting to kill someone, Why hasn't it activated against Raven?

I reviewed the videos from that day. The camera couldn't keep track of me until the killing blow. I watched countless interviews recalling how people felt a sense of dread.

"Lady Akame," A butler walked in front of me and bowed," Your mother came with a message. She requests you and your followers."

"Tell her we will be there when we are done with homework," I relay.

" Of course my lady," He left to send the message.

"Let's go, girls," I lifted my hand," We have school work to take care of."

"Akame," Vernal whispered to me.

"What is it?" I quietly answer back.

"I'm not sure I can go through with it."

"You don't have to," I assured," Your role is to change the weather. It is as impersonal as it gets Vernal."

We were in the twin's room and doing assigned work from the tutor.

"Umm Akame," Militia corrected me," The reason why the battle of Mantle was lost was like, due to intense blizzards."

"Thank you," I rewrote the answer.

"So I should erase the answer that said it was Vernal's fault?" Umber jokes," Vernal, Why don't you do cool stuff?"

"Do you want Huntsmen or Grimm?" Vernal answers," Because that is how you attract both."

"Easy, We use the Huntsmen and the Grimm to destroy each other while we escape!"

"Hold on, You're like, not bringing both to our home!" Melanie pointed accusingly.

"It is a sacrifice I am willing to make," Umber stood up proudly before the twins threw their pillows at her.

I smile at the behavior. Besides the content of the conversation, it's nice that the girls get along with one another.

The most trusted members of Malachite Syndicate and the Branwen Tribe know about the truth of the world. They all agree that the secret war is beyond them.

Deep down, I have to agree. If this war has been going on since the dawn of humanity, what difference could I make?

Another part of me thinks my purpose for reincarnation is to help put an end to this war.

"Next question, What are the inventions that derived from the Great War?" I read out loud," Try giving a different answer. My answer is the early use of Hard Light Dust."

"Literally easy!" Melanie snapped her fingers," Mechanical limbs!"

"I'm not sure," Umber voiced," Weapon transformation?"

"Un-freakin-believable…" Militia mumbled," Aura enhancing drugs?"

"Radar my final answer," Vernal shrugged.

"Good, Now next question…"

I read on until we finished all the subjects.

It was the afternoon when my mother opened a portal behind us.

"Vernal, Umber, and Akame," She stood at the edge of the portal," It's time to leave."

"See you gal's later!" Melanie and Militia waved.

We were near the edge of a cliff with a steep drop into the forest below.

"Normally, I would have a simple execution or hunt an Alpha Grim. But for your skillset," She looked at me.

"Your untapped power," She looked at Vernal.

"And loyalty," She looked at Umber.

She is going to send us on a suicide mission.

"I want all three of you to infiltrate an Atlesian Airship and steal any valuable documents," She drew her sword and pointed at the airship in the distance. Its large size is visible in the multicolor backdrop of the setting sun," It doesn't matter what kind of documents. I only want to see if you three can pull it off."

"There aren't any strings attached?" I ask skeptically. It sounds straightforward.

"No, The worst that can happen is the three of you being arrested. An Atlesian soldier won't fire on unarmed kids," She explained.

"Unarmed?" Umber voiced with confusion.

"Yes, unarmed."

I took in the information and was grateful I didn't have to kill anyone.

Fine, I'll go ahead with the mission.

"But how are we going to get inside Ms. Branwen?" Vernal half-heartedly raises her hand.

"Figure it out yourself," She transforms into her bird form and disappears into the forest below.

"Great...So do we take a long way down?" Umber shivered as she looked over the edge.

I studied our options and came up with a plan.

"Vernal," I wrapped my arm around her neck," Fly us down."

"I will," She nodded," Umber are you coming along?"

"Hell no!" She objected," I'll climb down!"

"I order you to come over here and ride Vernal."

"Whatever."

"The plan is simple, I want you two to frantically wave at the airship while running towards it. The crew onboard will notice and come down to r. Once they do that, they will ask questions," I explained as clearly as possible.

"Do we have to make sure our story aligns?" Umber asked.

"Yes, But keep it simple," I listed," I want you to act scared and weak."

"So just like when Vernal killed that bird?"

"Exactly like that."

"Akame…" She lifted a finger.

"We were hunting for food. You'll get used to it," I exclaimed,"But you killed it instantly so I'll credit you for that."

"I think we killed a dodo bird," She raised with concern.

"A dodo bird?" I try recalling the name of said bird. I can vaguely remember something in a book about them but it didn't sound important to me.

"So that's what it was?" Umber clapped her hands together," We just killed an extinct chicken."

Still doesn't ring a bell.

"We might have killed the last of its kind! Do you know how awful that is."

"It wasn't as awful as the meat,"The dodo tasted bitter but the egg was far tastier.

"AKAME!" She raised her voice at me.

"They're extinct for a reason Vernal," Umber lightly tapped Vernal's head with her knuckle," It's basic Biology, the weak dies and the strong survive."

"The birds were hunted by humans," She argued back," I do pay attention to the biology sessions."

"Maybe those dumb birds shouldn't have laid one egg at a time, be flightless, or-"

"ENOUGH!" I roared,"We are getting off track."

"Sorry Akame," They apologized at the same time.

This is our first official mission together as a team and I have to stop their bickering. I don't expect them to be a well-oiled team comparable to the Elite 7 or Night Raid but they will get there eventually.

It took us an entire hour to get our story straight. I watched the girls get picked up by the dropship and head directly up to the massive ship in the sky. The success of the mission hinged on the two keeping a consistent story and waiting for the right time to strike. Once they get what they're looking for, Vernal will fly down with Umber.

I climbed up a tall tree and found a place with a vantage point and protection from any Grimm below.

"Alright boys of team SKYS!" A male voice broke through the quiet afternoon," Those Atlesian have contracted us to search for the survivors."

"What if we can't find them?" Another male questioned.

"As your leader, I elect myself to be the bearer of bad news," the male who slowly came into view below me volunteered.

I stay as stiff as a plank. Hopefully, one of them doesn't have night vision and looks up.

"We will break into pairs so we will cover more ground," the leader commanded.

I waited for those four to leave. This isn't going to be an issue as long as I stay up here. The tree canopy and the diminishing light will mask me. I could barely even see who they were with how high I was.

I wish that was the case.

Blood red eyes stared at me and I stared back. The creature seems like a grimmified monkey the size of an adult chimp. It's a Beringel infant with very few bone plates.

It charged and I snapped its neck. It died with a loud squeal. I held onto the corpse so it doesn't drop onto the forest floor mentally cursing myself for failing to kill it smoothly.

I can't believe my first Grimm killed came after I killed another person. Nonetheless, I can't change the past. I can only hope to not make it worse for myself.

"Did anyone hear that?" One of the huntsmen heard the commotion above.

"Grimm man," Another huntsman spoke as he turned on a flashlight and aimed it at the treeline. The ray of light barely misses me.

I relaxed once again.

Hooting and hollering once again erupted around the forest. As the last bit of Grimm dissolved in my arms, I twisted my head around to see the rustling of leaves and the breaking of branches.

I don't endorse profanity but I can't help but utter," Fuck" beneath my breath.

A/N: Mistral is going to play a larger role in my story. Since I find the entire Kingdom being wasted potential. If I could describe it best, Mistral is the equivalent of the Roman or the Mongol Empire at its fall with a bit of Mexico in terms of organized Crime problems.

So yes. Things will get bad.

2020 Bad.

Final note, Looking back at the previous real Chapter, I realize how close to relevant to current event that one person causing another person death could open a floodgate. I will write in more details of the ripple effect.