RWBY: The Reincarnated Huntress
A/N: The fight scene is hard to write because I wanted both sides to come off as competent. So I don't like this one as much.
Fix that, More like I didn't like the way it came out. I could have done better.
I expected a fight.
Instead, We found the aftermath. There were three bodies scattered around the forest and he stood in the middle of it. He was dirty and disheveled. Despite his appearance, I can see high-quality clothes underneath the dirt and grime.
I held Shūsen in my hand expecting to fight this strange man. He wore a gray hanfu top with black straight-leg pants. The effeminate man is clearly from Mistral and seems familiar. I think I've seen him before.
I looked at the bodies and the varied weapons. A detail that caught my eye is all of them have silver accents on their clothes. Did this man kill a whole team? Maybe there is one left.
I also concluded that none of the weapons, on casual observation, hold dust or have a modern mecha-shift function. They all look plain and simple.
"Fang?" My Uncle called out, "I didn't know you were in Patch."
I stepped forward but Uncle Qrow lifted his hand in front of me. Unfriendly or Untrustworthy? The tone of Qrow's voice doesn't sound hostile but his action to hold me back said otherwise.
I scan the surroundings to see if anyone else is hiding.
"I have dealt with some of my interlopers," he said coldly," I didn't expect my vacation to be this troublesome."
He lowered his Jiang and it transformed into a sword. He put it back in his scabbard and took a step toward us.
"Who do they work for?" my uncle questioned him.
"Honestly, I'm not sure until I search their bodies. I think they could be Malachites or Atlas," he shook his head," It doesn't make any sense to come after me after I threatened them."
"What do you mean?" My uncle narrowed his eyes.
"I'm the one that leaked the video," he revealed to my shock," And I will burn Remnant down if I release the full, uncut video."
"That will also put my niece in danger!" he hissed.
"She's strong enough to handle it," he looked directly at me. He must have seen through the disguise.
He's the one that showed the footage of my battle against Salem forces.
The sounds of footsteps and twigs snapping came from all around us. It seems like half a dozen more are closing in fast.
"You led them here?!" Qrow screamed," This is my home! You bastard!"
"An unfortunate coincidence," he held two small wooden balls in his hand and dropped them," Good luck fighting them."
The wooden balls hit the ground and the forest became blanketed in smoke.
"Take care of them for me, Qrow and Shinigami," his voice faded away.
I should thank him for showing the truth. At least, the safer version of the truth. Malachite lies aren't going to hold out as well and my side of the story will be revealed. It's best if I try to capture him.
I didn't have time to try doing that as a dozen figures came out of the forest. They were dressed in civilian clothes: nondescript but rugged.
It's a stretch but Vacuo?
Threat level: Unknown but appears to be disciplined.
Possibility of Atlas or Malachite henchmen: increasing.
Potential employer: Still yet unknown.
"This piece of-," Qrow gritted his teeth," I'm kicking your ass when I find you."
Fang didn't respond. Instead, it is the unwelcoming click and snap of various weapons.
We deal with the intruders first. After that, I'll find Fang and force him to talk.
"Keep your sword away and beat them with the scabbard if things go south," Uncle Qrow looked over to me and whispered," Be careful kiddo. These guys look like hired mercs but I think we can handle it. Try not to kill them. I don't want any more bloodshed on your record."
In other words, They aren't useless and can still be a threat. Considering mercenaries range from well-trained Militias, Academy dropouts, and self-taught fighters. An overconfident huntsman who underestimates ordinary people could be blindsided. I should know. I saw the tribe fight off Huntsmens before but took casualties as a result.
The same can be true either way. A lone Huntsman taking down dozens of people and a dozen people can take down an elite. It comes down to tactics and the individual.
"But they have their aura."
"This is precautionary," He explained.
I didn't want to argue with him. Even if it annoys me that he still thinks I could accidentally kill someone even after our conversation. I can be merciful. I just rarely found a need in my old line of work.
I didn't listen.
"Akam-Aka!" He corrected himself," Don't use the sword."
"Trust me," I fumed," Mentor Qrow."
"Okay fine, I'm going to reason wi-" A bullet went in between us, and the chance of de-escalation went out the window.
I looked into their cold expression and knew that something wasn't right with them. Wait, it wasn't their face but they all 'smell' the same.
"Eliminate?" I asked.
"Yes-wait," He quickly corrected himself," Knock out! No killing!"
They attacked nearly at the same time. I concentrated and dissented.
A sword swung downward.
I parry and counter.
The sword slid off my blade and my pommel met his face. The plentiful amount of aura scattered on impact.
He recoiled and I finished him off with a spinning heel kick to the temple.
There was no time to relax. Two opponents came at me from opposite sides while I was still low to the ground after the kick.
I leap over them as they swing and hit the air. I landed and duck underneath a spear and frantically dodge rounds after rounds.
I glanced at the swordsman I heeled kicked as he slowly got up. I look around to see my Uncle holding off seven of them while I have five to deal with. I observed their weapons in a split second of rest.
A man with a straight sword with thin lines alongside its entire length.
A woman with a spear that crackled with electricity.
A man using a crossbow.
A shadowy marksman with an assault rifle in the background.
Finally, A giant man with a silver armband and dual wield chainsaw axes.
Silver is the color the rest of the mercenaries lack.
My mind thought about the three bodies on the ground.
Silver
That color must mean something. And I doubt it as warm/p̸͚̈́̌a̷̲̎r̷̳̹̾a̵̝͎̾̿l̷̮̐y̸̹͆̃z̷̟̰͌͂ḯ̸̲ñ̷̼g̷͖͓̀͝ as Ruby's eyes. I don't feel the same_love/hate/hope/dread.
Black flames to end all.
The light alongside darkness.
Evolving to live.
I blinked and for a second, Salem(?) stood before me.
She lifted her arms and they became axes coming toward my head.
"AKAME!" My uncle yelled.
My senses return to me.
"DIE!" The man swung his axes downward but I had already defeated him.
Aura instantly broke.
Rips scattered with lungs possibly punctuated.
I wanted to do more. Tear his spine, vertebrates by vertebrates. Chop him to pieces with his ax but held back.
What the hell was that?
It felt primal like a Grimm but with sadistic intellect. It makes me want to go berserk. I didn't ponder it for long.
I knocked aside a crossbow bolt and dodged the marksman rounds.
I rushed toward the crossbowman and marksman; Only to be pushed back by the swordsman and spear women.
They look at me with silence, unusually silent. They haven't even shouted orders at each other.
The swordsman rushes and I counter with a parry opening up his body for a powerful strike. I thrust forward only to dodge a stab from a spear.
The spear women sweep the spear left and right, up and down. I dodge all of it with ease but that is a mistake.
She stabbed forward and I thought I could clear it.
Lighting arcs out of the tips and electrocuted me. I screamed in shock. The electricity coursing through my body felt paralyzing yet I fought through the pain. I leap back and ended up evading the frantic slash and stab of the swordsmen.
I need to take one of them down now. They put too much pressure on me to react and I will be overwhelmed. My uncle is handling himself just fine. I need to win this fight to show him I got what it takes. I can't use my semblance because I will go overboard. I glare at the unconscious body of the ax-wielder.
I can't get close to the marksmen or crossbowman with those two nearby.
I came up with a new plan, I'm in a forest with many covers.
I jump back and weave between the trees.
Bullet zoomed past my head. Sword and spear parried and blocked. The marksmen ran out of ammo and began to reload. While the crossbowmen bid his time.
Did they already figure out my intention? Can't it be?
The spear woman leaped back several times and the swordsman attempted to get behind me.
Finally, the string of the crossbow snapped forward. I look over with one eye in anticipation to either dodge or block.
Wait a second? The bolt is way off target. It going in the direction of the spear woman. I focused most of my attention on her but the rustling of leaves warned me of an attack.
I quickly turned around to block a downward strike.
Click! A new mag enters the marksmen's assault rifle.
I shouldn't have done that.
The straight sword now has L-shaped patterns pointed upward along its edges. I panic reading their tactics. I have fallen into a trap. He tried twisting the sword breaker to disarm me but I held on with my strength.
I can't let go of my sword and risk fighting them unarmed.
The bolt can be dodged.
It came toward my face. In response, I swung my head back. The electrified bolt missed my face. It grows in blinding intensity until-Oh crap.
Blinding lights and searing heat assaulted my visage.
I recoiled in shock and so did the swordsman. I nearly let go of Shūsen and acted fast.
I heard a series of smaller clicks. He's racking the slide of his assault rifle.
While I leaned back in agony, I lifted one of my legs and sent a brutal kick to the man's groin. He grunted and loosen his sword. I stumbled back and almost lost my footing.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
My face and eyes still burn from the explosion. I can only hear it and guess where the bullets are heading. I fought through the pain and evaded almost all of them.
I couldn't dodge the last two; I blocked one and the second hit my chest knocking the wind out of me.
The magazine hit the ground, accompanied by the crutching of the leaves underneath.
All this in seconds. My vision is blurred and I only see red. If I used my semblance, I would have won long ago.
I could barely see and I'm getting pissed off.
One of them must go down now.
I can sense his pain. He is still recovering from the explosion and expects his teammates to cover for him.
I can sense his aura. I can smell him. I don't know if it is the Grimm in me, my heightened aura detection, or both.
I pretended to be weak.
I 'accidentally' dropped Shūsen and caught it in a reverse grip. My breathing becomes deep and labored as if I will fall back at any moment. Finally, I turned off and on my aura to make it appear to be flickering. All simple tricks to make me look weaker.
If they know I'm Akame the Shinigami, they wouldn't fall for it. But I am Aka, an 11-year-old girl who is in over her head. That's how they view me.
My target will be located and eliminated. I used my enhanced aura detection to be my eyes.
Starting now.
Identify.
They all have the same aura color.
Isolate.
But their body type and weapons are different.
Locate.
The swordsman is still relatively close and hasn't recovered yet.
Perfect.
As the mercenaries slowly made their way toward me, I activated my trap.
All my aura focused on my legs and arms. The sound barrier broke and so did my opponent's sword. One strike is all it takes.
I smell blood.
Crap, I'm not going to hear the end of this from Uncle Qrow.
The swordsman dropped to the ground holding his stomach.
I can still hear his heartbeat as it quickens. He silently gasped in pain.
I glance at my sword to see the blood is only at the edge meaning I didn't cut too deeply.
Just in case, he gets back up. I turned around and delivered a kick to his head, knocking him out.
As long as he can get medical aid, he should be fine.
I must end it now before he dies on me.
Finally, my vision cleared after a second.
I flipped my sword the right way and got back into the fight.
"Eliminated," I calmly whispered to myself.
Three left and this fight is far from over. The route to the marksman and crossbowman is cleared. The spear women will never make it. The crossbowman is going down next. Now that I got a good look at my next target, he has rows of bolts on a bandolier across his chest and the same aura color. A ball of electricity rushed from behind. I turn to intercept and part of it is absorbed into my blade. The marksman fired off more rounds and I dodged all of them. The crossbowman launches one more bolt and I slice it out of the air.
It's all over for him.
The first strike at the torso pinged off his aura.
The second stab to the love handle caused it to flicker.
The third chop at his left arm broke his aura and the arm.
Fourth is my elbow hitting the back of his head, taking him out of the fight.
Two left.
The marksman switched to his side arm, a revolver. He fired three shots out of six before I kicked it out of his hand.
He switched to his assault rifle in a desperate attempt to survive. I sense the spearwomen closing in on me from behind.
I got close to the marksman. As the bullet left the barrel of his assault rifle and the spear was close to my back, I leaped.
A few bullets hit and pinged off the spearwoman's aura while the marksman got stabbed and shocked by the spear.
I came back down and double-kicked both of them.
The rifle flew out of his hand and I caught it by the barrel. I twist my body around and fling it at the woman. It twirls in the air like an ax and crashes into her face.
I turn my attention back to the gunman and dodge a bullet. He fires and I leap side to side until I'm within arm's reach. I sliced the rifle and finished him off with a knee to the face.
He falls back with blood oozing out his nose.
Final target.
The spearwoman rushed once again and now the fight has become significantly easier.
I dodge, block, and parry.
There was nothing complex about my movement while my opponent fought with everything she had; using every trick and move set she could think of.
The ferocity kept me from ending it quickly.
Finally, She overextended and I locked one of her arms in place and pulled.
*snap*
A pain shriek filled the air as I broke her arm.
I let go and kicked the back of her leg causing her to kneel. Lastly, I hit the back of her hand with the pommel knocking her out.
I looked around to see my Uncle finished off the last of the three intruders. Good, I finished first.
It's finally over.
I exhaled and put my sword back into its scabbard.
The sound of a horn reverberated throughout the forest putting us on edge. Another six intruders, three of which had silver on them, came out of the forest. Suddenly, A handful of the intruders we knocked out got back up in a daze.
"Wait! We're leaving!" An unarmed man with a silver armband shouted," Don't follow us!"
"Huh?" My uncle and I vocalize.
"And your dead buddies?" Uncle Qrow turned his head toward the bodies currently being carried away.
"Will be retrieved," he said," This is a personal matter between us and that bastard of a headmaster."
Fang? That guy is a headmaster?
Now I remember him from the news. The controversial new headmaster of Mistral after Vernal killed the last one. Great work, you fool.
I watch these strangers take away their wounded and dead right before our eyes.
"Really?" He inquired," Well fine, Get off my property. If you have any complaints or want to press charges, forward it to the academy."
"Pretend none of this ever happened and we keep our mouths shut," the unarmed man ran into the forest with his comrade leaving behind a battlefield and a small strain of blood where three bodies once were.
"What…was all that?" I stood dumbfounded," How can they get away with attacking us? Or Fang killing three people!"
"Calm down, Akame. Vacuo is a lawless place only held together by a mutual sense of survival and Fang should have never set foot in it," Uncle Qrow sighed," The problem is they both step onto Vale jurisdiction. He's a wanted man there and untrusted here. Regardless, I'm keeping my damn mouth shut. Keep it between us, Icey."
I need to research this man. It sounds like he is internationally hated much worse than I am.
"But should the intruders also get in trouble?" I asked him.
"He killed three of them, and I'm willing to bet they attacked us because they thought we were on his side," he figured," I would report this in but that would get the authorities snooping around while you are here."
Damn it! He is right. Uncle Qrow can't report this to the authority because it will lead to officers at my home. Telling the academy is also out of the question, too.
"I could lie and say I'm solely responsible for fighting off all twelve of them," he assured," But it will fall apart when those trespassers are located and tell their side of the story. We are lucky they're keeping quiet."
I understood the need to let it go but can't help but be disappointed by it.
"I get it," I fumed," We all shut up about what happened."
Uncle Qrow patted me on the shoulder.
"You did great against them," he smiled," I'll talk some more about your performance. I'm going to follow those guys. I'll be back, Icey."
"I want to help," I offered.
"Nope, You'll only get in the way," He said," I need you to go home and protect Umber."
I opened my mouth and closed it.
"What about Fang?"
"Kick his ass for me if you want to but tell me what he offers you. As much of a bastard as he is," He paused," He would never hurt kids."
The implication, even if harmless, made me sprint home with unfathomed fury. He's at my home! My sanctuary! Haven will lose another headmaster if he harms Vernal!
Even in my rage, I stop at the door and gently open and close it. We just got a new door. I would rather not cause unnecessary damages if I'm going to commit murder.
"What if you want to save the world, but the world doesn't want to be saved? It's a question I ponder the longer I fight. Welcome, Shinigami and for passing the combat assessment," I can hear his voice from the kitchen. I put my hand on my sword, ready to quickly draw it," You should be thinking about this question, too."
"What do you want?" I felt my blood boil as I entered the kitchen while he held my journal in his hand.
He looked at me without a hint of fear or hesitation.
"I want to help you become a Huntress," he leaned forward.
"Explain," I didn't sense any hostile intent but I chose to stand with my hand still on Shūsen.
"I'll be blunt, Shinigami," he put the journal down," You are a part of what happened to my kingdom. If I listed what you did, I would echo what everyone already said."
"Get to the point," I complained," Or I will drag you out of my home."
"Bear with me, I'm getting to the point," He defended," I'll help you if you help me. Mistral has fallen to a powerful enemy. Akame, I no longer view you as my enemy. You saved Mistral and now we have a common enemy."
"You and Ms. Malachite aren't getting along?" I asked him," I heard you are nothing more than a serial killer?"
"I do whatever it takes to save my kingdom," he raised his voice," The law is too weak and reactionary to go after those who harm the weak. It sometimes feels like the victim is punished instead of the perpetrator. I see it in your eyes and how you kill those Grimm. I found someone as dedicated as I am to the pursuit of freedom for the masses."
I thought about his words and my past life. I have committed evil acts for a good outcome and I did it without restraint. The people looked at me like a criminal after my duty was finished. I can see it happening to him, too.
"I'm not going to be your apprentice if that's what you're asking for," I said.
"I'm not planning to; too much baggage," he shook his head and I became offended. What does he mean by 'too much baggage?'
"You are already a huntress combat-wise," he analyzed," That is why I'm going to work with your desire to study in Vacuo and give you a mission."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Scouting mission," He divulged," I already told the other headmasters while I was leaving Vacuo but they assumed it was a revenge attack against me. Sorry for dragging my problems here but I have no choice. Back on track, I know there is more to it. These people wearing silver and the Mirage, investigate them. I wrote my contact information in your journal."
"What's the reward if I go through with it?" I requested," If this turns out to be much bigger, I want more."
"If these people are a bunch of nightclub thugs, I'll pay you 10,000 Lien for the information, our continue business, and a referral from me," He disclosed," If it is much more, We will negotiate a new deal but at the minimum, a 100,000 lien and I'll talk to as many huntsmen as I can for referrals. Deal?"
"One million Lien if this goes south," I counter offer," Immunity for any crime I could commit, a waiver on the health examination, and protection from the other headmasters and government."
"A million lien?" He stiffened," That's too excessive. I'll pay 600,000 which is the pay rate of a Huntsman on a suicide mission."
"990,000"
"Do I look like I'm made of money? 850,000."
"Yes, 970,000," I crossed my arms.
"Fine! You are an expensive girl but you better be worth every money. I'll only pay 10,000 if the threat isn't worth it," he reproached," 960,000 Lien, Final offer."
"965,000 Lien," I demanded," My final offer."
"Sure," He grunted.
"I can work with that," I could barely keep my smile down.
If He was poor or even of average income, I would have done it for far less. But I can recognize a noble from the way he speaks and acts. Even during his inauguration as Headmaster, He wore a robe worth a small village.
"I'll allow it but keep this hidden from your uncle."
"Why should I?"
"Because I have one more offer, a golden egg," he slowly revealed," The location of Marcus Black and his son, Mercury Black. I'll give it to you when your mission is successful."
I unsheathed my sword and pointed it at his face.
"Bullshit!" I gripped Shūsen tightly.
"I did my research and have connections to these sorts of people. I know you and Uncle Qrow love her dearly but I'm telling you only because I hope that one day," he smiled," You will kill that man. He's too dangerous to be left alive. If your Uncle asks about my offer, tell him I tried recruiting you to my academy and threatened to reveal your hideout. But you are smart enough to see through my bluff. For now, Get stronger and I'll send my regards when the day comes."
"You have a deal."
"Thank you, I hope that someday we can work together to take down the syndicate of Mistral."
I set my sword aside and stared at him. He walked past me and left the house. He sprinted into the forest and disappeared soon after.
I stood alone, thinking about the future and the mystery ahead.
"Akame! My everything hurt," Umber yelled from upstairs followed by a loud yawn.
"You wanted to train like me!" I replied," I didn't hold back."
I smiled knowing she was alright. I must keep going to make a better world for everyone. I must get stronger, better, and smarter.
A/N: Well, I just forced myself to read the After the Fall and Before the Dawn books. The main reason why I wanted to involve the books is that Akame isn't going in unnoticed with how famous/infamous she is. If I'm going to Vacuo, I need a good reference for it.
I'm in the middle of reading the first book. I must finish them before the next 3-4 updates. It is the next major story arc that is less action-oriented, at first. And more investigatory.