Chapter 29: Crown Fall

A/N: Volume 9 is really good. I'm glad I got the behavior of the Gods correct because Akame getting destroyed by the God of Light over and over is the same as what the Jabberwalker goes through. If Akame meets the Jabberwalker, They'll have an immediate understanding of one another as creations of the God of Darkness fulfilling similar roles in their respective worlds. Another fun story bit since it's not going to happen, Neopolitan would never make a clone of Akame because of how much she fears her. Neo's imagination and semblance would have the clone fight alongside Ruby. If Raven Branwen can make her run away without a second thought, Imagine the effect Akame would have.

Leaf picked up Vernal, Carmine, and me in our private car. Vernal sat in the front seat while Carmine and I were in my back planning the next step.

Carmine Esclados, her full name, did a rough sketch of the layout of the bunker on a notebook. She even gave us the number of hostiles.

31 tribe members vs. 51 Crowns

They have the number advantage and we need to take down 20 of them to even it out.

She mentioned the number of batteries isn't accounted for but is estimated around a dozen in a secret room. She didn't care to keep track nor was it her job to. They need to be rescued.

This is going to be troublesome. There are three entrances to watch for.

North, East, and West.

The southern entrance collapsed years ago.

I look outside to see the convoy racing across the desert in a wide formation. The vehicles range from cars to RVs, trunks, and a few motorcycles. The larger vehicles have makeshift turrets used to fight off Grimm. They're either LMGs or grenade launchers.

"I'll reiterate how I feel about the Crown," I looked at Carmine," They are all idiots for being this apprehensive over dust and technology."

I was amazed by the technology of this world and its potential. I can communicate with anyone from afar. I can talk to my sisters when the heat dies down. There is information that can be easily researched before a mission. I sound like an Atlesian with how much I praise it. But an advantage is an advantage as long as it doesn't become a clutch.

I saw firsthand how a technological gap can make a battle lopsided. I remember when I was five and Atlas bombarded the tribe from the sky and swept through the survivors with ease. It was a massacre. The Crown is a liability to themselves for their beliefs.

It doesn't matter how strong my aura is or how powerful of a fighter I am. I have fallen to Atlas' overwhelming firepower before. I couldn't handle them alone no matter how strong I got. The Crown are fools for thinking they're able to take on the other kingdoms with what might as well be sticks and stones.

My sword is Atlesian tech with mistranese craftsmanship. Shūsen's vibrating blade could slice through the thick bone armor of a Grimm with ease. There is a straight line from the top of a cliff to the bottom near my home when I decided to do a stress test. Shūsen is a high-quality sword that I love to use.

My sword would be mistaken for a Teigu in my old life.

Teigu?

What's a Teigu? That's another word I have no context for or will ever find in this world.

"Jax and Gil are traditionalists," Carmine commented.

"Pfft, A bunch of narrow-minded false Monarchs," Vernal shook her head.

"False? They are the real deal," Carmine countered," How are you going to prove it?"

"Those are brandings made with a hot iron. A birthmark isn't going to feel any different from the skin around it," I explained," I have an ally with a truth-seeking semblance or I can interrogate them."

"They have a father back in the city," Leaf said while avoiding a cactus.

"How did you know?"Carmine exclaimed.

"It took me a while to connect the dots but he came to the recruitment center last month and started being a nuisance," he shrugged," He caused a lot of trouble and I filed a police report against him. I did a bit more research and found out he has two kids who have gone missing."

"Yep, That's old man Finn," she deadpanned," Did he start cussing all of you out?"

"Yep."

"Good for nothing bandits?"

"A classic."

"Calling you devils?"

"That's a compliment."

"Raven Branwen got busy with a Grimm and made Akame"

That isn't surprising to me.

"WHAT?!" Leaf screamed angrily.

"Oh! My bad. That was Jax ranting but it sounds like Finn, too," She laughed.

"Was it a Nevermore?" Vernal smirked.

I leaned forward and punched her arm.

"I'm breaking his goddamn legs!"

"Elder abuse," I deadpanned.

"I meant Jax."

"No, You can beat up the old dude, too."

"VERNAL EASTER!" I yelled.

"Eh heh."

"Does he know what his kids are up to?" I asked Carmine while keeping my eye on Vernal.

"No, He still thinks his kids are gone," She answered," Are you planning a family reunion?"

She looked at me with a soft expression and winked. Carmine refers to my assassination mission for her.

'Even if you are going to kill one of them?'

I nodded to both questions.

"Your prior relation to the twins isn't going to be an issue?" I started with my hidden question,' Are you truly loyal?'

"As long as you pay me," she winked," I'll prefer to be on the winning side."

I need to speak with her about the assassination. I will talk to Jax first and assess how much of a threat he is.

The drive lasted for another five minutes and the convoy stopped far from the east entrance. They turned off their lights and slowly spread out. The dunes covered our approach until we could see a CCT relay on the horizon. The red light on the antenna acts as our landmark.

We are getting close.

"I'll handle the setup of our forces before the battle but I need you to watch how it's done," He got on the radio and contacted the other vehicles.

We looked outside and could barely make out the silhouette of the others. The sky is pure darkness with thunderstorms in the distance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, This will be our first major battle for the progress of our tribe and for those that called Vacuo home," he said over the comms," I know I've been keeping this Op a secret but our enemy call themselves, the Crown and they've been kidnapping the civilians of Vacuo and brainwashing them for their nefarious purpose. I want every one of them captured alive."

He paused.

"Many of the Crown are stripped of their free will and fighting for a so-called King and Queen. These false monarchs speak of freedom yet use their semblance to enforce their will. Doesn't sound like a cause worth fighting for does it? The Branwen tribe fights with and welcomes death, herself. We do it all of our own free will and bring our might against the people that wronged us. If any of you want to leave, Leave now. If any of you have sympathy for our enemy, run away."

No one responded over the comms.

"Good. The Branwen Tribe will show them that we are the bane of an Empire and the kingdoms. Tonight, We will show them why we keep fighting even when the Branwen blood is bled to its last member."

I stared at him. He turned off the comms.

"This is called a pre-battle speech. I have to do it and you two need to learn," he pointed at both of us.

"Go ahead but don't overdo it while I am here," I closed my eyes," Speeches aren't my thing."

"Are you okay my new queen?" Carmine smirked.

"What did I tell you about calling me that?" I covered my face.

Carmine snickered.

Leaf resumed his speech.

"Remember, This is a capture, not kill or seriously maim, Operation. More importantly, No celebrating until after we won. I only want to hear an affirmative. We still need to be quiet and efficient. We shall crush these false monarchs' ambitions tonight," he said calmly," Can I get an affirmative now?"

Several dozen yes came over the radio.

"Let's set up the ambush."

The walkthrough and setup was the most interesting experience. He told me all the tactics and nuances of his planning. There are fire teams and purposeful spacing between groups of them. As well as sniper positions further away.

The four of us moved from one position to the other on foot to ensure everything was going according to plan.

He talked about positioning, flanking, and ensuring all tools and weapons are in order. It's general knowledge instead of a deep dive. I asked him about his background in private. Leaf is a dishonorable discharged Atlesian sergeant. I need to keep that a secret. No one in Vacuo would follow orders from an Atlesian.

We eventually walked back to our vehicle which is far from the other tribe members.

"What I'm creating is an overlapping field of fire. We don't have the numbers to fight them on their home turf and we wouldn't be able to make use of heavy weaponry if we entered," he explained," The dunes and the night are going to keep them from knowing our real numbers."

"There is also a huge aura and training disparity between your forces. In close-quarter combat, The Crown will annihilate the tribe," Carmine added," They have huntsmen, militias, and mercenaries within the rank with extra aura and a bunch of them got powerful semblances. And most of your soldiers are average."

"And some of our best fighters are watching the Mirage," Vernal said," We should call for more help."

"And tip off Theodore?" Leaf reasoned.

"Well, retreating would mean retaliation from either the Academy viewing it as an attack on its civilians or the Crown burning down the compound and having a good reason for it," Carmine explained," Unless you feel like exposing our dirty little secret to the Academy. But it's questionable if Theodore would let you keep the Mirage and Bunker. Everything you are doing now is liable to get the tribe kicked out of Vacuo."

I can't do that either. I need to defeat the Crown, stop its conspiracy, and gain its assets. I have no reason to trust Theodore and more to gain from expanding the tribe. I'm still on the run after all. I already have my cover story whenever Hui Fang contacts me again, too.

'I wasn't able to find anything suspicious about the Crown. The Branwen tribe absorbed them into their army,' I thought about the lie and if he would buy it.

"Crap, There's still a chance it can go badly," I sighed," And Gillian?"

"She's a top academy student," Carmine answered," Gil's aura level is the highest I've ever seen even back at the Academy. Imagine what she's like now? She is a walking lighthouse with the aura she drained."

I looked at the darkened hill. That's where the bunker is. I focus my aura tracking and notice the entire area being lit up. There is so much aura underneath all that sand and rocks.

This is bad unless…I needed to come up with a solution.

"We will go through with the original plan with slight alteration," I ordered," Carmine, Vernal, and I will infiltrate the bunker and rescue the hostages. That hasn't changed. Carmine will notify the Crown of the attack on the Mirage but tell them it's a crime syndicate nor will she tell them about the ambush at the entrance. She will lead the hostages to safety when they leave to engage us. Once the ambush commences, Vernal will block the east tunnel with earth dust so they don't retreat. Carmine will close down the west tunnels after she rescues the hostages."

"Should we also close down the northern tunnels?" Carmine asked.

"I thought about it but in case I needed to escape. I can't use dust properly and explosions are too risky in an enclosed space," I explained.

"And closing down all the exits could result in either the Crown and their Queen surrendering immediately or fighting to the death," he added," Keeping one exit open ensures Akame's safety and a way for us to hunt the escapees later."

You can corner an animal if you plan to kill it quickly. But once the animal realizes it is trapped, Don't be shocked when it fights back.

"And what is my role after?" Vernal scratched her head.

"You have the highest dust manipulation among us," I revealed," I need you to cause some havoc from behind."

This is true. She can get the most worth out of a dust crystal but it's another way of telling her to use her maiden powers. Vernal can fight an entire army without them knowing she's there.

Leaf tosses her a bag filled with three dust crystals; earth, fire, and wind. He handed extra earth crystals to Carmine.

"Make sure you get out safely and be careful of friendly fire," He went back to the car and gave her a respirator mask," I don't want the future leader of the tribe to die of smoke inhalation or a stray bullet."

The respiratory mask looked custom-made. It only covered the mouth and nose but exposed the eyes. I don't get why she doesn't have a full mask due to her maiden powers. Vernal should be hiding her eyes. The design is sleek and is primarily white. The mask has green leaves and blackthorns designed on it.

"I'll be okay," she nodded and showed the mask to me" You like my mask? It's a gift from Flaxen And her Fangs in Mantle."

Flaxen.

I miss her.

"What about me? Where is my 'good luck, Carmine?' Or 'Please be careful, You are a valued member of this team?'" She mimicked.

"You're a grown adult. You don't need one," Leaf said coldly.

"Hmph!" Carmine pouted," Cute mask, Vernal."

"Thank you."

"One more important detail, Grimm," Carmine added.

"What about them?" Vernal questions.

"The Grimm will come to help us and target those with a higher aura level," She explained," It is likely Queenie is going to stay inside for that exact reason unless the battle gets desperate."

"That's perfect but we still need to ensure none of them dies," I pointed out.

"Why are you so adamant about making sure no one dies?" Carmine questioned me," People die all the time out in the desert."

"Public Relations and the fact that most of them are enslaved," I said," As far as I'm concerned, the tribe has stopped a trafficking ring if this leaks. Which carries less weight than treason. I'm allowing your former comrades to join the tribe instead of incarceration."

"And I thought you live up to the name of Shinigami," She scoffed.

"People are worth more alive and unlike your group, I don't desire chaos and violence," I countered," Now end this talk. We need to finish this operation tonight."

The original mission is to spy on the Mirage and report my findings to Fang. What he does after is unknown to me. But Vernal derailed the whole operation.

I would have never associated with the tribe If it wasn't for Vernal. She gave me an option I could use. Otherwise, I would have gone through the mission as intended or called Uncle Qrow for backup. My uncle would help me and get the academy involved. I didn't want to risk any more exposure to potential enemies on their turf. The tribe happens to be the faction I trust to follow my orders even if it's by proxy.

The Academy hasn't given me a reason to trust them.

Now that I think about it. Vernal has been involved in a lot of coincidences as of late.

Why did she go to Vale?

How is she able to locate Militia and escape?

What about Patch?

Is she lying about not knowing I live there?

And the most unbelievable thing of all? She found me at a random rest stop.

Is that relic guiding her?

I should be ripping that damn thing out of her soul instead of pretending everything is fine. That thing is a creation of the God of Light. I shouldn't even be near her. The logical side of me would push her away.

I don't want to abandon her as I did Kur-Kuro-Umber.

Forget it. I need to clear my mind for this mission. Betrayal is a pain I don't want to go through. But they will be dealt with accordingly if my worse fears come through.

"Carmine and Vernal," I called out," It's time."

The layout of the tunnel gives us very little room to hide. Even Vernal semblance isn't helping her here. Luckily, it's dark and Carmine is using her scroll light to guide us so we could hide in the shadows behind her. Yet, We haven't seen a single person. I'm guessing they're all asleep and not expecting an attack.

I don't know why it became an excuse for Vernal and Carmine to have a conversation.

"You are lucky the Crown didn't find you first," Carmine commented," You would be our perfect little infiltrator."

"How could you catch someone who can't be perceived," Vernal countered," You didn't even know I existed until I turned off my semblance."

"Touché," She acknowledged," Now my Queen is up ahead so keep quiet. I'm going to wake up Gil."

"The commanders and soldiers are scattered throughout the mines?" I asked. I wish I could contact Fang for a map of the area. But that would mean telling him about the full scale of the Mirage crimes.

I can't go room to room knocking people out either. This place is huge and I need to do it silently and nonlethally. It's better to hit hard, swiftly, and close together when the sound of battle is happening outside.

"I'm guessing it's time," She winked," Good luck you two."

"You got the easy job and this would be a perfect time for you to rat us out," Vernal pointed out.

"Ha! You are right," she chuckled," But I have a feeling Akame will take us all down if she goes all out."

It is true but we can't kill anyone.

This means I shouldn't use my semblance and Vernal powers are kept to a minimum. I know my limits. I could handle a few teams of Academy students or several licensed Huntsmen at my current skill set. But even that varies. For example, Uncle Qrow defeated me more than I beat him. But the ratio of defeat to win dwindles the more I spar with him.

At the same time, It proves how much of an elite huntsman my Uncle is. That is why Qrow is Ozpin's, right-hand man. He can be sent on the toughest missions and come out unscathed. I'm not at his level, yet.

"Good luck," I stepped back into the darkness.

"Talk to you later," Vernal nearly tripped," Wait a second…You know she's Akame?"

"Yes, Now scram."

I should update my disguise. It works fine in Patch but is useless here.

Normal PoV

Gillian was having a wonderful dream. She dreamt about sitting on a throne overlooking the burning city of Atlas. Jax stood next to her with a proud smile on his face. She and her brother have done it. The world of Remnant is now under their control.

She looked over to her brother and saw…oh Gods.

Jax didn't register his death but wondered why he couldn't feel a thing and why he could see his shoes at ground level. He closed his eyes and never opened them again.

Gillian reached for her bow but stopped in fear.

A humanoid demon stood where her brother was. She couldn't see past those red eyes. It is as if she is staring into an endless abyss.

The world turns blood red.

"Wake up!" Carmine's voice shook the entire dreamscape.

She rose from her bed. It's a small mattress, pillow, and a few sheets. The sleeping arrangement is unbefitting of royalty but the budget has been going toward the army first and foremost.

Although Jax's room has the fancier setup while hers is barebone by comparison.

"What?" Gillian yawned," You better have a good reason, Cammy."

"The Mirage has fallen!" Carmine panicked," And Jax has been captured."

The 'Queen of Vacuo' eyes widened and she jumped out of bed. She didn't question it but knew in her heart her brother was in danger.

"Wake everyone and have them report to the throne room," She ordered.

"In your PJ?" Carmine asked.

She looked down embarrassed.

"GO GET THEM!" She yelled.

Five minutes have passed.

The Queen sat on her throne anxiously awaiting the last soldier to filter in. She changed out of her pajama and into her multilayered long dress. The room was lit by torches along the walls.

The majority of her army is wearing silver armor and are battle ready.

"You are all too slow," She narrowed her eyes at her subjects," I'm going to make this quick, The Mirage is under attack."

The sound of whispers and gasps filled the room.

"Silent," She spoke up and eyed everyone present. Gillian overlooked a teenage girl wearing green and black near the front row. The girl stared with contempt at the false queen.

In the back row, A girl with red eyes counted and analyzed every single Crown in the room. She counted 50 Crowns and all of them have extra aura. She relayed the information to Leaf.

Gillian breathed in to calm the anxiety within her. It isn't the fear of being in front of her subjects but the safety of her brother. If anything happens to him, their ambition is as good as dead.

"An unknown force has taken control of the Mirage and you will aid them immediately," She commanded," Jax is our number one priority and everyone inside is secondary. Do everything you can to save him."

"Do we know who they are?" One of the soldiers asked.

"Carmine reported its gangsters dressed in purple," Gil nodded to her trusted friend beside her.

"I counted around 20 of them," She explained," And they are good. I think they may be Atlesian soldiers in disguise from how rigid they move."

Akame covered her face with one hand.

She is beyond disappointed in the cover story.

Unknown assailant? And somehow she gives details on what they look like?

'Which one is it?!'

Why purple? Are they Ms. Malachite spiders?

And they're Atlesians? The one group of people who would never set foot in Vacuo?

Akame fumed internally.

Gillian bites her lips. She trusted Carmine's words. Carmine is one of her most trustworthy subjects.

"Then we can call on the locals and law enforcement if we need to," She realized," I want everyone to keep a face covering to prevent yourselves from being recognized. We will handle it ourselves first and foremost. Remember my subjects, JAX IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. If there are 20 Atlesians we need to deal with, I'll send double the numbers. Rosa and Carmine shall be the general of this operation. I want you to take 35 soldiers and three lieutenants with you. The rest will stay here to defend the bunker."

"I am honored, your majesty," Rosa Schwein kneeled.

"Sure and I'll watch the rear to make sure none of the soldiers are acting up," Carmine said. She wasn't going to be at the forefront of an ambush.

"Now, Go forth and reclaim our lost territory!"

The whole room erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, Akame sends the whole recording to her forces outside. She can't believe such an inconsistent lie works. Akame feels as if she's surrounded by idiots.

'At least Wicker is reliable thus far,' She lamented.

It's now 28 against 39.

Leaf Wicker silently moves between defensive positions. He will entrap the soon-to-be advancing army.

Carmine is going to retreat into the tunnels when flashbangs go off.

He needs to trust that Carmine and Akame can deal with the others inside the Bunker.

"Launch the flashbangs and flares when they're 10 meters outside of the entrance," He radioed to everyone," And avoid shooting someone wearing green, She is one of ours."

"I'm impressed you can get all these Vacuan to act like soldiers, sergeant," A member of Alpha team spoke quietly. She wore a thin olive covering and scarf to hide her face.

"These aren't soldiers. They're hunters, civilians, and criminals that know when to shut up if the prey is approaching a trap," he explained," Discipline is going to break down once first contact hits, Harper. I don't expect us to win unless Vernal can keep them off balance."

"Shame," Olive Harper shrugged," You know, I outrank you, Sergeant Wicker. What's the big deal with that Vernal girl? I could never find her in the database."

"You don't outrank me here, Harper. I can't reveal tribal secrets to you," Wicker frowned," I'm hoping you could get your contact to speak with the tribe. They have secured an alliance with a certain famous thief and Mantle needs all the help it can get to avoid annihilation in the crossfire."

"That destructive brat?" She narrowed her eyes. The report on the mysterious temporary leader of the tribe is top secret.

Harper tried recalling who it could be but her mind refused to recognize the girl. She was sure it was a girl.

Harper only knows she is a high-risk target that requires heavy bombardment or a specialized team to defeat. She's a cognitive hazard that can 'use dust to its peak efficiency'. That's what the official/off-the-table military report said.

"It's someone more professional and level-headed," he explained cryptically," I can't reveal who it is but they have my loyalty."

"I'll see if he's interested but I need to lay low once this is over. Vacuo isn't a place for Atlesian to vacation," She said," I'm committing treason even speaking to you. I'm going to leave the battlefield before I get caught up. The Mirage was pushing my luck."

"We must have fate, Captain," he saluted," You are free to leave."

"Before I go, Are you following the Grimm child? Akame?" Harper questioned," And why did you betray Atlas?"

Wicker smiled.

"Akame? That's a tribal secret," Wicker stated.

"Why did you turn on your kingdom?"

"I grew up in the Tundras of Solitas. I know what it means to survive and work hard. I understood needing to help each other to get through another cold night. The people of Atlas disgust me. They spit on my service to the kingdom and believe they're worthy of looking down on the commoners. I don't hate the military; they reform brats and send them on the right track. I hate the people of Atlas," He answered without hesitation," You understand the suffering of others instead of being arrogant and affluent. This entire war is a mistake, Harper. We aren't heroes the propaganda makes us out to be."

"And joining criminals is the better alternative?" Harper hissed.

"It was never my first option but after Raven Branwen's death, they changed," he cleared his throat," Before Flaxen left for Mantle, She took control of the tribe and focused on the betterment of the territory they claimed. These are my kind of people. They work hard for what they earn."

"I'm calling bullshit," Harper accused," Why do they keep attacking even after the ceasefire?"

"And are the other kingdoms any different?" He continued," There are constant border skirmishes near and in civilian villages. A few attacks against military targets behind enemy lines is far more tactically sound."

"The tribe uses civilian populations as shields and rallies them when causality occurs," She said with barely controlled anger," I want to hear your excuse on why putting a weapon depot next to a playground is tactically sound."

Wicker tightly clenched his jaw because he can't make an excuse for it. The tribe has to fight asymmetrically against an overwhelming enemy. The tribe has always been viewed as bandits or guerrilla fighters depending on who you're asking.

Wicker wanted to mention the naive students who keep entering their territory. It's always those with a hero mentality. They think the tribe treats the locals like slaves. They wanted the 'people' to rebel against their oppressors.

Wicker doesn't feel sorry for fools that view the conflict as good and evil. The people of South Anima want their independence back.

They are the last to be conquered and the first to be forgotten.

"The rioting nearly destroyed Mantle," She fumed.

"An Atlesian civilian was being tortured in the middle of bloody nowhere," he accused," How can you justify that?"

"It's unjustified and carried out by an extremist. She doesn't reflect Atlas nor our value."

"What about people like Jacque Schnee? They don't represent Atlas either? Ask a local Vacuan on how Atlesian values feel or better yet, How's the Atlesian values work for Mantle."

"Wicker! I can't support acts of violence against our people. This is as far as I'm willing to help you, my old friend. I will work to make Atlas better but I will do it from within," she turned around and walked toward her motorcycle," I'll still keep you in contact but I hope you understand this path will make you my enemy."

She turned the bike on and headed back to Vacuo.

'She doesn't want to see it my way,' Wicker shook his head. He watches the motorcycle disappear over a dune,' She's going to be a General one day.'

Everything happens in synchronization.

"Flash!"

The flashbangs are thrown into the column of crowns. Carmine sprinted back into the tunnels before a single flash could go off.

"Hey, Vernal!" She dived into the tunnels while the Spring Maiden waved at her.

Carmine rolled over her shoulder and took out her Sai's. She looked around and saw Akame waiting for her.

Vernal closed the entrance and turned toward the stunned Crowns. She smiled as the next phase of the ambush began as flares illuminated the battlefield.

She can end it on her own. Vernal has taken on larger armies before but the recruits need the experience. She needs to hold back so her people or the Crown won't be suspicious of strange weather patterns that are beyond what dust can accomplish. The spring maiden closed her eyes, bent down, and touched the sand.

She'll disrupt their movements by creating quicksand and having lightning coincidentally hit a few of them as an opening act.

Akame PoV

The sounds of gunfire and screams can be heard from behind the solid rock wall. The plan changed yet again but not enough to derail the whole operation.

I made a mistake already. I didn't factor in Carmine being ordered to rejoin the fight against us. All the planning and I skipped over that one crucial possibility. At least Carmine was able to resolve the problem.

"Go rescue the hostages," I ordered," And I'll deal with the royal guards and Gillian."

She nodded and beckoned me to follow.

All nine of her royal guards should still be in the throne room.

"How good are the royal guards?" I asked her.

"The best of our best with extra aura," she explained," I'm not going to be much help against them."

"It's fine," I realized my mistake," I wasn't expecting her to keep her best soldiers here."

"They're Royal Guards for a reason, Akame."

Royal Guards? I think I fought those in my old world. I can handle them if I can lower the number before the battle.

"Is there anyone I should look out for?" I asked.

"Beware of the girl that uses daggers."

I sense two individuals with large aura reserves coming our way.

"Two hostiles are coming," I told Carmine.

"Good luck fighting them," She playfully waved and ran faster around a corner.

"As expected," I shook my head and slowed down. She disappeared into the darkness.

I need to figure out where I should hide.

"What's going on out there?! Carmine?!" One of them screamed. I looked around to see where I could hide and found nothing.

"We're being ambushed and one of them is behind me," she explained," Hold her off while I warn the others!"

Carmine!

She is either trying to sabotage this entire operation or purposely pissing me off.

I don't have any options left. I need to fight my way past them. I sprinted into the darkness and saw torches being held by two armored Crowns.

One has daggers holsters all over her body and the other a halberd.

Daggers?

I'm fighting the one Carmine warned me about first.

A split-second decision made it clear who needed to be defeated first. The woman with the daggers needs to go down. They heard my approach and both dropped the torches but it was too late.

I leaped forward and spin-kicked her head into the tunnel walls. I hit her with enough force that the walls cracked and she bounced back up. I attacked again by grabbing her mouth and slamming her back into the walls. The woman's aura still hasn't broken but she was too dazed to get up in time.

The torches hit the ground.

Halberd finally responded and swung overhead to strike me down but it never made it. It got stuck on the ceiling. I unsheathed Shūsen and unleashed a barrage of slashes against his body.

A dozen slashes in a span of a second at his exposed torso. He pulled his halberd back, gritting his teeth in pain.

Dagger tried getting up but I kicked her back down. Halberd roared and came at me with a wide swing. I rushed forward and slid underneath his legs while pointing my sword upward to hit his groin.

He toppled over in pain even with his dense aura. I chopped downward, knocking him to the ground.

Dagger threw daggers at my head. I leaned back to avoid them. I backtracked and sidestepped when she pushed forward. She moves her daggers with such aggression and fluidity that I can't find an opening to counterattack.

A dagger sliced across my cheek and another nicked my finger. My aura protects me from the damage but it will accumulate if I don't fight back.

This woman is strong. If I can barely handle her, I doubt I can fight the others.

I found it. I parry both daggers at the same time, opening her defenses, and slice across her torso. Then I bring my sword back, push her back with my shoulder, and stab forward at the same time. I knocked her several meters away.

Suddenly, Dagger's aura started to flare.

What the hell?

Two arms suddenly become six.

I counted four arms, two on top and two below, as fake due to the transparent red color they emit. They each carry a red dagger.

The fake arms and red daggers are her semblances. I predict she's a powerful combatant in close quarters. I need to adapt against her.

Dagger's fake arms are outstretched like vipers waiting to strike while her real arms are in an X-shape with daggers in a reverse grip. I stood my ground. Halberd stood behind daggers with his weapon pointed at me.

They're strong.

I could barely get close to Dagger in a straightforward fight. I doubt I could win against four extra arms. Halberd is by far the easiest especially with the environment working against him.

I needed to put them down now.

Time slowed.

The flicker of the torches illuminates our battlefield.

I planted one foot against the wall and pushed against it. I launched off and repeated the process.

Momentum and speed.

I bounced around the tunnel like a pinball and crept forward while keeping my momentum.

I came closer to my prey.

My movement generated wind strong enough to blow out the torches on the ground.

Great, The tunnel is bathed in pitch darkness. Halberd and Daggers stood back to back and started swinging and stabbing the air in desperation. I can't naturally see in the dark but their aura illuminates their presence for me. I can sense them perfectly.

"What the hell is she?!" Daggers screamed.

"It's just a child!" Halberd yelled back," Control yourself."

I got a few hits in but I needed a way to drop their aura quickly. I can't use these high-intensity maneuvers forever.

My uncle tried teaching me a technique; It's called an aura slash. We didn't finish the training before needing to run away. But the basics behind it are focusing my aura on my blade and flicking it off. I haven't done it before but I need to do it now. Especially against Daggers.

I stopped moving and gathered aura at only the edge. I swing diagonally and a thin, red line extends out of my sword and toward my targets.

Halberd backhanded it away.

"That tickles," he chuckled.

I need to try again. That was weaker and slower than what my uncle demonstrated. I lift my sword and recall how my uncle does it.

I shouldn't cut all the way through nor bring it to a gradual stop. According to Qrow, A powerful slash is a control and power.

First, I gather my aura at the edge. Then, I swing my sword with all my strength. Finally, I'll stop my swing abruptly.

A larger, crescent-shaped projectile launched out of my sword. Halberd's face dropped as he jumped out of the way. Daggers weren't as lucky and ended up taking a direct hit. I broke all four of her constructed arms and knocked her down.

It requires extreme conditioning and control over my aura and muscles to pull off. It is exhausting doing just one correctly. It requires my whole body to make the last step work by defying physics. I can't imagine throwing consecutive slashes like I'm firing a gun.

The attack is dodgeable and best used if an opponent is pinned down.

I rested and let Halberd pick up Daggers.

I can't spam that move or I'll end up drained of aura and did take a sizable chunk from Dagger reserves but they wouldn't fall for it again. I resume my hit-and-run attacks until another opportunity presents itself.

It took half a minute for an opening to present itself.

I slide toward them. I hook Halberd's legs with my own. I twisted my body and he fell face first while I slashed at the back of Dagger's knee. She fell too.

I gathered my aura into my arm and slammed my fist into the back of his head. I scattered his aura on impact.

if I used the same attack on anyone else, it would've scattered bones and brain matter on the walls. But it was enough to put one of them down for good without killing him.

He lay motionless on the ground yet breathing while Daggers got up. She stumbled before regaining her footing. I waited for my aura to recover since that hit took a lot out of me.

I need to make another change of plan. I should try being diplomatic and ask her to surrender. I wasted too much time and aura trying to beat one of them. I still have eight more to go including their Queen.

Daggers is one of the strongest opponents I fought in a long while. I would win in the end by my estimation. I'm doubting my chances with the rest of the royal guards and their Queen if I keep fighting her. I would be too weakened to carry on without support. I could only follow Gillian and her guards if they decide to escape.

I got it. I'm going to take a gamble and fight them until my reinforcements arrive.

"I can see you," I told her," You're surrounded and all entrances are closed off. This coup d'etat is over. If you surrender now, We will treat you with respect."

She can't see me but I can see her perfectly.

She got into a stance.

"Who are you?" She gritted her teeth.

"That isn't important," I told her," I don't want to waste any lives. We aren't the government or the Academy. You won't have any glory if you die here and now. People die all the time in the desert."

I echoed Carmine's words.

My aura recovered enough for me to focus on it. She took a step back with fear in her eyes when she saw my red silhouette in the darkness.

"Carmine betrayed us," She realized," And I won't do the same. I can still fight."

She activated her four arms again.

"She's smart enough to know when she's outmatched. But at least you put up a good fight. I find it more admirable. But you and the Crown are only slowing down the inevitability," I uttered those words that weren't my own. It felt like Salem was oozing out those sentences," I want you to think who is capable of coming after the Crown?"

Daggers dropped her weapons and deactivate the arms.

"It can't be? The Branwen Tribe are after us?" She stuttered.

"Human trafficking is a crime we will never excuse," I said," What are you going to do now? Tell the Academy you plan to overthrow them. Continue fighting without a way to control your slave army? You can't win the heart of the people once words get out about the trafficking ring. They will demand blood."

I unfocus my aura and slowly paced around her.

"Vacuo…my home," she cried and got on her knees," What you're telling me is, it's all over."

"For the Crown but not for you. We aren't here to destroy your kingdom like the others. We just can't stand slavery," I said subtly," I don't want to cause unnecessary death and hardship."

"Damn it!" She punched the ground," I'm dead either way? Then it doesn't matter if I keep fighting does it?"

Good, I'm getting to her.

"I lied about all entrances being covered. The tribe hasn't reached the northern entrance yet," I explained," You can escape and leave all this behind. The tribe won't pursue you and you will have your freedom."

"Escape?"

"Six minutes is all you have before you are truly trapped," I threatened," Choose before it's too late. And don't bother with the west entrance. That's the prisoner's escape route. You will be torn to pieces when the tribe uncovers what you did. You need to hurry and make a decision."

She sighed, picked up her daggers, and put them away.

"I'll choose freedom," She said and walked over to her unconscious comrade and tossed him over her shoulder.

"Good choice," I smiled and took off.

I ran down the tunnels and toward the source of the plentiful aura.

That felt different. It didn't feel like I was speaking but mimicking others.

I could have taken them down faster if they didn't have a dense aura. I'll end up exhausted. Vernal and Yang would call them damaged sponges. The fight isn't the hard part, it's wearing them down and unlike video games, I don't have unlimited stamina and I can't retry if I make a mistake.

I can't believe I picked up gaming terms from those two blondes.

I'm hoping the tribe has better luck against the Crown army.

I texted Vernal and Wicker to tell them what I'm planning. Luckily, the CCT relay is nearby and the signal is strong even underground.

Akame: Sitrep

Wicker: The weather is working in our favor and half of the Crown is subdued. Vernal is wiping out the back line.

Akame: Nonlethally?

Vernal: I can restrain :(

Akame: Great work you two. But the aura density is proving too much for me to take down alone. I'll stall them in the throne room. Vernal and Alpha team will back me up. Wicker, I need you to stay back and oversee the Crown.

Vernal: They're bullet sponges! I'm not sure we can take them down on time.

Wicker: We will speed up our victory and come aid you. Hang in there for another five minutes.

Vernal: Ad victoriam and حظ سعيد.

Wicker: ?

Akame: What did you say, Ver?

Vernal: For victory from my mother language and Good luck from my dad. Source: A blue friend of mine.

Akame: Tell your blue friend to stop living rent-free in your head. End chat.

That blue thing needs an eviction notice. I understand there's plenty of room in Vernal head but that thing needs to leave. I don't even know how to handle this situation without making it worse. Vernal becoming my enemy is a worst-case scenario unless I…no.

I will not kill her. She's a walking catastrophe that is easily swayed by other people's ideals. I have no choice but to be gentle with her.

Luckily, Wicker wouldn't know what we are talking about.

I stayed close to the entrance of the throne room. I stood in the darkness and observed two men in silver armor standing guard. I'm going blind just being near them. I eavesdropped on their conversation for a few minutes but there wasn't anything interesting revealed.

It was just mostly small talk besides wondering why Carmine was heading west. At least she's doing her job. I need to wait for the rest of the tribe to catch up.

"What's taking Cali and Grayson so long?"

Those must be Dagger and Halberd. They're behind me and will catch up soon. This means I will lose my element of surprise and risk having all of them escape. I need to fight them now and to my fullest.

Dagger, Cali, wouldn't join knowing what I told her. She wants to save herself and her comrade. Cali will be questioned and forced to fight if she walks past them. I'm going to honor my word and let her escape. If the Royal Guards become too much for me, I'll fall back and hunt them down later.

I started coming up with a plan.

My Uncle analyzed my innate potential. My aura reserve is higher than most people and so is my ability to manipulate it. It's an offshoot of my nonexistent Dust Application and my regeneration rate, outside of my semblance, isn't out of the ordinary.

I considered the risk of revealing my location once my aura flared. Those two guards will see me in the shadows. Which means I need to hit hard and fast.

The world slows to a crawl.

Seconds become milliseconds.

I concentrate my aura on my arms, sword, and legs.

I took one step forward and they were already in front of me.

My entire body screams in protest at the sudden pressure and strain.

A brief hint of fear in one of their eyes is replaced by pain.

The first guard's dense aura absorbed my flying kick but his breastplate crumpled like paper. That kick must have broken a few ribs on the left side. I estimate a normal person's upper half would be disconnected or I would go right through them.

The first guard collided with the second guard. They slam into the walls with enough force to cause a small earthquake. I turn to the stunned audience in front of me. I stepped forward and threw an aura slash at their Queen. She dived out of the way as her throne got sliced in half.

That is going to be the only time I'm using aura slash from now on. I need to switch up my fighting style and tactics against a larger group. There is a style Dad taught me. I need to be on the defensive and expel as little energy as possible.

I sheath my sword and gauge each Crown in the room. Two of them helped their Queen up while the other three raised their weapons to attack me.

I stood in place, unfazed.

"STOP!" The fake queen yelled and dust herself off. Her royal guards halted their advance.

"She attacked you, my queen," A Crown said as she pointed her sword at me.

The two guards behind me got up and blocked my escape. I'm now fully surrounded.

Seven against one.

"She's strong and her reserve is impressive," Gillian approached the vertical crevice I made," That was a powerful slash that takes several years to pull off and a sizable aura reserve to expel. Who are you?"

Several years? I figured it out on my second try.

"A messenger," I lied. The next phase of this plan is to stall them as much as I can. I need to distract them while Cali slips away and for my forces to arrive.

I'm going to keep my word with her. She can be useful if she wants to work for me.

"And what message do you bring?" Gillian kept her act up.

"For the Crown to surrender itself to the Branwen tribe," I revealed. The entire room tensed up at my offer.

"You-You're the one that attacked us?" Gillian stuttered with rage," Carmine…no."

The implication slowly sinks in.

"We need to call our army back," One of them choked out.

"You already lost," I crossed my arms," Why do you think Cali and Grayson aren't back? The Mirage has fallen, your hostages are liberated, your army annihilated, and all escape routes are sealed."

"You're lying," Gillian denied," My subjects would never fall to foreign dogs. I-I can't allow this."

I shook my head at the accusation.

"I'm sent by the leader of the tribe to give you an ultimatum, join us or all of you go to jail for your crimes," I offered. The fight club is a profitable business and the Bunker can make a great stronghold. It would be a waste of good assets to report their actions to the authorities.

"I AM THE RIGHTFUL QUEEN OF VACUO," She raged," I won't stand beneath a bunch of unwashed bandits."

Unwashed? I keep up with my hygiene, unlike the others in the tribe.

"Your aspiration is over. And that scar on your wrist isn't a birthmark, Gillian Asturias," I stared at her shocked expression," Your birthmark is a branding. If you don't believe me, Go ahead and confront your father after it. You aren't a Queen and none of you are worthy of ruling Vacuo."

Shock, fear, disbelief, and anger.

I can sense it all.

But there is one person who has the most rage.

"I'm telling all of you to drop your weapons. There is no reason to fight," I look directly at a man tightly clutching his metal fist.

"DIE!" The man yelled.

"SHADE! DON'T!" Gillian screamed at a man rushing toward me. I uncrossed my arms and ducked underneath his swing.

Another came at me with a rapier and I rolled to the left. I jumped back to put some distance between the guards.

All hell broke loose when the royal guards charged at once.

That's unfortunate.

I wanted to end this peacefully.

But conflicts tend to happen…

I unsheathed Shūsen and slash all seven of them as we ran toward each other. I came out on the other side unscathed. There wasn't a wasted movement. If they didn't have aura each strike would be lethal. I turned toward them.

The seven of them look at me in shock. The damage to their dense aura is minuscule but hitting them in the first place is the main focus.

Who would expect a twelve-year-old girl to move that fast and precisely?

"Are you having second thoughts?" I asked them.

"That was a small tap little girl," The iron fist sneered," We got aura to spare. You need to try harder."

"And delusional adults are fighting a child," I sighed and looked at their Queen," Gillian, Can you tell them to stop?"

I looked back at the guards. We stared down at each other, waiting for her answer.

"You come into my domain making demands. You're beneath me, bandit. I can't stand these slanders and I won't lose to your kind. I will execute plan B. We shall fight our way out," She ordered," I can sense potential and a massive aura reserve in this one. Break her and make it quick."

The battle resumed.

I took note of the weapons.

Iron Fists.

Hook Swords.

Rapier.

Dual glaive.

Warhammer.

Spear/Crossbow.

Clawed gloves.

It hurts to look at all of them. It felt like I was staring into a room full of lightbulbs and they were all concentrated on me.

I have a feeling Gillian is going to slip away in the chaos. I can see the cracks in her queenly persona. I wonder how loyal her guards will remain if she leaves them.

I remember the lesson Wicker has taught me.

That inflicting insurmountable casualties isn't always going to win a war. The ability to break an enemy's morale is even more valuable. It's a lesson Atlas has learned the hard way.

Two minutes have passed and I've taken down one of them.

The dual glaive already took a bone-scattering flying kick from me. A few dozen solid hits took down his aura and I knocked him out with his weapon.

Six more to go.

This battle is one of the most difficult I faced. I have six different weapons and fighters that need to be dealt with differently.

Iron fist is lethal if he gets inside my defenses.

Hook swords can disarm me if we lock blades.

Rapier keeps me at a distance with thrust.

Warhammer requires me to dodge completely.

Spear/Crossbow is taking potshots and keeping her distance.

Claw glove is attempting to grapple me.

These people are used to working together. They took me seriously after I defeated dual glaive. I can still pull off a victory but that isn't guaranteed at this rate.

Rapier and hook swords came at me from my left and right at the same time.

I made a risky decision to grab the rapier with my hand and parry the swords with Shūsen.

Execute.

I pump aura into my left hand and flip Shūsen into a reverse grip.

The hook swords strike downward while the rapier comes toward my face. My hand misdirects and moves along the edge of the rapier until it reaches the hilt. Meanwhile, I block the swords with Shūsen.

"GAH!" I screamed. They took a chunk out of my aura with their attack. As predicted, Hook's sword will try to disarm me and Rapier will try to dislodge and stab me.

I heard a bolt being notched behind me.

Crap.

I held onto the rapier, interlock the hook swords, and sweep both of them off their feet while twisting my body around. I toss them over my shoulder.

The bolt flew and hit Rapier instead.

My minor victory is short-lived as clawed hands and metal fists rush at me like wild animals.

They backed off when Warhammer slammed me into a wall with his massive shoulder. I felt my aura decrease. I concentrated on regaining it for every precious second I'm not fighting.

I came to my senses quickly and rolled away from a powerful strike that shook the throne room. Suddenly, I sense a powerful aura signature running past the entrance.

Cali and Greyson aren't a threat anymore. They have escaped. I fought with extra tenacity to keep their focus on me.

She made the right choice.

I slash across Rapier torsos. I jumped back, stabbed behind me, and crashed into Warhammer.

I leap off and landed on the broken throne. The seat was ruined so I sat down on the armrest. They all paused upon seeing my behavior. The guards looked annoyed and aghast. It is comical and a ploy to buy myself more time to recover my aura.

"Get off my chair!" Gillian yelled.

"Why don't you put cushions on this slab of rock?" I criticized," Doesn't it feel cold and stiff?"

"Budget cuts, I can't afford-," She looked at her guards," No! You don't need to know this. GET HER!"

The battle continues.

It has been five minutes of intense, nonstop fighting.

Meanwhile, the sounds of lightning and thunder rage outside. I can hear it from inside the Bunker. What's going on outside?

I control my breathing and ignore my aching muscles. Shūsen felt heavy in my grip. Somehow, Vernal and Leaf still aren't here yet.

I caught a bolt and threw it back.

I snapped claw hands fingers.

Warhammer got slashed across his arms and stabbed in his chest.

Rapier's dominant shoulder got dislocated.

I snapped Hook Sword's right arm.

Metal fists could barely stand.

I have one-third of my aura left but I also took down most of theirs. The Royal Guards' endurances are being pushed to their limit.

I returned the damage tenfold for every hit they landed on me.

It was no longer about pressuring me to keep fighting. I'm the one forcing them to defend themselves.

Rapier is about to collapse from exhaustion.

As predicted, Gillian has escaped unnoticed. I know exactly where she went; That stockpile of aura is a homing beacon for me. It must be Salem Grimm's blood reacting to it or my innate detection.

I want to tear it to shreds.

Should I tell them the fake Queen abandoned them? I'll let them figure it out themselves.

"What the hell are you?" Warhammer gritted his teeth and leaned against the wall.

"A messenger," I resumed my assault.

Another five minutes had passed and I couldn't detect her presence anymore. It doesn't mean she escaped. I know she's heading north. I could ride Vernal and easily locate her. That's assuming she didn't attract every single Grimm on the continent and is eaten already. Now that I think about it, Cali is also in danger.

I wonder if I'll meet her again.

None of the guards are as strong as Daggers, aka Cali. I got lucky with my aura slash otherwise I would still be fighting her. I'm going to personally recruit that woman if she wants to work with the tribe.

I looked around the throne room.

I defeated three of them.

There are only three left.

Hook swords.

Spear/Crossbow.

Warhammer.

I heard their names but didn't bother to care.

They're all still alive but in extreme pain. This feeling is cathartic. I didn't know I was going to win against them, either. Their aura half-blinded me throughout the fight. But it also pushes me to keep going until there is nothing left.

I want-NEED to destroy the light.

"We are the elites that will save Vacuo," Hook swords trembled," We must rebuild our hom-home."

"I'm sorry my Queen," Spear turned to the empty throne," My Queen?"

"It took you this long to realize she left?" I shook my head," You aren't good royal Guards but you all gave me a challenge."

"You look like her?" Spear pointed at me," No, you must be-"

"Thank you so much! I'm Akame's biggest fan," I pretended," I worked hard to get this look. You are all stepping stones for her to notice me."

"OH, WHAT THE FUCK! You're one of those!" Warhammer shouted.

"I'm one of what? Someone of quality taste," I tapped my foot. If my sisters or friends see me like this, they'll tease me mercilessly.

I'm starting to get worried. It has been thirty minutes since the battle started. I spent half of that time fighting the Royal Guards.

Did the tide turn and I'm left to face the Crown alone?

I banished those thoughts. I must have fate in those under my command. They will come to my aid but it seems like I don't need them. I overestimated the Royal Guards except for one. They are strong but not enough to defeat me as long as I pace myself.

Besides, The sounds of lightning must be Vernal doing.

I learned they can't recover their aura because they're beyond capacity. It was only a matter of chirping away at their defenses and overwhelming them in a decisive attack. I only use my aura when I have to. I'm recovering my reserve whenever there is a short break.

Dad taught me this technique if I end up in a long drawn-out fight.

Huh? What a relief.

Vernal is closing in fast.

"Akame is a fraud. She's an overhype propaganda tool for bandits," Warhammer argued.

"And you are the one to talk," I insulted," My Empress fought the world's largest horde of Grimm without fear and YOUR Queen left you to fight a child, while the fake Queen made her escape. Empress Akame is legit, unlike your Queen."

I mentally vomit. I need to keep this conversation going and end it before Vernal gets here. I don't want her to think I'm a narcissist.

"Shut up!" Hook swords screeched," It's all part of her masterful plan! Tell your Empress to go kill herself."

Damn it, Did I just call myself an Empress? This better not come back to haunt me.

Why am I lying to myself? It always comes back to haunt me. I'm going overboard with endorsing myself.

"I think you are lying about the army," Spear chuckled dryly," Our Queen asked us to break you. I'm going to enjoy tearing your limps off and offering you to her like a broken toy. You will beg for mercy when I get my hands on you."

Warhammer looked at Spear.

"Sick bitch."

I got a second person that needs to die. I can't risk having a psychopath in the tribe. It is an even worse liability than Jax. However, Hook's fanaticism could be an issue, too.

I raised my sword beckoning them for another fight. Vernal is right behind me.

"Sorry for being late, Aka-chan."

Vernal?

It's about time.

I sense a dozen aura signatures coming from the east.

"Oh wow," Vernal whispered as she stepped out of the darkness," You did all of this?"

"Great! Another child soldier," Warhammer sighed.

"Hey! I'll have you know I'm the future Qu-," I rushed to put my hand over her mouth and dragged her away. The rest of the tribe is seconds away.

"Get back here and fight us!" Hook yelled.

I let go of Vernal mouth but continued dragging her out of the room. I made a left turn while holding her tightly. We fade into the darkness and further from the throne room. The royal guards didn't bother to pursue us. Whether it was out of exhaustion or the oddity of my action. It wouldn't make a difference since my forces are near.

"The hell is wrong with you?" I whispered angrily.

"Asserting my dominance," she responded.

I looked back and saw dozens of Tribe members and Crowns? What is the Crown doing here?

They cautiously approach the entrance and ignore us. Wicker was at the forefront of the group while most of the Alpha team and Crowns were directly behind him.

"Oh right," Vernal smiled," The majority of the Crowns switched sides once we knocked some sense into them. It's the upper ranks that are in custody."

"FOR OUR HOME! FOR THE BRANWEN! DEATH IS WITH US!" The tribe members shouted their battle cry and charged in.

I feel sorry for those three. They aren't going to last long in their state.

"No deaths right?"

The battle in the Throne Room sounded fierce.

"Only broken bones. Sorry for being late. There were a lot of Grimm we needed to take care of," She smiled and I turned her around," Aka? What are you-hmph!"

I jumped on her back and pointed forward.

"We have an escapee," I told her.

"I'm not a taxi," She flustered.

"The fake Queen is heading north."

I can feel her back tense. She looked back at me with joy.

"Let's go!" She levitated and sped down the tunnel.

The northern entrance leads to an oasis. The starry night sky hangs above us as we ascend. The storm cleared out and we could see the blackened landscape below.

"She couldn't have gotten far," I looked straight ahead. I found her. The rainbow-colored ball of light, 4 kilometers down, must be her. Gillian can't hide in the darkness with that much aura.

"Why is there a light bulb in the distance?" Vernal noticed.

"That's our target," I pointed out.

She flies toward Gillian at high speed. It was barely half a minute before we came close enough to see her fighting all sorts of Grimm. Gillian displays impressive combat prowess with just a bow and arrow.

She notched three arrows at once and took down three ravagers. She somersault over a camel-Grimm, the Dromedon, and unloaded six arrows in rapid succession. Gillian fired a single arrow with so much power it shot through the King Taiju and several creeps at the same time. Gillian even retrieves her arrows while in the heat of battle.

The Grimm have her surrounded but she takes them down expertly. I estimated her combat prowess. She is as strong as several of her Royal Guards.

"Land near her," I ordered.

"But the Grimm?"

I'm not afraid of them.

"The Grimm is focusing on her only," I explained," I can't feel my aura or yours. It's blinding. I want to tear it out. "

Vernal visibility stuttered.

"Never talk like that again!" She slowly descends and lands on a dune overlooking the battle.

"It must be the Grimm in me but it's true," I put my hand on her shoulder after hopping off," Our time is limited, We need to fight her and the Grimm."

Vernal checked her weapon while I yawned. I should be in bed right now. I haven't stayed up this late in a long time.

Gillian fired her bow into the sky and downed a dozen flying Grimm and punched an Alpha head clean off. She loaded a single arrow and exploded a Minotaur Grimm thrice her size. She kept fighting with enough intensity to rival a small army.

I have made a mistake. She is worth the entire Royal Guards. The new plan, We'll let the Grimm wear her down.

"We should wait until she kills all the Grimm before we go in," I told her," We can better determine how strong she is."

"But didn't you say our time is limited?" She asked," Why not have her focus on Grimm and us?"

"Gillian isn't as strong as me but will outlast us," I analyze," I'm in a hurry but will not take unnecessary risk."

"But you fought all her amps up royal guards without waiting for backup. You could win," She looked around fearfully as dozens of glowing red eyes ran past us," Grimm…"

"The Royal Guards are a risk I have to take and that could have ended badly for me. Do you have any snacks? We could have a picnic while we wait," I joked. She ignored me and focused on the Grimm around us," Fear is going to attract them."

I made a risky move fighting the Royal Guards but a necessary one. Cali must escape. Cali rejoining the fight would have been the extra push to defeat me. I was lucky Gilllian was too self-absorbed in her queenly persona and cowardice to help her own people.

The creature of Grimm would never dare to attack me. I can't explain it beyond a feeling of mutual understanding. I sat down and told Vernal to sit next to me. She prefers to stand guard.

This is going to take a while.

What was my record?

I killed 20,000 Alpha Grimm in a few hours. Granted, It is only possible because of my semblance making me undetectable to most Grimm and ignoring my physical and mental limits. I could only reach a faction of those numbers without it.

Gillian Asturias didn't come close but surpasses most people if they're placed in the same situation. I counted the Grimm she killed while I was watching her for the last 30 minutes. She killed over a hundred Grimm and dozens of Alphas. A team of Huntsmen would've been overwhelmed, yet she killed all of them.

It came with a cost. She lost half her original aura and most of her arrows were destroyed. Gillian panted heavily and collapsed to her knees. She is at her limit. The dress she wore is a dirty and torn mess. She wouldn't be able to hold off another wave.

"I need you to box her in," I stood up and dust myself off.

Vernal eyes glow green. She raised her arms and a wall of blue fire formed around Gillian to her shock. The circular arena is 15 meters long from each end.

Gillian must think she's being judged in the afterlife or the divine wrath of nature. That isn't the case but I'm willing to be her judge and Vernal, the wrath.

I'll attempt to be diplomatic again.

Vernal and I recovered our strength. Gillian still has a massive aura reserve but isn't physically capable.

Victory is certain if we attack together.

I leaped over the flames in a single bound and landed on the other end of the arena. Gillian is in the middle while I was closer to the edge. She turned toward me aiming her bow with shaky arms.

"How are you doing all this?" She fearfully backed away. I'm half her height yet I towered over Gillian. The blue flames, my red cloak, and my lilac eyes contrast heavily with each other.

I stood ready to intercept her arrow.

"Your brother is eastward," I tilt my head to the right," But I don't see the point in running away or saving him."

"I'm the rightful Queen of Vacuo," She echoed," It can't end here. It isn't fair."

"You are the only Crown left," I told her," I understand this is too much for you to take in. Gillian, You aren't going to survive out here. I'll give you an option, Either you come back peacefully or I'll drag you to the Bunker."

"It's all over? The Crown has failed before we even begin," She nearly fainted but collapsed into a sitting position.

"Surrender if you want to see your brother again," I threatened.

There isn't a need to fight, but if she continues, I'll put her down.

She lowered her bow and placed it to her side. I talked Gillian into surrendering. I should try being reasonable more often. It saves me a lot of trouble.

I slowly walked toward her.

Vernal lowers a section of the firewall and steps inside. The blue flames didn't bother her. She kept Veritas off of safety and half-ready to fire.

"Does this mean I get to become Queen?" Vernal nudged me with her elbow. A fire lit up in Gillian's eyes and she reached for her bow.

I kicked Vernal away as an arrow flew where she once was. If I wasn't looking directly at Gillian, it would have hit Vernal and seriously injured her. That wasn't a normal arrow either. It launches with the force and power of a missile. A wall of sand kicked up along its path.

I can't block her arrows. They're too powerful.

It can't be. I gauged her strength and ability beforehand. That arrow was faster and stronger than the one she used against Grimm. How can she still put up such a fight?

Gillian stood up with determination and hatred. I see. The human spirit should never be underestimated.

"Shut the hell up next time," I growled.

"I should let you handle this," She attempted to leave.

"No, You will stay and fix this mess," I insisted," I need you to be my fire support."

"Uuuugghh," She vocalized.

Gillian fired another arrow. I rushed toward her and sidestepped the hypersonic arrow. She tries to react but it's already too late.

I press my sword against her neck.

"Please ignore my friend. She doesn't mean it," I apologized," There is no reason to fight, Gillian."

She didn't react to my blade pushing against her neck. She reached up, grabbed it with her left hand, and held it tightly, her aura flickering.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you understand what I'm saying? It's over," I pressed my blade against her left hand but she kept resisting.

"If this was the Academy, I would have no issue surrendering," She grunted in pain. She pushes herself up even as I try to force her back down.

"You're insane, I'm going to slice through your hand at this rate," I watched blood coming onto my blade and down her wrist. It didn't deter me from pressing harder," Or do you want to learn how to use crossbows?"

She is now fully standing and pushing down on the blade.

Gillian screamed in pain as I cut into bones. I was suddenly flown back by a powerful burst of aura from her other hand. I slid along the sand until I was slightly behind Vernal. I wheeze for air.

That could have broken my ribs if I didn't have my aura active.

"She hates us," She asked, aiming her rifle.

"I can feel that," I stood up after catching my breath. She was too focused on her bleeding hand to pay attention to us.

"Permission to go all out? This entire arena is beyond dust manipulation," She asked. The wall of flames can be explained as fire dust being staged while she fights off Grimm. She can't prove it is magic and it will be her words against ours.

"Denied."

Vernal combat capability without her maiden power is severely lacking. The tactical fighting style is great for soldiers but going to be a disadvantage against stronger opponents who can dodge bullets and fight in close quarters. She'll eventually run into a situation that requires her to hold back her powers.

Gillian ripped a piece of cloth out of her dress and tied it around her bloody hand.

"Shoot her."

Vernal squeezed the trigger and unloaded her entire magazine. It was all on target. Gillian dodged the bullets without moving from her spot and while nursing her hand.

Carmine did tell me she's top of her class before leaving Shade. I didn't expect her to put up more of a fight than her Guards.

Vernal reached for another magazine and Gillian pulled another arrow.

I charge at her again but this time I zigzag back and forth to throw off her aim.

She fired and missed. That's all it takes for me to start slicing at her. I slid across the sand and cut across her thigh.

I charge back in and stab into her back, making her stumble forward. If it wasn't for her aura, She would have died several times over.

Vernal fires three round bursts into her chest, neck, and face. The rounds came close to hitting me. I trusted her aim. Vernal kept firing even as the bullets were centimeters away from hitting me.

She tried reaching for her arrows but Vernal shot her damaged hand. She tried swinging at me with her bow. I evaded with ease.

I must use a technique to break through the aura even for a single moment.

I focus all my aura and strength on one strike, the tip of my blade. I slashed her face with a downward cut: overwhelming her aura in an instant.

Gillian is fortunate her dense aura prevents her from making the damage worse. I would have opened up the left side of her face like a cut of ham. She still received a deep cut on her left side. From the top of her forehead, barely missing her left eye, and ending at her cheek.

"AAAAAAGHH!" She yelled in shock. Gillian didn't know how I broke through. She backed away from me.

It is simple to descript but harder in practice. Gillian's aura is equally distributed across her entire body and I hit her with all my power, boosted further by my aura in one small spot. The same concept as an aura slash but only at the tips.

I figured it would work and it did. That took two-thirds of my aura to pull off. Gillian's aura level is still too dense for another piercing slash. I doubt she would let me set up another attack like that again.

Gillian reacted by batting me away with her bow and evading a few bullets. She backtracked and turned her back to me. I got a feeling it's a trick but I didn't waste the opportunity.

I slashed across her back and Vernal shot her several times in the legs.

She rolled forward and got into a kneeling position, ready to fire an arrow at point-blank range.

I prepare to intercept the arrow even if it is going to damage my aura.

She fired the arrow but at the ground beneath her. A large dust cloud formed obscuring our view. I pull back, not falling for an obvious trap.

I look back and see Vernal close her eyes and flick her wrist. The cloud shifted away revealing Gillian.

"H-how?!" She looked between us fearfully with two arrows in her bow. She aims them at me and I prepare to dodge. The arrows were intercepted before they even left the bowstring.

Gillian screeched as three explosions impacted the arrows and her arm. She staggered as several more high-powered bullets mercilessly impacted her body. Vernal must have strengthened the bullets with magic.

I can see her plentiful aura dim by half.

Good work, Vernal.

I ran forward as she recovered again.

I leap and knee her on the chin, knocking Gillian on her back. I stomped on her bandage hand before she could get up. She let out an animalistic scream. Gillian punched and scratched at my leg and ankle but I ignored it.

I flipped my sword into a reverse grip and stabbed her quiver repeatedly, destroying the remaining arrows she had. She cursed at me and attempted to bite my ankle. I removed my foot and stepped back, allowing her some room to move.

Aura can't do much against wounds that already pierce her skin. Even if she reinforced her hand, she's still going to feel the pressure against her soft flesh and exposed bone.

She can't stop blood dripping from her left face, either.

"You're going to die of blood loss at this rate," I told her," A large Aura reserve will slow it down but you need proper medical attention."

It is possible to heal from major injuries or wounds with aura alone. It will take time and a lot of focus which is nearly impossible to do on an active battlefield. The exception is extremely high aura regeneration that's the main factor in a body's recovery.

A lesson I learned from aura study.

It's a specialization the Malachite sisters have over all of us. The sisters' aura reserve is slightly below Vernal but their regeneration is far above all of us.

In short, Gillian's aura regeneration isn't fast enough to heal the large gash in her hand even if she focuses on it. The countless blood drops on the sand are proof of it.

"This is getting embarrassing," I sighed," You aren't going to win. Why are you fighting when you have nothing left?"

She rolled over and rested on her elbows and knees.

Gillian forced herself off the sand but fell over again.

"If it was the Academy coming after me, I know I would be thrown in jail at worst," She huffed," You people will prolong my suffering before killing me."

"Sounds like an invitation," Vernal shrugged.

"VERNAL!" I yelled.

"She is more trouble than it's worth, Aka," Vernal explained and walked toward us. The spring maiden kept her gun trained on Gillian, "New offer, I'll bury you so completely, Remnants could turn over a thousand times before your body is dug up."

Gillian rested on her knees and stared at the barrel of Vernal assault rifle. The fake Queen's eyes are void of any life or hope. Gillian's tears dried up a while back.

Vernal and I looked at each other. This is awful. We defeated her but we didn't feel a sense of accomplishment. We felt sorry for her. I thought Jax used his semblance on her. But I don't sense any of his aura on Gillian.

"Could this have been me?" Vernal whispered. The Spring Maiden never spoke about her time in Mistral and what made her run away. I think she learned the truth about becoming a maiden. Either by herself or someone told her.

"Mercy, Vernal," I placed a hand on the top of her gun.

"Mercy? I'll give her another chance. Let me do the talking, Aka," She pushed my hand away.

"Vacuo is my home," Gillian repeated," I must do it for my people, my brother, the paradise that once was."

"Vacuo is my home, too," Vernal softly said," How about we cut a deal. Do you want to die believing a lie or live knowing the truth?"

Those words must have been told to her. Fang uses a glaive and Vernal models her weapon after his. Vernal still trusts Fang out of everyone in the Academies. The pieces are coming together.

"The truth is I-I'm…I'm the Queen," She repeated like a broken record. She's at the edge of consciousness. The bandage on her hand is dyed red and the bleeding is getting worse in her left eye.

I felt sorry for Gillian. She would have made a great Huntress. She has been thoroughly brainwashed into believing a lie. I can understand the appeal. It's a lie that elevates her above her current standing.

It is never easy learning your life goal would never happen or it isn't as glamorous.

She grabbed her bow and pulled on the string.

Gillian has truly lost her mind.

She's using her aura to make arrows. It's a last resort technique and has proven to be inefficient without a conduit to latch onto: bullets, arrows, and other weapons. She'll burn through the massive aura reserve much quicker.

"The truth will set you free," Vernal said," Your father is waiting for you back home. If we were the Academy, You'll spend years imprisoned for your crime. If this was the old tribe, we would execute you."

She lowered her weapon and reached her hand out.

"You have my word as a fellow Vacuan," She promised," If you are beside me, I will never hurt my kin."

Vernal…maybe you are taking the first step to become a worthy leader.

I smiled but dropped it immediately.

Vernal doesn't know I plan to kill Jax and spear/crossbow. An ambitious manipulator with a mind control semblance is a threat to stability while a psychopath would cause problems. I can't exile or imprison them. They could join an enemy fraction or expose us. The tribe doesn't have the authority to keep someone behind bars for a long time.

The aura arrow disappeared and to our surprise, she snapped her bow.

"I surrender."

It was still dark when we reached the rendezvous point. It has been a crazy night but overwhelmingly successful. We started at 10 pm and concluded Scattered Mirage by 11 pm. Crown Fall only lasted 11 pm from driving to the Bunker and getting Gillian to surrender at 12:20 am.

In other words, You could watch a movie and an entire organization capitulates.

It's still 12:35 am and my uncle isn't back until 10 am. The night is still young and I don't feel tired or sleepy, yet. I should spend some time with my friends.

Girls' night sounds nice.

Leaf Wicker waited for us near the oasis with a few of his men. He smiled seeing how we got out mostly unscathed. Our prisoner lagged behind us with her hand even more bandaged, a few drops of blood occasionally falling out. I ripped out part of my cloak to use as a wraparound for her left eye.

"She needs medical attention immediately," I told him.

Wicker came prepared and nodded to a tribe member with a medical kit. While Gillian was being attended to, Leaf motioned for us to follow him.

We walked further away from the group and deeper into the oasis.

"Casualty?" I asked.

"We lost a few vehicles but no major injuries on our side," he reported," The Grimm nearly overwhelmed us if it wasn't for the lightning storm. I might have gone a little deaf in one ear."

"You should have seen how crazy it was," Vernal cheered," The whole desert looked like it was glassed."

Vernal maiden power is frighteningly powerful. I hope glassing a desert is an exaggeration because there is no possible way that can be covered up. Everyone on the continent would see and hear a lightning storm with that much intensity.

"She overestimated it," Wicker affirmed," It's bad but not terraform a desert bad."

"Moving on," I stared at Vernal.

"You did a lot of damage to their Queen," Wicker spoke first," As expected of you two."

"We let the Grimm do the heavy lifting. She put up a good fight even after fighting off a horde of Grimm and close to unconsciousness," I praised," It would be a shame to let talent go to waste."

"Her royal guards aren't happy she left them behind," Wicker revealed," I don't think she'll survive if we leave her in the same cell as her Crowns."

"She is allowed to wander freely but has a few escorts with her," I told him and looked back at Gillian," There is nothing left of her life goal once we reach the truth."

"Do you want her father to come here or take them there?" He asked," We'll show him the crime they committed and bring Robyn to authenticate it."

"Second option. It would seem like kidnapping if we bring him to the desert," I ordered," I want his kids to be fully recovered before seeing their father. Especially Gillian."

The cut on her face is going to leave a scar.

"It will be done," he nodded," I will handle the cover-up and the cleanup from here. I'll call in a few contacts from higher up who are willing to keep the Academy off our backs."

"Good, who are they?"

"Nothing major, A village is willing to vouch for us. We moved our forces last night to fight off a horde of Grimm," he listed out," And Vacuo councilors are willing to write a cover story and pay off the victims."

"They exist?" Vernal questions.

Did he contact a government official without notifying me?

Vernal did say the main reasons they have an embassy/recruitment center are allowed by the people and approval from the government. The Academy can't do anything about it since the people allow it.

I'm going to ask Wicker about the government contacts.

"Convenience," I frowned," What's the catch?"

"They want us to weaken the Academy and strengthen the government. I told them we can't make guarantees."

This is the 2nd, maybe 3rd faction that wants a coup d'etat. What's the point in putting down the Crown if I have to deal with another one?

"There will be no coup without my say-so," I crossed my arms," The world is already broken as it is."

"Understood Ms. Branwen," He nodded," Our priority is holding onto our claim in South Anima. We are too small and understaffed to attempt a coup against Vacuo Academy."

"Not yet at least," Vernal walked next to me. She flipped her hair over her shoulder revealing the birthmark below her left ear," What if the Academy comes after us? We need a plan."

She gave me a nonverbal offer.

Vernal can use her right as monarch to rule the kingdom.

"Not without my approval," I flicked the birthmark and she backed away. The option will always be there if Vernal is worthy and there is a need to.

"Oh, by the way, Carmine?" Vernal pointed out," How are she and the prisoners doing?"

"She's raiding the food supply room and the living quarters with the prisoners," he shrugged," I sent a handful of my men to relieve her."

"They didn't even leave the Bunker?" My left eye twitched.

"Most of the prisoners were ready to take up arms once Carmine told them what was going on. They compromised on holding down the west entrance for us," he shook his head," Brave fools."

"Vernal and I will be heading back to the city," I smiled," Thank you, Leaf Wicker. You're the most valuable part of this operation. Without your prior military experience, The whole operation would be a failure."

"I humbly accept your phase but it's a group effort," he saluted," I'm honored to serve the tribe and a capable leader."

I nodded and Vernal bowed. He offered a ride back but I told him we can walk the rest of the way.

Wicker looked at us like we were insane but trusted our judgment. We walked away from the oasis for five minutes while having small talk. Vernal will fly us back to Vacuo when we're far enough.

"Girls' night out?" Vernal asked," You promise us."

"Yes, what do you want to do first?" I asked her.

"I heard there's a late-night tattoo artist," She smiled deviously.

"NO!" I snapped.

"But I want it to be as accurate as possible!"

"I will not-"

Vacuo

Tattoo Parlor backroom.

1 AM

I didn't expect Vernal to make valid points on why she should get a tattoo.

"Can I get one too?" Umber asked as I drew on Vernal skin. The privacy of the back room is needed because of how intricate and intimate the markings are.

"No," I gritted my teeth. I can't believe she talked me into this.

"Okay," She groaned.

"What have you two been doing while we were gone?" I asked Umber and Militia.

"We were watching a movie with the Happy Huntress," Militia said," Some Spruce Willis action flick."

"And we were in an action movie," Vernal bragged.

"I wanted to join," Umber sulked.

"I don't," Militia countered," You three can handle the fighting."

"Congrats Militia, I'm promoting you to personal secretary," I said without missing a beat.

"Eh? That's like, so degrading," She complained," I guess I'll feed you beef jerky or something. You love those, right?"

I started drawing the lines and markings with the utmost accuracy. It felt like a sixth sense knowing exactly how it should look. Everyone has their variation of my markings because my semblance keeps moving the lines around.

This is Vernal reward for not killing anyone in the operation. I will only allow the right side of her body to be tattooed. The artist is going to do the outline tonight and Vernal needs to come back in to fill in the rest. A full body would be double the current price.

The other reason is her birthmark below her left ear. I don't want a random civilian making the connection to Vacuo royalty. I put a bandage over the birthmark for extra precaution.

"Thank you, Aka," She smiled," You're a good friend."

"You're welcome," I exhaled," While you get your inks done, We're going to grab ourselves something to eat. Veggies?"

"Ya."

"We are feeding her grass?" Umber jokes.

"Screw you, Umbra!"

A/N: So the chapter is 15,700 words long not counting author notes. It was supposed to only be 7,000. I'm adding a lot of details. For example, the Branwen Tribe is the bad guy in the conflict but Atlas isn't the best place either. I'm convinced if Atlas had never fallen and continued to exist as it is, it would dominate Remnant in terms of technology, finances, military power, and maybe culture. But a fragile, broken interior. A small push would destroy not just Atlas but damage the other kingdoms.

I'm a bit behind in writing mostly due to all the gacha games I play. By the time of posting, I either:

Trying out Aether Gazer.

Malding in Babel over at PGR.

Reach level 55 in Honkai Star Rail.

Crying over not rolling Texas Alter.

Summer event in FGO.

So, I'm trying to speed it up a little. The majority of chapters from now on will be shorter until one or two more arcs. Where I finally write RWBY Vol 1.

Akame: A narcissist with a mind control semblance is a liability to the tribe. I can't let a psychopath live either.

Let Flaxen, the con artist with a possession semblance, who takes joy in killing people, do whatever she wants.

Also Akame: I must be the perfect huntress in the eyes of the public.

Conspiring to overthrow world leaders and keep a tight grip on the underworld through a mix of fear, respect, and loyalty.

Although In Akame's defense, If she left the tribe and Vernal on their own, the Situation will get worse. She already tried letting the world resolve her problems and it ended with Prime Minister Malachite and the world getting ready for another Great War. And a point of conflict between Ruby and Yang.

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