RWBY 40k – Salem, Mistress of Inquisition.

[Theme: Shingeki No Kyojin Opening 1].

A symbol of a Salem's father kingdom flag could be seen on a wall.

"They're the prey and we're the hunters!"

The symbol is destroyed by an explosion, revealing the title "Salem, Mistress of the Inquisition" with under it written in gold "The Great Crusade", behind the title was the flag of the Imperium with the two eagles.

"And we're the hunters!"

The camera goes away a little of the title before turning to the stars.

"Gods ignorant of the trampled flower's name, the bird that fell from the stars takes her by the wind."

The next scene shows Salem marching on the land after leaving a grave. Her clothes changing from Remnant clothes to the Imperium's clothes. Her sons join her march, appearing one after another with their own family. All of their faces are serious.

"Even if you pray, nothing will be changed."

The next scene shows a horde of Orks marching inside a ruined human city. Followed by another scene of a Chaos Daemon incursion coming from a gigantic eye in the sky.

"But that which can alter the present is the resolution to fight."

An army of Luna Wolves is present inside of a courtyard with the flags of the Imperium. A cut shows them making the salute. The third cut shows them drawing their swords. The fourth cut shows them launching themselves at the Orks.

"Tramping over corpses, swine who mock the will to advance."

The next scene shows rapid images of the Imperium Propaganda against Xenos like Orks, Eldars, Rangda, Psybrids and other Xenos.

"Peace of the cattle and the prosperity."

Scene showing walls of human cities by explosion of the enemy artillery, with the middle showing the symbol of the Imperium.

"The freedom of the dead, hungry eagle."

The next scene shows Salem blasted away by the explosions shocked but composing herself in the next second.

"Our caged humiliation signals the start of our retaliation. Beyond the worlds, we're hunters that slaughter our prey."

Horus, Fulgrim and Magnus runs at the Orks and destroys them with the help of their Astartes while using their powers against them. Horus especially kills a Warboss.

"As these surging surges burn away our bodies, we ignite the dusk with a crimson bolter and bullet!"

The next scene shows the ramparts of a Hive City defended by both Rogal Dorn and Perturabo. Perturabo activates a cannon that he controls to destroy the Orks in his way. The next cut shows Sanguinius and Horus defending themselves against Xenos who towered at their same height, with heads resembling lumps atop their round torsos. Possessing long and thick arms with in the end three stubby fingers. The next scene shows Salem with her silver armour running and charges with her blood katana against a Bloodletter followed by a fading of the Imperium flag floating.

"And we're the hunters!"

The scene shows an Astartes running in slow-motion on an Ork. The next scene shows the Primarchs exiting their barges along with their Legion. In front the silhouette of the Emperor also running.

"And we're the hunters!"

In front of the coming army, a gigantic horde of Orks. And the overlapping army of Astartes coming to them. Before chaining with images of fight of Guardsmens against Xenos, Astartes against Xenos and the four silhouettes deep inside the warp accompanied by their daemons.

"And we're the hunters!"

Inside the overlapping images, the Brothers Gods are present, looking with contempt the guardsmens facing them. The next cut shows the map of the Galaxy covered by the blood along with the apparitions of uncountable names of different human planets.

The last three cuts show Salem, the Primarchs and the Emperor in their armour.

As the music reaches its final part, Salem, the 20 Primarchs along their whole family could be seen on a mountain gazing to the stars with their back turned from the camera.

[End of the theme and the generic].

Ep 62: Mariage and my first grand grandchildren?!

949.M30. Macragge. Heart of Ultramar.

Salem was visiting Kariady along with Horus, Perturabo, Leman Russ, Rogal Dorn and Sanguinius. But also, Edelgard, Astari and Asuka.

Kariady has her belly slightly inflated, she rubbed it with care. Alongside her is a man dressed in a toga, with a brown hair.

Salem: "My family is only growing more and more. Can I?"

Kariady: "Of course, grandmother."

Salem put her ear on the belly of her big great daughter. She could hear the babies inside.

Salem: "How many they are?"

Kariady: "I have twins…"

She stands up back and look at Kariady.

Salem: "Really? I would want more but this is fine… Twin great great children. This is a new chapter for me but for all of us."

Rogal Dorn: "You mean…?"

Sanguinius: "We will be great-uncles."

Salem turned to the husband of Kariady.

Salem: "Laetius, I have saw you in the marriage of Kariady a few years ago but I have never gotten to know you."

Laetius: "I come from a noble family of the united empire of Fydor-Crevans."

Salem: "Oh, yes. This empire… I could see that…"

Laetius: "And so, I am honoured to see you, High Lady of the Imperium."

He takes the right hand of Salem and kissed it, Salem chuckled.

Salem: "I think that Kariady has made the good choice… I can't wait for see my two grandsons!"

Kariady: "Also, grandmother. Laetius and me decided to let do something for us."

Salem: "Yes?"

Kariady: "You will be the one who will give the name of our children."

Salem widened.

Salem: "Really?"

Kariady nodded.

Kariady: "I want you to give them the names, even if they aren't the Macraggian names. I want to let you, the matriarch of the Imperial family, choosing. Please."

The blonde witch stared at her granddaughter then smiled.

Salem: "I will do it… I can't wait it."

Kariady: "Only a few days, I can already feel the contractions of my womb. The babies will come out soon."

Edelgard: "I can't believe I am already an aunt…"

Astari: "Me too…"

Asuka: "Grmbl…"

A few days later…

Kariady was on the bed of her room, making her labour. Surrounded by her consort but also her father Roboute Guilliman and her former seneschal Tarasha Euten. Salem was also there but the rest of the family was outside, to not disturb the labour. The two women are dressed in medic attire.

Tarasha Euten placed a bowl of water right in front of the exit where the babies will come out. While Salem was in front it.

Laetius: "Push, Kariady! Push!"

Kariady: "Okay! I am doing it… Here they come! GnnnnnnrrrAAAAAHH!"

She strained herself and by a huge force, one of the babies quickly exited her mother hole, his little head poking out. Salem takes it and presented to Laetius.

Laetius cut the cord and the baby began to cry loudly.

Salem: "You have a son…"

Laetius: "Oh my… He is beautiful."

Salem turned to Kariady.

Salem: "I will clean up a little."

Kariady: "Of course… (turn to Tarasha Euten) … Rnnnggh! Tarasha, the other… he is coming out!"

The second baby quickly comes out and he is taken in the arms of Tarasha, Laetius takes cut the cord of the baby and screamed, pushing his first cry of life.

Tarasha Euten: "This is your daughter."

Laetius: "She is beautiful…"

Tarasha Euten: "Yes, let me clean her up now…"

Tarasha joins Salem and began to clean up the baby girl.

A few minutes later of cleaning up the babies from placenta and blood. They enveloped them in sheets. They were still crying loudly and the two women tried their best to calm them by rocking but decided to bring them to Kariady.

Kariady: "Let me take them…"

She takes a baby each in her big hands before gently rocking them, in a matter of seconds, the babies began to calm down and falls asleep.

Kariady: "We have a boy and a girl… (turn to Salem) … How you will name them?"

Salem: "Hm…"

The old lady approached the Ultramar princess and looked at the babies. She caressed the boy in the left hand of Kariady.

Salem: "Welcome to the world, Schneizel von Imperium."

She turned to the little girl in the hand of Kariady.

Salem: "You will be a beautiful princess, Cornelia von Imperium."

(Note: Yes, as usual I will now take the characters of Schneizel el Britannia and Cornelia li Britannia from Code Geass. Since they are some of the most badass that I have ever known).

Kariady: "Cornelia and Schneizel… These are unusual but I love it."

Roboute Guilliman: "Why not Cornelia and Schneizel Guilliman?"

Salem: "I didn't say they cannot use these names too, since they are your grandchildren, Roboute. It just a bit long to said Cornelia and Schneizel Guilliman von Imperium."

Roboute Guilliman: "What is these names are about?"

Salem: "I wanted to bring a more complete form of our family and name is one of the most important."

Tarasha Euten: "You're saying that we have the name of Imperium in our very last name?"

Salem nodded.

Salem: "Absolutely. Also, your father agreed about this. Since after all, you are coming from the same couple despite your stark differences."

Roboute Guilliman: "Roboute von Imperium… That's curious."

Salem: "I have said that you are not forced to use your last name. But remind it now."

Roboute Guilliman: "Okay…"

Salem: "Since we have all here… you will give a bit of yourself to take care of your great nephew and niece. And I mean all of you!"

In the next day…

Salem was accompanied by Ilil and Allarielle inside of the living room, accompanied the other Primarchs and princesses. Kariady was on the sofa, taking a bit of rest while looking to the family. Laetius was on her side.

Perturabo frowned upon the sight of the two Eldars, along with Asuka.

The scene was quite amusing in the eyes of Salem, Edelgard was holding Cornelia in her arms. While Astari was rocking Schneizel. Cornelia was dressed in a purple pyjama while Schneizel was a white pyjama.

Horus: "Mom, I still cannot believe that I am now a great-uncle."

Salem: "I know, I know…"

Salem approached Astari and extended her hands.

Salem: "Please, let me pick him up…"

Astari gives Schneizel to Salem, who takes him in her hands. Salem looked at his cute face, still red by the recent birth. The baby was sleeping peacefully.

She rubs his cheek with gentleness and sit on the sofa.

Salem: "Hello my Schneizel… I already see you as elegant prince."

At this moment, the little prince opened its eyes, they are blue-purplish colour. He looked directly at Salem with curiosity.

Salem: "You are awake? You are cuter like this, with these eyes…"

Kariady: "Hm… Blue eyes becoming purple?"

Edelgard: "That's curious…"

Astari: "Hm… I can see it."

Salem then showed the baby toward Kariady.

Kariady: "What are you doing, grandmother?"

Salem (to Schneizel): "See your mom right in front of you Schneizel? Know that I have hold her in my very arms when she was baby too! Now, it's your turn!"

Kariady blushed at this statement while some of the Primarchs and princesses giggled.

Kariady: "That's embarrassing…"

Salem giggled and take back Schneizel in her arms.

Salem: "So, I think I will give you back to Astari. (turn to Edelgard) Bring my great granddaughter to me."

Edelgard: "Of course, grandmother."

Salem gives Schneizel back to Astari and takes in her arms Cornelia.

(Note: Cornelia will be as blonde as her brother and his mother).

Salem: "Oh… Cornelia, I think you will be as beautiful and skilled only by seeing your face."

Cornelia in the arms of Salem whimpers and wakes up.

Salem: "What is happening? Are you okay?"

Cornelia began to cry in the surprise of Salem.

Salem: "What?! I didn't do something to do that!"

Kariady: "I think what is happening… She is hungry, she wants milk!"

Schneizel began to cry, awakened by the cry of his twin sister.

Kariady: "Hm… I think we need privacy."

Salem: "Okay, you are their mom…"

She gives Cornelia while Astari gives Schneizel, both to Kariady who pick them up. Then, the rest of the family leaves Laetius and Kariady with the two babies.

A few minutes later… in another living room.

Salem was cited on a sofa. While the princesses are sited together, the other Primarchs are sited in their sofa. Ilil and Allarielle are sited a bit far from the rest of the family.

Salem: "I want you to know this."

Horus: "Yes? What's happening mom?"

Salem: "When your last brother will be found, me and your father will assemble a big feast where everyone should be present. Even if they are in campaign."

Sanguinius: "Okay…"

Perturabo: "It seems that you have something more to add."

Leman Russ: "She have already told me what is happening… Believe me, you will be surprised."

Horus: "Me too…"

Asuka: "What do you mean by that?"

Salem sighed and look back at her family.

Salem: "No long after this family reunion. We will go to Terra and then… I will officially marry the Emperor."

Everyone in the room were surprised and widened their eyes, except Horus and Leman Russ.

Rogal Dorn: "Wait? Seriously?"

Edelgard: "Are you serious?'

Salem: "Absolutely… Despite our differences, we cannot be apart since the Primarchs and the rest of you comes of us. The Emperor and me."

Perturabo: "Hm… Doubtful. It seems that you decided to guard the appearances in front of the population."

Salem lifted her eyebrow.

Salem: "What do you mean?"

Perturabo: "This is impossible that you have developed feelings toward him. I can feel it. You don't love him."

Salem sighed.

Salem: "You have to know that this was planned for a few decades ago. I have debated a lot with your father about this and so, I accepted to become his consort."

Horus: "You don't seem to be pleased…"

Salem: "I know, after all, Perturabo is a bit right. You know and I know that the Emperor and me… I was never romantically draw to him. Even if my body said the contrary."

Rogal Dorn: "What do you mean by that?"

Leman Russ: "Don't turn around the pot my brother. She is saying that like any other woman, she would let herself be fecundated every night!"

Salem and the other princesses blushed about this statement while the Primarchs are in mood of: "Are you seriously saying this?"

Rogal Dorn: "This is gross to say that."

Leman Russ: "No, that's magnificent in the contrary. Because our father is the ideal man, look at the square-faced head of our father, look at the long dark hair, look especially on his impressive muscularity… It makes all women crazy."

Salem frowned.

Salem: "Leman Russ, first, I am not any woman, I am your mom. Second, you are saying this because every woman looks you in admiration, since you are showing your muscles every time."

Leman Russ: "Maybe, but don't say I am wrong."

Salem only rolled her eyes.

Rogal Dorn: "Don't listen to him, he is always saying nonsense."

Leman Russ: "Hey, I am here Rogal Dorn…"

Salem: "Hm…"

Salem displays a sad face mixed with gentleness, surprising the whole family in the room.

Horus Lupercal: "Are you okay?"

Salem: "It's alright… I am just… I was rethinking about my past and to be fair, it was disastrous to many levels."

Rogal Dorn: "We know, you already tell us a lot."

Salem: "Yes, but listen to me… Before I could see all of you. Except when I was with Malcador and a few friends that I had, I was a sad and lonely woman. I felt blank and useless in a world that doesn't know me and surely doesn't care… like the rest of the humans in that time. I could feel this pain all the time and everywhere."

Sanguinius: "And so?"

Salem: "It has worsened with a feeling that only increased overtime. First, it was unpalpable, growing more and more over the centuries. Sparking inside me humiliation, resentment and jealousy. To outright anger at certain times mixed with frustration."

Perturabo: "What are you talking about?"

Salem: "It was my need of children, my need to give birth to offsprings. My carnal desire to give birth to a descendance. After the carnal layer, it reached my emotional layer. It makes me jealous but also sad. Seeing in cities or villages, moms and children taking time together, laugh, eat, sleeping in the same house. While me, I had nothing. Only blood coming from my womb."

The princesses widened with a bit of disgust about these graphic words.

Rogal Dorn: "You didn't search for a lover at that time?"

Salem: "I tried but it was impossible. My mind couldn't swallow the fact that my lover would wither away and dies. Along with my children someday. Then, my grandchildren and so on, my far descendants. This family growing more distant from me and treating me more and more like a stranger. I simply couldn't swallow this, a rare moment of happiness only to fade away in the course of time until… I become truly alone once again. I couldn't know if only one of my children could be immortal. Even it's the case, would he forgive me for giving a senseless life like mine? All of these concerns prevented me utterly to engage in relationship."

Horus: "And so we arrived."

Salem smiled sadly and motherly.

Salem: "Yes, you arrived. When the proposition of the Emperor came to me to conceive Primarchs, it was truly miraculous. Finally, I can be freed from this loneliness who haunted me. At least, part of it…"

Horus: "What do you mean by that?"

Salem stops smiling and take a darker and more sad tone.

Salem: "When I have so time for myself and when I need to be alone with own thoughts. I find myself surrounded by the weight of my loneliness. I felt myself so empty, so devoid of emotions, inside of a void that envelops me like a tight robe. It's relaxing but also suffocating. And I get out of it by sheer force of will…"

Sanguinius: "That's bad… Feeling that all the time was unbearable, isn't it?"

Salem: "I don't know… In the past, I had almost nothing to lose except Malcador and the Sigilitte mountain base. And so, this loneliness was with me all the time… I didn't realise the full weight of it. But now, with all of you and the gigantic proportion of the entire Imperium who keeps growing every single day. My loneliness seems to be… too much."

The silence falls on the room, the Primarchs and the princesses could only stare, seeing and realising the full weight of the sadness of their grandmother.

Salem: "And sometimes, especially when I am alone and when I fall asleep. I am making nightmares."

Edelgard: "Nightmares? Like what type of nightmares…?"

Salem: "Like… Sometimes I am locked up in the tower all over again. I can see all of you trying to break the magic barrier to get me. But it doesn't do anything and I am seeing myself whittering away, get aged up before dying, just in the moment you managed to enter my room."

Horus: "Even after all these years, you didn't manage to get over this trauma?"

Salem shakes her head.

Salem: "No, some injuries never heal completely… Other times, I was walking aimlessly on Terra, in the hot desert. Only to find ruins and all the misery of the world inside of it. Even today, my memories are as clear as water and seeing myself to lower myself to eat rotten apples makes me sick."

Rogal Dorn: "Rotten apples?!"

Horus sighed.

Horus: "She has told me a lot of what happened…"

Salem sighed.

Salem: "Fortunately, this is behind me now and I am focusing only into the future… Now, excuse me… I have to take a rest. I am feeling bad for all of this…"

Rogal Dorn: "Of course…"

Salem exited the room and leave the rest of the family alone.

Asuka: "Why I am feeling so bad? This is unnatural."

Sanguinius: "This is called empathy Asuka."

Asuka: "Tch… weakness…"

Sanguinius frowned at this statement, along with the rest.

Perturabo: "Now, I am curious Horus. This is true all the things she said?"

Horus nodded.

Horus: "You have no idea the dark moments when I have encountered our mom crying."

Perturabo: "Really?"

Edelgard: "What?!"

Horus: "You heard me… Our mom is a strong woman and survived many hardships but sometimes… she has a hard time to handle all of this stress and her demons are still hunting her."

Leman Russ: "What kind of monsters?"

Horus: "Let me tell a story…"

[Flashback].

807.M30. Somewhere in the east of the Sol Sector.

Horus was inside of his room reading on the bed. Then, the door opens revealing Salem, wearing her ancient Remnant outfit in the early days of the Great Crusade. He was now really tall, measuring 1.80 meters for a child of 14 years old.

Horus: "Hey, mom."

Salem: "You have to go to sleep now, Horus. We have a hard training day tomorrow."

Horus: "Okay mom…"

He closed his book and lie on his bed, Salem put the sheet on him.

Salem: "Good night…"

She kissed his cheek.

Horus: "Good night mom…"

Salem goes toward the door, click on the switch, extinguishing the light, plunging the room in the darkness. She looks at last time to Horus before closing the door.

A few hours later…

Horus is awakened, he sited on his bed and look everywhere. He heard a sound, a really muffled sound coming from the wall in front of him. It comes from his mom's room, next to his.

He stands up from his bed and goes toward the wall in front of him and put his hear on the wall. He could hear louder the sobs from his mom. He widened at this sound.

Horus: "Mom…"

He hesitates to act next. Going outside and get the risk to be scolded? Or doing nothing and let that happen?

Horus shakes and get himself ready, no matter if he has to face the annoyance and the irritation of his mom.

He opened the door. The corridor was empty and was lighten up only by small lights. It was decorated by baroque decoration, to fill the space of the walls and ceiling. While a red carpet covered the ground.

He goes to the room next to him and opens the door.

Inside was the room of Salem, with a four-poster decorated in rococo-gothic style. A wardrobe with doors. A small library. And a library conducting to the bathroom.

He quickly closed the door behind him but silently.

He could hear very clearly the sobs of his mom, who was on the bed. She was sobbing and begging while her arms were waving, like she was calling someone from far.

Salem (having a nightmare): "Please… someone free me… Anyone… Please… I am suffocating…"

Horus couldn't believe the scene he was watching, his mommy. Who was so sure of herself, so loving but also so strict. Seeing begging like a little girl. It was disturbing for him.

Salem (begging more desperately): "Please! Someone helps me! Anybody! Please!"

Horus gets out of his trance by hearing the cries of his mom, he goes toward the bed and arrived to the face of mom and put his hands on her cheeks.

Horus: "Mom! Mom!"

Salem stops herself and while being still asleep, she recognized the voice of her baby.

Salem: "Horus? It's you? It's you, my baby."

Horus: "Yes, it's me… I am here now…"

Salem began to sob again.

Salem: "Please, free me… free me from the tower… free from my father…"

Horus slowly take the hand of his mom and curled up next his mom.

Horus: "Mom, I have your hand. Nothing bad will happen to you… I promise…"

The mom slowly calmed down and her breath becomes silent. When she takes the talk again, it was motherly and relieved.

Salem (whispering): "My baby… my little boy… I love you… I love you so much… Please hug your mommy."

Horus tighten his place around his mom, Salem smiled while she hugged in return his son.

Salem (more silent whispering): "Hmmmm… Everything is fine… everything… is just fine…"

She ends her words by a breath who becomes truly silent. She has gone back to normal sleep; she rubbed the back of the head of Horus. The young Primarch decided to stay with her.

[End of Flashback].

Everyone was staring at Horus.

Sanguinius: "Let me guess, it has happened several times?"

Horus: "It was rare but it was intense each time. Fortunately, time after time I comforted her. Her nightmares as lessened to almost non-existent pace. I have taken the time of my childhood to exteriorise her issues and her pain. And she had become the gentle and patient mother and grandmother that we know… I cannot forget our time passed on Reikland when we first brought this planet to Compliance…"

While Horus was talking with the rest of the family.

Salem was walking inside of the corridors of the palace, going toward the room where Kariady. Then a door opens in front of her, it was Laetius.

Laetius: "Oh! Lady Salem…"

Salem is surprised but quickly smiles.

Salem: "Please, call me Salem. I am now your grandmother-in-law."

Laetius: "Okay… Kariady wanted to see you and I was about to go search you."

Salem: "Oh… Okay. I'll go then."

Laetius conducts Salem inside of the room. She could see Cornelia and Schneizel in the arms of Kariady, who was now sited.

Kariady: "Here you are grandmother. (turn to Laetius) Can you please leave us alone now?"

Laetius: "Of course…"

Laetius leaves the room and close the door.

Kariady: "Come and sit down…"

Salem does it and sit next to Kariady.

Salem: "Can I?"

She extended her hands to Cornelia. Kariady hands the baby to Salem who began to rock her.

Kariady: "Are you happy for all of this?"

Salem nodded.

Salem: "Yeah… More I have descendants; more I am happy. I can always count on someone at least."

Kariady: "Hm… At least…"

Salem sees that Kariady is a bit sad.

Salem: "Are you okay?"

Kariady sighed.

Kariady: "Yeah… Sometimes, I miss my mom. Kalidi. She has given her life to give me mine."

Salem: "Oh… Know this Kariady, don't feel guilty about it…"

Kariady: "No, I am not feeling guilty. It just… life is unfair."

Salem looks at Kariady for a moment before turning back to Cornelia.

Salem: "Yes, the universe is cruel. But we have to accept it, if not, we don't go anywhere. I learned that in a hard way."

Kariady: "You don't say…"

Salem: "Yes… Even undoing death is just a show a respite before the universe takes back our loved ones. Never forget that…"

Kariady nodded. At this moment, Cornelia was waking up and stared to Salem. The old woman only smiled at these cute eyes.

Salem: "Hello, my little princess. Are you alright?"

Cornelia mumbled while staring at Salem.

Kariady: "I know a way to amuse her…"

Kariady takes from the table a rattle in the form of an eagle.

Kariady: "Look at this cute rattle…"

She began to shake the rattle in front of Cornelia who only stared and began to laugh.

Kariady: "You like it? Yes, you like it!"

Cornelia continues to laugh until Kariady takes back the rattle to the table.

Salem: "You are our princess, Cornelia."

She kissed Cornelia on the forehead. She could hear that Schneizel was waking up and staring at Salem. Salem giggles.

Salem: "Don't be jealous, Schneizel. Here…"

She kisses his forehead.

Salem: "I can't imagine how you will grow in the next years… I can't wait!"

To be continued… The Fall of the Gardinaal lords.

The Chapter Master Ulan Cicerus, the commander of the 413th Expedition is suffering a terrible against an advanced human civilisation. Ferrus Manus decided to take the matter between his iron hands.