Chapter 60: Salem Witch Hunt

A/N: Awww, No more 'artists' in my DM or reviews. I'm only making a big deal because I hate ungenuine stuff. I prefer real over fake, it is as simple as that.

My only regret is not speeding up this story when it had a lot of traction back in the day. Akame ga Kill is a decade-old anime with about as many flaws as RWBY. If I remember my Ao3 login and how to use it, I'll post it there, too.

A/N 2: Minor fixes

Akame words reverberate throughout the streets of Vacuo and the rest of the world. Even the isolated pseudo-kingdom of Menagerie and the heavily censored kingdom of Mistral tuned in. All of these events happened at various times during Akame's speech.

"There are 4 million plus reasons why I don't fear death. Welcome to Vacuo, Salem."

Ironwood steps forward, ready to stop Akame's broadcast. Ozpin arrived in time to block Ironwood's path with his cane. Ms. Malachite arrived last and stood, slack-jawed at the brazen words.

Within the emergency tunnel of Shade Academy, Salem snapped a student's neck with one hand. A torrent of emotions ranging from confusion, shock, and anger. She couldn't believe Akame or Ozpin would gamble with such knowledge. If the secret was out, she had no reason to keep her disguise.

"For the world to know, Salem is the placeholder name of a rogue organization that craves a renewed war. Malachite confirmed two of them and Ironwood was in the right to execute one."

"She didn't reveal me…She revealed my minions," The witch shook her head.

The halls of the escape route became a void and creatures of darkness pulled themselves out of it.

"I still have enough Grimm within me. This battle is far from over Branwen."

The Grimm Queen walks toward the light at the end of the tunnel. The forces of darkness behind her.

"I'll give my honest opinion. I despise them but there is still common ground."

Team SMSR lowered their weapons as well as their opponents. It was a small bar with a woman slumped over, an axe belonging to a Vacuo student embedded in her skull.

A line of Vacuo students and Mistral students came close to fighting each other.

"I told you it wasn't us!" Sinmara releases her hostage, a Beacon Academy student.

"Give me your hand," A woman in green with blonde hair stepped forward, the rest of her team blocking all exits.

"You're Robyn Hills!" the Beacon student uttered.

"Yes and nobody moves," She scanned the room full of students," Our Salem is still here."

Robyn already knew who it was the moment her eyes locked with the murderer.

A glass of water on a nearby table vibrated ever so slightly.

"We will elaborate further once this is over. For now, They set their sight on my special day, false flag attacks in the hope that we would tear each other apart. All the world leaders behind me can vouch that these people aren't theirs."

Sky Schwarz scaled the tower where the rogue sniper was camping out. The sniper already killed several civilians before Sanzang and her people could pin her down. The huntsman caught the sniper off guard and knocked her out before she could bite her suicide pill.

"We are unified in our effort to stop these deranged few. Please don't despair nor fall into paranoia. The four kingdoms know who is real and not. Entrust in them, especially if they arrive in unified groups."

The rescue crew was aided by bystanders from different kingdoms. They pulled away heavy debris and beams to rescue the people trapped inside a collapsed building, a Schwarz Outreach Center. The bomber, wearing an MIA agent suit, didn't get far before getting into a gunfight with the locals.

He bit the pill shortly after.

"I will admit. It is my failure to stop them from infiltrating and I bear responsibility for all lives lost. I won't let it progress further."

The Schwarz spread out to aid whoever they could. The local police are directing civilians and keeping a close eye out for suspicious individuals.

"I'm strong but not omnipresent. I can't do this alone so I'll ask the world to put aside our squabbles and join forces."

"My soldiers are willing to be martyred but it will be wasted now," Beaufort contacted Salem from a secure scroll. He watches as the few dozen soldiers he brought along get hunted down.

"They can carry on," Salem responded," Your goal has been clear from the start. Be the catalyst to bring down this new order."

The roar of Grimm, gunfire, and screams echoed in the background. She considered cutting them off. The mission fell apart. It is a blessing in disguise that her minions aren't as endangered. Vernal is unlikely to kill them if they help her.

If they can successfully kill one of the Maidens, besides Vernal, and claim her power, this inclusion wouldn't be a complete failure.

"We are going to be overwhelmed!" He yelled.

"I want your people to retreat to the tunnels and stay near a seer. It will protect you from my Grimm. This plan has moved on to its next stage," The Grimm Queen ordered," You will occupy Shade Academy."

It is now everyone's responsibility to stop them."

"All specialists beside Nest squad are free to enter the city," Ironwood issued the order from a simple call," That includes Winter and Akari."

The specialists jumped off the ship without any parachutes. They are in a race against time to stop the next attacks and hunt the enemy of peace. Winter landed first and started issuing orders to group up.

Akari made a beeline toward the Academy with two specialists.

"They are nothing compared to all the Huntsman, Tribesmen, specialists, polices, and warriors here."

Ozpin stepped off the airship and landed near some of his students. Some of the officers were questioning them about their affiliation but stopped when the headmaster cleared their name.

"Stay together in groups and question anyone who appears combat capable but alone," He commanded," Detain any that reach for hostility."

Elsewhere, The Beacon professors are already setting up safe zones and checkpoints with tribe members.

"My requests are simple, My airships and Atlas flagship will spread out to the four corners of Vacuo to prevent any escape."

Shay flew to his command airship.

"All right boys and girls!" He shouted into his earpiece," You heard her!"

"All forces will work together to clear out these anarchists. Take them alive if possible!"

The Embassy wasn't doing so well. It started with a strange lady entering the backdoor and before they knew it, a small army of Grimm spawned out of nowhere attacking soldiers and civilians alike. She was able to slaughter everyone in the comms room and destroy the equipment before disappearing.

It got worse when mutated Grimm came out of the ground.

Leaf Wicker bashed a Beowulf away but nearly got mauled by another. An Atlas specialist arrived on time to help with the defenses. The man with light brown hair and blue eyes beheaded the Grimm with his dagger.

"There you are! You goddamn traitor!" He yelled and shot an arrow at a boarbatusk with strange green liquid leaking out its mouth.

"Olive sent you?" Wicker asked.

The man nodded toward a handful of Atlesian specialists in plain clothes cutting a path to enter the compound.

"No, we've been on the ground for a while. General Harper gave us the order to defend this position and get comms back up," he slashed a glowing bat Grimm," What are these things? They don't look like normal Grimm."

'General Harper?' The Atlas nomad remembered his close friend and comrade, 'I thought Ironwood was the only General here. Forget it, Grimm annihilation first!

"Who cares? Kill them! Figure it out later!"

The battle intensified even as reinforcement poured from the street and civilians were taking potshots at the emerging Grimm.

"Those that can't fight, please stay safe, and hide in your homes or businesses. Please help those injured or in need of shelter. Even those of other kingdoms are welcome guests here."

A cafe becomes a temporary medical zone for victims of the surprise Grimm attack. An elderly couple allowed more strangers on the streets to shelter inside their home.

The rumbling of the earth becomes louder and louder every passing second.

"Surrender now forces of Salem and we ensure fairness in your trials, even a second chance. There shouldn't be another war."

A fake Atlesian specialist bumps into Winter Schnee.

"I don't recognize you," the Schnee knew every name and rank of her comrades. The man before her doesn't have the right medals, medals that don't belong, nor the same care for the uniform.

The man bites down on his pill even as she tries to stop him.

"Yet, if you persist…"

Salem exited the tunnel and came face to face with Professor Rumpole and Headmaster Theodore. Both of them are enraged by the implication of what happened, even as Grimm poured out of the exit.

"Team NRTH and AWRD are gone," Rumpole gripped her sai's tightly, knuckles whitening.

"Xanthe, Call the rest of the inner circle. I'll hold her off and you join once it's done," The Shade headmaster raised his dust-enhanced gloves.

Salem's skin faded like an illusion revealing the unnatural porcelain and black veins underneath. The blue and white of her eyes give way to red and black. The blonde hair gradient shifts into white.

The fingers on her left hand elongated into bony claws. The right forearm twisted and shaped unnaturally into a cleaver-like sword.

"I'll make your death quick," The Grimm Witch promised.

In the blink of an eye, She was upon Rumpole.

"Welcome to Vacuo, Salem's. You won't break hope no matter how hard you try."

Akame PoV

"And cut! Great job Akame!" Lisa clapped. Finally, the camera is off.

That felt less bad than the first time I did it. I still hate public speech with every fiber of my being. It's odd having eyes on me when my preference is to be in the shadows.

I should be thinking positively.

I'm a huntress.

The world's youngest huntress who fought and clawed her way to the top.

For most of my life, I've been at the mercy of the world. I ducked my head in ditches as patrols passed by. I slept in tents located next to nowhere. There were more years I spent moving around than staying in one place. Even when I stay in a single home, I always avoid the windows. I never answer calls due to the risk of it being bugged. Even in Malachite castle, Being outside is simply the innermost part of a courtyard.

My power became my cage.

I never go out as myself when at my true home. I never enjoyed true freedom. The world reminded me of that painful truth. I schemed, trained, and built up my faction. I betrayed my vow to never kill without much fanfare. I would have wrapped Umber in my fingers like an obedient puppet if it wasn't for Dad. If I had gone cold, I would have become the Spring Maiden by now.

A month and a half ago, I told the world I existed. It was my first step toward true freedom. Now it's here.

Akame Branwen, the Huntress of Hope.

"Let's go," I felt someone roughly nudging my ribs. It normally wouldn't hurt but my regen is stunted.

My entire body felt like crap. The residue of adrenaline kept me running to find my missing sword. My rage kept me going for a bit longer followed by the euphoric high during the speech. Now that all that is gone, What is left is the most excruciating full-body ache I ever felt.

I must be an award-worthy actress with how well I'm keeping my appearance.

I mentally sighed.

I'm going to have to sit out of any fights for the rest of the afternoon.

"What is it, nepo baby?" I calmly asked, my voice a little shaky from the pain. That damn smirk made it obvious she knows I'm hurting bad.

This bi-nepo baby is asking me to turn her into my punching bag.

"I'm escorting you to Shade Academy. Are you still capable of moving or are we cashing out disability benefits?" She got close to my face, hooked my arm in hers, and dragged me away.

It felt agonizing to move but eventually, I made it. The bullhead was prep and waiting. Lisa, the cameraman, and that heterochromatic mute came onboard with us.

Four minutes of rest.

It's not much but I need it. I'm glad Lisa is next to me instead of those two mischievous girls.

"Lisa, I'm using your lap real quick," I told her.

Before I could hear her confirmation, My head landed on them and I was already gone.

Normal PoV

"By the Gods," Ironwood could finally sit down, hands on his face.

When Akame announced 'Salem'. It felt like a spit in the face of the inner circle. For a brief moment, Ironwood thought about shooting her on live TV.

He is confident his specialists can hold out in Shade Academy until reinforcements arrive. Theodore isn't a big fan of Akame either and there are still students on his side. The Mistral forces outside the city aren't going to last but the Malachite are going to be fine.

Ms. Malachite despite her scheming still felt like a newbie in this little group. It took her some time to squeeze more information out of their purpose but it is clear why they don't reveal Salem's existence. Akame is a prime example of it.

Sure, Most people would believe Salem is an ultra-intelligent Grimm who can't be reasoned with. There is a chance some could view it differently. She doesn't want two death cults to exist together. Akame's most fanatical members are just that.

Ozpin wanted to be subtle about dealing with the infiltrators. That is the normal memo when situations like this arise. But the balance of power is different here. A single order could reverse the position and they could be the ones hunted.

Kurome is a bitter woman over his betrayal that it was best to come clean. She took bad news surprisingly better than Salem all those millennia ago. What Kurome did was the right call at the right time. He thought about partially revealing Salem back in the day but it would come off as fear-mongering in a time of peace.

That world doesn't exist anymore.

Salem must be somewhere',' He mused, 'I doubt anyone can take her besides the very best.'

He knew a large Grimm was coming from underneath his feet. The headmaster nodded for the students around him to spread out. The ground cracked, and he leaped out of the way.

A massive sandworm Grimm burst out of the ground, ready to deposit its brethren.

It dies almost immediately.

He transfers his cane to the other hand and flicks his free wrist.

"That's amazing!"

"How did you one-shot it like that?"

A few students bounced near him energetically.

"Trade secrets," He smiled, not wanting to reveal the stored kinetic energy in his cane.

The newly formed hole and now dissipated Grimm worm give war to more Grimm.

"Protect the civilians and wipe out the Grimm!"

Winter felt a dozen guns pointed at her from behind barricades. The black and red uniform was enough to confirm who they were: Branwen tribe troops.

They were about to execute a man, who was currently cowering behind a wall of her men.

The lead soldier looked like he was ready to shoot.

"Go ahead and fire," She tosses the body of the fake specialist toward them," We are being misled and will need to properly confirm if the man behind us is a Salem."

The lead soldier gritted his teeth. He kept his finger on the trigger unlike the soldiers being him. The Schnee caught on to the reaction and was about to give the order to injure, not kill.

"No, She is right," Robyn winked with her happy huntress flanking her," A fake student just off himself and-"

A moment later Vacuo and Atlas students came to her aid, not raising their weapons but ready to stop a fight.

She walked behind a Branwen soldier, quickly grabbing his hand.

"Are you a part of Salem?" The lie detector's arm glows.

"No," he responded.

The arms glow red.

Before he could comprehend what happened. He felt the back of his head get grabbed and rammed violently into the wooden beam of the barricade.

Fione Thyme, the sheep Faunus, ran forward and shoved her hand into his mouth.

"No biting!" She pulled her hand out and retrieved the fake tooth with the pill.

The Branwen soldier stared in shock at the sudden violence. Even the Atlas specialists were taken aback by what just happened.

"Hey, why the hell did you hit…Wait? You're friendliest," The Branwen troop pointed his gun at the huntress.

It has been made clear by Akame, herself, that the Happy Huntress are allies. Even the previous leaders have a soft spot for Mantle.

"He looks like a higher-up?" Another soldier shrugged," He sounds like a higher-up. I assume he is one."

"Ya, I thought he outranked me…"

The professionally trained specialists and Mantle native sighed deeply.

"Lower your guns and I'll give an explanation," Robyn rolled her eyes.

"Poor command structure," A specialist sneered.

"How did you know he was a fake?" Winter leaps over the barricades with a single bound.

Robyn lifted the arm showing the tattoo on his forearm. The man's tattoo is a skull in front of the silhouette of a rifle and pickaxe. The Mantle natives simmered with resentment at the ink. The rifle and pickaxe were the emblem of the Kingdom of Mantle now turned into the symbol of human supremacy.

Winter bends down to get a closer look.

"I'll give General Ironwood an update on who our Salem's are," She reaches for her earpiece," General…"

"Everyone!" Robyn shouted," I don't care who your allegiances are, we are together in this crisis. Our target is the Lords of Snow. A radical group bastardizing the old emblem of Mantle. The majority of those members aren't even natives of my city. They have suicide pills in their mouth so try to restrain and clear it. Spread the word around!"

"Spread into a mixed group of four to eight," Winter added," Look for these tattoos, question affiliations, and detain."

They could hear screams, followed by distance fighting, the earth rumbled, and cracks.

"I just got word that the Grimm are coming from beneath us," Winter said.

On cue, Grimm worms started coming out of the ground. They spit out the black liquid that landed everywhere in its vicinity. Those black liquids molded into Grimm of all shapes and sizes.

Winter and Robyn nodded.

A unified front converges on humanity's enemies.

A/N: I remember some of the biggest complaints of my story is Akame being a pawn for another will. All I gotta say is let me cook.

Salem's plan would have gone perfectly if she hadn't miscalculated Akame's and Ozpin's decision-making. In most cases, This would have ended in war. If Akame was a little bit late in her speech or Ozpin wanted to be sneaky. It wouldn't stop anything.

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