Chapter 25: Beneath the Sand

I'm quite surprised by how smooth the drive to Ventura Cove is. In terms of encountering bandits and other dangers is nonexistent. The lack of roads has us bouncing inside the van but otherwise, every arm group and checkpoints let us pass without issue.

"Uncle Qrow, Why aren't we getting ambushed?" I asked," Or stopped?"

"Because this particular road is watched by a tribe that's friendly to me," he explained," They know who I am and I paid my dues. An Atlesian airship could come by and the locals will fire at it."

My uncle skillfully weaved around rocks and foliage until a blue horizon came into view.

"How are you enjoying the trip so far princess?" Umber nudge Militia.

"It's-" She bounced up and nearly hit her head on the roof,"-NOT something I'm used to."

We reached a clearing and parked the van. I jumped out first and started scouting the area. There aren't a lot of people around which means it should be easier to locate Vernal. If there was a crowd here, I doubt even I can find her unless she revealed herself.

"We will split up and search all four corners-" I paused as Militia ignored me and walked down the stairs leading to the beach below.

"How about you follow me," She turned around," I'll talk to her first. Please trust me."

I nodded and let Militia take the lead. It's interesting seeing her being this assertive. Militia has always been the follower. I wonder what changed?

"I'll stay behind to watch the car," He walked over to the trunk and opened it. He grabbed Umber and my weapon and tossed it over," If there Grimm around, I'm sure you three can handle it."

I checked Shūsen by drawing the blade.

Umber checked her bayonet short-double barrel shotguns.

We both moved out.

I can sense her aura from the entrance of the cave. Militia walked in and I could faintly hear their voices.

"What should we do with her?" I asked my sister.

"We can knock her out and turn her in for bounty money?"

I slowly turned my head and stared at Umber.

"Tell her we want nothing to do with the tribe and by extension Vernal?"

Stare.

"Beat her up?"

Stare.

"Slightly?"

I closed my eyes.

"So we are fighting her!"

"No!" I yelled," You should know this."

"I don't want to admit it," She pursed her lips.

I tilted my head and leaned forward.

"She's going to leave us to die again," Umber crossed her arms," I'm not taking a risk."

"We don't know that," I explained," She seems to regret her action but until I hear her side of the story, I'll withhold any judgment. And it doesn't make any sense why Vernal would want to leave the tribe but become its leader."

"She probably has a hand up her as-"

"Language."

"Regardless, She's troublesome."

I wanted to counter her logic but stopped when I heard two footsteps leaving the cave.

Umber froze in place.

"Vernal," I stared into her two-tone eyes," What did you do?"

Militia turns away.

"What happened to your scars?" She responded.

We observed each other's features and came to the same result.

In an instant, time stops around us. The crashing wave of the ocean falls silent. The seagulls stopped mid-flight and the wind became nonexistent.

"Umber," I called out to her but she didn't respond or blink when I touched her.

I somehow wasn't affected by it.

"This is unexpected. I wanted to privately speak with my host. It seems like you can resist it," A new voice said," I am the spirit in the Relic of Knowledge and I refuse to tell you my name."

"Did you force yourself onto my friend? Maybe commit some crime she would never do?" I didn't care if that thing was all-powerful. I got ready for a fight. But how do I fight her while she uses Vernal body?

"No, That isn't the case. She approached me after the war was over," The spirit said," Vernal and I agreed that I would inhabit her body to better experience life itself. Knowledge without experience is merely reciting instead of learning."

"And you mean her no harm?"

"Yes," the spirit affirmed," On the contrary, I am merely an observer and guide giving out harmless facts and tidbits about the surroundings. Putting Ver in harm's way is going to hurt me too. And interference is against my directive."

"Ver?" I narrowed my eyes," Is that a pet name?"

"That's her real name," she answered back," And she can hear this conversation, too."

"I don't trust you," I shook my head, "And I don't have to explain why."

Vernal looked down and I could feel the air change.

"It's true," Vernal said," I'll tell Umber the same thing. Every life I take is either directly or indirectly my fault, my decision. And the spirit is inside me because I offered to show her the world."

"Why are you with the tribe?"

"Survival," she admitted," I can't trust my semblance to do all the work and neither could I do it all alone. When I thought you died, I felt alone and scared. I did what I had to do to ensure a home and people to protect me."

"Vernal…"

I trust Vernal but I don't trust that thing inside her.

"But I should have as much faith in you as Umber did," She said sadly," And I refuse to turn my back on my actions."

"Is that how it is," I evaluated," I am here now and alive. Vernal, I sometimes forget we are just kids. We shouldn't be dealing with all of this crap."

"And are you still the same Akame?" She asked and I nodded.

"You don't have to tell me your name but what exactly is it? That spirit?"

"She's someone from a bygone era of humanity. One of four divine relics of a God and one of many of humanity. She knows everything in the past and present but will only abide by the rules set forth," Vernal revealed," She won't help me in a fight or tell me what to do. She only gives harmless information."

That still set off so many red flags. But what could I do about it? Evict her? She would already know if seeing the past and present is accurate. Any plan is going to be countered before I move a finger. I can't do anything against that spirit even if I know it's the creation of the God of Light.

But the Gods aren't here right now.

"Tell that spirit of yours to undo the time stop," I said," Umber and Militia need to be a part of this conversation, too."

"Of course…and this is for her," she started talking to that spirit," Yes, I trust them, too. Let me talk to my friends."

The world resumes as if nothing has happened.

Vernal rubbed the back of her head and I coughed.

"You two got a lot of explaining to do," Militia insisted.

"And can we trust you not to tell mommy?" Umber teased.

"Y-yes," she shuddered," I'm not on good terms with her. I just didn't want to-never mind."

Vernal and I looked at each other.

"Everyone has a reason not to trust each other," I confessed," But the four of us can't let paranoia ruin each other. Umber and I learned we have to be honest with one another. I'm asking if you two can do the same."

Vernal and Militia nod their heads.

"When I have to go see my mother again, I'll give her information she would already know or suspect," Militia admitted," I'm not revealing what she doesn't know."

"How about shutting up?"

"No wait," I realized," That's the smart thing to do. Only tell her the bare minimum but nothing leaves this cave."

"It's true. Interrogation/Torture 101 is only giving out outdated, half-truth, or, false information to your captors," Vernal lectured.

I stared at Vernal.

"Some friendly Mercs taught me it."

"Do you both trust her?" I referred to Vernal and the spirit inside her.

"Lemme ask her," Vernal paused," She said yes."

I walk toward Militia and put her hand in mine.

"Cold," she shuddered.

"Look me in the eye," I commanded," Are you going to betray our trust?"

"No," She stammered," I know what you and Vernal are capable of and I'm not risking it."

She is being truthful. The eyes, her pulse, and even her aura told me what I needed to know. I release her arm.

"Let's start with the big one," I said, "I have Grimm blood in my veins from a Grimm Queen."

"A divine spirit of Knowledge is living rent-free inside me," She said without missing a beat.

"EXCUSE ME WHAT?!" Militia screamed

And that will be the limit of what I tell Militia and Vernal. They wouldn't know about my past life. It's the secret I'll share with Umber. Besides, Lil Ms. Malachite knows about my Grimm blood. The mask likely recorded everything.

"How are you able to order the two most powerful ladies in Remnant to hold on to the top of the van," My uncle pinched his chin," This is a violation of road safety but it's kinda funny."

"Just drive, Uncle," I stared down, ashamed," This is Militia's way of telling me to sleep on the couch."

"So you are the dad of the team!" Qrow jokes," And Militia is the mom! Umber must be the son and Vernal is the daughter going through a phrase."

We all facepalmed.

"And Umber is going into the trunk," Militia added.

"Yes, Princess," Umber shrugged.

"Is there a reason why you are punishing all of them?" He asked.

"Because I'm now the only normal one here and all of y'all are weirdos, birdman," Militia angrily tapped her foot.

"Oookay," Qrow took his flask out and took a few large sips," Hang on tight and keep the aura active. The next stop isn't for another 30 mins."

The wind flows through our hair as we sit on top of the car. We looked at each other and sighed.

"We are both swimming in the deep end," I smiled," You're going to need to evict that spirit, or else I'll exorcize her myself."

"Yup, Maybe when I'm done wandering Remnant," Ver chuckled," Akame, What's wrong?"

I sense dread, suffering, hate, and death.

"South of us! Fly me near it."

"Now?" She asked.

I leaned over the side to Militia and Umber's surprise. I knocked on the driver's side window to get my uncle's attention.

"Stop the van."

Qrow gradually slowed the van to a full stop.

"Ready to hop in?"

I shook my head.

"I can sense someone calling out in pain coming from the south of us. Vernal and I will go first to help first," I opened the trunk and Umber gently handed Shūsen to me. She proceeded to throw Ver's rifle and pistol at full speed.

"Hey!" She caught both of them with ease," These guns are worth more than you."

"I don't care!"

Before an argument escalated, I hopped onto Ver's back.

"Everyone go south!" I ordered and Ver took off. The wind rushed past my face as the scent of battle became clearer. The landscape started to shift from an arid plain with a lot of vegetation to dunes the further south we went.

I look back to see my uncle turning the van to the left and following us.

A caravan came into view after a few minutes. We landed on a dune. I hopped off and Ver immediately crouched down and looked through her scope.

"Huh, This ain't right," Ver looked up.

"What do you see?" I narrow my eyes at a few vehicles fighting off a large Grimm worm and winning. They're too far for me to get an accurate reading on. All I can tell is they're wearing a mesh of white and yellow-brown. They have several armored vehicles with mounted guns and there are ten of them.

A few seconds later, They blew off the head of the blind worm. The people below celebrated and Ver stood up.

"Akame, Trust me," she answered back and her eyes lit up," They must die."

I rushed to tackle her. She left me in the dust as she flew toward the convoy several hundred yards away.

"Vernal!" I yelled and started chasing after her. I boosted my aura into my legs to catch up with the flying maiden. She landed near them and put her hand on the ground.

She did something to the sand around the convoy. The whole group panicked as they and the equipment sank into the desert. I can close but stop as I near the edge. I was going to fall in if I got closer.

I reach out to the nearest person. He has terror in his eyes and notices me.

"Save me! Please!" He screamed. I extended my hand to him and he reached out. Our fingertips touched but never made it.

BANG

A bullet hit him in the back of the head and he slumped over, dead.

I look around to see a figure across from me. Ver held her pistol while the other hand was still touching the sand.

I wanted to fight Ver right on the spot but I remembered her words.

'Akame, Trust me. They must die.'

I let her finish what she was doing.

Everything disappeared into the sand without a trace. I expected it to be all over until-

*SNAP*

*CRACK*

The sickening sounds of metal and bones being crushed reach my ears.

Ver stood up and looked at me with a saddened expression. I relaxed my arms knowing I was going to draw my sword moments ago. She walked toward me barely able to make eye contact.

"They were traitors that killed a friend of mine," She explained.

"Traitors? Like Umber and me?" I gritted my teeth," Look at me directly in the eyes."

"What I did was merciful compared to those monsters," she explained," Look, I will show you the full proof of who those men are when I meet up with the tribe in Vacuo."

I could hear the van coming closer and closer.

"This isn't like you."

"And it's awful," she stammered," I don't enjoy killing but sometimes it's the only option left."

"There is always another option. You need to realize that before you lose yourself," I lectured," I'll pretend nothing happened here but I need an explanation later."

My uncle parked the van near us and ran out.

"Girls, What's going on?" He rushed over. I look back at the battle site to see nothing but sand.

"I could've sworn I heard people dying," I lied," Sorry for dragging everyone out here. It must have been my imagination."

My uncle looked around and didn't question it.

"Don't worry about it, icey," he said," The desert is soaked in blood and suffering. The people of Vacuo live through it every single day. I wouldn't be surprised if those souls lingered. Could you see ghosts? Shinigami?"

"Ghosts don't exist," I crossed my arms, "How about we get back in the van? No more distractions."

"No problem," he nodded," This is no longer just a training trip. It's also a vacation and a rehab for you and the princess in the backseat."

"STOP CALLING ME A PRINCESS!" Militia yelled.

"Rehab? But I'm not the drunk here," Ver pointed at the flask.

"Touché," my uncle smiled," Hop in girls! We are leaving."

I jumped into the passenger side and Ver sat next to Militia.

"You don't want to sit in the back?" Qrow asked Umber.

"I made a bed and I have all the snacks," she responded," This comforts me."

"All right," He started the van and drove back on the road. Yet, He looked back one more time with a frown.

I saved Umber and Miltia seems to be on the right track. I don't know if Ver could be saved. She killed plenty of people. Maybe even more than what is publicly reported.

I could say the same for Melanie, too. She is the confident one with a better understanding of the underworld. I could see leadership potential in her from a young age.

They are all my friends and potential threats.

I found it strange.

The sensation I felt in the desert wasn't normal. I thought it was people who were suffering but It turn out to be a Grimm calling out in pain and rage.

Is it an ability from Salem or the Dark God?

That blind worm must be an old Grimm. I killed Grimm recently but never got the same reaction. I assume they are young and mindless. While the blind worm lives long enough to gain a bit of self-preservation, maybe even sentience.

Great, My aura sense is excellent while this curse gives me a link to Grimm. Despite my body temperature, I still feel human and lack any of the primal instincts of a Grimm. I need to test this further.

A/N: I'm not sure if I could write the next chapter since it supposes to be in Vacuo city. I haven't touched Before the Dawn yet. At least I got this chapter out very fast.

Fun fact, Vernal (Ver) was originally going to be a Faunus with her look similar to Fate Apocrypha, Atalanta, and related to Lionheart. But I decided to have her be human and kept the subplot of her alliance with the White Fang. If there is one thing certain, Vernal will become Remnant own version of Esdeath if Akame failed to save her.

Akame being unaffected by a relic time stop is a hint of her true purpose. Marrow's semblance can still affect her and Esdeath's trump card would still work on Akame. The original draft of this story leans toward a sadder ending. And that ending will happen if the sisters fail to save Akame from her destiny.

I'm a huge fan of the Fate series and wrote in some characters and plot points that reference it. The world rejecting Akame's existence is one of them. For a good reason, too. Otherwise, The God of Light would have isekai Esdeath by now. It's the reason why Umber can recall her death in another timeline. Hui Fang knows that, too. Any RWBY character that dies in canon will get hints of it.

Shinigami isn't just a nickname.

Please leave a review.