The Knights of Grimm - Act 4 - Whispers of Arkhonex

Chapter 94 - War For A Future

Jaune

"The son of a forgotten Order of Brave Warriors... the daughter of long-lost Spartans, the child of a fallen settlement and daughter of humble beginnings." Salem said as she stared Team J.N.P.R down, staring directly into each of their eyes as she nailed each of their pasts.

"So you know our pasts, huh? Who gossiped about us?" Nora questioned, planting a hand on her hip, which made Salem chuckle. Like Vir Nominis Umbra, Salem could not help but admire their courage and ability to joke even amongst the darkest of times.

"I have heard many stories about you children... I rarely delve into the personal histories of my foes, but I must admit that all of you have earned my respect." Salem said, and in a strange way it was quite humbling. Especially for this team since all of them at the beginning of this story merely wanted to be simply Huntsmen and Huntresses to protect people. Not earn almost legendary statuses, and the respect of one of the most dangerous entities that had ever walked Remnant. "But it matters not. Whether I die tonight or if I kill you, you have already lost this war. You cannot stop Vir Nominis Umbra, he has already won." Salem assured.

"He hasn't won, not so long as we're all breathing." Jaune assured as his eyes glowed once again and the markings across Crocea Mors glowed brightly. Salem smirked sinisterly as she channelled dark magic through her body.

"The day will come where you pray you will join the fallen. And that day is coming soon, that I promise you." Salem assured; her eyes ignited with the Summer Maiden Power channelling itself through her body. They all readied themselves against Salem, and then she suddenly blasted towards them and slashed her clawed hand towards Jaune, but he ducked under her attack and smashed his Shield across her face. Salem staggered backwards but her black wings she formed opened outwards, she then blasted forward again and punched Jaune across the face. The impact knocked him to the ground, and Salem dug her heel into the ground. Nora ran forward and she yelled with rage, swinging Magnhild towards Salem, only for the Dark Queen to catch the head of the Hammer in her hand. She stopped it so suddenly that Nora genuinely staggered forward, and then Salem pulled the Hammer from her hands, and threw it into her chest. Nora grunted, thrown across the floor from that sudden and hard impact.

Ren sprinted towards Salem with Pyrrha, but suddenly she took off into the air, using her Grimm Wings to keep her body hovering above them with powerful swings. She laughed, and her voice became dark and almost demonic, as she started to use the full power of Salem against her enemies.

"If you venerate any of the Gods, start praying now!" She roared at them, and she flew directly towards them and she smashed her fist down into the ground. A powerful pulse of black and red energy erupted up from the ground, the shockwave knocked the Huntsmen and Huntresses to the floor and then Salem held out her hand, ripping chunks of rock up from the ground and launching them towards Pyrrha. She raised Akoúo to block the incoming boulder that exploded around her body. The impact pushed the Invincible Girl across the ground as the plume of dust surrounded her body. She then ran towards Salem who formed a pair of Swords in her hands, and she jumped and slashed them towards her descendant. Pyrrha blocked and parried the incoming blows with her weapons, being pushed back by Salem's aggressive attacks. She struck the blades so hard that they snapped against Milo, but Salem did not care about that. She hardly even needed weapons to beat them.

Pyrrha jumped and performed a flawless backflip, hitting Salem up her jaw with both feet. The Executioner of the Gods staggered backwards but then she suddenly blasted a powerful bolt of energy towards Pyrrha. The bolt blew Pyrrha across the floor, into Nora's arms who managed to catch her. Ren sprinted forward with Jaune, the Knight held his shield above his head and threw Ren up into the air. He soared above Salem and fired both Stormflower Pistols at her. She hardly even reacted to the bullets that punctured into her skin, she simply watched him, and she unexpectedly extended her arm towards him. The white colour blackened like a Nuckelavee's Arm, and she caught Ren out of the air and smashed him down against the ground.