Disclaimer: I do not own Akame ga Kill, it is the property of Square Enix, and was created and written by Takahiro and drawn by Tetsuya Tashiro
This story will cover a pairing I don't usually seen given much love, though I think it makes sense and makes for an interesting story, so I hope you do, too. It will follow the general anime story as opposed to the manga story, though there will be slight deviations and some elements from the manga incorporated.
Chapter One- Kill the Memory
The sound of hundreds of horse hooves clacking against black, sheeted ice on dirt was music to her ears. Though that analogy hardly made sense considering she didn't care much for music or the arts in the first place.
Her troops didn't mutter among themselves like those of others military officials. They didn't squabble or make bets on the outcome of the battle or talk about their mission. They were silent. Only the sounds of their horses' hooves and the clang of metal spurs and swords pressing against their belts as they trotted along and the howling of the winds to the North accompanied them.
This is the sign of a well-disciplined, loyal, experienced army. They knew what was coming and anticipated it not only with fear but a certain glee. Victory was assured and the spoils of war would be enjoyed by all once the dust settled.
"This- this is where I belong. This is the world I know and love and thrive in," she thought.
Her long, silky blue hair flowed in a majestic, entrancing way. Her beauty was unmatched but somehow harsh and intimidating to all. She was just as enamoring as she was terrifying to all who came across her. Her blue eyes were beautiful like glaciers, but they also seemed to just pierce whatever they were directed at. Even her eyes were weapons in their own right.
This was the Empire's Strongest General, the Ice Queen Esdeath.
They had been riding for a day now, headed north to dispose of the North's problematic hero and prince Numa Seika, who was raising his armies against the rule of the almighty Empire.
Esdeath looked forward to meeting him. By all accounts he was strong, fierce, intelligent, charismatic—someone his people could put their faith in to lead and protect them. He had never lost a battle with a spear in his hands.
Esdeath also added young and handsome to that list of qualities. She would not have usually factored this in at all, her drive to destroy this adversary would've been too strong to even notice. But as of late, her feelings seemed… different.
She had begun feeling a bit lonely at the top, and felt maybe trying something that everyone else seemed to enjoy but she could never seem to fully grasp would be useful- to try finding a mate. To fall in love with someone.
She just saw it as a new experience and something to conquer in her long list of accomplishments for her life, of which she had accomplished by her early 20s.
But then, as anyone does, she began to narrow down what exactly she would even be looking for in a mate- as the Empire's Strongest and living by the philosophy her father imparted on her about survival of the fittest she could never think to be with a weakling, so she opted that her love would be strong. Not too strong, as she would still have to be able to straighten him out if he stepped out of line. After all, she is always in control.
He would also have to be intelligent as she was and a candidate for growth into a general like her, as well as being fearless.
This is why she was excited to meet Numa Seika, for if he puts up a good resistance to her conquest he may be strong enough to be hers and serve in her army. If he is able to survive her torture techniques long enough without breaking then he will definitely have proven himself worthy. Only time will tell.
Despite his status as the enemy, Esdeath wanted to keep an open mind about this as a possibility. Love is strange she was always told.
The salty air blew in from the shore on the outskirts of Wave's village, creating a gentle, sea-scented breeze that reminded him of his time on the open ocean. He had returned from his stint in the Imperial Navy not a month before and already he was tired of his quiet village life and thirsted for adventure once again.
The smell of the ocean on the air brought him back to his final day at sea. Keno had seen Wave leaning on the railing, watching the white splashes created by the vessel splashing below him, spraying his face with a cool mist. He gazed out onto the vast, seemingly endless plain of greenish blue.
Keno: It is beautiful, isn't it?
Wave: Huh? Oh, I didn't notice you there. Yeah, yeah it is. I'm going to miss it.
Keno: Ha. It's not going anywhere. You live right next to it. You can always come back.
Wave: Yeah… but now that I'm not on assignment—it won't be the same. That sense of constant action and travel- it won't be there.
Wave hung his head, reflecting on how quickly his time had gone. It seemed like just the other day Keno was visiting his home, a home he had frequented visiting Wave's parents, his longtime friends, since Wave was a boy, convincing him to join Keno in the Imperial Navy, and that one day Wave could become a captain just like him.
Now the three years at sea were over… and Wave returned to his humble life as a fisherman's son in the village he spent his entire life in until the Navy called upon him again. Wave, despite his service, was still just a common sailor, without a high rank like Keno. Wave dreamed of having his own vessel to command, and eventually to settle down after a life on the high seas and of helping the people of the Empire, maybe with a wife and family.
Keno: The sea will always be there, Wave. It calls to people like you and me. And even without the sea, you carry its spirit with you. You're strong and persistent and free. And you'll bring that spirit with you wherever you're called. You might save a lot of people with that spirit. That and your never-ending optimism.
Wave smiled at that comment.
Wave: Thank you. It means a lot coming from you. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you. I'd be at home catching swordfish and squid with my father.
Keno: Your father is a good man. Hardworking. Never forget that. The fisherman's trade has no glory but it is an honorable, honest job. It helps people, too. Puts food on their tables.
Wave: I know. I would never—
Keno: I know, Wave. I just sometimes have to remind myself too that the simple life is still a good one.
His mentor smiled warmly at him.
Keno: Come below deck; I want to show you something.
Wave followed the middle-aged but still well-built captain down the stairs to the storage below the surface, dimly lit by oil lanterns. The rest of the crew were scattered about doing various errands, and Keno took Wave to the back room for some privacy to show him an old metallic crate.
Wave: What is this?
Keno: It's yours. It's been down here too long without someone to own it. To wield it, rather. This was collected from an illegal trading vessel some time ago and was locked down here and forgotten about by many. I think that fire in your soul that calls you to the sea can also be found in this. I think if you and this Imperial Arms bond- you'd be an unstoppable force. You could help the Empire considerably, fix all the crime throughout it.
Wave: Imperial Arms? I don't know if I can do that, Keno. It's too intense. Only the most powerful warriors can wield them, and I'm just—
Keno: You're nothing but what you tell yourself you are. After the way you fought to take out the pirates that flanked us the other week, I knew you were more of a fighter than you let yourself believe.
Keno took the box's latches and snapped them open, revealing the shiny black suit in all its glory, with a menacing but slick helmet with two horn-like attachments on either side.
Wave was in awe of the amazing gift. He couldn't even express his surprise or thanks. He was staring at a real Imperial Arm. A tool that only the most powerful and focused could use. Was he really compatible with this armor?
Wave: Wha—what's it called?
Keno smirked.
Keno: They call it Carnage Incarnate, but a less sinister name is the Grand Chariot.
Wave snapped back to the present as he stared out at the shoreline of the beach, seeing the calm, serene ocean calling to him, and felt the power of Grand Chariot rush inside him every time he stared out. He wondered where Keno was, and if they would work together on the sea again. He could only hope.