Hello all Akame ga Kill fans. I've been meaning to write a story like this for quite some time. I've read the story, read the manga, and read many of the fics on here. And I must say, all of been very interesting. The anime left me lack luster but the manga and fics have kept me going. As for why I wrote something like this, I'm giving Tatsumi a dark side, something I'm curious to see.
Yes, I know, protagonist are meant to show the light. But that won't really come as I'm giving Tatsumi an anti-hero type of setup. No joining Night Raid, no Incursio, none of that. This story is to show it's survival of the fittest and the strong do rule the weak.
Enjoy
Sealed and locked away.
Cold to the bone with the weather only getting worse.
Lack of warmth and food to sustain.
All the while beaten, raped, and abused.
That was the fate all prisoners of the North faced. That was the way most met their ends, shackled and frozen to death, if they didn't die of dehydration or hunger first.
The people of the North had quite the talent for torturing their prisoners. And it easily dissuaded some of the surrounding countries from rising up against the Northern Tribes. Less they wanted to suffer a similar state.
These tactics of torture and imprisonment were used against many who caused problems for the tribes. And it was the only way they kept their most dangerous prisoner contained.
Within a stone bunker, deep beneath the earth, a young man sat against the cold wall. His arms were chained above his head and his legs were tied together by thick rope. His mouth was sealed with tape and he was left to the cold around him.
His brown hair draped his eyes as he sat there, motionless against the wall. The only signs of life was the slight rise and fall of his chest. Even still, it was questionable if he was really alive?
'How long has it been,' the boy thought within the dark confines of the prison. The chains rattled as he begun to stir, his body weak and worn from the lack of sustenance. He shivered, feeling the cold grasp him.
Slowly raising his head, he showed his bright green eyes within the darkness. They were fogged, lacking life, as they stared blankly at the wall ahead of him. It was the fact they moved that showed he was living.
The boy glanced up at the ceiling. There were cracks in it and signs of mold all over it. His eyes, adjusted to seeing in the dark, could see the dead rats and large amounts of blood that stained the walls. It was obvious that this room was a cell they kept for prisoners who were to be executed.
This was more than imprisonment for the young man. It was his death sentence for what he done.
"Ah, my Lord, what are you doing here!?" A sudden shout sounded.
The brunette turned his head to the door of his cell. Albeit muffled, he was able to make out the cry of one of the guards from outside it. His shout of surprise alerted the captive of someone coming. And with the mention of a lord, the boy could probably guess who it was.
The last person he wanted to see.
"I'm here to see the prisoner. Let me through," another male voice, this one authoritative, ordered.
"But, my Lord, he attempted murder upon you," the other guard, this one female, responded.
"I understand this but I must speak with him anyways," the second voice replied. "If not, what he did will be nothing compared to our future."
The locks on the door began to creak and crack as they were slowly unlocked. The clash of iron upon iron rang in the boy's ears as they finally began to open his cell since locking him away. However long that was.
The chamber began to come undone as the final few locks were realeased. And as the slow sound of the door sliding against the stone floor filled the quiet room, light from outside began to penetrate through.
At first, the brunette had to shut his eyes. Not having seen light for quite some time put a strain on his vision and it took a few moments for it to adjust. He instinctively tried to move his hand to cover it but the rattle of chains and locked position they were held in reminded him of his predicament.
"Tatsumi...or as my men called you before you slaughtered them, the Northern Devil. How have you been," the authoritative voice spoke.
The now named Tatsumi growled lowly as he turned back to face the man he hated. Growing a bit more adjusted, the boy glared at the person in front of him, his killing intent starting to leak.
In front of him a man stood. He had long black hair and dark blue eyes, that rivaled that of his bright greens. He wore a grey suit of armor over a high-collared purple shirt. With it, a metal headpiece with the symbol of his tribe in the center, matching the ones on his chest plate and shoulder guards. The same symbol was also on his purple cape that currently draped his shoulders.
"Mm-mm," Tatsumi mumbled in return. The man laughed to himself and moved towards the boy.
"Hahaha, my apologies brat, I forgot we placed that over your mouth. Can't have you activating that Teigu can we?" He joked, his eyes carrying smug glee.
The man leaned forward and ripped the tape off in one smooth motion. Tatsumi winced from the stinging pain and grit his teeth as he stared up at the man hatefully.
"Numa Seika. I'd kill you where you stand for coming to see me..." The boy growled with killing intent leaking off him.
The older male, Numa, smirked in response. "Well it seems you aren't in any position to do that now, are you?"
"You know what happens once I break free from here," Tatsumi spat back. "I'll have your head on a silver platter, you bastard!"
Tatsumi lunged forward, in attempt to attack the man, but failed once the chains yanked him back to a sitting position. Numa merely chuckled, watching as the boy struggled against his restraints.
"It's good to see you haven't lost that fire. I'll be needing it very soon," the lord replied.
The boy stopped his struggling and looked at the man as if he'd grown a second head. Numa smirked at the look, only feeling satisfaction at such an expression.
"Me, help you!? You've lost your mind if you think I'm joining your side, coward!"
Numa grinned wildly. "Oh but you will. You see, the Empire heard of your little massacre and is now on the move to try and take me down," he explained, his tone growing very dark. "If you want your people in that backwater village safe, you'll join me in defeating them."
Tatsumi looked into his eyes, hate being the only thing the prince saw. It was obvious the brunette despised him, hated him to the core, and wanted nothing more for the man to be dead. But it was also obvious that as long as the man had the boy's village under his control, he'd have to do as he said. Otherwise risk losing all he had left.
"You're a traitor to the North! You're just as bad as the corrupt Empire! You're nothing more than filth and deserve whats coming to you," Tatsumi spat. He felt nothing but disgust towards the man in front of him. His people saw him as a hero but he was nothing more than a coward, a villain, and garbage that needed to be tossed out. No, incinerated.
"Say what you will but I know how much you care for your friends and family. You will join me or I'll have that entire village burned to the ground," Numa threatened with a sickening grin.
Tatsumi gnashed his teeth as he glared with absolute rage. His killing intent was so high the guards down the hall shivered with fear. Numa had beads of sweat form on his brow but held his ground against the boy in front of him.
"Oh, have I hit a nerve? You're a demon, you shouldn't care about anyone but yourself."
"Release me and I'll show you how much of a demon I really am," Tatsumi growled.
Numa laughed in response. "Trust me, I've seen it. The way you destroyed platoon after platoon of my soldiers, it was quite the sight. You know, they've named the front of the west gate The Bloodied Snow Fields after your little show. But be honest, do you think you'd really be able to defeat me?"
The lord had leaned forward, his smug smirk angering the brunette beyond control.
"I'm damn sure. Garbage is always that. Garbage."
Using the chains as leverage, Tatsumi pulled his legs up and kicked Numa in his chest plate as hard as he could. However, with his lack of food and the weakened state of his body, the prince was simply knocked back a few meters and planted on his butt. The boy clicked his teeth, hoping that the strike would have at least knocked him unconscious.
Numa looked shocked for a second before he bursted out into laughter. He clutched his stomach and slapped his hand on his forehead as he threw it back, continuing to cackle. "Haha, that was pretty good brat! You still have that much in you even after the restricted, torturous setting we've put you in? You truly are a demon with that kind of resolve."
"Let me go and I'll show you my resolve! I'll rip your head off and shove it up your ass!" Tatsumi shouted back, pulling against the chains again. This time, the lord watched as the chains were pulled harder, dust appearing where the nails were embedded in the wall. It was obvious that they were loosening but it would still be some time before he could break free. Of course, he'd be dead or on his side by then.
The prince stood once more and swept his hair from his face. He smiled at the boy, leaning his weight on one leg. Coming forward, careful of the boy's legs, he grabbed a handful of the brunette's locks and slammed his head against the wall.
"Listen brat, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. Join me to defend against the Empire and I'll free your village and it's people," he said with a low tone. "Hell, I'll give them the supplies they're so desperate for and even place them under my protection. All for your chivalrous deeds of helping my nation."
The rattles of the chains ceased as the brunette momentarily stopped his attempts. His face grew a lost look as he stared at the older male with narrowed eyes and shallow breaths.
Numa grinned. "Seems that got your attention."
Tatsumi tried to reel in his emotions but it was too late. "Fuck you, traitor. I know you're nothing but lies. You should be able to defeat them easily. You're in your element, so why do you need me."
Numa sighed and for the first time tried to level with the boy. "Brat, I'm going to reason with you, if the Empire takes the North, all of us are sure as dead. Including your village," he slowly explained. "If you help me protect it, I'll be sure to return a favor and protect that boonie place you call home."
"Don't call it that..." The young man said in a low tone.
Tatsumi glared at the prince, his eyes burning with anger and rage. His killing intent continued to leak out in waves, washing over the room and through the halls.
The two men stared at each other. The killing intent surrounded the prince but he stayed strong and kept his resolve. He knew that if he didn't get the boy's allegiance, no one of the North would survive the onslaught of the powerful Empire. Tatsumi was actually a saving grace Numa was sure the gods sent. But it was a test to see if the leader could sway him to his side.
Eventually, the killer aura reseeded, and the boy began to calm down.
He clicked his teeth and swallowed his pride. All for the place he called home. "Fine, I'll do it. But the very second this is over, I'm taking your head. Know that I won't stop until you die by my hands."
The prince smirked.
"I'll keep that in mind," he replied half-hearted.
Numa then stood, releasing the boy and turning away. "The Empire should be hear any day now so I must be off to gather my troops and prepare them for war. Until then, make sure you eat and prepare yourself for battle. I don't want you weak when we go to war."
The prince paused in his steps before looking back with a look unrivaled by any leader. "The same way you were to my men, do to the Empire times ten."
"I thought you weren't scared of the Empire, prince Numa," Tatsumi replied, giving his first jab at the man's pride.
Numa seemed unaffected. However, his face had darkened as he faced the door to the cell. "I'm not. It's the person leading them that has forced me to make a deal with the devil."
"Oh yeah? And who, pray tell, is this person?"
There was a long pause as the lord gripped the door handle tight. He said nothing and stood there, feeling cold for the first time in a long time. He knew, all of his troops knew, of this woman. Her skills were unrivaled and she was one hell of a sadistic general. Known as the strongest across the land, she had the prince shivering in his boots despite the fact he was born in the cold. The fact that he breathed and lived with the cold. And yet, her name made him shiver every time as if someone dumped a bucket of ice water on his naked form.
"Her name is Esdeath. And she is someone even I come to fear and respect."
"Hm. Must be quite the woman..." Tatsumi droned sarcastically. He didn't seem scared at all and it made Numa suspicious at how calm he was. Had he not heard of the woman?
"She is. She's laid waste to many that the Empire has faced. Her Teigu is not something to take lightly and she'll wipe an entire battalion within seconds. I advise that if we face her, both of us fight her, otherwise all is lost and we'll become her playthings."
"I'll keep that in mind..." The boy responded dryly. Numa ignored it, in favor of knowing the boy would cooperate. Better not to push things and just hope he and the demon were enough for her. Gods watch over them.
"Good. Until then, Devil."
-XOXOXOXOX-
Was it late at night? Early the next morning? Tatsumi didn't know. All he knew was that the day for battle was drawing near.
Since Numa had left Tatsumi's cell, things had started to change for the Teigu user. The first being that he was being fed.
Yes, the guards had begun to bring him food. Though, with his lack of hands, due to them being chained, the guards were forced to feed him themselves. And under Numa's orders, the brunette had begun to regain his strength. Not only that but he was given a blanket to cover himself at night. No longer would the cold be such a hindrance to him, as if it really was in the first place.
It seems the prince wanted the boy ready for when war was upon them. After all, it seemed that the green eyed devil was the Northern Tribes best chance at taking on the Empire. Even if they couldn't kill all of the Empire's army, forcing them to retreat would be good enough. It would solidify the North as a place no one could touch. It ensued safety to all around the large city and the villages would be safe from pillaging as well.
As Numa thought on this he almost failed to notice the screams as someone entered his throne room.
"...My Lord, my Lord!" A soldier screamed, running like a madman with his arms flailing in the air.
"Yes, what is it? Numa asked in annoyance. He hated having his thoughts interrupted.
"They have arrived..." The soldier said frantically.
"Who has arrived?" The prince asked, despite already knowing who it was.
"The Empire, sir! With the Ice Queen, Esdeath, leading them!"
Numa sighed and closed his eyes. It seemed she was as the legends said. To have reached them so fast, only those with great strength could survive the many obstacles the North provided. Bandits, danger beasts, and the cold itself, she was quite the leader to have marched her legion with such urgency. He was right to fear the general of the corrupted Empire.
Numa stood from his throne, throwing his cape off in a dramatic fashion. He stepped down the stairs, walking towards the soldier, who had yet to stand from his kneeled position.
"You have done well, soldier. But you must lend me your strength for this last task. Go to the dungeons and retrieve the Northern Devil for this war," he ordered as he walked past the fully armored man.
"S-Sir...?" The soldier squeaked in fear. The mention of the demon sent chills down his spine. After hearing what happened to his fellow men, to his brother who happened to get caught in the fight, the Northern Devil wasn't someone he wanted to meet.
Numa, on the other hand, paused for the moment. He slowly looked over his shoulder, back at the soldier. His eyes were sharper than any blade and they held no signs that would explain his request.
He merely spoke, "Did I stutter?" It wasn't even a question, it was a dare. A dare for the soldier to question him again.
The armored man stiffened and shook his head rapidly.
"Good. Now go!"
"Yes, my Lord!" the soldier said in a panic. Then with a salute he ran as quick as he could to the holding cells. At that point, Numa seemed like a demon and he was one that wasn't restrained.
The prince himself began to make his way towards the southern gate. He held his favorite spear in hand as he strode through the courtyard to where he knew his army awaited.
The spears power hummed in his hand, vibrating as it felt the impending battle to come. It thirst for bloodshed and the prince felt as it pushed for it to begin. Numa knew that once things started, he was aiming to kill everything in his path.
No mercy, no regrets. That was his motto and he planned to stay by it. The Empire wouldn't take over his country and he would make sure that his people were safe. No matter the sacrifice, nothing or no one was greater than the Northern Tribes.
As Numa finished his thoughts he walked out into the cities streets. There, he came to see his army at attention before him. They noticed their hero's arrival and saluted as he made his way towards them.
The royal guards stood in front, the remaining soldiers close behind. They were armored head to toe and their weapons were at the ready, tightly wielded in each soldiers hands. Spears, swords, shields, bow, every last man and woman was ready to put their life on the line this very day.
The prince said nothing, knowing there was no time for any kind of speech to rile his soldiers up. He simply made his way through his army, who parted for him to pass, and continued on his way to confront the approaching enemy. The very tension with the approaching war was enough motivation.
The large number of soldiers behind him were but a fraction of his full army. The remaining soldiers stood outside the walls, hastily preparing for the ensuing fight against the Empire. And yet, the lord knew that even that might not be enough as he feared just how many the Empire had at their disposal. Four hundred thousand was the number of people he swore to protect. And yet barely one-fourth of that could be called soldiers.
Numa began to feel doubts about this fight. He was going against the strongest the Empire had to offer. General Esdeath was a psychopath. A sadist who had free reign to destroy and annihilate as long as the Emperor said so. He wondered just how his army would stack up against someone who was an army by herself. And then carried thousands more who were ready to destroy everything, as their commander would.
Then, as if by a friendly reminder...
...
...
...
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM
A large explosion sounded throughout the fortified city. Dirt, snow, and smoke filled the air, reaching as high as any building surrounding the area. The clouds of dirt filled the streets, flooding throughout the area of the sudden destruction.
The guards turned, armed to the teeth for whoever caused the explosion. They speculated that the Empire had already begun the attack and were just about to scatter to begin some type of defense protocol. But, they all froze as the voice of their hero rang over all of them.
"Do not move out of formation, soldiers. It isn't the Imperial Army that has made such a grand entrance," he shouted for all of them to hear.
The soldiers turned back, curious as to who else could have such destructive power. It wasn't until Numa turned, coming face to blade with the boy standing in front of him that the army knew why. He smirked, pleased with the results, as his "partner" glared at him with the same desire to murder him as when they first met.
"Glad you could join us, demon."
Before the man, and behind the blade, Tatsumi growled with his fangs bared. With a different appearance and a much more intense aura, it was obvious the boy activated his Teigu.
Now that the prince was feeling it up close, he questioned how he had been able to capture the child in the first place. The very energy radiating around the brunette made the noble sweat, despite the harsh winds around him. Such raw power and bloodlust, Numa was sure that the demon could only get stronger from here. It was as if the demons of Hell were staring him in the face.
He had to harness this power and have the boy become loyal to him. If he did, he was sure that not even the Empire would be able to stop him. He'd be able to defeat anyone who crossed his path. And for once, world domination seemed like a plausible idea for the northern leader.
Numa could feel his confidence returning. Such power should be able to defeat the Empire's best. Especially with him by the boy's side. The war could actually be in their favor.
"Come now, brat, now's not the time to be fighting each other. Esdeath nears and we must prepare for battle."
"..."
Tatsumi stared at him, silent. His eyes were sharper than back in the cell. His bright green eyes were now shining and even more brilliant than before, almost glowing in the sunset setting. His pupils had sharpened to thin slits, giving him a more feral, reptilian look. His teeth were also sharpened, his fangs having a slight glint in the dim light. And his nails were sharpened to claws, looking as if they could easily tear through flesh and bone.
"I have to say, this Teigu is incredible. Something undiscovered for centuries and for it to be in the hands of a child," Numa thought aloud taking in all the details of the change. It made Tatsumi growl even lower and the prince waved a hand dismissively, trying to ease the child. "Nevermind the details. I'm still in awe at such a thing and am curious as to how a bite to your hand activates it. Mind explaining?"
"..."
Tatsumi only stared in response, receiving a light chuckle in response.
"Of course not. Forget it, let's just be on our way. We don't have time to waste on frivolous matters."
The brunette stayed still for a few more seconds before finally pulling the sword away from the man's throat. He stabbed it into the ground before turning and walking off towards the gate. Saying nothing, everyone cleared a path, not wanting to invoke the ire of the demon in human skin.
Numa didn't move for a moment and one of his royal guards came forward.
"Sire, are you sure it's alright to have that thing loose?" He questioned in concern.
Numa smirked at the question, chuckling at the guards confusion. Not because he thought it was funny but because it was relaxing knowing someone thought the same as him.
"It is fine. He'll learn who is the strongest. And once we kill Esdeath I'm sure he'll become a valuable asset to the tribe and prove himself worthy."
The guard was still worried for what would happen once the Northern Devil was free on the battlefield. Would he attack the enemy, would he attack them, maybe attack both sides. But he would trust in his lord and simply follow orders. So he fell back into rank as the prince and the army began their march to the front lines.
Numa, however, felt the nagging feeling that his words were just that. Words. But trying to stay confident in both himself and his people, he ignored them as he continued to the battlefield. Unknowing that he wouldn't see the sun rise the next day.
Boom. First chapter. This chapter is basically a prologue. A start to the downward spiral of good guy. It's the only thing to show Tatsumi's humanity before I shatter it. With the village being the only reason Tatsumi acts like a good boy, his world will crumble as he discovers the truth.
Destruction is what shall come. Darkness, danger, and all in between. Tatsumi won't be OP but will be much stronger than canon. His new Teigu is of my own creation and I shall elaborate on it in future chapters.
As for any type of relationship, I've always loved TatsumixEsdeath but I won't go truly overboard with it. As in Esdeath won't be head over heels, do everything for him, but will be very affectionate. And Tatsumi, despite his tragedy, will only show true emotions towards her in return.
As for Night Raid, the Three Beasts, Jäegers, and Wild Hunt, expect deaths. No white knighting or happy fairy tales, it's Akame Ga Kill. So I'm going to Game of Thrones it out here and probably kill some of you guys favorite characters.
Ciao~