(Revan's AN): This is either really good or really bad. In all honesty, I don't know, I've rewritten it several times to where it isn't cringe-worthy but let's be honest, there will be some cringe. As you can see below though characters will be OOC, for example, Tatsumi could be darker, Esdeath could be yandere. Stuff like that. With that said, let's get started.
Full Summary: Tatsumi, the second son of the late Northern King, wasn't like his brother. He wasn't taught how to rule a nation, nor was he taught how to deal with politics. He was taught in the arts of war and being a soldier. With war being declared onto the Imperial Empire, Tatsumi must take command of the Northern forces and defend his homeland from the imperial invaders.
Non-canon, single-pairing, OOC Characters.
"Flashbacks" - Thinking
"Flashbacks" - Talking
[Flashbacks] - Letters or Reports.
Theme Song: State of Mine- Rise
Main Writer: Revan's Wraith
Co-Writer: LoveRayX
Tatsumi didn't say a word as he stared at his enemies with a neutral expression, he held his greatsword effortlessly by his head, ready to counter any attack should they attempt anything. They were currently standing in the throne room of the Northern Kingdom's Palace. Scattered across the room that was once filled with nobles were corpses of both the Empire and Northern army.
The young prince wore a silver breastplate that had his family's symbol and a whiteish fur cape to keep him warm. He had silver vambraces to protect his forearms and underneath the metal was leather to provide him warmth. Defending his waist and thighs were silver faulds that stopped jus before hitting his knees, he wore silver boots that had his teal-like blue pants stuffed into them.
Standing next to him revealing their sharp teeth was the young princes' Direwolf, Achilles. The wolf was large reaching up to about 10 feet when on its hind legs, it had dark brown fur that faded to black and ocean deep blue eyes, strapped onto Achilles was armor designed and fitted for him.
Behind him stood about twenty plus Northern warriors all of whom wearing armor that is somewhat similar to the prince's, but unlike their prince, they all were wearing a helmet that covered their facial features with a white feather mohawk to match their fur cloaks.
Standing in front of the small band of King's Guard members was none other than the infamous General Esdeath, accompanying her was her devoted Three Beasts and a squad of her most elite soldiers.
Esdeath had a gleeful smile on her face as she gazed at the group of Northern rebels, She had been longing for this moment, and now it had finally arrived, she would finally capture The Young Wolf.
Deciding to break the silence that passed between both parties she said, "I believe that our game is finally over. It may have lasted longer than anticipated, but the results are still the same."
Tatsumi, however, refused to comment, he knew what she was doing and knew that he couldn't slip up now. Not this time.
Esdeath upon seeing this released a sigh of disappointment as she took a step forward not even caring about his men tightening their stances or his pet Danger Beast growl that it released. She knew that her Three Beasts also tensed up and knew that should any of Tatsumi's men try anything they would move to intercept.
"Giving me the silent treatment eh? What happened to all that fire and bravado when we first met?" Tatsumi didn't see this but there was just a small tint of red on her cheeks as her thoughts drifted to their first encounter.
"I have nothing to say to someone like you," Tatsumi replied rather coolly as he continued to watch her like a hawk.
Esdeath's smile got a little bit bigger as she took another step towards the group, she had yet to unsheathe her rapier as well. "I have something to say to you though, so you best listen." Her tone was full of amusement clearly enjoying the tension between her and her prey.
Perceiving that he wasn't going to respond Esdeath continued, "Lay down your arms right now and surrender to me. I'm a woman of mercy, I'll spare you and your men as well as your people if you do that."
"Do you really think I'm stupid?" Tatsumi inquired as he tightened his grip on the longsword. "I heard about what you did to some Southerners that rebelled against the Empire. How you also slaughtered their families in cold blood." He didn't know exactly what happened in the South, but he had heard that Esdeath ransacked rebel villages killing thousands upon thousands of civilians. Not to mention what he had seen with his own eyes.
Esdeath placed a hand on her heart and feigned being hurt. "You wound me, Prince Tatsumi. After the mercy, I showed your brother..."
Tatsumi didn't show any signs of anger or hatred at all, but underneath he was pissed off. He wanted to kill the woman in front of him right now, but he didn't want to fight to the death just yet. He wanted to wait a little longer and see if she would try to make the first move.
"Speaking of him let's go over your position right now." Esdeath began as she drew her rapier slowly. "Your brother is in a critical state. Your capital is being overwhelmed by my forces. Your people are fleeing in an attempt to escape the Empire's justice, and you're right now making a last stand in the throne room with 27 King's Guard members."
"What's your point?" Tatsumi questioned with a trace of annoyance in his voice.
"My point is," She replied with a tone similar to his. "Is that I have a full deck and that I could easily kill you and your men with ease. Yet I'm letting you live and there is a reason why."
At this Tatsumi smiled. "My point is that I don't care what your point is. Even if you kill me the North will live. My brother has been smuggled out of the Capital a couple days ago. In the end, you'll just be killing me the Lord Commander of the King's Guard."
"You're being incredibly rude to the one that is allowing you to live," Esdeath said as a scowl appeared on her face. "I'm trying to offer you a position that men would kill for and you're just being difficult when everything could be simple."
"This was my family's home. I was born in this castle and raised in it. I'm now ready to die in it." Came the Young Wolf's response not even caring for what she had to say as he shrugs his shoulders and switches stances to a tail guard stance. "But as long as a Seika survives then the war will never be over. My death will be avenged."
And with that said Tatsumi charged at Esdeath raising his sword in the process in an attempt to do an overhead strike and cleave her into two from the head down.
[Sometime Ago]
"Raise your sword, Prince Tatsumi and defend yourself!" Shouted a tall and broad-shouldered man with short spiky black hair that faded into a greyish white along with a black goatee that had tints of grey in it signifying that he was up in age.
The man wore a silver cuirass, gauntlets, faulds, and boots with a tealish blue leather underneath it all and a whitish fur coat on top of this. In his hand was a metal helmet that had a black feathered mohawk on top of it.
The man was no other than Lord Commander Takeo Branwen a legendary swordsman, and he was currently yelling at his youngest trainee Prince Tatsumi Seika, the six-year-old son of Beowulf Seika and second in line to the Northern Kingdom's throne.
Tatsumi tried to obey the command and raise his sword in a desperate attempt to block his opponent's downward slash but the force in the strike was enough to knock him onto his butt.
"Ieyasu don't stop, he may be your prince but this is a fight! Don't give him any room to breathe!" Takeo yelled at the black haired boy who was Tatsumi's sparring partner. The boy had spiky hair similar to Takeo's but on top of his head was a white martial arts headband and decided to stop fighting to allow Tatsumi a chance to get up.
"Sorry, father!" Ieyasu cried out as he advanced on the downed boy and swung his training sword in a downward arc.
Lifting his wooden sword up, Tatsumi caught the blade midway and stopped Ieyasu from delivering what would be considered the finishing blow. Getting desperate he then decided to try kicking Ieyasu off of him.
"Push him off of you and get up!" Takeo yelled with a bit of anger in his voice as he watched Tatsumi kick Ieyasu back a little. The attempts were fruitless though because everytime the young prince tried to get up Ieyasu would be back on him giving him no chance to rise to his feet.
"Get up!"
Gritting his teeth, Tatsumi wildly waved the sword side to side after pushing the older boy off of him once again in an attempt to block Ieyasu from advancing on him but it was all for naught. Parrying his swing, Ieyasu completed the rotation and sent a powerful strike to Tatsumi's temple causing the green-eyed boy to howl out in pain as he released his practice sword and clutched his new bruise.
Takeo released a sigh of disappointment as he turned around a bit and looked up at one of the balconies where spectators would come and watch. His eyes immediately met the man's, who was standing on the balcony. Takeo could see the displeased look clear as day, the man made no effort to hid it.
The man who was watching looked to be in his late thirties and had long jet black hair and a scar over his left eye, he had emerald green eyes similar to the young Tatsumi's but if you looked closely you could see that his was a tad bit darker. On top of his head was a golden crown, this was Beowulf Seika, King of the Northern Kingdom.
Accompanying Beowulf was a young boy who looked to be an 8-year-old Beowulf, however, the only difference was that instead of green eyes the child had deep blue eyes. On top of his head covering most of his forehead was a circlet with the Seika bloodline symbol, the child was Tatsumi's older brother Numa, and first in line to ascend to the Northern Kingdom's throne should Beowulf pass away.
Takeo frowned a little seeing this expression on his king's face. He knew the reason why he had this look and it had nothing to do with Tatsumi failing in training or anything along those lines, it was because of him being alive.
"Even though it's been 6 and a half years he still looks at his own son like that..." Takeo whispered to himself as he watched Beowulf say something to Numa. "I know what it's like to lose the one you love, but he was just an infant, how can it be his fault?"
Meanwhile with Tatsumi and Ieyasu. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to actually hit you! I meant to stop at the last second but you moved your head into it!"
Tatsumi didn't say anything to the brown-eyed boy who continued to beg for his forgiveness instead he looked past his partner to see his brother and father watching him.
Seeing the upset look on his father's face made Tatsumi angry as well as a little sad. He wanted to impress him with his skills in fighting like Numa would do when Numa trained, but so far he had only seemed to fail.
Grabbing his sword and dragging it to his side, he began to rise to his feet ignoring the tears along with sniffles that seeped out of him. He was going to impress his dad and prove to him that he was worthy to be looked at like he looks at Numa.
Hearing the dragging of the sword, Takeo turned around and watched with somewhat surprise as Tatsumi got up to his feet and entered a left guard stance.
"I'm ready, let's go again!" Tatsumi cried out with a fire called determination in his eyes.
Takeo smiled slightly and looked back up at Beowulf only to see a disinterested look on his face. Turning back around he shouts, "If you insist, my prince. Ieyasu pick up your sword and show no mercy."
Tatsumi released a whimper as he walked back to his bedchambers. His once nice training garbs now covered in blood, his body barring cuts, and bruises.
Even though he had gotten his ass handed to him by the Lord Commander's son he had learned much. Lord Commander Takeo had told him that he had the heart of a warrior and that all he needed was to hone his skills. Sure it would take time, but eventually, he would become a great fighter possibly the best fighter the Northern Kingdom has ever seen.
This was something he wanted as well. If he became the Northern Kingdom's greatest warrior then maybe just maybe his dad would give him his approval.
So, for now, he would train, and continue to train to where no one could beat him in single combat. He will become a champion of the Northern Kingdom.
"Are you okay Tatsumi?" Came a familiar voice from behind Tatsumi causing him to come to a complete stop and turn around. Upon turning around he was greeted by the sight of his older brother Numa, a look of concern plastered on his face.
"I'm fine, just a little battered and bruised maybe a little sore as well." Tatsumi lied, he felt like his entire body was on fire, but he didn't want to look weak. So he played it off as nothing.
"Oh, well I just wanted to say that I was impressed by what you did today," Numa awkwardly said as he scratched back of his head unsure what to say since he expected him to say something else entirely.
"Thanks," Was all Tatsumi said in response ensuing silence between the two of them. The two of them simply stared at each other not knowing what to say really to the other one.
"What did dad think of it?" Tatsumi finally asked breaking the silence. He had seen his dad's expression once, but he was hoping that his father changed his view a bit since he did do better as time moved on.
"Well um, he was disappointed, to be honest," Numa answered as he looked away from Tatsumi. He didn't want to see Tatsumi's sadden expression because he knew what he was trying to do, or why he was pushing himself.
"I see," Tatsumi replied with a sad tone as his eyes drifted to the ground, he should have expected this, but he couldn't stop himself from hoping.
"Yeah... Dad said that you lacked discipline and resolve, but I don't think that's true." Numa started with pride in his voice. "I think that you have discipline and you have good resolve! You just gotta master it, kind of like how I did! Father will be proud of you then!"
Tatsumi didn't say anything, he wanted to cry a little, the one thing that upsets him the most was being compared to his older brother. Sure he strived to be a great prince like Numa, but he wanted to be recognized for his own achievements as well.
"Thanks, Numa," Tatsumi said softly trying to show that he wasn't sad or about to cry, but failed rather hard. "But I think I'll just try to impress him my own way."
With that said Tatsumi turned around and began to walk away, however, before he could make it three feet he was stopped by Numa grabbing ahold of his shoulder.
Whirling his head a little, Numa said, "Why do you give me these cold shoulders? We're brothers! I've tried to support you every time since we're little but all you do is just act like you're fine and I don't understand why!"
"I'm not giving you any cold shoulder-" Tatsumi started but was stopped midsentence by Numa's hand hitting his face, a loud slapping noise echoed throughout the hallway.
Tatsumi was nearly knocked onto his butt by the sudden slap, luckily though he caught himself by placing his left hand on the wall. Eventually, after regaining his bearings he raised his right hand to his reddened cheek while looking at his brother.
Numa had a pained expression on his face as he stared at his younger brother, he didn't want to hit him at all, but he believed it was necessary.
"Why-Why did you hi-hit me?" Tatsumi asked hesitantly with tears about to spring out from his eyes.
"Because you're being dishonest with me, and I felt like the only way to get you to be honest with me is if I slapped you." Numa defended, he did think of other ways but he was tired of Tatsumi giving him this type of attitude.
"I wasn't being dishonest with you!" Tatsumi started only to see Numa raise his hand up as a sign of telling him to stop now or get slapped again.
"Tatsumi, I consider you one of my best friends and the greatest brother I could have, but ever since you begun training sessions with Lord Commander Takeo all you've done is give me a cold attitude. You no longer want to play games like we used to, or just hang out. It's like you despise me."
Tatsumi didn't even know what to say to this. If he was being truthful with himself then he believed Numa was overreacting. Sure they didn't play Commander, Chess, or even Manhunt but that's because they were both busy.
Numa had his responsibilities of being the heir to the throne which was attending the council meetings with their father, learning about how to govern their people, and finding a suitable candidate for when he comes of age to marry. Meanwhile, Tatsumi had to spend time learning how to read and write as well as learn how to fight.
Not to mention the only time when they were free to do whatever they want together is when Tatsumi is done with his lessons for the day, and most of the time he would be exhausted from his hard work either physically or mentally.
"Numa, it's not that I don't want to spend my free time with you, it's just..." He paused real quick as he contemplated what to say. What did he want to say? Was he slightly jealous of Numa for how their father looks at him? Did he truly not want to spend time with Numa because he didn't like him, or was it because he was just tired and wanted to sleep when Numa tried to spend time with him?
"Just what?" Numa questioned as he crossed his arms in annoyance, due to him being of royalty he was used to people answering him almost immediately and for a second he forgot he was talking to Tatsumi and not some servant or guard who would obey his commands. No matter the command.
"I... I just want dad to look at me like how he looks you!" Tatsumi confessed, ever since he could remember the only thing that he really and truly remembered of his father was the displeased look he would give him. He had never once given him a smile, or a look of pride. It was only disappointment and he didn't understand why, and every time he asked about his mother his father would just avoid him entirely.
Was it somewhat a petty and stupid reason? To some, it might be, but to Tatsumi it was everything, he wanted to have his father's love, he wanted the appraisal from him too. He didn't hate Numa though for, it but he just wanted to know why was it only Numa who received this attention and not him as well? He was his son too, yet he was barely given any attention.
Numa didn't know how to respond to Tatsumi's confession. He wanted to ask what he meant, but Numa wasn't a fool. He wasn't blind and oblivious to the situation between his father and his brother and knew something was wrong between the two of them but he didn't know really what it was, nor did he ask about it.
He just thought it was because he was too preoccupied with him, and he thought Tatsumi was okay with this since he really didn't show any signs of being upset or care for the matter.
And every time Numa asked about his mother his father would only say, 'Your brother is what happened.' Which made no sense to him, but that's all he would get from his father and no one else would dare tell him the reason. They would just say, 'I can't say,' or 'Ask your father.' It all didn't make sense to him, but he assumed that eventually, he would get the answer.
Seeing that his brother had nothing to say, Tatsumi turned around and began to fast walk away from his brother. Tears started to come down his cheeks as well. He now believed that Numa would think less of him.
He didn't know why he felt that, but he just did.
Numa simply watched his brother runoff, and couldn't stop himself from extending a hand out to him as if he was trying to stop him from leaving. Yet Tatsumi didn't stop he continued to move away from him, leaving him shocked and worried for his brother.
This shock though and worry soon was replaced with some anger, not anger directed at him, but at himself and his father. He had promised Tatsumi when they were younger that he would look out for him, and be the big brother that he could lean on. However, he failed that, he failed to notice that his brother was suffering from neglection.
He was going to have words with his father one day, and demand why Tatsumi was being treated like this. He was going to start being the older brother he promised to be.
Tatsumi upon entering his room immediately locked the door and marched to his bed not caring if he stained the flooring with his muddy training boots or if he gets dirt on his bed.
He was able to stifle the water from coming out his eyes, but he couldn't stop his emotions. He felt jealousy, anger, sadness, pain, and loneliness. He felt like he should hate Numa, but he just couldn't hate him. He didn't know why he couldn't but he just couldn't.
He wanted to believe that it's Numa's fault for how his father treats him, but he couldn't seem to bring himself to blame Numa. Numa even though he could sometimes be oblivious to things was the only one who really treated him like another human being alongside Takeo and his son.
He guessed that the guards and servants only did his bidding because of him being a prince. He doubted that if he didn't have the title 'prince' that no one would do what he requested.
"I'm-I'm going to cha-change how they thi-think of me..." Tatsumi mumbled between sniffles as he laid down on the bed. One-day no-no one is-is going to treat me like-like an ou-out-outcast."
(Revan's AN): And cut, so yeah here's I guess a redux of my old story King In The North. For those of you who haven't read it let me say this, it was pretty cringe-worthy. Hell, this is probably bad as well, but I am redoing this story, because it was one of my favorites I wrote and because I feel like it deserves this. Anyways I could go on about some stuff, but let's be honest no one reads Author's notes. So I won't explain things, and I won't make it long. Instead, I'll just put a link of a discord I'm in that's full of DxD stuff, because why not. If you wanna hang out with me and other chill people then join. If not oh well.
Link to Discord: discord .gg/ V4KnvtE