Woo! Next chapter.


Back in the Capital City.

Mark reappeared in front of the house where he met Night Raid. he closed his eyes once again, turning back to walk back to the barracks where Esdeath asked to meet him at. He arrived as the sun rose over the horizon, men getting ready to move out. Mark walked past all of them, hearing the whispers of rumors and looks of curiosity. He walked towards the direction he could feel the most power coming from. He heard chatter inside of a tent, so he decided to wait patiently outside, as the inhabitants of the tent walked out.

"Oh, good you're here." Esdeath exclaimed as she walked to him, three others following her. "That's a lot of blood on you. Go on a little killing spree when I left for the night?" she asked mischievously.

"Something like that." Mark answered. "Can I get a change of clothes?"

"Hmm, no. I like you how you already are." Esdeath replied, causing Mark to sigh.

"Fine, when are we moving out?" he asked.

"Treat the general with some respect." a man behind her shouted.

"It's fine Liver." she smiled. "We're moving out right now. As promised, you can stay close to me." she smiled, mounting her horse. Mark started to walk side by side to her. Her entire army followed behind, through the streets, people cheering them on or staying quiet as they passed. No one speaking ill of the infamous general, Mark noticed. They finally exited the gates to the city, Esdeath could seem Mark relax when he exited the city. Finally opening his eyes, the green orbs seeming familiar in her head, but she couldn't recall from where. They continued on for several miles, Mark never seeming to tire or grow fatigued. When the army would stop to rest or eat, Mark would always be apart from them. As if he was in his own world. She grabbed a bowl of soup, taking it to him.

"You need to eat." she chastised, offering him the bowl.

"I'm fine." Mark rejected.

"I won't have anyone dying of starvation under my command." she pressed.

"I'm not under your command am I?" Mark shot back. "I'm merely accompanying you."

"I still don't want you to die of starvation."

Mark snorted at her words. "I won't, but the empire you serve is making sure many others are."

She grew cold to his reply. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the side of his face.

"Eat." she commanded.

"No." Mark retorted, turning his head to face her. She saw a furious calm in his eyes that made her shiver from his gaze.

"Fine. If you die out here, it won't be my fault." she hissed, walking back with the food in hand. She handed it off to the brute of a subordinate, Daidara, who thanked her as he greedily consumed it.

Mark looked on, watching the snowy mountains grow ever closer to where they met. The army was once again on the move, but her soldiers noticed that her mood became a lot more cold to everyone she spoke with for the rest of the day. Soon it was night, and the army was sleeping. they had covered good ground, but it would still take a few more weeks before they would approach the northern borders. Mark sat quietly by a campfire. Few guards were awake at the time standing guard, so Mark decided it would be a good idea to go for a walk into the frosted trees. He gathered a large knapsack for anything useful he might find, and set off.

"If you get into trouble out there, we won't rush to help you." a guard called out to him.

Mark merely gave him a thumbs-up, indicating he would be fine. He jogged through the woods, listening for anything for him to hunt. He passed several animals, nothing worth his time, as he walked further and further. the ground soon became slushy from all the melted snow from the mountains falling down into the warmer climate. he trudged onward, the ground turning into snow covered ground as he moved further and further from the encampment.

He arrived at a small cliff, the top towering over him by several hundred feet above his current position. He would've turned back, but he could sense a strong power emanating from the top. So, he steeled his nerves, conjuring two small daggers that he would use to climb up with. As he climbed higher and higher, the winds picked up. It took all his strength to not be thrown off of the mountain and into the ground far below him. He kept climbing, one hand at a time, as he climbed to the top. He could feel the presence grow stronger and stronger as he approached the summit. After almost an hour non-stop of climbing, he reached a ledge. Unknown to him whether or not it was the top, he pulled himself onto it, resting on it to catch his breath. He laid there for minutes, until he heard the sound of paws hitting the ground by his face. He felt air tickle his face as he opened his eyes. He was met with the eyes of a extremely large snow wolf danger beast. A Shadow Wolf. Rare if I recall. Mark thought as he slowly raised his hand up, as if to pet it. It growled, leaving him as it walked a ways back from him. Mark slowly stood up, eyeing the beast. Mark was standing now, the beast eyeing him carefully. Considering it hadn't attempted to eat his face of when it stood above him, he assumed it was somewhat intelligent. He saw the wolf bare its fangs and howl, white lightning arcing across its jet-black fur on its back, striking sporadically around it. A show of weapons and strengths. Mark thought. He stripped his shirt from his torso, tossing it to the wind as he conjured a small knife from thin air and a metal staff. He showed the beast his weapons, challenging it to a fight. The beast recognized the challenge, preparing itself to pounce. Mark slid the knife into his boots, holding the staff at a ready position. The beast jumped, attempting to bite at Mark's head. Mark caught the beast's jaws with his staff, pushing the beast off of him, and onto the snow. He rolled to the side, away from the edge as he dodged a swipe from one of the paws. He took the offensive, twirling the staff as he attacked different parts of the beast. He struck quick, but hard, wearing down the movement ability of the beast. Soon the beast was limping sightly, backing off as it became more conscious of him. Mark watched the back of the beast, in case any lightning would be used against him. He saw the furs stand, as lightning crackled off of it, and towards him. As he dodged the various blasts of lightning, the beast was able to recover slightly. He jumped backwards as the beast called down a thunderbolt that shook the entire sky, splitting open the clouds, and blasting Mark as he held his staff like a rod, deflecting most of the power down into the ground. The attack still left him paralyzed for a moment, more than enough for the beast to swat him with its paw, clawing his chest as he was knocked off of the top. He reacted as soon as he was able to, stabbing his staff into the mountainside, stopping his descent as he stood upon it, balancing himself. He could hear the ragged and tired breaths of the beast up above, watching for him. He jumped off of his staff, spinning on it for momentum as he sent himself skyward, above the danger beast. As he soared over it, he twirled in mid-air, striking the spine of the beast, paralyzing it. As he landed to catch his breath, Mark could hear the sounds of whines coming from the wolf. He walked over to it, petting it's snout.

"I'll make it quick, okay?" Mark spoke softly, getting a nudge in response as it closed its eyes.

Mark turned the beast over, a herculean task considering how much it weighed and how tired he was. He quickly located the core of the beast where it got it's powers from. He used the knife in his boot to cut a hole as he ripped the powerful fist-sized gem, a hue of darkness radiating from it as white lightning crackled inside of it, from it's body. He heard it whine in pain. He quickly brought out his knife, silencing it with a quick cut at it's throat. He then skinned the fur hide from it's entire body, sure it would be useful for keeping the cold away, as well as its ability to be used as protection from lightning attacks, even though they weren't that common. He then cut off slabs of meat he could use to eat, not wanting to waste the boon he was given. When all was said and done, Mark was coated in blood. He buried the beast's remains where it once stood guard. He was about to leave, when he heard the sounds of a small pup wolf crying for it's mother. Mark took pity on it, wrapping it in his arms as he descended the mountain. Going down was a lot easier than going up, all he had to do was use the dagger to stab into the cliff side, letting him carve his way down. He quickly arrived back down, the cloak and meat in his knapsack, with the wolf pup asleep in his arms.

He arrived at dawn, the army waking to get ready to move out. He walked through the army, reaching the tent he had been given to sleep in. He dropped off the knapsack, taking out the meat and cooking it while he laid the pup on his bed to sleep. Several men walked up to him asking what the meat he was cooking, smelling delicious, to which he replied it was danger beast meat from a Shadow Wolf. Some of the men laughed him off, but a few of the more veteran soldier asked where he had found such a rare beast. He indicated that he found one while hunting in the dark hours of the night, on top of a summit. Some of them laughed, telling him that they were able to hear the howls and see the lightning as the thunder split the sky during the night from here. They thanked him for the story, Mark offering some of the rare meat to them for humoring him. They left quickly after thanking, wanting to savor the meat. Mark resumed his cooking the meat, drowning out the rest of the rabble that dragged on in the morning. At least that was, until he heard the sound of someone sit down besides him.

"Hello." Nyau replied cheerfully.

"Hello." Mark greeted.

Soon the other two beasts had awoken, sitting down around the fire where he cooked the meat.

"The meat looks delicious." Daidara drooled.

"Well, according to some soldiers, it's the meat of a Shadow Wolf." Liver replied, glancing at Mark. "Tell me, how did you manage to slay such a beast?" he asked, sarcasm lining his voice.

"With these hands." Mark replied.

"Hmpf, a Shadow Wolf is rare enough to even find, to think you are even able to kill one, what with it being an Ultra-class danger beast." Liver scoffed.

"Don't believe me then." Mark chuckled as he took the last of the meat from the fire.

"That smells good, can I get one?" Daidara asked. Nyau looked at it hopefully as well. Liver looked skeptical, but his stomach grumbled in response.

"Sure, knock yourself out." Mark replied, grabbing a two slices of meat, walking back into the tent. He ate a piece of the meat, sitting down as he woke up the pup from its slumber. It sniffed the air, looking at Mark with hopeful eyes. Mark laughed, giving the pup the whole piece of meat and some of his own. He kept stroking the pup, the gem in it tingling his fingers as he stroked it's fur. Soon it fell asleep again, and with his entertainment gone, he got up. He walked over to the knapsack which still held the Shadow Wolf's furs and gem. He inspected it all, before walking outside of the tent.

"Oh, hello Mark." Esdeath greeted him, as she finished chewing the food he had cooked.

"Morning." he greeted. "I'm going to go look for some cloth and water to wash something." Mark informed as he strolled away.

He returned back after a few minutes, a basin of water and cloth, from some soldiers he had given food to, in his arms as he arrived to see Esdeath and the "Three Beasts" had already left to do their own thing. He walked into his tent, seeing that he was not alone. Esdeath was there, sitting on his cot, stroking the little Shadow Wolf pup in her lap.

"Seems she likes you." Mark joked.

"Seems she does." Esdeath laughed, a real laugh, one he hadn't heard in years. "You know, when I was informed that you had walked away from the camp, I thought you were attempting to escape. I didn't think you would actually leave in the middle of the night to go hunting."

"Well, I couldn't sleep." Mark said offhandedly. "I decided to go exploring, then climbing, where I found a Shadow Wolf."

Esdeath hummed in response. "So is this the pup of the one you killed?"

'Yeah." Mark answered as he cleaned the furs.

She kept playing with the little pup, even getting it some food when it had awoken. Mark had finished cleaning off the furs and cutting and sewing them to make clothing. Afterwards, he examined his work, an outfit made from the fur. The fur made for a cloak and hood.

"You've been doing this for a long time." Esdeath pointed out, the pup nudging her leg. "When was the last time you've been up here in the north?" she asked.

"Almost 10 years." Mark replied, watching Esdeath. She froze at his answer, before relaxing, playing with the pup some more. "You should give her a name." Mark pointed out.

"What?" she asked.

"The Shadow Wolf pup, if you keep playing with her, she's going to grow attached. Might as well give her a name."

"I can't think of one." she mumbled.

"How about Partas?" he suggested. Esdeath, freezing entirely at his words, took a moment, before turning towards him. She lunged her hands onto his shoulders, ice freezing his body, keeping him from moving.

"How do you know that name?" she threatened, her rapier drawn at his throat. Mark smiled at her actions. She pushed her rapier closer to his throat drawing blood. "Answer the question."

"I heard of a tribe that used to hunt up there. But last I heard, they were all wiped out." Mark answered.

She released him from his icy prison. "Not all of them." she smirked.

"Yeah, there was a lone girl who had survived. But she was badly wounded."

Esdeath looked at him with a curious gaze. "She was pretty cute. I nursed her back to health and taught her how to survive." Mark added, enjoying the look of shock on her face.

"You!?" she gasped.

"I was intrigued when I heard you'd become a general." Mark laughed. "So, how've you been all these years, still up to your merciless ways?"

Esdeath kicked him in his gut, causing him to lose his breath. "You should've told me." she mumbled, deflecting the question.

"I wanted to see how you've changed, if at all?" Mark answered. Esdeath kept quiet on the matter. Mark walked up to her, hugging her in a warm embrace. "I still see you as the little girl I had taken care of all those years ago." Mark comforted. "You've grown to be a fine young lady." he smirked. "Maybe I should've taken you as my wife." he joked, getting another blow to the gut. "Anyway, what are you going to name her?"

"Partas, because I will raise her to be strong."

"Well, then she's my gift to you." Mark laughed, petting her.

"T-Thank you." Esdeath smiled. Mark stood up, stripping out of his clothes. "What are you doing?"

"I want to change out of these." Mark explained, motioning to is bloody clothes.

"The least you could do is take a bath then." Esdeath sighed.

"Fine." Mark huffed, walking off to find a stream to bathe in.

Esdeath stayed with Partas while Mark was away. Slowly but surely, she started to care for the little pup. Mark returned an hour later, clean and freshly clothed in a sleeveless shirt, pants and boots. He walked over to the outfit he made, strapping the cloak to his back, keeping the hood down, feeling the softness and warmth it provided.

"They're almost ready to move out." Mark pointed out as he took the gem, stuffing it into a knapsack he slung across his back.

"Okay." Esdeath replied, exiting his tent, Partas following after her.

The rest of the army was soon ready to move out, with Mark and Esdeath at the front. Everyone noticed that their general was in a more happy mood, with Mark walking besides her in a cloak no one had ever seen before, with a small pup yipping in front of them. The army started to move out, Mark keeping up with Partas in front. Every now and then, a small animal would run in front of them, with Partas chasing after it. Mark stayed behind to watch her, until she returned with a meal in her mouth.

This kept up for the following weeks, with Mark going hunting with Partas. Slowly, the pup grew into a fearsome creature, but still young in its age. It now was up to Mark's waist, it's body almost larger than his when laid beside each other. Esdeath had taken to training the beast as a attack/hunting dog of sorts. Partas was soon able to hunt down lower level danger beasts with ease, and summon lightning from its gem.

Soon they reached a northern village, the inhabitants innocent. Esdeath stated that they would ignore them, unless they did something to provoke her wrath. Mark strolled through the village, greeting the inhabitants with respect as he searched for a blacksmith's forge. He found one in the center of the village, an elder blacksmith stoking the fires.

"Hello there." the blacksmith greeted.

"Hello, I was wondering if I could use your forge to create a weapon for myself." Mark asked.

"You'll have to prove to me that you're able to strike metal first. And I won't provide you with the materials, you need to come up with them on your own." the black smith informed.

"Of course. If I may." Mark asked motioning for use of the forge. The blacksmith asked Mark to create a broadsword, to which Mark did with ease.

"Excellent work." the blacksmith admired. "You can use the forge whenever, just ask me first." he informed.

"Thank you." Mark replied, leaving for the night.

Mark walked towards the army's encampment, greeting some of the more veteran soldiers. He arrived at his tent, Partas laying down besides it. He stroked her snout, receiving a whine of affection in return. He entered, seeing Esdeath relaxing on his cot, a report in her hands.

"Can I help you?" Mark asked, removing his knapsack which still held the gem and his cloak and sleeves.

"I was just wondering where you were." Esdeath replied, turning the page of another report she was reading.

"I visited the local blacksmith." Mark answered.

"Really, why? I'm sure that we could offer better than an average blacksmith." Esdeath informed.

"I intend to create a weapon for myself." Mark announced.

"Oh?" Esdeath said, her interest peaked. "Can I come watch?" she asked.

"Doesn't matter to me." Mark replied, sitting down on the floor, a piece of paper in his hands.

He started sketching out how he wanted the weapon to look as well as where he would place the gem. It took him a an hour and dozen of ketches to come up with his ideal weapon, as well as how to go about creating it. By the time, he was done, he noticed that Esdeath had fallen asleep on his cot. Instead of waking her up, he took his cloak, covering her with it to ensure she stays warm. He noticed the reports on the ground. He picked one up, scanning it quickly, nothing catching his eye, as he folded it up and put it on his bedside table. He checked the sky, realizing that he had another two hours before the sun would rise. He left his tent, walking past a sleeping Partas and into the countryside. He wandered past fallen trees and flattened shrubbery as he searched for anything to interest him. He came upon the tracks of a beast, the magnitude several times larger than what the Shadow Beast he had fought. He tracked the beast towards the mountains, its track becoming nonexistent as the snow covered it up. He decided it would be a good idea to turn back, until he heard the soft crunch of snow to his right. He immediately rolled forwards, the beast he had been tracking ripping off his right arm as he attempted to dodge. The beast looked like a ultra-class snow dragon. Nubila. Mark hissed, a snow dragon he had hunted ages ago, but never succeeded in killing. Its blood was used to create the teigu, Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract, if I recall. This is going to be annoying. Mark thought as he prepared himself to fight for his life. He barely dodged huge icicles thrown at him from all around, blocking some with the staff he conjured. As he prepared to find its weak spot, the sun rose, coating both of them in a blinding light. Nubila roared, shaking the entire mountain he had trekked up as it retreated, an avalanche coming down towards Mark. Mark flinched at the sound, before returning to his senses to run back down the mountain as fast as he could, jumping off the top before the avalanche buried him alive. He could see the army mobilizing, probably alert from Nubila's roar, as he rocketed down towards a clearing made for training grounds near the encampment. He crashed into the ground, creating a crater in the center of it as he collided with the ground.

Once the dust and rubble cleared, onlookers saw Mark in the center of it, his clothes beaten and battered from the impact. He climbed out of the crater, his body aching from the impact. He struggled over to his tent, collapsing inside of it as he entered.

"Mark!" Esdeath exclaimed, rushing over to him. She picked him up, feeling his head. he was deathly cold, but he was sweating as if he was burning up. Mark opened his eyes, seeing the fear in Esdeath's eyes and how she looked to be scared.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I just had a little run in with a danger beast." Mark laughed, spitting out some blood. That's not going to ease her mind. Mark thought to himself.

"What kind of danger beast could've done this to you?" Esdeath chuckled, placing him onto his cot.

"An ultra-class one." Mark laughed. "It's been tracking us for a while." Mark informed.

"Since when?" eyes narrowing as she dabbed a wet cloth on his forehead.

"I think ever since we've entered the northern regions." Mark guessed. "It seems to not want to try to fight an army head-on, considering it had been watching us from afar."

"How do you know?"

"I started wandering into the countryside, finding its tracks almost completely covered. I had followed them to the mountains, before a blizzard struck. It attacked me then, and when the sun came up, it roared to retreat, causing an avalanche to come down at me. I high-tailed it out of there, jumping off the top, crashing into the training grounds."

"So that was what the roar was." she mumbled to herself, trembling slightly.

"Why, have you heard it before?" Mark asked, sitting up.

Esdeath immediately tried to sit him back down. "You need to rest." she scolded.

"No, now when did you hear it before?" Mark asked.

Esdeath looked away. "I remember hearing such a roar when I lived with my clan, the night my mother had been eaten by a danger beast. Probably that one." Esdeath sighed.

"Well, I won't let it get you." Mark comforted, hugging Esdeath's trembling embrace.

If anyone else did that to her, she would've skewered their body, but he made her feel safe. Like when she was a little girl, without having to fear the danger beasts that attacked them constantly while she was still injured.

"Thanks." she smiled. "You need to get some rest though." she chastised lightly, pushing him back down onto his cot. "I'll be back to check on you later. I need to make sure my army isn't in disarray."

She left him. Mark suddenly felt his entire being struggle to remain awake, but soon, he fell into a deep slumber. He was awoken to the feeling of someone licking his face. Mark opened his eyes, seeing Partas to the side of his bed licking him. He chuckled lightly, raising his hand to her snout, stroking it gently, a sound of affection rumbling from her. He sat up, taking a look at his surroundings. He was still in his tent, but the sun looked like it had been setting. He walked outside, soldiers moving to and fro, some stopping to greet him and informing him of their orders to keep alert for any beasts. She probably doesn't want to take any chances. Mark thought as he walked to the training grounds. he found the three demons sparring with each other, Esdeath watching them with a critical eye. He sat down besides her, startling her slightly.

"You should be resting." she lectured.

"I'll be fine." he replied.

He watched as the three sparred, Daidara wielding Belvaac, Nyau with the flute teigu Scream, and Liver, who seemed to be wielding a simple longsword. Mark watched as Liver dodged attacks from Daidara and deflected ones from Nyau. He jumped backwards, doing a flip to kick at them and gain some space. He drew his hand upwards, water shooting out of a nearby stream towards the other two. Daidara blocked the water, pushing him back slightly, while Nyau dodged backwards. So Liver's teigu is Black Marlin. Mark thought to himself.

"Skilled aren't they?" Esdeath proclaimed. "I can't wait and see how much stronger they would become."

"Indeed." Mark thought aloud. "I'm going into the town to forge my weapon, coming?" he asked.

Esdeath nodded, commanding her three subordinates to continue their training for another hour. "Ready to go." she announced.

Mark walked into the town, greeting some of the people as Esdeath followed him to the armory. he arrived, the elder blacksmith greeting him, and bowing to Esdeath. "I'm sorry, I didn't know a general would be visiting me. My humblest apologies."

"It's fine, I came to see my... friend forge a weapon." she informed.

"Of course, the forge is all yours. I assume you have your materials?" the elder blacksmith asked.

"Of course." Mark replied, bringing out his knapsack, depositing the gem and different ore neither had ever seen before onto the work table.

"What's this, I've never seen this type of ore before." the elder blacksmith asked, picking up a piece.

"It's an ore that is long gone. There is barely any left in this world, even fewer who know of how to craft with it." Mark informed as he heated the forge up, to temperatures making everyone but Mark back away.

"That temperature is too hot for anyone to handle. You need to-" the elder blacksmith shouted before being interrupted.

"It's fine. This is how to handle this type of ore." Mark informed, going to work forging the pieces required for the weapon.

Esdeath watched with curiosity as Mark's work slowly formed the basis of a short sword. First the blade, then a handle and guard. She watched with awe as he struck the metal, the sounds of his work ringing through the night air. He continued to work on the blade once he finished the handle and guard. Soon, her subordinates found her, watching Mark work the trade, tempering the blade over and over, until he was happy with the product. He placed the gem into the socket of the guard he had left, placing some more of the metal to hold it in place. Soon he had connected the last of the pieces of the metal with the sword, finishing the weapon. He sharpened and honed the edges, making sure it was able to slice through anything. By the time he had finished his work, it had become the dead of night. Few were still awake, aside from Esdeath and her subordinates, and the elder blacksmith. Mark cooled the flames, his sword glowing in the moonlight, the purple steel glinting in the dark. Mark walked away from the furnace, thanking the elder blacksmith for letting him use it.

"No problem. If I may ask, what is the gem in the guard of the blade." he asked.

"It's a gem from an rare and powerful danger beast." Mark informed.

"Oh, sorta like one of the teigus." Esdeath spoke up. "Sorta looks a lot like one of them as well." she mumbled to herself.

"Yes, only I don't have the people who helped create the teigus with me at the moment, so for now, it's just a short sword with some properties of the gem." Mark answered, wielding the blade as he raised it up, white lightning striking down where he pointed.

"I've never seen someone create such a weapon before." the elder blacksmith exclaimed. "May I see it?"

Mark handed him the sword, the man oogling over it. The words Mark said struck a nerve in her head. What did he mean by right now? she thought.

"Where did you learn to craft such weapons?" Esdeath whispered to Mark.

"I've been alive longer than you would imagine." Mark said cryptically.

The blacksmith returned the blade, thanking him for allowing him to examine such exquisite blade.

Esdeath and the others returned to the encampment, resting for the night. Mark stayed up, examining the blade he had crafted.


The next morning, the army had set off once again, further and further into dangerous territory. Attacks became frequent, so it became more dangerous to move quickly. By the end of the second month, they arrived at the first obstacle, the first fortress in their way. Esdeath ordered her men to tear it down, leaving no survivors. She returned to the ruthless, battle-hardened general her men knew her for. Mark watched as they murdered everyone in the fortress.

"You haven't changed at all have you." Mark stated to Esdeath.

"Only the strong survive, the weak will perish." Esdeath replied.

Mark felt his blood boil. "Have you forgotten what I had taught you when I raised you!?" Mark shouted in anger.

"No," she stated calmly. "I just never took to your ideals. Another outburst, and I'll chain and torture you myself." she smiled cruelly.

Mark kept quiet for the rest of the invasion. They moved forwards, destroying all that were in her way as she reached the capital of the northern tribes, Festung. Where their leader, Numa Seika, holed up at. She announced that she wanted him alive, ushering her army forward to take the capital.

Mark watched as he saw her soldiers kill everyone who wasn't them. They poured into the city below, as if hell had come to claim the city. They stood on a cliff overlooking the capital as her soldiers raised it to the ground.

"Kill, pillage, rape to your heart's content." she laughed maniacally with glee, a sadistic smile on her face.

"You can't!" Mark shouted. "The citizens are innocent people."

"And?" Esdeath smirked.

"You aren't the girl I raised as my daughter." Mark hissed, enjoying the shocked and hurt expression on her face.

"Take that back." she threatened.

"What if that was your tribe down there? What happens if I was like one of your soldiers when I found you? Should I have just had my way with you? Should I have treated you like your soldiers are doing to the young girls down there? Should I have just raped you as you cried for mercy and killed you afterwards?!" Mark screamed at Esdeath as she attacked him, tears streaming down her face.

She flinched at his harsh words. "You wouldn't because I know you're not like that!" she screamed back.

"Follow your orders, and you will have your reward." Mark mocked. "You could've made your soldiers to be role models that the entire empire should look up to, but instead you've only further allowed them to grow more like demons than humans. " Mark spat. "Like yourself."

They fought against each other at a standstill, Mark using his new weapon, Fidelis he named it, to fight against Esdeath. She kept pressuring him, getting small cuts and injuries as she slowly overpowered him. She knocked him back a ways with a powerful kick. They ignored the sounds of the battles and screams that raged on below them, their focus on the other in front of them. Mark dashed forwards once again, activating the power in Fidelis, doubling the strength of his blows. Esdeath felt her arms numb with each strike she deflected. Soon, Mark was the one who had the upper-hand. He knocked her away with a blast of lightning from his sword, temporarily paralyzing her. He stalked towards her paralyzed form, like a beast to its prey. As he stood besides her, she stared up at him with fearful eyes, the same eyes that she looked at him with when he first saved her. The sound of a tree falling caught his attention as he grabbed her by the collar, tossing her away as he saw the shadow of the monster he had encountered on the mountainside crash into him, sending him into the air.

Esdeath recovered from her paralysis, turning to face Mark, only to see him fend off Nubila. She decided it would be best for her to help him, then punish him afterwards. She used her teigu, creating hundreds of icy spears as she sent them into the beast. The beast shrugged off all the attacks, charging at her. Mark intercepted it, the shocks of electricity enough to weaken it as he continued to distract it. Every now and then, one of her spears would find a chink in its armor, but seemed to do next to nothing. Mark started to tire, his muscles straining under the pressure of keeping the beast's attacks away from Esdeath. No matter how far she fell to her worst desires, she was still the girl he had grown to love as his own daughter. Slowly but surely, they were able to weaken the beast, with the injuries and the stamina it expended trying to hurt them both with its ice attacks. It attempted to pounce towards Esdeath, but Mark used a blast of lightning to knock it away. He jumped atop it, plunging his sword in the top of its head. Mark let loose as much power as he could to incapacitate it. The beast's whole body shuddered in response, its body paralyzed by Mark's attack. Esdeath used this time to summon a globe of ice in the air, crashing down onto the monster. Mark had barely evaded the attack, escaping with only fractions of a second. She keeled over, gasping for air as she could feel her strength waver from the amount of energy she was using, not seeing the beast break out of its entombment as it dashed forward, blood running down its wounds as it strained to attack her. Her attack had taken her breath away, and she wouldn't be able to dodge. She closed her eyes as she waited for the monster to give her a fate similar to her mother's. The only feeling she felt, was the hand of someone pushing her to the side. She opened her eyes, to see Mark pushing her away with a grimace as the beast barreled past her, its jaws tearing through Mark's lower half. The pain shot through him in an instant, causing him to bite down a scream of pain, as he turned in mid-air, calling upon power within himself, creating a sword of massive proportions. The monstrous blade sliced through the beast's neck in an instant, the beast falling dead onto the ground, blood seeping into the ground.

As Mark laid on the floor, coughing violently he looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "Ironic, two demons with the same blood coursing to their veins, working together to kill me..."

She approached him, her eyes filled with tears as she looked upon the bloodied form of the only man who loved her like a daughter if not more, the few people she could say that she loved in her entire life. She knelt to his side, cradling his head as he struggled to stare at her. His hand grasped hers as he stared up at her with saddened eyes.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." she pleaded as she brought her arms around his neck. With a quick movement, she snapped his neck, ending his life. She watched as she saw the light leave his eyes, his last breath leaving his lungs as his body grew still. She closed her eyes, holding back any tears, not wanting to let any fall because of what she had done and what she felt. She felt the weight of his body lessen from her legs. She opened her eyes, seeing Mark's body dissipate into bright green flames as he disappeared before her very eyes. The only thing left was a fist-sized crystalline flame, in her lap, emitting a dull, fading green glow. She picked it up, a rush of power left her body as she keeled over, gasping for air. She opened her eyes, seeing the crystal now emit a pale blue glow. She watched as the fire that once swallowed Mark encircle the small crystal, taking the form of a person. After the air cleared, she started to cry, seeing Mark standing before her, his eyes now a light blue like hers. He was no longer an old man. He was young like before, his face clean and fresh, his shaggy black hair with white tips fell across his head, reaching his shoulders, light stubble covering his chin. She cried with tears of joy as she came to the conclusion that Mark was in reality, a teigu. She watched as he walked over to her, kneeling at her trembling form.

"Master." he stated.

She would've been overjoyed to hear such words, but the way he said it made her whole body shudder in fright. He wasn't angry at her, his voice was devoid of any emotions. He no longer was the same person that had raised her. She took his hand with her shaky one, as he helped her up. He started to tend to any wounds she had accumulated from her fight with him.

"Do you remember me?" she asked.

"Yes." Mark replied.

"Are you still angry with me?"

"I cannot be angry at my master."

She started to cry, looking down as she felt all the guilt in her body bubble up inside. She felt Mark pick her up, carrying her. She couldn't stop her tears. She pushed him away, recomposing herself.

"I am your new master, so tell me everything there is to know about you." she stated.

Mark knelt once again. "I was once know as Shikōtei, or the first emperor. I wanted to ensure that my empire lived on, so I made myself into a teigu. My master is whomever had killed me last. I was my own master for the last millennium, until you ended me. Now you are my master. I am proficient in most known fighting techniques known. I am able to summon simple weapons at my will." he informed, twin sabers appearing at his side. "As well as have the properties of a biological teigu. I am also skilled in many other things. I was able to control my own body, until you became my master, then I became tied to you. I follow your every command." Mark explained.

"Are you able to regain the personality you had before all this happened?" she asked, desperate for anything.

"No." Mark stated.

Such a small and simple word, yet the only thing she needed to her to make her entire resolve crumble. There would be no way to get back the man who had raised her to be a better person. That man was lost forever. She felt defeat sink through out her body, even as her army took over the capital. Even if we won, what would've been the point? I've lost the only person who had cared for me on a personal level. The only man who loved me like his only child. she thought to herself as she kept quiet the whole time.

Mark went to work on the ultra-class danger beast, Nubila. He gutted it of its gem, a large dark blue cone gem, before skinning it, taking everything precious and useful of the monster from its lifeless corpse. As he finished, his knapsack was filled to the brim with valuable items. Afterwards, he approached Esdeath, who was silently observing him.

"I have collected everything of value from the corpse." Mark informed. "Are you ready to go?"

Esdeath nodded, walking down the cliff they were on, and towards the carnage that the old Mark fought her to stop.


After the battle.

Eventually, after her army had finished capturing and "claiming" their rewards, she entered the capital to the sounds of jeers coming from them. Mark walked besides her, no emotions crossing his face whenever he passed an atrocity she knew the old him would vehemently oppose. They arrived at the center, where a struggling Numa Seika struggled in chains.

"Cut him loose." Esdeath commanded, her soldiers obeying her word.

She started to draw her weapon, but Mark held his hand in front, stopping her.

"Allow me." he stated. "Give him a weapon."

Her soldiers looked at him, then at their leader. "Do as he says." Esdeath announced.

Soldiers handed him his spear, backing away immediately as he started flipping it in the air.

"After all you've done to my people, you give me a weapon to kill you." Numa taunted to Esdeath, paying no attention to the man approaching him. "How dumb is the whore of the capital." he continued, finally taking notice of Mark. "Oh, and is this your man. He doesn't look like much." he insulted, waiting for Mark to approach closer so he couldn't block his spear. As soon as Mark was out of the way, Numa threw his spear with precision accuracy to Esdeath. A flash of lightning blinded everyone in the courtyard. When Esdeath's vision came back, Mark was in front of her, Numa's spear in his left hand.

"I gave you your weapon so you can die with dignity. Do not forsake my good graces again." Mark stated, throwing the spear back at him, landing in front of his legs.

"So, an honorable person amongst this horde of monsters." Numa mused. "Fine. I thank you for giving me a chance, unlike the other barbarians here, who could only threaten me while I was in chains."

Mark nodded, taking a stance with Fidelis in his right hand in reverse-grip. Numa took his stance as well, leveling the spear as he dashed forward. Mark reflected the end away from him, kneeing Numa in his gut for good measure. Numa took time collecting his breath, before charging once again. Mark pivoted where he stood, the spear missing by inches as he grabbed the end, pulling Numa close as he shoved him with his shoulder, knocking him into the air as Mark did a somersault, his heel kicking Numa back again. Numa felt rage boil inside, but knew that he should keep a level head. He instead jumping into the air, arcing his spear to Mark's skull. Mark caught it with his left hand. Numa let go, tackling Mark, but failing to knock him over, as if he was attempting to push a mountain. Mark brought his arms down, the pommel of his sword into the spine of Numa, crippling him. Numa stayed on the floor, on his knees, his head bowed in front of Esdeath who only watched on emotionless.

"A quick end for someone who fought for his people." Mark stated, walking to Numa's side. He pierced his sword into his chest where his heart lay, electricity arcing through Numa's body. He withdrew his blade, wiping the grime from its edge as Numa collapsed on the spot. Mark returned to Esdeath's side, kneeling down. "It is done." She watched him as he rose to stand beside her. Even her subordinates noticed Mark's odd behavior, but spoke nothing of it.

Their work there was quickly finished there, so after gathering everything of value, she froze the entire capital under a frozen glacier, sparing Mark a glance to see if his expression would change, but nothing. Even after Partas returned from helping with the battle, even she seemed afraid of Mark, no longer asking for rubs of affection. It was as if this man was completely unknown and fresh to the entire world, aside from the uneasy feeling he gave everyone who came into contact with him. She left her army in the north to watch over any more unruly rebellions and to put them down as soon as possible, as well as wanting to travel in a small group.


The trip back was a easy one, nothing major happening along the way. Even Mark's demeanor hadn't change ever since she had ended him the day of the battle. He was still the same as he was after leaving, completely stoic, aside from obeying her orders to their exact specifications. How well he performed these actions scared her. The man she once looked up to for caring for her as she grew up, even though he knew of her morals, now did everything she said at her whim scared her. She once asked him to murder a child for looking at her funny, stopping him once she saw him approach the innocent child who cowered under his gaze. They were a day's ride from the Capital City, so she decided it would be best for everyone to rest before moving into the capital.

They set up camp in an empty field, Almost everyone kept away from Mark now, only speaking to him if they needed to. The only person who still stayed with him was Esdeath and Partas. Mark was working on something, when Esdeath walked inside.

"May I sit?" she asked.

"Of course, master." Mark replied, getting up to clear a spot for her to sit down upon on his bed.

She kept quiet as she sat down, watching Mark work, the way he focused on his task, drew her attention. She glanced over, trying to peek at what he was painting.

"It's not ready yet, master." Mark announced.

Esdeath returned to her seat on his bed, kicking her legs idly as he continued his work.

"Can I ask you something?" she spoke quietly.

"Of course master." Mark replied.

"What do you see when you see me?"

"A beautiful woman. A fearless and accomplished general. Someone who shouldn't have to bend their knee to anyone should she not want to." Mark praised.

"Anything that does not have to do with sucking up?" she chuckled at her joke, hoping to elicit an emotion from him.

"Permission to speak my mind?" Mark replied in a monotone voice, a wince running through her body from his tone.

"Yes."

"I see a young woman who is scared. Scared because she feels that she had done a horrible deed, and had killed the only person who cared for her on personal level in the world. I see a naive woman who if she ever does fall in love will drive her loved one away, because of her personality, and how she treats people around her, no matter how hard she tries get into her love's good graces. I see a young woman who fears of being alone when she finally doesn't want to be." Mark stated.

Esdeath felt as if her entire world came crumbling down on her. The truth in Mark's words sending a pain in her body that she knew may never heal, and it was all because of her. She immediately bid Mark good night, returning to her quarters to cry to herself.

The next day, they moved through the country, arriving in the capital quickly with a dragon danger beast she had tamed on their way back. She landed in the front of the gates, telling the dragon to respond to her call should she ever need it. With that, it flew off as she strode through the capital. They were met with words of praise as they approached the Royal palace. They were met by the Great General Budo himself. He watched her with eyes like a hawk as he disregarded the three beasts, his gaze lingering on Mark for a little while longer, as if trying to see what he had to offer.

"I will be escorting you to the emperor." Budo threatened more than announced. Esdeath could tell that he would've rather not have to play escort for them.

They followed him through the halls, keeping quiet as servants whispered about her new addition to the team. They arrived at the throne room, Budo announcing that she had arrived. They strode through the hall, only Mark staying behind.

"What's wrong, scared to face the emperor?" Budo asked.

"I'd rather not have to meet with a puppet." Mark informed.

Budo glared at him, interested in his response. "You do know who I am right?"

"Of course. Great General Budo, highest ranked military official, and private bodyguard of the emperor himself. Something your family has done ever since the Empire was formed." Mark recalled. "You also will do everything in your power to make sure the Empire is kept in good hands."

"Of course."

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course." he replied hesitantly.

"So, if your job is to keep the Empire in good hands, why is that fat bastard still breathing?" Mark asked.

Budo already knew whom he meant, but remained quiet on the matter, as Emperor Makoto started to address General Esdeath and the Three Beasts.

"Excellent work. As expected of General Esdeath." Makoto exclaimed. "We have prepared the reward of 10,000 gold pieces for your reward. Your reward will be sent to your troops I assume?" the Emperor asked, being the only one to not hearing the scoff of disapproval in the back.

"Yes, my lord." Esdeath replied.

"If I may, who is that young man in the back?" Honest asked eyeing the man besides Budo.

Esdeath turned to see Mark still standing in the back by Budo. She grimaced at the thought of those two talking together, but answered. "He is my newest recruit. I am still testing whether or not he is capable of being a part of the Three Beasts." The Prime Minister hummed in response, eyeing him warily as he gobbled down another slab of meat. "If that is all my lord, We require rest from our trip here." Esdeath asked.

"Two more things. For all your work for the glory of the Empire, I would like to give you another reward. if it is within my power, I will grant it to you. As well as a problem we are having in the city at the moment. The Prime Minister will fill you in on the details."

Esdeath glanced back at Mark, who only watched with emotionless eyes. "No, I require no such other rewards. Thank you my lord."

"No, thank you for all your hard work. You are dismissed." Emperor Makoto announced.

Esdeath and her subordinates walked out of the throne room, Mark trailing behind, the eyes of two powerful people on his back.


The "Three Beasts" left for their own room, Esdeath telling Mark to wait in her chambers while she attended her meeting with the Prime Minister.

"Interesting man you have in your company." Honest recalled. "What is his name?"

"Mark." she answered. "And yes, he is interesting, but promising."

"Anyway, the little problem we are having is about the group of assassins, Night Raid. They've been running amok in our fair city, and I would like you to root them out and eliminate them." Honest asked.

"It will require more than what I have, should the rumors prove true, and all of them having teigus." Esdeath informed.

"Even with your strength?"

"I cannot be everywhere at once."

"Very well, what do you need?"

"Six other teigu users."

Honest nearly choked on his food after hearing his request. If only he did, then he could be out of my hair for good. she thought to herself.

"You need a total of nine, maybe ten teigu users to hunt down a group of assassins?" he asked astounded.

"Yes." she replied with a smile, laced with threats should she not be given what she wanted.

"Fine, but only if you take care of a few nuisances I am having." he bargained, holding out a piece of paper.

"Of course. But make sure they are strong users." she threatened as she took the paper.

"Can a weakling use a teigu otherwise?" he laughed.

Esdeath scoffed at his reply, walking to her quarters to retire for the night.


She arrived at her room, to find Mark reading one of the books from the bookshelf.

"Greetings, you requested me?" Mark asked as he set the book down.

"Yes, follow me." she asked, walking into the bedroom. She started to strip, leaving only her underwear and blouse on. "I want you to help me relax." she announced, lying down on the bed. "Come massage me." she commanded. Mark walked over to her, giving her hands and arms a massage, before massaging her legs. She started to sigh in bliss, the feeling of a good massage always doing wonders for her. Sadly, she never found anyone good enough to please her. Please me. she thought. Something for later to see how far his resolve will go on following orders. she thought. He massaged her abs, before asking her to turn over so he can massage her back and shoulders. As he started to do it, she started to mewl in bliss. As he moved from her shoulders, to her upper neck, to her lower back. as he was finishing, she commanded him to go further, massaging her ass. She started to moan in pleasure as he worked his magic there. Time to see how far he is willing to go.

She turned so she was facing him as she brought him down to embrace him. "I want you to pleasure me." she purred seductively.

She watched for any change in emotions as he started to massage her in a more erotic manner. Moving his hands from her ass up to her sides, to her breasts. He undid her bra from her back, causing her to gasp at the freedom as the cool air rushed to meet her breasts. He slowly moved his mouth downward, massaging the mounds with his hand as he used his mouth and tongue to tease her pink, erect nipples. She struggled to make a sound, the pleasure overriding her senses. He moved his mouth up to her neck and earlobe, biting gently to increase her pleasure. As she had requested. Mark then moved his hand downwards, massaging the inner parts of her thigh as he mover closer and closer to her womanhood. She felt pleasure from his touch, but also pain as she knew he was doing this because she commanded him to. His fingers teased her entrance, slowly removing the moist fabric from her body. She felt him slide his finger in, a moan escaping her lips as she clung tightly to Mark, her nails digging into him, drawing blood. He slowly trailed his kisses from her jawline, to her lips. She felt his soft lips, his tongue slipping into her mouth as she could do nothing but ride the pleasure he was giving her. He slowly undressed, his manhood in the open now. She felt Mark pull away, his kissing going further and further down as she felt him at her entrance. He teased her slightly, licking the outside lips, as he plunged his tongue down into her. She screamed into a pillow she had grabbed, muffling her voice, as Mark kept up his actions. She felt her whole body clench, as a euphoria of pleasure rode throughout her body and to her core. After her first climax, Mark pulled his mouth away, still tasting her essence. He kissed her once again, more ferociously than before. She tried to pull away, but his grip stopped her. She felt his erection at her entrance. She looked up at him, cold eyes staring down at her as he entered her. His thrust was aggressive, tearing her hymen as he pushed his erection deeper into her. She attempted to scream in pain, but was silenced by Mark's lips. She felt him thrust harder and harder into her, pleasure and pain overtaking her thinking as she started to cry slightly from the pain. She could feel her second climax reaching, her walls clenching against Mark's member deep inside her as she clawed at his back, red trails of ripped flesh from where her nails dragged along. He kept up his motions, his breathing growing ragged as he continued to "pleasure" her. He soon became unable to hold back his release any longer, ejecting his seed inside her womb, the hot liquid flowing inside her. She became limp as she felt the warmth inside her. She immediately became aware that she had been crying as well from their embrace.

She quickly showered, wanting to wash the emotions that she was feeling inside Emotion of happiness, but sadness. Pleasure, yet guilt. As she finished her shower, she changed into a more respectable sleepwear. She exited the bathroom,, finding Mark standing at an item hidden by a cloth in her bedroom, his pants on, but the rest off.

"I'm giving you a present." Mark informed, motioning to the item on her table. He looked back to it, before turning.

"What's wrong?" she asked, approaching him. As she walked towards him, he moved to exit her quarters. "Wait." she called out to him. Mark stopped at the doors, already open for him to walk out. "Where are you going?

Mark turned to face her, an emotionless face staring back at her. "I no longer have anything to do here."

"W-What do you mean?" she asked.

"Follow your orders, and you will have your reward." Mark's repeated.

The words echoed in her head, as she was reminded of what Mark said to her when they were fighting on the cliff while the siege of Festung. Anger and betrayal boiled in her blood as she shot multiple ice spikes into Mark's feet and hands, immobilizing him against the wall outside her room. His head hung low as he bit down the pain of his actions more so than the pain from his nerves. She grabbed his head, yanking it up as she stared at him, with tears in her eyes.

"All this for a lesson." she hissed.

"Now you know what the girls, that you ordered your men to rape, went through. Only difference is that what they experienced is what you went through, many times over before they were killed. I'm sure their ordeals weren't as gentle, far worse probably. But I'm sure the effects it did to you is something far more cruel." Mark looked sad. "I didn't want to do this to you."

Esdeath punched him as hard as he could, his neck almost snapping from the force. Some guards had heard the commotion, rushing to see what was going on.

"Take him to my personal torture chamber." Esdeath commanded. The guards immediately nodded at her command, dragging Mark away from her.

"Sweet dreams." Mark called out to her.

She returned to her room, sealing the doors shut with ice as she crawled into bed. She could still feel the warmth and liquid substances from their encounter on her bed. She moved as far away from that spot as she could, isolating herself in a corner of her bed. She closed her eyes, trying to sleep. The words that Mark had said, replayed in her mind over and over again. Before she knew it, she was crying herself to sleep, waiting to wake up from this bad dream. Waiting for the man she loved to make all the pain go away. But he was currently being dragged away on her orders.


Well, shit. I never meant for that last scene to play out. I just sorta went with the flow of my brain. But... yeah, that was pretty fucked up, even by my standards. Hope my brain doesn't come up with another scenario like that again. Esdeath is really fucking OOC than what I meant for her to be. I mean, she was still going to have her heartless side and everything, and a small little normal girlish side like when she was with Tatsumi, but I did not see myself typing that end scene when I set down to write this chapter. So,... yeah. Review? Umm, until next time.