A/N: I would like to make mention that I do read your reviews and I try my best to respond to all of them directly. This creative wave I'm riding with daily updates is likely to slow down as I work a 3rd shift job. But, I will do my absolute best to continue bringing you quality chapters once a week. Thanks for your support, Aka readers.

The unrest was growing quickly and Wave didn't like it. Earlier, he had to deal with the protests of some of the very citizens he thought he was protecting. It didn't make sense why those very same people were turning against the capital. The coliseum should've been an example of why the Empire was needed more than ever, especially with the brazen assault by Night Raid.

Unable to hold back his anger, he struck the wall.

Though Kurome was seated at the table behind him, Wave couldn't hold back his emotions any longer. His frustrations were at a boiling point and he needed an outlet.

"This nation isn't going to last much longer," Run said matter-of-factly.

That caught Wave off guard. Without pausing to consider his comrade's words, he glanced at him and shouted, "Most of them are siding with the rebels. Are we really supposed to be okay with this as Jaegers?!"

"Please calm down," Run said, facing him. If the outburst had bothered the blonde at all, it didn't show in his expression. Run stood there with his arms behind his back, relaxed. That seemed to be his default expression, even as their comrades were slowly killed off one-by-one, courtesy of Night Raid.

For a moment, Wave allowed himself to wonder if any of them were killed by Tatsumi's hands.

How could the General not want to tear him apart? Obviously, she had feelings for him…but she should've killed him instead of trying to talk to him. There were only three Jaegers left…not nearly enough to make much of a difference in this revolt, even with their leader cutting down them by the dozens.

"It's likely that this unrest will persist after the revolution. We'll be needed then."

"You talk as if you knew this would happen."

Run faced the window once more. "It took place faster than I'd anticipated, though."

Faster than anticipated? At those words, Wave's frustration faded. Now, he was more interested in what Run had meant.

"I've long hoped for revolution," the blonde admitted, a smile playing at his lips. "I joined the Jaegers in order to change this nation from the inside."

"Change…this nation?"

Run nodded. "This empire is rotten to the core. However, it would have been foolish to openly rebel like those out there."

A sudden voice in the room changed the atmosphere. "It would have been foolish, for you might have been one of those that I would have killed if you rebelled."

Wave spun on his heel, as did Run.

General Esdeath stood before them.

The former teacher took an involuntary step back, his calm demeanor fading away. Wave thought he might've seen a little bit of fear in the man. The General should've been out on the battlefield, quelling the open rebellion – she couldn't have possibly killed them all in such a short amount of time.

It had only been a day!

She walked further into the room, dragging by an icy chain another individual. Wave recognized her as one of Night Raid's assassins – Mine.

"So, is that why you joined my special forces?" Esdeath asked to Run. "You want to change the Empire from the inside? Become an enemy of mines?"

The room started to feel cold.

Wave watched as Run expression turned serious. The General's expression was one of amusement, but that could change in an instant. She was always on guard, always prepared for the next fight. He wasn't sure if he could deal with the death of another Jaeger member. Was this what they had become? Soon, it would just be two Jaegers left – a reluctant warrior, and a dying assassin.

Upon thinking of her, his gaze went over to Kurome.

She was still digging in her bag of snacks, popping the little treats in her mouth. Feeding the addiction. But her eyes were focused on the scene playing out before them.

Esdeath tossed the sniper to the ground, eliciting a yelp from her. The ice that had bound her wrists evaporated, but it wasn't a mercy on the General's part. Almost immediately, a boot slammed on the back of her neck, planting her on the floor. The girl whined out in pain, clenching her fists. Frantically, she looked about, but it was as if she couldn't recognize anything.

Wave was about to remark on it when Esdeath spoke up.

"Well, Budou said the same thing…" she murmured loudly. "And in spite of you admitting that you were a rebel, you have been very loyal to our mission in dealing with the Night Raid. I see no reason to execute you if you won't directly oppose the Empire. And my reputation would be quite bad if I only had one Jaeger left."

"One Jaeger?" Wave asked. "Captain, you're aware of Kurome's condition?"

Esdeath nodded. "It's clear that she's going to die. It must be painful. But you haven't died yet…you must have a strong will to live."

Kurome was still as straight faced as ever. "I can't die until I kill my sister."

"You may see her soon enough. Run, take this girl," at that, Esdeath pressed the heel of her boot to the girl's neck, drawing a grunt, "to my torture chambers. Continue to work as a Jaeger and perhaps I'll ask to get you a political position. It would not hurt to have you in a position of power."

Run nodded. "Understood. If I may ask, why did you bring this girl here and not to the Prime Minister?"

"He is occupied. The girl will wait in my torture chambers while Wave and Kurome come with me to meet with him. He wants to bring in some more Teigu users to deal with Night Raid. And since I've returned a little too early, I must explain to him the reason for my leaving the battlefield early."

Wave and Kurome moved towards their General.

"If we can, we'll force Night Raid to come here. And we can buy some time for Kurome, if this alchemist is what she thinks she is."

"General…do we have any details on the new members?"

"We do," Esdeath answered. "They used to do some work for the Prime Minister's son, Syura. They called themselves Wild Hunt."


She'd been scared before, but never like this.

Her eyes saw nothing but an assortment of colors, none of which made any sense. She couldn't make out anything – not shapes, not figures, just nothing but colors, most of which were varying levels of black. Mine felt her other sensations, dull as they were, especially in her legs. She could certainly hear the voice of that terrifying woman, Esdeath.

The terrible fear that had overcome her silenced her voice.

Oh, how she wanted to protest as Esdeath described the torture techniques she wanted to try. But her voice would not leave her throat.

Did Esdeath do something to her senses?

She felt hands yanking her off the ground. There was a voice…soft, almost gentle…but she couldn't make out the words. Not while the horrible thoughts ran through her mind.

Why couldn't she see anything?!

'You're blind.'

Again, that voice, the one that had took over her body. Mine understood immediately that she wasn't in control of her body, but what kind of Teigu had that ability? What happened after she blacked out?

'You are blind, Mine. And truthfully, the use of your legs is only because you haven't been able to shut me out completely.'

She may not have been able to speak with her lips, but this was her mind, damn it!

'Get out of my body! Whoever you are in my mind, I will kill you for this!'

'You cannot. A contract was made to save your life. If you break it, you will revert back to your previous state.'

'Who are you?'

'Kitsune. I am a Teigu. The man known as Tatsumi made a contract on your behalf. I am a part of you – but if you keep rejecting me, I cannot help you.'

Help her? Mine wanted to shout out for whatever that thing was to get out of her mind. She opened her mouth, and still, no words came out. But this was her body! She was a genius sniper! And her willpower was strong – strong enough to push that damn thing out. But as she thought this, something else happened.

The sensation of her legs faded away and she felt the brisk of wind that came as she fell to a cold floor.

'What?'

"Oh dear…you must still be injured. The General is not known for her mercy," she could hear the individual saying as he picked her up.

'I must fulfill the contract. Allow me to help you.'

'Shut it. Why would I need help from you? I am not weak!'

'But you are. You certainly are not strong enough to walk on your own, and that woman with the dangerous aura seems to dislike you.'

'And whose fault is that for bringing me to her in the first place?!'

'I was hasty. I did not realize that talking to her would bring us in this predicament. I did not study your memories well enough.'

Mine grumbled. 'Just get out of my head. I don't want your help and I don't need it!'

'A contract is made…breaking it…would not bode well for you. Understand that Tatsumi made the contract to save you. But the longer you hold me down, the more you won't be able to do anything.'

'Ugh! Stop talking in riddles!'

'I studied enough of your memories to tell you that when you used up the power of your Teigu – Pumpkin, was it? – the effects destroyed your body. Even if you had somehow lived, your Teigu fed off your mental focus. I am the only thing keeping your psyche intact…without me, you will remain unfocused, and it's likely you'll forget who you were.'

A sinking feeling descended in her heart. 'What are…are you saying?'

'I should be more clear. I apologize. You are blind and crippled, Mine. Unless you stop holding me back, you will never walk or see again.'