Akame ga Kiru
The Imperial Saber
Chapter Six
"Oh my god. So this is General Esdeath? The rumors were true, she's beyond human..."
Tatsumi couldn't believe the way events were spiraling out of control and it all had begun with the arrival of a General so infamous, her namesake wasn't meant to be humorous. Hell humor wasn't as close to anything that compared to that intent, nothing was funny about this! General Esdeath the woman who was the pinnacle of strength and power amongst all of the Empire. And that literal icon was not even an arm's length away from him smiling when his eyes took in her details.
She seemed to be pleased, less so in the eyes of the Emperor and Prime Minister were quite happy in their own rights.
It took so much control on his part, to not flinch from her piercing blue orbs that equally measured him up to her own matters which terrified him to be honest.
"Now that I have returned to the capital, I can start to deal with Night-Raid. I understand they have become a thorn in your side, my Emperor. I will immediately begin preparations to destroy them utterly and I will not fail in my tasks for you. So rest assured, not one of them will be alive when I'm through with them."
Those were cold words.
Nothing less came from them than an absolute fact that was going to happen.
Truths could be painful but others could be inevitable!
And her promises were of that later category much to his rising heart rate.
After all of this speculation: were did he fit in all of this? Not to mention why in the hell did she keep on staring at him as she spoke.
Her eyes had not once flickered from his own face.
That was something to be really concerned about, in all what had happened...
"Ah! That is good to hear General, but the ten-thousand pieces of gold are awaiting your claims if you so wish to be rewarded upon your victory. I must insist that we reward you further, if I can ask we can."
That staggering sum made Tatsumi's heart stop a beat. A Legion of ten-thousand men could be paid for nearly a full year if done correctly. That amount alone could literally fund a small army at the least and still have enough left over, to buy a village perhaps. That staggering sum really put things into perspective, when strength could literally turn a tide.
Or freeze the tide dead.
Literally.
Withholding an urge to exhale in disbelief, he listened in perhaps understanding where the Emperor was leading this conversation since the Great General Esdeath revealed herself. To be in the presences of both the Emperor and this monster of a woman, the young Imperial could only mentally keep himself from going insane at the idea of it at all.
Surprises were one thing!
But death sentences were another thing in his mind.
She chuckled softly, making the young Colonel next to her shiver at its lack of genuine emotion.
"The amount of money can be used to those men I stationed in the North your majesty. I feel they would benefit from such a task they won on their resolve alone. So payment will be unnecessary, if you so wish of me."
She had her cap removed at this point, quietly awaiting Makoto's answer to her own requests as the child-emperor hummed in thought. He seemed determined to reward her with the means to a new whole kingdom in the way this entire conversation was going and normally, such a thing meant he had great confidence in a subject. However something was amiss here, two powerful forces were at work as they frequently went form each other onto his form and it certainly didn't feel right.
Tatsumi didn't feel this was true.
As the stares of both the Minister and the General were getting to cause his blood pressure to rise immensely.
Emperor willing; he would not fall over from an attack on the said organ pumping his life liquid because of the amount of danger he currently was entrapped with.
"I insist we must reward, the Empire's greatest General with something for her accomplishments. Are you sure there is something we can gift you for your own efforts, General Esdeath?"
The interest aside, the child-emperor seemed very insistent and kind about it as Esdeath herself could only smile.
Her own thoughts mystifying all of those within the Throne-Room about her motives and desires, when her eyes lifted to see the boy next to her flinch subtly. How she longed for this moment, almost a year in the making and already he had prepared her for her desires to come to fruition. Patience held true to those who wanted to get what they required, in order to succeed in their desires.
Oh yes!
She was more than ready to claim her rewards when the time came.
And that reward, was almost at her grasps as the conversations continued.
Her next words sent a startling reveal to the entire room. Almost everyone, even the black armored Imperial Guards were more than frozen in shock at her declaration and revelation. Everyone held that emotion to a degree but the reaction of the boy next to her, made it none as more thrilling to see his face with his Saber attached on his hip.
"I was thinking of falling love, with someone, who has captured my eye for almost a year now. I confess, I was nervous in how too approach this predicament and took my time in order to go about this. So the Prime Minister and I agreed upon a reward, that would not trouble you my Emperor when the time came."
Her explanation came as gentle as a breeze and almost a complete hypnotic tune came to it.
All in all it was as her words seemed to become genuinely emotionally excited.
No one could dispute that attraction in her voice: that tantalizing effect on the soul who caught her fancy.
Makoto looked shocked though the Prime Minister didn't seem as so: he seemed more happier, per say.
"May I wish to know who this person is, I'd like to arrange a marriage between you two if possible. You are at the that age to have a family, plus I could line up suggestions if your endeavor comes up short. Can I ask who, if I may?"
The Child-Emperor stated eagerly, as Esdeath smiled bashfully as if having a moment to conflict on herself to reveal that person.
Even the Prime Minister of all people chuckled openly, as if knowing the secret and the Emperor could only look at him curiously.
His eyes shining for an answer to a mystery whose answer, taunted him playfully at the least and for it was what worth. Eventually Esdeath answered his questioning, almost gently enjoying the attention as her desire came to be close now, almost within her reach: literally...
"My Emperor, the one who claimed my heart is not standing a foot away from me. Tatsumi, unknowingly sent my heart into a frenzy on the day of his promotion, when he proclaimed those words and a promise to you. His smile, was so pure and so right that I did not realize these feelings but to be love, my time away from the Capital has kept those feelings as a burning reminder of my priorities now. It just seems so embarrassing to admit my affection in front of everyone here."
"How in the fucking deepest parts of hell, did I not notice this woman in that audience?"
Tatsumi couldn't really form a reason, to interject or just flat out speak up in shock.
The Empire looked to the young Colonel Saber who looked like someone trampled a horse onto his foot, crushing the said limb in the most agonizing way possible and his eyes were completely in shock. Nothing he had seen in his life, could give light or reason to the way the older teen seemed almost in total disbelief. It'd be entertainment expect for the fact, both people held genuine reactions and feelings that it made the Emperor think intently about it all.
Glancing at the window that viewed the horizon of the Imperial-Capital, the Emperor made a decision then to reward the two figures of the Empire's Military! The younger boy on the throne wanted to see if the popularity of the people could be wooed.
Clearing his throat, his next declaration made even the Prime Minister choke on his food from nearly laughing too hard.
"I see it now: the Mighty General Esdeath and her fiancee, the Upcoming Colonel Tatsumi Saber married together to form the family of Imperial strength. I must insist you tell me of the date when the wedding shall be, it'd be my pleasure to organize such a festivity and amount of popularity from the people to see such a union would be utterly amazing. Do not hesitate to inform me, when you two decide upon it General!"
"Hell no! Oh no, no, no..."
His smile wasn't deceitful, nor was he taunting the two of them but merely expecting the answer to be hopeful.
Tatsumi felt his chest feel more painful than any sort of blade could hope to cut into and that was only the beginning.
He just felt like someone placed the noose over his neck and now, he ready to by hung on the gallows that were ready to be dropped.
Trying while forming the courage to speak, Tatsumi gently cleared his throat as the Makoto wanted to hear from the elder teen who was in the center of this conversation.
If he had his way, then the young Colonel would not be in this situation for sure.
His silence had been expected for such the center of the future that the mightiest General was asking for, hoping to achieve in her future and he had to hear what the young 'Saber' thought of such a thing.
He must have had some insight, to such a wonderful relationship.
"Forgive me but such a date may be unwise to assume since neither I nor, General Esdeath respectfully, have not talked with each other at all in our times in your service. Her intentions are understandable but I have no qualities that would make such an event, even worth mentioning. I follow your will, and only wish to serve you. I ask for nothing else, than that My Emperor."
Almost all the souls in the room could hear the uncertainty in the young teen's voice, it was within reason of course but the Emperor merely smiled at the kneeling Imperial Officer. His words were kind, honest and encouraging but to Tatsumi it was the feeling of a whip lashing onto his back, for the worst possible crimes.
His eyes were pleading mentally, trying to convey his uneasiness to the child but it was for naught.
The Minister's gaze had turned into an endless void that knew of victory, once he secured it.
"Colonel Saber, do not be afraid to go into the unknown. I understand you are nervous, to be honest many would be such in your shoes. However I have hope in you, to guide General Esdeath in love. She is just as nervous if not more, confessing to you in front of us and for that, her courage is why I have my confidence in you to try to make the best of this."
That smile, the look of a young boy who wanted to see what he wanted in front of him and all to see the happiness that did not form out of genuine affection. Tatsumi felt his throat tightening, this dilemma wasn't the worst in the Empire to be held at but the unexpected pressure was what made this incredibly hard to maintain. He had no experiences in relationships. None, on this very earth he had suffered and spilled blood upon!
God as his witness, he had done nothing sexual if that was questioned! He never considered to have a family at his age or the lack of familiar notions when it came down to sex, it made him just a virgin. Now which wasn't shameful but it made him anxious. He had no clue! Just none whats so ever in dealing with this type of battle or problems that faced a man in his shoes.
So he was stuck with this fate and it was apparent he couldn't get his way out of it.
Talk about between a rock and a hard place.
This problem in front of him became that metaphors, physical incarnation.
By refusing the Emperor, whereas he stated that 'My will, is yours alone' could be hypocritical and lose favor. The reality there would be his dreams, his ambitions or his 'Hopes' for a better tomorrow would be all but wasted if it failed here. Trying to justify the fear within his soul could only end in one possible answer, to maintain that drive and in order to fulfill those promises to Sayo, Ieyasu and to combat the atrocities of the Empire that committed to their own country-men. The Colonel had to swallow his fear, the fear that made him question his sanity once more.
So Tatsumi had but one answer to this.
Biting the inside of his cheek he had one answer and it all came down to the fact he had been maneuvered into the a dangerous position which didn't just effect him physically. This was a case of being outmaneuvered, politically, metaphorically and now it cost him: his freedom of gathering those who believed in 'Hope' and 'Justice' that the Empire could change into a better tomorrow.
There had to be a way out of this mess but for now, he could only accept his fate.
That crushing weight just made things he had worked for nearly, just nearly become all but wasted.
Wasted in this very throne-room that he swore to maintain to his beliefs.
"Talk about a sense of irony but this won't stop me. I'll find a way to maintain that 'Hope' and 'Justice' can prevail over this corruption and purge the face of Evil itself. Enjoy your victory, you fowl disgusting creature but rest assured I will be closer than ever now, Prime Minister. I don't allow Evil to escape from my sight and I will not fail in purging it..."
A single answer that would test his ability to convince himself, to give out hope, to have faith and to become a stronger soldier for it all this challenge gave.
Dropping the subtle act of ignorance he glared fully at the Prime Minister to acknowledge this stroke of a plan.
And the said face of Evil, merely grinned as if acknowledging the fact.
He would admit he had been beaten back this time around but he wasn't defeated, not by a long shot.
Breaking off eye contact with the root of all the Evil in the Capital, Tatsumi lowered his head to Makoto respectful and submissive to his Emperor's gaze. If he had to prove his strength, to both General Esdeath and the Emperor, so be it: he'd destroy Night-Raid if that had to come down to it and he wouldn't hesitate. No road was easy to travel, his road lead him further beyond what lay to those fighting for the same cause.
"Your will, will be done, my Emperor. I shall do what you ask: for the Glory of the Empire."
The Child-Emperor clapped his hands happily, "Excellent! I hope to hear more from you two, in the future and I must apologize to cut this conversation short, Colonel, General since the Prime Minister and I must deal with the Empire's daily affairs. Perhaps when all is said and done, I shall summon you to my personal chambers to discuss any further matters that need to be addressed. Until then, I have faith in the both of you to face your futures together and to see where it'll take you."
His words were innocent enough to make Tatsumi withhold a tear seeing the kind nature of an Emperor being manipulated into the schemes of a madman who didn't seem to be fazed. His silence wasn't compliance or fear but merely muted entertainment at the spectacle he had fallen into and it just created the lack of any remotely serious. He could understand his place, for the moment.
The Minister considered him to be a muted threat.
A threat, no more than the peasants that screamed for justice to be done if an Imperial Official abuses their powers and all for what?
To accept that fact?
Sighing to himself, he pulled himself from those thoughts.
Both he and Esdeath respectfully acknowledged the dismissal from the Throne Room now.
"Yes my, Emperor."
"As your will, my Emperor."
Rising from his feet Tatsumi placed his beret back onto his head turning an about-face heading towards the door with an unreadable expression on his face.
What could he do now? Where did he stand and how did one dig themselves out of a grave that could bury them in an icy confined? Inhaling to keep his blood moderately hot, anything less to be considered a 'cool-down' would be a mocking insult to the events he had just went through and for all purposes sake, things were only heating up. For now he had to understand what he could and could not do, what could be accomplished and what was impossible to even attempt.
Trying to make a negative aspect into a positive outlook seemed to be his greatest strength at the moment and that was pushing his luck quite extensively.
Without considering the state of the person, who had taken her time to move, Tatsumi just went past the double-doors heading to his quarters.
He needed time to think!
The Colonel stormed his way through the throne room, as a single thought went through his mind.
Just what in the fuck was he supposed to do and remain perfectly calm at that?
Too many problems, way too many were literally going to crush his back before anything remotely good became of it!
Starting with the most blatant question: how he could deal with Esdeath herself?
"Okay, so I know little about her and most likely, she has an indication of how I am based on the possibilities of my orders returning to the Capital pertained too. I've been set-up, its been a year in the works and now, I'm paying the piper for the fee in allowing him to play. This is just getting dangerous now..."
By-passing several of the black armored Imperial-Guards, who looked stunned at his blatant disregard for brushing them off was one thing but a few had immediately gasped when he was out of sight.
Ignoring their reactions since he didn't care for their existences for that matter, as a more pressing matter came to mind.
General Esdeath.
Or more precisely, her involvement with his life now.
Inhaling deeply, he moved quick enough to remember the direction of his quarters in the section of the Imperial Palace that gave him solace, he needed some space to reevaluate his options. Clenching his fists, to crack several of his knuckles in order to keep his sight trained in front of him and soon found himself in the same dining hall he had been with the 'Three-Beasts' which were off doing who knew what.
Already to much had happened to be concerned with them at this moment, without a level-head and plan, it'd be a waste of effort to maintain a vigil over their actions.
His heart rate kept increasing, as adrenaline and frustrations boiled over once he found the door to his room.
Slamming it open and nearly crushing the door into pieces of splinters, did Tatsumi finally speak to himself summarizing his emotions that were being brought to the light.
This morning sun with the skies that were of red meant an omen of ill had arisen.
"A fitting scenery for my morning, this fucking really is insane."
He fell onto the bed, large enough to support his sprawled out frame completely making him close his eyes.
Morning sunrises aside, already he felt drained in dealing with the stress forced onto him today and it just would get worse, for his sanity's sake he prayed that it'd take time for the woman to make a move onto him. His heart witnessed her eyes, peering into him and ravishing his own body with that look. Gripping his forehead, the young Colonel just felt he had stepped into the Tiger Danger-Beasts layer with just a rock and had succeed to grab its attention as amusing prey item.
The day started young and before long, it'd be an old bad memory that deserved nothing less.
Exhaling loudly, Tatsumi could only mentally resign himself to this nightmare that came onto him.
What exactly did he know about Esdeath?
Very little at the best.
What were her accomplishments or beliefs for that line of thought? Very few positive things about that woman, ever got in the same sentence as opposed to 'no' positive notes and her personality was a mystery. Apart from being a cold, indifference of a General and thrived on the field of battle, the mystery of that blue-haired alluring demon lingered on in his mind with his heart beating slower again finally.
Her blue orbs they held emotions that got his heart to race.
He felt something stalk him for a better lack of a word and that was with the Emperor's gaze trained on them!
If she were like that in a contained environment, then what would be do to him in private?
And the answers terrified him close to pissing himself...
Covering his face, the boy who wasn't truly a boy could only come to terms with what the situation he had been forced into. More so this was the brute forced situation, but he had resigned himself into it because there was no alternatives at this moment. Two options were presented and he took the lesser of two evils, to be done with it to give him this predicament.
Nothing more would be said, Tatsumi rationalized to the point where his own head ached from the intensity so early in the morning and knew he that if he lost his resolve here.
Then all the deaths of those at his hands, his friends, their hopes and faith in him would be wasted.
"What else is going to happen now?"
The young mentally exhausted Colonel spoke this aloud, doing what he could to handle this day's revelations. Closing his eyes in order to ease his growing headache, he expected a quiet morning for the rest of the time he was here but something made his senses prickle in warning.
Opening his eyes within a matter of moments, he looked up to see something that made him freeze in sheer absolute terror and the shock of it all didn't cease the beads of sweat going down his neck.
His heart caught in mid breathe and the blood in his veins, froze within a matter of a second...
"The fun, mainly."
A three worded answer, that caused him to bolt upwards to see the owner of those words.
General Esdeath stood in his room, going through his parcel that was on the wooden desk when he read the book of listed Teigu's within the Imperial Country. Her hands careful, eyes somewhat diligently ignoring his reactions as her eyes scanned the wooden idol from his home village, as well as seeing the cover of the book that Najenda gave him as a gift to which her sight lingered on it.
Her rapier still clipped at her side, as her uniform gave her body an appealing sight as the sight caught the underside of her face making nearly creating an artificial beauty that caused Tatsumi's body to rush blood into places that previously froze.
This wasn't happening!
No it couldn't be happening and the Emperor had sent her as a practical joke to make him feel less inclined to respect that decision.
"Why? Just why is she here?"
But his nerves flared to life as he felt a mix between protocol or an informal outburst at her trespass into his private quarters!
Hell intent on seeking shelter from her whims.
His mind raged within a split second before settling on both, as he bit out a respectful tone that hinted nothing of that intent. She still was flipping through his parcel, ignoring a few choice personal items like a small black book that was his journal that had ended once he left the 'Imperial-Sabers' and thankfully didn't use when encountering Night-Raid or spent the time amongst them.
Still that particularly neglectful habit saved probably their skins less so, that his own at this time.
"General Esdeath, why are you inside my quarters? This is really unexpected and a breach of privacy, if you aware of such protocols when one is not allowed inside a room..."
Hit bit out formally struggling to kept the irritation out of his tone as the woman idly went through his small journal without a hint of regret nor shame. Her eyes scanning the pages at times boredom or once in a great while, she'd smirk at some detail or two. She didn't acknowledge his accusations and her own status, as she left a hand on her rapier-blade while reading the small piece of personal literature.
Her gaze flickered briefly to the wooden idol, as if trying to solve a puzzle that caught her notice.
As words seemingly flew into her mind, deciphering the texts within and Tatsumi knew in his heart that: his perspectives possibly earn General Esdeath's suspicions about his 'views' for the Empire.
"These are some very nice stories, 'Villages burning with the flames of blood, orange mix of a danger-beasts eyes who has nothing but mindless insanity and the smoke, so thick it clogs my soul. I see the eyes of the dead, torn as the nerves hang like threads.' I'm impressed, few can capture the actual details in a profound manner and to answer your question from earlier..."
The young Colonel wished her eyes didn't positively glow as her smile aimed at him directly.
Those two endless orbs of ice, that just made the blood freeze in his neck when she patronized him, tenderly if he dared to make that bold statement. Almost with a panicked sense he tried to look to the window to possibility throw himself out of it! All in order to maintain his sanity or the lack of freedom to escape this woman's gaze.
If she witnessed him viewing the window, she had no qualms while explaining his questions.
"Couples have no such boundaries, Tatsumi and privacy is a fickle thing when we sleep together in the same room of course."
Making her ways towards the bed, the young man back peddled against the wall!
Just feeling his back press up against it as his nostrils flared in warning at her proximity.
Tremors racked his body, as Esdeath sat down on the side of him, crossing her legs while absently reading his journal and occasionally raising an eyebrow impressed by some details.
Again Tatsumi felt that penetrating gaze glance over him!
She was gauging him, sizing up him, undressing his body before her bare and for the life of him he could see something terrifying.
It was that, those feelings weren't faked at all.
"Sleeping in the same room? General, please with respect: nothing was stated that I had to adhere to this surprise. I hardly know you, hell beyond that we have never even remotely seen each other as far as I'm concerned and to actively be sleeping with a superior is punishable by..."
His voice cracked his resolve in whether to confront this head up or perhaps appeal to the protocols to somehow cease her eyes staring into his own. His very limbs went to his Saber as Esdeath closed his highly detailed journal. The woman casually flipping it, skillfully to land in a perfect vertical position next to his wooden idol: in the same exact spot no less and that alone scared him fluently!
What in the hell was this woman, to literally calculate a precise throw?
"Superior? Oh, no, no that is not the case here Tatsumi. You have far more value to me as something beyond what in your status could ever hope to offer. Do you want to know..."
She leaned forward with her lips at his left ear.
One of her limbs trapped his over the handle his Saber, crushing it with an ungodly like strength that made him wince.
"...why I'm saying this? Are you interested, to know about me?"
He focused on her finishing question which could give him answers.
Several beads of sweat went down his back now, his gaze peering into the tendering icy orbs that held more death alone than his own hands. This person had stained themselves in an ocean of blood and apart of him dared to think this situation thrilling enough to find those answers.
Throat tightening, the young Colonel just croaked out a response to make the older woman only breathe a cold tingle onto his ear lobe that sent shivers down his spine.
Shivers that weren't fearful of the cold, but of what this General's intentions were.
"Yes."
Esdeath giggled at his hesitance, making his body go numb from the presence her own flooded the room with: that playful sense of malice and utter satisfaction of reaching a goal one claimed within their lives to be the heart of their existence. His eyes darted away as he leaned his face towards the wall, intent on keep as much distance as humanely possible and within the confines of his chest, his heart had galloped beyond the speed of sound it seemed.
"I...I can't deal with this, if I look down I see something that will terrifying me beyond anything possible and I'd enjoy it. I look into her eyes, to see the massive wall of lives damning me for even considering this state of mind and the power, this cold frigid sense of certainty is unalterable. What in the hell is this woman, a demon?"
Closing both eyes with him trembling the Ice-Queen reached out to pat his cheek, soothing him as she voiced echoed into his ears.
Slowly churning the terror that gripped his heart and that tore at his very, being in order to have him realize the full extent of dangers that would be lurking on every answer he considered now.
"That day, one year ago when you proclaimed those words, 'Loyalty unto Death', I instantly felt a pull towards you as your gaze swept over the entire audience daring them to question your vows. I could not understand these feelings to cause my chest to ache, my heart caught in a run and the more pleasant effects came to light once you: smiled..."
Tatsumi's eyes opened wide as he looked at her in horror, akin to more of horrifying curiosity.
"You weren't there, I did not notice your presence at all..."
Esdeath's own face came to within inches of his jawline as her nose inhaled his scent almost hauntingly as an expression of bliss race onto her features. No traces of blood rushing beneath her pale skin could be seen, but the workings of a flushed face came to bear fruit when her hand trailed up his sword arm teasing with an occasional twirling motion.
His body couldn't settle with being insanely excited or absolutely terrified beyond reason!
Desperately enough, Tatsumi looked to the far wall ignoring the hitch in breathing from the blue-haired beauty.
"To be honest, I got bored of when people talked and a certain old geezer pointed you out to my eyes. He only had to say, 'Watch that boy, for he's a sleeping tide ready to arise...' and that got my interest peaked, so when you said the most shortest vow ever with the tenacity of a General it made my heart race. Your smile, it was so pure, so right, so happy and so handsome that my heart couldn't stop beating when I thought of you. Over a year I harbored those feelings, studying you, watching you and ultimately falling for you from afar and no more, will I resist these feelings of love..."
The Ice-Queen's face dipped against his chest, hearing his heart beat as warmth fled into her own body as she couldn't contain a small moan of aching need.
Tatsumi's body stopped shaking out of forced state of tension.
All the while her explanations weren't insane nor were they even remotely disturbing.
In other words: this was terrifying beyond anything!
Normally maidens held those thoughts for great heroes of old or famous individuals that brought victory to those within the Empire but this was General Esdeath: the strongest of the Empire and the Queen of Ice.
So how?
Trying to make sense of her reasoning gave way to a validation of a woman who hadn't experienced the softer side of a person, he was in the same boat and could otherworldly imagine what it felt like to be loved. His heart had been so full of grief and taking on the mantle of responsibility for the fate of all the Empire's Citizens who had deprived of 'Hope' and 'Justice' for so long, that he didn't realize the full extent of his ability to speak to those who wished to listen to him.
He had caught the eye of the most dangerous person who could easily destroy that dream without a thought.
"Thank you, I guess."
Speaking hesitantly when he slowly brought his hand, brushing the fabric of the woman's arm who shifted to see his actions. Almost with a tenderly yet absolute touch, her hand gripped his feeling the warmth flow through the veins underneath, to rest it against her cheek as the young Colonel could only support the woman's leaning position onto his person.
Blinking owlishly his other hand came around to place itself onto her back, just to keep from making him fall over onto the bed's surface and possibly, give her the wrong idea in order to support his posture. Despite the forced nature of this situation quickly thrust upon the higher powers of the Empire and what not, Tatsumi realized something extremely truly shocking about this woman...
Esdeath felt complete and happy that her muscle tone, relaxed into his grip making him feel the certainty of her gender pressing onto him.
But did this make her weak?
He knew in his mind not a single truth of that question was to be answered and for that alone he had to ask why came of them in the future since he knew!
Esdeath was here to hunt down Night-Raid and they were within her sight to be destroyed.
Which meant they had to follow up on their deal, to cleanse the Capital of Evil and purge it, immediately.
"What does this mean, General? Am I reporting directly under you now and what do you intent to do to me now that your reward has been collected."
Withholding an urge to bite out that word, he felt the woman release herself from him staring at him intently enough to make him choose questions more carefully in the future. In fact, it seemed wise enough to not anger the blue-haired beauty who could for all intensive purposes freeze his body and smash it into, a million pieces of frozen meats.
Waiting with the last vestiges of his discipline did the young Colonel weather the frigid calculative gaze of a woman who had thrived on the battle-field for so many years.
She promptly smiled standing up with her hand on her rapier-blade and Tatsumi could appreciate the quality of it as well, since his Saber held similar properties.
"Don't be silly, you're going to be my lover Tatsumi. My equal, my better-half that I have sought for so long and you will become stronger than anything possibly conceived with my tutelage. I'll admit you have the basics of walking the path towards a General, but when I'm done with you..."
Tapping her foot while in thought, as she looked over at the window seeing the full rays of the sunrise hitting her.
The light reflected off her pupils to give them an appearance of wild sinister beauty that caught the breathe in his throat and for once, he felt the need to understand what his own body had displayed. She seemed so genuine yet empty at the same time. Her face a mockery of a maiden in love but something was there in her eyes and he'd be damned to see what the hell it could be.
Swallowing the saliva building up within his mouth, the young Colonel got onto his feet to adjust himself while Esdeath found herself in ponderous bliss.
"So that means formality will be lessened General?"
The honest question made her smile, for what reason he knew not.
So she leaned forward as he kept his gaze on eyes and not her assets that were slightly ajar in her jacket to make him feel uneasy.
"There will be none, when we are alone or as such. Of course we must keep up appearances in front of those like the Minister and the good Emperor himself, but beyond that you and I will be like any couple my dear Tatsumi."
Resisting the urge to sigh heavily, the young Colonel could only warily agree since technically he had been transferred and placed under General Esdeath for his remaining tenure for god knows how long. He could only hold firm in the face of someone who was literally, the complete opposite of what he assumed to be the ideal Imperial icon to use for the masses.
He had literally nothing!
So to go with her would be for his sake and the young Colonel had to be very careful. At least when probing about her own achievements as an Officer of the Empire. Despite the uneasiness he held, there had to be some perks to this or something he could use to make his dreams come forth into a reality that would make the Empire a better tomorrow.
So deep within his chest a flutter of hope could be felt if he could help Esdeath in some way to make her emotions truly genuine. Just to ignore that conception of a face that wasn't real and the rid that fake mask she wore in place. He'd put himself in harms way, just all in order to achieve his dreams of 'Hope' and 'Justice' alone.
The entirety of this task seemed impossible but he had to have faith that Emperor agreed to this for some sort of Hope.
For if there wasn't hope, there wasn't faith to see a better tomorrow for those underneath the Empire.
"I suppose we should probably, agree to a spar. I'm aware of how powerful you could be and it, would be easier for us to converse if you have any lessons planed. General Esdeath."
Her smile didn't waver as she tapped his lips condescendingly and her first lessons, or threats came to fully crush Tatsumi as he realized the true depth of her patience.
"Not General Esdeath, Tatsumi. First lesson, no formality between us in private or I'll chain you to the bed in quarters for an entire day, while whipping you until you learn this lesson right. Understood?"
Wagging her finger almost one did to a spouse who did something a bit unexpected and not in a good way.
Her eyes promised the pain of such a punishment and Tatsumi, again had to swallow the fear built up within his throat her smile, it froze his blood once more. Shivers crawled up his spine, as a mix of fear and curiosity got the better of him in this moment. She seemed so, casual about it and that alone made him wonder if this woman was truly...
Sane?
In what little possibilities that were available.
"Yes, Esdeath. But is the whipping promise, necessary?"
Perhaps he had a death wish, but for the sake of his own horrors why was interested in that? Her response made him raise an eyebrow in disbelief but he understood, the truth in that tone of hers. This had to be an awkward start to whatever, a relationship could ever kick off on and in the future he hoped his sanity was intact.
"Oh yes, I love when the crack of a whip splits flesh and how the pain just makes me so, fully delighted that I can't help myself. Are you interested in such things, because we'd be an even better match to have those hobbies."
"Holy shit and the Blessed Mother of the Emperor, I don't believe it: she's serious about the whip! Even worse, she's a masochist? Wait, does that mean she's a fucking sadist? How in the hell, did I ever get her interest and I need time to process this..."
The hopeful look in her eyes merely made him wince, she was being quite honest about the hobby part.
It also provided an insight for him to know that she loved to torture those under her authority or what not.
So that made him pity whatever souls were destroyed by her tenacity.
The full effect of her admission, just made things a bit more tense for him to get used too.
Uncertainty came to nest into his mind, this woman was either to be very strange, very dangerous or just both for the hell of it as he tried to understand what this truly meant.
"No I'm not and most likely, will never. May I at least bring my belongings since I guess I will not being staying in my quarters no longer?"
Esdeath only pouted a bit down ridden, he knew it to be a face as she spun about on her foot, "Of course, you'll be in my chambers or, our chambers now honestly. Follow me to outside Tatsumi, we're going to have a practical lesson on where you stand against me and I'll have to plan accordingly to what I must do in order you to reach the level that I desire to get you too."
She moved to the doorway, leaving Tatsumi to collect his meager belongings.
Slipping the journal of his, along with the wooden idol and the Teigu book that Najenda gave him, he kept his calm exterior just barely. Not wishing to test the patience of the the woman, he maintained a quick pace of getting belongings all set before moving to stand with the blue haired beauty that, waited only for a moment as they walked down the hallway leading into the dining hall.
Not a soul was there, none of the servants nor the enigmatic 'Three-Beasts' that were under the command of Esdeath herself, for that put his mind into a fury of panic.
Where in the hell did that monstrosity of a midget, Nyau or that old fossil Liver go?
And without his own gaze upon them, he feared for those not able to defend themselves.
Those three held no qualms in killing the innocent bystanders, if they were out doing their jobs.
"I can't think about that, for now. Got to deal with Esdeath and see through this day."
Moving at her side, the Ice-Queen's gaze hadn't as so much flickered towards him for more man several minutes only to study any guard that passed by them patrolling the Imperial-Palace's halls. The intensity of her gaze wasn't so much unyielding but merely passionately. Either way that got his body to break out in a cold sweat as he felt the very air freeze whenever they were alone.
The sheer intake of coldness of the frozen air caused him to breathe out heated fog! So did that make Esdeath more prone to escalating the capacity of him to handle the dropping temperatures? To control air? He wasn't aware of her abilities, with rumors merely drifting into his region as a commander of his legion in the western territories.
This got him theorizing her abilities or rather what in the fuck her Teigu could even control for that matter.
Did her ability command air stand out?
Controlling that type of element would next to unreal in his mind, the vast space of the skies to use the volume of air to push an adversary away or the be able to slice them like winds of a hurricane that came off the oceans. Air could kill, the lack of it and the sheer amounts needed to crush a man wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities for a Teigu to enforce its user with. Tatsumi distantly recalled inside the Book that listed all the Teigus that could control any sort of Element, at least from the top of his head.
The list had been surprisingly short, listed down into four or five at the most during his time researching the book itself, so the matter of eliminating the choices would be based on whether the Teigu was in plain sight.
Did her rapier form the core of her teigu or did it conceal itself?
Just like that 'Spectator' did on Zank during the the hypnotic illusions?
Glancing over at the woman, whose hands were behind her back as she hummed a small tune to herself and to Tatsumi, it sounded almost mystical in nature. Almost similar to the old woodsmen who were enlisted with him before he ever came an Officer of the Empire. Trying to place something akin to a description of her humming, it only made the interest in her origins come to life in order to understand in what he was dealing with now.
His gaze occasionally broke off to figure out a random detail that seemed off about her appearance but beyond that as a minor issue.
Her eyes were almost content with him walking at her side down the grand-stairs leading to the base of the Imperial Palace.
"What Teigu does she have? If I remember, there was one called 'Shield-Storm', the ability to use gusts of wind or such to slice an opponent like a blade and there were details about its ability to manipulate the weather with it. It'd be possible to take the warmth from the air, with the lack of a sun indoors but this was too subtle, it was too quick and by the time I realized it: I'm inhaling ice itself."
Several theories floated around his head, the most obvious would be the Ice-Demon but again he had little clue as to where it'd be marked on her body for that matter. It had to be in the base of that Rapier-blade of hers, nothing suggested anything less as he tried to understand the enigma walking not a foot away from his very presence.
Such an uneasy predicament that Tatsumi practically felt like smashing his head against the pommel of his Saber to be granted a clue and what's more nerve-wracking, he had to be at this person's side.
Looking at the woman who stared at him smiling simply enough while placing a finger against her mouth in 'shush' motion gave light to her intelligence of his own actions.
She knew he thought about her teigu, to an extent at the least.
"I swear, if she has something close to 'Spectator' like Zank did and she knows what I'm thinking, then I've signed my death warrant now. Emperor protect me, because I feel like I've just been mentally raped and her eyes are doing the physical part of such a notion. I can only hope that this isn't the case, or else I'm going to end up flayed alive somewhere..."
Imperial-Guards within the Palace, moved out of their way once they stepped at the base of the building itself and seeing the open grounds used for training purposes stand before them. The lack of bodies on the patch of dirt used for drills or what not, made the young Colonel's opinion of them drop ever so slightly to the point of blatant disappointment.
Did the complacency of such people merely reflect the state of the Imperial Capitals, as a sickness had them weakened or were they that arrogant to not train within the morning arms of the sun itself?
He couldn't help but shake his head, when did the decline of such a state of arms start?
A year ago? Or when the old Emperor died from whatever means that got his Emperor on the Golden-Throne on this very day? Questionings brewed violently, some were more pressing than others and for what it mean to him. Results were that he had to make progress soon or risk gong insane from the corruptions still engrained into the capital.
What could be the next step?
Using Assassins and himself as a means to eliminate the more entombed Evil but at what cost? He'd played with fire initially by eliminating corruption but like all fires, eventually the user got burned if they had gotten to complacent with their skills. Consistency would be the next stage of seeing the change that he so desired for the Empire to be filled with 'Hope' and 'Justice' against that it made him falter in a step as Esdeath noticed this while his face was deep in thoughts.
He didn't notice her stop until she spoke up hauntingly amused and quite eager to hear an answer.
"What's got you so deep in thought to ignore me, Tatsumi? Are you perhaps wondering about whether you can confidently disregard the Strongest Within the Empire? Hmm?"
Those questions made him hiss a silent curse as he should have taken account that his silence could be mistaken for something other than cautionary. Inhaling a deep gulp of warm air from the morning, he turned around to see General Esdeath with a hand on her Rapier-blade.
Her posture steady and firm like steel itself, at the helm to take him on within the training grounds of the Imperial-Palace.
Gathering his full fortitude to face this Goliath of a Danger-Beast, Tatsumi removed his slung parcel to the side making sure it was well out of the range that this 'spar' would entitle.
The time to face the dragon of all dragons had made him awkwardly prepare his Saber, as it shifted into a readied position.
And the eyes of a woman, who was more beast than human could only smile brightly.
He wasn't looking forward to this: not even if Hell's fire were to be granting him a weapon...
"I'm more concerned about whether I can even remotely stand on ground with you, Esdeath. I'll promise you that, but I won't admit to being a prideful, arrogant fool who doesn't understand: he has little chance to win. Call me a coward or a spineless soldier but in the end the calmer head always prevails in battle. So I'm apologizing for ignoring you but you must understand that, I'm afraid."
Always being honest had always been his strongest suite.
It got the problems at hand or answers to be addressed within an immediate time frame.
In this case, it made Esdeath bring a hand to her face in order to hide the growing chuckle her body inadvertently created because of his admission to such a fate, calmly.
While it seemed to be a disappointment for him to admit to defeat to her without trying to defend his skills: he was ultimately doing the right thing.
He'd admired to not being able to win, but he just promised he would hold his ground against her despite the vast gap in power she commanded. His eyes weren't lying nor were they alive with an ignorance that often killed the said users who held such thing in their visions. Tatsumi 'Saber' displayed the fortitude, the honesty and the will to stand against her before the first strike of their blades would ever connect.
The General could only smile to herself, once she was finished with him and what not, her dream of having an equal would only be met with the fires of passion they would share within the confines of a bed-room.
The image made her giggly for a better lack of a word and that it made her soon to be lover flinch at her look.
Bringing her blade into the center of her eyes, it directly split the image of him seeing her reflect her own face into three places onto the Rapier-blade when she grinned sinisterly at her beliefs.
"Then you know you are weak and that in order for you to survive, you must become strong. For only the Strong Live and the Weak perish, their lives are meaningless if they cannot fight against the Strong. Always remember this Tatsumi: 'The Strong always live and the weak, will always die'..."
Her tone frigid, unyielding, rightly justified and her eyes were as icy a person could get.
Nothing could prepare him for her change in attitude as a bone numbing chill crossed his face making the very air a blizzard in hindsight.
However her words struck a cold pain within his heart, something that reminded him of a similar event early in his career as a soldier.
"No."
That one word made Esdeath's grin ever grow larger, she already knew to an ideal he would say for that. She'd break him, to adore her, to love her, to know her and to understand what her eyes witnessed for the world to see on the fields of war. Strong powers endured, weak enemies were crushed and nothing could be done about it: it was life itself.
"The Strong do not always live, the Weak do not always die. It is the Strong that can become Weak, for if the Weak are given a choice and a chance they become the very Strong that watch over them. Lives are not meaningless, for what would be the right to live at all then?"
Tatsumi's eye felt the heat of the flames that scarred his very being, the thousands he had killed under the orders of the Empire, under the fact of Evil that which plagued the Emperor's gaze and he must take a stand against such a disgusting creature of a Minister to be destroyed.
He wouldn't falter against this woman, the pinnacle of power itself or not! He knew in his mind, Esdeath was not a goddess made incarnate. He would prevail when the time came, as 'Hope' and 'Justice' did not die yet from this world. He would fight for the many, that were denied the lives that were given to them and for that atoning penance: his eyes burned with a rage so potent that Esdeath herself, only egged it onwards...
"The right to live is nothing an illusion of control Tatsumi, nothing more and nothing less."
The Colonel stood before his General, facing down the proverbial giant that he had to overcome in order to see the dreams that burned into his heart and mind, to come true for all to benefit. Anything less his soul could be damned into hell, where the sins of his actions in the past would eat him alive and not a single penance of the Emperor could forgive him.
"Every life has a choice, everyone has a right to become Strong or Weak. They have a choice to be made, Esdeath and to live for nothing: is the greatest illusion for one who has control..."
The woman laughed, clearly enjoying the banter of words and idealism's that could be heard from those that were within ear-shot of them about to duel.
In fact their presences had drawn a small number of Imperial Guards in their blackened armor create a loose semi circle at the head of the barren training grounds to watch this soon to be battle that they would spread the accounts to any who wished to hear of it. The tension and preparation only got stronger, as the pinnacle of Imperial military mights prepared to face off.
Neither of the two Imperial Officers in the center of the grounds did not even acknowledge their presences as the two locked eyes and the battle of wills had just begin into the rising sun's gaze as it washed over them.
Both of their blades, glinting in the morning light.
"I'll be the one standing at the end Tatsumi. Just don't forget every battle is just a means for the weak to choose how they perish and for the strong, to choose to live..."
No words were spoken from the young Colonel who twitched at the spiraled views of his own, so narrowing his gaze he drew his Saber getting into a lose position.
He lifted the weapon easily setting it in between his free limb so that the point nestled between his thumb and index finger and raising his dominant arm to make it angled downward.
He couldn't hold back here!
Or even remotely, fight passively as the blue-haired beauty held her position with the Rapier in the solid defense that made his heart pound in stipulated terror.
There wasn't any means to get past her block, her form was solid and infinitely perfect against his style of combat!
"She did say, she was watching me from afar."
The reality was that she knew of his fighting styles, his every movement and had gotten reports of what did he fought like.
The spying certainly paid off and the accounts of how he fought in order to get his own prowess, over an enemy.
And she too superseded his abilities, with her own.
This wasn't just a duel.
It was a clash of two people on different ends of the spectrum and only one would be able to stand without hesitation against the opposite mirror.
In the end, he could only go on the offensive and pray to the Emperor himself to maintain a practical mindset.
"Lets find out, how far I must go!"
A single pair of birds flew past the field.
As Esdeath watched them for a split second and that was the signal...
Tatsumi dashed with all his might, gauging as he came within inches of cutting General Esdeath's face who merely deflected the Sabers strike from her head, the woman hadn't even loosened her grin and it only became more genuine as the fight would go on.
He veered around trying to use the momentum to slash at her heeled legs, which casually lifted themselves to avoid the Colonel's arced strike. Struggling to maintain his discipline, he crouched down and tried to sweep out her legs within a minute of finding his Saber back at his side.
The woman merely flipped herself over his head, using her free hand to keep her cap from falling down due to gravity alone.
Sprinting after the General, he struck at her side as she landed and her Rapier caught his strike dead center, as he winced trying to push against the still grinning face of the woman. Her chest hadn't even sped up as the markings that he hadn't noticed on her skin, kept calm and hadn't changed in rhythm. She wasn't even remotely strained to block his strikes!
"Unreal."
Grunting he continued his assault using all he could to just press her away from her own passive defensive stances as time and time again: his Saber got forced into a different direction from his intended target...
Panting as he spear headed a charge to get inside her grip, but the General merely bent herself at an angle that he overshot leaving his flank exposed.
Her eyes gleamed in delight as she brought the Rapier into a side-slicing motion which Tatsumi's eyes widened in shock!
Time seemed to slow as his heart beat into his ears, the sharpened edges of that weapon came to within inches of his face before he pulled out the crutch to get out of such a situation.
"I went too far!"
His short sword came out in a reversed in grip blocked the strike as he got sent flying backwards from the blow itself.
Trying to stand from the solid counter-strike was like trying to move with weights tied to his limbs. Tatsumi exhaled loudly as sweat dripped down his face from the amount of force he had to contend with. What in the hell was this woman made of? Fucking steel and magics? His mind started to play the information he knew over and over again, there had to be a way!
He had to find a way to disarm that sword if that was her teigu!
If he couldn't beat her head on than perhaps the answer wasn't in being offensive, but maybe he had to...
Esdeath voiced out some observations against him.
"Decent speed, a good form and solid sound judgment, Tatsumi."
The Colonel sprinted again testing a theory that had formed in his eyes, so he maintained the illusion of being one-minded enough to be gloated as Esdeath kept talking. Surprisingly that worked, a little too well as her laughter echoed in his ears after failed strikes continuously hounded onto her body like, sharks smelling blood in the water. Tatsumi ignored this testing out theories that were forming, as his eyes picked on the body movement of the General's ability to parry strikes.
Using both weaponry he slashed vertically and horizontal simultaneously to make the woman at least move her body.
That worked as she absently parried certain blows that would have sent lesser soldiers to the dirt but to her, it wasn't the same.
Her enhanced teigu body made have a natural edge in the five senses and physical body, anyone without a compatible teigu couldn't win against a skilled user.
They could hold their ground for a time but in the end: they would fall through the compliance of the one they were fighting.
Ultimately the young Colonel had made an admirable attempt to gain any leverage over her passive position and so which, it'd be a fun time to brush up on her ability to dodge.
She had been intently dissecting his ability to take control of the practice fight.
"In theory you can best many opponents with a few well ended strikes, possibly fatally ending their lives if you got the basis for their movements. However, what you lack is the brute strength to follow-up on your initial strike with that Saber of yours. Inability to predict my movements mean you are complacent when facing Teigu users altogether..."
Again she slammed her Rapier into his Saber, which sent the younger boy flying back a good twenty or so feet as he remained standing much to her silent praise. His legs looked ready to fall as his shoulders slumped over to see him struggling to breathe enough to get his body under control.
Normally she'd be bored about a fighter in her Tatsumi's position, but the most interesting thing she loved about this.
It wasn't the fact he was holding his ground but more, it was the emotion of dominance that coursed into her veins when she stared right into the view soul of her lover.
His eyes were the windows to the soul, they were bright, those two green emeralds of fire, that were shining with unyielding willpower, he was so close and so full of defiance that it made her sigh out in bliss as her heart beat painfully harder...
"For someone without a Teigu it is truly and honestly remarkable to hold your own against me, but I wonder how long you can stand before going your knees? Let's find out, shall we?"
Her smile was back almost faker than any person could not hide the glee in their tones. Warily he summoned his body to get into a defensive stance, this was going to hurt so much. Esdeath casually cracked her neck to make him flinch, he should have tried to disarm her when he had the chance to do it but for now.
Tatsumi was ready to experience the pain in getting beat down...
Or so he thought.
Esdeath just smiled, nearly sadistically and that was the last thing he noticed.
The first blow sent him skidding back again, as her blade clashed against the both of his own. The sparks creating a small ghoulish light on her face, the straining of metal crushing metal. Tatsumi yelped as he felt something crash into the side of his arms as he witnessed her free hand crushing his forearm that held his Saber.
Bones fractured as he snarled out angrily, pushing her back a few feet trying to maintain an offensive stance against her own increased aggression.
Every attempt became an effort to survive the next strike, blow after blow slammed against him.
Esdeath appeared behind him as he bent back onto his knee, nearly touching the ground to avoid a thrust that would have skewered his abdomen, his heart beating faster than any battleground he had experienced in the Imperial-Sabers, the young Colonel whirled around back handing the Rapier which got inside his guard. His feet had moved inwards, for a slight moment to get the woman to pause briefly.
Tatsumi narrowed his sight, "There's a blind spot! Lets see if I can do that again! I know I can't cut her: so I'm going to crush her nose in at the least and I can probably go down in a bang."
Moving away he shoulder rolled away from a slash on the ground take destroyed a circumference of three feet of earth, the indent of invisible forces revealed to the younger Imperial Officer. It made him cringe knowing his body was absorbing those insane amounts of stress! Physically Tatsumi knew that his frame was weak and it had moved to its peak conditions but only for so long.
He had stamina, but Esdeath hed all the strengths that made one a monster and for good reason.
Without a Teigu, he was just human.
A human...
His opponent had stepped herself up as the blade nothing more than a flash of white.
Side stepping a strike to his ankles, Tatsumi kept his body calmer than anything he had ever put into on the field of battle and he saw the image of the General easily, flipping her blade to the side with her hand.
Carefully waiting, the woman flipped her wrist as the Colonel knew that his chance when he saw it and didn't hesitate: at all...
"Let's see what happens you have no weapon, Esdeath! I'm not going down without at least making my mark!"
As Esdeath came within a foot of him, Tatsumi stepped inside the blade's swing making the woman widen her in eyes at the sudden daring move.
He dropped his short sword from his childhood while locking the Blue-haired Ice-Queen's arm next to his side as her body slammed into his making her stumble for a split moment.
And then...
He struck!
Struck twice at the elder Officer's face.
He slammed the back of his elbow twice into her face, each hit thundering in his ear as sweat dripped into his face and it caused him to see an expression of anger ripple into her face. It made him paralyzed as the Colonel felt nothing but a floating sensation before being slammed into the ground by a shoulder throw from the woman who stared down at him with an expression that a monster could only give out.
Her eyes were filled with the initial shock, than that inhumane anger and that utter delight at when made contact against her!
Tatsumi struggled to get up from his position but something stopped him immediately...
"DAMN IT!"
Instantaneous crushing agony, where it hurt to breathe...
All of the voices of the damned came forth, as his ability to stay amongst the living struggled...
"Murderer."
"Another fucking demon, you are!"
"Betrayer."
Her heeled foot slammed into his chest causing him to scream and cough up blood!
It stained his face with the life-liquid from his own veins. It felt like a mountain had crushed his chest as just breathing seemed so insanely difficult that he fell back against the dirt! He seemed to be panting no, the Colonel was wheezing in agony as the woman picked up her Rapier-blade on the side of his downed form. Her face a mix of emotions for a moment, before settling down as he watched her.
His fingers numb and just flat out unresponsive to his nerve endings...
And it made the Saber roll onto the dirt with a small 'clank' that brought the attention of the said person who was dueling its owner.
Tatsumi could only stare at her, grinning weakly with blood leaking down from his lips since he found an opportunity to fight with the woman and just to be able to hit her twice was enough for him to exhale deeply.
"...I told you...I'd bring a piece of you down..."
God almighty and the Emperor protect him: it hurt to talk as the woman's heel twisted onto his chest.
"And I told you, I'd be the one standing in the end. An unexpected yet admirable attempt to stand against me without a Teigu. Most people would have died from that stomp, Tatsumi but you endured. I'm a bit embarrassed I went a little overboard for our duel at the end."
The downed boy took this defeat with a grain of salt and could only learn from this encounter.
It was just as she said before they fought. Tatsumi didn't believe it, but the basics of doing great things stemmed to basic building blocks. The Colonel needed the raw power that formed his very physical body to stand against people who were beyond the standard soldier in the Wars, that were coming. Esdeath may have been a cold, demonic entity since he had heard about and her beliefs were questionable as were his but: the potential didn't lie.
That future required strength!
As well that future potential to become something truly to make Evil itself, fear his very sight and to lead his Imperial-Sabers again for the Glory of the Empire.
He weakly laughed at both the admission from the woman and the dreams of bringing change to the country that deserved 'Hope' and 'Justice'. So for the moment, he would use this unexpected twist in his life to better himself, in order to achieve his dreams for the future and to the have the Empire have faith in the Emperor once again. It made him realize something, every person held some sort of truth and the lies spun around them, made it all the more dangerous to assume anything.
This caused a happiness to spark in his heart, despite nearly being crushed into a mush of flesh and pulp alike...
Tatsumi continued to be smiling at the ideal of hope while laughing from being killed to get to that answer of relief and the belief of a better tomorrow. Even as Esdeath looked down at him with a flushed face at his enlightened expression. Something came to his mind, as her realized that in this duel of theirs and to become a better soldier. If he wanted to go beyond what he knew already, it had to take a better man to admit he couldn't take on an opponent that flattened armies.
Epiphanies occurred at the strangest of times.
The Colonel knew in his heart, that he would learn from her but: she would learn from him!
That notion seemed nearly insanely but it made sense. He could adhere to his fate that was handed down to him and for that alone it'd be possible.
This would make the ideal for 'Hope' to blossom in his heart time, and time again. He had to see both sides of this problem, to see was to understand and to understand, was to know how to deal with this problem on hand.
Coughing violently as blood leaked down from his chin Tatsumi again just looked up at the woman.
A person who was now inadvertently his teacher, friend, superior and ultimately: his challenge!
All to see how far 'Hope' could go in order for 'Justice' to have the Empire, see a better tomorrow.
"At least, I learned to never underestimate when a Teigu is gone from its users hands. I thought, perhaps disarming you would make your Teigu's abilities be a nullified point..."
His statement brought a revelation, that really got him shocked to the tenacity and depth that the ancient Teigu did to their users.
Esdeath looked at him for a moment before laughing loudly holding her sides as Tatsumi could only stare up in confusion.
Despite so early in the morning, his body was crushed but his mind was so inflamed!
He wanted answers to those questions seared into his head by this experience alone.
Coughing a bit while groaning he got his answer as the woman knelt down next to him. Esdeath's was with an expression of bemusement and utter gentleness that her face glowed with something akin to affection. The Emperor help him, it looked too innocent on a the face of a monster to be at all right and it was odd, again.
"You thought my Rapier, to be the source for my Teigu correct? Is that you went all out in order to disarm me? I was quite shocked to think you figured where its location was at."
Her gentle yet amused tone just made him beckon her with his gaze to ask where, "I thought Teigus had physical states like swords, or even instruments for users to wear. Hell, even armor if I can remember the information right..."
One series of groans escaped him, when trying to move his legs, so it wasn't happening under his own will at least until his strength came back in a pained increments.
Shutting his eyes, he felt himself being lifted as a warm sensation went through his head as he hissed lightly at the agony his torso went through.
Opening his vision again he found himself, on the woman's lap with her hands guiding one of his own to her chest. In the valley of her chest, between the assets that made his blood boil with a fire that made him even uneasier than ever, to see the massive tattooed logo of some sort of marking.
His eyes were scanning the details, trying to make sense of what the hell her Teigu even was or where it stayed within her body.
"My Teigu, is right here..."
Her hands had one of his own, palm first on the skin of her chest and he felt her heart beat calmer than the most battle-tested veterans in the Imperial Military. "I'll tell you more about it on a later date, but I control Ice Tatsumi, no matter where I go: I can form it and use it to destroy all those in my path. But it can be liquid and engrained into a user's body."
Almost regretfully she got up despite having his hand trail down onto her stomach which made him retract his limb, looking at the sky were the blue depths of it caused a smile to grow again.
He could see the birds flying.
They were free.
An ideal that all could do that one day, to be free and to no longer worry about the need to fear the dangers that could end their lives.
Glancing up at the blue-haired woman who smiled at him as she held her hand to him.
The boy could only return the gaze with his own pure, honest, hopeful emotions that made him feel that 'Hope' wasn't at all gone from the world.
Not while he lived and grew stronger, to keep from the face of Evil itself.
Reaching upwards she hefted him onto her shoulder as he hissed from the pains inside his chest. Tatsumi felt his own ribs bruising or perhaps his entire upper body become fractured.
She slipped his Saber and short-sword back into their respective holsters and his parcel became his crutch to carry onto his free limb.
The Colonel felt like a weakened squire in a nobleman's court, being beaten down for a practical lesson and had to learn the hard ways again.
For now he leaned against the woman who carried him out of the training grounds as the various guards were gaping in sheer awe and reverence at the sights before them. He caught them looking at the spot where he got crushed. Murmurers and whispers from the experienced Guards caught his ears...
"How is that boy alive?"
"Unreal, the both of them."
"He should be dead..."
Tatsumi looked back as Esdeath carried him to her chambers, the spot where he had been lying in: was a crater that was almost a meter deep and had a circumference of two meters.
His body print indented into the Earth, like a mocking snow-angel in the wintery folds of the years when the chill weather of the northern enveloped the Empire.
The painful reminders that held sway in his heart, he could only smile at the brush of death and could only ask himself: if he were lesser of a person, that would have killed him within a matter of seconds...
All feeling left his legs now which he knew the signs his body of an pain-overload from his nervous system and he assumed it be a mercy, a blessing from the Emperor or God himself. It just felt nice to suddenly stop worrying about his aching bone.
"I'm going to pass out now."
His head felt light headed as the last thing he heard, was Esdeath's amused soft laughter.
And his vision blurred once he stepped onto the stairs leading to the Imperial-Palace.
"Ugh, feels like I got wedged into a cavalry charge and I have a broken back. Emperor, protect me from this agony and fucking hell, I can't feel my legs."
Silently rising from his position, Tatsumi rubbed his face to see himself bare chested with bandages wrapped up all over his ribs. Sheets, so elegant and grandiose it made him question whether he was in the Palace or a Nobleman's bedroom? The next item made him believe, that perhaps a woman in this case as he spotted bra's on the desk over towards the corner.
Blinking hazily, he looked around from his spot on the bed.
Lying in a massive king sized bed, the curtains were folded neatly at the corners as furs were laced onto the sheets causing him to idly shift his shoulders. The pillows having the texture of a smooth Danger-beast skin hide, as he spotted bear-furs, tiger and perhaps some sort of primate but the details were lost on his mind. They all felt well enough for him to regret moving from a comfortable position.
He could see a map of the Empire on the far way, with arrows of army movements, objectives and what not ranging to the capital to the Northern Territories.
Glancing around, the room he was in was probably the three times the size of his...
A gentle breeze hit his face as he oversaw a balcony with a few of the Imperial City.
The sun nearly setting as he realized he had been passed out for almost over twelve hours: which had been a long time since he had experience a lapse in time. Straining a bit to get onto his two meet, he looked over towards the desk to see his belongings and uniform neatly folded, along with a piece of folded parchment over them. Now that got his attention, as his chest ached from breathing a bit too quickly.
A bit curious he looked at it, first flipping it and than unfolding it as a few sentences written from Esdeath herself were on display.
Her hand writing a bit neater than his own: shockingly.
"I have a meeting with the Prime Minister, will be gone for most of the day and into the night. Rest up and keep the bed warm for me."
Snorting at the end of that note, he just stretched his shoulders to feel the soreness kick in and by the Emperor, it increasingly felt like his arm was rubber. Inhaling deeply he walked to the side of the room to see a bathroom with a finesse amount of details within, it made him shake his head at the shower there and it only got weirder to see a massive bathtub, or Jacuzzi in a separate room from that.
Tatsumi would have felt like a king which was the furthest thing he had ever wanted to experience and all of his fiances went into the Imperial-Saber Legion. Like a decent Commander he squandered most of his personal wealth for his men to benefit from his ideals and beliefs, so that thought alone made him a bit sorrowful.
He missed commanding the various men he had trained, most of them were hand picked and ultimately to be lead to Glory for the Empire as a whole.
"Quickest day, I've had to deal with in a while. But what can I do now, wait or just explore the Palace for the sheer hell of it? Esdeath never said I couldn't leave."
Shrugging the youngster moved to the map of the Empire to see the tactical readouts of the Northern Armies movements, as well as other various arrows of other such campaigns: but he looked to the west and witnessed, a 'Saber' icon pinned at a valley of a mountain line that Tatsumi knew to be his 'old' station as Commander of his Legion. The level of detail on this map really spoke volumes to the woman's dedication of spying on him from afar.
She had been keeping tabs on him which were accurately down to the mile on the map and while a bit creepy, it was certainly humbling now.
Exhaling sharply his eyes wandered to the Southern Region, many 'red-crossed' lines of defeated Armies or traitors had been marked, as numbers were often placed and the chill that crept up over his spine made him realize what he was starting up.
"Over thirty thousand defected to the Revolutionaries and we lost nearly, twice that number to loses within the month. Almost one hundred thousand wasted lives, for a change that should have come earlier for the Empire. And this is only the beginning of a Civil War that will end the line of the Imperial Nations as we know it, son of a bitch..."
Taking the wooden chair that was lined with furs, from the desk, Tatsumi sat down studying the layouts of the actual tactical maps of the Empire's borders. He saw red zoned areas, black X's or even dotted lines of potential rebellions that were making his mind turn at the sheer amount. So many of those symbols, literally being freshly drawn last night if he could see several coated layers.
The overall scheme of things, for the Empire was simply unreal.
And Tatsumi witnessed how much his efforts had done for the Empire, as a whole.
The Western Region had nothing marked as significant notes.
While the North, East and Southern Regions had hundreds of significant notes.
It went to show the results of Tatsumi's efforts comparing to the rest of the those in command and it made him queasy to see the effects of methods he used. Offering choices to the population were far more effective then whatever the other Armies were influencing on the other regions of the Empire, it just screamed madness to not try his ways for once. Nearly feeling a bit sickened, he sat there tracing the paths of Armies within the Northern Regions.
He came across a scarce few battles, the occasional raid but he witnessed an 'X' over the Capital of the Northern region, a number made his eyes widen in disbelief!
"Four-hundred thousand enemies destroyed and utterly annihilated? What in the Emperor's name could do such a thing, how could that many die and in such an..."
The symbol of 'III' and the lack of red lines meant, Esdeath was responsible for that much destruction along with her 'Three-Beasts' themselves.
Also there was a black-cross to mark that Northern Capital, this meant that all forces stationed in the northern regions were her Army and it had been left to maintain the order in that frigid landscape.
His stomach nearly upheld whatever food within its confines but he tried to shake off the statistics since the details weren't mentioned on the map itself.
Just then a loud 'knocking' came from the door, making him eye suspiciously.
Moving warily, he opened it to reveal an Imperial Palace Guard whose seniority seemed a bit older than he was but nonetheless he respectfully asked, "How can I help you Guardsmen? General Esdeath is not in her chambers if you require her summoned."
The man only replied in a formal tone, "Colonel Saber, correct? I have a missive from a Lieutenant Seryu Ubiquitous of the Imperial Police at the base of the gates to the Palace. She urges you to assist her in hunting down 'evildoers' and for 'Justice' as per her brightened requests."
The tone of the men wasn't particularly annoyed but he was on the way to it, as Tatsumi smiled kindly while nodding his head. Despite the fact that Seryu asked for him by name meant she needed something important done, technically Esdeath didn't ask him to remain in her room and he needed to stretch his legs again.
"Forgive her, she takes her job very enthusiastically but I'll be ready in five minutes no less. Let me get dressed and I'll follow you down, Guardsmen. Thank you for informing me."
The man nodded understandably, motioning for him to privacy as Tatsumi rapidly got his uniform on and weapons collected. The quickest response to be him being in full clothing was roughly sixty seconds as he slipped everything on at an urgent speed due to the fact he hated making those he considered as friends to wait for him.
Shaking off a few minor aches now, his adrenaline pumping fully and he slipped his ring on while adjusting his Beret to maintain it to his standard. Inhaling sharply, his Saber blade fell tied to his hip before moving to the door but he stopped...
Looking to the note on the desk, he quickly wrote an apologetic statement.
"A friend contacted me just recently, I'll be in the capital city for some time Esdeath. Please do not be angered or worried, ask the Imperial-Police for my whereabouts if you so incline. From Tatsumi."
Honestly signing his death warrant, the young Colonel moved to the door opening and then to follow the guard outside of the Palace itself. His pace urgent and then some as he went outside the main doors before getting to the Imperial-Stables to get his hands onto Noburu who was there fully ready to be ridden at a moments notice.
Getting up onto her, he got her to gallop towards the main gates of the Imperial Palace within moments as his eyes scanned for his new found friend. Seryu.
And it didn't take long to see her waving cheerfully at him, with Koro on her shoulders.
"Good evening Colonel Tatsumi!"
Her smile, bright, eager and infectious as he returned it. He noted that Koro had tried to salute and stumbled a bit on her shoulders, he couldn't help but laugh at the Teigu construct which deflated in front of him. Even the two Imperial Guards of the Palace in their blackened armors, cracked smiles at the sight and that stated something about their humorless positions.
Giving them a nod, he walked with Seryu to the street a few feet away from the Emperor's residence so that she could not be flogged for trespassing, visiting or not.
"Evening Lieutenant Seryu, how are you tonight? Koro keep you out of trouble, again?"
He asked the little Dog teigu as it sniffed his hand before rubbing himself against his palm.
The said master of the teigu could only huff indignantly at the higher ranked soldier who who just smiled that heart warming expression which made her body flush with excitement. Still she replied with as much enthusiasm as her positive outlook to defeat 'Evil' for 'Justice' could do.
"That's just mean Colonel! Hear I thought you wanted to assist me in trying to hunt down a lead on a group of evil-doers who were planning to kill a good citizen of the Empire. Last time I put my faith if you again, Koro be mean to him at once!"
Anyone could see her playful orders of the little dog looked at her as if she were crazy, as the little teigu found itself being rubbed behind its ears by Tatsumi whose expression: was the perfection of innocence at the lack of display of Koro himself.
Still her confession brought some an interesting point: tracking down a group of evil-doers?
Safely to assume something akin to thieves or a slaver ring, he certainly wouldn't mind the stress relief after today's brutal beat down from Esdeath.
His back still ached now that he realized it, mildly.
"I'm honored you'd ask me to help fight Evil, I have the time to spare and I'm sure I can use the experience to know the layouts of the capital. Count me in Seryu, Koro wouldn't have to suffer from the lack of attention you don't give him. Hmm?"
He teased her making the girl pout with a face that made his heart glow with affection, she seemed so innocent that it really sucked in order to say anything negative. Dipping his head as Koro seemingly 'betrayed' his master as he felt no ill-intentions from the little Teigu, it just wanted to be have 'fun' with Seryu as she playfully hit his back calling him a 'meanie', 'bastard' or what not.
He had to have held a past life whereas he had been an overprotective brother to a little sister...
Or older one, if she was older than him to be fair.
He walked over to the two Imperial Guards that were struggling to maintain straight faces at the indignation of the two friends despite being higher ranked than them. Tatsumi allowed them leeway, informing them of a possible warning if his note back in his chambers wasn't read fully. They were only human, doing their jobs and he couldn't really fault them for that.
"In the event that General Esdeath comes flying out of this Palace, please inform her that I'm accompanying the Imperial-Police Lieutenant Seryu Ubiquitous on an operation to track down some criminals. I don't know how well she'll react to my absence, if you hadn't seen the show this morning on the front grounds."
The two men nodded, cracking grins much to his scoff of amusement.
Seryu yanked his arm towards the street. Tatsumi just shrugged resigning to his fate as Koro jumped onto his masters shoulders while he got pulled. Mounting onto Noburu he offered a hand to Seryu herself who only shook her head as she ran ahead. Tatsumi just took it as a sign, that the girl didn't enjoy riding horses despite his reassurances that Noburu was a good steed.
He followed with his steed towards another part of the city, as the weather in the skies dampened much to his intensively gaze at the clouds brewing beyond the waning lights of the sun itself.
A storm was soon to arrive on the night of the fading sun, an ill omen for: shock and conflict.
Anxiously licking the outright of his lips, Tasumi followed the quickened Imperial-Police Lieutenant whose endurance must have been subdued due to her Teigu, the little dog mysteriously still now. She was matching his animal's strides easily, which gave him a brief thought that all Teigu-users were somewhat enhanced to keep up with most things.
The night had grown alive with change, as the storms from the West had given way to the capitals sight as rain were to fall tonight.
Tatsumi had a strange feeling, an almost tightening of his guts to see that something was up tonight.
He felt it and for that matter alone, it only served a purpose: his dreams were going to be within reach that much closer, for in the coming storms and conflict that were on the rise. He would issue 'Hope' and 'Justice' to those that were underneath this system, so taking out a few criminal rings would only serve to make him reaffirm his belief in the Empire to see the good in people again.
And perhaps, he would find friends in those like Seryu and Koro...
If only he knew, that his actions tonight would make the entirety of Night-Raid and the Revolutionaries start to mark his head to begin a conflict the held the danger to split the country in half.
Whereas justice and hope thrived, the injustice and tyranny of its opposites endured.
If only Tatsumi would realize what this meant for those who were fighting against Evil in the Empire.
Would they consider him, the very Evil he proclaimed to purge for those to have hope?
Mistakes can be forgiven...
But murder could never be forgotten...
And the moon would not shine this night, where death was coming.
End Chapter Six
Author's Note: So, tell me: how did you like the interactions between Esdeath and Tatsumi?
Okay I'm not going to lie, I was really trying to get Esdeath believable more so as her Canon-counterpart. I really felt pressured to make her genuinely happy, to be around Tatsumi (at least this version) and how I could, use his life so far to react to her presence. Granted it may have seemed over the top, I felt that it was pushing that line of disbelief and tolerance.
Perhaps I'm being a bit too harsh for you as readers and for myself, to judge this pairing.
Also, I was tempted to do the fan-boy thing (I'll grudgingly admit this) to have them hit it off, but there would be no point in build up. So I did the right thing, hopefully in that sense, to see what exactly both of these people have to contend with against each other. I'll try to be brief on whether they actually get more closer as a couple: that old saying of 'Opposites, attract' is kind of truthful but, why? Why is that true?
Moving onwards: that fight scene with Esdeath, Tatsumi can not beat her as he is now. There is no way, he can hold his own for a time and what it's worth: this proves that Tatsumi is a skilled soldier, a skilled, shrewd and a patient one but doesn't have a Teigu.
It boils down to a simple thing: power.
A human against a Teigu user and to win, is a grand affair.
Plus many of you like the idea of a pretty gritty fighter, but Willpower has its limits for a man or woman, to overcome. So Esdeath is the literal, mountain that he has to face head on against a multiple scale of levels: Physically, Mentally and Idealistically. I'm doing something most have tried, I may be making things a little too complex or I'm trying too hard.
So enough for that.
Next chapter, I hope that it outshines this one.
Why, you ask?
Just where does this chapter fit, in what time frame and what comes after it.
I won't say much more but for you, to assume what and why.
Apart from that, have a good day and be safe wherever you are at.
