The two of them were on a mission. An assignment to eliminate a higher-up of the Empire. That's what Akame had told them. He crouched in the grass next to Megumi. It was just the two of them, Cris and Megumi. She was unusually quiet, the same way she got on most missions. But this time it was more of a steely silence than an anticipatory one.
The target was a tax collector, or more the owner of the tax collectors. And, apparently, he had a servant with an Imperial Arms. It was unknown which Arms it was, and the same went for its abilities.
"This servant," Megumi had said on their way to the stakeout point, "Is the biggest threat."
"Because in a battle, when it's an Arms user pitted against an Arms user," Cris was repeating the words Akame had taught him, the same words she had told Tatsumi, "Only one can walk away alive. Right?"
Megumi nodded, and said grimly, "Right."
Back in the present Megumi closed her eyes, activating the small mental link her and Nix, her Imperial Arms, had. It apparently allowed her to communicate with, and even see what the owl sees. Cris removed his Imperial Arms.
Magna Scriptor. The pen he had been entrusted with to take to the Capitol, but instead he was brought to the Rebel Base. Along with his, currently missing and possibly dead, sister. It was there that they were trained.
Until the day his sister was taken by a Capitol official. For all Cris knew, his sister was dead and he was fighting for nothing. But that didn't mean he could stop. He would to continue to fight. Fight to avenge his sister. Fight to avenge his father. Fight to avenge those who have died at the Empire's hands.
A guard had began to walk towards them, suspecting that there was someone.
"Megumi," Cris said before getting cut off.
"Got him."
Nix divebombed the man, pulling him into the air. He was struggling from his neck, where the Owl had grabbed him, and was choking. Nix flew to the opposite side of the house and dropped him in front of the open door. There was a female scream that seemed to spread panic through the building like wildfire.
Then, just as they had planned, the Tax man and his staff had retreated out the back entrance. Right on track to their attack range.
"Remember, Cris," Megumi whispered, removing the long iron spike from her back that she held by putting her four fingers through a hand-shaped hole and holds it like brass knuckles, "The targets are all of the tax collectors, do not give into their b-"
"-Into their begging," Cris cut in, "I know."
More days had passed. By then I had already met the entire team. Lady Dama, as she wanted us to call her, was a woman who had a commanding presence but a soft caring voice. Her hair was white as snow, with eyes the color of the sky on a cloudless day. She wore a deep blue and black dress that made her look like royalty. She always had some sort of collar around her neck with a chain that clacked quietly whenever she moved. It was different from mine though, hers was some sort of metal.
Harrow seemed familiar, but I have no memory of him. His shortsword at his hip bounced with each step as he walked. He also flipped his hair every now and then, and always before he says something to a woman. It made me uncomfortable, even though he compliments my gem.
Ford, Mai and Mei were also part of the team and attended the meetings in Lady Dama's room. Mei still stared at me in discontent, and still had the large object on her back. It seemed to be some sort of device made to suck stuff up, she called it Charybdis.
Lady Dama had said in our last meeting that I would be going with her and Harrow to accompany an official to a small town. I would be punishing the criminals of that town along with Harrow. I was excited for that. I wanted to do it without fear this time.
We were in another meeting, the night before Lady Dama, Harrow and I were to head out. I had just missed something important while imagining what I should do to the next criminal. Should I disintegrate them, or use a simple Arc? Maybe I could have some fun too.
Harrow has been training me how to use a dagger. It looked familiar, and he said I had it when I first came to the castle. It was a long metal blade, but not as long as a sword, decorated ornately. It was very beautiful, and very clean as well. The hilt, as Harrow called it, was made out of soft yet sturdy wood. It had been sanded and polished to near perfection. The blade was curved upwards, and completely smooth and sharp along the blade. Both edges were very sharp sharp, and could cut a man's head off with next to no effort.
The dagger was now strapped to my back, just above my butt. I glance at Mai. She had been staying with me during most nights and comfort me whenever I had a nightmare. They were usually about a boy who looked like me, but older. I could never see his face but I know that I know him. I just can't remember where.
Mai notices me and smiles back. Her sister looks back and glares at me. I don't understand why Mei hates me, but I think she feels threatened by me. I focus back in on Lady Dama.
"Lunora and Harrow, are you all set for tomorrow's protection and execution mission?" She spoke with a commanding presence, her eyes fierce but knowing.
Harrow bowed slightly, putting the palm of his right hand over his heart, "I am willing to lay my life down in order to ensure the Empire's success over the rebellion."
"And Lunora?" She looked to me suddenly, making me jump slightly.
I followed Harrow's example, my hand brushing my gem slightly. It had become harder to breath lately, and my chest felt slightly tight, "Yes Lady Dama, I am prepared. I will give this my all."
Lady Dama took a moment, looking me over before waving her hand in dismissal. I stood back up and followed everyone as they thanked Lady Dama and left.
"Thank you, Lady Da-" I was interrupted by another hand wave, this one meaning "Silence!"
I stood straight up. She inspected my uniform. I was wearing a black tight no-sleeved shirt, that showed my upper chest very clearly, as well as the gem that gave me my power. I was wearing dark grey leggings and boots that were made to walk into combat. I was also wearing one glove that didn't cover my fingers or my thumb, and had a hole in the top to let my hand breath slightly better. My hair was up in a single ponytail.
"Are you willing to lay your life down for this mission, newbie?" Lady Dama asked forcefully. I said nothing and nodding, looking forward, "Why don't I believe you?"
I stayed silent. I knew this was just a test of hers. Lady Dama has actually done this two other times, once in front of everyone. Each time it's different. The first time she told me to wash her back to "Prove my loyalty". the second time, in front of everyone, I had to recite a list of words like; "Duty, Fear, Agility" and so on.
"To prove it," Lady Dama paused, her steely eyes filled with thought and mischief, "You will have to personally bunk with me on the mission when we sleep."
Confused, I nod in agreement. Immediately after this I had to execute some rebels, so I didn't ask. I asked for permission to take my leave, which she gave with a wave of her hand. I turned and quickly left the room, fast walking down the corridor to the coliseum.
Inside was a single man kneeling with his hands bound behind his back. He wasn't blindfolded or gagged. Beside the entrance, as always, there was a guard standing with a piece of parchment.
"What did he do?" I ask with false innocence. I knew this man was some kind of rebel scum, but what he did would help me decide how to erase him.
"He attempted to murder the Chief of the Military Police, Ma'am," The guard read the parchment over, before standing at attention again.
I decided on what I wanted to do. This man was to be the first one to die like this by my hands. I rubbed the grip of my dagger, strapped behind my back, as I saunter up in front of him. I slowly draw the dagger, and look at the blade. On it, there were words engraved. Transfiguratus Aestus.
Changing Tides.
How fitting.
I kick the man in the side, making him fall to the ground. I point my weapon at him, feeling the excitement begin to rush through me. I let out a little laugh. I know I was smiling, and that my eyes were wide. I know the energy was coursing through my veins.
What I didn't know, was that this man was trying to escape.
Well, until I did know that is.
He had cut his restrains with a small knife he must have gotten off of the guard that brought him here. It caught me off guard as he knocked my blade away and got up. The dagger didn't go far, only a meter or two, which was nothing for me to cover.
The man came at me with the knife, desperation showing prominently in his eyes. I remembered what Harrow had been teaching me for the past few days, and stepped backwards. He slashed, I did it again. Every time he came at me, I dodged. The man seemed frustrated, and made one final lunge. My foot bumped something hard. I glanced down to see that it was my dagger. As he made one more lunge, I ducked, grabbing my weapon and slicing his arm open.
He began to bleed as he gasped in surprise, "You," He paused, his eyes dilating as he grew angrier, "You little bitch!"
He charged me, moving faster than I thought he could. He began to slash at me with his knife, as I parried every movement. At the next opportunity I had, I cut his other arm. I followed through with a cartwheel, and slashed at his left thigh, cutting that as well. He didn't stop. He limped toward me, and I sliced his right thigh open. He fell to the ground, as I had cut deep into his muscle. I kicked him over, so he was laying on his back. He looked desperate and tried to get up again, but I stabbed his right thigh and twisted the blade. He screamed in agony.
"Fuck you," he growled in pain, his teeth bared, "Just kill me already!"
I smile and stab his left arm, doing the same as I did to his leg, "That's no way to talk to a lady," I laugh a little, "Don't you have any manners?"
"I don't give 'em to girl who don't de-" I stab his other arm, making him howl with pain.
"I will leave you here and watch you bleed until nothing more can come out if you don't say please," I slam my foot on his chest, he coughs up the red stuff.
By now, I know that Emperor Alentar lied to me about how the red stuff is happy sleeping juice. I know it comes from a wound, but that's even better. I liked this stuff. And it tastes good sometimes, but it always leaves a bad aftertaste.
I stab him again, going all the way through his right arm. His scream of agony pierces the clouds, and I begin to laugh. The collar was loose, I was doing good! His breathing was heavily, possibly from pain. He groaned as I dug the tip into his stomach.
"Tell my family," The man said through reddened teeth, "That I went out like a man."
"I'll tell them you died a traitor, and attempted to resist a rightful death."
I turned to see an old man in a long white and gold robe, decorated in different jewels in a beautiful pattern. His beard went to his middle, and his eyes seemed to be closed. His long white hair fell to his shoulders and was cleaned and brushed neatly. On his hip was a gold cross with several jewels at the head.
I don't know this man. Who is this?
"Step aside child," The man said, his hands in opposite sleeves held in front of him, "I must speak to this man."
"I don't wish to speak to a false man of God," The dying criminal spat on the elder's robes, "Back off old man, and let me die already."
The elder stepped aside and gestured to me, "Do as he wishes and wipe him from existence."
I raised my dagger, ready to thrust it into his throat, when my collar tightened slightly. My eyes widened.
Wrong.
I begin to charge the gem. I had to do it right. Before I knew it, a column of light erupted from my chest, barreling into the criminal. When the light subsided, the only thing that was left was a pool of dried blood. Nothing else.
"So this is the power of God," The old man said behind me, "It is surprising it was passed to a woman. But good job, none the less my child."
Power of God?
