Chapter 7: Kill the Sadness.
A few hours before, in Night Raid´s headquarters.
Reira was walking on the corridor carrying her Teigu with her as she needed to keep it by her side at all times, she was a bit pissed that they didn't have a bathroom at the base´s infirmary and such angry mood was showing as she cursed but keeping her voice low as she didn't want to upset anybody, as well as embarrass herself as she actually barely made it to the sacred place.
"I will give them a piece of my mind" Were her words as she crossed the door of the main hall where everyone else were and hear their voices.
Reira let her attention be caught by the person that was talking about next mission, yet her eyes widened as she heard the pairings, specially worrying about Tatsumi, after all, she knew that Bulat was strong an all that, but she also knew that Tatsumi was naïve, even if his training progressed smoothly, his naivety could easily kill him.
Reira heard some footsteps and immediately left the place, after all, she had heard the destination of Bulat and Tatsumi, nothing was wrong if she arrived first, right?
Present time, ship.
"And then I sneaked here while people were still charging the ship with supplies and the sort, It really took you quite a bit to notice me here" Reira said as if she had been narrating everything not caring for the present situation.
Bulat wasn't actually paying attention to Reira´s words, he had always know that the girl had a kink for troubles, but also respected her desire to protect her comrades, he was more busy looking at the oldest guy who wore a suit, it was his former general, Liver. He had lot of questions for him, but looking at his eyes and seeing nothing else but a cold demeanor he understood that words were really useless against him.
"If we weren't in this situation I would gladly invite you to a drink so we could talk about old times" He said as the general and him prepared to clash while Nyau and Deidara understood that they were out of this fight and faced the other two.
"The girl has a pretty face, I would like to add it to my collection" The blonde child said as if asking Deidara to let him fight her, which with a smirk he refused.
"I need battle experience, and I can see that the chick is worth of lots. Also you had the girl from that carriage we destroyed last time, so it's a no" He stated as the blond guy smirked. "Ok but don't cut her face. That is all I need". Nyau said licking his lips.
On the other side Reira didn't pay them much attention, she was more focused on arguing with Tatsumi who started to say that she shouldn't be there, and things of the sort, just to end with the girl lending him the dagger she carried with her and now was remade, thanks to Lubbock´s blacksmith skills.
"You will need it much more than me, right?" She said and gave him a smile before turning to their opponents. "After all it seems they are coming for us." She added.
In an instant the battle exploded at that place, Reira and Tatsumi jumped to the sides to see who their opponents were as Bulat and Liver remained in the same place as if waiting for the others to change place for their fight, Reira followed by Deidara crossed the ship to the other end of it so that they could have as much room as they needed, while Tatsumi and Nyau moved to the basement entering the path Reira had made with her Teigu, due the small frame of his opponent, Tatsumi thought he was pretty agile and a closed space could be better to fight him.
The soldier and the General looked at each other as the later raised his hand to make columns of water appear from the barrels that surrounded the ship. It surprised Bulat because his Teigu was supposed to be different in the past, but his experience took the role of making his hands handle the spear as a shield to defend against the powerful water current that suddenly collide him.
"Uhaaaa" Bulat yelled with all his spirit as the attack continued to end it with swinging his spear forward before dashing towards his enemy.
Below their battle scenario, Tatsumi swung his weapon against the agile enemy who surprising enough could dodge his attacks in the closed space, he was clearly making fun of him as he evaded the swordsman.
"You are the weakest of this group, they are really underestimating me" Nyau said as he deflected Tatsumi slashes with ease swinging his flute like a dagger to do it.
The battle heated as they broke havoc on their surroundings breaking bottles and furniture with ease and thus making the place smaller and difficult for Nyau, who wore little clothes on his legs to move, as cutting with those things could prove to be a fatal mistake.
"Heh, what is happening, you are way slower than Akame!" Tatsumi yelled as his blade collided with his enemy´s flute.
"Don't compare me with a dirty assassin" He replied head-butting him to make him stumble backwards before noticing a dangerous shake on the ship, which came from the last pair of combatants. "Heh, Deidara finished your friend already" He said just to receive a punch on his face from Tatsumi´s side.
On the other side Deidara actually brought his huge axe down trying to split Reira´s body in half, but the result may him fear his opponent, as the girl had sunk her feet on the wood-platform of the ship and resisted the blow crossing her Teigu against her back while supporting its round edge with her shoulder, smirking confidently.
"I thought you said your attack was like a cannon-ball, isn't it?" She said as with a huge effort she reflected the axe, making him stumble backwards and take a step away to look at his opponent menacing demeanor as her eyes were clearly different that the innocent looking ones, she was in a focused state.
"Heh, It´s really interesting!" he backed his words separating his axe again and throwing them to the girl who matrix style dodged the first one before jumping backwards to evade the second one. "Let´s see how much you endure it!" He stated and immediately Reira jumped rotating her body to dodge the returning axes.
"What a bothersome thing they do" Reira said as a scratch on her arm was healed by her Teigu.
Meanwhile Bulat and Liver exchanged powerful attacks that ended with the later summoning various dragon-like columns of water and forcing the other to split them in half in order to defend the ship as an attack of that caliber could easily sink them, and also his mind from time to time worried about the youngsters that were with him, silently he cursed to have brought Tatsumi with him, as well as praised the same thing due seeing that he had improved quite a lot if the enemy hadn't returned, it just meant that Tatsumi was already strong enough to use a Teigu on his own.
As Bulat´s mind tried not to focus that much on the others, Liver noticed is worry and summoned a huge water dragon´s head which hid seven more behind it forcing the male to cut it in half again, before trapping him with the others making some damage into him for the first time in the battle.
"Gah" Bulat yelled as he fought the voracious currents which for an instant distracted the other two.
"You are wide open!" Nyau said as he hit Tatsumi´s torso with a powerful punch that one wouldn't expect from such a little figure making him roll backwards a few meters before using his hand to stop the roll and look at his enemy with anger. "I will kill you!".
On the other hand Reira received a cut on her shoulder due the shrieking voice that disconnected her from the battle as her enemy separated his axes one more time.
"Now you won´t be able to move that freely, damn you were tedious" He smirked as he threw his tomahawks at her again.
Instead of keeping her weapon Reira in a very low voice called for her back-up, making her tail and wolf ears appear as she threw Musashi upwards before jumping to evade the axes, it was a normal jump, but this time something was different, Deidara understood it and dashed to stop her plan, but he arrived late as in mere seconds Musashi came downwards catching both parts of his Teigu and pinning it against the floor as Reira landed on Musashi´s hilt further trapping the axe against the wood.
"No, that means I don't have more time to waste with you" She said as she dashed at him and evading the gigantic punch she aimed for his ribs making him move backwards. "And I have to say that my fists will damage you" She stated as she changed her fighting stance to a close-combat one.
On Liver´s fight, the Ex-general was astonished as he saw the enemy cut the water prison again, but this time the damage was notorious as Incursio had disappeared from his body showing part of his naked torso with the exception of the armored parts.
"Before continuing this fight, Bulat, won´t you consider joining Esdese-sama´s side, with your power you can become number two in command in no time" The Ex-general asked as the male grabbed a comb and brushed his hair into his normal hairstyle.
"I am sorry, but I decided to never have something to do with the Empire, after what they did to you, general" He said closing his eyes calmly as Tatsumi and Nyau came into view, both with bruises as they appeared coming from the hall door.
"Sorry Aniki, I couldn't stop him much" He said as he approached Bulat.
"It´s fine Tatsumi, you being alive is proof enough of your strength, don't worry I will end them." He stated as he pressed a bottom on his green armor and Incursio´s key was ejected from a hidden place in his armor.
During that time, Liver took a green injection from his suit and stabbed the contents on his body, strengthening himself. "Then I will bring you two to your grave" He said to the pair and with sword in hand they dashed colliding again, meanwhile Nyau tried to play the flute again, but Tatsumi stopped him
Hearing the loud cracking in the ship, Reira knew that the battle had heated quite much on the other place, as well as where she was. Changing to close quarters was a wise decision, if she had both hands, because Deidara proved to be quite knowledgeable of close quarters combat, making it difficult for her to land a punch correctly.
"Are you getting tired now? That punch couldn't damage me at all" Deidara stated as Reira took distance.
She had improved the time she could use Lycaon due the whole days of rest and eating well, but she knew that she was approaching the limit of the transformation as she began to sweat harshly, she needed a plan to finish her enemy fast and upon thinking a bit she took a deep breath before undoing the Shingu ability.
"All talk for nothing" Deidara said as he dashed towards her thinking his victory was on reach but as Reira stomped the wood planks he tried to back, conscious that last time he underestimated her she stole his Teigu, and realized he had done the right move as the wood plank of the platforms moved hitting the handle of her Teigu and making it came upwards towards her and she dashed at him upon taking it.
Deidara dig his hands on the ship metal extracting a part of it to use it as a shield, but after blocking Reira´s passing cut he realized his lose.
"Belvaac´s trump card is to become two axes that act like boomerangs and come to their master once they are launched, isn't it?" She said as the beasts screamed in pain due having both axes stabbing his chest. "You should have remembered it well."
She closed her eyes as the screams of pain filled her ears, just to be ceased by the swing of her weapon as she beheaded him before grabbing her arm in pain, the battle had exhausted her heavily due the use of Lycaon and the little close-combat session, she noticed that she had to improvise quite a lot for future battles.
The yelling of their ally alarmed Liver and Nyau who violently attacked their enemies, the first one, swinging his sword madly trying to overpower his enemy, the latter, pushing Tatsumi towards the edge of the ship, in an attempt to make him fall to the water, but the swordsman recovered quickly rolling sideways and hitting the blond on his ribs.
Nyau instantly took his arm and twisted it throwing Tatsumi over his back and slamming him against the floor before hitting his face in order to make him become unconscious, he needed to support Liver who was facing a more dangerous enemy instead of finishing the small fly. With quickness he started to play his instrument, and soon its effect took place increasing the muscle size of his body three times bigger, yet not adding unnecessary muscle to perfect his mobility.
He dashed towards the enemy to take him by surprise, which Bulat noticed and tried to avoid, but Liver didn't let him, it was a certain victory equation, if it wasn't for Reira who slammed her body against Nyau stopping him to buy time for Bulat who struck at Liver hardly pushing him against a wall and then impaling Incursio´s key on him deeply opening his stomach.
"Wait for me Reira!" he yelled as the girl was slammed against the wall by Nyau, who noticed the death of another comrade and now cursed heavily on Night Raid.
As Bulat gave his back to Liver, the Ex-General Teigu began to shine and several blood bullets attacked the soldier, damaging his arms and legs as his armor and reflexes made it possible for him to avoid lethal injuries with the interruption of Tatsumi that protected him if the blood bullet aimed for his head.
"I-It can´t be, y-you survived it" He said as his life was nearing his end.
Bulat kneeled as his body felt heavy, he scanned the situation quickly, Reira was trying her best to keep Nyau entertained, but she was getting owned by the blond quickly, in fact only her Teigu helped her to be still alive as she received punch after punch from the enraged beast and he couldn't help her. Tatsumi has lost to the same guy and instant ago, so the only way out, relied on betting.
"Tatsumi" He whispered weak from the battle.
Tatsumi quickly reached his side as with silent words Bulat raised Incursio´s key for him.
"This battle hasn't ended yet, use this and finish him" He said as he gave the sword for him.
"H-hai Aniki" He said just to be interrupted by the choked yell that came from Reira as she was being lifted by Nyau by her neck as the blond took a dagger our from his pocket.
The beast noticed what they were doing and took the time to show them his plan as he laughed madly. "You are throwing his life away, it´s well known that Incursio kills the people its rejects" He said as he choked the girl harder, her bones being tortured soundly as she fought to resist with her remaining strength.
Tatsumi doubted for an instant, but Bulat hit his head to make him enter in reason. "Your enemy´s afraid, your friend is risking her life, your master trusts you, sink that key on the floor and with your burning heart call its name, I know you will be accepted"
The words of Bulat became conviction as Tatsumi summoned those feelings, he could feel them burning deep inside of him and so he did as told, with a furious tone.
"INCURSIOOOOO!"
His voice roared more furious like a stampede as the armor appeared in a gigantic version behind him, breaking its form as the flesh of the armor mutated covering Tatsumi with its powerful light, clearly indicating he had been chosen, no, it was different, his emotions made the armor evolve again.
Nyau got distracted by the show the swordsman gave and Reira kicked his face to escape his grip coughing violently on the floor as the pain she felt was greater than anything she had felt before, but instantly the beast grabbed her leg and threw her upwards so that he could jump and catch her while she travelled downward to break her with a bone crusher.
The blond never reached his objective, as while he was in midair, the new Incursio´s owner appeared, kicking him hard against the wall before catching the girl princess-like in his arms.
Reira opened her eyes as she felt the cold metal against her skin, and smiled weakly as she saw Tatsumi in Incursio´s armor, yet the model was a bit different as some part of the armor were tainted in black, specially the chest area and the shoulders while his cape was red instead of the classic white it had, product of the heavy wraith he had felt on his friend torture.
"I knew it would fit you" She said softly as they landed and he jumped backwards to Bulat´s side laying her there.
Nyau was still alive and Tatsumi knew it, his intention wasn't at that time focused on killing him, but in saving his friend more, for that reason he started to walk at him as the other did the same, the battle was going to end with a last attack from both sides and soon they dashed impacting in the end fist against fist with conviction, the brawl ended with Tatsumi sending the blond against the concrete once more time but making him stab multiple shards of broken metal around al his body ending his life instantly as the blood coated the damaged place.
Tatsumi undid the transformation after seeing his enemy not moving and dashed towards his allies, he needed to treat their wounds, or at least Bulat ones as Reira´s Musashi was already curing the damage she had suffered, but he noticed, it couldn't cure her clothes which made the swordsman blush as he could see a little of her breasts.
"You shouldn't focus on me, you have a more important task" She said upon feeling his gaze planted on her.
"H-hai!" He replied softly as he used part of his ragged clothes to make an improvised bandage for his Aniki, but suddenly stopped as Bulat took his arm.
"Look upwards, Tatsumi" he said as he pointed to the sky to a huge blood colored bubble that was increasing with each second.
Incursio´s owner looked at Liver but the body was gone, there only was a pool of blood in said place, then he looked upwards to that bubble and noticed it, the blood color was because of Blue Marilyn´s owner remains.
"It´s Leviathan rage, blue Marilyn real trump card" Reira said as she stood up, still breathing heavily as she was still recovering from the beating she received a moment ago, Tatsumi could still see the marks of Nyau hands on her neck. "It absorbs a large quantity of liquids and then strikes down with a huge torrent, the water pressure is enough to sink a ship" She added
"And how do I stop it?" He asked viewing that the bubble continued to increase.
"Centrifugal force, you need to make enough of it to evaporate the water as it crashes downwards" She said as she began to breathe easier.
A sharp pain crossed the pair bodies as they noticed that Bulat was pressing one of humanity weak points, making them kneel paralyzed due the pain as well as making Reira involuntarily release her Teigu, breaking her connection with it and thus making her feel enormous pain as well as render her immobile for a while.
"Why are you doing this Aniki!?" Tatsumi shouted as Bulat heavily stood up and moved towards the fence.
"You have never used a spear, it´s way too dangerous" He said to Tatsumi and made him realize it, he was going to take the attack by himself.
"Don't do it Aniki!" He shouted as Bulat positioned himself below the stream.
Bulat started to make the scrap of metal rotate at high speed as he waited for the last attack of his late General. His mind was clear, even if his muscles hurt him due the poison, there was nothing that could stop his will, he knew already it was going to be his last stand, for that reason he had made the girl feel such pain, as he didn't want her to cure him, he wanted her to treasure her life a bit more than that and he also wanted to print a lesson of life in their head, everybody could die, they had to knew it right now, they needed it, if not one day those feelings would clearly kill them in the future.
The current came dashing downwards to where Bulat was, and instantly clashed with him roaring heavily as the male fought back bravely rotating the iron fence quickly as his feet sunk into the floor.
"AHHHHHH!" His voice came as a battle cry to not surrender to the torrent, his mind, dashed to memories of the past, memories of his comrades, of Scheele who was always clumsy, but with a kindness that was only comparable to that of a mother, of Leone, the one-san of the group, always brushing the pain away from them as well as caring the most for the people of the slums, of Najenda, their leader, a marvelous woman that show him a path to fight for, of Lubbock, the comedian, the informant, a man he respected greatly, even if he misunderstood him as gay, of Akame, the most emotional girl that always tried to hide her feelings in her mask of lies, of Mein, harsh and honest, a box full of surprises and a girl that needed of other people to progress, and finally off the two newest members for whose he was giving his life for, kids with a huge potential and a golden heart. "I am sorry, I won´t make it" He said to himself letting a small tear appear on his cheek as he knew it was his ending and to protect them he offered his body to the torrent.
Tatsumi remained immobile, kneeling as Reira recovered from the pain that Bulat had made her felt, but she already knew it, from Tatsumi´s expression she knew it, and as soon as her eyes dared to look at their superior, her stomach twisted at the sight, his face was wearing a smile, happy that even with the hole he had in all his torso Bulat could protect them, his guts spreading over the floor, his head had separated from his body due the force of the current, it had been a painful death, but it seemed that he didn't bother that, as the smile in his face was sincere.
With the young souls shocked upon the atrocity of the scenario, a slow rain started to pour over the place as if the heaven was crying over the kind sacrifice that had happened at the ship, its drops, as well as tears, started to wash the scene, as two painful cries accompanied it loudly.
The travelling back to the base was silent, as they demeanor was grim, Reira carried the Teigus as she was compatible with all of them, as Tatsumi had the most difficult task, he was carrying his remains, the body of the person that had saved both of their lives, he understood very well for the first time, that this line of work was painful, too painful.
Najenda was the one that first greet them and soon the others came upon noticing that the kind giant wasn't around them, when they all gathered, Tatsumi gave the notice for the fifth time again, his throat was paining a lot, and he opened the improvised transport bag made of mantles, showing them the corpse of their comrade.
The expressions among the killers of that place suddenly darkened, Lubbock and Scheele shed some tears, Leone was shocked towards the event, Mein was ranting on her inactivity due the injuries she had, the only ones that remained composed were Akame and Najenda, they had protected the people from the devil claws, but this time, there was nothing to celebrate, they had lost an important comrade, and one of their "family" members.
The night came without a voice coming from them, especially from Reira who immediately went to her room and shut the door sitting on her bed, she had, once again, lost an important person to her, and she had even said that she would protect everyone, she not only felt empty, but also worthless.
Tears came again from her eyes as Lubbock stood behind her door, at first he heard her cry, he knew that she needed to do it, as only tears could wash a little of the pain of losing somebody important.
After a few minutes he opened the door silently, he found the girl on her bed hugging her Teigu tightly as if it was a kind of protection amulet. Softly, he moved towards the girl as she simply cried painfully and loudly.
"I am worthless" She said as she sensed Lubbock near her.
The green haired boy sit by his side, his actions were automatic and flowed smoothly, but with kindness.
Firstly he removed the hair that covered the sad face of the girl crying behind it, secondly, his hands firmly took her by her shoulders, surprising the girl.
"Leave me alone" She said "I don't deserve to belong here" She added.
Lubbock was serious and in a soft uninterrupted movement he kissed her lips, tenderly, but kindly and warmly, as if wanting to share the warm of his soul with her. The girl, at first, was shocked, but in an instant, tears appeared on her face as she tried, with not enough effort, to push him off.
"You belong here, you defeated three important members of Esdese army, you saved uncountable lives with Tatsumi, you both deserve to be here, and I am sure Bulat felt the same, that is why he gave his live for you two" He said calmly.
"I could save him" She said still sad about the result of the battle.
Lubbock simply hugged her softly and petted her head tenderly "Bulat knew it too, but he didn't want to risk your life, probably" He answered letting the girl cry on her shoulder soundly as more of the pain was washed away, not only by her tears, but by the support she received from the base´s pervert.
"But, I promised you" She said still carrying a hint of sadness on her voice.
"But you needed to be saved this time, it´s not your fault Reira" He said warmly as he kissed her lips again, but this time, she accepted them and softly, shyly, kissed back.
Outside the room, Scheele was looking grimly, she understood the pain of losing someone very well, but, she was smiling softly as she could feel that Lubbock could change her demeanor.
Tatsumi´s side
The new owner of Incursio felt the weight of Bulat´s death heavily on him, for that reason, he didn't let anybody to help him in his burial. His anger towards the empire was consuming him slowly by now, if they haven't try to kill their political enemies, Aniki would be still alive, there were lot of things he wanted to know from him, but now, it was impossible.
Tatsumi got up from the bed in a urge to vomit as he remembered how the body was brutally murdered, he wondered how Akame and Najenda could act so composed about it.
Exiting his room, after calming his urges, Tatsumi decided to go to the kitchen, maybe a glass of water could help him to pass the night better, the breeze was cold, but he didn't mind, he wasn't planning on staying much time outside the bed after all.
He carried the Incursio´s key on his shoulder as one could never knew about surprise attacks, and since now he was the new Incursio owner he also felt the duty of being everyone´s wall so that no attack could reach them.
When he reached the kitchen, he saw Akame exiting the fridge with a plate which carried miso Ramen on it. The first assumption from Tatsumi was.
"It's a night snack?" He asked softly at her trying not to hurt her feelings.
"No, this was Bulat´s favorite" She replied, using her casual death-pan tone.
"I understand, an offering for the dead, but Akame, you are surprising" He said diverting his gaze from her. "Even after Bulat´s death you are so composed, you must be accustomed to it, as I thought I am not cut to be-" He was saying until a loud sound of a bowl crashing broke the silence of the place.
"Composed…Used to it…" Akame said slowly as she approached Tatsumi grabbing him by the collar of his night-clothes. "It´s right, I have seen comrades die a lot of times" She said as she tightened his grip hurting the boy a little. "You can never get accustomed to this kind of pain!" She said with her eyes full of tears, showing a more human side of her.
Tatsumi was shocked as he saw her face crying loudly over Bulat´s death, his ears still picked her voice as she continued crying painfully. "It´s right, she was always worried about me too" He thought as he looked at her, so fragile, as if she were a flower about to crumble, "What the hell I am doing! Being pathetic about it won´t bring Aniki back, that is not the kind of men he wanted me to be" He continued thinking and then his gaze rested on her crumbling companion.
Softly his arms rounded the small figure of the black haired girl in front of him, hugging her softly. "Sorry Akame" he said and then he punched himself.
"What are you doing Tatsumi?" Akame said stopping to cry as he approached him.
"That was me flipping the switch" He answered before standing up. "And I will make you a promise, I won´t die, I won´t let you feel this same pain again" He said firmly at her raising his fist towards her. "And I will be your support for every time you need someone by your side" he added and then he softly approached her, kissing her lips tenderly. Surprising the girl that at first held a few tears, but slowly she closed her eyes and gave in to the kiss.
During the next morning Akame opened her eyes slowly, she didn't remember very well how the events of last night developed, but she didn't care at all, just like Reira she was now in bed with the person she had shared tears for the first time. Hugging the feelings of their promise she enveloped his torso softly with her arms, actually in need to rest her head just for a little longer, hearing his soft, delicate breath.
Meanwhile pretty much far away from such loving scenes, a pair of sapphire colored eyes were posing their gaze in three gravestones, the name printed on them indicated that they were the three beast, and the person that brought flowers to them, was their General, Esdese.
"Nyau, Deidara, Liver, the reason of why you aren't here anymore is because you were utterly weak." She said passing the palm of her hand against the cold stone. "My poor weak servants, but worry not, I will take revenge upon you" She added as she stood up and began to leave. "Today is the day that my new subordinates arrive isn't it? I will play with them a little, shall I find somebody valuable among them".
A chill came over the spine of a very know Nova, who froze on spot upon receiving it, being with Ran in front of the castle gates. "Somehow I have a bad feeling". She said making Ran look at her, both of them being in front of the castle entrance having Ran received the entrance letter for the Jaegers.
Hello, this is me talking again, I would like your opinion about today´s three way battle, honestly, I think I should cut it in pieces and make POVs of them so I can fully dedicate the writing to every fight and people don't lose the action of it. Tell me your opinion n_n
