Hey! I'm not dead! Who would have thunk it?
I realize it has been a long time since I've posted anything, and I do apologize for that. I hit Writers' block hard, and I couldn't continue on. Essentially, I had run out of inspiration. However, after a re-run of both Code Geass (Which is why I came back) and Akame ga Kill! (For inspiration), I decided it was worth a shot. I got a comment from a "UnHolyParadox" on a separate story, and it inspired me to finish up the story. Anyways, back to this story!
"Where exactly do you think you're going?" Akame asked, leaning against a nearby oak.
"On a little visit to a tiny little town in the North," Tatsumi responded. "No, not the North-North, because it doesn't exist anymore. Just a town in the North."
"For... vacation?" Akame asked, tilting her head. Tatsumi chuckled.
"Akame, remember how we spoke about 'personal missions?' This is one of those," Tatsumi explained. "Again, this is something I have to do on my own."
"What exactly is it you have to do, Tatsumi?" Akame asked, her eyes narrowing. Tatsumi frowned.
"I have to go disable the slave trade in the North. And who better to do it than Wrath, the vigilante of the people?" Tatsumi said. "Also, it has personal value."
"Care to explain?" Akame asked, genuinely concerned.
"I... don't want to talk about it," Tatsumi muttered. He was beginning to get annoyed.
"You explained it to Najenda, why not me?" Akame questioned. Tatsumi began to walk away.
"It's different, I needed her to allow me to-"
"Why not? It can't b-" Akame cut him off, walking after her.
"Would you stop asking questions?!" Tatsumi roared. Akame flinched slightly, and Tatsumi's face softened. He had legitimately hurt her. "I'm sorry, but I want to do this myself. Okay?"
Akame sighed. "Fine."
Tatsumi opened his mouth to talk, before closing it. He didn't know what to say- at least, what to say that wouldn't make Akame feel worse. So instead, he walked away, putting on his outfit once more.
"Why are you wearing that for the journey?" Akame asked.
"Get in the spirit," Tatsumi responded. "It would be good if I could use my power without Wrath taking control."
"And you think that will be possible?"
Tatsumi didn't respond. He just put on the mask, and dashed into the brush.
Tatsumi cut his way through the brush, just beyond sight of the main road. The reason being that Wrath wanted some entertainment, and Tatsumi wanted to help people. In a way, the system the "two" worked.
"You know, at the rate we're going, we'll make it to the Caravans in about 15 minutes," Tatsumi mused aloud.
Just as Tatsumi cleaved through some brush, he could sense someone on the main road. Many people. Tatsumi crouched nearby, attempting to listen to the conversation. As he looked, he could see a small split off of the military police walking along, led by the woman with the orange-brown hair and the strange dog. Intrigued, Tatsumi listened to what they were saying.
"Listen up!" The young woman shouted gleefully. "Command has received information from General Esdeath herself that the vigilante will be heading towards the city of Drachenstadt, an essential trading city, where he intends to disable trade! We must hurry if we intend to make it there soon!"
The other soldiers rolled their eyes. One was bold enough to respond. "Yes, Seryu, we know what our mission is. You've said it 5 times in 13 minutes."
Seryu giggled. "Justice never rests!" She then proceeded to begin jogging ahead at a rapid pace. At the same time, her "dog" looked in Tatsumi's general direction, as if he saw him, but its eyes soon returned to the road. After a short time, the group faded from view.
Glad to know we'll have competition.
I'm not.
Not exited at the prospect of some battle?
No. I'd rather just do the job without killing them.
Oh, I get it. You see a pretty face, you hope to get it. You like the girl don't you?
Tatsumi actually frowned at this.
No. If we go back to how I "sense" people, like fabric with weights on it, she's definitely demonic. Most likely 2nd to Esdeath.
Then we better get going to the Caravans.
It was not 20 minutes later that Tatsumi arrived at the Caravans, and it was not 3 days later that the Caravans arrived in Drachenstadt. Tatsumi, as a normal citizen, wandered the streets, looking for... whatever he could find. He was going to enjoy himself before he got to work.
Tatsumi cracked his knuckles in anticipation, before realizing he had essentially half a day before he would don the Wrath Persona. With that, he made his way over to a bakery. He could hear wheels spinning, but there was no water to run a wheel, and no wind to turn a windmill. Tatsumi knew what ran it, what really turned the wheels. After all, it was the Capital of Slavery.
"Might as well," Tatsumi sighed, walking over to go and get a couple of donuts. "No use doing anything now."
As he pulled several coins out of a small satchel, which he could tell would not be enough for the purchase, he could sense someone walking up behind him- just the person he didn't want to see.
"My justice sense is tingling...!" Seryu shouted, grinning happily. "You appear to be out of money, correct?"
Might as well go along with it.
"It would appear so. I brought money with me for the trip, but I must have left it at the Inn!" Tatsumi smiled warmly. He turned to the baker. "I'll be back in just a moment, I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Nonsense!" Seryu yelled, slapping a couple extra coins into Tatsumi's hand. "Justice is fair, and I can tell you're a very nice person!"
"Um... Thank you!" Tatsumi responded, before grabbing his treats and exiting the building. "Actually, you should have one, and then I can go get my money from the Inn and pay you back!"
Seryu smiled once more. "I'll be just fine. Justice needs to stick to a rigid diet!"
Tatsumi mocked offense. "Are you saying I'm fat? How could you?" Seryu giggled in response. "My name is Tatsumi. What is yours?"
"I am Seryu Ubiquitous of the Military Police, dedicated to protecting the innocent and defeating evildoers!" She said, saluting. "Oh, and, I'll have to get back to work soon, but I was just wondering, you said that you were on a trip?"
"Yeah. I live around here, but I had traveled to the Capital recently, and then decided to revisit this town a couple days ago. My town is not too far from here, but the village elders never let me travel here," Tatsumi explained.
Technically, it isn't a lie.
"Oh, well, wonderful! I hope you have a good time, but I would be wary. We've had reports of undesirables taking refuge in this town, so be on your guard," Seryu explained, while her face went dark. "Either way, expect the forces of Justice to obliterate them!"
"Hang on a minute, I've seen you before!" Tatsumi exclaimed. "It was outside of the Coliseum... I forget when. But I did see you!"
"Really? I'm afraid I can't recall seeing you... but do not fret Tatsumi! I'm sure we shall encounter each other in the Capital! Fate had introduced me to yet another ally of Justice, and I'm sure it will allow us to meet again!" Seryu shouted, before blushing realizing what she had just said. "Um, I have patrol, so... bye!" She then proceeded to run off, her dog like creature following her once more.
Good job.
I KNOW. Just standing by her was almost impossible.
Tatsumi frowned. It would be enough if she was just evil, but the way she constantly spouted nonsense about justice was awful. She wouldn't know justice if it slapped her across the face. She is nothing more than an brainwashed slave of the Empire.
Damn, you are trying really hard to convince me you don't like her.
God, I don't! If I had been around her for another minute, my brain would have snapped, how can you think I like her?
You offered her a doughnut.
Tatsumi sighed, and stopped trying to argue his point. After all, his blood pressure was already high enough.
It was night. The Guards were on patrol as Tatsumi climbed out of his room's window. As he did, he put on his attire, completely embracing his persona.
I'll work on not relying on you later. Do your stuff, and, remember, don't kill anyone who was a slave trader in this region.
Yeah yeah. I'm guessing this has to do with Gamal, that oil merchant from last mission?
You're literally a part of my brain. You know the answer to that.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Depends on... eh, doesn't matter.
Just below, walking the streets, were two guards, simply out on patrol. One had a simple short-sword, whereas the other had a simple halberd. The two men wore simple chain-link armor, and one was clearly intoxicated. Tatsumi readied his blade.
"C'mon man, let's go find some women!" One drunkenly shouted, resting his hand on the other one's shoulder. The other looked disgusted.
"Like the 'white-haired gal' you saw earlier? The one that NO ONE else saw?" The second guard responded. "Quit daydreaming and get back to work."
"I swear! I did see her! Granted, it was the back of her head, but she was pretty hot! I think!" The other responded, finally being able to stand on his own. "I'm actually sure of it, she was really hot!"
"Heh. Hot."
Wrath descended from the roof, landing on both feet behind the two men. As they turned around to face the masked vigilante, he took a bow.
"Greetings Gentlemen. I hope you are well," Wrath stated. "Now, I have a mission to do, so, if you would please-"
The two drew their weapons, charging him. Just the same as all the others who believed they'd be able to kill him.
"Could I at least finish talking?" Wrath asked, sidestepping the short-sword. As he did, he delivered a swift end to the sword-wielder, vertically slicing through his neck. The spear-user was enraged, and so he was less precise with his movements.
"Sorry pal," Wrath sighed, bisecting him. "I'll give you a quick end like your friend too." As the man was still falling, Wrath shot a burst of flame directly at him, not only dissolving him completely, but melting the armor itself.
"Should be enough to begin," Wrath said, lifting his palm skywards. As he did, a jet of flame shot up into the night sky. "and THAT should allow them to find me rather easily."
Wrath jumped from the ground up to the rooftops easily, surveying the city. It definitely wasn't a small city; It dwarfed Tatsumi's home, and perhaps most of the cities in the area. Although it still was no Capitol, it was certainly a behemoth. For once, Wrath let Tatsumi take over the tactical aspect of what he was going to do.
We're going to section off the city into several blocks, maybe 16-20. Once we get the slaves free, we'll evacuate them into the captured zones. I suspect the Rebellion would be moving in relatively soon, by which time they'll have many ex-slaves ready to join.
That comes later. For now, how are we sectioning the town off?
Currently, we're located near the west gate, the least guarded. We'll spread north, gain control of the armory, then sweep diagonally through the heart of the city. The Records department is located at the southeastern most part of the city.
Sounds fair. I'm moving in on the Western Barracks.
As Wrath dashed across the rooftops, all across the city, fires began to break out. The entire city was engulfed, save for specific areas- namely, the homes of the innocent. As Wrath dashed along, he could hear guards panicking below.
"Bring in the Military Police!" One yelled as he ran along. As Wrath leaped across the buildings, he was able to maintain sight for just long enough to blast a jet of flame down at them.
Remember, we're heading for the Barracks, and after that we're taking out individual targets.
Yeah yeah, consider it done.
Wrath crashed through the window of the Barracks, doing a quick roll before drawing his blade. All across him, guards were closing in. Wrath cracked a grin.
As the blades swung, Wrath danced through a wall of iron and steel, hacking and slashing his way through any opposition. One swung their blade just slightly wrong, and, seeing an opportunity, Wrath sidestepped behind him, and pierced through his armor with a well placed strike. Spear-users tried to stab at him with their halberds, but Wrath simply cut off the ends, leaving them with only a blunt stick.
As the chaotic slaughter came to a close, Wrath jumped down a small hole where the ladder up was. As he landed, he was met with a rather strange sight.
While Wrath dealt with the first group of guards, a second person appeared to have ended the second. Upon further inspection, they each were killed in a form not unlike his style of combat- brutal. It lacked the precision a traditional assassin, like a member of Night Raid, had. The assassin themselves was, however, missing.
Wrath blinked, about to exit the building, when suddenly a form appeared, crashing through the wall.
"JUSTICE SHALL BE SERVED!"
As Wrath whipped around, he had barely a minute to react to a giant creature dashing towards him, a creature he deftly avoided, before looking to see where it came from.
"Well, it appears we have a Teigu user!" Wrath grinned, staring at Seryu. "I will say, that is a rather scary grin you have there. Almost as scary as your horrendous judgement, but I digress."
"QUIET YOURSELF, EVILDOER! Today, you face your judgement!" Seryu yelled, cackling. "Koro, DEVOUR!"
The creature reared its head, charging towards Wrath once more, Wrath prepared for a duel, but easily figured that Seryu wasn't going to let it be a one on one fight.
"If you're such a fan of justice, can you at least let me duel with one person at a time? Chivalry, and all the business?" Wrath asked, genuine. Seryu's grin turned into a wicked scowl.
"You dare lecture ME about JUSTICE? DIE!" Seryu yelled, aiming both of her guns at him, and emptying the clip. Wrath obviously dodged, but barely missed Koro's rampage. "You may have dodged that, but Justice can never be sto-"
"Please stop talking," Wrath finally sighed. "I have my own Justice, you have yours. We won't convince each other of anything by screaming our opinions at one another. Although I am curious as to who's justice will end up victorious..."
"Fool! Justice is eternal, universal! There is no justice for one person or another! That is merely an excuse to convince yourself that your crimes are just!" Seryu retorted, unfazed by his comment. "Koro! Arms!"
The Creature's skin began to tear, and two massive arms thrust out towards Wrath.
Wrath, c'mon. Hurry this up, otherwise we won't be able to move on!
Got it!
When Wrath had just barely dodged Seryu's gunfire, he jumped up, crashing through the second floor ceiling and onto the second floor itself. From below, Wrath could just barely make out a giant arm reaching up at him.
Oh no.
Wrath just barely had enough time to move before a giant fist crashed through the floor, reaching up towards him. Before he had even landed on the ground, another hand rose through the floor, grabbing him firmly.
"Uh, could you at least give me a chance to escape?" Wrath asked, as Koro slung him around the room. After a short period of flying across the room, where Wrath was introduced to the wall multiple times, he was finally brought directly in front of the beast.
"Koro... DEVOUR!" Seryu cried out. Koro opened its jaws, revealing nothing but row after row of razor sharp teeth. Wrath smirked, as Tatsumi's mind raced, trying to find a way out.
Uh... use the fire to burn the thing!
It's a biological Teigu, stupid! I'd have to know where the core is to destroy it! And even then, we spent enough energy leaping across rooftops, the fire takes a long time to regenerate!
IT'S FIRE, HOW DOES IT TAKE TIME TO REGENERATE?
BLAME THE MAKER OF THE TEIGU!
"DIE!" Seryu screamed, roaring with both laughter and malice. However, by some miracle, the entire ceiling crashed down not only on Koro, but Seryu as well. Wrath saw this as an opportunity to free himself, given that Koro had reverted to his small size again.
"You interloper!" Seryu screamed. Wrath couldn't make out who she was talking to, given the large amount of rubble in front of him. "Justice will be served either way!"
"Your Teigu is no longer functioning. You are in pitiful physical condition. If you have any final words, you may recite them now," A woman's voice ordered. The sound of a blade clanging against metal could be heard.
"Captain Ogre always told me to keep a blade on hand! I use it to defeat even the strongest Evil!" Seryu roared, before letting out a yell as she was likely catapulted across the room. "Koro! Retreat!" The rubble in front of him began to tremble, and soon after, the sound of footsteps could be heard. Seryu was running away.
"Thanks for the assist," Wrath said, vaulting over the rubble. "Who are you?"
Wrath could only see the back of the person head. They had long, flowing white hair, and wore an outfit not unlike his own- but using white and light blue, as if someone had simply inverted the colors on his own outfit. The coat was buttoned up at the front, and the coat itself was not as scarred as his. After a moment, the woman turned around, facing him. She wore an almost identical mask as the one he wore.
"Ambitious of you to attack the entire city... But fool-hearty given the presence of a Teigu wielder," she responded. Wrath mocked offense.
"Well, EXCUSE ME for wanting to have a challenge!" He responded in a playful, offended tone. "Although, thank you again for the help."
The Woman smirked, sheathing her blade- which was not an exact copy of his, but rather a traditional Katana with a white hilt, wrapped in leather.
"You may call me Vanity."
Next Chapter: Battle of Drachenstadt Part II