As I feel my sanity wane,

I can feel the war come to an end.

This battle will soon come to an end.

Yet, I find little peace in the calm.

So I shall find peace in the afterlife to repent for my sins.


Final Chapter

Save the Nation

Among the front lines of the Revolutionary Army were the last members of Night Raid, the ones that were able survive to the siege of the Capital itself. However, the Imperials were not going to be easily defeated, as they unleashed their greatest Teigu, Shikoutazer. A Teigu that was built in case the defenses of the Capital were to be ever destroyed.

Akame, who was on the front line, made her way to the Imperial palace. Night Raid's main objective was to kill the Prime Minister Honest as quickly as possible. The long days of fighting and death were at an end, and she was determined to ensure that the lives lost during the struggle were not in vain.

Cutting down every Imperial soldier in her path as she rushed to the palace, she saw no end the relentless forces of the elite units. Every soldier still fighting for their country were determined to fight to the end, which ultimately came to that. As skilled as she always was, the Red-Eyed killer flawlessly slashed and killed every opponent in her way, feebly fighting for a lost cause of "protecting their country".

I must be aware of that Teigu's range. I cannot allow myself to be caught in the crossfire. Akame's thoughts flowed through as she shifted her eyes at the extremely humongous Teigu that reached over the buildings. While it was busy fighting both Tatsumi and Wave, she had to take the opportunity to enter the palace and consign the Prime Minister. Then everything would be over.

No more seeing her beloved friends and relatives die.

No more death or suffering for anyone.

She could not falter now. Taking no time to pace herself, she dashed towards the road that led to the giant palace in front of her. Akame stopped her advance as she saw around ten soldiers blocking her path. The assassin tensed herself and gripped her sword for another assault. One of the heavily armored men, presumably the officer, shouted at her with vigor behind the men with high shields and spears.

"In the name of the Prime Minister, you shall not-!"

Akame noticed a shady figure drop down from one of the relatively short buildings between her and the battalion. The figure charged at the group with nothing but his fists, causing the officer to scream at him to halt. The mysterious fellow pulled his right fist back and punched the shield wall, causing the entire battalion to fly back. Akame eased at the fact the figure had a common enemy, but flinched when she saw that a bloody piece of his radius was protruding out from his skin, bleeding profusely.

It was even more shocking to see it heal by itself, sinking the bone back into its regular position. The male figure stared at his right forearm almost curiously and shrugged, turning his head away from the unconscious group to her. She couldn't believe who it was.

"Y-Yasune?" Akame stuttered, shocked.

"Oh, Akame." Yasune said nonchalantly as he blinked at her. "You're here."

"Of course I am," Akame breathed. "I thought you were.."

Relief and pain were noticeable in her eyes. Yasune nodded, understanding her concern for him. But, he had much more important things to do than catch up with his old friend. Though it sounded selfish, he wanted to enter the palace by himself. Getting his friends involved was the last thing he wanted to do, and he wanted ensure that.

"You should go back and support the others, especially Tatsumi."

"But-"

"I will intercept the Prime Minister, you needn't worry. He will die soon enough."

"You cannot go in there by yourself! You will die!" Akame shouted, afraid to repeat the same mistake again.

"I thought you had faith in me."

Akame's expression softened as she frowned.

"Do go back and help them. They are your friends, are they not?" Yasune spoke. "I will not die."

Akame sighed, her head down. The pain weighed to heavily on her. If she were to see anymore of her friends die, Akame would lose her sanity at any moment. As hard as she tried to hide it, Akame could feel herself lose her mind to the negativity that began to grow in her mind. The feelings that grew within her chest over the past years were intensified ever more by Yasune's death. Noticing the apparent environment around them, she knew this would be the only time to say what she should have said before they both entered Night Raid.

"Yasune.. I-"

Despite her intent and the faint red cheeks, she couldn't mouth the words out. As much as she wanted to say it, she couldn't. One part of her told herself to express how she felt before it was too late, but another stated that it wouldn't help Yasune at all. Nothing would matter if she confessed to him now, or even ever. Nothing mattered anymore, only the mission itself.

That was the true meaning of an assassin: "Only the mission mattered, nothing else".

It was likely that Yasune was already on that road. However, much to her dismay, she saw that Yasune was giving her a smile in response to her failed confession.

A genuine smile out of gratitude and respect for her. Perhaps he already knew, deep down.

"Thank you for everything," Yasune slightly bowed his head to her. "There is nothing that I could to do ever repay for you. Please stay safe, and live to the end, my friend."

With that, Yasune turned his back on her and walked towards the palace, grabbing the officer's saber off the ground along the way. Akame wistfully stared at her friend, not knowing that it would be the last time she would see him before the battle was over. Her hopes were that he would complete his mission and quickly scramble back to the rest of them.

She believed in him.

"Good luck.."


After running towards the road leading to the palace, ignoring all of the chaos within the city, Yasune eventually found himself in front of the giant steel door colored in white and grey. It was the entrance to the palace and he had to get inside, not to just kill the Prime Minister, but to respond to the request of an old "split half" of his that was most likely in the palace waiting for him.

Yasune saw no sign of Hidetsu on the front lines, so he was certain that the pale boy was here. Hidetsu wouldn't wait anywhere else that Yasune would know. Placing his hand on the giant gate, he pushed it firmly. Yasune opened the gates with little effort, which surprised him. He expected the Prime Minister to have his most strongest puppets near him, but there was nothing.

Cautiously, he walked into the palace and scanned the exquisite hallways. The inside was much more beautiful than he had assumed. Walls glowed with polish, and the atmosphere felt warm. However, all was a mere facade to the true face of the Empire. Outside explosions were muffled by the dense walls that Yasune explored. Walking deeper into the castle, he began to notice that the walls were beginning to lose their shine.

They appeared to become more charred as he ventured further.

After many minutes of walking through the eerily quiet hallways, he saw a golden large gate - The gate to the throne of the Empire. He didn't know why, but he could smell something extremely ominous; it stunk horribly. As he sniffed more thoroughly, he realized the smell as he took small steps toward the source.

It was the smell of burned bodies. Dozens of them.

Someone was behind the door.

Placing his hand on the door, Yasune's mind halted the world. The world stopped for a while, in his mind, at least. This was it. This was the event that would determine whether he was worthy of existing or not. Either way, he would fight as vigorously as he always had.

After he was "revived", he felt better than ever. Physically and mentally.

Now is the time to meet my end. Please watch over my actions, master.

No longer concerned to find an solution for himself after the battle, he opened the door in a hurry. Pushing it open, he witnessed a horrific sight. Body after body was piled upon each other, only their black, charred bones remained to confirm their deaths. The throne room still glowed brightly, but did little to ease the atmosphere. Yasune moved his eyes to the large throne that, apparently, was made of gold.

Hidetsu sat upon the throne of the Emperor, holding a relatively large skull. Unlike the other burned bodies, the skull was still drenched in fresh blood and pieces of human flesh was still attached to it. It appeared as if a person had their face ripped off while they were alive. Hidetsu, who was examining the skull in fascination, didn't bother to spend his attention on Yasune.

"I always find the human body interesting; to be specific, I was meaning you. No matter what I did.. your organs would just grow back. Like magic." Hidetsu commented randomly. "Yet its secrets are inferior to the human mind. No matter how long I live, I will never understand our actions, no matter how many people I tear open."

"..."

"I will, never understand you." Hidetsu growled, standing up from the eye-catching throne.

"Then you know why I came." Yasune said, not bothering to reply to his question.

"Yes," Hidetsu confirmed. "We were expecting you."

"..We?"

Hidetsu tossed the bloodied skull underhand and it rolled towards Yasune's feet. The teeth and eye sockets of the mutilated skull faced him, causing Yasune blinked curiously. The tattered boy walked down the small steps and gestured his hand towards the fresh skull.

"Unlike these shitty guards that I burned up," Hidetsu started. "I ripped this fucker's face off - Prime Minister Honest was more emotional than I thought, when I tore his face off while he was alive of course. He may not look like it, but he's quite surprised."

"..."

"Still don't talk much now, huh?" Hidetsu sighed. "I know you're hungry, so left some of his flesh on that skull. You were quite the eater when we were with mama and papa."

"..." Yasune stared at the skull almost deviously, a side of body began to twitch. He had the suddenly urge to try it out. Yasune whimpered and sweated as he used all of his will to shove his eyes away from the tempting offer.

"Too painful? Can't take it?!" Hidetsu's voice began to rise, nearly screaming. "Guess that happens when you eat our mama and papa!"

"Unh.." Yasune grasped his head, remembering the taste of blood and flesh.

It was the most intoxicating feeling in the world.

What was going on with him?

"You made me suffer!" Hidetsu shoved his own finger into his chest. "So, I made you suffer with me!"

"H-Hu-"

"Taste that flesh on your teeth, huh?!" Hidetsu shouted. "Its food from Koukenji, Hidemaru! How does it feel to eat the ones you called your "brothers"?! Tell me! I dope you so fucking hard, I made you eat them!"

Yasune's heart dropped, and so did his head. He couldn't believe it.

The odd taste in his mouth now, was the flesh of his former peers. The ones that he swore to protect, were now in his stomach. He didn't how much he ate, but he did feel very stuffed for a mere moment, just a while ago. Yasune wanted to die, he wanted to cry and scream until he didn't live anymore. His true fears were now becoming a reality: Yasune had failed his master's wishes, just as he failed everyone else.

But, that was all in his thoughts. His heart felt nothing. There was no mental pain, nothing.

Yasune could frown for their deaths, but it nothing more.

He felt more relieved, in fact.

Yasune shrugged and stared at Hidetsu blankly, "I know."

"..Is that.. it.." Hidetsu whispered venomously, his dangerous side flowing. "Is that how you feel? Is that the reaction you got when you killed both of our caretakers?! wHAt thE fUCk iS wROnG wITH YoU!?"

"Yes, that is how I feel; I now know what I must do." Yasune brandished the saber he held in his hand. "I must end you, so that this world may be at peace. Even if it is only temporarily. I will live and you will die, that is what my heart tells me."

Hidetsu froze and his head slumped. Next, he sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"I see." His voice was relaxed now. "But, I must live as well. I will lead this nation, united under one banner."

Yasune scoffed at the idea, "You? Quite humorous."

"I am an artificial human being, Hidemaru." Hidetsu explained. "I was given the knowledge of the Teigu, and to the secrets of the world. While you were given the compatibility to wield them, yet you never knew how to use them. We are both split opposites. I am more than capable of leading this world."

"No one will subjugate under you. Ridiculous." Yasune pointed out.

"Then I must show them enlightenment." Hidetsu responded, emphasizing on "enlightenment". "Once I finish you, I will end the entire forces of the rebels. With my Teigu, that can happen. The birth of a new world will blossom with your body cleansed in the holy fire!"

This was no talk of a ruler. This was the talk of a mad man.

Yasune could take this no further. Too many people had died for the cause and the battles had to end. If Hidetsu were to try and force everyone under him, there would only be more unnecessary bloodshed and thousands, maybe millions, of people would die. The great "utopia" that Hidetsu dreamed of would never come, as conflict was eternal. There would be no such thing as world without hate or death.

Yasune had to ensure of a country, a world, that would unite together to put aside their differences. Only through effort, would peace last.

"As much as you think I despise you, I do truly love you." Hidetsu placed a curled fist on his chest. "That is why I brought you back, with the help of a little red-eyed woman's poison. I desire to see your determination, your will to kill me! Will you kill me and bring the world into a new age of meaningless peace, or shall you fall and fail to see of the wondrous world I see before me?!"

"..." Yasune had enough of his insanity. "You're crazy, the worst of them all. I willend you here and now."

"Meaningless!" Hidetsu roared. "I see that you wish to die! I shall grant such a pathetic wish!"

Yasune tensed himself as he prepared for, what would may be his final battle. Hidetsu pulled back his arm and hit the ground, his arm burning with intensity. Yasune noticed a mysterious red insignia below him and dodged, nearly being engulfed in a burst of fire. Landing on the ground, Yasune charged at Hidetsu with a heavy thrust. Hidetsu barely dodge and attempted to contact his hand with Yasune's face. Noticing the motion, Yasune turned the blade of the saber to his arm and slashed his forearm, causing him to grunt. Hidetsu was then met with a headbutt, which shot him away from Yasune.

Yasune felt disoriented for a moment, before returning to normal. He was quite confused, until he heard a steamy-like noise above his eyes. He placed his index finger on his forehead and it was hot. Was he healing? Was this his Teigu, the Teigu in the "box"?

Hidetsu hopped himself off the ground and shook his head, more amused than pained.

"The Teigu is working, isn't it? You never did work well with any kind of Teigu."

"Shut up."

Yasune came at him again. Hidetsu smirked at his overconfidence, charging in response. As they were about to clash, the world seemed to slow for a moment. Yasune stared at him with a stern expression and Hidetsu responded with a smirk still place on his face.

"Hey, Hidemaru," He said. "Back there?"

Yasune blinked at his statement and realized that Hidetsu was no longer in front of him, but he could hear a distinctive noise behind.

SHULK!

Yasune couldn't see out of his right eye. It was utter darkness. What just happened? Then, suddenly, he could hear the drop of liquid. Moving his left hand beneath the location of his right eye, he saw drops of blood when he moved his hand over to his left eye. He just got stabbed behind his eye. Hidetsu had managed to dash behind him and lodge a dagger into the back of his skull, which penetrated his eye as well. Rising from his crouching position, he sighed, feeling a type of pity for his other half.

"A-Ah.."

"I wasn't really taking this seriously. Hope that dagger behind your skull doesn't-"

"AH! AGGHHH! BLOOD! AGH! BLEGH IS SOU NAASTYYY.. EGH HIRTHS! EGH HIRTHS! WHY! WHY! NOT MEGUUUHHH.. NUOOHH.. PWESSEE.. NOT MEEEE... UGHAAHHHH...! MAAMA.. PAH..PA..! AGHHHHHHAGGGG! PEAAALLLSSEEEE NOOOO!"

"I suppose it does hurt."

Yasune was in utter anguish. He attempted to find the hilt of the dagger while the blade moved in his eye, causing intense pain. At the same time, he could remember every single snapping, incision, burn, experiment, and torture test that he was given from the day he was "created". It was as if he was reliving the horrifying moments all over again. He fell on his knees and grabbed his hair, threatening to tear off his scalp to somehow "ease" the pain. Hidetsu walked over to him, staring at him blanky, neither taking satisfaction or sadness for the grueling suffering of Yasune in front of him.

"Split individuals cannot exist together, so we must perish. More specifically, you." Hidetsu rose his left foot up and stomped Yasune's head, cracking the stone ground below. Yasune laid on the ground, motionless. Hidetsu, disappointed in the figure before him, breathed out of his nose in dissatisfaction. "You fought for nothing, and so you will die a pointless death."

Yasune did not move at all, broken both mentally and physically.

Though he could have stood up, he found little reason to.

There was no point in this anymore.

In death, he would find the peace that he wished.


In the white crevices of his mind, Yasune was curled his body, his arms covering his head. He found little reason to take action any further. Everything he had cared for was gone. Forever. What was he fighting for? Freedom? Peace? Honor? Promise? Now, it all seemed so pointless now. The Koukenji student was already a failure, even before he became associated in killing. Unable to keep his word, failing to uphold his promise to his dead allies, and disappointing his master in the end. For such a thing, he would surely burn in hell.

All of that killing, all for nothing.

He was no assassin; he was a demon and a killer.

And only in just a few years.

Yasune waited for the comforting veil of death to take him, unwilling to listen to anything anymore.

"You've sunken so low."

There was that voice again. It wouldn't matter what it said.

"You're gonna just stand there, huh?"

"..I don't care what you say."

"Stop sulking, pupil, and rise!"

His heart froze for a moment, recognizing that wise and elderly voice. Turning his head around slowly, he saw him. Yujin. Every day, Yasune hoped that he would see him one day, even if it was just an illusion of him. But, if he could truly see him, perhaps he was really in the afterlife.

"M-Master?"

"I see that you have sunken," He frowned, sitting down with his pupil. "I blame you not. In my heart, I had felt that you would fall one day. But I resent you very little."

"..I.. wanted to see you deeply." Yasune sniffed, on the verge of tears. "Forgive me for failing your.. wishes."

"Failed? Hardly," Yujin responded brightly, receiving a surprised expression from Yasune.

"W-What? But I-"

"You may be broken, but not defeated," Yujin cut him off. "For those who are still there for you, you must uphold their beliefs in you, not just me."

The very words that came out of his mouth shook Yasune's mentality. Did he truly sink down so low as to break a promise to those that were still alive? It was worse than losing the will to live! But, he felt a sharp feeling of doubt in his mind, afraid of what he is.

"Master, I.." Yasune hesitated for a moment. "I'm a cannibalistic monster. To think that I exist only to be used and use weapons.. why must I live like this?"

"Yasune," He said to him. "I had once said to you, that "if I could stomach through eating my own wife and son, then I could do anything". If you were able to feast on your own, wouldn't that be such the case?"

The pupil froze.

"A man must always make very harsh decisions in his life. This is your moment, where you decide to fade or rise. You deserve nothing if you cannot sacrifice anything."

Those words, they had always held onto his memory from the day they were said to him. Yasune, blinded by his own grief, was finally ready to make a choice. A choice that would most likely end him.

But nothing mattered anymore. He had to make the decision now, or he would forever be filled with guilt, even in the afterlife.

Standing up, his master now vanished. Closing his eyes in deep thought, he took a deep breath. In the deepest depths of his mind, Yasune gathered memorable moments given to him, which were the only things that eased his mind.

A man must make very hard decisions in life.

But you're alive. Doesn't that mean you're anything but regular?

Welcome to your new home, new brother!

Yasune's eyes shot open, his pupils glowing in a pure white color, along with his pitch black sclera.

His resolve was now reinforced, with a new purpose in mind.

Whatever may happen in the future, I know you will make the right choices.


Hidetsu, now only with himself standing, decided that the best action would be to assist Esdese in the battle against the Revolutionary army. After defeating them, he would turn his attention the rest, including herself. It didn't matter how many years of battle expertise the female general had, she was still a far cry compared to himself. With his Teigu, he would have little trouble being the most tenacious of all "essence" Teigus.

Walking towards the gate, he pondered about his next moves after.

"If I finish the rest of Night Raid, my chances are much high-"

THUD, THUD, THUD.

All the sudden, Hidetsu found himself jumped by a rabid figure on his back. Yasune had his right arm around his neck, and his left arm scrambling to hold one of his arms. Fighting to get him off, Hidetsu twirled, but to avail. As soon as he had a firm grip on him, Yasune snarled and chomped down on Hidetsu's constricted left arm, causing him grunt in shock.

"UGHN!"

Yasune bit of a good chunk of his flesh and was soon thrown over his back, landing on his feet almost beautifully. Hidetsu huffed, still trying to swallow the event that had just happened. Blood dripped profusely down his left arm as the red liquid squirted out of his upper arm area. He grasped his arm harshly, attempting to stop the bleeding. Yasune stared at him almost curiously, gulping down the slimey flesh and wiping the thick blood off his mouth. Still unable to see through his right eye, he impatiently found the hilt of the dagger and pulled it out of his skull quickly, his hole quickly healing at an alarming rate.

"This world and its people," Yasune growled, his pure white pupils staring into Hidetsu with sharpness. "None of it belongs to you..!"

Enraged, Hidetsu lost his composure and attacked Yasune with ferocity. His functional right arm glowed with red veins and shot a blast of fire at him.

"I'M GOING TO BURN YOU ALIVE, HIDEMARU!"

The so-proclaimed cannibal stood idly as the flames enclosed on his position, but whipped them aside with his left hand, a black blade protruding out of his forearm. At this moment, Hidetsu recognized this Teigu, or rather, a Teigu with a superb trump card.

"T-This is..!"

Yasune glared at him dangerously as two more curved blades began to grow out of his left forearm, pushing aside his skin.

"Rizākengen.."


"Tokage Incarnation: Rizākengen"

An essence-type Teigu, this "weapon" was one of the first Teigu to be developed by the Empire, but was considered to be one of the most unstable due to its unusual form and compatibility problems. Apparently developed by native spiritualists from the western parts of the world, it is said to embody the spirit of one of a ultra-class Danger Beast, a humanoid reptile breed called "Rizākengen" by the natives who feared it.

Rizākengen reptiles were at least seven feet tall, stood on two legs, and had extremely sharp blades that could grow out of their hides, but they were mostly known for their "ravenous" personality to eat almost anything. The special stomach acids they had allowed them to digest almost anything, even metal.Their use of fat reserves allows them to regenerate at a frightening rate. They are able to regenerate limbs, heal wounds, and even regrow internal organs, similar to a reptile's ability to regenerate its limbs. Extremely tenacious and agile, they are capable of massacring entire tribes or villages in mere seconds.

Only several hundreds of this species are alive. One Rizākengen reptile was caught by the Empire's forces, during the search for powerful weapons that could protect the Empire after the Emperor had passed, but the beast had killed over a hundred men before it was captured. It's spirit was somehow enclosed in a box during a risky ritual done by the most wisest tribe leaders in the west.

However, its spiritual burden deemed to dangerous for humans. Even just for a mere while, the use of the Teigu's frightening abilities would cause the death of the host as their body's health would be "eaten" by the unstable and rampant spirit.

Seen as a last resort Teigu, it was confirmed that the weapon's only strong point was its "trump card".

Still, because of this risk, it was given the heads of the Koukenji temple for secrecy.

The majority of it.

The spiritualists were able to take a small part of its spirit, which was eventually "consumed" by a experimental human afterwards.

In this case..


"Curse that old bastard.." Hidetsu snarled and stomped his feet in frustration. "Curse him to hell!"

"You talk too much, Hidetsu," Yasune responded with a hint of disgust. "I am going to put you down."

He had to do it quick. Yasune had little time to play around with his split half. Now was the time to end all things, all matters. Even at this moment, he could feel his internal organs to ache irrationally and shake, threatening to explode. Rizākengen was truly taking a strain on his health as seconds passed by. At the same moment, he could feel adrenaline pump through his body with amazing speed and his body felt lighter.

The boy felt that he could do anything.

Stressing his left foot on the ground, he pushed with all of his might and charged at Hidetsu, screeching all the way through. The pale boy brought his arms up, Yasune's blades sharply skidding across his "armored" skin and throwing his back against a wall. Yasune gave him no moment to rest, and lunged at him once again, pulling his left arm to gain more force with his attack.

Hidetsu gestured his arms together almost ceremoniously and shoved them on the ground, causing a fiery explosion around them. This attack seared Yasune's right arm, charring it to a black color. As he hopped back from the attack, he felt no pain whatsoever and saw that his arm was quickly healing to its regular porcelain skin. The regenerating fellow flexed his right arm to check the control of his limb while Hidetsu dug himself out of the hole he was smashed into, pushing himself out of the grey stone wall.

All the sudden, Yasune felt weaker and light headed. The effects were working more quicker than he had assumed. At this rate, he could drop dead at any moment. Only pondering for a moment, he knew what he had to do. The final attack. The assassin was sure that Hidetsu knew well enough about the side effects, and would take advantage of it. Hidetsu stood up weakly, shaking on his feet. The impact that was inflicted on him had apparently ruptured some of his organs. With his condition, he would most likely die before Yasune ran out of fuel to fight.

Each side equally debilitated, both split halves knew that their next move would may be their last.

For their beliefs, they would go to the bitter end. Only resentment and envy laid between the two.

Hidetsu knew that at this point, he was most likely quicker on the movie than Yasune. The amount of energy that Yasune had expended, now caused his moves to become more sluggish. A quick contact with his hands to Yasune's face would spontaneously combust his entire body into flames, turning him into ashes within seconds. It was worth everything, and Hidetsu knew it would be the only thing that Yasune wouldn't expect. He had attempted to do it earlier, but was beaten by Yasune before he could touch him.

If there was something that his "Hidemaru" didn't know, it was his trump card.

The ability to ignite an individual on fire with the slightest touch of his finger was quite helpful.

Their thoughts were interrupted as the earth beneath the several floors rumbled. The battle was coming to climax - on both sides. With Akame handling Esdese, and Yasune tasked with disposing of Hidetsu. Everything must end, and the two halves knew that this battle would end with only one Teigu user left. The absolute rule of the battle between Teigu.

Yasune, with no more regrets in his mind, charged.

And so did Hidetsu.

Everything appeared to slow in time, memories shooting through both of their minds. Hidetsu's mind showered with positive memories with him and his former "brother", Hidemaru, or now called "Yasune". Deep in his heart, there was a very minuscule part of him that desired Hidemaru to join him in his "new world", but he wouldn't let his emotions cloud him. Killing to him was a mere chore, and was indifferent about who he killed. No matter who it was: man, woman, child, young, old, or even a relative. It wouldn't make a difference to Hidetsu; as he had left his morals a long time ago.

Yasune, on the other hand, could only think of his life after the turmoil. What would he do? Drift from country to country and protect the weak? Solve every conflict there is? It seemed that his battles were only beginning. Yasune, however, knew that thinking of the future wouldn't help him at all. Death would be his inevitable fate - a fate that he welcomed with honor. He could only reminiscence about his time in Night Raid, the allies that he had created, the people that were the only reason for him to exist as he ran into the face of death itself.

Yasune's forearm blade threatened to sever off Hidetsu's head, while Hidetsu's burning hand was almost in contact with Yasune's face. Unfortunately, it appeared that Hidetsu was going to come into contact first, his hand much closer to Yasune than Yasune's weapon to the pale boy's neck. The battle was decided, or so Hidetsu had thought. Despite of all the knowledge that he was given, he had miscalculated one thing:

The knowledge of another person's wit.

Yasune, who noticed the hand, pulled back his weaponized forearm and grabbed Hidetsu's wrist with his hand. And then-

SKIISH! SHULK! WHAM! SPLICH!

Hidetsu saw himself in horror as one by one, large blades protruded out of Yasune's center mass, impaling him all over his body as blood dripped down his mouth. He shook weakly as he felt a cold blade dig into his heart. Hidetsu felt his body become weak and cold, his hands slumping beside him. The dying boy couldn't believe it; he was defeated. But, at the same time, he was glad that it was him. The person that was, literally, a part of him, was his eventual killer.

The one that would be the end of him.

He gasped sharply in pain as Yasune's blades pulled out of him one by one, his head falling on Yasune's head. It took everything to protrude the blades, and the "cannibal" already felt himself slipping away. He was only supported by his own will, and the last breaths of Hidetsu.

"How.. suitable.." Hidetsu choked, laughing manically. "..don't think that I have any intention of.. saying that.. you were right.."

"..Hidetsu-"

"We're both going to hell.." Hidetsu snarled with all of his might, pushing himself off his split half. "And I'll wait for you.. and when you come, I'll torture you for all eternity..!"

"I-"

"I hope it may never.. come to such a thing.."

"W-what..? Hidetsu, you're-"

"I loathe of death; it is too predictable. It is too boring and bland.." Hidetsu trailed off as he stared into the cracked ceiling. "..perhaps this will make it better."

Hidetsu snapped his fingers and he was put under a ring of fire, which began to incinerate him. He had no reaction, other than relief. The burden of living in such a twisted world was finally coming to an end. Yasune whimpered at the scene, unable to process the words that were said to him earlier. Never, would he be able to understand the words that came out of his mouth, even in the afterlife.

"To disappear in the wind sounds much better than the idea of death.." For once in his life, Hidetsu saw that a smile broke through his twisted personality. "..to be.. forever forgotten.. doesn't.. seem.. so.. bad.."

With that, Hidetsu was engulfed in a pillar of flame, not leaving an ash of his remains. Yasune gripped his stomach as he groaned in pain, thinking of the words that Hidetsu had said before he left the world. With a trickle of blood down the corner of his mouth, he maintained his determined expression.

You might hate death. But I do not; I am not afraid of death.

Yasune wanted to believe every word, but he was sure of himself.

You need not to fear the loneliness of death, because I will die soon as well.


"Yasune? Yasune!"

Akame scrambled through the ruined palace in search for her friend. No sign of him in the main quarters meant that he was only in one area: the throne room. After her quarrel with Esdese was concluded with her as the victor, she immediately dashed into the palace recklessly to search for the remaining friend that may see through to the end with her.

Upon reaching just near the throne room, she saw that there was single figure tattered in ruined clothes, doused in blood. Upon looking at his features, she realized that it was Yasune. But, his eyes seemed to have changed. His sclera was pitch black, his pupils painted in white. It was as if he was blinded, or used some type of power. But it didn't matter at the moment, Yasune was in a severe condition.

He almost fell on the ground, but was caught by Akame with his arm around shoulder. Yasune blinked at the sight of his friend, barely able to see her.

"Oh.. hello." Yasune muttered weakly.

"Are you alright?"

"Hm..? Oh, of course." He pushed himself off her and stood on his feet, using all of his strength to show a facade of wellness.

"We should regroup with the others.. but.. Tatsumi.. he is-"

"It was worth the cause, wasn't it?"

"What?"

He stared at her with his blue eyes to assure her that not everything was in vain. The nation was now about to evolve into a time of peace. Of course, would may not be forever, but as long as people could be happy for even just a little bit, every soul lost in the war or worse was not in vain. Even though that most of their friends had died, they all still fought valiantly without any emotions in their way.

"It is because of sacrifices that we were able to save the nation," Yasune stated. "To be sad now, would only shame them."

Akame breathed through her nose, nodding in agreement.

"..Let us go."


"Seem like that's all, huh?"

Leone, Akame, and Yasune were the only members left of Night Raid, but Najenda included. Najenda was unable to celebrate their personal victory as she was already being tasked with the restoration of the Capital. With three of them overlooking the smoked city, this would be the last time they would all see each other. After their goodbyes, they would separate, never to see each other unless a situation were to come up.

More importantly, both of them would leave each other again.

Sadly, unknown to Akame, this would be the last time she would see Yasune.

"What will you do now, Leone?" Akame asked.

"Might just go return to my local district and see how everyone is doin'." Leone answered with her arms behind her head. "Man, it's been a rough day! I might just sleep in tonight! Too bad, seeing how there's gonna be a fireworks show tonight.."

"So, this is it, then?" Yasune added.

"Guess it is."

Leone walked over to the duo and gave them a hug. This would be the last time that Leone would see the two, as she was wounded beyond repair during the battle. Her healing factor had finally reached its peak, and Leone was on a death clock. Knowing that she would die, she used her final hours to say goodbye to not only her friends, but to the people that looked up to her to free the world from the Empire. Despite a little frightened about her demise, she had to cut all of her ends to those she cared about. It was for the best of both Akame and Yasune to not know about her mortal wound.

"You take care, you two~!" She sang happily before leaving the two by themselves.

Yasune noticed how she limped, indicating that there was something wrong. He decided to leave the suspicious action alone, believing that Leone was only wounded lightly during the siege. His vision darkening by the minute, his will was beginning to fail on keeping himself alive until he left, but now it was noticeable.

"What will you do?" Akame asked, her behind faced towards him.

"I.. can't.."

"I suppose that you don't know yet."

He found it hard to breathe and move.

"Gagh..!" Yasune gagged, falling on his stomach.

THUD!

"Yasune? Yasune!" Akame turned around and gasped at the fallen Yasune. She ran to him and put her arms around him, already knowing what was happening.

It was the end of him, this time.

"This.. again," Yasune choked as he attempted to laugh, gushes of blood spurted out of his mouth. "I always seem to find you near me.."

"Yasune," Akame began with a shaky tone. "I am going to save you.."

"You've done that many times.." Yasune corrected, trailing his fingers under his lips. "..you needn't worry about me anymore."

"I will look over you as many times as I must." Akame replied, her voice under more control as she put her hand over his bloodied chest. "So please, just live.."

"I can't anymore." Yasune found no reason to fight any longer, as his purpose was fulfilled. "You have to keep fighting.."

"Wha-?!"

"You must fight as long as you can.." Yasune wheezed. "..you have to fight for the lost souls.. speak for us.. we suffer to live.. that is why we fight to stop the tormenting and peril, so we can be of value.."

"Yasune.."

"I had thought that death would be a blessing," Yasune's voice began to break, tears forming under his dilated eyes. "But why do I feel so.. sad? A-Akame.."

"What is it?" She asked.

"Truthfully.." He began, revealing his true feelings. "I.. I.. don't want.. to die.."

That was the last straw, Yasune's eyes flooded with tears. The amount of distress and grief going through his mind was too much.

"You fool.. you idiot..!" Akame screamed, her anger extinguished by her flowing tears as she embraced him tighter. "You promised me that you would never die! Weren't we going to board on a ship, just like we.. we.. promised.."

Already aware of her feelings towards him, he traced his bloodied finger across her damp left cheek, managing to regain her attention and to face him. He smiled at her, glad that his death wasn't unnoticed. Yasune, in all of his grief and frustration, smiled in the face of death, comforted by his remaining friend. Perhaps his life was, in a way, a blessing. To meet a person like Akame was heartwarming. He had no regrets.

"I wish that.. I could have lived.. in the end," Yasune took a deep, ragged breath, crouching on his knees as he put his forehead against the female assassin's head, "So that I.. would accompany.. you to wherever.. your heart.. desired.."

Yasune's head then pushed slightly forward, his arm falling down beside him as let out a last, soft gurgle. His eyes closed halfway before they lifelessly stared down the ground. Akame's heart froze for a moment, realizing Yasune's expire. Her red eyes went wide in a mixture of disbelief and despair before she began to whimper quietly to herself, her head burrowed in Yasune's chest.

I will live on for you and all that have died, so that I may live up to your wish.

So please..

"..forgive me.."

After uttering such words, she screamed and wailed in overwhelming grief, muffled by Yasune's cold chest.


Many Weeks Later

In the lands west of the Capital, there was still distress even after the fall of the corrupted Empire. Still terrorized by ultra-class Danger Beasts, many cried out for help so that those that died may be avenged, and those that still live may yet survive to see another day. From Earth Dragons to Giant Mantises, it appeared that there were still loose ends that needed to be finished.

Monsters that needed to be eliminated.

For Akame, this was a mere errand. Fighting Danger Beasts was an easier task than she had assumed.

Until she stumbled upon a destroyed village covered in the blood of the inhabitants.

Requested and recommended by Najenda to clear the area of Danger Beasts, along with several other "talented fighters" who were scattered throughout the west, Akame agreed to assist her in attempt to save the natives that lived in the area. Though she was leaving the area in a week, Akame had decided to help her friend one more time before she left to an area which was far out from the region. Stumbling upon a ravaged village, she witnessed many dead natives with their entrails torn out and their faces literally eaten.

As she cautiously walked through the village, she could hear a distinct chomping sound.

Squish.. splich.. snap!

Walking around the corner, she saw the Danger Beast. At least seven feet tall and had the white skin of a reptile. It was digging into the organs of a young boy, ravenously munching on his remains. It halted its way into getting its hands on the dead body's heart and dropped the fleshy bone as it heard crunching noises behind him. A raven-haired girl with red eyes, equipped with a katana, stared back at the humanoid reptile with venomous intent under her dark cloak. It stared back at her with white, animalistic pupils and a black cover.

Though it reminded her of a certain person she cared for deeply, it was all in the past. All she could do now was forever hold him in her memories. Drawing out her Teigu, Murasame, she prepared to dispatch the abomination. The lizard let out a high-pitched scream as it drew out crude blades from its limbs.

A reptile called a "Rizākengen" lizard.

As it jumped into the air with its protruded blades pointing at its "feast", Akame prepared herself to eliminate the Danger Beast. Never, would she fall here. Never will she ever give in to insanity. As long as she could, she would forever preserve her humanity, no matter the cost.

Brandishing her blade, she uttered out a single word: "Eliminate."


For those who have fallen

For the one I have promised

I will survive

In order to carry the burdens of the dead

My existence may be to only kill

However, that does not brand me as a monster

I believe in my actions

That is why I will walk this path of carnage

I will survive and fight for those who have passed on


The End.


A/N:

Despite being finished with the story, I am slightly disappointed. I feel that many more things should have been explained, but I feel as if I rushed it. Still, I can no longer go back on what I have written. I am glad that I have finished "Save the Nation" and feel accomplished. I truly thank everyone that has read this story, favored it, and follow me. This fiction couldn't have been completed without your support, and for that, I'm grateful!

With the completion of "Save the Nation", I am free to create a new story!

Even though it may take a while to process the plot of a new story, never lose faith!

Thank you again, and await a new story to be released in the near future!