Author's Note: Well, once again, I spoke too soon about a next chapter! Because of continuity and narrative reasons, the promised chapters with Chelsea and the final page of Dorothea's Diary have been bumped a bit, in order to finally finish the Children's "roster call" with the big surprise I had in store. Hope any Chelsea fans can forgive me! On we go!

Chapter 28: The Wings of Damnation

The Fortress of the Children…

"Your training is complete, new born. Welcome to the ranks of the Children, Natala"-Relam said to the man who was bowing the knee in front of her.

His short blond hair fazed slightly as he raised his head, revealing small yet bright blue eyes, but nothing else, as the lower half of his face was covered by a metallic mask. He wore a light grey military trench coat with boots, and a blue and green scarf could be seen around his neck. While he bowed on one knee, the rest of his body's weight rested on the massive spear he carried. Its long, slender main rod was as long as the thick blades on each of its ends, making clear that the young man's strength should be unnatural just to wield it so.

"I am grateful for your patience and teachings, Master Relam. I am in your service and debt from now on."-Natala replied in a deep voice that reverberated as it left his face. No normal man's voice could have such depth of tone.

"I have merely taught you to master the power that is now part of you. How you wield Miasma's Breath: Wind of Rot in battle is up to your ability and will, Natala. Now go join the others in the mess hall or take some time for yourself if you desire so. You have more than earned it."-Relam said as she smiled at the young man, who then saluted her and took his leave, laying his massive weapon on his shoulders as if its weight was nothing to him.

"So, our army is complete at last?"-Dorothea asked as she emerged from a doorway's shadows.

"We Children are merely the elite and commanders in Lord Schatten's grand designs. Besides, until the last of Lord Schatten's chosen fully joins us, we will never be complete."-Relam replied.

"Ah, yes, him. I still fail to see why he has yet to subject himself to conversion. The others have no problem with one of them being in our ranks, but I can't help but wonder why Lord Schatten allows him to remain…as he is."-Dorothea pondered.

"Do not trouble yourself, alchemist. That young one's loyalty in our Lord is unquestionable, but his motivations and reasons are his own. Perhaps Lord Schatten is amused by his resolve, but the one thing I am certain is that he will respect the young one's decision to remain unconverted as long as he wants to. After all, he made it clear he has a good reason for doing so."-Relam answered.

"Oh? Pray tell, it is not often that I hear about someone actually refusing more power."-Dorothea said with her interested clear in the tone of her voice.

"He said that he wants to fight the one he despises on equal ground. Perhaps you could ask him in person when Syura bring him back tonite"-Relam smiled as she took her leave, leaving Dorothea to ponder her words.

The Empire, Night Raid's former main base.

Syura whistled in awe as he looked at the scene in front of him. All over the concealed fortress grounds, dozens of corpses of Imperial Military soldiers laid on the ground, all of them bearing the distinct wounds of bolts or arrows, yet there were none of the like sticking out of the corpses.

"Sheesh…the boss shortens the kid's leash a bit, and he just goes and does something like this. Well, as long as there were no survivors or witnesses…"-Syura said as he rubbed the back of his head, when all of a sudden, a dozen soldiers jumped from the forest around him and encircled him, swords and spears drawn.

"Who the hell are you? Are you in league with that….monster?"-A soldier that seemed to be the highest ranking officer asked in a threatening tone, yet the tremble on his voice betrayed his words.

"I'm just here to pick him up, if you must know…then again, it's not like you will carry that knowledge anywhere else"-Syura said in a mocking tone as he stared up, just as a dark shadow formed over him and the soldiers around him.

Before any of the men could react, a whistling sound was heard from the sky, followed by a rain of dark, glowing arrows that skewered everything around Syura's radius. The soldiers gasped for a last breath of life collectively, only for the glowing dark bolts to fade away, thus making the lifeless corpses fall to the ground, as they were no longer pinned down in place.

"So, I assume you got what you wanted?"-Syura asked as he looked up.

Above him, two great wings black as a moonless night emerged from a humanoid form clad in armor just as dark. Every part of the armor had sharp, bladed edges, yet each joint, member and body part was perfectly armored, showing clearly that the designer's intent had been to combine the best of armored protection with the most aerodynamic form and fluidity of movement.

On one of its hands, the figure held a black bow whose length was almost equal to the height of its wielder, its metallic glint showing clearly that it was made of pure metal. It had no string whatsoever, and on each of its edges, the bow was clearly sharp and lethal as a sword, making clear that it had been designed to be used as a dual bladed spear in close combat.

With a simple and precise dive, the armored figure landed in front of Syura, only to be enveloped in a bright black glow, which faded away, revealing a young boy with spiked black hair, wearing plain clothes that combined white and faded purple colors. On his chest, a white flower shaped accessory of sorts hanged from a chain around his neck. On his right hand, he grasped the same black bow the armored figure was wielding; only it now looked plain and worn, despite retaining its metallic composition and angular design.

"I did."-The young man said as he caressed the white flower decoration hanging from his chest with his free hand.

"Well, it's not like I can't appreciate a quality slaughter like this one, but the boss did ask you to keep a low profile, except for that personal reunion you asked him for. Well, I guess I'll take care of the clean up while you do that. Given that this was Night Raid's former base of operations, I might get some intel or records to bring back as well."-Syura sighed as he made a waving motion and opened a portal in mid air in front of the young man.-"There', that one will take you straight to the Capital so you can take care of your business. I'll leave it one so we can regroup here, but it will close as soon as you enter it again, so make sure you are done when you do"-Syura said.

"Understood. There are thirty four bodies total, and I believe the central room of the fortress houses the library and documents storage. Thank you for your assistance"-The young boy said as he sheathed the bow across his back and approached the portal.

"Hey, kid. What the hell did these poor bastards do that pissed you off so much?"-Syura asked.

The young boy stood there for a second.

"They were going to dig up her grave"-He answered sternly as he walked through the portal.

The Imperial Capital City…

Tatsumi walked through the streets with a smile on his face, as he held the bag of groceries under his left arm close to his side.

Esdeath and he had actually improved their relationship ever since that first attempt at a date had been…diverted. Tatsumi somewhat wondered if the Leader of the Path of Peace had actually barged into them on purpose, but given how mysterious and, well, candid the guy was and acted, he had no way to confirm his suspicions. Anyway, Ice Cream had lead to desserts, and from there on Esdeath and he had actually bonded over learning to cook together, specially as Esdeath's only experience being with military food and some basic recipes she remembered from her childhood; that had also led them to discuss their pasts and be more open to each other, which had reassured Tatsumi's growing belief that no matter how cold and direct Esdeath's usual persona was, she clearly had a warm, human interior deep within her, even if she herself ignored it or suppressed it on purpose.

Either way, Tatsumi was now sure that he had stayed at Esdeath's side of his own volition, even if his growing feelings for her still made him question his real motives. He had once thought she was beyond salvation, but now he wondered if instead, she would be his own. He had been blind to the rage, despair and desire for revenge that had led him to join Night Raid in the first place, and she had forced him to realize that despite their different natures, they both had blood on their hands they wished to wash away, even if their respective reasons were different yet perhaps for the same motive.

Tatsumi's eyes widened when he realized he was about to cross the gate of the cemetery and memorial Esdeath had build for him over the ruins of Aria's state. It did not escape him that in that very same place he had lost all hope and given to despair and hatred, only to be able to let go of it there as well, and all because of Esdeath.

Tatsumi took a deep breath, and took a step over the gate…only to be left breathless as he saw the figure in the middle of the cemetery, the bag of groceries falling to the ground as his wholly body went limp.

The young man stood there, staring straight at Tatsumi.

"Izato?"-Tatsumi muttered in disbelief.

Before the later could react, a bright flash blinded him, and when he opened his eyes, there was no one at all. In fact, it seemed like there had been no one there to begin with.

Forgetting about the dropped bag and scattered groceries. Tatsumi ran inside the cemetery, only to stare at the spot where the young man's image was standing at.

There was nothing there, not even footprints or any trace of a person having stood there at all in weeks.

Tatsumi wondered if it had been the memory of the place what had triggered the image to appear before his eyes. Back when he had finally returned to his village weeks after the war ended, his hopes of putting his past behind him had been dashed when the elder broke the news to him that Izato had disappeared a month ago after an avalanche caught his hunting party by surprise. He had been the only casualty, and his body couldn't be recovered since the wave of snow and ice had carried him down a deep cliff.

Sayo's younger brother would never hear from Tatsumi about the fate of his sister, to the great shame and regret of Tatsumi.

"I guess you cant fully let go of the past after all."-Tatsumi thought as he walked away, picking up the dropped groceries and placing them back in the bag, not before given the cemetery a last glance before going on his way, trying to remember he now lived for the present and the promise of the future.

The Fortress of the Children…

"So, have you finally made your decision, Izato?"-Schatten asked to the young man standing next to him. They were staring at the horizon in one of the fortress's many outside vantage points.

"Yes, I have, Lord Schatten"-Izato replied as he looked down at the bow he held in his hands.

"You will not undergo the conversion. At least not until you face him. It is written all over your face and aura. Very well; you may continue to serve our cause regardless."-Schatten said as he smiled.

"You honor me with your patience, Lord Schatten"-Izato said as he bowed.

"We all have our personal demons to slay, or ghosts to bury. You desire to confront your enemy on equal footing, and that is something I can respect. You will get your chance when we make our move. You will support Ardere and thus get your wish. But a word of warning, Izato"-Schatten said.

"Yes my lord?"-Izato asked.

""Demon Armor: Incursio" is a Teigu capable of evolving if its wielder is willful and strong enough, but it is not alone among the Teigus when it comes to having such a power; that bow you wield is also capable of such a feat, but at a similar price."-Schatten said.

"You mean "Angelus Armor: Damnatio" can evolve as well?"-Izato asked, staring at his weapon.

"Yes, but just as with Incursio, there will be a price to pay. Damnatio will take not only your humanity from you, but also the very memories and feelings that make you human at all. While you will retain your will and mind, slowly, your greatest and most powerful emotions will be the only things remain of who you used to be. You should know that even if you do not undergo the conversion process, you could also become one with your Teigu eventually"-Schatten said, as he placed a hand on Izato's shoulder.-"When and if the time comes when you have to decide how far will you go for your heart's desire, remember these words: Nothing is beyond reach of a will that is strong enough. Not even harnessing the true power of a Teigu"-Schatten said as he smiled and left, going back inside the fortress, leaving the young man standing there, still staring at his weapon.

"So, destiny has truly left us on equal footing, Tatsumi. I couldn't wish for a better stage to see you fall and pay for your sins. But before that, I will take what I saw in your eyes today from you. That happiness, that joy and hope. I will take them away from you, so when your death comes; you will truly welcome it, no matter how painful or just. You are damned, Tatsumi, just like that accursed Empire. You just haven't realized it yet."-Izato grinned as his hand gripped firmly his bow and he followed Schatten back into the darkness.

Next: The promised Chelsea chapter, at last! That is all.