"In 5 days, the last battle will commence." Najenda said.

We had gathered in the meeting room. We, Night Raid, stood around our leader Najenda.

Night Raid, an elite assassins group belonging to and fighting for the revolution against the corrupt Empire.

Our members, numbering ten. Najenda, Akame, Bulat, Leone, Sheele, Mein, Lubbock, Susanoo, Chelsea and me, Tatsumi.

It has been a short time, a little less than 2 years. But during this short period, we've lost half our members. But their will, hopes and dreams live with us. We will win this war.

"The western forces have recovered and our army is at the doorstep of the Capital. We will assault the Capital in 3 directions. I've discussed with the other generals and we've decided that Night Raids power is essential. The western army will be facing off against the infamous Wild Hunt. Tatsumi, Hayami, I'm sending you two to the west. Destroy their forces and break into the Capital as quickly as possible."

I hesitated a little, but nodded. Hayami agreed too. I sneaked a peak at Akame to make sure she's okay, but she had her usual poker face on.

"Next, our main force will be attacking from the South. We are expecting Esdeath to be stationed there. Therefore, Bulat and I will be in the South. In the North, the Revolutionary army has stationed 2 Teigu wielders as well as Kaiser, with Tatsumi's recommendation. All the others will be with us in order to deal with Esdeath."

I clenched my fists. Esdeath, without a doubt she's the biggest threat in this war. Her teigu is honestly way too overpowered.

Last time I fought her in the Arena, it could be considered a stalemate. But I was duel wielding.

She's definitely insanely strong.

"Lastly. Akame, Leone. You two will be inside the Capital again. You are to kill several corrupt Ministers, Merchants and the Prime Minister's Cohorts. These people are evil down to their very soul, letting them escape will only lead to more trouble in the future. Show them no mercy. After you kill them all, you will kill Prime Minister Honest and Capture the Emperor."

"Will we be facing any Teigu users?" Akame asked.

Najenda shook her head.

"They should have no Teigu's to spare, but be on guard."

"You have 3 days to relax and prepare yourselves. After 3 days, you will separate and prepare for battle. One last thing. Tatsumi and Hayami, when you guys break through into the Capital, head straight to the Palace and assist Akame and Leone. That is all, you are dismissed.

I faced off against Bro for the first time in a while. A short training session.

Without warning, he appeared in front of me, armor equipped.

'Fast!' I thought in my head.

I ducked under his punch, feeling a shockwave originating from where my head used to be.

"Bro, not even a warning?"

I jumped back, but he wasn't going to let me recover.

"I'm an assassin, what kind of assassin gives a warning before fighting?"

I began dodging and blocking the onslaught of punches and kicks that ensued. Finally, I let out an electric pulse that paralyzed him and I hopped back.

Demon Armor – Incursio. The ever evolving armor, the exact opposite of Grand Chariot.

Ever since I joined Night Raid, I've witnessed it's evolution twice. The most recent one during the Battle of the Arena.

Ever since that fight, his speed, strength, and armor endurance increased exponentially.

Not to mention…

Bulat quickly recovered from his paralysis and flew at me once again. I sent another electric pulse, but he shook it off.

This uncanny ability to adapt after one attack.

I clenched Fenrir, its core changed from a yellow glow to an electric blue.

Fenrir – Level 2

The world slowed down even more.

I scanned Bulats armor. The joints of an armor are the weakest parts.

The elbow section, right below 3 segments of armor and above the armguard. One slice there can cut off his arm.

Shinatsuhiko glowed green and I swung down at his armguard. A shallow mark appeared and I jumped back.

It's hard.

"Tatsumi, I told you to come after me with the intent to kill." Bulat scolded.

"I am, I held nothing back on that slash." I replied.

"Don't even try, I know you could've done more. After all…"

He probably saw it.

During high speed duels. Especially if you can accurately gauge the enemy's capabilities, you can see the outcome of the duel.

I've witnessed this several times during my duels with Akame and Bulat.

My life flashing before my eyes. Seeing my skull smashed open, throat sliced, innards crushed.

It's haunting.

"But I don't want you losing an arm yet. Let's take a break."

He laughed and nodded.

"Bro, your armor is incredible." I commented.

"Yeah, but the dormant instincts of Incursio is stronger than ever. I have to resist with all my might just to suppress it." He clenched and unclenched his fist.

The dormant instincts of Incursio, what allows it to keep evolving despite being dead for a millennia. But Incursio isn't sentient. Its raw instincts are several times more than any of the other Teigus.

"Incursio's incredible ability to adapt is probably why boss decided to assign you to the Southern Front." He nodded.

"You said that Najenda had a trump card that can freeze time right? If that is used on the battle field, hundreds could die in an instant. Hopefully, Incursio can prevent that." He replied.

"… Bro, are you going to be okay?" He laughed.

"What do you mean? Don't underestimate you bro. I may not be able to win but I will definitely put up a good fight against Esdeath." I shook my head.

"Not that, I know there's a reason why Boss hasn't assigned you to the battlefield since the battle at the arena." He went silent, as if debating on whether to tell me. I patiently waited. I had no intention of forcing the answer out of him, but it really bothered me.

After a few minutes, he finally spoke up.

"Tatsumi, I'm sure you realize already, but Incursio right now is several more potent than before the transformation. There aren't any real dangers to me, since I've been this guy's partner for years now. My body is used to the raw instincts of this armor. But I am very afraid that I might lose control. While you guys were away, I have been practicing against Hayami and training myself in order to not lose control during a fight."

I was a little shocked, that's when I remembered the Capitol Archive Chamber. Having memorized the details of each and every Teigu, a single line describing Incursio emerged from the cluster of information.

'This armor is ever evolving, ever adapting, searching for a way to revive itself and return to the world after its death.'

Is it possible that it's raw instincts will lead it to taking over the wielders body. Leading to the revival of the Tyrant?

A cold shiver went down my spine as I realized for the first time, what a dangerous existence the Tyrant was.

I laid in bed, eyes closed. To anyone else, it would seem like I was resting, but that's not entirely true.

'You guys really are terrifying creatures aren't you?'

'First thing you say in the past week and it's this dumb shit?'Shinatsuhiko's sarcastic voice echoed in my head.

'I would say the same, but what brought this up? I thought we established this fact quite a while ago.'Fenrir asked.

'It's just the thought that the Tyrant could possibly revive himself by taking over its wielder through its adaptive abilities just struck me as incredible.'

'Hmph, the mere thought of how you worship that moron like he's the strongest creature in existence makes me pity you.' Shinatsuhiko huffed.

'We messed with him a lot didn't we? I would occasionally fry him with lightning just to relieve some boredom. Every time my lightning no longer affects him I would just increase the voltage by a few millions volts.'

'I still remember that time when I blew him to the North Pole straight into a blizzard then just before he adapted to that environment I blew him to the middle of a scorching dessert and repeated that process a few thousand times.'

They both started laughing in my head.

I sweat dropped at their absurd ways of relieving boredom, talking about unbelievable events like they are talking about the weather.

"So? Is it possible?"

"What is?" Fenrir asked.

'What else? Whether the Tyrants instincts can revive it from the deadyou bumbling brook.'

'Shut up, I don't want to hear that from an airhead like you.'

'Would you stop it with your stupid puns? I'll catch your intelligence.'

'If you wind up being as smart as me, maybe you'll be able to think of a decent comeback every once a millennia.'

'Oh my-'

'Just answer the question!'

There was a moment of silence.

'I would say it's possible. The creature known as the Tyrant was a creature that survived based on pure instincts. In fact, there was a debate on whether he even had a brain. In either case, I doubt he needs a brain to survive, as long as his soul and body is intact in some way or another, he could probably revive himself.' Shinatsuhiko replied.

'… I see.'

'But you shouldn't worry too much. The man you call Bro, he has a strong will for sure, if he can get used to the pressure Tyrant puts on him, he can definitely resist being taken over.' Fenrir added.

'… How long would it take to get used to his armor?'

'Who knows? Neither of us have witnessed anyone taking Incursio's evolution this far, for all we know, he could be at his limit right now.'

'Would you look at that, the embodiment of wind, the incarnation of air, failing to read the god damn atmosphere… If that's not irony I don't know what is.'

'Shut up! You and your stupid jokes are driving me insane!'

'You were insane to begin with, what kind of sane organism would eat a sheep like Billy?'

'Get over it already! Don't think I don't know when you drop kicked that Walrus!'

'Wha- It was an accident! I was fighting Helios when that little thing popped out of nowhere!'

I smiled as I listened to their bickering. It was strangely comforting to know that despite being epic creatures with an absurd amount of power, they are still strangely human.

That's when something struck me.

'Wait, from what you've said, Shinatsuhiko, you fulfill the requirements to return back to life don't you?'

'Hm? Oh yeah. I have a fraction of my soul, body and mind. If I wanted to take you over I could anytime I want.'

'…'

'Relax, returning back to life would mean another eternity of boredom. Of course, if I find that you became a boring man, I would take you over no questions asked.'

'Heck no, I'm not going to let you just take him over! How the hell am I supposed to come back to life if you took him over?!'

'Hell if I know! Take over an ant or something.'

I sighed and smiled.

That's reassuring.

The sun was setting outside my window. I stepped out of my room and someone grabbed my sleeve.

I looked back and saw Akame standing there.

"What's wrong?"

She tugged at my sleeve, signaling me to follow her.

I followed her and we ended up in the forest again.

"What's wrong?" I asked quietly.

"..." She turned around and buried her face in my chest.

She's scared.

I could feel it. But I really don't know what to say.

'I will be okay.' 'Don't worry, I'm strong.' 'I definitely won't die.'

These all sound like empty promises. She would believe me, but at the same time, it's not enough.

I felt the weight in my pocket.

Is it the right time? What if the moods wrong and she doesn't accept?

I shook away my doubts.

If not now, when?

If not this, how?

I relaxed my hands and my heartrate increased.

"Akame…" I grabbed her shoulder and pushed her away a little, just enough to see her eyes.

Her eyes told me everything I needed to know. She didn't know how to express her fear.

I grabbed her hand and began walking towards that spot.

"Akame, it's been 2 years hasn't it?"

"… 2 years?" I nodded.

"Just under 2 years ago, I met you for the first time… Actually that's not entirely correct is it?"

She tilted her head.

"Don't you remember me? Aka-chan." I said. Her feet stopped and she looked at me in surprise. I turned around to face her.

She looked blankly at me, as if trying to comprehend what I just said.

"Are you…" I nodded with a smile.

A sudden wave of fear washed over her face and she turned away. I immediately caught her hand.

"It's okay. I've forgiven you a long time ago." I said.

"But I betrayed you all those years ago. Even though you saved my life, I-"

"It's okay. I can guess why you left suddenly that night. You were on a mission for the Empire right?" She nodded.

"Yeah. I still remember it clearly. My target was an influential political official whom opposed the Empire. I was scouting out the area when the blizzard hit. I woke up in an unfamiliar room. I got to know the young boy who saved me. I… never even asked for your name."

I smiled before pulling her along again.

"It's okay. I never forgot about you. Though I didn't realize you were the same girl from all those years ago until just before I left to fight Hayami."

We finally reached the destination I had in mind.

The small hill with a single tree on top. We began walking up the hill.

"It's been nearly 2 years since I found you again, Akame. You were my first love, back in the Village." Her eyes widened and she blushed.

"Over the course of these 2 years, I met you again, went through so much hardship with you, and fell in love with you again, not knowing you were the same person."

"… I'm the same. Though I didn't understand the concept of love back then… no, I don't really understand it even now, but the time I spent with you back then was the most fun I had in my life."

"Do you love me?" I asked without hesitation. She blushed again.

"I-I, yeah." She stuttered.

She was blushing and looking around, trying to avoid my gaze. It was as if she were a normal girl.

I gave a small laugh and we stepped under the shade of the tree.

The sun was setting over the treetops. We stood side by side, every time the wind blew, her hair fluttered along with the leaves that drifted down from the tree.

"Akame, we've been through many things together. Losing our comrades, fighting for our lives and the lives of millions. I love you Akame, though it feels like a lifetime, it's only been 2 years."

I pulled out the small box from my pocket.

Scales tougher than any material on earth, the branch from the top of the great oak, which survived through a thousand years of darkness and wind. Combined by the power of Miracles.

The 51st Teigu, created 1 thousands years after the others.

I opened the box and a single piece of jewelry sat at the center.

Clear, light red jewel, glowing with a ferocious aura. Dark brown frame, giving off the same sense of tenacity as the earth itself.

"Akame, I will say it again. I love you. I want to stay with you for the rest of my life and forever more. This war, we will survive it. No matter what happens, I will protect you. So after we deliver justice to the Empire and come back alive, Akame…"

"Will you marry me?"

My heart was beating so fast.

Why? Why is it beating so fast?

"Will you marry me?"

Such simple words. Words found only in love novels I read when I was curious.

Tears flowed down my cheek. My entire body was trembling. My heart was beating out of control.

Was this happiness? Nervousness? I don't get it.

I don't understand myself at all. I don't understand love at all.

I tried to stop. I tried to hold back my tears, tried to stop my trembling body, tried to slow my heart down.

I'm starting to panic.

That's when I saw his eyes. He was looking at me calmly. Waiting.

Those deep, green eyes of his. It engulfed me in a relaxing feeling.

It reminded me of a breeze. A gentle breeze that transformed into a raging storm during battle.

My mind cleared up.

… What am I doing?

I relaxed my body, my mind, my soul.

I let the tears pour, I let my body tremble, let my heart beat free.

Slowly, a smile appeared on my face.

That's right. All I need to do is copy what happened in the books.

Putting all my emotions into forming that one word.

I said it.

"Yes." Without stopping myself, I let all my emotions flow.

These emotions, the ones I buried for years and years, the ones I forgot, the ones I never knew I had.

The floodgates broke down and I spoke without even thinking.

"Forever and ever. I will stay by your side. I love you, Tatsumi." He rushed forward and pulled me into his arms.

Our lips met. We conveyed everything we felt. Everything we are to the other.

I felt his tongue slip into my mouth and I accepted it.

My entire body felt weak. But it was okay. He was here.

Forgetting everything, all my worries, all my regrets, all my fears, hates, I focused on him and only him.

My Tatsumi.

We finally split apart after an entire minute.

I felt happiness and relief beyond belief.

She accepted… What now?

I didn't think this far.

"This ring… it feels like a Teigu." She said. I'm guessing she sensed the power radiating from it.

I shook my head.

"It's not one of the 50, I mean 48 original Teigu."

"What do you mean?"

"This teigu was born a week ago. I took the toughest scales from Kaiser, and branches from the Oak Tree at the bottom of that valley, and had them combined to create this. It is definitely on par with the original 50, I mean 48." I explained.

"But not everyone is capable of duel wielding. Just the fact that there are 3 duel wielders in 1 generation is absolutely absurd." She said.

"Don't worry, its okay. This teigu is a little special." I took her left hand and slid the ring onto her ring finger.

She looked at me confused.

"I don't feel anything." She said.

I closed my eyes. A whirlwind spiraled around me and lightning began sparking within the whirlwind. Both Shinatsuhiko and Fenrir began glowing. Their aura spread from their swords into me and onto my hands that held her left hand.

I imagined my powers wrapping around her.

The glow slowly faded away and the whirlwind disappeared.

"There we go." I said. She looked at me really confused.

"What did you just do?" I smiled.

"This teigu is a little special. It is made specifically for you, and is actually only compatible with you. Its abilities is simple but strong, I embedded this teigu with some of my powers. You should be able to use my powers now, albeit it's only around 5% of my full ability. I don't know the full extent of its abilities, so don't use it unless you have to."

Her eyes widened in surprise. It is strong for sure, even with 5% of my strength, being able to wield, in theory, 3 teigu's without repercussions is insane.

"How do I activate it?"

"Imagine the nature of the power stored within." I said.

"That's kind of vague."

"Sorry, I don't know the full extent of its powers. The person who created this only told me this much." I said sheepishly.

"But with this, I'm always with you. I will protect you when you are in danger, so Akame, believe in me. I won't let you die, nor will I die myself. We will live through this."

She blushed again and nodded. Her right hand tightly held her left. I pulled her into a hug and we sat down, leaning against the tree.

3 days.

I smiled and held her close. She felt delicate, weak even.

For now, the past nor future existed for us.

It's just us, the present and a light breeze.

Well...

Hope you enjoyed!

Seeya! BzS