Hello! It's been a while, but I'm back!
With bad news, I fears.
So, I have lost a lot of interest in the Akame ga Kill franchise, but I still want to continue. I read the raw for chapter 54 and was abit disappointed. But it was just me, after second thoughts, this is an all-out battle climax I wanted.
Anyway, my policies is that I keep trying to follow the AgK storyline as much as i can, until at a point, I'll de-rail this to more of the Assassin's Creed side. So I want to wait for chapter 55. *bows* it would be honestly, a month. I'll finish everything up to chapter 52, then wait. To be honest, I have the whole thing planned out, but 54 betrayed my hopes.
Some review answering:
The Tyrant:(A fitting name, lol) I agree, my English is horrible at stuffs like that, but i think it will get better as I write... And I took Jack has, I don't know, a typical voice, kinda like Archer from Fate, could be a bit younger though.
PennyStroke: I got dissapointed at Rogue for it's quality, abit worse than AC4. Plus a story I don't really like to follow...anyway, it's my opinion.
Okay, enjoy your reading! I'll be working on chapter 38 when I have time. please leave a review! Helps out alot!
Kakeru crumpled the letter in his hand.
"To your feet, lads! We're heading for land!"
The Revolutionary Army has Templars in high places. Worse, they could be Templars themselves. They had uncovered his mentor, whose fate are not yet certain in the clutches of the Empire's strongest.
After thinking this one through, Kakeru realized their goal, if the Creed's assumption is correct, is to overthrow the Empire, however, do so as an elaborate act, a con man show that would delude history itself.
That means, he'll pay a visit to them.
He needs a chance to meet the leaders of the organization directly. The documents that revealed Jack's idenity has a secret document's stamp on it, meaning it had ended in a high ranking member in the Revolutionary Army. If he can reveal the Templar and kill him, then there's still maybe a chance for the Revolutionaries to do the right thing.
He prayed in his mind that the Templar do not hold too much influence in the organization.
"Boss? What do we do with the supplies if we don't transport them?"
"...distribute them to the locals who need it. We won't keep up plundering forever."-Kakeru sighed.-"And throw a party or something. Just don't get too drunk and destroy all our hardwork."
"Aye."
As the pirates praise the heavens that they are having a party, Kakeru looked at the port as they are docking in.
"I guess I'm seeing Misaki again."
"Oi, Misaki!"-The young officer charged in said girl's office.
"Shiro-nii?"-Misaki tilted her head.-"What's wrong?"
"I think I have a lot of bad news."-Shiro panted-"Ah, ah, the first. I don't know what you said in your letters to your boyfriend, but he just cut all funding and supplies to us, saying that he'll come over soon."
"He's not my boyfriend!"-Misaki yelled with a crimson blush on her face.
After clearing the steam from her head, Misaki thought it through.
Over the last few months, Kakeru and his pirate fleet has been a vital source of funding, delivering supplies, provisions, raw material, weapons and money all the same. They had also kept the Empire busy and distracted by waging war with the Imperial Navy, with huge acomplishments that can't be ignored.
He had become a person with great influence to the Revolutionaries.
Compared to the fact that a few months ago, he stepped in here as green as grass, Misaki really did shivers.
"And not just that! The Assassin's Creed suddenly suspended all joint operations with us, and they don't tell us why!"
"That...kinda explain why Kakeru stopped aiding us..."-Misaki coughed.
"It's becoming serious. I don't know why, but suddenly, we just received alot of tension, and at a bad time like this! Can't the Assassins be pissed off after the revolution succeed?"-Shiro heaved a huge sigh.-"And I heard Jack got caught up in a bind right now, so he can't aid us as well."
Like this isn't bad enough...
"Jack-san got in a bind?"
"Yeah, he is stuck with the Westerners at the momment. Even Night Raid kept their mouth shut about it, too. Damn..."
"So, what should we do?"
"I-I'm sorry Misaki, I think I'll need you out in the field again. We've been charged with finding out as much as we can about why the Creeds cut us off like this, and..."
"If you want to be on the offense, you had to make sure your defense is good enough."
"?!"
Standing at the door, the Assassin stares at them, his arms crossed.
"Kakeru..."-Misaki gulped.
"Hey there Misaki. How have you been?"
"I'm...fine, thanks. And you?"
"I don't know."-Kakeru rubbed his head.-"I came as soon as possible. There's work here that needs to be done."
"? What do you mean?"-Shiro nervously asked-"To be blunt, the hell man? Why did you cut us off in such an important time?"
"I would continue when I am certain that I won't get backstab."-Kakeru grunted-"You two are the only ones I trust that can help me, so listen closely."
"Un."-Misaki nodded. Kakeru was being dead serious, so it's very important.
Slowly, Kakeru explains the basics, that there are spies in the Revolutionary Army, as high as the top generals. He also gave them a good idea of what's going on. These spies aren't looking to destroy the revolution, but guide it to suit the Templar's need. All this bloodshed, hard work, everything will end up as a glorified name change.
The idea that a plot so deep layered sends shivers down both inteligence officer's spine.
"What would you have us do then?"-Shiro asked-"I'll do my best to aid you, any way I can. Just say the word."
"Me too, Kakeru. This is too big to ignore."-Misaki nodded.
"...First, I need you two to do a count of the reports, specially those that has the Creed, Jack or me involved. I would also like to meet the top generals of the Revolutionaries. With luck, maybe I could finish this soon, and be done with it."-Kakeru pondered-"I'm not as good as my mentor in Eagle sense, so this would be hard. I need concrete evidence, and the support of at least one honest general.
"Ah, it's not my place to say, but why don't you speak with General Rosa? It's not easy to get on her good side, but I can assure you that she's not with the, erm... Tem...Templars?"-Shiro suggested.
"How are you so sure?"
"Ah, because she loathe spies, even our own. And also..."-Shiro scratches his head nervously.
"She's...well...our beloved onee-chan."-Misaki slumped her head.
"I...see."-Kakeru suddenly felt his head aches for some reason.-"It must've been tough for you guys."
"No, no, she's strict, but she loves us dearly. It's just tough love, I guess."-Misaki smiled.
"...Well, I guess the fact that you saved her little sister will help you gain her trust, or at least, the right to voice an opinion or a request."-Shiro nodded. He remember the outrage Rosa had when she heard Misaki got captured. Thankfully, no one suffered too long, thanks to Kakeru's timely intervention.
'Unlike mentor, I seems to have great luck everytime.'-Kakeru thought with a strange smile on his face.
His mentor may be been more capable in almost every aspect, but his bad luck always made things difficult, not that it changed the result, still.
"Then I'll have a talk with her. I assume she's not really the desk type?"
"You can find Rosa-nee at the training ground. You can't miss a person like her."-Misaki nodded-"Shiro-nii and I will go through the documents, but it would take days. So I hope you and Rosa-nee had a clue on how to start."
"I'll try my best."-Kakeru nodded as he heads out.-"I'll see you two when time permits."
"I'll have a room ready for you, just come meet me around evening."
"Thanks."
Chelsea sighed as she stood before the gate to the Navelle-ah-della church.
To be completely blunt, she wanted to stay and rescue Jack, however, this was noted with great urgency in his voice, and Sora had sworn to drag the man out alive, by any means.
Chelsea although had her doubts, but trust Sora, as she may not look it, but she is a Master Assassin as well, a person of Jack's league.
Night Raid understands the circumstances and allowed her to act as she please on the matter.
So Chelsea decided to drop off this page full of coded text, THEN head to rescue Jack. A reasonable decision.
"Hello?"-She waved a random nun.-"I need to speak with sister Lena."
"Lena?"-The nun's eyes gleamed with interests.-"What bussiness do you have with her?"
"Uhm...Edward asked me to deliver something."-Chelsea stated the truth.
"Edward?"-The nun gasped.
"Yes."-Chelsea groaned. Jack seems popular.
"Uhm. This way please."-The nun lead on.-"A girl? It couldn't be..."-She murmured under her breath, but the Night Raid member caught it.
She was lead to a study room on the 4th floor.
"Lena! A guest is here for you!"
"Edward?! I have incredible news! Look at what I have found on the..."-A nun almost bursted through the door-"...page."
"..."-Chelsea stares at the new nun, as they were 5 centimeters' close to a hug.
"...! I'm sorry! Forgive my rudeness! I thought you were someone else and! Eep!"-The nun stumbled.-"Uhm...who are you, kind miss?"
"Chelsea. Edward's...girlfriend."-Chelsea felt her voice was getting close to a machine on that one, but she had the right to.
The Night raid assassin seriously thought a few nuns nearby just fropped their books in shock.
"G-girlfriend?"-Chelsea can not read that strange expression on Lena's face.-"Oh, you have the..."-Lena eyed the codex page in the assassin's hand.
"Yes, he told me to deliver them, since he's...busy right now."
"...That's Edward alright."-Lena kindly smiled-"Please, come in. I'll make some tea for you."
Nodding, Chelsea entered.
The room was slightly messy, sticky notes here and there, pages scrambled across the room, filled with writings.
Picking one up, she squint her eyes to read it. Its Jack's work. His complied records and theories surrounding Assassins, Templars and something called the Apple of Eden. Chelsea had came along with him to the library to study similars stuffs before.
On a board, detailed notes of human, historic records of an event are taped on, lines are connected around the notes with questions on them, like a suspect relations chart.
"Sorry for making you wait."-Lena re-entered the room, a tray carrying an elegant tea set with her.
"It's nothing."-Chelsea smiled briefly.-"Is this your work?"
"Oh, it's Edward's actually. He rarely comes over, but he always dived into that soon as he comes. To be honest, even though I helped him, and the results are right there up on that board, I still can't understand most of what's he's trying to do."
"That sounded like him."
"I know, right?"-Lena offered Chelsea a cup of tea-"When I asked him, he said he was searching for this."-She pointed at a rough sketch.
It's the size of an apple, and seems to fit into one's palms. The way it was drawn gave it a metalic copper color, and markings that emits a powerful golden light,
"He said it was 'The Apple of Eden'. I don't really understand, but that little object seems to held great importance, seeing he linked it with some of the biggest turns in history before the second emperor's rule."
"...He once got a hold of a similar artifact."-Chelsea remembered the keystone and the vague answer the Assassin gave to her, hinting the object was incredibly dangerous.-"He said those artifacts hold powers unfit for mankind, that it would drive lesser man to despair.. So he guard them in a safe place."
"...Who...who exactly is Edward? And if those artfacts are lost, if they are so dangerous..."
"A gifted man."-Was the headphone wearing girl's reply, as she bite on the lolipop's handle.-"And you should know by now, that Edward is not a lesser man."-She smiled, slightly proud that she is such a person's girlfriend.
Lena courtly nodded.
"Ah...where was I...uuuu! Edward never keep stuffs organized..."
"Come to think of it, what is your role? Specially with this"-Chelsea asked as she raises the codex page.
"Ah, I decipher them. Edward said there's a map in invisible ink as well, supposedly lead to the Apple."-Lena accepted the page with care.-"And I have also been compiling his work into a proper book, as well as get as much of the knowledge on these codex paged deciphered and written down. It's also has my thoughts on the matter, like a diary, or my interpretation ."
"In this mess?"
"You get the idea."-Lena gave Chelsea the half-finished book.-"You can read them if you want, while I try to decipher this page. It's only half way done, but what Edward has uncovered is amazing! This is knowledge and secrets that has been lost to us for centuries!"
"If he is here, he would say that some secrets are best hidden."-Chelsea skimmered through the book.
Under proper management, most points seems easier to understand, and the way Lena gave her objective opinion, as she stood next to him as he works, provides a better view point than skimmered scribbles made as notes.
Not to mention her hand-writing is MUCH better than his.
Having nothing better to do, Chelsea dwelved into the book while Lena tinkers with the last codex page.
Kakeru gulped.
"Come on you country boys! Shouts and swords alone won't save you!"
The general really is hard to miss, teaching her unit how to fight properly on the training ground.
Well, armchair general's never been the Assassins' favorite.
"General..."-Kakeru deflected the training sword with his bracer-"Rosa."
"Who are you?"-She asked sternly.-"What's with the outfit?"
"My name is Kakeru Shishi. I hope to..."
"Whatever. Get in line, pick up a sword and start practicing. I don't have time to hold your hand."
It seems she has mistaken him for a new recruit.
"Please, hear me out."-Kakeru tried to raise his voice.
"If you have another word to say, it would be in a fight."
"Damn you woman."-Great, he just got challenged.
"That's it brat, draw your sword! I'll teach you one or two about fighting."
'Forgive me, Rosa, but I've seen better opponents.'-His mentor was a fine example.
Sword drawn, Kakeru assumed a defensive stance.
Rosa has a style fit for nobility, which was fine, it didn't in anyway made her attacks less dangerous nor defense more open.
'But it was still open.'
Parrying her first strike, Kakeru went for a counter-kill, but was blocked easily.
"Come on brat! It would take more than that to graze me!"
"Don't piss me off, please."
"Hah! it's not like you can do anythi-!"
Kakeru did a simple thing.
He grabbed her short blonde hair and kneed her right in the face.
Rosa quickly broke free and stumbled back, just in time to bring her guard up and blocked Kakeru's combo.
"I don't know how you become general, but you failed in the basic!"-Kakeru kicked her knee, then altered his grip on his claymore, striking the pommel into her stomach.-"You don't listen to your people!"
Soldiers around was stunned. Their strongest generals was being beaten up by a young hooded guy.
"You are too eager to start a fight! Overconfident! And maybe, a bad judge of character."
"You're insulting me?"
"I am."
Rosa blocked another counter-kill.
"?!"
The hooded man flicked his wrist, and a hidden blade draws out, going right for her neck.
Turning her body, she dodged the deadly blade, but the pressure from Kakeru's sword pushed her down to the ground.
Before she could even brought her sword up, a boot stomped down on her wrist, and the well-made claymore hung dangerously next to her neck.
"Dead."-Kakeru stepped off, shealthing his weapon.-"I won, so as it goes, you will listen to me."
Rosa got up.
"I got beaten fair and square. Where did you learned how to fight?"
Kakeru gestured to his hood.
"Ah...an Assassin."
"My name's Kakeru Shishi. Shiro and Misaki suggested speaking to you."
"They did?"-She groaned.-"And Kakeru? Where did I heard that?"
The young Assassin face-palmed.
"Anyway, I would like your help in something."
"We'll speak in my office later. I'm busy right now. And it seems it just got busier."
"...Very well."
After hearing Kakeru's story and theory, Rosa nodded lightly, her face rather grim, if it wasn't enough grim to start with.
"I see. So that explain how our intel got leaked, but some weren't mentioned."
"Then, do you have any suggestions?"
"Meet me in the courtyard tomorow morning. 7 o'clock. There's a gathered meeting of the generals and politics. As you are a valiant fighter, and have been bringing us resources, you should be allowed to attend. Then you can do your thing and investigate through interact with them."
"Understood."
"Good. I'll go through my stash of paper work and look for a leak."
"You would?"
"Boy, I'm a general. I must."-Then Rosa gestured him out as she reach for the pile of paperwork.
Nodding, Kakeru complied.
With nothing better to do, he checks in with Misaki and Shiro.
Knocking the office door, he was met with a huge pile of paper on the table.
"Kakeru! Welcome back! Did you meet Rosa-nee?"-Misaki lifted her head from the papers
"I did. Rather...edgy woman."-Did he say that right?
"She'll come around soon. Anyway."-Misaki handed him a few reports-"These are some of the more suspicious requests from people within the army. Missing person, couriers, reports on spies. We try to keep privacy, no need to search a person's bed to the wool."
"Thanks."-Kakeru studied the documents.-"This..."
"They are phrasing their sentences in the reports, easy to misunderstood for something harmless."
"A classic way to avoid detection."-Kakeru nodded.-"Do we know who sent them?"
"Of course, it's signed at the end."
"Cross-reference them. I'll go mingle with the soldiers and officers. Perhaps I may find something there."
"Good luck, and...becareful, Kakeru."-Misaki nodded slightly.
Jack sighed deeply as he stares into the distance.
The closest view point to the open wilderness outside.
After finishing up clearing the Templars from Esdeath's army, the loneliness and the feeling of being trapped return.
After all, this is a loose cage.
He have no way to contact his friends.
Above anything, an Assassin must be patient. Seize oppotunities, or create them. He had done what he could to creat an opportunity, but time work against him.
But worried for his friends, comrades, brothers and sisters, and above all Chelsea, he was getting impatient.
Everytime he did so, the lone Assassin can only correct himself and keep being patient.
"Keep yourself together. You'll end up saying stuffs you shouldn't."-Jack murmured to himself.
"I'm interested. Tell me."
"What do you want, Es?"-He groaned.
"I called quits on spending time with the soldiers today. So I can see you."-The Empire strongest general leaned on the balcony he's sitting on.
"Well, you saw me."
"Do you miss them?"
"..."
"I can make you forget all about them..."-She twirled a finger along his shoulder.-"Specially her."
Jack said nothing.
"You could just quit being an Assassin and come with me. The Creed, The Templars , The Revolutionary Army, even the Empire would be powerless to stop us."
"Watch out, Es. Some might condemn you for the last part."
"The Empire will serve it's part in indulging my desires until it dries up."
"I have no interest in letting you get high on screams and blood."
"Yes, but what could you do?"-Esdeath leaned on him-"The Revolution can end both ways, and I still get more. And you can't kill me. No one can."
"...Isn't that a bit overconfident?"
"I won't die until I have possessed you completely."
The Assassin responded in slight annoyance.
"That won't happen."
"If you think you can do the opposite, try."
"No. That's not it."
Esdeath looked at Jack.
His eyes were saying "You still don't get it."
It angered her.
The Ice Queen is getting impatient.
"Is it because you're taken? I can fix that."
"If that was a threat to her."-Jack turned to her, venom clear in his voice-"Then it would be a threat to me as well."
Esdeath shrugged.
"Half of me wants to break you, but half wants to keep you defiant like this. But for now, let's lighten the mood."
"..."
"That's right. I want something like...a memento. Something I can keep close to me. To remember you."
Jack overlooked the fact she had been using his Coat of Midnight as a blanket, doing god-knows-what with it.
"I never had a memento, and I have only made one, with no intention of making another."-Esdeath understood that means he gave it to his girlfriend.
It doesn't have to be something special.
Just something he gave her. For her to treasure.
"Why can't I even have something to remember you with? Do you really hate me that much?"
"We're enemies, afterall."
"It doesn't have to be that way!"
"Yes, it doesn't! But it's not going to start with me!"-Jack decided that it doesn't matter anymore-"Even if we go back to the island, and choose to live there together, how can I live, abandoning my friends for something like that? That's the difference between you and her!"
"...Edward..."
So it is true.
This is the Master Assassin of the Assassin's Creed, the one that battled her many times in multiple circumstances
"That's right. I am Edward. Are you happy with the confession?"
"..."-Esdeath lowered her cap, a bit pained, but then voiced-"Then, I have no other choice to arrest you for multiple crimes against the Empire. I will give you three days to accept a pardon, and will even go as far as wait for it until your very last momment as a target practice for my sword."
Jack straighthen up, and watch as she turned her heels and leave.
'She'll just assume I can't get away?'
"Double the watch! Tighten all security! Nobody slack off, we are expecting trouble!"-Her echoing voice answered his question.
Chelsea yawned.
She had been studying the book Lena lended her to buy time.
She didn't expect the girl would take so long to decipher it.
'I've gone through 7 lolipops by now...'
The amount of knowledge from the codex pages was quite huge!
Imagine the amount of coding methods the world has, then a simple page that can be deciphered in any which way to those codes, with the result being things range from histories, designs, journals, prophercies even songs and poetry! The second emperor was simply hax when it comes to this!
But, it was only half way done, since Lena had only been deciphering these with only a few coding methods, so the book will be having a second volume. Or a third.
Chelsea noticed Lena has copied the content of the codexs as a back up as well.
Guess she really want to preserve those knowledge.
"What did you find?"-Chelsea asked, closing the book.
"Uhm...I think...it's a weapon! A crossbow of somesort..."
"A crossbow?"-Isn't that really, already invented?
"Uhm...no! It's too small! But...the design...could it really..."
"Please."-Chelsea groaned-"Speak normally."
"...It's...it's like Edward's blade!"
"So it's a hidden blade now?"
"No...the given name is the Phantom Blade. Basically, it shoots the blade with incredible accuracy and speed. Not to mention stable."
"That's useful. Can you build it for me?"
"For you?"
Chelsea drew her hidden blade.
"It was Edward's gift. I figure you could tinker with it."
"Well...I...I would love to try my hand at creating it...but it is a gift from Edward to you...If..."
"Don't worry."-Chelsea smiled friendly, as she took off her hidden blade-"Just do your best."
"Thank you. I'll be cautious not to break it."-Lena excepted it-"It seems to use only a few parts, and I know a great smith who can make these in a few days. The rest could easily be made using clock gears. And oh! I deciphered some more stuffs: It also has locations to rare books, hidden around the city. The rough translation refered to an Eagle, and something about senses..."
'Jack's Eagle vision.'-Chelsea inwardly thought.-"I'll tell Edward. We'll come visit in a few days. Hopefully."
"Well, if you two are interested, please help the Church find these books the Second Emperor mentioned. It contains knowledge and translation we have lost for hundreds of years, and must have again. We would reward you properly for them, and Edward seems to be the reading type."
"He's...not really the reading type. Just a man with multiple talents and hobbies."-Chelsea grimly thought.
Lena was about to say something, but it died down after she realized Chelsea's not really over exagerating.
"Is..."
"?"
"Is Edward...an Assassin?"
"..."-Chelsea don't know how to respond.
"Is he from the Assassin's Creed?"
"Are you really expecting an answer?"
"...You're right. Their tennets clearly stated that you can't compromise the Brotherhood. It would be stupid to ask questions."
"Maybe one day, he'll reply that question."
Lena simply nodded, as she watches Chelsea leave.
"He hasn't show any changes in his routines, general. If anything, I'd say he's cool as a cucumber."
"Then something must be wrong...is there any odd stuffs happening around the city?"
"No, but scouting soldiers outside our walls are...hesitant."
"Hesitant? what's wrong with a little patrol?"
"Uhm...forgive me to say, but...I think it's superstition."
"What?"-Esdeath growled.
"There's rumors of curses and voodoo spreading among the soldiers. They all comeback with pale faces, like they saw ghosts or demons."
"..."
Could it be the Assassins?
She knows the danger beasts here and so are her soldiers. There's no way a beast could scare them off.
And the only way to answer it would be an Assassin.
Esdeath recalled how Jack was able to frighten her back when she was heading back to the Capital from the north.
That silent, terrifying voice of death.
If she is scared by a Master Assassin, what's to say her soldier isn't scared by a normal Assassin?
"For now, call Jack to my room. I'm going to try and convince him."-Esdeath ordered as she signed another document.
Jack is going to die, for real if he doesn't accept her pardon.
She can't give him another inch in this.
"You called for me?"-Jack entered through the foor, one of his hand leisurely rested on the pommel of his sword.
Where did he got it again?
"Yes. Tomorrow would be your execution day, so I'd like to hear your answer."
"..."
"The Assassins won't come for you Jack. Give it up."-Esdeath pretended to be leisure, and kept her head down on her pile of paperwork.
"Still. If this is my end, I'll accept it. Not for the Creed. But because there's nothing this rotten empire has to offer for me."
'Good, he seems to have lost faith in the Assassins.'-Esdeath suppressed her grin, and continued-"There's many things you could do Jack. You are a talented man, just what this rotten empire needs."
"Forgive me, but I don't have that talent you seek. My only talent is that of hurting."
"So as mine. Yet we're here, at the pinacle of mankind."
"..."
"And you're wrong about the empire has nothing to offer you."-Esdeath looked up to the ceiling and gathered her breath.-"It has me."
The Assassin did not respond.
"Well, if you refuse, then I'd still like to give my first to you. It's only fair."-Esdeath signed another document, stamping her seal on it..
She noticed how he tensed up a little.
"You would agree, right? A last experience before you die."
"...It would be an honor and a gift from heaven to any man."-He admitted.
However, he didn't say yes.
But to Esdeath, that mattered little.
She stood up from her chair and head for the bed.
"Come here."-The Empire's strongest general said softly, with the Assassin nodding and stepping forward.
Stopping before her, Jack right hand retracted slightly.
Esdeath grinned, and grabbed that right hand.
"You are too tense...that hand..."
If he retracted it another milimiter, the hook blade would lash out.
But Esdeath helped anyway. She pulled his hand back, letting the blade slide out, just a few inch from her face.
She studied the blade by running her finger along the blade, then to the hook.
It was quite seductive, if not very...arousing.
Then, she lightly bended it, her thumb caressing the eagle head-designed hook.
"A well made blade..."-Esdeath noticed a drop of her own blood coming out of her thumb.-"Very sharp too."
Jack's eye twitched as he saw her erotically open her mouth and let that drop of blood fall right into her waiting tounge.
"Like I said, you can take the pardon at the last second. No one would call it cowardice. Everyone desire to live...it's only that they aren't allowed. Those choose to die by their own free-will are just..."-Esdeath guided Jack's hand so that the hook grabbed on her uniform, pulling it down.
The arousing sound of her uniform's button cut away from the sharp hook sends thrills down both their spines.
However.
Jack lightly pushed Esdeath down.
The Empire's strongest blushed, but did not respond.
The hookblade held her suspended slightly.
"Gotcha."
"?!"
Esdeath raised her hand, only to find she couldn't.
'Poison?!'
When did she...
"!"
She let the blade sliced her finger.
It wasn't enough...
But then she drank a drop of her blood.
Mixed with it.
"Did you know that a Templar tried to poison me today?"
Esdeath recalled.
Besides the taste of iron, it also had the taste of...rum?
"It was paralyzing poison. Tough stuff too."
An Assassin create his own opportunities, or seize given opportunities.
"Thanks, Es. you have done alot for me. More than a simple thank you would do. This would be the last time I use you. The next time, we will face as enemies. Forgive me."
"...J...Ja...ack..."
"You really were the first girl I ever loved. I won't deny it now. You could hate me, feel betrayed, everything is your right. But...don't hate her. It wasn't her fault."
"Goodbye."-Jack releashed the hook's grip, and Esdeath feel into the bed, losing sight of him.
She can only see his shadow as he leapt outside.