Akame ga Kiru

The Imperial Saber

Chapter Fifty-One

The sun slowly began to arise over a horizon drenched in deary gray cloud cover as moist breezes brought about an obvious warning. Sporadic droplets were starting to fall lightly and only would increase in volume sooner then later. Tatsumi merely eyed this natural cycle of evening and day shifting indifferently despite adjusting his beret to ward off droplets. By this time tomorrow everything will either change, or falls into ruin. It's a good thing I got some sleep after all, I think it is rather appropriate considering the circumstances.

Today marked a day of mourning for those who'd lay their respects and allow themselves a moment of earnest sorrow. Adjusting his uniform crisply to keep it as presentable as possible because formality mattered when burying a friend. It'd be soon for Bols to be laid to rest, an early affair to say the least but to the young colonel, it personally gave him solace knowing that the sun would offer warmth to cold hurting hearts. More so he wasn't going to be alone attending such an event. Turning slightly Tatsumi waited patiently in seeing Wave and Seryu adjusting themselves underneath a doorway inside a provided building where they'd been spending a night. All three needed to be well rested for today and no exceptions were made for them to ignore such requests.

"You two ready for this?" He questioned briefly making both of his fellow Jaegers mutely nod together, "I know it hurts, trust me I know. But remember at least we'll have our chance to say goodbyes without regrets...right?" His voice remained remarkably level either to be apathetic familiarity, or perhaps of a jaded indifference. It made him internally wince due to how crass it really seemed, "We have time to grieve in peace, so I'm asking we all don't hold back and let it all out. Like it, or not we're all human and it's okay."

Between all three who wore formal dress uniforms, or suits as in Seryu's case they looked prepared externally. Wave pulled his collar joking halfheartedly, "Man! I can't believe this thing still fits me,I swear it fit me better last time so I think washing it made it shrink." The young man shifted his teigu's bladed form to have it properly sheathed away, a habit to mask anxiety given they'd been invited to attend. All three had small pieces of parchment instructing them to arrive at a private burial cemetery for soldiers losing their lives in service to the Empire. It wasn't the most extravagant of memorials yet it symbolized a place to remember.

"Maybe you should stop eating so much." Comfortingly holding his blade's grip Tatsumi had hinted with a thin smile by gesturing to the elder Jaeger's gut, "You are looking rather plump since your date last night, Wave." An almost genuine look of annoyance crossed said person's face as he lightly punched the younger colonel's shoulder, "Thanks a lot asshole!" Both young men smiled either way before looking towards their lone female companion who'd bent down patting Koro's scalp with a fond, if not tired expression.

Seryu had lead more than several dozen raids over a course of an entire night rather determinedly before being forced to rest. Tatsumi eyed the young woman who looked up joining them, "Sorry guys, I just got lost in thought." She cleared her throat once a canine teigu followed ever so obediently, "I...I was thinking what I'm going to say to him, or...his family." Among those present only the younger colonel felt a terse sense of exhaustion mainly for knowing it wasn't her fault. He'd been the one in command, he'd been responsible for all their lives and trying to save his own ended with one of theirs snuffed out.

Faintly a bitter smile appeared once he reached outwards to firmly grasp the young woman's shoulder, "That's my responsibility Seryu." She winced at first before placing her own hand over his, "It still doesn't mean I couldn't have done something more." Neither Jaeger denied that doubt on their parts yet Wave stepped forward bringing them together. It was an act of solidarity despite the fresh memory of how they all acted in that battle.

"Think I don't know what to say either?" He asked the shorter girl a bit rhetorically, "Tatsumi's right. Seryu!" It wasn't just a nagging guilt they all felt equally so, Tatsumi had been the one leading them and regardless of their shame in not being able to fight at their fullest. He understood why the young colonel shouldered leadership knowing someone had to bare the weight of all its outcomes. Success, failure or catastrophe all lead to responsibility and it was only fair to say someone had to give out orders in battle. But it didn't mean they were immune to feeling that loss as well.

The sailor allowed himself to shed a few tears prematurely, "Let him console and answer for us. We have our say, we'll say our part and yet none of us won't lie to say it...hurts." He padded his own chest before grasping Seryu's forearm firmly, "I'm probably the last person here to say I'm used to losing friends in a war. But it doesn't mean I'm not going to wallow in guilt because we made mistakes, right? You and I both want to never make this one ever again, so we'll shoulder Tatsumi's weight if only to make this right."

Both young men seemingly awaited their lone compatriot who looked at them in disbelieving wonder and confusion. Sniffing loudly she bowed her head feeling water running hotly down each cheek as her voice cracked, "We...promised!" Koro whined lowly trying to soothe his owner's attention. But she looked up in sheer grief did a young man who lead them into that valley remain bitterly smiling saying gently, "No. No we didn't, Seryu." An expression familiar both in understanding and utter contempt reigned in grief.

He cupped her face allowing a tearful expression lean into his touch as a sign of comfort, "I'm the one who promised you all." Every word he meant absolutely and there wasn't any will to question him on that fact. I kept a promise I should have never made! I should have never believed just having a teigu can prevent good men from dying. But like everything else in this world I experienced it always ends up terribly clear and unforgiving. Perhaps dealing with all this weight inside and feeling nothing is what I'm good at doing.

As always it ended up on his head alone to deal with it again. As a man who witnessed atrocities both intentional and unintentionally done to see his fractured reflection. Every day in the mirror to see him unrecognizable yet having that unyielding drive to do right for so many wrongs. Taking a friend's family who'd blame him, curse him or maybe demand answers as to why it couldn't be stopped. It wasn't the first time he'd been confronted with death when giving orders, a soldier knew they'd always come close to that line everyday. Tatsumi inhaled heavily before stepping away to look upwards to see dreary overcast skies.

Rain lightly poured downward at a constant pace indicating it'd refuse to leave. Adjusting his beret to have it rigidly adhere to Imperial military standard while glaring upwards, "This is our only time to make our peace and say goodbye. We don't get many days just for that and I say it's okay to let everything out." A smile painful grew wide yet his eyes refused to shed more tears mainly he'd grown too numb to embrace it. I was never the best one to find comfort to those who were dead, but today I intend to at least bury something so you'd remember me Bols. I never forget the good men who are buried first.

Stepping away from his fellow Jaegers did both hands fall into his uniformed jacket's pockets. Only one was empty as another held a weighted piece intended for the funeral's offering. Traditionally his original home of a village hidden in between valley, snow and forest were far more symbolic in burning their dead. They never buried their dead in fear of them unable to pass onward as opposed to more conventional means of burial. Yet despite these smaller schisms of conflicting belief did Tatsumi adhere to an old tradition in offering a piece of one's precious property. It was an old elder who once spoke of such practices as words echoed inside his ears from the days of distant past, an innocent wide eyed child back then.

'Those who are burned to ash release their souls, for they fly seeking guidance to join the heavens to which you who were your people must be guided by your spirit to signify they are never alone in life, or even death itself.' The wooden idol which had been housed among his few personal belongings since his initial journey in becoming a soldier met his gaze. A tired gaze staring longingly to see how something so mundane was too dear to remind him of a kinder past, a brighter day back then to look forward to the future and it ironically stung him. Good men deserved their best futures yet they always paid the price on a road to attain it.

An old prayer whisked by his lips,"For those even in death, we among who live won't leave you to be alone." The colonel murmured lowly to stare upwards in dreary skies which seemingly mocked him. Placing a small hand craved idol into its respective place he folded his jacket's neck flaps to deflect droplets. Only his upper facial cheeks were exposed yet most features were adequately protected to keep him dry at least. Looking over to his fellow Jaegers they undid firm yet circular umbrellas of darkened cloth.

We're all set to depart, so why am I so numb still? Stepping forward into the rain both of his friends followed suite once they set out. Although Seryu who had Koro on a shoulder moved next to him keeping them both dry as an umbrella did its purpose. Nodding politely in thanks Tatsumi remained silent to sink into his thoughts. A singular question arose from the depths of imagination and it couldn't be envisioned.

What would he say to another family of a good man who fell underneath his command again? The answer escaped him as it'd done main times before due to every circumstance being unique to describe who'd fallen. To say it'd be familiar was indeed true, if not morbid to know a fact he'd grown numb to feeling overwhelming emotion to say about each fallen man, or woman in his campaigns across the Empire's lands. Apart of him cynically knew every time a friend died words repeated themselves, they repeated so frequently and hardly ever changed to stem aside a numb apathetic sense which he'd nurtured privately.

Leading men to their deaths, or his own was expected as per becoming an officer of the Empire's military. Growing attached to those who'd grown, developed and ultimately became close friends were always at risk of being severed through battlefields. Ironically friendship caused more harm than good when those who were close either died in battle, or in the arms of those they considered brother, sister and friend. Tatsumi wanted to laugh mainly out of sheer spite because he'd broken a rule in dealing with what was an inevitable course of fate. Comrades died, men perished and those left behind become veterans who can't accept to allow another to take the place of friends in fear of becoming even more pained.

It never changes even if Bols was my friend for I can't muster enough disgust at myself. His smile widened ever so bemused knowing he'd grown tired of disgusting himself. He had tired of pretending to think saying kind words would make things better, to have changed a single thing yet every face of devastated loved ones seemingly appeared. No one else has the will, or heart to comfort those who've lost loved ones and somehow I still manage to do it well. This irony isn't lost on me, or I'd have broken down far sooner.

Bypassing closed vendors of shops as few citizens of the city fled from their sight. All three weren't blind to what their very appearance meant to those who either sought desperate means of wealth, or were terrified in attracting violence. Word had spread all throughout a massive city, an entire populace knew of what weight of coin and sheer confusion as to defend, or collect on means were far too distinct to say otherwise. Tatsumi only had to look up to see shutters of windows once partially opened for breezes to slam close in quickened succession. More so few people the three encountered dared not to make eye contact.

Last night's battle has solidified belief that we aren't going to remain passive. News from various sources reached himself, Roy and those sorting through information for credible intelligence all came to a collective fact. Their country's crowned jewel as a hub of wealth, power, culture and might was ready to implode. Too many people were either startled, anxious or desperate to clash with the very last chance they had of their nation's best.

Rumors of attempting to kill legionaries of his legion were met with massive infliction of those considering it, or defending them from their very own neighbors. The people were divided so strongly due to the Imperial Sabers who patrolled as many street as possible, going out of their way in defending innocents caught in crossfires and intentionally kept order in a time of great distress. Traitors were exposed due to their raids, so many monsters who kept them fearful were exposed extremely to be clasped in irons and arrested.

Just as clearly shown of supposed revolutionaries who'd clearly been revealed to throw bystanders into his soldier's weaponry. Rumors kept on appearing as people talked publicly, privately and even word of outrage had drifted into their sight. Seeing such polarizing events only lead to a complete breakdown of what was possible. They're not stupid, I know if these people who toyed with their lives can be touched and brought down? How many others living here will get an idea I'm not going to allow this kind of hell to exist.

Pieces were moving into place as planned preparation would need to garner an outcome considered absolutely impossible. Tomorrow was the day everything had to change, or rather he knew it was all in to achieve it. Nothing would ever come again as his mind envisioned what had to be done in one day as opposed to never even being attempted in almost possibly centuries since the Empire had come into existence. It is odd, I can't help but feel sick to my stomach because I'm actually...excited as opposed to what I should be focusing on. But I can't because if what I seek can even dare to daringly hope then Bols's death, his sacrifice and men who are the best of us to buried becomes something no one will never see again.

Blinking owlishly did the young colonel almost stop mid step before catching himself. What kind of madness am I speaking? He questioned mainly out of insane desperation knowingly seeing the trap of what had chained him blindly. Men will always die regardless of being good, a strong one regardless as Bols will still die yet what arrogance am I say it'll never happen again? It'll always happen, so why believe that I can achieve that? It's fair to say good men won't have to buried, as often if I get what I seek to inflame so it's still an impossibility regardless.

Unable to cease these thoughts his face turned inexplicably stoic as he stared ahead absently. The goal after all this preparation hadn't changed, or even had a chance to come to fruition. This is just the first step to get to what I want, so it boils down to inflicting the most extreme measures to entice and terrorize what's at stake. Power is both a method, a means to end but it's not the mark yet they're both twisted together to solidify itself. My goal isn't so complex after all, for what I need is what makes all impossibilities is...power.

Tatsumi lowered his head due to a strong breeze sweeping past as it dawned upon him what was needed most. Involuntarily an ever spiking pain constantly surged as his eyes eyed Strafe's impaled form and an ever struggling need arose hungrily. Power is absolute. His arm burned as a teigu seemingly arose to answer an spoken need, an said desire and it ironically was a means of salvation. For power alone is absolutely sure to make a choice meaningful, it is needed to achieve anything and it solely decides what can be done.

Despite seeing an answer to achieve a means to an end it still required the simple question. Where can I get enough power? Eyeing Strafe critically only lasted scant moment since he knew that wasn't where power couldn't be attained. He knew nothing about the weapon which couldn't reveal secrets of its own limits due to it being unknown, it was too vague and vastly beyond what he knew as any semblance of understanding. Strength alone had a price, a price to be paid and yet the truth laid beyond him to garner any sort of certainty.

Glancing over to see Seryu, Koro and Wave all silently following were hardly answers given all their motives. Losing friends isn't a means to gaining power either, I know it drives us and fuels us yet it's not enough. Losing people wasn't a means to an end in order to become powerful, Tatsumi understood it shaped men and often destroyed those seeking power itself. Loss, pain and despair were only a bulwark before madness ended the will to live. He knew this because the weight had become too much for sheer strength to overcome.

Strength of will wasn't complete without power to compensate his ambition alone anymore. It had faded away year by year, month after month and now finally day by day. There wasn't ever a question I hadn't gone mad, I'd been broken for so long that I blindly believed I could be put back together again. I refused to see it, I refused because what's there to see in a reflection of a man who cannot recognize himself anymore? Broken literally into pieces throughout everything he'd done, it wasn't just accepted because he'd simply been shouldering it all on strength of his will unto it became a physical toll festering inside.

Seryu nudged him gently as they passed underneath an overarching building to momentarily give them respite from rain. He ignored them to blankly note they were making considerable time journeying to the graveyard in which those were granted to rest. It'd been initially designed for heroes of those who'd been born within the city. An end for those who'd believed they were mere subjects yet it hardly stood up to the icons of their Empire's history. It was merely a small enclave of good men and women who deserved recognition, if only for those from their stock had seen too their memory. Bols had earned it through service alone to his position, if not loyally to say the least.

Becoming powerful doesn't mean good men will die. He knew that internally despite seeking a naive desire to say it'd never happen under his watch. Tatsumi snorted quietly finding such power would be on par with gods, or the heavens themselves to think that was possible. Factually he knew why it was necessary now, for strength alone wasn't power and through power alone gave strength meaning. But without one, or another it was useless entirely. Becoming powerful just means good men die less, so I'll take that over as its what's become of us now.

There seemed to be a surreal sense of acceptance as he found himself feeling less weight. Bols had died yet in the large picture of what was coming, it didn't change anything and everything continued as if nothing had happened. Only his family would feel his death as reality shattering, only a man's own decision and those he'd fought to see for his own happiness had been wasted on another battlefield in some distant place. I wasted your life the moment you and those underneath me were encountering Night-Raid, but you chose to die. You wanted all of us to return home alive, I should known better but none of us were powerful enough to defy fate as it seems.

"Tatsumi?" Seryu asked quietly making him shift his gaze over to her, "Does it ever get easier?" The girl's eyes were hurting internally as they walked down another street. Various people which had been loitering about scampered away in haste. It seemed they'd have no interruptions on their journey yet it'd become unsettling to see people not daring to been seen near them. So many were either afraid of their own, or feared to become targets themselves.

Eventually the young man smiled sardonically replying truthfully, "Yes and no." There wasn't a need to mince his words as he elaborated, "Leading soldiers into battle is only a precursor to losing friends, or those underneath you. At first it was beyond maddening when I asked myself, 'Did I do enough when I overlooked those dying in our triage tents or, did I say wasn't it enough?'" It wasn't too difficult to recount portions of days when he overlooked burials amounting to hundreds, witnessing so many numbing tearful goodbyes and personally writing deceased letters to loved ones of said soldiers. Those were days which haunted him out of sheer frustration.

Inevitably he only scoffed cynically looking to the gray skies, "But friends, or not die because you can't control who gets cut down or hit by an arrow. I got used to accepting I couldn't stop my friends, or those who I cared about getting killed on the battlefield yet perhaps there's something even far worse in what you're asking me." That ever growing sensation of numbness returned to simply push aside a need of anger, an ever looming hurt and it had been placed aside. Nothing mattered accept for what he wanted to accomplish on the morrow of a sun's descent.

"I've really become indifferent to it all." He raised a hand to dismissively swat something aside as though an insect were buzzing around, "As long as nothing changes then men like Bols and their families will be inconsequential. They won't matter to anyone but a few, a few who can't change and to the many who simply get on with their lives. So don't mistake I can't feel for our friend, Seryu. It's just I've grown too used to losing friends."

He only smiled indifferently to further add how jaded in time a person could grow and there wasn't a need to lie about it either. There was no need to lie about prices if she wished to know he'd dealt with so much loss. I wish I could say this so much more kinder, I wish I could. But there's nothing good in knowing you've lost yourself to a reflection of broken images, so maybe this is your saving grace Seryu. I can only hope you know what I learned in my time alone, you won't be so please avoid it, I ask now if you can.

Her voice dipped while trying to muster some sort of hope, "Is what why you act so distant?" Tatsumi smiled only out of sheer familiarity in walking along a route to bury the dead, "Distant? Not at all." Too many men underneath him were buried for doing their duty as did Bols. Only a great few were ones who shouldn't have been yet those more deserving walked freely. Idly looking to the various buildings where shutters of windows slammed frequently he softly admitted, "If I were distant I'd be shedding tears telling a lie you that something like Bols dying won't happen ever again. People who say that are simply insane, if I had to guess."

The two walked in silence for several moments until Wave spoke up from their furthest side. He'd been listening respectfully if not earnestly taking in the words being said. The former sailor commented rather bitterly, "You sound like my old man on his worse off days, Tatsumi." That cracked a cracked from said person as he listened attentively, "Whenever men disappeared into the oceans he'd rail against the heavens for saying how could mere men can't stand against a greater force. He'd go on about how no matter how experienced a captain of any vessel obtained, it'd just make less people drown whenever storms arose on their journey."

Droplets pelted their umbrella coverings as rain lightly picked up during their journey. Soon fewer and fewer citizens along their path ceased to attempt opening vendors, or shops that weren't secured by an enclosed roof. Wind occasionally blew past them in an attempt to lessen the smell of hew and dampened wood yet failed. But it hardly mattered to the three keeping pace towards their destination. Frequently trails of water cascading off rooftops splattered relentlessly in between alleyways and lead into a constant sound of dull roaring.

"He's not wrong!" Wave stated simply trying to avoid bitter memories of arguing otherwise, "Doesn't matter how strong a captain of his vessel is, or how smart he's capable in avoiding treacherous patches of sea. If the ocean brews a storm it'll claim anyone, or everyone." Neither Jaeger refuted such plain acceptance given how Tatsumi himself merely hummed in agreement. Despite being a force of nature itself, a point remained complacent when it came down to human limits and that was something a teigu user held loosely.

Regardless the young man did offer an honest opinion, "It's the same thing in my eyes, Seryu. No matter how hard you try to prepare, or how long you've done leading battles you'll get people who go down outside of your control." Glancing downward he further added more to not just criticize their own superior of the Jaegers but outright sounded pained, "But that's only if someone who leads does all in their power to minimize the risks and done their best. Obviously this isn't a case where I can accept a loss of a friend, so normally I wouldn't feel angered yet here we are burying another good man needlessly."

Seryu became conflicted when it came to the person he'd referred as she asked, "Does the captain not care for us? Is she heartless?" Even Wave looked over tense to see Tatsumi's green eyes flicker upwards trying to find an answer, "She and I have our differences when it comes to caring for people underneath our command of responsibility. I'm not going to say because Esdeath is a unique person, I do mean that inside my heart and regardless of what I think? I know for a fact she does feel something because if she didn't care?"

He turned to them smiling sadly finding their expressions turn modestly shocked, "She'd never have paid for all finances concerning Bols's burial." Taking it a step further he did reveal to them somewhat interested, "And I'm looking forward to what she says about what happened. I'm selfish enough to use our friend's family as a means to break through my fiancee since I couldn't do it, so if this doesn't get a result then I'm afraid nothing else will get it done. If needless lose doesn't get a message through then we as Jaegers will be worthless."

They both looked at him as if seeing a new light among the darkened landscape. He placidly smiled to ease their questions aside, "I'm tired of seeing my friends die, so I do feel pain and grief because he's no longer with us. But it doesn't mean I can't try to get through to Esdeath to at least plan and prepare us fully to avoid the dangers of death...to show she does care for us." This time a tear did slip through the facade of remaining stoic. If not did it fall selfishly yet more so selflessness in revealing a person desire to come out of this tragedy.

"You really think that's possible?" Wave ventured to ask quietly as his hands were in both pockets hiding clenched fists, "She threw us into a battlefield without any sort of plan in place. No offense, I only think we survived because of what you did, Tatsumi." Neither Jaeger standing to his side couldn't refute one man of his caliber taking on an entire group of teigu users. If they'd been aiming to kill he'd have been dead several times over, a fact which gave them an ample opportunity to flee and now that chance was indefinitely gone.

Their gratitude only did them so much as the young colonel seemingly took it in stride. It was old news now that things were progressing yet he shrugged, "Anyone changes with time, Wave." Even his fiancee changed enough from being a child based on what he knew, "Esdeath isn't an exception save for a fact she's extremely strong willed and very, very stubborn." He placed enough humor to make the two chuckle to themselves knowing it wasn't possible to classify their Jaeger superior's mentality. They appreciated the fact Tatsumi at least tried to make it seem reasonable given her reputation and what they'd experienced to think he'd been crazy otherwise.

"You think even the captain can change?" Seryu's gaze turned to the ground as something seemingly impossible formed itself into doubt, "Even I think anyone whose alone and by themselves can eventually be overcome by an enemy. I used to believe with Koro and anyone who fights for justice can't be beaten...but I learned. I just don't want her to end up like Bols, Tatsumi!" She looked back to them revealing another deeper fear in which stemmed from losing people she'd come to care, or nurture more so in times of need.

Esdeath dying, I bet she'd freeze hell over before it knew what was within it! He thought rather bemused wasn't exactly impossible even if an enemy couldn't do so. But she was mortal just like them and eventually old age would do a natural part of allowing life to flourish. She won't go down quietly Seryu, if anyone has a chance I'd be beyond amazed to know someone like that can exist. But you're not wrong since even powerful people need others to support them, or have those behind to band together to take them down.

Looking to the skies to feel rain wash over his face he eventually grinned, "Esdeath won't die that easily, Seryu." He chuckled mainly out of humoring such a day because it wouldn't anytime soon in their eyes, "There's more of an actual gods damned hope to see her change as a person than that happening." All of them began laughing finding that to be true considering what she'd done both as a person and general of an army. It was possible yet very unlikely anyone would be able to bring her down face to face.

They all felt a weight gradually easing of their shoulders as they laughed among light rain. Time seemingly became an idle thought as it'd done to pass itself pleasantly. They weren't too far from where the scheduled ceremony would take, so they'd possibly be there early. It was in this brief silence they found themselves wishing, or remembering the good their late friend had done. And they cherished each moment knowing they'd never have a day to do so.

"You know I'm going to miss how Bols cooked, I really am." Wave commented suddenly making both legionary officers raise an eyebrow, "He knew how to use butter and garlic for those clams! I swear that man should have been a top tier chef, I'd have paid top coin for eating underneath a place he'd have opened up." Nodding to himself he looked towards his friends who were smiling knowingly. He wasn't wrong to say their friend knew how to make a kitchen seem magical as even Esdeath lightly praised Bols's culinary finding little fault in the cuisine.

"I actually lent a hand on that day." Tatsumi revealed to them both while shaking his head quietly chortling, "He and I had a talk earlier. Out of kindness he asked me to help prepare that large meal and turns out, I can't even hold a candle to that man." The man had an almost unnatural grace to make complex preparation of food into casual, or simple means beyond imagining. Some of those tools in a kitchen weren't even close to the meager attempts he'd considered decent, "Never knew ingredients like spice, or sweet herbs were meant to be cut in amounts so small yet the taste couldn't be denied when we dug in later."

Seryu giggled suddenly remembering something entertaining, "You also had flour inside your hair and had dirtied cheeks. I'd just sat down and you looked drained, but Bols had nothing except a flawless appearance even while wearing an apron!" The young man raised a hand not going to deny what was probably the most irritating fun he'd done in months. It was stressful to know he was out of his field and yet it was also humbling to see a person easily work with someone who next to nothing about food preparation.

"Don't get me started when we saw his wife and kid for the first!" Wave spoke up just as eagerly and suddenly finding warmth in remembering their friend, "Our jaws dropped! She looked so nice, so normal and I couldn't believe him of all people...was married!" Just on some random day the girl and woman appeared asking for Bols by name to get him floored, "Wait! How come you weren't surprised to see them, Tatsumi?"

The said person replied ever so amused, "Because he told me on that night when I helped him cook." Wave snorted feeling comically betrayed as Seryu bit her tongue trying to snicker at the two's behavior, "The man loved his family! He loved his friends, to give a happiness to those seeking it and that's something that can't be learned." Tatsumi noted warmly trying to find solace in a fact that Bols hadn't ever given up on a chance for happiness and it was commendable to the fullest extent. Hell he'd dare to say it wasn't something less except be humbled it'd be possible for anyone.

"We could always try." Seryu said more to herself quietly as her gaze lingered on the young colonel who was lost in thought. What do you mean when you said, 'Not with him', Roy? There's no else that hasn't changed then Tatsumi despite what's been thrown at us, so how can you tell me I can't try to...to hope for more? Just by staring at the young man's face she could feel a growing sensation inside her heart. It was akin a sensation unable to be quenched by cool winds, or rain itself yet seemed to grow warmer.

Why does it hurt? She asked herself mainly out of self understanding to peer upwards to follow those green eyes. Am I afraid to see both you and the captain die? Am I that uncertain of your strength to question your ability to fight? These questions weren't just simply thought of a fact but to conceal an ever growing confusion underneath it. It wasn't just doubt for it'd been easy to acceptance yet for Seryu it was something more.

"How many people have you buried as an officer, Tatsumi?" Wave finally inquired lowly seeking advice to try to put up a comforting front for the family, "Have any advice how to make things nicer?" His expression was simply straight as one youth looked to a far more experienced man who knew how to deal with loss. This was an extension of help that desperately needed consoling as a friend replied ever so truthfully. It became clear to understand it wasn't easy to part ways with how to deal with friends leaving life itself.

The young colonel admitted quite frankly, "Too many, Wave." He only took a brief moment before exhaling sharply, "Just let them cry on your shoulder, if they do so. Do what you can and only hold their loved ones in a show of comfort, if that helps them and say what has to be said." Green eyes looked distant when staring ahead as he ended it with a mere resigned expression, "But most of all tell them the truth about how they died. It helps both parties to get over their guilt, doubt and it shows you cared just as much as you did with them for that person."

Those very words were beyond logical and comforting as opposed to heartlessly ignoring a pain inside his heart. Wave nodded thankfully finding strength where their originator numbly accepted another responsibility without asking, "You didn't do anything less Wave, please remember that." It never changed except for those asking and those answering about how to deal with a friend dying. It always remained the same as a pair of green emerald eyes blinked away hundreds, if not thousands of tearful faces embedded in his nightmares.

How cold I've become whereas I should be enraged! These were false words because his rage had simply needed something more extreme to ignite it. Dead man only could do so much for the living and yet it was callous to say so. I should feel a need to kill them back and fight for one family's justice of their father dying. But I've seen so many I cannot know whether I'm accustomed to pretending I feel loss, or have simply gone beyond to accepted it! Strength is relative when a mind can only handle so much and cracks, right?

Almost everything he'd been preparing as both soldier and man who saw their chance to do something unseen. Everything which took years of constant struggle, doubt and absolute horrors had finally given him an earnest, if not hell enticed chance to stop this madness. It could easily have failed for all knew but what was left as an alternative? To watch their nation die, to be at the mercy and hands of those who were selling themselves as a righteous band of saviors? Saviors who used their own enemy's money, foreign aid and outsiders to naively believe they'd allow their people to survive once the Empire's greatest fell?

I'm done pretending, I'm done thinking if things remain they'll just naturally align to stop this insanity! His entire expression hardened angrily due to finally feeling that rage within mind and body to surge forth. No amount of friends, or close people dying in front of his very eyes couldn't ignite this feeling anymore. It'd long since burnt out that hope yet it seemed now acting had given it a new chance. I'm sick of pretending everything will be okay and that everything can just go back to normal. It's now, or never!

They rounded a corner to seen an entire street vacant of both local and vendors alike. Beyond they could see horses arranged in a small group, "They're preparing for their route to bury Bols." Tatsumi stated factually knowing they'd have to walk a fair distance as a means to an end, "Looks like we're early after all." It was at least a small blessing given the circumstances. If they were among the first to arrive he'd have time to prepare ever so favorably.

"Seems kind of lack luster given Bols was one of us." Wave commented mainly out of curiosity to see only two horses pulling a casket enclosed and noticing several people wearing black robes. As they ventured closer it was clear shovels were stashed alongside the casket as a means of burial, "It just seems like he deserved so much more, I know he wasn't exactly wealthy either." It was true on both accounts of their late friend but fortunately it wasn't going to matter. Even in life those who were friends never abandoned those in need.

Smiling briefly Tatsumi only hinted warmly making both of his friends questionably glance over, "Don't even worry about that." Both hands were still in his uniform jacket's pockets perfectly warm and dry while the rain fell steadily. Seryu and Wave looked to one another noticing Tatsumi's strides rapidly took himself away from them. But regardless they quickly caught up to their superior who still had a small smile in place. Whatever had been planned would be certainly worth remembering for those to witness it.

"What you'd do now?" Wave spoke up interested as Tatsumi merely looked over a shoulder smirking confidently at an elder youth, "I'd ruin the surprise if I told you." He got an irritated expression in return yet there wasn't any malice projected. It seemed their friend wanted to earnestly see for himself what he had planned. They were invested enough to wonder what possibly could the young colonel do now! Although neither of them noticed a single detail that ignited an ever growing impatience within their superior's heart.

Two green emerald eyes sharply glanced as he bypassed an alley way where figures of people slithered out of sight. Of course Bols's death would be spoken about since every Jaeger would attend and most would be curious. His blade idly remained in its respective sheath just underneath a jacket's sleeve ready to utilized. It was incredibly doubtful someone, or anyone would be suicidal to attempt an attack with Esdeath and himself in close proximity. Most likely those who were eyeing any opportunity would keep tabs on them.

Although that does bring an inevitable point, Bols's family and their safety. Once the day of mourning would be over he'd have to do more than just offer condolences. They'd be used as means to an end for those hunting his life and blood. It wouldn't even be revolutionaries who'd try to plot a scheme, or even those underneath Honest to get rid of him somehow. But it'd be tens of thousands of desperate city dwellers who'd do anything to acquire gold to either escape, live or even try to improve their daily condition.

The smile grew wider out of sheer anticipation for wishing someone would be idiotic enough to tempt his wrath. Eyeing every alleyway that got closer and closer to those preparing Bols's body for its journey yielded similar sensations of being observed. If anyone dares try an attempt on these people's lives, or someone whose watching them gets an idea I'll do far worse to have them think going to hell will be kinder. It'd be highly doubtful anything would be attempt today yet he kept that vow internally as to never lose it's potency of commitment. Bols was owed that much when he'd given up his life to save his and he'd return that debt of gratitude to his loved ones.

He never once broke stride on approach to a pair of men dressed in simple black clothing and overcoats overseeing a casket. They were hired hands meant to fill in a grave after the family would pay their respects after any sort of ceremony. But fortunately for them they weren't just going to have another day on a job based on their expressions growing wide in recognition. They knew the Jaegers had lost a member yet they weren't prepared to meet them when family members were only told to be in attendance. So they were indeed considerably shocked to know their day was only going to be even more interesting.

"I trust you two gentleman know who I am, right?" That question unarguably rhetorical allowed a placid smile to remain as they lowered their heads, "Yes sir...I mean, uh Colonel Saber!" Obviously intimidated he managed to thinly stop them from overthinking their actions, "Then I'm politely asking you two to simply wait until everyone arrives and I hope you don't mind if there's a slight delay before we begin." Two pairs of eyes only widened when another smile kindly reassured them as rain eased itself briefly as time would pass before another good man would be laid to rest. They'd only come to remember what would happen next.


Esdeath remained uncharacteristically silent during her journey as rain harmlessly pelted off an umbrella overhead. It'd been an usually surreal day ever since returning from speaking with her dead subordinate's family. Or rather it'd been surreal to see a little girl asking her over and over how her father died. Died underneath the most powerful general of their country, to tearfully ask why he'd died while underneath Tatsumi who'd been described near heroic worship alone. Which was the root of her issues entirely now that it was clear.

Perhaps I should have reconsidered informing the girl and wife because I cannot stop wondering why! Why is this so bothersome! There was an oddity in having a small weakling of a child crying in her arms and trying to say suitable words of comfort. Were children always so fragile? Even when I was raised by mother...no, stop thinking about that wretched weak thing! Stop thinking about those weaklings, you know they were devoured and eaten by the strong back then!

Futilely she resisted thinking back to those still images of her father, mother and tribesmen all seemingly frozen in death. The very same images of those expressions were seen in the eyes of her subordinate's wife and offspring, "Why am I humoring your challenge, Tatsumi?" She whispered underneath her breath trying to avoid lashing out of sheer frustration. She'd taken upon herself to indeed confront Bols's family only to come back from that encounter even more disdainful and confused as ever.

She felt phantom sensations uneasily quelling inside her abdomen when recalling her dead subordinate's child. A little weakling of an offspring begging to bring back her daddy, her father and she'd been genuinely put off in dealing with such situations. 'You're the strongest ever, my daddy was with the great hero Saber! He was strong too and he promised mommy and me, so why is he dead! Bring him back please, please bring him back, I miss him!'

The familiar urge to sneer disgustingly came almost naturally yet an unspoken challenge refused to be lost. Blood surged inside her chest threatening to expel an icy lash of impatience, "Tatsumi you're my problem and I shouldn't be humoring another weakling's existence." She growled tightly underneath her breath walking sternly closer in crushing granite and anything less capable in dealing with powerful forces. So why in all of her being did she resist lashing out to destroy a building to vent out this eerily cringing feeling?

Fortunately Bols's child was left alone by her subordinate's newly minted widow in sending her off to bed. 'Forgive my daughter, General. We're both shocked and hurt by this news, I know you did your best to safeguard my husband and as such we'll...take time to prepare his burial.' Why did that just increase her sense of frustration as she'd given her word to the woman by replying, "I'll cover your expenses and allow my subordinate to be properly given his right of rest." She murmured clenching both fists as an age old tradition from her childhood reared itself in an ever impressionable sensation of anxiety.

It was a leader's responsibility and image of power to given their subordinates clarity in where they stood among battlefields. They were weak opposed to as she was strong and as such inevitable outcomes awaited those destined to die. So, why! Why am I feeling this uneasy sense I have lost to you, Tatsumi? Bols was weak in the end and as per the rule for the strong to live, he was weak...he was a weakling!

Esdeath gnashed both teeth when seeing an image of a crying girl looking up at her begging for something that was inevitable. A little girl distantly appeared in her mind, "No! Stop!" Her fists were clenched beyond normal as her parents flashed their corpses into her sight, "Mother and father were weak! I survived...I am strong and the strong rule the weak, I am strong!" Yet why did that sensation just ever slyly force anger long since forgotten to her thoughts and it kept persisting to be an ever sore impudence.

It seemed her beloved just couldn't help himself to get underneath her skin again. It was both endearing unique to see how easily his words affected others and how it just seemingly made those flock underneath his influence. Wave, Seryu, Bols and all of his little soldiers in that curious legion of his which was admittedly adequate. But I am stronger, I have beaten you in combat and yet why? Why is it that I feel like I haven't done such a thing? You never cease to amuse me so I cannot help it, I want to find out what's your game between us now, Tatsumi.

Their seemed to be more than sheer prowess on the field of battle between them both. Her lover knew that in combat she was superior, stronger and far more powerful given his recent exposure to becoming a teigu user. Yet in other avenues of loyalty, genuine affection and having traits capable in enrapturing her heart where far beyond in another field. She'd humored in beating these lower traits of weakness yet they were far too practical to simply be naive nature. Esdeath hummed thoughtfully looking to the sky to smile crudely, "You've weaponized words and ideals to twist your means to an end. Tatsumi you're far too amusing to have me change when you're already doing it yourself!"

Her condescending laughter would have sent anyone less running as a leer grew from that warped smile of interest. She wasn't blind to the fact her lover was planning something incredibly unorthodox to achieve his own sense of morals, ideals and ambitions. The gathering storm both literal and metaphorical were simply too big to ignore! She'd loved to see, or believe to be mere rustic attempts of attaining freedom from her goals. Temptation seemingly ran unchained to keep herself invested to allow it, to prolong it and to inevitably indulge to see what he'd achieve with power. Power she'd willingly given to him as a taste of a test to her inhibitions.

"Whatever you're trying to do Tatsumi, I think the good minister is feeling the effects." She revealed laughing out of entertainment alone in seeing a master of schemes getting ruffled. Honest may outclass her in the game of politics, plotting to establish resources and project himself as a puppet yet to read underneath to see him enjoyed? I can understand he's amused about your attempts Tatsumi yet to go so far to appease me? I wonder if he's simply wanting another war to wage, or to keep me from choosing something...else.

If only these signs were simply another pitiful attempt in usurping the minister's seat she'd have all the fun to crush it. But it was just the next series of plays in a game she'd grown to ignore mainly out of indifference. Yet she'd grown invested mainly out of how much fun it gotten to challenge herself in ways not done possibly in years. Every new sensation to question what was known to possibly forcing herself into a corner was entirely a unique experience. And it all stemmed from her fiance who kept on pushing boundaries without even daring to think of consequences.

I'm getting incredibly impatient but only because you're teasing me, love. She thoughtfully understood in coming to that conclusion based on simple fact. Tatsumi was far too genuinely enjoying himself by simply doing so much to be anything other than becoming driven, a desirable if not outright delicious anticipation to achieve something...unique. I may not be able to resist myself for much longer I'm afraid, I want to see you beneath my hands and have you beg me to stop! This hunger is too much and far too addicting to repress!

Turning around a corner the woman stopped momentarily, "And again you just prove my point, love." She giggled aloud all too suddenly due to seeing an incredibly common sight that seemed have her object of thought just in reach. It seemed fate continued to edge him and herself to claim what she'd been rightly deserved. Rain continued to fall leisurely as her steps took her closer towards a peculiar commotion occurring for such an event.

Standing in perfect formation were possibly two dozen armored legionaries parallel with their blades and iconic shields. Armor freshly polished glinted even with such little light couldn't hide from wandering eyes which were drawn to the spectacle. Between each rank were two holding a banner of the Empire in full glory and on display. Ahead were horsemen also armored fully as they were to lead what was once a humbled procession for one of her subordinates to be laid in his meager place of burial. But what stood out most to her gaze was a sight that left herself earnestly out of place to feel mainly.

Tatsumi's own iconic white uniform was hunched over holding Bols's offspring in a gentle hug. Said child's mother was dressed in a simple black dress yet was beside him looking on sorrowfully as various armored soldiers guarded them for both security and absolute dedication to who made them well-known. Family, you said to me? You're an orphan Tatsumi from birth yet you think of topic you can't relate too, I became one later and still you're a person who has never knew your parents, but you can comfort a child better than I...effortlessly.

She paused mid step to simply stare at first in seeing another side long known to her musings about the younger soldier. Despite all the fledgling attempts of a grandiose ambition to commit into something long since feasibly alien at least to what she understood. "You always make me wonder." She commented idly as her fiance glanced over to see herself and his expression remained commendably stoic yet his eyes burned with an internal rage. This constant contradiction in her lover seemingly never ceased to amaze.

Behind the sounds of hooves clacking against granite hardly fazed as mounted troops belonging to his legion appeared. Two columns equally both disciplined and respectful of her presence made their way past as banners designating their nation were held high. Exactly a dozen per vertical line guided themselves to the forefront of what was now a completed burial column for what had to be assumed, if not a little excessively befitting a mythical hero perishing. Her light scoff of both irritation and amusement just added to an ever growing urge to take claim to the source of these feelings. Unfortunately it wasn't an urge she'd have humored long enough to enjoy it.

All of this to bury a subordinate? Her legs carried an amused expression closer as Tatsumi gently guided a crying child aside. The widowed wife of Bols quietly offered her undeniable gratitude as the full scope of what this event would endowed to a man's memory. I may have sympathy to cover expenses, to understand and ultimately know weaklings die yet you're far too caring. So why am I feeling a sense that I have lost the battle before drawing my own blade?

Other Jaegers belonging to her command made their way to stand just in front of the casket. It was unsurprising to see both Seryu, Wave and yet much to her quiet bemusement they weren't alone. Ran and Kurome respectively joined their comrades as it seemed all of her subordinates would gather together for this march of a dead corpse. It just simply added to the enigma of how much she'd justify her lover had his ways of inspiring and commanding those flocking to his very fire. A fire that she both wished to smother and grow into an inferno of what she'd long suspected, a spark to ignite something inside her deepest desires and ambition.

Tatsumi gestured for them to move ahead with Bols's family in between them for both comfort and security. An overly grand message to those damning themselves if they dared to strike, "Obvious in your intent by utilizing an overwhelming strength to warn your enemies, or friends alike." She murmured approvingly finding this spectacle a sign of what little power her fiance sought was being used adequately. None who'd been seeking blood would dare attempt to disrupt them, if they did it'd be a pleasant experience to cut down weaklings on mass alone.

"Esdeath." She heard him say simply while lowering his head respectful and courteous as per ceremony for such public venues. Those emerald eyes were far too steady and unwavering despite her expectation of anger, "You could have told me sooner about Bols's family." He took her amused smile with an almost resigned look of patience as she took her place at the head of almost redundant event. Yet she tolerated it mainly out of interest to see what he'd say now, if anything Tatsumi proved to be most exhilarating whenever they talked.

He followed her to stand side by side as though they were equals, "And spoil your fun, love?" Slyly pointing out all too happily as he shrugged in response, "My fun starts tomorrow." Esdeath hummed thoughtfully filing away yet another sign her fiance was indeed prepared for something. What however was the million gold coin question as a coy idea presented itself. If he was that confident then prepares some humoring insight would sate her anticipation.

"And here I'd believe you'd coerce me into something...unique." Tatsumi smiled faintly finding that suggestion all too hopeful as he retorted equally bemused, "And ruin a surprise? Give me credit Esdeath, I'm doing this because you allowed it." He pointed out mildly while gesturing for an entire formation to begin their trek to the burial grounds. Bols's wife and daughter slightly awed to see arguably their dead family members stories about the two, if anything both soldiers noticed a little girl sniffling sorrowfully.

The rain lightly picked up with a gentle breeze bringing about a weeping heaven. Neither fiance, or fiancee found it upon themselves to comment about this development. They stood side by side guiding, leading and presenting a front to those observing from afar even if they weren't in sight. Windows along buildings on multiple levels opened slightly, or closed as those inhabiting an overly polarized city view for themselves. Even spectators gathered from their homes watching in silence due to seeing all the Jaegers and legionaries marching together. None dared to move from beyond boundaries as guarded gazes from soldiers sent unseen chills on those with lesser intentions.

"So many are watching you." The woman remarked almost all too casually sparking an overly resigned reply, "I'd have to be blind to not notice myself." Crowds trickled from their homes, or stopped to witness the procession yet neither of them hadn't referred to city folk. Each respectively felt lingering gazes of those who'd desired to spill blood and noticing one, or two individuals shadowing them from beyond city streets indicated an increase of urgency. It seemed enemies of all walks of skill, purpose and intention had gathered to mark their source of provocation.

Tatsumi almost felt sinister as an urge came forth when smiling faintly due to finding it all familiar again. Electric sensations ran through his veins to have him shiver in opportunistic delight, "I don't expect any of them to try anything between us both standing together. It'd be too easy, if they weren't sensible at least." An overt assumption causing Esdeath to nod absently finding the one sided tension almost boring yet it proved her inward assumptions. Her eyes slyly noticed an ever obvious change in his usual facade, it was simply too much of a delight and too much fun to see his truest of demeanor unshackle itself.

"Is your so called virtuous mercy running out, my love?" She questioned favorably intrigued as a slight laugh met her ears, "I'd say my tolerance is at end. So what little patience I've have left is placed aside to do what is necessary, I can live with that and yet I'll say it still doesn't make me feel merciful, Esdeath." An mistakable hunger couldn't be masked in those words of ambition, or diverted which created the incredibly powerful desires to ignite inside her chest. Finally seeing him shed pointless, redundant ways and stubborn masks which twisted truth into beautiful lies was beyond everything to witness him doing so willingly.

But she saw through yet another deception given how her eyes noticed his own gaze. You're hiding the truth behind those words yet your body almost fooled me in it's walk. Clever love to use truth as a lie and it's far too vague for me to say I'd deny it, you're clever enough because I want to see it all. If she hadn't gleam an insight then it'd have been plausible to believe he was changing into something her desires had envisioned. Yet that was an illusion of herself admittedly.

Tatsumi was already at that point because he'd shackled himself to restrain it until a time came to unleash it fully. And that time was now, or else she'd have to be wrong. Gleeful to showcase a pleased expression did her smile foreshadow a humoring question, "How far will you go?" Her heart needed to hear what was to be said next. Her blood roared in ablaze of lustful anticipation, a song ablaze of want and need to see the truth depths he'd hidden from all believing in his truth. If there was a time to believe in him to do a so called good then those attracted to the flames of her lover's presence, those blind to his truth nature would end up in a shattering lie of despair.

He merely looked over ever so serene yet those emerald eyes gleamed to mirror what many had seen in another. Yet only to her did he unmask a monstrous intention, "Whatever it takes." She sharply took in a breath to walk over to stand next to him. Yes, that's what I want to see you do everyday and everyday I will watch you grow to finally become someone whose power is on pair with my own! You will never stop in your ambition and I will never stop enjoying how much I want to see it all. It was here with an almost loving, carefree and rare genuine grace she gently kissed his cheek cooing softly, "And that's all I needed to hear, love."

Everything which she'd been planning to unleash on those believing a lie of truth were about to find out what lay beneath. Truthfully her patience had never paid off, or lack of honing it had required numerous reinforcements to finally catch glimpses of a what made men fear the very dark underneath their feeble minds understood. Your enemies kept pushing you, kept pushing and I only needed to be myself to finally break those chains you'd desperate to keep shacking yourself to that beautiful lie of hope, Tatsumi. It seems Bols's death was just one droplet too many to break that dam you've struggled mightily to hold back.

However before those thoughts returned to a far more suitable state Tatsumi interrupted quietly, "No." The youth fixated a simple stare that made her almost irritable, "That's not what's only going to be said today, Esdeath. You and I have an explanation to say to a family walking behind us, I want you to look at Bols's daughter." Her eyebrows raised in response as though his demand were something akin to a challenge. But much to a pleasant surprise he held her stare just as strongly before motioning back to have her follow that act.

Not this again! That damnable irritation at humoring a challenge to be unable to be quenched reluctantly made a pair of eyes gaze upon them. Her subordinate's family seemed sorrowful at first glance as the widowed wife held a child's hand. The woman had long accepted a fact her weakling of a subordinate was a corpse, a lifeless and common piece of flesh. She refused to meet her own gaze as expected yet once staring downward to the offspring?

Two heart broken watery eyes with tears trailing down met an almost curious pair of blue. A child's desperate plea of an answered why, a question so vivid and too genuinely distraught caused her to blink owlishly. No, not that memory...again. An ever distant face of a younger girl standing over her mother's corpse and father's alike happened to blur into existence. Esdeath nearly gnashed both sets of teeth in seeing that desperate, naive and weakened innocence shout an overt damning question of why. It was absolutely unmistakable to not understand.

"Tell me something!" Tatsumi quietly questioned while raising a hand to have an entire procession turn around a corner, "What are you going to say to a child when you're responsible for her father's death? Do you say he was a weakling when his very death wasn't even safeguarded to the fullest of our ability?" Facts that couldn't be avoided given how inconsequential they were to her yet that subtle challenge to prove him wrong couldn't be masked. He was well aware to be intentionally going to provoke a response, it should have been outright infuriating and yet she'd be damned to admit it was a different...experience.

She refused to answer to which he sardonically smiled finding silence all too revealing. You're treading on dangerous ground Tatsumi, I think you're overstepping your boundaries. Her fiance simply ignored it in favor to look to a gray sky, "Children are both our future and legacy, right?" His gaze seemingly afar much to a danger being closely provoked, "If you can't even confront a child about what you, or I have done then what are you going to say to our children one day, Esdeath? If we're married to have a family, how can you be a mother, or I as a father?"

A fist just out of sight clenched angrily once it became all too clear. Mother! The once famed hunter of a clan that tracked, skinned and conquered a distant land of ice and winter appeared. She was weak like father said, a weakling and was killed to feed the strong! Her jaw clenched subconsciously in sync with a myriad of emotional scars that were never confronted, or brought back. A sliver of doubt crept into her consciousness as another question arose ever so factually and it was so strong to answer she'd nearly scowled distastefully.

How can I be a mother to my...our children? Her strength wouldn't meet an end akin to her own as far as she'd vow it. But then again didn't father say to her smiling as he lay dying on his own life blood? He died like mother, he died because he was weak! It took considerable self-control to refrain from reaching out to crush the younger officer's neck for such insolence to be seen out in public view. Yet I cannot deny it, for I was born of weaklings! Damn it, Tatsumi you...

She eyes briefly widened once an answer became all too clear yet again. You used my own enjoyment against me, I'm starting to think you're intentionally trapping me. Now a smile widened forcefully realizing due to just moments ago as she mouthed them silently, "Whatever it takes." Of course it made sense because he hadn't lied to her at all. He was indeed going to do whatever it took to succeed in an ambition that disregarded all risks, all consequences and anyone who'd obstruct him to reach that so called impossible goal that even eluded herself.

"You tell her why Bols died." Tatsumi merely stated just to smile faintly in remembering bitterly to let go of all that doubt he held within, "Because if you can't even comfort a child whose parent died? What hope do you, or I have as parents, or let alone trying to have a family together?" This time he turned fully with a leering smirk that refused to be hidden away again. It wasn't taunting, or even mocking her inability yet it was an expression of grim consideration. Now he was questioning their very ability to handle children regardless of where, or from who.

That infuriating smirk belonged onto a face of a man who seemingly found another way to bring someone to their knees. Oh, I see. Such an expression momentarily made her pause to see yet another glimpse of what lay beneath such beautiful lies and earnest truths. He looked absolutely complete, to be so damning to know the truth and to be so utterly confident to no longer relate to fear itself. Why if she weren't already pleasant surprised that it almost made her wish come ever so close to reality. Only you would dare to speak of such things because I allowed you too, I humored your challenge and now I have to deal with this remnant of my life again.

Her fiance ever so slight to be coy implied in a smirk rivaling her own grin, "Am I not wrong?" Impulsive sensations demanded he'd submit to her will! Instinct long honed before even service as a soldier of an Empire, a life experience flared to know of an act to challenge her seemingly yet it was almost purposeful? No, if I try strike you in front of our enemy and my Jaegers then you've won! Well, well, well I think I'm going to really...really enjoy in seeing the real you love, I think our game hasn't even begun to touch what's at stake.

Refusing to allow him a sense of victory she all but challenged, "Is this another pointless lesson to convince me to change my ways?" She said it all so sweetly smiling broadly to make the younger man stare piercingly as a hand drifted closer to a blade's handle. Tatsumi seemingly was realizing how close she'd gotten to acting out physically but his smirk remained in place. It seemed a lack of fear would need to be rectified on a later date given this latest facade of indifference wasn't forced, or purposefully crafted to disillusion those seeking lies of a truth. It was almost too sweet to see him humor those of Seryu, or Wave's staunch character to do an earnest good.

She pressured an unseen angle to force him out of any preconceived notion of thinking he'd won over her at all. Even if what he had said was something to authentically consider for a future, if she wanted her legacy and strength to pass forward among their children. Being a family seemed so utterly alien, if not outright disconcerting yet she couldn't deny her lover's persistence to anchor a sense of trust to relate too. He kept pressing for something about herself that wasn't there, or was he trying to say something as well? Between their conversations pertaining to family, future or trust she'd admit they always kept egging her to see more of themselves together.

Tatsumi only replied simply with a look of gleeful contemplation, "Are our children's futures a pointless lesson to consider?" He rebuked her sharply by waving his hand to the side to casually dismiss any threat he'd have normally understood, "Or do we learn now? Today when there's a chance! I'd say yes, if it's a hell of a lot more prudent when someone is pretending that they'll have a future when this entire country burns. You'd have to be an absolute blind fool to say to me that our nation has fallen into a rotting, leeching weak state."

Another fair point given how he'd be able to come to that conclusion as she hummed quietly. So is this you telling me you're fed up pretending to be weak Tatsumi, to stop thinking some mythical 'hero' will save us all? Or are you telling me something far more delicious? The Empire in itself was a series of weaklings beneath her trying to appease daily, or to the good minister precisely. Power hollowed only for the master of puppets to give those seeking a taste of it a beautiful paradise to dominate, destroy and use the weak their own means.

Although you just admitted to me these people are weak, so what's your goal? Her playful demeanor came back all too happily as suggestions in desirable dreams turned into ample assumptions meant to make a heart race. She needed more unable to quench desire entirely, "And you'd be correct to see all these weaklings scurrying from those who are strong, Tatsumi. No matter how much you try to make anything weaker than yourself do anything, it'll never happen as long the strong do not emerge as they'll be brought down by those weaker weights."

One word sent a shiver up her own spine in tingling desire and release, "Power." He stated with a grin to match whenever one predator found itself a challenge, "Without power there's no chance for even someone strong to do anything by themselves." An overt sharp gust of wind swept between what little space remained between them as droplets of water idly splashed into their faces. Neither refused to look away with similar grinning expressions and it almost seemed there was an undercurrent of honesty in their words alone.

"You need strength to stand on your own but to acquire power?" Her fiance mused lowly to look upwards seeing an answer that was tantalizing coy, "Only a strong individual can attain it, if only to realize doing by it themselves is just as pointless, worthless and simply lacking like those who are far too often weak." He chortled almost finding it so clear yet too easy to think it'd occur given his continuation to her eager ears, "That's why if we want a strong future for our strongest family Esdeath, I have to make our nation, our people and our power together to be capable to never think we'll ever become weak again."

The woman blinked at first not understanding if what had been said was indeed real. It was beyond her wildest imagination to even believe Tatsumi of all people desired absolute power? Power to compliment a growing strength to shed aside all weak ideals, all hindrances and only care about the means to an end to achieve ambition? This is no lie, I cannot hear anything less but unrestrained desire to achieve power. You've finally dropped your act of pretending without power there is no strength and without either you'll die as a weakling, among a world where you need to be strong, I can see you almost in your entirety.

How long had she coveted a day years ago once in a far flung dream? To have seen him so young then, full of potential, talent and ultimately hungrily pursued to see it mature until the day to mold an equal to stand with her in this life? Those emerald iris's gleamed internally of a fire which was ablaze because of one too many events starving it off. If only she'd known that it would have taken just one of her weaker subordinate's lives to unshackle it? Esdeath's smile turned devious as her gaze swept back to see both Wave and Seryu supporting a widowed wife, they'd placed their hands onto one shoulder offering a heart warming scene.

"Whatever it takes." She parroted his words laughing merrily forgoing an intended facade to relish how irony provided her everything. Tatsumi only mirrored with a reaction of forced familiarity to only just smile pleasantly in return, "I intend too." Apart of herself knew he wasn't entirely forthcoming as to how it'd be revealed, if anything she'd been all too rightfully given the glimpse before a day of reckoning came forth. Esdeath knew inside body, mind and soul whatever her lover planned it'd make this very world quake at his awakening. It was something far too grand to ignore when she'd given him the means of doing so.

"Is this what all of this is for?" She questioned amusingly trying to feed an ever delicate sensation in seeing his true self. Much to her inner anticipation he shrugged partially acknowledging a display of power itself, "More less than so." His expression remained distant yet an internal hatred was fully open to make her hum lowly, "Bols is a good man Esdeath. He's a father first, soldier second and importantly the loving husband who'd taken risks to secure his own family's future whereas he should never have to be buried by his own child."

Tatsumi's expression hardly changed except for the scowl growing ever so prominent to give enough of a hint. She kept herself in restrained patience to allow him to continue in order to gleam ever more of an insight to how he thought. The more he gave then the more she'd push him to where he'd have to go in order for personal desire and ambition to flourish. Was it risky to forcefully manipulate both of their actions she'd internally reflected? Her sly smile gave away it'd been long of a redundancy to even humor it at this point between themselves.

"Are you saying we should learn about being a family, or having one from others?" She prompted rather intrigued since either option sounded far too enticing to enact. His answer equally surprised and confused her all too easily, "We should treat our nation as our own family." The young man pondered more to himself yet chuckled simply finding it ironic. Family was their key to success based on what she was gathering to his seemingly impossible goal. It seemed he'd never cease to surprise her based on humoring that line of thought.

Leaning coyly just enough to slip her hand around his own she asked, "And why should I treat weaklings as a family of our own?" Admittedly even if she'd humor all of his musings which were fairly unorthodox to say the least, it proved one thing to her internal bliss. He'd been seriously considering children as though they'd be conceived on any given day, a tantalizing prospect which certainly would step up their physical interactions in private. She'd nearly gave in save for a prospect to make it endearingly memorable on a day of her choosing.

"Families have to be strong for each other to remain strong." The colonel stated more confident given he looked at her a bit knowingly, "Or do you want a weak family that'll die out? It's the same thing to our nation because as it stands now?" His smirk grew rather predatory to squeeze her own limb to convey an eagerness to be proven wrong. She hummed approvingly in seeing this brutality shred any weaklings perception of his well crafted facade, "A weak nation will die to a stronger nation that seeks it's demise and will desire to eat it alive. Would you rather have our children inherit a strong family which supports each other, or would you given them nothing except a cruel weight of weaklings unable to survive this world?"

Esdeath stared openly in wonder as a subtle electrifying shiver went through her entirety all due to an honest realization. You're using my own beliefs against me, Tatsumi it is because you've accepted them as natural? Longing simply couldn't be placed into worlds as a hunger arose so deeply, so powerful and so utterly damned good her grip crushed his hand. There was no denying he'd come around yet to fuse his own ideals with her own? She'd have been foolishly naive to except him to outright see things her way so freely but in this turn of events?

"Interesting." The woman admitted honestly intrigued to have her fiance smile knowingly in return to state factually, "Did you except me to do anything else?" Her expression agreed even as he continued fairly optimistic, if not a bit curious himself. Raising their hands together his voice took a softer if not outright warmer tone, "I know every day things change. I can change when it's needed most, I've changed because of you as well and I'd know to believe to say that even to think even you can too, Esdeath."

Rain gently poured to cause a woman to blink owlishly as she'd processed every word almost transfixed in confusion. What did you just say? Silently demanding it which Tatsumi noticed familiarly had again smiled warmly to raise both of his eyebrows fairly amused, "You've changed as well. To most they'd never notice yet to me?" He slowed their pace down just enough to nuzzle her hand gently to give feeling back to numbed fingers, "There's something inside you as well calling out like me. Whether it's being a mother, or wanting me to do what I have to do to safeguard our people as family, I'd be wrong to not think my future wife isn't far behind."

For once Esdeath didn't respond verbally, or physically because it genuinely caused a rarity of disbelief. You're telling the truth, I can't whether you're being so truthful or you're trying to deceive me, Tatsumi! What's your game! Those emerald eyes warmly looked right into her own daringly, confidently and absolutely sure in their owner's assurance. Something had to be afoot, to be played as an end to his means and yet her heart fluttered so surreal it'd felt amazing. Happiness wasn't just there but to be physically felt was simply unimaginable.

"Prove me right, Esdeath." His voice told her gently whispering between them both, "Prove me right and what comes next we'll simply never be forgotten by this world. Tomorrow is day I tire of pretending to see weaklings, tomorrow is the day I fight for our family's future and tomorrow is the day you get to see what my enemy realize what I will become...is something beyond their wildest nightmares." He promised all too calmly as though given extensively thought on whether to accept her own beliefs, or continue to prolong denial. It seemed the choice was made to go beyond anything ever conceived by this very world.

And without warning his lips met her own in a gentle grace sealing his destiny to her own. You...what are you planning, love? Melding into his very action coaxed a rare whine of need, a subtle one and none heard it save of his own ears. They were brief due to leading a ceremony of mourning yet their kindled desires were all but burned to starve off anything less of belonging strongly. Whether life meant more to one naturally, or less to another cruelly did both bind themselves to make it so that they, or to have a sense of power to know none would dare get in their way.

Oh, I don't care whether you're scheming, or genuinely trying to make me feel more. Pulling away to inhale lightly to feel an almost floating sensation make her vision tremble. You'll pay for what you're doing to me, Tatsumi I vow it. Because after tomorrow I'm not going to restrain myself from you, I've humored these sensations until now and I swear you'd better damn well to wish you hadn't tempted me so much. I'll never let you go, ever.

Looking ahead she never noticed her fiance glance over a shoulder towards their fellow Jaegers. His lone eye swept over them all gauging, noticing and most importantly showcasing what it meant to stand by those who were powerful to change anything. Tatsumi noticed only one among their number who looked utterly uncertain because there was more on display then simple affection, it was a message and a powerful one meant to indicate whatever was known about them would be torn asunder. His smile curled delightfully just to see Ran stare right back with a grimace of anxious uncertainty because like like he knew enough to see monsters never hid themselves. They only revealed themselves when there was nothing in a world to stop them dead.

Stone walls higher than twice a height of any man stood out with iron spikes designed to systematically protect the dead buried within. Rain continued to pour firmly over time yet those who'd walked underneath had long since ignored its natural descent. Gates still maintained by those who worked to preserve an entrance to those earned a place to be remembered as fallen were guarded by armed legionaries who'd taken a vigil watch to maintain a place of mourning. Dozens lined the perimeter with other such numbers patrolling to ward away any unwanted visitors, or deterred anyone daring enough to interrupt the burial's ceremony. So far none had dared to invoke the wrath of two individuals who'd walked past said gate.

Esdeath and Tatsumi walked among grave markers staying near each other enough to have anyone bare witness to identical smiles. They casually parted gathering waters in growing puddles as an entire procession followed them inwards towards an opened area where a sight indicating their final destination lay in wait. A pair of blue eyes leisurely fell towards the perpetrator of this entire spectacle, "My, my, my! You've truly gone out of your way for all of this, haven't you?" There wasn't any sense of disapproval save for a humoring thought.

In among rows upon rows of markers given to those fallen in the Empire's service who'd been born of the capitol itself lay Bols's resting place. Two entire rows of seven men wielding firearms normally of Imperial make and design stood facing one another opposites sides of an empty grave. They wore armor similar of their comrades yet as they got closer it was a lighter variant padded by darker leather of some kind to indicate a sign of mourning. Unlike most of their brethren these legionaries were lesser armored yet they wore similar cloaks which damped at their heels. Yet what metallic sheen on display still glinted faintly as firearms freshly polished stood at the ready at their shoulders.

"I'd have done it for anyone in the Jaegers." Tatsumi replied quietly smiling a bit knowingly before looking to his fiancee fondly, "But for Bols? Nothing less would be an insult to him, or you." Coming to stand at the base of grass and granite he held up a hand to motion for an entire procession to make way for the cart housing Bols's body. He and Esdeath stood at the front side by side as everyone else made way for a wagon to move without delay to maneuver to slide a casket into the hole dug many hours ago.

He heard her chuckle briefly finding his reasoning adorable, "Perhaps! But even I have my limits for tolerating excessive effort for even a subordinate." An interesting admission from her given how he'd been doubtful she'd have cared for anyone underneath herself. Mildly interested he asked in return, "And what would you have done? You and I are well aware you don't acknowledge weaker people on your own time."

Esdeath found that ideally sound yet surprised him by admitting, "I'd have given Bols a set of flowers if it were only just me and I'd reluctantly out of responsibility to give his family a life free of expense." Slightly skeptic he prompted a question showcasing his own thoughts, "You'd have done that? Why?" The woman's smile turned genuinely mischievous even though she'd not answer for several moments in favor to stare at her former subordinate's family. Tatsumi waited patiently in response crushing his own inner anxiety in not spoiling not something he'd found as exceptional, or rather avoid pushing for an answer that his fiancee was considering.

"I may not show it, but I do take responsibility for my weaker subordinates should they die in battle." It's only natural for a strong leader to give thanks to their weaker subordinates, I do it because I acknowledge that much." It was here her eyes hardly changed for an indifference that had long honed an image of a cruel beast, "Even my precious Three Beasts who perished. I left them something at their graves, I was alone and as such I'd never have to leave them without acknowledging their service to me." She kept gazing at both a widow and child with an almost perplexed expression as though trying to solve a puzzle, "But what you're asking me to do, Tatsumi?"

The casket got lowered towards an edge of a hole where their former friend would be lain to rest. Bols's wife gently ushered her daughter forward carrying a small bundle of bright and recently picked flowers meant for eternal rest in an afterlife. Subtly gesturing to the side did Tatsumi motion for his own soldiers to stand at attention as they made a small yet ceremonial path for a little girl to see her father one last time. With shields lowered to have touch the base of leather boots did they display an equal grace of discipline, solidarity and empathy for those they had lost themselves. And without warning all slightly looked to their right before brandishing sabers to have them stand parallel to their faces whilst staring at Bols's resting grave.

Esdeath lightly chuckled reaffirming that bemusement of excessive effort, "So much and for what?" At her observation all Jaegers lowered their heads once both daughter and wife moved past shedding tears for their various understandings. Wave and Seryu moved to escort them holding a hand to each family member squeezing firmly to know they too were hurting. Among all they'd been first hand witnesses to how their friend perished yet the one who'd they'd all strove to save stood aside, Tatsumi's own face became an indifference of practice to just remain stoic. It was just another numbed experience to see the dead move past them again.

"Because good men shouldn't have to be buried for needless loss." The young man finally stated to cover his infuriating experiences besides his fiancee's own decisions, "If I lose a good man because I did all in my power to do what was necessary to safeguard him? It's not hard to say I can move on without regret." Glancing over to see her own gaze which remained perceptively sharp he gave an honest opinion, "But when people like you, or I don't even try? It shows nothing except a worthless waste of potential, a needless waste when we needed more men like Bols to do what need's to be done and yet to throw it away? It just shows you're nothing less of what you do."

Both engaged soldiers were quiet for their own reasoning as one whose very power shook the earth almost twitched in agitation. Emerald eyes met an overly frigid blue momentarily in a bid of contesting will. Neither looked away until Esdeath hummed finally, "Worthless? An interesting way to rationalize an inevitable outcome on the battlefield." Tatsumi shook his head slightly exhaling lowly in a bid to get through to something she'd relate too, "No, you're missing my point! Soldiers die underneath our command and I accept that very easily, but if you don't do all in your power to preserve them while showing you care...it reflects on them to do what is right when it's more worthwhile to know you can gain more."

He pointed out mildly concealing a tired disposition when it came between them both, "It's about meaning and knowing we inevitably encircle death." Looking upwards to see droplets of water lightly hit his face did an overt frown appear, "I'm under no illusion I'll live a long life, Esdeath. Because whether you like it, or not?" His gaze turned akin to steel to fix a pointed glare of factual confidence, "Next time I could end up buried because you overestimated your ability to safeguard us. We're not powerful like you, so Bols could have been me."

The blue haired beauty finally outright scowled realizing a guilt induced possibility which wasn't exactly wrong. It was indeed logical to assume he'd have perished based on their account yet it did not happen. Tatsumi wasn't fazed nearly enough save to coldly smile in seeing an opportunity, "Without Bols I'd have been captured, tortured and very likely killed. Without good men preserved by those who have power and strength to do so, Esdeath in case you aren't hearing me correctly? I'd have died without a good man doing what he did for me!"

Animosity in a sense wasn't as clear cut when it came to their personal differences of opinion yet she knew a subtle challenge. If you were anyone else I'd have to nail your mouth shut, love. But as tempting to have him break underneath an extravagant session she'd grudgingly acknowledge the point at hand. Bols may be have weaker than she, or him yet without his death he'd more than likely would have been captured. And she'd have torn the world asunder to reach him again. Yet ironically enough a sudden epiphany struck her more so.

"They were using you to get me riled up!" She mused mainly out of frank interest since it'd have worked as her fiance sardonically smirked, "Our enemy is clever because who else but me could do that to someone like you?" They both began chortling lowly mainly how truthful that came to be as fact and they settled on watching Bols's family momentarily. They had their differences all too strongly but for once Tatsumi could internally admit, he'd made some progress with a woman whose very existence craved to carve out a world in blood. There was a chance today could make up for what their future would hold sooner, or later.

The little girl reached upwards with a shaking hand to struggle pulling back a casket handle. Seryu assisted by helping her to reach back in seeing Bols's face without his mask. The man looked peaceful despite his neck line being concealed and to many he seemed far too normal to be mistaken as a man who'd done terrible things. To many he'd have been monster, a creature who thrived to burn and cleanse yet that was merely one part of an even better man who'd grown out of that darkened beginning. To those who knew him as husband, friend, comrade and father he'd deserved to show a world good men remained standing regardless of their origins.

A widowed wife teared up to quickly bury herself onto Wave's arm as he tentatively tried awkwardly to smile kindly. Tatsumi only gave him a simple nod of encouragement when he'd looked up seeking advice. I told you to be their support, if they needed it so. Even Seryu placed an arm around the little child's shoulders saying something to have her nod shakily, a stream of tears could openly be noticed as flowers were placed near a father's sleeping face. All were allowed to grieve in peace under a secured and protected area that showed an enemy outside of their senses one thing. Any who dared to interrupt would be met with overwhelming force, power and absolutely eradication to having an existence to live among them.

"I wonder what it feels like to be a mother." Esdeath stated curiously off to his side as he replied equally quiet, "Just being a parent would seem to be incredibly different. It's also why I'm asking you when it comes to our own family's future." Idly cupping a wooden idol did his gaze fall onto Bols's serene face did he understand why. If there had to be a time when everything inside needed to be buried because there was no more going back. He couldn't afford to linger on past doubts, fears and uncertainties because there was on else going to do what he'd attempt.

Esdeath kept herself staring at the family intrigued in at least trying to genuinely visualize her own offspring would look like. But after several moments a smile of bemusement returned knowingly due to the irrelevant fact she'd couldn't picture it. If he isn't strong then our children won't survive, my legacy won't endure and neither will your own, Tatsumi. In order for us both to achieve power we'll have to be stronger than anyone, or am I not wrong? Nothing seemingly went in the direction she'd predicted whenever she and him conversed about any topic together. It just seemed as though she would never stop being surprised, or tempted to exchange games with her exceptional lover who found it equally rewarding.

There was a very simple line of logic she'd seen without doubt meant to appeal to her own sense of belief. To have a weak country, is to have a weak people and if the weak cannot endure then there's no future for our children. Is there your sense of justice now, Tatsumi? She'd wager a price to assume that was apart of it yet overall he wasn't going to remain in that mask of kindness. Shielding truth with but a mask wasn't so much fun, it definitely kept those locked in that beautiful lie so effectively and yet she'd just rather finally see him fully embrace what she'd seen for a long time was far too addicting to give up on.

The little girl started to utterly breakdown once it finally hit her as both of them watched in various degrees of interest. Seryu attempted to soothe her grief, or at least tried to comfort a similar parallel to her own experiences since they both lost fathers early in life. But the girl whirled around to stare with red puff eyes directly at where he stood silently. It wasn't even a doubt to what she'd possibly do next for he'd seen far more displays of grief. And yet he eyed his fiancee who blinked oddly as though trying to decipher a puzzle shown.

"Look at her." He softly whispered making the woman next to him slightly incline her head, "Is that what you want when our children are born?" Both watched a girl who'd been told of wonderful, powerful and ultimately exaggerated tales of heroes who'd her father had come to respect. She taken his word to heart and to see his lifeless corpse not even an arm's reach away? Tatsumi knew why he was still alive because her father had given his own for her as a good man would do, an outcry of anger should have been within his heart yet it was an indifference.

Her face twisted into an agonized confusion with both fists tightened as tears flowed down past a reddening pair of cheeks. If this what their future entitled? I'll never have to regret what I'll do to show there's no going back. Did you want our family to break when you, or I are killed among a weak people who cannot stand for themselves because you'd weaken them to prepare our own end? Taking a moment to compose himself in order to glance over at his quiet fiancee whose expression became curious. To say the least he saw flickers of uncertainty when Esdeath slightly twitched in seeing what he'd been pointed out earlier.

"Do you want our nation to be so weak that you, or I as a mother and father die before our child has a chance to become strong underneath those who are powerful?" Tatsumi softly questioned in seeing after generations of constant decay, degeneracy and corruption of those who were meant to be their foundation to reap this sorrowful state? His smile grew colder in seeing it all on display as he asked his fiancee yet again, "Is this a strong people where our child could lead and do greater things? Even you, or I can't think where we are at now is even remotely acceptable, Esdeath. Or am I not wrong to ask my wife for her advice in a family?"

An unexpected gust of wind swept past them all to bring in stinging sensations rain as it howled angrily overhead. Neither of them reacted in favor to instead stare at their subjects of interest. Show me you can see what I'm trying to say, show me Esdeath! Even you cannot be blind to the fact that so called 'monsters' who hoard gold, play god and think they're untouchable haven't effected our nation to this degree where they cannot stand on their own. Is that weak enough, or am I wasting my time to ask you for your thoughts!

Several fleeting moments passed with droplets of water cascading in a gradual increase of volume and speed. The small family started to finally lay what they wished at their fallen member's grave. Flowers, or even a piece of property meant to signify a way to the afterlife in guiding Bols's soul. Tatsumi looked down to pull out a hand craved wooden idol that he'd been given when fist setting foot from his home village many years ago. Between then and now felt akin to several lifetimes given his smile of condescension stroke trust inside a heart. I remember your words to me elder, 'For the gods will guide your path and it is in you that must trust their faith in you, for our beliefs shape their will as does a will of man seek his path.'

Lightly feeling a bit of weight did he shut both eyes to mentally prepare himself one last sacrifice. He'd bury what little good of a man inside he'd nurtured to guide an even better one to a peaceful eternal slumber in Elysium. You saved my life Bols, I know I told you to run and see another day but you disobeyed me to leave them alone in this world. Why you'd do that for someone like I'll never know, although I can't bring you back to them, I'll at least make sure you're brought to where you belong as my last act of being a good man.

Numbly he allowed both limbs to guide him forward making everyone look over in silent anticipation. The once normally bright white coat of his uniform dampened at its frayed due to an increase in saturation and a beret idly leaked a droplet just over his right eyebrow. But the young colonel offered nothing except a small flicker of emotion to place what he'd bury alongside another friend, a friend who shouldn't have done so much for someone like himself. It was irony that men who shouldered burdens never asked good man underneath them to make that sacrifice! Why didn't you run back to be with your wife and daughter while I have neither yet you lost their place for happiness! They'll suffer because you died for me, Bols!

Tatsumi's fist gripped tightly to pop knuckles rigidly when staring direct at a serene man seemingly asleep. Too many questions stilled remained tender to scream aloud to ask why, if he'd do this much without excepting did that mean it was all for nothing? Lightly clicking his tongue to avoid a fit of fury justified he'd settle on simply uttering, "It'll be for something." If sacrifice was a price to be paid he'd have done it so many times and yet if others chose to do it, he'd have to make do knowing their lives would be worth more than a single life. And with that he placed a piece of his old home into the casket offering only a way to make up for the loss of life.

Sniffling nearby made his gaze drawn to both Seryu and the little girl who were kneeling together. One set of eyes looked to him pleading for any sort of guidance, a guidance that he ironically couldn't offer save to lead by example. I know I told Esdeath to comfort this child, but I'll still do what I can to offer the best. Someone has to try too! Taking one breath to steady himself internally his eyes looked down before kneeling offering a gentle smile. The very act stifled once free flowing tears momentarily on a child who for all intensive purposes stood eye to eye with their proverbial hero.

"Your father was one of the bravest and kindest men I've ever met." He started gently placing a hand onto her shoulder smiling faintly, "Don't forget ever he loved you and your mother. I know he did so much when he'd tell about you, or how your mom met." A much smaller hand gripped his own desperately begging silently, defiantly and grievously asking for their father to come back home to them once more. It was an impossible wish both parities knew, an impossibility to defy death yet it was a child's foolish hope to beg someone for their parent again.

Tatsumi's gaze softened despite having years of experience as a child's grip was something even he'd knew to be unique. She cried out knowing the truth yet tried all the same clenching both eyes, "I want my daddy back! Please...please!" Each word felt akin to a nail being staked into his chest over and over again, "Dad...told me about you! He said you were like...the strongest person he's ever seen, he told me about what you did and..." It was here a little girl broke down sobbing to scream painfully into his chest trying to stop a sharp agony which couldn't be healed. Such grief and raw emotion made those even less emphatic notice how it'd hurt.

Arms crossed to hug another as a young man seemed to age could only sigh. A tingle up went his spinal cord due to an ever stinging sensation originating within a teigu. Don't even try it, Strafe! His internal snarl of irritation only agitated an ever growing urge to wield it again, an urge so sudden and potent it simply refused to dissipate! Two green eyes snapped ahead to glare indirectly at nothing except for a deceptively peaceful city full of monstrous reminders. They'd get their due when a new morning allowed such atrocities.

"He told you I was a hero, right?" The young man stated in questioning the girl quietly as she sniffed out a muffled, "Yes!" Tatsumi laughed mainly out of painful amusement to tell her gently, "I'm not a hero, little one. Your dad was more a hero than I'd ever be!" She cried harder in hearing something that made sense for once as rain pelted them from above. Leaning forward to shield a child did an elder youth provide a brief, if not effectively warmer reprise from herself shivering too hard underneath a cooling day.

Hissing silently to avoid another stringing sensation coming from his forearm did a teigu's user ruthlessly ignore it. Glaring upward to see a partial reflection of the face losing patience did something occur. What in the hell? Almost akin to a mirage one saw within deep of a desert did one single shadowy outline form. It was brief yet it flickered just once as a pair of green eyes stared mystified at their teigu's metallic surface. For ill, or worse Strafe's frame kept trying to manifest without it's users will telling it so.

"I'll miss him." Looking down quickly while shaking off that surreal spell Tatsumi replied smiling faintly again, "And I will too! I know it hurts, I know it hurts but I wanted to tell you something he'd did for me." Telling the truth to even a child risked more pain, or an ever lasting bitterness towards him yet she'd deserved to know. No child deserved to be lied about for what their parent did, if something bad or wrong occurred then it was only common sense to tell them why at least. It'd bring a closure of peace to say it so.

Blankly staring while rubbing the girl's back he spoke softly yet firm, "Your father saved my life. He saved me even though I told him to run, to fall back and live to see another day." His voice quivered at first due to threatening to break with genuine agony, "I can't tell you why he chose to do it for me, little one. I did all in my power to bring him back home to you, I did all I could to give him and my friends a chance to run while I'd be captured."

Bols's daughter looked up suddenly sniffling loudly to question him shocked, "Dad stayed?" Her sheer youth and innocence was stained by sorrowful eyes that no child should ever display, "Yes! You have to understand little one, I wanted him to live to get back to you and your mother!" There was no need to lie, or hide behind years of practiced indifference to showcase how much it always hurt. He'd grown used too it yet never immune save for being allowed too.

"I'd be lying to you if I said heroes exist today." Tatsumi lowered himself to place his forehead just over her own to smile painfully hypocritical, "I once thought a hero would save me one day. But I learned only good men who are good soldiers do that to those they love, to those they care about and not once will they hesitate to give up their lives just because they'll always do the right thing regardless of danger. I could never tell him with a good heart in me to do what he did, or ask your dad to do that for you and your mother little one, I wanted him to live so much." Never again would he do such a thing yet for the last time he'd vent it out to someone who deserved so much more.

She kept staring piteously in seeking an answer so deserved to be said but not even possible in the current times. It almost broke him spiritually to see more children tore apart by those who'd played with life as though it were a game. A fickle near inconsequential and ultimately worthless game of power which had to be broken! There was no hope in a future if they're own children were as broken as those who'd long given in to being worthless. Weakness could no longer be tolerated, or even considered if those strong enough had to stand to gut the very decay which poisoned so many of their own people over generations.

"My dad would read books to me, he'd be so nice and mommy was always happy." He heard remember tearfully as a motion to rock them both earned another piece of grief. Yet to reply ever truthful he'd agree with this girl, "Yes. He was a nice man, a good man and one that I'll always call my friend. But the people we're fighting aren't nice people little one, they're bad because they don't care about people like your dad and your mom." It was doubtful those in that group along with their revolutionary forces cared about a man like Bols besides calling him a valuable target. They never cared about sorting out who'd done what he'd done for difficult reasons, or cruel pleasures.

But things had to change now, or else they'd perish underneath this unseen decay. Let's see if things change when I do this, if doesn't I'll just accept the inevitable. Coming to stare pointedly towards Esdeath whose very expression was literally unmistakable unfamiliar, "You have to see people who'd you've known to be strong, or even the strongest cannot do everything and predict who, or why goes down fighting to save others." A child so grievously distraught hugged him tightly as though everything were to fade into dust itself. Honestly in hindsight he'd known being able to comfort one soul among thousands hardly seemed substantial yet he'd have to do it to show someone else another means to an end.

"My daddy said he was with strongest and best in the army!" Her muffled voice reached him as bitterness claimed him to relate a cold truth, "I can't control everything, or Esdeath little one." She'd looked up over his shoulder to follow to where said woman remained in place. It'd been a shocker to those looking between both soldiers to see there was an ever growing tension, a subtle jab or prod of words displaying their earnest thoughts. Among them all only one Jaeger sucked in a breath to realize that this entire burial was yet another battlefield to test those who'd only dare themselves to achieve victory in a personal war.

You want me to lose in your little games, Esdeath? Tatsumi stood up to gently hold the little girl's hand to speak softly, "If you want to ask why your dad disobeyed that order, I want you to ask the strongest of all of us here." Her face looked incredibly flustered and anxious since very few ever got to approach someone of his fiancee's reputation, "She did all she could to make sure we did the best we'd be able too. Ask her, if you wish to know your father died a good man defending his friend and comrades who'd do the same in return."

An unseen line had been crossed when the woman whose cruelty and strength twitched when Bols's daughter approached nervously. Let's find out whose willing to win more, love. Guiding her leisurely to offer support did the young man look up as a child unwillingly caused an overt smirk of cold daring appear. It stood out so prominently, too confidently and it looked manipulative to put the strongest of their country on the damned spot. Future generations inherited those who either preserved, created or even lost from those who'd had that power to change the present to make sure those who came next were given a chance to endure.

Both Tatsumi and Bols's sole remaining legacy stood before an individual who should have done all in their to power to correct a mistake. A mistake so easily could've been done right, if they'd attempted to do something over nothing! Even if an outcome couldn't be avoided, or expected save for an effort to negate would have made things so much more to bare. Yet for a young man whose ambition ended nowhere in sight he'd do whatever it took to get an impossibility ever closer to reality, if it meant putting himself at risk? He'd do it over and over again without any doubts, or any belief he'd damn his own life.

Staring upwards in a mix of awe and grief did a little girl tearfully speak to possibly the most powerful figure within their country. She spoke timidly yet gained strength when a firm hand clasped over her own, "Why?" A face so confused and utterly bewildered because this was a person who'd been said to be the strongest of anyone, "Why...miss Esdeath didn't you save my daddy?" Behind them a faint exhale of shock came from Ran's stunned expression. Of all things to question it'd shattered an unseen facade invoking civility.

The blue haired beauty stared long and hard unable to speak at first due to an unintentional mirror facing herself. Why? Her blood raced inward into a seething hatred as a younger version of herself stared back asking that same pitiful, disgusting and naive question when both her own parents had perished as weaklings. Why, why, why? That blind innocence made things ever so insufferable considering her fiance knew what he'd done, a gamble and bold stroke to make things ever too interesting to avoid normally.

Mother! Esdeath blinked owlishly as an alien sensation making her kneel slowly came to the forth front akin to submission. Father! Staring eye to eye with another self induced memory of another little girl staring at both parents with a lost expression. Lost, confused and ultimately growing colder to see how truth strong beings survived in the world. Why should I justify myself to those who are weaker than I am, I am strong and I have never been forced to my knees! Yet I cannot stop seeing your faces appearing again and again!

Her lips pulled into a leering smile to pull this weakling into arms never meant to comfort. So why am I actually feeling my heart race so strongly? The woman whose power could destroy entire armies and had on whims massacred entire people's found herself enveloping a surge of warmth as she had to face old demons returning from a grave far beyond life. Will I be like you mother? No, I will never die to those weaker than I and I will not lose to you, I swear it! I won't lose just because I cannot understand what it is like to actually be a mother to our...children, Tatsumi.

"Your father, child?" Her tone humored most whenever they'd come across a sight they'd long ignored and often dismissed. Yet they weren't of a person who took it lightly, "You're angry at me?" She inquired specifically as a little fragile child whose wide eyes trailing tears replied timidly, "Daddy said you and the Saber are the strongest people anywhere! He told me stories about Saber, you and all his friends that we met!" Such heart felt of an innocence should have made any decent heart crumble yet for one so long encased in icy cruelty long since childhood fostering resentment, denial and absolute sardonic loathing triggered a condescending humor.

Movement rigidly forced due to unfamiliar conditions were careful as hands honed to tear apart flesh were utilized to be coldly gentle. Tingling sensations akin to uneasiness ran up the woman's arms due to stroking a child's tender and utterly fragile existence, "You're so strong, right? Why didn't you save my dad!" The girl pleaded painfully towards a woman who raised an eyebrow patronizingly patient as her jawline tightened impeccable due to no way possibly to divert said topic. Natural indication to dismiss this child's persistence came awfully tempting yet all she'd have to see was a damned bemused smirk from her fiance to cease that altogether.

"What's your name, little one?" She inquired simply to see two relatively beautiful eyes likely due to her late subordinate's appearance passed onward, "Logue. Daddy named me because mommy said I looked like him." It seemed oddly fascinating to see features of both parental figures in one being given how her own mind processed to envisioning her own offspring. Would they share more of her own, or would Tatsumi's own features overcome them? Humoring such an imagination proved to make these next few moments fairly tolerable in her mindset.

Esdeath smiled while idly rubbing in mimicking her fiance's almost natural tendency to have a child lean into her. Strangely enough it felt warm, if not a bit odd to have someone not of her interest in arms meant for them alone. So fragile this little girl in my arms, I'd only have to tighten and squeeze the life out of those eyes. Yet I feel it's like another test, if I have my own blood would I not have a stronger inclination to hug them to death? What to say to her, what can I say about weaklings who cannot survive in a world of the strong?

No amount of dismissive acts would conceal an ever undeniable part of herself shifting underneath years of fostered curiosity. If she were so strong then why did her own birth parents die? Were they so weak that it'd pass along onto her own children? No, I'll never allow it! Nothing will stop me from becoming the strongest so no one will question my strength, my power and my will from denying me an equal I've long sought! Yet Tatsumi's impeccable smirk of daring instigated a real possibility due to her unfamiliarity in dealing with any child. Most she'd ever endured by chance to note were always spoils of war rightfully conquered.

Finally coming to an honest conclusion she'd all but stated, "Bols died a weakling because I wasn't there to secure our victory." The girl looked up angrily in pain to almost shout, "No! My daddy was strong! He..." Esdeath smiled condescendingly before chuckling to lightly shut her lips with but a lone finger, "He is dead, Logue." Small tiny fists curled up trying to deny reality, to deny an ever growing hole inside a heart that she'd gone through so many years ago and to acknowledge a parallel from herself to this weakling?

"I am strong because I am the strongest." She said without even hesitating to showcase a fraction of her strength by simply conjuring an icy ball. Her prowess in wielding an extract of a beast within stunned both child and parent equally as opposed to subordinates that had various expressions of interest. Spinning an almost transparent sphere of ice to see a reflection of such beautiful eyes watching in awe proved to be most entertaining. To simply awe a child, to make them listen and to see a lesson learned was but too satisfying of importance.

Firmly uplifting two smaller hands to place a sphere which couldn't melt due to heat alone added to its significance. The strong can create anything if they so desire, child. I'd have compensated you and your mother to live out your days, but now I have an interest in making sure those who are weak can be tolerated by those of my strength. Without warning her own fingers tapped a sphere to an interior suddenly swirl in a misty bluish white as a figure stated to form within. To Logue whose expression was so enraptured she'd never notice a widening smile of devious proportions reflecting future investment of strength to be cultivated.

"Without myself aiding your father Logue, I doubt we'd have won." Truthfully admitting such an outcome was indeed true as it nearly cost herself a great deal. Tatsumi's persistence to twist truth into his own gains were far too delectable to be reprimanded since it only gained her own interest and further pushed goals without much effort. You want me to comfort a child as though she were my own, I'll reserve that once such a day comes. But I will not tolerate another weakling until I am satisfied it'll survive this world under my watch, or else anything less is unacceptable and I refuse to lose to your little game, love.

Idly humming a soft tune from her own childhood did the figure within take shape in undeniable clarity. Vanity long since earned of rightful belief, experience and so much within her refused to lose even a shred of it as another battle loomed just in sight. Within a sphere of clear icy did the small figure of Bols come forth to make Logue gasp aloud, "Daddy?" Nothing less was deemed to be acceptable to avoid any sensation of lose, or giving ground to someone who'd be her equal of both power and strength to stand in a world of weaklings. If her fiance dared herself to do something incredibly unexpected, a fond smile softened that desire enough so he'd learn it would come at a cost for those in their games.

"One day you'll be stronger than your father, Logue." Esdeath promised sweetly to idly trace patterns on a little girl's face deceptively putting her at ease, "Consider it my contribution for my subordinate's actions who for all intensive purposes should have fled. It seems your father's belief in my fiance is far too strong to be left without meaning." Their games held consequences for those caught in between them yet for both soldiers who looked to one another. There was nothing less save for genuine entertainment to know neither one of them were regretting in refusing to back from unsaid words of dueling, or conflict.

It was all for good sport and to push their ambitions itself. You just kept pushing me to do something, Tatsumi. Forcing me to influence a weakling who doesn't deserve your, or my efforts yet you're trying to make me see something aren't you? Catering to this family normally beyond her usual routine of paying their expenses and occasionally noticing if they were in lesser straits would've been enough. It should have been plenty but that looming discrepancy in doing little to prevent an inevitable outcome just seemed too lack luster. Accepting a loss from Tatsumi by proving him right by doing nothing, or regretting this act due to her own past?

Firmly secure in securing an unspoken victory she'd firmly placed a sphere of ice into a future soldier's hand,"Cherish this gift as both to make your resolve and strength grow for a future." Logue looked up at her with tears scarcely falling yet they were of shock, "But...why?" Esdeath's smile grew delightfully in response to say ever so surely, "Because one day you're going to surpass your father to become strong enough. I refuse to accept a weakling who cannot fight in a world already full of weaklings and I cannot stand being idle if one strong enough has time to do so. Even I'll humor my efforts if I notice potential is there."

Standing upright while holding the girl's hand did she without hesitation lead them both towards Bols's resting corpse. Bypassing her fiance who smiled openly much to her inner chagrin in being forced to win even if it felt slightly peculiar. You'll pay more of a price now that I'm thinking about corpses best left to rot, Tatsumi. Once your little spectacle is over, I intend to finish these old memories to forever put them to the grave. It seemed odd to have a smaller child walking beside herself given how said girl found herself thinking reality to be a dream. Yet Esdeath refused to show weakness regardless of circumstance to those believing they'd achieved anything substantial by guiding a weakling to some sort of significance.

Turning to face a widowed mother who looked up hopefully despite holding a strong front did another issue need be addressed. If any investment had to be secured she'd make it so, "As of now I'll take a personal guarantee to make sure your lives are directed under my eyes and ears." None would dare outside this city's walls in their wildest imagination dare to impede upon what was her property, self-interest and just so if any dared to lay a finger upon what was deemed hers by right? I'll vent out my frustrations to skin those eager enough to die. At least I can look forward to foolish enemies thinking they can use this against Tatsumi, or my self.

Esdeath smiled deceptively pleased to say to a widowed wife, "Your family's stake to survive will be overseen by my hand. I owe that much as your husband would be delighted to know I will not allow a subordinate's contributions go to waste." Why did every word send sensations akin to unease through blood and flesh yet a temptation to push it further overrode all sense of reason? It felt unworldly save for a surreal understanding she'd been maneuvered into doing this course of action and she'd it with a sly amusement that it couldn't be nothing less but appraised for itself.

"General!" The wife spoke with her head down trying to understand at first, "You don't..." Esdeath's widening smile of sheer delight had dispelled any notion she'd allow them to live without her influence, "It's only proper that I make sure my subordinate's last act in saving my lover, to be returned in full with your daughter becoming stronger than her father, Kije." Speaking her name for the first time since meeting Bols's spouse seemed to be humbling for a person of her nature. They would endure underneath her eye and hands alone, if only to wipe a smug smirk off her fiance's face that hadn't lent up at all.

You think you've won in me looking after these two weaklings, Tatsumi? Nuisances meant to be looked after as I'd look after my subordinates? She smiled deceivingly by inviting the mother to stand by her daughter, "Let us say our final goodbyes to your husband." Kiji moved to stand opposite of her to hold Logue as all three stood before a man who'd become more than a corpse. Whether any understood why such a person would bring themselves to look after them, or not see one man's death wasn't just what it appeared to be as so.

Although a lone blue eye stared pointedly towards over the shoulder to indicate deliberate interest. The younger soldier only tilted his head as a coy smile from reaffirmed an undeniable challenge. You're not the only one whose got a stake for our future, Esdeath. Tatsumi dipped his head briefly acknowledging in not expecting her to do such an act of gratitude, if not manipulative of a child's lack of understanding as a pawn of their game. But unlike his fiancee whose lack of empathy made her not able to see what his true point it'd gotten close enough as he'd hoped.

It's time I bury what needs to be buried. Idly looking down to retrieve a wooden idol from his own home village did he tenderly brush it's surface. Carvings from skilled hands of elders, friends and family who'd he considered to keep him stable in life were what remained in this small piece of wooden nostalgia. I may be damned in life for doing what needs to be done, but it doesn't mean my soul can't guide another who deserves to be at peace for eternity. A piece of us always finds their way to those who need to be guided even in the darkest of nights.

Walking forward to stand opposite of Logue who looked up in awe and shock to realize something incredibly. Despite seeing her daddy's face did she understand his stories of both people that captured, shaped and always would stay of an imagination was that she stood in between arguable her greatest heroes. The strongest, bravest and well known of their country. Her father's comrades who'd he told dramatic stories to both her mommy and herself, a promise in those stories was that she'd be able to meet them. And yet with tearful eyes it was a promised fulfilled!

Tatsumi noticed to tenderly reach down while kneeling to hold a hands despite staring at Bols's seemingly sleeping form. Speaking gently he offered a warm tribute, "Long ago when I was your age, Logue." The little girl's eyes widened in hearing an icon she'd considered to be a hero saying her name. Her attention was unable to broken to his next words as per an expected thought, "I left my village to go fight for it, to save it and one day pay off it's debt to the Empire's tax collectors. Some people told me I should have waited until I got older, a bit stronger and yet I couldn't stop myself from doing the right thing because no else could do it."

It seemed almost to be another world once he thought back to being a stubborn and defiant young boy in those days. Smiling bitterly continuing a tale of his beginnings to those who hadn't heard firsthand came to be a shock to several, "And I regret it." He truthfully revealed in seeing how much it'd cost him to inevitably never be able to turn away, "I joined the army wherever I came across it and I've been in it in my entire life just like your dad. Good men like him endured it to find happiness so they'd have someone like you to know they've put a good thing in this world, or that's what supposed to happen." His emerald eyes were quite warm and earnest to see a child look down somewhat flustered despite their circumstances.

"I'm not like your father." Tatsumi chuckled openly to show a wooden idol from his home, "What's left of me being good is right here in front of you." Tentatively a hand reached out to inspect the idol even though another was needed to juggle an icy sphere. Logue managed to protest confusedly to stare at an older youth's face who looked similar to her father's, "But you are good! I know it! Daddy said you're a good person, a very good person!"

Even Esdeath he'd noted from his peripherals twitched in apparent bemusement of such childish innocence. Solidarity between them both agreed on mutual topics, "No, I'm not sweet heart." He told her gently to smile comfortingly, "Your dad is a good man! I'm just another soldier who knows what he has to do such, but to children like you?" He stopped suddenly to pull her in close to allow warmth to trickle between them. For all acts he'd committed throughout his entire life, a good man would never touch or think of doing such things as he'd planned to do.

"It's men like me who you'll be afraid of one day!" His smile of amusement was followed by an honest fact, "Normally we'll always make good ones like your father to stop us when that time comes. But unfortunately if people like him are putting their lives up for mine?" Gently tilting a child's chin upward to stare at her face to face promising firmly, "I won't stand it! When someone who has power has to do something, they'll have to do it just to make sure things like this doesn't happen anymore, Logue."

Reflecting back over experiencing moments as a child to his years now all came to a conclusion. It was a conclusion he'd come to accept as per whispering knowingly, "Hard times create strong men! Strong men create good times! Good times create weak men." Tatsumi was well aware both Esdeath, or anyone close enough heard him clear as day. All too commonly he'd been dangerously treading a line one would believe it to be a factual opinion of their country to be traitorous, "And weak men create hard times."

It'd far too late to say they were inside that cycle given how far they'd fallen altogether. But for the sake of a child understanding why their own parent couldn't be seen again? The young man coldly withheld a chortle since making sense of all this degeneracy wasn't exactly making those capable sane to begin with, "I am not strong enough yet." Still he gave a promise to make all who were listening realize that if there was one person capable to move reality's very stagnant belief everything would stay the same got shattered, "But by tomorrow everyone will realize who weak they really are and whose powerful enough to say: your time is up!"

An overt presence akin to sensations of painful desperation came from within Strafe's state on his forearm. It subtly began vibrating from being suppressed by a user who once more ignored its silent demand. We live in times of disgusting weakness, I'd say. Standing on both feet while holding Logue's smaller hand he took a wooden idol to place it gently next to Bols's peaceful expression. His head lowered in a silent prayer from childhood which always remained in place, a tradition of purpose and meaning meant to give solace to those who'd been unable to cope with understanding life itself wasn't meant as fair.

What remains of a good man are buried here and will always remain undisturbed. A child gripped his hand as her head leaned into his thigh seeking comfort. He allowed it by firmly encompassing a friend's legacy in warmth and would safeguard at least one life in this disgusted world that'd been determined to snuff out purpose. If men who pretend to to act as Gods themselves need a devil to reshape their perception of them living, I'll become the demon who'll haunt their nightmares and I'll become the very thing that their children will cry whenever it comes to claim them. Justice is no longer relevant when no one cares for anything except for blood, if being a demon is needed then I will bring Heaven down into this reality of Hell!

Thunder rumbled overhead when his heads opened to see Bols still lying in an open coffin. It seemed heaven itself to him was very uneasy about his proclamation. But in a sea of perverse weakness incubating the hubris of men believing to be Gods, Tatsumi smiled widely as a flash of lightning briefly illuminated darkening shadows underneath his very eyes. If this is heaven for Gods, then I'll make it a literal Hell for men themselves. Within emerald iris's a faint outline of metallic sheen appeared just as it quickly faded away due to a teigu clawing away to be unleashed. User and weapon became far too attuned due to what lay out of sight of those unable to see the truth about what would be unleashed on a new sun rising.

Glancing off to the side to make a subtle towards his legionaries who stood up as one unit. They did a sharp right face to point their weaponry opposite of each other, "Order arms!" One barked out as they aimed up towards unsteady heavens. Tatsumi raised a hand while oddly smile in feeling that looming sensation of when battlefields erupted into events no man would be able to witness, "Volley one!" He spoke out firmly as ceremonial protocol took over, if anything it'd be said once that order was given they'd perform it expertly familiar.

Fourteen shots rang out for thunderous purpose for a hero fallen and all would hear of their sacrifice to all. The Jaegers all started to gather around himself, Esdeath, Logue and her mother Kije to say their final respects to a man they'd considered friend. Wave saluted when a second volley of fire erupted as Seryu followed suit with Tatsumi in tow,"Goodbye...brother." The young colonel whispered when a third volley roared their grief, their anger and their vow of solidarity to know he'd never be forgotten in a world of weakness. Heroes were never to be forgotten regardless of who, or why wrote their legacy to their own needs in weak times of weak men.

Out of his peripheral did he notice Logue shakily raise her own limb to mimic them all. She'd seen her father's friends do an act she'd desperately wanted to stay close to said parent and did so, if not a bit as a rustic. Yet her tears were ones of fickle nature trying to be brave for her mother and failing naturally due to being unable to control herself. But Tatsumi merely squeezed in his silent support making her return that gesture strongly. It was okay to cry, to grieve and he'd shoulder one last time a family member's pain as per his duty. A duty that was equal as a leader, friend and comrade to a man who should have been burying him in all actuality.

The fifth volley sounded off as armored legionaries began encircling a casket to lower it into where it'd lay at rest. An overt thick wooden cover ingrained with an Imperial crest slid over to conceal Bols's sleeping face as Tatsumi watched it disappear into shadow alongside a guide into an afterlife. May your soul be guided into where all men await Elysium Bols, I fear I won't be able to walk where you'll be going and even if a piece of me helps you? It's all I'll ever need. By the time a sixth volley had been prepared four armored legionaries began lowering the casket as various others approached a dirt mound meant to fill in the hole itself.

Several moments later did one soft promise meet his ears as a daughter said to herself, "I...I'll do it, daddy!" Tatsumi only questioned what the little child holding his hand said, "What did you promise him?" Once they witnessed the casket lowered with shovels of dirt filling up did a seventh and final volley fire behind them. Logue didn't answer immediately in favor to sniffle to herself as she'd held on tightly to a person who was a hero in her eyes. The older youth was a person her daddy said to never lose faith in, a hurt man who'd done a lot of things like her own daddy once did and had told stories of how he'd been as well.

She tugged his arm to have him stare simply as a timid smile with tear stained eyes looking up resolutely, "I promised my daddy to believe strong and kind heroes do exist." An answer tugged faintly at an organ of a heart yet the face of said person hardly changed. Children do have a right to believe in anything they dream, so maybe there will be a time when they can say heroes really do exist. It's such a shame that no exist to stop me, I'd be able to die in peace knowing good people are still around yet it's an illusion of lies.

But even after all such things did a refusal to destroy a child's hope stand as he admitted hopefully, "One day it will happen, sweet heart." It probably wasn't going to happen in her life time though. Still it was a comforting thought on a child's unintentional part as they watched in graced silence to see a father's resting place come to fruition. If anyone dares to desecrate my friend's, or family's place of peace I will make Hell seem like a paradise when I'm finished. I'll never leave your legacy unguarded Bols, I'll always protect them and I will never rest until I die when the last breath of air leaves these cursed lungs to achieve an impossible dream.

All Jaegers stood together watching a gradual burial site being filled diligently and respectfully by those familiar. Bols's wife stepped forward to place a bouquet of flowers as her daughter joined to hug her tightly in response. An icy orb with their loved one stood out as they gazed jointly to know he'd always be with them. In response a legionary politely offered an Imperial crest folded in cloth to the family before bowing his head as Tatsumi gave him a mere nod. He stepped back along with Wave and Seryu respectively leaving a small family with their own thoughts. They'd done all what had been required for a friend they considered their own.

Behind both rows of armed soldiers did an about face before marching towards the cemetery's entrance. Soon other armored comrades of their own left in silent well practiced discipline. They were intent on causing less of any sound in favor of a family's grief. Only a select few remained at the gates awaiting their task of escorting, or conducting an ever vigilant safeguard of those who'd never be left alone to a cruel world's salivating desire to see them disappear. They would never be left alone from those who'd grown to seek out their enemy to harm them in anyway seen fit, a means to an end and every soldier understood the potential to draw each other out. It was planned out to be methodically intentional as well.

"Seryu, Wave!" Tatsumi quietly called out to have them look over as he gave them an order, "Rest of the day is your own. Get some rest when you can because tomorrow is when everything begins." Both Jaegers gave him tired smiles even if they understood he wanted them to be alone to cope with whatever grieving they'd had left inside. Rain lightly pelted them yet none felt its coolness in favor to send their last prayers to a friend.

Turning to move back to his fiancee's side whose gaze was focused still on the small family did Seryu speak up concerned, "Tatsumi! Wait, I know I... it's just I haven't seen Stylish!" Frowning he glanced back equally interested and slightly worried due to how the young woman sounded, "What do you mean? I thought he was held up in his lab which he'd normally be in? I just assumed he'd show up later when we left."

The doctor's lack of an appearance hadn't bothered him too much given it seemed odd for the man. But he'd chalked it up in being tied down with whatever tasks his habits facilitated. Although Stylish doesn't strike me as a man who'd not miss an event like Bols. Even he complimented the man's 'stylishly diverse' skills at preparing a meal, so it's odd he's not here. The more he rationalized about one of their own not in attendance as it'd been technically mandatory and so it started to lead into more concerning answers.

Two emerald iris's narrowed when he asked lowly, "When did either of you see him?" Wave shrugged helplessly given he'd been occupied in taking out Kurome and himself on an afternoon. Both young men turned to Seryu who swallowed nervously, "It was when we came back and before you showed up at my home, Tatsumi. He checked my arm to say it'd been lightly damaged and left me instructions to get into his lab to repair it, Koro wasn't in good shape either." The said canine teigu whined appropriately while being bandaged up as limbs and body mass had to gradually regenerate from their conflict.

"I think Stylish wasn't too happy now that I realize it." She took a shuddering breath as exhaustion had glossed over details slowly coming back, "I told him what happened to you, Bols and myself. It hurt speaking about it, but I told him." Tatsumi inwardly began connecting lines that were forming into a scenario that screamed incredibly dangerous. Stylish's absence at Bols's funeral should have been an ideal warning to sound an alarm yet he'd been preoccupied on attaining Esdeath's attention and inconveniently brushed it aside.

Wave spoke up sharing similar thoughts ever so cautionary, "You think something happened to the Doc?" Seryu refused to answer even when her fellow Jaeger looked to their younger superior who face remained stoic, "You'd think he'd have been here by now! The man's a bit nutty but even he wouldn't miss out on Bols for anything, he's crazy but not that kind of guy." Between them it suddenly dawned him not even showing up was very alarming, if not outright it was screaming something had happened to their more eccentric Jaeger comrade.

They're right! I'm getting a familiar feeling again. The young colonel looked to them briefly seeing genuine anxiety and utter confusion. His eyes narrowed reflexively before coming to fix his gaze on Esdeath who hadn't acknowledged their topic. Yeah, I understand why. I'm getting that same thinking you allowed him to do something on his own. You'd have said anything to think anyone of us overstepped your authority, or more so.

Seryu clasped both hands together struggling to hold back a greater fear which reared itself in an ugly fashion. Insecurities ranging of lost friends, family and those she'd cared about greatly came as she rasped out pleading, "Tatsumi! Please can we see if Stylish is back at his lab, I...I'm afraid since it isn't like him to not be here!" Even Wave placed a hand on his friend's shoulder trying to calm her yet it only increased an ever open terror. Koro whimpered loudly as well doing what it could to soothe his wielder's troubling turmoil.

"I'll find out." The young man grounded out simply turning in sharply moving towards an uncharacteristically quiet woman. Did you have a hand in the doctor's absence, Esdeath? It took considerable effort to remain modestly patient when he approached her right side. Standing with one hand on a blade for familiarity to see her gaze trailing towards Logue's figure gripping her mother's hand as they held each other. Absently she tilted her head as though trying to decipher a puzzle that wouldn't seemingly yield its secrets.

Droplets pelted them significantly quicker as a sharp breeze of cold air swept past them both. Tatsumi hardly moved an inch despite his uniform's back whipping back in a frenzy. The woman remained content to contemplate for several moments until answering a bit bored, "So fragile." Her eyes finally graced his own before questioning him amused, "Something on your mind, love? You have that look to believe I know something you'll want to hear, right?"

That gave all he needed to hear to know she'd been very aware of Stylish's absence. Raising an eyebrow he motioned towards Seryu's anxious state, "What did he request?" An innocently deceptive smile pulled itself as she shrugged playfully evasive, "The good doctor wanted to run an errand on behalf of a friend, or so he said to me." Her eyes were quite deviously intrigued to see how his lack of a reaction indicated an undertone of anger. Tatsumi kept himself composed to exhale sharply trying to retort hotly as to why.

"You possibly couldn't ask me to believe, or think you'd know what he said wasn't genuine." He finally bit out trying to avoid alarming both Seryu, or Wave who looked on. Esdeath again smiled cruelly finding the scene utterly bemusing, "Maybe, maybe not. He seemed incredibly eager and overjoyed once I told him to report back to me, if he'd found something of worth." Tatsumi stared long and hard remaining in his bids of will to be stoic just to have her chuckle lightly. It seemed teasing would be a nice way to make their conversations ever delectable.

Inevitably swallowing down an urge to grit his teeth did a young man relent to say, "You sent the man on a mission by himself?" Did she not understand where he'd come from given how a smirk found it ideally entertaining, "Stylish assured he'd have an army of some kind to assist him in his task. I allowed it because I wasn't going to deny my subordinate to follow up on a lead, or so he claimed given how close you personally said you'd came to being...detained." She'd thrown his own words right back at him just to provoke a reaction and it nearly succeeded given how he let out a soft laugh finding it all ironic.

Shaking his head slowly did an ever present sensation akin to satisfaction hit close to the heart. It'd be too soon for her to understand, I almost believed she'd be able too. Perhaps seeking to witness something extraordinary and utterly impossible from such a person was just half of a dream needed to become reality. Getting Esdeath to seemingly humor what he'd been questioning yet frustration just kept amounting to another sign of conflict. Stylish had been allowed possibly in a similar fashion like himself to go off to achieve something, or complete a task his fiancee had all too willingly humored to be an investment.

"How long ago did he ask you?" Averting anger in favor to try to alleviate said emotion proved far more beneficial given his fiancee shrugged, "Not even half a day ago. I saw no reason to deny him as a subordinate yet the doctor insisted he'd only be allowed." Even the young colonel similar to her own initial reaction came eerily close. Tatsumi only blinked strangely due to finding out Stylish went off his own willingly and intentionally kept it from them. So it begged a question pertaining to why would a man go off so suddenly?

The enigma started to formulate into what had to be an initiative of some sort. Stylish went off his own after we returned, only after Seryu told him of our account and asking Esdeath just after...oh, please don't tell me! It dawned on him suddenly that Stylish had possibly gone right back to their battlefield to perhaps find signs of their enemy's trails. Esdeath hadn't cared at all because she'd been eager to find out where they'd ran off too, so in all actuality the doctor had come forward when they'd been recovering to seek out and maybe track the group itself.

Everything seemingly clicked into place once he sharply inhaled to clench his fist tightly in response. The reason why their eccentric comrade wasn't at a friend's funeral was because he'd gone after said person's killers alone! You'd track them right onto their territory, I remember they were well guarded and knew when trespasser came within! Shit, I hope to hell I am so damned wrong right now because I have a bad feeling about it. Now it all made sense as to why Esdeath wasn't putting much effort into his urgency since she'd been over eager to reunite with a former colleague and finding even a scant trace of their scent was too tempting.

She's very predicable, or rather I rubbed off on her if Najenda indicated. That cold feeling in finding it all so conveniently timed, too predictable if one was eager for a fight and would risk something of value to catch a trace. Staring off to the side he felt himself grow incredibly humorous as it all made sense officially. Of course his fiancee wouldn't see something off about Stylish's timing of a convenient request due to Seryu's injuries, to equate to a sudden disappearance and a chilling clarity all pointed to an obvious fact. Night-Raid had been banking on Esdeath's near inhumane lusts for a battle as it'd been clear in his engagement.

"You just played yourself right into Najenda's hands." He spoke without a doubt to look at her as she'd found it mildly insulting. It seemed was too easy because it'd had been, if someone knew what to use to manipulate another into what had been predictable. Tatsumi impatiently tapped a sheathed blade onto an almost granite based tombstone, "Do you want me to explain why I'm so sure? I think there's a few things you tend to gloss over when it comes to weaklings, or rather what I'm very careful about their lives."

The blue haired beauty found his expression hardly humorous yet she held an impish smirk, "Oh? And what am I missing, love?" There wasn't any signs of aggressive repercussion which was a far cry from when they'd met initially. So it seemed she'd genuinely wanted to hear his thoughts as to why sending Stylish away on an errand wasn't sound! Yet he had a gut feeling she'd been humoring all of his conversations mainly to make that much more challenging, or else he feared her lack of understanding could get them all killed.

Leaning partially smiling sardonically pleased he pointed out, "Guess what happened when I fought with your ex-colleague along with that damned teigu of hers? She told me right to my face, I'd been acting similar to you whenever you fought and it turned out that I was almost captured because of your habits." Smirking fully to see his fiancee's expression turn colder once it was clear what he'd thought of it to indirectly blame her for their near defeat. It was utterly intentional to antagonize her all in order to get Esdeath to seriously understand why it'd been so.

He drove an unseen strike to lay it out clearly, "Our enemies know you so well because you've never cared to adapt. Weaklings, or not they'll use every advantage to keep you, or I at bay until they got the chance to exploit it." Tatsumi's smile curved sardonically upwards in seeing his fiancee's expression frigidly remain solid as though it'd vexed her entirely. Gesturing simply towards Bols's body being laid to rest his voice turned notoriously sharp in pointing out, "You maybe be strong now, or too powerful for them to take on directly yet if they can read you this much now? How else are they going to plan if they keep whittling us all down until you're all alone facing so many?"

The woman's face hardly caved yet she blinked owlishly unable to understand what he'd been stressing so fiercely. Forgoing subtly did a young man reach forward to grasp her hand to tightly convey an unseen weakness, "Esdeath just how many do you think you'd be able to take on? All at once, all of our enemies and those supporting them by yourself?" His fiancee's grip nearly crushed his own yet it was a sign to simply say the truth as emerald eyes stared directly at her own uncertain blue, "I'm asking you because I wouldn't have cared about you, or my own future with a family at stake! Because even someone as powerful and strong as you cannot take on an entire world when they're already capable in doing so much to us now!"

Rain lightly fell between them as their hands became entwined when both fiance and fiancee went silent together. Please listen to what I'm trying to say, I wouldn't care about us if I didn't try too. The young man understood so clearly, too easily and was far too unwillingly to not see the dangers present in their time. A unique ability to use truth as a lie, to use truth to mask what was needed and it was understandingly to think of it as anything less. But regardless of intent he knew what was at stake to convey something to make a person such as his future wife realize what had to be done, if only to secure their future together.

"You're weak if you think this can convince me, Tatsumi." Esdeath finally said simply smiling all too amused as he laughed lightly in agreement, "It's not meant too." He certainly agreed when adding on further to entice another into their games, "I'd be incredibly naive to think so, if only this is to make you think when I have to do what's needed tomorrow. It's why you're going to see what I'm saying now is going to beyond beautiful, I'd say you'd never believe it possible and when it does happen before your very eyes?"

Coming to look out over a graveyard full of failed and spent souls who'd given themselves up for battles pointlessly fought. Good men, women and those worthy to be remembered in hindsight fought in conflicts so inconsequential it became a mockery of sacrifice itself. If people like himself had to die it'd have to be for something far greater than themselves, it had to be more then just one person and seeing such value where it'd have been suited for their future to be wasted? To be wasted on a meaningless battle was beyond infuriating once it became clear. To lose a future where a man could have been a father, husband and pillar of support for their children only to end up prematurely buried in some distant plot of earth?

Vowing softly did he utter his next words with no hesitation, "This world will be ours." Esdeath stared unexpectedly in hearing that at first. Tatsumi, what did you just say? It was a chilling sensation of wonder and absolute euphoria for her as an image of a young man burning village after village stood at the forefront. His gaze absolutely aloof as though seeing something from afar growing ever closer, an objective being met and so seemingly adrift in his musings did the woman see a faint found smile appear brutally satisfied.

Fluttering sensations grew without abandon inside her abdomen once those emerald eyes full of fire and steel stood out. Involuntarily she started to tremble out of sheer pleasure while nearly coming close to damning patience to see what she'd long sought to coax out appear all too willingly. Yes, yes, yes! Show me everything Tatsumi, I've never been wrong when it comes to my instincts and you're never going to stop surpassing my expectations! Toss aside all your 'ideals' of mercy, pity and take what is yours through strength alone!

Her love turned back to smile confidently finding an expression content to his own musings, "That's my promise to you." As he turned to leave towards his fellow Jaegers Esdeath momentarily found herself softening. She allowed a genuinely fond smile once Tatsumi walked away idly tapping his weapons handle. And I promise to listen to you just this once, love. Yet a fondness just briefly exposed a woman who'd found their better half after years of yearning for something more. It was only for a moment until an eerily devious grin reappeared, all due to plans being formulated as a future started to take shape for those willing to embrace whatever it took to achieve it and were ready to make the world tremble in abject horror.


The tavern normally reserved for local enjoyment had been utterly jam packed with those outside trying to find a vacate spot. Numerous locals and those from far beyond their local blocks had arrived in droves as rumor had been spread of news pertaining to armored legionaries who'd been prowling the streets for several nights. Many were excited, or anxious in seeing literally once feared figures who'd thrown their weight in gold to be believed as untouchable. Most had lost either friends, family or loved ones to those who'd they'd been at their mercy and were merciless played as though were meager toys of spoiled children. But today news had spread akin to wildfire as those who'd been dragged resolutely out of their manors.

"You see this?" A haggard looking man slammed down one pristine sheet of parchment clearer than water for all to read, "Do all you see this!" Patrons with mugs in hand, or congregated in familiar groups of friends and such peered to see what the source of their anxious excitement had originated from initially. Fliers of sorts were found scattered, or nailed to any place of public gathering all along an entire main street. Similar incidents of people obtaining and finding them were circulating so rapidly that tens of thousands knew within hours.

The same declared loudly revealing crooked teeth that'd been broken in by local police, "These fucking bastards are getting their dues on the next sunrise!" Most in attendance were those who worked for a livelihood ranging from simple clerks of trade to smiths who forged weaponry, tools or anything commissioned by those willing to pay in coin. Laborers who worked outside the walls also were numerous yet they'd been treated harsher due to natural exposure alone and were most in number to drink their woes away.

"You're daft to think that boy is gonna make them shit their pants!" A voice harshly bit out as years of perpetual bitterness had overrode any sense of belief to think otherwise. Similar scowls were drawn when downing mugs of ale, or wine when more chimed out in agreement! Numerous calls struck back despite the same man slamming down an almost emptied mug, "They'll put his head on a pike and call it day! Already bet it'll be his doing, if anything he'll get that fucking brat off a throne to do something."

Honest's reputation had been beyond infamous to know it akin to a god striking down any heathen to question his divinity. Most underneath said creature of a man disappeared, or took others as their personal playthings inside manors of sheer depravity! It'd been kinder to say hell was a pleasant alternative at this point. Police corrupt through bone, marrow and blood ran their streets for years upon years to where it'd been clockwork to expect gold filling their pockets, if only to keep them appeased in maintain the 'peace' of their capitol city. Yet there as an almost immediate change in the crowd when another man stood up on a table.

An expression so vividly enraged as a man who witnessed the incident earlier in that night flung a mug suddenly! It smashed into pieces silencing an entire tavern abruptly, "To hell with Honest! And to hell with that fucking shit of a kid called our Emperor!" The same man declared without hesitation to point out roaring with absolute glee, "But I say stand with Saber! One fucking man just wiped out that bastard's lackey's manor where all our family, lovers and friends all got sucked up into! And we know what happened in that hell hole."

Cheers of thunderous approval so strong it shook entire solidly built tables as fists and mugs beat simultaneously to encourage more truth. The speaker sharply looked around raising his arms wildly inspired, "I was there when people ran with lost desperate belief to see our wanted friends, family and loved ones to return into our arms! And whose men did so to defy reality! Whose soldiers defied that fucking bastard sitting on his golden ass mountain to have my brother walk out, his wife crying out to embrace him and seeing my very kids returned to our homes when no one dared to stand up against these fucking disgusting pricks?!"

Whistles in sheer volume alone sharply penetrated cheers and jeers alike to further fuel a man's rage rightfully deserved. Mugs raised themselves in drunken fury due to liquid inspiration meant to reveal their darkest truths hidden in daily life. A man ragged in appearance seemingly gained more and more vigor to speak out angrily, "They asked for nothing when they put their lives up for us! People who have secrets, who are afraid to lose and even those who fight against our Empire are right there among us! Look what happened tonight!"

Hushed whispers of agreement, or debate of hotly contested accounts circulated so rapidly it seemingly became unavoidable. Many inside the city's walls were not ignorant, or obnoxious enough to not notice outsiders who'd been granted refuge. Rumors, gossip and speculation originated due to so called rebels infiltrating hot-spots of sympathetic folks were well-known among those working long days and only to notice them. Yet only to have them incite a riot against the only soldiers who'd been cleaning house of corrupt cronies, cops and other such filth? Something incredibly wrong was clearer than a man spitting in a blind man's face and many among the tavern's vast patrons seethed angrily to know all too surely.

"Those fucking two faced bastards who are revolutionaries just happened to use our family and friends as meat shields! I say to hell with them here and now, so fucking crucify all them along Honest's friends, I see no difference between them!" He pointed continuously all too energized just to bring all who were cheered for that statement, cried in earnest anger and roared out furiously in agreement to yell to people who lived and breathed in the capitol, "We love ourselves because it's all we have and now we have someone to do something! So I'm going to Saber's rally tomorrow, I'm bringing my brothers and their families who were rescued to know what I want, to know what they want and to say what you all want because I want blood for blood!"

The crowd arose in thunderous applause with a man cheering out in agreement by violently slamming another mug into the ground. He cried out to point towards a door where many tried to get in to listen to such passionate outcry, "To the streets! Let's show these bastards and make them hear what we want until that sun rises! For blood, for family and for all our people who never got a chance until Saber came with his men! To hell with the Emperor, to hell with Honest and to hell with those fucking traitors called a Revolution!"

Wild hollering cries of fury and instinctual humane rage fueled courage to follow through on such an act! Hundreds began streaming out with mugs in hand, or makeshift torches being broken as chairs were crushed to illuminate many who'd been wronged for so long. Word spread through crowds gathering in similar taverns on that same street to where amass of thousands began crying out as one voice to a singular demand. So many were either inspired through blood thirsty rage with their rightful retributions on corruption, too many were hurt beyond count and had finally given in to a mob of rightful hatred in being used as mere playthings. Yet all were united in knowing only one source was available to deliver them rightful justice.

"Blood!" Entire thousands cheered out roaring with several speakers arising akin to the man who shouted out to his fellow citizenry, "What do you want!" And entire crowd raising forks of fire, ale and wine boomed aloud to shatter eardrums, "Blood, blood, blood!" A single word detonating frenzied pent up frustrations, generational anxiety and so inevitably thousands were saying such a demand only out of wild euphoria in being unchained of despair.

Soon more chants pertaining to the legionaries who'd been vigorously purging out corruption shattered a once long fear, "Hang them Saber!" Thousands sung out in a midst of orgasmic praise and demand of those wildly unable to believe it'd be true yet did so, "Blood for Saber! Hang them, kill them and spike their skulls!" Men all but sung together with women viciously shrieking in delight as elder children were shedding tears in joining families both lost and reunited to have a memory in being together to know they were together because of one man's actions.

"Cut them down like dogs!" The chanting started to flow from wild crazed into inflamed madness as crowds began marching along streets and soon were flooding across entire blocks awakening many who'd been long given to despair itself. Windows were opened as people stared out in shock, or awe to see their fellow neighbors crying out together, "Blood! Blood for blood!" Thunderous voices cried out strongly to incite miniature howls of a danger beast long since extinct and subtle tremors of feet stomping in righteous fury couldn't be denied.

Hundreds soon grew into thousands more as fellow citizenry were inducted by this sweeping sensation of powerful awakening. A great awakening had arisen from ashes of despair, degeneracy and meaningless existence to surge for purposeful vengeance. Generational grievances in being toyed with as mere things of objective perverse desire, or wicked choosing had unshackled their long held grief due to this maddening surreal wave of fury. There were more to come as thousands awakened to their fellow countrymen who'd inevitably unleashed hundreds, if not a thousand year old grudge of when their people would snap to finally arise in bloodied retribution. Not one man, woman or child inside those crowds refused to cower when someone who had power and means was slaughtering the so called monsters of their lifetime.

These chaotic streams of inflamed blood and inspired souls marched together showcasing an ever festering anger within a nation. Soon entire communes of friends, or family like distant all came together brief in a show of absolute force as numerous individuals began more rallies within huge swaths of people. It never seemed to end due to newer arrivals amplifying those who'd slowed down yet none refused to stop. A momentum surged inside thousands to know what they were doing have never been done for so long, it'd might as well have seemed impossible to believe their voices of anger, grief and loss were finally being heard. Roars of so many filled the quiet night as thunderous stomps of crowds became akin to thunder.

"What do we all want?" A chant bellowed out as the defiant answer of anger met that question, "Blood!" Howls of rage and vindication followed suite as fires from make shift torches began unintentionally mimicking a march of men returning of a triumph, "What do we all want!" That question followed as sheer wild instinctual aggression in seeing so many of their own had finally broken what little disbelief many had foreseen for days. Unfortunately several police officers inside this city's quadrant who'd been well known for their ways came across this on occasion were met with thousands of rightful angry citizenry.

Hundreds outright rabidly started attacking officers who either fled, or attempted to fire their firearms to deter the mobs. Yet gunshots only served to incite these mobs who mercilessly overwhelmed those unable to escape and screams of rage turned into howls of victorious vengeance. Word had spread through either chanting, or even from man to man that the goal was to surround their city's Colosseum where an event was being planned. People ranging from children, to men or another ran through throngs of mobs to get information to the very legionaries who'd been patrolling near this particular quadrant. They were slightly surprised to see crowds cheering whenever they were spotted and hundreds followed them crying out for them specifically.

Among those witnessing these events was a lone information broker who'd been staring stoically. Lubbock turned to several other revolutionary agents who'd been watching in silent horror, awe and confusion. By the gods, I don't think I'll be allowed to drink in peace again. The Night-Raid member found himself feeling utterly bitter knowing these people's frustrations boiling over, a reminder they'd been toyed with by those in the Empire's upper echelons of power and now the Revolution had been implicated into a similar fashion. It wasn't pleasant to stomach.

"Sir?" One of the brown robed men stated uneasily by handing out a missive to him, "It's the latest batch of orders from command." The former Imperial soldier wordlessly took it out to read contents that made his guts churn inwardly. You got to be kidding me, now of all times? What the hell are these old fools thinking, '...Saber must be silenced for he cannot be allowed to live.' Why now, I know Najenda wouldn't agree to us recklessly...oh, god.

Staring down near the bottom of an order was a single Night-Raid symbol sealed in black wax. It was an official sanctioned mission that only he, or his former general officer knew to utilize whenever requests became too populous to ignore. Yet it all felt surreal. Lightly biting his cheek to avoid feeling frustration did it see both too damned dangerous and also unreasonably opportunistic, if anything Tatsumi had a plan at the Colosseum which meant he'd been in public. Public view meant crowds and that mean concealment for someone to take a shot.

"Gaia has also been located, sir." The same man stated hesitantly to which he looked over silently demanding an explanation, "She's alive relatively unharmed but not exactly well given how...Saber handled her team and herself." It'd been an understatement given she'd been curled into a ball while having nightmares so vivid it struck them effectively. But they were grateful to know eventually she'd be back in action, or at least given time to heal.

"According to our orders all elements are hereby directed to eliminate the colonel, or his soldiers in whatever manners deemed fit." Lubbock gnashed his teeth due to finding his higher ups timing ever so conveniently timed! It screamed madness through and through yet he eyed the missive on hand feeling his gut churn anxiously unclear. Are they trying to piss off every person inside the capitol, or am I going crazy here to think they're so fucking disconnected! Shit, I need to warn Najenda and tell her to call this off until the heat dies down a bit.

Another wave of cheers erupted below them all as torch bearing citizenry raised fists upwards in a sea of fiery torches. Lubbock felt a slight chill run up his back as another wave of chanting rippled from beginning to end, "Hang them all! Hang them all!" It'd been abundantly clear those marching tonight to reach a destination on the next sunrise were going with one purpose in mind. It didn't matter whether now if a corrupt official was yanked from their home, or some fat noble playing as a god and revolutionary were all being lumped together for one massive event of bloodied absolution years in the making.

If we even have a chance to kill Tatsumi, or have anyway to do so it'd be tomorrow. Lubbock crossed both arms to ponder whether to retreat, or flat out ignore such orders in favor to divert anymore casualties on their end. Then again, if we let him live longer then this kind of thing will happen more and more until we're just...desperate. It'd been utterly unreal to think they were being boxed into a corner without their enemy conventionally fighting. They were fighting a new kind of warfare in words, ideals and now actions undertaken by those acting to show others that another way to avoid joining them was possible.

"Assassin!" A familiar sharpened female voice which made his eyes narrow irritably as he turned to look bored, "We kill that bastard tomorrow and we win the fight!" Several who'd been involved earlier inciting riots looked to him expectantly eager to finish their task. Others who weren't assigned to their roles were looking uneasy and outright unwilling to turn their efforts in using innocents who'd been swept below to cry out their demises. A lone eye widened just briefly as sudden clarity surged to make an answer appear dauntingly ominous.

This crazy son of a bitch is going to do more than rally these people! Several revolutionary agents dressed in brown robes idly started preparing themselves much to his inner horror. None of them cared about what was happening because they simply didn't care enough to realize a looming danger. That's why the higher-ups, Najenda and others want him dead because he's a threat to our entire movement, if people see us as those in the Empire! If we can't kill you Tatsumi now, we'll have to fight not only the armies but the very people of the Empire and the capitol will rat us out to you...instead of Honest, or even Esdeath.

Sweat formed to run down his neck once another piercing roar of thousands distantly met up with another march. The capitol's populace had been subdued for so long, too long and generations of people had finally reached that point in his mind's eye. They were fed up with everything! Fed up with the Empire's sole reigning Emperor, Honest's very presence and lackey of an administration, corruption of their way of life itself and simply got tired of being considered less than people when monsters hoarding gold played them to their degeneracy alone. An awakening with desires of blood and fire had been sparked tonight.

"This is madness!" Lubbock practically hissed out so suddenly to flip a dagger over and over again to ward off anxiety in seeing no way out, "Why does it feel like we're playing right into your hands either way. I should have killed you when I had the god damned chance, Tatsumi!" He laughed lightly in realizing he'd fallen for an elaborate lie of some kind, it'd been a kick to his balls to see this event appearing due to that inaction or he had been tricked. It just screamed out yet nothing made sense to believe otherwise except for gut instinct.

If they couldn't put down this monster then it'd possibly be an end of their movement's popularity. If the common people of the Empire awakened to another possibility without undermining, or turning traitor against the bureaucratic corruption it'd be open season on their heads. People would rat them out faster than even Honest's vast cronies could even dream, or rather the Jaegers would only have to ask the public for help to find them out quickly. Information was power in his work and if he'd been around too often those keen enough knew where to find out, if they'd had a reason to suddenly look out for revolutionary elements. They'd be hunted out of sheer frustration and be rightfully manipulated to think they were just as bad as Honest's men themselves.

"Monster." Lubbock whispered horrifically impressed to have missed what had been invited among them all those weeks ago, "You're a monster from hell." The dagger landed blade first in his palm to see his own reflection while calling out to those ignorant of the truth, "Get every sharp shooter a weapon in their hands, find every saboteur and their cousins who can make a bomb! Get everyone mobilized to be at 'rally' tomorrow. We'll have our target because he's walking onto a stage, we have our orders and we cannot fail when our Revolution's very survival is now at stake...so do whatever it takes to kill Saber."

There was no other option except for a suicide mission that he'd have to undertake to get them an edge. Lubbock looked to the skies to see remnants of a storm refusing to die down, an irony that it'd be a peaceful day to decide their fate. Staring at Night-Raids wax seal which couldn't be faked, or duplicated knew Najenda had seen this long before any of them. She'd would've only decided if their higher-ups were just as concerned as he'd been presently! It was an almost unified decision that only rivaled Esdeath's avoidance in a battle and now they'd be tempting another monster's wrath by killing it's equal for their very survival.

"I'll be speaking to Gaia and getting her back to Night-Raid." Lubbock also ordered simply while turning his back on thousands of gleeful citizens. The orange glow shadowed his expression yet two eyes burned with regret in not putting down the very cause of this phenomena. Ironic he'd been compassionate for once, if only to have it bite him in the ass and vowing to only show one person his humane side was a woman he'd follow to hell itself. Folding the missive neatly into a pocket did several wiring of serrated edges casually slide out, to only glint menacingly in conjunction to their wielder's state of mind.

Whether it'd have been intentional, or not it was clear a new enemy had to be silenced. An enemy far more dangerous wasn't merely just of cruelty, or abuse of power yet it was an adversary who'd been able to blend in flawlessly. Manipulative of truth to weaponize so effectively and to ruthlessly dedicate such a talent of this degree, to make many see a beautiful lie in where other monsters once feared had allowed itself to flourish. If one monster took to another whose strength encompassed those in ages never imagined and one was capable of using both extremes together? Lubbock shivered visibly as it'd be a match hell would spit back out in abject disgust.

One by one all cloaked individuals looked down in either loathing, or undecided expression to those marching in the streets. They turned their backs without hesitation as they'd done so once when vowing to destroy the country. To them there would be no mercy, no quarter and no hesitation to take down a monster freshly born of this sickened age. Between Esdeath and Honest there was no tolerance, or desire to see a third arise in the shape of a man called Saber. A man who'd down terrible deeds, if only to be loved by those who knew nothing else and they themselves were now promised to be exterminated if given a chance.

Throughout crowds were singular entities hiding within sight and among shadows of alleys observing everything. Robes in either darkened blue cloth, or light in coloration stood out watching akin to sentinels awaiting a new sunrise. Few ever noticed them leaving fliers in places where hundreds congregated and took them without hesitation. Few ever noticed how'd they slip back into obscurity while sending entire droves of missives and notices to direct those willing to witness the greatest awakening of their time. But only among them stood on a rooftop leaning against granite to look down at the waves of citizenry.

Blue only smiled widely underneath a blue hood taking in every sight. It'd been shrewd to use their resources on an anonymous request to spread fliers pertaining to a rally. He'd give the kid credit where it was due because watching so many cheering, clamoring and bellowing for something other than a revolution was oddly entertaining. Yet there was one thing he found interesting when people called out to stand with the kid himself. A pair of eyes glinted once orange flames rigidly tried to pry away shadows underneath. Sighing merely out of resignation he commented rather whimsically in seeing crowds of people marching towards the place where death would reign, "Now that's what I would say is something new."

End Chapter Fifty One

Author's Note: I'm back.

I haven't forgotten despite not updating in quite some time, I'm been driving myself to the ground to put down for a home and one day have a family myself. Climbing out of a hole knowing where you are in society, a crap place and trying endlessly to tell yourself that every week is another notch on the wall to save up entirely for your future. This chapter was more along lines of myself refusing to be put down by those claiming to hate me for my beliefs, my skin and my people's history to where I've had enough of this self-hatred. I'm of European descent to people whose history has shaped this entire world, I'm an American who came from those having the courage to settle a new land and now I refuse to listen that every problem everyone else has is in on my people...it's quite vindictive to say to someone, "You're a...'insert random bullshit'..."

These next chapters will decide what will happen and I intend to get a sequel up eventually to either close, or expand the world in which this story encompasses. The pieces are set, the stage is being decided and once everything has clicked into place: you're going to either agree with me, or not to say this is pure madness. My dear readers, I refuse to stop and I never stop until things change whether in this story, or into reality when everyone is a walking dream in itself. This story's characters I invested so much into are paying off, if anything I'm hoping you all see the parallels forming with Esdeath, Tatsumi and those who view them both to realize the nature of their presence. If you want a decent read, I intend to deliver it and as such permit those who do realize it to say their thoughts on this matter, for I'm pushing myself to see the end game.

Great men of yesterday to which formed the greatest of civilizations, powers and as such would be considered mad men of today. It's amusing to see everyone think just because we have technology doesn't mean greatness, or justice for that matter is a peaceful process. Justice is fair, only if brutally distributed or cruel to those on the receiving end of it's wrath. You should notice some eerie similarities between Esdeath and Tatsumi's persona of sheer inhumane cruelty versus merciless brutality. Both are so close yet so far apart! For if anything it does relate to what Lubbock and Ran have seen respectively to make you, as readers, realize what is happening to get a cold chill.

Lubbock's deconstruction of events is particular a welcomed surprise due to him being an information broker. He can see the pieces in place after realizing what has happened and took the time to reflect upon it. Ran noticed because he'd been exposed to the actions undertaken to get the picture as well, both young men are too keen and aren't very easily swayed by those speaking their ideals. More so in Lubbock's case who'd he had humored to let Tatsumi go after being moved by that argument of choosing between friends earlier in this story, it makes sense because it genuinely would be an impossible choice and as such, he avoided being gutted when the man had every right to kill him. Irony at it's delectable best to see the result of letting a man like Tatsumi survive, so responsibility for cleaning up a mess is very open in this fashion.

And now the game is set! Stakes are made, antes are raised and bets need to be taken when all of this comes crashing down in a place where all will bare witness to the great awakening. The time has come, I've done all I can to raise the expectation, to raise the bar and to ultimately showcase what happens when someone does a story of a stock-cliche genre to do something a little unique. I do it for fun, so why the hell can't I enjoy seeing your reactions? So much can be said, so much is left untapped and so much so is there for anyone to take a stab as to what happens. I love predictions and to see your commentary to deconstruct what I thought, or wrote is simply too enjoyable for me to say but, thank you.

The end of this story is near, an arc will be closed and will be ignited anew. Hopefully by this summer, I'll have a new house and new sequel up to close the books on an idea that was merely a parody. It matured, it grew and now I have this behemoth that people read in days and almost a week while sitting down sipping coffee, or anything to say it's a unique take. It's all I like to see, I only aimed to have an original spin and that was it, a simple what-if question. In time you'll see where this all ends, you'l see what will become when one act can inspire many and in the end, if you don't have the heart or spirit to undertake what needs to be done? Nothing remains to be said.

Have a good week, stay safe and I'll see you all again.