Akame ga Kiru

The Imperial Saber

Chapter Fifty-Two

"Soon almost all of these streets are going to be descending into utter chaos, Tatsumi." The young colonel heard Roy comment when overlooking an entire fortified section of their legion's quarters. Legionaries were moving rapidly in securing openings between buildings, or presided to loom on rooftops armed with rifles and armor patrolling to safe guard their fellows laboring relatively effective in constructing walls to keep them secured. They hadn't not noticed hundreds to thousands gathering chanting for them to hang those responsible for their nation's woes.

Tatsumi hardly blinked save for smirking subtly pleased, "Isn't it beautiful to see our people taking action after us? All it took was us showing them, we have a chance in giving them something to witness?" Every street from the lowliest of walks of life to reports of increasing unrest to the most wealthiest sections inside the capitol, it'd been never unending to see more and more calling out for answers. Any legionary patrol assisting to keep order had been bombarded for pleas to help, shouting for them to act and most were shielded by those refusing to heed a call of themselves fearing those who no longer submitted.

"One can argue you're mad to ignore all of these consequences." Roy retorted bemused to head back into a busy room influx with reports, tips and even an ever growing pile of requests, "But you're changing what every citizen is viewing, sir. Some are approaching our soldiers in these streets defending them, if those who want our heads try to attack them. One patrol in particular safe guarding your Jaeger's family was being harassed violently. It seems anyone associating with yourself is going to be targeted, whether be out of intentional desire, or I think it'll be just the sheer demand to get your head."

The young man turned to look over a shoulder coldly indifferent, "Did they harm Bol's wife, or daughter even with Esdeath taking a personal interest in their well being?" He hadn't been informed due to an ever increasing surge of dangers lurking in the city, a stirring resentment and generational refusal to no longer see an established norm tripped a populace into mixed results. They were being attack and defended by inhabitants in increasing incidents, if anything Roy's observation of chaos on those streets rang true.

"Let's just say rabid dogs who harm those are innocent weren't treated kindly by our own, or those who witnessed said altercation. Some were lynched by ones defending both our soldiers and the family under our supervision, others held for an interrogation by your own discretion, sir." An overt smile appeared slowly to gradually make him remark rather curious, "And why didn't you inform me sooner? They'll have to answer once we gather those who are detained, Roy."

The elder lieutenant raised a hand somewhat apologetic, "Priorities on your end, Tatsumi. Between securing routes for prisoners to be held, gathered and observed in the colosseum, I figured to let you rest since it's more prudent." He stated confidently to make Tatsumi snort lightly, "More to be set as examples for our people to see everything is changing. What else is happening since your staff appears to be barely keeping up in sorting out rumor, truth and false leads."

An amused sardonic expression shot back a knowing tone, "Volunteers to defend themselves against corrupt police forces, bureaucrats who chain families and those unable to fight against monsters who play with their lives. We have requests to remove Honest's supporters in a variety of places, I have trading guilds, theater associations, administrative contacts and those who keep themselves hidden inside the Imperial arms supplier to our soldiers." Following Roy towards a table where stacks of parchment were being organized into detailed sections of said targets, "Essentially we're being told about everyone to keep us busy once your event is over with, Tatsumi. Plus we've got tips from those who live inside the capitol's streets about...our legion."

The soldier blinked owlishly making an Ottoman laugh lightly, "Criminal undercurrents, sir! The Prime minister's deepened influence keeps slavers, or cartels who undermine those who make an honest living." Shifting through reports hand written by legionaries underneath himself to verify information through testimony, or witness accounts to state tiredly, "You're being targeted by everyone from Honest's most desperate and fearful supporters, to hired blades looking for a big payday and the Revolutionaries who we know operate in this city. I warned you you'd have everyone after your damned head!"

There wasn't any doubt to affirm an old warning he'd mentioned, "Tatsumi you're stirring everything too dangerously and I know you hardly care about it. But I'll say it again, everyone is coming down on your head, so Gods help you since I doubt even Esdeath's power is going to spare you from the hell you're uprooting." Said person laughed lowly finding it expectant, "And is that a terrible thing, Roy? This is what it's going to take to wake our people up from despair they were born to believe into every day! Do you think that their constant hopelessness would change and garner an idea they're powerless to say enough is enough?"

Tatsumi exhaled loudly to remain in place staring out into an entire street filled with legionaries, citizens and numerous groups aiding them. We're not traitors, we're not cowards and we're not afraid of being challenged by those who fear us! More importantly Esdeath had been rightfully intrigued to inform him after departing Bols's ceremonial funeral, "Did you know my fiancee is going to watch what I'm doing to do, lieutenant? She wants to see something no one in our time has ever attempted too."

His oldest of friends and subordinates wryly replied, "I'd imagine given what I've seen she'd viewed this madness? She probably thinks it's all just some joyful fun." The young colonel shook his head absently speaking, "Not at all, Roy. She wants to see me do something she'd imagined, if anything else? Fun to her is making us stop what we're doing, so I think that's entirely wrong. Because I told her something important, if you believe it!"

The elder man's voice turned remarkably interested to cautiously ask, "And what is that, sir?" Emerald eyes burned with an internal glee to smile eerily similar to said woman whose cruel nature couldn't be matched, "She's changing whether I, or her admit it openly. I've changed because of listening to what she says, to which as a husband I have to trust my wife with our future. But she has to do the same thing in part to have a family. Neither of us can remain as we were, if we're to be together to be even have a family."

Roy's doubt wasn't without fault to remark slightly sarcastic, "Do either of you know what a family is supposed to be, Tatsumi? It's not easy normally, but with you two? It'd be anyone mad to guess!" It was within reason to have an answer smoothly admit a truth, "No, I don't know since I never had a father, or mother. But Esdeath lost her mother and father, so she ironically knows more what it means far more than I'd do. Which is something I want to learn, if I'm to be a father to my children, who'll have both in their lives and that's what I believe in my future."

There wasn't a doubt he'd believe repercussions weren't going to happen eventually. But Esdeath allowed all of this chaos to have him prove a point. She wanted to his understanding to be a mother, to have a family and remain powerful enough to secure themselves. Yet this is the only way to have her seen more than just ourselves. Our nation, our people and our weakness is what will make her power become nothing when this world is causing our enemies to grow stronger, to destroy everything and leave it defenseless beyond our borders.

Looking upwards in seeing a horizon still visible did he speak quietly, "When the sunrises in the morning that is where I, you, our legion and everyone hears a message of defiance to the entire world." Roy stood close by with an expression equally disturbed yet patient to hear keenly intrigued, "Our Empire stands after a thousand years, it formed out of chaos from what little we know. For a thousand years it's remained, it withstood this world and yet I wondered why no one is trying to do what we're fighting to stop it. So I promised Esdeath this world would be ours to take...if we ceased trying to weaken ourselves."

The lieutenant mused briefly internally to cautiously joke, "I doubt world conquest is a solution to your wife giving us an opportunity, Tatsumi." Said fiance of said woman agreed partially, "I'm aware, Roy but conquest is just another means of a world I've known. Yet it doesn't deny a fact that our enemy isn't just the Revolution, Roy. Foreign influences are assisting them, Honest's influence is assisting them indirectly, our people's weakness for falling in this degeneracy and lack of purpose...is making the world savoring our fall into ruin. The Empire's lands are vast, vastly untapped and our people have cultivated it to never needed for it all to expand for centuries since we built ourselves, to hone what we had to become an envy of those beyond our borders and as a result we've seen how corruption festered."

Turning around swiftly to gesture angrily towards a capitol's view beyond the balcony, "I don't know where it all began, or how it'd gotten to a point where Honest openly rules. But no longer will this madness destroying our people endure! We are more Roy, from our history, our values and I will not have those who aren't us by blood, to simply decide our destiny to live, or to die for past events we never witnessed!" He seethed lowly to grasp a blade's hilt tightly when throbbing from Strafe's presence grew stronger subtly.

"Our people are our family to a degree, I'll admit!" Tatsumi whispered to stare right into his oldest subordinate to smile serenely, "But it's not a guarantee for us, or them to survive when monsters within and from beyond our nation deliberately wasted our time to destroy everything in their power. The Revolution, Honest and anyone else who wish us dead are a foe needed to be purged. We need to anchor ourselves to the capitol for people to rise up to help us, they're not an answer but a piece of the puzzle we all know is needed, more so in having to show everyone we are the one last chance to save ourselves...since no one is coming to save us."

Roy stared openly feeling shivers running down his spine both cold and electrifying to have him swallow nervously. Whatever his superior and Julius had discussed in private during their internal pact of declaring their intentions? I don't know whether I should be terrified, or amazed to see who'll you will become, Tatsumi. You're right to say you've changed, I trust you for being honest and if you're telling me Esdeath is changing as well...gods help us all. How much longer are you going to pretend it'll get you killed sooner than later!

After several moments he finally shrugged to lightly remind the colonel, "I hate it when you do this to me, sir." Glancing aside to gnash teeth briefly while grinding out, "Sometimes I regret not being killed when you caught me procuring gold, or silver to keep our legion together back then. You never told me why you spared my life, Tatsumi. And I can't help but think you're as much as a monster to those we're going remove, I wonder if you enjoy to string myself along into your madness for what I've done to remain loyal."

During their initial formation Roy hardly felt regret, or remorse from looting villages or wealthier subjects of the Empire deemed as traitors. He honestly refused to feel guilt because of Tatsumi's actions depriving them value for being soldiers, or least those assigned in their creation upon his promotion to a legion commander. Picking through burnt homes, corpses or even accepting tribute for those saved by his superior when they'd been marked to be executed by association. They weren't heroes who lived by virtue, they weren't icons and yet many believed them to be above such terrible things committed by their very hands. Roy internally desired an answer after a year of harboring doubt, beliefs and simply understood it'd been a good time to question it.

"Colonel, why am I alive?" He spoke clearer to remain firmly in place as a younger officer didn't respond yet alone move visibly. Tatsumi's gaze was fixated over viewing thousands upon thousands of people moving about, "None of us would refuse marching into hell, if you ordered or we chose to do it sir. But why did you spare me when no exceptions were made previously?" It gnawed at him within his psyche to hear any explanation, or reasoning to imagine an answer to personal afflictions festering in solitude.

Again an answer remained silently evasive as minutes trickled down leaving the two soldiers in their internal opposition. Outside shouts of formations could be heard as groups of unarmed citizens were diligently sorted into organized sections. Pouches of coin exchanged in frequent intervals, or ragged injured got moved towards field triage designated buildings. Yet notes of parchment got handed over indicating ordinary inhabitants risked themselves to bring revealing information, as a means to end monsters who tortured them for years. Both officers noted similar events happening rapidly and show no sign of slowing down.

"Because you questioned and outright criticized my every action, Roy." Tatsumi's voice sounded faintly nostalgic to laugh plainly, "You held on trying to find ways to usurp my command, or to get rid of me when I ordained our legion's mandate. And every time I executed those who disobeyed my orders?" Staring keenly while tapping his sheathed blade to accent a point, "You saw their victims and I showed you why so many hated us. You saw their faces and refused to accept it'd change despite repeating over and over, again."

The younger soldier hardly seemed to mind reliving darker days to smile gently, "But you realized only we could change our legion's expectation. Looting, raping and acting like rabid dogs was the very reason our people looked at us, as if we were the monsters and not as soldiers." Raising a hand to simply clench his fist tightly, "You acted to do what needed to be done! I don't hate you, or find you hypocritical for picking gold and silver from villages burned to the last person alive...because I needed somebody to trust in accepting those risks willingly."

Roy laughed harshly find his words far too lack luster responding bitterly, "Then you're a hypocrite as well, colonel. What are you trying to say to me, I stuck by you despite everything and I held that guilt knowing I was expendable whenever we marched to raze a village, or crucify those who were consigned to die and you defied those orders." Tatsumi's smirk still appeared openly to hear a rant of a man burdened by truth, an irony he himself upheld regardless of how much it seemed maddening and that was why.

"Hypocrite, or not? You remained loyal to follow me and chose along with myself those inducted to replace men who disobeyed." The young man pointed out rather bemused to turn facing him face to face, "And that is worth more than gold, or silver picked from dead corpses who damned their friends, family and loved ones to die along with themselves. Roy, if I'm our legions commander who decides or thinks to achieve victory on the battlefields...it wouldn't without your leadership to keep us together, I needed someone to trust above all else."

Walking forward to look a man in his eyes without hesitation to proclaim, "You are our legion's soul to remain true to my impossible dream to achieve, Valentin." There wasn't any dramatic indication to exploit his friends earnest demand for an answer, "You did more for us because of that incident when I found out, I kept you alive because you didn't lose your place! You wanted us to succeed, you wanted myself to do more and I in turn decided to do it for our legionaries. How is that not a reward for being loyal to the Empire's history of enduring, how is that not more for myself to uphold, or for our people who we entirely spared when I chose seeing our soldiers thrive to circumvent innocents destined to die like everyone else?"

An elder officer who came from nobility whose entire purpose to guide those into worthiness was among few who recognized potential. The Ottomans were a lesser known aristocratic family by default compared to most Generals of the Empire, "Do you hate me for having faith in a friend who chose duty over personal motivation for betraying his commander? We've known each other well over an entire year, if not more to reach this point where you've kept hammering and refusing to have me see reason to get somewhere none dared to imagine."

Roy snorted to laugh cynically aware they'd march to their deaths if an order came down, "And because of your vanity in this impossible ambition? They'll never betray the Empire willingly, or you, until death, Tatsumi." He shook his head moving towards a balcony where a younger colonel followed silently amused, "Those Jaegers fell for your mask of truth as well as I did. Is that why Seryu will cling to your words, or actions desperately trying to keep her sanity if justice cannot be enforced in this cesspool of monsters?"

Questioning even her induction made a young man chortle hardly concerned, "Teach her as you did for me, Roy. You're acting commander despite all formality aside, I know Esdeath could take that away from me anytime she desires. But you are our legion's soul to mold another, I trust Seryu and Koro to find their purpose to lead when I am damned to become a monster, I don't regret you as my closest friend whose remained true to his people, duty and station as a nobleman who recognizes what madness I'm instigating."

A less than humoring retort was shot back, "Friends? You have an odd way to show trust when we're fighting everyone between the Empire and our people? Into somehow tempting Honest and your fiancee humoring your actions, angering those assassins of Night-Raid and rightfully sending terror into that damned Revolution, who all will demand your life to be expendable eventually." He explained knowingly seeing signs of madness while shaking himself down tiredly just to smile placidly, "I hope you understand why I wanted answers now, or I'd doubt my sanity to guess why you act recklessly confusing."

Shrugging in response did the young colonel humorously admit, "Well it got us this far!" Roy eyed his superior warily to retort, "Julius is going to instruct you to be an even more dangerous monster. Never thought you'd ask a politician to learn games capable of creating hell, or am I wrong? Please be honest, I don't need to doubt you when everything you've envision is coming to pass, Tatsumi." It was indeed a crucial question considering his friend and superior had placed himself in among powers deciding their nation's course.

"Power over men." The young man bitterly acknowledged to accept that irony after ignoring it for so long, "Without power what use is strength, if I cannot wield either? I'm going to marry someone who is both, I chose a future over happiness with another who wields them at a whim and she wants to have children one day. Family is key, power is convenient and I can't ignore without Esdeath I'd have been killed years ago...probably for certain." There wasn't any sort of hesitation, or condescending bitterness save for a young man who found himself capable to give one last chance for their people to awaken out of perpetual self-loathing.

"Our Great General is the one who pointed myself out to her, Roy." Tatsumi revealed ironically concerned above everything to see his second nod warily, "Do you think Budo prepared a strategy, or am I just expendable to him? Because what you're saying is that I'm a means to an end." A young colonel remarked painfully self-aware to cause them both to laugh among themselves, it'd certainly seemed to have them agree genuinely bemused.

"It's irrelevant in my opinion, Tatsumi." Roy mentioned offhandedly to stand out on a balcony with hands folded promptly, "Stay focused on your impossible dream, I'll stay focused on making sure we don't dig ourselves into a hole. Truth be told those Ghosts have been a hell of an asset to get us willing suppliers for weapons, food and having the people who live here assist us. So I guess you're doing something useful for everyone, or so I hoped!"

Across an entire main street wagons filled with captive corrupt officials and other known supposed monsters screamed to be released. None among legionaries, or those who'd been afflicted by inhumane conditions reacted save for jeers arising in crowds beyond an entrance. Hundreds of common men, women and children regardless of being orphaned cried out for blood, "Hang them all! Hang them all, hang them all!" Chanting rivaling even their instruments signaling marching cadences arose to wash over to have Tatsumi particularly smile hungrily pleased.

"We're going to have a lot of issues providing security and keeping lynch mobs in check tomorrow." Roy warily exhaled to rub both eyes expectantly, "Do you have a preference in separating rabble from wealthier bodies? Gods alone, I suspect some in this city who believe themselves above this purge will want to gloat. We won't be able to send an effective message towards those believing themselves as untouchable, sir."

Tatsumi idly waved off those concerns entirely happily to say, "It's an open event, Roy! Everyone who can fill themselves and more into that colosseum will flood entirely to the brim." Looking upwards he firmly understood rage when it couldn't be contained, "The more who place themselves into that place will see everything. Once it ends, I know they'll spread word and it'll make the entire capitol erupt with fury to have it continue by our legionaries who always patrol these streets. We're weapons to be wielded and whoever direct us, we shall rip out corruption because we don't fear evil, or death in the Empire's values."

Roy hummed briefly to remark a bit critical, "Our people won't understand entirely, Tatsumi. But if anyone who can drive them mad, I think you can reason with them considering I find it impossible honestly." All too cruelly tempted said colonel commented simply, "Well it's a good thing I aim for the impossible, lieutenant. But tomorrow hedges on my fiancee and I intend to fulfill a promise to make something beautiful happen for her to witness. After all a husband must impress his future wife, if I'm to survive being together with her."

The two chuckled quietly finding an irony yet ignored commenting to bask in a small window of calmness. I've done all I can, I've pushed myself and I never stopped achieving to get where I needed to go! Tatsumi narrowed green eyes to smile warmly even as Strafe's presence continuously kept pulsating along his arm's flesh. He glanced towards a blackened metal to whisper quietly, "What are you teigu? Just what the hell are you supposed to be doing?"

Strafe's existence kept hounding as an ever persistent headache to what it'd do possibly. He found himself growing aware to accept it, to wield it and yet something was missing. I've gotten better in using you, so what are you exactly? The fuck are you supposed to be doing, if Stylish said you wanted to be wielded by but who's will? That simple thought consuming conundrum alone sparked equal concern to an extent as well as an eagerness to push that line of understanding further.

Physically his body had adjusted to where anything humane hardly was debatable anymore. Teigu bond themselves from what he imagined, so why did this particular weapon keep itself secured? Questions kept arising whether these weapons were means to end, or where an end to those who could go beyond humane limitations. Regardless of that pondering question, Tatsumi accepted a fact he'd possibly never would understand how these creations existed from a thousand years when the founding Emperor created them. Yet he'd vow to learn Strafe's limits, if only to break them because it was worth a reward to earn.

"I don't know what you're planning to say, or do tomorrow, sir." Roy gently admitted to simply give an inevitable warning, "But try not to get yourself killed! At least prepare for that possibility, or else I'll have to deal with an entire city erupting. For your sake..." He slowly trailed off shaking his head again to laugh good naturally, "And not for mine, or anyone else. Or lie to me, I'd happily love to hear you say everything is going well to your plans."

Humor aside Tatsumi snorted lowly to dryly state less than amused, "I'll take it under consideration, lieutenant." Resisting to grin couldn't be avoided to keep words simply as the two settled on over watching legionaries guiding horses towards riders. Beneath them lines of citizens were being interviewed as parchment with names, or details regarding potential targets got exchanged for pieces of silver. Most seemed exuberant to profoundly thank reverently, or tear up to hug stoically familiarized soldiers who'd grown accustomed after exposure to said reactions.

"Eyes and ears for us to be everywhere." Roy commented idly impressed to hear the colonel agree ideally pleased, "Our people will be heard, lieutenant. No longer will their pain, fury and vengeance be silenced by those who are monster. We'll kill monsters among them...at their word." Word continuously spread when even a glimmer of doubt held people to provide for their families, or loved ones could be done while revealing who believed themselves untouchable to not realize they'd bleed red like any other human flaunting atrocities.

While their efforts were being recognized rapidly by an ever growing surge of momentum and it proving effective. One single question arose curiously enough, "I doubt this will last long, if the capitol descends into open warfare between those who believe, or hate you. Do you think there's enough force to make these people see differently?" Polarization among inhabitants would occur naturally since it'd been appearing frequently from patrols reporting situations they'd found themselves incurring, Roy doubted personally most would see their heads as gold walking freely.

"Not yet." Tatsumi mused to frown partially, "I don't even know how our people will react to what I'll do tomorrow in open view. Esdeath alone, I might as well not even imagine since it won't do us any good." He settled that matter entirely to lean backward against a wall just opposite of the lieutenant's right side, "This isn't a battlefield where we know what to expect, or believe to be familiarized inside a city as massive and populated. We're not used to fighting inside closed streets, or from buildings used to shoot our soldiers."

An agreement came between them with Roy groaning loudly exasperated, "Great!" He complained utterly frustrated to growl out, "I thought besieging villages, or learning about small towns got complicated! But this is going to be an absolute hell, if you and I come up with a suitable battle-plan dealing with revolutionaries, hired killers and every desperate civilian seeking gold coin for blood. And to top it off, I have to worry about our Ghosts meeting Night-Raid since there was an encounter last night...interestingly."

Tatsumi looked up sharply inquiring about an incident he hadn't been aware occurred, "Who?" Without turning around he heard his subordinate explain lowly amiss pondering distractedly, "Almaric encountered that information broker, I believe if the description matches your account. Teigu used wires which I quote, 'tough as shit, a pain in my ass.', from his mouth directly and I'm stuck debating which of our Ghosts have to pair up to survive Night-Raid in future operations." Lightly tapping fingers against granite did he assume several possibilities, or potential for their small group of teigu users to prevail in battle.

"We'll have to dig up more about them, if we can." The colonel spoke warily since it'd been obvious to assume such expectation, "I've only met them briefly when I first arrived. Najenda is an ex-general of our military, Roy and she's capable to predict Esdeath to keep her at bay. Akame is an assassin, but I can ask her sister about how, or where they trained." He listed off generalized knowledge mainly out of recollection to figure where they'd get help in that question alone. Yet he kept going since his lieutenant listened attentively out of habit.

Closing both eyes to assume somewhat accurately about another, "Leone is an animal in terms of fighting close up and personal. Savage instincts and predatory!" Bols's throat being torn out certainly gave credit to return that favor if it were possible, "Lubbock though is Najenda's direct eyes and ears inside the capitol. There's not a doubt in my mind, I know he's former military as well who served under Najenda most likely. In all honestly he could have killed me a while ago, when I encountered Mine and Scheele, I think he let me live because I didn't want them dead or imprisoned yet it happened."

The two went quiet again to slowly digest and process facts pertaining to future incidents where they'd meet inevitably. That horned teigu is also undeniably dangerous to anyone, I don't even know what to call it! But I kept it at bay while outnumbered, hurt and barely survived because my Ghosts were sent by you...Roy. It'd been surprise which saved them from being utterly massacred, or captured to know such a situation wouldn't occur again. Despite being grateful for doing such an act, Tatsumi bitterly accepted they'd be targeted more often to thin them down since teigu were exceedingly rare to find, or acquire.

"I am going to drink heavily, Gods soon I'll have a common habit with my grandfather, sir." The elder man stated cautiously optimistic to add, "And accept that woman's offer! She's tempting to make me believe, if she doesn't back up all that shit talking." Grinning broadly at Rose's continuously attempts of going into a bed were hopeful signs of good imagination. Yet he relatively placed those expectations aside to simply accept where they stood.

They still had too little information about how to counter-act Night-Raid and their teigu to safely assume otherwise. Or rather, I don't know who can effectively fight a specific target without killing themselves first of all. There's got to be more about Najenda, Lubbock and Akame in the Empire's bureaucracy somewhere! Anything would help, if I knew where they deployed and who they fought to get an idea to Roy to theorize future planning. Exasperation followed frank interest to inquire about these people to Esdeath, Tatsumi rationalized she'd know more about an ex-colleague who commanded armies to some extent.

Yet another Jaeger stood out innocently enough to make him mutter, "Ran." Musing quietly to himself for several moments before deciding to speak up lightly, "I think I can get us information, or details about them hopefully. Ran is an information gatherer to some extent, so I'll ask him and we'll go from there to play strategist on a later day. Any objections?" He only humorously offered to make an elder man raise a hand negatively forgoing words entirely, it'd have to be done when time aligned for luxuries.

"You know I do have one question which is rather damning to ask, Tatsumi." Roy's voice dipped bitterly to explain an internal issue, "While your intentions for Reformation isn't technically traitorous, or instigating revolts to warrant an immediate execution. What is really stopping Honest from informing our Emperor? Since you and I damn well know he'll hear about tomorrow's event, so why not in having him kill you?" It was an earnest series of questions not withstanding Esdeath for an answer, if anything to him it seemed maddening yet a young Ottoman doubted it rested solely on her reputation.

Tatsumi's lips retracted into a wry grin, "It'll probably be decided how much I impress my future wife, Roy. She and Honest meet regularly from what I've gathered, or from someone whose better in finding out." The man blinked several times to himself until rounding about to whisper disbelievingly, "Are you sure you're sane? Because I just heard that your survival, our legion's survival, our chances and our very hopes are riding on that woman's whims, Tatsumi. Or am I mishearing by the gods damning me further?"

There couldn't a single chance in hell he hadn't misheard since insanity seemed to appealing over madness. What in the hell are you thinking, colonel! Gods damn me, I think you're losing what little grasp over reality to believe Esdeath would help...us? Tasting those two words were akin to poison meant to kill a man within seconds, if it were possible without danger beasts tearing said man into pieces. Yet that yielded better fortunes to succeed as opposed to believing, or imagining that cruel creature assisting them willingly.

"Oh by our gods...you're fucking serious!" Roy harshly realized to take several steps from an ever growing smirk rivaling another infamous cruelty, "Impossible!" He stomped forward angrily to literally almost thinly below in a controlled tone of volume, "Tatsumi you cannot believe she'll willingly help us reform the Empire, help our nation and join us! You're fucking mad, I mean it gods damn you..." His hand lashed out gripping a younger officer's coat rigidly to partially shake him roughly while failing to quell an internal rage.

Yet two green eyes narrowed coyly to raise an eyebrow, "Why?" The colonel laughed simply to point out an obvious solution, "Because I want her to change to prove a point, my point! What good is a weak people for our children to inherit when the world is preparing a feast upon our Empire, if those revolutionaries even get close to achieving their goals Roy?" Gnashing both sets of teeth did an elder man restrain himself to partially thrash Tatsumi towards a solid wall, it caused legionaries within sharply look over seeing signs of ascending aggression.

"She is not someone who will help us!" He almost thundered to make a younger colonel laugh grinning widely, "What makes you say that, Valentin?" Said person refused to wince hearing a middle name as Tatsumi's grin grew colder, "Because she doesn't care about anyone, but me and what she wants out of myself to become an equal in her eyes. Roy don't you get it?" He questioned amusingly lightly placing hands over an ever angered lieutenant's to squeeze mildly irritated, it forced a wince as inhumane limitations had grown due to the teigu's growing pulsations.

"We're going to be husband and wife to each other. I have to trust her to do what's best for our future and children...as she does to me!" An ever horrified expression gradually appeared from rage when Tatsumi whispered happily, "And what better way for a husband to trust his wife than safeguarding our people as family? Why should I be so selfless? It got us nowhere until you pointed out to me when being selfish for a change, I see it does more good than it's worth to Esdeath allow myself to achieve an impossible dream."

Strafe's embedded presence tingled painful precognition as green eyes closed briefly to tolerate sensations to allow a teigu free reign. Enough of you trying to tempt me, Strafe! Whatever you're trying to accomplish, I will not relinquish my will to you. Inhaling steadily to look at his subordinate and friend without hesitation to grin eagerly, "We need power from someone who'll give strength meaning and whether you like it, or not? I'm neither the strongest, or most powerful to achieve a purposeful message to our nation unlike someone who everyone fears, knows and despite everything I've done it's not close at all."

That surreal horrific sensation an elder man witnessed as a jarring humbleness seemed eerily monstrous, "You're mad, sir." He repeated those three words undeniably chilled in recognizing a gleam of bemusement in those emerald iris's signaling resolve, "You'll get yourself killed by everyone who wants blood, gold or vengeance...for her? To prove her wrong, or is this insanity you've manifested for shouldering all of this for years?" Questions demanded answers either out of desperation, or sheer shock to make a grin extend further.

As Tatsumi smiled fully in a cruel manner akin to his fiancee, Roy reacted immediately when an outline formed on his superior's body. Blackened armor partially flared into existence making him back up shuddering as armed were crossed comfortingly, "Wrong?" Green eyes occasionally appeared in being stitched shut momentarily when Strafe's armor dissipated involuntarily, "No, I'm going to prove us both right when it comes to our expectations. We're changing each other and neither of us will admit it, or outright say so truthfully."

He couldn't help laughing lowly in seeing a close friend look partially terrified while remaining patient to listen, "Unlike her?" Tatsumi tapped himself right over a beating heart to admit, "I care about being a father who'll be there for his children. She can't admit it to say that about being a mother to people who rely on her for everything, I can't even rely on myself to believe I can be a decent father yet alone parent to accept it. Our children wouldn't survive with such a weakened nation, we would destroy ourselves if the Empire is destroyed by our enemies, damn god since I'm willing to endure anything to give them a future!"

Nearly heavily breathing to tremble with fists clenched did Roy numbly hit a stone barrier opposite of Tatsumi's smiling facial expression. You've stopped lying to yourself after hiding what you wanted to become years ago, sir. You chose to damn yourself for everyone because you're being selfish, I don't believe it! He was honestly going to endanger them all over a damned selfish desire between Esdeath and an impossible chance. Ironically believing his word without doubt meant the colonel would change...into what that woman desired.

"You will be the monster you feared becoming years ago, Tatsumi." Roy whispered trying to at least stop his closet friend and respected superior from madness, even if it'd guarantee their chance of calling for a Reformation. Why would he choose now of all times to drop a mask of truth? It didn't make sense yet it been himself willingly accepting that price for their future. Sacrificing his own happiness for children not yet born, or for those aware clamoring to spill blood when it'd been prepared by design as a purpose.

The young colonel hardly seemed to lose a smile, "I'm already the monster to everyone, lieutenant." Listing off with fingers raising casually, "To Honest's supporters, to Night-Raid, to the Revolution, people inside our nation and to my own comrades." Eyeing away from his own closest friends expression to look towards a distant Imperial Palace looming over them all, "And the Jaegers know I'm something terrible but refuse to accept I made peace with it. Bols, Ran and maybe Stylish all knew I've committed atrocities before and with our legion."

Yet despite bitterly accepting a far more bleak outlook to place himself in harms way? Tatsumi earnestly felt weight lifting off his shoulders to smile serenely as if acknowledging such terrible truths were relief. I'm already a monster who plays a man, so why not play a man as the monster? Rhetorically questioning that ironic possibility certainly seemed worth humoring considering Esdeath had chose to do said intention. By safeguarding Bols's family, it gave a chance for himself to do what she expected for him to humor.

Walking past a stunned man who spoke guarded trying to avoid trembling in seeing an unusual smile commonly appear cruel, "Do those two who follow us mean nothing?" Humming lightly to snort hardly believing of Wave and Seryu's willingness, "They mean more to you, or I because they want our nation to shake off this cancerous corrupt degeneracy, Roy. I don't force my friends to follow me, they chose too and I thought you knew that all too well...if I haven't asked you to help them." Again that damnable smile warmly masked an undertone of cruelly, it caused an over shiver running down his spinal cord audibly.

"Tatsumi, can I ask you one thing?" Steeling himself internally to question his superior who looked from peripheral's narrowing cruelly bemused, "When did you finally...break?" Seeing eyes which normally housed warmth, resilience and an unyielding steel will shift into a cruel amusement was beyond startling. Roy refrained from grasping his own weapon's hilt due to how predatory Tatsumi's gaze emulated yet remained silent for several moments. Below sounds of a busy street washed over them momentarily to indicate a fierce internal debate.

But that changed with a cold chortle, "When?" He asked disbelievingly to shake his own head, "I think you should ask not when, but how!" Casually lifting an arm to rest a hand over the balcony's edge reveal an answer to Roy's widening eyes. Strafe's metallic exterior appeared to extend slightly past it's original location when sporadic droplets of crimson leaked from edges underneath, "Here's your answer to how and why, conveniently enough. This damned teigu is trying to either control me, or I'm barely controlling it to do what it was designed too."

Almost involuntarily a shimmering blackened exterior formed over Tatsumi's smiling face when he bared teeth, "It wants to be used." The teigu itself kept physically throbbing to a point where a snarl forced said sensation to cease entirely, "And I'm sick of it trying too. Strafe is forcing whatever I locked away to simply come out, I don't know what in hell's name it was meant too do! There's nothing about it I can't understand why, or for what purpose save for making me accept, I'll never be able to hide these influences."

Breathing in heavily to ward off an ever stronger urge as a teigu violently tightened gradually along his forearm. Forcing out a grin equally cruel and far too determined to savor, "Roy, trust me when I say these teigu are alive and they're aware how to make us use them rather effectively." He laughed quite simply amazed to admit rather intrigued, "And I cannot help but think oddly enough it's trying to tell me to trust it! If not I'll admit why I want to know, so I'll trust Esdeath to show me how to become powerful with a teigu she conquered to become unstoppable...as a sign of faith from me to trust her without doubt."

The sheer tension between both men shattered when Roy backed away cautiously when noticing from behind wings of blackened shades appearing gradually. Akin to a mirage within deserts of extreme heat shimmering distantly did those partial shades extend prominently. But they faded out of existence when draped over both of his own shoulders as Tatsumi turned around grinning. With hand on a blade's hilt lazily he spoke far too happily, "Isn't that a miracle to believe an impossible dream is so close to be real, lieutenant? Or have I lost my mind?"

Those were questions equally damning to wonder how much further would this madness go. An unseen sense of sickening exhaustion swept out of him personally, "I think that teigu is disgusting for making you twist yourself inwards." Green eyes partially obscured by stitched material constantly reappearing and dissipating blinked several times in response. Yet a smile remained in place remarkably when the user of said weapon spoke fondly, "It's always been frightening to see because it's what is needed to accomplish what has to be done, Roy. This is no different from our time together when a legion formed, it is no different from what has always happened and I'm willing to endure Strafe to see where it'll take me."

The man refused to outright accept that determined perversion to bite out, "Endure? Tatsumi look at yourself in a mirror for gods sake!" His arm snapped forward gesturing animatedly to shaded patches of armor constantly reappearing akin to mirages, "That teigu is responding to whatever your thinking, or even planning! It could kill you for all we know, or hell...worse! If what you're saying is true, I don't want to know because you'll keep going no matter what I say. Am I wrong to say I can't look at you damning yourself further?"

Tatsumi hardly hesitated to remark humorously, "No, not at all." His arms fells to dissipate mirages of blackened armor when speaking earnestly impressed, "I think you're a friend whose loyalty to our legion and people make you capable to stomach what is required for us to succeed. Loyalty is worth more than all the gold being offered for our heads, Roy and you damn well know why that is dangerous to our enemies. But I'll say it anyway!"

An impressive cruel smile exposed teeth making a lieutenant shiver uncomfortably when Strafe's entire armored frame appeared involuntarily. The teigu along his superior's forearm seemingly let of a faint ringing when metal vibrated viciously quick, "We cannot be corrupted by those who fear us coming to purge them. You cannot be corrupted because I trust you and I've never lied about accomplishing my dream to pay any price to see it exist." Tatsumi's expression shifted far more serenely in smiling sending a man to bite down resolutely to not scream aloud in frustration, if anything madness would have been humane to this twisted promise.

"You will be targeted everyday, you'll never know peace and I hate you for choosing to do it for everyone else...who will think you're forcing yourself to endure hell." The young Ottoman stated simply to see a pleasant smile forming encouragingly, "You're giving everything you have for us to have a chance to do something impossible. Tatsumi, I pray for your soul because there's only so much a man can give until nothing is left! If there's anything left at all, if I guessed."

The young colonel still remained standing with arms crossed to simply reaffirm an inevitable course, "One life being ruined is hardly worth anything, Roy." Gesturing towards an entire capitol were distant chants and growing streams of people calling for blood, "But if it gives everyone else something better just for this one life deprived of happiness, will and desire? Well if it's just my life and future needed for that to happen...I say, that's what I call simply priceless."

Roy's mouth turned downwards stoically keep himself composed from naturally bellowing out of sheer exasperation. You're not playing a hero, I get that much Tatsumi and you damn well know it! The colonel was only doing what soldiers did best, to uphold their duty and oaths to safeguard their nation at all costs. Yet he couldn't help holding back a sliver of water trying to drip downwards. Nothing else mattered if that was indeed a small price to pay for them to achieve an impossibility, if they wanted to reform and change the Empire it'd have to start...right here for everyone to witness.

"Gods help you, sir." He offered mainly out of reluctance to go along with a maddening desire burning within his superior's eyes, "You believe you don't deserve happiness, or peace? I think you can't let go we're naturally monsters, so don't lose yourself to your own demons." Tatsumi smiled visibly to nod subtly pleased that his eldest friend and subordinate understood a need for purposeful selfish desire and selfless cause jointly. Yet that was a price to be paid for giving one last chance for their people to awaken themselves to do what was needed.

Heroes don't exist anymore because we're all monsters, heroes are just monsters who pretend to hide from accepting that fact. Looking out over thousands of armored legionaries who assisted civilians, or those desperate to seek out a means to save their loved ones and themselves mingled in an ending purpose. None were turned away in favor of compiling information, details and garnering favor to do what few never dared to imagine. He'd have to do yet again another daring step forward involving someone none in their nation considered within nightmares, or horrors considering Esdeath's justified reputation of unmatched sadism.

"There's no one coming to save us, but ourselves." Whispering those words warmly to glance towards a teigu which reacted with internal pulsations. The weapon desired to be used for whatever purpose it'd been created to accomplish, "And I'll give everything because I can! I will not allow my people, my nation and everything we stood be destroyed because of weakness cowards and traitors festered from a time beyond when I was born. I'll make it a reality, I'll become a father and I'll become the future for those willing to shed blood to make our future worth something beautiful."

Roy's silence continuously kept himself from grinning as a loyal friend understood what he'd been planning to accomplish. It didn't matter if his life became at risk, or he'd been despised for refusing to cave to endless blind loathing of their own country. It is my duty, an unyielding purpose and I cannot stand for these weakened people who believe nothing else exists. We stood for a thousand years, we endured and maintained ourselves, but when everything is on the cusp of collapsing I'm expected to just...roll over, to let it all die?

Tatsumi found himself slowly being encased by Strafe's ever persistent presence to unleash itself upon enemies seeking that end. Yet it couldn't take control when it dispelled in unseen painstaking tremors upon his flesh, "Is there anything I should be aware about, lieutenant? I can't think of anything more to do save for enjoying one last day of preparation, I hate it. I can only watch and wait until what happens when everything comes together."

The acting commander of their legion responded levelly to remain optimistic, "I wouldn't stress over what you've done. Considering we're in unknown waters metaphorically, I'd recommend talking what you'll say and do with Julius personally, sir. He'd know more about rallying our people, if not give you an idea, or two." That recommendation seemed earnestly pragmatic to have him agree internally, so he'd act upon that advice from a trusted friend and comrade who'd accepted the madness of achieving impossibility.

Distantly a path began clearing with one lone cavalry rider approaching quickly and it caught both Imperial officers unintentionally. Frowning Roy moved standing next to a superior remarking, "That's never a good sign, I believe. Looks like something important is happening, I'd recognize that urgency since arriving in our capitol. One of our patrols found something, or heard about it to get back to me yet again." He sound exasperated entirely except to accept a common occurrence pertaining to everything his commander implemented.

Tatsumi didn't react visibly save for narrowing his gaze trying to get an idea as to why exactly a lone rider ushered many aside. Ironically most other armed soldiers readily call ahead sending dozens, to a near hundred moving rapidly providing an open route to where both men stood overlooking. What the hell? As clarity increased did he notice something odd about the rider, "She's bringing someone while keeping them secured. Do you see that, Roy?"

His second responded to exclaim puzzled noticing a smaller bundle wrapped in cloaks provided off said rider's back, "Yes, I do!" There wasn't a cape trailing behind yet it'd been used as a makeshift blanket in keeping someone found warmed, "Can't say I've seen one of our own do this to me. Usually it's a message from you, or I deal with incidents to our forces. I guess I'll go down to find out...again." Grumbling tiredly to walk back through an influx of legionaries sorting out parchment, or referencing names and accounts.

But the young man noticed an extremely unique detail when wind gusted to reveal the rider's cargo as two massive ears stood out. Wait, isn't that...Mimi? From Stylish's lab? An ever assured feeling confirmed his fellow Jaeger's fate, "Stylish is dead. She's one of his creations that was a guide for me when I left Seryu for her surgery by him." Taking several steps backward preparing himself momentarily in allowing Strafe's armored form to appear in full, Tatsumi snapped rapidly rushing forward in vaulting over a balcony's edge.

Wings extended immediately breaking a fall from several stories high to have him impact solid granite resolutely. Standing upright did it fade akin to mirages while walking ahead exhaling coldly, "Wonderful,simply wonderful! We just lost another man and teigu to Najenda's trap, Esdeath! I hope you you're happy they have something to use against us, I at least kept Incursio hidden to make sure nothing was lost, or gained." Muttering irritably to have various legionaries pushing people gently aside clearing a route to the rider who reigned in a horse firmly, she quickly dismounted and assisted Mimi off a secured saddle.

An armored helm lifted itself when carrying a girl partially kneeling, "Sir!" Tatsumi knelt down in front careful from agitating a feverish humanoid who wheezed shallow breaths of air, "A civilian caravan approaching the capitol found her half conscious along a nearby road. They came into contact with one of your patrols later when entering, I believe you should see what she's clutching. She kept muttering between them and myself, 'Saber...girl and doctor's letter...", if I can understand anything out if it consider a fever she's experiencing."

The young girl's usually indifferent expression was bright red as eyes indicated frequent crying for an extended period of time. She can't even stand? Stylish had her run all the way back for an entire day and a half on foot? Lighting frowning he looked up simply requesting, "Do we know where she'd been found? If so, I need riders to search that area for any signs of Stylish or Night-Raid...get the Ghosts from Ottoman to be prepared." Reaching outward he gently scooped up a girl who refused to loosen hands around parchment which rigidly had been shielded, a few scraps and scratches from loose branches ran frequently along facial cheeks.

She hardly weighed much to have him exhale tiredly, "Why didn't you ask us to help you, doctor?" The rider swiftly ran inside no doubt seeking to find Roy as he followed slowly careful in not hitting, or scrapping large ears against a door frame. She's burning up, I doubt she rested or stopped trying to get back to the capitol's gates. Hopefully Stylish is alive, but I'm not going to hope for a miracle considering I'd be lying to myself.

Brushing past legionaries who were out of armor as they made way immediately for their commander carrying an injured girl. He went up towards a stair case towards an internal variety of emptied out rooms and light kicked a door aside firmly. One spare looking bed with bland colored blankets and pillows primed for injured occupants made it accommodating to say kindly. But he didn't want to risk exposing a half dead girl's feverish state to the weather's elements. It'd been relatively cool to induce a cold more so.

Gently pulling back covers to have her be somewhat comfortable he looked away to see several chairs along a far wall. Better keep an eye ready, if she wakes up before a surgeon from my soldiers can figure out what's causing this fever. Sliding a wooden chair over to sit down and crossing both arms, "Better get comfortable, or else she wakes up potentially not knowing where she's at. Running from Night-Raid's base which was probably expendable, to get here in a day or so almost killed you...without a doubt."

The girl's eyes fluttered trying to open despite overwhelmingly exhausted leaving little to believe she'd been aware. Hesitantly debating whether to wait for a medical inspection, or trying to coax her to talk won out with himself quietly inquiring, "Mimi? It's me, Colonel Saber...can you hear me?" His voice remained steady despite an ever impatience seeking to be uplifted by her account as what exactly happened to Stylish. He knew without doubt the man could have been dead, so if he knew sooner than the better informing Seryu considering she'd been close to the eccentric scientist whose willingness to aid his comrades wasn't without merit.

Her head shifted to flutter eyelids considerably to rasp out, "Colonel...you?" Her stuttering rasps of words indicated an incredible amount of exhaustion as her will to speak was commendable to have himself reply, "Yes, my soldiers found you half dead. What happened to Stylish, Mimi?" Just mentioning the doctor's name caused her to weakly rasp out yelling, "He's...dead! Night-Raid, I...ran to find...Jaeger girl. Please where is she?"

Tatsumi reached outwards to clasp her hand clawing blindly as her eyes flirted between rolling and struggling to remain consciously opened. He managed to reassure a near frantic girl, "I can send word to get her to see you, Mimi. Stop trying to get yourself killed, I'm asking you to calm down and tell me what did Stylish want with Seryu? Why do you want to see her?" Those questions were steadily voiced without rushing a half dead girl whose ears twitched as if he'd been yelling. Thankfully her erratic breathing partially ceased to cling to his hand akin to a life line while drowning in open water, or so he'd imagined.

"Letter...message, please colonel!" Her bright reddened eyes weakly focused onto him through sheer will to have droplets leaking, "I don't know what to do...Stylish, I loved him!" A distraught face begging for answers left him wincing internally to place both hands over her lone quivering limb. Dimly aware in hearing foot steps did he glance back to see Roy along with several legionaries whose experience in medical triage on battlefields stand behind. His voice sounded bitterly resigned to recognize grief for another who lost someone they cherished, "Get me lieutenant Ubiquitous here as soon as possible, Mimi has news about another Jaeger."

Yet again another man would be buried needlessly because of Esdeath refusing to humor those who weren't as strong. I don't know how she's going to react, but I can't pretend she'll be devastated. She was close to the man, or so what I imagine. Ironically familiarized in dealing with loss, Tatsumi only smiled painfully to inform a near begging girl, "She'll be here, soon. Mimi, I need you to rest and try to calm down while explaining to my soldiers who will do their best to help you. Do you understand why I'm saying that to you?"

The humanoid nodded weakly trying to avoid crying yet failed utterly leaving the colonel staring stoically prepared. Briefly considering awaiting Seryu's arrival he only decided upon comforting a girl who essentially lost her parental and guiding figure. Sitting up to firmly sit along side her did he cautiously embrace a stunned young girl who started balling into his uniforms jacket, even if her voice cracked and remain inaudible. He could only internally remind himself it'd be just as terrible, if not worse for another who feared losing people close to herself.

"Don't speak about what happened until Seryu is here to help you." He advised lowly trying awkwardly to stroke her hair, "Just...let it out." Two massive ears consistently hit his lower jawline yet it hardly mattered with a girl barely an expected teenager break immensely in both her spirit and body. But it was on him as both Stylish's comrade, superior and friend to know he wouldn't take care of a girl who almost killed herself trying to send word about his fate. He only regretted knowing anything possible to make him live hadn't been done...leaving only bitterness to accept the truth another good man had died to be buried alone.


It took an hour roughly until he looked up towards a doorway, Mimi remained motionless save for breathing steadily as warmed blankets managed to ward off hypothermia. He'd been sitting quietly stewing in thoughts once shuffled footsteps greeted an ever anxious impatience. She must have been conducting more raids, I can imagine busy is the least of issues. Still this confirms I have to be ready for tomorrow, nothing is left to do but prepare for an inevitable backlash. More so, either she or I will have to inform Esdeath about his teigu being taken to be used against us in the future, an ability to create anything from literally nothing is too dangerous in being ignored.

The doorway opened revealing an almost exhausted young woman as she was left through by several legionaries posted outside. A letter still remained gripped in Mimi's hands, she'd never let go and would do what someone she loved entirely asked, "Tatsumi?" Seryu whispered unsure as Koro poked his head from behind a shoulder with ears drooped signally uneasiness along as well, "What happened? Stylish, is he really..."

He affirmed that fear by nodding once, "Dead." Her form stumbled numbly moved with himself getting up to steady her as they both stood over a humanoid created by a man who envision many things in his work, "I don't know what happened yet. Stylish sent someone back to give something to you, I haven't opened it since it's not meant for me. But apparently Night-Raid engaged the doctor, who went out to find signs to where they might have fled too."

Eyes clenched closed as fists tightened into balls when she leaned into him whispering brokenly, "I knew it, I knew people who I cared about would die." Tatsumi smiled partially finding her fears warranted to softly reassure, "That maybe a possibility, but there's someone who needs you right now in that bed. I don't know how close you, or her were to Stylish but regardless she sought you out on his request." Both soldiers came to sit with him offering a chair while remaining behind to place one hand onto her shoulder offering silent support.

"She's alone, afraid and doesn't have anyone else to help her cope with it all." Seryu's tears dripped past cheeks while biting a tongue as if trying to avoid breaking down due to old fears being proven right, "You have to be a pillar, a leader and accept the fact we're soldiers who will encounter those seeking to kill us. I can't lie to say it, so do what you can and be prepared for both of yourselves to find out what Stylish wanted you to know."

She gripped his own hand tightly trying to ward off trembling yet whispered tensely, "I...I'll try too, Tatsumi." Garnering resolve she reached over gently shaking Mimi's rest form whose large ears twitched to look over exhaustively, both legionaries stood together seeing recognition in those red eyes which hadn't stopped tears forming. Koro slid down onto her lap while moving onto a bed whining softly, when Seryu whispered remembering one of many who'd considered Stylish more than just a friend, "Mimi?"

The girl teared up before lunging partially out of bed grasping a stunned lieutenant who awkwardly found herself being held desperately. Muffled words were said into stained clothing, "He's dead...dead, Jaeger! It...hurts!" Shifting to place her own chin over hair she replied, "It's okay, it's okay!" Rocking them both trying to ward off grief only managed to just to get her choking out two words for a singular question, "What happened?

Mimi's sobs turned into fresh waves of painful recollection from only half a night earlier, "Night-Raid killed everyone, Stylish fought some horned man and I heard him cry out when they killed him. We didn't have a chance, they were waiting on us and Stylish was out there trying to find out where they were based...orders from that blue haired bitch. She sent him alone, we were alone and...and he told me to run!" Seryu looked up towards him seeking clarification that Esdeath approved of the man going off alone, he simply nodded since confronting their superior which made things even more complicated given her view of said person.

"The captain let him go off alone without letting us know?" She whispered trying to rationalize why they weren't asked, or informed to assist their comrade, "Stylish wanted to find out where Night-Raid was hiding out. Wanted to get them back for killing that big man, hurting you and the colonel from what he said to us all. It was just trying to find them, but they found us...he told me to give you a message just for your eyes."

Holding up a near perfect envelope towards the young woman, Seryu took it gently while placing it aside to comfort Mimi's distraught form. She whispered absolutely confused, "I don't know what to do anymore, Stylish said I was free to live my life! But he was my life, I...I don't know who, or where to go and I...I loved him for making me into what he promised!" It dawned on both Jaegers how young the girl earnestly was entirely, she didn't seem to be an adult yet alone reverting into a young teenager just barely at least. Stylish wasn't just a man to her, he may have been her father in all but name! Oh gods, Stylish why didn't you tell me!

Kinship between losing their father figures struck Seryu enough to rock a girl while shushing her firmly, "I lost someone close to me, Mimi. Just let it out now, or else you'll damn yourself trying to understand it. I understand how you feel, it hurts me too...but you have me." Whimpering turned into soft sobbing as a young woman who gritted both sets of teeth settled on appeasing someone who'd just had their world shattered. Alright, alright I can do this! I'll do what I can, I know Stylish wouldn't expect anything less and I...I know how what it's like to lose a parent.

Reaching over unfolding a letter while gently rubbing the small girl's back did writing unveil itself by a man she'd loved. Seryu's eyes watered considerably to laugh partially shocked, "You stupid bastard." The doctor's words struck a cord when she hugged the girl close, "You got yourself killed because we almost died ourselves, it's not fair! You didn't deserve it, you were a good man and the kind who gave people life when...no else believed in them." Tatsumi heard every word while looking away giving privacy to what was left behind yet they were words he'd witnessed by many saying about loved ones, or more so.

Fair? It's always fair in war, Seryu and you think regardless of myself or Esdeath? We order those fairly to die, even if I loathe the truth he accepted those risks in being allowed to track down our enemy for their intentions. Inhaling less than lightly he questioned quietly, "What were his last words?" Sooner he understood he'd be able to leave the two in relative privacy, it'd at least give closure between them before she'd have to continue baring an unexpected weight for someone who had nothing left but her for a purpose itself.

Seryu looked back with tears falling freely to smile brokenly, "Stylish told me to take care of what he left me as a final gift. Instructions to maintain what he gave me to fight, Tatsumi and he also said..." Her gaze fell onto a girl who refused to let go of herself, "Don't lose sight of what makes you a stylishly handsome and interesting man. There's an old lab along a southern coastline where I could improve, or even add to his creations as a promise of making sure I wouldn't be lost as to how I'd be able to become a stronger soldier of the Empire."

Apparently the mad doctor who'd never leave without an overt stylishly shrewd departure left them resources as a last ditch effort worth of remembrance. Even when you faced death willingly, I can't believe you slyly gave us something despite losing your teigu to our enemies. Doctor, I hope you find peace because you entrusted Seryu to use your legacy to give us a chance. He closed both eyes trying to ward off Strafe's pulsating form which came within moments of appearing yet it failed due to his internal will keeping it suppressed.

"I'll leave you two alone, I think what she decides to do is between yourselves to figure out." Gently squeezing her shoulder he gave a small placid smile, "If she doesn't want to leave you, Seryu? Consider Mimi your subordinate since you know, I won't turn away people joining us to help regardless of why...if that happens." He amended to see her blink owlishly while looking away to see Mimi shuddering gradually, but it seemed being held deterred enough grief for herself to calm down all too clearly.

As he began leaving Seryu voiced out firmly despite biting back down frustration, "I...want to confront the captain, colonel." Tatsumi's eyes narrowed while peering from over a shoulder trying to avoid an almost startling request. You want to demand answers from Esdeath, out of all people? She'll tell you the same thing she told me, so maybe it's for the best. Sooner she realizes playing with lives without doing all in your power to give those who serve a chance, it'll make her see what happens to those who hold you responsible entirely.

And above all else it'd show Seryu how much he was trying to change a woman who hardly cared about weaker subordinates. Unable to completely brace himself for some fallout he'd at warn someone who wanted answers reasonably, "Just don't become aggressive, or challenge her position unless you find out why it's been an uphill battle for myself to see her change herself. Stand your ground, but don't expect a miracle for her to humor your beliefs." He turned away with words to move towards a doorway closing it firmly behind, already almost half of the Jaegers had nearly been killed or severely injured.

Two days, two of us are dead along with you and Wave almost being added to make four! Scowling visibly while gnashing teeth he eyed both legionary guards who were standing at attention, "If the lieutenant needs anything, I trust you'll follow her orders?" Both men nodded obediently even when their weapons gripped themselves tighter unintentionally, they'd keep an eye on someone who needed time alone to grieve. Tatsumi grimly found a familiarity in allowing those coming to terms with losing loved ones, or close friends to continue onward.

This is going to cause either a rift, or schism within our group regardless of what I achieve tomorrow. I can see it coming, but the question is will it matter to you? Esdeath couldn't realize quickly enough none of them were akin to her power, or strength as being able to take on any enemy without understanding consequences of rightful assurance. There wasn't denying she'd be able to take on most adversaries, himself or even most of the Jaegers to a point where he imagined it'd been incredibly difficult to overcome her entirely.

Immediately his teigu Strafe continuously pulsated making vision blur while swaying towards a nearby wall when he'd gotten away to snarl loudly in response. Again you persist, damn it! The near incredible activity within said metallic object kept hounding in silence to be wielded, Tatsumi inhaled deeply as one lone hand started darkening due to armor manifesting thinly. Are you trying to control me, or is it because I refuse to bend to what you're demanding. It's no coincidence with what is happening you're becoming very aware about myself, so just what in hell's name do you want from me teigu, or is this just another consequence I'll have to endure?

Exhaling sharply he managed to shake off another quasi-attempt of utilizing a teigu which ceased when walking away. Passing through several hallways, he came down a flight of stairs where activity from various legionaries moving in and out met his eyes. But among them was on individual chatting with several as Tatsumi noticed Ran pleasantly bidding farewells. Both Jaegers came to view each other as he approached giving him a nod, "I'm assuming you heard about Stylish? Can I ask how you know, or were you with Seryu?"

The blond man smiled somberly to admit honestly, "I inquired if I could observe her conducting a raid, or two since I've been curious since your declaration." A small notebook closed itself accordingly when he gestured away further into the building, "May I discuss somethings I've uncovered rather uneasy as of late, Colonel? You may have not realized but it is a marvel that our capitol is host to a library of Imperial Archives, a massive logged accounts of known and collecting edicts, histories and written contributions of famed figures spanning as far as back when one is capable to preserve such vast...knowledge."

Tatsumi hardly seemed to be fazed despite speaking incredulously, "The Imperial Archives? What are you talking about?" Ran raised both eyebrows relatively shocked since he'd expected a soldier of the colonel's rank to even know about an almost priceless piece of their nation, "You've never been to the vast library which houses all of what has been recorded in the capitol for generations? It spans an entire city block, if not more and has several underlying floors built underground, I expected you to at least have some knowing it exists."

Frowning intently Ran looked away humming loudly as though he himself was contemplating information, "Strange." The man distinctly wandered ahead going deep into thought before turning around to verify simply, "Your fiancee gave me permission to enter it's premises, but I should have realized our current Prime Minister's policies in hoarding and keeping an entire city stooped in it's present state...but unfortunately, I suspect it's been sealed off far longer than I'd hoped to imagine in all truthful assumptions. It's interior has severely been neglected given my time to see volumes of literature and records crumbling into dust."

That drew an almost disbelievingly stare from a younger colonel who couldn't believe his ears, "I've never heard about such a place, or let alone was told about it. But you mean to tell that actual records of teigu being created still...exist?" It couldn't have been possible yet the capitol's sheer size in itself was a small country in terms of population, density and age alone since being founded in the very origins of their Empire's formation. But more importantly actual records of teigu in how they destined, built or of anything actually existed in the present day?

"Not entirely, Tatsumi." Ran shook his head lightly dispelling that miracle to amend his own words, "Esdeath was very interested about your teigu, Strafe. There's hardly any Imperial record of teigu being created, or accounted for centuries but I went further into those Archives, I tried to find names yet none came up. Until I had an epiphany, they weren't supposed to be known since their names are embedded in old dialects that our language originated from long ago." The man explained carefully reading off notations he'd written while wandering volumes of recorded logs, accounts and edicts being declared past by previous Emperors.

Lightly exhaling to look up expectantly, "Is there a room we can sit and discuss my findings? I've been theorizing about an interesting conspiracy which I fear is...deliberately maintained." Ran's expression turned unusually stern to make Tatsumi remain forcefully stoic to simply remark, "I'd rather hear it right now, I doubt anyone is eavesdropping on us. What exactly did you find?" Crossing both arms trying to ward off an uneasy anxiety, he certainly found himself genuinely interested since such a place existed.

Ran thinly smiled understandably just to acquiesce their discussion's underlying concerns, "The older dialects of Imperial language used centuries ago was vastly different from what we speak today, after-all even though our Empire has endured for nearly a millennia, it has undergone eras of conflict, strife and inevitably adapted since it's conception." Skimming through several pages were notations seemed to be recent met a pair of green eyes which drew themselves downward, "But you have to understand one thing about the Archives, Colonel and their methods of cataloging to know there's so much down there buried in dust."

The former instructor paused in his search to smile partially grim, "I taught grammar, literature and other such subjects to my students even though they were young. So therefore I have some understanding of how dialects changed due to shifts of population's attitudes over our previous Emperor's administrations and I came across something odd, Tatsumi and through some deductive reasoning I do believe I found a mention of your teigu specifically when I dug further into the Empire's past." He explained patiently allowing his superior to digest what he was implying for content, now if anything it was humbling to know Tatsumi certainly held a thirst for knowledge to remain quietly listening.

"During my searches I came across an interesting account which I have an excerpt you'd find oddly familiar." Ran pointedly looked towards a teigu's impaled form to speak fluent in an older form of Imperial dialect while translating it for him to hear, "'It was as if a growing sickness weighed those who'd bent their knee as hands arose granting us strength to stand. The area of sickness arose until it washed over those falling, I found myself breathing clearer once it uplifted when wings descended to block out the sun and I found myself unable to remain save to unleash the pains of thousands" Tatsumi grimaced trying to understand how that particularly managed to match his own feats with Strafe, if to imagine wings blocking out the very sun itself?

Regardless he took that information in stride to speak curiously enough, "I doubt Strafe's wings, if it's even that are so large to cover an entire sky, or else we've lost our minds Ran." Said man chuckled in agreement, "No doubt! But considering your own fiancee's feats with what she's capable to conjure? I have to say this distinctly relates to whenever you wear that armor, Tatsumi since you've wielded it and please take time to consider what I ask next. Have you noticed anyone getting sick around you whenever it manifests?"

Thinking back several nights ago he nodded despite being less than aware of his own actions, "Seryu fell next to me, I think Bols did as well." Ran hummed loudly while going over more to further add creditably considering a chill ran up his spinal cord, "Then you'll be less than reassured as to where this incident had been recorded by those witnessing said phenomena. I found a date it'd been written which had been preserved in a glass case among many other significant events over the Empire's history, do know where this took place?" He questioned simply to which a younger colonel shook his head in response trying to understand where this was going.

The youthful looking Jaeger smiled fairly disturbed to reveal, "Five hundred years ago at the very base of a newly established...as we know it, as the present day colosseum was built in that reigning Emperor's honor." Tatsumi's green eyes had widened considerably trying to conceal shock when Ran waved a hand finding it all extremely unsettling to his assumptions, "In other words the exact location where this account had been documented over five centuries ago, Colonel. The only reason how I came across this particular piece of information was due to the fact I was seeking teigu origins, where they were designed, built or created whereas it coincidentally was the birth of something...unique."

Leaning against a wall mildly concerned did his next words trigger an older realization, "Five hundred years ago the Empire more, or less erupted into full scale war. More so, I do believe that was an era where the Shinju which are essentially lesser and shallowly designed Teigu." Ran's lecture turned slightly warmer since it brought back times of a classroom yet he continued firmly, "Amusingly enough there's no signs, or traces of these lesser weapons being utilized after it which I have no idea where they ended up. Yet it leads me to believe there's something in tune with your teigu, Strafe and it being in this dawn of turmoil of a great change...as you've believed needs to happen. So forgive me when I say this colonel, but I think that armor is only the beginning of something far worse looming in our time."

That caused a wry grin to appear far too naturally given how Ran's gaze narrowed slightly, "Worse?" Tatsumi stated bemused while moving past him to simply realize Strafe's creation wouldn't possibly ever be known, "Between the streets erupting with our people's voice being heard, Honest playing games with Esdeath and having everyone else between it all is trying to kill me? Worse is just you saying what we've expected, it's only worse because we've finally cracked an illusion. Hell I don't think I'll ever understand what this thing will do to myself and those around it, because that doesn't help me at all."

Raising said teigu to where his fellow Jaeger observed an ever growing mirage of blackened metal trying to manifest itself, "Do you know why this teigu is trying so hard to get me to use it?" Perhaps if one question couldn't be answered at all, then maybe one pertaining to their present situation might be possible enough. He kept his own arm level whereas faint outlines solidified when his smile grew far too strained, "Stylish had a theory, Ran. Are these teigu aware of us, do they want us to use them or do they want us to be used by them?"

The youthful man frowned to answer fairly neutral to proclaim, "I believe our teigu selected us for their own purpose as we've utilized them for our very own intentions." Gesturing to an prominent blackened outline he himself wryly smirked, "But that?" Just tracing a border of where matter itself began forming, "This I believe is only a sign of your own growth between an inevitable bonding of user and weapon. It's melding into you far more beneficently, now if I understand it since I've had similar growing pains when I first began using Mastema...although granted it was only after I killed a previous owner."

Tatsumi's expression turned slightly curious to which his fellow Jaeger hinted amusingly, "I vowed to do whatever it took to attain my ambition. And Mastema was in the hands of someone who I loathed entirely, so I killed her and claimed this weapon for my own. To which I bonded for a better lack of understanding to be able to do this at will." From behind two angelic wings of white lightly appeared folding over shoulders further authenticating an ever persistent dynamic of teigu and man becoming a singular will.

Strafe and I are becoming even more compatible over time? Staring down to see metallic outlines forming vigorously as small tremors racked up his back. It certainly made sense when focusing on said limb to see it nearly manifesting. That's what you're trying to do, isn't it? You're going to change me from within to use you, or for you to use me. And that means changing myself further into what I once feared, right?

"Teigu are more than just simple weapons, Tatsumi." Ran blandly told his superior less than sympathetic but nonetheless continued, "They're possibly pieces of what they were once before during their creation, I'd know not how. Stylish might have been more attuned to these theories, but we're grasping from my experience and your own evidence...it's seeking to be whole through you." He entirely summarized to lightly wince when literal wisps started leaking off an armored outline visibly to making him feel faintly ill.

Backing away several steps he also pointed out rather assured, "And now I'm feeling ill from being so close to you. Your teigu is likely reawakening itself because of your ability to withstand it, so therefore you are absolved of being responsible." Pulling out a meager pen writing down notes visibly he inquired seriously, "Can you describe what you've thought of this week, believed to go through with your intentions and presently what are you thinking so strongly to just about to have it influence itself so quickly?"

Green eyes flickered away briefly to garner a coherent answer, "Do you mean what garnered myself to do what needs to be done?" Ran shook his head negatively as Tatsumi mused quietly, "I think when believed I was going to captured, after Bols, Seryu and Wave refused to run despite doing everything in my power to save them I..." He paused suddenly when a tingling wave of fresh pain slithered up an arm and down across to make his stomach churn. I allowed myself to simply no longer care about despair, doubt and simply chose to endure no matter what kind of agony, or dangers I faced until I literally couldn't move anymore like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Going back to that night he thought vividly trying to call what had happened in all entirety. Images of a gray, blackened and wisps were on everyone. I knew I watched hands, as if they were clawing outwards from underneath my very feet and...I saw faces. Not just faces, but shadows of faded figures which were screeching silently yet I heard them. Shivers ran along both arms with him looking up sharply to see if Ran was willing to humor a request. If what they'd been discovering only adhered to Strafe's ever growing influence, awareness and internal purpose of being whole for who knows how long since it'd been given to him.

"I'm going to allow this teigu in manifesting itself, Ran." Garnering a bit of distance while straightening himself grinning wryly, "I need to see with my own eyes what it's trying to show me. Do you mind if I do so?" A fellow Jaeger hardly seemed deterred, or concerned save for nodding cautiously despite having an eager smirk. If anything it was both exhilarating while inwardly concerning in seeing the young soldier enacting an overtly bold decision.

Alright, let's find out! Shuddering openly Tatsumi gave way to another urge as Strafe's metallic exterior formed rapidly into existence. Wings burst from behind scrapping along walls to flak off paint, or dig into wooden obstacles before folding just behind. Inhaling deeply he looked up right at another who stepped back further, "I can see a shape of that woman, behind you. Or rather I can see what makes you sick of me...inside."

Ran's darkened faceless form literally oozed wisps of black and darkened gray seeping towards his arm which stretched itself involuntarily. They're wrapping around my forearm, it's as they're being sucked right into...you, Strafe. Peering forward humming loudly he tried stepping closer yet his fellow Jaeger backed away immediately. Behind two lightly paled wings attributed to the man's own teigu shimmered plainly in response to a strained request.

"Please don't get any closer, Tatsumi or else...I might lose my dinner." An arm reached outwards when wisps came streaking out of a darkened humanoid shape which lingered behind Ran, "What makes you sick?" A question seemingly simple drew said man to exhale shakily, "Sick? I'm trembling because I can't help but realize you're making me relieve a nightmare, Colonel. I can't help it, but your eyes are trying to open despite being sewn shut and I have a distinct impression of seeing my dead students looking at me when I discovered them."

Yet Tatsumi remained fixated when a shade from behind said man clawed to open a mouth shrieking mutely. No, you're lying if that is happening! But strangely enough the shaded humanoid resembling a woman tried grasping Ran's own shimmering form, "Don't lie to me and I suggest you move, please. I'm going to try to reach past your side, I can see someone screeching at you." Whether he'd listen, or not wasn't relevant once an arm stretched outward with an armored hand grasping right into a mass of blackened wisps oozing out of his fellow Jaeger.

Within moments of churning unbelievably quick when that shade faced him personally, Tatsumi couldn't blink before it lunged forward wordlessly. Wisps and blackened streams literally pooled to siphon right into Strafe's metallic form, "What...are you doing?" Ran rasped out while stumbling in bracing himself as a gurgling choke followed liquid ejecting from within a stomach rapidly spewed onto carpet flooring. Yet remarkably the young man sucked in breath when noting his own armor hardening in weighing down, moments passed until it'd made said floor groaning audibly from a sudden increase of weight.

But he hadn't slowed to step back lightly viewing the Jaeger darkened interior slowly growing into a paler gray itself. Sickness? What exactly did I just pull out of him? Questions arose immediately when viewing armored gauntlets clenching visibly, "Whatever I did, I have to ask do you feel lighter or no longer sick yourself?" He questioned merely to feel fresh waves of subtle tingling sensations akin to nails digging into his arms, as if being dipped beneath frigid water and muscle trying to ward off coldness within themselves.

Ran panted considerably to wipe himself clean of bile and saliva, "Lighter?" The man chuckled wryly to stand upright even as his own teigu's wings shimmered, "I...think I'm less concerned now than moments ago. Whatever Strafe is doing to you, I can say it's made me confident knowing it'll only cause others to do what my discovery implied." Tatsumi stared trying to notice any other change yet a pale gray humanoid form were a partial face appearing gradually. Yet Ran still remained murky but gradually clearer for him to view.

"Whatever it desires, I can't exactly understand how, or even why I just did. Something came out of you, Strafe either consumed it or made myself heavier however right now, I swear I can move entirely lighter." Swinging an arm to the side idly became dangerous when smashing rapidly towards a wall, his own fist embedded itself firmly puncturing stone and wood smoothly enough. This sensation similarly came close to that night Bols had been killed, in which he'd felt something within seemingly snap itself free. It was an unseen weight lifted off his shoulder and yet said sensation returned in crushing him when everything turned into a murky blend of coloration.

Ironically enough said coloration only became more pronounced when he began wandering towards a doorway where it'd lead towards the nearest window. Does it hunger for this...sickness? He thought intently pushing aside one obstacle to view numerous legionaries outside, "What in the hell is happening to me?" Whispering far too stunned even when hearing a fellow Jaeger standing behind, involuntarily wings spread themselves curling instinctively as Strafe's form pulsed making his vision shimmer entirely. Whatever the teigu intended to do for him physically, it'd only prolonged endless questions of what in the hell it'd attempt.

The window itself had glass reflecting numerous faces making him freeze mid breath as hands of blackened wisps solidified. They seemingly came from every visible inch reaching outwards towards him personally, "I can see them all." Untold amounts of mute screeching figures of faceless silently seethed trying to claw at him. There's got to be hundreds, thousands and they're all staring at me without doubt. What the fuck does this all mean?

They were relentlessly clawing towards him in a manner akin to some as a wave of hands reaching forward through the glass itself! Tatsumi resisted flinching yet backed away breathing sharply to swipe said limbs aside rightfully alarmed. But they pursued molding through panels of screeching mutely in quiet and powerful fury at being denied his very person. Apparently he alone saw them as Ran spoke up concerned, "Colonel? Are you, okay?" His fellow Jaeger warily came along his right side viewing said window curiously despite making no moves otherwise. It appeared whatever Strafe continuously kept applying itself within him only left himself effected by the teigu's ever damning desires of molding him perfectly.

What in the hell is happening to me? Turning away towards Ran he only questioned, "Do you not see them? Faceless shapes trying to...reach me?" The youthful man's slightly paled form only raised a notebook in response, "I only see your legionaries, Tatsumi. And the outside, but what do you mean by faceless shapes? What is your teigu showing you?"

The young soldier laughed abruptly unable to answer yet alone describe in seeing those shapes struggling to detach themselves out of a mirrored window. Words alone couldn't give voice to a chilling dread rearing itself as every mouth shrieked widely in quiet fury, "Too many, Ran. Far too many, I don't know if I'm losing my mind, or if Strafe is evolving to make me wish I'd never picked it up where I'd acquired it." He spoke earnestly unnerved stepping back several meters when wisps from his own armored form tethered themselves into pulling these humanoid shapes through further as they knelt trying to reach up ruthlessly. But they never once raised themselves above to where his arms lay frozen with hands numbing rapidly.

"The woman you saw behind me, I've never told anyone yet you clearly noticed a shape lingering behind me." The man pondered eerily bitter to clarify, "That's what you saw? Right?" Tatsumi looked over nodding wordlessly in favor of finding even a shred of understanding. Nothing was making sense despite seeing with his very senses, it'd defied everything to him and just hearing any explanation would do wonders akin to miracles.

Ironically that very hope turned into a colder horror, "When I discovered my students slaughtered inside the school I'd come to view as home, it'd been a single yet beautiful woman who sent me on that coincidental errand." Ran smiled placidly to recount an almost satisfied step on his personal quest for answers and vengeance, "She was a vain creature, Tatsumi. Arrogant, insufferable and prideful for resenting me after I spurred her advances despite myself prostrating to keep said school funded in that disgusting city for those who I'd viewed as family. It wouldn't be until later after seducing her did I learn she paid for lesser blood to be removed for personal matters...matters that I heard when I cut her head off when I learned of it."

Ran chuckled lifelessly to admit earnestly happier, "It wouldn't be the first, nor is was it my last in killing a monster in cold blood. I butchered her afterwards, I cut up every piece and had burnt herself to ash so nothing could be buried. No traces, no mess and I wasn't going to stop..." A man who'd been pushed his very limit divulged a terrible secret that few wouldn't imagine. Tatsumi turned himself back towards said person whose once lighter figure turned darker as wisps of black formed in response behind him into a fainter previous humanoid. Ran's smile coincidentally turned into a leer baring teeth as one more truth emitted from his exposed tongue.

"And I'd do it, over and over if I could! I sent many on that night along their way, but the culprit's trail disappeared here inside the capitol. So I became who I am today, if only to selected by our General who'd might be able to help me indirectly." His tale came to an end as of presently despite himself knowing there was more to be told. The young colonel blinked before allowing his armor to fade away forcibly despite feeling stinging sensations along his entire body. They grew potently until a familiar heavy weight made him grunt aloud in natural exertion.

Inhaling partially in warding off stinging sensations did he ask him merely, "You'd have sold me out if I hadn't convinced you?" Ran nodded without hesitation to smile faintly walking forward to stare outside a window attentively. For several minutes he didn't speak until coming to say what had to be said truthfully. Grinning grimly he spoke almost rather warily, "You didn't convince me, Tatsumi. I'm just more terrified your fiancee would kill me for simply spoiling what she's seen inside you. And what you're intending is probably worse than what she'd do."

Tatsumi laughed softly due to being genuinely grateful that even among comrades did friendship form itself naturally, "Doing the right thing is no doubt our worst nightmare, isn't it?" The teacher warmly chortled in response again lacking hesitation to earnestly agree. And once sunrise occurs, I dare hope everyone else shares your opinion. Everything what I've sacrificed, endured and those who believe I have answers will learn like all those inside this nation. We have only ourselves to safe what we've become to make sure no one has to go through what makes us all hope, and if it doesn't change then I won't pretend it can be stopped.

Behind a soft knocking drew his attention, "Sir, Julius Caevelt is asking for your presence." A legionary spoke crisply in opening the doorway partially. Ran gave him a tense nod signaling an end to their conversation since more pressing matters had to be solidified. News would spread by tomorrow, if open invitation of the entire capitol, nation and all others beyond the walls would hear endlessly in accordance of their will. The young colonel looked towards his fellow Jaeger who gave him a silent farewell as he bypassed him to leave entirely.

All their preparations were at stake, all their efforts were either in vain, or not and all their blood would be placed on the line once a new dawn arose ahead of them. Whether they survived provoking monsters, or those underneath them wasn't the question needed to be asked. It was all whether the very nation arose to break the shackles of despair, subversion, self-guilt and generational depression of having nothing changed despite many of themselves falling into protecting what sickness they viewed as assurance. They'd be the enemies of all and yet those who viewed them saviors were only lying to themselves. There's no one coming to save us, but only ourselves. Tatsumi could only smile genuinely pleased that tomorrow those who had strength would be the very family members calling for blood to run freely.


Lubbock's expression hardened when witnessing a former store-front go up in flames as a frenzied mob of residents cheered wildly. Bastards didn't even give me time to collect some books I liked, what a damned mess. Apparently being generous towards those who'd needed assistance from the Revolution had backfired immensely in response to this on-going chaos. Rumors, whispers and soon enough people talked about such places harboring the resistance who'd smuggled residents for a price came seeking fury in being used. The information broker ironically found himself watching a place he'd cultivated go in flames among those who had reasonable reasoning for anger.

"This is a gods damned mess." He muttered exhaling exasperated in seeing huge crowds growing from hundreds to nearly thousands marching chanting for death to both of who supported Honest, the Revolt

and sounded off furiously. Idly caressing several wiring which slithered around his gloved hand dissuaded him from acting out in sheer indignation. We sacrifice our blood, lives and souls for these people to get out of this hell? And they repay us with rage, huh? Why is everything so damned difficult because I can understand why they're so damned angry!

Nearby known supporter's of Honest's reign who'd fed him information were being dragged out of another burning building. Lubbock resisted an urge to swoop in safeguarding contacts yet if he'd made any appearance to these rabid mobs? Gnashing both sets of teeth swiftly while biting out, "Damn you, Tatsumi. Damn you for keeping your word, for actually pulling off this insanity and you'll get me killed if I lend a hand anywhere. Son of a bitch, I hope you've made your peace because I can't allow you to kill our movement off."

Men screamed viciously by beating a well off bureaucrat who found himself being dragged ruthlessly by scalp and others assisted in gleeful savagery. Any local police stumbling upon similar sites were chased off by seas of men, women and children who on occasion waved makeshift flags of the Imperial banner wildly. Riots were gradually going to form much to his inner understanding however those who'd taken it too far, if eyeing women being dragged off were quickly swarmed by livid residents who sent them on their way. Every street block either escalated into chaotic brawls, marches or buildings of known corrupt supporters were set ablaze in frequent frenzies of instinctual victory crying out into the night itself.

But more details grew further into chilling blood, "We're never going to be able show our faces here again." The former soldier came to realize bitterly in disbelief when posters of Night-Raid were torn off walls to be waved in savage anticipation. Gunfire sporadically erupted when police forces had tried mustering a means of control, but a frown grew deeper when furious mobs stormed barriers of carts or lesser material in an unstoppable force of momentum. The capitol hasn't seen this much madness in maybe centuries, of course the police forces are inept as all hell. Gods, why didn't we see this powder keg until you set it ablaze, Tatsumi?

The chaos spread unparalleled to any plague when chanting of hundreds leveled out into a baritone mixture of earnest demand, "Hang them all! Hang them all!" Walking along several portions of rootftop in eyeing torches beiing lit up freely did faces of rage unleash themselves after what seemed impossible over countless generations. Lubbock blinked owlishly keeping his face impassive in witnessing the sheer anger, it'd not just been unleashed but given a means to burn uncomfortably by one soldier who'd never turn against the country that made them all turn. Yet they no longer turned to the Revolution to liberate them.

They turned to one figure who remained loyal despite all insanity who'd give them a means to lash out finally against the monsters looming in that palace. Whether it turned ugly, or settled out turned out to be pointless since a shift in the very air made his spine tingle in warning. There's no stopping this avalanche of madness as far as I see, so I'm sorry Najenda. But I have to try or everything you've given is for nothing. And I can't stand seeing you cry, I'd rather see you smile when someone gives everything for you to achieve.

Wrapping wiring into a makeshift spear like weapon before undoing it again and again added resolve to what needed to be done. I can't go back without at least taking down one monster, if we can't kill him tomorrow then everything we've mustered won't last against...them both. Shivering in remembering a woman whose cruelty and sheer sadistic nature couldn't be forgotten even after years of that day where an entire army had been slaughtered. He'd been among the ranks watching helplessly as Najenda had been fought every once of life to escape, he'd helped her by providing ample distraction and almost had landed a shot on the very ice queen herself. But that bullet had been embedded itself upon summoned ice into leaving him little chance save to flee.

"There's nothing more I can do to stop this madness, or for...you." He whispered happily in feeling a lone tear drip down as she'd remember him for such an act. I know you've heard others say it before, General but I can say it again. Looking up into smoke clogged skies where small glimmers of star shining distantly made his heart flutter as it'd done back then when first glimpsing a beauty who smiled warmly. I'll always love you, always.

Among the bellowing of hundreds did he lose grip of his surroundings as he'd gone rigid before turning around abruptly. Lubbock glared towards the back end of a building where shadows met underneath several smoke stack like structures oozing out ventilated heat of various fires within. But he didn't miss a figure simply staring back almost nonchalantly undisturbed. Further behind were building's set ablaze with orange near yellowed flames towering to give off an eerie glower of beauty. Yet beneath one lightly blue hood were two glints for eyes shining brightly.

"Who are you supposed to be?" The information broker naturally spoke first smiling kindly towards a blue robed individual who walked forward non-threateningly. An answer returned equally bemused to offer a polite yet crisp nod, "Not who, but what!" Correcting his own question did an assassin back away on a perpendicular angle allowing this blue robed man view various sights indicating an all consuming descent into chaos. Gloved hands came out past sleeves when arms folded comfortably as Lubbock eyed this strange man warily despite making subtle moves into allowing his teigu creating wiring to take off a head.

The blue clothed man idly looked over with a barely visible grin, "There's no need for you to be worried about me, assassin." Tipping his head by lightly pulling a hood down in an old gesture of greeting, "I'm simply an observer." An ex-soldier hardly seemed at ease considering glinting metal along said person's clothing stood out undeniably polished. Pistols intentionally left open were signs of being seen, if they'd been drawn which made Lubbock eyed this person rather shrewdly deceptive. Not many potential opponents would flaunt their weapon so openly, but it begged that realization of this stranger seeking a conversation.

Men in blue robes, I've heard about them only in passing. They're supposedly spreading news of Tatsumi and his damned legion across all lands of the Empire. Recalling little save for obvious clues left him naturally intrigued, if not wary of expecting said person's soldiers swarming over him. Yet no signs of people cheering for those damned legionaries arose, nor did any warnings of those other teigu users coming around proved strange. Still this was an opportunity to gleam an insight into what was happening, or rather how he'd be able to use this for the Revolutionaries and Night-Raid to operate in future contracts.

"Observer?" He tested this hooded man's purpose who nodded merely bemused, "Indeed, but a better question for I to ask to you?" Said person humored before gesturing mildly expectant at a burning store front, "Is why such a notorious member of Night-Raid still inside this city? You're not exactly welcomed anymore, or are believed to be the heroes of freedom and justice." That word had been twisted to such an extent did Lubbock sneer momentarily in being called out for what technically had been hinted as a joke in itself.

But there was a lingering chance for some laughs in this madness, "Maybe it's because I like seeing new things happen." He retorted slyly after a moment to make the man look over less than surprised to remark back, "Then you should be thrilled. Thrilled to see your efforts have cost you everything and thrilled to know that this can't be ended so simply. And if you like new things, I can say you'll enjoy what comes tomorrow."

Even the information broker knew considering he'd sent all available would be killers, soldiers and others for hire to take out a lone colonel. If he couldn't be sent to a grave, they'd all have dug their own and risking the wrath of Esdeath had to be undertaken. One of them was bad enough, but two monsters who complimented each other was an utter nightmare. And if they couldn't end it now? It'd only make them all regret not trying sooner than later, if he rationalized an initiative to curb this unseen momentum sweeping through an entire capitol city.

"You seem to know a lot of things..." Night-Raid's information broker deliberately trailed off knowingly into seeking to garnered reaction as said person smiled coyly, "Blue." He offered a hand in polite greeting to which an assassin refused to shake on principle alone, "Just Blue." If he appeared offended for not being able to shake hands, Lubbock again noticed another growing smile stretching into genuine humor. Either way, information had be to gathered as soon as possible and this was an earnest opportunity for him to take up freely.

Tracing a blade's handle did he ask mostly curious, "And does an observer simply find me? I'm not exactly advertising appointments." Blue eyed him coyly before turning to answer relatively innocent enough to make the former soldier narrow a lone exposed eye, "I considered purchasing some books that I hoped were in stock in a store I'd heard about from locals. They said it was quite a collection and I couldn't resist, but seeing the fire put my mood down a fair bit. And long behold someone pointed out where the owner watched it all go up in flames."

The slight edge of metal escaping a sheath just barely kept an assassin in check as he laughed genuinely annoyed, "I just can't catch a break from my neighbors, it seems." That drew another smile from a man dressed in bluish clothe, "Nosy aren't they? One can only imagine where they'd get that idea, or isn't it odd they'd look at someone more closely? You can't ever be sure with people, nor be careful enough when that idea is made up by their heads. In fact I'd dare imagine this city is going to hell quickly for everyone to move out, I'd hope!"

Lubbock didn't miss an implication to simply shrug back completely at ease, "Maybe I'm just going to collect from the person responsible. It's only far I get compensation, or is that too much?" He hedged curiously enough to draw a stare from underneath that shadowed hood to hear humming, an earnest action signaling interest to listen. Temptation didn't take along to rear itself accordingly when Blue acquiesced to state, "What are you asking of I, assassin? A contract, or a favor to get front row seats to an event that everyone's allowed to view?"

The information broker grinned cheekily to inquire about something far more suitable, "I'd say top row for an overview, if you're willing to provide tickets. What's one life for others who'd make others endure a living hell, even if the host of said event claims they can change while believing the monster who smiles." Their mutual word play hardly seemed to deter either of themselves, Lubbock earnestly found Blue deceivingly coy who looked upwards studying distant stars being choked up rapidly by rising smoke and ash. Embers of a dying city, of a people snapping and following behind the monster who'd called upon them to believe a pretty lie.

"Maybe you should convince me without your subordinates training those weapons on me." Lubbock shifted in response once Blue mildly pointed out in looking over his left shoulder towards glinting metallic barrels of firearms. Yet peering across a street did he retort equally irritated, "Perhaps your fellows aren't as hidden as you'd think, pal. Having a firefight over what I lost is hardly an incentive save for you getting tore into shreds. I made a mistake in allowing one enemy live, I don't think I'll repeat it ever." Wiring of serrated edges were glinting ominously in moving around them both due to a teigu responding to it's user's overt intentions.

Blue stated simply amused, "True, but you aren't as aware what it'd cost. Sacrificing yourself for a pretty face is hardly worth my time...Captain. " The green haired youth narrowed his gaze from an old rank he'd earned without rest, a time when serving a General whose smile and warmth drove him further into devotion. Serving at Najenda's side while in the Imperial military was equally both of better times and simpler intentions to be closer to a woman who'd claimed his heart. Whether she'd return those affections were no longer going to be undecided, if he couldn't kill the one who'd risk her dreams it'd all be for naught.

"Are you prepared to die without saying goodbye?" Blue hinted mischievously to turn exposing a grin that exposed teeth, "Or is her happiness so much for you, that it'd be worth your life?" An underlying challenge of surviving wouldn't be worth anything save for false bravado. He'd survive, if only long enough to see a monster fall in front of all who'd clung to it desperately. He'd right the wrong which hung over his damned mind everyday, if only to correct the lies he'd heard from the very monster which hid itself behind truth.

Regardless a sword drew itself while serrated wiring from Cross-Tails crept closer and clover in slicing this filth into shreds, "You know your history, Blue. But do you know how little it means for me?" The man didn't hesitate to knowingly jest, "Little enough that it means everything and nothing for someone in love, right? You won't be the first, nor last to believe you can achieve what cannot be stopped without losing everything...to see there's something for those who harbor the greatest of prices for secrets. But since you're so polite, I'll make an exception tonight."

Hands arose genuinely pleased to grasp towards a lone moon partially exposed by the parting clouds revealing only beauty, "Everything has changed, Lubbock. Whether you, or Night-Raid and revolutionaries especially of those in the south huddled inside those tents whispering of treachery, it's too late to stop the tide from rising to wash away all what could have been entirely." The assassin's blade fell lightly onto an exposed rib yet his potential enemy made no move save for inhaling burning of an entire city's ruins. And ironically, it'd be a grave for one monster who wouldn't see the next night fall if the gods willed it.

"Follow me." Blue ceased grinning to lightly smile pleasantly before turning around gesturing for an assassin to move it along, "If you want the best seats? I can arrange it." Lubbock recalled his teigu's wires while motioning for revolutionary marksmen to lower their weapons, if making deals were his specialty. Making deals with devils were only his latest descent to kill one monster which couldn't be allowed to live. One way, or another Tatsumi Saber would die tomorrow in front of so many who'd damned themselves for denying their chance for liberation. Or else nothing else would matter for the sacrifices they'd made to claim power for change itself.

End Chapter Fifty Two

Author's Note: Alright, alright I know people have been up my ass about this story. Literally, I have a full inbox of people literally threatening me via anonymous reviews, or in PM's asking about it. Believe me, I don't have much time to write this days considering I work overnights and deal with the less than sane individuals of our society. I'm not kidding, I deal with all manners of the worst and maddening you'd never imagine as it's my job...to safeguard those who treat them and be hated no matter which side of a bed-side table I stand back to observe. But thankfully, I can say that this is the end game of this story folks: I mean this is literally the last of two, or three chapters...I intend to end it by Fifty Five and I can assure you: they'll be lengthy, if I can muster it.

I had scaled back the abstraction into giving you all the 'clearest' imagination I can rationalize, it's literally a mess up in this head wondering what path and choices to take up since starting this story years ago. I'm sure many are going to be angry, anxious or outright eager to see what madness takes to break people out of their shells of complacency and generational regurgitation, I'm not one to mince my words. This is why many people are drawn to this dead section of a fandom, this is why many will say, 'You're insane views...This story is great...etc." I've had people try to literally damn me for speaking my mind through a medium, and I say, do better...if you've got more balls than me for being honest with what I believe.

Blue's little monologue, or rather observations: watch the hints. This is as close as I will ever say what he seems like exposition, why didn't Lubbock outright kill this man is a question you'll have to imagine for yourselves. We're witnessing an equivalent of an awakening that many believe with all their grounded beliefs, hopes and horrors...it doesn't change the reality that someone is finally changing what many perceived as unmovable. But the truth is stranger than fiction, it's fragile and so hopelessly buried with lies, it's just a wake up call in terms of the Empire's populace unleashing centuries of pent up rage, despair and they've been given an outlet by one single...soldier of their nation.

Tatsumi and Ran's conversation: look at what's being presented in terms of potential, it's not some godly overpowered cliche we've seen at all. This is something far more realistic and just as surreal, if what we know about teigu as semi-sentient constructs which have one singular purpose. To be used to their fullest potential, it's been stated that weapon and user do have issues of compatibility, but everyone so often...they have to change to be underneath that creation in being used to their greatest effect. Teigu aren't alive, but they're close enough to where they'll influence, twist and bend even a user to such a degree where they'll fit them if they dig deeper after multiple usage depending on they're interacting with said host.

And the talk of monsters between friends. It may seem old, but you're realizing that Tatsumi's 'mask' of speaking the truth harbors the real notion of human manipulation of themselves and onto others. You can speak the truth, but still use it your advantage and it's not lying technically when the answer is right in front of you literally. It's all whether you can accept it, or let it destroy you for simply knowing what is coming. But in this case: Tatsumi's unhinged natural was already in place long before these events, he'd overcome it at great cost and seemingly appeared unfazed yet he's more fragile for simply breaking himself over and over again until finally setting the pieces right.

The plan of all this enduring is for this moment. An entire Empire equivalent of our Rome is at it's decline, peak and legacy to finally muster what little who have the courage, balls and guts to say what needs to be done. Between Esdeath, Night-Raid, Blue and the Emperor all coming down for a show? Oh boy, I mean what more cannot be understated for these stakes to be met? I've prepared it, I've envisioned it and all I have to do is simply see where these pieces fit to finally showcase something few dare to strive in a simple: Hobby as Fandom writing. As far as I know, no one is willing to put their passion into a mundane hobby whose stigma is just 90% shit and 10% gold in terms of quantity of story writing.

Nonetheless it's been a pleasure, I hope to see you all again soon as we've reached the End-Game of this story. Whether I can muster up time, effort and energy for a sequel is questionable but I can't help to think myself as amazed. This is possibly the largest story, I've ever constructed and it started off as a laughably weak, joke and just flat out terrible premise...yet the foundation for others to build off it? Let's just say, I'm not one to laugh whenever someone uses what I made to make their own creation.

Leave a review, it's all I ask.