(Duel at the Sunset)

*September 19th, 1918*

*7:55pm*

The twilight sky illuminated in front of Akito and Peter Ermakov as both men were prepared to engage in combat as Akito looked over towards where Kazumi and Olga were walking.

"Are you okay Olga?" Kazumi asked as he looked at Olga with a comforting smile on his face as he awaited his response.

"I'm okay. My head hurts a little but luckily that man didn't do any more damage to me but thank you and Bartok so much for protecting us. We don't deserve such kindness…" Olga said in a sad yet uplifting tone of voice as she looked down in the process.

"You're wrong. You and your siblings deserve all the love and respect in the world and whatever bad Nicholas II may have done to the people or whatever this doesn't mean that murder or anything is the answer but I know that Kaede will probably tell you the same thing" Kazumi said with a smile as he chuckled at the last part in which made Olga smile warmly.

"Thank you so much Kazumi. You truly remind me of Kaede in looks and personality and always cherish those things in life" Olga warmly said as her smile made Kazumi smile even more as they walked back into Akito's hideout.

"It seems everyone had made it in quite safely thus meaning I can fight you with everything I've got!" Akito said with a smile as he turned his direction back towards Peter Ermakov.

"If you hadn't noticed. I'm in quite the BAD mood after all the shit that has transpired so this means I'm just gonna kill you right on the spot!" Peter Ermakov spat out in annoyance as he prepared himself for battle.

"I'm ready when you are Mr Ermakov" Akito said as both opponents stood there for a good minute in silence as they waited for the perfect time to strike.

"Time's up!" Peter Ermakov cried out as he charged towards Akito with his sword in hand.

As he attempted to aim for his head however and with quick succession Aktio managed sidestep towards his right direction and managed to elbow Peter Ermakov on his back as the tall man fell towards the ground.

"Wow! He's fast" Alexei said with a mixture of awestruck and shock in his voice as he just witnessed the battle.

"Master Akito is quite strong and He's a gifted fighter as well since he's been trained ever since he was 18 years old" Kazumi said as he winced in pain due to Tatiana tending to his wounds.

"Thank you both for protecting us. I'm truly grateful" Yelena wrote in her notebook as she showed it to Kazumi with a warm smile on her face.

"You're welcome and everyone here has taught me so much about being a good person and I will always be grateful for everyone here" Kazumi replied back with a warm smile on his face.

"I've been thinking like If it wasn't for me going back to the past then we would never be here like we all would have been dead while Kazumi, Bartok, and Yelena would have been elsewhere but I'm thankful that we are here as friends no family.." Anastasia said as she smiled and looked at everyone around her.

"And this is why Kazumi is fighting for us! He wants everyone to be happy just like Kaede…" Maria added on with a smile as everyone in the room smiled as well before looking over to where the battle was taking place.

"I see? You're not a complete joke after all just gives me more fun to KILL YOU!" Peter Ermakov cried out as he pulled out his pistol and attempted to shoot Akito in the head however and with quick succession.

Akito managed to punch the pistol out of Peter Ermakov's hand and delivered a hard punch towards the right side of his face as Peter Ermakov fell to the ground.

"It's best to give up now. I'm a far better fighter than you so If you want to avoid trouble than it's best to leave us alone" Akito advised as he crossed his arms together as he looked at Peter Ermakov slowly getting up in the process.

"S-Stupid Bastard! You're lucky I'm tired from my last fight however this ends here and NOW!" Peter Ermakov cried out as he picked up his sword and charged towards Akito with great speed.

"It seems that this fight must continue eh?" Akito said as he signed while preparing to use his sword against him as well.

"JUST DIE!" Peter Ermakov cried out.

As both swords clashed against each other as with each clash both attacks became faster as Akito eventually made Peter Ermakov back up during the process while the swords clashed and clashed.

"Personally I never used a sword before however I was taught by a good friend but that's not important to you right? Tell me. Why do you fight for those royal scum?" Peter Ermakov asked as took some steps back before running towards Akito to continue clashing swords with him.

"They deserve to live right? I won't allow you or anyone to take their lives away!" Akito replied as he eventually overpowered Peter Ermakov by knocking his sword out of his hand as it swung across the twilight sky before falling back into the ground.

"D-Damn it! Why am I losing? Was it Bartok's attack?" Peter Ermakov questioned as his mood turned into a more surprised and shocked one as he stared at Akito who had a smile on his face.

"Can't you see? You're burned out and you've almost been fighting for an hour so It's quite expected so this means you must give up and continue your journey back home" Akito advised yet again as Peter Ermakov stared back in surprise.

*John Claude's Place*

"It seems we must tell Mr Ermakov to retreat since things aren't looking too good for him isn't that right Mr Claude?" Natasha said to John Claude as she sipped some Tea while looking at the footage.

"You're right but I'll rather want to wait just a little longer" John Claude replied back as he smiled and chuckled to himself.

*Akito's Place*

"Me? Give up? Nonsense! I have a mission and I intend to follow orders as planned!" Peter Ermakov cried out.

As he ran towards Akito as he attempted to harm him however Akito sidestepped towards the side of Peter Ermakov and slightly pushed him to the floor as the man collapsed to the floor.

"He's getting tired and he knows it but he is still continuing to fight. Why is that?" Maria questioned as she tended to Bartok's wounds.

"A mixture of pride and sheer determination like his only goal is to kill us and It's like how Bartok was in critical condition yet his motivation for his love for Maria and everyone else pushed him further so I guess it's the same for him unfortunately" Tatiana answered back as she finished up tending to Kazumi's wounds.

"Love? W-What…" Maria uttered in surprise as she blushed as everyone eventually had smiles on their faces.

"Mashka my dear sister, we know about you and Bartok and please know that we are very happy for you as well" Olga said with a smile as she gave a thumbs up.

"You better invite us! Or my spirit will haunt you!" Anastasia playfully said as she made some ghost sounds while everyone else laughed.

"My wedding will be amazing. I just know it! It's gonna be filled with many flowers, people and other amazing things! I just can't wait for it!" Maria said with a smile.

"That would be amazing and Even in the darkest times we always find ways to make things brighter and I really like that," Alexei said with a smile as everyone did the same as well.

"This is why I want to save them Ermakov" Akito thought to himself as he overheard the entire conversation as he looked at Peter Ermakov as he slowly got back up to his feet.

"Why am I losing? WHY! WHY! WHY!" Peter Ermakov cried out in fury as he slammed his fists in the ground in defeat.

"Now won't you listen to me Mr Ermakov?" Akito said with a straight look on his face as he looked at him.

"Wait? I have my Rocket Launcher! If I can use that then everyone will be as good as dead! Why didn't I think about this before!" Peter Ermakov thought to himself with a devious smile on his face as he got back up on his feet.

"What's with the smile on your face? Whatever trick you got for me it's not gonna work so It's best to give up" Akito warned Peter Ermakov as the man only smiled at his comments.

"Oh? You mean THIS!" Peter Ermakov cried out as he took out a flashbang grenade out of his armor pocket which surprised Akito.

"I-Is that.." Akito only uttered in shock as he saw Peter Ermakov put on his aries helmet for protection and quickly threw the grenade towards his way which stunned him as the noise was quite loud to the point it almost made Akito deaf from it.

"Good! Good! All according to plan!" Peter Ermakov said with a smile as he picked up his Rocket Launcher that he threw across the field and aimed it towards Akito's house.

"SAY GOODBYE!" Peter Ermakov roared with happiness as he set his targets for Kazumi, Bartok, Yelena, and the Romanovs.