Rumors of a Reaper.
Horsebow Moon: As cold air begins to creep in from the north of Faerghus, Fódlan welcomes the riches of fall. The women spend their days reaping the golden fields, gratefully embracing the bounty the goddess has once again provided. The men venture into the wild with horsebows and empty sacks ready to be filled with game.
Sometime after Seteth reported Flayn missing, both Byleth and Esdeath had been called to the Audience Chamber to discuss their next move. They needed to help her.
"As I believe you are already aware, Seteth's younger sister, Flayn, has gone missing. At present, all we know for certain is that she has not left Garreg Mach" Rhea explained.
"Flayn is not the type of person to just wander off on her own without telling me where she is going! We have searched the monastery thoroughly, but have found nothing. I am now mobilizing the knights to begin searching the town. Troubling rumors have been running rampant lately. I do not wish to consider the worst, but..." Seteth trailed of.
"Troubling rumors?" Byleth asked.
"There are rumors of someone prowling the streets and attacking innocents, night after night. The knights have investigated the matter. They have not discovered any remains, nor have they found any concrete evidence" Rhea explained.
"The people are panicked! They all insist someone called the Death Knight is coming to claim their souls with his blade. There is no way she could have escaped unscathed if she were captured by such a fiend! Where is she?!" Seteth demanded, still struggling with keeping his emotions in check.
"Seteth, recall that impatience begets error. Please do your best to calm yourself. I think of your...sister as family as well. You know that. You have my support. We will devote ourselves fully–mind, body, and soul–to recovering her" Rhea said before looking at the two Professors "Byleth, Esdeath. Your mission for this month is to help find Flayn. The knights have the town covered, so I ask that you focus your efforts on searching the monastery again. However, I fear Flayn is not all that is missing.
"What do you mean?" Esdeath asked.
"We recently learned that the One One-Cut Killer: Murasame, has been stolen. But only a handful of people knows were we put it, meaning there might be a spy in our mist as well. There is no telling what a sword like that could do in the wrong hands. We do not have time to waste. You have your orders" Rhea said.
"Understood" Esdeath said and Byleth just nodded before they left. Once outside, Esdeath spoke "Death Knight... Could it be the same Death Knight I faced?".
"No one else fits that description... I wonder more about who could be behind that mask" Byleth said.
"Mask... there is one I can think of. One of the few warriors that could match me in combat" Esdeath said while still in thought.
"Who?" Byleth asked.
Esdeath shook her head "Telling you now could cause more trouble. I can't say for certain without proof. Besides, our mission is to find Flayn. We need to inform our students of this".
Byleth nodded in agreement "Alright, let me know if you need help".
"How sweet of you. See you around" Esdeath said with a wave as she walked away.
Byleth did the same, she needed to inform her students as quickly as possible.
With the Black Eagels, Esdeath had just finished explaining everything.
"Flayn has gone missing? Most unsettling" Hubert said.
"It doesn't seem likely that she's simply gotten lost. I'll help in any way that I can" Edelgard declared.
"So, our mission this month is to find her? Well then, let us hurry and locate her before anyone else!" Ferdinand said.
"I hope Flayn is OK! What would happen if... Just what would we do if..." Bernadetta said in worry.
Dorothea looked at her paranoid friend "You can't think like that, Bern. Seteth would have a heart attack if he heard you".
Linhardt thinks for a moment "I've heard that she has a Crest, but I suppose, for this moment, that is irrelevant".
"Maybe not. I keep hearing how important Crests is to people. Maybe that is the reason Flayn went missing. Someone could've kidnapped her in order to use her Crest" Akame said.
"You make a very good point, Akame. We'll start by gathering information. Someone must have seen Flayn recently" Hubert said.
Edelgard nods in agreement "Right. If we work together, I'm certain we'll find her".
"Quistion everyone and search under every peppel if you have to. We are not stopping until Flayn has been found. Do I make myself clear?" Esdeath asked.
"Yes Professor!" Everyone said in unison.
Esdeath nods in approval before walking out. Akame waited a moment before she spoke "Is it me, or does Professor Esdeath seem to have a rather personal reason to do this?".
"You're right, Akame. Esdeath dosen't like talking about it, but I hear she and Flayn has a strong sister like bond. When most people look at Esdeath, they see an unbeatable warrior with unrivaled power. And that's how she was treated, with both respect and fear. Flayn is among the few that treated Esdeath like a human, and saw her as a real person. That is why Esdeath cares so much about her" Edelgard explained.
"I see... then we should hurry and find Flayn as quickly as we can" Akame declared.
Dorothea smiled "Well said, Akame. Alright, let's do this".
With that, everyone headed out to begin their investigation.
In the Golden Deer Classroom, Byleth told her students about the situation.
"What? Flayn is missing?!" Hilda asked in surprise. "So, finding Flayn is our mission for the month, I take it?" Claude asked. "Wait. Who's Flayn?" Raphael asked. "Seteth's little sister. Surely you've seen her flitting about the monastery" Leonie said. "She is the girl who looks about the same age as me, but seems well beyond her years" Lysithea added.
"Yeah, she may look cute and innocent. But anyone who can handle having Seteth as a big brother is bound to be strong" Leone said.
"Seteth is much older than Flayn. He's always looking out for her. He must be worried sick. If I were to go missing, I can't imagine what that would do to my brother. Or even my sister" Hilda said. "When searching for someone, it's best to start by gathering information. Hopefully someone has seen Flayn" Claude said. With that, their search began as well.
The news about Flayn's disappearance spread fast, and soon many people were actively searching for her. The Blue Lions had been informed and was helping out as well. A welcoming help since extra eyes were never a bad thing when it came to finding something, or someone. Right now, Leone and Sylvain were searching for Flayn together. And odd team up to say the least, given they were both from different houses and vastly different stature, given Sylvain was Noble and Leone was a commoner.
"So, Flayn has gone missing. Well, good thing I am good as chasing girls, so finding her shouldn't be to difficult" Sylvain said.
"You may have an eye for girls. Just try to keep an eye out for the right girl" Leone said.
"Don't worry, I won't let other beautiful women distract me from finding Flayn" Sylvain promised.
"Right, that. But also try to save your ogling and flirting for a girl you actually like" Leone said.
"What do you mean? I like all girls I flirt with" Sylvain said.
"Really? Seems more to me like you just enjoy breaking girls' hearts and making them feel like dirt" Leone said in a rather harsh tone.
"Oh, that. It's not that I enjoy hurting girls. I always try to make sure it's nothing serious so they won't be to hurt when I end things with them... but yeah, sometimes I do go to far and hurt them more than I thought I would. I do feel bad about that" Sylvain admitted.
"Is it true you flirted with Ingrid's grandmother? And made eyes on a scarecrow?" Leone asked.
"H-hey that was years ago! How did you even know about that?!" Sylvain demanded.
Leone laughed a little "I heard it when Ingrid was yelling at you about your skirt chasing. I need to remember to never get on her bad side".
"She is pretty scary when she wants to be. But that is none of your business. If your only reason for asking me to help you search for Flayn was to mess with me, then I am done with you" Sylvain said, actually sounding angry. Leone thought he would brush it of like he always does, but seems like Leone hit a more sensitive spot.
"Sorry, sorry, that isn't the reason, I swear. I just wanted to know why you waste time on short lived flings instead of looking for a girl that you trully love and loves you back" Leone said.
Sylvain sighed "If a girl like that exists, it will take a life time to find her".
"Why do you say that? I'm sure there are plenty of girls you could be happy with" Leone said.
"Maybe, but not for the right reason. Most girls who wants to be with me, only wants my Crest. If they were to give birth to a Crest baby, it would grant them more power than they deserve" Sylvain said.
Leone stopped walking "So that's why you flirt with so many girls. You are afraid to commit to a relationship because you don't want to be hurt".
"I... guess that is one way of putting it. I don't want someone unfaithful who only wants to be with me because of my Crest" Sylvain said.
"Sylvain, I do hope you realize that you are being the exact thing you are trying to avoid. You hurt girls left and right, and I am sure at least some of them didn't care about Crests. You are pretty much destroying your chance for true happiness" Leone pointed out.
"Alright why are you telling me all this? What are you after?" Sylvain demanded.
Leone sighed "I was just trying to help. Forget it, let's focus on our mission".
Sylvain watched Leone walk away for a moment before he sighed "You really are an moronic jerk, Sylvain...".
Time passed and still no sign of Flayn anywhere. Akame had been walking around for hours and still no trace. She suddenly noticed Felix standing by himself.
"Hello Felix" She greeted.
"Hi. You must've been busy" Felix pointed out.
Akame blinked in confusion until she suddenly remembered "We were supposed to have one of our duels! Sorry Felix, I didn't mean to forget. I've been trying to find Flayn and it's taking up more time than expected".
Felix nods, accepting her apology "Ah, you're looking for Flayn's kidnapper. I can't say anything for sure, but I do have suspicions about Jeritza. There's something about how he's handling his blade lately. It seems more...impulsive than usual. It couldn't hurt to try speaking with him, at least. At this hour, I think you'll find him sparring with Catherine at the training grounds".
"Thank you Felix, I promise I will make things up to you" Akame said.
"Don't worry about it. Just help clean this mess up quickly so things can get back to normal again" Felix said.
"I will, see you soon" Akame said as she ran of. Jeritza is one of the combat instructors of Academy. He wasn't known for spending much time with people. However if he was behind this, Akame needed to find out.
Akame suddenly stopped when she noticed something in the distance. It was Manuela, where could she be of to? Putting her talk with Catherine on hold for now, Akame decided to follow Manuela, who already had a head start on her. Akame suddenly heard a scream. Her eyes became wide as she rushed in the direction of the scream. It appeared to come from the inside of one of the rooms. Akame rushed inside and saw Manuela on the floor.
"Professor!" Akame called out as she checked on her.
She didn't seem to badly hurt, but she was pointing at something. Akame followed her finger and saw an entrance to a passageway. Akame didn't want to leave Manuela like this, but if the attacker went down there, then he could be trying to escape and their biggest lead on Flayn would be gone... maybe even along with Flayn herself, and all their searching would've been for nothing.
"I am so sorry Professor. Please be alright, I promise I will get the one who did this to you" Akame promised before doing her best to treat Manuela's wound, hoping it would keep her stable long enough for help to arrive.
Akame needed to patch herself up many times during her life thanks to her dangerous lifestyle. Both her father and sister made sure she learned how to treat both her wounds and others. If she did everything correctly, Manuela's life should no longer be in danger. But just to make sure, Akame threw something at window, breaking it, hoping it would cause a loud enough sound to attract more people. She then began heading down the passageway. This was a dangerous decision, but Akame needed to keep the intruders from escaping. If she can't beat them, hopefully she can stall them long enough for help to arrive.
Akame entered an underground passage. She looked around, not believing something like this was hidden right under their feet. Akame had to be quiet as she had no idea what waited for her down here. She could hear fain footsteps nearby, which must be enemy soldiers. Bette to avoid them for now. She suddenly saw something... or rather someone. It was Flayn! Along with some red haired girl Akame hadn't seen before. Akame hurried over there to check on them. They were unconscious, but alive.
"Flayn... Flayn, can you here me?" Akame whisper yelled, hoping to wake Flayn up. But Flayn didn't react, and then suddenly Akame heard someone walking up behind her.
She turned around just in time to roll to the side, just before a black scythe coming down on her. She quickly pulled out her sword, which she thankfully always carried with her. She finally got a good look at her attacker and got wide eyes.
"You!?" She said, standing in front of her, was the Death Knight.
"I remember you. You are one of those brats that stopped our raid on the Holy Mausoleum. You are either very brave or very foolish to come down here on your own" The Death Knight said darkly.
Akame pointed her blade at him "Take of that mask. I want to see if it's really you. Professor Jeritza".
"That name means nothing to me. I am the Death Knight. And this place will be your tomb" The Death Knight declared as he stormed towards Akame.
Akame avoided one of his attacks and retaliated with an attack of her own. But the Death Knight simply blocked her sword before forcing her back. He then went on the offence again, his strikes where both very fast and very strong. Akame was barely able to hold of his relentless onslaught, each one of his strikes were aimed to kill. Akame was forced to give more and more ground, until the Death Knight delivered a blow that she was forced to block, but the impact sent her tumbling across the floor.
Akame groans as she tried to get up, until she heard dripping sounds. She looked at the floor to see... blood. She touched her cheek and realized she was bleeding. She gasped as the Death Knight was on her again. Each strikes made Akame's arms ache until a brutal strikes knocked her sword out of her hands before Death Knight gave her a powerful kick to her chest. Akame could've sworn she felt some of her ribs crack and she coughed up some blood before she crashed in to a box, knocking it over and making all the stuff it contained scatter across the floor.
"I expected more from someone trained by Esdeath. But it seems like only she can give me the duel to the death I desire. Still, you survived longer than most, and for that, I will give you a quick death" Death Knight declared as he raised his scythe to finish her.
Akame's hand reached for the nearest weapon, and she grabbed a sword, not realizing what it was. But when she grabbed it, she felt great pain shooting through her body, before it began doing something to her... she didn't know what it was, but it felt strange. Just as the Death Knight brought his Scythe down, Akame raised the sword and blocked the strike... and somehow, Death Knight actually staggered back. He looked up, and even with his mask on, Akame could tell he was shocked.
"Impossible..." He whispered.
Akame finally looked at the blade she grabbed and she could tell why Death Knight was shocked. The sword she had grabbed... Was the Murasame. Suddenly an enemy soldier attacked her from behind, and Akame only managed to land a small cut on his arm... but seconds later, something spread through his body and killed him on the spot.
"Only a select few has ever been able to wield Murasame. It corrupts and kills anyone else that tries. Well girl, you have caught my interest" Death Knight said as he seemed eager to continue the battle "Now, all you need is one cut and you will win. Your friends arrived a while ago. I can hear them killing my soldiers. But they will not make it here in time. Let us settle this with one final attack".
Akame's entire body ached, but she still remained standing "Bring it...".
Death Knight chuckled as he got ready... but then suddenly someone teleports between them "Halt. You're having a bit too much fun".
Akame was confused as she saw a mysterious knight. Was he the one giving orders to the Death Knight?
"You are getting in the way of my game" The Death Knight said, sounding less than happy about having his battle interrupted.
"Hmph. You'll have more opportunities to play soon. Your work here is done" The red knight ordered.
"Understood. I will go..." The Death Knight said in annoyance before he teleports away.
The stranger turned around and looked at Akame "I must say, you have certainly caught my attention. I never expected to see the day when someone would be able to wield the Murasame. We will cross paths again. I am the Flame Emperor... It is I who will reforge the world".
With that, the now named Flame Emperor teleports away. Akame could hear the faint voices of her friends getting closer.
But That was all she heard before she dropped Murasame and fell on her side, unconscious.
.
Tell me what you think.