Chapter 53

Voices. A fight. This was what a person could hear while struggling to wake up. She did not understand what was said. Nevertheless, she thought she heard the voice of Natsu and Najenda arguing about an action that Natsu would have done without Najenda's agreement. Finally, while other voices were heard, Wendy finally opened her eyes.

At first weakly, she could open her eyelids, little by little, allowing him to realize that she was in the middle of the forest.

" Where am I ? "

Suddenly emerging from her, Koro's little figure appeared. Seeming to be standing on its belly, the animal began to gesticulate in all directions, in order to show its rejoicing. Nothing could show that he himself had escaped death twice today.

" Ko… Koro? "

She too, wounded on all sides, Seryu, seated not far from Wendy, immediately turned her head towards her, before rejoicing.

" Wendy! Are you OK ? "

" Seryu ? " Wondered the girl, struggling to straighten up. " But where … ? "

" WENDY ! "

Grabbing the girl, while smiling, Natsu and Happy now surrounded the girl.

" You're awake ! It's awesome ! "

" Natsu? " Wondered the latter.

Then turning her gaze all around her, she was surprised to see two enemy groups being present, facing each other.

On the one hand, Night Raid was made up of all the members that Wendy had met, except Bulat and Sheele. To replace them, there was, instead, a girl with a lollipop in the mouth. Lying down, meanwhile, Tatsumi could only turn his gaze a little towards her, while his injuries prevented him from doing more.

As for the other group, it included Wave; Kurome Run Seryu and Koro as well as Bols and his family.

While seated or standing, each was primarily watching over the people in the other group to make sure that no one was going to attack them by surprise. Mine had his gun in hand; Wave seemed to clean his big sword, while being sure to have it in hand, in case of problems Chelsea and Lubbock both seemed very calm, but, it was obvious that their hands, hidden in their pockets, hid threads or needles. Despite the fact that Seryu was now completely undecided about now considering Night Raid as allies or enemies, Koro began to growl as he recognized the smell of Mine.

Clearly, the current situation was quite tense. It was like being in a room full of explosives, with a match in hand. As for Wendy, she was completely lost. She didn't know why all these little people were gathered here, when they were supposed to go to war.

Seeing her as confused, Run dared to take a step towards her, before affirming.

" Welcome to see you wake up, Wendy! "

" R … Run ? "

" Nevertheless, I must admit, that in the meantime, we were able to learn which camp you were in, really! "

At the news, Wendy could only be stunned. In her face, Run didn't seem furious with her. However, it was obvious from his voice that the boy was disappointed. But the worst for Wendy was to meet the eyes of Wave, who had immediately lowered hers. Right now, Wave felt betrayed by one of the people he trusted the most.

" I ... I ... " Started Wendy, not knowing what to say.

Suddenly a slap could be heard.

" Idiot. " Said Kije, looking down as she stood in front of Bols.

" Kije… " Could only say Bols, without appearing to have hurt the slap he had just received.

" Idiot. " Repeated his wife, starting to hammer his chest. " Idiot ! Idiot ! Idiot ! Idiot ! "

Then, finally, stopping, she ends up sobbing, before hugging her arms around her husband's waist, and burying her face against her abdomen.

" Never do that again. " She ordered him. "I thought you were really dead, fool! I thought I would never have the opportunity to see you again one day! "

" Kije… " Repeated the man.

" Bols… " Kije stopped him . " Don't abandon me! Without you, I would be unhappy! "

Freezed then, Bols seemed to be transformed into a statue, while searching for the words to build his next sentence was complicated. However, in the end, he ends up hugging Kije in his arms, before affirming.

" I promise you ! "

Watching the scene, while staying close to Wendy, Natsu couldn't suppress a small smile on his face. Then, turning to Najenda, he wanted to know.

" What do we do now, Boss? "

" What is the use of asking me when you are always doing as you please? " Asked Najenda, while having a cigarette in her mouth. " You annoy me ! "

Then, finally, expiring a blow, she ends up asking.

" Did you understand who is the real evil of the empire? "

" Hein? " Wave said, noticing that she was addressing him and his comrades.

" The empire has only hired you, as Jaegers, only to protect its interests! The Prime Minister doesn't care about the people! All he wants is power! He's the man you were supposed to blindly protect! "

" Grrr! Shut up. " Wave ordered him. " What? Now that we know we were cheated, you take the liberty of lecturing us, right? "

" I'm just trying to find out which camp you are in. " Retorted Najenda.

" In no camp. " Wave asserted. " Neither in that of the empire, nor with Night Raid! You're no better than these guys, so don't try to manipulate us! "

However, eventually directing his gaze to Bols, he ended up asking.

" Why did you allow him to join us on the battlefield? "

" Ask that fool. " Najenda advised him, pointing to Natsu.

" Why didn't you kill him when you had the opportunity? "

" Ask Natsu too! "

" Why make us believe that you are the good? "

"We are not good. " Retorted Najenda, starting to be annoyed by his questions. " We never will be! However, we do not want the empire to continue to represent evil! Just like you, as a Night Raid, we fight our opponents, following our convictions! You and we wanted to help the people! However, we did not have the same targets to shoot! "

" Night Raid only kills. " Suddenly noticed Run. " I don't want to be a hypocrite but, at least you could have given all these people a chance! "

" It was not humans. " Suddenly replied Lubbock. " These people, as you call them, had killed hundreds of others! They were monsters! "

" You are not better. " Wave replied. "You too, you just killed, bastards! "

Even before he, or one of his comrades, could move, Leone managed to grab him by the neck, before slapping him violently against a tree.

" Argh! "

" Hypocrite. " Growled the girl. " You, the Jaegers, did just like us! We know each of your actions, and even better those of Esdeath! The latter has killed far more people than all of us put together! So don't come and talk about justice lightly! "

Then, seeing the other Jaegers begin to surround her, and ready to attack her if she persisted in strangling Wave, the young woman ends up dropping the boy, while asserting.

" At the end of the day, if we exclude Esdeath, there are no big differences between your group and ours! "

" It is true that we have eliminated a good packet of murderers. " Asserted Gajeel!. " But hey, what do you want? If one killed life saves a hundred, is that not what you want ? "

" Grrr. " Said Wave, getting up. " Don't you have any regrets? "

As if angry, the boy then turns to Wendy.

" Wendy, tell me it's a joke! It is impossible that you can be part of this group! "

" Wave, I ...! "

" You have always been the first to refuse to harm people, and be disgusted when it came to killing them! What does a child like you do with these barbarians? They're the ones who forced you, right? A child like you would never have wanted to join the army on your own without some pressure! "

" Wave … ! "

" Tell me the truth, damn it! cried the boy! Tell me that you are not our enemy! "

Finally clenching her fist, Wendy ends up screaming.

" I am nobody's enemy, Wave! At least, not here! Despite the murders that this engenders, I understand the actions of Night Raid; I admire your bravery, you Jaegers and, whatever happens, I will always be a member of Fairy Tail! I don't want to be the enemy of any of you! On the contrary, I want everyone to be able to form a real group that fights against real evil! is it really complicated to ask and understand? "

" No. " Bols said suddenly, sitting down on the ground. " Besides, right now, I'm joining Night Raid. "

" What? " Wave wondered; Kurome and Seryu.

" Bowls ? " Said Kije.

" Sorry, but I promised. " Confessed the man, looking at Natsu. " This boy allowed me to save you and, in exchange, I was responsible for coming back here and working on behalf of Night Raid! I only have one word! And after what I saw in town, I much prefer to trust them, right now! "

" Bols… " Began Run. " I am surely in a bad position to give you advice, since I do not have a family but, is it not justly dangerous for them? "

" Kije… Logue…" Suddenly hissed the man, then grabbing the arm of each of them, before hugging them. " They tried to kill them, taking advantage of my absence! I could never forgive them! Leaving them in the hands of the empire is dangerous! "

Noticing that he had made a decision, Akame then turned to the person who was interested in him.

" Are you, Kurome? What do you decide ?

Sitting with his legs folded up to his chin, Kurome had remained silent, as well as thoughtful since their arrival here. And it was precisely this question that she thought about so much.

" Sister ... I ... am I a bad person? "

" Why this question ? "

" Even if my presence among the Jaegers was to find you, I thought ... I really thought I would do good around me! But, in fact, ... everything I did ... it's just ...! "

Looking at his sister, Kurome wanted to know.

" Sister… what do you think I have become? "

" I can't be in your head. " Akame replied. " Depending on the character of each, we can say that they are more or less different! It's up to you to ask yourself these kinds of questions! If you think you did well, let it be! However, if you think you have done the wrong thing, and want to repair your faults, my offer is still valid! "

" Your offer? "

" Yes, that of joining us! "

" Hey, minute! " Exclaimed Chelsea, appearing to be very serious. " What are these stories of wanting to make Jaegers our allies? It is not because we have the same enemy in common that we can trust them! Huh, boss? "

Seeming hesitant, Najenda simply watched the discussion, in silence. Certainly, she knew that Chelsea had reason to worry. However, on the other hand, there was a chance for the boss of Night Raid, to collect, all at once, five teigus as well as five experienced fighters. And perhaps, as well, to supplement what he lacked so that his army could compete with the power of Esdeath.

However, not giving her time to say a word, Mine suddenly doubled her, before pointing the end of Pumpkin on someone's forehead.

" Out of the question. " She roared then. " There is no question of trusting these guys! In particular, this girl! "

Unable to move back slightly, Seryu tried to appear calm, but had to exert a certain force in his arms, in order to restrain Koro, who was fidgeting more and more.

" Monster! " Roared Mine. " I hope you haven't forgotten me! I could never forgive you for what you did to Sheele! "

" The girl with scissors…! " Understood Seryu. " I thought you told me she was alive! "

" Since you smashed it against the ground, it's in a deep coma. " Roared Mine, pushing the tip of his gun more and more on Seryu's forehead. " She hasn't woken up since! "

With her finger on the trigger, she roars.

" How, huh? After all you've done against Night Raid, how can we trust you? You're just a bloodthirsty murderer! A justice psychopath who can only do evil around her! I refuse to let someone like you join us! "

Knowing that Seryu's character was all too well, Wendy would hasten to make Mine go back, before it could degenerate. However, to her surprise, she suddenly saw the old guard drop. Thus, crouching in front of Mine, Seryu could hear different voices in his head.

It was not voices that urged him to kill. No, these were the people they had always loved.

"Hey, Onee-san is here! Onee-san, are you playing with us, with Koro? "

" Children…! "

"Good morning, Seryu! It's cold today ! Cover up well during your patrol, okay? "

" … Father Mory…! "

"What I want is to be free ! Even if I am nothing but a poor person, I too want to do justice with you! "

" … Free! "

Then, gritting her teeth, she could only be in a rage, remembering the mocking faces of Wild Hunt, vis-à-vis their crimes. However, what angered her the most was the fact that she had been unable to do anything against them except to be beaten up miserably.

"No ... I have to stop them!"

Finally ending up on her knees before Mine, she cried.

" I'm sorry ! I sincerely regret what I did! "

" Hein? "

Astonished at such behavior, Mine had lowered her gaze, while she had the greatest difficulty understanding what was going on. For her, it was impossible that Seryu reacted thus.

" Night Raid is not my enemy! It never was! It is I who follow wrongly throughout history! I know I don't deserve it, but ...! "

Raising her head, she begged.

" I need your help ! I need your help to avenge mine! I beg you ! "

" Our help…? " Repeated Mine.

Suddenly feeling a violent excess of rage, the sniper ends up grabbing Seryu by his collar, before forcing her to get up.

" Why would I do this for you? Why? You just deserve to die! "

" In that case, just swear to me one thing! Get rid of Wild Hunt! "

Sobbing then, the old guard said.

" I was blind! Pathetic! Wretched ! If only ... If only I could have seen the truth before ... maybe ... maybe they would still be alive ... the people I loved! I want to avenge them! "

A punch ends up hitting her in the face. Falling backwards, Seryu groaned in pain, while Koro pretended to transform in order to protect her. However, he was stopped by a roaring mine.

" You don't lack the nerve to ask that we help you to avenge yours! Me, what I want most in the world, revenge Sheele! Just give me a good reason to spare you! "

Afraid that it would escalate further, Wendy prepared to intervene between Mine and Seryu. Nevertheless, putting an arm in front of her, Natsu stopped her.

" Natsu? "

" Let's mine! " Advised Natsu. " I surely don't know Seryu as well as you! Nevertheless, I know that she needs to express herself what she thinks and feels if she is to have a chance of being accepted here! "

" So ? " Insisted Mine. " Why should I spare you? "

" Real justice! " Seryu muttered suddenly.

" Hum ? "

Suddenly kneeling before Mine, Seryu implored him.

" Please… allow me to have a chance to live, so that I can know and exercise real justice! I no longer want to kill an innocent for the slightest crime! I want to learn to build peace, not fear! I want to learn to differentiate between good and bad! I want … ! "

Suddenly raising her head, she cried out.

" I want to know what it's like to live in a country where peace thrives! "

Gritting his teeth, Mine showed that he didn't like his answer. However, she ends up lowering her gun, while grumbling.

" Hell, why didn't you take out your speech about wanting to kill me in the name of justice? "

" Hein? " Wondered Seryu.

Suddenly, Mine couldn't help hitting her with the tip of her gun, causing her to fall back.

" Seryu. " Wave roars, getting into position with Run.

" Tasks that I will not forgive you anytime soon. " Cried Mine, staring at Seryu. "You may want to change, but that will not erase the murders you have already committed! "

Pretending to move away from her, she added nonetheless.

" However, even if I am in rage against you, I cannot help thinking that the empire may be the cause of your behavior! If you want to change, prove it to me! But otherwise ...! "

Showing Pumpkin, she swore.

" I will show you how I use my teigu! "

Noting, despite the threat, that she was giving her his approval, Seryu thanked her, bending down.

" Thank you ! Thank you very much ! I would prove myself worthy, it's sworn! "

"What ... what are they all doing?" Wanted to know Wave. " Why do they suddenly decide to be part of Night Raid? I ... They're not the good I'm looking for! "

Suddenly sighing, Run suddenly sits down, noticing.

" It seems that the dice have already been thrown, anyway! "

" What? " Cried Wave. " Run, not you too! "

" We don't really have a choice now. "Retorted the boy, raising the fingers of his hand, before lowering them. " We can neither flee without having the guards following us nor return to the empire hoping that someone will take us back and even less fight the empire! Even including Wendy, the six of us would be hard pressed to defeat Wild Hunt! So with Esdeath and Budo, you don't even have to think about it! When you think about it, maybe joining forces with Night Raid for a while would not be such a bad idea! "

" I disapprove. " Wave replied. " They may, in fact, be less bad than you think! However, that does not mean that they are trusted people! "

" Why, then ? " Asked Gajeel. " After all, if memory serves, I allowed you to stop a huge network of slave traders just a month ago! Instead of setting a trap against you, I preferred to show you against whom we were fighting! "

" Grrr, shut up. " Wave roars. " I don't want to hear anything anymore! I ... I ...! "

" Free to go. " Suddenly told him Najenda. " If you want to leave to flee, do as you wish! "

" Hein? " The boy wondered.

" Nevertheless, if you want to go alone and then fight the empire, tell yourself that you can only end in defeat! We, ourselves, know that to all of us, our chances of achieving the final victory are close to zero! "

" So why ? Why do this by realizing that it will surely only result in defeat? "

" Because the people count on us. "Answered Najenda simply. " And I refuse to disappoint him more! "

Widening his eyes, faced with this answer, Wave did not really know what to answer. Finally, looking down, he said.

" The people must count on the police! However, it is she who is corrupt! "

Grinding his teeth, the boy wanted to know.

" If I help you, will this allow the people to live in peace? "

" I can't promise anything! All of this will depend on what everyone does! However, the more we are, the more our chances of success will increase! It's for you to see ! "

Seeming lost, Wave did not know what decision to make. Seeing him thus, Natsu advanced somewhat forward, before brandishing his fist in front of him.

" I think it's time to establish an alliance! "

" An alliance ? "

" Yes, as a mage, I declare representing Fairy Tail, in this alliance! "

Sighing then, Najenda only shook her head. However, eventually joining Natsu, she muttered.

" If you insist ! I declare to represent Night Raid, in this alliance! "

Then, noticing that all eyes were on him, Wave felt pressured to the point that his brain overheated. Weighing the pros and cons several times, the boy remembered everything he had seen and experienced since joining the Jaegers.

Finally, opening his eyes, the boy displayed a serious look, before walking towards the two comrades.

Fixing them for a few moments, he ends up imitating them, and brandishes his fist in front of him.

" Me, Wave, I declare representing the Jaegers, in this alliance! "