"Allow me to introduce myself," The pale skinned woman spoke with an earnest smile, placing both her arms in front of her. "My name is Victoria Farblood. But please, call me Victoria."
She closed her eyes, smiling even wider before continuing.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Tat-su-mi~"
Mine took a step forward, partly placing herself in front of her companion.
"How do you know his name?"
Victoria let out a short chuckle, reopening her red eyes. She focused on Mine with a chilling smile.
"Well I heard the name from this rather attractive yet intimidating woman with long, light blue hair and a white military uniform." She soundly answered.
Tatsumi and Mine gulped in perfect unison, knowing the exact woman Victoria described.
"Es-Esdeath knows I'm here?" Tatsumi said aloud.
"Apparently, if that's the name of that human with the malicious aura." Victoria replied with the tilt of her head. "She was accompanied by a rather attractive human male with blond hair, if that helps confirm things for you."
"Sounds like Run." Tatsumi added, letting out a sigh. He didn't know how or when, but the Jagears knew the young assassin is in the city. Since neither he nor Mine spotted any wanted posters of any sorts it's safe to assume they don't know Night Raid is in the city.
Not yet anyway.
Victoria took this moment to take a few steps forward, placing her hands behind her back as she tilted her body back and forth taking in every detail of Tatsumi's figure.
Snapping out of his line of thought, Tatsumi flinched. Despite Victoria acting like a simple, curious girl the young man was on edge.
He knew that the creature before him, whatever species she may be, was far more deadly than anything he or anyone he knew had ever encountered before.
"W-what is it you want with me?" He nervously pushed the words out of his mouth.
Victoria blinked a few times before standing up straight. She held the back of her hand to her mouth, partly covering her short lived laughter.
"Getting straight to the point I see." She said, lowering her hand. "That's good. I like a man who doesn't beat around the bush."
Mine crossed her arms, she didn't like this mysterious girl regardless of what her instincts told her.
"As for what I want..." Victoria briefly disappeared, suddenly reappearing beside Tatsumi. The latter flinched as Victoria wrapped her arms around his left arm.
"Why don't we go out on a date? Right now, just you and me." Once she finished speaking, she buried her head into the young man's side giggling like a school girl out with her boyfriend.
"Huh?" Tatsumi and Mine said in unison, the forward a bit more surprised than the latter.
Sometime later...
After some rather colorful arguments, Mine managed to muscle her way into Tatsumi and Victoria's "date". She was mostly ignored as the two traveled around Kyoroch's market district like a lovey dovey couple.
Well, one acting lovey dovey and the other trying to figure out what the hell he'd been dragged into while trying his best not to give the other a reason to kill him.
Pretty amazing situation for the first official date Tatsumi has ever been on in his life.
"I must say, this city is very well made despite being built by humans." Victoria said at one point, glancing at the various buildings and stands around.
"While it lacks the artistic style I've seen from the old Elvish Empire it does bare some resemblance to the First Civilization's creations. Probably due to the various ruins located across the surrounding area serving as a catalyst for the founding members of this city, yet I can't help but admire how you humans can create such, if imperfect, imitations of glorious architectural designs."
Tatsumi couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh. He had no idea what the later was talking about, only that if she was telling the truth she had to be far older that what she appeared.
He chose not to confirm it, as he already knew what happens when you ask a normal human female her age.
"Dwarves of course can build far greater constructions than this, but most lack the spirit if you would." Victoria continued on her one-sided conversation.
"They simply build for the sake of building, or out of necessity. Not to say that their constructs are some of the greatest sights to behold in this day and age, they only lost the soul of artist thus degrading their work regardless of design or purpose."
"Dwarves and Elves, two races like many others that are born with extraordinary talents. Despite these advantages however, humans having been born with nothing have come out on top."
She turned her head, glazing up at Tatsumi. "Tell me, why do you think this has come to be?"
Tatsumi paused for a few moments, rubbing his index finger along the side of his face. "Well, I never knew Dwarves and Elves are races that exist in this world, let alone any others outside of humans or Danger Beast."
Victoria let out a chuckle. "But of course, you are only a decade old? Younger perhaps? Many races used to walk upon the very ground so shamelessly paved over before us now. Some still exist to this very day, yet they have long since lived out their golden ages."
"The reason behind humanity's dominance over all these races is quite simple actually. The 1st being the fact that they haven't any natural talents or gifts, rather they are born with potential. The potential to become anything they want to be for they are born with nothing."
"The 2nd being that united, humanity is quite the fearsome opponent. Individually, most humans are quite frail. Together however, covering for each others weaknesses while supplementing their strengths is something that many can't even hope of overcoming."
"Sounds like you like humans." Tatsumi carelessly replied, silently cursing himself.
"I admire humans." Victoria replied. "Though I still see many of your kind as insects."
A image flashed of a particular human in Victoria's mind.
One of the few humans she feared.
Axel...The one that almost killed her...
The hairs on her neck stood on end, especially after once again recognizing how similar Axel and Tatsumi appeared. Granted, humans tend to look similar and yet...
"There are a few exceptions of course." She continued, abandoning her train of throught. "I've personally meet a few that are rather troublesome individuals, contradictions to the reasons I told before."
The three fell into silence until Victoria spotted a "cute looking" cafe, dragging Tatsumi toward it with a smile as Mine followed close behind.
The next few minutes involved Victoria ordering pretty much everything on the menu and feeding it to her date, all the while Mine grew more and more annoyed with every bit, silently accepting in the back of her mind she had at least some sort of "feelings" towards Tatsumi.
"So, Mine is it?" Victoria said once she finished feeding Tatsumi a piece of roast beef, openly acknowledging the young assassin for the first time since this "date" started. "Tell me, how long have you and Tatsumi known each other?"
Mine's eyes glanced up for a moment, quickly recalling when she first meet Tatsumi. He'd been so naive back then, not that he changed that much when it come to that. The young man had come far in the short time he been a member of Night Raid though, so far that she openly accepted him as an equal.
"It's been a few months...Maybe half a year by now?"
"Ah, and prey tell when exactly did you start noticing your feeling for Tatsumi?"
"Well..." Mine caught herself before continuing. "Hey! Who said I have any feelings for him?!"
"Oh? It seems pretty obvious to me." Victoria replied with a smirk, placing her hands under her chin. "You followed us on our date to make sure that nothing happens between the two of us. I mean, why else shadow us around town?"
"I-I'm only concerned about him as a comrade!" Mine blurted out, blushing somewhat as she crossed her arms. "Besides, Leone would be mad if anyone managed to pull a fast one on her since she likes Tatsumi!"
Victoria let out a slight gasp. "Is that right?" She turned her head to the young man beside her. "It seems that you are quite the popular man Tatsumi."
The latter let out a forced laugh as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, for some reason I keep getting attractive woman to fall for me."
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing."
"Normally no, but when you have the most powerful sadist on that list it turns out pretty bad." Tatsumi said, scratching the side of his face as he looked to the side. "I mean don't get me wrong, General Esdeath does have a rockin body but she so-"
Mine threw a piece of cake, one of the only things she chose to order from this cafe, at Tatsumi's face.
"What was that for?!" The young man yelled, rising from his seat.
Victoria laughed as Mine closed her eyes, turning herself around with a humph.
"See? She does like you." Victoria said, grabbing a few napkins before she started to wipe off the remains of the cake from Tatsumi's face. Once she was half way done, she took a moment to lick a cake covered part of the assassin's face causing the latter to flinch in blushing surprise.
"Hmmm...A bit too sweet for my tastes, but not bad." The nonhuman said, glancing at Mine. "Are sweets the only things you eat?"
"Of course not, they're just my favorite things to eat." Mine rudely replied, holding her cross armed stance.
Victoria nodded slightly in response, quickly wiping the rest of Mine's treat off Tatsumi's face.
As the man gave his thanks, Mine spun back to face the two.
"This is a waste of my time," She said rising to her feet. "I'm gonna go find Walker, maybe he learned something useful unlike you."
Mine turned, walking away from the two as she let out another humph.
"What the hell Mine-" Tatsumi moved to rise as well when Victoria placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh let her go Tatsumi." She said, gently pushing him down. "She needs sometime to herself. Besides," She wrapped her arms around Tatsumi, much to his dismay. "We're finally alone. Just the two of us."
The next few minutes were mostly the same as the first few as Victoria cheerfully feed Tatsumi other dishes despite the latter's stomach pushing far past the point of satisfied.
Once the nonhuman finished nearly force feeding Tatsumi every dish she ordered, the young man let out a loud belch. He rubbed his newly expanded stomach, eyes pupilless as he felt the sudden need to end his suffering then and there otherwise risk waiting for his overstuffed chest to burst open.
"Tell me, Tatsumi" Victoria said, drawing the latter's attention as she crept close to his face. Far too close for the latter's liking in fact, not that many thing she had done were so.
As Tatsumi debated whether he should be concerned that his "date" was about to off him or blushing because she is about to do something audacious like kiss him, Victoria's face twisted into a dreadful smile, opening her mouth revealing the two fangs hanging among her upper set of teeth.
He eyes seemed to glow pure dread. Tatsumi swore he saw her breath despite it being far too warm out for such a thing to be possible.
"Does the name Axel mean anything to you?"
Tatsumi blinked a few times, taking the next few moments to honestly consider Victoria's question as he repressed the growing fear trying to overwhelm him.
"No...never heard of anyone by that name." He finally said in a hushed tone.
Victoria closed her mouth, maintaining her smile.
'I don't sense that he's lying.' She thought, disappointed. 'An abandoned son perhaps? Such a shame then, he's no use to me.'
"I see..." She let out a breath, closing her eyes before turning her head back around. "Oh well."
The nonhuman's aura of dread eased back to where it once came, allowing the young assassin to calm himself.
A few moments of silence passed before Victoria raised her head, glancing back at Tatsumi. "We can end the date here if you want Tatsumi."
Tatsumi's eyes widen for a moment, nodding in response. Without another world, the young man sat up and briskly walked away.
As Victoria watched the assassin leave, she let out a slight chuckle.
"After all that, he doesn't even say goodbye?" She turned her head, resting it one hand. "Such an ungrateful human."
"Satisfied, dearest sister?" The voice of her true love suddenly called out. Victoria felt her normally still heart beat a few times in pure bliss.
"Rather disgusted actually." Victoria soundly replied with a pout, turning her gaze to her brother whom suddenly appeared across the table. "Playing nice with such inferior creature, I surprised I haven't barfed during the whole ordeal."
She grabbed onto the end of her sleeve with two fingers. "I'm tempted to burn this cloths now that they've been defiled by the smell of a human. Yet again, it may get a reaction out of Axel should this boy in fact turn out to be his son."
"Either way, it isn't a total loss." Vlad said, twirling around a piece of his silver hair. "We gained valuable knowledge about Tatsumi, both of his relationship with Axel and of his potential."
Victoria frowned. "So I wasn't imagining it..."
Vlad let out a low laugh. "Apparently not, dear sister."
He turned his head in the direction Tatsumi disappeared in. "That boy is walking a thin line between his humanity and the monstrosity living in his Imperial Arms or so these humans call them."
"I wonder...how long will it take before the beast consumes his human soul? Or perhaps he'll become like our other comrades?"
"Fate is full of surprises my dear sister, and I look forward to what lays in store for this young man."
Meanwhile... In an unrelated part of Kyoroch,
General Esdeath, accompanied by Run, paced through the streets turning every time she caught sight of someone that even hinted a trace of Tatsumi.
Each time the infamous Ice Witch found herself in a crowd, she couldn't help but glance every time she thought she saw her beloved.
Run, accustomed to this, chose to said nothing.
Officially they were trying to find suspicious individuals within the city that may have had something to do with the necromancy attack. The blond haired man knew fully well that this task wasn't his commander's objective, especially since he was the one whom told her someone fitting the description of Tatsumi was sighted in the city just the other night.
Run smiled as he scanned the crowd, looking for any that may fit the description of suspicious.
"Perhaps...Tatsumi has already left the city." Esdeath suddenly said, with a hint of dread in every word.
Run returned his focus to the general. "I doubt that, as I've been receiving detailed reports of every individual leaving the city from those men Bolic lent to us."
"Maybe..." Esdeath replied, lowering her gaze to the ground before her. "Yet Tatsumi is someone of great potential, I saw it the moment I first laid eyes on him. He might have grown considerably since the last time we meet and could very well be quite capable of escaping that network of watchdogs you tend to."
"Well, we can't know for sure until we've search the city from top to bottom."
"But of course." Esdeath raised her eyes to the crowd before him. "I won't be satisfied until we look over every inch of Kyoroch."
Run let out a chuckle. "As you command."
The pair continued to walk through the crowded streets, scanning the faces of those they passed without drawing attention to themselves.
Several minutes passed by as the two walked, Run spotted in the corner of his eye a cloaked individual standing at the opposite side of the street.
Looking into the crowd.
Looking directly at him, a wide grin forming on his rugged face.
"Commander..." Run said, nodding to the cloaked individual once Esdeath turned her head to face him. The Partas survivor turned her gaze, meeting the cloaked individual's eyes for a moment before the man turned around, casually walking into an alleyway.
Esdeath smirked. "Looks like he want's us to follow." She said, quickly pacing across the street and into the same alley. Run followed close behind, keeping an eye out for any other individuals who may try to ambush them from behind.
The pair soon emerged to the other side of the alley untouched. The two quickly scanned the crowd before them, soon spotting the cloaked individual standing before a giant tribesman.
The two agents of the Empire quickly approached the two unique individuals, catching the tail end of their conversation.
"-heretic! You'll pay for you insolence!"
"As much as I want her to die, you and your friends are little more than flies against her unstoppable might." The tribesman spread his feet out, letting out a deep breath as he readied himself for battle.
"Besides, I'm under orders to bring at least one of you back. Dead or alive."
"We'll see about that." The cloaked individual replied, pulling both his hands to his sides. In one smooth motion, he pulled out a single dagger and an all too familiar mask: The Imperial Arms Power Surging: Balzac.
He placed the Imperial Arms upon his face, provided by his master, and felt the surge of power as he potential was unlocked to the fullest. He dashed forward, vaulting over the tribesman at the last moment.
The cloaked man began a series of jumps, dashes, and somersaults around his buff opponent.
"Can you keep up with my speed, heathen?!" The man asked, laughing at his newfound abilities.
The tribesman let out a sigh, closing his eyes. The cloaked individual's eyes widened at this insult. Who did this interloper think he is?!
"How dare you?!" The man shouted, rushing for his opponent.
Barely several inches from the tribesman now, the masked assailant pulled up his dagger. The buff man reopened his eyes in a sudden, focus manner. With speed completely unexpected from a man as muscular as he, the tribesman pulled his right fist back and swung down with all he had.
His fist hit the masked man, shattering though Balzac as it pushed the man into the ground. The streets around them cracked, a small impact crater formed around where the cloaked man landed. Blood began to pool into the newly formed hole as pieces from the Imperial Arms fell into the red liquid.
Esdeath let out a low whistle, impressed by the show of strength. Run turned to deal with the crowd witnessing all that transpired, stating these events as Imperial Police work and urging them to return to what they were doing.
"Quite impressive." General Esdeath said, placing a hand on her hip. "Very few would ever expect a man with such muscles to have such speed."
The tribesman turned his head, glaring at the general with such malice that gave Esdeath goosebumps. 'Interesting.' She thought with a smile.
Before she could say anything on the matter, the tribesman grabbed the body of the cloaked man and threw it over his shoulder.
Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "I know you killed him and you have the right to the spoils of victory, but I'll be needing that body for my investigation." She said matter-of-fact like. "I'm looking for any clues on the necromancy event two days ago and I have a strong suspicion that the corpse hanging over your shoulder can aid me in the matter."
"In that case, you can have the others hiding behind you." The tribesman replied without so much as a glance.
"Oh, so you noticed them too." Esdeath crossed her arms, eyes turning away from the tribesman as two other cloaked individuals; one male, one female, jumped out of their hiding spots with knifes aimed at the infamous general's backside.
With a sigh, the Partas survivor twirled herself around with her right leg. She lifted her left, kicking the female cloaked figure in the side. The force of the blow sent her into her ally and the two crashed into a nearby wall that soon gave way from the blow.
"Now we both have corpses to probe for information." The muscular man said, shifting the dead body on his shoulder before turning his back to Esdeath, the latter watching as he began to step into the busy city streets.
At that moment, the general felt a sudden realization. She knew this man, or at least it felt that way.
"Do I...know you?" Esdeath asked, raising an eyebrow as the general tried to search for any memory she could recall about the all too familiar man. None came to her in those few moments.
Raryu tightened his fist. He wanted to lash out, to throw himself at the Ice Witch, architect to his peoples' destruction, ending her once and for all!
But the time hasn't come to strike. Not yet.
Raryu glanced over his shoulder, giving the general the same malicious look as before.
"Yes. Yes you do."
And with those last words, the agent of Clockwork faded into the crowd.
Meanwhile...
Drake walked causally down the halls of Bolic's section of the Path of Peace's HQ. Wrapped in his arm was Seryu, or rather Serpentine, smiling as the couple went about their business.
Drake looked down at Seryu, the latter noticing his glance and returning it with a giggle. The parasite had only just received a pair of contacts that would mask his snake eyes, thus this was the first time they properly spent time together since last night.
Drake smiled, yet he felt anything but joy. He had to keep up appearances though, least until the night Bolic's assassination takes place.
"What's wrong Papa?" Seryu asked with an honest smile.
Drake glanced up at the ceiling. "Not much. Just thinking of last night is all."
'How could I forget...' He finished mentally.
After all, it did change everything he thought he knew about Serpentine.
His mind drifted as he recalled the scene in his head:
"Thanks for the new body." Serpentine said, smirking wide with Seryu's body. He chuckled in his primordial voice, slowly looking at the humanoid Imperial Arms.
"Come here Koro." He said. The Imperial Arms tilted it's head, confused by the sudden change in it's master. It took a few hesitant steps forward before running toward Seryu.
"Good boy." Serpentine said, rubbing Koro's belly. "You can revert back to normal now." Koro complied, smoke blowing off the humanoid as it rapidly shrunk back to it's cute, dog-like form.
Serpentine cradled Koro, rocking it back and forth like a newborn baby. "You've worked hard partner. Take a nice, long rest." Seryu turned her attention to Rak, smiling. "Now that we've obtained this new host, extracting you should be all the more simple. In fact, it'll help convince the other Jagears that you've really died."
Rak blinked. "Is...is that how you infect all you're hosts?"
"Hmm?" Serpentine glanced at Koro, the latter had it's eyes closed and appeared to be napping. "Oh the Snake Storm? No, that's not the usual method. I only use that when one host is dying and I wish to acquire an immediate replacement."
"It's a technique that produces infinite shadows, if you will, of my essence within a given host. Upon one of more of these shadows injecting their venom upon any given target, the proceed to transfer my essence over to a new host. It's a method of exchange rather that simple infection."
"Yeah, well it's a method that I'll probably see in my nightmares tonight." Rak replied with a sigh.
Serpentine laughed. "Apologies then."
Rak let out a breath. "Whelp. I say I've done enough for now. Gonna let bro take over from here." No sooner had he finished speaking had Rak's eyes turn from red to blue.
Drake blinked, his mind still shaken by all that happened. He looked a Seryu, frowning. "Serpentine. Tell me, what do you plan on doing now?"
"First, I must focus on growing accustom to this body." He said, his voice currently shifting between his deep, unnerving tone and Seryu's higher pitched voice. "Every host is different when it comes to adjusting. Ones that I've transferred my essence into tend to be faster though."
Serpentine chuckled. "This host though, is rather interesting."
Drake raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Seryu's mind is broken, conflicted between her hypocrisy and her feelings. Her twisted sense of justice and her love for you." Serpentine laughed. "While it's true that Seryu has always been a broken minded fool, recent events have torn apart her sense of self. Meaning that my takeover is rather...incomplete."
"How so?"
Serpentine closed his host's eyes, his voice sounding more and more like Seryu with every word. "I mean that my host isn't 'asleep' like most other hosts I've taken over. She's still conscious within the depths of her own mind. I imagine it's a similar situation with you and Rak."
"So she can hear and see everything we're doing?" Drake asked.
Serpentine reopened Seryu's eyes. "Not unless I desire it. Additionally, I can allow her to take control for a few minutes if I so desire. Would you like to speak with her now?"
Drake shook his head. He wasn't in the right frame of mind to handle something like that yet. Hell, he couldn't face her period.
"You make it should like you've been through this before."
"Indeed. I've taken over several broken minded people in the past, each quite fascinating individuals. That said, while I'll be able to grow accustom to this body I won't be as...limited by this host's habits."
"So if you're not careful, we could be discovered." Drake concluded, rubbing his head. "You sure you can handle this?"
"Of course I can Papa!" Serpentine said, his voice fully taking on Seryu's. "I still have access to my host's memories! I just need to watch how I speak and remember to carry out Seryu's routine is all!"
Seryu giggled. "Besides, I have you to look after me. Right Papa?"
'That maybe true.' Drake thought, glancing back at the happy Seryu wrapped around his arms. 'But that doesn't mean I like it.'
They only had to keep up the act for one more week. Serpentine concluded that the best chance Night Raid had to assassinate Bolic would be during the Path of Peace's anniversary celebration. It made sense since the corrupt priest should be preforming a key part in the festivities.
Assuming if all went as planned, Drake will have an opportunity to "die" and finally end this self-appointed assignment.
The blue haired man let out a sigh. 'Just one more week.' He kept telling himself.
'One week and it'll all be over.'
Sundown. At the outskirts of Kyoroch...
"It seems those I asked to recon the city have all been killed." Raven spoke aloud, looking down at the city. "I guess that's to be expected since the fearsome Ice Witch is currently in Kyoroch, along with her pet Jagears."
"No matter, their corpses shall serve as a nice distraction for the work still needed to be done." He turned around, facing the woman whom stood behind him.
"Well? What do you say Vile?"
The woman standing behind Raven had light aqua blue eyes, long curry crimson hair and green painted nails. She wears a dark green hooded robe similar to the uniform given to those who attend one of several magic academies located in the country of Magi.
"It's rather odd that of all people, you come calling me." She replied, crossing her arms under her breasts.
"Is it such a surprise?" Raven answered with a shrug. "You are a fellow Son of Nores."
"Yes, and yet my methods have nearly branded a heretic." Vile said, brushing aside a lock of hair that drifted too close to her face. "I don't know why our esteem leader would want anything to do with me."
"Oh but it is precisely because of those methods that I wish for you to aid me." Raven replied with a smile. "Those within the order are afraid of change, however you and your small band of followers have not only improved upon existing spells but come up with several originals of your own."
"You are cleaver, and unafraid of tampering with the unknown. That is exactly what I need right now."
Vile frowned, tapping a finger against her arm. "What are you asking me to do?"
"Oh just to change the seal of one of the Four Guardians." Raven replied casually.
"Are you insane?" Vile suddenly said with a gasp. She held up a hand to her mouth, shamed of the outburst.
Raven closed his eyes, chuckling. "So even a revolutionary mind like yourself draws the line when it comes to the seals."
"Forgive me, but don't the seals need to remain unaltered if we want to revive the Four Guardians?" Vile dared ask. "Wouldn't changing the seal deny their passage to this world?"
"A sound argument, yet I have reason to believe this particular Guardian was...altered in the past." Raven answered, turning back to Kyoroch. "I doubt it will answer our summons, so I wish to replace it with a suitable candidate."
Many different questions popped into Vile's head:
How was this Guardian altered?
Who or what is capable of such a feat?
For what purpose?
How did Raven know about this in the first place?
Out of all the numerous options she could say, Vile chose the most important of them all.
"Which candidate do you have in mind?"
"The Undead King of course," Raven answered with a smile. "along with as much of his army as you can manage."
"As you desire." Vile said with a slight bow of her head, lowering her hands to her sides. "Which seal need I change?"
Raven turned his head in the given direction. "South." He said. "The others should have some men heading to each seal now, it would be best that they don't see you."
"Of course."
"After that, I want you to meet me in the Imperial Capital." Raven added. "We have so much work to do, you and I, as well as a very influential fool to leach off of."
"All in the name of our god."
Vile nodded. "For the Corpse Garden's completion, and the Four Guardians revival."
Hours later...
The members of Night Raid gathered in a safe house provided by one of Walker's old contacts.
Najenda sat at the end of a short square table. Gathered around her are Tatsumi, Leone and Akame on her left and Mine and Lubbock sat on her right.
Susanoo stood behind his master and Walker sat near a window looking at a silver ring fashioned with a small purple jewel.
"We attempted to link up with the spy network the Revolutionary Army sent here to Kyoroch." Najenda said, continuing today's debriefing. "It turns out, most were wiped out by the Four Rakshasa Demons."
"The Rakshasa Demons are here?" Akame asked.
"That's correct." Najenda answered with a nod. "Honest's private executioners...I didn't think we'd end up fighting them this soon. This on top of the Jagears present in the city...Needless to say, but our mission became a whole lot more tricky."
"Can't those guy like, do weird stuff with their bodies?" Lubbock asked with the lazy raise of a hand.
"Yeah, they can manipulate they in anyway they see fit." Akame answered. "They can turn any part of their body into a weapon, and make themselves so flexible it's incredibly hard to hit them."
"That sounds like such a pain." Leone added. Akame nodded in response.
"The few remaining spies gave us a map of the cathedral the Path of Peace uses as their headquarters." Najenda continued, pulling out said map and rolling it out on the table.
Circled on the map was Bolic's personal chambers, throne room, and other important places of interest such as the rooms associated with Lord Fairchild and other significant religious leaders and select individuals the Revolutionary Army would like to be kept unharmed.
"There are a few open courtyards, at least one at each direction." Mine noted. "Perfect for sniping, if I can get an aerial view of the place."
"Well since you've brought it up, I've sent a message to HQ asking to use the Air Manta for this operation." Najenda said with a smile. "I figured that, once we get a plan together, we could use it as a means of transportation as well as a mobile sniper stand for you and Walker."
"No offense boss, but I rather stick to the ground this time." Walker suddenly spoke up for the first time since the meeting started. "There's one target I need to confirm the kill on."
Najenda studied Walker for a few moments before nodding in acknowledgment."I understand." She turned her gaze back to the table. "We don't know how much longer General Esdeath and her Jagears will remain in Kyoroch, so we shall make the plan with their interference in mind."
"We have a week of prep time before the Path of Peace celebrates their anniversary. It's not much to go on but we've worked with tighter time schedules."
"I'll see if we can risk gaining any additional information that could give us an edge, otherwise prepare for a quick blitz straight for Bolic. We don't need to engage all these powerful figures to win, at most we need to distract them to ensure our victory."
"I'll start working out the details two days from now. Unless anyone else has anything to add you're all dismissed."
Walker remained still as his comrades started to exit the room one by one.
"Akame." Walker said without turning his gaze from the ring, the young assassin turned to face the sharpshooter.
"Walker?"
Walker closed his eyes for a moment for a breath before continuing.
"I know you're bent on killin your sister and all, but I have some reasons to see her end too."
He took his eyes off the ring for the next bit.
"So I just wanna say this now. If I end up killing Kurome before you do, I want you to know that I'm sorry for taking the life of someone you love."
"...Understood." Akame finally replied after several long moments of tense silence.
She turned, then walked out of the room. Walker watched her leave before returning his gaze to the ring, turning it with his fingers.
"What is Doya to you?" Tatsumi asked, approaching the mercenary. The latter let out a breath, slowly spinning the ring around.
"What makes you think she means anythin to me?"
"I've heard boss mentioning you knew Doya, saying that you still have to face the reanimated corpse of someone you care about. So what is she to you?"
Walker spun the ring around for a few dozen seconds before answering the boy.
"She's...my daughter."
Tatsumi let out a sigh, closing her eyes. "Damn, that sucks."
Walker nodded his head. "Yea, I loved that kid." He replied with a half-smile.
"Found out she loved me a lot. So much I woke up ta her naked ridin on top of me."
"Wel-WAIT WHAT?!" Tatsumi nearly jumped back in surprise. "Bu-but you two are related! How could she-"
"I'ma stop you right there Tatsumi." Walker cut in with the raise of his free hand. "Incest is a minor concern at best ta us Northerners."
"With the near zero temperatures you Imperials could barely handle, and pretty much every living thing out ta kill yea we tend ta treat every moment like it's our last. We really don't give much of a damn what others think of what we decide to do when you could die at anytime."
"I guess I can understand that way of thinking..." Tatsumi answered with doubt.
"Well ta tell ya the truth, we didn't find out that little detail until sometime after." Walker admitted with a laugh. "By that time, the damage already been do so we just rolled with it."
"HOW DIDN'T YOU KNOW SHE WAS YOUR DAUGHTER?!"
"Apparently I knocked up a chick I spent a night trapped with during my early merc days. Never knew she was pregnant or even had a child till Doya started telling me bout her ma."
"Whatever the look on my face, Doya started burstin out laughin." Walker chuckled. "I'll tell ya, I never heard a more adorable thing in my whole life."
Tatsumi lowered his head, watching the merc flip the ring up in the air catching soon after it started to fall.
"I gotta thank Rook for finding this, Doya thought she lost it during the one of the last jobs all of us were together." He said with a smile, opening his hand to look at the ring.
"That Doya, always a straight shooter. She aimed to propose to me with this silly thing, but after she lost it that silly daughter of mine took it as a sign or something and dropped the whole idea altogether."
"Walker..." Tatsumi shook his head. He too knew what it's like to lose people you cared about, people that were or at least treated you like family.
"That Tatsumi, is why I need ta kill Kurome." Walker calmly stated, closing his hand around the ring.
"I can accept Doya's death, hell up North someone you care about dies almost every day. I won't forgive Kurome though, not for killing my daughter and not for using her remains as a puppet to do her bidding."
"Kurome needs to know that she crossed the line for playing around with my daughter's body."
Tatsumi agreed with his friend. Kurome's powers desecrate the dead, no one should see their friends and loved ones toyed around like that.
The young assassin however, could find it in himself to cheer Walker on his task.
Perhaps it would be better than letting Akame kill her sister, but how would she feel if someone other than herself killed Kurome?
Would she attack Walker in grief? Or would she come to accept it, crying for the sister she lost?
Tatsumi knew the answer would come sooner or later, yet this time he hoped he wouldn't find out at all.
3 days later...
Chairmen Fuyu looked upon the 1st fortress on his trip to the south: Shisuikan, The Southern Gateway to the Capital.
According to the Chairmen's spies, the nobleman left in charge remains steadfast loyal to the Empire mostly due to his proud family line or some such nonsense.
Normally, due to the Partas survivor's objectives he would pass through this fortress without a second thought. Later stages of his plan however, required him to pull some strings here in this all too important location.
The role for the accompanying General Nouken had finally arisen.
Waiting for Fuyu at the gates of Shisuikan is the advance party he sent a day earlier to inform the local lord of his arrival, lead by another stunning beauty and rare case of his harem.
Flora Gainey, a 22 year old with long golden hair, blue eyes, all business type of person with a bit of tsundere in her. She serves as the Chairmen's secretary (maid), a former general of the Empire (obtained the rank at the age 14) and holds the current record of youngest female to obtain the the rank of general.
At her side stood another member of Fuyu's harem, a maid known as Celina. Celina has long dark purple hair tied up in two long parted braids, black eyes, and serves as Flora's assistant.
She's an extremely polite, well mannered, and friendly girl whom is a closet masochist.
Go figure how all that fits together...
Flora wore a black striped, dull yellow shirt, a black dress skirt, a pair of red framed glasses, brown boots that covered up to her knees, and black fingerless gloves.
Celina is dressed in a traditional maid outfit.
"Chairmen Fuyu," Flora said with a bow, Celina following in suit. "The lord of Shisuikan patiently waits for you inside."
"Thank you Flora." Fuyu replied, sliding off his horse. "Let's get this over with shall we?"
"At once sir."
Fuyu, Flora, Celina, General Nouken, and a half dozen of his personal guard entered through the gates. After barely taking three steps inside, one of the servants residing in the fortress greeted the party and quickly guided them to the local lord.
They travel up several sets of stairs, climbing to one of the fortress's top floor. The servant waved them to a room along the right, informing the party the lord waited for them within before heading off to preform other instructed tasks.
The Chairmen signaled his guardsmen to wait for him in the stone layered hallway before entering the room with Flora, Celina, and Nouken.
Fuyu took a quick glance around the chosen meeting place; their was a fireplace currently active along the right wall, pictures of the lord's esteemed family were placed at several spots, two high windows on each wall, and the far left corner is a gateway with parted red drapes leading to an open balcony.
Sunlight pored in from this gateway, providing most of the light within the room. In the center of the room on top of a massive round, red carpet is a rectangle shaped wooden table, two stone colored couches along the sides and two reddish-purple arm chairs at the ends.
If anything else, Fuyu assumed the current lord hasn't a taste for matching furniture.
Speaking of, the Lord of Shisuikan stood by one of the chairs bowing his head in greeting.
He is an older man, one with a strong body and piercing brown eyes. The lord had his gray hair slicked back, his face framed with a curly mustache and wore a close befitting a nobleman general.
"I welcome you to Shisuikan Fortress, Chairmen Fuyu." He said, raising his head. "I hope you enjoy your stay with us, for as long as you intend to remain here."
"Thank you." Fuyu replied with the wave of his hand. "My business here won't take long."
The lord gestured his guests to sit, standing patiently as we waited for the four to comply before sitting himself.
"I've heard that you are on a trip to assess the loyalties of us lords charged with defending every fortress, castle, and other strategically held location between here and the rebel stronghold in the deep south." The lord said, locking his hands together in a ball.
"While I completely understand the necessity of said mission, you can rest assured that those who call Shisuikan home are steadfast in their loyalty to the Imperial family. We would never dream of betraying the Empire."
Fuyu nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Unfortunately, the current times acquire us to suspect even the closest of allies." He crossed his leg over the other smiling.
"That said, the Emperor himself has suggested an ideal proposal I would like you to hear."
The Lord of Shisuikan leaned forward in his chair. "Go on."
"The Emperor has suggested of assigning additional forces to strategic positions both as a means of reinforcing already heavily guarded positions and as a means to keep an eye upon those within her walls."
"While we already know that Shisuikan is garrisoned by loyal soldiers, there is always the possibility of an enemy spies or saboteurs infiltrating the fortress. That, and concern of a particular rumor that's been floating around the palace as of late."
The lord's eyebrows raised for a moment. "What is this concerning rumor?"
"That the Revolutionary Army has managed to acquire passage through all the other locations before Shisuikan by bribing the local lords, meaning your garrison shall be the first the rebels shall be fighting against." Fuyu partly lied with a smile. "Confirming if this is true or not is the main reason why I'm traveling on the Emperor's behalf."
The lord leaned back in his chair, otherwise saying nothing. Rather, he was thinking of his options should this rumor turn out to be true.
"Don't get me wrong, we at the Capital have confidence that you shall hold this fortress as your proud ancestors have in the past. We only wish to ensure Shisuikan hold against the rebel attack, regardless if the rumor is true or not." Fuyu closed his eyes in a childish smile.
"It would make many of the bureaucrats in the Capital sleep much easier at night if you accept."
"Who would be the commanding officer of the reinforcements assigned to this fortress?" The Lord of Shisuikan asked, running a finger though his curly mustache.
"General Nouken," Fuyu answered, extending a hand to the tan skinned man. "rising star of the Imperial Military."
The general nodded. "I hope that is acceptable."
The lord studied Nouken, taking in every detail. After taking a few minutes to formulate his opinion of the man, he nodded with a smirk. "He seems quite capable." The lord turned his gaze to Fuyu. "Is he your recommendation?"
"He is."
"Than I see no problem."
"Then our business here is finished." Fuyu smiled, raising to his feet. "Thank you for your time."
"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine." The lord replied with a laugh. "After all, it is a rare thing to be paid a visit by the legendary Flash Demon." He extended his hand out, Fuyu grabbed and shook it once.
"I appreciate the kind words, but that name belongs to past far behind the likes of you and me."
"I'm a simple politician now, my days on the battlefield are long over."
On the night of the Path of Peace's anniversary celebration...
Two members of the Path of Peace organization patrolled the eastern end of their HQ, ever vigilant of any potential intrusions. Tonight, on this full moon night, is especially important.
While these two strongly desired to enjoy the festivities currently in play, they knew that some must take on the responsibility of save guarding those partaking in the anniversary celebration.
The rustling of a nearby bush caused the two to flinch, the pair aiming their guns at the disturbance.
"What was that?" One said, glancing at his partner.
The other stared at the bush, lowering his gun after a few silent moments. "Probably a small animal." He replied, letting out a breath. "I swear, Rook's got us all tensed up and for wha-"
The man never finished his sentence as a dull brown vine full of long thorns pierced him though the throat. The Path of Peace soldier dropped his gun, grabbing onto the vine as he choked on his own blood.
The vine pulled back into the bush it came from, ripping the man's already torn neck beyond all hope of saving his life.
As his friend dropped face first to the ground, the other soldier fired a burst into the bush. A spiked mace like mix of thorns flew out of the bush, punching a whole through the human's chest.
The man coughed up blood, falling to his knees before the mace ripped through his upper body splinting it in two.
The blood cover thorn mace retreated unto the bush from were it came, soon replaced by a pair of large dull brown venus fly trap like plants. The plants grabbed onto the fallen bodies, slowly pushing them into their mouths to devour any trace of them.
From out of the shadows, Stitches casually walked into the blood stained path. One of his arms extended outward, vines and bark extending out of his straight jacket connected to the two carnivorous plants.
"You didn't have to kill them." Vlad, sidestepping out of Stitches shadow, said with a smirk.
"Apologies for the mess then." Stitches replied. "Given the role we are playing tonight, I thought it best to start feeding the plants now before the feast truly begins."
"It doesn't matter either way." Vlad said, closing his eyes. "So long as I have all the time I need to convince him."
"Consider your time bought." The plants returned into Stitches sleeve. He lowered his hand, marching toward his target: The Path of Peace's cathedral.
Vlad let out a chuckle, then disappeared once the moon overhead disappeared behind a passing cloud.
Stitches neared where all the other humans gathered. He could hear their joyful noises as they enjoyed the festival, a past time lost upon the likes of Stitches.
Several turned as they noticed him approach, eyes widening as they screamed in surprise. Several remembered Stitches from the other day, somewhat more relaxed as they knew the creature hadn't shown any hostilities thus far.
The crowd parted as Stitches walked, making the path to his destination clear. It took several minutes before the nonhuman started to climb the steps leading up to the cathedral. A pair of guards rushed to block his path, crossing their spears to block him.
Two vines appeared from Stitches sleeves, in one swift motion they cut through the spears and the heads of the humans who dare stand in his way.
Those watching behind him screamed, several running and pushing through the crowd to safety. Stitches though the act foolish. If he truly desired, his plants could kill every human within Kyoroch in less than an hour regardless of how fast they ran.
Stitches entered the cathedral, unopposed as he walked into one of several open courtyards. Dozens of Path of Peace members; soldiers, priest, or common faithful, scattered thought the courtyard turned their attention to the nonhuman.
"What is that thing!?" One of the humans yelled as they all watched Stitches travel to the center of the courtyard.
"I...I am what you fear." Stitches said in relative cheer. Several vines extended from his body, slashing the ground to form a surprisingly neat circle around himself.
The humans stood a collection of fear, shock, and slight curiosity. Some taking a step back as the nonhuman carved out the circle.
"Fair warning humans. Take one step inside this circle and your life is forfeit." Stitches stated, the vines hovering around his head.
A brave and rather foolish human soldier took a step forward. Aiming the rifle he carried at Stitches.
"Just don't step in the circle huh? Fine by me-"
A vine rushed toward the human, plugging the rifle barrel as the soldier fired. The round exploded in the barrel, rendering the gun useless and cutting the human's face with shrapnel.
"Don't tempt your luck human. My vines are capable of striking everyone in this courtyard. I'm simply giving you a set of rules to follow. That said-" Stitches extended his hand, a massive swarm of vines shot forward. The wrapped around several humans that tried to sneak out of the courtyard.
"All of you are forbidden from leaving this space. Any number of your fellow humans can enter of course, but none of you may go for the present time."
The vines pulled the humans closer to the center of the courtyard, releasing them inches from the circle. "This all said, if you wish to break the first rule to try and slay us, you are more than welcome to try. Otherwise, you have no choice but to wait if you desire to live. Now then..."
Stitches extended both his arms, numerous vines and heads of carnivorous plants appeared from underneath his straight jacket's sleeves.
"It's time to enjoy our own festivities."
Meanwhile...
Lord Fairchild smiled, watching his fellow brothers and sisters out the farthest window in his personal study. He felt great joy at their happiness, glad that once again the anniversary celebration of their religion is as successful as the last.
Soon, he along with the other higher ranking members of their order shall each make their individual sermons, offering prayers for the rest of this year and giving thanks to everything they have received thus far before bringing the festival to a close.
Lord only needed to wait for his bodyguard Rook and the two would travel among their brothers and sisters before conducting the closing ceremonies of this year's celebration.
"It's a rather lovely gathering you have organized tonight." A voice he didn't recognized said, which simultaneously struck Lord Fairchild as odd as he knew every member of the Path of Peace and alarmed that whomever this is managed to sneak in.
"Humans do have a knack for throwing the most extravagant festivals."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting visitors tonight." Lord replied with a smile, slowly turning to face his "guest".
"Pardon the intrusion, but I had to meet with you." Vlad said with a bow, placing a hand over his chest. "My name is Vlad von Castiban Farblood or simply Vlad Farblood."
"I've heard so much about you Lord Fairchild, all about your miracles and this simple concept religion you're involved in."
Lord smiled. "I'm flattered that my reputation proceeds me, yet I never heard of any individual that goes my Vlad Farblood."
"Not surprising." Vlad replied with a shrug. "I've come from a land far away to-"
The door opened at that moment, revealing the form of Rook. "Lord Fairchild, it's tim-" He stopped mid sentence, glaring at Vlad.
"Who is this?"
"An unexpected guest." Lord replied with, closing his eyes. "Supposedly he's been wanting to meet me for a long time."
"Is that right..." Rook took three steps into the door, pulling his finger less gloves. "Sorry to say, but Lord hasn't the time to address your needs tonight. Besides, there is a proper procedure to gain an audience with my lord."
Vlad let out a chuckle, closing his eyes as he brought the back of his hand up to his mouth.
"This is rather unfortunate..." He said, turning to the side to gaze at the bodyguard. "and here I am hoping for a lengthy conversation."
"As I said," Rook to a step forward. "There is a proper procedure to-"
"I've heard you the first time." Vlad interrupted, gazing up at the ceiling. "I understand that you are rather busy with tonight's festivities, it maybe best to remain inside for the next hour or so."
"Why is that?" Lord asked in innocent curiosity.
"Sad to say, but a batch of assassins aim to infiltrate the cathedral tonight." Vlad answered, lowering his head to glance at Lord. "They desire to take the life of one of you corrupt brothers, whom might I add plots to assassinate your lordship."
Rook's eyes flashed at this statement. "What do you know-" He felt a cold hand wrap around his neck. The merc turned his head, eyes wide at the sudden appearance of a wilder looking Vlad Farblood.
"What is this?" He asked, flinching as the lookalike placed it free hand on his chest. It stroked the area slowly, breathing heavily on Rook's neck.
"Looks rather close to the original doesn't it?" Vlad asked, extending his hand to his face.
"This is one of my familiars, they take on my form, alternating it as they desire. They cannot communicate in any method you humans can understand though. This one is particularly bloodthirsty, a reminder of how I once was so long ago."
"That said, it's best if you behave. It doesn't take much temptation for my familiar to rip a human apart."
Rook opened his mouth to protest when his client cut him off.
"Stand down Rook." Lord Fairchild commanded, frowning at his guest. Vlad smirked, amused that this usually naive individual could make such a serious face.
"What have you come here for?" The lord asked, voice full of demand.
Vlad chuckled once more, glad that they are cutting to the chase. He turned to face the half-human, smiling as he extended his arms to his sides.
"We came for you Lord Fairchild. We came for you, our brother."
And here ends the latest chapter to Clockwork!
Told you guys I'd expand upon that abandoned plot point :)
Personally, I hate it when any potential plot points that MAYBE interesting are abandoned. Yeah, sometimes its out of necessity but since you brought it up in the first place might as well finish it.
Anyway, look forward to how it develops from this point forward.
On a separate note, let me just clarify Serpentine's explanation earlier on the whole mind set thing.
Basically, Seryu is "awake" within her own body just trapped in the subconscious like all other hosts of the parasite.
The key fact that determines if a host is "awake" or "asleep" is if their mind is broken or not.
What that means is that if you are sane, you "fall asleep" as Serpentine takes over your body. If you are bat shit crazy, you are "awake" trapped in your own body as Serpentine takes it for a joyride.
Another difference is that Serpentine can interact with the latter category, more on how will be shown in later entries.
The plot to assassinate Bolic comes to ahead, how will Night Raid proceed? Will the Jagears intervene and allow Drake the opportunity to fake his death?
What other events shall be carried out on this moonlit night?
Find out next time!
