"Kill The Ice Queen part 1"
"you know I apologize for everything I've said to you I never meant any pain to come from me being here."
" I find comfort with you around," Akame said in a smooth and understanding voice.
"yeah, I would have a hard time believing that Akame."
"you doubt yourself too much be grateful for what you have it can be taken at an instant."
"is there a reason you called me out here?" Tatsumi asked
The two stood staring at each other they were on a cliffside just north of the base it had a beautiful view of the Forrest. she finally spoke up
"I need to know what you are up to Tatsumi we aren't keeping secrets here anymore."
He looked down. then back at her.
"I'm going to give my life to kill a target."
Akame pondered what this had meant she deduced that either he would kill himself after killing a target which in his case she could only guess would be Kurome. But then the other possibility would be he would try and fight another so impossibly strong that he would...
"Esdeath…. Your goal is Esdeath…." Akame said as she figured out his plan
"I'm trying to kill her but I haven't figured it out yet… but it will most likely end in my death."
"So you have no plan, a superweapon in your chest, you have a target in mindset to kill but you're willing to kill yourself to achieve it."
"Correct."
"I won't let you."
"I know. But I suggest you hold off on that Akame."
"why."
"because I'm doing it and I would hate to have to fight my way out of Nightraid base just to kill Esdeath. I would rather leave on a better note."
Her eyes narrowed. on him and she looked down. He didn't have to ask to realize she wasn't going to do anything Akame might be one of the strongest warriors in the world but she was awkward and new to strategy and had no real idea how to contain him.
"Tatsumi I've never seen someone with such talent at this art than you I do not doubt in your skill and from a purely strategical standpoint it would be a fair trade but you say all this as if theirs not an alternative."
"like?"
"you haven't considered the possibility that you can't win or you get captured."
"I have a backup plan."
"in case of capture?"
"to ensure capture doesn't happen."
"I'm going to try one last time to convince you not to do anything dramatic I know you don't listen but I don't want to bury another friend.." Akame changed the subject she really didn't want to know what he had in mind.
Tatsumi stared into the face of the red-eyed killer taking in all of her stunning details. then into her eyes, they were very nice red eyes they reminded him of Kurome's eyes deadly and stunning. Akame looked down in shame for not being able to stop Tatsumi
"I thank you for everything Akame of Night raid there will never be a warrior as great as you or me I'll prove it myself. I do however have one request Akame.
She looked up at him.
"Please... try and save your sister."
She seemed shocked at first.
"Tatsumi I ca-"
"don't speak I only ask you to try I'm leaving to meet up with the others now but don't worry..."
The Arena was then shown with Tatsumi looking straight up at Esdeath.
"I'm going out with a bang."
"Now that the trash is out of the way...Esdeath send your lackeys to fight me send the whole imperial capital it means nothing you... Great General, you are my motive my swift and terrible resolve that has built up for all so long. by the end this whole empire will witness the death of the Great General Esdeath so Come forward… I challenge you. Blood to Blood, Warrior against Warrior, your debt will be paid in full!"
"Face Me Ice Queen."
The words reached Esdeath she understood what he met the moment he made that statement.
"Perhaps this Tournament was worth it after all." She said getting up from her seat
"you're not going to fight him are you?" Ieyasu asked
Run had the same face of shock and concern that Ieyasu did.
"Of course I am... I was challenged was I not?"
She turned around not even saying another word or giving another glance before walking down the steps towards the warrior.
"no…. He can't do this… surely he knows he can't take her." Lubbock said with fear in his voice
"But even if he does… there's no way out for him now," Mine said
"...he's surrounded," Lubb said
"Tatsumi is one of our strongest warriors… He might just stand a chance." Leone said
"We have a greater concern right now," Sheele said
"What?" Leone asked
"as of this moment, every single person in this crowd is in extreme danger," Shel said
Leone's eyes went wide followed by Lubbock and Mine's
"your right. If these two tango then this entire Arena and everyone in it is going to be destroyed" Lubbock said,
"and to make it even worse I don't think either parties care." He added on to his sentence
Esdeath was still approaching Tatsumi she was taking her time trying to build suspense Tatsumi was fine with it he's waited this long.. he's ok with waiting just a little bit longer to make the moment just right. And so far this moment was all that he could ever ask for he was finally doing it he was meeting her face to face and he was going to fight her that was just a bonus.
"Run, Wave is still down there.." Ieyasu said
"I see… I'll go get him."
"wait there's no way that guy's gonna let you just run over there and.."
"running who said anything about running?" He said has from his back angelic and beautiful wings sprouted from his back
He jumped from the slightly elevated surface and glided above Esdeath and to the left of Tatsumi landing right by Wave
"Of course, he flies…" Ieyasu huffed`
Run picked up wave before immediately taking off from the ground.
Ieyasu was so caught up in that little stunt Run pulled he didn't even notice that Esdeath had reached Tatsumi.
Run landed back right by Ieyasu.
"Oh boy… here we go," Ieyasu said with a nervous gulp as he saw Esdeath staring straight back into Tatsumi's face
"I'm afraid I Missed your name when they called it could you say it more clearly for me?.." She asked
Tatsumi was a little hurt she didn't remember him but in no way was he surprised.
"it's Tatsumi," he said to Esdeath and her alone for no one else can hear their words.
"well Tatsumi I assume you are aware of who I am," She said
"of course Esdeath. The great General who conquered the north in under a month, The Empire's finest, The Ice Queen."
"ah you know who I am and yet here you are challenging me," she said
"If I may ask and I hope I'm not being rude by saying this but before we begin this duel may I see your left hand?" she said
Tatsumi sparked with excitement he couldn't believe she remembered. He started in a low chuckle but it quickly evolved into a cackle then he was full-on laughing.
"it seems nothing gets past you does it? He said lifting his hand and showing the mark she left him all those years ago.
"oh how fate comes back around," she said drawing her sword
The moment Esdeath unsheathed her sword the crowd burst into a massive cheer its as if they were in for quite the show.
"Thank you Esdeath. It's an honor meeting you again you've made this all the more fun," he said with a smile before in he drew his sword.
"Maybe if you live through this you can work for me."
"not likely but sure if either I or you can manage that."
They stood there awhile watching each other. Waiting for one of them to pounce on each other
It was then Tatsumi charged with his sword and Esdeath got ready as their blades clashed as the duel that Tatsumi as waited for all this time finally commences.
Esdeath blocked an upper swipe attack from Tatsumi. He jumped away and then immediately went back in for another hit.
He swung again and again not only did she block these attacks but she also sidestepped a few of these swings of the swords
she made a swipe of her own to counter only for Tatsumi to jump right over it
Tatsumi landed right behind her and went for another attack this time going straight for the head
of course Esdeath Blocked it. But it didn't stop Tatsumi from trying again
He spun around going for the backhanded Katana hit something his previous teachers had shown him something he would use to stay alive back in the assassination squad days.
Esdeath had trouble blocking this one not particularly because it was too fast more so too forceful she blocked it but she slid back with her heels in the sand and lost ground in the process. Her moving made a sand cloud temporarily blocking vision.
She looked up just in time to see Tatsumi jump through the cloud right at her. She noticed this last minute and dodged the ground slam he was going for.
He went for another attack as quick and nimble as he can go for and again his sword was swiped away.
He's testing my reaction time. He's good with that sword perhaps the best I've ever seen every one of his attacks is almost faster than I can comprehend but it's not just speed that makes an excellent swordsman its also grace something this boy has a lot of that much is very apparent but there is one quality he lacks and that is patience. He's too aggressive I have to punish that. Esdeath thought as she brought her sword up
Tatsumi noticed this and had a shocked face before she struck back Tatsumi blocked it but it sent him flying back with the force of the swing the counter wasn't followed up even though it easily could have been. Tatsumi looked up at her she was just standing there looking amused
dam that was fast… her defense is incredible she's like a fortress well I guess I have to quicken my moves if I want to even dream of keeping pace with her
"was that all you had in you?… sorry but don't be surprised that I'm a little disappointed." She looked like she was playing with her food but in reality, it was a scare tactic a very effective one.
Disappoint her… no I can't do that… I can't disappoint her she is the only reason I did all this I
can't do that I just can't, I won't allow it.
"Sorry, I was just testing you."
He said before charging her again. She got into a defensive stance and as their blades clashed the crowd exploded in cheers. If only they knew the danger they were in.
Their blades clashed with a lot of force these two were both on the attack now
Up back in the viewing balcony was Ieyasu was biting his nails as he looked into the arena while Run tended to Wave
"I need to get Wave out of here" Run said not looking up at Ieyasu
"fine by me get out."
"Glad I can do it while I have the chance you should go to," Run said
"I can't leave the general's side." Ieyasu lied he just wanted to make sure Tatsumi was ok
"Ieyasu I don't know if you've noticed yet but neither of them has used their Imperial Arms yet." Wave pointed out
Ieyasu's mind clicked when he made the realization that he's right its just been sword fighting granted they've just begun the duel but this is still weird to him
"What the hell are they even waiting for?" Ieyasu asked,
"to see which one needs to use it first."
Ieyasu sighed.
"And you know this how?" He said in an annoyed voice
"I don't but it's a hunch a hunch I hope is wrong I hope Esdeath kills this man before either of them show what they have under their sleeves or that she's simply toying with him but I got a really bad hunch none of these are true and because of that you should evacuate," Run said as he took off with Wave in his arms.
"Tatsumi… What's your plan here?"
Tatsumi rushed in looking for an opening when he saw none he immediately went for Esdeath head-on. Esdeath noticed this and charged indirectly as well they crossed their swords in a lock looking into the eyes of each other.
Esdeath Eyed Tatsumi's green orbs while Tatsumi stared back into her blue irises but the moment was cut short when Tatsumi won the Duel by overpowering her and forcing his blade through the lock.
Esdeath didn't have enough time to dodge as the blade pierced her skin and cut her cheek. The crowd fell silent as they waited to see if Esdeath was injured
Ieyasu perked up a bit and Tatsumi's friends in Night Raid were quiet in a deaf manner as they watched.
The fight seemed to pause Esdeath had a shocked look on her face truly she was expecting this to be easier. Her hand touched the wound and then she moved it back to her face. She was fascinated by the wound Tatsumi had so carefully placed on her check she had rarely ever been cut by another swordsman.
"well well, it looks like you draw first blood," Esdeath said recovering from her shocked state
"But I think it's well past time we stop playing around don't you think?" she said with a smile
Tatsumi got ready but at the same time he wasn't ready for what she did next
Esdeath as quick as a flash knelt and put her hand on the ground and as soon as her hand touched the sandy ground ice exploded from it gunning straight towards Tatsumi's direction.
Tatsumi barely ducked under it he bent his body backward to dodge the surprise attack but it did barely cut some of his clothing. Before he could even recover he spotted Esdeath spinning around and kicking him straight in the gut. Tatsumi grunted before being launched by the ice queen herself. When this happened the crowd started going crazy at this
Tatsumi hit the wall of the arena completely cracking and breaking the wall
"ah, shit" Ieyasu very quietly muttered under his breath.
"Leone what do we do?!" Lubbock asked panicking as he saw Esdeath slowly approach the injured Tatsumi
"We can't interfere with this there's too many of us here and even if we do we hardly would stand a chance against her and even with that both Mine and Sheele don't have their imperial arms on them. We should look to leaving." Leone said
"and just leave Tatsumi?" Mine asked
"he knew what he was going into the moment he stepped into this arena," Sheele said from the confines of her hood.
"let's go now." Leone said disappearing into the crowd. Followed by Lubbock.
"come on Sheele, Leone is right we have to leave him.. this fight will be over soon I don't want to be here to watch," Mine said Noticing how down her friend was
Sheele looked back into the arena at Tatsumi.
"No Mine… its only getting started."
"I guess theirs no holding back then," Tatsumi said through a pained voice getting up a hint of blood coming from his mouth
As Tatsumi pushed himself backup Esdeath only had a little time to spot a small green shimmer emitting from the boy's chest
And just like that in an instant, a shot was fired at Esdeath. It barely missed her she couldn't have dodged it the attack was too fast and caught her off guard. It grazed her head and cut a few strands of hair.
"w-what was that?" Esdeath looked at the point of impact only to see it hit into a crowd of the audience causing a small explosion it looked like it might have hurt some people.
"don't worry ill get into that later don't let your guard down." She heard before Tatsumi appeared right in front of her going for a slash right at her jugular. Blocked. Again.
"I don't need to when you tell me before you attack," she said tightening the grip of the sword.
And in a flash, she broke through his defenses.
"enough this fight is over," she said dashing her sword right toward Tatsumi
But at that moment her sword stopped as a green outline appeared over the blade. It was frozen in place.
"well.. aren't you just full of surprises."
Tatsumi smirked that green light coming from his chest looked just a bit brighter. Her sword mere inches from his face Tatsumi went straight for the throat wanting to take advantage of his weakened enemy.
Esdeath saw this and immediately blocked it with ice straight to his face. Tatsumi hardly even noticed in time to dodge. The ice spikes flew past him wherever they landed Esdeath didn't much care.
Tatsumi immediately went for a counter-attack and Esdeath went to follow up on her previous move. Tatsumi's fist glowed Green as he went in for a devastating punch that could punch through a human body. Esdeath went for a simple swing of her sword right at the boy in front of her. The two parties met blows. A giant crash was heard from the middle of the arena as they matched each other knocking them both down.
Tatsumi immediately used his strength to push himself up. And Esdeath was just one step ahead of him of course. She didn't have her sword as it was knocked from her hands but she did have something else...
Ice!
Tatsumi wasn't so lucky with dodging this one the ice spike nicked him in the arm and Tatsumi felt an ice-cold rush of pain.
Before he can even mostly feel the pain, however, Esdeath was already on top of him.
He felt a kick to the head that instantly had him knocked onto the floor.
The crowd reacted accordingly to a hit as brutal as that one with almost full mass seeming very joyous by this matchup except for the unlucky few that got hit with icicles…
Tatsumi opened his eyes in a daze looking up at the sky.
a groan just barely left his lips his head was bleeding pretty bad it was a hell of a hit.
"well, this fight is over. I commend your skills you truly are a warrior."
Ieyasu. Run Away. A voice boomed in the black-haired boy's mind his eyes went wide with shock at the command. He gulped. that was not his thoughts. That was Tatsumi's.
"she's too strong…. Use your power and hang in there… please" Ieyasu said before turning a running out of the Arena
"now I'll be escorting you back to a torture chamber now where I'm sure you can give me plenty of information-" she cut off has in an instant the boy disappeared in a mist. Esdeath's eyes widened with surprise before he was right in her face she didn't even see his fist coming up.
Tatsumi hit a devastating uppercut against Esdeath sending her flying.
"We aren't even started bitch." he said as the blood still rushed from his head his eyes went from a bright green to their usual dim color
The reaction from the crowd was that of surprise but from here on out it would be nothing but screams.
Thank god for Insight I would never have seen that window without it.
He looked over to the knocked-down general. In an instant, Tatsumi roared as he was already making his next move on Esdeath
She barely had enough time to recess her injuries she put her hand on the ground and a huge outburst of ice roared from the ground Tatsumi jumped out of the way extremely easily.
He landed and took a look at Esdeath her cap had come off in the hit and she was relocating her Jaw into place.
No one ever has managed to lay a finger on me for years….
She was accessing her wounds, but once she did the look that she gave Tatsumi a look that could Freeze a thousand revolutionary armies
it wasn't intimidating… it was.. a little happy
She started giggling a bit "What a rush! I love the thrill of this all and has fun as this is I'm afraid it's over without your sword!" she said as she shot another fury of ice at him Esdeath wasn't even sure why she said that it was clear this boy was just as much of a threat with or without a sword.
Tatsumi's eyes glowed green as he dodged one after the next with grace he didn't even care how much of it went into the crowd behind him.
She was relentless with her Ice it was almost impossible to not get hit by it yet Tatsumi moved his body in a way that wasn't even natural to the human eye.
But one Hit that Esdeath dished out she aimed right in front of him at the perfect angle it connected
"I got you!" Esdeath said in triumph before that Tatsumi turned to nothing but mist
her eyes widened as she looked around her only to see Tatsumi going for a devastating punch his fist glowed green his eyes just the same this could be a killing blow.
Esdeath immediately summoned ice in his direction as fast as she possibly could luckily for her it connected as the ice pierced his abdomen the pain caused Tatsumi to miss his punch and hit the sand at her feet creating a massive explosion of force and making a sand cloud.
Esdeath made an ice sword as she slid across the ground she immediately charged the sand cloud she had a good idea where the boy was
Tatsumi who was still adjusting his wound looked through the sand cloud using Farsight he was able to only barely see her in time.
he got cut in the same place as before opening the wound even further. He started falling backward as the sword pierced him even further until he retreated
A loud bang was heard as a shot was fired Esdeath dodged that attack it was just instinct to dodge it honestly nothing more or less. She did have more time to observe what he did, the thing that shot had a trail and it was then she noticed the warrior's belt which he had taken something from before countering.
"all that from a knife…" She realized. There was an explosion in the background right behind her into a huge crowd of people.
The cheers quickly silenced into screams as the massive explosion erupted into the stands having people rushing down dressed in flames and screaming while those fortunate enough to not be caught in it immediately began fleeing the scene.
She swung her ice blade at Tatsumi he was blocking it with his arms that glowed green her blade bouncing off with each swing yet she kept up the offense not letting up Tatsumi Realized he wasn't countering here and he wasn't going for anything too aggressive he just stayed extremely defensive against her.
And then Tatsumi countered with him trying a hit against her.. only for it be blocked again his fist began to bleed from all the brutal punishment against the ice sword when Esdeath blocked his hit, she immediately went for a deadly stab only for him to catch the blade in his hand.
She smirked to herself as she pushed with her might on the sword causing the blade to pierce directly through his hand he made a surprised yell in pain and before he even realized it, more ice was shot into him in an instant as his knee and shoulder were pierced with ice he was thrown to the ground a bloody mess.
Esdeath jumped in the air her sword ready to pierce and kill Tatsumi he looked up at her he only had a second before his fate would be sealed.
In an instant, he immediately reached out with his hand grabbed Esdeath mid-air with his telekinesis, and slammed her down to the ground as hard as he could before he fell on one knee coughing up a small bit of blood.
Esdeath didn't take the hit very well it was just too sudden she had the breath knocked out of her.
Esdeath looked up at him with one eye she was out of breath and in pain. Tatsumi was in a similar condition although his wounds were looking way worse. Each breath both of them took pained them to no end it felt like knives in their lungs.
The ice queen picked herself back up only to fall to one knee as her fist got planted into the sand she breathed in and out savoring the feeling of someone hurting her.
And at that moment the two parties looked up at each other both of them panting for air and injured. Tatsumi was in a far worse condition by far the blood started staining his clothes as the blood starts to set in from the last ice onslaught.
"I….it doesn't have to end this way for you…" Esdeath said through breaths
"yes.. cough…. cough…. It does.." Tatsumi got out
"for me insulting you earlier… I apologize.." Esdeath said as she got back off the ground she was giving him a sign of respect that she gained very fast as the kid turned out to be one of her toughest battles.
"a..accepted," Tatsumi said
"Tatsumi…. It's a shame you had to throw your life away like this but for being a compelling warrior I will give you a proper battle to end this."
Tatsumi picked himself up off the ground
Esdeath looked into his eyes not daring to look away from the poor boy the only thing that was heard besides their tired breaths was the screams of the crowd that was now shoveling their way out of the stadium as fast as they could.
He wiped the blood from his mouth with his arm.
"I'm still standing Esdeath and so are you.. that needs to change," he said with an innocent smile.
Something clicked in Esdeath her face blushed just a bit as she stared into the boy's eyes.
"s-so be it," she said summoning an ice sword to her hand
Tatsumi grinned as he held out his hand as his sword flew to his hand.
"Are you ready Esdeath?" he said looking back at her "because after this moment I won't nearly be as respectful to you as I've been before."
Esdeath recomposed herself and answered the warrior.
"Yes, Tatsumi. I am ready."
and then they lunged at each other as their fateful duel would reach its peak.
The Market district just outside the arena
Crowds shoveled past each other as people tried to get out of the arena as fast as possible in front of the Chaos was Leone she and the rest of Night Raid split up for it to be easier to get out of the area.
"Come on come on get a move on people!" Leone shouted over the ruckus she was just trying to
It was then a huge explosion was heard from the arena behind them
Leone looked behind her to see an explosion erupt from the arena as the screams seemed to grow just a tad louder.
"How the hell are there explosions now?!" She said out loud
now the crowd was rushing her they pushed and pulled she couldn't handle it anymore she saw an opening and took it, The lioness escaped through an alleyway that led to a dead end.
"Tatsumi please...just end it already," She said to herself
Leone looked up at the wall that was in front of her
"a dead end. Perfect." She said as she went beast form quickly and silently making it easy to traverse the wall
"the good thing about big crowds is it makes it easier to slip by" Leone said to herself as she went to reach her hand out for the wall
"not one more step." A voice echoed behind her
Leone huffed this must be a poor soldier two she now had to waste.
"thought I would find you here put your hands where I can see them"
Leone's eyes widened she knew that voice she turned around only to see...
a boy with black hair and brown eyes It was Ieyasu and he looked really serious. He had his hand facing her ready to snap his finger and create the spark of light that would end Leone
"did you hear me, Leone.. deactivate your beast mode and put your hands in the air."
Her eyes narrowed as she looked into the boy with an officer's uniform on, he was just doing his job.
"Oh come on don't make me ask a third time need more convincing? I have the absolute advantage here look around."
Leone looked at the walls that boxed her in and realized she wouldn't be able to climb out in time or charge him.
"you are boxed in and one flick of my fingers would spell your demise it doesn't matter how fast you are…"
Leone looked right back at the boy.
"and it doesn't matter how well you can regenerate either you'll be dead before it even matters. So just do what I ask."
Leone raised her hands in the air as she stared and kept staring back at him he seemed way more different than anything she talked to before this meeting. Ieyasu looked back at her with no sympathy in his eyes
"Now you're going to tell me why Tatsumi's doing all this and you're going to tell me now," Ieyasu said
"isn't it obvious? Esdeath Destroyed the village he wants revenge."
"No it's not that!" he said
Leone was surprised by his outburst She only had just realized how torn up he seemed
"or maybe it is… I don't know! But why didn't you stop him!" he said as his hand shook nervously at her.
"I never knew this would ever happen! He was supposed to just fight for money!" Leone explained
"And you fully knowing of everything he's been through let him walk onto that stage, like hell!" Ieyasu's voice was full of pain he was a wreck and that meant he was unpredictable which meant Leone's life was in danger
"Yes! I feel awful and I don't know what's happening next but it just seems like… I don't know… he planned all of this." Leone said
"W-what."
"I don't know what you know about Tatsumi but he's smart he knows what he's doing please have faith in this."
"shut up! you let him throw his life away!" Ieyasu said as his hand started glowing with pure power and fire.
"Ieyasu-"
"no it's me, isn't it? I should have run down to the arena and stopped him myself I could have saved him! No!" Ieyasu stopped to grasp his head and tug his hair with his free hand.
"Even before then! I should have chased after him that night at the bar I should have stopped him from ever wandering off to that night!"
"Ieyasu please calm do-"
" But I didn't! it's me it's all me!...No...no no-no, more than anything…" He said looking up with tears streaming down his face straight at Leone
The Lioness realized this wasn't going to end very well for her.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" and with that, he fired his fist
Leone Tried to go beast mode but the impact had already exploded in her face a huge rush of fire and debris came from the alley only causing mass panic to everyone in the area.
The last thing she felt was fire and heat...