Now there is a deadline I barely passed.
Sorry for being a bit out in the last minute but this chapter grew out of control.
Diversions.
The sun slowly started to shine in through the small room's only window. Creeping gradually over the floor. Steadily making its way to the boy sleeping on the sofa. As the first sunrays started to hit Tatsumi's face he was slowly brought back to concious after sleeping for almost eleven hours.
He rose to sitting position, a bit disoriented. The blanket sliding off him.
Ohh I really needed that, he thought and stretched his arms up in the air. But why am I...
OH NO.
Tatsumi felt panick rising in his chest. His breathing increasing in speed as adrenaline was released into his veins.
He had left her alone! He had fallen asleep and slept through the whole night when she was waiting for him. Things had already been bad yesterday but now, now the direness of the situation might have increased tenfolded. She knew that he was in the city. She had made him well aware that she wanted to spend the night with him.
This might be really bad.
He threw his sword over his back and raced out of the shop. Not even bothering with saying goodbye to the owners. He raced through the streets towards the palace. His thoughts moving even faster.
Usually when he denied Esdese something she wanted it only made her more playful sides come out. Trying to find some way to get it. Making it into a small competition between the two of them. In the end she usually got what she wanted though. Either by actually outmaneuvering him or sometimes he simply teased her too much and she threw away the facade and easily overpowered him in any way relevant to the situation. Taking joy in the mere act of making him submit to her. Dominating him in any way she saw fit.
After his submission, some sort of punishment usually followed. These were rarely anything serious but usually rather gentle and playful things. Driven by mischievous affection more than any wish to harm him or make him learn a lesson.
The first six months he had lived with Esdeath she had treated him like a kitten. Completly unwilling to put him in risk of any harm. Not allowing him to get even the slightest of bruises. Afraid that something would happen to him now that he finally belonged to her. During those times she had only touched him as if he was made of glass. Afraid of hurting him in the slightest. Overprotective to the point of suffocation.
But as time passed she had slowly come to accept that her original stance had been the best one if she wanted him to become all that she wanted him to be. He needed to meet hardships to get stronger. She would have to accept that she needed to trust that he was strong enough to survive. As she originally had.
So she let him face dangers. Trusting in her instinct's premonitions that he was strong enough. She watched him survive challenge after challenge. Becoming stronger and stronger under her training. With time she even started to play with him herself. No longer afraid to hurt him a little bit. And when he endured her rougher treatment as well, she slowly, carefully began to hurt him for no other reason than pleasure.
Tatsumi had learned to live with those painful moments during their more intimate interactions. They were by nature playful and just another way for her to draw enjoyment from him. Rarely being anything that he would feel after a day or two. Esdese herself usually demanding that he allow her to look after him and treat the bruises and wounds she had inflicted.
However there had been two times when she had actually felt like he had betrayed her in ways that she would not tolerate. Those had been harsher.
Those times had not been playful. Not a matter of intimacy between two lovers but rather Esdese's desperate attempt to teach the one person she loved to not betray her again.
It was kind of pitiful in its own right, Tatsumi thought as he rushed through the streets. Heading for the main barrack of Esdese's forces in the capital.
He wanted to believe that she hadn't liked that either. He wanted to believe that it was just desperation since she didn't know what else to do. He wanted to believe that she was afraid that the things she did to him actually would drive him further away. But he didn't know. For all he knew she might have been riding high on all the pain she gave him at those two occasions.
They rarely spoke of them. Esdese avoided the subject as well. Maybe it was because it was the two only points in their relationship when he had seemed more like her pet than her lover, even between just the two of them. Tatsumi knew that she hated when that line was blurred. She felt that it degraded her love for him. This she had said to him herself.
Not that Tatsumi thought this situation would be that bad but he didn't want to take any chances right now.
He reached the main barrack for Esdese's forces. It was rather late in the morning so she might be here since the jaeger meeting probably was done by now. He jumped up the steps of the stairs to the entrance and rushed in through the door. Entering the reception. Without even looking around he shouted."I need to meet the general immediately."
He saw that the room was filled with about ten soldiers. Three of them were discussing something with the highest ranked officer in the room.
Tatsumi quickly realized, to his dismay, that the superior officer was the one of Esdeath's subordinates that he hated the most.
"Ah, look, the little boy toy has returned." Bellany exclaimed. Making every soldier in the room turn their head to him.
Bellany was about he same age as Tatsumi. She was rather beautiful in her own right. Having a long and lean body. Extremly well trained despite still having some rather elegant features. She had long dark-green hair tied up into a ponytail that almost reached her knees. She carried and filled up her uniform beautifully and was well aware of it.
Her combat proficiency and extreme good hand with military organizations had earned her a high place in Esdese's army. Now being one of the general's closest counsellor.
And she had always hated Tatsumi.
He himself was not sure as to why but he guessed that it came from his involvment with the revolutionary army. The truth however was a bit different. While his involvment in Night raid didn't help, the real reason for her resent was actually based in the that she found him unworthy.
She had worked so hard to rise in the imperial army. Sha had fought with everything she had to secure a position at Esdese's side and she had to defend it all the time. Since Esdese would let her fall from grace the moment she showed herself to be unworthy. Then out of nowhere, a former criminal gains a higher standing in Esdese's esteem than anyone else in the entire imperial army. And not only that, he gained her complete protection and affection for doing absolutely nothing as far as Bellany could tell.
She found him completly unfit to be the lover of the general she had come to idolize and adore during her time in the imperial army. To Bellany, Esdese was the epitome of a good leader. Strong,ruthless, kind and beautiful. Perfect. Tatsumi was just another vigilante who would and should have been dead long ago if it wasn't for her beloved leader's benevolence. He had even spoken against her at times. Defying the orders that were absolute to the rest of the army.
However, Bellany was convinced that Esdese would tire of Tatsumi in the future. No longer finding him as enjoyable and then ultimately, she would discard him. When this latest little whim of hers had run it's course,Tatsumi would be thrown away and the wolfs of the empire would come and tear him screaming apart. Feasting on his remains. And she could not wait to see it happen.
Not that she woud ever mention this in Esdese's presence. She knew that her opinions were irrelevant to Esdese so she just bid her time. Careful to respect her leader's orders when it concerned her new little toy. But she had patiently and methodically tested the grounds and learned what Tatsumi would report to Esdese. Slowly learning just how far she should try annoy and bother the young man.
"Do you long so much for the whip that you even can't leave our leader alone to do her job?" Bellany said condescendingly. Looking over at him.
Some of the soldiers laughed but most stayed silent. Unsure if it was wise to openly mock Tatsumi.
"I don't have time for this right now, Bellany." Tatsumi said in a calm yet irritated voice.
"Well unlike yourself, I actually have quite a lot of work I need to get done. So why should I waste my time answering an unlawful turncoats questions." she said. A irritated expression overtaking her mocking smile.
"Enough of this." Tatsumi said. He was in too much of a hurry to let Bellany get to him right now. "Tell me where Esdese is or I will tell her that you prevented me from seeing her."
"General Esdese is currently moving out from the western courtyard on her own initiative. She is heading out to investigate if you actually did your job, assassin."
She was about to ask him if that worried him but he immediately turned around and sprinted out of the room.
It turned out that Esdese hadn't left the capital yet and was still preparing to move out. Tatsumi reached the yard where attendants and stableboys were preparing equipment and horses for the party that was about to move out. When he saw that she wasn't there, he ran to the path she would take if she walked from her own quarters to the courtyard. Hoping to intersect her.
He finally did so in a long open hall that led from one wing of the inner palace to another.
Getting to her was more of a challenge though. The huge hall was filled with people that had come to see what was going on. Young noblemen and other members of the elite. Not having anything else to do with their time. Guards had been stationed to keep the crowd to the sides of the gigantic room while a big group of soldiers and officers walked through the hall.
He had to struggle to even get to a position where he could see the constellation move through the hall.
Finally he caught a glimpse of her. She was at the head of the assemblage of military personnel. Leading the way forward. The group consisted of maybe fifty people as far as Tatsumi could see. Two thirds of it were soldiers from her own forces. Summoned for their specific abilities and roles within her army. The last third consisted of some of her pets. A varied bunch of people who had had the fortune or misfortune to catch her interest.
Some were warriors with certain skills or abilities that had pledged their life to her out of their own free will. Some were people she had given the choice of either serving her with their entire existence or she would end it.
And a few sad beings that had once been her opponents. People that she for one reason or another had decided to keep around.
They had once been strong and astounding enough to challenge her. Then she had tortured them to her full abilities. Breaking them over and over again. Until they had forgotten and abandoned everything that they believed in. And any reason as to why they opposed her. Now they only lived to try and make her happy with them. Doing anything in the world to just get some kind of approval. All pride, shame, self-esteem and morality burned away from them long ago. A display of how she dominated the mere memory of their existence.
They walked at the back of the column of people.
The highest officers of her forces gathered around Esdese at the front, all vying for her attention. Currently a high ranked strategic officer was showing her a map and discussing some deployments with her as they walked. Her eyes followed his gestures on the map. Answering his questions about orders and directives.
This was her in her natural element. This was where she bloomed. In all her terrifying beauty. Walking with the body of a love godess while carrying the aura of death itself. With her imposing uniform and sense of authority that the general's long coat gave to those who wore it. Huge amounts of people following her, drawn to the power of her presence. Driven there by hope of gaining her favor or just by being afraid of her wrath.
An alpha creature among alpha creatures. Completly unmatched. Ruling through fear and power.
Why did she has to be so goddam strong?, Tatsumi thought as he watched her lead the group of warriors forward. He had since long realized that he would never be strong enough to change her. She was strong because of her beliefs and her beliefs made her able to survive almost anything.
"Esdese!" He called out at the top of his lungs but his call was drowned out by the noise and buzz of the crowd that had gathered. Yet he still saw her eyes turn and meet his. A cold and annoyed expression on her face. But then she turned back to the strategic officer as they walked on.
Tatsumi was a bit baffled. This was a first.
Had she not seen him? No, that was impossible. She was able to feel his presence even when he used Incursio's invisibility. So why did she ignore him? Esdese wasn't exactly the type to give the silent treatment. If she was displeased with you, she would make you painfully aware of it. Not trying to punish you by not interacting with you. Had she made arrangements for some other kind of punishment? Either way, Tatsumi did not like the insinuations.
He planted both his feet into the floor and jumped up over the crowd and the guards. Landing in the middle of the path that was cleared for Esdese and her followers. Placing himself in the way of the whole procedure. Driven by something more than just a wish for mere damage control. Although he didn't admit it to himself.
Her ice cold eyes meet his for a moment and then closed while she waved her right hand in the air. Looking slightly irritated.
"Tatsumi, get out of the way. I'm moving out with a-"
"I'm so sorry, Esdese!" he exclaimed while looking her straight in the eyes. Trying to get all his genuine remorse to show through.
Esdese stopped in her tracks. She still carried the same cold and slightly annoyed expression but now her eyes were drilling into him. She didn't say anything as Tatsumi returned her gaze. He was unsure if she expected him to say more or if she was contemplating what to do.
Everyone around her stayed silent. All of them were well tuned to her behaviour by now. They had all learned to know when they should try to speak to her and when they shouldn't. All of them waiting for a signal from her while the general kept staring at Tatsumi.
Finally she turned her gaze to the officer and spoke in her cold authorative voice.
"Leave us."
Without a single momement of hesitation, the entire crowd behind her began to move on and started to leave. Even the guards that wasn't under her direct command started to push and force the gathered crowd to move out of the hall. Her complete authority showing through once again .
Tatsumi watched her retinue leave with unease. The military personnel throwing him nasty glances. Some filled with anger, other with jealousy and a few with pity. Her pets didn't even dare to raise their gaze to his face as they passed him. Tatsumi turned to watch the doors close behind the last of Esdese's servants and warriors. He could feel her gaze burning into him from behind. Full of force and power but he could not determine the feelings behind it.
When the doors closed shut he directly turned around.
"Listen Esde-"
She moved at her full speed. After all the training and time he had spent with her, he was still unable to see her movements clearly when she gave it all she had. Her hand grabbed the collar of his coat and swung him around into the nearest wall and then lifted him up off the ground while pressing him against it.
However, Tatsumi directly noticed that the she hadn't smashed him into the wall to cause damage to him. Just to get him there. This collision was nothing to his well trained and hardened body and she knew it. That was a huge relief.
But damn this height diffrence. Tatsumi had grown during his months with her but he was still shorter than her. His eyes barely reaching her nose. Which made this position way to natural. He dangled with his feet in the air. Trying desperatly to reach for the ground.
She moved close to him, putting her lips at his ear.
"Where were you last night, Tatsumi?"
He could feel her warm breath entering his ear canal. Her longcoat and hair obscured all the light from him and all he could smell was her. He felt like he was going to be swallowed whole.
"I'm sorry Esdese, I swear I didn't mean to-" Tatsumi stammered.
"Where were you, Tatsumi?" she hissed into his ear. "I have an urge to destroy something or someplace."
"I was just too tired, Esdese. I fell asleep in a sofa at some local restaurant when I was there to eat my dinner yesterday. They were kind enough to let me sleep through the night there."
"Ohooo" she said. Her voice growing soft and charmingly sweet. Which completly terrified Tatsumi. That voice was the same one she used on her victims in the torture chambers right before delivering the worst part. Sometimes she also used it when asking her dying opponents if they felt regret or if it hurt as she slowly killed them.
"So you chose a sofa in a small restaurant over me and my bed?" she whispered in his ear. Her free hand moved upp his leg. Clawing at his left buttock to then come to a rest at his lower back. Under his shirt. Ready to administer any kind of experience she thought he deserved.
"You know it wasn't a choice." he said. He was unsure of how angry she was and that made him bring up his best defenses just to be safe.
"Ohhh, but how could it not be, Tatsumi? It seems like a pretty clear one to me." she whispered in that flirtatious voice that made the hair on his back rise. Esdese could feel it with her hand and drew a certain satisfaction from it but he was not getting away that easily.
She had supressed all her longing and needs so that she could perform without distractions today and then he just had to come and place himself right in her path. Offering himself to her. There was a limit to what temptations she could withstand.
He stammered on. "Come on Esdese, you know that is unfair. I-"
"Tatsumi."
"...eh?"
"You smell of another woman." she said, revealing what her instincts had told her since she got close to him. Not really worried about his loyalty in this matter, she mainly just wanted to get a cute reaction from him.
"Yes the owners of the bar put a blanket on me and I guess that it had been used by some woman before me and that-" he stammered at a much more panicked and faster voice. Not disappointing her expectations.
"Shut up" she whispered. Stopping him mid-sentence. Her mouth was half open beside his ear. She wanted to bite him. She wanted to nibble on his cute ear.
She was about to do just that when he suprised her. His arm shoot out and wrapped around her back. Hugging her hard. Pulling his limp hanging body into hers. Closing the small gap between them.
He talked in a much calmer voice."You know I love you. I have duties just as you. You admitted so yesterday. Those duties took the energy I needed to be with you last night. Sorry."
"That was weak of you, Tatsumi." she returned. Not giving away how much she loved the feeling of him pressed close to her.
"Maybe, but I will get stronger!" He knew how much she loved hearing him pledge his growth to her.
"Yes. Yes you will." she said. The hand on his back started pressing him into her. Her fingers slowly creeping down past the belt of his pants. She was about to grab his behind when she suddenly froze.
Her head rose to watch one of the huge closed doors that she had entered the hall through.
"Tchh" she clicked her tongue with irritation. She let him down on the ground. Planted one hand on the wall on the left side of his head, right above his shoulder and turned to watch the door. Still possesivly holding her arm over him.
"Esdese?" Tatsumi said. Then the huge doors she was watching opened. Pressed open by a single figur. Lazily walking into the room.
Tatsumi recognized the man even if he didn't know his name. He was the the ragged man that had been sitting beside Esdeath at the assembly yesterday. A man looking to be in his late twenties, having brown-gray hair and carrying a tattered and torn piece of clothing that reached down to the floor. Parts of it dragging on the ground behind him.
"Ohh sorry. I hope that I'm not interrupting something." general Makeias said. Giving the pair a smile that was everything but sorry.
"I think you can assess the situation well without my guidance." Esdese said. Scowling at the approaching man. Not even giving him the slightest shadow of forgivness for interrupting her.
"And I think your instincts are good enough to warn you that you are walking into a dangerous situation."
Tatsumi could almost feel himself starting to sweat as Esdese started to radiate hostility. It emanated so strongly from her that, even though it was all directed away from him ,it still made him feel pressured. Yet the man calmly kept walking towards them as his steps echoed through the empty hall. Completly unfazed ,to Tatsumi's suprise.
The fact of the matter was that Makeias was everything but unfazed, even if he knew how to hide it. His instincts were much more finely attuned than Tatsumi's and they all screamed at him to flee. He felt sweat run down his spine. But he would have been dead many times over if he didn't know how to keep a calm mind when heavily pressured.
And the general had learned early on that if you showed a predator that you were bleeding, it would come for you faster. And this was a predator if he had ever seen one.
"My instincts tell me a lot of things. Doesn't mean that I always listen." he said with a grin. Calmly looking right at Esdese as he confidently moved closer. "I heard that you were moving out on a short notice so I came to discuss some troop placements with you before you leave."
Tatsumi still had no idea who this man was. But he was about to have the blunt force of all of Esdese's built up frustration smashed right into him if this went on.
The man walked up until he was just a few meters from them both. "Shall we go, general Esdese?". He gestured towards the giant doors leading to the outer yard.
She stared at him for a couple of seconds. Then she sighed. "I will be right there, general Makeias."
Tatsumi felt his jaw drop. The other general smiled and started walking to the door. Tatsumi did not have time to further connect the dots before Esdese pressed him into the wall with her body, sealing his mouth with hers. This time the kiss they shared was a bit calmer than last time though. More driven by longing and passion than hungry lust.
After a moment she moved her mouth a few centimeters back. Her forehead resting aginst his. With her eyes closed she whispered to him, "I will return before sunfall. Don't you dare to leave me alone again tonight."
"I promise that I won't." he whispered back. "And I really am sorry."
She leaned in and sniffed his hair one last time before pushing him back into the wall with one hand. Then she turned and walked away to the door and the waiting general.
Makeias held up the door for her, which she passed through without so much as looking at him. Right before the doors were about to close,general Makieas turned and looked at Tatsumi for the first time since he interrupted them. A smile spreading across the older mans face before the doors closed.
The gathering of people that had been waiting for Esdese in the next room once again had to take a backseat. Walking 10 meters behind the two generals as they walked to the yard where the horses had been prepared. This time they did it more humbly than they had with Tatsumi though. Uncertain about anything about this new man except his rank.
The two generals walked silently until Esdese spoke.
"I used to think that the ruthlessness your campaigns has displayed actually concealed a strategic cunning. But now I wonder if maybe you're just reckless and lucky." she said. Her voice as cold as her ice.
"Neither the empire or history will care." he answered." And frankly, I think it was a pretty easy call to make that you wouldn't strike out at a fellow general just because he interrupted your moment with your lover. I know you have strange standards but I remember you as being rather intelligent."
You would be suprised at how close you were there, Esdeath thought.
"And besides, I know the rumors about your strength." Makeias went on. "I can even imagine that they are justified. But I won't die just by you lashing out at me."
"I can be quite thorough with my punishments, general. That you can trust." Esdese said, keeping her gaze forward. Not looking at the other general and his smiles.
They had reached the yard which was now filled with people. Stableboys and servants that were readying the horses and the equipment. As well as the warriors and trackers that had been chosen to accompany Esdese. And lots and lots of noblemen and politicians who had come to see Esdeath leave. Uncertain of where she was going.
"Ohh? I thought that you had become kind of sloppy in that field these days." Makeias said. Referring to her latest visits to the torture chambers.
Esdese turned her head and stared him right in the eyes. Her expression filled with controlled anger. "Careful general. You can't always save yourself with pretty words and wits."
"Sure I can. It's just a matter of the right words at the right time." Makeias answered in a relaxed voice.
She stopped. You pushed your luck too far at the wrong time, Esdese thought. She turned around to him and smiled. One of her free hands resting comfortably on the hilt of her rapier.
"Now that I think about it, I have never seen you in combat, pillager." she said in a gentle voice. Nothing like her cold and disdainful demeanor some seconds ago.
General Makeias flinched slightly at that name. Clearly uncomfortable with both the name and the direction this conversation was going. Had he made a mistake?
"I think it is important that people of our rank keep our skills in good condition and the best way to do that is to constantly challenge yourself." She called out. Loud enough for everyone in the yard to hear. "What do you say, general Makeias? How about a friendly sparring match tomorrow. Just between you and me."
The whole yard grew silent in a second. Everybody was now watching Makeias.
Esdese's smile got a more menacing tone to it. Got you, she thought. Either back down and the whole capital will know that your big act is only a show before the day is over. Or accept and give me a chance to show you why you should have been more respectfull with me.
The other general didn't turn over to her directly. Silently looking up at the sky with a solemn face. He stood so for almost five seconds but then he turned to her. A relaxed smile slowly forming on his face.
Yes, Esdese thought. Give it to me.
"Sure Esdese. I have seen you fight before but it could be fun to see how much you have grown during my time at the borders." he said in a calm voice that didn't betray any of his emotions. "One condition though."
"Hmm?" Esdese raised an eyebrow.
"We will fight without using our Teigus. We don't want to cause too much collateral damage after all."
"I'm fine with that." she answered.
"Then I accept your challenge, Esdese."
Esdese tilted her head up an laughed without warmth or kindness. The people in the yard that were a part of her forces started to smile. They knew this laugh. Their leader had just gotten some new entertainment.
"But that is for tomorrow." general Makeias said. Unperturbed by her reaction. Drawing out a folder of papers from under his coat. "There are some troop positionings we need to discuss before you leave."
"Of course." Esdese said. Suddenly in a much better mood.
To the far east of the capital the smaller garrison that Esdese had brought with her was setting up a parameter around the old night raid base. Esdese was kind of suprised at how desolate it's surroundings were. She had expected them to hide in towns or villages. Trying to hide among other people. But this was basically in the middle of nowhere. She guessed that they needed the isolation to be able to train their abilities properly.
She was instructing her second-in-command about how she wanted the area searched when she suddenly stopped herself in the middle of a sentence. She turned to a small grove close to them. Not a hundred meters away. A mocking and questioning expression formed on her face. As if to say "Really?".
"General?"
"Go and see that my orders are done. I will be investigating these visitors." She answered and started to walk over to the trees.
"What visitors?" the man asked but Esdese simply waved a hand at him and he immediately walked off. Knowing better than to question her.
"I have already noticed you. Come out or you will regret it." She called out as she kept walking towards the bushes. One hand resting on her weapon.
After a moment , two people shuffled out of the bushes. A brown haired girl with a bow around her body and a blond boy with a spear behind his back. Both seemed to be really nervous.
"Do you know who I am?" Esdese asked as she walked towards them.
"No,ma'am." The boy spoke up loudly."But I can see that you are an imperial army official."
"So why did you hide then?" Esdese said. She had now reached them and stopped just a meter in front of them.
"We did not expect to see he imperial army around these parts. We thought it wise to hide, since some kind of battle maybe was about to commence." the girl spoke up.
Things have turned really bad, Maria thought. They had just arrived an hour before this to investigate the night raid base and see if they could find anything. Leone had went into the base itself while they had been set to scout the surroundings. Now just ten minutes ago they had seen the imperial force approach and had gone into hiding.
Why were the empire here? And not just a small garrison but Esdese herself. None of the two young revoulutionary agents had ever seen Esdese before but they had been briefed about her many times before. It was not hard to recognize her from the descriptions. Which meant that they were in serious trouble, Maria reasoned.
"Then why were you here in the first place?" Esdese demanded, shifting her cold gaze to the girl.
Really careful now, Maria thought. One wrong word could mean their deaths right now.
"We were out hiking and just happened to come across this place right before you arrived. It was pure chance."
This was extremely bad luck, she tought. If she had been on her own she might have been able to hide since she was specialized in assassination but Rori was mainly a warrior and a tracker. He was not trained to conceal his presence.
"I can see that you are carrying hiking equipment. I will now ask you about your destination on this hiking trip. You will both answer at the exact same time when I count to three." Esdese said.
"We are heading to village two miles west of her to visit our grandparents" they answered in perfect unison after the countdown. Trained to be able to handle this kind of questioning.
"Do you have any kind of identification with you?" Esdese asked.
"Of course." Rori said. Pulling up a pamplet and handing it over. Esdese started to read through it. One hand still resting on the rapier.
"As you can see we really just passed here by chance. We have no ulterior motive. You can go back to conducting whatever operation you have going here and we will just move on wi-"
"No." Esdese interrupted. Not looking up from the pamplet.
That single word made both of the revolutionary agents feel a deep shiver run down their backs. The atmosphere was extremly tense.
"Excuse me?" Rori said. His voice filled with uncertainty.
"You won't be leaving anytime soon." Esdese said while flipping over another page in the pamplet.
"But why? Maria asked.
Esdese closed the pamplet and looked up at them. "Partly because of your stances. You look like you have had military training yet your identification says nothing about it. If you actually have been trained by the imperial military, then I see no reason as to why you were hiding. That, plus the fact that I haven't seen a single person for miles and then when we come here, there are two people hiding in wait for us. It's too big of a coincidence. Especially considering that one of you is trained to conceal your presence."
"Excuse me, ma'am, but that is nothing more than a hunch. You are overreacting." Rori said. Now starting to feel the desperation set in for real.
"I have bereft people of their freedom for far smaller things." Esdese said. Looking bored. " I will have you questioned more thoroughly at a diffrent location, when I'm done here."
"That is simply unreasonable." Maria shouted.
"Your opinion is not in my interests." Esdese said. Reaching out to Rori with the pamplet, handing it back."If you are unable to oppose my will then you simply have to live under it."
Rori reached out to grab the identification but at the last moment he instead grabbed Esdese's wrist. With lightning speed he turned his body sideways. Taking a stance to use his body to throw her. He figured that she had to be freakishly strong if the rumors were true. Any attack that didn't use his entire body would probably not affect her.
But as he shifted the weight of his body, Esdese reacted. Delivering a backhanded slap with the hand he was holding straight into his chest. Sending him flying a good ten meters.
Maria had made the same judgement as her boyfriend. If they were going to escape, it was now or never. However, they needed to somehow slow the general down or their chances of getting away would be small. If they could just damage her in some way, their immediate future would look a lot brighter. They didn't need to beat her. Just clip her wings.
When she saw Rori grab Esdese's wrist she immediately started to crouch down while reaching for the knife tied to the lower part of her thigh. Ready to launch herself forward, aiming for one of Esdese's legs.
However, when Esdese smashed Rori away with her right hand she raised her left leg up at a speed Maria was not able to react to. Much less avoid. Esdese then smashed her heel down on her leg in a horrible stomping motion. Splintering all the bones in Maria's knee while simultaneously forcing the knife Maria was about to draw deep into her calf. A terrible side effect of Maria's crouching position.
"Giiinnnh!". Maria immediately silenced her own scream with an tremendous effort of willpower. She had never felt this level of pain before. She was about to fall down but Esdese grabbed her right hand with an iron grip while looking at Rori. Leaving Maria hanging from that arm.
The young man had alreay gotten up. His long training in the revolutionary army making him able to soften his own fall. Even when it was unexpected. He had readied his spear and was in a position to launch forward at her.
"The next time you try to attack me I will kill before you can even realize what is happening." Esdese said. She bared her teeth at him in a feral smile. Filled with joy but without a trace of kindness or sympathy.
Rori felt like he was being pressed into the ground by her mere gaze. Her aura had completly changed. Suddenly it was all too apparent to the boy that he had been a fool to think that he could cause any serious damage to this opponent. This was a huge mistake.
Esdese slowly turned her smile to the girl who's arm she was holding. Maria felt waves of fear and panick wash over her as Esdese's eyes settled on her. But she did not show it. She only scowled at the general, unwilling to show any weakness.
Esdese's expression did not change as she slowly moved her free hand to the one of Maria's she was holding. Looking the other girl straight in the eyes as she slowly started to open up her hand with her own while keeping the wrist in an iron hold. Taking joy in watching as Maria realized what was about to happen.
She slowly opened up the other girl's hand. Barely even noticing the resistance as Maria tried to keep her hand closed. She grabbed Maria's index finger and started to slowly bend it backwards.
"Stop that!" Rori shouted but was interrupted by an audible crack as Esdeath broke the upper joint of Maria's index finger.
Maria used all of her willpower to supress any reaction from showing. With her already heavily damaged leg that was no easy task but she refused to let the general know how much she was hurting.
"Ohh, so you are just going to stand there and watch as I slowly break your comrade." Esdese said with an intrigued voice. Her eyes not leaving Maria's face.
Rori felt himself losing what little calm he had left. "Bastard, don't you dare-" Crack.
Another sickening crunch was heard as Esdese crushed another one of Marias fingers. She looked at the boy. Smiling.
"..or else what?"
"Demon" he roared. Starting to move forward.
"Stop!" he immedialy stopped as Maria's panicked voice reached him. Feeling misery fill his heart as he watched his lover's painridden face.
"Don't do it. She will just kill you. Please don't do it." her voice suddenly filled with fear and panick as she could feel how close her boyfriend was to his doom. "Please, Rori. Just run away. Leave me here. Just run. Please."
The young man's only respond was to take another step forward.
Maria, now feeling she had no options left, turned to Esdese.
"Please don't do it." she said. Abandoning all her resolve in a desperate attempt to save Rori's life. Tears now running down her face as she begged the ice cold eyes of the imperial general.
"Please! I beg you. I submit. Please don't kill him. You don't have to! I wil-" Crack.
Esdese bent Maria's middle finger so far back that the skin almost tore.
And Maria screamed. A long shrill scream filled with pain and fear. Esdese's eyelids moved down slightly. She was clearly enjoying the reaction.
Rori screamed with rage and launched himself forward. Fully accepting that this might be his last moment in life. His scream was however overpowered by far louder, fiercer and more bestial roar.
Esdese had to let go of Maria in order to jump a couple of meters back as Leone's fist smashed into the spot she had previously been standing in. Smashing the ground to pieces. Creating a small dust cloud.
"Ahh, finally a face I recognize." Esdese said, smiling. One hand on her cap and the other one resting on her still sheated weapon.
"I am suprised at just how much of a psycopath you are everytime I see you." Leone said while rising up from the impact. "You disgust me." She spat to the side.
"Looks like this kitten is in need of some taming." Esdese said while slowly drawing her rapier. "No worry, I will train you thoroughly."
"Rori, take Maria and run. Now!" Leone said while keeping her eyes locked on the ice queen.
"Tatsumi might have given me a better gift than he knew himself." Esdese mused as she slowly started to walk towards Leone.
Had this all been a trap?, Leone thought. It seemed unlikely but if Tatsumi only had been visiting this place as a bait, then maybe. That would, however, require that Tatsumi had been able to tell that he had been spotted. The empire's strongest general would not waste her time if they didn't know if they had a chance to catch someone. Either way, now was not the time for pondering, Leone conculded. Casting a glance over her shoulder.
Rori has managed to lift up Maria after dislodging her own knife from her calf. Looking at Leone with uncertainty.
"Go! Head for the second meet-up point. And don't look back!" she roared.
Rori gave her one last emotion-filled look before dashing of. Holding Maria close to his chest.
When did I get so soft-hearted? ,Leone thougth with a smile as she gave her subordinates one last glance. It's funny. This is why I always said that having attendants would be a bother, she thought. I knew that it would end like this. But now that the moment is here, I actually don't feel too bad about it. Leone turned her eyes to Esdese.
"Alright, lets do this, you icy, love-stealing, sadistic piece of shit. I will be damned if I can't get one hit and ruin that beautiful face of yours before this is over" Leone screamed with a defiant smile.
Esdese continued her steady approach. Being in no hurry at all. "Ahh, I like your attitude." she calmly answered."I will enjoy slowly tearing down your defiance until there is nothing left of who you once was."
Leone planted both of her feet into the ground and launched herself forward with all her might. Creating a cloud behind her as dirt was blown up in the air as she flew against her awaiting opponent.
Tatsumi was a bit suprised when he entered Makeias's chambers. He had expected something along the lines of Esdese's chambers. Extravagant and luxurious. With every little thing you could ever wish for within an arm's reach.
Since Makeias shared Esdeath's rank, Tatsumi had expected that his living quarters would be the same. Yet when he opened the door and walked in he was meet with a large empty room without curtains or furniture. Boxes were stacked in high piles all over the room and five people were busy lifting said wooden and cardboard boxes around.
The men were some of the largest humans Tatsumi had ever seen. Not especially muscular. Somewhat gagnly actually. But they had to be almost three meters long each. They all carried imperial uniforms but he did not recognize what legion they were from. He assumed they belonged to Makeias's personal forces.
He walked up to the one closest to him. "Excuse me soldier, I am searching for general Makeias. Do you know where I can find him?"
The huge man looked down at him for a couple of seonds before pointing towards a double door at the far side of the big room with an extremly long and slender finger. Still not saying a word.
"Thank you." Tatsumi said and walked of while the man continued to stare at him for a while.
He walked up the door and knocked. After waiting for fifteen seconds without an answer he knocked again. "Tatsumi of the jaegers reporting in! I'm searching for general Makeias."
"Enter." a silent and monotone voice answered from the other side of the door.
Tatsumi walked in to the room and was met with a sight not too unlike what he just came from. The huge room seemed to be some sort of study.
The wall right in front of him was lined with long windows. Adorned with black curtains. The wall to his left were made up of bookshelves. Filled with everything from modern cookbooks to old dusty tomes. The wall to his right was covered with the largest map Tatsumi had ever seen. It had to be at least 8 meters high and just as wide. It was a map of the empire and the bordering countries. It was covered in notes and attached papers written in a language that Tatsumi couldn't read.
The room itself still lacked any furnitur though. Except for a wooden coat hanger on the left side of the door he just passed through. A single dirty and destoyed piece of clothing hanged from it. A general's longcoat. This room was also filled with piles and stacks of boxes of diffrent sizes. Just as the room he came from.
In the middle of the room sat the person he was looking for with his side turned to him. He was sitting on a cardboard box at a table made up several other boxes. Three stacks of papers where lined up on the makeshift table along with two books. The general himself was busy writing something down in one of them. Not even looking up as Tatsumi entered the room.
"Tatsumi reporting, sir." He called out and stood in attention.
He didn't get an answer for a couple of seconds. He was starting to wonder if Makeias had heard him when the general finally answered. "At ease, Tatsumi. Titles means little right now."
Tatsumi waited for Makeias to continue but he didn't. He hadn't even looked up from the book he was writing in since Tatsumi entered the room. Tatsumi choose to wait for his host to take the first step since he had been invited here. As the seconds of silence turned into minutes Tatsumi became more and more convinced that he was being mocked in some subtle way.
It wouldn't be the first time a high ranked military commander tried to annoy him. Many times before had Tatsumi noted how some army officials tried to express their disdain for him in whatever sneaky ways that they could get away with. Making him wait longer than the lowest ranked soldiers or forcing the most pathetic and insulting tasks on him.
Frankly, it baffled Tatsumi how these commanders, people who had enough achievements to be put in positions where they were responsible for many peoples lives, suddenly turned to schoolyard bullies when they had to work with him. Doing everything they could to make Tatsumi's day worse but not too much. Trying to stay far enough within their jurisdictions so that they could hide behind reasonable excuses, should they attract Esdese's attention. It was nothing more than pathethic to him.
Not that he would have needed Esdese's help to deal with most of them. Tatsumi strength had grown at an increasing pace under Esdese's training. He was pretty sure he could have easily defeated half of these naggers had it come down to combat.
However, he needed to not wear on Esdese's patience. Not yet. He coud probably get away with crippling or killing one or two of these army officials but after a while, Esdese would be forced to restrain him somehow. And that could ruin everything at this point. For even if Tatsumi grew stronger by the day, he still didn't match the rate of Esdese's insane power growth.
No, he needed to save all the leeway he could with her for the months to come. He might come to need all the patience she had with him later.
And if truth be told, he didn't care much about it anyway. He had abandoned most of his pride and self-esteem when he accepted Esdese, eighteen months ago.
He still was a bit uncertain about this situation, though. He did not think that a general ranked warrior would be as afraid of Esdese and if this morning was any indication, Makeias was not. Tatsumi felt that deserved both his respect and his pity. He finally choose to break the silence.
"Why did you call me here, general."
"I will explain in a minute." the older man said.
"What are you writing?" Tatsumi asked. Unwilling to let the awkard silence take back control now that he finally had broken it.
Once again his answer took some seconds to come. "I have been away from the capital for almost three years. During that time I have gained strength, power and wisdom. But now that I return to the capital I find that it has changed quite a bit as well. The game has changed and I need to learn the new rules." The general finally put his pencil down.
"So you could say that I am.. testing the waters." The general closed the book and smiled at Tatsumi. "With ink and paper for now. Soon in more direct ways."
He put two fingers in his mouth whistled out a piercing tone. In two seconds, the door behind Tatsumi opened and one of the giant men filled the frame of it.
Makeias threw the book he had just been writing in, which the large man catched with a long and thin arm.
"Leave nothing but ashes." Makeias said. Looking at his subordinate. Without a word the huge man turned and closed the door behind him.
Tatsumi remained still.
Makeias rose from his box. He was about a head taller than Tatsumi. Without that destroyed longcoat he didn't actually look all that shabby, Tatsumi reflected. His hair looked like a birds nest, sure, but otherwise he was tall, rather lean and wore his uniform with the authority that befit his rank. He still looked tired though. Like he hadn't slept for days.
"Can I offer you a drink? I do have some rather fine liquors I got hold of during my campaings at the borders. They are here somewhere." He looked around at the many boxes.
"Yeah,sure." Tatsumi answered. Not wishing to refuse the hospitality.
"Well then, give me a moment. Take a seat... or rather a box." He said with a gesture to the rest of the room.
Tatsumi took down a box from one of the piles and sat down on it beside the "table". "You have some rather big subordinates moving your things in the other room." He commented.
"A strange kind of people to be sure." Makeias answered as rummaged through some of the boxes in search for the alcohol."They don't speak much, have tremendous instincts and are far more agile than their big forms would have you believe. They are from some sort of nomadic tribe who held no allegiances and lived of the land. Sadly, I burned said land. As you might have heard."
"There are few in the capital who hasn't at this point." Tatsumi answered dryly. He was not sure about the circumastances around the military campaigns that had made Makeias so well-known. So he didn't want to be too quick to judge.
"We destroyed the fields, burned the forests and I let my forces consume all the wildlife. Most of the villages and cities that came in our path met the same fate. But this nomadic tribe had no allegiance to any nation. So I gave them the alternative to join my forces or live the rest of their short lifes trying to scratch their living from ashes and bones. And most of them actually choose to live and let bygones be bygones. A choice I am sure you can relate to."
Tatsumi looked at the general's back as he searched through yet another box. Unsure if that last part had been meant as a jab at him. "Refusing to face defeat at any cost is surely a mindset we both can relate to." he answered. Trying to see if this was a prickly man he was dealing with.
"Surely" Makeias agreed without looking up."But I have seen Esdese's forces myself. She also has some rather interesting followers. Many whom I would not consider to be human. Aha!"
He rose with a dusty bottle filled with a dark brown liquid.
"They actually make this from moldy fruits. Humans are so goddam crafty. It never seizes to amaze me." He walked over to the table made of boxes and sat down on his own box. He pulled up two mugs from a yet another box that was placed next to his "chair". Filling up both mugs with a generous amount of the liquor. Tatsumi took a sniff and winced. He had drunk strong alcoholic beverages before but this smelled like fire made into liquid.
"It burns away all regret and shame. For a while." Makeias said as he sipped on his own mug. "Something I think we both could need."
"Is this what you used to burn the forests?" Tatsumi joked.
Makeias smiled at him. "If you have lived with Esdese, you should know that nothing makes you feel more alive than the things that kill you."
Tatsumi was starting to become a bit more uncertain of the situation. Was this man trying to get information from him?
"Why did you invite me over, general?"
"Many reason. Mainly because your story is quite unique." Makeias answered without looking at Tatsumi.
"Is this about Esdese, general?"
Makeias smiled at Tatsumi. "Do you love her, Tatsumi?"
Tatsumi was about to categorize this man as just another one of the many men who wished they could charm the ice queen. Not understanding the consequences of both their attempts and what their success would actually lead to. But there was that shrewd smile that this general so often wore. He looked as if he knew something nobody else did. As if that information made the whole world more entertaining.
"Esdese is my partner. In all sense of the word." he said. Delivering his usual answer.
"That is not what I asked about." Makeias said.
"And you didn't give me a direct answer as to why you summoned me."
The general chuckled. "Well, you have an attitude that I guess in some ways could match Esdese's at times. But thats about it."
Makeias drank the rest of the content of his mug in one swig. "And that is why you are here Tatsumi. I have a feeling that you are nothing like her. Which piqued my interest."
"Hmm?" Tatsumi looked over at him.
"I think we can help each other a bit, Tatsumi. Me with my vast influence and power and you with your very peculiar position."
Now this was a game that Tatsumi knew how to play. Maybe this was a opportunity after all.
"What do you want from me then?" He answered. Sipping a bit from his mug as the general was refilling his own.
"Nothing. For now. I simply want to establish an affiliation between the two of us. A lot of things are going to change soon. When those starker times come, I want us to be able to cooperate to reach our diffrent goals." Makeias looked at Tatsumi. His gaze filled with anticipation.
Hearing the general talk about changes made Tatsumi a bit wary.
If he knew anything about the plan then he wouldn't have offered him an alliance. He could just have blackmailed me or outright killed me without much risk, Tatsumi thought. Then had this man have his own plans of changing the empire? Was this an ally in disguise? Or a very dangerous opponent?
"And what is your goal, general?"
"What is yours?" Makeias returned.
"I want to stop the conflict that has been ravaging this country as soon as possible by stopping the revolutionary army. This nation's people have bled enough." It was his usual answer to that question. The best lies always had a bit of truth in them.
"You do realize that your partner is one of the greatest enabler of the scenario you want to avoid. Just by being close to her you reek of death."
"I assure you that you carry the same smell of despair and decay with you, general." Tatsumi answered with a cold tinge in his voice.
Makeias smile changed character a bit. "I guess I do."
He took another gulp from his mug. "Either way, Tatsumi. My instincts tell me that there is a lot more to you. That is why I want you to think of me as an ally in the months to come. Come to me if you need help. Be it information, favours or discreet assistance."
"And in return?" Tatsumi asked.
"There will be a price each time. Your request will dictate how steep it will be."
"Ok then, lets try it," Tatsumi said. Turning to the great map that covered one of the walls. " Why is there a note attached to that village?" he asked and pointed.
"Because it is the village you come from, Tatsumi. As you well know." Makeias answered bluntly.
Tatsumi studied the note but he didn't even recognize a single letter.
"What language is it written in?" he asked.
"Don't bother. There are few who speak it now and even fewer who can read it. The last tribes who used the language were destroyed during my last campaign. Regrettably."
"What does the note say?"
Makeias only smiled at him. "Are you going to request information for the third time without even asking about the price of it."
Tatsumi hesitated. "What is the price?"
"None this time. Next time there will be one though." Makeias rose from his box. " Let's finish this for now. I have work to do and I am sure Esdese will be returning pretty soon."
Tatsumi was well aware that the general was avoiding his last question but he didn't think he would be able to get anything more out from him for now. He rose as well.
"I hope we will be seeing each other soon again. If you don't come to me, I might send for you myself sooner or later. I also have things to gain from this."
The general reached out a hand to Tatsumi. Tatsumi grabbed it firmly with his own. For a brief moment, Tatsumi could feel his entire body reject the sensation of the other man's hand. As if it was damaging him. Then in the blink of an eye, the sensation was gone. Tatsumi choose to ignore it.
He started to walk towards the door. A bit unsure of what this meant in the bigger scheme. He decided that he would have to wait and see how this general would react when everything was set in motion. If worst come to worst he could probably send Esdese after him. She would be itching for a fight of that scale so it probably wouldn't be that hard to get some kind of conflict started. Especially if the general revealed any plans to him that would not be beneficial to the empire.
"One more casual question, general Makeias."
"Speak."
He turned to the general. "You have been in the capital for two weeks from what I have heard. So why the boxes?"
"Old habits die hard. Even now, when I havn't been in the fields for over a month, I still like to be completly mobile. So that I can leave with everything I want at a moments notice. Should anything unfortunate happen."
Tatsumi nodded. Not fully sure what the general was insinuating."I will see you soon again,general. Let me just give you a friendly advise before I leave. When Esdese's gaze settles upon you, roll over. Trying to defy her will inevitably lead you to misery."
Makeias simply nodded at Tatsumi as he left.
Yeah that is what I believed as well, the general thought as he watched the young man walk out of the doors. But during the assembly yesterday, I found a weakness. And that changes everything.
Makeias looked at the huge map for a couple of minutes and then walked over to the door. Opening it and shouting at his subordinates.
"I want things to be prepared before tomorrow morning."
Tatsumi pushed his way through the crowd of people in order to get to the front line. He needed to be there for when Esdese returned. He needed her to see that he was sorry for last night.
It had been announced that Esdese had returned when her garrison was spotted from the outer city gate. From there it would take quite a long time to reach the one of the outer courtyards where she was expected.
Even so, the amount of people that had gathered to watch it was insane. He had to elbow his way through commoners, noblemen, military and finally representatives of Esdese's own army. It took him five minutes to just get to the front lines and even then he was pretty sure he was only allowed to keep his position because the people who had come to see Esdese knew who he was.
As soon as he managed to breath out a bit, the gates to the yard opened and the caravan of riders moved in. Spearheaded by Esdese upon one of her white steeds. A wild creature, Tatsumi knew from experience. Esdese always choose the most feisty and strong-willed creatures as her steeds. Crushing and bending their will to her command for sport.
As she rode closer to the waiting mass of people it became apparent that she actually had something being dragged on the ground behind her. Tied by a rope to her saddle. As the riders came to a halt it became apparent that it was a person being dragged behind the horse. A murmur went through the audience.
Tatsumi sighed. No matter how many times he had to watch his lover do these things he never got used to it. Nor did he think he ever would or should. But his resolve had gotten strong enough for him to be able to act as it didn't bother him. A long time ago.
Stableboys and attendants immediately rushed up and held her horse as she gracefully got off.
He could tell that she had enjoyed the ride.
It was not always easy to tell but he had learned to read the signs. When Esdese was indulging in her love for fighting and dominating she usually moved with a bit more swagger than normal. Swinging her hips a bit more and being more keen to flaunt what she got. Even though she never thought that much about it, Esdese was well aware of how beautiful she was.
She had always liked to show off but during times like these she often started doing it on a more basic level as welll. He wasn't even sure if she was aware that she was doing it.
"I have returned to the capital." She announced to the waiting crowd. Receiveing applauds and cheers.
Tatsumi noticed how the person that had been dragged on the ground moved slightly. Poor bastard, he thought. At least he could have had the fortune to hit his head on a rock early on so that he didn't have to experience the whole ride. It was actually rather amazing that he was alive at all.
"..and I have brought a defeated member of night raid with me."
The applauds and cheers turned into a deafining roar of approval from the audience.
Tatsumi felt his breathing stop. He looked over to the body. The person slowly turned her head over. Making Tatsumi able to see the ears on her head. Oh gods no...
Her body and clothes had been so mangled and destroyed by the ride that he hadn't been able to even recognize her. Lionelle's extreme regenration capabilities had however started to get Leone back to a somewhat recognizable apperance now. Almost. Her arms and legs were wrapped in chains but her body was too damaged and broken to have any chance of even breaking a thread.
Esdese slowly walked over to Leone to the sound of shouts and cheers. Smiling a satisfied smile at the broken form. "Did you enjoy the ride, criminal? I know that the eastern roads are a bit bumpy and rough but you seem to have managed."
She let Leone keep her teigu on so that she wouldn't die from the ride, Tatsumi realized. Keeping her barely alive through the whole journey. Tatsumi felt sicker than he had in a long while.
Esdese reached down and grabbed Leone's head. Lifting her up until their eyes were at the same level. "What happened to all that spunk you had earlier. You can't be tired already? We haven't even started talking yet." she said in a mockingly concerned voice.
Leone mumbled something inaudible. Too weak to even form a sentence. Esdese looked at her face with satisfaction. "But I must say your face was rather pretty. Not anymore though."
It's happening again, Tatsumi thought. Despairing. Just like it had with Mine. His plan had gone horribly wrong. Why had Esdese met Leone? He had even gone through all the trouble of checking that the base he informed the capital about was deserted. What had gone wrong?
A group of soldiers from Esdese's own army were marching out to meet the general. Bellany walking in the front with a proud smile on her face.
"With that being said, this teigu's regenerative abilities are quite formidable." Esdese went on. "It looks like you are already out of critical condition."
She looked down at Leone's body. "Which reminds me." Esdese said as she grabbed the teigu attached around Leone's crushed hips."This is imperial property now."
She tore of Lionelle from Leone's body. Immediately Leone's body spasmed a couple of times as her features returned to normal at an extremly fast pace. Making some people in the watching crowd let out a "Ohhh" in wonder.
Without looking away from Leone, Esdese threw the teigu over her shoulder. Straight into Bellany's arms. "I will come visit you in a day or two when you have regained some more energy. Then we can have a long good talk about night raid and you. Now I have a lot of things I need to do. I have reports to write, subordinates to instruct.."
She leaned in and whispered in Leone's ear.
".. and your old comrade in my bed."
Leone grit her teeth. Suddenly she planted her feets in the ground. She tore free from Esdeath's grip and headbutted the genral straight in the face. Esdeath didn't even bother with avoiding her. Leone used all her strength but without Lionelle's power she might as well have tried to headbutt a brick wall. Her own face being the only one to take any damage. Esdese's head didn't even move from the impact.
Esdese simply smiled at Leone as she recoiled from the impact. Watching her fall down to the ground. Unable to stand up by herself. Esdese turned to Bellany.
"Take the criminal to the dungeons. I will come and deal with her personally later. And have that teigu ready. I intend to make full use of this woman's capabilities for it's regenerative abilities." Esdese said with closed eyes. Adjusting her hair with one of her hands.
Yes, general" Bellany said with a happy smile. Saluting her commander as she did.
As the soldiers took Leone and dragged her off, Esdese turned to the crowd. Her eyes immediately meeting Tatsumi's. Indicating that she had known that he had been there the whole time. She started walking towards him. The crowd moved away from Tatsumi as if he was poison. Afraid to get in the way of the ice queen and her obvious destination.
Tatsumi was stone faced, lost in thought. How was he going to solve this? Could he beg Esdese to let Leone go? No, that would never work. Could he somehow get her out? Should he try to break her out? Jeopardizing the fall of the entire empire in the process. Tatsumi's thoughts were spinning out of control.
Esdese walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. Putting her lips on his. Proudly starting to make out with him in front of more than a hundred onlookers. Happy to demonstrate what was hers and why. Tatsumi's arms reached up and embraced her. His body meeting her advances by mere reflex. Trained by himself to do so.
The crowd started to cheer as they watched their greatest warrior meet her love again after returning from yet another victory in the empire's name. Esdese pulled back from his face and looked at his vacant expression with a genuinly compassionate smile.
"I have been looking forward to spending another night with you for so long now that I feel like I would tear down the sun right now if I could." she said. Hugging him even tighter.
"Are you sure you aren't able to?" Tatsumi answered in an empty voice. Feeling as if the world was crumbling around him as panick ruled his mind.
With only twelve hours left until the empire would start to burn.
Author's note:
Damn that anime adaption turned into a trainwreck towards the end. If anyone by any chance has stumbled over this without reading the manga then I really recommend that you give it a try. If you liked the anime you're going to love the manga and its still going strong.
The mistake I did with this chapter is that I decided where I wanted it to end before I started writing it. And then some scenes simply grew much bigger than I intended. I actually had to postpone one scene since I just couldn't fit it into this chapter. That is why this chapter is so focused on just Esdeath and Tatsumi. I simply had to focus on the scenes that needed to happen before the end I had decided on before I started.
I do still intend to release another chapter before the year is over. but it will probably be a bit smaller than this one. This one grew to be way too big.
Once again, THANKS A LOT for reading. I had originally just intended to write 4-5 chapters of this but now that so many people have taken an interest in it I feel really motivated to fully develop and explore this setting. The mere fact that some of you found my story to even be deserving of your words and input in the form of comments/reviews is simply amazing to me. I'm grateful to my core. Thanks.
Happy holidays to each and every one of you. Take care of each other.