Author's note
Let's also make a recap concerning main/side characters.
Night Raid survivors :
- Akame
- Najenda
- Tatsumi?
Jaegers survivors :
- Esdeath
- Ran
- Kurome
- Wave
As the description said, this fanfic is a continuation of the anime.
The difference (until now) is that Kurome and Wave escaped together.
So, except for that, it is the anime plot.
Which means :
- Syura existed, but died during his fight with Lubbock (who died too); there is no Wild Hunt squad.
- Mein is dead
- Ran is still alive, since he didn't fight with Wild Hunt
- The four Rakshasa Demons are all dead
"So, could you please now explain to me how two of my subordinates presumed dead ended up hiding in a hut?" Esdeath smiled, crossing her legs.
They had entered the small house (despite Wave's attempt to close the door when he saw Esdeath) and were now resting in armchairs inside the living room.
Esdeath left Tatsumi on a carpet as if it was important not to soil him.
She was surprised to meet Wave and more surprised to see Kurome by his side.
To her, both of them were dead : days before, she had received the fragments of the broken Teigu Yatsufusa, Kurome's sword with a word of Night Raid claiming the death of her two Jaegers.
She had no reason to doubt this version and had even ordered to dress up two graves for her soldiers next to Bols's one.
Of course, she couldn't know that all of this was a set up intended to deceive her.
In truth, the two sisters were fighting to death when Akame managed to break Yatsufusa.
She was about to give the coup de grace to her sister when Wave showed up and implored her to let him take care of Kurome, as he confessed his love for her. Eventually, he convinced Akame to let both of them go and desert the Empire.
He didn't even have to use brute force to persuade her nor to fight ; he found the right words to show Akame that he truly loved her sister.
Akame not only agreed but helped them to fake their death so they could flee without being chased by the Empire.
"I always knew Kurome was instable but I didn't think you would desert, Wave. I thought you had a strong sense of duty."
Wave was uneasy. Even if he was the type to joke, Esdeath's mere presence inspired him fear and respect.
"I did it for Kurome, General. At this rate, she was going to die. I couldn't just let it happen, ya see? That's why I ran away with her."
Kurome, who remained silent, nodded.
"Why? If she's weak, she dies. No more, no less."
Wave blushed.
"I love her, General. I couldn't let her die. I want to live with her and for her."
Esdeath pursed up her lips.
(So, he thinks that way too… I can't blame him for this reason, because I saved Tatsumi for the same.)
Seeing Wave tensed, she smiled again.
"Rest assured Wave, I won't try to bring you back to the army nor punish you…after all, the Empire has fallen. I have no reason to remain loyal towards it anymore."
Little did she know that Wave helped Tatsumi to defeat the Emperor's ultimate Teigu…
"Oh, I see", he lied. "This is a good thing…I mean, this is too bad…"
Akame and Kurome, by a simple gaze, made him understand that he was a terrible liar.
"So, why are you here?" he asked precipitately. "And why is Tatsumi caged in ice? Did he try to run away from you, General? Hahahaha!"
Before the sisters warn him, Esdeath spoke :
"Wave, do you know the pear of anguish?"
"No?"
"Let me explain it to you. It is, as his name suggests, a pear-like metal device that you insert in the victim's anus…then, by turning a screw, it divides itself into four spoon-like segments…tearing apart your insides."
Wave froze, an expression of pure fear on the face.
"Of course, I don't have such a device on hand right now, but I think that if I create an ice pear, then make it explode once inside, I can accurately reproduce the process."
She mimed an explosion with her hand, making Wave turn white.
"To conclude, unless you want to know more about this exciting tool, I highly suggest that you don't make jokes about my love towards Tatsumi. Is it clear?" she asked with a frightful grin.
"Y-y-yeah…very clear… I'm very sorry, General. Won't do it again."
(What a creep), Akame thought after Esdeath's tirade. (If a joke puts her in that state, I don't want to imagine how she will react when she'll learn that Tatsumi confessed to me…)
She took over and explained to Wave and Kurome what exactly happened in the Capital.
"So that's it", Wave said. "Tatsumi… I liked him, really. It was a good pal…"
"Don't talk about him like he belongs to the past", Akame objected. "He's not dead yet."
"Yeah but…do you have any plan? Can we help ya one way or another?"
"For now, I would be grateful if you'd keep him safe here. We can't bother to carry him everywhere we go, and he would be in danger alone in the wild, defenseless. I remember that a doctor and searcher in the Revolutionary Army is particularly skilled in the matter. He even has a Teigu that helps him to perform experiments, if I remember correctly."
"Are you talking about Stylish?" Kurome asked, who was silent since the beginning, occupied to eat her sweets.
"No,", Esdeath interrupted. "What a shame, though. I'm pretty sure he could have save Tatsumi…"
"Transforming him in a weird hybrid by the way", Wave mumbled.
Esdeath materialized a block of ice that looked like a pear, and quietly played with it.
Wave immediately bowed down to apologize.
Kurome raised her hand.
"Yes, sis'?" Akame asked.
"If only you didn't break Yatsufusa, I could have killed Tatsumi with it and bring him back to life. Plus, Yatsufusa's corpses don't rot."
"Kurome!" Wave exclaimed.
Suddenly, she seemed to realize what she was proposing. She began to shiver and cry, cowering in her chair.
Wave immediately get up and came to comfort her, embracing her with passion.
"I'm sorry", she muttered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
They had to interrupt their meeting, so Wave could calm down Kurome. Finally, she fell asleep, and Wave carried her to the bedroom.
Five minutes later, he came back and looked at Esdeath and Akame, a sad look on his face.
"I'm sorry. She's still trying to overcome her past and demons… Most of the time, she's really lively, but sometimes, she gets back to her old self…"
"It's okay", Akame assured.
She valued as much as Wave the mental health of Kurome. But she couldn't confess that when her sister made her suggestion, a disturbing vision crossed her mind.
Tatsumi as a dead doll, forever by his side. The worst was that she didn't know if she preferred him dead or in this state…
(Forget it. This is against nature, and Yatsufusa has been shattered into pieces), she told herself.
"Let's get back to business", Esdeath said. "Akame, where is the doctor you were talking about?"
"Unless he moved somewhere else, he should be in the main encampment of the Revolutionary Army. He used to make experiments when not helping to heal the wounded."
"Good. Let's pay him a visit."
"Yes…what? Esdeath, you are known among all the Empire! If one sees you…"
"If one sees me, I'll butcher him. I'll kill the entire army if I have to."
Akame stood up, ready to draw Murasame.
"If you do that, I'll bury you right here right now, bitch. I refuse to fight and kill the people that only want to build a new kingdom freed from corruption."
"I know a fight against you would be sooooo entertaining…" smiled Esdeath. "But…what you said before is still true. I need your help…for now. That being said, I won't stay here. I'll come."
"Didn't you hear me?!"
Esdeath gave her a sharp look.
"Let me make myself clear. I do not trust you. I do not trust this 'doctor'. Maybe all of this is a trap. And even if it is not, you are not in charge. I am not you servant nor fellow. I will not do as you say, I will do as I please. Do you understand me ?"
Akame did. She did understand that she would not change her mind. Vanquished, she nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll come disguised. I just need to hide my hair and my face, after all."
Wave chuckled.
"Not only your face, General. I didn't see any woman built like you, if ya know what I mean!"
Esdeath snapped her fingers, and Wave's tongue froze.
"Aa sowwy, aa sowwy!" he screamed.
"Hand me a mantle. A large one. Wave may be a disgusting perv, but he is right."
Despite being a gathering of a lot of different people, the Revolutionary Army was all but a disorganized horde.
Its leaders, former military officials who deserted the Empire, managed to impose and maintain discipline.
One of the best examples was the main encampment where 40.000 soldiers of the Army remained, located at the Capital's southern gate.
Usually, such a number of men confined in the same space would've caused chaos, but not there. The tents were perfectly lined, the common parts clean and there were almost no conflicts amongst the men.
The camp also had solid defensive lines : high wooden palisades, rows of spikes, deep pits and many watchtowers.
In wartime, it would've been impossible to enter inside and remain unnoticed, but since the fall of the Empire, thousands of soldiers and people at the service of the cause were circulating between the camps and the Capital.
It was impossible to control everyone's identity each time they came to the camp, so the sentinels were essentially watching for armed people without uniform or suspects.
Akame managed to pass the entrance checkpoint without any trouble, pretending to bring an informant to the officials. Of course, the "informant" was Esdeath disguised. She looked like the Reaper, with her large mantle and her tall height.
"How many men are here?" asked Esdeath, as they were walking.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just relax. It's not like I would use these intels… I want to know the number of potential enemies."
(Well, I guess it can't hurt to hell her.)
"Around 40.000 here. We have eight camps, spread around the Capital, and this one is the bigger. The others have 10.000 men each, or so."
"I see…It would be a fun fight..."
(What a monster.)
"Where are we heading?"
"Medical section. Let's hope he will be there."
Several minutes later, they arrived in front of a king-size tent. Without any warning, Akame get through the cloth entrance.
"Hey who's there, I'm very busy at the moment… Akame? I was told you were on an assignment…"
The scientist, whom everyone called "Doctor" or "Doc" was a tall, straight man with some hair on the chin. He wore a white blouse, glasses, and the Glorious Hands of God, the Teigu Perfector.
His glance was the one of an intelligent yet resolved man. Despite this "cold scientist" appearance, he was kind and understanding.
Esdeath removed her hood.
"Come, be silent, or you're dead."
The Doctor's jaw almost dislocated at this sight.
Akame chose the pacific approach.
"Doc, I need you. I can't tell you where we're heading, but you're the only one I know who can save Tatsumi."
"Tatsumi ? What happened to him? He went missing after he destroyed the ultimate Teigu... Everyone wants to congratulate him, but… Wait, do you know where he is?"
The Doctor was confused by this awkward situation.
"Yes, and he's in a critical state. We don't have much time, so please, follow us."
Despite the ongoing events, he quickly made up his mind.
"If I can help the hero that defeated the Emperor's death tool, I will. Give me a second, I have to pack some gear."
"Doctor! General Najenda is asking for you!" said a soldier wearing the uniform of the Army as he entered the tent.
He first saw Akame, then Esdeath, who reacted quickly and pierced him with her rapier out of instinct.
Unfortunately, his loud scream of agony had the same effect as an alarm.
Two other soldiers showed up but met the same fate as the first one.
"We can't fight the entire army right here!" said Akame to Esdeath. "We're here for Doc, not to fight!"
"Tch! Run, I'll work up a way out!" she ordered.
Akame grabbed the Doctor, carried him on her shoulders, and ran.
Esdeath was already outside, doing what she was born for : slaughtering. She originally intended to clean a path for Akame, but her bloodlust get over her. She couldn't help but have fun and entertain herself in combat.
Powerless, Akame watched her summoning giant spiked ice pillars, moving them like grinders, crushing bones and cutting flesh.
When a group of brave soldiers tried to build up a shield wall to approach, she threw thousands ice spears to them, dislocating their formation.
It looked like hell. Peoples were screaming, running everywhere, the ground was watered with blood and crowded with corpses. Unnecessary deaths because of Esdeath's lack of self control.
The officers were trying to restore the order amongst their troops, but Esdeath's endless attacks didn't give them a single chance.
In the confusion, some even attacked Akame. Since she didn't want to kill these men, she managed to knocked them out without killing a single one.
"Is it Esdeath?! She still alive?!"
"Look! She teamed up with Akame!"
"Stop them! Stop them!"
Esdeath was having fun but she suddenly realized she messed up and didn't manage to control herself.
(Let's finish this), she decided.
She lifted her finger.
"Hagelsprung!"
A giant ball of ice formed above her, its gigantic shadow covering the entire area.
Everyone around froze, astonished by this sight.
"DON'T!" yelled Akame.
However, Esdeath didn't listen, and, from a simple arm movement, the iceball began to fall upon the camp.
All the soldiers started to run away from the trajectory, but many of them, handicapped by the tents and the ambient chaos did not manage to make it in time.
The shockwave that resulted from the impact sent tents and soldiers fly alike.
It did not stop there. Esdeath made the ball move and roll forward in order to clean a way out. It crushed all the obstacles, from the fragile tents to the external defenses and of course, the unfortunate soldiers on the way.
With a disgusted pout, Akame followed her on the royal road she created with a single attack, trying to ignore the screams of the wounded and the red mash left on the ice ball path.
"I'm sorry, Doc."
Akame apologized as she was still carrying him. Since he didn't have their speed nor stamina, it was faster for both of them.
"You have nothing to do with that. But… Esdeath... Why did you team up with her?"
"Circumstances... You will understand when you will see Tatsumi."
"…what a strange alliance…"
"I couldn't agree more..."
Akame felt guilty. As the Doctor said, she did not kill all of these soldiers, but she could have saved them. Or at least, try to.
But she did not. She let Esdeath go on rampage…for the sake of Tatsumi.
(How far am I willing to go for him?)
This thought was worrying her. Yes, how far?...
A few hours later, in the palace of the Capital.
Najenda, former General of the Empire and actual General of the Revolutionary Army, was in a conference room where she was studying intels and reports.
(The Empire may have fallen, but we still have a lot of work…)
With the help of upright peoples and former officers, she was trying to build a new kingdom. Not a simple task.
They still feared trouble, so they had to keep feeding and equipping the entire Army. Besides, number of counts and nobles were trying to get their share of the pie.
Added to the fights in the city, the last resistances, and the border tensions, all of this was a logistic and paperwork hell.
(I would kill for ten minutes of peace…well, I acted for this to happen, so I guess this is karma?...)
Her thoughts derived to her friends of Night Raid.
Sheele, Bulat, Chelsea, Mein, Susanoo, Leone...all dead.
Leone has been found dead in a street. She had a peaceful smile on the face, as she had partied all the night. Prime Minister Honest had been found dead in the tunnels of the palace, probably killed by Leone judging by his wounds.
Akame and Tatsumi were missing. Besides, there was no trace of Esdeath neither…this last fact was the most troublesome.
(A monster like her wouldn't stay put…and only Akame could manage her. Hell, where are you all?...)
Someone knocked at the door.
"Come in!" she answered, as she quickly recomposed herself.
A handsome young man, with blond hair and golden eyes entered. He was wearing a white robe, and his stature was gracious.
"Ran. What is it you want?" Najenda asked.
Ran was a former Jaeger member, under Esdeath's direct command.
However, he proved himself to be a firm defender of the civilians, honest, intelligent and calm.
All these qualities were the ones required to become Najenda's counselor.
"We received a report", he said. "I thought…it was better for you to have a look as quick as possible."
He handed her a scroll. She noticed he had a worried expression.
She had to read it twice to truly understand what was written.
"Akame and Esdeath raided the main camp to subdue the Doctor and his Teigu, killing a lot of men and devastating the defenses… Is that?..."
"True? Yes. We have hundred, maybe thousands of witnesses. And as you know, these two are easily recognizable…"
"This makes no sense. The Empire is done. Why would Esdeath attack a camp then retire? And why would Akame help her to subdue a scientist?"
"I have no idea, but here are the facts. I have no need to tell you that the moral of the troops is pretty low right now because of this. To know that the Strongest of the Empire is still alive, and can come as she wishes in the main camp to kill hundreds and then retire as nothing…Plus the fact that Akame is with her..."
Najenda massaged her temples, then sighed loudly.
"I know. I have no choice, now…"
She breathed in.
"Put a bounty on Akame and Esdeath's head. Reinforce all the patrols. Double…no, triple the guards at the palace and the camps. Mobilize our Teigu users, I want them to be on the breach and ready to move if someone sees Akame of Esdeath. I want them, dead or alive. Dead would be better for Esdeath, though. Go, now."
Ran cocked an eyebrow, then bowed.
"Understood."
After he get out, Najenda sank in her chair.
(The most dangerous women in the world teaming up against us…what the fuck is happening?)
Luckily for them, their attack was so sudden they could escape without being stalked.
Akame still had a bitter taste in the mouth.
"Doc, if they catch us, tell them that we forced you to cooperate. I don't want you to have troubles because of us."
"Will do. It won't be hard to convince them, since they are persuaded that Esdeath abducted me…"
"You got a point", she admitted.
Even if it seemed that nobody was following them, they didn't take the risk to put it to a test. They kept running at max speed until they reached Wave and Kurome's cabin.
By the time they made it, the sun was beginning to go down.
Akame delicately dropped the Doctor off. After some uneasy steps, he rectified his gait and walked firmly to the entrance.
Before he could enter the wooden house, Esdeath grabbed his arm, holding it tightly.
"Let's make things clear", she said. "If you hurt Tatsumi, you're dead. If you kill Tatsumi, you're dead. If you can't save Tatsumi, you're dead. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes…"
"Nice", she smiled, releasing him.
Kurome and Wave managed a space in the small living room where they laid Tatsumi. They greeted the Doctor with a nod.
When he saw Tatsumi's state, a grim look appeared on his face.
"When did you freeze him?" he asked, pulling out some of the few tools he had managed to take.
"Yesterday…by now, I'd say it has been twenty four hours", replied Esdeath.
"Thanks God", he sighed.
"What do you mean?" frowned Esdeath.
The Doctor hesitated then began a lecture.
"Cryogenics is not a simple science. You could think that freezing someone is enough to stop their internal clock and metabolism, but it's far more complex."
He took a magnifying glass and inspected Tatsumi.
"To begin with, lower the body's temperature of the subject if only a part of the full process. You have to replace his blood with a special solution within a limited time. Otherwise…well, the blood contains water, you see? If too much time passes by, this very water will freeze and turn into ice shards. And these ice shards will irredeemably damage the cells, ensuring the subject's death."
He pointed Tatsumi.
"By freezing him, you bought him some time…but it could have been very dangerous if you didn't get me or another doctor in a short time."
"Good thing we caught you", Esdeath smirked.
"How much time does he have?" asked Akame.
"The most recent experiment showed that beyond seventy two hours, if you have not replaced the blood of the subject, he's done for. Sadly, we don't have the time nor the equipment to do so."
Wave stepped forward.
"I didn't understand your entire lecture, but basically, you're telling me that we have less than two days to find a way to heal Tatsumi?"
"That's it …"
With his glass, he observed Tatsumi from every angle during several minutes, muttering to himself.
"Broken bones… exploded articulations …several head fractures…multiples open wounds… lost a tremendous amount of blood…
He eventually looked at Akame while cocking an eyebrow.
"It's truly a miracle that he's still alive."
"I told you so", said Esdeath.
"I can't do anything for him with my actual gear, but…"
Esdeath immediately drew her rapier, and stung the Doc's throat with the edge.
"So why do we need you anymore?!"
Akame immediately struck the blade with Murasame's sheet, and positioned herself to protect the scientist.
"He's not done! Let him talk!"
The Doctor glanced at Esdeath.
"Let me explain. With my Perfector, I could fix most of his injuries, but the great issue is his blood loss. If we unfreeze him, there are great chances he'll die from blood deficiency before I treat his wounds. And a conventional perfusion will not suffice."
Akame was pale. She didn't want to hear that Tatsumi wouldn't make it. Not after all those dead at the camp…
"So what can we do?"
"If you have something that can transfuse him two liters of blood in less than thirty seconds without hurting his metabolism, you still can save him…wait…"
His face lighted, and suddenly, he started seeking for something in his bag with vehemence.
Finally, he extirpated a bunch of papers and read them with intense concentration.
A triumphant look appeared on his visage. But one second later, it darkened.
"What's up, Doc?" asked Wave.
"I…need a Teigu. Black Marlin."
Esdeath cocked an eyebrow.
"River's one?"
"What is Black Marlin?" asked Kurome, who was still eating sweets.
Her sweets weren't drugged ones, but helped her to control her dependence.
"A Teigu capable of controlling water", replied Esdeath. "The Revolutionary Army recovered it when they killed River."
"Exactly", approved the Doctor.
"So, what's with that gloomy face?"
"I think I can try to save Tatsumi if I have this Teigu, and if one of us is compatible with it."
"That's great!" exclaimed Wave. "What's the matter?"
Akame knew something was up.
"The matter, slowly announced the scientist, is that all the Teigus of the Revolutionary Army are now stored in the vault of the palace. Along with the ones the Prime Minister piled up there.
(In other words, the new stronghold of the Army…) Akame thought.
"Fuuuck", breathed Wave.
"Yes. It was already well guarded, but now, with your attack on the camp, you can be sure that the security has already been reinforced."
"I'll go and get it", said Akame. "I already infiltrated the palace during the battle against the Emperor. I know the place, now."
"Forget it", sighed Esdeath. "You only managed to get in the palace because Budo and I weren't here. Also, the majority of the soldiers were at the gates, on the walls or the battlefield. The palace security was minimal. Besides, Najenda won't make the mistake of neglecting the Teigus."
"What do you mean?"
"Honest didn't care that much about the Teigus despite everything he said. He had me and Budo to do the dirty job, along with the Ultimate Teigu. So, their security wasn't his highest preoccupation… At the contrary, Najenda needs them and she perfectly knows that these weapons can make the difference. She will make sure they are conscientiously kept."
Akame was in disarray. She didn't want to kill every last soldier in the palace... But entering by sheer force was the only way, and they wouldn't let her pass.
Wave was scratching his head.
"Hermmm, my question will probably look stupid but why don't you ask Najenda to hand you over the Teigu? If you explain the situation…"
"No way", answered Akame. "Officially, Night Raid doesn't exist. We don't exist and have nothing to do with the Army. There is not a single record of us in the books nor the archives. In her position, Najenda can't afford to help us ; if she gives us a Teigu, she will be judged for treason and lose all credibility. Besides…she will never trust Esdeath."
Najenda was a friend. Her friend, who persuaded her to leave the Empire's ranks. But not anymore. Now, she was a General of the new kingdom and had to act like one.
"If you think about going inside, I'd rather warn you : Najenda already found Teigus users in the ranks of the Army. You won't be facing only mere soldiers, informed the Doctor."
(Great…) Akame internally sighed. (The further we go and the worst it becomes…)
"If only we still had Incursio...its trump card is the invisibility. Sneak into the palace would have been easier, with that..."
"Isn't Tatsumi the current owner of Incursio?" asked Wave. "I don't see it on him..."
"After the fight, Incursio vanished. I don't know why. Maybe it reached its limits? The armor and Tatsumi were both in a bad shape..."
The room became silent, every one of them searching for a solution.
"I have a plan", declared Esdeath after several minutes.
"I doubt I will like it", grinned Akame.
Esdeath ignored her.
"I'll force my way through the palace and open the main gate. I'll stay to fight the Revolutionary Army troops on site along with the reinforcements that will surely come from the camps. The battle will likely drag the men guarding the palace, or at least, some of them. During this time, Akame, you will take advantage of the chaos, slip through their lines, recover the Teigu and flee."
(This is a plan), Akame thought. (This is a credible plan, but…)
Everyone in the room, excepted Esdeath had come to the same conclusion.
She was proposing a fight that would surely cause hundreds, maybe thousands of dead "just" for Tatsumi's sake.
Even if it was Tatsumi, it was a one life. Did his life worth thousands? The obvious answer was "no".
A life was a life. And Tatsumi wouldn't approve to kill innocent peoples his sake.
"General…" muttered Wave. "This is… too much. I'm sorry, but… will you really kill all these people just for your lover's life?"
Esdeath's eyes sparkled.
"Just? Wave, if Kurome was dying and you had an opportunity to save her, would you seize it?"
"Yes, but…"
"So there's no need to talk about. I'm gonna seize mine."
"There has to be another solution", said Akame. "I won't help you to kill more people. I will stop you from it."
She get up, and Wave too.
Esdeath's expression became scarier, if possible.
"I'm not sure you understand", she said in a cold tone. "I don't need you. I'm proposing this for Tatsumi. I know he wouldn't want so much dead, and I would like to do that for him…so he can accept me more easily. But if you refuse to help me, Akame, or worse, dare to get in my way…"
Her deadly aura grew larger and larger.
"I will kill you, you, and everyone who'll try to stop me. Then, I'll apply my strategy, but alone…with the exception that I will penetrate the palace and butcher everyone on my way."
She leaned her head.
"Think about it. If I go inside, more lives will be on the line. If you go inside, you'll be able to save some."
(I have no choice), Akame understood. (Even if I refuse, she'll do as she wants. Damn her!)
She could only enrage. Preferring to remain silent, she nodded to give her agreement.
"I knew you'd accept", laughed Esdeath.
"I'm sorry, Akame, General, but Kurome and I can't take part in this fight", said Wave. "Though I'd like to do something for Tatsumi…"
"That's a good thing, because I need you", intervened the Doctor. "I require your help to get me gear and tools in the Capital. I'll dress you a list."
"I'll gladly do it!"
"What about me?" asked Kurome.
"You'll stay here, keep the cabin, Tatsumi, and make sure the Doctor does not escape", ordered Esdeath.
"Will do, General!"
Akame was still uncertain. Their plan was taking form, but she did not like it at all. Suddenly, a question popped in her mind.
"Esdeath", she called. "You said you're gonna fight the soldiers and the reinforcements…but can you really withstand all of them, included Teigu users?"
"I think so. But I know what you mean. Better be prepared… they may have a hidden trump card. Don't worry, I won't be alone."
"How?"
Esdeath's grin reminded Akame a predator's one.
"I came back to the Capital on Honest's order. Before that, I was fighting the Western Tribes…with my personal battalion. By now, my troops must have return from their campaign."
The Doctor spoke :
"This is true. I heard Najenda talking about it with her subordinates. One thousand soldiers. With their modern gear and training, they are the finest of the Empire."
"Of course", proudly said Esdeath.
"They came back yesterday. Najenda sent scouts and officials to inform them of the fall of the Empire, and they agreed not to fight. For now, they are west of the Capital, watched by two of the Revolutionary Army camps."
"Thanks for the information. I'll meet them tonight. Akame, scout the western gate, gather some intels. I want to know what we're facing."
"Don't order me, icy bitch", growled Akame.
"Battlefields are my job. I am in charge, now."
Wave came back at nightfall at the cabin, charged with a bag full of medicines, tools and other stuffs.
As the others greeted him, Esdeath immediately began to question him.
"Do you have everything the Doctor asked for? Any trouble in the Capital? How did it go?"
"General, please, let me breathe a little!"
"Answer me."
Wave sighed and gave the bag to the Doctor, who thanked him and examined its content.
"I have everything. Thanks God, they weren't difficult stuffs to get. Still, I had to visit the black market to get some of these tools..."
"Nobody recognized you?"
Akame answered in place of Wave.
"Calm down, Esdeath. Wave is not that known. Only high officials knew him, in both the Empire and the Revolutionary Army. Plus, he's considered dead, nobody will look for him. If he hid his face, like most of the travelers, there is no reason that somebody would recognize him. Wait, you did hide your face, did you?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? Geez, have faith in me..."
"Sorry. So, it's okay?" Akame apologized.
"Yep. If someone had followed me, I would have noticed it. But I have bad news."
"What kind of bad news?"
"I heard some soldiers discuss. They have reinforced the patrols, inside and outside the Capital, as well as the security in the camps. They're on the breach, and there are groups of Teigu users ready to move all around. "
He hesitated.
"The only good thing is it looks like they don't expect an all-out attack on the Capital. They're preparing themselves to face the General or Akame, not a full battalion."
"Good", Esdeath approved. "Doctor, Kurome, Wave. I'll entrust you the preparations for Tatsumi's operation. I have to visit my battalion's camp now."
"Won't you be...late?" Wave nervously asked.
"Don't worry. I wont", Esdeath grinned.
Esdeath flew to her battalion's camp. She wanted to try this, but never had the occasion until now.
Since she could create ice from nothing and move it freely, all she had to do was to wrap some on her arms and legs and make it fly to fly herself.
Thanks to her Teigu, she didn't fear cold or low temperatures, so she went beyond the clouds, where no sentinel could spot here.
She guided herself with the position of the stars, and the lights of the camps she could see.
When she finally arrived above the one she was seeking for, she made sure it was the right one by looking at the numbers of fires and tents and just dived into it.
She intentionally aimed for the biggest campfire, and swiftly landed on, causing it to extinguish.
At least one hundred soldiers were here, resting or eating. More came, attracted by the noise of the impact and the disappearance of the flames.
When they saw who was standing in front of us, they couldn't believe their eyes.
"Good evening, lads", greeted them Esdeath.
The men burst into hurray, cheering and applauding the comeback of their beloved General.
Esdeath enjoyed the din for several seconds, then raised a hand, immediately bringing the silent.
"My dear and brave soldiers, I have come to you tonight because I need you. I need your power, your will and your arms!"
"General!" said a tall man in full armor. "We were told that the Empire has fallen... Will we fight for it? Will we reclaim the Capital?"
"No!" she abruptly answered. "The Empire is done for. We do not longer belong to it. No. I need you for a personal purpose. I found the love of my life, and this love is in danger. To save him, I need your strenght. March to battle with me."
She breathed in and out.
"I know I have no right to ask you that favor. You don't have to fight for me. This is not an obligation nor an order. However, if any man wants to fight by my side, once more, he will be welcomed! If any man wants to help me to save the one I love, I will be eternally thankful to him!"
Esdeath paused then glared at her soldiers.
"So, what do you say? Will you fight with me, one last time?"
Any casual soldier would have refused. Or at least, thought that she was mad.
Who would ask soldiers with familes and homes, to fight for that kind of reason?
And moreover, who would accept?
The answer : Esdeath's men.
They weren't casual soldiers : they were the finest, the strongest of the Empire along with their General. They loved to fight as much as her.
But they weren't only that. They were totally devoted to Esdeath. They liked her, respected her, feared her, and adulated her.
And in return, she took care of them, of their family and relatives. Even if they were to die, those they loved would be paid each month with a full chest of gold.
This treatment bought her their eternal loyalty. She never doubted that all the soldiers would get up and, once again, cheer her, clash their weapons and shields.
"ESDEATH! ESDEATH! ESDEATH!"
"THE GENERAL HAS A LOVER!"
"MAAAN, I DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS, BUT HE'S SO LUCKY!"
"HURRAY FOR THE GENERAL!"
Esdeath smiled. For the show, she materialized an ice spear in her hand, and raised it high.
The moonlight reflected on the tip.
"Be ready, she said. Tomorrow, WE FIGHT!"