The scene displayed in front of Akame, Esdeath and Najenda was hard to believe.
Rather than that, it was an incredibly painful one to watch because of their conflicted emotions.
They thought they'd never see Tatsumi again. They barely accepted that their moments together were gone and agreed to let him rest in peace.
And now, Tatsumi was alive, brought back by his own daughter using the resurrecting Teigu at the cost of her very lifespan.
One hour of life for Tatsumi would cost Nea three hundred of her own. It would be nearly a year for a day.
The logical conduct at this moment would've been for Akame and Esdeath to kill Tatsumi on the spot in order to preserve Nea's lifespan.
But people were not moved by logic and neither Akame nor Esdeath could've killed Tatsumi with their own hands.
That's why, they forgot everything and rushed to embrace Tatsumi.
Thus, the latter was literally buried under his wives and daughters, each one of them trying to hug him harder than the others.
"Tatsumi! Tatsumi!" Akame wept and moaned.
"Tatsumi…" Esdeath sighed, her face buried in Tatsumi's hair, sniffing him like a drug.
Nea and Ryuu were smiling, enjoying their father's warmness, tightly gripping him with their tiny yet strong arms.
The sight of this 'happy family' caused Najenda's heart to throb, as she knew this temporary happiness was destined to disappear.
Akame and Esdeath eventually recovered their minds and let go of Tatsumi. Nea and Ryuu, however, were still clinging to him.
(It's understandable. They assisted to his death… it's only normal they don't want to leave him even for a second. But, they will have to…) Akame sadly thought.
All the persons in the tent were still wearing the same cloths, and in Najenda, Esdeath, Akame and Tatsumi's cases, they were stained with blood and covered with dust.
Najenda asked them to change and to come to her tent to ponder over Tatsumi's matter. They did not openly talked about it as Tatsumi was already very confused.
They would at least take time to change themselves and properly speak about it not to take a hasty decision or to provoke another disaster.
And yet, they could not wait, as every hour Tatsumi spent with them taxed Nea with a heavy toll.
While changing, Tatsumi considered the two scars on his chest, reminders of his death. When Akame and Esdeath noticed his dark look, they gulped and feigned not to see it.
None of them could imagine the storm raging inside Tatsumi's head.
(… I'm sure I died… he thought, putting some shirt on. It means, I've been brought back, like big bro and Mine… It's not how things should…)
He sneakily took a glance at his family.
(Yes. I desire to be with them. I should be relieved, happy… so what is this feeling inside of me? Why do I feel like I don't belong here?...)
Given their behavior, it was obvious Akame and Esdeath were hiding something but they would surely talk to him about it later. Tatsumi was sure of it.
Thus, Tatsumi did not ask any question.
He didn't know the truth would hurt him more than anything in the world.
Once wearing proper and clean clothes, the whole family came once again to Najenda's pavilion. Both Akame and Tatsumi were carrying their weapons. It was not a calculated move but rather an habitude.
Despite the tardive hour, Nea and Ryuu insisted to come along, not wanting to let go of their papa, which was understandable.
Nea kept the dagger Teigu. At first, Akame and Esdeath thought of taking it back, but they considered that Nea would surely protect it better than anyone until they'd recover it.
It was the middle of the night, however, the camp was filled with tension. Every soldier on guard duty looked tensed, probably due to the battle of the day and the fact that there were still survivors among the Northerners.
The battle was over but there were still things to settle.
"So, we're here again, huh?" Esdeath mumbled when they entered Najenda's tent.
Tatsumi couldn't help but smile. Esdeath was right, they had spent more time inside Najenda's pavilion than all the superior officers in the Kingdom's army.
"Hello again" Najenda said when she saw them.
As usual, she was sitting on a chair, arms and legs crossed. She had washed her face and put on a fresh uniform, making her looking slightly better.
However, her face was still worried and her unique eye clouded with anxiety. As a commandant, she fatally knew how things would end, and she feared only one thing: Esdeath's reaction.
Akame, Tatsumi, Esdeath, Nea and Ryuu saluted Najenda and took a sit. Needless to say, both Nea and Ryuu sat on their dad's thighs.
Najenda first briefed Tatsumi about the Northerners. The same as Akame, Tatsumi was not particularly enthusiastic about the options they had concerning the defeated Northerners.
However, he admitted that they had no viable way to solve the matter without any victim. A war without victims was not possible, and Tatsumi, as a former assassin, was aware of that.
Nevertheless, the eye of the storm was still to come. Najenda, Akame and Esdeath still had to announce Tatsumi the circumstances of his resurrection.
The only question that remained was: how were they supposed to do that?
Was there only a way to tell someone something like this?
Esdeath was hardly imagining it.
(So, it would be something like… "Hey, Tatsumi. Did you know? Your daughter, affected by your death, resurrected you with a forbidden Teigu that drains her very lifespan. In barely three months, she will die and so will you because she won't be there to maintain you alive. In short, your presence is but a curse to her!")
Tatsumi was a kind soul, loving his family more than anything.
For sure, he could not bear to harm –consciously or not– his precious, beloved family.
(Maybe there is a cure. Maybe there is a way to keep him alive, but… each day we will spend to search for another solution will consume Nea's lifespan.)
Najenda, Akame and Esdeath were exchanging glances, prompting each other to speak.
Finally, Najenda deeply sighed and braced herself.
"Tatsumi. I have no doubt you probably guessed it, but you… died."
Tatsumi tensed.
"… I knew. And now, you're about to tell me I've been resurrected, like all the others, right?" he wryly smiled.
Najenda nodded.
Tatsumi caressed his daughters' heads.
"It should not be that way, I'm aware of that. Though, I'm happy to be able to be with my family. If it has to be, I'll gladly accept it. It's more than a killer like me deserves."
Tatsumi's warm smile and words crushed Esdeath and Akame's hearts.
His kind, pure behavior, his honest words only reminded them that one way or another, he was destined to die again.
They would be separated again.
"Akame?" Tatsumi called with a worried voice.
"…?"
Akame realized the tears flowing from her eyes.
"Akame? What's wrong?" Tatsumi asked, getting up to approach her, seconded by Nea and Ryuu.
Akame tried to come up with an excuse. She wiped off her tears, but they just wouldn't stop to flow.
Upon seeing Akame's silent weeping, Esdeath bit her lip hard. She did her best to conceal her sadness too and turned her head away.
Tatsumi caught a glimpse of her sudden movement and frowned, lost in incomprehension.
(Did I say something wrong?) he thought.
Somehow, he felt that Akame and Esdeath's behaviors were not moved by happiness. It was something else.
"Why are you crying?" he gently insisted, softly caressing Akame shoulder.
At the contact, Akame shuddered and all of sudden, embraced Tatsumi once again, her body shaking, sobbing.
Surprised by this reaction, Tatsumi kissed Akame's hair and slowly, delicately caressed her back as he had done many times.
"Why are you crying?..." he murmured.
Akame's weeping abruptly stopped as she tried to catch her breathing.
Esdeath and Najenda closed their eyes as they felt Akame was about to genuinely answer Tatsumi.
"Be-because–"
Akame gulped and clinched to Tatsumi even harder.
"–I know you're bound to disappear."
Tatsumi reassuring smile froze.
Esdeath held her breath along with Najenda and Akame resumed her weeping.
"What do you mean, Akame?" Tatsumi questioned.
But Akame did not answer.
Najenda decided to take over at this point.
"Tatsumi. I need you to… stay calm and listen to me."
Tatsumi did not bargain and nodded, still trying to comfort Akame with Nea and Ryuu.
"You've been resurrected. You're aware of that. But…you don't know the circumstances… nor the price for you to be alive."
Najenda stared at Nea, from whom the dagger Teigu emerged from her pocket and quickly reported her attention to Tatsumi.
"A Teigu has been used on you. This Teigu can bring someone back to life. Not imitating it though as Yatsufusa did. It resurrects someone from good, with his heart and soul. The person can also die a second time and this time for good. It's truly a resurrection, the way we see it."
Tatsumi nodded. There was nothing abnormal here given his state. Well, if resurrecting someone wasn't something abnormal, of course.
"…but there is a price."
This single sentence sufficed to make Tatsumi turn white.
Of course there was a price. As a Teigu user who himself risked his life using one, Tatsumi should've known there was a price.
And if obtaining power like he did with Incursio almost cost him his life… what of resurrecting someone?
"What is the price?..." Tatsumi asked, full of fear.
"From what we know… One hour of life for the resurrected one costs the user three hundred hours of his own lifespan. One day equals nearly a year of lifespan. So… depending of the age of the user it would not exceed three months of resurrection. If the user dies… the resurrected dies too."
Tatsumi assimilated the information given to him and suddenly reached terrible conclusions.
(Someone resurrected me. Even though, I am to die sooner or later…again. And worst of all, the someone who used the Teigu is actually paying my presence with his or her very lifespan.)
Tatsumi's eyes widened and he began to tremble.
It was only a natural reaction. Who could bear such revelations?
What seemed like an infinite amount of time passed before Tatsumi talked again.
"Who… brought me back?" he whispered, afraid of knowing.
It could only be Esdeath or Akame who did so, driven by despair.
Tatsumi now considered his life as a nuisance. He was only hurting his family, by the Teigu's price and by the fact that he would die no matter what they would do.
Najenda opened her mouth and closed it, looking hesitant.
"Who?" Tatsumi insisted.
The answer did not come from Najenda.
"I did, Papa! I brought you back!" Nea exclaimed with a big smile.
Tatsumi's heart skipped a beat.
(Nea… did this?)
"But…how…why?" he stammered.
Nea tilted her head, intrigued.
"Everyone was so sad Papa was gone. So when I heard that with the dagger, I could bring Papa back, I did it! Now, Papa, Mama, Mama, Ryuu and I can be together!"
Nea's innocence was frightening. There was no ill intention hidden behind her action. She just wanted her papa back.
Her parents were always to forget how young she was, and thus, that she didn't have any sense of reality.
Tatsumi realized he could not blame her for being pure and for loving him that much.
"Nea…you… you know you will die if I stay here?" Tatsumi whispered, each word hurting his heart.
He sensed Najenda and Esdeath's glares. Akame was still shaking.
Nea gave him a bright smile.
"I know. But I don't care. I just want to be with Papa even if it's for one more minute. Oh, but I feel the same about Mama and Mama! I don't want any one of you to be gone."
Tatsumi was at loss for words.
"But…it's… you can't… I don't…"
Nea shrugged.
"It's all fine by me. After all… A world without you in it…"
At this moment, Tatsumi realized how much his 'death' had pained Nea.
"…Wouldn't be worth anything."
Tatsumi tapped Akame's shoulder, asking her to let go.
When Akame released him, he crouched in front of Nea and looked at her in the eyes.
"Nea. I'm sorry… so sorry I died."
His apology sounded idiot to his ears, but Tatsumi didn't mind. He had to speak his mind.
"I didn't want to abandon you all. I still don't want…"
"So it's okay, Papa?" Nea smiled.
"…no it's not. I have to go. You… have to let me go. I don't belong here. I'm only surviving by hurting you. You can't die with me. So please, Nea. I will always love you, but you have to let me die."
Tatsumi's words caused Najenda, Esdeath and Akame's hearts to throb.
Basically, Tatsumi was asking to die. He was asking to die with his family in front of him, knowing he would never see them again.
The world 'painful' was surely far from enough to describe Tatsumi's state. But he did not falter.
"NO!"
Nea suddenly shouted, crying.
"I DON'T WANT PAPA TO DIE!"
Nea backed off, firmly holding the dagger Teigu in her hands, like a talisman or a charm.
"Please… Nea…" Tatsumi implored, but Nea firmly shook her head.
Tatsumi's heart was already shattered by knowing he was fated to die. However, seeing his daughter crying in front of him, only moved by love toward her dad, hurt him even more.
Tatsumi resolved himself.
(I don't have any other option left.)
He drew the Water Dragon Sword.
At this sight, Akame, Esdeath and Najenda feared that Tatsumi was going to attack Nea one way or another, or break the dagger Teigu.
He did nothing of that sort.
Tatsumi smiled and raised his sword, the edge pointing toward his own chest.
"Sorry, you all."
"TATSUMI, DON'T!" Akame shouted by reflex.
Too late.
Tatsumi closed the eyes and thrusted.
"PAPA STOP!"
Nea's shout, filled with despair, resounded in the tent.
And the Water Dragon Sword's tip stopped a few millimeters from Tatsumi's chest.
Everyone in the tent froze.
Tatsumi looked more surprised than anyone.
"What? I can't…"
It seemed he was really trying to commit suicide, but for a mysterious reason, he could not transpierce himself.
Esdeath suddenly understood.
"The Teigu!..."
"What?!" Najenda exclaimed.
"It creates a bond between the resurrected and the user. The first is forced to obey the second! Dorothea controlled her puppets like this!"
Akame turned her head.
"You mean that… Nea is controlling Tatsumi?"
"Controlling… I don't think the word is appropriate here, but he will obey her orders!"
Tatsumi, Nea and Ryuu also heard this.
Before his daughters could react, Tatsumi shouted:
"Najenda! Akame! Esdeath! I'm begging you, destroy that Teigu!"
The three of them understood in slow motion why Tatsumi had tried to commit suicide.
He had tried to convince Nea to let him go and she had refused.
Thus, there was only three options left.
The first was that someone would kill Tatsumi.
The second was to take the Teigu by force from Nea and to destroy it.
The third was for Tatsumi to kill himself.
Knowing that all the options would irremediably cause his family to be hurt, Tatsumi had chosen the third one.
It would've been 'easier' to recover the Teigu, but he did not want to harm Nea in any way.
Again, it was a terrible choice that required an amazing amount of courage and devotion but pushed by his love for his family, Tatsumi had not hesitated.
However, because of the Teigu's binding, he was now unable to execute his plan, which was why Tatsumu was now asking Najenda, Esdeath and Akame to destroy the Teigu by force.
But it was not that simple for Akame and Esdeath to act immediately. If they were to destroy the Teigu on the spot, Tatsumi would die.
This end was too brutal for them. No goodbye, no nothing.
That thought caused them to hesitate.
Najenda did not and advanced toward Nea but made a mistake. Forgetting that Nea, if she was a child, had a powerful ascendance, she did not go at full speed against her.
The moment she was about to catch Nea, an ice wall appeared right in front of her, preventing any action.
"Esdeath? What are you doing?!" Najenda exclaimed.
"I didn't do anything!" Esdeath replied, getting a grip on herself.
"So who–"
Esdeath cut Najenda mid-sentence and with a powerful kick, destroyed the ice wall.
Behind the broken wall were Nea and Ryuu, her hands raised to protect her sister.
"DON'T KILL PAPA!" Ryuu shouted.
(She can use ice?! Since when?!) Esdeath thought.
Ryuu did not take part in the previous quarrel but it was now clear she was on her sister's side.
The calculation was simple: both Nea and her father were in danger. This situation and will to protect two of her dearest persons awoke her powers over ice.
Esdeath carefully stepped back. Circling around the table inside the tent, Akame and Najenda moved to prevent the sisters from retreating.
They were wary of Ryuu's newly acquired powers. It was probable she didn't have the same power and control as Esdeath, but they all knew someone cornered was dangerous.
Little did they know, they had nothing to fear. Ryuu only wanted to protect both her sister and Tatsumi. She would not attack them.
When they resolved themselves to attack, Ryuu tried once again to create a barrier but the ice was too thin and easily broke under Esdeath's blows.
Esdeath gently but firmly grabbed Ryuu, rendering her helpless, while Najenda and Akame were about to capture Nea.
Tatsumi, standing still, was observing the scene and could not interfere: the last order he had received was simply to 'stop'. Thus he could not move.
"Nea, please, give it back!" Akame pleaded.
"DON'T TAKE AWAY PAPA FROM ME!" Nea cried.
Akame forced herself to shut her heart, otherwise, she would've supported her daughter to remain with Tatsumi.
Najenda and Akame grabbed Nea's arms, but she was fiercely resisting.
"PAPA! HELP ME!"
At Nea's sudden, scream, Tatsumi, who was immobile as a statue, moved like an automat and came to her rescue.
He hit Najenda's chin with the pommel of the Water Dragon Sword, temporarily knocking her out and pushed Akame back with a threatening elbow tackle.
Akame and Najenda, dazed by his aggressive behavior, stood back, unable to counterattack.
"Papa! Help Ryuu!" Nea yelled, seeing her sister restrained by Esdeath.
Tatsumi obeyed once again and charged Esdeath with no hesitation.
Esdeath released Ryuu as soon as she saw that, as she didn't want to fight Tatsumi.
Ryuu ran to get cover behind Tatsumi, at her sister's side.
On one side of the tent were standing Akame, Esdeath and Najenda. On the other side, Nea and Ryuu, protected by Tatsumi, who could not disobey Nea's 'orders'.
"Why do you want to take Papa away from us?!" Nea cried. "We just want him to be with us! Don't you love Papa too?!"
"OF COURSE WE DO!" Esdeath shouted, silencing Nea. "Do you think you're the only ones who are affected?! Of course want Tatsumi to stay forever with us!"
Esdeath was biting her lip and trying to resist the tears in her eyes.
"We want Tatsumi to live as much as you do, Nea! But we don't want you to die with him… is that wrong? Is that selfish?!"
Nea did not find anything to answer.
Tatsumi looked at Nher, a pained expression on the face.
Then, he asked Esdeath, Najenda and Akame:
"Please, leave us alone for a moment. I have to talk to Nea and Ryuu, alone."
"But…"
Tatsumi lowered his voice.
"Please, Esdeath. Watch the tent if you fear an escape. I have to persuade them because if I don't, we'll come to violence. Alright?"
Disconcerted, the trio eventually obeyed Tatsumi's request.
"Let's watch the tent carefully as Tatsumi suggested. It's not excluded that Nea orders Tatsumi to flee with them…" Esdeath whispered.
Akame and Najenda nodded and left the tent.
"I don't know how much time it'll take. I leave the watch to you… I'll analyze Dorothea's stuff and notes. Maybe she prepared something in case herself would be manipulated?..."
Najenda herself did not buy her story, but she knew it was better than nothing.
Tatsumi did not try to persuade Nea immediately. As he knew hasty move would make her go wild again, he chose a different approach.
He calmly, cheerfully talked with his daughters, played with them, and hugged them when they asked for it.
(I'm sure we can incapacitate her and destroy that damned Teigu… but doing things that way will break her. She will never see us like her parents again.)
Tatsumi saw the impact his death had on Nea. If she was willing to sacrifice her life in that kind of case… how would she react if her own parents would force her to 'kill' her father again?
In order to avoid that, Tatsumi decided to persuade her without using strength. He wanted her to truly understand and accept that her father was dead and that she had to let him go.
–Several hours later–
Nea and Ryuu, having played with Tatsumi for hours, exhausted by this terrible day, were dizzy.
The two of them were sitting on Tatsumi's lap, embracing him at the same time.
Tatsumi chose this moment to launch his surprise attack: the instant his daughters were relaxed and depleted of their energy.
He poked Nea's cheek, attracting her attention.
Tatsumi dived his green eyes into his daughters' ones, which had the same color.
"Nea…"
"Yes, Papa?" Nea yawned.
"There is something I would never do: hurt my family. But, because of that twisted Teigu, I'm but a nuisance. Each second I spend with you consumes your lifespan. I don't want that. Please…let me go."
Nea, taken aback, couldn't answer nor could Ryuu.
"I want you… I want both of you to grow up, to become fine women, to live a happy life. I want you to live in the world I contributed to create."
"But without Papa…"
Nea shook her head.
"Why are you saying this? I thought we could be happy… and… You promised us we would go back together at our house. You promised."
"I know. I'm sorry... "
Torn by her desires and emotions, worn out by fatigue, Nea suddenly began to cry and weep.
Her faltered words came out one by one between her sobs.
"I… I knew… I knew it was only temporary… but I wanted to see Papa… I wanted Papa to hug me again… I… I know it's wrong…"
"You gave me an occasion to see you again, Nea. But… it has to end" Tatsumi declared, doing his best to remain firm.
"I can't… I can't… it would be like… killing you… I can't… I don't have the courage…"
Nea's kindness was heartbreaking.
Even in this situation, Tatsumi was proud to have a daughter that kind.
He smiled and kneeled before Nea.
"Nea… I have an offer for you. I will do anything you ask… and you will let me go. Alright? It's a pact. A promise I won't break, this time." Tatsumi softly proposed.
"Anything?..."
"Yes. Anything."
"So…at least… come back with us… come back to our home…"
When they came to the Kingdom, it took them eight days, on a Manta's back. Tatsumi didn't know if Esdeath's tamed Manta was still near, but even if that was the case…
(Eight days, huh?... Or eight years for Nea... A week with them. A last week… for eight years…)
Tatsumi grinned.
"Of course."
Nea's face brightened up. Even under her tears, her face was adorable.
"Now, let's meet with Mama and Mama. We have to prepare for the trip" Tatsumi added.
"Yes…"
It required Nea a certain amount of time to calm down and to wipe off her tears.
Once capable of walking, she and Ryuu took the lead and exited the tent.
Tatsumi followed them, a strange smile on the face.
Esdeath and Akame were waiting outside, on the edge.
Nea did not mind and went to them cheerfully.
"Mama! We're going home–"
"Tatsumi?!"
If Akame interrupted Nea at this moment, it was because of Tatsumi behind her, his sword raised.
Meanwhile, Najenda has spread all the stuff Akame had brought back on the cots in their tent. She was examinating every item, one by one, hoping to find anything useful.
However, deep inside her heart, she knew it was impossible.
(Something that would solve this situation?... We would need an item with the same effects as Erastone, or...)
She shook her head.
(... Yes, as if.)
One thing was certain: Dorothea had not wasted her time with her researches.
Dreadful poisons, that could give a slow or quick death. Incapaciting items, new explosives, guns, ammunitions. Vaccines, prototypes of cures for lethal diseases. Enhancing drugs or medicines, ointments to preserve dead bodies, and above all, tons and tons of notes of researches.
Dorothea had studied everything related to the human being, in order to modify, heal, or harm it. It was frightening but also impressive.
(She must have spent tens of years in this work. If only she had been on our side...) Najenda regretted.
She immediately focused on her task.
(Now's not the time. I have to do my part. Even if there's only a slight hope to save Tatsumi, I have to...)
At the same moment, an unusual shaped object attracted her attention on the cot.
It was a small, dark box, the size of her palm.
She tried to open it in vain.
When she examined it carefully, Najenda noticed that there was a tiny lock.
(Weird. It's the only thing locked I found. It must be important, right?)
Najenda searched thoroughly but did not find any key in the bag Akame brought back.
(I'm an idiot. Of course, a person as intelligent as Dorothea would not put the key next to the lock... It's probable she was wearing it on her.)
"Well then, plan B."
CRACK
Najenda took the box with her mechanical fingers and with a simple pressure, opened it. She did not crush it from above in order to spare its content, but applied a pressure from the side so the tiny hinges would yield.
Inside the box were a scroll the size of a little finger and a hexagonal gem resting on a small cushion.
(... the hell is that?)
Najenda had troubles unrolling the scroll because of her disproportioned hand but managed to do it in the end.
She was barely able to read what was written because of the so small writing.
However, when she finally deciphered it.
"DAMN IT!"
Najenda exited the tent in a hurry, the hexangonal gem in her hand.
Before anyone could react, the Water Dragon Sword fell down on Nea.
"?!"
Nea felt the sword only when the latter slashed the dagger she was holding in her right hand, shattering it into pieces.
A second passed without anyone realizing what just happened in front of them.
They regained consciousness only when Tatsumi collapsed, still holding his sword.
"TATSUMI!"
"PAPA!"
Nea herself was unharmed, but the dagger Teigu was completely broken. The fragments were weakly pulsing, like a dying heart.
So was Tatsumi.
"WHY?!" Nea cried, falling on her knees at her Papa's side.
Within an instant, Tatsumi's family was beside him.
"You left me no choice" he murmured to Nea.
Tatsumi wanted to solve this situation peacefully, but he understood that Nea would never be able to let him die on her own.
He knew she would blame herself for 'killing her father' for years, which was why he chose to break the Teigu by surprise.
Tatsum'is biggest regret for now was his last lie to Nea.
Akame and Esdeath were dumbfounded.
They did not find anything to say, much to their distress.
Before they could add anything, before they could do anything apart from shredding tears.
Tatsumi's breath ceased.
"DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME!" Esdeath shouted, grabbing Tatsumi's collar.
She violently shook him, as to reanimate him, but in vain.
Her efforts seemed meaningless.
"What the–"
In the darkness of the night, a figure appeared.
It was Najenda. She looked breathless and was holding something in her non-mechanical arm.
"Esdeath! Get aside!"
Najenda's injunction almost caused Esdeath to attack her.
"YOU DARE TO–"
"Shut up for once! If you don't, Tatsumi will die for real!"
"What?!"
Najenda did not give any further explanation and calmly pushed Esdeath away from Tatsumi's lifeless body and leaned on him.
With the thumb of her mechanical hand, she opened Tatsumi's jaw and with her left one, she put a hexagonal gem in his mouth.
She then forcefully closed his jaw and, stimulating Tatsumi's palate, triggered the swallowing reflex on his dying body.
Seeing and hearing someone supposedly dead gulping was a surprising sight.
But not as surprising as seeing Tatsumi coming back to life, coughing hard and opening widened eyes.
Najenda immediately get up, letting Tatsumi catch his breath.
"What…again…?" he moaned.
"….."
An absolute silence welcomed his words.
No one dared to talk.
No one among them wanted to harbor fake hopes again.
"What did you do?..." Esdeath finally asked Najenda. "Did you give him a miracle pill?... And… is he to die again?"
Esdeath's question was right on the mark. At this point, it almost seemed like a habit for Tatsumi to die and somehow come back.
"A miracle pill… yes, you can put it that way. I was searching Dorothea's stuff Akame brought back and I found this gem along with a note."
Najenda looked relieved.
"The Philosopher's Stone. A super, unique magic item she managed to re-create from scratch. It's a mythical object that can turn any solid object into gold… or, if swallowed by a human, cure any illness and extend one's life by a hundred years."
Akame remembered.
When she cut down Dorothea, the latter begged her to give her a universal cure she was keeping in her packaging.
Surely, she was talking about this.
"It was a close call… Thanks God it worked. Had I arrived one minute later…" Najenda sighed.
"But… if she had such a handy item, why didn't she use it beforehand?" Akame asked.
"It was probably her last resort" Najenda replied. Something she wanted to preserve as much as possible. It's a chance you brought it back and I read her notes… without that, Tatsumi would surely be…"
Esdeath listened to their exchange.
"You mean… Tatsumi is safe? For real? With no price? No problem? No nothing?"
She was so doubtful and surprised her words were incoherent.
"The only risk is… he could live longer than you, in the end" Najenda smirked.
"…"
"TATSUMIIIII!"
"TATSUMI!"
"PAPA!"
"PAPAAAAA!"*
"Oooooof!"
Right after that, Akame, Esdeath, Nea and Ryuu jumped on Tatsumi and nearly killed him again as he could not breathe.
They ended up crying, laughing on the ground, happy to be together and finally reunited.
Words could not express their relief, as their path as a family seemed closed forever.
Najenda observed the family.
(Looks like even death can't separate these ones in the end), she thought with a sneer.
–Late in the morning–
Tatsumi, Esdeath, Akame, Nea and Ryuu spent the rest of the night together on a cot. Because of their daughters' presence, they did not anything indecent, but enjoyed every minute.
They eventually came out of their tent late in the morning. The camp was already full of activity but they were planning to leave and head south.
At first, they hesitated to stay and help but decided that the sooner they would leave, the better it would be.
However…
"Errmm…is it really fine this way?" Tatsumi asked.
Tatsumi was being firmly held by his four limbs.
Nea and Ryuu were literally stuck to his legs, while Akame and Esdeath locked his arms as if they were arresting him.
"Let me do a recap. You died in front of your daughters, then have been resurrected, tried to kill yourself, and finally destroyed the Teigu that maintained you alive only to die again in front of us this time only to be saved by a mythical item found by chance. Is that enough for you to understand how much we're worried to lose you again and how much we want to watch you?" Esdeath spat.
"…okay, I plead guilty… but I can't even move…" Tatsumi complained.
"This is not my problem."
Esdeath loosened up a bit.
"... you really have no idea how much you scared and hurt us, don't you?..."
Esdeath rarely showed her grief and that fact struck Tatsumi.
"When I believed you were gone… I almost went mad. But I'm sure with time, I would've. What Nea said to you earlier is true… A world without you in it wouldn't be worth anything."
Esdeath caressed Tatsumi's cheek and looked at him eyes to eyes.
"You changed me. You saved me. So please. Don't hurt me."
Tatsumi swallowed the joke he was about to say at Esdeath's words.
"… I'm sorry, Esdeath. I will try my best to stay by your side. I promi–"
"Don't promise. You broke too much of your promises…"
"Hehe. I guess you're right. Fine. Let me prove myself with acts."
"Are you taking the initiative, Tatsumi? ~"
"Stop this indecent talking in front of the girls!" Akame protested.
"Yes, yes. Don't act tough, Akame. I'm sure you're craving for it."
"…"
"At least try to deny it?!"
"Papa, papa."
"Yes, Ryuu?"
"I don't want you to ever leave us again."
"…I get it. I'm very sorry. I will not do it again."
Najenda met the family at the southern gate.
"I didn't expect you to leave that early" she began.
"Me neither" Tatsumi admitted. "But Akame and Esdeath are persuaded that I'll die one more time if we stay here…"
"It's not like you can blame them, though…"
"I know, right…"
Tatsumi then poked Esdeath.
"Come on. Say it."
Esdeath looked embarrassed but eventually looked at Najenda.
"…sorry for strangling you yesterday… And thanks for saving Tatsumi" she mumbled.
Najenda blinked, aghast. She was probably doubting her ears; for her to hear Esdeath's apologizing!
"…you welcome?..."
"Thank you, Najenda" Akame bowed.
Nea and Ryuu imitated her and bowed too.
"Thanks for saving our Papa!"
Najenda scratched her head.
"… don't… I only brought back that stone I found. It's you Akame who brought it back in the end. And to tell the truth, I felt guilty. It's because of my orders that Tatsumi got killed…"
"But I'm alive, so it's okay" Tatsumi opposed.
"Yes. I truly wonder if you're not some kind of ghoul who can regenerate no matter the situation…"
"You're overestimating me here…"
"Maybe… Anyway. If we keep talking like this, you will never leave. So, I guess this is farewell."
"Yes. I wish you good luck for the wars to come" Esdeath smiled.
"Don't speak of the devil" Najenda winced.
"I hope you'll find a husband too, Najenda" Akame kindly said.
"… can you please not talk about depressing topics?..."
"Sorry."
"You thanked me, but I didn't. Thank you for your help. Without you, everything we have built so far would've been destroyed. Again, you served the country. Which is why I took a decision."
Najenda looked at Akame and Tatsumi.
"I will reestablish Night Raid's contribution in our History. Night Raid won't be an assassination group anymore, but the pillar of the rebellion that occurred. When Tatsumi died, I realized that it was infinitely unfair for you… for everyone who fought not to be remembered. I will correct that and take responsibility."
She had a poor smile.
"I can at least assure you this: you won't be forgotten."
"As long as I'm with my family, I don't care…" Tatsumi shrugged.
"As expected of a true hero" Akame joked.
"Very well then. Goodbye, you all. Take care."
"Goodbye, Najenda."
The family left the encampment and walked south, as Esdeath's Manta was nowhere to be found.
They'd have to tame another Beast to cross the sea again but it did not bother them.
They were going home, together.
Future was ahead and grief left in the past.
Nothing else mattered.
"Say, Tatsumi."
Akame was wearing a bright smile on her face. The same she had when they married.
"Yes?"
"Long ago, one night, I wondered if something as eternal love existed. Something that would cross time, memories, even death. Something that would never, ever disappear."
"Oh? So, what do you think?" Tatsumi curiously asked.
Akame remembered everything that happened this night. Over everything, Tatsumi's will to protect his family.
His unchanged, unwavering kindness and affection.
(Tatsumi.)
"Yes. I think that something called eternal love surely exists…"
THE END
EPILOG:
Tatsumi had a hard time on his way back with Akame and Esdeath, who properly made him pay for the worry he caused them.
They also had to explain Nea and Ryuu their 'mistake' of resurrecting Tatsumi. On the other hand, under Esdeath's watch, Ryuu is slowly learning to control her ice powers.
Even so, with little troubles, the family successfully get back to their home across the sea and resumed their peaceful days, away from war and fights.
The Northerners were sent back to their territory. It is said that despite a harsh winter, a few tribes survived.
Najenda, whose popularity among men reached its peak as she was recognized as the hero of that war, ignored the many wedding proposals. She is trying to find an alternative to the Teigus, which only decreased in number thanks to Tatsumi and co.
True to her word, she modified the history records so Night Raid's efforts thorough the Revolution War would be recognized.
In the preface of the book called "The Fall of the Great Empire" that relates the war between the Empire and the Revolutionary Army, two sentences have been added:
"There was a boy who wanted to save his village and took up arms against the injustice...
We must never forget any of those who fought for the new era."
Author's Note
Thanks to all of you who followed the story, even if you didn't like it. Though I really hope you liked it as much as I loved to write it.
This last chapter was truly emotionnal to me. I had real difficulties to write it; at a certain point, I deleted the whole chapter to rewrite it from scratch.
To be honest, I don't know what to write here excepted "thank you for your fidelity/support/feedback".
So, I'll talk here about my next projects.
It is now confirmed that I'll be extremely busy the next months. I won't have time to start a big project or something like this, but I'll find time to look for ideas.
My next fanfiction will either be a Date A Live one or a Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut one. I still want to write another Akame ga Kill! one, but it'll wait a bit.
It's only my feeling right now, so it can change, don't take it for granted haha.
Well then. If you didn't read/watch the two works I mentioned above, I can only cheer you up to do so. And I'll gladly see you again, in my next story.
Again. Thanks for your support. I think you know it, but seeing one fav', one follow, one review really encourages me and motivates me.
Take care and until next time!