Welcome back again :)
First of all - To my American readers:
I want to sincerely apologize. I originally planned to release my chapter on the 4th of July as a small present for Independence Day.
Since something urgent came up, I was rendered unable to do so; thank god that I´m not that far off the date ;)
Nonetheless, I hope you had a nice Independence Day alltogether. (Your country saved mine in more than one way after all ;))
Now to the comment segment as always:
1) orca3553: Nice thesis about the Taigu. I´ll simply say that his Taigu will be influenced in a special way. Therefore, it won´t exactly fit to those types :)
2) ChaosOmega8: I´m glad you like it and appreciate the thanks. I´ll definitely end this story one day in the far away future (right now I assume over 50 possible chapters) ;)
3) Man of Steel: I try to update at least once a month.
4) Callac: You´ll have to deal with that slow pace of mine for only one more month. I won´t have to go to University from August ´til October. I´ll try to increase my pace during those 2 months ;)
5) Roman: ´Naturally, I´ll put in some fluff. To your second question: The Taigu won´t be nearly as powerful as Esdeath´s. Furthermore, I plan to make it the weakest in my universe (at least everybody thinks that). That doesn´t mean don´t have some special ideas in mind ;). If you read Chapter 5 carefully, you could spot some of the seeds I sow concerning my plans :)
6) Chosen-One-92: Thanks for the review; I took a lot out of it. If I´m able to take the time, I´ll update the chapters one after another and work o the minor problems. Hopefully, I´ll get to that next month.
7) crow woyzeck: Thanks for the OC; we´ll see it soon ;)
That concludes that.
Lastly, I´d like to tell you that I updated my profile. If you want to know more about me, feel free to check it out.
Since I´m German I have no problem understanding the exact means of some German expressions used in Japanese anime; feel free to ask if you don´t know what something means. I´d be glad to be of help.
Additionally to that I´ll take my time and give advice if someone doesn´t know what anime he should watch next ;)
Since it´s a big hobby of mine, I watched quite a decent amount of shows. Feel free to contact me via PM.
Now let´s enjoy the chapter ;)
DISCLAIMER:
I DON´T OWN ANY RIGHTS TO THE "AKAME GA KILL"-FRANCHISE. THE MANGA WAS WRITTEN BY TAKAHIRO AND ILLUSTRATED BY TETSUYA TASHIRO.
THIS FANFIC HAS NOT BEEN WRITTEN FOR PROFIT!
IT MAY CONTAINS SPOILER!
IT´LL INCLUDE BRUTAL CONSIDERED SCENES!
Chapter 4: Kill the Warrior
Tatsumi could feel a slightly soft sensation on his cheek that gave him goosebumps. He´d never felt a sensation like this before. Awakening from his sleep, he slowly opened his eyes only to stare at a slightly bent over Esdeath, standing at the side of the cot, looking at him with a strong blush on her cheeks.
``Good morning, Tat~su~mi.´´
Her voice had taken a sweet and gentle tone.
``I thought about waking you up earlier, but you looked just too cute in your sleep.´´
Now it was Tatsumi´s turn to blush.
``But since the soldiers already started to head North on my orders, it´s time to get up now. I assume you liked your good morning kiss?´´
While Esdeath´s blush just increased slightly, Tatsumi´s face turned a deep shade of red. Never before had a woman, not to mention one as beautiful as her, kissed him; not even on his cheeks.
That reaction of her beloved made Esdeath giggle. She stood up.
``Even if I´d prefer to cuddle a bit more with you darling, it´s time to stand up now. We have quite a few tasks to fulfill today.´´
``So it wasn´t a joke. You really meant that you´d taken a liking to me?´´
Tatsumi couldn´t hide his nervousness as he sat up on the cot. It was a miracle he could speak without stuttering.
He got his answer as Esdeath bent down again and kissed the surprised boy right on his lips.
It was a gentle, yet affectionate kiss that made the youth´s face change to the deepest shades of red imaginable again. It only lasted for a few seconds before she pulled back again, smiling at the still highly embarrassed boy.
``Convinced now?´´
Esdeath looked right into his eyes, causing him to avert his gaze at her in embarrassment. She couldn´t help but chuckle at his reaction.
``Seems so. Get ready now, we have to go.´´
``B-But w-why?´´
Tatsumi had to know the answer. What had he done that had attracted her towards him?
``Even if I´d like to answer all of your questions, I can´t do so right now,´´ Esdeath answered while walking towards her desk, where her cap laid.
``That will have to wait until our business is finished,´´ she said while putting it on top of her head.
``I promise to answer your questions this evening. I have to speak with my officers now, get outside when you´re ready; I´ll send someone to pick you up.´´
With those words she finally left, leaving an unsatisfied Tatsumi behind.
Five minutes later
Tatsumi hadn´t needed to do much. He´d just adjusted the uniform he´d slept in and took his sword afterwards. After he´d strapped it across his back, he´d went outside.
To his surprise, Luke had been standing outside the tent, waiting for him with two readied horses. One a big and muscular black stallion, while the other a slender white one. Since it seemed to be much lighter than the black one, Tatsumi assumed that the white stallion was faster than his counterpart. It seemed less aggressive too since the black stallion tried to pull its head out of its reins more than once, while the white one stood there completely calm. The black stallion only stopped resisting after Luke stared right into its eyes with a hard glance, making the stallion lower its head in submission.
``I thought the officers had a meeting with Esdeath?´´
Tatsumi turned his gaze to Luke, noticing the man´s mischievous grin.
``So we aren´t addressing the general formally anymore?´´
Luke´s grin widened.
``You know that requires punishment, don´t you?´´
``I´m only following orders.´´
Tatsumi shrugged.
``Besides: Being with an overly possessive general that sends her vice-commander to observe your every move should be punishment enough!´´
He couldn´t help but sigh.
``Take my statement back; I have to admit you´re right.´´
Luke chuckled.
``So get on now lover-boy; we´re leaving. We´ll meet up with the general near Winterberg.´´
At those words Luke mounted his black stallion, while Tatsumi took the white one, starting to pass by the soldiers moving towards their battleground.
About an hour later
They had ridden in a slow but steady pace, slowly moving towards the head of the army.
Both had figured that it´d be best to get to know each other since they´d probably have to deal with each other more often from now on. Therefore, Tatsumi had told Luke a bit about his past in his village, as well as the circumstances leading him to end up in this situation.
Luke had to admit that the boy was quite impressive. Being able to deal with that much was quite a sign of mental and physical strength. He could understand what the general saw in this boy now. Even after all that, there was quite a lot of potential for the youth to improve.
In turn for telling about his own life, Tatsumi had the vice-commander speak about his past.
He found out that Luke had originally been a leader of a small Southern tribe allied with the Ban-tribe.
``The Ban-tribe? Wasn´t that tribe obliterated by the Empire?!´´
Tatsumi couldn´t hide being surprised.
``It was obliterated by General Esdeath, to be precise.´´
Luke saw Tatsumi´s eyes widen in disbelief, while latter´s jaw dropped to the ground. The youth couldn´t believe how someone could voluntarily follow the person who had obliterated his people.
A sad expression formed on the vice-commander´s face while he continued to speak, recalling memories of his long gone past.
``I led a small tribe consisting of merely twenty families besides my own. I lived with my father and my sixteen year-old son; my wife had died while giving birth. I was thirty-five at the time.´´
Thinking of those good times, Luke´s expression lifted for a few seconds before the sad one returned.
``It happened about five years ago. We were a tribe of hunters; every male and even some of the women went to hunt. It was right after the Ban-tribe had invaded a part of the Empire when we were out on hunt altogether, leaving only the children, the elders and some of the women in our small camp. My son was our youngest hunter, my father, being sixty-five, the oldest. When we came back from our hunt, we found all the people dead; slaughtered by the Empire as retribution for the Ban-tribe´s assault. Seeking revenge, we allied with that tribe. But that was a mistake.´´
His gaze hardened. A growl escaped from his throat.
``We fought together with a small group of Ban-warriors, consisting of merely one-hundred of them and forty of us. We were often victorious against the small groups of soldiers assigned to deal with us. One day, we waited to assault the next group that would pass our path, but when they came, they had the triple the number of soldiers as before. They looted the woods and deprived us of our advantage. My people were surrounded, but instead of helping us, the Ban-chief ordered retreat, leading to my family´s slaughter and the death of the other hunters. I was the only survivor.´´
Remembering those events, the anger grew inside of Luke. His fists tightened around the reins.
``I escaped and found the small camp of the Ban-warriors. They were happy to be with their beloved ones again, but I had nothing left. I lost myself in anger and entered their camp, killing everyone in sight. Some were gutted, some impaled, some decapitated. They couldn´t stop me. I didn´t only kill their warriors, but their elders, women and children as well.´´
His expression changed again to one of pity and regret.
``I only realized what I´d done after I´d finished. I despised myself for it, even more because I knew the members of my tribe wouldn´t have wanted me to do it. Shortly after the Empire´s army, led by the newly appointed, seventeen year-old general, crossed the camp. I knew death was certain; I even longed for it. So I threw away my sword and waited for them.´´
He stopped talking, remembering the day as if it was yesterday.
``W-what happened afterwards?´´
Tatsumi didn´t intend to open up old wounds, but he had to hear what happened.
``The general herself went up to me. She bent down and asked whether or not that cruel work was mine and I nodded in response. She shot me a warm smile and offered me to join her since I had proven to be strong. I declined, saying I had nothing worth living for. She smiled at me again and said that she would be the one thing I should live for; the one person I should see as my new family. She gave me the chance to choose between death and fighting for her. She told me that she was the last of her clan too, and that I should live so it wouldn´t be obliterated. With that, she had convinced me and I joined her. Following her orders and being utterly loyal, I climbed in the ranks of her army; and here I am.´´
Luke smiled at Tatsumi. But all the grief and rage in his expression were gone and replaced by pride and gratitude.
Tatsumi didn´t know what to answer. He didn´t even know what to think about it all. He just knew that in comparison to Luke´s past life, his own seemed to be an easy one.
But before he could think of anything to say, they had reached their destination: Winterberg.
Assembly point
She´d have preferred to accompany Tatsumi to the enemy´s capital herself, but during the meeting, one of her officers had told her that they were unable to find a weakness in the enemy´s defence. Thus, she was forced to head out instantly, leaving her vice-commander behind to get Tatsumi.
She´d deal with the scouts´ punishment herself. Their failure had reduced her daily Tatsumi-time after all.
Since she had ridden as quickly as possible without harming her horse, she had already been near Winterberg for an hour, when Tatsumi and Luke arrived. Spotting her beloved one with the corner of her eye, her mood brightened instantly. She turned around on her heels and leapt towards Tatsumi who had just dismounted his horse. Before he could react in any way, she pulled him into a close embrace, ignoring the surprised faces of her soldiers and Luke´s mischievous grin as well as Tatsumi´s reddening face.
``I´m glad you´ve arrived.´´
Esdeath didn´t hold back the joy in her voice. Its soft sound seemed to embarrass Tatsumi even more, since his face reddened much more than before. But she didn´t care about that, since she couldn´t even understand why her lover would be embarrassed by such a trivial thing as an embrace in the first place.
Even if that was a form of weakness in her eyes, she´d let it slip, especially since she loved this cute reaction of his.
``I´d have liked to ride to the front with you in person. But it was necessary that I headed out as quickly as possible since I had to do the work my scouts should have done. But don´t worry about that; they´ll be punished for their failure and for the fact that they caused us to be separated longer than necessary.´´
Her voice hardened a bit on that last part, but her smile stayed the same.
Tatsumi´s eyes widened. Did she just say, she´d punish her scouts for hindering her ability to spend time with him? He took a deep breath and calmed down again. He must have misheard things. Nobody would punish subordinates for something like that.
Even though she would have liked to stay in the embrace a bit longer, Esdeath finally let go of Tatsumi. She noticed that her soldiers had gathered. She ´d have liked to see more of Tatsumi´s strength, but he couldn´t possibly be completely fine by now. He should rest, even if it was contrary to her beliefs. But Tatsumi was far more important to her than that. Since she didn´t want her beloved to fight, it was time to start the show for Tatsumi. She wanted to make him realize the strength of her army since she wanted to impress him. He should recognize what she had accomplished during her five years as general. She had formed a nearly perfect and unbeatable army after all.
``Are you ready?!´´
While shouting at them, she made a step towards her soldiers, standing in line.
``YES!´´
Her soldiers responded in a deafening noise.
``Alright, show them true strength! Spill sweat and blood! Fight for our Emperor and the glory of our Empire! Crush them!´´
Esdeath rose both arms into the air, her face turning towards the sky.
``Feel free to take whatever you´d like from those weaklings!´´
Her head turned back towards her army as she took her arms down again and swung her right one in the direction of Winterberg.
``ATTACK!´´
With a loud battle-cry, the first lines of soldiers, about a thousand in number, started running towards the enemy´s capital, ready to crush every last of them. The rest of the army stayed back, as well as Tatsumi, Esdeath and Luke, who was still holding the reins of the two stallions. From there they would watch her soldiers crush the Northerners rebellion. At least that was what Esdeath thought.
Tatsumi
He watched in awe as the first line of soldiers passed by and stormed towards the enemy´s capital.
Winterberg was in fact a large fortress protected by meter-thick walls of ice. The whole city wasn´t bigger than the area of the Imperial palace back in the Capital, but its defense seemed to be much tighter. The walls were at least one-hundred meters high and completely made of ice. On top of the walls stood soldiers behind battlements, ready to defend their capital against the Empire´s army.
The only gate leading into the fortress was closed up from the outside with tons of snow, already frozen solid due to the temperature of at least twenty degree less zero (Author´s note: I used Celsius as unit of measurement; in Fahrenheit it´s four degree less zero). The enemy seemed to have prepared for their arrival during the last few days. Right now, it seemed to have lasted for eternity.
`How in the world could someone possibly break through that defense?´
Tatsumi couldn´t believe that Esdeath had sent her soldiers towards that monstrosity of a fortress. He was sure they´d die before they could even crack the ice.
His thoughts were suddenly disrupted when the earth started to shake. Tatsumi could have sworn that he heard the sound of thunder every time the earth quaked.
As the `thunder´ from behind him became louder and the quake stronger, he slowly turned his head.
What he saw made his jaw drop to the ground. A giant of a man ran past him, ignoring the youth completely. His steps echoed like thunder and made the earth tremble under his feet, as he headed right towards the ice-wall meant for protection.
``His name is Kaiju.´´
Tatsumi turned his head towards Luke who seemed to have followed his gaze before.
``Nobody knows how he grew that big. He´s about 7.5 meters tall and has the muscles and strength to decapitate a horse with his bare hands. He´s a force of nature.´´
Tatsumi´s head turned back towards the giant, still watching him in awe as he passed the lines of soldiers heading to the front, running straight towards the wall.
His enhanced armor caused the bullets shot by the defending soldiers to bounce as if they were nothing more than pebbles thrown at him. Arrows hitting him burst as they made contact without doing him harm. He stormed straight towards a point in the wall without slowing down or changing direction once, causing the defenders to gather above the estimated point of the wall he´d hit, determined to stop him at any cost.
The moment they had gathered however was the moment Kaiju stopped. Standing still about a hundred meters in front of the wall he turned his gigantic head and looked back at Esdeath over his shoulder.
Following the man´s gaze, Tatsumi noticed Esdeath looking at him with a wide grin.
``Watch!´´
Her voice was soft and commanding at the same time. She stretched her arms towards the point the enemy soldiers had gathered on the wall.
``Hagelsprung (Authors Note: Hail Pounce)!´´
Tatsumi´s eyes widened again as a giant ball, at least ten meters in diameter and made completely of ice, formed out of nowhere and crashed into the wall, shattering it to pieces and killing the defending soldiers.
He could see Esdeath´s grin become even bigger as his jaw hit the ground again.
Taking the destruction of the wall as a sign to commence their attack, the next lines started to move towards Winterberg, following the first ones already entering the city.
Tatsumi noticed the giant staying behind, ready to protect the following lines from possible long-range attacks against them.
Thanks to the hole in the wall, Tatsumi was now able to watch the fighting. But what caught his attention weren´t the Empire´s soldiers but a single man cutting through them with his spear, while running towards the hole in the wall.
`That has to be Numa Seika, the `Hero of the North´, who is said to never have lost a duel before.´
With that in mind, Tatsumi watched the man´s swift movements with awe.
Seika wore silver metal boots that reached his knees, with durable black trousers tucked into them. His hips were covered by metal plates, bound by a purple belt that also had the function to hold a white piece of cloth in form that served as a skirt with an opening on its front side, granting better movement. Hidden under his quite big metal chest-plate with added shoulder-protectors standing out to the side, was a black top with long sleeves. Silver metal-gauntlets and a white cape with purple lining completed his armor.
His weapon, a Shingu, was a long spear with a black shaft. The spearhead extended about twenty centimeters from the shaft and had a razor-sharp side, reminding Tatsumi of the edge of a helberd. It was visibly longer than the spearhead. It went along the shaft on one side for about ten more centimeters before it ended.
His long black hair covered the silver crown he was wearing on all sides except the front.
The Northerners´ cross marked the crown as well as the belt, his armor and the spear.
Tatsumi´s gaze slowly went along the direction Numa Seika went until he spotted something that sent a shiver down his spine and made his blood freeze in his veins.
Right between the Northerners´ prince and the wall his two friends were fighting. He instantly knew they wouldn´t stand a chance against this exceptional warrior. He´d just kill them like all the previous Imperials.
In a split-second, Tatsumi made his decision. He looked at Esdeath to make sure she wasn´t looking at him, but even so, he knew he had to distract her for at least a few seconds. There was only one option left; a trick his old mentor had taught him a few years ago in his village. He closed the distance behind her and tapped her on the shoulder, saying her name.
As the slightly surprised general turned her head around, he threw his arms around her neck and kissed her passionately on her lips.
She didn´t know what had caused the boy´s sudden change in behaviour, but it didn´t matter. Esdeath lowered her guard and gladly returned his affection.
But that was what Tatsumi had hoped for. He moved his right hand to a spot on the upper end of her neck and pressed it with his thumb, causing the general´s body to go limp, not only surprising her, but Luke and the other soldiers as well.
Tatsumi turned on his heel and sprinted towards Luke at full speed, reaching out with his right arm.
But Luke seemed to have figured out the youth´s intentions. The vice-commander strengthened the grip on the reins of the white stallion and shifted his weight slightly to avoid losing them.
The soldier, however, was surprised when Tatsumi suddenly pulled back his right arm and instead grabbed the reins of Luke´s black stallion with his left.
Because of his effort to secure the white stallion from Tatsumi, he didn´t stand a chance when the boy pulled the reins out of his right hand, mounting the stallion in one quick motion and heading towards the city, leaving the still surprised soldiers and a worried Esdeath, still unable to move, behind.
Esdeath
`How? How could I let that happen?! Dammit!´
For the first time in many years Esdeath was genuinely worried; worried about what to do. She had been too careless.
When Tatsumi came close to her half a minute ago and tapped her on the shoulder, she had been sure that he´d commend her for her strength as well as her army´s. But instead, he had kissed her until she´d lowered her guard.
When she did, he used the chance and pressed a spot on her neck that would have caused her to pass out if she weren´t that strong. Nontheless, her body felt limp. Even though her legs felt numb, she pushed herself up from the ground, starting to move towards her vice-commander with quivering legs.
`How could I let myself be distracted by such a thing?!´
The anger at her carelessness returned. It was partly her fault that Tatsumi might get himself in danger right now.
She only realized what was going on as soon as he got onto Luke´s stallion and leapt towards the city. It took her only a few seconds to see that he must have noticed Numa Seika drawing near his two friends from before. She didn´t care about those men at all; she didn´t even remember their names anymore. But he cared for them deeply and she knew that. She growled. Whoever placed them on the front lines would be better off killing himself if she found him.
But right now there wasn´t much time to think about such things. She had to figure out how to stop Tatsumi before he engaged the undefeated Northerner. She was sure of Tatsumi´s potential, but Seika was in another league … at least for now.
She had thought about using her powers to stop the horse, but if something went wrong and the stallion reacted in an unforeseen way, Tatsumi could be gravely injured. There was only one option left.
``You´ll take command from here on!´´
Her voice was full off authority as she spoke to Luke, while she stumbled towards her subordinate. The feeling in her body was already returning by now due to her strength.
``Yes, Ma´am!´´
He replied while she mounted the white stallion, taking the reins out of his hand. She drove the heels in the horse´s side and spurned it to accelerate as fast as possible towards the city. Hopefully, she´d get to Tatsumi in time.
Tatsumi
`Faster! I have to be faster if I want to save them.´
He didn´t have to many thoughts. He just kept his gaze on Shin and Steve as well as the Norterners´ hero who drew closer and closer to them. And Tatsumi himself was only halfway to them.
Tatsumi didn´t care about the glares he got from the soldiers he passed. He didn´t even hear the insults of those he nearly crushed under his horse.
The only things that existed for him right now were his friends and the acute danger they were in.
Numa Seika
`Those damn Imperial bastards!´
Numa fought his way through countless numbers of enemy soldiers that had gotten into the fortress.
`I was only away for about ten minutes to go through every last possible scenario with my officers and they managed to crush our defenses in one move?´
He had expected the Empire´s strongest army led by the `Ice-Queen´ to be a tough foe, but this was far beyond his expectations.
`It doesn´t matter. If we want to be free, we´ll have to crush them. It´s our only chance.´
He had started his way towards the hole in the wall right after a giant ball of ice crushed it out of nowhere. But until now, no opponent had been able to stop him on his way. He had tried to avoid fighting for now, but those arrogant Imperials underestimated him and had simply tried to kill him while he´d passed by. They should have known that they´d stood no chance, but he didn´t care. If they were that eager to throw away their lives, he´d gladly assist them.
Finally, only two more enemy soldiers blocked his way to the wall. He couldn´t help but pity them for a bit. One look was enough to tell they were no regular soldiers but recruited out of the populace of the Empire. One was actually too old, the other seemed too inexperienced for a trained soldier.
``I´m sorry, but you are in my way. At least I´ll grant you a quick death!´´
He leapt forward, throwing his spear from his left hand to his right, ducking under the slash of the younger man who had aimed for his head with his sword.
In a quick motion he spun around, aiming his spear at the younger one´s legs, creating a deep cut in the soldier´s right thigh, causing him to fall forward. By lowering the spearhead, the shaft of his spear had gotten high enough to hit the older soldier in his temple during the swift motion before, knocking him out cold.
`I´m sorry for that, but I won´t let your deaths be painful.´
Numa walked towards the younger man since he obviously had to endure more pain. He´d end it in a matter of seconds.
He rose his spear, ready to stab it through the man´s heart from behind in order to end his life without much more unnecessary pain.
Numa was just about to finish it, when he sensed the massive killing intent behind him, causing him to jump over the man on the ground. His sixth sense had just saved him from being impaled by the sword of another young soldier who seemed to have arrived on a black stallion moments ago. With a short glance towards the youth´s face he could see all of the anger and determination in it. He instantly knew that this foe would be formidable.
Esdeath
Even if her face didn´t show it in the slightest, she was utterly horrified. She hadn´t managed to get Tatsumi before he could enter the fortress and now he had engaged Numa Seika himself in an attempt to save his friends.
`Fuck!´
Esdeath hadn´t been that upset in a long time.
`How much trouble can one boy create? First he was nearly killed by my officer and now he´s fighting a seasoned warrior outclassing him by far and I´m unable to do anything right now!´
Normally, Esdeath would simply go all out on the warriors of the Northern tribe, but right now that would mean increasing the danger for her beloved and most likely his death. She frowned at the thought.
What made the situation much worse were the Northerners encircling Tatsumi. The first wave of her soldiers had been crushed with the intervention of Numa Seika and right now there were no Imperial soldiers left inside the fortress except Tatsumi and his two friends; one unconscious and the other unable to fight due to a deep cut in his thigh.
Esdeath had made her decision in the fraction of a second. Right now it was most important to clear Tatsumi´s back and kill the soldiers surrounding him.
If she intervened in the duel herself, Tatsumi would be in danger while she engaged Numa Seika. Therefore, she had to hope that he´d hold out until the soldiers were taken care of and she could finally fight the Northerners´ hero without worry.
``You!´´
She turned her head towards a lieutenant leading his men towards the hole in the ice-wall. Upon seeing her cold expression and sensing her leaking killing intent, the man gulped. He couldn´t help but feel terrified.
``Take your men and follow me! We´ll clear the encirclement of enemies around our last soldiers in the fortress! Nobody except myself will engage Numa Seika!´´
The lieutenant nodded, signaling his men to follow their general. With that, Esdeath and her soldiers ran towards the fortress and engaged the Northerners.
Inside Winterberg
The battle inside had died down. All of the invading soldiers were dead except for three. But since only one of them was able to fight, the Northerners thought of it as an easy task. Even more because the young Imperial had to face their unbeaten prince.
A big circle had formed around the three Imperials and Numa Seika. The soldiers waited for him to end the fight and give them their orders. Numa Seika however didn´t intend to fight a duel … at least not this time.
`Screw it!´
The Northerners´ hero frowned.
`I don´t like the idea of playing dirty, but I´ve no time left to spare. We have to secure the fortress before more of those damn Imperial bastards come. I´m sorry boy; please forgive me.´
He turned his head towards the soldiers encircling them and motioned them to kill the three remaining enemies. His men understood and started to close the circle as fast as they could with weapons drawn. Seika gave the youth a compassionate smile. At least the three of them would die fast.
The Northerners were just about to overwhelm Tatsumi and his friends from behind as suddenly Esdeath and her men broke through the circle of enemies and engaged them, causing the Northerners to ignore Tatsumi and the two wounded in order to fight the newly arrived opponent.
Numa Seika growled. On the one hand, he was glad that he could keep up his honor and fight the boy in a duel one on one, but on the other hand he was sure it would cost him lots of time. And right at that moment, a much more troublesome foe than that boy had shown up on the battlefield.
The Empire´s strongest general had made her way to the front-lines and Numa Seika knew that nobody except him would be able to deal with her.
There was only one option left for him. He had to get rid of the young soldier in front of him as quickly as possible and take her on afterwards. Hopefully, not too many of his men would have to die before that would happen.
With that in mind, Seika readied his spear. He took the shaft in his right hand and held it parallel to the ground and bent his knees slightly. Focusing on his opponent he leapt forward, ready to pierce his spear through the boy´s body.
Tatsumi
Only a glance at Numa Seika was enough for him to tell that he stood only a slim chance against the seasoned warrior. He was thankful he could focus on this duel since Esdeath had intervened with the enemy´s army. At least he wouldn´t have to look out for his friends nor for his own back now.
Tatsumi gripped his sword with both of his hands, lowering its tip to the ground while anticipating his enemy´s first move. His mind became ignorant to everything around him; his eyes turned dull. He was ready to give his all in the upcoming fight. If there was only a slight chance to stop his opponent here, he´d definitely use it to help not only his friends but the Imperial army as well. He was a soldier after all.
When Numa Seika leapt forward, his spear in his right hand, Tatsumi was barely able to follow his opponent´s movement with his eyes. He brought his sword up just in time to avoid being impaled by his enemy´s spear. But even so, the force behind Numa Seika´s attack was big enough to push the surprised Tatsumi back half a meter, as his foe´s weapon connected with the flat side of his sword.
Tatsumi had to wait until Seika pulled back his spear to try a slash on his enemy´s throat, but the Northerner had no problem avoiding it, countering Tatsumi´s movement with a thrust of his own.
But again Tatsumi was able to dodge the sharp edge of the spear at the last second.
Numa Seika had a huge advantage concerning the range of his weapon, making it nearly impossible for Tatsumi to deliver a strike to his foe. There was no other option however to try it; even if it proved futile.
Tatsumi knew he stood only a chance if his opponent made a mistake and created an opening, but the seasoned warrior was just too experienced to let that happen.
His spear-handling was masterful; Tatsumi had to admit that. From time to time, Numa Seika would twirl his spear with both hands too quickly for Tatsumi to follow. Then, he would suddenly stop and attack, changing the side as well as the angle of his spear every time.
Luckily, Tatsumi was able to avoid critical blows until now; but he couldn´t avoid several cuts limiting his movement.
Tatsumi was pushed to defense and he knew the fight would only be a loss if that continued.
It already lasted for about fifteen minutes and since he hadn´t recovered entirely from the aftermath of his last fight, he felt the impact of his efforts in form of exhaustion.
His foe on the other hand looked like he hadn´t worked up a sweat at all. Furthermore, Tatsumi couldn´t determine any signs of exhaustion. Tatsumi wasn´t even able to hit him once. No scratch could be found on Seika´s armor. He was sure the Northerner would be able to go on like that for another ten minutes before it´d start to affect him slightly.
But Tatsumi himself couldn´t possibly last that long. He knew the fight would be decided within the next five minutes if nobody came to his aid.
He looked around. Shin was still unconscious and unable to help him. When his gaze shifted to his other friend, Steve looked right back, his eyes apologizing for his inability to help. He´d wanted to stand up and help Tatsumi for the last fifteen minutes, but it seemed that Numa Seika had cut the muscles in his thigh, since he was unable to stand up no matter how hard he tried.
Hopefully, some of the Imperial soldiers could help him, but they and Esdeath were still fighting off the enemy soldiers and their incoming reinforcements surrounding him and his opponent. Frankly, it didn´t look good at all for him.
No matter how he looked at it, he had to deal with Numa Seika by himself.
Tatsumi remembered the oath he had made to protect his friends and comrades. He thought back to the promise he made the elder and the villagers before parting. He still wasn´t able to earn the money they needed. But looking at his friends, he had already made his decision.
`I´m sorry elder. I know I promised to help our village, but right now I want to save my friends. If you were in my position right now, you´d get to the same conclusion, wouldn´t you? I hope that all of you can forgive me alongside Sayo and Ieyasu for failing so badly.´
Tatsumi knew what he had to do. He´d take out his opponent no matter the cost. A smile plastered his face as he thought about all his beloved ones and with that he repositioned his sword in his right hand, leaving him completely open on his left side.
He was ready for what was about to come.
Esdeath
It couldn´t be true. Where did all these enemies come from? Their reinforcements came wave after wave, leaving her no chance to go and help Tatsumi.
Her glance wandered towards him. She instantly realized the situation ... and she didn´t like it. He was clearly disadvantaged.
The feeling of anger crept through her mind as she imagined losing her beloved after she had just found him. She spun around, kicking an enemy in front of her in his temple with her heel, crushing his skull to pieces due to her force. His companion watching the scene was left motionless by the brutal display. When she turned her head towards him, he threw his weapon away, begging for mercy, but she simply pierced his head with her rapier, which exited the corpse´s head through its backside.
She´d have to deal with these pests much faster if she wanted to save Tatsumi, so she didn´t care about letting them suffer. Not this time.
Suddenly, a scream of agony was heard from the direction the duel was taking place in. Everyone ceased fighting and looked into the same direction, no matter the situation they were in.
Esdeath did too. Her face petrified in an expression of anger, horror and sadness as she saw the scene in front of her eyes. She wanted to act but her legs wouldn´t move. For the first time in her life since she went to the Capital, she displayed such an amount of weakness.
Tatsumi
He had been prepared for the pain since he had lowered his guard. Nonetheless, he couldn´t help but scream in pain.
Tatsumi had been waiting until the last moment and slashed at the incoming spear. He had managed to part the spear´s head from the shaft but was unable to avoid being impaled through his left side by the latter.
He barely noticed anymore that all the fighting ceased around him to watch the duels outcome.
He still held his sword in his right hand but Numa Seika smiled at him with a compassionate smile, not seeing Tatsumi as a threat anymore.
``I´m sorry for the pain boy, but this fight is over now.´´
Numa Seika felt a mix of despair and delight.
His beloved spear was broken. He wouldn´t be able to fix it. How should he fight the `Ice-Queen´ now?
But at least one obstacle was out of his way now.
``You´re … right … about … that.´´
Tatsumi couldn´t avoid coughing up his own blood. But right now, he couldn´t afford to let this opening go to waste since he had made it by betting on his luck.
With all of his remaining strength he grabbed the shaft of his opponent´s spear with his left hand, surprising the warrior visibly. Tatsumi turned his body to the side, causing Numa Seika to stumble forward. The surprised prince couldn´t react in time since he hadn´t expect such a move.
Using his only chance as well as the fact that Numa Seika couldn´t defend himself with his weapon anymore, Tatsumi tightened the grip on his sword and rammed it through his foe´s guts in an angle pointing upwards. The sword went in through the prince´s abdomen, piercing his heart, and went out through his back, near his shoulder.
Numa Seika
The prince let go of his spear´s shaft, starting to cough blood himself. He stumbled back a few steps, grabbing the hilt of the sword that had pierced him. His eyes widened in shock. Tatsumi could see the signs of realization and disbelief.
But as quickly as that expression had come, it was gone again; replaced by a look that seemed like a mix of respect and sadness in Tatsumi´s eyes.
``For the … first time … in my life … I lost. It´s o-over … now. W-what´s your … n-name warrior? T-tell … m-me so that … I can … r-rem-member it in … the a-afterlife.´´
The prince stared right into Tatsumi´s eyes, his own vision slowly fading.
``My … n-name … is … Tat..sumi.´´
The young soldier answered with a weak voice.
``Tat...su...mi.´´
The prince swore he wouldn´t forget that name as everything he could see became black except for a bright light in front of him. He was drawn to that light like a moth to a flame and he willingly followed its call.
He thought about all those who had followed him until now and couldn´t help but feel sorry for them since everything they dreamt of ended now; but he had lost fair and square.
Like that, his heart stopped and his body fell on its right side, devoid of any life.
Esdeath
She could feel the disbelief of all the gathered soldiers around her as well as the despair creeping though the numbers of enemy-soldiers. But seeing Tatsumi´s condition, she couldn´t enjoy the loss of hope like she usually did.
As her soldiers regained their calm and - pushed on by the death of their biggest foe - started slaughtering the remaining enemies in their state of despair, her feet still were glued to the same spot as before. She wanted to run to Tatsumi and treat his wounds, but her body just wouldn´t react to her command the way she´d have liked it to do.
It took her another ten seconds until her legs started to move in Tatsumi´s direction in a pace too slow for her likeness.
Tatsumi
He felt the whole impact of the fight. His body hurt and the bleeding wouldn´t stop. He couldn´t avoid coughing up blood more often. He knew he was on the edge of death, but he had to ensure one last thing.
He looked towards Steve who stared back at him with wide eyes, expressing the latter´s feeling of horror.
With his remaining strength Tatsumi started to stumble towards his friend, grabbing the spear´s shaft with both of his hands and breaking it in order to move better.
Steve
``Tatsumi, stop it!´´
Steve looked at the boy with tears in the corner of his eyes. Why didn´t the boy just leave him be? Why was he pushing himself that far?
But the boy didn´t react. Tatsumi stumbled all the way to Steve until he stood right next to him, falling onto his knees.
``Tatsumi, please, just rest already!´´
Steve pleaded again, his voice full of sorrow. But again the boy didn´t react.
Instead Tatsumi ripped apart a piece of fabric his uniform was made off and wrapped it around Steve´s thigh, the latter realizing what the former was trying to accomplish.
``Why?´´
``I had … to s-stop … y-your bleeding.´´
Tatsumi looked right back at Steve, mustering the last of his strength to give his friend an assuring smile.
``I-I´m f-fine.´´
Tatsumi was barely able to finish his sentence as he fell to his side and ceased all movement. His last thought before everything went black was directed towards the oath he had managed to fulfill. None of his friends had died.
Esdeath
She only reached her beloved as he finally passed out due to his intense loss of blood. His pale and motionless body made her gasp in shock. She felt a cold sweat on her neck as she noticed that Tatsumi was barely breathing. The Northerner´s spear´s shaft was still impaled through the boy´s body and blood was still pouring out of his wound.
If she wanted to save him, she had to act quickly. Esdeath bent down and took the limp body of her beloved in her arms. She turned on her heels and leapt towards the carriage that was used to transport the medical equipment to the front as quickly as possible without risking any more damage to his body, since Tatsumi most likely wouldn´t survive that.
Saving his live was a race against time and the prospects of success were small.
That concludes my longest chapter so far.
Thanks again for reading the story and posting your reviews, opinions and questions. I took my time and reacted to all of them as always.
Like always a special `Thank You´ to my friends and Betas.
Concerning Chapter 5:
I already started to write it and finished the most difficult part.
But since I´ll have to pass my exams (starting in two weeks), I won´t finish it in time :/
I´ll to update it until 15th of August.
I know that´s quite a long period of time, so I decided to make a special offer just this once:
Anyone who can´t wait until then can write me a PM. I´ll answer those right after my exams (24th of July).
I´ll tell those who are interested what I planned concerning Tatsumi´s situation as well as the rest of the next chapter.
Feel free to ask questions and tell me your opinions. Feel free to review.
Feel free to send in your (OC-)requests.
Enjoy the site and spread the feelings :)
I´m out for this time.
Marcel M.