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The next morning, as the sky tainted a sweet color of lilac, Azure was wandering around a forest near the base. The bracing morning air gave him a feeling that he could do anything, that he had the power to accomplish his greatest goal…and he no longer needs to bear it alone, for there are people who have the same dream as him, the longing to build a world where people can freely stroll at night without worrying of being murdered, where justice is served to all those who deserve it, where citizens are proud to be part of the empire. For that, he must rid the lands of all nuisance such as the prime minister and his subordinates.
Tatsumi suddenly appeared behind him, pulling him out of his profound reverie.
"What are you doing this early in the morning?" he asked, letting out a big yawn.
"I like to take walks in the morning, it is refreshing." Azure answered while continuing to walk. "Why don't you join me?"
Thus, they passed the small forest and arrived at a small lake. Its water swayed gently, reflecting the cold morning sky, where fishes of all kinds roamed innocently, unaware of all dangers that can befall them. A huge wave appeared and from that came out a beautiful young woman with pitch black hair and fiery red eyes, carrying a big white fish. It was Akame, out for fish hunting.
"Oh gods…" Azure was surprised by the shear amount of fishes laying on the riverbank.
Akame went out of the water and walked towards Azure.
"I'm done fishing." she declared. "I would like you to train with me before we leave."
Obviously, he accepted. However, knowing Akame's reputation, he believed his swordsmanship was nothing compared to hers.
"Fight me!" said Akame when they arrived at a small meadow.
Azure took out a silver rapier and readied his stance.
"Hey Azure!" yelled Tatsumi, perched on a nearby tree. "We've never seen your imperial arm, this is the perfect occasion to show us, right?"
"Akame isn't using hers, so why should I?"
"Come on! Her teigu is the sword of instant death, why means it kills when the blade touches the skin. It's way too dangerous in training! Besides, you couldn't last even five seconds against her with a simple rapier!"
"Yes, use it." said Akame. "…Unless you're a coward, of course."
Azure sighed, being pressed by the two parties. He unsheathed another rapier, the sabre type this time, and took a different stance.
"Excelsior is the blade that pierces through anything, nothing can stand against a stab from it, so be wary." he explained. "Though I think it might not be a challenge for you…"
Without warning, Akame dashed forward, her katana ready for anything that might come up. Immediately, Azure graciously blocked her attack and stabbed. For an instant, he thought he might win this fight, but his hope scattered when she dodged his blade with inhuman speed. Afterwards, they clashed many times, each trying to find an opening in the other's stance. Azure's defence was phenomenal, for he never take blows head on, choosing to slightly deviate Akame's blade instead, a technique that only the best blades could accomplish without breaking. On the other hand, she was landing blow after blow with her usual overwhelming speed. It was like a fight between European and Asian swordsmanship. Magnificent for those who were watching.
The shreeking of swords alerted their companions, who came to watch one after another. After a short while, all the members of the Night Raid were massed around Tatsumi, closely observing the fight.
At some point, Azure was once again forced on a defensive position, unable to counter Akame's fierce strikes. He was losing ground and the outcome of this battle could be foreseen. However, a strong desire to win was shining in his eyes and his movements were faster and faster, surprising even the renowned Akame.
As Akame was about to land the final blow, Azure jumped high in the air and attempted to kick the katana out of her hands, but his foot only touched air, resulting in a bad landing. A blade was pointed at his throat, he has lost.
However, everyone clapped when he got up, for he has set the record of the time a person can last against Akame.
The fight lasted roughly one hour.
When Akame helped him up, Azure finally noticed something and blushed.
She was wearing a very revealing swimsuit and the straps attaching it were almost destroyed, due to Azures multiple attempts to slash her.
Understanding that, Azure apologized profusely. As usual, Akame was clueless about his behavior.
It was a fun summer morning.
The sun was lazily ascending the morning sky when the Night Raid departed for Kyoroch. Everyone was fully armed and ready to battle, if the occasion presented itself. However, the trip was uneventful until evening, when Azure noticed a fiery light emanating from afar, disrupting the peaceful darkness of the night. Seeing that, they immediately rushed towards it, fearing the worse. Of course, as they were wary for traps of any kind, Azure volunteered to scout the area before the others' arrival.
When he approached the light, everything was made clear to him. It was a small town getting ransacked by imperial army men.
It is exactly like the night my father's mansion got destroyed...I can remember it all too well. The screams of women getting carried away, the crackle of burning flames, the laughs of the culprits... I won't let the same thing happen again!
With that thought, Azure drew his sword and rode forward at the speed of a raging tornado towards the battlefield.
When he arrived, it was hell on earth. Poor townspeople were chased by ruffians of all kinds, houses were burning, children and elders were killed mercilessly. At the lead of the soldiers was a scabby-looking man bearing the imperial emblem. Jumping off his stead, Azure readied for a battle of one against many.
That fool! How dare he!
With that, the blue-haired youth joined the massacre, killing only to rid the town of all murderers.
What he didn't see was that the horse he rode disappeared, leaving an eagle in its place, and immediately returned to report to the rest of Night Raid.
In the meantime, Azure slashed through the fray, attacking all those who kill innocent people. Finally, after defeating about a hundred men, he met up with the leader of the battalion, who was trying to rip a woman's dress at the time. Noticing the swordsman, the battalion commander drew his sword and readied a stance, but at that moment, two flashes went about his neck.
A head rolled on the floor.
He was dead.
That being said, Azure only hit once, the other was the girl who was previously attacked by the bandit. She had wide grey eyes and she looked about sixteen. Her skin was the same tone of white as him and her hair was blue with strands of auburn...just who is she? That deep shade of blue hair belonged exclusively to the royal family of Icarius...
A split second later, she was wearing a black full-plate armor with garments of gold and silver symbolizing her high social status and on her equally black cape was embroidered a crest with pair of white wings and the sun above it.
That's the official Icarian Emblem!
Finally, on her belt was pending a silver flamberge and a dagger with the initials A.I. on its hilt, while she held a long spear on her hand.
...she looks awfully familiar.
Is she a relative?