Tatsumi's boots battered the ground as he ran, Incursio in hand as another of those sickeningly black beasts with white masks chased him. He didn't know what kind of Danger Beast it was, but he was certain he'd never encountered ones where they dispersed into black mist once they were dead. There was also a variant in the ones he'd slain so far. The first was a bipedal wolf-like creature with a bone-like white mask. This type was the current variant chasing him, at first he thought they travelled alone but after realising that they had a pack mentality it was too late. There were about twenty chasing them down currently.
The second variant he had encountered of these strange Danger Beasts was in every sense a boar, apart from pitch black misting skin, bone-like armour plating over its entire frame although not without gaps, and while not as agile as the wolf creature, it packed a punch and strangely enough it had the ability to roll itself into a ball and spin towards you in a charging assault.
The young assassin had no idea where he was, how he got here, or what these strange Danger Beasts were, but as much as he was shocked by these strange creatures and the sudden change of him not being on the battlefield where he'd been transforming into the Tyrant begging Akame to end him, there was much more concerning matters for him right now. It was that he wasn't alone in being in this scenario. Running alongside him wasn't exactly the most comforting sight, her heeled boots clacked along the pavement below her as she ran beside him. Esdeath, the powerful General of the Empire was here with him.
While Tatsumi held Incursio in his grip, Esdeath held her standard rapier. It unnerved him slightly that despite them having been attacked, she hadn't used her Teigu yet. He himself had held back as he didn't know what would happen to him had he tried to use Incursio, last time he used it the Tyrant's soul within had tried to overtake his body and mind and had all but succeeded, he didn't recall what had happened, he remembered Akame raising her blade and then nothing but blackness.
"Tatsumi, we need to stop running." Esdeath started. "These beasts don't seem to be running out of stamina, we need to take them down as quickly as possible."
"That's easy for you to say! Just use your ice!" Tatsumi grit his teeth, why the hell hadn't she done it already? At least then while she was distracted he might have been able to find a way to lose her amidst the ruins of the unfamiliar city they found themselves in.
"I've tried." Esdeath's comment brought Tatsumi to a skidding halt, Esdeath stopping a few feet ahead of him. "I feel the Demon's Extract in my blood, but I can't summon its power." Esdeath added as she stared down at her hand, clenching it into a fist. She turned and looked over her shoulder at Tatsumi. "Can you summon Incursio?" Tatsumi glanced down at his blade, usually, he would feel the presence of the Tyrant peering back at him, especially with how attuned he'd come to be with the armour within. But now as he stared at the crimson gem in the hilt... nothing. But... that feeling was there, it just wasn't from his blade.
"No."
"Then we do this the old-fashioned way." Esdeath stated, spinning on her heel, and flicking her rapier out to the side. "It's not like our Teigu made us the fighters we are today." She stated as Tatsumi turned to face the oncoming wave of bipedal black wolves. "In truth, I have grown to dislike how much I used it like a crutch." With that, she shot forward, passing Tatsumi with incredible speed, heading towards the forwardmost wolf, piercing it in the chest causing it to rear up with a howl before Esdeath slashed upward through its chest followed by its head leaving a red streak through its body before it began to disintegrate into black mist.
"Guess I have no other choice." Tatsumi mused as more of these wolves, whether another pack or the same one began to surround him from behind. There was much more now than there had been when they had been running, just how many were waiting in the shadows? Brandishing Incursio, he rounded on the first wolf to charge at him, sidestepping it and bisecting the creature with one slash through its thin gut. Both body parts hit the ground before quickly evaporating into the mist. There was a howl and more charged at him.
Esdeath spun and slashed through the creatures, deflecting claws and teeth as she went. Her rapier pierced and slashed at the creatures, surrounding her in a thick heavy black mist from the decaying bodies as they broke down around her, these creatures were truly some of the strangest she had encountered, she didn't believe them to be Danger Beasts, but something else entirely. A gnarling set of jaws came snapping at her right out of the mist, intending to take her off guard by attacking through the mist, Esdeath simply used its own momentum by placing a hand atop the snout and flipping up into the air above it before driving her rapier through the wolf's masked head driving it down toward the pavement below. With a wave of her rapier, the mist dispersed around her, showing no other creatures around.
The bodies of the fallen bipedal wolves around her had mostly disintegrated already, she couldn't help but want to keep one alive just to see how it ticked, but that could come after she had a few answers questioned, these creatures weren't strong but could easily swarm given the chance. Looking over to Tatsumi she saw his blade, Incursio, decapitate the last of the wolf-like creatures, the head flying through the air as the body hit the ground, she watched as Tatsumi effortlessly sank his blade into its sheath beneath his coat. Even now, after everything, she was enamoured by the site of him.
They stood across from one another on what was once a street, the towering buildings around them looked as though they had been ruins for quite some time.
Sheathing her rapier she attached the sheath to her belt and looked down at her hands, she had tried numerous times to activate her Teigu since awakening, but nothing. Esdeath could feel the cursed blood still coursing through her body, had it been anyone else it would have driven them mad but she had always been able to suppress the Demon Extract, even now she was still able to suppress it. The power wasn't gone but something was preventing her from using it. That would be something she would need to rectify before too long, yes while she didn't like the use of a crutch, the power she had obtained with the use of her Teigu would eventually be needed again.
"These creatures, I've never seen anything like them before." Esdeath mused as she walked towards Tatsumi, stopping in the middle of the street and seeing his hand twitch above the hilt of his weapon, he was still cautious of her and he had every right to be. Before they awoke here their battle had been fierce where at any moment either of them could have ended each other's lives. "They're not any Danger Beast I've seen or heard of before, it would be difficult to dissect them."
"That's what you're thinking about right now." Tatsumi sighed as he sat on the ground, hands resting on his knees as he stared across at her. "What about where the hell we are? How do we get back?" Esdeath moved a hand and brushed some strands of blue hair from her face before pointing upwards towards the sky causing Tatsumi to blink as his eyes followed the direction of her finger.
"Have you ever seen that before?" She watched as his green eyes widened at what he was looking at, she had noticed it upon first awakening here, it wasn't hard to miss but Tatsumi had been dealing with these wolves before she had come across him so perhaps he hadn't had the time. Turning her gaze, she looked up at the site that had shocked her when she had first seen it. The moon stood high in the sky, but while still predominantly spherical, a large portion had been dislodged, broken and displaced into several floating, irregularly formed fragments held within the moon's gravity.
"Where are we?" Tatsumi questioned rhetorically.
"I believe." Esdeath began cautiously as she turned and faced Tatsumi, his eyes being drawn from the moon to her. "We can find that out, together." The frown that came to his face, hurt, more than she expected it to. He didn't trust her. Even in this situation where the Empire was clearly not a factor, he couldn't look at her as a comrade. They had been on opposite sides of War, their own allies had taken the lives of those close to one another. There was a gap between them she hadn't considered before, she had simply sought him to stand by her side, she didn't care for his doubts or reasons. She just wanted him by her side, no matter what.
What did she need to do, to achieve that? Bols had said that it took him a few tries before his wife finally came around. Perhaps she should try from a new angle, put the romantic aspect of their relationship on hold and form a comradery bond with him first, come to learn more about him as in truth there was very little she knew about the young man. In truth, she still didn't understand the emotions she felt for Tatsumi and it was painfully difficult to express how she felt at times.
True, she had hurdles to overcome before even such a comradery bond could be achieved due to their past but Bols had said that it might take some time and to persevere, and in the beginning, she had tried to rush things forward as much as she could. What she needed to do now, was try and lower his hostility towards her, if they were to ever move forward then she needed to prove that she wasn't a threat to him.
Right now, they weren't in the Empire, meaning they had no reason to fight one another anymore. She doubted that, with the state of this moon, they weren't even on the same planet. While shocking to be sure, it wasn't something she needed to focus on right now. Right now, the fighting between the Revolutionary Army and the Empire was over, who won wasn't a factor. Tatsumi was here, now. He was the priority. They currently had a chance not many in their position would be given. One she wasn't about to let slip through her fingers.
Right now, there were no sides, Tatsumi hadn't grasped that yet but soon he'd become aware of that and this hostility would hopefully disperse.
She had meant what she had said, if they worked together there was a higher probability that they could figure everything out. Tatsumi turned his attention from Esdeath to the ground between his feet. She didn't want to push, he wasn't ready for her to command him, best to let him take things at his own speed, she knew all too well how it would turn out if she pushed him as she had once before. But it would seem, things were going to move again.
The sound of claws scraping against the ground was evident through the ruins of the city. Another pack of these strange creatures were approaching. Tatsumi was on his feet, hand on Incursio's hilt as Esdeath turned, at least with another pack inbound she could let out some frustration, hoping this new pack would offer some kind of skill rather than just mindless instinct. Soulless howls soon accompanied the thunderous charge of the beasts, Tatsumi drew Incursio as Esdeath waited, eyes narrowed. There was something amidst the scraping of claws and animalistic howls, another set of footsteps.
The beasts were chasing someone as they had them.
Which meant, she and Tatsumi may not have been the only ones to awaken in these ruins. Just as the thought crossed her mind, similarly the thought crossed Tatsumi's and he sprinted down the street, away from her.
"Tatsumi, wait!" She called after him but he didn't listen. Hastily, she chased after him, careful not to lose him through the maze of streets this city held. It wasn't hard for her to catch up, she kept a few feet behind him to watch what he intended to do, he skidded across the pavement as another howl echoed out and shot down a new street. Esdeath didn't miss a step following him closely, feeling the dread that these creatures let off made it easy to pinpoint them. They were close. The sound of battle was evident the closer they got.
Esdeath's hand dropped to the hilt of her rapier, she wasn't sure who they were going to come across but she might need to defend herself if they were members of Night Raid or the Revolutionary Army. Rounding one last corner, she herself paused as Tatsumi dashed into the fray of black monsters. It was the blonde woman from Night Raid, one of Tatsumi's companions, one she herself had tortured in Kyoroch when Night Raid had come to assassin Bolic.
As Esdeath observed the blonde beating down on the strange bipedal wolves, she noticed that she wasn't using her Teigu, strangely enough, she still had the lion ears and tail present, however, it was clear that her body wasn't infused with the full power of Lionel at the present. Her fists still dealt powerful blows to the creatures, but each strike lacked the power of the Teigu. Upon spotting Tatsumi's the woman's grin grew and the two fought in sync to take down the rest of the wolves.
Hearing a low growl behind her, Esdeath glanced over her shoulder, her eyes shooting wide open as they narrowed dangerously as the masked black bear reached for her, but it wasn't the creature that made her raise her rapier, it was the katana that sliced through the creature that she deflected before leaping back creating some space as the bear began to disintegrate revealing Akame standing behind it, Murasame in hand as the bear fell to either side having been split right down the middle. Even in this situation, the red-eyed killer had used her surroundings to try and get the drop on her.
Esdeath's eyes shot to the cursed blade and smirked, just like the other Teigu, the power of the blade was gone, still, she didn't want to risk getting cut by the blade just in case some of its power still remained within it. Akame's eyes were locked onto her, narrowed and full of intent to kill. Hearing movement, she no doubt guessed that Tatsumi and Leone had taken up positions to surround her. The air was heavy as she tapped the tip of her rapier atop the pavement to the rhythm of her heartbeat, it was rather calm.
More howls came from the ruined city, almost as if these strange creatures could detect the malice in the air and move to investigate the presence. However, above the howling creatures, there was something else, a roar of something else... not a natural sound. Something else was rapidly approaching from the sky, just as Esdeath witnessed the metallic bulk around a building a light beamed down upon them, four spotlights targeting the four. Esdeath raised a hand to shield the light, to try and see what it was.
"You four okay down there!?" A voice called down to them. "We'll get you out of there! Lower us now!" The spotlights turned off as the mechanical structure lowered to the ground. It was some kind of mechanical aircraft. It had a large middle body with two adjoining engines that seemed capable of moving it from a vertical lift to a propulsion device. Truly something none of the four had ever seen before. There was a large open door on the side of the main body, this is where they saw the one that had called out to them.
He was a man in the early years of old age. He wore a double-breasted burgundy suit with gold piping and buttons. He had grey hair and a grey moustache and was fairly robust. As the strange mechanical aircraft landed, the man jumped to the ground, hurrying toward the four which they noticed he was carrying a large doubled-headed battle axe.
"Hurry now, the Grimm seem rather riled up tonight and it's best we get you four out of here, we can discuss the details later. Hurry now." He urged as more howls began to sound out, the first of these Grimm charging towards them before the robust man stepped forward, the battle axe he was holding he spun it so he was holding it like a rifle which it seemed to also be. The man released pulled the trigger and with a loud 'bang' shot a fireball right towards the charging grim engulfing it in flames. "All aboard now, hurry along." He ushered.
Esdeath glanced at the three assassins before shrugging sheathing her rapier, walking towards the strange aircraft and climbing aboard. The man nodded before turning to the other three who seemed hesitant to board the Bullhead.
"Hurry now, if we wait too long something fiercer than Beowolves and Ursai might come along, let us depart before then, shall we, hmm?" He nodded. Akame shared a look with Leone and Tatsumi before all three turned to the aircraft where Esdeath was now aboard, holding a handrail above her head as she stared back at them. It was either literally being in the jaws of monsters or boarding an aircraft with Esdeath, they weren't sure which one was safer.
"Let's go." Tatsumi sighed, coming to a decision as he walked forward passing the large man who patted him on the back. Akame glanced to Leone who gave a nonchalant shrug and followed after Tatsumi, Akame sheathed Murasame and followed after her comrades all three boarding the aircraft, the man that had come from the aircraft glancing around noticing just how many Grimm were attracted to the fours malice. Hurrying, and as soon as he boarded the pilot engaged the thrusters and the Bullhead lifted into the air. The four were stunned by just how quickly they ascended into the sky and how manoeuvrable the aircraft was as they flew over the ruined city.
"It's a good thing Professor Ozpin ordered an inspection of Mountain Glenn, who would have suspected that four potential students would make their way to Beacon Academy through those desolate ruins." The man smiled. "I am Professor Port, I'm a teacher at Beacon Academy. You four did well coming through Mountain Glenn with how infested with Grimm it is. It looks like there is going to be a prosperous group of new students this year." He chuckled heartily. "Although I can't condone entering such a restricted area unnecessarily."
"You're taking us to Beacon Academy?" Esdeath inquired.
"That is indeed correct, Miss..."
"Esdeath." She gave her name.
"Ah yes, Miss Esdeath." Port nodded. "Indeed we'll be touching down at Beacon Academy shortly, try and rest up your trials will be in the coming days after all, no doubt Professor Ozpin would be highly interested in meeting potential students capable of surviving through that Grimm-infested ruin." He laughed. "Back in my day..." He began to trail off into a story, and they weren't sure if he was telling a story or reliving the days of his youth. Esdeath glanced over the other three aboard, the assassins having gathered on the other side of the compartment they were in.
Akame hadn't taken her eyes off the General, or her hand off the hilt of her sword. Meanwhile, Esdeath simply smiled inwardly as she watched Tatsumi's excited face as they flew through the sky it was such an innocent expression similar to the one he had shown during his victory in the tournament she had held when she first saw him, it was the same smile that had captured her heart. It wasn't just him who was showing excitement as Leone as well grinned... she didn't like the way the blonde was pressing up against Tatsumi however. Taking a breath she relaxed herself, Akame shifting uncomfortably no doubt wary of her sudden ease.
Just what did she have to do to show she wasn't a current threat?
""Woah!"" The sudden sound of Leone and Tatsumi brought everyone's attention outside the Bullhead window to see the Academy Professor Port had spoken of, it sat situated on the side of a cliff and the grounds were enormous, larger than some cities they knew. There were several other aircraft similar to the one they were aboard while some others were different in design, they were currently docked on numerous landing bays situated on the edge of the cliff, no doubt grounded this late in the evening.
"Ah yes, a sight to behold no?" Professor Port nodded. "Welcome to Beacon Academy, many students have arrived already and more will arrive tomorrow. For tonight and tomorrow night, you will be sleeping in the ballroom alongside the other early arrivals, the following day your trial for entry into Beacon Academy will be held alongside the other candidates." The Bullhead began to descend to one of the landing pads and touched down without issue. The door slid open and Professor Port stepped out. "Well, it seems as though Professor Ozpin has come out to greet you himself." He chuckled.
The four stepped out of the Bullhead as the engines began to shut down. Standing just off the landing pad was a middle-aged man with tousled silver hair and thin brown eyes. He wore shaded glass spectacles despite it being dark and wore an unzipped black suit over a dark green, buttoned vest and green shirt. He stood tall both hands on a cane before him.
"Welcome, to Beacon Academy." The man greeted them with a smile that unnerved all four of the new arrivals, his eyes held a knowledge that was seemingly endless and the way he looked over them... it was almost, hopeful. "I am Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy. It's a pleasure to welcome such promising students to our school." His gaze fell on all of them, eyeing each one with a calculating gaze before he offered a small smile. "I'm sure you have questions, which I'll be happy to answer, once you've gotten some much-needed rest." Esdeath went to step forward but stopped herself, they could all use some rest and there was no hurry to learn everything immediately. This man clearly knew something and she intended to learn what she could and it didn't seem as though he was intending to share with them tonight.
"Ah man, I could use a catnap." Leone yawned as he ears and tail twitched while stretching her arms over her head before bringing them back, thrusting out her chest. "What about you Akame, tired?"
"What about dinner?" Akame questioned Ozpin.
"Yes, I'm sure we can find you all something to eat before you retire for the evening." Ozpin chuckled. "If you will follow me, I'll take you inside." Leone and Akame nodded, following after Ozpin as he led them towards the school.
"Shall we." Esdeath smiled at Tatsumi before walking after the two assassins. Tatsumi watched the three follow after Ozpin before sighing, figuring there was only one way to see what happens next. With any luck, they could get answers and figure out just what the hell happened for them to wind up in this place with a broken moon.