Chapter 9: Meeting and old friend
2 Weeks later...
Esdeath's POV
With six people are now gathered after, she ensures to test to see how strong they are. Bol, Dr. Stylish, Wave, Kurome, Run, and Seryuu. She could see their potential after she carefully chose which one of them are best.
Now she gives them her brief about Night Raid and Satsujinki since she was given her order by the Prime Minister.
"I would like to thank you all for you being here. Therefore, I'm going to give you some details about two threats that we are dealing with," said Esdeath.
Wave raises his hand as he starts to ask, "Then who are we dealing with?"
"Night Raid and Satsujinki." said Esdeath as she gave him an answer, "Now we know Seryuu fought one of their Night Raid members, however, there's no body to be found. This report was written by Seryuu. As for Satsunjinki, we are still blank because we don't know what he or she looks like. Feel free to read them."
She hands out every report to her newly 6 members as they read carefully. While Kurome, raises her hand, "You said, we don't know what Satsujinki looks like? Could have been organization."
"Nope. According to report, it was done by one person. Presumed some kind of Teigu. It is said that victims were cut into a few pieces, like, diced chicken. Include people's disappearance too. It's just perfect crime. Compare with Zanku."
"How are we supposed to find Satsujinki if we don't know what the person looks like? I would rather fight against Night Raid than Satsujinki. Then how did Zanku die?" said Bol, adjusting his gas mask.
Dr. Stylish intervenes as he clarifies for him, "His body was completely, fine and well in health. It is far strange to me the way he died of a heart attack. No sign of injury and nothing. I'm guessing it's some kind of Teigu that makes users to die from natural causes as cover-up."
"What about witness?" said Run, drinking his tea.
"None. Seryuu was the last one who had seen, but she was unable to see Satsujinki's face because she had a near victory against Night Raid. Except her Koro's arm was cut off and now unable to grow back due to Satsujinki's Teigu."
They were all surprised as they talk each other, except Dr. Stylish knew what happened to Koro's arm.
"Right now, this meeting ends now. This time I'm going to held a tournament to look for my love," said Esdeath, making plans to look for someone stronger than her.
Later...
Tatsumi's POV
Tatsumi, Leone, and Lubbock are at a book store where they made their hideout underneath. His shop may look ordinary but many people hardly shop there.
Tatsumi did not have not good rest since he had nightmares aside from dead people. Luckily, Lubbock and Leone were not on the ship if it did happen.
"Consider yourself lucky, Tatsumi. I know you had stress, dealing with dead people while we do wet work. It's not easier than what we are dealing with vampires here." said Lubbock, offering him tea.
Tatsumi gradually accepted his offer for tea to clear his mind as he drank it. Trio heard a bell, which it indicates a customer in his bookshop.
"Right...I'll be back," said Lubbock as he headed upstairs to deal with his customer.
"Say...Tatsumi, what else do you know about Esdeath?" said Leone, asking him if he knew her reputation.
"Almost. I've heard she is the best general in Empire, right?"
Leone starts to talk to him about Esdeath's background and her reason before they both hear Lubbock hurriedly, came down as he tells them, "Guys! Guess who? It's Sheele!"
They both widened their eyes as they saw Sheele come out with her maid uniform, and her hair changed into white than what they remembered her hair was originally purple. From what they noticed, there was another person whom they did not recognize.
Sheele smiles as she starts to cry, "Guys. I'm here."
They both hug her as they start to cry, knowing Sheele is alive and well. But one important thing is that she is supposed to be dead. They still have many questions about Sheele and her companion.
"Hello, my name is Akiha Tohno. I hope both of you had a good time meeting your old friend." said Akiha, bowing her head before taking her seat.
Lubbock is about to get tea before Sheele stops him as she gets her tea to prepare for Akiha.
"I assume you got many questions for me and Sheele as well," said Akiha, smiling at them, knowing she would answer them.
"Shiki said that Sheele was dead. And now she is alive as...how do I say? Corpse?" said Leone, still trying to figure out how Sheele was revived by Akihia.
"If you assume I got Teigu, then no. I don't have Teigu. I do have a special ability that gives my life to her. It's called, Life-force."
Trio heard a crack, loud as they turned their head and saw Sheele break a cup. They notice Sheele's right hand starts shaking before she hits her hand on the table until it stops. She decides to try again as she grabs another cup without breaking. She pours tea in a cup of tea before giving it to Akiha.
"...sorry. I'll control my strength," said Scheele, smiling at her.
"Thanks." said Akiha, drinking her tea, "As you can see the result of her side effect. She is unable to control her strength after I revived her. I honestly didn't expect she has nearly gone out of her control."
"And am I supposed to believe you?" said Tatsumi, doubting her words, "Then how did her hair change from purple to white?"
Akiha sighed as she knew it was going to be hard to explain to them, "I understand about your upset. I told you, my life force just made her change who she was. Sheele, show your wounds to them."
Sheele lifts her shirt without hesitation, thus revealing her scar on her torso. With trio was shocked to see her scar, which people normally don't survive after they get cut. Now she is quite a special case to the trio which Akiha knows of.
"No way...what you said is true. She's alive," said Leone, still being awe.
"Hold up. I do have a question again. First, I would like to know what ORT and Crimson Moon are. Are they the biggest threat against humanity?" said Tatsumi, almost forgetting to remember what Balut told him.
"Heh...truth to be told...I don't know," said Akihia, her face becoming deadpan as she explained, "I used to think of them like they are Dark Six. However, the church still doesn't know what Dark Six is. Only Nii-san and White Princess do know what it is. Crimson Moon...I still don't know what it looks like. Properly, it's just humanoid or just a bloody red moon. It is safe to assume it is no longer a threat against. And ORT stands for One Radiance Thing. It is an alien from outer space. Still, I don't know what it looks like. I've heard it is spider-alike. If I were you, I wouldn't disturb it unless you wake it up to destroy this world. Just to be clarified, they are no longer threats anymore unless disturbed."
Trio felt safe with Akiha's explanation, knowing they were no longer threats anymore according to what Shiki knows of. With Lubbock raising his hand as he asks, "Why do you keep calling her a White Princess? Who is she?"
"Arcuied Brunestud. She is True Ancestor as a vampire. Doesn't mean she is not the same as Dead Apostle Ancestor." said Akiha, remembering the day they first met, going out every night, "Her only lover is...Shiki. My own Nii-san."
"Wait...does this mean Shiki is a vampire too? Is he True Ancestor?" said Leone, trying to connect her dots.
"Nope. Dead Apostle Ancestor. He is currently, 7th rank and second in command of 3rd." said Akihia, taking out the list of 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors from her pocket, "Here."
As the paper lay on the table Tatsumi picked it up and read it. From what he read, the lists were either killed by or sleeping. Except Shiki is on the list too.
"Save for your questions. Sheele and I have a business to attend to. If you may excuse me, you know where to find my mansion." said Akiha, standing up as they both departed before Lubbock escorted them out.
Tatsumi and Leone are now alone, still filled with lots of questions and now they both know they are safe to know 27 DAA are now dead or sleeping. Except Satsujinki is on the list which he currently ranks 7th as DAA. He still roams around in whatever he likes to.
"I feel like I want to change this mood. But is there anything else that I want to get?" said Tatsumi, feeling exhausted before Leone had an idea.
She pulls out a flyer which the tournament has started right now, "Did you know Esdeath sponsors this sport? I remember you want to send money to your village."
Tatsumi agrees with her as he wants to clear his mind aside from the undead, vampires, True Ancestors, and DAA. He would prefer to fight against Empires. Not vampires or anything else.
Later...
Tatsumi is now facing a huge ox man, facing in the opposite direction, while the crowd cheers for them. He knew he was far smaller than the big one. It should be easy for him to take him down with ease. The huge ox man starts charges against him while Tatsumi jumps as he kicks him, instead sending him away no more than 5 meters away.
He can counter against ox's hand before he makes his left hook as he punches his rib. Using his knee to smash ox's face, knocking him out cold. As he fell to the ground while Tatsumi stood as the crowd cheered.
The announcer starts pointing him out, "WE HAVE A WINNER HERE!"
Tatsumi smiles as he finally wants to forget about it. He is about to get his reward before he notices a woman with blue hair, with her imperial uniform, stepping down as she gets in the ring.
"Oh shit..first dealing with dead people and now with Esdeath?" Tatsumi's thoughts become impossible for him to decide against. He decides to play along.
"Your name is...Tatsumi? I say it's a good name." said Esdeath, smiling at him.
"Yes. And thank you," said Tatsumi as if he was being shy or nervous or at the same time.
"That match is awesome! Therefore, I would like to reward you."
Tatsumi felt relieved a bit as he knew it was about money, instead, he was met with a collar with she put on his neck. Tatsumi didn't expect it as he was being dragged by Esdeath, heading straight upstairs.
The announcer's shoulder was tapped as he looked at his college, whispering in his ear before making announced, "WE HAVE ONE MORE CHALLENGER!"
They both look back as she never plans to watch again. With her reputation and people here. She decided to watch it one last time. Once they both reach on top as they watch the spectator.
Tatsumi felt helpless as he had no choice left, but to watch the tournament with her.
From what Tatsumi saw and instantly, recognized a person, wearing his blindfold. He dragged his chair as he sat on it while a huge man came to the ring. The thing is that the man with a blindfold has no weapons, just a simple wooden chair.
He looks at Esdeath's face and he has never seen her face being shocked before.
Shiki asks the announcer to borrow his microphone before he taps it twice, "It's a good day to watch this tournament one more time. Too bad...I want to finish my fight here."
The crowd starts to cheer as they agree with him.
"And do a favor for me...don't blink your eyes," said Shiki, making his joke as the crowd started laughing with his joke.
While Tatsumi, Esdeath, and Wave were watching at their Shiki. Wave is about to speak up, and looks at Esdeath, "Then how will he fight against him? Just a wooden chair?"
They took their eyes off before they heard a huge crack as they saw Shiki standing while the big man was knocked out before losing his concussion. All they took their eyes off before Shiki can finish in five seconds.
"We...WE HAVE WINNER!" said the announcer, pointing at him as the crowd was too shocked before cheering.
His fighting made Esdeath being shocked as she was about to come down. Shiki talks to the announcer before he can leave soon. Esdeath is not going to let him go before he disappears to locker room.
Esdeath is about to catch him before she finds him gone. Just like that. She looks around and is still unable to find him. This was the second time that she was unable to catch him with her own hands. She turns as she heads back, making her announce about her partner.
Shiki's POV
Shiki can slip out without having guards notice him. While he noticed Leone and Lubbock were waiting for him outside.
"You sure made your show. And now Tatsumi is being taken by Esdeath." said Lubbock, sighing over Tatsumi's capture.
"You enjoyed the show, did you?" said Shiki, smiling at them as if he had fun, "Shall we walk? I just want to kill my own time."
They both walk back to the store as they lead Shiki to their hideout before discussing.
"So..Tatsumi is now being captured by Esdeath. Are you going to rescue him?" said Leone, asking Shiki if he plans to rescue him.
"What? I don't plan to." said Shiki, laughing a bit before explaining, "Since I don't have to associate with you because I would prefer to work alone."
He is about to leave before Leone has an idea but she stops him.
"Wait...Klein is there too. Our informant found him there, audient for Prime Minister."
Shiki stops as he hears the word, turns at them, and asks, "So he is there?"
"Yes," said Leone, without hesitation as she steels by herself.
"Heh. You knew how to convince me." said Shiki, starting to laugh a bit as he sat on the couch, "Reminds me again...don't we need to go back to your base and tell 'em about Tatsumi?"
They both realize this as they lose track of time after they try to convince Shiki.
Later...
"What do you mean Tatsumi is being captured by Esdeath?" said Akame, being shocked to hear the news, "Does she realize that he is a member of Night Raid?"
"Nope. She doesn't know. No blood lust from her and nothing. It's safe to assume she didn't know." said Lubbock, reassuring the rest members of Night Raids.
"I do have a question...Why is Shiki here? And who the hell invited him?" said Mine pointing to Shiki, sitting on the chair, still smiling.
"Leone and Lubbock simply invited me for their tea and gave me good information about Klein." said Shiki, shifting his topic to Tatsumi, "We don't have to rush in and rescue Tatsumi."
"You're right, Shiki. That palace is filled with traps and lots of soldiers there. We can't break in." said Mine, knowing that the palace is unable to penetrate it.
Shiki laughs before clarifying, "Nothing is impossible for me. Last time, I snuck into Lourve's castle without being detected and killed him and his children. I took their trophy to keep it."
"Does this mean...you can easily get in there?" said Akame, surprised as he knew how to get in and out.
"Yes...but Tatsumi can wait since he is still alive. Say...can I borrow Leone for a bit?" said Shiki, pointing Leone out as everyone was surprised that he picked her up.
"Hold on! Hold on! Why did you pick me?"
"Because we are going to hunt tonight." said Shiki, planning to leave for tonight, "Aren't you coming, Leone?"
At night...
They set out at night, walking at night while people were out to eat or drinking at the bar. Leone felt uneasy since she was stuck with Shiki. Now she is wondering what does Shiki do?
She can't help but Shiki is humming like a bird. She can't help but wonder where will they go.
"Leone, I know there's the best bar around here. I'm sure we'll relax over there."
"Heh. You sure know your way, Shiki. If you don't mind tell me, what are we doing out there?"
Once they stopped at the bar she saw the sign as that said, "Bloody Mary"
"Such a good name to pick up," said Leone staring at the restaurant before Shiki went in.
Leone follows him inside as the waitress greets them before realizing Shiki.
"It's good to see you, Grim Reaper! And you brought your friend? I can take you to the VIP room." said the waitress, she started shaking.
Without a word, they led them to the VIP room. The waitress asks what they want. Shiki tells the waitress to give an expensive drink and food to Leone. The waitress obliged as soon as she left the room.
"You sure do have many 'business' and enemies as well," said Leone, sitting on a luxurious chair while Shiki lays on the bed chair.
"I sure do have lots. If you're asking me why are we here, then I'm waiting for the information that I've already sent to my old friend," said Shiki, raising his hands as if he reach in the air.
"So...you're covering your eyes. Is this because your eyes are special?"
"More like a curse gift to me. It's called Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Do you know what Mystics are?"
"Mystics are like some sort of legends or myth that is related to gods. So that Mystic Eyes of yours is just death?"
"In short, yes, that I can kill anything else. In my own eyes, there are a couple of lines and points of death. Back then I was afraid to understand what were they. And now I already embrace to death because...they feared me as DEATH."
"How does...one receive Mystic Eyes of...yours?"
"You don't. Unless you are a magus, you can modify your eyes with whatever you like. From what I've heard some cases they would receive or be born as a mutation with magic circuits around with your eyes. There are many different cases, like, Whisper and many things. But me? I died and revived and somehow I got Mystic Eye of Death Perception."
"Then how does it work?" said Leone, still don't know what Mystic Eyes of Death Perception is.
He looks around as he points at the drawer, "See that drawer? From your eyes, it is normal to you. My own eyes, I could see a couple of lines and points of death." He picks a normal knife from the table as he demonstrate it, "This is a normal knife. So what am I going to do with it?"
"You can't cut it? Unless you need a sword or an axe."
"It can be anything else. Watch this," said Shiki as he could trace the line as the part fell on the ground. Leone's eyes widen as her mouth starts open as if she is far surprised by Shiki's skills.
Shiki throws the knife away as it hits the ground, using his hand to touch the point of death as it slowly turns into dust as if it didn't exist anymore.
"This applies to non-living and living beings. This is the proof of Death Perception that I've been living for while vampires and clans are afraid of my eyes."
Leone stood up and walked toward where the drawer was now dusted. She picks some dust and picks the part of a drawer as it had a nice clean cut, just like Akame was able to cut it clean. She had to double-check as she found nothing. No piece of wood.
"Wow...just wow. I...don't know what to say but it's scary and amazing at the same time. We could have used yours." said Leone, looking at Shiki's skill as if he is more advantaged than Night Raid.
While the waitress opened the door and she saw that the drawer had now turned into dust. Her face becomes fearful as she puts the food and expensive wine on the table before she hurriedly leaves without a word.
Shiki started to laugh as he spoke, "No. It is far more dangerous. If you use your eyes, then it will melt your brain and you will be dead in less than one minute. Except me."
They both heard the door being knocked on twice and they saw a detective wearing a huge brown tench coat, that had insign that belonged to Imperial Police. Leone is about to tackle him before Shiki able to stop her.
"All right, Satsujinki. Here is the blueprint from Palace. Plus here's the location of nests." said the detective, pulls out his files from his trench coat pocket as he gave it to him. He notices Leone as he calms her down, "Easy. I'm not after you. Unless I would have arrested you in sight if your face appears on the posters."
"Thanks. You may go," said Shiki, picking up the file as he read it.
He nodded his head without a word as he left, leaving Leone wondering what was it about. More importantly, how did he get detective work with Shiki from the Imperial Police?
"Let's go." said Shiki, who gave her a piece of map of nests, "We are going to hunt them down."
"Hold on," said Leone, trying to catch up with him as they headed to their location.
It took them more than 30 minutes get find an abandoned house in which there were no people inside.
"Say Leone...tell me what you think of these people inside of this house?"
"I don't see people inside of the house. Maybe they are going out elsewhere? But who are we going to kill?"
"To clear nest. They are undead. Normally there are more than 30 dead people inside of that house." said Shiki as he has gone inside the house before Leone followed him. Once she got inside, she found Shiki was nowhere to be found before she heard from above.
She transforms into her Teigu as she goes upstairs and she finds Shiki fights undead. She felt her sixth sense tingle as she turned before pulling the attacker's arm as she slammed him on the ground, "Hold on!"
She had a good look as she saw the attacker's face had a missing nose and an ear. It had no eyes as it tried to eat before Shiki threw his knife at the undead's head before turning into dust.
"Leone, don't think of them anymore!" said Shiki, using his fists as he able to tear their bodies apart.
While Leone is about to throw up before resuming her fight.
Later...
While they were on the roof, watching the house burning while Leone sat, felt tired and caught her breath. Unlike her previous assasination.
"So this is a nest that I've been clearing days ago. No wonder their numbers kept growing."
"Then what caused it?"
"I do not know. Properly started by Valesti. To finish what he starts."
Leone stood up as she planned to head back to the Night Raid base, but she had one last question to ask, "How long will you keep hunting?"
Shiki stood as he smiled at him, "Who knows? Killing Valesia will stop making every nest. If you may excuse me, I'm going to the palace and maybe scout. I still haven't forgotten about it."
He jumps down from the roof before Leone can find him but he disappears into the crowd where the people are watching the house being burnt down.
Leone smiles as she heads back to Night Raid base as she gives her report to her members and recounts his ability.
Meanwhile
Palace
Shiki was able to get in without getting trapped actively and avoiding guards patrols. It may be easier for him to get in and out without a problem. He plans to find Tatsumi and get him out there once he is done with it. A simple plan for him.
Shiki finds the war room which contains some plans against Night Raid and Satsujinki. He knew he had to find some worthy intelligence if it was related to Klein or Valesti. He opens the drawer and finds a file that contains 6 members, including a newly formed secret police, Jaeger.
"Sounds like new toys to deal with," said Shiki, reading their files and containing their names. His super hearing starts to hear their footsteps, "Sounds like Jaeger is back"
Once they opened their door Shiki hid the high ceiling without having them notice him while masking his presence which they were unable to detect. They never looked up.
"Wow...it's easy to clear out a bandit camp." said Wave, stretching his arms while Bol patted his back, "Except Seryuu has gone to investigate that house is now burning down."
"If I'm guessing, it might be Satsujinki that burnt the house down before we came back."
While Kurome eats her snack without a word as she still keeps eating it.
Run smiles as he notices that the drawer was left a little open, asks them, "Did anyone come here after we left?"
"No one else did. I doubt Esdeath is not a messy person. She doesn't like leaving some mess here," said Stylish, fixing his coat, "If you may excuse me, I'm heading back to my lab."
Run felt suspicious as he was dismayed by it. He can't accuse someone else as he saw Wave, Kurome, and Bolleft already left, leaving Run alone in the war room. He decides to close it before picking a file as it says, Satsujinki.
"This picture is still blank and keeps killing people. So what's your motive?" said Run, reading on his file.
Shiki came down from a high ceiling without making a sound as soon as he left to find Tatsumi. He suspects Tatsumi might be on top.
Run looks back as he finds no one is in the war room. He expects Seryuu or Esdeath to come to this room and again he is dismayed as he puts the files back in the drawer.
While Shiki walks freely without patrol or setting off some traps. He found a room on topside. He hears through the door as he hears someone taking a shower while another person is in bed. He knew he had enough time to talk to him.
Once he opens the door as he greets Tatsumi, "Had fun with Esdeath?"
"Wait what? How did you get in there, Shiki?" said Tatsumi, being surprised to see him here, "But this place has lots of guards and traps."
"It's easy for me to get in and out without having them notice me. I just walked freely as much as I could. Still, I have enough time to talk to you. You have five minutes to talk." said Shiki, giving him less time as soon as he could leave.
"Finally, I'm done with Esdeath while gathering some intel for them. So you're getting me out of here?"
"Mmm...nope. Trust me, you will create distractions for yourself tomorrow. You know where monster trees are. That's where I used to fight Einnashe over there. Once you find a huge tree over there, then you can make yourself escape to make it look like you're fighting." said Shiki as he walked toward to balcony, opening the door as he stood on the rail, "Seems like I have enough time to talk to you."
When Esdeath came out from her bathroom she saw an intruder who wearing his blindfold, standing on the balcony as she was about to freeze the intruder's leg. But Shiki jumped from the balcony as he fell before giving her a small wave to Esdeath.
She was too late to catch him before she could see him falling in distance as he disappeared from her sight.
Esdeath never feels anger as she puts her uniform on and she starts to call guards to find an intruder. And now the alarm starts ringing like a wake-up call as soon as the members of Jaeger can respond. Esdeath gave her order to find the body where he fell.
The next day, they never find Shiki's body at the same time the palace starts to increase security.
To be continue...