Chapter 43: The Crossroad

A/N: Roosterteeth released the epilogue for volume 9. If Akame saw what the canon version of Remnant is like, She would no longer have any more doubts. Akame is a booster shot for the world.

The office was in horrible condition. Everything is broken and scattered. Goodwitch doesn't have enough aura left after fixing the door to give us some privacy. Night Raid, Team SMSR, the police, and Sky are keeping the door secure from the waves of students and media trying to get in.

I promised to speak more on my announcement but needed to handle Theodore first. My allies and comrades kept me from being swarmed by the crowds. Sun left to give my uncle his weapon.

I feel like that's a bad idea. I had other errands to run but the last hour was insane. Maybe I'll figure it out after the meeting and speech.

Now I remember, I was going to see Sun's aunt about her experience and tell/threaten her to keep quiet.

It was the same setup as our many meetings. Theodore is at his desk and Rumpole is at his side. This time, Goodwitch stood next to me instead of my uncle. I don't completely trust her but her aura is exhausted.

"You've won," He stared down dejectedly. Rumpole and the headmaster read a message from some of his staff members. He just found out that the evidence against me has been destroyed.

Glynda and I briefly glance at each other.

"No one would have won if you captured and persecuted Akame," Glynda said," I know you feel betrayed but the situation requires us to make decisions we would hate. You would never agree to it."

"My colleagues went behind my back because I care for my home and the peace of this world," he raged," Did you expect me to sit on my ass and do nothing?! This kingdom doesn't need you."

"Headmaster Theodore, I never wanted any of this either," I apologized.

There is truth to that statement. I would never have gotten involved if I hadn't met up with Ver and by extension the tribe. The Crown would have been raided by the Academy which in turn would put me on good terms with them. The tribe would have fallen in Mistral or reduced to a shell of its former self again. That if Vernal doesn't wipe everything out in her way. The maiden powers and her semblance make a lethal combination.

The downside is Vernal slowly losing her mind and becoming more insane. I couldn't explain why. What she is going through feels familiar.

Politics and possibilities are a pain to think about.

"And what next? The conquest of Vacuo?" He clenched his fists. Call cup cup

"No one is going to overthrow this kingdom. I want to give your people the proper life they deserve," I explained," And I will do it peacefully."

It's harder said than done when the people crave violence. Ms. Malachite and I underestimated how bloodthirsty the tribe and the Vacuan are against invaders. There was no low morale despite the retreats, just vengeance.

He reflected on the tribe's public actions. It supports what I'm saying. Vacuo has been a hellhole for centuries. The world took everything from them; land, resources, and even people. The few Oasis, natural resources and Dust Mines left are desperately guarded and deep in the desert. It wouldn't take much for me to convince Vacuo to wage war against the world. The result would be further decimation of Vacuo.

It helps that Ver knows how to use her powers to rebuild the ecosystem without too much damage. She has become a genius in ecology, botany, meteorology, and other nature/weather-related studies. It comes with having the full utilization of her powers. I suspect Jinn uses Ver's body like a hotel room to continue dripping knowledge into her head.

I could overthrow Theodore right now but not at the expense of more innocent lives.

"Tell that to the people you killed," He hissed," A huntsman only kills as a last resort and you have outright executed people that can be jailed. You're not here to seek redemption, You're here to find excuses."

It stings to hear it thrown at me again.

I must have been a killer in my past life with these skills. A reminder of what I left behind. The body count could have been a handful or hundreds.

Theodore is still talking but it's more or less of the same critiques. He's passionate about what it means to be a huntsman. This is one reason why I didn't bother infiltrating Shade Academy. I trusted him but the feeling wasn't mutual.

"I'm sorry for everything I put you through," I apologized and bowed," You're a good man surrounded by liars.

"I'm used to it, I grew up in Vacuo," He rubbed the side of his face," Which proves my point. The testament of a person's character is how they can rise above adversaries. You have a choice not to fall. Instead, You dived deeper into what you hate."

"He has a point," Glynda said," You can live your life with the best of everything yet choose the path of darkness."

"A certain thrill-seeking schemer fits the description," Theodore sneered.

"I just don't get it. This talk about morality and your love for your kingdom doesn't answer one question," I shook my head.

"What is it?"

"Why don't you improve your home?"

"The Academy lacks resources and numbers to spread out to the entire kingdom," He revealed," It has been like this since the end of the Great War. I could only tell, instead of enforce. They respect my words out of respect."

Stagnation.

This kingdom will remain unchanged if there are no interior or exterior forces to change it. The Crown had the right idea but horrible executions. They were doomed to fail. A hostile takeover is going to make the situation worse.

While old man Schwarz and his family are relegated to helping the refugees and the tribe only. Vacuo no longer trusts handouts from foreigners, especially from corporations. Even vouching for them would make me seem like a sell-out to Vacuan.

The only outsider and ally with enough respect in this kingdom is Ms. Robyn Hill. She helped a lot in both legal and illegal ways. She is my connection to Mantle support and shockingly enough, anonymous Atlas elites. But I have to pretend she isn't unless we attract the irk of Atlas.

I'll give honesty a chance. My conversation with Ms. Goodwitch did make me realize it. I can't lie forever.

Lies-Truth

Manipulation-Altruism

Betrayal-Loyalty

Misfortune-Luck

They're all tactics. It is only a matter of when, where, and who.

"It doesn't have to be. We need to trust each other again," I said," Headmaster Theodore, I want to engage in an honest exchange of knowledge. There isn't going to be a lie between us. Whatever you ask me, I will answer truthfully and vice versa."

Goodwitch did her best not to react to me using her own words.

'I don't trust you,' I predicted in my head.

"I don't trust you," He confirmed my prediction.

"Trust is valuable even in Vacuo. Please, Ask me anything," I smiled," But we need to hurry. The crowds are getting restless."

The conversations that followed got us to understand each other's perspectives. I explained what I wanted to do with Vacuo. I give my evidence and reasoning as proof.

I even told of the council's plan to gain more power. I needed him to focus on a specific path of questioning. I didn't want to risk Theodore asking about the tribe, especially Vernal, wrongdoing.

I betrayed three factions today.

The power the council desires will come to them regardless. Theodore can't march in and arrest them either or he'll look like the villain.

I'm truthful only with what is asked of me. I lead the conversation in a way that prevents the wrong questions from being asked. It's the same tactic Goodwitch used.

I didn't realize it until after the conversation was at its time limit.

I forgot to ask her questions that could help my faction. Instead, I ended up asking questions that helped me personally. I could have asked her about the relics or threats like the other maidens. Maybe, I could ask if she knows what Ironwood is planning. I ended up being riled up and running my mouth.

We can be liars but there is value in the truth.

Ozpin plans to strengthen my forces against the other two. Ironwood should be against it yet he didn't collaborate with Malachite as he did in South Anima.

I need a nice, stress-free vacation after this exam.

The conversation went on for another five minutes before Cali knocked on the door and entered.

"You'll need to wrap it up," She motioned.

It didn't take long before a brick flew through the only unbroken window in the office. There's a letter strapped to it. I picked it up and read it before putting it in my pockets. It is just a love letter written by Brawnz.

Good, All according to plan.

"I haven't seen a crowd react like that since my younger years," he chuckled in an elated tone," Get out of here. The Licensing Exam will carry on. Glynda, You will stay with me while Rumpole leads Akame to the podium…I've lost the moment you set foot in Vacuo."

"You're a good man," I stood up," And you're in the right for everything."

Theodore isn't an unreasonable adult trying to control me. I'm the problem child with no integrity. He didn't want to give me a chance but went through with it.

"I would rather let you win than let the 'Big One' gain a foothold," He turned his back to me," You're still young. We discussed what it means to be a huntress many times."

Theodore had worked hard to be in the position he is today. It's hard to believe he's stronger than Ozpin. I wonder if that wizard is holding back. Maybe Ozpin wanted to hide his true potential even among allies.

I left the office, closing the door behind me.

My senses are assaulted by bright flashes and voices.

The cameras and scrolls are out in front or high in the air.

People are yelling at each other to get my attention.

Journalists and reporters are at the forefront with microphones, expensive cameras, and notebooks out. Brawnz slips out of the crowd and gets into formation. I tapped Brawnz on the shoulder, thanking him.

The officers formed a barrier keeping the crowd away but some were able to break through. Team Samsara and Night Raid acted as my shell with Rumpole leading us forward. It was pure chaos but I didn't care. This is the price of fame.

I'm still a criminal in the rest of the world. My bounty is worth 15.5 million lien the last I checked. The bounty is going to freeze once I become a huntress. It will be reactivated if I mess up. This is the price of infamy.

A few minutes passed with too much on my mind.

Someone threw a bouquet and I caught it. That's nice of them. I handed it over to May for safekeeping.

"Our hands are full," She responded.

"Huh?" I snapped out of my self-reflection.

That's what happened. Night Raid and Samsara did a good job of catching all oncoming gifts while I was in my little world. They have goods piled up to their eyes. I didn't order them to catch and carry it around but they did anyway. It would be rude to toss them aside.

I see stuffed animals, gift baskets, snacks, flowers, some guns, a few melee weapons, letters, and other goods in their arms. I suspect some of these gifts were put together beforehand by people who knew I was here. Which is roughly one-fourth of Vacuo. They were waiting for the right time to give it to me. They are usually discreet until I give them a reason not to.

"Ms. Rumpole, Could you call for more reinforcements," I asked her," To put these gifts away?"

She sighed and motioned for a few teams to come over. I told the police officers to let them through.

"Take these presents off their hands and keep them somewhere safe," She explained," For our honored guest."

Samsara and Night Raid finally got their hands free so they could catch more gifts. The people of Vacuo love me. I snacked on a chocolate bar that was handed to me by a kid momentarily slipping past.

It was delicious.

I should also keep tabs on that child. He handed me a bar without the cops or my protection noticing.

Curly black hair and a tan complexion.

I'll look for him.

After another minute of walking and gift interception/handoff, We reached the auditorium.

Vacuo hospitality is a far cry from the Atlas military base several years back. I saved their soldiers and they treated a ten-year-old like a caged Grimm. Ironwood is the one that gives me better accommodations for the sake of recruitment and info gathering. He changed his tone when I refused to rat out Malachite.

I doubt my ascension into a huntress will change their opinion of me.

It was packed to the brim with students and the media. The cheer gets louder and louder as I walk the aisles. I could have entered through the backstage but a frontal entrance conveyed an image of being with the people.

I doubt I'll ever get used to all this attention. It feels weird. The thought of being this open sent chills down my spine. There could be an assailant in the crowd and I wouldn't be able to detect them on time.

But the atmosphere was overwhelmingly supportive. I felt unthreatened even with my paranoia. A would-be assailant couldn't get near me with how the people of Vacuo operate.

Regardless of the support, My chest felt like it wanted to explode. I wanted to explode into nothingness. The realization is hitting me in full force. I'm not in front of an audience of several hundred people, I'm speaking to tens of millions of people.

I shouldn't freak out.

I was told to speak from the heart. My heart is beating a million times per minute. I don't want to do it.

How about my soul? My soul seized up and died at the idea of anything beyond my friend group.

I forgot the exact details of what I wanted to talk about. Even the overview is muddled.

What the hell am I thinking?

I got an idea. If I stalled with a meet and greet-I can't, That is an even worse idea.

I just want to go home and lie in bed.

No training or eating.

Only Bed.

It felt instantaneous. One second I was walking down the aisles and now I stood at the podium.

HOW.

What am I supposed to even talk about?

The auditorium fell into silence.

I try to utter a word, anything.

A loud bang came from the roof of the room then three girls came crashing down.

"WE ARE HERE!"

Normal PoV

Akame forgot one crucial detail in her planning. She was too focused on handling the academy situation that she ended up forgetting the promise to her family. They were going to have dinner together.

Sun hoped to avoid Akame's father until he was sure it was safe. Maybe a few more dates and an escape plan from Night Raid and/or Qrow.

That wasn't going to happen.

Qrow was kicked out of the house. Ruby, Yang, and Umber are told to go to Akame's room. Meanwhile, Taiyang is sitting on the couch, hunched forward and 'kindly' chatting with Sun. The table has two glasses of water, both untouched.

"So you're in a relationship with my daughter."

"No, I am not. I think," He gulped," It's complicated…"

"You already broke up with her?" He threatened with a smile.

"No! I-," he stuttered," Things happened, Akame is a complicated girl."

Taiyang expressions soften slightly before going back into interrogation mode.

Yep, Just like her mother,' He sighed. Akame would kill him if he heard it.

The glasses of water vibrated slightly.

Yang and Ruby tried peeking out of the room only for Umber to drag them back by the scruff of their necks. She gently closes the door, handling the siblings like hyperactive puppies.

"Can you two sit down? Even Zwei is more well-behaved!" She complained.

"We aren't as bad as you," Yang crossed her arms.

"Not in front of Rube, please," She remarked back," And I'm not part of Akame's little power play."

"But you allowed it?"

Umber looked away from her sisters.

"I'm not answering anything," She looked out the window," Oh Gods, That's hideous."

"Eeph!"Ruby and Yang jumped upon seeing a face squished against the glass.

Vernal blinked and growled. The Spring Maiden opened the window by herself.

"Screw you! Your birth certificate is an apology letter," Vernal insults.

"You read that off the internet," Umber looked at her sisters," You're trying to roast? Do you want to go there?"

She wants to destroy Vernal but Ruby is in the room. Umber doesn't want the youngest to pick up on any foul language. She is already in enough trouble because of Akame.

The Spring Maiden stuck her tongue out.

She wanted to knock a few teeth out.

Militia tapped her friend's shoulder and told her to back off.

"We are going to back up, Akame. Are you in or not?" The Prime Minister's daughter revealed.

"I'm grounded," Umber sighed.

"Like, I don't care. Akame is going to give a speech and we all know she's going to choke," Militia expresses," Pretty please?"

"Ahem," Yang coughed.

"What Yang?" Umber huffed.

"Who are they?"

The sisters look at the two girls.

"Real name or fake name?" Militia asked Umber.

"Real name, The secret is going to be out soon Lil Ms. Stockholm Syndrome," the oldest girl rolled her eyes.

"Hello, You must be Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao-Long," Vernal waved," My name is Vernal Easter but I also go by Ver Veritas, future Queen of Vacuo."

"What the fuck," Umber mumbled," I didn't mean that real name."

"Queen?" Yang and Ruby uttered at the same time. Veritas shows the crown marking on her neck.

"My name is Militia Malachite, the missing daughter of the Prime Minister, and I don't have Stockholm Syndrome," She gives Umber the stink eye," Akame talks about her sisters often. She loves you girls."

"She does? Umber and Akame barely talked about you," Yang revealed.

"Please keep it a secret, My mother's rhetoric toward Akame would be questioned," She sighed.

"Your mom and your sister are Akame's biggest haters," Yang crossed her arms.

"I'm working on it," She admitted," It's just complicated."

"Tell me about it," Yang sighed.

"Queen? Would you need to find a king?" Ruby asked," Would you still be a princess? Can you talk to animals? Could you sing? Is your life like a fairytale? Do you have a castle? Why do you have cool tattoos?"

"Yes. I can't find my King. Good point. No. Yes. I wish. Soon. Akame demon marks are cool, do you want one?"

"No!" Umber pushes Ruby behind her.

"Anyway," Militia cleared her throat," We got a mission to take care of."

Militia wonders if this is her mother's plan. There are always multiple contingency and side objectives. Militia has no clue what her true goal is or she already failed her mission and is finding ways to salvage it.

Umber thought about it. It would be cruel even if Akame deserved the embarrassment.

"Militia, Where are you going?" Umber watched as Ver slipped away.

"Freeing you," She walks off and turns the corner.

"Here to help?" He nodded. Qrow knew they were here. He could hear the landing," And welcome back."

"Yes, Sacrifice must be made for Akame happiness," The girl vowed and walked past Qrow with a determined expression.

"What is she planning," Qrow lifted his flask to his lips. He soon regretted it.

"SUN WUKONG! YOU DIRTY CHEATER!" The Prime Minister's daughter kicked the door open causing the two occupants to jump out of their seats," You like the black hair girl DO YA!"

"Wh-what!" the boy stuttered dumbfounded.

Qrow felt his nose and throat burn. He wanted to spit out the drink and laugh his heart out but didn't want to waste a drop of rum.

The Branwen needed to excuse himself into the furthest corner of the front yard.

"Poor Sun, haha!" He laughed.

Taiyang took a moment to get out of his shock. Tai stared at the angry visage of the girl and wondered why she seemed familiar.

"Militia?" Sun said," Y-your back?"

"The prime minister's daughter!" He shouted.

Ruby and Yang peeked out of the door again. This time, Umber was too stunned to stop them. They watch the drama in silence.

"And now ex-girlfriend. Sir, He isn't a good person for your daughter. Like look at him, He's a himbo with no shame," She yelled," As a matter of fact, He got another side-chick at the door!"

Ver didn't know what to say until Jinn whispered a suggestion.

"He's good in bed," She uttered.

Taiyang's face hardened. Sun and Yang's jaws dropped. Qrow continues to lose it in the front yard. Umber smashed her head against the wall.

"What's wrong? Why is everyone upset about napping?"Ruby asks innocently.

The politician's daughter follows through without missing a beat.

"He deflowered and left! The scummiest of scumbags!" She yelled.

Umber can't stand the accusation anymore. She likes Sun and knows he is a moral anchor for Akame. It is Militia's fault for not being more forward with her feelings. She is now trying to get rid of the competition. It disgusts her.

"Okay! That's enough-" Umber attempted to burst out of the room only to be tackled and dragged away by Yang.

"Get off of me!"

"No, Let them cook," Yang held her laugh.

"YOU HAVE A GIRLFRI-" Umber didn't get a chance to finish her sentence before being tossed out the window by Yang.

"I was curious okay!"

Ruby looked between the commotion in the room and the living room wondering if everyone had gone insane.

Sun recalls an escape plan.

"Can I give my side first?" he gulped.

"Yes, After cardio," Tai chuckled, "5…4 ... .3…"

The boy ran through the wall before the countdown ended.

"Qrow! Save me!" he yelled.

"2…1," Tai calmly stepped out of the house," I'll be right back girls."

He begins giving chase.

"Tai! Wait! The girls are lying!" Qrow pursued them. Within seconds, the boy and two adults are racing into the horizon. They become specks in the distance as they race across the desert.

Ruby and Yang hurried outside to see the chaos unfold.

"Did Dad and Uncle leave us alone?" Ruby turns around to ask Yang.

"We're fine. Militia, Vernal, and big sis-" The blonde turned around to see the three girls disappear. As if they flew into the sky.

"What is going on here?" Yang stood dumbfounded.

Ruby shrugged.

"I don't know but I think I'm normal. C'mon! Race you to Akame!" the silver-eyed girl disappeared into a burst of rose petals.

A/N: Cutting it short again. We now have an official design for Theodore and proof of the Summer Maiden. The Summer Maiden is still too much of a blank to write and a wildcard. I don't think we'll get a concise answer anytime soon.

I can't make it shorter. There is still too much for me to cover considering how I want to close a few plot points. The next chapter is about worldwide reactions and important conversations. This chapter is about how Vacuo treats Akame.

I wrote an extra ending.

Possible Ending:

Path of the Demon

It seems our mission is over.

Why did you keep going?

I cannot deny our choice is damnation.

Your choice hurts everyone around us. This isn't a damnation for us but for you. I enjoyed this endless war until our near-infinite enemies finally died out.

It took both of us to cut down the broken fragments Light and Darkness. I didn't expect you to exist.

That's why I am here. I live through you.

How long has it been? Our time hunting Grimm and fragments of the Gods.

Enough for generations to pass. A willpower of steel even I envied. I could've tortured you and you'll never break.

Are you threatening me?

No, A compliment. Akame, the slave girl from another world. She doesn't even have a surname. We see the true depravity of humanity many times over yet you believe humanity can be redeemed?

I see evil. I've done evil on its behalf and in responses. You committed more sins than I would. The actions of the few and the deception of the many doesn't mean humanity is wrong. We must have faith.

She opened her eyes. Akame's eyes are no longer human, same with the horns on her head, and changes to her appearance.

The girl rose from the broken throne. The sky is blackened as usual and a wall of flame is at the horizon. There is no light nor black essence of destruction in sight. A young woman walked beside her as a long-time comrade. The time they spent together wiping out Grimm, the broken fragments, and anything threatening humanity. It far eclipses their time as enemies.

She did it at the cost of many.

Too many.

Could she have taken a different path to prevent more bloodshed?

She saved humanity but humanity will never welcome her back. The war was inevitable and someone needed to win. There was no backup plan or retreat but a path forward.

How many lives did you sacrifice? This world you destroy and rebuild before the last bit of the divines crushed themselves in their feud?

Enough to give hope and empower those that live. I trust humanity to find its path.

You're becoming as naive as her. That's why I love her.

You're the proof I need that under the right conditions. Even a monster can be redeemed, isn't that right Esdeath?

Redeemed? No sure thing. I just learned restraint. She's cute and of pure heart. She can't defeat either of us physically. A weakling I squished under many circumstances but she won in the end.

A somber silent reign between the two enemies turned uneasy comrades.

We can't turn back time. We are now vagrant to everyone left.

We are flawed creatures don't you think?

It is what it means to be human. The flaws and perfection are what make us who we are.

The former enemies stood side by side seeing what they accomplished. They just don't know what humanity has become beyond this fiery veil. They aren't even on the same plane of reality with Remnant. They are currently in a pocket dimension akin to the same magic used to hold the relics.

An endless battlefield for two warriors.

It could be decades or centuries. The world could be the pinnacle of human society or a barren wasteland. It could adhere to the ideals of a girl with a simple soul or be crushed by those who want power.

They didn't even need to speak words to each other. It was simple gestures, expressions, and extrapolating what the other would say.

"Akame, Let's see what the world has become after our sacrifice," Esdeath offered her hand," No matter what the result is, At least we tried."

"What comes after?" Akame questioned," What if the world is at peace, how will you handle it?"

"There are other worlds out there. I doubt whatever power we accumulate here would transfer. It's their rules but we both are competent fighters," She winked," Watch my back and I'll watch yours."

"An adventure in another world? Why should I do such a thing? I've been at it for so long. I want to rest."

"You can choose to die or continue helping others. I still have my reasons to live. I could find a glorious death elsewhere if you're not willing to offer it again," She smiled," I'll go ahead without you. I'll respect your decision if you want Remnant to be your final burial. You can end me here and now if you don't want my brand of chaos."

Akame pushes Esdeath's hand aside.

"If you keep that sadistic streak under control. Come on, Let's go," Akame moved past her old enemy, "And we aren't buddies after all the problem you and the other you caused."

"You just don't want to admit you miss me," she giggled," Let's go, partner. If you disagree with my actions, talk it over next time. After this world tour, how about we annoy that blacksmith lady to send us off."

"We aren't partners."

Esdeath knows the victor would be decided many times over.

Akame hides her smile. She knew their immortality would end upon leaving Remnant as per contract. It's the same for abilities unique to this world. It's the same for the blood in her veins, whatever power she accumulated, and Esdeath's maiden powers.

She unsheathed Shūsen and slashed a portal open. It glows a red hue.

''Raven… Mom," She uttered," Thank you for forgiving me."

Esdeath enters the portal first followed by Akame.

She expected the portal to take them to their designation like always but instead, Akame found herself in a long white hall.

"This place again? Am I dead or inbetween?" She gazed down knowing what to do next.

Keep moving forward.

She wonders what other worlds are like and what she'll keep from them.

The demon mark on her body isn't cursed. It's her link to her past. It's become a distinguishing feature to identify her. Shūsen, the sword, and Rosetta, the scabbard, hold a special place in her heart. It is coming with her no matter the world.

She won.

She defeated all her enemies.

The hallway starts to fill with memories both good and bad. The friends and family she gained and lost hold a place in her heart.

This world, the old world, and the next.

It doesn't matter what comes next as long as she tries her best.

Pictures.

Hundreds to thousands of them filled her sight.

Recording of events.

Hours upon days upon years.

They breeze through her like soft morning light.

She stumbled and failed but never fell completely. Because even if she fails, Akame makes sure others can carry on the torch. That others can rise past her instead of being her shadows.

Ruby, Yang, Umbra, this world Night Raid and Jaeger, her team, Mercury, Sun, and many others have picked up what she failed to accomplish for herself. That makes her action, their sacrifice, worth it in the end.

She wanted to believe it was.

A final step forward and she felt a hand gently push on the small of her back. That one hand shifted into many different hands all at once. As if it's the embodiment of people who loved her, and believed in Akame.

She didn't look back but knew in her heart they wanted her to move on. They're all long gone.

"Did your team succeed, Ruby?" Akame said," They should have."

Akame stepped out of the portal with Esdeath being unaware of what she went through in seconds.

"No fighting. We are merely observers from henceforth," She looked around. She saw a grassy field and ruins of a town taken over by nature. The air felt light and refreshing," Failure or not, This world is free from the Gods and their interference permanently. We don't belong here anymore."

"I can sense it."

"Sense what?"

"Nothing," Esdeath looked away, a hint of disappointment in her voice," A journey ends the same way as it starts."

They walk forward to see what the world of Remnant has become. Akame isn't sure she can accept the aftermath.

A Remnant of a Remnant.

"This field…It used to be a forest," Esdeath mumbled," And that cliff."

"I know," Akame stared at the cliff. She can still see the two headstones even from here.

A/N: This is one of several endings.

Esdeath was always coming back and had her story arcs in the background. She still retains some of her battle-hungry traits but is more subdued because of her time as Akari Efnysien.

I wanted to release this version of the ending in case something happens. Either I stop posting etc. It is a bittersweet ending closer to how Akame ga Kill ended.

I'm keeping Akame's final form vague. I finally settled on Akame's Scabbard name. Rosetta means Rose in Italian. It also rhymes with beretta, also Italian. Akame's handgun is based on the Maxim-9 instead of a Beretta. But both are 9mm so it doesn't matter overall.

Akame named her handgun/scabbard after Ruby because she made it. There is a bit of symbolism with it. Shūsen's literal translation is War End. The sword is named after Akame's desire/ideal to end the war. Put two and two together, Akame ideals are a part of Ruby. Now don't make it any more weird.

It's a bad ending in terms of the goal/mission being accomplished but the cost was too much. Akame didn't save herself in this ending. There are a few more endings I could write for what-if scenarios. They're fun to write.