28 days after the Revolution begins. Sunset. Fuyu's Mansion, The Capital.
Fuyu's mind raced as be pondered again and again how it came to this. What where the odds of Saikyuu, the mastermind behind much of the evil plaguing this land, arresting Steven?
A valuable but not critical piece in the Chairmen's plot.
It's alarming. A workable loss given the overall plan...however...
Unexpected. It was completely unexpected.
Honest is the type of person to wait until the most dire moments to see those who are loyal to those who would sell him out to save their own skins. From that logic, it's clear that the Prime Minister wasn't behind this move or so the Chairmen thought.
Meaning that bastard's secretary was acting all on his own.
Fuyu's recalled the report Chelsea, who still remained undercover as Warumo, sent the other day on Saikyuu.
Of the organic book Rongo Rongo and its ability to portray locations in real time.
The intel of Saikyuu's spy villages were being put to good work, Serpentine has been paying each a visit expanding the number of hosts at his disposal.
However...questions arose. How did Saikyuu acquire such a useful domesticated Danger Beast being one of the most reacquiring in Fuyu's mind.
"Saikyuu...what even are you?"
Fuyu pondered further on the moves available to him when the door farthest from him opened. The forward turned his gaze as Jast entered the room. The senator nodded, closing the door behind before quickly pacing toward Fuyu.
While the black haired man certainly had eyes upon him, everyone in the Capital knew better than send spies into this mansion. Those that had...well lets just say the executioners Honest employees lack any creativity in comparison.
Thus they were safe to speak their minds within these walls.
"What do you intend to do now?" Jast asked straight to the point, placing a hand upon the table to his right. "How do we save Steven and his family?"
'How indeed..' Fuyu mentally sighed. "To answer both questions...Nothing."
"Nothing?" Jast raised an eyebrow. "Did I hear you correctly?"
"Congratulations, Senator Jast. Your hearing is acquit to participate in a conversation."
"Be serious."
"I am."
Jast let out a tisk. "So you're going to abandon-"
"I intended to use him!" Fuyu slammed his fist upon the table, letting out a tad of his growing frustration. He let out a breath a few moments after.
"Carefully mapped out plans, don't to the minute details. While Steven had played his role well thus far, I-we could still have used him for the final battle." Fuyu exhaled, rubbing his face with both hands. "I soooo hate it when someone does something I do not account for. Too many headaches."
The room went quite for the next few minutes.
Fuyu dropped his hands to his sides, staring up into the ceiling.
"This may be a plot to force our hand." He said in a tired tone.
"Of course it is." Jast answered. "Which is why our next move must be carefully carried out in order to save-"
"There's no move to be made at this time." Fuyu gave his friend a sad smirk. "Not one that will benefit the plan anyway."
Jast looked at the Chairmen with a look of hurtful shock. "Don't tell me the great Flash Demon has run out of moves? That he can't think of something clever to solve this issue."
"You are confusing me for a miracle worker, Jast." Fuyu chuckled. "I admit, my genius plots and calculations can give that impression. Sorry to say, even I can only do so much."
Jast shook his head. "There has to be something...Anything!"
"We cannot make a move until after Wild Hunt is defeated!" Fuyu rose from his seat, giving Jast a serious look that briefly startled the man.
"To launch the coup now with such a large number of enemy Imperial Arms users still in play is folly! Such a move will degrade our strength to a point we will not be able to withstand the Revolutionary Army's siege even with all the tricks I've prepared! Tell me, should I risk the fate of this nation and all her people for a family of four?! That I should gamble it all away for such little gain!? Is that what you want Jast?!"
"What do you purpose we do then?! Let Steven and his family die?!"
The two stood their ground for minutes, glaring into each other with furious faces.
"That...is the only move we can make without sacrificing everything we have built up to this point." Fuyu let out a breath, sinking back into his seat. "Sometimes, inaction is the right course of action."
Jast felt disgusted, refusing to believe that this man would give up so easily on this matter. Yes, sacrifices were to be made in this game of madness. To forego a comrade, even if this one wasn't exactly willing...no because he was an unwilling piece...
"I'm sorry but I do not fell the same way." Jast stated. He turned on his heels, marching to the door when Fuyu called out to him.
"Jast...Know that if you act on your own, I cannot help you."
"...I am aware." Jast replied, grabbing the door handle.
"Then you are aware that if you are caught, I have to kill you."
Jast felt a chill run down his spine. He closed his eyes, knowing his friend meant every word.
"I understand." He said before opening the door.
Fuyu watched his friend leave with a frown. He shook his head after Jast closed the door behind him.
"At least that...I expected." Fuyu muttered to himself before returning to his earlier contemplation on what move to conduct next.
11 days after the Revolution begins. The Vault of Shingu, The Capital.
The night after the operation at Umatora Theater, Undertaker lead Regin to an area of the Imperial Palace that few knew about. At these late hours, barely anyone else was seen in the halls before the wheelchair bound man began traveling the secret, mostly forgotten route.
"Where are we heading?" Regin asked once he confirmed no other soul could hear his words.
"A place the Imperial Family wishes to be forgotten." Undertaker replied with a soft chuckle. "You'll see for yourself that it is worth the trip, assuming you like what you will find."
The elderly gentleman raised an eyebrow at that answer but declined to comment further. The pair continued onward in silence for the next dozen minutes, all the while Regin kept his blade at the ready.
He might have chosen to amuse the Undertaker's request but that didn't mean he trusted him, let alone anyone else in Wild Hunt.
Who knows, maybe Regin can fulfill his dream: To fight against a worth opponent and die in combat.
The hallway the pair travel through opened up into a large room with an equally high ceiling. At the far end stood a massive vault half opened. In front stood two individuals Regin recognized.
"You didn't tell me others would be here." Regin said in a low tone
"To be fair, you never asked." Undertaker replied, wheeling himself over to his fellow Sons of Nors members.
Raven nodded at Regin in greeting, gesturing with a free hand the open vault.
Vile studied the elderly man for a moment as he approached before stepping into the vault.
"What is inside this vault that is so important you escorted me here in the dead of night?" Regin asked, stopping alongside Raven and Undertaker.
"A stain on Imperial Prestige would be one way to answer that question." Undertaker answered. "A collection of efforts to replicate Imperial Arms that failed gloriously."
"So failed Imperial Arms?" Regin concluded. "You brought me here to showcase a collection of failures?"
"Failures in the sense of reaching a high set bar." Raven added. "While these items have fell short of expectations, they are none the less useful."
"If so, why haven't the Imperials put these items to use?"
"If you were a pompous emperor who has gloated of creating items rivaling the greatest weapons the Empire has ever created, only to fall short and achieved nothing but embarrassment for yourself, wouldn't you hide those troublesome devices away rather than be reminded of your failures everytime you look upon them?"
Regin let out a sigh. "Ah, so another example of pride getting in the way of using what can benefit the country. Of course. My original question stands: Why am I here? Further more, how do you know this vault exists?"
"The second question is simple, I was told by someone with connections to the highest ranking fat sack of corruption this country has ever seen. Seems the Imps chose not to listen to the wishes of the dead emperors and have used some of these Shingu in the past for cover operations." Raven answered, placing a hand on his hip.
"As for the first, we figured that it would be nice to acquire a neat new toy or weapon since we're here in the Capital. Given the childish orders of our leader, Undertaker here thought you could use something to occupy your time instead of wasting it by killing random civilians pissed off at the government."
The wheel-chaired man let out a chuckle as Regin let the statement sink in. A lot of what Raven had said could be taken as treason, but the elder wasn't a citizen of this nation nor a patriot of any sort so he couldn't care less.
"So you believe that I can benefit from acquiring a new device to augment my swordsmanship?" He asked for confirmation.
"That, or if you want to learn a new trick." Raven replied with a smirk. At that moment, Vile returned from the inside of the vault, pushing a cart loaded with various items and weapons.
"I've taken the liberty of selecting a number of these...Retainer Arms that I believe would suit your tastes." She said shortly before halting the cart before the trio. "Feel free to browse these items before traveling into the vault. It is easy to get lost in the labyrinth as there are hundreds of these inferior arms inside."
Regin took a step toward the cart, glancing at the various items before asking one more question. "There must be another reason aside of shame that these items aren't in continued use. Especially if there are hundreds as you claim."
"Very astute of you." Vile nodded in approval. "Yes, aside from the shame of the Emperor that commissioned the work, there is one other reason why these Retainer Arms haven't seen much use until recently."
"Unlike Tengu, Shingu don't reject a user." Raven cut in. "Instead, most require a toll to be paid for their usage. It is quite common for a user to die after using one of these items."
"And you are only telling me this now?" Reign glanced over his shoulder while he replied to Raven.
"My dear comrade in arms!" Undertaker chimed in. "If we didn't think you could handle the toll, we would have never even lead you all this way to this very vault!"
"Take it as a sight of respect." Raven added. "I can speak from experience, the toll from these Shingu aren't as deadly to the strong. Or are you suggesting that you aren't strong enough?"
Regin let out a huff, pacing over to the cart Vile still remained by.
"Very well. I accept your challenge." The elder answered, picking up one of a few Shingu that peaked his interest. "I shall master one or more of these Retainer Arms and dispel any doubt from your minds on how strong I truly am."
Raven smiled wide, flashing his teeth. "I ask for nothing less, oh skilled Illustrious Gentlemen who wanders the land far and wide for a place to die."
29 days after the Revolution begins. Outskirts of the Capital, Military Cemetery.
Drake exhaled, seeing his own breath, as he rubbed his gloved hands together. He hated the cold.
And here he is, standing in snow up to his boots in the cloudy afternoon watching over a mother and daughter dressed in black clothes for morning.
The pair were Kurono and Illia, out on their weekly visit to Bols's grave.
The widow cleaned off the fresh snow that had fallen this morning from the tombstone before placing this weeks fresh flowers with her daughter. The little one cried, as she always did when they came to pay their respects, but it was less and less of a scene each time as she's come to terms with his death.
Drake tried to make it out here once he learned the two visited the cemetery on a regular basis, especially given how insane things have gotten thanks to Wild Hunt.
While he shouldn't have given a damn about the family of the enemy, he grew attached to the unit he spied on.
That, and he gave his word damn it.
It was a risk. A very stupid risk given he should be dead now. A fact that Rak constantly reminded him every time he made the trip out here.
Drake just couldn't help himself.
"Thank you, for watching over us." A familiar voice called out.
Drake mentally cursed at his carelessness, being lost in thought and failing to keep himself hidden.
"You've been keeping an eye out for several weeks now, haven't you?" Kurono, with Illia in hand, asked as the pair approached the former spy.
"You have a good eye, Kurono." Drake replied with a sigh. "I thought I was being discreet."
"Lets just say I had to learn a few skills to keep myself and little Illia here out of harms way." The widow replied with a half smile. She looked down to her child. "This man is a member of the Jagears, the unit Daddy was a part of."
"Thank you for protecting the Empire!" Illia said with surprising cheer. "And for getting along with Daddy when he was alive!"
Drake crouched down before replying to the little girl. "Of course. Any patriot would do what they can for their nation. No matter what that may entails."
Illia smiled, not quite sure what the man meant but grasping the basic concept.
Drake rose to his feet. "Heading home now?" Kurono nodded in reply.
"I see, take care of yourselves and do your best to avoid that Wild Hunt." Drake spat to the side. "Bunch of savages, they are. A disgrace to the Empire."
Kurono smiled. "We know. I've heard the rumors and witness one of their...investigations."
She looked down to Illia. "Fortunately, Illia wasn't with me during that time."
"Good. No child should see what those sick bas-...individuals do to people."
Kurono chuckled at Drakes self-censoring. Boldly, she stepped forward and kissed the man on his cheek. "Thank you for caring. See you next week."
Flustered, Drake remained petrified as Kurono and Illia head off on their way home.
"So...how do you feel bout widows, brother?" Rak mentally spoke. "Cause I find MILFs extremely sexy."
"Shut. Up. Brother." Drake muttered, rubbing his arms as a nasty windburst sent a chill through his whole body. He turned to head back to his temporary home to continue his plot to end Wild Hunt.
"Ahahahahaha, well we DO have Seryu so I guess she'd be jealous...Buuuuttt we can share two women between the two of us-"
"SHUT UP AND GET YOUR HEAD OUT THE GUTTER!" Drake shouted louder than he mean to, looking around quickly and thanking his luck that the cemetery was relatively empty.
The engineer broke out into a jog, eager to get out of the cold as a pair of unexpected visitors appeared before Bols's family.
Wave and Run, each holding a bokay of flowers, entered the cemetery through the same gate Kurono and Illia intended to leave from.
The pairs noticed each other, stopping and exchanged pleasantries.
"We're here to offer our respects." Run stated.
Kurono nodded. "I'm glad my late husband had such caring coworkers."
"He was a good man." Run replied.
"You two are here every week, right?" Wave added after a few moments of silence. "Be careful, the Capital is plagued by a nasty group that does whatever they want with no consequences."
"Wild Hunt, yes?" Kurono replied. "We've heard the rumors, and one of your fellow Jagears warned us just before. You just miss him, I'm guessing Drake is heading for the northern exit."
Run's eyes widened. "I'm sorry. Who did you say?"
Kurono raised an eyebrow. "Is there's something wrong? Did he not say he was coming here?"
"We talked to Drake before heading on home!" Illia chimed in. "He's been watching us from afar a few times now and Mommy gave him a kiss as thanks."
"Illia, that's not something you should say..." Kurono gave an awkward laugh.
"That's impossible...!" Wave shook his head. "Drake died during the mission at Kyoroch! There's no way he could be alive!"
Kurono blinked a few times. "Is that true?" She asked, alarmed. "Yet we saw him clear as day just a moment ago!"
Wave looked at Run. The latter nodded. Quickly the pair said their goodbyes to Kurono and Illia before rushing off deeper into the cemetery. It took a few minutes before they found a trail of footprints heading off to the northern exit and began to track them.
Dozens of minutes passed as the two followed the trail, heading off into the city mostly void of foot traffic.
Wave followed the path blindly as Run kept track of their surroundings.
'We're heading into the Red Light district...' The young man realized.
Sure enough, Wave noticed the familiar route they were heading. Other foot trails were blending in now, almost all heading to a familiar building.
Run and Wave stopped at the stairs leading up to the building were many things changed for both of them 4 short days ago.
A place that Wave and Kurome had an unforgettable experience.
Fuyu's brothel.
25 days after the Revolution began. The Old Imperial Boarder.
Today is the day.
The day the Gaulic hordes would appear and throw their weight against these old, mighty walls.
The commander of this gate fortress stood upon the battlements, looking beyond the forests and snow covered plains for movement with a magnifying glass.
He spotted them shortly before noon. Massive movement all across the horizon.
An army of massive proportions. Unlike anything the Imperials have seen since the war decades ago.
The commander turned around, taking a few steps forward to look at the open courtyard separating the two gatehouses and the steady line of refugees. Two days ago, he gave the order to thoroughly check each and every soul passing through this fortress. This was a measure to catch any infiltrators the foe may have sent.
Many argued that these barbarians weren't intelligent enough to employ such a tactic, he countered by having them explain how these barbarians conquered all the remaining forts in such a short amount of time.
When they failed to answer, the commander issued the same orders once more. While this slowed down the process dramatically, there were fewer and fewer refugees arriving so the cost was worth it. Of course, if any barbarians managed to slip through earlier...was a problem to be dealt with later.
Here and now, a much larger problem had to be dealt with.
"Once the last refugees passed through, close the double iron gates!" The commander ordered.
"Crossbowmen and archers man the battlement! I want those ballistas loaded and ready to fire on the enemy siege equipment! Cavalry, prepare your mount for sallies! Those assigned to filter through the refugees, maintain your posts! I wish not to risk infiltrators sabotaging our efforts! Everyone else, man your positions! The Gauls are at the Gates! The time is now to defend the Empire from this barbaric filth!"
The commander returned his focus to the massive army approaching. He could make out some forms through the magnifying glass now with unending movement beyond its focus.
Hundreds of thousands. Maybe the entire goddamn population of the barbarian nation, including the women and children no doubt in the rear of this formation. Wherever the end of it lay.
He can make out massive shapes in their formations; War Elephant Danger Beasts and other such beasts being used as siege platforms or towing other such war machines.
The question of how those forts fell in quick order have been answered, replaced by a new one: Who taught and gave these barbarians these siege engines and how to operate them?
What other skills have they learned that they would surely throw against these old Imperial walls?
The days ahead would prove to be long and hard for the garrison of old boarder as they fight to hold back the Gaulic hoards at all costs.
For a long as they drew breath.
31 days after the Revolution began. Nighttime, Fuyu's Mansion.
Run sat adjacent to a table, a cup of hot chocolate rested within arms reach.
The young man thought back to the events that played out 2 days ago.
He and Wave confronted Fal after following a trail of footsteps belonging to a man believed to be the thought to be deceased Drake. The tomboy stated that there wasn't anyone matching the description the pair explained to her. While they could have used their authority to conduct a search, the fact their was only two of them, the fact that the Chairmen of the Senate owned the building, and that Fal simply wouldn't allow it without issue left them few options.
Stumped, Run offered to wait outside and see if anyone looking like Drake exited the establishment as Wave returns to the cemetery and offer their respects as the two of them originally intended.
Wave agreed, saying that he'll rejoin his friend after he finished. The day passed by, with Wave returning an hour after he left, and no one matching Drake's description left the brothel.
It could be one of these individuals possess the ability to change appearances, there was an Imperial Arms out there that granted such an ability after all.
Why would such a soul disguise themselves as Drake? Why watch over Kurono and Illia? It didn't make sense.
As night settled in, Wave and Run decided to return to the palace.
After thinking about it for a time, the two believed that approaching Chairmen Fuyu could offer some clarity. Run told Wave he'd handle the matter, stating he should spend some time sorting out his relationship with Kurome who seemed a tad distant ever since the two had sex the other day. Blushing, the young man agreed.
Now here he was, awaiting Fuyu to appear in the dead of night.
The Chairmen had been increasingly busy these days, no doubt working on the final touches for the coup.
Run turned his head to the noise of the door opening. Fuyu slammed it shut, muttering under his breath as he sat down in a huff.
"-pirate scum thinks he can get away with touching one of my maids. I'll fucking kill-" Run heard the Chairmen mutter before the man cut himself off with a sigh.
Fuyu turned his gaze to Run. "Sorry for keeping you. Things have been hectic of late."
"Understandable. Plotting a coup is busy work." Run said with a nod.
"Things are moving in ways I haven't foreseen, pieces are overcompensating their next moves, and here I am trying to keep a sand castle from being blasted by the wave of chaos." Fuyu let out a laugh. "Busy? No. Stressed is the word your looking for."
"My condolences then. I'll be direct so you can get some rest." Run leaned forward, hesitating a few minutes before asking the question plaguing his mind. "Is Drake alive?"
"What brought this on?"
Run leaned back, taking a sip from the cooled hot chocolate at his side before continuing. "Bols's widow and daughter state that someone matching his description has been watching over the pair when they visit the cemetery every week. I'm wondering if you know anything about this?"
Fuyu let out massive sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course, he's always been sentimental. Refusing to detach himself completely from you Jagears."
Run gasp at this all but admitting answer. "You-"
"Best to show you." Fuyu turned his head toward the door. "Come it and be reunited with your former coworker."
Run's eyes widened in shock as the door swung open. Standing in the threshold was the all too familiar form of Drake. The only difference is the twin generators hanging on the back of his shoulders and the connected, strange twin batons that looked like massive mics he held in each hand.
The man avoided looking into Run's eyes as he stepped in the room. "Hey..." Was all he said as greeting.
Run sat dumbfounded. All this time. All this damn time. He had been alive.
What was the point of Seryu's suffering then?! Of Wave?!
"He's going to be your backup." Fuyu spoke as Run's thought turned to rage.
"I'm sorry?" The blond man asked, turning his attention to the chairmen.
"Drake, he's going to help you kill that scumbag Champ." Fuyu rolled his head. "Or did you forget that you asked for one or two men to help you?"
The way the Chairmen treated this so nonchalantly spoke volumes to Run.
He knew.
Knew all along.
Lied in their faces with a smile.
"I don't like being lied to." Run scowled at Fuyu. "We all thought Drake died to that Pyro back in Kyoroch. Many suffered great emotional damaged thanks to that-"
"Too bad." Fuyu cut in, slamming his fist on the table. "You have things you do not wish to share with me as I have secrets I'm keeping from you. That's the fucking way humans work, Run. Grow up."
For the second time, Run sat dumbfounded. The Chairmen never acted like this before. Never had this look of pure anger in his eyes.
Run remained still, unsure how to proceed when Fuyu let out a sigh. "Apologies. That surprise visit Wild Hunt paid me yesterday has pissed me off to new levels I'm struggling to calm down from."
"I've run out of patience, they need to be removed as soon as possible. Might as well start with Champ."
"...What ever happened to having Prime Minister Honest removing their privilege?" Run asked.
Fuyu shifted in the chair, resting his head upon his hand as he answered."Well, the first meeting I had with that fat bastard before showing you all around my brothel didn't produce any results other than him admitting Wild Hunt is quickly becoming a liability. Yesterday, he saw first hand the trouble they cause and reprimanded his son publicly. You should have seen the look on that smug prick's face. One more push and the group's privileges should be revoked."
"Why do you believe that?"
"Cause Syura's the type of person to burn a whole village down when someone calls him a smug prick. Imagine how he'll react when one of his new playmates suddenly dies?"
"He'll go berserk, lashing out on the local populace." Run concluded. "If such a thing were to happen, forget getting their privileges revoked they could be declared enemies of the Empire."
"Aside from the spoiled prince himself, of course." Fuyu added. "I have a plan for him, the others however will be left out to dry."
Run glanced at Drake, this time the man met his gaze. "I suppose the next question is when?"
"I want it done in two days." Fuyu soundly answered. "Have you scouted out the areas you've mentioned before?"
"Yes, I've settled on the perfect spot." Run said with a nod. "It'll be easy to lore the clown. Though if the others will follow out of concern I have no control over."
"That is why Drake is going with you." Fuyu extended his arm toward the man. "His Imperial Arms is more than capable of handling crowd control."
"About that..." Run rose from his seat. He stood face to face with the formerly thought dead man. "We're going to have a chat when this is all over."
Drake's eyes shifted color, startling Run a bit. "Heh, sure. If you survive the fight, we'll answer whatever questions you might have. Even the meaning of this shitty world."
Drake closed his eyes, letting out a breath before reopening them to reveal his eyes returned to normal. "Yeah. I won't run away like the night I faked my death. You have my word."
THUS ENDS ANOTHER ENTRY TO AKAME GA KILL CLOCKWORK!
Man these past 3 months have been flying by. I think we're half way through what I planned this arc too. At this rate, I might be done in a few years hahaha.
Teased a bit on another battle coming up, but this bit is mostly on the motions of individuals, consequences, and so on. Shorter than I thought it be word wise but that's fine as long as we get to the point.
Drake's false death has been found out a little bit now as he's back in the swing of things. Got other bits that'll have pay off later as well.
I will say this though, next entry will feature the death of at least one member of Wild Hunt. Its about time we get the ball rolling on that front. Oh and a scene dedicated to the surprise meeting Fuyu mentioned in the last bit. Few other surprises as well.
Thats the fun thing about time hoping, I can reference events that I haven't written yet :D
And I wanna take a moment to thank everyone who's been reading this, we're almost at 35K my the time I've made this entry. Goddamn.
Fuyu and Jast part over the fate of Steven. A lie has been revealed with the return of Drake. The Gauls are at the Gates as the Empire struggles to survive the multi-front civil war it finds itself in as players continue to move at the eleventh hour. All is at risk as every side strives to form their ideal world.
What will happen as Run's long awaited revenge begins? Find out next time on Akame Ga Kill Clockwork!