The Capital
Tatsumi continued his trek down the road towards the Capital, but unlike the previous days on his journey, he had a conflicted and troubled look on his face. It was all thanks to his new, and unwelcomed, traveling companion Venom. Not like he had any say in the matter.
"We are so close. I can practically smell the Capital's stench."Venom said with an eager tone.
"Really?" Tatsumi asked before taking a few sniffs in the air. Sure enough, he did smell a foul fragrance in the air, along with other things he's never smelled before. "Hey, I can smell it to. How's that possible?"
"Our bond not only amplifies your strength, but also your other senses as well."Venom explained about another advantage they hold over others."Everything about our bond is to make us the perfect predator. All the easier to hunt off the pickings of fresh brains."
"Okay, could you just shut up about that!" Tatsumi said with a glare. "I don't need that image up in my head all day!"
"It's just how it is, Tatsumi. I suggest you get use to it, because you and I are going to be spending a lot of time together."Venom said tauntingly.
"Much to my dismay." Tatsumi grumbled. "Can't you just find some other poor helpless soul to torture. Why pick me of all people?"
"Why would I want anyone else? You are much too perfect a match for me to let go."Venom said."That is why I picked you, Tatsumi. When I was tortured by that bastard Honest, he forced me to bond to hosts that were too weak to survive the process."
"I remember that from your memories." Tatsumi said as he remembered the images of Venom bonding to other people in what looked like a dungeon. "So, all those people that you bonded to before, they all died?"
"Yes, their bodies were malnourished to the point where they could barely stand. They couldn't survive the bonding."Venom said in a tone that Tatsumi could tell was full of regret."That is why you are a perfect fit, Tatsumi. You are young, strong, and have immense hidden potential within you that you are the ideal host."
"Thanks...I think?" Tatsumi said, not really sure how to take being complimented by an alien hitchhiking his body. Just then a thought did cross his mind that has been running around in his head. "Say, if all of your hosts back then were so weak, how did you escape in the first place?"
"Well, let me show you what happened."Venom said as he let more of his memories flash through Tatsumi's head.
Tatsumi saw that, just like any other day for the symbiote during his imprisonment, he was forcefully bonded to another prisoner that was strapped to a gurney. However, unlike the other prisoners that passed due to the bonding, this one was not in as bad shape as the previous ones. He still showed signs of being tortured repeatedly, but unlike the others, he still had strength to try and break out of his restraints, though he still failed.
This was Venom's chance.
The moment one of the scientists forcefully bonded to the prisoner, they were not ready for when Venom went full form and unleashed all his anger and fury upon all in his path. He raced down the halls, clawing, biting, and crushing every scientist and guards that got in his way. He even attempted to search for Honest and rip him to shreds for all the torment he went through, but unfortunately this was a day he decided not to visit.
As soon as he was done with everyone in the facility, Venom burst up through the ceiling and discovered that he was being held in an underground bunker far off from where he crashed landed on this planet. After escaping, he collapsed onto the ground due to his then host collapsing and dying soon after. He may have been strong enough for Venom to strike back at his captors, but he was still weak and couldn't last long.
Venom wouldn't last long now that there was no one around to bond with, but luckily a bird came by to scavenge off of the body, which Venom bonded to in order to get away. Ever since then he's been jumping from animal to animal until eventually came upon Tatsumi.
"Damn." Tatsumi said in shock, now that the images stopped flowing through his mind. "I'm...sorry that you went through all that."
"Thank you, Tatsumi, but all that struggle will be worth it in the end."Venom said with determination."As soon as I find that meat sack, Honest, I will introduce him to a pain like no other, just as he did to me!"
Tatsumi couldn't explain it, but the moment he thought of Honest, he too felt a rage boiling inside him. Maybe it was due to the symbiotic bond he has Venom, or maybe it was witnessing all the torture he did to the alien, but imagining that man's face just sent a wave of uneasiness in his stomach.
ROOOOAAAAR!
Tatsumi looked up in surprise as he heard the sound of a bestial roar up ahead. Taking off into a super sprint thanks to his enhanced strength, Tatsumi caught up to discover what was causing it, which was a large Danger Beast that resembled a cockroach, crab claws, and long antenna, known as an Earth Dragon. The beast was after two traders and their horse-drawn carriage.
"It's an Earth Dragon!" One of the traders exclaimed in fear.
"I've never seen one so close to the Capital!" The second merchant exclaimed.
"Looks like we finally get to have some fun."Venom said eagerly.
Tatsumi smirked as he grasped his sword strapped behind his back. "A chance to save people while also making a good first impression? Yeah, that definitely sounds like fun."
The two traders tried to escape from the Earth Dragon, but one of them tripped and crashed. He looked up in fear as the large creature loomed over and brought its claw down to capture and eat him. It never got the chance as Tatsumi came bursting forward with his enhanced speed and effortlessly cut off its antenna, causing it to roar in pain.
The two traders looked on in shock as Tatsumi stood protectively in front of them, not feeling the least bit scared. "A class-1 Danger Beast. Sounds like the perfect challenge." Tatsumi said nonchalantly. The Earth Dragon looked down at the young man as it roared in fury and charged at him.
"He sounds pissed."Venom said simply.
"That he does." Tatsumi said without a care. The Earth Dragon roared again as it slammed its claw right where Tatsumi was standing, but the young man wasn't there anymore as he jumped up high and landed right on the monster's claw. He then ran right up the monster's arm and aimed right straight towards its head. "You're done!" With multiple slashes from his sword, Tatsumi completely sliced up the creature's head to pieces, before effortlessly landing back on the ground.
'This is incredible! I didn't even feel the resistance of my sword going through its flesh.' Tatsumi thought in amazement. 'I'm still not completely on board with this whole bonding thing we've got going on, but it definitely has it's perks.'
"Told you so."Venom said smugly.
"That was amazing, kid!" One of the traders said gratefully as they both approached him.
"I can't believe you took down a class-1 Danger Beast alone." The second trader said in amazement.
Heh, of course. That thing was nothing against us." Tatsumi said smugly.
The two traders looked at each other in confusion before addressing the young man. "What do you mean 'us?' There's only you hear."
Tatsumi flinched at the realization of his slight stumble. "Right! Right! Sorry, that was a little slip up." Tatsumi said sheepishly before regaining his smirk. "Anyway, the name's Tatsumi, and I suggest you remember it first because it's going to remembered all throughout the Capital!"
I guess that means you're trying to make a name for yourself in the Capital?" One of the traders asked with concern.
"That's right! I'm going to make it big there! That's the dream of any country boy like myself!" Tatsumi said with confidence. He soon noticed the disturbed and concerned looks the two traders were giving each other. "What?"
"The Capital isn't as luxurious as you think it is, kid." The trader warned. "It's lively, sure, but it's full of monsters even more dangerous than that Earth Dragon."
What...so Danger Beasts come out to the Capital to?" Tatsumi asked in confusion.
"He's not talking about Danger Beasts, Tatsumi."Venom stated.
"I'm talking about the people." The trader explained. "People who have the hearts of monsters. That's all you're going to find there."
Tatsumi flinched slightly as his words reminded him about what Venom said about the Capital, about it being a cesspool of evil people, but just how bad could it possibly be?
He stared hardwith determination at the two traders as he clenched his fists, the memories of his two friends and his village flashing through his mind. "I appreciate the warning, but there's no way I can turn back now. I...We...are going to make enough money to save our village!"
/
In about half an hour, Tatsumi eventually made it to the front gate of the Capital. Never before has he ever seen a place this big before, no it even his own village, combined with the neighboring village could fill in half this place.
"Woooow! This place is awesome!" Tatsumi exclaimed in amazement, l;poking around at all of the people walking around, going about their business with a smile on their faces. "I don't get what you or that guy was so worried about. This place is incredible!"
"Don't be fooled by first impressions, Tatsumi. This place will kill you if you let your guard down." Venom said in warning.
"Whatever you say." Tatsumi said dismissively as he walked off, not really taking 'tenants' warning. "Anyway, I better find the military barracks quick."
What Tatsumi was didn't noticed, was that sitting at a table at a small cafe was a young busty blonde woman, who sipped on a cup of tea. After overhearing wear Tatsumi was going, she sighed as she placed her cup down.
With Tatsumi, he eventually made it to the military barracks recruitment station and waited patiently in line for the opportunity to apply. It took about an hour, but it was finally his turn as he spoke to the officer at the desk.
"Uh huh. So, you want to join the ranks to." The officer said in a bored tone as he passed him some papers. "Then fill out this form and hand it back to me."
"It says here that you're going to start me off as a grunt." Tatsumi pointed out as he read the form.
"What?!"Venom exclaimed in outrage."We are worth so much more than just some grunt work!"
"Where else would I place you." The officer said in annoyance. "You'll most likely be sent to a remote region for your first assignment."
"I don't have time for that!" Tatsumi exclaimed, slamming his hand on the desk, slightly cracking it. "Just see what I can do!" Tatsumi unsheathed his sword and performed some flashy slashes and thrust his sword. "You think you can use my skills, then start me off as a captain!"
The response he got, was being thrown right out of the barracks.
"What the hell?! At least give me a chance!" Tatsumi exclaimed angrily.
"Get real you stupid brat! You have to enter a lottery if you want to become a soldier!" The officer exclaimed as he pointed angrily at Tatsumi. "Ever since this recession started, we've been flooded with applicants! I can't just test the skills of every single one of them, and there's only so many spots to fill!"
"Oh...is that so?" Tatsumi said with a sweat drop.
"This guy is a real piece of work. I know, let's eat his brain!"Venom said eagerly.
"No! No, we are not just going to eat his brain!" Tatsumi exclaimed angrily at the symbiote.
"Excuse me?!" The recruitment officer exclaimed, a little put off by what the young man just said.
"Uh...nothing." Tatsumi said meekly, watching as the officer clique his tongue at him before walking back inside.
"If we can't eat his brain, let's do something else.""Venom said with a mischievous undertone, as he took control of Tatsumi's body and stood him up.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Tatsumi asked, scared about what this thing was going to do.
Venom then used his body to pick up a rock, before chugging it right at the back of the officer's head. Due to his enhanced strength, the rock hit him so hard the officer was soon knocked unconscious.
"What'd you just do?!" Tatsumi exclaimed in shock.
Sure enough, a couple more officers came out and looked in shock at their downed coworker, before glaring at Tatsumi. "You're dead, kid!"
"Run."Venom said simply.
"Yeah, no shit!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he took off running down the path as far as he could. It took a while, but Tatsumi eventually put himself a good distance away from the barracks, but luckily the officers didn't bother chasing after him. "What the hell was that back there?!"
"Well, you said you didn't want me to eat his brain, so I just did the next best thing."Venom said simply."You can't deny that he didn't deserve it."
"That's not the point!" Tatsumi said angrily. "You can't just hijack my body whenever things don't go your way! You call this a partnership, yet you seem to be the only one getting any joy out of this!" Tatsumi took a deep breath to calm his nerves, while also trying to think up a new plan.
"I know you were thinking about causing a stir in order to make a name for yourself."Venom stated.
'Yeah, but I don't want to end up arrested.' Tatsumi thought, before gaining another angry look. 'And stay out of my head!'
"Hey there!" A female voice spoke up behind him.
Tatsumi looked behind him and the first thing he saw was a pair of large breasts that were barely being held by a black tube top. They belonged to an attractive blonde woman who was older than him, and had a dress code that left little to the imagination. Besides the tube top, she also wore black underwear clearly visible, white pants that revealed part of her legs, and a white scarf.
"I saw what you did back there, and that was freaking hilarious!" The woman said with a good laugh, before calming down and smiling at him. "You look like you're in a tight spot, kid. Maybe I can help out." Tatsumi completely froze as he blushed and his eyes was completely hypnotized by the clear view of the woman's bosom, that some women would kill for.
'So, this is the real Capital.' Tatsumi thought as he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"I can feel your pulse quickening, and your pheromones are strong towards this female."Venom stated before he changed his tone to a teasing one."I can smell that she is strong, so she may be a perfect mate for you."
"SHUT UP!" Tatsumi yelled in his head.
"So, what's your story?" The woman asked, snapping Tatsumi out of his stupor. "Let me guess, you came from the country to follow your dream in the Capital."
"How'd you know?" Tatsumi asked in surprise.
"When you've lived here as long as I have, you can spot an out-of-towner." The woman said confidently. "You know, I know of a way for you serve in the army right away."
"Really?!" Tatsumi asked in surprise and excitement.
"Do you want me to tell you?" The woman asked, to which Tatsumi responded by nodding vigorously. This caused the woman to give him a big smile that made Tatsumi's heart flutter. "In that takes, take me out to lunch!"
'This is not going to end well for him.'Venom thought to himself, but was smirking internally.'It should be entertaining, though.'
/
Apparently, what the woman meant by lunch, was actually heading towards a bar and her having nothing but all kinds of alcohol. Tatsumi stared at her with a stunned expression as she chugged one mug of beer after the other. Already she was sporting a blush on her cheeks due to the amount of alcohol she drank.
"Aw, man. Having a drink in the middle of the day is the best!" The woman cheered as she down another one.
"I think you've had too much." Tatsumi deadpanned at her.
"Come on, kid, drink up." The woman slurred as she passed him a mug, while also leaning forward and giving him a generous view of her cleavage. "Let's have some fun."
"So, can you tell me the way in how I can get accepted in the army?" Tatsumi asked, wanting her to focus on the real reason he's treating her, while also fighting the blush he was developing of seeing her cleavage.
"Right. For that, you need connections and money." The woman answered as she poured herself another drink.
"Money?" Tatsumi asked.
"Ive got a friend who's in the army. I'm sure if we pay him some dough, you'll get right in." The woman reasoned.
"I see." Tatsumi said as he placed a large bag of coins on the table. "Will this be enough?"
"Whoa! That she be more than enough!" The woman said in amazement. "Your pretty loaded!"
"Well, I've been collecting rewards from hunting Danger Beasts on the way here." Tatsumi explained.
Those words really caught the woman's interest. "Hmmm...you must be very strong." The woman than got up and grabbed the money before heading to leave. "With this, you'll be a captain in no time."
"Wow, thanks!" Tatsumi said gratefully, finally feeling like things were going his way.
"Four-fifths ought to do it, I think." The woman as she made her way to leave, but waved back at him. "I think you'll learn a lot from meeting me, kid! I'll go talk to him now. You just wait right here. See ya!" With that, she left out the door with his money.
"Okay." Tatsumi said with smile. "I see. So, connections are what really matters here." As Tatsumi sat there, the bar owner just looked at him with sympathy, knowing exactly how he just got swindled.
/
Ten hours...
Ten...fucking...hours...
That's how long Tatsumi waited for the woman to return. The sun had already set not that long ago and he continued to just sit there with a blank expression on his face.
"Hey kid, we're gonna be closing soon." The bartender said as he was wiping down a table.
"Oh, I'm just waiting for someone." Tatsumi said meekly, still holding onto the optimism she was coming back.
"Yeah, I saw that." The bartender said as he walked up to him. "Hate to break it to you, kid, but she's not coming back."
"What?!" Tatsumi exclaimed in shock.
"I honestly can't believe there's someone so trusting in the Capital these days." The bartender said with a shrug.
"She was a fraud?!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he gathered his things. "I'm filing a complaint!"
"It's a no go." The bartender said dismissively, much to Tatsumi's shock. "When it comes down to it, it's your own fault."
Shortly after that fiasco, Tatsumi was left with no choice but to pay for the meal with whatever money he had left, leaving him completely penny-less. It wasn't just what happened that got under his skin, it was also the mace that he wasn't hearing the end of it from Venom, who he just realized remained quiet this whole time.
"Hahahahaha!"Venom laughed nonstop as Tatsumi continued to walk down the street with an angry look on his face."She played you like a flute and came out on top! That was the funniest thing I've ever seen!"
"Glad you got a kick out of it." Tatsumi said sarcastically, not really in the mood for the symbiote's taunts.
"Honestly, it was plainly obvious what she was intending to do. I'm surprised you never figured it out."
"Wait...is that why you remained quiet that whole time?!" Tatsumi exclaimed angrily. "If you knew she was trying anything, why didn't you say anything, or at least do something to try and stop her?!"
"I thought you said you didn't want me hijacking your body?"Venom said mischievously. Tatsumi growled in anger as he walked to the side of a building and started slamming his head repeatedly on it, leaving cracks on the wall, while also attempting to hurt the symbiote in him in any way."That's not going to do anything. You're really just hurting yourself at this point."Tatsumi just growled in annoyance as he just continued walking down the street.
"Shit, after paying for that meal, I'm completely broke." Tatsumi grumbled with an angry expression on his face. "That big boobed-I mean that woman! This is what she meant by learning something from her!"
He eventually came across two men up ahead who looked like the stereotypical punks who think they're all that. "Look, it's a country bumpkin walking down the road with sword over his shoulder." One of the punks said with an evil smirk.
"Hand it over. That's an order." The second thug demanded with a sneer.
Tatsumi stared blankly at the two of them, not in the least bit intimidated. Before the two thugs could even take another step, two black tendrils shot out of Tatsumi's arms and latched onto the guys' heads, before slamming them into each other, knocking them out.
"Thanks for that." Tatsumi said as he walked off past them. "I really didn't feel like dealing with them."
"We felt like you needed a bone after what's happened."Venom said.
"Yeah, well I'm still pissed, so don't get too comfortable." Tatsumi grumbled as he looked back at the two unconscious men. "Man, what is wrong with this town?" Tatsumi looked back up at the night sky, his mind flashing back to his friends, who he has yet to meet up with. "I wonder how they're doing? Have they already made it to the Capital?"
"If your friends are as every bit as stubborn and hardheaded as you, I'm sure they're fine."Venom said in reassurance.
"Thanks, Venom." Tatsumi said gratefully as he ended up on a bridge and just sat beneath a light along the stone railing. "Whelp, looks like we're sleeping outside tonight."
"That's fine, we're pretty much use to it by this point."Venom said dismissively.
However, before Tatsumi could even attempt to get some sleep, a carriage stopped right near him. The door opened and out stepped a young girl who looked to be about his age, and had short blonde hair. By the way she was dressed, she was obviously from a rich family, even having a couple armored guards with her.
But what really stood out to Tatsumi...was a foul smell coming from her. 'What...what is that smell?' Tatsumi thought as he held his nose.
"Blood."Venom answered cautiously."Watch yourself, Tatsumi."
"I don't think that bot has a place to stay. The poor thing." The girl said sadly as she looked at Tatsumi in sympathy.
"Again, miss?" One of her guards said with a sigh, not even looking at her.
"I can't help it. It's in my nature." The girl said as she was helped out, before she made her way to Tatsumi. All the while, Tatsumi continued to stare at her with a cautious look, not that she noticed. "Hello thee. Did you come from the country?"
"Uh...yeah." Tatsumi answered slowly, now getting another full whiff of the blood scent on her now that she was closer.
"If you don't have a place to sleep tonight, then you can stay at my place!" The girl said with an elated smile.
Already red flags were waving in Tatsumi's mind, since he was just swindled earlier today. "I don't have any money." Tatsumi said simply.
"Well, yeah. If you did, then you wouldn't be sleeping outside." The girl said with a giggle.
"Miss Aria can't leave a poor guy like you out to freeze." One of her guards spoke up.
"Just accept her offer." The second said dismissively. Tatsumi looked at each of them in contemplation, remaining silent as he wondered if Venom would give his input.
"Accept the offer, Tatsumi, but remain on your guard. I do not trust them."Venom said.
'Alright, if you say so.' Tatsumi thought before speaking up. "Well, anything is better than sleeping outside."
"Then it's settled!" Aria said happily.
/
Tatsumi could tell right away that Aria's family was wealthy, but that didn't stop him gawking at the inside of her mansion home. All throughout the place there were expensive artifacts, animal heads mounted on the wall, and furniture that were probably worth more than a house.
"Close your mouth, or you'll start drooling."Venom joked, finding Tatsumi's expression pretty funny.
'I can't help it. This is the biggest house I've ever seen in my life!' Tatsumi thought. He was currently standing with Aria in a large living room, speaking with Aria's parents.
"Oh, Aria's brought home another guest." Aria's father said in slight surprise.
"It's just her way." Aria's mother said with a chuckle. "How many does this make it?"
'Those old guards look pretty strong.' Tatsumi thought as he looked at the guards standing at attention. 'I guess when they all these guards looking after them, they have the luxury needed to be kind to strangers.' Despite thinking that, the scent of blood was much stronger now. He could smell it centering around the three rich family members, and since they were all together, it took all of Tatsumi's willpower not to flinch in disgust from the scent.
"It's not just the stench of blood on the family, it's the eyes of the guards."Venom said as he had Tatsumi look closely at the dead eyes of the guards standing around."They've seen things. Things that they wish they hadn't, but are unwilling to stop."
'Yeah, I noticed that as well.' Tatsumi thought back, but in order to keep appearance, he bowed towards the family. "I really appreciate you taking me into your home."
"It's no trouble at all. Please make yourself at home." Aria said with a bright smile.
"Yes, ma'am." Tatsumi said gratefully, before an idea came to him. "I- Uh, I have a favor to ask of you."
Aria and her family looked at each other in confusion, but gestured for Tatsumi to sit at the table with them so they might hear his plight. So Tatsumi explained to them about the situation he was in with his village, about how he left in order to earn money to help save it.
"I see, so you want to join the army to earn money and save your village." Aria's father mused.
"What a lovely dream." Aria said in awe.
"But you should know something." Aria's father said with a troubled expression. "Though the Capital may be in a state of peace, three sides of this country are flanked by different tribes. If you get enlisted, you may be sent to the border to fight them."
"I'm prepared for that." Tatsumi said confidently, before thinking to himself. 'Besides, I think I'll be okay now that I've got a trump card of my own.'
"I admire your courage, Tatsumi." Aria's father said with pride.
"Did you come from your village alone?" Aria asked curiously.
"No, there were three of us, actually." Tatsumi said as he then explained how he left his village with his two closest friends, Sayo and Ieyasu. His thoughts of his friends and village caused him to hold onto the idol the village chef gave him, saying on how it was supposed to give him divine protection on his journey. "We were supposed to arrive at the Capital together, but we got separated on the way here. I have no idea where they are."
"Oh, my. How awful." Aria's mother whispered in dismay.
"They're both strong, so I'm not worried." Tatsumi said confidently. "I know we'll be reunited here in the Capital soon enough."
Aria's father slapped his hand on the table with a determined smile on his face. "That settles it! I'll talk to a friend of mine in the army. After that, we'll find your friends."
"Thank you so much!" Tatsumi exclaimed happily. He's still getting that awful feeling ever since he walked in here, but these people were offering to find his closest friends, which was a plus in his book.
"My hunches are usually spot on, so I'm sure you'll see your friends again." Aria said with a beautiful smile.
"Thank you, Miss Aria." Tatsumi said, but made sure to avoid eye contact for too long. Looking at her for so long caused his skin to crawl.
"Well then, I believe we should all get some rest." Aria's father said as they all stood up.
"Um, is there anything I can do for you while I'm here?" Tatsumi asked curiously.
"I know, why don't you be my bodyguard all day tomorrow?" Aria asked in excitement.
"That sounds good." Aria's father accepted before turning towards one of the guards. "Gauri, I'm counting on you to watch over them."
"Understood, sir." One of the guards said in a monotone voice.
Later that night, Tatsumi laid down on one of the most comfortable and largest beds he's ever been on in his entire life. It wasn't just the bed that was large, guest room that they lent him was also really spacious. Tatsumi remained lying there trying his best to relax, which was actually a lot easier now that he couldn't smell the pungent odor off of Aria and her family.
'This family seems nice, but...' Tatsumi sat up and looked at the night sky through the window. 'I still can't shake this feeling that something is off.'
"That's our shared instincts, Tatsumi. I can tell the we laid eyes on that girl that there was something wrong with this place."Venom said in Tatsumi's head, causing the young man to gain a slight look of fear.
"Then why the heck did you suggest that we come here in the first place?!" Tatsumi quietly exclaimed at the symbiote, as to not wake everyone in the manor.
"Because Tatsumi, this place smells like trouble. I think we should investigate what's going on here and then we can stop whatever's going on."Venom reasoned.
"Yeah, sure, throw my ass on the line for your own curiosity." Tatsumi grumbled in annoyance.
Deciding to speak directly to his host, Venom's tendril head appeared out of Tatsumi's shoulder to speak directly at him. "Trust me, Tatsumi, I will not let anything happen to you. Besides, whatever's going on here, it's no match for the two us."
"Yeah, well, sometimes it doesn't feel like 'us' most of the time." Tatsumi said as he laid back down as soon as Venom receded back inside him. Before Tatsumi could get some sleep, his mind wandered back towards his friends, who he missed dearly. 'Sayo, Ieyasu, I hope you guys are doing alright.'
/
It was the next afternoon, and being Aria's bodyguard for the day was not what Tatsumi was expecting. He and the rest of the guards just spent the majority of the day in the Capital's shopping district buying all sorts of clothes and accessories for the young lady.
"Hurry! Let's go to the next shop over there!" Aria said with excitement as she went to one shop after the other.
"Miss Aria, please wait!" One of the guards exclaimed as he and another one was lagging behind due to carrying so many bags and boxes.
"Looks like we'll be staying at home next time." Gauri deadpanned, having been used to this.
"Aria sure bought a lot." Tatsumi said as he gaped at the large mountain of boxes Aria bought. "This much is utterly ridiculous."
"It's not just Miss Aria. All young lady's love to indulge themselves with clothes." Gauri said simply.
'Really? Sayo never took so long to pick out an outfit.' Tatsumi thought to himself.
"Most likely because there wasn't much to wear in your village."Venom said simply.
"Never mind that. Look up." Gauri said as he pointed towards upwards. "That's the heart of the Capital. The palace." Said structure was enormous, as it towered over every structure within the Capital.
"It's huge!" Tatsumi exclaimed in amazement. "That's where the ruler of this country, the emperor, lives?!"
Gauri looked at the side for a second before he ducked down and whispered to Tatsumi. "Not quite. The emperor does live there, but he is merely a child. The one manipulating him in the shadows...is the minister. He's the one responsible for the decay in this country."
Tatsumi flinched as memories of Honest from Venom flashed in his mind, causing him to unconsciously growl in anger. He looked down at his hand and saw the black mass of Venom taking over his arm, extending its claws in anger. Tatsumi had to quickly hide his transformed arm behind his back before it was seen.
'Would you just cool it!' We're trying not to get caught here!' Tatsumi exclaimed in his mind. That seemed to quell Venom slightly as Tatsumi's arm reverted back to normal.
"Sorry, Tatsumi. Just the mere mention of that meat sack just makes my rage boil beyond compare!"Venom said before taking some deep breath and calming down.
"So then, the heavy taxes that plagues my village...was all his fault?" Tatsumi asked in silent anger.
"It's pretty common knowledge here." Gauri said, before pointing to the side. "There's also those guys you need to watch out for."
Tatsumi looked to where he was pointing at and noticed three wanted posters hanging up on a wall. The venter one caught his attention, of a girl that looked about his age from the picture, had black hair, and could see the name 'Akame' on it.
"Night Raid?" Tatsumi questioned as he read the name of the group these three wanted convicts had on their posters.
"They're a group of assassins that have been terrorizing the Capital." Gauri said with a bead of sweat on his head. "As the name suggests, they come attack night, and they mainly target high ranking official in the government and the wealthy class. Be on your guard."
"You got it!" Tatsumi said in determination.
"Hmmm, if they're professional assassins, they may prove to be quite a challenge."Venom said with intrigue."I wonder how long they would last against us?"
'Yeah, my goal is to avoid any trouble from now on, and you going all murder happy is a big no-no for me.' Tatsumi thought adamantly. 'Still, you make a pretty interesting point. How strong are these Night Raid guys?'
"By the way, you're taking care of that." Gauri said as he pointed behind Tatsumi, who looked behind and gawked at seeing the two other guards struggling to carry a single huge box.
"What kind of training is this?!" Tatsumi exclaimed.
"Just do it." Gauri said simply.
Tatsumi groaned as he walked up to the two guards struggling with the single box. "Here, I got this." Tatsumi placed both hands beneath the box and just hoisted it right up with ease, much to the guard's shock.
"Whoa, kid, you're pretty strong!" One of the guards said in surprise.
"You're incredible, Tatsumi!" Aria exclaimed in amazement.
"Yeah, well, I eat my vegetables." Tatsumi said sheepishly.
/
Night had fallen once again throughout the Capital, and back at the manor Tatsumi was staying at, everyone was fast asleep. The only one who seemed to be up and about this night was Aria's mother as she walked down the halls with a book in her hands.
"Now then, time to write in today's journal." The woman said as she looked through her book, before giggling to herself. "I just can't seem to quit this hobby of mine." However, before she took another step, from her perspective the entire room seem to spin and she lost all feeling throughout her entire lower half. "Huh?"
Before she can say anything else, she saw her entire body had been cut completely in half from her midsection, with even her arms being cut in half at the same time. Blood sprayed throughout the entire hallway from the two body parts until she died before her two bisected parts plopped to the ground.
The assassin who did the act was revealed to be a busty purple-haired woman with glasses over her purple eyes, wearing a cheongsam dress with an opening that revealed her cleavage. In her hands was a large scissor weapon, that she swiped to spread the blood on it across the hallway.
She stared at the two pieces of the woman for a brief moment before bowing her head. "Sorry." The woman whispered.
Meanwhile...
"Tatsumi!"Venom exclaimed from within Tatsumi.
Tatsumi woke up with a start at how loudly Venom yelled as he looked around frantically. "What?! What's going on?!"
"Fresh blood has been spilt."Venom said in an eager tone.
Tatsumi took a sniff in the air and it was true, unlike before where he could smell a faint scent of blood, this stench was fresh. Tatsumi instantly grabbed his sword and raced out of his room and ran down the hall. As he ran, he couldn't help but remember what Gauri said, about that group of assassins that attack the higher-class at night.
'Could it be...is it them?' Tatsumi thought before stopping right by a window and looking up into the sky. He gasped in shock when he saw five shadowy figures standing on what looked like threads right outside the manor. "There's no doubt...it's Night Raid!"
"Yes!"Venom cheered in excitement.
"What are you so excited about?!" Tatsumi exclaimed in disbelief.
"It means we finally have something fun to do!"Venom said with excitement all over his tone."I was so bored with all that shopping, but now I finally get to sink my teeth in something!"
"You are one sick twisted alien." Tatsumi said before looking down and noticed three guards heading right outside to meet the opposition. 'Do i help them...or do I protect the family?'
"You know what our answer is."Venom said simply.
Meanwhile, outside the manor...
"Three guards. They're our target as well." One of the male assassins who had green hair spoke up. He then turned to the black-haired katana wielding girl next to him. "Akame, they're all yours."
"I will put them all to rest." Akame said with her blood-red eyes staring hard at the guards. She stepped off the wires and crashed down to the ground effortlessly on her feet, never taking her eyes off the guards as she slowly unsheathed her sword.
Okay, boys...whatever you do, do not let her sword touch you!" One of the guards ordered as he and his comrades prepared for a fight, before charging right at her.
"Eliminate." Akame said simply as she shot forward in a burst of speed.
The moment she came in close to the lead guard, she unsheathed her sword fully and sliced his throat, causing a blood spray to gush out the wound. Before a second guard could try and retaliate, a large spear came flying out of nowhere and pierced him right in the chest. An assassin dressed in armor walked up and grabbed the spear, before ripping out of the guard's body, killing him instantly.
The guard whose throat got sliced by Akame looked down and could feel his life fading away, while seeing black markings spread across his body. "This...is what I get...for having such...a rotten...soul." With his final breath, the guard collapsed on the ground dead.
The last guard standing just stood there with a stunned expression on his face. "Wh-What the..." Not knowing what else to do, he just took off running away as fast as could. "These guys are worse than monsters!"
He didn't get far as he was then shot right in the head, courtesy of a pink-haired twin-tail girl assassin wielding a large gun that she just fired. "Pathetic." The girl said with a hard glare at the dead guard. "Deserting your comrades while under enemy fire."
"Nah, that was just plain old running away." The green-haired man simply said.
As this was going on, Tatsumi looked on in absolute shock by what he just witnessed. He figured these guards were supposed to be strong, but Night Raid just ended them like it was nothing. 'They were massacred...in mere seconds!'
"I know...that was outstanding!"Venom exclaimed in delight."Now, let's jump right out this window, tear them to shreds, and eat all of their brains!"
"Enough with the brain shit!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he raced down the hall to get far away. "We need to find Miss Aria and see if she's okay!"
"Pussy."Venom grumbled, not likening the idea of running from a fight.
/
Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Aria's father was being held up by his throat by the exact same blonde-haired woman who swindled Tatsumi out of his money at the bar. The difference though was that her hair was much longer than it was, with cat ears on her head, her hands were replaced with paws, and she had a cat tail.
The lord of the manor struggled to breath as he stared into the cold feline eyes of the woman choking him. "Ugh...P-Please...spare me...I...I have a daughter..."
"Don't worry, you'll be her in the afterlife soon." The woman said coldly, shocking the lord to his core.
"What?! Not my daughter! Have you no mercy?!" The father exclaimed in shock.
"Mercy?" The woman asked with a sadistic glint in her eyes, right before snapping the man's neck. "I have no idea what you mean by mercy?"
/
Back outside the mansion, a lone guard was trying to lead Aria to safety away from the conflict. "Miss, this way!" The guard said as he held the lady's arm.
"What's going on?" Aria asked fearfully.
"I'm taking you to the storage shed! You should be safe there!" The guard said as they approached the shed up ahead.
"Miss Aria!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he raced towards them.
"Tatsumi!" Aria exclaimed in surprise, but with relief as well.
"Perfect timing! I'll take Miss Aria to shed while we wait for the authorities! You hold them off for as long as you can!" The guard ordered.
"What?!" Tatsumi exclaimed in shock. "Isn't that a bit much to ask for?!"
All of a sudden, Akame landed down on the ground right behind Tatsumi, causing him and the others to look back in shock by her sudden. Her cold calculating eyes focused solely on Aria and her guard.
"Oh yeah!"Venom cheered in Tatsumi's head."Finally, some action!"
Tatsumi gritted his teeth as he pulled out his sword, just as soon as Akame charged right at him. "Guess we have no choice but to fight!"
"...Not a target." Akame said simply. She just jumped right on Tatsumi's shoulder and sprung right off of him, before making her way right towards Aria and her guard. Tatsumi spun around in shock as she sprinted right towards her intended target.
"Shit! She's coming this way fast!" The guard exclaimed as he loaded the clip into his gun. He shot as many bullets as he could at her, but to his immense shock she dodged every single bullet.
"I will eliminate..." Akame got in close to the guard, before slicing her sword horizontally and completely decapitating him. "...all targets." Akame set her sights on Aria, who collapsed onto the ground and looked up at the assassin in fear. "You will be buried also." Akame raised her sword in an attempt to finish the young heiress off.
However, before she could finish her off, Akame felt something latch onto her sword arm and yanked her back hard. She landed back on her feet and looked up to see Tatsumi staring hard at her, but what was interesting was the black tendril on his right arm that receded back into him. Akame's eyes widened for a brief second, before gaining a serious look on her face.
'What was that just now? Could it be that he has a Teigu as well? Or is he perhaps a humanoid Teigu himself? I am sensing something...powerful...within him.' The thoughts rang around Akame's head, but she had to remain focused. No matter who or what this boy is, she had a job to do.
"Not so fast!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he stood in front of Aria protectively.
"You are not a target. There is no reason for me to kill you." Akame said simply.
"But you're trying to kill this girl!" Tatsumi pointed out.
"Mmhm." Akame hummed blankly with a nod.
"What do you mean 'mmhm?!'" Tatsumi exclaimed in disbelief.
"If you insist on getting in the way of my target, then I will have no choice but to eliminate you as well." Akame said as she grasped the hilt of her sword tightly.
"I'm not running away!" Tatsumi said as he grasped his sword tightly as well.
"I see..." Akame said as he her eyes became cold. "Then I will bury you as well."
Tatsumi slightly panicked at the look she was giving him, but he could feel Venom trying to calm his nerves."Relax, Tatsumi. I know that we can take her on."
'I hope you're right, Venom.' Tatsumi thought, still feeling a little a little nervous.
Meanwhile, the same blonde woman from before just walked out of the mansion and made her way to where Akame was, and was slightly surprised to see that she wasn't quite done yet.
"It's not like Akame to not finish a job already." The woman said, but was then surprised to see exactly who she was fighting, causing her to facepalm. "Aw man...that kid has shit for luck."
Tatsumi and Akame continued to stare hard at each other, just waiting for each other to make the first move. However, deep in his mind, Tatsumi was having a debate with his body's resident.
'Hey, Venom, be honest...do you think we can take her?' Tatsumi asked feeling slightly nervous.
"Honestly...it's going to be tricky. That sword of hers is not normal, so I suggest we avoid touching that as much as possible."Venom advised."She's a close-range fighter, so there's something that we have over her."
'Great. I may be on the fence if Aria really is innocent in all this, but if I can't protect her...' Tatsumi and Akame charged right at each other with their swords ready. '...there's no way I can protect my village!'
Tatsumi and Akame clashed sword's and tried to overpower each other, but Tatsumi's enhanced strength managed to push Akame back and give him some distance. Akame charged again and flipped right over Tatsumi's head, before attempting to kick him in the back his head, but Venom saw this coming and forcibly ducked Tatsumi's in order to dodge the attack.
'I was sure that was his blind spot.' Akame thought to herself with her eyes narrowing slightly. 'No matter, I just need one hit with my Murasame.' The moment Akame landed back on the ground, she dashed forward and thrust her sword to pierce his heart, making Tatsumi's eyes widen in shock.
However, two long black tendrils shot out of Tatsumi's back and latched onto the ground, and yanked him away before the sword could pierce him. "Wow...thanks for the save." Tatsumi said with relief.
"You are welcome."Venom said.
"Whoa." The blonde woman said in shock at what she saw. "Just what the hell was that?"
Tatsumi thought for a moment, before an idea came to his mind. "I think it's time we go on the offensive now." Tatsumi said with a smirk as he relayed the information to Venom through his thoughts.
"Oh Yeah!"Venom cheered, loving the idea he was receiving.
Akame attempted to charge at Tatsumi again, but then two black tendrils sprouted from his sides and spring-boarded off the ground to launch into the air. Akame never took her eyes off him as he remained airborne for a brief moment, before three more tendrils sprouted off his back and he sent them right at her. Akame dodged each of the tendrils as they impacted the ground, but then they pulled Tatsumi down so he could deliver a downward slash, which Akame blocked with her sword, just when the tendrils receded back into him.
The two struggled with their blade lock for a brief moment, before Akame swiped her sword up, sending Tatsumi's sword flying up into the air. Akame attempted to slice Tatsumi in the chest, but the young man smirked when a tendril shot out of his shoulder and grabbed his sword midair and used it to block her sword strike. Tatsumi used both his free hands to launch a black tendril at the assassin, but she just backflipped out of the way.
As this was going on, the blonde stared hard and analyzed everything that was happening before her. 'That kid is pretty good. I don't know what that black stuff is, but he's holding his own against Akame.' The woman thought to herself, feeling really impressed by the young man's skills. 'I don't know if it's a Teigu or not, but someone like him can be a real asset.'
Tatsumi remained in place as he took back his sword from the tendril, before it and a second one coming from his other shoulder launched right towards her. Akame stood battle ready as she was about to slice the tendrils as they came closer, but the moment she swiped her sword the tendrils stopped and went right back inside Tatsumi.
"Hey, what's with you? We had her on the ropes!" Tatsumi exclaimed.
"Sorry, but I had to get away from her sword before she could cut me."Venom said cautiously."I don't know what the deal is with that sword, but it is far more dangerous than what we have seen so far."
"You serious?" Tatsumi whispered in surprise, not expecting the battle hungry symbiote to be this overly cautious.
This distraction on Tatsumi's part was what Akame needed to charge forward with her sword ready to kill. "Rest in peace." Akame said as she was ready to end this.
'Oh shit!' Tatsumi exclaimed in thought as he was prepared to go full monster like he did before.
All of a sudden, Akame was held back by the blonde-haired woman by the back of her shirt. "Hold it." The woman said simply. Tatsumi and Aria looked on in shock by the sudden save, with the former thinking that the newcomer looked strangely familiar.
"What are you doing?" Akame asked while leaning her head back to look at her comrade with a deadpanned stare.
"We still have time, don't we?" The woman said before looking at Tatsumi with a smile and winked at him. "Besides, I kind of owe him, so let me pay him back."
"Tatsumi, her form looks different, but that is the same woman who swindled you."Venom said, having recognized her scent, much to Tatsumi's shock as he recognized her as well.
"Hey, you're that lady with the boobs!" Tatsumi exclaimed angrily at her, however she just laughed it off.
"Yep, that's me! I was that lady from before, but the name's Leone." Leone's demeanor completely changed the moment she glanced at Aria, who stood there uncomfortably from the intense glare sent her way. "So, you were probably thinking that she's just some innocent girl, right? Well..." Leone walked up to the shed and kicked the doors open. "Can you still say that after seeing this?"
Tatsumi walked right into the shed and his eyes widened in pure horror and disgust. Throughout the entire interior of the shed were decaying bodies that looked like they have been through hell. Some of them were strapped to tables and have been cut in various places, while others were hanging from the ceiling, with various limbs and body parts missing. Most of them were also attached to various torture machines meant to cause nothing but great pain. It wasn't just the smell of rotting corpses that caused the place to wreak, but the smell of feces and body order was also strong.
"W-What...What the hell...is this?!" Tatsumi exclaimed in horror.
"This is hell on Earth."Venom said in a low grumble, though he too was completely repulsed by what he was seeing.
"This is the dark side of the capital." Leone said with her arms crossed. "They invite unknown people from the country into their home with sweet offers, and then torture them to death. This was the true nature of the people in that household." Tatsumi couldn't take his eyes off the scene before him. Never before has he seen such bloodshed, even when Venom took over to take on that horde of bandits
"Tatsumi...look up."Venom said dejectedly.
Tatsumi did so, and his eyes widened exponentially at what he saw. A girl with long black hair was hanged up by her wrists, with her naked body coated in deep cuts and bruises, and she was missing one of her legs. The flower in her hair was a dead giveaway of who it was, making Tatsumi's heart basically stop in dread.
"Sayo!" Tatsumi called out, but received no response. "Sayo, come on...!"
"So, she was a friend of yours." Leone said in sympathy, knowing that no one should have to go through seeing their friends in such a state. Leone looked back and noticed Aria trying to sneak away, but she grabbed her by the back of her shirt and pulled her back. "Hold on, you must be pretty stupid if you can just walk away from this, little missy."
"That family did this?" Tatsumi asked with a tone that almost seemed dead.
"We know it's true. That's why we smelled large amounts of blood on them, but...we didn't expect it to be this bad."
"That's right." Leone said in confirmation. "And their guards kept quiet about it, so they're just as guilty."
"Sh-She's lying! I never even knew this place existed!" Aria exclaimed in a pleading tone. "Who are you going to believe, Tatsumi?! Me, the one who saved you, or them?!"
"Ta...tsu...mi..." A voice called out from a cage. "It's really...you. Isn't it?"
Tatsumi looked at the cage, and could see a hand reaching out, but when the moonlight really shined on it, Tatsumi's eyes looked absolutely shocked. In the cage, looking like her was on death's door, was Tatsumi's second friends Ieyasu.
"Ieyasu!" Tatsumi exclaimed in disbelief.
"That girl approached me and Sayo...and then we passed out after eating food she offered to us." Ieyasu explained as he grasped the bars hard. "Next thing we knew, we ended up in here." His expression turned one of pure rage as tears streaked down his face. "That girl...SHE TORTURED SAYO TO DEATH!"
"And what's wrong with that!" Aria yelled as she got out of Leone's grip, with her expression becoming unhinged. "You all are just a bunch of country bumpkins! You're no better than livestock! I can treat you however I want!" By now, her face seemed to resemble that of a demon, rather than just a little girl. "And for a farm animal, that girl had such beautiful hair and too much attitude, while I have to suffer with this messy ugly hair of mine! So, I made her pay for it! You should be thanking me for how thorough I was with her!"
"They were just demons in human skin." Leone said, glaring at the young girl. "Sorry I stopped you, Akame."
"I will eliminate her." Akame said as she readied her sword.
"Wait." Tatsumi said suddenly, stopping them.
"Are you seriously still defending her?" Leone asked in annoyance.
"No. She isn't yours to finish." Tatsumi said simply, before he launched a black tendril from his arm that latched onto Aria's neck and pulled her in, so she can see the absolute hateful glare in his eyes. 'Venom...go nuts.'
"Gladly."Venom stated eagerly.
The black mass completely enveloped Tatsumi's body until Venom took over, causing Aria's eyes to widen like saucers, while the other two ladies present visibly recoiled in disbelief. Based on his fight with Akame, they could tell that Tatsumi was no pushover, and he obviously posed a type of power that they've never seen before, but they never expected anything like this. Even the calm and collected Akame was put off by this, and she has seen things that no person should ever witness.
"You love tormenting innocent people, don't you? Well then maybe we should make you suffer, just as you made all your victims suffer." Venom said, relishing in the fear in Aria's eyes. "Perhaps we should eat both your arms, and then both of your legs, and then we will eat your face right off, do you understand?"
"P-Please..." Aria said fearfully.
"Yes, so, you will be this armless, legless, faceless thing, won't you. Rolling down the street, like a turd in the wind." Venom said as he leaned in close so he could look in the fear-stricken eyes of the psychopathic girl. "Do you feel me?"
"Please...no..." Aria begged with tears streaming down her face.
Venomjust gave one last hum before speaking up. "On second thought, you're not worth the effort." In one swift motion, Venom just opened its maw wide and instantly bit Aria's head off before she could even scream. Blood sprayed from where her missing head was, as Venom gulped his latest snack.
Leone and Akame looked on in shock by what had just transpired, with the former looking visibly ill by what had just transpired. She was definitely impressed that he killed her without mercy, but did he really have to kill her like that? Still, that ruthlessness and that set of skills could come very in handy.
Venom walked back towards the cage where Ieyasu was and ripped the door right off its hinges with his bare hand, before reverting back into Tatsumi and walking up to his friend. Despite being completely dumbfounded by Tatsumi's transformation, Ieyasu still found the need to smile with pride.
"Hehe...looks like you...went through some things. Still, nice work, Tatsumi...I'm glad that bitch...is dead." Ieyasu said weakly with a smile, before he started coughing up blood.
"Ieyasu!" Tatsumi exclaimed with worry as he knelt down to hold him. "What's going on."
"It's the final stages of Rubola disease." Akame said as she looked towards them with sympathy. "The wife loved injected her victims with diseases and recording their symptoms in her journal. There's no saving him."
'Venom, can't you do something?' Tatsumi thought desperately.
"I'm sorry, Tatsumi. He is too far gone for me to heal him."Venom said remorsefully, much to Tatsumi's dismay.
"Tatsumi..." Ieyasu said weakly with a grin. "Sayo...never gave in to that bitch...you should have seen her." Ieyasu then held up his hand and clenched it, showing Tatsumi that he would hang strong to the very end. "So, I also want to make you proud...up to my last moments." After taking one final breath, Ieyasu's form went limp, indicating he was gone.
Tatsumi looked down at Ieyasu's body with regret, tears swelling within his eyes. 'It's my fault...I couldn't save them...'
"Do not blame yourself, Tatsumi. There was no way to know that they were here."Venom said, trying to comfort his host.
'You tried to tell me how dangerous the Capital was, how evil it was, yet I didn't listen.' Tatsumi thought.
"Then let us do something about it, and I believe our new friends may be able to help us with our ultimate goal."Venom said, as Tatsumi glanced briefly at the two assassins who looked at him in sympathy.
"He held on till his very last breath." Akame said with a hint of respect, before turning to walk out. "Let's go."
Leone didn't leave right away as she gave Tatsumi a critical look before grinning. Hey, why don't we take this guy with us? Home base is always short on hands." With that said, Leone grabbed the back of Tatsumi's shirt and started dragging him back. "He went toe-to-toe with you so he's definitely got some talent."
"Let me go! I have to bury them!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he tried to get out of Leone's grip. 'Can't you do something to get her to let me go?!'
"I could, but this is more fun to watch."Venom teased.
"Don't worry, I'll carry their bodies back to base later." Leone said.
"Huh?!" Tatsumi exclaimed before he took a breath and tried to speak calmly. "Look, you don't have to drag me with you, I'll come willingly and see what you guys are all about."
"Awe, but where's the fun in not carrying you?" Leone said teasingly as she started to hug Tatsumi close, getting him to come close to her large breasts, causing him to blush madly at how close they were. "Don't you want your big sister, Leone, to hold you tightly."
"Now this is what I call a view, don't you think?" Venom said teasingly at his host.
'SHUT UP!' Tatsumi thought angrily at the symbiote.
A couple minutes later, Leone and Akame reunited with the rest of their team, who waited patiently for them.
"You're finally back." The armored assassin stated.
"We'd better get out of here soon." The green-haired young man said.
"You're late! Just what the heck took you so long?" The pink-haired girl girl said angrily with her arms crossed. She then became confused when she noticed the boy in Leone's arms. "Who the heck is that?"
"Our newest teammate." Leone said with smile as she let Tatsumi go and back on his feet. He looked at everyone of the assassins as they looked right back at him, as Leone continued to speak. "Starting today, you're now a part of our team. Welcome to Night Raid!"
"Hold on. I only said that I was going to hear you guys out, not that I would actually join!" Tatsumi exclaimed in disbelief.
"Oh, come on! This is the perfect chance to eat plenty of human brains!"Venom exclaimed with eagerness.
"Just give in. Once Leone sets her mind something, there's no use fighting it." Akame said in monotone.
"You know me so well." Leone said cheekily as she patted Akame's head. "So, who wants to carry him back to our base?"
"Hold on! I don't need anyone else manhandling me! I can follow you on my own!" Tatsumi yelled angrily.
"Dang, way to take the fun out of it." Leone said with a pout.
"Mission complete." Akame said firmly. "Return to base!" With that said, all of them raced off across the rooftops, heading straight back to home. To their surprise, Tatsumi was right about him being able to follow them, as he hopped across the rooftops with great speeds.
'Venom...just what in the hell have we gotten ourselves into?' Tatsumi asked with uncertainty.
"The way I see it, we just scored the opportunity of a lifetime."Venom said eagerly, feeling excitement course through his entire being about what may come from this.
/
Hey everybody, here's the next chapter for this story.
I gotta say, this chapter was pretty fun to work on due to Tatsumi and Venom's dynamic. Tatsumi is pretty different from Eddie so it's nice to write someone else to work off of Venom. Next chapter our little human/symbiote duo will officially meet Night Raid and get the feel on what it is they do, and I'm excited to write al that.
Now, some of you on here and my friends in real life have been wondering if Tatsumi will still be getting a Teigu despite having the Venom symbiote. You also have been wondering if friends and foes alike will be getting symbiotes of their own. Well, all I gotta say to that is...
...you'll just have to wait and see. Just know that the farther this story goes, the more things will change exponentially.
I really don't want to spoil the surprise. Just know that other symbiotes will be making appearances, but you'll have to wait until that day comes. Just know that there are threats from beyond that will push Night Raid past their limits, and they're going to be put through the fights of their lives as this story continues.
Now, I've got some other stories to work on, including a brand new story that will be coming out soon, so don't expect the third chapter of this story to come out as fast as the second one. As for what the new story is going to be...it's a Sekirei crossover with an AU lore of Yugioh.
Well then, that's all folks. Stay healthy, stay safe, and I'll see you all next time!