Akame ga Clover

by stringdog

Death is the end…or is it? Reborn in a new world where magic is everything by Fate itself to counter a threat that violated the laws of nature Akame and Tatsumi must first regain their memories of their past live and then fight to protect the Clover Kingdom from the threats that it will face but who will accept people like them? The Black Bulls of course.

33. Chapter 33: Captains

Here is the thirty-third chapter in this story released as soon as it was ready due to how long it's been since I last updated this story. The battle in the cavern near Nean has finally reached what has to be its final stage as three Magic Knight Captains have joined the fray to face off against the Third Eye right when they're needed (not that Yami will ever admit it) but who will come out on top as this seemingly endless series of arrivals and battles? Anyway, I'm sorry for how long its taken to update this story, it's been a busy time period in my life but that has finally lessoned and with my longest active story about to go on a forced hiatus in two chapters time due to catching up to the primary source material of that story things should return to a bi-monthly upload schedule at the very least for the next few months. If y'all would rather the upload schedule be as soon as all three of my Black Trio stories are ready (so it could be shorter than ever 2 weeks or longer depending on IRL stuff and other factors that can affect my writing efforts) do let me know but other than this week when I'm releasing them when ready though within hours of each other as the other two are drafted and almost ready as well I will still be sticking to a mass upload of all three at the same time once they're ready as that ensures that I keep all of them up to date and progressing nicely. That is all that I have for the administrative stuff I have for y'all and there are no guest reviews that need a response, though I thank you for your support of my work, or questions to answer so I will end this here. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate. That is it for this pre-chapter note so it is time to sit back and enjoy the thirty-third chapter in Akame ga Clover.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.

Chapter 33: Captains

"Given the condition that you're in, foreigner, I'd expect you to speak with more care to your better, especially seeing as you don't have that sword of yours right now." Nozel said turning and looking down on Yami, both literally as Yami was sitting on the ground against a rock looking a little worse for wear and metaphorically as a royal speaking to a foreigner. "If you keep this up I'll see you executed one of these days so watch it. I swear on my noble blood I will."

"Man check out his hair." Yami said unphased by Nozel's threat though Akame was more than glad she'd dismissed Murasame seeing as Nozel had actually seen her distinctive katana before when she held it to Alecdora's throat in that reception thing and she didn't want Noelle's bastard of an oldest brother to realize it was her, it would be a shame to kill her friend's brother after all even if he was a massive dick. "How am I, or anyone for that matter, supposed to take you seriously with that stupid braid thing hanging down in the front of your face. Why is it even there? Is that was fashionable is these days?"

"It's pitiful that you couldn't handle some low grade mages without your other Captains coming to your aid." Charlotte said her briars behind her not looking at Yami her eyes closed as she talked down to him is as condescending a tone as she could manage with him so close to here. "Really? You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Cut me some slack here alright, prickly princess." Yami complained while Akame noted a flare in Captain Charlotte's ki that was oddly reminiscent of Noelle's ki whenever Asta did something that got to her though Tatsumi probably wouldn't make the connection if he did and Asta had yet to read Noelle's ki so he'd have no clue that there was a similarity between the women. "It was three on one and after I had to deal with that Light Mage and then my expensive katana was broken, that was really annoying by the way. I could have easily taken them, you lot just butted in."

"Amazing, just when we needed it." Asta said ignoring his Captain as he stared stary eyed at the other Captains. "This is great!"

"Three other Captains." Finral said in awe.

"And they're all strong." Tatsumi added. "Adaptability, versatility, and, er, briars? Not sure what Charlotte brings but she's strong so that's good enough for me."

"They are pretty thorny, good for traps and snares so I'd say that's where she excels." Akame said. "And killing if used right."

"Who are those people?" Gauche asked clearly not knowing the trio who'd arrived while Charlotte internally raged at the indignance of some of the Black Bulls and her own extremely suppressed feelings for Yami though at least she was willing to admit that she had them to herself unlike a certain Silva who was still in denial about her own feelings for a loudmouthed orphan. "I've never seen them before."

"You've got to be kidding me?" Finral asked aghast as they all, even Akame, turned to stare at Gauche in shock. "You've never heard of them? They're some of the most famous and well known people in the Clover Kingdom!"

"It is Gauche." Tatsumi said. "So he's probably not, best to explain it to him and hope he remembers it for next time."

"Right, well, those three are Magic Knight Captains." Finral said gesturing to the trio. "They're the same rank as Yami is, and about as strong as he is for that matter."

"Meh." Gauche said, he respected Yami but these three weren't relevant to him at all so there was no point in remembering who they were.

"Are you interested at all at this?" Finral asked. "They literally just saved our asses."

"They aren't Marie so they're nothing to me." Gauche said which they all should have expected. "Plus I saved your asses earlier."

"You've seriously gotta work on this little sister complex you have." Finral said deciding it was best to focus on that rather than point out that he too had helped in saving Yami and the others because Gauche would just tsk at that. "Maybe see someone about it, you know."

"I think that ship's sailed." Tatsumi said. "But I do second the need for professional help."

"Nothing matters but Marie." Gauche said. "Don't forget that."

"Well whatever, these three are all strong Captains of Magic Knight Squads." Finral said. "They guy with the green robe and glowing blades of mana coming from his arms is the Captain of the Green Praying Mantises, Jack the Ripper. His magic is Severing Magic that allows him to sever anything so long as he's got the desire to do so, which builds as he fights and thus allows his magic to change and adapt offensively to whatever he's fighting the longer he's in combat making him one of only two known Mages who's magic actively adapts in combat. He's also a super sadist who particularly enjoys tearing things in two or more pieces."

"He's also of common birth and really did a number on the assassin sent to kill him a few years back." Akame added helpfully as Jack looked up to the sky his tongue out. "Gotta admit, I'd like to see how my magic stacks up to his when it comes to certain aspects."

"Likely poorly, he'll sever them eventually." Finral said. "I've heard that he can even sever intangible concepts like healing but I've never seen it happen. Apparently he and Yami have some rivalry going on, they flattened a mountain during one of their spats a while back."

"Damn." Asta said impressed.

"So?" Gauche said. "Not Marie."

"Just ignore that." Tatsumi said glad that no one had pointed out that the other Mage who's magic adapted during battle was his own as that would give away that he was the one who stood up to Nozel, which was good as he was about to mock the bastard. "As for the guy in the middle with the long feathery cape and stupid hairstyle, that's Noelle's oldest sibling and the royal Captain of the Silver Eagles, Nozel Silva. As much as it's a pain to admit it, he's probably the strongest of the three and the Silver Eagles are the highest ranked of the Squads present."

"He has a commanding and imposing presence." Finral said being more deferential to Nozel than Tatsumi was being. "Not to mention good looks on top of that, lucky guy."

"Meh, he's no real looker and that hair is a real turn off." Akame said giving the female perspective and also cutting into Nozel's ego. "Not my type."

"Your type is passionate and inspiring men who help make you a better person and aren't afraid to kill without hesitation." Finral pointed out. "You're not exactly the best source for attractiveness Akame."

"Man, there is only one for me." Akame said and Tatsumi flushed at that. "And as a woman I do feel like I have a better objective eye than you do given the female perspective but I see your point. Still stupid hair."

"Agreed." Tatsumi and Yami said as Nozel tried not to fume while also being confused as he was sure the brown haired Black Bull boy's voice sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn't quite place where he'd heard it before.

"Meh, still not Marie." Gauche said. "Even the woman isn't her so none of them are relevant to me."

"That woman is the Captain of the Blue Rose Knight, the noted misandrist Charlotte Roselei." Akame said. "She's one of the strongest women in the Clover Kingdom, or so it's said. I once heard of some crazy fire lady who lived in the Strong Magic Region that is supposed to be the strongest but never encountered her."

"She's also one of the most beautiful women in the Kingdom." Finral said excitedly ignoring Akame as he fawned over Charlotte. "Whoever she falls for is one lucky son of a bitch."

"What are you getting all worked up about Finral?" Asta asked as said lucky son of a bitch was currently sitting on the ground near them unaware that he'd won Charlotte's heart while Charlotte herself was trying to control said heart being so near the man she'd fallen for. "I don't get it."

"Isn't it obvious, she absolutely gorgeous." Finral said. "Her beauty is the only thing that surpasses her strength."

"Yeah, not my type." Tatsumi said. "Not really into blondes, I prefer silky black hair, a lither, shorter frame, and the ability to remove an enemy's head from his or her shoulders in a split second without any hesitation."

"Thank you my love." Akame said flushing at that.

"Huh, well she's not Sister Lily so I don't see it either." Asta said.

"Sister Lily?" Akame asked.

"The woman I'm going to marry one day!" Asta said stars in his eyes as he snorted.

"Right…" Akame said deciding that this was something best not delved into but glad Noelle wasn't here.

"Again, neither of you guys are the best people to comment here." Finral said as the Captains ignored the idle chatter of the Black Bulls. "Why are you lot so strange when it comes to this?"

"We're Black Bulls." Tatsumi said slapping Finral on the back. "Comes with the territory. Ask the others, I bet at least three if not four of our Squad have strange or even obsessive crushes as well."

"Plus you're a failed ladies man." Akame said. "So it's not like you're any better."

"Why do you have to be so harsh." Finral complained.

"Man, this is getting so tedious, not what I signed up for when I dragged my ass over here." Rhya said interrupting things as he yawned and they all looked at him refocusing on the situation at hand. "Three more Captains, what a nuisance."

"Big deal, the more the merrier so bring it on." Vetto said grinning as he cracked his knuckles, the injury on his arm now completely ignored as he got ready for the next battle. "They may have that fancy rank but they're not a match for us plus they've got big egos so crushing them and seeing their despair will be a delectable feast, especially with the royal before us. This will be good."

"If someone harms Master Licht then I will kill them, kill them, kill them." Fana said simply her expression and tone remaining deadpan as she spoke. "Or tries to hurt him at all. That is a grave offense that will be punished."

"Oh the beast boy is right; this is going to be good." Jack said with a grin as he held up one of his blades and licked it with his long tongue. "I'm just about ready to tear them all into little pieces. Let's get this party started, I could use a good warmup before I get another crack at that damned strange and hard to slice magic one of my recent recruits has, it's so much fun trying to slice up what she makes especially because it grows back so I can slice all day as I build up to finally stopping its self-healing capabilities."

"You're members of the Eye of the Midnight Sun I take it." Charlotte said ignoring Jack or the fact that he was referring to the girl who'd stunned the Magic Knight community by spurning the Blue Rose Knights for, of all Squads, the Green Praying Mantises, something she still hadn't fully recovered from. "This is good for us; we have some justice waiting for you that can be served now."

"Yes, there are many questions that we want answers too." Nozel said. "So we'll be taking you lot back with us and extracting them from you whether you want to give them to us or not. We will get everything from you, I can assure you of that."

All that got was a growl out of Vetto as he looked forward to what was to come while Jack laughed at it. There was a clear tension as the three recently arrived Magic Knight Captains squared off against the Third Eye of the Eye of the Midnight Sun. The mana in the chamber was beyond palpable as the 6 strong warriors prepared for battle. That tension only lasted a moment before it was broken by Vetto as he got really ready for what was to come.

"This is a nice second course for me after the appetizer that was Yami Sukehiro." Vetto said. "Going to be nice and tasty when I relish in your despair."

"Shame on you Yami, you're getting greedy and hogging all the good battles for yourself." Jack said his tongue out as always. "This one's going to be a good one, oh I am looking forward to seeing how it feels to tear them apart limb from limb. I wonder what it will be like to do so?"

"Probably unsatisfying, I faced them and there really wasn't much of a threat from them." Yami said from where he was slumped against a rock behind his fellow Captains. "Like ripping paper, no resistance at all. I was on the brink of finishing them off actually when you lot showed up and interrupted me."

"In fairness the Captain probably would have." Akame whispered as Jack laughed at Yami so only the boys heard her. "Murasame was sharp enough to cut through the attacks and defenses there and the Captain is as skilled as I am with a katana if not more so. He just needed to get in close and he'd have beaten them."

"Still appreciate the help." Tatsumi whispered. "Just wish it wasn't Nozel, can't do much with him around though thankfully I've barely recovered enough magic for a simple shield so I'm unable to fight right now."

"I'm sure you were just about to fillet them." Jack said. "What with how you look more ragged than usual right now and that's impressive given how hard it is to tell that usually."

"Please, this is just a little dirt." Yami said with a scoff. "Nothing bad at all."

"Ke, ke, well then how about I cut you up instead." Jack said as he held his left mana blade to Yami's throat. "Might help me work off some of my anger issues to cut you into tiny pieces at last. A good way to hone my severing before dealing with beastie here."

"I forgot, you're insane as always." Yami said as he sensed Akame's ki flare behind him while Jack held his freaky magic to Yami's throat. "Akame, calm down, this is normal for this beanpole, he won't dare do anything while I'm like this. My sincerest apologies my fellow Captain, forgive me."

"Ke, ke, ke, were you scared?" Jack asked as he pulled his blade away grinning though everyone could tell that Yami wasn't being sincere at all. "You're right, I wasn't going to do anything to you while you're like this. You're all beat up right now Yami, no point in slicing you up, at least not until you're healthy again. No point in a skirmish if there isn't a challenge after all."

"Must we always bail you out of whatever mess or trouble you've gotten yourself into?" Charlotte asked her imperious tone still there though it had taken her a while to get back to this after dealing with her feelings earlier. "Miserable man, you can't even stand up right now."

"Huh, it's not like that at all, the ground just loves my ass, what can I say." Yami said as he took a drag on his cigarette. "Besides, if I recall, when we met our situations were reversed, and you spilled my pasta that I was enjoying."

"If it had meat in it then that's a grave sin." Akame said. "Good meat should never be wasted."

"Don't be an idiot and tell your Squad members to shut up, their babble is annoying." Charlotte said fighting back her emotions at the memory of how Yami had saved her from the curse that was on House Roselei right when she was about to succumb to it as that was also the moment she fell for him. "And the earth has no love for some miscreant who's not taken a bath in a while."

"Oh burn, you get that inspiration from my Squad, they've been on fire with you lot." Yami said. "I'll give it to you, for a noble you got some mouth Charlotte. With that mouth, how are you going to find a husband? Most men of your standing tend to prefer a woman of class and sophistication after all."

"Why you…" Charlotte began as she sent out her briars from behind her to wrap around Yami's neck though made a point to keep them far enough away not to harm him but not far enough that he could break them in time.

"And she's angry." Yami said as Charlotte continued to not look at Yami, she couldn't after all that because she didn't want a man like that, she wanted Yami, a man who was strong enough to stand by her side and not treat her as a prize. "This is normal for her though."

"Er, Captain, I don't think angry is the right word." Akame said as Charlotte got indignant at his words and her ki flared again. "I…"

"Shut it miss, I can't believe that a woman who's magic is as strong as yours from what I'm feeling is a Black Bull but butt out of this." Charlotte said cutting Akame off and getting angry. "And I don't need a man, Yami, I'm fine as I am. The only partner I need is the battlefield."

"I mean, I get the whole warrior woman thing and all, that is the whole schtick of your Squad, but even for you that's sad." Yami said. "It's like you crave it or something."

"Yeah it's as I thought." Akame said as Charlotte went through a full crisis over her actions and her feelings for Yami, the fluctuations in her mood clear in her ki and Akame knew at once that it was just like how Noelle's was with Asta though there was something different about Captain Charlotte's compared to Noelle's though that might be due to the over decade age gap. "Interesting."

"Come again, Akame?" Asta asked.

"Read her ki, Asta." Akame said as Charlotte got herself under control and it leveled out as she focused on the enemies before her and removed her briars from near Yami. "Oh never mind, her existential crisis is over."

"Don't worry, I didn't get that either." Tatsumi said to Asta. "Felt the ki fluctuation, kinda reminded a bit of how Mine can be around me, or Noelle whenever you're around her Asta, but otherwise normal. Figured the Captain just gets under her skin you know. Wouldn't surprise me, he's good at that."

"I guess she mustn't like him." Asta said which caused Charlotte to let out a splutter and her ki fluctuated again. "Well, we are the Black Bulls but I'm sure we can change it in time."

"Yeah, give it time and they'll all like us in the end." Tatsumi said.

"I think this is different." Akame said with a sigh. "But you boys are dense and I'm only starting to understand this so this is kinda pointless right now."

"If you plebs are done chattering, the Captains need to focus on who's before them seeing as we have the leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun and their top brass here." Nozel said shutting up yet another session of inane babbling from the Black Bulls behind him and amazed that the enemies before him hadn't attacked yet but he chalked it up to their extreme arrogance at the situation, which he'd easily break in short order, as well as likely recovering as much mana as possible which wouldn't help them once Nozel started fighting. "They are the highest ranked members of terrorist group which attacked our Capital and declared war on our Kingdom. This is a chance I will not let go to waste. I'll bury them with my own hands."

"Ooh Nozel, you're sounding so cool right now." Yami taunted. "Such a badass for a royal."

"I'm more amazed he just volunteered to do manual labor." Tatsumi said. "I'm impressed, a royal who gets dirty with us common scum, how inspiring. That's a royal I can get behind, once I see him do the work that is."

"And he's not afraid to kill, not bad for some pampered ass." Akame said. "Guess I didn't give him enough credit."

"Keep your damn Squad silent and sit there and shut up, foreigner, I don't want to deal with any trouble from you lot." Nozel said getting really annoyed now. "Why the Black Bulls exist is beyond me. What was Julius thinking when he let you form a Squad I will not know."

"You're concern for the well being of me and my Squad is truly touching, o Great and Might Royal Captain." Yami said clearly taunting Nozel again. "Hey, instead of shutting up, how do you guys think he gets his hair to do that braid thing? It's really weird."

"I mean, he's a royal so wouldn't it be a servant." Asta said. "That seems like the normal thing for a royal to have after all."

"Honestly, it's more likely that he has his own personal hairstylist." Finral said thinking. "Maybe someone with Hair Magic, that would explain how well done it is. That can't be done by hand, it's too perfect and Nozel is clearly all about perfection in his good looks."

"No question on the specialized servant or likely servants." Tatsumi said. "The superiority in his ki is off the charts, he probably has a whole team of personal attendants with specific jobs for various aspect of his appearance."

"Ah the perks of royalty." Akame said. "Really makes them so high and mighty. Good thing he exiled Noelle though, she's so much better than he is thanks to joining the Black Bulls."

"Well whether it's a dedicated stylist or a whole team, Nozel's hair braider sounds like the worst job ever." Yami said. "Seriously, there can't be a worse one, can there?"

"Honestly I don't think there can me." Tatsumi agreed.

"There might be but nothing's coming to mind." Akame added.

"He could take the time to braid his own bangs." Asta said. "He might be so particular that no one else can do it."

"Oh true, he is a royal with a large Squad so he probably has a lot of time on his hands for something like that as it's gotta take a lotta time to sort out." Yami said with a chuckle as they all imagined Nozel in front of a mirror trying to braid his bangs while Nozel failed to restrain a growl at the mockery behind him. "What a loser."

"You know, on second thought perhaps I ought to bury you and your Squad before the other four." Nozel said. "That would be best after all this."

"You don't wanna waste that unique magic of yours on a lowly foreigner and his Squad members." Yami said. "Two are commoners from the sticks and two are convicted felons on probation. They're not worth your valuable and vaunted time o Great and Mighty Royal Captain Nozel."

"Felons? Seriously." Charlotte said. "You have felons in your Squad?"

"Hello." Akame said helpfully. "Currently on a 5 year probation sentence for trying to assassinate Captain Yami and hoping not to fail my yearly review for a pardon this time around. Gauche is the other one."

"It was all for Marie." Gauche said. "I don't regret any of it."

Charlotte couldn't deny that she was surprised that the girl in the Black Bulls behind her was one of the felons though as Akame spoke again and her voice got an edge to it and Charlotte realized that the girl was a whole of a lot more than she was making herself out to be at the moment. It was kinda like how Sheele got whenever she got into battle only somehow even more deadly.

It was no secret that Charlotte was a warrior woman skilled in the art of battle but this Akame girl was truly deadly in a way that Charlotte wasn't. It was chilling in a sense but the fact that Yami had survived an encounter with her, then redeemed her, made Charlotte's heart flutter a bit as it showed once again why she fell for him.

"And try it, pretty boy, try and bury us I dare you." Akame said seriously her voice lowering as she spoke and a deadly aura emanating from her. "Because you'll find it harder than you expected and I'd really hate to tell Noelle that I hurt her dear ass of a brother because his feelings were hurt by some commoners and felons in the lowest Magic Knight Squad out there. I don't want to upset my friend after all."

"Enough, we can't get distracted anymore." Nozel said cutting off but he too heard the edge in the girl's voice and it sent a shiver down his spine that he wasn't going to admit to, there was something about her magic that had a sharp, lethal, edge to it that he thought he'd felt before and her claim to have tried to kill Yami once was clearly not bluster. "Show no mercy to these criminals."

"Well, that's an improvement at least." Akame said as Jack chuckled and the battle was about to start, the Eye of the Midnight Sun still not attacking for some reason. "I do agree with that. Maybe he's not all that bad, just a moderate dick."

"Oh yeah, I can get behind this, let's do this every one!" Asta yelled as he drew his great sword from his grimoire, the shorter one already in his hand. "I'm totally ready to kick those bastards' asses so let's go! We'll take them down without a problem."

"Calm down Asta." Tatsumi said.

"Listen to your Squadmate, you will not be in this fight." Nozel said causing Asta to let out an annoyed squeak. "The Captains have taken to the battlefield now so anyone who interferes from this point on will only be in our way and we cannot guarantee your safety. That is especially true for a pathetic, magicless commoner."

"Relax." Tatsumi said softly placing a hand on Asta's shoulder as Asta growled and finally the Third Eye began to get serious. "Nozel, for as annoying as he is, is right. This is about to get intense, use this as a learning experience to see how three other Captains fight. You've seen how Yami fights, now you'll see a few more in action. If you hope to be the Wizard King then this is the caliber you need to reach before that."

"Fine." Asta said relenting a little but he did want to help.

"Ah this is excellent." Vetto called out to them his sharp toothed grin wide. "There is no better place to find true despair than at the end of an endless battle and this will be the most delicious despair of all, that of the mighty when they face certain death."

"What's he talking about?" Yami asked. "Akame, Tatsumi, any ideas?"

"We saw despair from the other side." Tatsumi said. "So it's disturbing that he likes it, reminds me of some of the asshole nobles back then who enjoyed the people's suffering."

"But we do know about taking down the mighty." Akame said. "That does happen and it is a good feeling to tear down an evil figure in power but that's not the case here."

"Let's catch and kill some rats." Vetto said before anyone else could speak and clearly ignoring the Black Bulls' chatter as he cracked his knuckles and grinned. "This is going to be fun; I can't wait to taste all this despair."

"Man, Vetto is way too into this." Rhya said in a bored tone as he yawned and raise the fake katana of Dark Magic he had copied from Yami's grimoire and looked over it at the three Captains he was facing with his eyes lingering on Charlotte. "This is boring to me but whatever, you help your friends after all so I can put in a little effort for Licht's sake."

Suddenly Rhya slid to the side and leapt forward, katana to his side and charged right at Charlotte. Without any warning the fight was on and that was just how any of them expected it to start.

"Oh and I'm calling dibs on the hot chick, she's mine in this fight." Rhya said as he barreled down on the Captain of the Blue Rose Knights. "When I beat you, we're getting a drink together, gorgeous."

"When you win, please, that won't happen so we're never clinking glasses, not that I'd clink them with a man like yourself, or any man for that matter." Charlotte said her right arm out to her side and the magical briars she create roiling around her. "Briar Creation Magic: Corpse Hunting Briar Tree!"

"Interesting spell name." Akame mused as the briars shot out at Rhya forcing him to slash them way with copied Dark Magic and leap back in the air but they kept coming and forcing the man back for a second time and slamming into the ground a few times in the process before he was able to cut several of them. "What are the others?"

"Severing Magic: Death Scythe!" Jack said as Akame mused, sending out a blast of mana in vertical slice right at Vetto who leapt a bit back from it and allowed Jack to land before him. "You're just as eager for this fight as I am, beastie, that's good I like an opponent who relishes battle as much as I do. You're mine, oh I'm so going to enjoy slicing you up."

"Well, well, if it isn't the Captain of the Praying Mantis Squad." Vetto said as he turned fully to Jack and got ready to enjoy his fight. "I'm going to squash you like the insignificant pest that you are and pull all those limbs off for good measure."

"Oh you think so, well I like a good challenge so show me!" Jack said excitedly as leapt at Vetto with another slice of his magic. "If you can last that long that is."

"Confident for an insect, this is great, your despair will taste even better when I've shattered that confidence." Vetto roared as he flared with magic and then charged at Jack for close combat. "Keep smiling as I rip you limb from limb. Go Bear Claw!"

"Ever since you dared to attack the Capital and hurt Fuegoleon, I've been waiting for this chance." Nozel said as he was the last of the Captains to join the fight but he was targeting the leader as he was in whatever healing flames he was in, which now that Nozel took a moment he realized was likely why their opponents had let them chatter on because it meant the Light Mage might return but now Nozel was going to ensure that it didn't happen. "At last, Mercury Magic: Silver Spears!"

At that Nozel sent out a quartet of liquid metal that morphed and hardened at the end into spear points and bore down on the leader, Licht if Nozel had heard the name correctly. That should do it and end him but before the spears could land there was a blast of fire and the mercury was destroyed ending Nozel's attack and reminding him that there was one more top brass member to deal with, one who had the spirit of fire perched on her right shoulder and was easily the worst matchup of the three for him to face.

"You are but another fool who is trying to harm Licht." Fana said her voice unchanging from before as she stared at Nozel. "For that, you'll die a fiery and painful death."

"Ke, ke, looks like Salamander's flames are melting your mercury." Jack said with a laugh as he and Vetto clashed and bounced off each other unable to break the other's magic and Jack glanced over to Nozel. "Well, Silverboy, wanna swap? I can sever those flames no problem and Spirit Magic is the kind I rarely get the pleasure to try to cut up so it should be fun for me to do so."

"No, those flames are hardly enough to cause me an issue." Nozel said as he created more mercury weapons. "You have no idea what I had to do to reach the position I'm in, I can't some weak fire stop me, especially not when his fire burns so much hotter."

"Er, wasn't he kinda born into that position." Akame whispered as Nozel sent more mercury spears at Fana who countered with fire from Salamander to intercept and destroy them while Jack yelled and sent more slices at Vetto that tore up the ground but the Beast Mage easily leapt away and then charged forward, his whole body covered in his magic, to reach Jack and they began to exchange blows in a close combat duel. "You know, first born child of the royal of House Silver, huge mana pool, unique magic and what not."

"Probably but there are likely some petty political games that we plebs can't understand." Tatsumi mused as off to the other side Rhya ran at Charlotte avoiding briars that slammed into the ground and kicked up dust and cutting them as she controlled them like a whip with a cross hilt in her hand her skill easily enough to keep Rhya at a distance. "But for now let's watch this is getting good."

Akame nodded as the battle intensified with fire blasting out and at Nozel but he protected himself with a shield of mercury and then sent his magic back at Fana who again blasted fire to melt it away as if it was nothing. In moments the whole thing devolved into a chaotic mess of dust, debris, and so much magic that it formed a cloud that they couldn't see through.

"All this magic is flying around; I've never felt so much being used in one place." Finral said with a yelp. "It looks like some kind of disaster, well more so than it already was here."

"Damn it, I can't see through all the dust their kicking up." Gauche said. "What's going on? I want to be able to tell Marie about this so she's proud of me."

"Man, that Third Eye has to be tough, the Captains are fighting really hard in there." Yami said as he watched the dust. "They're as good as their leader said they were but our people are holding their own at least."

"Yeah, it's chaos." Tatsumi said. "The sheer power and skill on display is amazing."

"So true." Akame said. "Oh that was close, a second later and he'd have been disemboweled."

"Yeah you talk a good game Jack but you were almost slashed by that Beast Mage." Yami said. "Oh, Charlotte's doing well though, guess those briars of hers have a good matchup on copied Dark Magic but then again that's my magic so she should be fine providing she doesn't let it get close to her."

"Perhaps but that guy is also attracted to her." Akame said. "In a creepy way so it helps that she's motivated to not let him near her."

"Still better than Nozel, he's not the best for a Flame Mage." Tatsumi said. "Almost got burned there. Seriously, mercury sucks against fire. Sure it's nice and versatile but it's also weaker than normal metal is to Fire Magic."

"True but his bangs haven't budged at all." Yami noted. "That's some serious work on that braid to keep it like that."

"Oh you're right." Tatsumi said. "Damn, definitely a personal stylist with Hair Magic I'd say. No other way it could stay so perfect in all this chaos."

"No question." Akame concurred.

"Er, you lot can see what's going on?" Asta asked as Yami, Tatsumi, and Akame continued their running commentary and ongoing roast of Nozel's stupid hair. "How?"

"Really?" Yami asked. "You learned it only a few moments ago, have you already forgotten about ki? We can sense them fighting in that cloud of dust."

"Oh." Asta said as it hit him and he focused his recently mastered senses.

"Hey, Finral, you ready?" Yami asked grinning as he hedged a bet now that Asta was reminded of his newly developed skill. "Akame, going to need it again if you don't mind. It's just not the same without the full blade you know."

"For what Captain?" Finral asked worried.

"Of course sir, I completely understand and hope you replace it with as fine a model as the last one." Akame said as her grimoire floated open and the handle of Murasame appeared so that she could draw it. "Just, er, wow this is unusual for me to say, but try not to kill him. Asta's right, these people need to pay and we'll learn a lot more about this group if we take him in alive."

"I'll do my best but he's still getting badly wounded, have to make sure he doesn't have time to heal up after all." Yami said as he sensed Asta begin to move and Akame drew Murasame out of her grimoire. "And Finral, I ask because you've been resting for a while so you should have enough mana for one of those gates of yours by now."

"Oh I get that, yeah I'm ready to leave this place." Finral said as his grimoire opened clearly not realizing what was actually going on. "We can just let the other Captains deal with this…er what's with that look."

"You're an idiot Finral." Tatsumi said as Yami chuckled darkly at the Spatial Mage a look in his eyes that Finral really didn't like. "We're not going anywhere, are we?"

"The Black Bulls started this battle and we're going to end it." Akame said as she spun Murasame in her hands before laying it in her palms, back of it to her Captain with her right hand on the handle and left on the blade, which she used to make it as strong and sharp as possible trusting the Captain to have restraint with his Dark Magic to mitigate that. "Captain, take good care of her. Once you no longer need her I'll end the spell as I'd rather Nozel not get a good look at it seeing as it was at some Golden asshole's throat the last time it was out in his presence."

"Of course." Yami said as he got up and took the handle of Akame's katana in his left hand and lifted off her before transferring it to his right hand. "Don't worry, she's in good hands again. Finral, on my mark make a Spatial Portal right above that light bastard."

Finral just sighed in resignation and prepared to do just that as the battle raged around them. It was chaos at the moment but that would soon change as Yami waited, Murasame in his right hand to his side and his senses on alert to strike at the right moment. As he did both Akame and Tatsumi felt the ki as well and grinned as the full plan came to light. This was going to be good.

While all this was going on, Patry was floating high in the sky still wreathed in flames that were healing him as he watched the battle below. Vetto was holding his own in a series of clashes with Jack the Ripper as both clashed and then broke apart, Jack sent some slashes at Vetto that Vetto dodged and then they clashed again. Meanwhile Fana and Nozel Silva were locked in a ranged battle, her Flame Spirit Magic an easy match for his Mercury Magic but his high mana pool and well-honed skills holding their own despite the disadvantage he was in while Rhya used his copied Dark Magic to slice away the briars that Charlotte sent at him with ease.

Patry could acknowledge that the Magic Knight Captains were formidable opponents but as far as he was concerned they were no match for the Third Eye. Their people were much loved by the mana so they were the blessed ones who'd win not just this battle but the war that they'd started and Patry knew it. It was also why he knew that there had to be a mistake because that magicless brat, an ordinary human so shunned by the mana that he didn't have any at all, which was an aberration in their world, had Licht's grimoire.

It was an insult of the highest order to Patry who was dedicating his entire rebirthed life to fulfilling what Licht would have wanted and eliminating the humans for what they did to the elves, that that grimoire would be in the hands of someone like that boy. He had to retrieve it because he was unworthy of it and then he could present it back to Licht one he too was reborn along with all the others when their plan finally came to fruition.

Patry had been so lost in his thoughts and the distraction of the battle that he didn't realize Asta was no longer where he'd been at the start, he was only following it by sensing mana after all, nor did he hear the mark Yami gave causing Finral to create a portal for him. He did sense the sudden flare of magic from above however and turned in time to see the portal opening above him and Yami Sukehiro falling down from it, that katana that Kurome's younger sister could make in both hands and above his head as his Dark Magic roiled off the magical katana which was inadvertently uniting the two magics together for the pending attack.

"Nice try but I was expecting a trick like this from you." Patry said as the flames around him went out and he turned to Yami a ball of light forming in his hands. "You're done this time, Yami Sukehiro."

"Wait, he's countering that?" Finral asked as Yami continued to fall a look of determination on his face.

"You lot misjudged our boss." Rhya called out as he landed and then sent a series of slashed at Charlotte to occupy her as he watched the inevitable ending of one of the four Captains present though she was more distracted by the potential end to Yami than anything else. "Now you're going to see what comes of that."

"Finish him Licht, make him pay for the pain he caused you." Fana said as Vetto chuckled and continued his clash with Jack. "The first of many who will die for what they did to you."

"The only misjudging you lot have done is us." Akame said calmly a small smile on her face. "And that's a mistake that can be fatal."

"Don't ever underestimate the Black Bulls." Tatsumi said grinning. "Because we've got something that none of you have and your arrogance will be your undoing."

"I knew you'd do it." Yami said as he fell. "Bring it. Asta!"

At that Asta burst out of the dust cloud in the air right next to Patry a look of determination on his face and his great sword in both hands and cocked back for a horizontal strike. He was on the same plane as Patry and way to close for Patry, who was distracted by Yami above him, to do anything but turn and glance, wide eyed at the arrival of the brat. The same was true for all 6 combatants who paused their battles and looked up wide eyed at the result saying the same thing.

"How'd he get there?"

"Ki." Tatsumi said and Akame nodded to his side while Nozel was really confused as to how the runt got to that position with everything going on, even he was impressed by the skill it took to achieve that. "Amazing what you can do with it."

"And when you don't have magic, combined with a chaotic dust filled battle, well…" Akame began. "You can't sense him."

"That's why learning ki will help you Asta." Yami said as he fell down, his timing in line with Asta's for a devastating combo. "Now you'll learn why we're going to win!"

"No one noticed because no one could sense him." Patry said realization dawning as he turned his head to look at Asta. "He has no magic so we couldn't tell."

"Shut up, this time you're done!" Asta roared as he brough his great sword around while the Dark Magic flowed off Murasame as Yami fell towards them. "You'll pay for all the suffering you've caused!"

"Thanks for trusting that I'd take one more shot at you bastard but I'm going to trust something better than that." Yami said as he fell. "Our magicless freak here. I knew he'd go for you as well; I was just a distraction so that this can happen."

"My magic is never giving up!" Asta roared as he swung his sword and slammed it into Patry's left arm as hard as he could, breaking it and spinning him up and around as passed by Patry and the Light Magic spell he had prepared was negated and rocks and dust were displaced by the force.

Patry let out a gasp as his body spun around as that he was looking up at Yami, the katana above his head and the hole in the ceiling of the cavern behind him. That was all Patry got before Yami let out a grunt and brough the Dark Magic coated Murasame down hard onto the right side of Patry's chest with a vicious downward thrust, his magic blunting it enough that it wouldn't kill the Light Mage but it still blasted him down to the ground where Patry slammed back first into it with a massive explosion of dust and cut him deeply from shoulder to hip.

As he did Asta landed on his feet and slid over the ground, great sword out to his side and ready to act as he panted. No one else was moving and soon the dust cleared to reveal the Light Mage on his side, blood staining his clothes again, and unmoving.

"Gotcha." Asta said with a grin. "What do you think about that? I may not have magic but I can still smash you. Well, it's…"

"Quit trying to take all the credit kid." Yami said with a laugh as he landed on Asta and flattened him as he sat on Asta's back, Akame's katana resting on his shoulder and hand on Asta's head. "This was a team effort. Took at least four of us to pull this off."

"Right, sorry Captain." Asta said.

"Still, not bad, not bad at all." Yami said smiling his cigarette still in his mouth. "You really surpassed your limits there just like I ask for. Well done."

"Thank you sir." Asta said grinning as Charlotte flushed at Yami being ok and looked to him before looking back as her opponent suddenly leapt way.

"Licht!" Rhya said the worry clear in his voice. "Where is he?"

"Oh shit!" Vetto added as Fana gasped.

"Eyes forward beastie, you're still facing me." Jack said as he sent a slash at Vetto but the Beast Mage had already dodged it and was moving towards where his boss had been downed. "Ke, ke, damned runt of Yami's, he left us all in the dust. There's not going to be any glory for us now after that."

"It doesn't matter, we're Magic Knight Captains." Charlotte said her briars still moving as she focused on the task at hand and lashed them out but Rhya was already too far away to get so she was preparing for the next part. "We can't fall behind a simple Magic Knight. He and Yami have done their job, the rest is up to us. We won't be shown up by them."

"Captain?" Finral said as he made it over to Yami and Asta who were now on their feet as Gauche, Akame, and Tatsumi made their way slower either due to injury, indifference, or making sure Akame was ok as she was starting to wobble a bit. "What's next?"

"Well I for one am wondering if any more of their friends will show up." Yami said with a drag on his cigarette as he continued to hold Murasame in his right hand just in case it was needed. "So far it's been various arrivals constantly so we'll have to wait and see."

"Woah that would be so cool." Asta yelled.

"No it won't." Tatsumi said as they reached the rest of the squad, his arm around Akame's waist now. "This has been going on long enough."

"Yeah I could do with a break." Akame said. "And meat, a lot of meat."

"At the very least finish off that leader." Finral said. "The other Captains are still fighting so we can take care of the Light Mage."

"True, very well let's…huh." Yami began but before he could act there was suddenly a flare of magic and red rings with black in them flared to life around the downed body of the Light Mage as he lay on his side on the ground. "Well this doesn't look good."

Suddenly the rings shot off from around the Light Mage and he began to glow with a bright white light which given that his Light Magic was yellow was not a good sign. All the Black Bulls could do was note that he was glowing before suddenly the entire situation shifted as the Third Eye realized what was going on.

"No! Licht!" Vetto said turning from his latest confrontation with Jack, who had caught up to him to reengage, to look to the bright white light. "That Anti-Magic attack that brat used had to have broken the Sealing spell that was on him."

"That's not good." Rhya added also looking over as Patry rose into the air, his eyes open but vacant, his robe nothing more than bloody tatters at this point from all the wounds he'd taken thanks to Akame and Yami so it was hard to tell what the most recent one was, and still glowing for all to see. "That power was supposed to be for a later day that has yet to come, that's why it was sealed away. Damned brat. We failed Licht with this."

"This cannot be!" Patry suddenly said his eyes snapping open to survey the chamber and looking down on the boy who'd hit him and broken the spell of Sealing on him but his focus was solely on the dirty, glowing, grimoire before Asta. "Why do you of all people have that grimoire? That most treasured of grimoires to our people! Why does a magicless brat who is shunned by the mana wield two of his weapons, the Demon-Slayer Sword and the Demon-Dweller Sword. You are unworthy to even hold them in your filthy human hands and yet they are yours to command. How dare you!"

"What the hell is he saying?" Asta asked. "My swords have names?"

"A sword worth its salt always has a name." Tatsumi said. "Especially one of power. Incursio's key was a sword after all."

"And Murasame and Yatsufusa were katanas with names and I had another named one before Murasame." Akame said. "Looks like yours are notable as well, or were once upon a time. I never did ask, how did you get your grimoire, Asta? It is odd that someone without magic would have one and the fact that it's a 5 leaf clover is even stranger."

"Oh, er, it just chose me." Asta said. "It was after the Grimoire Ceremony where I didn't get one, Yuno was captured by some Chain Mage former Magic Knight turned criminal and in my desperation it appeared when we were in the area around Hage and I was about to give up on my goal. All it had at the time was the great sword so I pulled it out and used it to save Yuno and defeat the Chain Mage."

"Huh." Tatsumi said. "Interesting."

"Shut up, the lot of you!" Patry shouted his eyes bulging now as his rage boiled over. "Those swords belonged to the master! They do not belong to you! You sully his name and legacy by daring to hold them!"

That was new and at least Nozel picked up on the term 'master' that Licht used as the intel they had was that the master was the leader of this terrorist group. That was confusing as the glowing Light Mage above them was supposedly their leader but this seemed to contradict it and Nozel, and later the others when this was discussed in time, would try to understand this discrepancy.

"Hey, glowing asshole, you keep saying all this crap about my grimoire and swords but I'm sick of it." Asta yelled up at the Light Mage. "I don't care who this master dude is or that this grimoire was once his. This grimoire chose me and that makes it and these swords mine. Only I can wield them and I don't care that they're all beat up and old, you're not getting them. Quit with the accusations already!"

"You still defy him; they are not yours." Patry yelled and as he spoke he began to glow brighter and brighter with the rocks in the cave starting to float up around him. "Give them back so that they may be returned to their rightful owner. That grimoire could never belong to someone so shunned by the mana, not when it once belonged to the person most touched by the mana that I've ever known. His grimoire should not be in the hands of a filthy human!"

Patry was getting faster and faster as he raved above them and their focus wasn't on him at all now as the ground cracked around them and more rocks were floating into the air. The situation was really not looking good at all and they didn't really know what to do, especially because Tatsumi still hadn't recovered enough magic to use his best defensive spell. Still, this was a massive attack so at least one person was going to have fun.

"That looks like it could use a slashing, Severing Magic: Death Scythe!" Jack said as he sent a slice of Severing Magic at it but as he did a massive ball of magic power began to form and expand around the Light Mage and Jack's attack did nothing. "It absorbed my Severing Magic? No way! My magic was nothing to that and I don't have time to really get into the desire to slicing it. This really isn't good."

"It's an enormous mass of pure magic power, not even the Wizard King has that much power." Charlotte said. "If it's released we're all dead. It will destroy the who cavern and a large portion of the surrounding area. Not even four Captains working together can stop this."

"Just how much mana is he channeling?" Finral asked. "This is off the charts."

"A shit ton." Tatsumi said as grimaced at the immensity of the magic before him. "Even if I was at full strength, that would blow apart my magic before it could register it."

"Ahhhh! He's been holding back this entire time!" Finral roared as he panicked. "He could have obliterated us the entire time if he'd wanted to, I knew I shouldn't have come on this mission. Actually I should never have joined this squad in the first place!"

"Stop yapping we don't want to hear it." Yami said.

"It's annoying Finral and the ladies won't like a coward." Akame said. "They will like it if you survive this and help catch that bastard. You may not have done much but you can say you did, there will be some who'd swoon at that I bet."

"And besides, we could all push our limits with this and then some." Yami said with a grin. "This is what I've been tell you all about, there's so much we can do. We're up against some serious power which is perfect for getting stronger."

"True." Tatsumi said as he focused and tried to do just that as this was the perfect situation to learn a new, more powerful, protection spell as he stepped forward sword at the ready having reclaimed it from Akame a while back. "This is what makes a Magic Knight a Magic Knight."

"Captain, can I have her back." Akame said as she too stepped up to her Captain's other side left hand out. "I feel like with Murasame in my hands I can really push my limits at the moment."

"Huh, oh sure." Yami said as he handed the katana back to Akame who took it in her hands and held it out before her, her magic pouring into it and the steel flashing brightly.

"Yeah that's it." Akame said as she focused on all the mana around her and began to condense it around her blade while Yami picked up his broken katana and ignited Dark Magic over it before extending it to where there was no blade. "Time to push past my limits and use all I've got."

"Let's go!" Asta roared slashing his great sword next to Tatsumi as he mirrored Akame's stance and the four Black Bulls looked up, three and a half swords at the ready and prepared to do all they could to stop the Light Mage one final time. "I'm ready!"

"No way, are you four absolutely insane!" Finral yelled. "Have you all gone crazy or something? Well crazier than usual that is which is still saying something for you lot."

"Shut it and pull it together." Gauche said grabbing the other man as he was also hanging back while Finral complained that he was still Gauche's superior. "My magic's not fully recovered but we can support those four. They're all strong and determined so stop panicking and get ready. I have to get back to Marie, I'm not dying here."

"Well said Gauche." Tatsumi said opting not to address the Marie thing. "This isn't over until we're all dead, or dead again depending on how you look at it."

"Well all this is too bad, looks like we'll be needing a raincheck on our drink gorgeous." Rhya suddenly said getting everyone's attention. "But we gotta save our boss, he needs to save that power so we can't waste time with you lot right now."

"Hurry, his body won't hold out much longer." Vetto said moving into position as fast as he could, all three members of the Third Eye now completely ignoring the Magic Knight Captains they'd just been facing and they got into position. "Now!"

"Trinity Sealing Magic!" All three said as they glowed with magic power and stood in a triangle around their boss, the magic pouring off them and up at the Light Mage before hitting him.

As it did the red rings appeared around the Light Mage once again and they fully intended to seal away the magic that was pouring off the Light Mage. All the Clover Kingdom Magic Knights present could do was watch as the Third Eye worked, pouring their magic into the triad spell and finally managed to create a crystalline structure around the Light Mage that sealed him away and ended the surge of magic power that was coming from him thus preventing a catastrophic explosion.

"You pushed yourself just a little too hard this time Licht but don't worry we've got you covered; your goal won't be ended today." Rhya said as the spell ended and the threat subsided though he alone knew that the person wasn't Licht but he still played into Patry's scheme because he shared Patry's goal. "Get some rest and heal up, we'll handle things for the moment."

"Yes, it will be all right don't worry." Fana said a hint of relief in her voice making it the first bit of emotion that she'd shown. "We are here for you Licht."

"For now at least." Vetto said. "But we need to end this soon now that we're in the open."

"And we will but for now, it's time to go and heal Licht and everyone else up." Rhya said as he switched to his copied Spatial Magic and a dark purple portal appeared beneath them and the crystalline structure before it roiled up to take them away but as it did Rhya gave them a sideways glance finally acknowledging the Magic Knights after what the Third Eye did. "Looks like our boss isn't feeling too good so it's time to call this little party a day."

"We may have lost to you lot in this round." Vetto said smiling his creepy, sharp toothed smile at them. "But wait for the next time we meet because I promise that when that happens I won't leave until you have tasted true despair. It will be delicious and we carnivores live to feast on vermin like you."

"The next time we meet I'll make sure you all cease to breath." Fana said her tone returning to what it was before she saved Patry. "I assure it."

"Just remember." Vetto added as the Third Eye looked at them. "Wherever you go, the Eye of the Midnight Sun is always watching you."

With that they vanished as in the portal and the remnants of the Spatial Magic used faded away leaving a platform of rock bathed in bright light from above them where they'd been. It was a bit ominous but nothing the Black Bulls or other Captains wouldn't have expected. Besides, they were already prepared for the Eye of the Midnight Sun and now that they'd met the leader and top brass they had a much better understanding of who they were and some understanding of their capabilities.

Still, the fact that the huge amount of magic power that had just been used had been sealed by the three of them with a single combined spell was staggering. It made them wonder about their true skill level and it was Charlotte who voiced it.

"It would appear that in the end they were just toying with us." Charlotte said. "To be able to seal that much magic, their own is beyond any that I've seen before."

"The Third Eye." Jack said licking his lips. "The tremendous amount of mana is one thing but what is even bigger is the fact that they are all skilled at using it, that's what makes them truly dangerous. They are certainly much loved by the mana, ke, ke, ke, but I for one would like another chance to rip them apart. Now that I've got a taste of their power, my desire to slice them up has only increased, ke, ke, and next time I will succeed in that."

"Regardless, we still let them get away." Nozel pointed out. "That is unacceptable but I swear that it won't happen again, I will avenge my rival for what they did to him, I swear it."

"Er, did we win that or what?" Asta asked a bit confused at how the fight had ended as one minute he thought he might die, again, but was ready to surpass his limit and the next all the enemies were finally gone and there was no longer a massive threat to all of their lives. "I don't get what just happened."

"I'd say it's less that we won and more like they ran off because their boss was about to explode." Finral said. "So maybe a draw at best."

"Still a win in my book." Tatsumi said. "They fled and we didn't lose a single person though we didn't take any of them, alive or dead, either so a draw does make sense."

"Well from where I'm standing them running away with their tail between their legs and their boss badly hurt is as good as a win and a good first step in avenging Fuegoleon." Yami said with a puff on his cigarette. "And besides, the Beast Boy said they lost that round so they admitted it as well which means that we won."

"A shame that we didn't kill or capture any of them but still…" Akame said as she dismissed Murasame and caught her grimoire to put it away the adrenaline that was keeping her going through the blood loss she'd suffered ebbing away so she needed to do what had been on the back of her mind soon. "At least we learned something things. Oh and Asta…"

"What?" Asta said turning to his Squadmate as she looked at him and surprised him with a small but warm smile, something that looked a little odd on her blood stained face and body though by this point it was all dry.

"Thank you." Akame said with a slight bow of her head. "For stopping me from slaying her when I had the chance to. I was ready to do it again but you're right, this is a new beginning for us so I should try harder now to make sure that it doesn't happen."

"Oh ok, you're welcome." Asta said as Akame rose her head before he grinned and cheered. "And we won! Akame, Tatsumi, Finral, Gauche, you heard the Captain we won this!"

"We totally did." Finral said now changing his tune.

"You didn't do anything." Gauche pointed out.

"Not much at least." Tatsumi said.

"Practically nothing really." Akame added.

"Chill out guys, I helped." Finral said annoyed at their reaction. "I got Yami here, then brought Gauche back and set up that final thing."

"I know, just messing Finral." Tatsumi said as he put his arm around the older boy's shoulders while Asta cheered with stars in his eyes. "You're coming along nicely. Who knows, next time you might be key to our victory over a tough enemy. Keep it up and you'll be useful in no time."

"Er thanks." Finral said as Jack approached Yami for a thank you but Yami noted that he was hungry.

"Tatsumi." Akame said and Tatsumi looked at her and noticed she was wobbling so quickly released Finral. "Yeah, now that it's over I'm feeling these wounds from Kurome and the Light Mage. Going to need a healer, I don't…"

Akame didn't finish before finally the mix of exhaustion and blood loss got to her and her eyes rolled up into her head and she pitched forward unconscious. Tatsumi was on his girlfriend in a second catching her in his arms before she hit the ground and steading her body. Once he had her, he hoisted her into a bridal carry, easily able to hold her weight until they got back to Nean.

As this was happening Yami was telling Jack that he'd have taken them on and not let them get away if the other Captains hadn't arrived when they did. That got him told off for being foolish by Charlotte, to which he told her to be nice for once unaware that his comment about taking them all on alone reminded her of why she'd fallen for him.

Of course thanks to Yami not noticing this it devolved into him telling her to hold her tongue or else she'd die single, which caused Charlotte to remind him that the battlefield was her husband and to find his own partner. Naturally Yami just laughed at that and told her they'd look after each other of they were old, gray and single which just caused more problems for the Captain of the Blue Rose Knights.

"Captain, Akame's out cold, going to need to get her back and to a healer as soon as possible." Tatsumi said as Yami finished his banter with Charlotte still unaware of what he was doing to her heart and as he spoke Asta too collapsed from his own exhaustion and the few wounds he'd taken. "And so is Asta it seems."

"Well they both pushed past their limits and then some, I'm proud of them, of all of you." Yami said with a smile. "Alright, get the all healed up, they more than earned it."

"Right Captain." Tatsumi said turning to Finral. "Come on Finral, be useful again and get us out of here."

"Fine, let's go." Finral said. "I should have just enough to get us to Nean but that's it. Someone carry or drag Asta."

Gauche was forced to do that and he opted for the dragging option as Finral made a portal to Nean and the three conscious Black Bulls walked through it Tatsumi carrying Akame and Gauche dragging Asta as they finally left the cavern and the battle with the Leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun and the Third Eye was over. As they did, though, Nozel looked at Asta and noted that he'd have to remember him going forward and even made sure to know his name as the rescue mission to save the children of Nean and all that came from it finally came to an end.

Well there it is, after a long time and several cliffhangers the unexpected mission to save the children of Nean that lead to more discoveries about the Eye of the Midnight Sun, and the revelation that at least some of the Jaegers had been reborn as well, has ended with a victory of sorts for the Magic Knights. Regardless, the intel alone will be useful and the Wizard King does have two captives so he's got a plan brewing to learn more regardless. First though it's time for some much needed healing, rest and food as the Black Bulls recover from what just happened. That is all that I have for this chapter though so I will leave it off here. If you like my story then please follow, favorite, review, PM, etc. it is all appreciated and helps me get better and stay motivated to keep producing more content and any questions asked I will do my best to answer both privately and at the start of the next chapter. Until next time.

Stringdog