She felt hurt. Betrayed.

That much was obvious. She wondered why he lied to her. She wondered why she believed his words right before he left. She loved how he would always reassure her with his words, but sometimes, she hated how his lies would hurt her. They cut her like knives, cutting into her and making deep wounds.

It hurt. So much.

She felt alone without his presence in the room. The ravenette curled onto their bed, her Teigu by her side as she buried her head in between her legs, weeping light tears. The wolf companion of her partner leapt onto the bed, going by her side as he whined, nudging her shoulder. But she didn't respond. She was too busy pondering on the action he made. The decision to leave her side and head by himself.

She could've helped. All he had to do was ask or accept it whenever she offered. But the question was... Why? Why did he leave?

It had already hurt enough when he didn't remember her, the cold and hardened glare she would always receive from him when he had no recollection of himself. It would always hurt her on how he would disregard himself and put himself in harm's way to see that she is safe. No matter what. It's just how he was. She admired that about him, always thankful and grateful for it. But she was always saddened whenever she found a new scar upon his body, earning it due to protecting her.

But he did this out of love. He loved the ravenette, that much was certain. And she reprecipitated the same feeling as well, having seen him in a new light. Especially since they had been together for so long, fighting alongside each other as comrades first. Then friends. Then family... And now, loved ones.

She loved him, yes. But she always hated it when he didn't think of himself when it was for her sake. But the one thing she hated the most was...

How he always thought of himself as a monster. A devil... A demon.

She always told him that no matter what people thought of him, she would never stop loving him. She always reassured him that he wasn't alone. He never was. That's right, she was always there, right by his side. And yet, he still left. She wasn't sure why.

Yes... That was the question. Why did he have to leave?

---

Blood.

Blood. Yes, the craving that he desired to have. Something that he had been wanting for the past couple of days now.

He had been ignoring those desires, cravings, urges, whatever he called them, in order to remain whatever sanity he had. For the sake of his partner, the girl he loved so much. He couldn't bear to see her hurt. Dead, even. He would do anything to protect her, even if it meant having her see what he truly was.

A monster.

A hideous monster that needs to be killed, forgotten from society as a whole. He had no place in it. Considering the atrocities he's done. The murders... The guilt of the innocent blood that has been splashed onto his hands.

But his Teigu refused it. It warped his mind at this point, convincing him that the people he's killed were an enactment of judgment. A judgment to bring them forth toward Death as an offering... To purge the corrupted. The bloodlust to end those that stood in his path is what fueled him to continue the endless carnage that had since begun in the east.

The stench of blood filled the room. The stench had belonged to his blood, to which it trickled down his lip and down to his chin, dripping off as it splashed onto the cold, hard stone floor. His wrists were chained and shackled, the chains connected to the ceiling as he was hung from there. His ankles were locked down to the floor, preventing him from making any such escape. His breath was calm, but slightly heavily. Panting, even.

Scars riddled his body, more defined ones from a session of torture and beatings. He felt no pain during it if he were to be honest. It was being done by that woman, his desire to murder in the most brutal way possible giving him the adrenaline he needed to ignore the pain was being inflicted upon.

The door to the torture dungeon opened, Akira not having looked up. The clacking and clicking of heels kept growing prevalent, the familiar white heels coming into view.

Esdeath: "You're a stubborn one, you know that?" (sigh) "I suppose I should have known. You've always been like that, especially when I was training you. But have you at least thought about the choice I've given you? You still have a few hours left."

He said nothing. Esdeath sighed once more as she drew closer, almost putting a hand on his cheek. But she hesitantly withdrew it.

Esdeath: "Akira. I've said it a million times already, especially towards Tatsumi. If you join me, everything will be forgiven. You'll be able to continue your carnage alongside me. But if you refuse, you'll be made an example of and executed as a criminal. Do you not understand your situation still?"

Once again, he said nothing. Esdeath thought it would be futile if she tried to continue any longer, turning around as she prepared to leave.

However, she stopped. Akira began to giggle like a madman. It then transitioned to an even more crazed laughter, Esdeath turning her head around slowly as she narrowed her eyes. When did his sanity stoop down to this low, she thought.

Akira: "It's you who doesn't understand. You really think I'd join you...?" (continues crazed laugh) "You really are dumber than you think, Esdeath... Death demands payment..."

The icy general soon grew surprised, her eyes widening as she saw something unbelievable. With unbelievable strength, somehow, Akira broke the chain that hung his left arm up to the ceiling. With his crazed look, he grinned widely at the blue-haired woman, his arm now dangling.

(A/N): Ignore text.

Akira: "Didn't I tell you? I told you that I'd rip that head from your shoulders and hang it from the Capital's gates. Mark my words, Esdeath. I will be the one to kill you. And doing it... Will be so satisfying."

Esdeath: "...Very well. I look forward to that day, then... Should it ever arrive." (begins making for the door) "Akira, you are a member of Night Raid... And you will die."

She walked out of the cell door, closing it behind her. The metal door echoed throughout the dark dungeon, the crazed smile on Akira's face began to falter and disappear.

Once it was silent, sniffles began to fill the entire area. Then blood-curdling cries of sadness and despair.

There was only one person that could keep him sane. But... She deserved better. She deserved to be with someone that wasn't a monster.

---

Night Raid had made their decision.

They knew it would be a trap to head in and save the two. But they couldn't leave their teammates behind. Not only were they tremendous assets to the cause of the revolution, they were also their precious friends and allies.

Not only that, if they were to disrupt the public execution, it'll be a blow to the Empire's confidence to keep continuing this war. It would be foolish to pass up on this opportunity.

In their room, Akame was readying herself for the coming battle. She grabbed Murasame and hooked it to her belt, looking to Fenrir who waited by the door. The wolf wagged it's tail as it panted happily, it's eyes showing that it was ready to retrieve it's master. She wanted to scold and punish him once they got back, of course. But really, she just wanted him back.

She wanted him to be beside him again, to hold his hand as it would comfortably slip into hers. His steady heart beat she would listen to as they would lie down on their bed. The way she would play with his hair as she stroked it calmly as they enjoyed the afternoon breeze out in the sun. She desired to have those moments again. Whatever it took.

She couldn't fail this mission.

---

The day of the public execution arrived. Everyone was gathered in the arena, millions of people and bystanders gathered in the stands as they watched the spectacle below.

In the arena, Budo and Esdeath stood, warily watching the area around them. In front of them were Akira and Tatsumi, held onto the crosses they sat upon by some bindings. Their whole time, their heads were down. If they were to be executed, they didn't want to give the citizens the satisfactions of seeing their expressions when they were killed. On each of their sides were their Teigus, Incursio's Key binded to a post while Harvester's Key was simply laying on top of the post.

The icy general continued to look at her former student and former lover. Both their eyes were dull and cast to the dirt of the arena. It's like they had no hope of them being saved at all.

Budo: "We're offering up the bait of Teigus, along with them... But do you really think Night Raid will come?"

Esdeath: "Knowing how Najenda is, I have faith they'll show."

Budo: "Don't you think the chances of the palace being attacked while we're here is exceedingly high?"

The question posed to her was a possibility. But she didn't think Najenda would actually do such a thing. If anything, Esdeath knew Najenda would come here instead.

Esdeath: "That's why I left my men there. We just need to wait a little while longer." (looks to Budo, crossing her arms) "The point of making this a public spectacle is to make the threat that you and I pose. Remember that."

Budo: "That sounds like something the Prime Minister would come up with."

Finally, Tatsumi looked up. His dull glare was shifted to something that had anger filled in it, looking down at the Great General.

Tatsumi: "You."

Budo: "Hmm?"

Tatsumi: "You know how corrupt the Prime Minister is, don't you? So how can you listen to him...!?"

The blonde general looked at him for a bit before he let out a small "hmph," grinning in the process.

Budo: "My family has served and protected the Empire for generations. Guarding His Highness and the Empire is my duty. So I prioritize annihilating the Rebel Army trying to destroy this kingdom. After that... I will settle things with the Prime Minister for bringing this upon us in the first place."

Hearing such an answer from the Great General, Esdeath looked at him with a small grin. While she may be general of the Empire, her allegiance aligned with the Minister. It's because of him that she's able to run and do as she pleased. If she wished to start another war after this one finished, the Minister would most likely allow it.

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'Well, well. When that time comes, you'll have to take me on too. I'm looking forward to it.'

Budo: (looks to Akira) "I expected for you to say something as well. Are you?"

Akira said nothing, remaining silent and keeping his gaze down at the arena's dirt floor. Budo frowned, unsatisfied with the response he had been given. 

With a sigh, Esdeath put a hand on her rapier and began to unsheathe it.

Esdeath: "Well, then. It's about time we got this started. I'll be the one to kill Tatsumi and Akira. And I get to keep their corpses."

Budo: "That's the promise. Do as you please."

Esdeath: "...I will."

Slowly, she began to walk up to the two. Tatsumi finally looked up at her, his expression remaining stern. Akira still kept his head down.

Esdeath: "You really get to know the human body through torture. So I know very well what points to strike to kill someone. I'm counting on you to have a lot of stamina. Tatsumi. Akira." 

Tatsumi: "Is that so?"

He glanced up at the spectators watching. All of them bore grins on their faces, clearly excited and watching happily that the two Night Raid assassins were to die.

Tatsumi didn't care if he was to be tortured, he just won't cry out or moan of the sort. Instead, he smiled. A smile that almost mirrored Akira's, like a crazed madman. This surprised Esdeath, her blade inching toward his neck. Tatsumi didn't care if he died, he was going to show them the pride of Night Raid.

Just as the rapier was to pierce his throat, a sudden blast had occurred behind them. One of the walls under the spectator seats had blown open, Esdeath and Budo turning around, alerted. Tatsumi was shocked as well, turning his head toward Akira. He still made so sudden reaction whatsoever.

Esdeath: "Najenda!?"

Budo: "I can't believe they really came."

They were expecting Najenda to come. But the person that had walked through the cloud of dust wasn't the person they were expecting. Especially Tatsumi.

Tatsumi: "Mine! What are you doing!? Run away!"

Mine: "I come to save you, and this is how you greet me?" (grins) "I'll have to punish you later."

Tatsumi: "You... You idiot...!"

Esdeath: (disbelief) "Tatsumi...?"

Budo: "Her face matches the ones on the wanted poster. Are you alone?"

With a proud grin on her face, Mine put a fist onto her chest. She then yelled to the top of her lungs, making sure that everyone could hear her.

Mine: "That's right! I'm Mine from Night Raid! I heard you had my dunce of a boyfriend. So I had to come and save his sorry butt."

Esdeath's eyes widened. This was the girl that Tatsumi was in a relationship with? She looked at him, seeing that his face had said it all. Needless to say, she was not pleased in the slightest, nor was she impressed with the pink-haired girl in front of him.

Tatsumi: "Mine... You're really something..."

Mine: "We're going home now." (looks to Akira) "Hey, asshole! Are you just going to keep sitting there or what? Say something!"

Akira: "..."

Mine: "Tch. Fine! Don't blame me if you end up dying and leave Akame crying, you piece of shit! I'll never forgive you!"

He reacted slightly, his head perking up a bit at the mention of the ravenette. Seeing her face was the last thing he wanted to see right now. He couldn't face her, not after the decision he made.

Mine: "And Lubbo?"

Tatsumi looked away. Mine's expression darkened a little, thinking the worst. A day prior, Tatsumi had negotiated that he would only join Esdeath if his other friend that was captured with him was spared.

However, to her, his status was unknown. She wasn't sure if he was even killed among the many soldiers Akira had massacred.

So instead of giving Tatsumi hope, she lied to him. Telling him that he had been killed, Esdeath thinking that this would give her leverage over him. However, it didn't go the way she wanted it to, informing him of Lubbock's "death" only further solidified Tatsumi's decision to not join her.

But there was one thing Budo noticed as he looked around the arena.

Budo: "Akame's not here... But we can probably assume that she'll come soon."

Esdeath: "I know. Something like this has happened before."

The Great General hummed, tearing away his cape as it flew off with the wind. He readied his Teigu gauntlet, electricity beginning to surge and pulsate out of the metal rods. 

Budo: "I will execute all dissenters. Adramelech."

He then created a giant ball of electricity, beginning to send it toward the pink-haired sniper. Once he launched it, Mine steeled herself, grasping Pumpkin and cocking the gun, bringing the butstock into her shoulder and pulled back on the rifle's charging handle.

Mine: "Just you try it." 

Like Budo, Mine charged up a blast from Pumpkin. The two projectiles barreled towards each other down the arena floor, Budo growing surprise as the two projectiles collided. However, he grew even more surprised, his ball of electricity being beaten out by the devastating blast of Pumpkin. 

The blast of spiritual energy soon strikes the Great General, sending him back as he plunged into the walls of the arena. A large crater was soon created as he was smashed through it, dust and debris rising. They waited for a few seconds, but Budo didn't get up. Nor did he walk out. It was then the people in the stands began to grow worried, fear beginning to spread onto their faces.

Mine then faced the icy general, soon dodging off to the side as Esdeath slammed her hand. An ice explosion of ice occurred as various ice spikes began to pertrude out of the ground, making it's way towards the pink-haired assassin. Esdeath took this personally slightly, the girl in front of her having taken her man away from her. Esdeath soon followed up with creating ice spikes and different amount of shards, sending them towards Mine. Mine once more charges up another blast from Pumpkin, cutting the shards down as an icy mist floated in the air. 

Thanks to Pumpkin's ability, Mine was facing certain death and this boosted her Teigu's power to a firepower nobody had ever seen before. Not even Najenda had obtained this kind of power.

Steam came off the gun Teigu as Mine brought it down slightly. After her battle with Seryu, she had done maintenance on it so it didn't overheat. Tatsumi was amazed, evident in his wide eyes. In Mine's eyes, this was no suicide mission. She was serious and determined to bring her boyfriend back home, no matter the circumstances. This only made him admire her even more... Making him think that he doesn't deserve her.

Mine: "I'm taking Tatsumi back. Esdeath!"

Esdeath: "I'm not handing Tatsumi over."

---

Just below the arena, there were many halls and columns that supported the massive structure above. Below the structure were holding cells, where the Empire would keep their gladiators and animals, the entertainment for the arena. 

A figure was running to each and every individual column, setting up some sort of object onto the pillars. They were dynamite. The figure had no shirt on, his body riddled with scars and dried blood. In the pocket of his pants had something in it, some sort of round object, and a sword holstered onto his belt. 

The figure continued to set up the dynamite onto the pillars, he then looked up.

???: "Don't worry, Tatsumi, Akira. I'll get you guys out of there. Heh. I still owe you guys."

He then continued his work, making sure he wouldn't be caught doing so in the process as well. He needed to work efficiently and quickly if he wanted to pull this off.

---

Back above, on the arena, the citizens in the stands were terrified. Budo hadn't returned nor recovered from the blast he had sustained from Mine, not appearing from the hole in the wall he created. 

Not only that, there was the ongoing spectacle of Mine vs. Esdeath. 

Bystander 1: "Wh-What kind of firepower is that? The Great General is..."

The crowd soon erupted into screams. They all began to sprawl out of their seats and began to head to the nearest exit. The Imperial guards that were stationed there were trying their best to calm them down, but they couldn't control the chaos that was now ensuing. 

Bystander 2: "If... If we stay here, we'll be in danger, too!"

Bystander 3: "This isn't funny!"

Bystander 4: "Run for your lives!"

The icy general halted her current assault and turned to the fleeing masses. It was pure utter chaos. As much as she thought that the weak should die, she still had an obligation to protect them as a soldier of the Empire.

Her soldiers soon began to enter the arena.

Imperial Soldier: "General Esdeath!"

Esdeath: "Stay out of this! Get the spectators to safety!"

Reluctantly, the soldiers began to leave and follow their orders, trying to calm down the masses and have them leave. With nothing holding her back, injuring the innocent people, Mine could now fire off Pumpkin as much as she wanted. 

Esdeath narrowed her eyes at the pink-haired girl.

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'Najenda wouldn't allow a single member of her team to charge alone in like this. Akame and her little friends will probably be launching a surprise attack soon. This ought to be fun.'

Mine: "Here I come! Esdeath!"

The sniper of Night Raid once again charged up another shot from Pumpkin. The large blast fired toward the icy general, Esdeath pushing down her cap to keep it onto her head. She then dashed to the right, Mine slowly having the beam of spiritual energy to chase after her.

Mine: "You're not getting away! I'll shoot you dead!"

Like a slash, she swung her sniper whilst it was still shooting out a blast of energy. Esdeath leapt upwards to dodge it, the blue-haired woman snapping her fingers as she created a large ice spike below her. Applying pressure to it by using her feet, Esdeath sent it downward. Mine quickly retaliated and raised Pumpkin up, pulling the trigger once more and another large blast left Pumpkin's barrel. Esdeath grinned in excitement, the ice spike she had created being split in half and into smaller spikes. She used some of the larger ones to hide behind and avoid the beams.

She soon landed, giving her usual icy glare at her. Esdeath chuckled a bit, Mine keeping her stern expression.

Esdeath: "Well, well. That's some impressive power. I wonder if you'll get an extra boost after I've cornered you. And... While you missed me... You managed to free Akira and Tatsumi from their bonds. Well done."

Mine: (grin) "Well. I am a genius when it comes to sniping."

The brown-haired teen flexed his arm a bit, seeing his arm's sleeve had been torn off due to Mine's blast from Pumpkin. He simply grinned a bit before he turned to Akira.

Tatsumi: "Hey, Akira! We've got to-- ...Akira...?"

The icy blue-eyed teen was kneeling onto the ground, his gaze centered upward into the sky. He seemed to be muttering something to himself, then beginning to laugh. The brown-haired teen could see Akira's crazed grin on his face. He's seen him like this before, so it kind of felt normal. But for some reason, something felt different. 

Rising up from his kneeling position, Akira went over and grasped Harvester's Key, but first removed some sort of thin object on it. He then twirled the key, causing it to morph into it's scythe form as he looked at the icy general, who returned the icy glare he gave off.

Akira: "Now then, Esdeath... Let's separate that sick head from your neck, shall we?"

Esdeath: "Heh. You weren't really one for patience."

Akira: "I'll kill you! You will pay for what you've done!"

The blue-eyed teen cackled as he leapt, twirling his scythe in his hand before he slashed downward. Esdeath jumped back, but she had to keep raising her rapier up for defense as Akira had continued with a relentless onslaught.

While the battle between the two ice users were occurring, Tatsumi made his way to retrieve his own Teigu. As soon as he grasped the handle, he recoiled his hand in slight pain. He noticed there were was some sort of wire on the handle of it, small drops of his blood dripping down it. But he thought little of it and took it out of the bindings, ignoring the pain as he held it. While Esdeath was distracted with her fight against Akira, Mine thought she could take a shot at her. She fired another blast of spiritual energy, but it's like Esdeath knew it was coming. She moved her head out of the way as the blast went past her head, sending a grin Mine's way.

Akira went to get the drop on the general, but she quickly held her hand up, freezing him entirely.

Esdeath: "Did you really think that would work? I can already see your trajectory."

Esdeath soon kicked the encased Akira, her foot shattering the ice and kicking him in his stomach. The icy blue-eyed teen was sent flying and crashing into the wall, the reaper coughing up blood as a shard of one of Esdeath's ice stabbed into his chest. 

Slowly, the ice general made her toward Mine.

Esdeath: "You interfered with my Tatsumi. So I'm going to crush that thing. It'll be fun bringing someone like you to your knees."

Mine: "You're as dangerous as the rumors said...! There's no way I'm letting you have Tatsumi!"

Esdeath: "He's mine."

Mine: "I won't let you have him!"

Seeing this, Tatsumi couldn't bear to see the girl hurt. Raising his Teigu's key into the air, he then slams it down into the ground.

Tatsumi: "Incursio!"

He shouted the name of his Teigu to the top of his lungs, the armor appearing behind him as it crossed it's arms.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'Incursio. You're still alive, aren't you? I don't care how much I suffer...or how much it hurts. Crank up my power... To it's limits...! Lubbo died 'cos he got caught up in my business. And I'll be damned if I let Akira die here, making Akame cry again. And I'm not about to let Mine die too! That's why... I need insane amounts of power! To defeat the Empire! Grant me... That power!"

The brown-haired screamed to the top of his lungs, almost like he was in pain. Like before, back on the ship he and Bulat were on and when he first donned the Teigu, Incursio began to change once more. It's faceplate morphed into a beast's mouth, the yellow eyes changing it's color to red ones. A surge power began to shift into the air, the debris and small rocks around the teen beginning to rise around him.

Something was different about this. It was different from usual. Tatsumi was evolving, the armor of his changing once more.

Amidst the rising dust, they could see Tatsumi's changed form. Incursio's spear in hand, his armor had taken on to a more dragon-like appearance. 

The battle was just getting started.