(Dairoku's POV)

Today was the day... the day we got the strongest Zodiac, Absolute Zero. I stood next to the likes of Kuraime, Mira, Levi and Mine, who will hopefully be the one to wield Absolute Zero. Najenda was also next to us, but only to send us off while the others stood at the base's entrance.

Najenda: "How far will you be going?"

Dairoku: "Hmm... According to Levi's map, we're going all the way up north."

Kuraime: "Aka, we're gonna be in the snowy areas. But that's why we're wearing our snow gear."

She was right, the north is gonna be extremely cold, so everyone brought their snow outfits, except for me since I don't feel cold or hot temperatures.

Mira: "Depending on how things go, we can be back by the end of the week or in two weeks."

Levi: "Oh don't worry, with my super badass Ninja Speed Technique, we'll be back before you can even worry for us." She boasted with a smirk, causing Mira to shake her head

Najenda: "I see. Well, take care of Mine for us."

Dairoku: "Oh we will."

Mine: "Hello!? I can handle myself!" We just ignored her.

Najenda: "Well, you best be off then."

We nodded but then Akame walked up to me.

Akame: "Are you sure you don't want me to come along?"

Dairoku: "Even though you won the bet, from what I read up, the Northern Temple is simply too dangerous for any regular person who doesn't have some form of Armor. The reason we're bringing Mine is that Absolute Zero won't budge unless it has a master and she fits that criteria."

Akame: "I understand." She looked down. I bet she was worried, like she always is. I smiled and lifted her chin up.

Dairoku: "I promise I'll come back to you, Strawberry."

Akame: "You better keep it..." She concluded that with a kiss on my lips, which I returned. Shortly after, we pulled away but then I summoned a Hell-Crow and handed it to her, the crow itself hopping onto her shoulder. "A Hell-Crow?"

Dairoku: "If you ever miss me or feel are worried, look at this Crow and call for me. I'll be listening for you." She seemed slightly confused by what I said, but smiled and nodded. I nodded back and went over to my makeshift team before...

Mira: "Alkonost!"   

Levi: "Srivatsa!"

Kuraime: "Ajax!"

"Vengeful Dragon; Balance Breaker!"

Upon transforming, I walked over to Mine and picked her up bridal style; Sorry Akame.

Dairoku: "Hang on tightly, Pinky."

Mine: "Stop calling me-!" She was cut off upon me shooting up into the sky, with Mira doing the same while Levi and Kuraime blasted forwards on the ground. "WHAAAA!?!?"

CHAPTER 19: KILL ZERO

(3rd Person POV)

Around 4 days after leaving and the team was still trekking through the land. Each time night time rolled round for the group, they would set up camp and would take turns being the look out. This day they were now traversing over an a large lake and the sun was already beginning to set again. Mine was hanging on tightly to Dairoku as he flew next to Mira. As for Levi and Kuraime, they were just slightly in front of them, but dashing over the water since their Zodiac Armors aren't capable of flight; the closest they could do was leap extremely high into the air.

Mira: "How much farther now, Levi-San?" She asked the ninja as she glanced down at her.

Levi: "Hmm..." The interface of Srivatsa pulled up a holographic GPS, with a blinking green dot being the marked location. "We're almost there, like 15km."

Kuraime: "That's good. Means after tonight, we should be there, right?"

Levi: "Yeppers."

Mine: "Hey..." Dairoku looked down in his arms at her, only to see her looking off into the horizon. "What's that?"

When Dairoku looked to where she was looking, he was surprised to find...

Mira: "A village?"

Levi: "Hehehe, perfect. It's even on my radar; Sarabetsu Village. It's quite a lively and popular village, especially for travelers. It also says here it has a popular Inn and a restaurant that sells breakfast, lunch and dinner. Apparently, its citizens completely against the Empire, even though they get their resources from them."

Kuraime: "Seems like we won't have to camp out tonight then."

Dairoku: "Nice. Good eye, Mine." The pink haired sniper just smirked. "Alright then everyone, we're making an overnight stop at Sarabetsu Village."

Everyone: "Roger!"

Upon landing, Dairoku set down Mine as they all came out of their Zodiac-Armors. It was exactly as Levi said; it was quite lively, mainly with travelers from all across the country or from outside of it. There were only two larger buildings, the one the Village leader lived in and the Inn. Every other building was a moderate size, as to not overuse the space they had.

After night had fallen and the group got a bite to eat in the restaurant, they booked some three Inn rooms; Mine and Kuraime sharing one and Mira and Levi sharing the other. Dairoku took a single room since he was the only male there, though it's safe to assume if Akame had came a long, the two would share. Anyways, the Vampire, actually hadn't fallen asleep. Instead, he was just lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about the day tomorrow... but he was still thinking about that voice he heard...

(Flashback)

"We'll see each other soon, Death's Harbinger."

(End of Flashback)

Dairoku: "What did she mean by that...? Who is this person and why does she have the same voice as Barbatos when she increases my power...?" He sighed and shook his head before he wondered... "Akame... How are you doing...?"

>>Meanwhile<<

A soft moan escaped the ravenette's mouth as she sat down into the steaming hot springs. Akame, with not being able to sleep, decided to head to the hot springs near the base to relax. Next to her, standing on the edge of the springs, was the Hell-Crow her lover gave her. It looked at the ravenette, who had her eyes closed as the warm water tickled the nerves of her smooth skin before she opened her eyes. She missed him... She missed him very deeply... and was very worried for him and the others... It was been 4 days, almost 5 from how late at night it was since Dairoku and his team left... and she was having a bit of a hard time. But, he promised her he'd be back... so he should be fine....... Right? With a heavy sigh, Akame looked at the Hell-Crow, with visible sadness in her eyes before...

Akame: "Dairoku..."

She said with a sad sigh before...

???: "Hey Babe."

Akame gasped and nearly jumped before scanning her surroundings. But that voice... it sounded like...... Dairoku?

???: "Look at the Crow, Strawberry."

She yelped lightly but looked at the crow, only to see its normally black eyes glowing red. She looked at it suspiciously before her eyes widened and she leaned in towards it...

Akame: "D-Dairoku...?"

. . .

Dairoku: "Yep. It's me." Akame was beyond bewildered.

Akame: "H-How are you...?"

Dairoku: "Remember what I told you before I left?" She thought for a second then nodded before she realized.

Akame: "You could speak through your Hell Creatures?"

Dairoku: "Yeah, pretty useful for getting information. It's how I contacted Levi before. I can also see through these animal's eyes." She blushed a bit, realizing what he meant. "Anyways, what are you doing in the Hot Springs so late at night?"

Akame: "I couldn't sleep. I guess I got too used to having you to hug while sleeping..." She sighed causing him to chuckle.

Dairoku: "Well I guess I'm not the only one. I'm used to having you in my arms when I sleep that I can't really sleep right now. So I guess we're in boat, heh."

Akame: "Hehehe." She giggled, now feeling more happy that she could hear his voice again. "I guess so, yeah. How close are you guys?"

Dairoku: "Well, Levi said 15km. We should be able to get over to the Temple by tomorrow."

Akame: "Oh, that's good. Means you're closer to coming back into the bed with me."

Dairoku: "Oh? You seem eager. You sure it just because you want to cuddle or is there some... 'different' reason?" His voice had a bit of sass in it which caused her to giggle with a blush before she gave him a smirk to see

Akame: "I don't know... you tell me."

Dairoku: *chuckles* "For the infamous One-Cut-Killer, you're really perverted, Strawberry"

Akame: "Sometimes you underestimate the kind of woman I can be, darling~" He let out a laughed causing her to giggle; just two lovers having fun teasing each other. Then the ravenette had a thought pop up in her head as she frowned a bit. "Daiku?"

(A/N: "So things might get interesting here...")

Dairoku: "Yeah?"

Akame: "Does Kurome know...? That you're alive...?" the vampire fell silent for a few seconds before he sighed.

Dairoku: "No... I know she knows Kuraime is, but not me... Do you think she's still..."

Akame: "Sad about your 'death'? Most likely... She had feelings for you after all..."

Dairoku: "I know... and she knows I love you... But... I can't help but feel sad for some reason..." this time it was the ravenette that fell silent for a while... But then she spoke again...

Akame: "You know... if it comes to it, I wouldn't mind sharing you with her..."

Dairoku: "W-Wait... Huh?"

Akame: "Kurome's the person I love most in this world, aside from you of course. If you were to tell her, then she would accept it... but I know deep down, she would be hurting... a lot... and that would just worsen her condition than it is now... Even though we're enemies right now, I want her to be happy."

Dairoku: "Akame......"

Akame: "So... If I was to die in the battle, I want you to look after Kurome for me and make her the happiest girl in the world."

Dairoku: "Akame. You're not dying. I won't allow it." He said seriously, causing her to smile at him softly. "Fucking hell... How did I get caught up in this crazy love triangle?"

Akame: *giggles* "Well, you are a very irresistible man~"

Dairoku: *chuckles* "Oh you just reminded me why I fell for you." She giggled in response. "Anyways, this whole Kurome situation fucked me up. I need to be at my best tomorrow so no one dies. So I'm gonna try and get some sleep. Don't stay in the hot springs for too long, babe."

Akame: "W-Wait. Dairoku, you can see me right now, right?"

Dairoku: "Um. Yeah? Why?"

Akame: "Look away for a second."

>>Meanwhile<<

Dairoku looked confused at why she wanted him to look away but he complied and blocked his ability to see through his Hell-Crow.

Dairoku: "Alright, I'm not looking."

The only thing he heard was the sound of water, sounding like as if she was exiting the Hot Springs. Then there were hurried footsteps and two sets of doors opening and closing. After some ruffling noises... While he was waiting, he began thinking about what she said about Kurome...

Akame: "Alright, you can look now."

Dairoku was still confused but complied and re-enabled his ability to see through his Hell-Crow. When he did, he realized he was no longer at the Hot Springs but in the bedroom he and Akame shared. He looked around before his eyes landed on he bed and his eyes widened at what he saw.........

(A/N: "funny how Wattpad seemed the last one unsafe, which I understand, but as for literal porn that's on this website, they seem that just fine. Smh. Anyways, here's the alternative. Still sexy.")

Akame: "Just a bit of motivation for you~"

Dairoku on the other side of the Crow, was just as red as his own eyes as blood seeped from his nose.

Dairoku: "W-Woah.... U-Um... A-Akame... Uh... Wow... I..."

Akame: *giggles* "Good luck tomorrow."

Dairoku: "Y-Yeah... Thanks... Bythewayyou'reFUCKINGSEXY! Um BYE!!"

He quickly stopped looking through his Hell-Crow's, not before hearing Akame let out surprisingly loud laughter. He panted, as if he ran a marathon as he wiped the blood from his nose...

Dairoku: "What... The... Fuck...? WHY IS SHE SO FUCKING GORGEOUS!?"

>>The Next Day<<

Immediately upon the morning arrived, the group woke up immediately, taking the time to check their supplies and eat breakfast. Afterwards, they left the village and began making their way to the Temple. 3 hours later of flying and dashing, they finally arrived, seeing a large marble Temple.

Levi: "Here we are!"

Mine: "T-Talk about cold..." She shivered in the arms of the armored Vampire.

Mira: "I thought the temple was surrounded by Danger Beasts... Where are they?"

Kuraime: "In the ground. The moment we step onto the ground around it, we'll be ambushed"

Dairoku: "Yeah... Let's make a massive leap to the temple's entrance."

For him and Mira, they could fly over it simply. Levi and Kuraime however, activated the thrusters in their Zodiac-Armors before leaping high into the air and dashing over the ground below them. They all landed directly in the entrance of the temple, though immediately after, they ended up sliding directly inside, where in front of them was a large like shrine area.

Mine: "Woah..." She said as Dairoku set her down and all of the Zodiac-Armor helmets collapsed on themselves, showing the wielders' faces without the armors themselves deactivating.

Mira: "It's cold... but beautiful..." She said as her breath could be seen exiting her mouth.

Levi: "The Zodiac should be at that shrine right over there." She said pointing at it.

Dairoku: "Then come on. Let's not linger around here long."

He said as he conjured up a flame aura around him to warm up everyone before they all began making their way towards the shrine. After getting to the temple and walking up to it, there they saw it... the tip of its barrel incased in ice, sticking it to the ground as its stock faced upwards.

Kuraime: "There it is..."

Dairoku: "Heart of the Tundra—Absolute Zero..."

Mine looked at it in awe before walking up to it.

Mira: "Remember, your first thoughts of a Zodiac is important."

Mine: "I know, I know. But this... the strongest Zodiac... Should I really be the one..?"

Dairoku: "You can do it, Mine. I know you can. We all do."

She looked back at him, only to see him smile. She took a deep breath and reached for Absolute Zero, grabbing it by the stock, only to be taken by surprise when two clawed like spikes popped out of the sides of it and pinched her arm, growing a bit of blood.

Mine: "Ow!"

Levi: "Don't sweat it, Pinky. That happens for every Zodiac."

Kuraime: "She's right. Absolute Zero is sampling your blood, to see if you're truly worthy of it."

After she said that, the spikes retreated back into Absolute Zero, as it began glowing a bright blue before the ice keep it rooted, cracked before falling apart, freeing the large cannon. Mine held it with both hands before noticing an attach point. Seeing it, she attached it to her left arm, where it held on very securely as she herself glowed a slight pink.

Mine: "Woah..."

Dairoku: "How do you feel?"

Mine: "There's... so much power... So this is the strongest Zodiac, Absolute Zero..."

Mira: "I've never seen it in person before... Amazing..."

Dairoku: "Alright, we should leave before anything happens." He said as he began to walk towards the edge of the shrine before...

Levi: "Yo, what's that?"

They all looked over to where Levi was pointing... In the corner of the Shrine, was a sword..

Kuraime: "A sword?"

Dairoku: "Wait..." He said as he walked up to it only for his eyes to widen. "This sword's in the Zodiac Book."

Mine: "So it's a Zodiac?"

Dairoku: "I think so, but there was no name, nor its abilities were mentioned. There wasn't even a mention of a Zodiac-Armor." He said as he began walking over towards it

Mira: "Well... if it's a Zodiac, we should take it, right?"

Dairoku: "If it helps the Revolutionary army, then yeah." He said as he stopped in front of the mysterious blade. He looked at it in slight awe before grabbing hold of its handle, however, he was shocked to find it scanning him via the two spikes that popped up and stabbed themselves into his arm. "Ow. H-Hey, it shouldn't be scanning me since I already have Yoake."

Soon enough, the spikes disappeared and Dairoku was allowed to draw the sword from the pedestal easily. As he did, he took a look into its blade, it's shiny surface reflecting his curious face, before within the blade itself, a name appeared...

"Excalibur..."

Before anything else could happen, the entire temple began to shake as the roars of the Danger Beasts outside was heard. Then, from within the temple, smaller Danger Beasts began to awaken.

Mine: "Oh shit... We gotta go!!"

Dairoku: "Then leg it! Slash our way through!"

As the helmets of the Zodiac-Armors reactivated, the five sprinted down the shrine before coming in contact the Danger Beast Hoard. As Levi, Kuraime and Mira battled their way through, Dairoku made it his mission to protect Mine. He had no sheath for the sword that he acquired to he just said "Fuck it" and began slashing his way through them with it, along with Yoake, though he couldn't help but notice that he wasn't feeling any form of strain from using Two Zodiacs at the same time.

Dairoku: "Mine! Absolute Zero has a Zodiac armor too!" He said as he dodged a lunge from one of the Danger Beasts, before stabbing it in the heart with Yoake, which absorbed its blood. "Her name is Pridwen! Say its name to call her fourth!" Mine looked at him shocked before looking down at Absolute Zero before...

Mine: "Pridwen?"

*ROAR!*

That threatening roar sounded through the area as Mine was suddenly surrounded in a swirly snowy aura that briefly paused the battle. Everyone, including the Danger Beasts looked back at her in shock, the Night Raiders in awe as they saw the armor of Pridwen... It was pink, white with gunmetal mechanical detail and glowing blue bits.

Kuraime: "Mine...?"

Mine, now wearing the armor of Pridwen, aimed Pumpkin at all of the Danger Beasts, and fired off a singular shot, however, instead of being golden, this shot was a bright pink color and was completely continuous. She sliced through all of the Danger Beasts with that singular shot before lowering Pumpkin and holstering it over her shoulder.

Mine: "Let's get out of here!"

She yelled as pink and light blue energy wings emerged from her back. They all dashed out of the temple, only to see the amount of giant Danger Beasts outside, waiting for them.

Levi: "Oh! Seems like we pissed them off!"

Mira: "If we leave them alone, they'll terrorize the people of Sarabetsu Village."

Kuraime: "But we alone aren't enough to fight them all..."

Dairoku began to think before he looked over at Mine.

Dairoku: "Mine. I think it's time to test out Absolute Zero."

She looked over to him, shocked under her helmet but she nodded none the less. As they all flew away from the temple, Mine and Dairoku stopped, turning around before the former aimed Absolute Zero directly at the all of the Danger Beasts, which were in close proximity of each other. Dairoku hovered behind her, hands on her shoulders to support her as she began to charge the Rail Gun.

Mine: "50%...... 60%...... 70%......" She counted as on the interface of Pridwen, displayed Absolute Zero's charging levels. "80%...... 90%...... 100%!" She announced at the beam pulsated within its barrel

Dairoku: "DO IT MINE!!!"

Mine: "GO!!! ABSOLUTE ZERO!!!!!"

As she yelled the name of the Zodiac, it happened... It unleashed a singular continuous Ice Beam from its barrel, striking all of the Danger Beasts and even the Temple behind them. After it happened, stream rose from its barrel as every single Danger Beast, plus the Temple itself, all became Ice... before it all crumbled away into nothing...

Mira: "Woah..."

Levi: "Awesome..."

Kuraime: "So this is Absolute Zero's power..."

Mine's interface flashed with a red warning, that said 'OVER HEATED. 23HRS 59 MINS LEFT UNTIL NEXT CHARGE.'. Despite that, she was just bewildered by how powerful it was...

Dairoku: "Let's head home."

Heart of the Tundra—Absolute Zero
Zodiac Form: Rail Cannon
Wielder: Mine

"Absolute Zero fires off an ice beam that freezes the target. However, it brings the target's temperature to Absolute Zero or 0 Kelvin. Meaning, it destroys every singe the atom in that target, effectively freezing it inside out and killing it with just one blast. The Target becomes a fragile ice sculpture that will shatter from the slightest of movements. Nothing is safe from this Zodiac, not Armors, Danger Beasts... or even Buildings..."
"THIS ZODIAC IS THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT A TRUMP CARD."

Ice Dragon's Breath—Pridwen
Zodiac-Armor
Wearer: Mine

"Pridwen is the Zodiac-Armor accompanied with Absolute Zero. Despite its looks, it's extremely durable, but its most unique aspect, is that it has the ability to enhance the power of any firearm the user has, including other Zodiacs or Teigu. So for Mine, it can amplify Pumpkin's shots, making them much stronger than before."

>>4 Days Later<<

Outside of Night Raid's temporary base, Tatsumi was doing some training with Lubbock, before suddenly, the two heard some strange noises. When they looked out into the horizon, their eyes widened upon seeing, Barbatos, Pridwen, Ajax, Alkonost and Srivatsa all approaching them, meaning...

Tatsumi and Lubbock: *excited* "THEY'RE BACK!!!"

Immediately, the rest of Night Raid stormed out from the base as their comrades landed in front of them, all five of their Zodiac Armor's deactivating.

Leone: "Yah!!! You're all alive!!"

She yelled as she brought Kuraime and Mine into a big hug, stuffing their faces into her breasts, like always. As they all greeted each other again, Akame immediately went over to her boyfriend, smiling happily with the Hell-Crow on her head. Dairoku spotted her and smiled before walking over to her.

Dairoku: "I promised you, didn't I?" the ravenette wiped a tear from her eye while giggling.

Akame: "Yeah. You did."

Without wasting another second, the two lovers clashed their lips together, engaging in a powerful and passionate kiss that lasted for a minute or two before they pulled away, smiling at each other.

Akame: "I love you."

Dairoku: "I love you too."

Najenda: "Dairoku." They turned to the silver haired ex-general. "So I assume the mission was a success?" Dairoku just smirked at Mine.

Dairoku: "Show em'."

All she did was smirk back before raising her left arm, where Absolute Zero was in its compacted form, which was just a silver arm band before it glowed and a snowy aura swirled around her arm. As it disappeared, the Zodiac was revealed to the other Night Raiders who looked at it in awe.

Chelsea: "So that's the legendary Absolute Zero."

Kuraime: "Mhm. It completely froze all of the Danger Beasts that awakened afterwards."

Tatsumi: "Woah... And you can use it Mine!?"

Mine: "Hmph, of course I can! It chose me, a genius sniper of course!" She said proudly as Absolute Zero returned to its compact form. Dairoku sighed and shook his head.

Lubbock: "Hah, the Empire's in for it now!"

Najenda: "I see. This puts us at a major advantage then. Though we'll have to be wise on when to use it and we have to keep it a surprise to the empire. I'm trusting you to take care of it, Mine."

Mine: "You can count on me, boss!"

Akame: "Dairoku?" He looked at his girlfriend, only to see her looking at the sword in his hand. "What's this sword?" Everyone else turned to him.

Dairoku: "Oh. This was in the Zodiac book."

Tatsumi: "Really? What's it do?"

Dairoku: "That's the thing... I don't know..." he said as he held up the sword.

Najenda: "Hmm..." She pinched her chin a little before Kuraime said something.

Kuraime: "Wait, big bro? What's that on your left hand?"

He looked at her confused before looking at the back of his left hand, only to see a strange red symbol...

Dairoku hummed in confusion as Akame took a look at it as well, but suddenly, the sword before them glowed brightly.

Mira: "Uhh, it's glowing!"

Everyone backed away as the sword suddenly flew out of Dairoku's hand and hovered in front of them before blinding everyone in a bright light. When it died down, everyone looked back at it, only to be surprised to see... a woman... She had blonde hair tied, green eyes and wore a blue dress with silver armor. The sword immediately flew into her hands as she stabbed the ground, entering a knightly pose.

Levi: "Woah..."

Lubbock: "Is it just me, or did a hot woman come out of that sword?"

Dairoku: "Um... Hello?" She looked at him, before walking towards him, causing everyone to get defensive... but they were all shocked to see her stab the ground with the sword and kneel down right in front of Dairoku and bowed. "U-Uh..."

???: "Greetings, Dairoku Rein. You have awakened me and Excalibur from our slumber."

Dairoku: "Uh... yeah... Um who are you?"

???: "My name is, Saber, and I will follow your every command, Master."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"EHHHHHHH!?!?!?!?"

END
—————————————————
And Saber joins the roster!!! Yup, that's right. Excalibur was hinted at from Chapter 12. Anyways, we got Absolute Zero and now we know how powerful it is.