Dairoku: "Ready... Athena..?"

Athena: "Heh... Let's kick their asses, Partner!"

Dairoku: "Then let's do it!! Sinful Harbinger!!!"

He yelled with Yoake bursting in energy before suddenly he flipped it around and  stabbed himself right in the gut, with him hunching over in pain, taking everyone by surprise.

Mine (Pridwen): "What the hell is that idiot doing!? He's gonna kill-"

Akame: "Wait..!"  She held her hand out to stop Mine from talking as her eyes widened, with her recognizing this.  "This energy... It can't be..!"

Leone: "What is it, Akame!?"  Red energy began to spike around Dairoku before he lets out a loud roar, exploding in blood red energy, forcing everyone to cover his eyes.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "This extreme heat!! What is it!?"

Esdeath and Budo watched in surprise, before the icy general smirked in excitement, knowing exactly what was going on. Standing there, Dairoku was panting heavily with him hunched forwards slightly. Yoake was gone from sight and Dairoku's overall appearance was quite different. His skin was demonic and a charcoal black with glowing magma red bits throughout his complexion.  On his back, folded up were what looked like demonic wings. And his head was a completely different shape, with horns and mandibles around his jaw. His eyes glowed a bright fiery-red color.

Budo: "Is this...?"

Akame and Esdeath: "Yoake's Trump Card..."

A large demonic blade appeared into Dairoku's hand as he levitated in the air, his devil wings sprouting from his back.

Soon the blade opened up before he swung around in a circle before pulsing a blood red aura, with him letting out a roar; a call to arms in battle.

Death's Herald—Yoake
Trump Card: Sinful Harbinger

"Yoake's Trump Card will allow the user to transform into the form of the Death's Harbinger for a certain amount of time. While in this form, the user's speed, strength, endurance, durability, stamina, agility and senses are enhanced significantly and the user gains a large demonic Sword called Retribution. The downside for this Trump Card is, not every user was able to use it, due to the high amounts of stress the form puts on the user's body. If the user hasn't trained his/hers body physique enough, they'll immediately be crushed under the pressure of this form. If they are able to survive it and have a weak mind, the soul of DEATH himself will force control of the user's body. After the usage, the user will be left heavily fatigued but won't have too bad of side effects. However, the more they use this Trump Card, the more of an open is given to DEATH to take over."

CHAPTER 48: KILL THE DEVIL

After Dairoku's transformation, Tatsumi and Mine had informed Akame, Leone and Saber about Lubbock's unfortunate demise.

Akame: "I see... So then Lubbock is..."  Leone gritted her teeth while clenching her fists.

Saber: "Rest well... Lubbock.."

Akame: "The boss and the others should be coming here along with the Danger Beasts she prepared for our escape. Once those Danger Beasts get dropped off, we should be fine."

Leone: "That's because it's a trap. Getting in was easy. It's getting out that's the problem."

Saber: "And if we stand any chance of survival, those two need to be dealt with first."  She said, looking towards Esdeath and Budo who stood side by side to them

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Then heads up.."  They looked towards the transformed Dairoku, who slowly walked towards them, the ground shaking slightly from each step he took.  "These guys aren't going to let us go so easily."  He was right as immediately, multiple dark clouds filled the sky, with a thunderous boom echoing through it.

Mine (Pridwen): "The sky...!!"

Leone: "Those dark clouds... They must be that man's Teigu!"  Panting a bit, Tatsumi slowly looked at his hand, feeling the effects from taking on Incursio's Evolution.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "Damnit... My entire body feels like it's being ripped to shreds.. But...!"  Looking forwards, he spotted Budo, a sparking electrical aura around him as he reared his arms back before thrusting them forwards, launching a large ball of Electricity towards them.  "We all have to push our bodies sometime... and I can't think of a more deserving time than now!!"

Budo: "Take this!"  Tatsumi however, quickly stepped in front of the others, spinning his halberd around swiftly to block the ball of electricity.

Mine (Pridwen): "Tatsumi!!"

While they were distracted, Esdeath took her chance to flank and attack them from their blindside. Akame saw right through this and with Ajax's helmet reforming over her head, she rose Ketsuekime, blocking a strike from the icy general.

Esdeath: "You responded to that well, Akame!"  She said with a grin as the armored ravenette growled before they were forced to break the weapon lock from the Sinful Harbinger Dairoku swooping right between them, his Devil Sword narrowly missing Esdeath's neck. She looked at the male, seeing him land next to Akame with a small thud.

Akame's thoughts: "Going up against Esdeath... Even with Dairoku's Trump Card, if we get predictable at all, she'll see right through all of our movements!"  She released a sigh as a crimson aura bursts around her and Ketsuekime, before Ajax's jet turbines fired up and she blitzed towards Esdeath, moving at hyper speeds. However, Esdeath's eyes widened as she saw that Akame was moving all over the place, like she was bouncing from point to point all the while she was getting closer.

Esdeath: "What?"  Holding her rapier in a reverse grip, she quickly raised it to block a narrow strike from Ketsuekime, with Akame pushing her back, but she began grinning more and more in excitement.  *thoughts* "Damn. Such bizarre movements... If in one of these exchanges, she were to even graze or scratch me... it would be all over. That's what makes this so much fun! A test of might!!"

Seeing an opening in Esdeath's figure, Akame took the chance to strike, swinging Ketsuekime, aiming to slice her side. However, ice that was covering that area like armor stopped the attack immediately.

Akame (Ajax): "What..!?"

Esdeath: "With your strength, you'll never break through ice!!"

Dairoku (Harbinger): "But you forget that I'm here, Esdeath!!"

Feeling the temperatures quickly rising, an alarmed Esdeath looked to her right, only for her eyes to widen as Dairoku was already in front of him, her sword coated in hell flames as she slashed down on her, immediately breaking her ice.

Athena: "Fire Vs Ice, haha! Seems like you're in quite a predicament, Esdeath-Sama"

Both crimson eyed assassins stood side by side as Esdeath narrowed her eyes and prepared to charge in again, before dashing back, avoiding a pink blast of spiritual energy from Mine on the sidelines. Esdeath gave her a glaring side glance.

Esdeath's thoughts: "I won't be able to tell when another blast of that massive firepower will come towards me again.. but dodging these attacks here take precedence over defending against those blasts."

And she was correct as she once again rose her rapier to block strikes both from Akame and Dairoku, who attacked her without any warning. She only grinned in excitement, feeling the possibility of death near.

Esdeath: "A Sword, Scythe and Gun. Now that's a worthy combination!"

Akame (Ajax): "Well, then I hope you're hungry, cause we've got a lot more where that came from!"

Esdeath: "Fantastic!!"  She pushed both of them back, earning her a hateful growl from Dairoku but they both immediately charged in again, with Dairoku going ahead of Akame, making multiple slashes with Retribution, each one creating a wave of magma demonic energy that only caused Esdeath to grin more and more.

Both Night Raiders knew that if they were to give Esdeath just a second to breath, it could mean the end for them. With Akame this time choosing to rely on both her newly gained skills with a scythe and Ketsuekime's power, while Dairoku relied on his swordsmanship, pyromancy and Yoake's Trump Card. Mine however, kept hovering in mid air, her left arm releasing a barely noticeable frosty aura from Absolute Zero being fully charged and ready to fire while she kept Pumpkin's sights on Esdeath as she fought against Akame and Dairoku.

Mine's thoughts: "I can't just fire off randomly. I have trained and honed my eyesight to that of a sniper's eye. To wait for the perfect opening and provide that fire support. So please, trust in this genius.. Akame, Dairoku!"

Meanwhile, Tatsumi was still repelling the barrage of lightning attacks from Budo, who was getting more frustrated with the young male.

Budo: "You're a tenacious one, aren't you? Repelling away my attacks!" 

However, his eyes would soon widen as he looked behind him, seeing Saber behind him, making an overhead slash with Excalibur to him. He barely managed to block with one of Adramelech's gauntlets. Leone quickly charged from his left and sent a kick right to him, but he blocked with the second gauntlet, causing the two females to grit their teeth. It was honestly amazing to them. For a man so robust as Budo, he was surprisingly agile, giving the term, 'Don't judge a book by its cover' more meaning.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Neesan! Saber-San! Together!"  He yelled, charging in as well as now he could move thanks to Budo stopping his attack.

Leone: "Right!"

Saber: "Roger!"

They all charged the Great General, from his front, left and right simultaneously. Raising his arms, he blocked the strikes from Tatsumi and Leone while sending a kick forwards, his armored boot colliding with Excalibur, surprisingly stopping it dead.

Budo: "You little shits..!! WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK I AM!?"  He rose his arms into the sky as a lightning bolt struck down, hitting the three Night Raiders, causing them all to yell out in pain.  "My intentions were to capture you, so I was going easy on you and holding back. But now... I'm going to execute you!"

While Leone and Saber were briefly immobilized, Tatsumi was still able to move, thanks to Incursio evolving to resist lightning attacks and sent a jabbing strike to Budo, who narrowly blocked with Adramelech's gauntlets.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "Commander... I, too, once strove for the very top off the ranks...! And now, that's what I'm battling against with every last bit of my body and soul!!!"

It was seriously impressive how much Tatsumi's strength improved just from Incursio's evolution in such a short amount of time. Each strike he traded with the Great General, pushed him back and Budo could feel the definite possibility of death by Tatsumi. This posed a question in Budo's mind... Has the Teigu fused with him? Budo didn't want to believe it and slammed his hand on the ground, sending a large pillar of lightning down on the Incursio wearer, named Lightning Crash. However...

Tatsumi (Incursio): "The fact that you can instantly summon lightning down, I already learned that earlier."  His eyes widened as he turned around, seeing that Tatsumi was completely scathed and behind him, ready to strike.  "So then I was kept in mind to 'Stay aware of your surroundings'!!"

He remembered Bulat's words to a complete as he finally landed a solid slash on Budo's back, causing blood to gush out from both his back and mouth as he fell down. Leone and Saber looked on in amazement, with the blonde lioness having a blush of astonishment.

Leone: "Wooaah!! Go Tatsumi!!"

Saber: "Astonishing.."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Neesan! Saber-San! You both can move!?"

Leone: "Yeah.. we're okay."

"Vengeful Dragonic Volley!"

Back with Esdeath, she was in the process of dodging a bunch of dark blast that Dairoku was launching at her, via his hands.

As she slashed through one of the blasts, she immediately redirected an attack from Akame, who quickly backed away.

"Solid Earth Shaker!"

Esdeath smirked as she leaped back, dodging a ground slam attack from Dairoku, cracking the ground underneath him.

He roared out with aggression as Akame blitzed past him with Esdeath's grin growing more and more.

Esdeath's thoughts: "In accounting for the factor of an instant death scythe and demon who can easily kill me if I'm being lax, I was unable to take the initiative in attacks, but..."  *out loud*  "I've now grasped an understanding of all of your movements. Prepare yourself."  *thoughts "While you were playing your Trump Card, I'd been preparing my 'Army'. Now It's my turn to have some fun!"

She made an overhead slash, to which Akame blocked with Ketsuekime's scythe shaft, the Zodiac glowing more dangerously.

Akame (Ajax): "My scythe is not so tepid that I can simply be grasped. You would be wise not to underestimate me!"

Esdeath: "Ooh, even though I can't see your eyes, I love that tone in your voice! I look forward to making you beg for mercy."

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Oh I think you may have it backwards, Esdeath!"

"Star Sonic Spiral!"

Esdeath turned to him, raising her rapier as she blocked and clashed against Dairoku, who had pointing his Retribution forwards while spiraling around rapidly, like a drill.

Dairoku (Harbinger): "I will be the one, making you beg for mercy!!"

"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!!!"

The icy general grunted as she was being pushed back before he ended up pinning her to the wall of the arena, his head bashing against hers roughly. Esdeath only grinned more, just as a suddenly stray lightning bolt struck between them, separating the two. Dairoku growled but blinked as he quickly looked to Akame, who was about to be struck by lightning. He however boosted towards her and took her into his arms bridal style, saving her from the lightning bolt.

Akame (Ajax): "Dairoku..?"

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Shit... Budo's going mad.."  He said with a slight growl as Mine was also dashing away from the random lightning strikes.

Esdeath: "They must've really pissed off Budo.. The only person that could have driven Budo that far is Tatsumi...!"

And she was right about that statement. Budo had risen yet again, blood dripping down the corner of his mouth as he once again was facing Tatsumi, Leone and Saber. However, before anything could happen, Esdeath sent a drop kick right to Tatsumi, who blocked it.

Esdeath: "You're fight is with me! I was the one tasked to execute him in the first place, so just leave him to me!"

"Vengeful Harbinger Fury!"

Esdeath only grinned more as she backed away, from a barrage of magma fire balls that all launched towards her from Dairoku's wings.

She watched as both he and Tatsumi stood side by side before rushing towards her rapidly. Budo however, was not taking this interference very lightly.

Budo: "Don't stick your nose in where it doesn't belong, Esdeath!"  However, he soon rose his left gauntlet up, blocking a slash from Ketsuekime, from Akame who had joined the fight against him.  "I can't let my guard down for even a split second around you, can I... Akame!"

Akame (Ajax): "Budo!!"  She quickly backed away from a kick from the Great General who glared at all of them, his thunderous aura growing more and more in power.

Budo: "With that much spirit and those kind of guts.. it's a damn shame that you ended up aligned with the Rebel Army... You... Dairoku... Kuraime.." 

Akame flinched a bit upon hearing him mention Kuraime's name, especially since she was currently wielding her Zodiac and wearing her armor. Mine however noticed that the thunder clouds were swirling before she fired at Budo again.

Mine (Pridwen): "Whatever you are buying time for, I won't allow it!"  She yelled, but Budo immediately blocked with both of his gauntlets.

Budo: "Both my Teigu and I are incomparable to what we were before.. because now... WE ARE BOTH ENRAGED!!"

Clashing his gauntlets together, multiple beams of lightning began to rain down from the sky, forcing everyone to run/fly out of the way to survive this onslaught. Tatsumi and Dairoku looked back, their eyes slightly widening.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "What!?"

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Akame! Saber!"

Esdeath: "You're opponent isn't Lightning, Tatsumi and Dairoku.. It's Ice!!"  With Dairoku leaping up, with his wings flapping, Tatsumi slashed back with his halberd, connecting with Esdeath's rapier.  "Give me all you've got!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Esdeath!!"  Dairoku quickly landed between of them, sending a fury of slashes with Retribution towards her as she clashed against him happily. Tatsumi soon joined him, doubling Esdeath's enjoyment of the battle.

Esdeath's thoughts: "Quite an impressive evolution and Trump Card. But you both still have a ways to go to reach me. Just to play it safe though, I'll in case you BOTH in ice.. and then you will be all mine, Tatsumi!"  Rearing her hand back she jabbed it forwards, only to find that both males had vanished.  "They dodged it!?"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "ESDEATH!!!"  She looked behind her and smiled in absolute delight upon seeing him crash down on her with his weapon.

Esdeath: "Tatsumi!!"  She blushed in pure bliss before raising her hands and catching his weapon's blade between her palms.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "NOW! ANIKI!!"

"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!!!"

Esdeath's eyes widened as she looked underneath her, seeing a flaming Dairoku bursting right under her arms. His fist was coated in hell flames as he reared it back before throwing a punch, aimed right for her gut. The General quickly created ice armor around her abdomen, however, the impact combined with the hot flames and Athena's boosting, caused his fist to burn right through the ice and connect with her abdomen, causing the female to grunt and slight blood to fly out of her mouth as she was sent flying right into the arena's walls, taking her out of the fight temporarily.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "It connected...!"

Athena: "Haha!! Awesome job Partner!!"  Dairoku was panting lightly as kept his eyes fixated on the downed Esdeath, before looking at his fists. With a hum, he looked to Tatsumi.

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Let's move!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Right, Aniki!"

After Budo's onslaught, Akame, Leone, Mine and Saber stood there, bruised up as they were panting heavily. Despite their armors, Akame and Mine still sustained damage underneath due to the attacks being from a Teigu.

Budo: "So, you were just barely able to dodge them one after the other... You're dexterity must be top tier, even among the members of Night Raid. But how long will you be able to keep it up, I wonder?"

Saber: "Tch... We cannot keep this up.. We're getting nowhere like this.."

Mine (Pridwen): "Yeah, no shit Sherlock!"

Soon, a loud roar caught all of their attention as they looked up, to see Najenda and Chelsea riding on the back of some type of Dragon Danger Beast.

Najenda: "Is everyone alright!?"

Akame (Ajax): "Boss! Stay back!! Budo's still here!!"  The one-eyed general became alarmed before the Danger Beast fired off a fire ball aimed at Budo, who blocked with Adramelech.

Budo: "Najenda!!! Now I'm really pissed!! Adramelech!!!"  He was about to unleash another blast of electricity aimed at the general, before Tatsumi intervened, blocking it with his weapon.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "If I let you lay a finger on the boss.. how would I ever be able to face Lubo!?"  He yelled as he knocked the Great General down with Dairoku swooping under him and tripping him. Najenda and Chelsea heard this with her eyes widening in horror.

Chelsea: "Lubbock is..."  Behind her was two familiar females, a blonde and a brown haired ninja, the latter slowly clenching her fists.

Akame (Ajax): "Tatsumi, Dairoku. What happened with Esdeath."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Aniki managed to land a solid blow. It should have brought us enough time to escape."  That shocked the female. Being able to land a solid hit on the Empire's strongest and take her out of the fight for a while, was more than an impressive feat.  "All that's left is to do something about Budo... Then we can make it out of here alive!"

Athena: "Damn... They really don't call him Great General Budo for nothing. This bastard's a living tank!"

They all looked towards Budo, seeing him standing back up, his vicious aura growing more with killing intent.

Budo: "YOU WON'T BE GOING ANYWHERE!!!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Get on the Danger Beast. I'll hold of Budo!"  He said as he approached the male who only seemed more enraged by that statement.

Dairoku (Harbinger): "No. The two of us will. Get out of here, all of you!!"  He yelled out as he joined Tatsumi in attacking Budo.

Budo: "You'll hold me off!?"  He fired a stream of lightning, striking Tatsumi who blocked with his arms as he charged the man. Budo only  then realized how much weaker that attack was, from him spending so much of his energy in this battle. As Tatsumi neared him, he got more enraged.  "But now... I REFUSE TO BE PUSHED AROUND BY A COUPLE OF UPSTARTS!"

He smacked the side of Tatsumi's head, sending him crashing off to the side. Just then, Dairoku blitzed into the sky before..

"Solid Earth Shaker!"

Athena announced as Dairoku dealt a drop kick to Budo, who blocked with Adramelech's gauntlets before he grabbed the Death's Harbinger by his legs and spun around before slamming him into the wall. Soon he rose his right arm to block a shot that came from Mine's Pumpkin, which began to crack from the overheating.

Mine's thoughts: "Pumpkin... I've pushed it to the brink..."

Soon both Akame and Saber rushed in simultaneously, striking their weapons down on the man who blocked with his Gauntlets before knocking them both off of him. Soon after, Leone rushed forwards, throwing a punch right at his face, only for the male to catch it and slam his fist right into her gut, causing her eyes to whiten briefly and for her to cough up blood.

Akame (Ajax): "LEONE!!"

Letting out a rage-filled roar, Budo pulsed in electrical energy, the shockwave being strong enough to launch Akame and Saber both into the walls violently. Soon, the Great General, coughed up some blood of his own.

Budo: "That may have weakened me... But now you have no means of escape."  *thoughts* "How many internal injuries I sustain... is of no matter. I will end them all here and now!!"  However, a quick flash of Lauren's smiling face appeared in his mind, causing him to pause slightly.  "Lauren..."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Pfft... Don't give me that shit!"  The blonde general glared at the still standing Tatsumi.  "WE all are... GETTING OUT OF HERE ALIVE!!!"

Budo: "...You're just like that brat. I'm impressed by the mettle and resolve you've both shown in the face of Adversity."  Hearting this immediately caused both Tatsumi and Dairoku to think of Lubbock.  "But in the end, the results are always the same. What awaits all assassins is... execution."

Mine (Pridwen): "Here is the best of my mettle and resolve!!!"  Mine's threat distracted the Great General, causing him to look at her.  "NOW!!!"

Najenda: "You heard her girls!!"

Alarmed, Budo looked up to the Danger Beast and saw a familiar ninja diving down from it, dawned in her armor and with her Ventus Blades on both arms. She disappeared in an instant before reappearing before him, making two slashes along his chest before backing away.

Levi (Srivatsa): "Now!! MIRA!!"

Mira: "Alkonost!!"

A godly like roar was hear as there was a pink flash of light from the Danger Beast's back. Diving down towards him, was Mira, clad in Alkonost's armor and in her hand was her Zodiac, Genso no Sutoraikā.

Budo: "YOU BRATS!?!?"   He aimed and fired lightning beams at her, however her wings glowed brightly as she hit mach 1, creating a sonic boom as all of Genso no Sutoraikā's Elemental Rings began to glow brightly before she slammed the staff into his chest, shouting...

Mira (Alkonost): "WHITE UNIVERSE!!!" 

An eruption of Elemental Energy struck the Budo immediately, causing him to yell out in extreme pain as Mira backed away from him, while flying towards Leone. The then looked towards Dairoku, who was rushing towards Budo. 

Mira (Alkonost): "Finish him, Senpai!!!"

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Let's do it, Athena!!"

Athena: "Hell yeah, Partner!!"

"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!!!"

Dairoku (Harbinger): "This hand of mine is burning red..."  His fists became coated in a dark blood red aura that erupted into dark red flames.  "It's loud roar tells me to crush you!! ERUPTING... DEVIL... PUNCH!!!"

His fist connected right with Budo's stomach, blowing a hole right through him as he sent him crashing right through the wall. With the Danger Beast landing, the other Night Raiders began to make their way towards it.

Najenda: "Nice bluff, Mine!"

Chelsea: "Smart decision!"

Mine (Pridwen): "I noticed how much caution he was taking of Pumpkin!"  She said, with Levi and Mira flying onto the Danger Beast's back, the later with Leone in her arms.

Najenda: "Alright! Let's get out of here, now!! Everybody on!!"

Mine, Tatsumi and Saber were next to get on as the Danger Beast began to fly off. Dairoku, with the unarmored Akame in his hands, was flying up to them.

Akame: "Dairoku..."  He slowly glanced down at her, doing his best not to make eye contact as he was still ashamed of his actions... But then..  "You were amazing out there. Not only were you able to use Yoake's Trump Card, but you were able to land hits on the ultimate duo as well."

She smiled at him, which caused him to blush lightly from both her and her compliments.

Dairoku (Harbinger): "Thanks.. But, I shouldn't feel good about all of that... I betrayed your trust... so at least allow me to apologize properly after we get home.."

He said as he landed on the Danger Beast. They were about to fly off before Mine Stopped them.

Mine (Pridwen): "Hold on. Just to make sure we have a better chance at getting away..."  Absolute Zero formed onto her left arm, the display on Pridwen's interface showing it was at 100% charge. Mine aimed for the bottom ring around the Coliseum before...  "Absolute... ZERO!!!"

The infamous Ice Cannon Zodiac, unleashed a powerful beam of ice that reached 0 Kelvin, that began to trace around the base ring of the coliseum, turning it into fragile ice before it shattered, collapsing the entire concrete segments of the coliseum.

>>Short Time Skip<<

It was finally over... The battle against the Empire's two strongest. With Night Raid flying away from the Capital on the Danger Beast, Mine was by Tatsumi's side, with tears streaming down her face. Right after he grabbed the poisoned barbs that were on Incursio's key, he was immediately thrust into Incursio. And so, by happenstance, he was able to neutralize some of the effects of the poison with its resistance. But now, even that has reached its limit. He's no longer in any condition to fight.

Najenda: "We need to hurry back and get him some treatment. We've already got a Teigu Expert from the Revolutionary Army ready and waiting. He's probably just worn out from the sudden evolution."

Chelsea: "Yeah. So don't worry Mine. He'll be fine. Besides, considering he's survived fighting Esdeath and Budo, it's safe to say he's survived worse." 

She gave the pink-haired sniper a slight smile, which she slightly returned before hugging her lover closely. Levi stayed silent and only had Lubbock on her mind. Najenda only placed a supporting hand on her shoulder, while giving her a somber look.

Near the back, Leone and Saber were lying down panting heavily as Mira wheeled over to them.

Leone: "Hehe... You were badass in there Mira..!"

Saber: "How did you manage to move like that?"

Mira: "Well.. It turns out that even in my state, when I transform with Alkonost, she restores my motor functions for as long as I have on the armor. So I'll be able to fight with you guys again."  The three blondes shared a small laugh.

A bit further back however a relieved and thankful Akame was hugging her vampiric boyfriend tightly. She didn't want to let him go anymore, afraid he'd disappear from her sights again. Dairoku could only watch, feeling his tattered shirt getting wet from being stained by her tears. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer.

Akame: "You... damned idiot..."

Dairoku: "I'm sorry... I have no excuse... But.. I'm never leaving you again. I love you, Akame.."  That only caused her to hug him tighter and to cry more into his chest.

Suddenly interrupting the moment, was bolts of lightning striking the Danger Beast, killing it instantly and causing it to spiral down to the ground.

Mira: "What the!?"

Najenda: "What was that!?"  Looking up, Akame pointed up to see, thunder clouds swirling above them, which only meant...

Akame: "Thunder clouds!!"

Dairoku: "Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me!! No way he's still alive!"  Yes he was still alive; Great General Budo, who was levitating in the sky thanks to Adramelech.

Budo: "Do not make me repeat myself... Escape is NOT an option for you!!"

With everyone getting off of the deceased Danger Beast and Saber resting Tatsumi's body down on the ground, everyone looked up at the floated Budo, in complete disbelief.

Najenda: "He's floating...!? Is this his Teigu's ability!?"

Athena: "Adramelech grants the user the ability of flight... Tch.."

Dairoku: "Oh great! Might as well call the fucker, Thor then!"

Budo: "Oh, Adramelech... Summon forth your almighty thunder!!"  Lightning began to build up with Dairoku letting out a tch.. Mine looked at the downed Tatsumi, gritting her teeth in frustration before she began approaching Budo.

Mine: "Screw that!!! No matter what it takes, we're all fucking going home together!! PRIDWEN!!"  With her being clad in her armor, she aimed BOTH Pumpkin and Absolute Zero, up towards Budo.

Leone: "Wait...!! She's not going to do what I think she's going to do!!"

Najenda: "Mine, wait!! Using both Pumpkin And Absolute Zero together when their overheated-!"

Dairoku: "...Don't worry..."

"Vengeful Dragon; Balance Breaker! Change Fang Blast"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "I'll assist her..."

Akame: "Dairoku!"

Saber: "So will I. King's Fury!!"

With the Zodiac-Spirit transforming into her Mecha King form, both her and Dairoku stood on either side of Mine, all glaring up at the Great General.

Mine (Pridwen): "Assholes, get back!!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Just shut it Pinky and accept the fucking help!! Even with what you're thinkinf of doing, your body will give out before it happens!"

A target sight flipped out from the side of one of Adramelech's gauntlets, and with Budo aiming through it at the three below him, his thunderous aura raged on.

Thunder God's Rage—Adramelech
Trump Card: Solid Shooter

"By charging huge amounts of electrical energy, user fires a black-colored powerful electric beam."

Budo: "This is Judgment! SOLID SHOOTER!!"

Saber (Mecha): "EX... CALIBUR!!!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "BARBATOS BLASTER!!!"

Mine (Pridwen): "PUMPKIN!!! ABSOLUTE ZERO!!!"

With the three Night Raider's attacks combining into one singular pure white beam, it collided with the black electrical beam from, shaking the entire area violently.

Budo: "HOW FUTILE!! ALL WILL FALL BEFORE THE MIGHT OF THIS LIGHTNING STRKE!!"

Dairoku (Barbatos): "Oh yeah!? You still so sure about that tough guy!?"

"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!!!"

Mine (Pridwen): "Heh.. And that, despite the situation, still puts me into a serious pinch. Even with the help!"  Budo's eyes widened, seeing that he fell right into their trap.  *thoughts*  "This is,,, my final... ATTACK! Every last bit of my soul, my spirit, and my energy... I WILL POUR INTO THIS!!"

All three: "PUSH HIM BACK!! SAY YOUR PRAYERS, BUDO!!!"

With all of their attacks suddenly growing in power, they were beginning to easily push Budo back. He tried to retaliate, only to realize that his reserves were completely dry due to the battle earlier. With a final yell, Budo vanished into the beam, which was powerful enough to break the could formations above them and allow light to shine though.  Dairoku and Saber panted heavily, their armored forms deactivating.

Saber: "We did it..."

Dairoku: "Finally..." 

He slowly looked towards mind, only for his eyes to widen as he saw both Pumpkin and Absolute Zero crumbling before their figures completely shattered from the overexertion. Soon, Pridwen's armor was next to shatter to pieces, to reveal Mine, who held a grin on her face, but her eyes were becoming dim and lifeless.

Quickly, the vampire caught her and rested her in his lap. She slowly looked at him, smiling weakly.

Mine: "Dai... ro.. ku... You better take... care of Tatsumi... and... Akame..."

She said before the light faded from her eyes, signaling her as falling unconscious. Dairoku said nothing and looked at her, with Saber kneeling down to her level and gently petting her head; there was still a pulse, meaning she was still alive... But she wasn't going to wake up for a while.. The male closed his eyes and took a deep breath in as he slowly hugged her.

Dairoku: "Yeah... I hear you.. I promise I will... Rest now Mine... You did amazingly.."

Najenda: "Mine! Dairoku! Saber!"  She along with the other night raiders, began to Quickly get over to them.  "I can't believe you were able to take out Budo... And you Mine, using both a Teigu and Zodiac simultaneously. You truly are something else.."

However, their eyes slowly widened as Dairoku and Saber silently turned to face them, standing up in the process as it was revealed that Mine was completely unresponsive, with her eyes without any life in them.

Chelsea: "No..."

Najenda: "Mine...?"

______________________________

Night Raid:  11/14
Wild Hunt: 2/6

Target's Eliminated:

Syura of Wild Hunt
Great General Budo

Teigu Destroyed:

Infinite Uses—Cross Tail
Roman Artillery—Pumpkin
Thunder God's Rage—Adramelech

Zodiac Destroyed:

Heart of the Tundra—Absolute Zero

Teigu Obtained:

Dimensional Formation—Shambhala

REST SOUNDLY; MINE.
SEE YOU IN THE NEW COUNTRY

END
(And before anyone ELSE fucking says it, NO Mine is NOT dead!)