(A/N: "It's finally time... the final arc of the book")

The early dawn light shined through the windows of the room, as Akame and Dairoku were fast asleep, the Vampiress lying on top of the Vampire. The male hummed as he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he was treated to, was the sight of his girlfriend's beautiful sleeping face and with her exposed shoulders and cleavage being proof that the previous night was no dream, he smiled warmly. Soon, one of the ravenette's eyes fluttered open and looked at him with a smile.

Dairoku: "Good morning beautiful." He cooed causing her to giggle lightly before yawning a bit.

Akame: "Good morning darling." She gently rubbed her eyes before glancing to the window, seeing the sun slowly begin t rise. She hummed before laying back down onto her lover's chest. "Today's the day..."

Dairoku: "Yup.. the day we fight for this country's future.. Ah.. just thinking about it give me goose bumps."

Akame: "Same..." She hummed and looked up at him, her hands pressing against his chest. "Can't we stay like this today?"

Dairoku: *sighs* "Unfortunately no.. but after we win this war, we can wake up like this every morning." He said, smiling as he placed his hand on her cheek, causing her to nuzzle into his hand.

Akame: "That sounds nice..." She said with a gentle hum before she slowly sat up, with the blankets falling off of her, revealing her naked upper body. Dairoku watched as she pondered before a sly and seductive smirk appeared on her face and she began grinding her hips on him. "We have time, right?"

Dairoku: "Mmm.. Yeah, I believe so."

Akame: "Then let's 'enjoy' each other's company for a while.." She said, slightly wiggling her eyebrows. Immediately catching onto her hints, he chuckled and returned the smirk.

Dairoku: "I don't see why not."

For the rest of the day's dawn, the two engaged in their blissful and passionate activities. Today was the day of war... so before they fought for their lives, they had to release everything so that they would have no regrets..

But.. it was time...

CHAPTER 58: KILL THE PREPARATIONS

The Previous Night...

In a small hut in the outskirts of the Capital, the deserted Jaegers, Wave, Kurome and Lauren were resting after the previous night. Wave and Kurome sat on the porch as Lauren leaned against the wall behind them, her hands in her pockets.

Wave: "Some remote hunter's cabin.. it looks like it hasn't been used in a while."

Lauren: "Well it's quite a good looking place. Seems like a good cabin to settle down in."

Artemis: "Mhm. Good place to start a family too." She said the Bael wings appeared on Lauren's back

Kurome: "And it's a good deal away from the Imperial Capital. We should be okay here. Are we staying here for the night? You're still recovering from your injuries, aren't you Wave?"

Wave: "Well, between the five of us, I feel like shit."

Cendrillon: "Not surprising. Using two Teigu, two Zodiacs or both simultaneous is no small feat. In fact, it was strictly forbidden for a reason." She said, with the necklace around Kurome's neck glowing.

Wave: "We still have some medicinal supplies.. I won't be needing them."

Kurome: "Then it's settled. Instead of rummaging through the mountain ridge in the pitch black of night... this place sounds much more appealing.." She gently held his hand and squeezed it, causing him to smile at her.

Wave: "I'm really glad you're comfortable opening up to me about how your body's doing... It makes it much easier for me to treat you when you do."

Kurome: "Unlike you Wave... I'm really bad at reading your body language, so if you had not spoken up just now, I'd have assumed everything was fine." She held an embarrassed blush as Wave laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. Lauren watched and giggled lightly before Wave looked at his now girlfriend and smiled.

Wave: "I'm sorry for having been so stubborn all this time. From now on, I won't hold back.. I'll tell you anything. Anything you ask of me, I'll tell you!" At that, Kurome smiled happily.

Kurome: "Okay!"

Lauren watched, a smile plastered on her face but soon she frowned. She only was brought back to moments in her life, when Run was sill alive. She gently placed her hand over her stomach and closed her eyes. However, her eyes shot open, them glowing purple as she looked into the forest surrounding them..

Something was nearby...

Back to Present Day

Najenda: "Just a few more hours... And the assault on the Imperial Capital will commence." She held a watch in her mechanical hand. Today was the day, the time for War has become and Night Raid were preparing themselves; this time, all of them. "Upon discovery of their Ice Calvary, our plans have slightly changed, so listen carefully."

Mira: "An Army of Ice...?"

Leone: "Esdeath really could fight an entire war on her own.."

Lubbock: "Well Dairoku can just counter her with his Hell-Army. Or with that Juggernaut Drive form."

Dairoku: "Yeah, no... I wasn't even in control of my own body when I did that.. so I don't even know how to do that. And as for Juggernaut Drive.. unless you want me to blast you all to bit too, I'll refrain from using it unless there's no other choice." He said, crossing his arms.

Najenda: "Wise decision. Now for starters, Esdeath's not someone we can simply ignore and push to the side. Akame, Dairoku, Leone and Levi will act accordingly to the plan thus far, and that's to infiltrate the Imperial Palace. I will join the general offensive and lead the Teigu Troops. Tatsumi, Saber and Mira, you'll be coming with me. Chelsea and Lubbock, you'll be off to the sides, using your superior speed and stealth to pick off targets when their least expecting it."

Tatsumi: "So we'll be out and in the open?"

Najenda: "Esdeath's overwhelming power is beyond our imagination. If she attacks us and you guys aren't around, there will be no hope in stopping her."

Dairoku: "Then why not have me on the front lines as well? I can battle Esdeath alongside Tatsumi."

Najenda: "That may be true, but you have much more limited time while going full power, so I want you to save as much strength left for when you battle her. Also, considering how well you and Akame work together in double teaming your opponents, the two of you against Esdeath will be much more efficient." To that, the two Vampires nodded. "I know this will put an even greater burden on you four.."

Akame: "No one's going to have it easy out there. We'll be fine!"

Dairoku: "You know us already. Throw hell at us and we'll get out of it alive." The two held hands tightly as they gave their boss a confident smile.

Levi: "I mean, we survived the duo of Esdeath and Budo. I think we'll be fine." She said, giving her peace sign with a grin as Leone shrugged with a smile.

Leone: "Well if their saying that, I guess I'll have to give it my all too."

Najenda: *smiles* "Right! Then it's time to go over Night Raid's final targets!!" She proceeded to go over the final targets, who were as follows:

Dousen: Extorting vast amounts of money from all different regions at the cost of great suffering to the people. He climbed the ranks and gained success through bribery and payoffs.

Saikyuu: The Prime Minister's aid and cohort in all his evil deeds; a man of great ability and even darker temperament. He was the one, aside from Gozuki and Bill who thought of the assassination squad in order to execute the rebels, such as The Elite Seven+, the Dark Squad and The Group of Terror. This man in particular, Dairoku and Akame recognized and knew that they had a big bone to pick with them

Youkan: A bottom feeder sycophant obsequious to the Prime Minister. Unlike Saikyuu, he has no ability or talents whatsoever. He entertained all sorts of distractions to entertain the Prime Minister, such as guessing the gender of a pregnant woman's baby and then cutting open her womb to see if they were right.

Koukei: Minister of Military Affairs. Diverting munitions and arms through illegal channels for his own private personal profit. Conspired with the Prime Minister t slander Generals that opposed him, then had them found guilty of crimes they did not commit.

And finally, the Terrible Duo...

Prime Minister, Honest: With a insatiable desire for political power, he is the very root of all the evil that has corrupted the country.

General Esdeath: The Empire's Strongest. A demon who delights in nothing but war, sowing the seeds of revolt. A being who cannot exist in times of peace.

Saber: "All of the higher ups in the Empire.. the ones that fuel the fires of corruption.." She gripped Excalibur's handle as it rested on her hip, in its sheath as Leone grinned and slammed her fists together.

Leone: "My fists are itchin' for some action!"

Najenda: "It's possible that the targets may possess Teigu and if you capture them alive, they might escape. Therefore, bringing them in alive is not mandatory. Kill them on sight with extreme prejudice. If you cannot make it a public execution, then be sure to put the corpse on display. This is the most important detail"

Akame: "We'll handle it." She said, glancing a bit at Dairoku, who nodded.

Chelsea: "What about the 10th Zodiac? What if one of them has it?"

Lubbock: "Right! I forgot that we've only discovered 9 out of the 10 that we know exist. One of them might have it."

Dairoku: "I doubt it." They looked at him as he crossed his arms. "Cause that 10th Zodiac was lost long ago and from the description in the book, requires a heart filled of good to be used. If anyone in the Empire tried to use it, it would have killed them long ago."

Mira: "Well that's good to hear.. at least they don't have that.."

Najenda: "Indeed. And even if the Palace falls, these men will do anything to try and protect themselves and survive. We don't know what means they'll use to that end."

Leone: "If I can, I'll stop them before they set one foot off the palace ground"

Levi: "We both will. You can count on it."

Najenda: "Please do. But for now, you two, Akame and Dairoku should concentrate on your assassination targets. *slams fist on the table* "These lowly vermin... no matter what happens, if they don't fall, the rage of the persecuted will never be quelled. If ANY of them escape, that's as good as defeat."

Akame: "Everything understood." She looked towards Tatsumi next. "Tatsumi. After I bury these five people inside the Palace, I swear I'll come back to help take down Esdeath."

Dairoku: "We both will. That icy witch WILL die today. That is a promise."

Tatsumi: "Yeah! I'll be pulling out all the stops from where I am as well!" The two Vampires looked at him. They knew the meaning behind his words; this may be his final battle as Tatsumi and not as Tyrant. Saber then walked next to him, and banged her hand against her chest.

Saber: "You know I'll be there as well. The four of us will take her down, together." The three looked at her and nodded with determined expressions.

Najenda: "Intel about the ice cavalry definitely caught us off guard, but they're still without their Jaegers. So until you come back, we'll be ready."

Akame's thoughts: "Esdeath... No matter how many new techniques you create, as long as I'm alive, I swear I'll take you down... Just you watch... I'll have your head. In order to keep you from killing Tatsumi, Saber and Dairoku.. I must...!!" *out loud* "Night Raid will Bury all the final targets!!"

Everyone wore determined expressions, their Teigu and Zodiacs in hand or activated. As they were about to advance, the Vampiress noticed that her Vampiric mate hasn't moved. She looked back at him, raising an eyebrow in concern.

Akame: "Dairoku..?" The others looked towards him as he was about to put his hood on his head. "Is everything alright" He just looked at them before smiling a bit and letting his hood fall back to place.

Dairoku: "I'm sorry... I was just... remembering everything before this point.." He moved over she sat on the edge of the seat Najenda usually sits in. He took a deep breath as the others slowly approached him. "I don't remember what my early childhood was like, or did I remember who my parents' faces looked like.. All I remember was waking up on a beach, alone with Tsukushi.. and with this in my hand.."

He took up Yoake and gestured to the Skull and cross bone attached to a chain at the end of its hilt. It was a type of chain that always was on the end of that. Akame remembered that it used to always be handing from Dairoku's original Shingu, Prometheus Harbinger.

"I didn't know where I was.. or who I was to be frankly.. Heck, I don't even know if Dairoku's my real name... We were just alone, with no one to help us and no one to talk to... Until we met them... the two sisters that changed our lives forever... They went by the names... Kuraime and Akaruime. It's funny really.. despite never knowing who we were or anything, those two felt it in them to immediately help us. They brought us to their home, where we met their mother. She was quite a mom I will say, a bright 'Summer' in a dark eclipse definitely.. She cared and treated us like we were her own children.. and she even named me... Kuraime and Akaruime became our sisters from that day on... and for that time being, we had a family... people who loved us..."

He remembered those days, from the moment he and Tsukushi first met Kuraime and Akaruime, to all of the fun times they had in that village together. He had always felt a bit like an outcast while Tsukushi was always shy but the company of the two sisters quickly made them feel more at home than anything. He could remember their adoptive mother's face clearly as well... she was a beautiful young woman and had extreme resemblance to Kuraime, mostly.

She had long purple hair with purplish eyes that were more red then purple. She always wore a kind smile on her face and was like a mother bear, a super mom. Her name was Scáthach.

(Scáthach—Kuraime's deceased mother)

She was unfortunately killed after her husband sold off their daughters, Dairoku and Tsukushi to the Empire, but her memory would always live on in their hearts.

Soon after, he remembered how Tsukushi was killed.. In that forest, he was doing everything he could to protect her from the Danger Beasts. Unfortunately, he was too slow back then and she lost her life in the forest...

He then remembered The Elite Seven+. All of them, he remembered very well.. Guy, the perverted guy who was like a mixture of Leone and Lubbock in terms of gambling addiction and pervertedness. But despite their bickering, he was a good friend to him.

Then there was Green, a smart and pretty normal guy. He always had respect for him... even after hearing about his weird obsession with Akame's armpits.

Poney, the dimwitted brute of the group. Even if she never used her head, she was an extremely passionate person. In a way, she reminded him of Kurome and Akaruime with how fiercely loyal they were to the Empire.. but that was until Their No. 1 Disappeared...

Najasho... He and Dairoku were always rivals, fighting for the praise from Gozuki and for the most kills in a mission. Despite that, he held a lot of respect for him. He was like a brother to him almost. And most importantly, he.. actually loved Kuraime. It was evident on how he acted around her and how the two acted. They were the first couple in the Elite Seven+ and he proved that he had what it took to protect Kuraime.

Gin and Natala. Due to them joining a bit late, he didn't fully know them. But they were his allies nonetheless. Natala just seemed like such a nice guy while Gin had a tough exterior. Out off the two, he was closer to her and she even made advances towards him at points. However, she died soon before she got the chance to confess to him.

And last but certainly not last was who he considered, the golden princess of the team; Cornelia. She was the kindest of the entire group, even bothering to put up with Guy's advances towards her. But her feelings always resided with Dairoku. And when she confessed to him, she was so happy. They even shared a small kiss and had a small date on the night they were together. But.. she was the first causality.. Her death impacted the entire Elite Seven+ heavily, especially Guy and Dairoku, who took it the hardest.. Despite her death, he held onto her memory forever. He even retrieved some of the remaining pieces of Pulverization King which he still has today, with the hope he could restore it.

Akame sat next to him, leaning her head against him as he closed his eyes and continued.

Next was Night Raid...

Sheele, the big sister he never thought he needed but gladly took. She was such a kind and gentle soul, who was quite an impressive fighter. Even though she was the first to fall, she was a strong player in Night Raid's determination, as she set the flames that would push them forwards to victory.

Bulat was next. A mentor type figure to both him and Tatsumi. His hot blooded personality was a nice contrast to his calmer self and the way that his spirit never broke, even when he was dying; the fact he never lost his smile.. he was a figure.

Susanoo, the Biological Teigu who gained a human heart. Someone who Dairoku respected greatly and had very few words to say about. But that's because he was just that amazing.

Mine. At first, they hated each other, but soon they would form a type of partnership. Slowly their bitterness towards each other, turned into a mural respect for each other. And even in her moments before her coma, Mine entrusted Dairoku to finish what she started, and he vowed to do that.

Lieselotte Sherlock, the witch Rakasha Demon who turned a valuable ally and friend. She was just as determined as anyone to make the Empire great again and she showed that with her charisma and passion. She was definitely a loved member.

And finally... his own little sister... Kuraime. She was the heart of the team. She may not have showed much emotion, but her existence brought the spirits of Night Raid up. But then it was revealed on how much she cared for everyone, especially for Dairoku, Akame and Tatsumi, she was the center of Night Raid. And her death, pushed everyone further beyond to who they are now.

She and everyone else will be missed greatly.

Without noticing, Dairoku found himself with tears running down his face. Everyone looked at him somberly with Akame hugging him lovingly. Even Athena had appeared next to him and had her hand on his shoulder. Hs closed his eyes and chuckled while wiping his tears away.

Dairoku: "Sorry for dropping that all on you guys... I guess.. what I'm trying to say is, Thank you all.. for being there for me.. for accepting me even when I was at my lowest. You guys are the greatest family I could ever ask for."

Najenda: "Hey, save all of that mushy stuff for after the war." She said with a smile.

Tatsumi: "Yeah, but we're all grateful to you, Aniki."

Mira: "Right. You taught me everything I know. I owe everything have to you, Dairoku-Senpai."

Chelsea: "You may not have been the nicest, but you were definitely something else."

Dairoku: "You guys..." He looked at them all before Akame made him look at her and she smiled warmly.

Akame: "Let's change this country together, my love." He smiled at her and closed his eyes while nodding.

Dairoku: "Yeah... Let's..."

This was it... It all came down to this. This was no time to hold back and hesitate... Now was the time to go all out.. Time to go to War.

THE FINAL BATTLE ARC HAS BEGUN