It was dark, quiet.. his body ached as the rubbed on top of him kept him pinned to the ground. The white haired vampire groaned while hissing from the soreness of his limbs. He barely could see anything besides dust and rubble and his arms and legs felt numb. Even his enhance eyesight wasn't helping him.

Dairoku: "Argh... Athena.. how am I not dead...?"  Surprisingly, there was silence. This confused the Vampire as never had Athena not respond to him. It was as if he was completely cut off from speaking to her.  "Athena..?"

Again, there was nothing. However, metallic footsteps and rattling caught his attention. He looked to his right and became surprised upon seeing glowing white eyes in the darkness around him. A figure clad in black armor with golden trim, white fur around the shoulders and a royal red skirting armor and a helmet with bronze bullhorns. The armored figure was lifting and moving the debris out of the way before making his way towards Dairoku. Upon spotting him, he extended his hand towards him. The Vampire was skeptical but accepted the help and grabbed onto his hand. Soon, the figure pulled him out of the collapsed basement and supported him back onto his feet.

Dairoku: "Thanks.. but, who are you..? Athena??"

"Forget about that dragon, my servant."

The voice sounded ethereal, commanding and threatening. Dairoku looked around and saw nothing, before he noticed Yoake lying next to him. However, it was glowing darkly, that infamous red aura surrounding it. Putting two and two together, he realized who this was.

Dairoku: "DEATH.. What do you want..?"

DEATH: "That is how you thank your divine savior? How preposterous!"  A groan escaped the vampire's mouth.  "The Demon Knight supporting you I instructed to dig you out. His name is Rathian, my right hand."  The horned knight got on one knee and bowed towards Dairoku, who looked at him, blinking in surprise before nodding.

(Axe Demon Knight—Rathian)

Dairoku: "Right... Next question, why can't I hear Athena?"

DEATH: "I temporarily severed your connection with her, so we can talk without interruptions."

Dairoku: "And what could possibly be so important that you want to talk now of all times?"

DEATH: "A deal. I'll grant you unlimited access to my powers to destroy that ice witch. You win your war and everything is all sunshine and rainbows. In exchange, you give me more roam in your conscience." 

Dairoku said nothing and listened, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. While he couldn't deny that if DEATH took over, he power would be overwhelmingly insane, there's always a catch.

Dairoku: "Yeah, no.. I'll pass."  He waved his hand dismissively.

DEATH: "You may want to rethink that. Sure, your Harbinger Form managed to throw Esdeath off the first time, but she's already surpassed it. Nothing you or that Vampiress of yours can do anything to stop her. Are you really willing to let her die? What was her name again? Akame-"

Dairoku: "Keep her name out of your fucking mouth!"  He growled as he gritted his teeth, his eyes glowing darkly. DEATH only chuckled lowly.

DEATH: "There it is. That anger I love to see."

Dairoku: "All you've ever done is caused us more and more problems!"

DEATH: "That's where your wrong, my servant. I am the reason you're even alive in the first place. Remember that moment you begged that girl to kill you? How do you think you're still moving? It's not because you're a Vampire, no, no. You were already a Vampire long before I awakened. When you died, Yoake responded to your soul and awakened me. All I did after was reanimate you and restore your life and memories."

A look of shock plastered over Dairoku's face. His theory about him being a Vampire before he died was proven true.. but DEATH was the one that saved his life in the process. When he also mentioned Yoake awakening, it rose a question in his head; did he always had Yoake with him?

DEATH: "Haha. Yoake was given to you by your mother when you were young. Actually, you're not even from this country."

Dairoku: "What...?" 

He gritted his teeth and held his head. His eyes widened as a memory flashed through his head. There was the image of a husband and wife but their features weren't noticeable. What was however, was that the mother was holding what looked like toddler twins, both son and daughter both with black hair and the father held a baby girl with light blonde hair. Soon the vision vanished as the Vampire shook his head.

Dairoku: "Enough! I'm going to kill Esdeath, WITHOUT your ridiculous offer, whether you like it or not! So stop fucking with me!"  DEATH remained silent before he scoffed.

DEATH: "Suit yourself. But I'll give you the privilege of my Knights assisting you."

With that, his voice vanished completely. Dairoku sighed deeply and looked around before picking up Yoake. He looked at it, more specifically the chain on the handle that had the small skull and cross-bone shaped design. Just looking at it brought him back to that memory before it vanished again.

Dairoku: "Athena...?"

Athena: "Partner, finally I can hear you! You're okay??"

Dairoku: "I am... But I've been thinking..."  Athena stayed quiet and listened.  "Does Barbatos have a form stronger than Juggernaut Drive?"

Athena: "...Well there is one more transformation... Promotion Queen.. Or as I named it, Cardinal Midnight."

CHAPTER 63: KILL ESDEATH PART 1

Akame bounced repeatedly off of the ground, with lightning sparking and bouncing off of the surfaces around her as Esdeath was surprisingly being pushed back. Her armor was stained in blood from the victims that were on the receiving end of her Zodiac. She gritted her teeth, avoiding the deadly strikes from the armored ravenette who didn't spare her a single chance to breath. Glancing to her side, Esdeath's shock rose upon seeing Shikoutazer on the ground destroyed.

Esdeath: "The Supreme Teigu has fallen...!?"

Akame (Ajax): "The Empire has crumbled, Esdeath!!"  The two females came to a standoff, with a shadow lingering over the General's eyes.

Esdeath: "Indeed, the Empire is finished... which means starting now, this is my own battle!!" 

She grinned in excitement as she bursts off from the ground charging towards Akame who retaliated by blocking her strike by gripping Ketsuekime in a reverse-style before counterattacking, surprising the Icy General. Never had she witnessed Akame wielding her weapon in such a manor.. in fact, she was incorporating a lot of different fighting styles and patterns. She was adapting quickly and countering Esdeath's attacks.

Esdeath's thoughts: "Excellent! This is my favorite dance... I just love it!"

Soon their battle scaled down to the Empire's streets with Esdeath slamming her heal right into Akame's chest, knocking her back with a grunt. She stabbed Ketsuekime into the ground and stopped herself. Her Ajax armor was battered, with it missing one of its shoulder guards and many scratches and damages covering its surface. She was panting heavily as Esdeath just seemed fine, not even close to exhausted. The enhancement Drugs she took before the final battle; it seemed as if their effects were wearing off.

Esdeath: "Finished already? Even with the threat of that instant-death scythe? Ah, well... At least you entertained me for a while. After the smoke clears from all this destruction, perhaps I'll travel to another land in search of another war... Or maybe I'll even start one myself."

Akame felt her blood boiling as she was seething from the Icy General's words. Start another war? Was that all she lived for? Battle, suffering and death. It was as if life was a game to her. A brief flash of her deceased teammates followed by Dairoku appeared in her mind as she stood up straight and pointed Ketsuekime towards her, its blackened aura consuming her as her rage flared.

Akame (Ajax): "I'll never let that happen. I'll see you dead here and now!"

Esdeath: "And how exactly are you going to defeat me?"

Najenda: "This is how, Esdeath!!"

Startled, the Icy General took a glance behind her and to her amusement, the entire Revolutionary Army, lead by Najenda who was still on her horse was surrounding her.

Najenda: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Akame.. Where's Dairoku?"  The answer that she received was silence. Akame turned her head away, her face hidden behind the helmet of Ajax. Najenda and the others had already pieced her silence together as their eyes widened.

Mira (Alkonost): "Senpai..."

Selina: "N-No..."

Najenda: "I see..."  She closed her eyes in a brief Tribute to the Vampire before opening it again.  "You've done a great job in keeping Esdeath occupied here, Akame... Thanks to you, we've been able to surround her and get everyone in formation and assembled."  *thoughts* "She knew very well that she was being surrounded and she didn't make the slightest attempt to escape.. Goddamned Monster of War..." 

She watched as the Icy General only smirked darkly from realizing the situation she was in.

Esdeath: "Najenda! Apparently you've got some kind of Secret Teigu to use as a countermeasure against me? According to the information I've been receiving."

Najenda: "You're already had us figured out?"

Esdeath: "That's right!!"

Najenda's thoughts: *smirks* "Or is it?"  She spotted that Akame had deactivated Ajax and retreated into the heavy army, concealing her presence and awaiting her moment to attack.  "We leaked out bits hinting at the existence of a secret weapon to try and stall for time.. But it's just our bluff! Alright, everything's just as we'd planned, Akame. As soon as the chaotic brawl breaks out, you slip into the ranks of the soldiers and wait for Esdeath to show an opening, then assassinate her. Stay focused and don't rush it!"  Though she soon noticed that Neither Leone or Levi weren't present. She knew about Dairoku, but founded it strange that those two were nowhere to be seen.  "I'm a bit worried that Leone and Levi aren't here... But there's nothing I can accomplish thinking about it now! In order to defeat Esdeath, what we need is over 100,000 soldiers... At least 10 or more Teigu and Zodiac users and Akame! As long as we've satisfied those conditions, our military force alone should be equivalent to over 1,000,000 men!"

Esdeath: "You're beaming with confidence over there, Najenda. I can't wait to see that face of yours twist in despair."

Najenda: "The Empire's soldiers have surrendered. We've taken out all of the other key players and your Jaegers are gone. The only allies you've left here are your Ice Calvary, but as of now, even they have been surrounded and won't be coming to save you. We'll take you out in a war of attrition!! First wave, charge! Second wave, get ready! We'll continually attack in shifts!! We'll crush you under the weight of a million soldiers!! Die, Esdeath!!!"

With her making a hand gesture, the first squadron released their rally cries and charged for the icy general, who only smirked.

Esdeath: "Did you really think you could defeat me with a mere measly million me?"

Najenda: "What did you say...!?"

Esdeath: "Allow me to show you the true form of my Anti-Army Trump Card!"  Pointing to the sky and snapping her fingers, Esdeath's Ice Calvary stopped resisting and began to dissolve into snow particles that all enclosed on the Icy General herself, with her being surrounded by a snowy aura.  "You could also consider it a technique I could only use now that I have no allies here anymore."

Sekai: "What is this..!?"

Natalie: "The power she'd distributed to her Ice Calvary..."

Mira (Alkonost): "It's all returning back to her..!?"

Najenda: "I had no idea she could do that... Be on your guard!!" 

A bit away from the army, the armored Artoria was lying in a destroyed building, her body motionless from her expelling all of her energy in the attack against Shikoutazer. But it seemed that this massive energy spike reawakened her as hand twitched slightly. 

With Esdeath, her grin only grew as she kept that sinister look on her face, her aura skyrocketing.

Esdeath: "I had been creating the Ice Calvary one by one for the past few days, which means I've been storing up the last few days' worth of power in them, and it's all coming down on you... And next... Ice Storm Commander-in-Chief!!"

A beam of pure white snow energy shot into the sky before erupting. A massive dark cloud quickly expanded throughout the entire sky, covering the entire continent itself before the temperature dropped significantly. Snowflakes soon began to rain upon the continent in an insane blizzard. The breaths of everyone could be seen in the air from how quickly the temperature dropped.

Najenda: "W-What...!?"

Selina: "She changed the weather...!?"

Esdeath: "I'm sure you're aware of the term 'Russian Winter'? This is exactly that. A massive portion of this country is now covered in ice and snow and it will kill not just you here.. but every single one of your friends anywhere in this land. Now don't give me some weak battle of attrition shit. Put your lives on the line.. Come at me like you're ready to die!"  Despite her grin, her eyes showed it all. Zero remorse or emotion. It was as if she wasn't even human. No, she wasn't human.

She was a Demon.

Najenda: "You direct subordinates are still fighting their wordiest on the western warfront!!! Knowing that, you'd still just let them get caught in this!?"

Esdeath: "Out there would be out of range. I do have a little concern and consideration for their families..."  She looked at her directly, her smile reflecting the dead and merciless look in her eyes.  "Well... A little, anyways..."

Her response, shook the silver-haired ex-general to her very core as she stared at her in disbelief before gritting her teeth and clutching her eyes shut.

Najenda's thoughts: "The Supreme Teigu was a Teigu that was capable of attacking the Imperial Capital and Castle. But she herself is capable of attacking this very world and its lands... Esdeath, you truly are a born slaughterer..."

Esdeath: "Those with strong enough vitality will survive this snow and ice, and the weak will die. Simply so."  She slowly began to approach them, her hands behind her back.  "Fighting against those that make it through this weeding out the weak is something I look forward to. You've gotten stronger."

Natalie: "She's not human... She's a natural, disaster with a consciousness... And a wicked one at that.."  She gritted her teeth as she gripped Belvaac's handle tightly before she rallied her squadron and charged.  "Come on, everyone! Charge!! If we defeat her, we can stop the snow!!"

Esdeath only grinned. She touched Demon's Extract's symbol on her chest, which was surging in intense power. This Snow Storm wasn't only to affect the entire continent, but it created the perfect battle ground for the Icy General to access her Teigu's full abilities.

Esdeath: "With it snowing like this... I've got full access to my abilities." 

Slamming her hand against the ground, Natalie along with her entire squadron became encased in a block of ice immediately. It had became clear now.. Esdeath always had the ability to take on an army with the power of over 1 million soldiers. The only reason why no one witnessed her true power, was because she was never in the perfect environment for that.

Now she was...

Esdeath: "Now that's a wonderful face, Najenda."  She taunted, seeing the look of disbelief and distraught on her rival's face.  "Just what I wanted to see... Even if you don't defeat me now, your mission would still be complete.. but if you don't defeat me here and now... It would never be over. Shiver and Freeze beneath the storm of my Almighty Power. Here I come, you rebel scum! You can all meet your maker together!!"

She slammed her hand on the ground once again. A series of ice vines erupted from the ground next to her, forming into a large ice tree that immediately began to rain down icicles on her. It was brutal as the majority of the icicles crashed into Revolutionary Soldiers, but some were thankfully blocked by the ones with the shields. Mira quickly got in front of them all, the red ring on Gensō no Sutoraikā's scepter handle glowed as a large wall of flame erupted in front of the Army, shielding them from the Icicles. However, the ice tree immediately shattered as a heavy impact rumbled the entire area; a particular Dragon, colored the same way as Incursio and with the eyes of Tyrant landed in its place.

It was Tatsumi. His evolution had completed and his body was that of Tyrant's.

Esdeath: "Tatsumi..!! So this is the price you paid for your sudden transformation... You've turned into an actual dragon."  He growled at her before roaring loudly, unleashing a red beam that collided with an ice wall the Icy General created to defend herself. Her grin grew more and more out of affection.  "It's absolutely breathtaking! A burning love like ours never dies out!! It never changes! It is by my hands you shall fall!!

Soldier: "Don't back down! Press forward!! We fight or become frozen like our comrades!!" 

In the mist of the chaos, Akame had stopped herself to look up at Tatsumi, her eyes widening before she gritted her teeth.

Akame: "What do you think you're doing, Tatsumi!? To let yourself turn into that thing... You've already done more than enough! You've given enough of yourself! Leave the rest to me!! Fall back!!"  There was silence as his eyes closed before he glanced back at her.

Tatsumi: "I have... to hurry... and stop... this snow... Mine... must be cold.."  Her eyes widened before she clenched her fists tightly, her eyes flashing red rapidly from her frustration.

Akame: "You really are a piece of work... Even at a time like this... That's what you're focusing on..."

Tatsumi: "...Before I disappear... then... Before it takes over completely, I want to be of some use...!!"

Akame: "Tatsumi...!" 

It was too late as he unleashed his winds and rocketed into the sky. The ravenette's heart pained with sadness, anger, stress.. Not only did she lose her lover, but one of her precious allies was basically telling her that he had already died, but would use the last of his willpower to even help her. It almost seemed too much for her but she held back a sob and gripped Ketsuekime before dashing into the crowd. She knew that she couldn't let their sacrifices be in vein.

She WILL kill Esdeath today, no matter what.

In the battle against Esdeath, the Revolutionary Army second wave kept her occupied as from the building behind her, a female holding the Teigu of Cosmina in her hand, Heavy Pressure. Yelling into the microphone, she activated Heavy Pressure's Trump Card; Nasty Voice

Great Tremor—Heavy Pressure
Trump Card: Nasty Voice

"Heavy Pressure's Trump Card is known as 'Nasty Voice', which causes hallucinations to whoever it is afflicted on with a wave of sound."

The Sound columns barreled towards Esdeath while simultaneously the B Squadron charged. Esdeath however, already having experiencing hallucinations and voices due to the side effects of her taking Demon's Extract into her system, was not affected. In fact, it only drove her to destroy the hallucinations. According to her, it was like a fly buzzing in her ear. As she unleashed massive icicles, the flame orb of Die Leaguer flew past them and erupted into a wall of flame in hopes of stopping them, but the icicles just went right through, showing that not even another Teigu's flames could melt them now. The icicles hit their target, which was the B Squadron but Esdeath gasped a little and leaped out of the way, avoiding a ground pound attack Tatsumi.

Immediately after, a male with the Teigu of Zanku, Spectator activated the Illusion Sight. Esdeath gasped as everything went dark around her and the form of human Tatsumi charging her with Incursio's key in his hand appeared. Not even resisting however, she immediately slash him into two, breaking the illusion like how Dairoku did when he was under the effects.

Spectator Soldier: "She broke the illusion!?"

Esdeath: "I've already set my heart on taking Tatsumi's life. So that cute little spell of yours ended up having the opposite effect you intended."

Revolutionist: "S-She's too strong! She hasn't even taken any superficial damage! If things continue like this, we will all be massacred by Esdeath!"

Najenda: "No... There's no way a single person can bring down 1,000,000 soldiers... No matter how much stamina she has, it's still beyond her reach. By jumping into the thick of things and cutting down all our soldiers, was her attempt to assert her dominance... to add to her aura of untouchability and invincibility... That she is unrivalled and all-powerful. Together with her cold wave, it was a calculated attempt on her part to cripple and destroy the morale of her forces. 'Instead of taking Esdeath on directly now, perhaps retreating and waiting out this cold storm would offer us a better chance at survival.' The moment our soldiers begin to think such thoughts... that'll be their end."

Revolutionist: "I-Indeed... If that were to happen, there would not be a need to defeat all one million soldiers on her own... It gives her an easier path to victory..."

Najenda: "That is also the conclusion I came to at first... However, because the conditions are now optimal for her, if Esdeath truly intends to hold her ground against all of us here, she won't have a better opportunity than this to take us all down."  *thoughts* "Please Akame... Time is against us because of this falling snow... But don't rush it... Stay calm, focused and finish this once and for all!"

Akame circled Esdeath from every angle, biding her time searching, looking for an opening. Amongst the shadows of the soldiers who continued to risk their very lives to keep her at bay, the target WILL be assassinated. Akame has never faltered or waivered in this course of action. She may be adept at killing..

But her specialty is to simply Bury.

The man with the Land Danger Beast controlling Teigu used it to launch the Danger Beast army towards the Icy General who stood there, looking towards them

Esdeath: "I'll turn you all into frozen statues!!"

She slammed her hand onto the ground, freezing the entire Danger Beast army before the Revolutionary Army took this chance to attack. However, this was simply just a trap. A large ice spike with multiple smaller spikes erupting from the sides emerged from the iced Danger Beast, ripping them all to shreds

Esdeath: "Welcome to my Personal Blender." 

With a hand gesture, the spike began rotating rapidly like a drill, acting legit like a blender or drill. However, it was immediately stopped by Tatsumi, who gripped the edge of it and ripped it apart. The wielder of Die Leaguer threw a plethora of elemental orbs towards her. Bu his eyes widened immediately as a sharp pain was felt in his skull. Esdeath had stepped on his head, digging her heal into his skull and killing him instantly.

Esdeath: "Did I react so quickly that your eyes couldn't follow my movements?"

Mira (Alkonost): "Now!!"

Above the Icy General, Sekai dived down towards her, pointing Extase at her before activating its trump card.

Sekai: "EXTASE!!!"

The Scissor Teigu's blade erupted with a bright light, forcing the general to cover her eyes. Chains of black magic rose from the ground, wrapping around her arms and legs from Selina who used Gleipnir to summon the magic bindings. Esdeath clicked her tongue in annoyance as she looked up, seeing three Teigu users along with Sekai charging her; the others wielded, Adayusu, Shamshir and a large staff Teigu. Esdeath only generated ice around her restrain and broke out of them before tipping her hat. She dodged a downwards strike from Adayusu before avoiding two lesser-powered moon slashes from Shamshir. Then she leaned out of the way of Extase, before pressing her hand against it and pushing it and Sekai off balance, sending them crashing to the ground. She soon dashed backwards to avoid the staff Teigu before she sped forwards. After slamming her knee into Adayusu's wielder and kicking both Sekai and Shamshir's wielder in the backs, she slammed her hand into the face of the staff Teigu's user and slammed him face first into the ground, knocking him unconscious, while losing her hat in the process.

Esdeath: "I must commend you though. The timing and coordination of your attacks were very well done. But here's the coup de grace."  She lifted her hand into the air, summing large icicles that hovered above the four, preparing to end them.  "It's for moments like theses that I live to fight..!!"

Esdeath stood, her body trembling from the thrill and rush of mortal combat. And in that very moment, as she held her arm aloft.. Mira struck.

Mira (Alkonost): "White Universe!!!"

A white ball of elemental energy erupted from Gensō no Sutoraikā's scepter head, pushing Esdeath back as she gritted her teeth.

Esdeath: "Brat..!!"  She rose he hand, however at that moment, Akame saw her opening. Feeling a swift graze of metal against the back of her hand followed by the sting of a wound being open, Esdeath's eyes widened. Akame had finally struck her, landing a slash along the back of her right arm.  "What!?"

Akame: "You finally gave me an opening and that opening is when I cut."

Now seeing the true danger that she was in, Esdeath had no choice but to release her original ace-in-the-hole.

Esdeath: "MAHAPADMA!!" 

Soon everything succumbed to the freezing temperatures and everything came to a halt. Looking at her right arm, Esdeath could feel the excruciating pain that burned her arm, with the black flame markings appearing on her skin. It did hurt her a lot as she gritted her teeth, her hand twitching. The rumors about the pain Ketsuekime's curse inflicted were indeed true. It felt like her entire hand was on fire.

Esdeath: "I... didn't even notice your presence until I was being cut... Damn you, Akame.."  

With a swift motion, the Icy General used her hand and chopped off her cursed hand completely, sparing her life from the deadly curse before using ice to close the wound and form an Ice sword in the replacement of that arm. She was walking towards Tatsumi, before slashing across his chest. Soon after however,  her eyes to widen as the distinctive sounds of metal footsteps rushing towards her caught her attention. Quickly she turned around, raising her ice blade to block a heavy strike from a demonic axe. The attacker? It was the Demon Knight, Rathian.

Esdeath: "Who the hell are..-!?"  She grunted as Rathian smashed his knee into the Ice Empress' gut, sending her sliding back to a stop. Before she could even recover, a blazing red trail sped towards her as she rose both her swords, blocking two hell fire swords from another Demon Knight. His helmet had two demonic horns that looked like a crown, a protruding shoulder armor on his right shoulder while a tattered cape was on his left shoulder. His entire body surged in hell fire as his red eyes glowed. Backing away, he stood next to Rathian. This was Jyuratodus.

(Blade Demon Knight—Jyuratodus)

The onslaught wasn't over however as Esdeath found herself creating a wall of ice which glowing green arrows collided with before soon after, the ice wall shattered and a large bulky demon lunged at her and slammed his fist down, only missing her as she retreated away. His body was heavily armored with a dragon-like head with glowing magma orange eyes. His fists surged in magma energy as the spikes on his back released small hell flames. This was Rathalos.

(Berserker Demon Knight—Rathalos)

The final one took on a more feminine appearance. Standing next to her brothers was a Demon Knight, this time her body more slender. Her helmet had small slits in it where glowing green eyes were present and her hands completely were coated in that same green hell energy. Around her waist was a belt housing three skulls and a tattered skirt around her waist, only covering her front and right leg. And in her hand was a demonic bow. This was Legina.

(Ranged Demon Knight—Legina)

The four stood together, facing against Esdeath who glared at them as the effects of her Trump Card wore off. Tatsumi fell onto his back in pain, with blood flying out of his wound as Akame immediately rushed to his side.

Akame: "Tatsumi!!"  *thoughts* "Her arm!? She suspended time and then cheated death by quickly amputating it herself... But who are those four in front of her...?"

The ravenette slowly came to a halt as her eyes glowed brightly. She felt a sudden link reattach to herself, to her mind and heart and the scent, the blood that seemed far more powerful than even Esdeath's. She looked around before her eyes landed on a distinctive crimson glow from atop of a roof. Her eyes soon widened as she felt an overwhelming rush of happiness and relief.

There he stood, clad in the brilliant black and red armor of Barbatos. However, it was different. It was as if the armor evolved like Incursio. The shoulder armor flared out slightly and two horn-like spikes protruded from his head. But most noticeable was his wings. They were almost like the wings of Bael, made of an ethereal crimson energy and finally, a thin red aura surrounded him.

Dairoku had returned and Barbatos had entered it's Queen Promotional State...

(Barbatos—Cardinal Midnight Promotion)

The wielder of Spectator noticed that Esdeath was missing her right arm, seeing this as an opportunity to attack. However, he and the rest of the Revolutionary Army had become surprised to see her immediately engage battle with the Four Demon Knights. Jyuratodus and Legina both vanished away, with the latter of the two getting up to high ground to take advantage of her sniping capabilities while Rathian and Rathalos stood together and engaged into a brawl.

Revolutionist: "Reinforcements!?"

Najenda: "I... *eyes widened* It can't be..!" 

She muttered seeing Dairoku standing atop of the roof top. Then she slowly chuckled, feeling beyond happy to see that he was alive like she and the others hoped. However, everyone would soon notice that there was something... rather, someone in his arms. It was a female, long blonde hair tied into twin tails and her body only covered by a long black coat to hide any of her features.

In his arms... was an unconscious Lieselotte Sherlock.

Selina: "Big sis!!"

Akame saw this, her eyes bulging in surprise but happiness. A tear of joy ran down her cheek before she shook her head and she immediately got to Tatsumi's side, climbing on his dragon body.

Akame: "Tatsumi, hang in there!" 

However, upon touching his chest, her eyes widened a bit. Before she could process anything, she was thrown off of him as Tatsumi, now as Tyrant thrashed and roared aggressively at her. He lunged his arm to grab her and crush her only to suddenly freeze in place, as if struggling to actually do it. Tatsumi had managed to temporarily gain control over the form and stopped Tyrant from killing her.

Tatsumi: "Kill... Me... My consciousness... is already fading away... I can't stop it... any longer... Please... Hurry..!"

Akame: "..."  She looked up at him, her eyes threatening to water before she lowered her head and nodded.  "You're right... Very well. I shall kill you."

She squinted her eyes a bit before gripping Ketsuekime. She slowly pushed its blade against his chest before a quick stab was made. Tatsumi's body fell limp as the flame marks of Ketsuekime engulfed his body.

Akame silently looked at his body as Ketsuekime glowed darkly. Then she recalled something in her past...

Kuraime: "Ketsu's Trump Card.. Frankly, I'm not capable of using it as I am now, but I know its capabilities. You must accept all lives taken with it and succumb to the curse itself. Upon doing that, you will discard your Humanity.. You will become a creature of Hell, Death's Servant. You will become Death's Reaper and there is no. Turning. Back."

Her voice rang throughout Akame's mind as she slowly looked at Ketsuekime, its demonic eye staring into her own eyes. Slowly, she lifted it, its blade inching closer to her cheek before, she made a cut. Her body flinched and she slightly grunted, feeling her body burn with pain and agony, but she didn't scream. A hellish aura soon surrounded her as the black flame markings covered her skin before slowly vanishing.

The countless lives she had taken before this moment... The carnage... The slaughter... The Bloodshed... But it was now, regardless of the circumstances, where she had once again thrust her scythe into the body of a friend. If push came to shove, Akame had resolved herself to kill even her own little sister. And even, her own lover. This type of conviction is what led Ketsuekime to strongly acknowledge her as the true owner and wielder of its Demonic Blade..

After dodging an Axe throw from Rathian, Esdeath felt an unsettling presence. As she looked behind her, her eyes widened to see a blackened eruption of energy, followed by crimson lightning and a demonic howl from the cursed scythe. Akame stood there however, her appearance had heavily changed.

Her outfit itself had changed from the typical sailor uniform to a black and red sleeveless dress short-skirt with silver accents and two long black coat tails flowing from her back. Along her exposed skin were red markings shaped as flames and the Sclera of her eyes became a pitch black while black makings circled her pupils. Her long black hair had a glowing red light underneath it and two hooks floated beside her. Hanging from them were chains, and attached to those chains were two massive claws.

Simply put, she had released Ketsuekime's Trump Card; Starchasm Nyx.

Esdeath: "You are a sly one Najenda, keeping a Secret Teigu up your sleeve has never been how you do things. It's you, Akame. It was always you. From the very beginning, you were the countermeasure she'd been building up against me. Even in this battle, you were the only one able to wound me..."

Akame (S.N): "My final target will be Esdeath... I will Bury you!!"

To Be Continued...