Again, if you have not read my prequel book "Ice Cold Reaper," which is a book based off the prequel manga of AGK, AGK Zero, you may not understand the AGK Zero references made throughout this book.

There's an external link left to the book if you wish to read it. It is not required, but you may not understand the AGK Zero references.

---

It had been three days since the night Akame had run in with her old friend. The ravenette has also been quite concerned, considering the icy blue-eyed teen hadn't woken up yet since then.

Currently, Akame entered her room, holding a small tray with a few sandwiches and a glass of water on it. There on her bed was Akira, the boy still unconscious. The red-eyed girl set the tray onto the bedside table, her pulling up a chair next to the bed. She watched as Akira's body slowly rose up and down, him having a steady breathing. She then began to run a finger across Akira's bare chest, her having taken off his light armor and clothing a few nights ago.

The memories began to fill Akame's head, remembering all the times and the lengths Akira would go to protect her. No matter what injuries he'd sustain, he'd do anything to protect the Elite Seven, his family. Especially the lengths he'd go for her. Akame couldn't help but smile at the fond memories. But she soon frowned at certain ones, knowing how much pain Akira had went through. The guilt he felt when he witnessed certain deaths...like Cornelia's. She remembered how much the blonde girl's murder had greatly broke him, how each mission they would go on after that would tumble Akira's sanity. From what it seemed, it was like Akira was falling into an endless hole of insanity and loneliness.

She heard some whining next to her, looking to see Akira's wolf staring at the plate of sandwiches. Akame let out a small giggle, something that was rare for her to do. She took half of a sandwich and offered it to the canine, the wolf happily taking it as it started to scarf it down. The red-eyed girl thought back to the previous nights, how the wolf had stayed by Akira's side at the bed, on guard all the time.

As Akame was about to leave the room, she heard light groaning. She turned her head back towards the bed, seeing Akira stirring awake.

The icy blue-eyed teen sat up, lazily looking around the room as he rubbed his eyes. His vision then focused on Akame, who sat by the bedside. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust before they widened, him jumping out of the bed as her reached for his waist, feeling for the key that would usually hang from his belt. But to his surprise, it wasn't there. Just as Akame was about to speak, he lunged towards her, grabbing her by the neck and pinning her to the bed, in his other hand, he conjured an ice dagger and put it against her neck.

Akira: "...Who are you and where have you taken me?"

Akame: "I-I..."

Akira: "I'm the type of person who you shouldn't waste their patience or time. So tell me where I am before I cut your neck. Now."

The ravenette was a bit shocked by Akira's demanding tone. But at the same time, she also wasn't really surprised at all.

Akira has no recollection of who he once was. What his background is, or his previous life. Slowly, she uttered out her words.

Akame: "Y-You're at our home base... You're safe here."

Akira: "That remains to be unseen. How do I know that I won't be attacked as soon as I exit out that door? Or, how do I know that you won't attack me as soon as I turn by back around?"

Akame: "I promise you...I won't do such a thing."

The icy blue-eyed teen let out a small hum, seemingly processing the information. Akira turns his head to the right, seeing his wolf companion wagging it's tail, tilting it's head as it's tongue stuck out as it panted. He sighed as he allowed the dagger to dissipate, getting off the bed and looking out the window.

Akira: "I'll take your word...for now. But if I sense any sort of distrust or killing intent, I won't hesitate to kill everyone here. Including you."

Akame: "O-Of course."

Akame didn't dare challenge him. There were various reasons. While she may be faster than him, in terms of strength, he was stronger than her. While his strength couldn't rival Guy's or Najasho's, Akira's strength was better than most of the Elite Seven. Not only that, Akira is more alert than her, and he has a wider variety of skills to display than her as well.

Akame adjusted her red tie and sat up, staring at the blue-eyed teen in front of her. Flashes of her time together with him began to resurface in her mind. Especially the night he supposedly "died." The night he had shown her his true feelings for her. She blushed from just thinking about it. Akira notices her intent gaze and he simply glares at her, causing her to flinch.

Akira: "What?"

Akame: "It's nothing..."

Akira: "Hmm... Where are my things?"

Akame: "Pardon?"

Akira: "My things. I'm leaving."

Akame: "Wh-Why don't you stay a bit longer?"

Akira: "I have no reason to stay."

Akame: "M-My boss would like to meet you. She has an offer for you."

Akira seemed to think about it for a moment. He didn't think that meeting with the girl's boss could hurt, so he nodded.

Akira: "Fine. But my warning still stands."

Akame: "Of course. F-Follow me."

Akira: (looks to wolf) "Fenrir. Come."

The wolf, now known as Fenrir, barks happily and obeys his master's call. The two then exit the room, the wolf following behind as they exit the base and head for the forest.

Later, Dusk...

Currently, both Akira and Akame were sitting by a campfire, which was at an embankment by the river. Fenrir sat beside it's master and was glaring at what it's master was glaring at. Akame on the other hand was anxiously eating a drumstick from an Evil Bird.

Sitting in front of them on another log seat was a silver-haired woman with an eye patch. One of her arms was a mechanical green arm, her purple eye cautiously staring down Akira. 

Najenda: "Hmm...so you're the famous 'Ice Cold Reaper,' huh?"

Akira: "What makes you say that?"

Najenda: "Does this seem familiar?"

Bringing her mechanical arm up, she held up a key, Akira letting out a small grunt. The key she was holding up was the very same key he held. 

The Keeper of Souls: Harvester. This Teigu soul binds itself to it's user should it find the person compatible. Forming the weapon of choice as a scythe, the key also grants the user of taking people's souls. Each soul harvested from a living being empowers the user of the key, but there are draw backs. Each soul harvested begins to deteriorates one's sanity, along with increased strength and enhanced senses, and the more souls that are harvested, the stronger the effects. 

But even with the amount of souls collected, they can be used for certain benefits. Souls can be used is to extend one's life force. But it does not make the user immortal. The Trump Card of the Teigu is the ability to bring back one's soul a user has taken from a life, bringing them back to the land of the living as a specter, to live as their servant in battle. This ability does not bring that person back to life, but once bringing the soul to live as a specter, the soul cannot be used ever again.

Najenda, the leader of Night Raid, tosses the key back towards Akira, who catches it easily.

Akira: "...I was told you have a proposition for me?"

Najenda: "I was hoping I can enlist your help for fighting against the Empire."

Akira: "True, the Empire is nothing but a bunch of corrupted scumbags, but what do I get for joining? I don't kill them for pleasure, and frankly, I don't give a damn about what happens to them. So long as I get payment for the job, I don't care who I work for in the Revolutionary Army."

Najenda: "That may be what you say on your flyers that you post, but I know what you really want. ...You want to find out who you really are, right?"

Akira: "...What makes you think you're correct?"

Najenda: "I've come across some of your previous clients. Asking certain questions to your origins, where you came from...who you were before."

Akira: "...What is that you're implying?"

Najenda: "What I'm saying is, we may be able to help you find out who you really are. From what it seems, Akame here seems to know you. Interesting."

Akira's blue eyes then focus on Akame. She immediately stops eating her drumstick and looks into Akira's own eyes. Just as she thought, Akira still didn't recognize her. They lacked that glow of familiarity. However, Akira squinted his eyes.

Akira: "...I have been wondering, how did you know my name? What was it that you said..."

Akame: "...Empire's Assassination Unit, Elite Seven. No. 2, Akira. That's who you are."

Akira: (scoff) "As if I'd work for those corrupted dogs. I would never steep so lowly down to that."

The red-eyed girl only looked down, saddened by the fact that he still didn't remember. It was as if those days they had together were nothing but dreams, moments that never existed. With a sigh, Akira stops facing Akame and looks back to Najenda.

Akira: "...I'll put it this way. I don't mind if I help out, just so long as you pay me for the job. Understood?"

Najenda: "Very well. Aside from your payments, Night Raid shall assist you in finding out about your past. Is that a deal?"

Akira: "...It appears so."

???: "There. That there is Akame. Cute, right?"

Both Akira and Akame turn their heads around slightly. Walking up to them is the blonde woman, Leone, and the brown-haired teen, Tatsumi. His mouth was agape, watching the red-eyed girl holding a drumstick in her hand.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'What part of her!?' "Is that an Evil Bird she's eating? She killed it all by herself!?"

Leone: "Akame's a feral child."

Akame: "Eat some too, Leone."

Leone: "Oh! Thanks!"

Akame's previous demeanor had vanished, her having a hungry look as she tossed a drumstick over to Leone. Still holding her own, she stares down Tatsumi, who looked nervous just from the stare he was receiving.

Akame: "Have you...joined our team?"

Tatsumi: "No..."

Akame: "Then there's no reason for me to give you this meat yet."

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'I don't need it!'

Leone: "Too bad, Tatsumi. Aren't you splurging a bit much today?"

Akame: "The boss is back."

Looking to where the red-eyed girl was pointing, Leone sees Najenda, who let's out a small "yo."

Leone: "Boss! Welcome back! Did you bring me anything?"

Najenda: "More importantly, Leone. About that job three days ago..." (metal arm starts creaking) "Is it true the operation went overtime."

Leone: (thoughts) 'Crap!'

The blonde lioness of Night Raid quickly turns around and attempts to run. But Najenda's metal arm was also a grappling hook, it being fired as it grabs Leone by the back of her scarf. Leone let's out a squeal of terror as Najenda had a grin on as she kept reeling in Leone.

Najenda: "It's not good to enjoy fighting a powerful enemy too much... We have to do something about that bad habit of ours."

Leone: "I know! Just stop pulling me!"

Najenda: (reels in metal arm) By the way, who's the boy?"

Leone: "Ah!" (wraps arm around Tatsumi's shoulder) "Right, boss! I'm nominating this talented guy!"

Tatsumi: (irritated) "Hey! Where do you get off!"

Najenda: "Does he have promise?"

Leone: (smiles confidently) "Very much so."

The former silver-haired general looked at the brown-haired boy with curiousness, assessing him. His strength, potential, everything. Akira seemed to be doing so as well. Tatsumi could feel their stares, shivering under them as he faces away. Getting up from her chair, Najenda smirked a bit, her trench coat waving with the wind.

Najenda: "Akame. Gather everyone to the meeting room. I want to hear in detail...the outcome of your last mission, and about this boy too."

---

A short time later, Najenda had gathered the rest of Night Raid into the meeting room. Tatsumi's back was facing everyone, with him facing Najenda. Akira was leaning up against the wall, Fenrir at his side as always. 

Najenda: "I see. I've grasped your situation. Tatsumi... Do you have any desire to join Night Raid?"

Tatsumi: "If I refuse, I'm dead, right?"

Najenda: "No, it's not like that...but we can't very well let you go home. We'll put you to work as a staff member at the base. Either way, you won't die if you refuse. Now that we have cleared up...what do you say?"

Tatsumi looked down, clenching his fists. His only reasoning to coming to the Empire...

Tatsumi: "I had planned on being successful in the Capital...so I could save my poverty stricken village...but the Capital's just as bad!"

Bulat: "The rot in the center is why the countryside's so poor. Don't you want to rip out the rot from it's source? Like a man!"

Najenda: "Bulat used to be a skilled Imperial soldier. But when he learned about the Capital's corruption, he joined us."

Bulat: "Our job is to dispose of the Capital's bad guys. It's easier to do when you're not in the midst of corruption."

Tatsumi: "But... But killing bad guys little by little...isn't going to change the world in any big way, is it? It sure as hell won't save towns like mine in the more remote regions."

Najenda: "I see. Then that makes Night Raid all the more perfect match for you."

Tatsumi: "And why is that?"

Najenda: "Far south of the Capital is the headquarters of a Revolutionary Army that stands in opposition to the Empire."

Tatsumi: (shocked) "...A Revolutionary Army?"

Najenda: "What started out as a small movement has grown into a large-scale organization. They've inevitably had to create a branch for gathering information. Assassinations, and other unmentionable jobs. That's us. Night Raid. Right now, we're exterminating the ticks in the Empire, but... Once the Army goes into action, we'll join the tumult and crush the corrupt minister...with this very hand!"

Tatsumi: "...Crush... The minister?"

Najenda: "That is our main objective. There are others, but we're leaving those aside for now. I can't say much to the specifics of when the uprising will happen, but we have a winning plan in place. When that time comes...this country will surely change."

Tatsumi: "...Will this new country...be kind to it's people?"

Najenda: "Of course."

Tatsumi: "I see. Wow... So the killings you're doing now are only targeting bad guys to take out the trash..." (smiles brightly) "You're like an organization on the side of justice!"

Hearing Tatsumi's proclaim, everyone in the room began to laugh, except Akame, Akira, and Najenda. The brown-haired boy looked around at them, irritated.

Tatsumi: "Wh-What? What's so funny!?"

Akira: (sigh) "So naive."

Tatsumi: "What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"

Akira: "Brat, take a look at their eyes. Look at their actions. You call that justice? What they're doing is murder, something so inhumane. There's never justice in doing that. They all went through personal shit to get to this point, and any second, or any day now, they could very well pay the consequence for taking a life with their own."

Najenda: "He's right. Everyone has their own reasons for fighting, but they're all prepared for the worse... Does that change your opinion?"

Tatsumi: "So, we receive compensation, right?"

Najenda: "Yes. If you do a good job, you can probably save your hometown."

Tatsumi: "Then I'll do it! Let me into Night Raid! With such a huge goal...I'm sure that Sayo and Ieyasu would agree to it too!"

Mine: "But you probably won't be able to waltz right back into your village, you know?"

Tatsumi: "That's okay. So long as everyone in the village is happy."

Mine: "Hmm..."

Najenda: "Then it's decided. Welcome to the path of carnage. Tatsumi."

Mine: "Just one moment, boss." (points to Akira) "Who the hell is this guy and what is he still doing here?"

Before any further answers could go on, Lubbock's Imperial Arm began to react. The string on it was spinning violently, making noises.

Lubbock: "Intruders! Miss Najenda!"

Najenda: "How many and where?"

Lubbock: "According to how my barrier's reacting...there should be eight of them! They've all infiltrated the hideout grounds!"

Najenda: "They're good. They were able to sniff us out this close... They're probably mercenaries from the tribes." (lights smoke) "Oh, well. Emergency dispatch. Don't let anyone back alive. Go!"

Akira: "Fenrir. Come."

The first to react was the Ice Cold Reaper himself. He dashed and jumped out of the window, Fenrir following suit. Landing on both his feet, he closed his eyes. He could feel their presences nearby. His Teigu also gave him the ability of sensing a living being's soul.

Once he found his prey, he dashed into the forest. Back in the base, the other's were shocked by Akira's quick reaction and how he quickly took off. Nonetheless, they all got their orders and left the base, the only one left in the meeting room being Tatsumi and Najenda. The brown-haired boy looked at their last positions, bewildered.

Tatsumi: "Uh... Ah... Huh?"

Najenda: (smacks Tatsumi's head) "What're you standing for? It's your first battle. Take care of them!"

With his orders, Tatsumi flees the base. Najenda waited patiently in her chair, smoking her cigarette. She was looking forward for the performances of the two.

---

Standing by a river bank, Akame was able to catch up with her former partner. Akira's scythe was resting on his shoulder, him holding the handle as he gave the three bandits in front of him a dull glare.

The very same was for Akame, who she gripped Murasame tightly in her hands. 

Bandit 1: "The fact that she's here...means their hideout's not far, after all... All that searching paid off."

Bandit 2: "But she sure is a cute little thing."

Bandit 3: "We can even have some fun with her, even after she's dead.  Just don't damage her body too much."

Bandit 1: "What should we do with the other?"

Bandit 2: "Just toss his body in the river after we kill him. He won't be much."

A chilling breath left Akira's mouth, twirling the scythe in his hands before he stabs the bladed tip into the ground.

Akira: "Tell me... How do you all wish to die? The reaper has come to collect it's payment."

The three bandits stare at him before they laughed at him, unfazed by the threat. Akame went to move, but Akira put a hand up. His icy blue eyes then made a side glance towards the forest.

Akira: "Fenrir. Attack."

Jumping out of the forest was a grey wolf, Fenrir lunging it's teeth into the necks of one of the bandit's. The bandit tries to get Fenrir off of him, but the wolf kept thrashing about, blood flying everywhere as the wolf kept tearing away at the bandit's flesh. The other two bandits were frozen with fear, unable to do anything. 

The second one then drops dead, Akira lopping his head off with his scythe, then facing his next victim. He let's his weapon dissipate and draws his sword off his back, dashing forward at great speeds as he plunges it through the bandit's abdomen. The bandit coughs up blood, the front part of his cloak being forcefully pulled up as he was brought face to face with Akira. The black-haired teen opened up his mouth, a green aura leaving the bandit's body and into his mouth. The bandit's body began to decrease in muscle, all the way down to the bone. And it's skin turned grey, their eyes rolling into the back of their head. Akira then drops the body to the ground, his scythe pulsating with a green color as he let's out a sinister low chuckle. He desired more. More souls to fuel his power.

Akame looked at her former partner with curiosity, but also confusion. The Akira in front of her was like a different person. There were times where he desired to kill all those that stood in his way so he could protect those he considered his family, but he was never this bloodthirsty. And he was never this power hungry. Yes, he desired power. But it was all to protect the Elite Seven. That was his only goal.

Akira then faces the red-eyed girl, his usual ice cold glare being directed towards her.

Akira: "What?"

Akame: "...It's nothing."

Akira: "Very well. I'm heading back. The others will be able to handle their targets just fine."

Akame: "Right..."

Putting his hands in his pockets and calling his wolf back to his side, Akira begins to make his way back into the forest, heading into the direction of the hideout. Akame began to trail after him. Akira was so close, yet the old person she knew was so far out of reach. It already hurt her that he doesn't remember anything of his past, but it hurt the most when she doesn't see the familiar glow of his eyes that would show up in his eyes every time he looked at her.

It was clear to her. She missed the sense of familiarity from him. Akame wonders if there is a solution. To have that sense of familiarity come back.

As the two walked back to their home base, the two came across Tatsumi. The brown-haired boy had downed one of his opponents, whom was bleeding out as Tatsumi raises his sword overhead.

Bandit: "Let me live! If I die, my village...!"

Tatsumi then pauses. His eyes widening as the grip on his sword began to falter.

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'He's also doing this for his village? But...'

Bandit: (laughs) "You're too soft, boy! You will die for my tribe!"

He was caught off guard by the bandit's sudden action. The bandit had attempted to attack and take Tatsumi's life, but Akame was quick on the attack as she quickly drew Murasame from it's sheathe and drove it through the bandit's back. Thanks to the special ability of the Teigu, poison courses through the bandit, making it's way to the bandit's heart and stops it from beating.

The bandit falls limp and Akame takes her sword out from the corpse. She raised the blade up before she swung the sword to the ground, flicking the blood off the blade. Tatsumi looked at her shocked.

Akame: "Don't hesitate. The final blow has to be swift."

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'She didn't even... Bat an eyelash...'

Akira: (scoffs) "Don't bother with him. If he can't even take a single person's life, he's not cut out for it. Let alone falling for an obvious provocation like that. People like him will just die and wilt away with the wind like they've never existed."

Tatsumi: "What's your problem!?"

Akira: "My problem is that people like you are nothing but a liability. If you can't hurry up and come face to face with how the real world works, then you'll never get far as an assassin. You'll just end up lying dead in the dirt."

Tatsumi: "Why you...!"

Akame: "You two, knock it off."

Akira: "Hmph. Whatever. Just don't slow me down."

Before the argument could continue further, Bulat, in his armor soon jumps out of a bush. He was raring to go, ready to take his spear off his back.

Bulat: "They enemy fled here, didn't they!? Leave the rest to me!"

Akame: (straight face) "It's already over."

Bulat: "...Huh?"

---

Nighttime dawns the group of Night Raid as everyone was back in the meeting room. Najenda blew a puff of smoke, a grin bearing her face.

Najenda: "Good work on your first battle. Tatsumi. Akira."

Tatsumi: "R-Right..."

Akira: "Just doing my job."

Najenda: "I heard Akame's report. Akira, good work on dispatching the adversaries in quick succession. I was right to hire you."

Akira: "So long as you pay me, I'll kill any target you assign me."

Najenda: "Understood. Tatsumi. Akame's report on you is a point of concern... If you want to survive, I see now that you need someone to teach you the ropes. Partner up with Akame to learn."

Tatsumi: "Are you sure!?"

Najenda: "Sound good, Akame?"

Akame: (nods with a straight face) "Uh-huh."

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'That was quick!'

Najenda: "If he holds you back, then you can kill him."

Akame: (munching on drumstick) "Uh-huh. Understood."

Najenda: (looks to Tatsumi) "Lucky you, getting to be taught by such a cute gal. Good luck not getting killed."

Akira: "Is that all?"

Najenda: "Oh, right. Akira, work with Akame for now, as well. I want to see how well you can work together."

Akira: "Very well. If that's my assignment, I shall carry it out."

Tatsumi: (thoughts) 'I'm going to be paired up with these two!?'

The brown-haired boy knew he was going to be in for a ride. Akame looked at her partner with a bit of concern. She's heard of the things Akira has done in the east. An Ice Cold Reaper had brutally murdered most of the Empire soldiers that were stationed there. Whether it be their limbs being torn away from their body, having them bleed out with their innards pouring out, freezing them to death, decapitating their bodies, or making them suffer as much as possible. she was worried for his well being.

She just wanted the person she knew back. That's all.