If it weren't enough, the Capital was in shambles, especially the populace. Just a few days ago, the Great General Budo was reported dead, leaving the citizens of the Empire feeling unsafe about their security. It didn't help that the news had spread like wildfire, the Imperial Army's morale dropping severely and many abandoning it to join the Revolutionary Army.

As a result, the fortress known as Shisuikan had been taken by the Revolutionary Army. The leaders of the rebellion were quick to notice of this trend, embracing the anti-Empire rhetoric to fuel one rebellion after another. And as such, a large military force was now converging on the now vulnerable Imperial Capital.

---

A report had come in the Revolutionary Army's HQ.

The report was that an entire camp full of revolutionaries had mysterious vanished and disappeared. What was left at the sight of the camp was the entire camp destroyed, blood, and limbs scattered around the area. Other than that, there was also a massive pile of bodies that were seriously mangled that was left in the middle of the camp.

Because of this attack, all other camps were notified to raise their defenses and be on guard. Many thought the work of this gruesome sight was the result of some secret unit from the Empire.

So their response? The response was to send in their own unit. A unit they're all too familiar with.

---

Dorothea returned to her workshop in the palace with Izou, the alchemist stretching as she sat into a chair. The blonde girl let out a relaxed sigh, Izou humming in response as he held his katana close.

They were the true culprits behind the massacre of the Rebel Army camp.

Dorothea: "That was such a pleasant picnic." (looks to someone) "You mind if I borrow you tomorrow?"

???: "I'd love that, but I have the Minister to guard, so I can't leave the palace."

The person Dorothea had looked to was Suzuka. Because of their current situation, everyone in the palace was in high alert. While Honest didn't think much of his safety, that didn't mean he wasn't worried about it. So he employed the last of his Rakshasa Demons to protect him.

Suzuka: "These are dangerous times we live in, you understand?"

Dorothea: (sweat drops) "I gotta say, you're pretty committed. Even after what you were put through."

She was referencing to the moment they had entered Tatsumi's cell when they captured him. They tried to seduce him and have fun with him, something Esdeath wasn't happy about. This prompted the icy general to slam Suzuka's face into the wall and Dorothea to run out of the cell in fear.

Just remembering this experience, Suzuka held her shoulders with her hands. She even began to moan in pleasure, being the masochist and sadist she is.

Suzuka: "The was the best moment of my life. The second she saw me, she didn't even ask any questions--she immediately went for the kill! She's a true sadist! I climaxed into a world of sheer pleasure!~"

Dorothea stared at her, smiling a bit. Suzuka soon got off her high horses and looked back at the blonde alchemist.

Suzuka: "You're attacking the army to lure out Night Raid, aren't you?"

Dorothea: "Hmm?"

Suzuka: "Akame and Akira are a given, but you should also be careful with Tatsumi."

Dorothea: "That posion's surely killed those two by now. It's a shame, really."

Suzuka: (serious tone) "I don't think that's enough to take them out. Especially, Akira."

The blonde alchemist looked at the masochist, gesturing for her to elaborate.

Suzuka: "Tatsumi buried me alive and held his own against the two strongest. He's grown in amazing ways. And Akira had grown up under the guidance of Gozuki, so using poison against him wouldn't do anything. Not only that, he's said to be the one to kill Merraid Oarburgh. Killing the top assassin that was hired by the Revolutionary Army is no small feat to do. You should keep those two in mind when you're coming up with your strategy."

Dorothea: "Huh. You'd give them that much credit? I'll keep that in mind, thanks."

Suzuka: "...I know that you're an alchemist and have heard about the country you came from. So I know a little about your background. But would you mind filling in the blanks?"

Dorothea: (small laugh) "You're curious?"

Suzuka: "I guess."

For the rest of the day, the two continued to chat until Dorothea and Izou left the palace later that night with the changed Cosmina.

Later that night, Dorothea and Izou stood atop a cliff with Cosmina, staring down at something below. It was another Revolutionary Army camp, Dorothea giving a toothy grin as she looked to her companions.

Dorothea: "All right. Today, we'll attack that camp."

Izou: "Heh. Yet another feast? I feel I'm being spoiled."

The changed Cosmina growled in amusement, clearly excited that it was about to have another round of Rebel Army soldiers to eat and consume. However, she quicky turned her head around, feeling a presence heading her way. Two of them. And they were fast.

Once Cosmina turned around, she was met with two figures that had went past her, slashing her neck at blinding speeds. It was Akira and Akame, the two soon landing as Cosmina's body fell to the ground with a thud.

Both Dorothea and Izou were surprised to see them.

Dorothea: "Akame!? Akira!?"

The large Cosmina groaned and moaned in pain, the curse of Murasame spreading throughout it's body. In a last-ditch effort to kill the two assassins, it lunged forward, attempting slice the two with it's scythe limbs. But they were easily able to dodge it, the two side-stepping to the left as Cosmina's body goes past them, crashing into the dirt.

With gritted teeth, Dorothea look at the two assassins with an annoyed glare.

Dorothea: "This is only our third time, and you've already figured out our pattern?"

Akira: "You don't clean up your mess, clearly. It was quite simple."

Akame: "Indeed. After you attack a camp, you immediately flee. You move in small numbers, so wide areas are dangerous for you."

Akira: "All we had to do was to think in your shoes and then you'll find your target." (scoff) "For trying to cover up your tracks while trying to lure us out, you do a shit job at it."

Dorothea: (wide grin) "Well, you got us. Aren't you two a little smarty."

The two Wild Hunt members were about to move until Dorothea let out a small hum. Out from the shadows of the treeline were two more Night Raid members, Tatsumi and Leone.

Tatsumi: "I wondered who was responsible for this. So it's Wild Hunt."

Leone: "We'll put an end to these survivors."

Dorothea: "Night Raid. Looks like all the main players have arrived."

Izou: (murmurs) "Tatsumi... So he really is alive."

Dorothea: (snaps fingers) "Oh, well. Cosmina's even stronger from all she's eaten."

As if it responded to Dorothea's snap of her fingers, the previously thought dead Cosmina had suddenly arisen from where it was. It then quickly moved behind Dorothea, brandishing it's scythe limbs as three of the four Night Raid members looked in shock. Akira kept his stoic expression, a hateful glare in his eyes as he stared at the three Wild Hunt members.

Leone: "Whoa, whoa! But didn't Murasame cut that thing!? Akira even cut a fatal artery to add on to it!"

The area Akame and Akira had sliced was a small stone. It soon shattered into smaller pieces.

Akame: (wide eyes) "A substitute...!?"

Cosmina then roared, raising it's two scythes and slamming it down. Both Tatsumi and Leone jumped away to dodge one of them, Akira quickly getting in front of the ravenette and grabbed Harvester's key off his belt. The key morphed into it's scythe form, Akira raising it over his head as the bladed part of the scythe blocks Cosmina's own scythe blade.

Leone: "What the--!? What the hell's going on here!?"

Dorothea: "It's the Philosopher's Stone. Though I doubt you're familiar with it. Just think of it as an omnipotent super item."

Akira: "An omnipotent super item that you killed thousands to make."

Dorothea: "Oh?~ It seems one of you discovered the secret of how they're made."

Akira: "You dastard! I'll destroy you!"

Dorothea: "Aw, don't feel bad. They were used to make your Teigu too. It's incredibly rare, so I only had one. But it's enough for me that it withstood Murasame once."

Deflecting the scythe blade of Cosmina, both Akame and Akira jumped back. Once at a safe distance, Akame headed off and began heading for Dorothea with Leone, Akira holding an arm out as he closed his eyes.

Akira: "Surge, Ebony Warrior. Iterum ambulate in terra viventium. Servite mihi, cedicisse."

Like before, the ground below began to shake. A pillar of light exploded out of the ground behind the reaper. The light then faded, a figure was in it's place as it knelt. The figure was encased in pure black armor, a sleek black sword sheathed at it's side. A green, ominous glow had surrounded him as he stood up, the undead warrior growling as it unsheathed the slim blade.

Akira then pointed towards the large Cosmina, to which it was being engaged by an encased Tatsumi in Incursio. Once it received it's orders, a shield appeared in it's other arm, rushing towards Cosmina to initiate battle with it.

With that settled, Akira looked toward Izou, who was walking up to him with Kotetsu. Akira let Harvester dissipate, creating an ice blade in his hands.

Izou: "As a fellow blade wielder, I shall be your opponent."

Akira: "..."

Izou: "That key on your belt... I see. So that's the Teigu, Harvester. I would have loved to face Murasame, but I suppose you will have to suffice."

Akira: "Shut up. I'm not here for idle chatter. If you won't strike first, I will."

Izou: "Hmm. Very eager, are we?" (chuckles) "Well, nonetheless, that ice blade of yours is almost eerily beautiful that it fits you perfectly. But. The brilliance of my own Kotetsu is leagues above it! Allow me to demonstrate."

The swordmaster unsheathed his blade, finally revealing his eyes. Akira was caught off guard slightly, Izou's eyes mirroring that of darkness. His pupils were a pure white, a black color surrounding it. It was as if Izou's eyes were the embodiment of darkness.

Izou then looked down at his blade.

Izou: "Yes. I know, Kotetsu. It craves for your blood, Night Raid. I wonder if it's special. Kotetsu is anxious to drink it."

The Ice Cold Reaper let out a small "heh" and mirrored Izou's own sword stance. Akira took in a deep breath before he exhaled, a chilling mist exiting his mouth as his icy blue eyes had his familiar icy glare.

Akira: "Prepare to die."

The wind howled around them, the trees moving as the leaves were blown off and flowed with the wind. The two combatants stared at each other for what seemed like hours. It wasn't until Akira quickly sped off, raising his blade up as he prepared to slash down at the swordmaster.

Izou grinned, seemingly having a vision of sorts. He imagined parrying the reaper's blade before slicing upwards, cutting Akira in two. He was confident that this would be his victory. As Akira drew closer, he suddenly changed his stance, something that surprised the swordmaster. Akira's sword stance was similar to that of Akame's, bringing his ice blade to his side. Seeing this, Izou had to change his plan, instead of parrying his blade and swiping upward, he slashed down whilst grasping the hilt of his blade with two hands. Akira quickly planted both of his feet onto the ground, skidding to a halt as he stopped just in front of the swordmaster.

Blocking a strike from Izou, he spun his body around. Going off to the side slightly, Akira then swung his blade, slashing Izou at his side as the swordmaster grunted, blood pooling out of his wound. Akira still remained stoic, however, his face showing no emotion whatsoever. Normally, he'd be cackling and relishing in the moment. But he knows that Akame had advised him about keeping his emotions in check so he didn't succumb to the Lich within his Teigu.

(A/N): Imagine that Akame is Akira.

The man coughed up blood as he fell to the ground. He was surprised. Akira had used his own prediction against him. Izou was impressed.

Shakily, Izou helped up Kotetsu and presented it towards the reaper, who was walking up to him slowly.

Izou: "A-Akira... Take it... With your skills... You will feed even more blood to Kotetsu..."

Akira said nothing. He continued to stare down at Izou with an emotionless, stoic stare. The next thing Akira did shocked Izou, the icy blue-eyed teen having slashed him once more. Blood spurted even more from his back, Izou beginning to bleed out as this was the end for him.

Izou: "Guh... You... Do not appreciate... The spirit of a fellow swordsman..."

Akira: "Swordsman?" (scoff) "Don't make me laugh. I never was. I'm simply... Someone playing as Death's advocate. Nothing more, nothing less."

The Ice Cold Reaper then lets his ice blade shatter into smaller shards, grabbing his key and transforming it into his scythe. He then runs off to assist Akame, who was being surrounded by a band of modified humans and Danger Beasts, each of them grasping weapons themselves.

Over with Leone, her opponent was Dorothea. The blonde alchemist grinned as she got into a fighting stance, the blonde lioness doing the same.

Dorothea: "It's too bad you're my opponent. Your blood probably reeks like an animal's."

Leone: (visible tick mark) "...Yeah. It is too bad. Even if you look like a kid, I'm not going to go easy on you at all."

No sudden moves were made. At least, not yet. The two of them continued to stare at each other before Leone gained a wide grin, crouching down as she began to speed toward the alchemist of Wild Hunt.

Leone: "Now! Here I come, small fry!"

Dorothea: "Go ahead. I'm not going to move from this spot."

Leone: "I mean it!"

She kept up her speed, the blonde lioness barreling toward her. But Dorothea simply grinned in response, extending her fist out as she opened it. Now standing up, Leone lept forward and thrust a fist forward, yelling to the top of her lungs. Leone expected her punch to obliterate her arm and strike her Dorothea in the face.

But that wasn't the case.

The lioness's eyes were wide in disbelief. Dorothea had caught her punch and withstood it like it was nothing.

Dorothea: "See? An alchemist doesn't lie."

The blonde alchemist then begins to crush her fist, Leone grunting and gritting her teeth as she didn't want to cry out. However, it wasn't long until Leone did cry out in pain, her shout mirroring that of a wolf's howl as it echoed throughout the night.

Dorothea: "I'm the strongest in Wild Hunt. Don't let the cute appearance deceive you." (giggles sadistically) "Scared? Hmm?"

Leone clicked her tongue in annoyance. She went to retaliate but wasn't able to do so, Dorothea having yanked her arm up. Abruptly, she then yanked it downward, slamming Leone into the ground as the lioness's suffered massive damage.

Dorothea: "Now, now. No need to rush things. Stick around to witness the demise of your friends."

Leone: (grunts) "What...!?"

Dorothea: "Akira may have defeated Izou, but with him and Akame, they're dead against my soldiers."

Akame and Akira stood side by side, seeing a modified soldier heading their way. Likewise, they launched themselves forward. Dodging a strike from the modified soldier, the two then slash at it, Akame swinging Murasame with Akira doing so with Harvester. However, their eyes widen in surprise as they couldn't remove their Teigus from the body of the modified soldier.

Akame: (thoughts) 'The enemy's body is sticky, like sludge. Akira and I can't pull our Teigus free!'

Akira: (thoughts) '...Pest. Nothing but an annoyance.'

Seeing as they couldn't take out their Teigus, and the other modified soldiers heading for them, the two let go of their respective weapons. The two then stood back-to-back, surrounded by these soldiers, the two now analyzing their surroundings. The first one was just a pawn to get them away from their Teigus. But, they did notice that they were intentionally leaving a path open to have them retrieve their Teigus.

But this was a trap, that much was for certain. Their experience in this type of situation before, and instincts, were telling them that if they were to go for their weapons, they would die. So their only course of action was hand-to-hand combat.

The two made brief eye contact, the ravenette nodding at her partner. Nodding also, Akira grabbed Akame's arm, spinning her around to gain momentum. He then let go, letting her fly off in another direction as the red-eyed girl lunged herself over to the first modified soldier she saw. She then punched it square in the face, the soldier flinching but recovered quickly, grabbing her leather gauntlet. The soldier was about to retaliate, but Akira quickly came in with the save, coming in with a flying kick to the soldier's face. The reaper then faced two more that were coming their way, the boy slamming his foot as an explosion of ice spikes occurred and made their way to them. They protruded out from the ground, stabbing them upwards as the soldiers tried to wriggle themselves out, of which they couldn't.

One came in from the side with a short sword, slashing at the red-eyed girl. But Akame somersaulted backward, dodging the attack and landing on the soldier's shoulder. Using the strength in her legs, she snapped it's neck, killing it as she propelled herself off it's back and landed in Akira's arms, who set her down after. At that time also, Akame had also disarmed the dead soldier of it's short sword.

Another began to head their way, Akame jumping once more and used Akira's arms as if they were platform. She blasted off of them, Akira pushing her forward to give her an extra burst in speed. Rushing forward, she twirled the short sword in her hand and quickly began to make quick work of the soldier heading her way.

The last two from afar leaped high in the air, hoping they could get the drop on her. But it was inevitable, the two meeting their end as together, Akira and Akame swiftly killed them, the two cutting them to pieces.

Dorothea looked on with shock. Her modified soldiers had easily been taken down by two measly assassins, which they took down without breaking a sweat.

Leone: "Akame and Akira have never relied too much on their weapons. They target their opponents' vital spots in a fight... Well, more so of Akame than Akira. Either way, they have to take in account when they'll be without their respective weapons. In other words, even without their Teigus, Akame and Akira are lethal."

Dorothea growled in frustration. However, her eyes widen once more when she heard Leone's voice, albeit a little bit more closer.

Leone: "The same goes for me too."

Gasping, Dorothea went to turn her head. This proved to be a mistake, Leone having quickly gotten up and punched her right in the face, sending the alchemist flying and tumbling onto the ground. Dorothea then recovered, stopping herself as she glared at the blonde woman.

Leone: "I'm confident in my tenacity." (grin) "Thanks for giving me time to recover."

Dorothea: (cracks knuckles) "Heh. That body would be great to experiment on."

Leone: "Okay, then. Now... For a fresh start!"

Once more, Leone dashed off and went for a predictable attack from the front. Dorothea sighed and shook her head.

Dorothea: "Even though I've already beaten you once, you're charging right at me. Hmph. Is that all you've got? Once I nab you, victory is mine!"

The blonde alchemist lunged her hand forward. But Leone simply grabbed it and pressed down on it a little, an audible sound of bone cracking could be heard. Dorothea yelped in pain as she retracted her hand back.

Leone: "You have explosive instantaneous muscle power, but it looks like the animal wins when it comes to speed."

Dorothea clicked her tongue in response to Leone's taunting. Repeatedly, Dorothea kept thrusting her arm out to try and grab her. But as Leone had previously stated, she had the speed, able to dodge all of them as Dorothea began to grow even more frustrated.

Dodging another arm thrust from her, Leone then rocketed foward. With her increased strength, she struck Dorothea in her stomach, making the alchemist cough up blood as she skidded backward.

Leone: "No matter how strong you are, an intellectual type's still an intellectual. You're more cut out for sideline support. You messed up when you thought you could fight on the front lines."

Dorothea: (grunt) "I messed up when I assumed everyone but Akame and Akira were weaklings... This calls for a demonstration of what it looks like when an alchemist means business!"

The blonde alchemist when into the pockets of her dress and pulled out a canister of sorts. She then slammed it on the ground, which exploded and a mist of substances began to spread around. Leone held in her breath, thinking it was poison. She then leapt into the air and prepared to finish things, but froze when she found her fist and arm beginning to turn into stone.

Leone: "What is this!? Stone!?"

Dorothea: (rushes to her) "It'll only turn you to stone momentarily. But all I need is for you to stop moving for a second."

Leone howled in pain as Dorothea bit down onto her neck. Dorothea's Teigu was an unorthodox one.

It took in the form of fangs. Fang Teigu: Blood Collecting Absordex.

She could feel her energy begin to drain, her skin and muscle decreasing in weight. Soon enough, Dorothea finished, licking her lips as she let Leone's body drop to the ground.

Dorothea: "You see that? That's the combo of an alchemist with a Teigu. It had a rustic flavor, but your blood was pretty tasty. I'm full of vitality." (looks around) "Now. Has Cosmina put away Tatsumi, yet? I'll team up with her to take down Akira and Akame."

Coincidentally, Cosmina flew right in front of her, making Dorothea jump. She looked over to where she had come from, seeing Tatsumi heading toward her along with Akira's summon.

The transformed singer got up and let out a guttering screech, the Ebony Warrior simply raising it's shield up as it took the brunt of the attack. But this didn't stop Tatsumi, who charged right through and used Incursio's spear to slice off one of Cosmina's limbs. With her attack stopped, the Ebony Warrior charged forward and jumped into Cosmina's torso, proceeding to stab it's sword into her chest. Cosmina roared with pain, unable to do anything as the summon continued it's assault, Tatsumi appearing in front of her face and slicing her eye.

Dorothea: (grunts in frustration) "Damn that, Tatsumi. And that stupid knight. But still, that's one fearsome power up. If we'd been discovered two days later, Cosmina would have been even bigger with all that extra nourishment... That's it...! Cosmina does have one last trick! And it's enough to pierce through that armor!"

The alchemist still thought she was victorious, nervously grinning as she watched her teammate be sent to the air by the numerous amount of wired spears coming out of her. In the process, Akira's Ebony Warrior couldn't hold on and began to fall toward the ground. The spears Cosmina sent out were being deflected by Tatsumi's spear, but it only proved to hold it back only for a bit as some were able to break through his defense and pierce his armor. Dorothea had put in hopes that the needles that Cosmina had stabbed into Tatsumi would kill him, as it would've injected poison into his system. But it was all proven false, the alchemist standing there in disbelief as Tatsumi pushed forward. Together with the Ebony Warrior, they plunged right through Cosmina's body, making her yell in pain once more before she fell to the ground, dead.

It was then it clicked in Dorothea's head. When Honest had put poisoned barbed wire onto the handle, it must've pricked his skin. But her survived it, the evolving of his armor having given him resistance to poison. However, she got this conclusion because there was only one explanation. Tatsumi had fused with his Teigu.

Seeing as this was a bad match-up for her, Dorothea had gone to assist Cosmina. She would've if it weren't for Leone, who had recovered from the stone essence and kicked Dorothea in the back.

Leone: "I'm the one you have to worry about!"

But even that wasn't enough to kill her. Leone had put all of her strength with the intent to kill.

Leone: "Did drinking my blood make you that much stronger?"

Dorothea: "That's my line! You bitch. How are you still alive?"

Leone: "I do a good job playing dead, eh? I learned from the best."

Dorothea: "How can you be so lively after having your blood sucked from you...?"

Leone: "I told you I have confidence in my tenacity, remember? That's what my Teigu's all about. I made up for the blood I lost by eating those herbivores. Right now, I'm a lion!"

Dorothea: (grits teeth) "You're such an animal, through and through..."

Leone: "Hey. Your wrinkles are showing."

The blonde alchemist quickly touched her face. Indeed, she did have wrinkles. Leone then sneered at her.

Leone: "So you're showing your true colors now that you've taken a hit. You're actually pretty old, aren't you?"

Dorothea: "Shut up! You beast!" (writes transmutation circle in ground) "I'll show you!"

Leone: (thoughts) 'Uh-oh!' "Akame, Akira! Now!"

Dorothea: "Yeah, right! Like I'd get distracted by that!"

The alchemist then finished the transmutation circle. Slamming her palm onto the ground, the circle began to illuminate. A dark, and slimy monster had erupted from it, growling in anticipation at the thought of devouring everything. Everyone was either shocked or disgusted by it.

Dorothea then sent it charging forward, Leone having to dodge it multiple times as it kept going for her. She tried to punch the monster, but her attacks did little to affect them, making her efforts effortless basically. She then jumped to avoid it, but it quickly followed after her, one of the mouths latching onto her leg. It then began to surround her, Leone yelping in pain as Dorothea cackled, ordering for the dark monster to consume her.

However, Leone shifted her body weight to head down and charge right at Dorothea, who whipped out a gun to defend herself. Dorothea fired her gun, but the bullets did little damage to the lioness who grabbed her head. In mere seconds, Leone twisted her body, Dorothea coughing up blood as she fell onto the ground, now paralyzed. Wild Hunt lost.

Dorothea: "It... It can't be... This is how I end...? C-Cosmina. What of Cosmina...?"

Leone: "Oh. Looks like Tatsumi just finished up too."

To make sure the singer was truly dead, Tatsumi bisected the modified girl. Dorothea then flipped herself over, trying to crawl her way to her dead comrade.

Dorothea: "My... My dreams... Revenge..."

She then face-planted. Dorothea gained a wide grin whilst her face was facing the dirt. Her plan was to play dead so they could leave. And once they did leave, she would return in a matter of days to enact her vengeance.

However...

Leone: (lifts up giant rock) "Just to be safe, I'll crush her flat. It'll also double as her tombstone."

Dorothea: "H-Hold it! Wait!"

Leone: "Uwah! You're alive!?"

Dorothea: "Killing me would be a loss for all of mankind! I know! I'll join your team!"

Leone: "...Huh?"

Dorothea: "I'm in the middle of some incredible research! Even if it's impossible to attain immortality, if you can just manage to rob energy from others, you can live a whole lot longer! I'm sure that's piqued your interest! Yeah!?"

Leone: (nonchalantly) "Here it comes."

Dorothea: "Eeek! N-Nooo! I don't want to diiiee! There's so much more I have yet to learn! So much more beautiful I want to become!"

Leone: "...None of the people you killed wanted to die either."

Dorothea: "Noo! Stop! Life is too short as it is! Don't you want to live as long as you can--"

Dorothea's voice then went silent, cut off by the sound of something splattering. Leone had thrown the boulder onto her, instantly killing her as Dorothea was reduced to nothing but paste. Wild Hunt had now been officially eliminated.

Leone: "Human life... Certainly is short. That's why... It's fun to figure out how to make the most of it."