The morning sun of the next day had now arisen. Akame groaned, rising up from her bed as she rubbed her eyes, looking out the window. The bright sun slowly rose, the warmth of the sun's rays gracing her porcelain-colored skin.

She would soon descend her form down to the bed, noticing she was still in the nude due to the activity she had done with her partner last night. Speaking of her partner, he was peacefully sleeping. Throughout the night, after the afterglow of their passionate interaction, he did not once wake up to a nightmare, or any other sort of hallucination. For once, he was able to sleep peacefully. Akame smiled as she lowered herself, tracing her fingers along his chest, which caused him to wake up.

He groggily looked at her, yawning a bit before he smiled at her. She looked beautiful to him, Akira reached a hand up to her to brush some of her hair out of the way of her face.

Akira: "Good morning."

Akame: "Good morning, love."

Akira: "What are you smiling about?"

She sighed contently while she drew herself closer, one of her arms going over his torso as it wrapped around him. Akame laid her head onto his chest whilst Akira kissed the top of her head. She enjoyed the affection he gave, always willing to give the same amount to him, if not more. She let out another content sigh.

Akame: "I was just thinking... If our mornings could be like this every day when we wake up. It's like I can truly relax without having to worry about anything."

Akira: "What kind of things?"

Akame: "Everything... The war... The Minister... The corruption... Esdeath. I wish our circumstances were different. I just want to lie down in bed... Here with you." (sigh) "Must we really get up?"

Akira: "Unfortunately, it is eventually something we will have to do. The final battle fast approaches."

Akame: "I suppose... It's still the early morning."

Akira: "And?"

Akame: "I wonder how we can spend it. We're still in bed right here, and..."

Her voice trailed off, lifting her head up to give the teen below her a seductive grin. The boy chuckled as he brought her closer to him, Akame soon climbing on top of him and then capturing his lips again.

The two once again enjoyed another passionate session, spending whatever time they had left before they headed off for the battle. After all, this may be the last time they may have such a moment together before the war ends... Perhaps even after the war.

---

Imperial Capital, Capital Parade Grounds

Two Revolutionary Army spies could be seen hiding in an area that blocked their way into the arena. Their faces were ones of shock and fear, clearly in disbelief at what was forming.

Spy 1: "I can't believe it. The Empire still has this much power!"

Below in the parade ground, the Emperor and Minister with Esdeath. The fat man held a satisfied grin, the child Emperor simply being amazed. Honest hoped that this army of artificial ice cavalry soldiers would be the defying factor that would end the Rebel Army.

Spy 2: "Ice soldiers... Can the average soldier even hold his own against these things?"

???: "They're called the ice cavalry."

The rebel spies' eyes had widened, turning around and unsheathing their knives from their holsters. However, they weren't quick enough, their assailant grabbing them and slamming them down to the ground. It was Suzuka, the Rakshasa Demon using a considerable amount of strength into it as shown by the crater underneath them. But they were still alive.

Suzuka: "It's the ace up General Esdeath's sleeve. She can create an army ten thousand strong all by herself." (licks lips) "Incredible... She can refine the simple ability of ice manipulation into this." (thoughts) 'I was born to meet you. I can say that with the utmost confidence.'

The woman began to let drool out of her mouth, Suzuka sporting a blush on her face as she held herself. Her masochistic and sadist side was showing as she wished for Esdeath to give her the most painful, but pleasurable to her, punishment that she could offer. Suzuka turned her head around slightly with a grin on her face as the two spies bolted for the exit. Suzuka had received orders from Honest, knowing that there would be some rebel spies roaming about to gather intel, which were to spare any of them. They always suspected that the Empire would have an ace up their sleeve, so they wanted the secret to spread more.

Honest clapped his hands in amusement, looking towards the icy general.

Honest: "Splendid. Just splendid! If we're ever short on soldiers, you can simply whip up a few out of nothing. It's phenomenal. Our enemy is probably shaking in their boots already."

Esdeath: "It's because my unit has been held up in the West. With these... It's sure to be an interesting fight."

The Prime Minister chortled with a laugh, now beginning to speak with the Emperor. Esdeath took her gaze off the two and then looked down at her ice cavalry. Her mind instantly went to her personal squad, the Jaegers.

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'Wave and Kurome died because they were weak. It's a shame, but it couldn't be helped.'

A vision of them would appear in her mind. The smiling faces of Wave, Run, and Kurome. Bols held onto some pots and other cooking utensils as he smiled under his mask. Stylish dismissing everything, but held his own grin, knowing he himself was in a quote-on-quote, "Stylish group." And Seryu would be chasing after Koro, who would no doubt be causing trouble for them.

But just thinking about them, Esdeath couldn't help but crack a small smile upon thinking of the fond memories.

Esdeath: (thoughts) 'The six of them were a fun bunch. We had some good times together.'

She soon opened her eyes and grabbed the ends of her uniform before she lifted them up slightly. The wind that blew into the arena soon made them flap with them, almost like she was presenting herself.

Esdeath: "I'll make tomorrow's bloodbath a tribute to my departed subordinates! Ah, yes! I just can't want to get on the battlefield!"

Honest: "What do you think, Your Highness? As long as we have General Esdeath, the Empire will not lose."

Emperor: "I feel positively reassured!" (soon frowns) "But this enemy managed to defeat the Great General. No matter how peerless Esdeath may be..."

Honest: (disgustingly crying) "Ooh, Your Highness. You know just what to say. You truly are a wise ruler...!" (kneels in front of him) "Your Majesty. Please do us a favor of using the supreme Teigus."

Emperor: (gasp) "You mean to finally put it into action?"

Honest: (wide grin) "Yes. A famous alchemist added revisions to one of them and upgraded it to a far superior weapon. For the other one, however, you will have to gain the favor of your ancestors to use it."

The Emperor gulped. It was a huge burden that he had been placed upon. Seeing the expression he had, Honest responded with his usual carefree grin.

Honest: "You'll be fine, Your Highness. I'll be with you."

Emperor: "O-Okay... If you please, Minister!"

Honest: (thoughts) 'Come at me, you rebel scum. We will make this the greatest massacre history has ever seen.'

---

Everyone in Night Raid were gearing up. Grabbing their respective Teigus and weapons, they all gathered in the meeting room. This would be their last and final meeting in this room.

Najenda: "In just a few hours, we'll begin our unified attack on the Capital. With the emergence of the ice cavalry, we're changing up our strategy battle a little. So listen up."

They all nodded as they looked at her attentively.

Leone: "Ice cavalry, huh... Now Esdeath can fight an entire war all by herself."

Najenda: "Leaving her to run wild is more problematic. Akame, Akira, and Leone will stick with the original plan--storming the palace. I'll join the united attack and relay orders to the Teigu unit. Tatsumi, you're with me."

Tatsumi: "So I'm being sent into the open."

Najenda: "Esdeath will begin applying more pressure than anticipated. If she charges us, we won't be able to stop her without you."

Akira: "Then wouldn't you want me out in the open as well?"

Najenda: "While it would be helpful, it'll be more helpful if you were to head into the palace and efficiently take out the targets there. Your speed and precision is about on par as Akame's."

Akira: (sigh) "Understood."

Najenda: "I know it'll make things tougher for you three, but..."

Akame: (smiles) "We've all got it tough. We'll be fine."

Leone: "Hearing my close friend say that makes me want to try all the more harder."

Lubbock: (raises eyebrow) "And? What about me and Chelsea?"

Najenda: "You two will also be out on the field as well, but trying to whittle down some of the more weaker forces."

Lubbock: "Sounds good to me."

Chelsea: (sigh) "Kinda wish I'd get to do something more. Oh, well."

Despite the complaints and confirmations from the members, Najenda could see it. She stared into the eyes of her comrades, seeing the complete resolution to see this war to the end. To finally end it once and for all to usher in a new era of peace for everyone.

With her powerful, announcing, and booming voice, she readjusted her coat and slammed her hand onto the table, displaying the pictures of their targets.

Najenda: "Okay! Now, let's review Night Raid's final targets!"

The first picture was of Prime Minister Honest. The root of all evil and the cause of the people's suffering due to his unsatiable thirst for power and more. Then came the second picture, which displayed Esdeath, the Empire's Strongest. She was a woman who loved war and bloodshed more than anything. So once the war was over and she still lived, she could easily plant seeds of unrest to start another. And if that does happen, their efforts in ending the current war would've been all for nothing.

A person like her could not exist in a time of peace.

The third picture showed a well-dressed noble, who went by the name of Koukei. He's a military officer that works for the Minister, selling munitions on the black market to fatten and expand his own wallet. Not only that, he also worked with Honest to slander and put false charges on Imperial generals that defied them, those Imperial generals could have been important leaders when they made the assault. The fourth picture displayed of another well-dressed man. He had slick black hair and glasses.

This particular man was someone Akame and Akira had a bone to pick with. This man, Saikyuu, assists the Minister, taking part in criminal activities and is a very capable, albeit, wicked man. But the reasoning why Akame and Akira had grudges against him in the first place was that he was one of the few men that proposed the assassination squad in the first place, aside from Gozuki and Bill. It was also his idea to send the assassination squads to put down any seeds of dissent. Groups like the Sabitini group, a group Akame and Akira have grown to recognize as another family before they slaughtered them because of their orders. Next person on the list was a crazed old man, going by the name of Youkan. He was basically a bottom feeder who kisses up to the Minister. Unlike Saikyuu, who is a genius and a smart fellow, Youkan was a fool. However, he was a man that's able to amuse the Minister by putting up sick and sadistic games. Such as, guessing the gender of an unborn child by cutting open the belly of the mother, doing this while they're still alive.

And finally, the sixth and last target, Dousen. Dousen made the list due to making the people suffer because of extortion, getting great sums of money from all the different regions. And to rise up in the world or to save his skin, he results to bribery.

Leone grinned while punching her fist into her palm.

Leone: (chuckles) "Down to the big names. Suits a final battle. I'm itching to get at them."

Najenda: "There's a chance our targets possess Teigu. Even if you capture them, they may get away. So there's no need to capture them alive. Once you find them, waste no time killing them."

Akira: "Understood."

Najenda: "Even if you can't publicly execute them, you can leave the corpse for all to see."

Akame: (nods) "That's what we excel at. Leave it to us."

Najenda: "Even if the castle falls to the enemy, these guys will do anything to save their skins. There's no telling to what lengths they'll go to escape."

Leone: "We'll save ourselves the trouble and wipe them out while they're still in the palace."

Najenda: "If you can. Either way, you three focus on assassinating the targets. They must be brought to justice if the anger of the persecuted masses is ever going to abate. If they get away, consider it a loss."

Akira: "You got it, boss. We'll make sure they don't leave the palace alive."

The silver-haired general nodded in an appreciative manner. Akira and Akame then look to the brown-haired teen.

Akame: "Tatsumi. Once I've put the five people in the palace to rest in pieces, I swear I'll return to defeat Esdeath."

Akira: "And she's not going alone on that front."

Tatsumi: (nods while grinning) "Right! I'll do the most that I can do!"

Najenda: "The ice cavalry threw us off, but there are only three Jaegers now. We'll manage until either of you get back."

Akame: (thoughts) 'Esdeath... No matter how many new tactics you employ, as long as you're still alive, I swear I will defeat you. I'll show you. I can't let Tatsumi die... Nor can I let Akira... So it's down to me...!' "The final targets will be laid to rest in pieces by Night Raid!"

With determined nods from everyone, resolve for the final fight now ready, Najenda began to lead them out the door. Once they stepped outside, Akira stopped, letting go of Akame's hand, which caused her to look at him.

Akame: "Akira?"

The others soon stopped as well. They all turned around to look at the boy, who was staring off at the base. He kept a stern look before it shifted to a small smile, letting out a small laugh in the process as he looked at everyone else.

Akira: "Just... Something I want to get off my chest." (deep breath) "I... I remember when I first woke up. I was next to a beach, right next to a forest. And hanging from my neck was a necklace that had a raven skull on it."

The red-eyed girl looked down, her hand hovered under the accessory that he mentioned. She always wore it since that night, and after trying to give it back to him, he told her to keep it. Since then, Akame had always worn it as one of her treasured items and rarely ever took it off.

Akira: "Since then... I had been alone from the start. I never knew my parents, so I never knew why I was abandoned. I never knew whether they loved me or not. Then the Empire picked me up, and I was subjected to do whatever they ordered me to do, already helping to cause even more civil unrest. So much had been taken from me during my time then. Comrades... Friends... Family..."

That place was the beginning of it all. He remembered the bright smile on her face, her bright blue eyes, and her beautiful blonde hair. That was Cornelia, her kind and gentle attitude would have made you believe that she wasn't an assassin at all. Then the dumb, shit-eating grin on the buff brown-haired teen, his perverted attitude showing no bounds. Guy, an annoying idiot that had to be put in his place most of the time, but was someone you could count on. Next was his golden-yellow eyes, always having that look that would always look down on others, his distinct blonde spiky hair and his serious attitude. Najasho, the group's No. 1 and leader, seemingly did not care for others, but deep down, he cared for them in his own way.

Akira then remembered her dirty blonde hair, always put into a long ponytail. And her cyan eyes that would always light up whenever she was around him. That was Gin, someone who always tried to prove herself and tried to be the one for him... She was also one of those he cherished most. Then came a certain green-haired spectacled teen, a weird grin on his face as he kept weird thoughts to himself. That was Green, the tactical person of the group who was quite possibly a closet pervert... He probably was. Then came the bright smile of an auburn-haired girl with lime green eyes, always being an idiot and saying something stupid. Poney, the biggest idiot out of them. But she was a lovable little sister to them. Then the boy who wasn't the strongest, nor was he the weakest. That was Natala, the one person who was friendly to everyone and was levelheaded. And lastly, the girl that looked like her partner, with black hair and black eyes. What was there to say about Kurome, aside from the fact that she was just like Akame.

He then opened his eyes, giving the Night Raid members an appreciative smile, something they were surprised with.

More memories began to fill his mind. The gentle and airheaded girl of the group, Sheele, always willing to look after Fenrir whenever he went out on a mission and didn't bring him along. And then came the buff man of the group, well-versed with almost any type of weapon. However, Akira always felt weird vibes from him. Bulat, the older brother figure for everyone there. While he never acknowledged it in front of everyone, Akira had always appreciated everything he's done. Then he remembered the annoying and snobby tone of Mine. While she wasn't dead, she wouldn't be with them for the final battle, which made it all the more reason for them to fight and win.

And lastly, the humanoid Teigu, Susanoo. They got off the wrong foot at first, arguing who would be cooking and such. But at the same time, he enjoyed their little scuffles with the humanoid Teigu when it came to the topic of cooking. It gave him the drive to keep improving his skills in the culinary arts... Even if it did look stupid in the eyes of other people.

Akira: "And then I met you all, albeit I came off a bit rude and may have tried to kill some of you."

Chelsea: (scoffs playfully) "I'll say."

Tatsumi: "Heh. You sure were."

Akira: "Shut up." (sigh) "Look, my point is... You all are really the only family I've ever had. I know I don't say a lot of things, but... Thank you... For being the family I've never had."

Apart from the Elite Seven, Night Raid was the only family he's ever had. For most of his entire life, Akira had spent it alone, wandering and drifting from village to village, each and every one of them he was often being kicked out for stealing and other thievery-like schemes. It wasn't until he was picked up by the Empire, an orphan grown up to be an assassin.

With a grin, Najenda faced the front.

Najenda: "Save such words until after the war's been won. And if you really want to thank us, how about you cook us another banquet for when we set off on our trip? Then, it'll be our actual celebration as a family."

His eyes lit up with happiness, even if they were just small hints. He soon bowed with a smile, Najenda taking note of it before she ordered the rest of them to continue on. With what they had planned next, they were all looking forward to it. 

As they continued onward, Akame grabbed his hand, making him look at her.

Akame: "That was quite the speech you gave."

Akira: (scratches cheek in slight embarrassment) "I-It was nothing special. Those words were simply the truth. That's all."

She giggled in amusement, soon hugging him. It never caught him by surprise, Akira hugging her back as well as Akame sighed contently in his ear.

Akame: "Akira... Promise me we'll stay together. Nothing should ever separate us... Okay?"

Akira: "Yeah... I promise."

That was a promise he had to keep. No matter what. They all looked back at their base one last time, then turning around as they headed off for the Imperial front.

The final battle was about to commence. They had to win. They had to. Everything had been building up to this moment. The number of hardships and obstacles they endured to get here. This battle will be a fierce one, but it's something that they'll be able to handle. Night Raid had survived worse battles before. 

But they're drive to win this final battle was not only to usher in a new empire and a new era of peace. But to also avenge those that have lost their lives along the way, those that fought in order to see this hard-fought goal turn into a reality. To make sure their comrade's sacrifices were never in vain.

Yes. They had to win this battle, no matter what.