Deep underground, the fat man, the Prime Minister of the Empire, Honest, could be seen running down a secret underground hallway. He had just witnessed everything. The fall of Shikoutazer and the fall of the Empire's Strongest.

Esdeath.

Honest: (huffing and puffing) "I can't believe even General Esdeath would succumb like that. I'll escape here through the hidden passageway." (chuckles evilly) "Nobody can put me on trial."

Coming toward the end of the wall, Honest stopped in front of it. The fat man then put his hand on a false panel, the stone walls beginning to make a grinding noise as they began to shift. However...

This was a wickedness that which even heaven could not punish. It would all be settled in the shadows.

Unknown to the fat man, there was an oozing feeling directed toward him. This feeling leaked of killing intent, a murderous aura that desired to end the man's life. As soon as the false wall opened, Honest heard a rumbling noise above him along with the drowned out sounds of yelling and roars, the fat man dashing down the hallway as fast as he could/

Honest: "Hmm. Sounds like the Rebel Army's soldiers have stormed in. It's too late!" (grits teeth) "But god damn it...! If I just had Shambala, I'd be able to escape easily! But it had to be taken by Night Raid! I should've never left it in the care of an idiot...!"

Not even an inch through the opened false wall, Honest felt the oozing feeling and turned his head around. He soon grunted in pain, coughing up blood as he was jolted forward, someone having kicked him so hard in the back.

The leg that kicked him was that of a lion's. The fat man screamed and cried as skidded and tumbled across the floor, leaving dust behind. He couldn't get up, his muscles having locked in place due to fear, his eyes displaying the same emotion as he gazed up at the figure that attacked him. It was a familiar one.

It was Leone, whose entire body was that of a lion's.

Honest: (shocked) "Wha...!? Y-You...!?"

The blonde only stared at him, anger and fury in her eyes. However, she was internally delighted to see the fat man flat on his back, cowering in fear as he stared up at her.

Honest: "H-How are you still alive!? It can't be!"

Leone: (strokes healed up gun wound) "I never would've guessed I'd fuse with a Danger Beast too. I'm shocked myself."

Honest: (thoughts) 'Shit...! I was in too much of a rush. I didn't even detect her surprise attack. ...Shit! I can't stand!'

Leone: "But thanks to that... I've bought myself a little more time."

Honest: (grits teeth) "Tch! You can go to hell!"

In a last ditch effort, he leaned his upper torso up and turned around, going into his shirt to pull out his revolver. He fired whatever remaining shots he had left, the fat man grinning wildly as he thinks he won the day. Unfortunately for him, his eyes had widen when Leone had caught every single bullet and crushed them like they were nothing, opening her lion hand up and letting the crushed bullets fall to the ground.

The metal bullets let out clinking noises, Honest's revolver clicking as the chambers were empty. He shook in fear, the man's grip on his gun beginning to falter.

Honest: "Wh-What are you...!?"

Leone: (sadistic grin) "...I guess I represent the people you've exploited all this time. You're the last bit of sludge to clean out of the drain."

The blonde lioness (literally) was now standing over the Prime Minister. Raising her arm up, cracking her bones in her hand, she lunged it down. Honest screamed to the top of his lungs, feeling a pain that he's never felt before as Leone had driven her hand through his stomach, the blonde woman beginning to churn and grind her claws inside, ripping his insides apart. He spurted up a good amount of blood from his mouth as he cried a disgusting amount of tears, already adding on to his ugly appearance.

Honest: "Gwah! M-My belly! Wh-What have you done, you asswipe...!?"

Leone: (chuckles whilst grinning) "Ah, yes. You've trained your body to give you a long life, right?"

Before Honest could even respond, Leone grabbed him by the back of the collar on his shirt. He couldn't even move, tears still streaming down his ugly face, the fat man still quivering in fear. In fact, the scared sounds of his made Leone smile in delight, continuing to drag him along as a blood trail was leaving him, giving Honest the full sight of his intestines being dragged out of him.

However, he could only wonder... What did Leone have in store for him? As far as he could tell, it was something he wouldn't be enjoying.

Honest: (thoughts) 'G-Guuh! It's no use... I can't move at all...'

Leone: "You're the root of all evil here, so I've decided to give you the worst possible death."

Honest: (fearfully) "D-Don't tell me you're... No! Anything but that!"

He pleaded. He pleaded for his life, begging for Leone to spare his pitiful life. However, for a moment she had said nothing. The fearful and pleading expression that sat on his face only worsened when Leone only turned her head around, the look of her face displaying a look of pure joy, her cynical looking grin widening by the second.

She was enjoying this. Oh, it was going to be so satisfying.

Leone: "I can't hear you. After all, I'm just a good for nothing. I have no mercy."

Honest: "N-No! It-It can't end here! I've still got so much to live!"

Leone: "Heh. Right, so... Enjoy the rest of your life."

Having proceeded out of the way they were previously, arriving on Honest's private viewing deck, they arrived at the stone railing. By now, Honest was bawling his eyes out, continuing to beg for Leone to spare his life. However, she wasn't having it. The evil needed to end.

And what better way to end it than by throwing him off the balcony, down into the depths below, where a considerable amount of unaware Revolutionary Army soldiers were waiting?

The fat man made a loud splat and thud as soon as he hit the ground. But even that wasn't enough to kill him. Good, is what Leone thought.

Honest was huffing and puffing, thoughts of frustration and vengeance running through his mind, thinking of how he could get back at everyone. But that all stopped when his angered face shifted back to his fearful look, seeing the unaware Revolutionary Army soldiers turn around to gaze at him.

Revolutionary Army Soldier 1: "Th-This is... The Prime Minister!

Revolutionary Army Soldier 2: "It's Prime Minister Honest! He's still alive!"

Revolutionary Army Soldier 3: "He was hiding away from the fight this whole time..."

Revolutionary Army Soldier 4: "Kill him..."

Everyone: "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"

Honest screamed to the top of his lungs once more, everyone beginning to surround, one of them about to pounce on him. However, another soldier yelled to the top of his lungs, causing everyone to halt and look at him.

Revolutionary Army Soldier 5: "He has a massive bounty on his head, and there are plenty of people who want to get even with him. So let's... Enjoy the best of both worlds."

Honest: "N-N-Nooooooooo!"

Seconds later, Honest would find himself strapped to a wooden table in the same place he had fallen in. To prevent him from explaining, the Rebel Army had cut off his limbs, but didn't treat his other wounds. They wanted him to bleed and suffer, wanting him to feel pain, but the pain he was about to feel wouldn't amount up to the pain he had been pushing onto everyone. They also didn't gag his mouth, wanting his screams to echo out in the air, so they can relish in it and allow everyone to hear the dying man's screams.

And one by one, soldiers would form a line. Once they would arrive in front of Honest, they would hold a terrifying expression on their face while holding a knife, each of them cutting a piece off the fat man while Honest would howl and writhe in pain. Some members would grimace as they heard him scream.

Honest: (screaming in pain) "It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! Gwaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Revolutionary Army Soldier 1: "Man... Even after doing all this to him, he still won't die."

Revolutionary Army Soldier 3: "Word has it he had special training."

Revolutionary Army Soldier 2: "All the better. We have to let as many people as possible take a cut out of that bastard."

The Prime Minister, Honest, had an execution that would go down as one of the most gruesome in history. His screams lasted until his life had finally given out.

---

Outside the walls of the Capital, Revolutionary Army soldiers were picking up their dead, putting them on piles on cart after cart. Those carts would then be shipped away so they could be readied for burial.

The Doctor that had Perfector was with Najenda, the transformed Tatsumi, and Akame. Akira was just a feet away, huddled over something. He had insisted he be alone for a bit.

Najenda: (smiles) "Well done, Akame! I knew that once she'd been reduced to rubble, this would be over."

Akame: "I have everyone's sacrifices to thank for that... It wasn't all on my own."

Najenda: "And Tatsumi is safe for the time being too."

Akame: "When I touched him, I knew... Perhaps because his flesh is dragon now. I could feel two life forces within Tatsumi. One was strong, and the other felt like it was on the verge of disappearing--even now, it's weak. So I only severed the one with the stronger life force."

Doctor: (surprised) "You were able to do that?"

Akame: "Killing is the only thing I'm more confident in than anyone. Though I never expected it'd come in handy this way."

Doctor: (thoughts) '...But Tatsumi could have died. She cut him in just the right way. It's no wonder she's the master of that demonic blade... While I couldn't do a single thing for him...' "Even in that form, I'll support him with my Teigu so he can live a decent life. It's the least I can do."

Tatsumi: "I'm just glad... To be alive. Akame. ...Thank you. I'm going home."

The red-eyed girl stared up at him in shock before she shook her head with a smile, wiping some tears away in the process.

Akame: "It's nothing. Anything for a teammate... For a friend."

Najenda: (looks to Akira) "On another note... How is he?"

Doctor: (sigh) "...Physically, he's fine. Just some minor wounds from his fight. But... Mentally, I think he'll be needing some time for that to heal. Over the years while he held that monstrous of a Teigu, he must've suffered many moments of torment from the Lich. It's considered to be one of the most diabolical Danger Beasts to ever live. Those things have been around for a long time. You could most likely expect him to have lingering moments of hallucinations and such."

Najenda: "Treatment wise?"

Doctor: "The only thing I can suggest is that he sticks close to someone he cares much about."

Najenda: "Then I know someone who is perfect for the job." (looks to Akame) "Akame. This may be one of your most difficult jobs yet. Can you do it?"

Akame: "Of course. After all..." (smiles) "I love him."

Najenda: (smirks) "...Good answer."

The ravenette simply nodded, getting up as she got up and began making her way over to the black-haired teen. Akira, on the other hand, was knelt over, a sad look on his face. He gently stroked the fur of his wolf companion, the wolf whining softly as it tried to cuddle up more against it's master. He felt guilty, and in a way, he was. His wolf stayed loyal to him up until the end, refusing to follow him when the Lich had taken over. Akira soothed his dying wolf, knowing that his wolf companion didn't have much left. Fenrir had already lost too much blood due to the battles he endured.

Akira: (softly whispers) "You're alright, old friend. You're alright. I know it hurts... You can rest now. You've done enough."

Fenrir tried lifting up it's head to look at it's master, but Akira simply pats the wolf's head. It let out a soft whine once more, laying it's head down on his thigh. The boy sighed as he drifted his hand over the wolf's face, using his hand to close the wolf's eyes. Carefully, he lifted Fenrir's head off his thigh to lay it down on the ground, Akira standing up as he gazed at the sight around him. Biting his lip and looking down, he clenched his fists.

Even if it wasn't him controlling his body... He still thought that he was the one that did this. He still believed it was fault that the lives of the soldiers of the Rebel Army that could still be here and the already destroyed buildings that have been reduced to nothing but rubble and dust were his doing. His train of thoughts, however, were soon knocked out of him, the blue-eyed teen letting out a small hum as he felt two arms wrap around him, the person doing it leaning their head onto his shoulder.

Akame: "What are you thinking about?"

Akira: "...I can't help but think that... I was the one that did this... That caused more senseless death."

Akame: "Don't say that. It wasn't--"

Akira: "Wasn't me at the controls, essentially? Whether I was in control or not, it doesn't change the fact that those soldiers that would still be alive... They would still be alive if it weren't for me. Their blood is on my hands." (scoffs) "Such a fitting behavior for a monster such as me to act."

She could only frown at his response. Akame looked at him, tracing her finger up and down his arm. The black markings from when he was controlled still remained on his skin, but the horns that were previously on his forehead and the color of his eyes were no longer there. Both of them could tell that the marks left on their bodies were a reminder.

A reminder of the things they've done.

With a determined expression, Akame had her partner face her, the red-eyed girl resting her hands on either side of his face. Akira had put his own hands on her wrists, but he did nothing to wrestle them off. He just planted them there.

Akame: "I've already told you before. It doesn't matter what people think of you. Whether they'll think of you as a monster, devil, demon, anything. It won't change the fact that I will always keep loving you."

Akira: "Akame..."

Akame: "And don't you dare say things like 'I don't deserve you.' I chose to love you, which was my decision alone. No one forced me to do it. I want to live the rest of my entire life with you. I want to live with you and Air as a family... And now we have the chance to do that. So, please... Don't say such things like that."

The blue-eyed teen let out a soft chuckle as he gripped Akame's wrists gently.

Akira: "I really don't deserve you. I really don't."

Akame: (pouts) "Shut up, dummy. I already told you not say things like that."

Akira: "Okay... That's the last time. I promise."

Akame: "Good."

She smiled as she embraced him, locking their lips into a sweet kiss. At a distance, Najenda stared at them, her gaze moving back and forth from them to Tatsumi.

Najenda: (thoughts) 'Even with their Teigus broken... Their bodies still have their markings on it... But... They're alive. I should be happy about that first.'

Looking away from all that, the former Imperial general gazed out onto the orange horizon. The sun was beginning to set, and the night was about to dawn on them.

Today marked the ending of the thousand-year Empire, the corrupt rule of the Prime Minister having crashed down and reduced to nothing. However, tomorrow would start the dawn of a new era. The start of a new peaceful rule so that everyone could live happily. Yes. Everyone was about to feel the dawn of the new era.

---

With the clean-up and hunting of Imperial enemies still underway, Akira was accompanying Akame. The two had ventured deeper into the Capital, heading for the palace as that's where Leone was seen last.

As the two were jogging down the main street, Akame's eyes widen as she spots a familiar blonde lioness trudging down the street. Her appearance was different, not in the usual lionel form. But what caught them off guard was that she didn't seem to be healing, Leone holding her side as she slowly walked down the street.

Akame: "Leone!"

It seemed that the blonde woman was deep in thought. But those thoughts were soon cleared up upon hearing her name being called by Akame, seeing the ravenette run-up to her while panting with Akira soon coming up behind her.

Leone: (weak grin) "Hey. We both fulfilled our quota--one each kill."

Akame: "You're seriously hurt...! I'll go call for the doctor!"

Leone: (slight laugh) "Nah. Don't even bother."

She was about to leave but quickly turned around. Akame looked at her best friend with eyes of disbelief, Akira only furrowing his brow as he realized what Leone had meant.

She was already dead.

Akame: "What are you talking about!? Tatsumi's still alive and undergoing treatment! You can also--"

The raven-haired girl's sentence was cut off when Leone put her lion palm on her cheek. Akame was about to retort before she gasped. Leone pulled Akame into a deep hug, a warm and genuine smile on the blonde woman's face.

Leone: "I'm... Fine."

Akame: (thoughts) 'She's ice-cold...'

Leone: "It's a miracle that I've been able to move as long as I have... It's thanks to the fusing."

Akame: (teary-eyed, still in disbelief) "B-But Tatsumi managed to pull through! You can still...!"

Leone: "So Tatsumi survived... I'm glad. I'm in pretty bad shape... Old habits die hard."

Akame looked down to see where Leone had been clutching her wound. She was still bleeding, but Akame could feel the blood. It wasn't warm.

She was about to respond again before she looked up, Leone giving her usual signature cheeky grin as she pat her best friend's head.

Leone: "Let me die somewhere I love, doing what I love. Best bud."

Hearing those words escape the girl's mouth only furthered Akame's desire to let her tears out. But she kept them in. After smiling down at her best friend, soon moved to Akira and put a hand on his shoulder.

Leone: "Sorry that I won't be at your wedding... I really wanted to be my best bud's Maid of Honor, you know?"

Akira: "H-Huh? W-Wedding...? I don't--"

Leone: "Don't play coy with me, Akira. Don't think I didn't see you purchasing that 'thing' back in Kyoroch."

Akira: "Th-That...! How did you..."

Leone: "Hey, Akame may have been distracted by something else, but don't think I wasn't looking at what you were doing." (confidently smiles) "Don't worry. She'll accept. I know she will."

Akira: (soft smile) "...Thank you, Leone."

Leone: "Hey don't thank me. Just promise me something. Just promise me... You'll take care of her and make her happy. 'Kay?"

Akira: "Don't worry. I will."

Leone: "I know. See ya, you two."

After bidding the two farewell, Leone walked off in the distance. Akame held her tears but soon felt Akira grab her hand comfortingly. This was enough for her to break down, Akame soon engulfed him in a hug as she cried her heart out into his shoulder. Akira said nothing aside from closing his eyes, wrapping his arms around her as he held her tightly.

Meanwhile, with Leone, hours had passed by and she returned to the slums area she was born in. She had walked into a pub and began to drink and have fun with all of her friends. After that, she waved goodbye to them as she covered herself with a decorative shawl, her friends waving goodbye as well. Snow began to fall as Leone trudged down the street, walking aimlessly before she perked up. Stopping by a lamppost, the blonde woman smiled as she gazed at a particular building. The building she was staring at was the recruitment office, the very same place where she first met Tatsumi after he was thrown out of it after getting his application rejected. Those were fun times.

After chuckling to herself, remembering all the fond moments she had with everyone. Everyone with Night Raid, Leone began to sway. She soon collapsed onto the floor, under the lamppost with a smile on her face, her final moments remembering everything that had happened.

She was satisfied. Satisfied how things have ended, knowing that her friends will live on happily. While saddened that she wasn't going to be with them, she was happy knowing that she at least spent the best she could with them.

And that's all she needed.

---

Some days after, many events had transpired. The child Emperor was executed in front of the masses but shed no tears in front of them. At the very least, he held his head up high, keeping his composure up until the end. Suzuka was rumored to still be alive but soon vanished after the end of the war, taking Esdeath's hand along with her. Esdeath could never be brought back to life, but thanks to alchemy, the hand never rotted. She was satisfied with that.

However, somewhere else, the members of Night Raid gathered on a nice little hill, filled with greenery. Atop the hill was a lone pink cherry blossom tree, and under it was Mine, the pink-haired girl sitting in a wheelchair as she was still in a coma. The transformed Tatsumi inched closer to her, now sitting in front of her as he places his monstrous arms in between his legs. The others watched carefully from the back, but also nervously waiting. They feared that Mine would never wake up.

Tatsumi: "Mine... I'm back..."

She made no response. Crouching down and carefully wrapping his arms around her, trying not to crush her to smithereens, Tatsumi put his enlarged face close to her ear.

Tatsumi: "From now on... I'll be with you..."

Even if she were to never wake up, Tatsumi would remain at her side. He was prepared for this. As of now, he was no longer fighting. Seeing the war coming to an end was enough for him to lay down the will to fight. However, he still couldn't shake the fact that all his fighting wasn't enough for her to wake her up. He closed his eyes as he remained still, but he then heard a voice.

???: "Tatsumi...?"

Her familiar voice.

Surprised, Tatsumi moved himself away, his eyes wide. Upon gazing down at her, his eyes began to water, seeing the pink-haired girl stare up at him in confusion. It took Mine a moment to realize that the Tyrant dragon in front of her is the man she fell in love with, gritting her teeth tears began to pool out of her eyes.

And slowly, just bit by bit, Mine began to slowly get up out of her seat. The others simply smiled as they watched their interaction.

Akame: "Thank goodness."

Najenda: "Yeah. Care and time healed her wounds."

Akira: "If anything... I believe it was strength of Mine's feelings toward him." (scoffs in amusement) "Who would've thought that pink prick actually fell in love with the person she made fun of day one."

Akame: (elbows Akira's side) "Don't be rude."

Lubbock: "If anything, I'm still appalled at the fact that she's carrying Tatsumi's child." (mutters) "Tch. Lucky bastard..."

Chelsea: "Aww, why are you upset, Lub? Ticked off at the fact that you're still lonely?~"

Lubbock: "Shut up, Chelsea! You're single too!"

Chelsea: "At least I don't need to make an effort to rope someone in!"

Najenda: (sigh) "How do I deal with you all..." (sweat drops when staring at Tatsumi and Mine) "But still, it's unbelievable..."

Akame: (nonchalantly) "Back when I went to the kitchen in the dead of night for a drink of water, I found them in the den... Mine was doing her best to make him forget all about Esdeath."

Akira: (narrowed eyes) "You didn't... Watch them... Did you?"

Akame: "Of course not, love."

Akira: "Right..."

Najenda: (small chuckle) "In any case, they're both so passionate about each other. It's an ending I can accept."

Tatsumi and Mine retired to a remote region due to the physical and psychological damage they'd sustained in the Revolutionary War. They had a baby and are now living peacefully.

In advance, they also shipped money and resources out to Tatsumi's village, way out in the countryside. Now, they wait for the supposed 'heroes' of the village to return.

---

Days Later...

Up near the God's Hotsprings, Najenda sat down in a room with Wave. Posted up in the lodge up there, while the two were talking, everyone else was up to their own devices. Akira was making the rounds around the lodge, making sure there weren't enemy enemies or hostile Danger Beasts of the sort. Lately, he'd have gotten a little more paranoid, especially since there were lingering voices of the Lich and the many lives he's taken resting in his head. Not only that, there'd be hallucinations every now and then. Other than that, everything was normal.

Chelsea would make the rounds as well, but right now, she was currently relaxing in one of the hot springs, Lubbock behind a rock, tied to it with a gag over his mouth. As usual, he was trying to do his usual antics. As for Akame and Kurome, they were resting in a room together.

Najenda: "I hear you're sick yourself. How are you holding up?"

Wave: "The doctor said I'll need years of treatment. And one of my organs will never function properly again."

As a consequence for using two Teigus at once, Wave had suffered many injuries within his body. But that didn't stop him from taking care of Kurome.

Najenda hummed as she leaned back in her seat.

Najenda: "It'll be tough, but be glad you got off so easily. This is what happens when you engage the forbidden application of two Teigu at the same time."

Wave: "It's not me I'm worried about. I feel bad for Kurome, though. She has nightmares every night..." (grits teeth) "She keeps telling those she's killed how sorry she is, over and over again..."

Najenda: "Probably because she's back in her right mind again. It's thanks to you that Kurome's life has been extended. Please continue to be a source of strength for her."

Wave: "I will...!"

The blue-haired man then fell silent, looking to the side slightly. Najenda rose a brown before she leaned on her elbow, giving him a questioning look.

Najenda: "Something on your mind?"

Wave: "No... It's just... I heard what happened to Akira. ...Is he okay?"

Najenda: (sigh) "More or less. He's a bit unstable when the hallucinations and such kick in, but other than that, he's fine. So the best way to put it is that he's like Kurome, just on the down-low. And essentially, Akame has the role that you're currently doing."

Wave: "I see..."

---

In another room, Kurome was lying down on a bed with Akame. The two held each other close.

Kurome: "Sis... I'm scared. I've been starting to hallucinate... About the people I've killed..."

Akame: "You were suffering so much... And yet, you still sent Wave to the Capital, didn't you?" (smiles lovingly) "It's thanks to that... That most of the people were protected from the flames of the supreme Teigu. Even though you left the Capital, you wasted no time in doing good. You should be proud of yourself."

The older sister moves her hand across the bed and grabs her younger sister's, Akame giving Kurome squeezing it tightly. The black-haired girl was about to respond until she noticed something over her sister's shoulder, sitting at the side of the bed. It was some sort of darkened spirit that was staring at her, haunting her about something. Something along the lines of "You killed us." Kurome grew terrified.

Akame saw this action, realizing that Kurome must be hallucinating at the moment. Letting out a soft smile, she engulfs her sister in a tight and warm hug, Kurome snapping out of her hallucination and soon accepting the hug, leaning into it.

Kurome: "Sis..."

Kurome would spend the rest of her time with Wave, the two living happily together. Aside from that, she would often get frequent visits from Akame and Akira, whenever they could drop by, at least.

---

Roaming the halls of the lodge was the familiar blue-eyed teen himself. His gaze was set to the floor, staring aimlessly at it as he continued to monitor the area around him for hostiles.

As he kept walking, a cold chill had gone down his spine, causing him to halt in his tracks. His eyes were closed, his breath shaky. Akira slowly opened up his eyes, his eyes widening in slight horror as the sight of his eyes show a young, bloodied child. It was one of the children he had killed in the past. An innocent child at that. The bloodied child looked up at him, his face revealing that his left eye was completely gouged out with blood coming out of the socket, slash marks and other cuts on his face. The child then smiled, Akira noticing that the child was missing some teeth.

The blue-eyed teen tried to move, but his legs wouldn't budge. He looked down to see that the child's hands were bloodied as well, the child having a tight grip on his ankles, preventing him from moving. Akira grunted some more as he tried to move, but he soon felt another chill go down his spine, causing him to halt his breath. This time, however, it was the Lich, only this time his appearance was more disfigured than the first time he'd seen him. The Lich's mouth moved, the creature saying something as he held a wicked grin. But it wasn't audible to the former reaper. Even still, it shook him to the core, Akira feeling terrified slightly as his breathing began to accelerate, his heart rate beating faster.

Akame: "Akira?"

The blue-eyed teen shook his head, his breathing returning to normal. His eyes readjusted as he looked up. Akira's eyes meet the red-colored orbs of Akame, the raven-haired girl giving him a look of concern. She reached up and touched his face, making him flinch slightly but he soon relaxed.

With a sigh, he shook his head.

Akira: "It's nothing."

Akame: "Are you sure? You looked... Scared. Terrified, even."

Akira: "I can assure you. It's nothing."

She didn't believe a word he said. With a small pout, Akame grabbed both sides of his face, bringing his down to her level.

Akame: "I've told you many times before. You don't have to carry the burden alone or anything like that. You can talk to me."

He let out another sigh. The only person he could really soften up to and let his guard down was her. Akira had briefly closed his eyes before he opened them up again, staring into those red orbs of hers as they had a loving gaze of them. He could get lost in them for hours.

Akira: "It's just... You already know..."

Akame: "More hallucinations... How bad were they?"

Akira: "...It showed me an innocent child. An innocent child that I murdered for no reason... I..."

The ravenette put a finger to his lips to silence him. Embracing him, Akame wrapping her arms around his torso as Akira sighed in content, doing the same as he rested his chin on her head, the two swayed a bit, just enjoying each other's company. Normally, Akira would expect to hear any sort of voice, telling him to hurry and die, or join them in the Underworld already. But all that would disappear whenever she was here. He was truly grateful to her.

As the two stood there for a bit, they heard someone clear their throat. Turning to face the voice, they find it was Najenda, who's arms were crossed as she was shyly looking away.

Najenda: "Apologies for interrupting your moment, but there's still some urgent business to talk about. I'll meet you two outside."

Akira: "Y-Yeah."

Akame: "O-Of course."

---

The two then met with Najenda outside the lodge, walking along a path in the bamboo forest. With their Teigus destroyed, both Akame and Akira were issued new weapons, Akame having a katana clipped to her hip with a shortsword on Akira's back. Whatever shards were left of Gin's blade were used to forge the weapon of his.

Najenda: "How are you two doing?"

Akira: "Aside from the voices in my head and the hallucinations, doing just fine, boss."

Najenda: "I see. And you, Akame? The doctor says you're..."

Akame: "It's the curse... My entire body aches, but I've learned to deal with it. I can do my job now."

The silver-haired general gasped a bit before she furrowed her brow. With a small sigh, she turned to the two with a slight curious expression.

Najenda: "You knew?"

Akame: "Kurome, Tatsumi, and the others are healing from their wounds and living peacefully."

Akira: "And I can tell you're pretty much leaving some diplomatic work for Lubbock and Chelsea to do. Well, aside from just bodyguard work here."

Akame: "Yes. We have to do this to protect their new lives." (clenches tightly on katana) "And until the turbulent period that comes with any regime change ends... We'll fight."

Najenda: (nodding) "I'm sorry. You two are the only ones who still live in the shadows of the battlefield."

Akira: "As far as I'm concerned, it's been our whole life."

Akame: "It's what we live for."

Najenda: "Me too... The time I have left will be dedicated to the new nation."

Staying true to her word, Najenda continued to fight for the new country until the bitter end. Of course, Lubbock stayed by her side, the two eventually being together.

In the end, a new nation was born. Many skilled individuals that were disturbed by the Empire's corruption had left the rule of the Emperor and Prime Minister, joining up with the Revolutionary Army. Many of them survived and offered their services to the new nation, supporting the country without having to dirty their hands. Even the less-savory civil servants had devoted themselves to the cause.

The rebellion of the Path of Peace against the country that was oppressing the people eventually settled down. A number of strict laws that were a part of the era of the corrupt Empire were abolished, and new ones were put in place so the people could relax and enjoy their work. The snowstorm that Esdeath caused was written off as just a natural freak cold spell, which disappeared instantly, causing only limited damage to crops. Leading figures in the local government who displayed greedy ambitions and unsettling behavior were dealt in such a way that it had seemed they succumbed to some deadly disease in their sleep. Or had a fatal accident while hunting. The tribes to the North and South had already been completely destroyed during the Empire's reign, diplomatic relations soon formed between them and the tribes to the West to form alliances. The people of the West had already experienced Esdeath's power firsthand, so they didn't entertain any other alternative.

What was left of Esdeath's army, they were all exhausted. Upon hearing the death of their general, they disbanded. Half of them were transferred to the border guard.

Besides the Prime Minister, other traitorous individuals were flushed out to keep any seeds of disaster from seeping out. The management of the new nation was stable, and the world moved away from the dark ages when human life wasn't valued, and into a new era of peace.

---

Walking along the streets of the new Capital, hand-in-hand, was the familiar black-haired couple. They were on their way to the orphanage, Najenda having given them information that Air was put there once the war was over.

Along the way, however, Akira would notice that Akame would clench her stomach every now and then. In fact, he had noticed that it grew larger than it normally was. The boy then looked to her face, seeing Akame looking a bit queasy. He soon stopped, making Akame look at Akira with confusion.

Akame: "I-Is everything all right?"

Akira: "I should be asking you that. You've been looking sick lately."

Akame: "R-Really?"

Akira: "Mm-hm. You know, if you're not up for it, I can take you back home and--"

Akame: "N-No! I want to do this. Let's get her together."

Akira: "...Okay. Just... Take it easy, all right?"

Akame nodded, the two carrying on their way down to the orphanage. As they walked, Akame put a hand on her belly again. She had already confided about her conditions with Chelsea and Najenda, saying she had been feeling sick and had been puking lately.

Yes, there was no doubt about it.

The two would soon arrive at the orphanage. Asking the worker there, Air would soon come running out of two doors, a look of pure joy on her face.

Air: "Mama! Papa!"

The two smiled, Akira getting down on one knee as he opened up his arms. Air had jumped, leaping into his arms as she held her father with a tight embrace. Akira mirrored the action, sighing happily as he held Air close.

Akira: "Hey, sweet pea. We're here to take you home now."

The pink-haired girl couldn't utter any words, only happiness filled within her. Akame stared at the two with a warm smile. However, within her mind, she was conflicted. She wondered when to tell him. She wasn't sure what he was going to think or say.

She was soon knocked out of her thoughts when Akira called out to her.

Akira: "Akame, you okay? You've been spaced out for quite a bit."

Akame: "E-Eh?"

The red-eyed girl could see that they were looking at her with concern. Taking a deep breath, Akame walked up to Akira with confidence, only adding confusion to his face.

Akame: "Akira, I have something to tell you."

Akira: (nervously) "O-Okay...?"

Air: "Mama... Are you breaking up with Papa?"

Akame: "No, nothing like that, sweetie. Do... Do you... Do you remember that one night? When we... You know."

Akira: "That one night...? Uh, yeah. I do. Why?"

Akame: "The... The answer should be obvious enough. I... I think I'm pregnant."

He was at a loss for words as he stood still. It was quiet. Too quiet.

Akame looked down, thinking he was angry or disappointed, or some kind of emotion that wasn't happiness. However, her thoughts were proven wrong when she felt her partner wrap his arms around him. She could hear small sniffles coming from him, Akira crying tears of joy as he continued to embrace Akame tightly. This wasn't the expression she was expecting, but it was the one she was hoping for.

Smiling herself, Akame leaned into the embrace as well, happiness beginning to well up within her. The two would look to Air, who was bouncing up and down with happiness as well.

Air: "Am... Am I going to be a big sister!?"

Akira: (chuckles) "Yeah. It seems like it."

The pink-haired girl shouted with glee. However, Akira's expression of happiness soon turned to seriousness.

Akira: "In that case, Akame. I have something to tell you as well."

Akame: "Y-Yes?"

Akira balled up his hands, taking multiple deep breaths. He soon got on one knee, digging into his pocket for something as Akame seemed to have gotten the message, her eyes beginning to water as she covered her mouth with her hands.

Akira: "Akame... We've been through so much together. From the days of our childhood in Rousei Village to up until now... You've always been there, by my side. You were the one that saved me, brought me out of the darkness when I lost my path. There's nothing I can do to thank you for all of that. Even then, I have to ask you this question..."

Finally getting the item from his pocket, Akame gasped when she saw her lover open the small black box in his hands. The contents of the box were revealed to be a gold ring, a diamond gemstone sitting on the top.

Akira: "Akame, my love... Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife, and making me the happiest man alive?"

He should've known the answer. By the time he finished his question, Akame had already lunged forward and connected their lips in a sweet and passionate kiss. It was like fireworks, the kiss being a whole different level of bliss than they've ever felt before.

Happiness was the only thing they felt. A happy ending was all they hoped for.

...Unfortunately for them, tragedy would occur.

---

Months Later...

Akira's hair had covered his eyes, the black-haired man keeping an emotionless expression. He held onto the wooden handles of the wheelchair that was in front of him, the wheelchair sitting his wife. Akame only wept as she buried her face into her hands, Air clutching onto her adoptive mother's arm as she kept her gaze to the ground. Tears were already streaming down her face.

Akira: "Thank you for your time... And... For doing all you could. But for now... Could you please give me and my family time to mourn?"

Doctor: "Of course." (shaky breath) "I'll... I'll leave you three be."

The doctor turned around in the other direction, walking away. Once he was gone, Akame's quiet weeping devolved into bloodcurdling cries, Air soon cuddling up to her mother as she tried to comfort her. Akira continued to hold onto the wooden handles of the wheelchair, soon gritting his teeth as he clenched down harder on them. An audible snap was soon heard as the handles began to crack and break.

They had lost their first child, Akame having a miscarriage. The cause... The cause was Murasame's curse.