Chapter Five – Kill The Beasts
An injured [Name] with bandaging on his ribs was holding on to Kasumi's feet as her scrawny arms held her up. She was upside down; she's never stood on her hands so [Name] was helping. She was wearing her new training garbs during the new exercises. The early morning sun shined through into the small house as frost covered the glass windows. Kasumi then spoke.
Kasumi: I don't see what…
She was grunting as her arms ached and burned.
Kasumi: What this has to do with self-defense!
[Name]: You'll need a lot of agility; you need to learn how to balance just about every part of your body to stay safe.
Kasumi: Mr [Name]! This is stupid. You can defend me, and if I'm by myself I'll have a knife or a gun. If you'll let me have one.
[Name]: No, you barely know how to use your hands and feet in a combative manner. Let alone a knife.
[Name] then let go and she fell lightly into a sitting position. She then began to smile.
Kasumi: Well then how about a sword?
[Name]: No.
Kasumi: Longsword? Staff? Stars? Mace? Guns?!
[Name]: No! Nothing until I feel you have a good grasp of hand to hand combat.
Kasumi pouted and crossed her arms.
Kasumi: But guns are easy. I can handle the recoil and the noise. Trust me, I'll get used to it if you give me one.
[Name] put a hand on his chin and looked up.
[Name]: You know what? I just might do that.
She then jumped up and shouted in excitement.
Kasumi: YES!
[Name]: After you finish the hand to hand combat training. It'll take weeks of training to get you trained properly but as for now I'm off for work.
Kasumi: Wait. I have something to ask.
[Name]: Go ahead.
Kasumi: How did you and Rom meet?
[Name] then looked up at the ceiling and put a hand on his chin. He then began to speak.
[Name]: Well.
The Past
[Name] himself was walking through the busy streets of the capital. [Name] was looking for someone, someone by the name of "Rom". The imperial reports that [Name] stole indicates that he was an ex imperial weapons smith. That was something [Name] really needed right now. Tools, weapons, and a connection to the underworld. This was [Name]'s golden ticket.
Rumor has it that Rom's blades in particular were so fine that if entered in a blade clash, Rom's edges could find the atomized chinks with the other weapon craftsmanship and cutting it in two. He then finally made his way to a rundown bar in which he saw numerous people of a "lower" status. The place reeked of ale, It was stuffy, dim lighting, and it was a tight room.
He entered and sat down at the bar counter next to a handsome man with grey streaks in his hair. The man finished off a few pleasantries with a few women before asking for another drink.
[Name]: Hey there.
Rom: What's up?
[Name]: You're Rom right.
Rom: The one and only.
[Name]: Ex imperial weapons expert turned smuggler.
Rom then quickly rose up in an instant and had a gun to [Name]'s head.
Rom: Sucks for you. Don't know how you know any of that false info. But saying that around here can get you killed.
[Name] stayed calm, as he entire room stayed in its exact same as the music continued to play and the bar tender continued serving like normal. The bar was in such a bad place that scenes like this were a normal occurrence. But [Name] needed this man.
[Name]: Unless there's money on the line.
Rom: Hm? Keep talking.
[Name]: I need a man of your talents. I'll pay you for your services.
[Name] flashed a large wad of currency from his back pocket. Rom's eyes widened with massive shock and then put his firearm way and dusted [Name] off.
Rom: Cool, Sorry about that "misunderstanding".
Present Day
[Name]: And of course I had no money to pay him.
Kasumi: What? How? What happened to the money you showed him?
[Name]: It was fake. I knew he'd fall for it.
Kasumi: Then why did he stay here?
[Name]: Although he made a pretty coin here or there, he didn't have a place to stay. And to this day he keeps on saying that once he gets the money I promised him, he'll leave.
Kasumi: Are you ever going to pay him?
[Name]: More than likely, I'm a man of my word. But right now he smuggles the weapons he makes to the revolutionary army and the money he gets is what we live on. He may seem like a slouch but he can work when there's money on the line.
Rom then came down the stairs yawning and exclaimed.
Rom: Alright [Name] I've heard enough about memory lane, get out there and go earn. I'm still on babysitting duty, so I need you to pick up some supplies on your way back.
Rom threw [Name] a paper ball that had numerous tools. [Name] said goodbye and headed out for work.
Later that Evening
[Name] was on his patrol duty inside of the imperial palace. The orange sky gleamed through the large windows as he patrolled the very beautifully constructed halls. He did this seemingly easy job for hours and hours and was getting paid. At this point [Name] was almost thinking about thanking Seryu and Kurome for this job. But [Name]'s senses picked up on a small patter on the thick rug.
When he rounded the corner to see who was in the hallway, he was nearly petrified. It was General Esdeath was seemed to be just finished musing on an unknown subject. He almost by instinct went right back around the corner. But it was too late, she already began walking in his direction. He'd look like a fool to head back and cower now.
[Name]: General.
He greeted her as she past.
She seemed to be smiling already as is. She replied.
Esdeath: Greetings soldier.
She stated as she continued to sway down the hall. As [Name] had begun to calm, she stopped.
Esdeath: [Name]?
[Name]'s arms went numb as she called out his [Name] from afar. Why would she remember his name, he's just some imperial guard right? It's not like a Jaeger or something. As shocked as he was he still replied.
[Name]: Yes, General?
Esdeath thought, she felt through the ether. She sensed his shock and surprise. She mentally said to herself.
Esdeath: I see that caught his attention.
She then spoke aloud to the Imperial guard.
Esdeath: Are you enjoying your time within the imperial guard occupation?
[Name]: I can't say I'm enjoying it. Though a job is a job. But I do wish there was more to do.
Esdeath: Well your honesty is admirable. However, all you do here is guard for an impending attack from night raid. So far they've been holding back and leaving you with nothing to do. So I have a mission for you.
[Name]: Okay, mission specs?
Esdeath: Simple, there's a large influx a of reptilian danger beasts picking off imperial guards right as you enter the main gates of the capital. I'm sending you out to exterminate them.
She then turned around and walked away but still spoke.
Esdeath: You'd best be off. The sun is setting and the more ferocious ones prowl about at those times.
[Name]: I will leave at once General.
As he turned to leave she then stopped and held her head down and bore a sadistic smile. A smile that [Name] couldn't see and she spoke once more.
Esdeath: Oh and do be careful, the danger beasts I told you about will be extremely venomous.
[Name] then ran off and shouted.
[Name]: Thanks for the reassurance General.
As he ran to leave and off to his potential death he wondered. Why a mission like this? He's a guard, he's not a soldier or a hunter. As he ran down the stairs, out the halls and away from the palace. He knew his wallet depended on this and so did his life. But since [Name] has the freedom to leave the palace, those danger beasts can say hello to the shadow.
Dusk – Outside of the Capitol walls
Numerous guards patrolled the perimeter as black mass smashed to the ground in front the patrolmen. The startled men all pointed their weapons at it as the cloaked figure rose from the ground.
Imperial Patrolman: It's that. .that guy!
[Name]: Lower your weapons. You'll need them for what's about to come.
Imperial Patrolman 4: We're supposed to be getting a Palace sentinel to assist us in the beasts' extermination.
[Name]: Never mind him.
A patrolman felt the ground and shouted.
Patrolman 5: THEY'RE COMING!
In seconds, a large pack of centipede/snake creatures slithered and crawled out of the greenery. All [Name] could hear were clicks and hisses as [Name] brandished his obsidian blade and went to work.
[Name] slashed as numerous bony appendages lashed at him. He cut deep into the hoard of danger beasts, he severed multiple heads and gutted several bodies. Unfortunately, as [Name] fought numerous guards fought and were being eviscerated by the creatures. Their screams filled the air as they were being torn apart and eaten.
One of the more lizard type beasts whacks [Name] with it's barbed tail. It [Name] smashing into a tree with the branches falling over him. He heard sizzling and he looked at his shadow armor. The ab portion was burning with an acid like venom. The lizard's tail dripped with venom. If he didn't wear this armor, [Name] would've been a goner. Even the newer guard outfits were thinner than his current armor. This would've been a death sentence if he went as was.
[Name] looked over as one man had his upper body bitten clean off. As he did that one of the lizard beasts lounged and tried to give [Name] similar treatment. [Name] drove his blade under the chin and up through the brain killing the creature. [Name] butchered the army of insectoid/reptilian danger beasts for some time. Once the fighting stopped the front of the capital was a gore fest. Limbs and green blood lied everywhere.
[Name]: I'm sure that's the last of them.
Imperial Patrolmen: Thank you, thank you so much. I've never seen anyone do what you did like that. Are you apart of General Esdeath's Jaegers? Wild hunt? We've heard so much about you but know so little.
[Name]: No imperial affiliation. Tend to your wounded, and round your fallen. You're safe for now.
A dark horse with glowing red eyes sped with unimaginable speed. [Name] boarded and he departed. From a far Tatsumi, Leone, and Najenda watched.
Leone: That shit was wild.
Najenda: Astonishing. And this is the man who saved Tatsumi and Akame from Zanku?
Tatsumi: Yeah, it has to be. I don't get it. Whose side is he on? He knows we're here but he won't attack us. And he's attacking some of our imperial targets. But he's helping the empire by doing this.
Najenda: Perhaps he's doing what he thinks is best.
Leone: Man, do you know how much better we'd be with this guy on our team?
She sighed and sat down in the edge of the cliff and put her scope down.
Tatsumi: He would be a great addition Leone, but how do we even get his attention?
Najenda: Something tells me he'll be giving us a visit sooner than later.
Night – Imperial Palace Veranda
[Name] had to of course go back into the capital where his current home is. He had to cast the illusion that he didn't live within it. He went home and redressed back into his guard garbs and headed back for the palace.
He did this and found General Esdeath leaning on the railing looking at the luminescent full moon.
[Name]: General Esdeath.
He called.
She looked over and smiled to him.
[Name]: The mission has been completed as tasked. The beasts shouldn't be an issue any longer.
Esdeath: Excellent, I trust you took them out all yourself?
[Name]: No mam. The men deserve just as much credit as I do for this.
Esdeath sighed a tad bit and retorted.
Esdeath: Nonsense, I'm sure they provided you with no real assistance.
[Name]: General, does this mean that you'll assign me on more missions like this.
Esdeath: Well that depends on how you answer this next question. Would you mind if I were to ask you a personal question?
[Name] replied yes. As if he could actually have said no to his superior.
Esdeath: Were you born and raised outside of the capital?
[Name]: I was born outside the walls. However, once I got older my folks moved inside. They had no choice, my clan dispersed after the water supply was poisoned rumor has it by the empire.
Esdeath had a half smile on her face as she looked down.
Esdeath: I see, that is all [Name]. Just know this, from now on. I'll expect nothing but best from you. Tonight, you've proven that you're more than just an imperial sentinel. Also, when you speak to me. Speak as though you would an associate. It's only fair that I get to know the real you.
[Name]: Thank you general.
He said as he quickly left the area.
Later than Night – Esdeath's Personal Quarters
Esdeath was lying on her bed writing into a small booklet. She lied stomach down and legs swinging back and forth with a causal demeanor. As she wrote into her diary, the day's events of losing Tatsumi who escaped, all the way to lamenting about it. She thought as she wrote.
Esdeath: I don't understand why you would run from me Tatsumi. I've been nothing but frugal with my time and energy for you. I've shown you how reasonable and loving I can be and you still ran off. Well, it doesn't mean much now. I know for certain our paths will cross again and when they do I'll make sure we never separate again. And as for [Name], he shows promise. And on a side note he was born outside of the capital. I'll never jump to conclusions, but I already feel that he cannot be trusted. He blatantly lied to me about successfully slaying the beasts. As the messengers confided to me that he was nowhere in sight, for the capital's shadow stood in his place.
Esdeath then began to write as though she were speaking to the shadow himself.
Esdeath: You seem to be quite the enigma. You've also proven very illusive as well. And [Name], you have a certain aura surrounding you that screams of intrigue. How interesting!
She blushed a tint and continued to write.
Esdeath: But [Name] as of tonight, you have caught my attention. Prepare yourself.
She wrote as she then clapped the book shut.