Chapter 21 – Center of the Minds Eye
Leon felt his muscles and brain ache. He felt the energy that felt as though he was falling from space was constantly churning in his gut. This is what some would call one of the chakra's or chi.Leon had even though to call it magic, but he realized it took a great usage and compacity of the chi to utilize the energy around them to create what some would call magic. The emperor had to be a genius in order to be able to permeate weapons with said energy. But Leon sat while the beast's blue energy gleamed through his scaly skin and massive blue eyes.
The creature had an extremely vast knowledge of offensive and defensive manoeuvres, all of which were based on different aspects of reality. He can use power from the etheric plane where the power of the imperial arms and magic comes from. However, he's only used his mind to learn these techniques through an extremely strenuous form of meditation.
Beast: Well, how do you feel?
Leon: Not good, feels like I went through a body exercise rep that lasted for a year. What'd this do?
Beast: It allowed you to bathe your etheric body in the energies necessary to familiarize your body with it, so it's easier for your physical body to use. Now you can enter a mode in which it amplifies your abilities by a considerable amount by granting you more access to that energy.
Leon: I do have a few techniques that I did teach myself while I was there. And so if I transform into this "mode", then I get my abilities amplified?
Beast: I just said that. It opens you entirely to the ether that imperial arms draw their power from. It's a boundless source of energy that helps mediates the flow of time, space, and nature itself. Even all of the most powerful imperial arms combined draws less than a few percentages from the power that governs the laws of existence. That reminds me.
Leon then immediately felt a very sharp, yet cold pain drill into the back of his neck underneath his hairline. He felt and felt and his heart raced.
Leon: What did you do to me?!
A glowing blue circular logo of sorts had formed its way onto the back of Leon's neck.
Beast: It's an Etheric Energy Seal. It caps your access to the etheric plain by a significant margin.
Leon: WHY! ALL THAT POWER I CA-
Beast: Don't be a fool!
He said as his voice echoed throughout the area. It was clear he was becoming rather irritated with Leon's lack of understanding.
Beast: While you are strong. You're still a human, and no human could manage so much power. Using two imperial arms alone could kill a user while not even using the full power. You have the abilities of several, so in one slip you could easily use too much power and kill yourself instantly. This is a cap for you. Once you feel the mark pressuring you, it's a sign you're using far too much power.
Leon: Fine. I guess I'll be on my way then.
He said with a sigh of annoyance and capitulation.
Beast: Just don't stay gone too long. Every day of training counts.
Leon: Yeah, yeah. Also, before I go I want more answers about all of this. Why are you this way?
Beast: One thousand years ago I was an accomplished warrior. During that time there was a massive war, that war destroyed a thing called the Tree of Infinite Life. That tree was a conduit in which etheric energy flowed and allowed magic use even by random citizens with no knowledge. So I had to use my prior knowledge of magic to infuse myself with its power to preserve it before it's destruction. My human body could never hope to hold anywhere near enough power to save ample amounts of it to still keep it usable for the corporeal plane. So with an all or nothing gambit in my hands, I exchanged body with a danger beast as risky as that was and I syphoned as much energy as I could obtain with even the limits of this body being stretched.
Leon: Cool.
Beast: Not "cool". I died not long after as a result of so much built up energy in my corporeal body. My body died, but "I" still remained.
Leon: So, you're a ghost?
Beast: More or less. I fused with enough energy to keep me on this plane of existence since I am a part of it. Though as a result, a lot of that energy stayed and died with my body, and the energy was all released back out and lost into the astral realm which is to an extent nigh unreachable without a spiritual conduit, like me. And for a few minutes, you had access too, before I sealed you off.
Leon: I kind of get a better idea of things now.
Beast: So to put things into perspective, the only reason any Shingu or imperial arms is still usable is because of-
Leon: You still being trapped here on this plane of existence! And you're the spiritual link to that etheric realm where they get that power.
Leon grabbed his head in utter perplexion and sudden comprehension.
Leon: So, I'm going to go to town and eat something before I die of starvation. The nearest city is?
Beast: Kyoroch.
Evening – Kyoroch City
The city was in constant motion. People of all genders, ages, and sizes were walking and bustling amongst themselves as Leon traversed the populated streets. His hunger rose as he looked for a suitable place to eat, he did see a bakery but they only baked sweets.
He remembered how on one occasion Kasumi tried to bake something and almost destroyed the entire kitchen while he was at work. It brought a sliver of gloom to him to even think about her as he had absolutely no knowledge of where she is now or if she's even okay. Leon longed to see her again and to try to live in some semblance of peace. After Esdeath had invested romantic interest in Leon his life had begun to crumble around him.
He was taken away from his new family, brought along on perilous missions, and caused an imperial guard to hate Leon enough to make him kill his friend and destroy his home. He's somewhat free in some regard as he really had nowhere to be, no home, and no food. As he lamented, his hunger rose. Though he'd soon realize that he was being followed. "Great", Leon thought as he stepped with even greater strides and before he knew it found himself in an alley which he sought out on purpose. The figure was cloaked from what Leon saw in his peripheral vision.
Leon: If your aim is to kill me, you'd have to be far more discrete than that.
He turned and brandished his blade and was met with shock instead of being met with the adrenaline of a fight. It was the one and only Akame.
Leon: Hey Akame. Don't tell me you followed me here since I left.
He said with a small smile.
Akame: No, I didn't, I was heading to our Kyoroch headquarters when I spotted you.
Leon: What brings you guys out here? Are you guys going to topple another government like that other empire?
Akame: More like a religious faction that has a lot of political pull for all of the wrong reasons.
Leon: Great.
He said with a tired form of sarcasm. Akame could tell that while Leon is proficient at killing, the life of an assassin is something Leon hates. She continued.
Akame: I should be asking you the same thing. Did you find what you were looking for?
[Name]: You could say I did. Though it was nothing at all what I expected. But more importantly I haven't eaten for some time and that is a massive problem.
Evening – Hidden Nightraid Fortress
[Name] followed Akame to their hidden fortress. The place was lavish as every other Nightraid fortress was. Tatsumi and the other members welcomed him with open arms and allowed him to stay for dinner. After around an hour of conversing with various Nightraid members, they all sat together at the table like a family would and waited to be served. [Name] had the honour of sitting next to Akame as Susanoo had unveiled his dishes.
Every one of the Nightraid members was treated to their favourite dishes and Susanoo revealed them all with great charisma, to the glee of the team. And finally, when it came to [Name] his heart and stomach sank.
Susanoo: And as for [Name]. I had no idea you'd be arriving so you're just out of luck for the time being.
[Name] facepalmed and exclaimed with copious amounts of grief.
[Name]: Oh, for the love of God.
Akame: It's okay [Name], I'll share with you.
She said as she used a fork and knife to get choice cuts of the tender meat. She then placed a massive portion on [Name]'s plate as everyone had dug in. [Name] looked with wide-eyed bewilderment at her act of kindness.
[Name]: Thanks Akame!
Akame replied with a simple nod and a smile. Everyone tore into their food with great ferociousness. Chelsea, Mine, and Leone were fighting over Tatsumi to try various portions of their own food. Lubbock and Najenda ate as if they were competing; while [Name] and Akame did the same.
Sometime later
Tatsumi and Mine had left the rest of the group in order to create a diversion. This diversion will allow the main branch of Nightraid to eliminate the Path of Peace's leader. Akame sat on top of the fortress's roofing and looked out to the orange skyline. The rest of the team was downstairs preparing to disembark not long after. Akame just sat and pondered which one of her teammates may or may not die. She felt like she was stuck in this everlasting dread. She felt like she was drowning in a pit of quicksand. She wanted all the pain to go away, but there had to be something and she had a feeling it would soon.
[Name]: Enjoying the view?
Akame: Yes. It's been a while since I've been able to look out at a city so beautiful. It's nice, isn't it?
[Name]: It is but nothing beats the view I had when I was in the capitol. Anyway, I came up here to say thanks for what you did. It seems like yesterday when you wouldn't even talk to me. Now here you are sharing food with me.
Akame: It was nothing. I'm just surprised that you had nothing to eat while you trekked. You could join us on this mission you know? You could be a very useful asset.
[Name]: Something tells me that won't be a good idea. All it'll take is one wrong turn and I'll run into a wild Esdeath or something. Can't risk it, plus I have to head back. You might not see you guys again for a while.
Akame: Spare me, you said that yesterday.
[Name] thought for a second and realized she was right. He smiled.
[Name]: Oh yeah, it seemed like it was at least three weeks ago. It's been fun but I have to go.
Akame: Wait.
[Name] stopped and looked back at her.
Akame: What drives you [Name]? What makes you do the things you do?
There was a moment of silence between them. The air whistled by as the golden sun continued to descend behind the skyline and no one said a word.
[Name]: That's a bit of a loaded question. Whenever someone asks, always I tell them I did something very bad in my past and now I'm trying to redeem myself. And while it's true, sometimes I honestly feel like I just say that as an excuse to give myself a purpose, because I can't see myself doing anything else in life. Or maybe deep down, I just really like helping people.
Akame sat and looked back at the lands beyond. She figured that they really are kindred spirits of sorts. Two people who were roped into a life of killing and now only do so out of a sense of justice. Both of whom with dark personalities to suit. As she turned back around to speak, she saw Leon had disappeared. But it didn't bother her as she knew she'd see him again soon.
Evening – Kyoroch Path of Peace Citadel
Suzuka and Seryu stood a-top of a building dome with a golden finish. They spoke on having strategic leverage on Nightraid as the sun had set shadowing a decent portion of the landscape.
Suzuka: If the Nightraid plans to strike, they'll do so today. But that goes without saying huh Seryu?
The woman mused on the question and wondered how many imperial lives Nightraid could possibly take if they did. She couldn't stomach the thought of any being lost, so she replied.
Seryu: Do not let any of those demons enter the cathedral okay?
Suzuka: Yeah, I know.
As she said this something from afar had caught her eye. What appeared to be a young man and woman walking together.
Suzuka: That girl has combat experience I can tell by those eyes and the way she walks.
After a small moment, later, Suzuka had sent a squad to investigate the pair, however, the two had managed to elude capture.
Night – Kyoroch Outskirts' Ruins
The brilliant night sky hovered over the populated city. Mine and Tatsumi had sat amongst the dusted and decimated ruins of what appeared to be a capitol building of sorts with columns strung about the dirt lands. The place was laid to ruins during the Great Sovereign war one thousand years prior, though Mine and Tatsumi could be none the wiser as they sat amongst downed columns.
Mine was removing her disguise and was rubbing her face clean of makeup as Tatsumi followed a similar pattern. The two assassins remarked on how close they'd came to capture as it was apparent that the empire was keeping extremely close tabs on them.
Tatsumi: I hope we created a good enough distraction.
Mine: All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope that the boss and the others pull their way through.
She then hesitated before speaking.
Mine: It feels like there's still make up all over me.
She stated as she went face to face with Tatsumi.
Mine: Is it off?
Tatsumi was immediately flustered and waved her off.
Mine: Why are you getting all red?
She said before getting herself flustered. The two immediately begun to argue about the situation as Seryu had converged upon their location. Without any warning or the two were barraged by a legion of missiles. Tatsumi quickly used Incursio and rescued mine from destruction. The bombs were streaming in the air and lighting the entire area with explosions of fire and brightness.
Tatsumi had confirmed the identity of the attacker easily. Upon doing so Suzuka immediately attacked them. Mine went off to battle Seryu as Tatsumi went to battle Suzuka.
Tatsumi sent punch and jab after one another with the intent to kill. Suzuka was very skilled in hand to hand combat and parried or moved out of the way completely. He then used his staff and swung only to get it grabbed and himself sent flying.
At this moment Tatsumi and Suzuka were in ancient ruins frozen in time. And he was not in a winning position.
Suzuka: You've done surprisingly well so far. I'm shocked you've even managed to get as far as you have with such little combat experience.
Tatsumi then spoke to himself mentally and contemplated his fate
Tatsumi: Once again, I'm not strong enough. I've dealt with this regret too many times. Over and over and over! I can't let it happen again! It's now or never.
He then shouted out loud with all of his might.
Tatsumi: INCURSIO! I GIVE MYSELF TO YOU! GRANT ME YOUR STRENGTH!
This shocked Suzuka as a massive ball of energy emanated from Tatsumi's body. Suzuka was shuttering, the sheer power that Tatsumi now possessed was utterly frightening. Mine and Seryu were in a duel of death as she unveiled her own trump card and Mine's only option was to rely on her intestinal fortitude. Her need for vengeance and need for peace of mind to finally rid the world of Seryu in the name of Sheele.
As this happened Suzuka had begun to flee in order to inform General Esdeath. She was now in over her head by a wide margin. She was running through the ruins of what appeared to be a dark temple of sorts, but she could care less as the man was on her tail. His speed and strength were greater than before, it's as though he was another entity altogether. As she ran through the darkened halls only illuminated through small windows by the semi crescent moon, all she could hear was herself running.
Suzuka had stopped.
Suzuka: Good, I outpaced him. He likely lost me. There's no way I can take on him myself. Sorry, Seryu you're on your own.
As she began to walk down the hall, she realized Tatsumi was standing right beside her. He wasn't in his armoured form for some reason, he was different somehow. Her heart sank and her eyes dilated in fear. Her blood ran cold as she doubled back and ran in the opposite direction. What scared her even worse is the fact the Tatsumi stood there and didn't chase her.
Suzuka: Why isn't he chasing me?! Is he toying with me now?!
As she said this she spotted Tatsumi converge from a dark corner of the corridor. "How was that possible?" she thought. Tatsumi then smiled before returning to Incursio's armoured state. He then slashed through every single column and pillar he could and caused the place to come down.
Suzuka: What are you doing you'll kill us both!
She said as she attempted to flee once more.
Tatsumi: Get ready to join your little friends! I won't let you get away this time! THIS IS YOUR END!
He proclaimed as she screamed for her life. As she looked up, it would be her last action as she was then crushed by the massive chunk of rubble. The entire building was brought down and Tatsumi wasn't phased in the slightest.
As this happened Mine ran for her life. The defeated Seryu had revealed that a bomb had been implanted within her head in order to wipe out the one who defeated her. The blast was sure to get her as her legs gave out beneath her. She then did everything to goad herself to get back up. Unfortunately, everything she had wasn't enough. A blinding light then surrounded the area and she closed her eyes preparing to be engulfed by the explosion as Seryu Ubiquitous met her end.
Mine then awoke minutes later. She awoke to the glistening night sky above, and she looked over to see Tatsumi's handsome features. She was alive and she was being carried. He got closer to her and spoke softly to the injured young woman.
Tatsumi: I was too weak when we lost bro. And there was nothing I could do for sheele. But that's it. I will not lose anyone else again.
He stated with a smile. The awed and flushing girl look into his face. Marked by love and determination, she knew Tatsumi would do anything to keep his loved ones alive. But she noticed something peculiar about him.
Mine: Tatsumi. . . . . your right eye...
Tatsumi: Huh?
Mine: It's red.