Chapter 36 – Kill the Sacrifice
Night – Gyou Forest
[Name] sped running through and around the towering tree's that surrounded the entire lands. Massive gravitational air bombs splashed the trees, dirt, and grass so easily it made they were made from water. Faide was flying over him attempting to crush him to death.
[Name]'s new form allowed him to move faster than but not as fast as he would like. Faide was still above him catering the forest flooring beneath them both. Tree's went flying as splinters, logs, and dirt soared through the air and past [Name]'s eyes.
[Name] then intending to fall backwards looked backwards and jumped, now falling into the same position in which he ran to shoot up Faide.
Trump Card!
Purgatory's Invitation: Magma Drive!
He shot an incredibly massive spout of scorching green flames! The color of the form had permeated the colors of all of his borrowed attacks in this new form. The searing heat singed the wood and the air around them. Faide's eyes shot open as realized the drawbacks of his own powers and immediately smashed to the ground. The harsh dirt ground and skinned his handsome face as twigs sliced his flesh.
He couldn't use gravity to shield himself while already using it to fly, push, or pull anything. [Name] hadn't discovered this, he'd just attacked at the right time.
[Name] had hit the ground moments before back first winding him in the process. The remains of the flames burned the trees as [Name] looked up at what he'd done. Did he do it?
Did he kill the marshal? [Name]'s heart raced to the point where he had begun to shiver. His nerves were beginning to take considerable damage from the use of second Teigu form but this was a necessary sacrifice to save his companions. If he survives this, then he'd love to live some semblance of a normal life with something that he could never make last; a family.
Faide wiped the copious amounts of blood of his face, rose up from the ground.
"I'm very well aware on why [Name] views my methods as destructive. However, he doesn't understand what compromise or what sacrifice means. That's why he'll have to die-"
[Name] slammed his blade down into the ground attempting to drive the blade though Faide's back and spine as he knelt! Faide dove into roll and brandished his own blade.
[Name] ripped his blade from the dirt and turned around to charge to the marshal. As [Name] went for an overhead strike, the marshal blocked. They disengaged and went for decapitating blows, the swords clashed as they entered a dance of sorts.
They both went in a violent cycle of defense and offense. The power of the blows lit sparks in the air as the deadly blades struck one another.
[Name] cleaved and cleaved but Faide's footwork was too skillful for him to be done away with so easily. At this same moment Faide perceived that if he made one mistake that his head or a limb was going to be cut clean off. Although [Name] put on the pressure, Faide's counter offensive was just as deadly but in its own way.
Faide fought with lunges and with a disgustingly precise lunge, slashed the side of [Name]'s left eye. [Name] ate the pain and saw the opening he needed, he went for it!
[Name] ducked and went for Faide's ribs, he went for a gutting slash but even with his enhanced speed he was too slow!
Faide had predicted this and went for a downward slash that connected with [Name]'s bicep and cutting nearly straight through his left arm. The blade went through the muscle without hinderance.
Omnipotent Five Sights: Spectator! Illusion Sight!
[Name] had used it right before Faide had gone on the offense. He dodged the initial cut to the eye and went straight to gut the marshal. The marshal still planned for it and went for the second slash!
Since it had just happened in the illusion [Name] threw himself backwards and disengaged. Warm iron filled up in [Name]'s throat, he then dispelled a dangerous amount of blood as a terrible migraine erupted in his skull. The effects of the form were taking their toll. He has to finish this in the next moves or else.
Faide hasn't been able to use his imperial arms since he took the incredible fall. His body still hasn't gathered enough energy to use it. While [Name] took his little rest, he is recharging. Only ten more seconds remain before he's going to finish [Name] off, but without warning [Name] charged!
Omnipotent Five Sights: Spectator! Precognition!
[Name] ran over and aimed for Faide's throat! As faide went to block [Name] instantly redirected his initial attack and went for his abdomen again! Faide jumped backwards to avoid!
[Name] stayed on top of him and began to overwhelm Faide, [Name] was predicting every single muscle that Faide was using and attacked accordingly. The blades clashed and clashed as Faide's footwork had begun worsen.
"Only 5 more seconds,"!
He exclaimed to himself as he blocked three more outrageously powerful cleaves from [Name]. Faide was knocked down and held himself up with one hand as [Name] tried to cut him in two! He slashed and slashed until finally, Faide's sword had snapped. The final hammering blow had completely destroyed Faide's blade sending shards flying in every direction.
[Name] went for kill but unfortunately for [Name], Faide's imperial arms recharged. Faide used his gravitational pull to grasp a large shard and he quickly slashed at [Name]. [Name] dodged and kicked Faide and sent him crashing into a tree.
[Name]: IT'S OVER!
[Name] used the final embers of his Teigu form II and leapt to him. With all of his remaining strength he plunged his sword straight through Faide and through the tree.
It was over.
Or so he thought.
Faide had moved over about an inch the blade missed him entirely.
Heavenly Thrust! Times 100x
Seemingly out of nowhere an incredible gust of gravity and wind ran by him and sent him barreling backwards. It's like he had no control over his body as he flew past several trees! Then with a massive thud he broke one tree in halve and the entire wooden body crumbled.
He lied there feeling like his bones were completely shattered. Still lying there, he tried to see exactly how much he was damaged by the attack. He mustered enough strength to look behind himself. He saw that any remains of the forest for miles were completely eradicated.
All he saw was a large path of wooden destruction and the darkness of night in the vacant space. Since they were in the dead of the remainder of the forest, there was no light. He couldn't see how much wood was on top of him but he still pushed a few logs aside.
Then as he attempted to get up, an extremely sharp pain sprung from his abdomen area. He then felt his stomach area and he was shocked at what he felt. A large splintered piece of wood had pierced clean through [Name]'s back and out of his gut.
[Name] yelled, he screamed out in pain as his adrenaline as the Teigu form had worn off. What remained of his vision blurred as his consciousness had begun to leave him. Faide eventually reached up to him and saw [Name] in this horrible predicament.
Faide's face was bloodied quite badly from his fall. His hair was filled with dirt which left him none too pleased but this victory made at least negated this somewhat.
Faide: You should've known that this would end this way. You actually performed far better than I would've thought. What imperial arms do you have?
[Name]. . .I don't have one.
He said nearly choked with blood. Talking hurt him considerably but this almost didn't matter as this was going to be the end if he let it. He needed to find some way to get out of this and beat Faide. But he was just grasping at straws at this point, he was dead. There's nothing at all he can do. For the first time in his life, he knows that this is truly the end of the road.
Faide: There's no way you can do what you've done without one. It's fine if you don't tell me. I'll just take it for myself once you pass.
[Name]: Wait.. .There are good people in that district. They don't all have to die.
Faide: Do you understand what sacrifice is [Name]?
[Name] only writhed in pain as blood flowed from his freshly opened stomach area.
Faide: To sacrifice is to give up something of value, to gain something else that's considered to be of greater value or importance. I see great value in those lives, which is why I have to let them go. If I understand you've also made sacrifices, like the Crimson Imperium. Did you know that after the Nightraid attacked, the entire settlement devolved into complete and utter anarchy?
[Name] never considered the damage that they had done to the infrastructure of the settlement. It all started just to keep them back. The country was beginning to invade on Revolution-Imperial territory. Najenda had different plans, to destabilize them as a whole to halt them. [Name] nor any of the Nightraid took issue with it.
Faide: The economy was absolutely crushed. It had gotten to the point in which families used their children as commerce. But I don't fault you; victories can come at a high cost. You did exactly what I'm doing now. If the young had begged you not do as did, would you have still done it?
[Name] couldn't say anything in response. He himself has hurt and harmed so many, yet claims he's trying to help.
Faide: When the war is over, the revolution will cease and the prime minister and every viceroy, statesman, and official will be obliterated. I will bring about change in this land.
[Name]: But what makes you think it'll stop there? As long as the revolution lives the Prime Minister Honest will keep the destruction going.
Faide: Then I would implore the revolution bring themselves to the empire and stop this madness. You the revolution aid this madness, not just the corruption of the empire. They too don't have the concept of sacrifice. It's no different than money. .Would you not give your riches to receive the things necessary to support your loved ones?
[Name]: But the difference is. .the money doesn't have a say. .The kids. . .The—They won't get their say.
Faide didn't say anything for time. He gasped! He remembered something he'd just recalled for [Name], they dying man before him.
"Marshal: Now, as a new stipulation as per our agreement; your son is to come with me to enlist into the imperial army.
Confused, his mother questioned the stipulation.
Mother: But you hadn't told us this before.
Father: Sure, He'll go along with you.
Shocked, the very young Faide asked.
Faide: But don't I get a say too?
Marshal: Well of course you do. You can either come along to enlist or you and your family will be forced to move back to the squalor district. You don't want that do you?
The child shook his head no as fear boiled up within his heart. Not wanting his parents to be sad or even worse; mad at him.
Father: Then it's settled. Faide, you're going with the marshal."
He remembered how he wanted Mommy and Daddy to be happy with him. He prioritized their needs over his own and for that he had no say in his own fate. He'd lost either way. He was to be whisked away to be abused day in and day out for years.
[Name]: And what was it you said earlier?
Flashback
" After that, I vowed to never let no ONE ever truly govern over those who never had a say in what happened to them in their own lives!"
Said the enraged Faide after he told [Name] how he'd grown up.
[Name]: You've morphed into the original marshal you hated so—
Faide: Be quite. . .
[Name] listened to the silence before it was broken.
Faide: I'm nothing like that man! I DO GOOD!
He snapped.
Faide: I did for my parents, those children, and I'll do it for you as well.
He raised a hand outstretched.
Faide: Even if you are revolution scum, you are a good man. Esdeath doesn't-
A blade ran straight through the back of the mad marshal. His heart was rammed into and he dropped to his knees. Akame removed her blade and ran over to [Name] with a severe limp.
Akame: [Name], can you talk to me?!
[Name]: Yes . . . but not too much. .
Faide: It looks like I've been had.
The Curse of Murasame had quickly begun to overcome the marshal's body.
Faide: It appears that you and I might see one another again pretty soon, [Name]. . . This is what dying feels like . . .strange. I thought it'd hurt more.
Akame: YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONE WHO DIES HERE!
Faide's speech was clearly that of a dying man. His words dragged and his breath was slowed.
Faide: If that is so then [Name], if you can hear me; I have something to ask you. Is it really possible to give the helpless a say in the matter?
[Name]: I wouldn't be fighting for something that'd be impossible.
The marshal slumped over and fell on his side. The man however wasn't finished.
Faide: I see. A man who sees value in even those who the world considers to be worthless is quite interesting.
He thought back to when he himself was a child. He lived with only cold water, and one room. He was happy though, as he lay dying he lamented on the fact that he'd sacrificed that life only for commercial gain. He'd realized how much a mistake that was.
Faide: Maybe. . Some things are just too valuable to give up.
With that last statement the marshal took his last breath. His body lied there lifeless as Akame held [Name]'s head in her lap. She was rocking back and forth to keep [Name] awake; away from deaths grip.
Akame: Stay with me! Don't you go with him!
The fact that Akame wasn't doing anything other than holding him means he was in fact about to die. She's become slightly hysterical and she's not pulling him up or anything other than cradling his head.
Akame: Don't die!
[Name] smiled as iron rushed out of his mouth and onto Akame's lap.
Akame: Y-you said you'd do anything for me remember?!
[Name]: I wasn't sure . . . If I meant it.
He giggled lightly as he gurgled. He then reached a hand up so Akame hand hold his hand until the end. She quickly grabbed his hand tightly.
Akame: Don't go.
She said as began to caress his dirtied hair as his consciousness left him even faster. Thankfully she wasn't tearing up; she was too strong for that. He was glad that she wasn't, that make this easier for him.
[Name] lied there in a moment of reflection of his life. He's done a lot of wrong and good in his life. He became a vigilante in hopes of righting the wrongs he'd done before he came to the empire. He loved to think he did a lot of good for the empire within the time he's spent here. He'd love to forget about that mess at the celestial settlement though. Now unable to speak he thought of Kasumi, the girl he helped raise for a short time. He was going to miss her.
He saw Akame's face as she was yelling something but his five senses had nearly all gone. He was unable to hear her. She continued yelling at him as he shut his eyes; and [Name] finally went limp. Before his consciousness left him he could feel something. Something tugged onto him. Whoever this was more than likely not there. [Name] ignored and had one thought left.
"Faide, maybe you were onto something. Dying didn't hurt all that bad."