Chapter 37 – Kill the Loneliness
Morning - Imperial High-Class Streets
The air had a considerable chill. The early morning sky above illuminated by all of the markets and stores that sat on both sides of the marble roads. Even though it was night, many people still traversed the streets and lived it up. Kasumi, now released from urgent care was dressed in newer garbs. The new cloths somewhat resembled Esdeath's outfitting but was grey in color. Sleeker pants were given to her instead of the skirt amongst the other minor differences.
She walked along side her new caretaker, General Esdeath. The two young women walked together hand in hand. Strangely enough in Kasumi's eyes, Esdeath was the one who initiated the contact after leaving the hospital.
Esdeath: I'm impressed that you're up and about after the injuries you sustained. I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised.
Kasumi looked up at the taller woman. Esdeath had a smile on her face as the two walked. Kasumi wondered exactly why so many people fear her. She seems to be a wonderful woman. She's nice, she's compassionate, and she's alluring. She thought back.
(Flashback)
[Name]: Well, Esdeath is the most powerful general in all the empire. She's an incredibly unsettling but beautiful woman.
Kasumi: IT'S a she? I bet she doesn't scare you.
[Name]: I wish she didn't. Oh and that extract.
(Present)
Kasumi: Why do so many people fear you?
Esdeath: Well, if I had to venture a guess it'd probably be because of all the stories people spread around about me.
Kasumi: Stories? Like what?
Esdeath: Mostly ones about how capable I am on the battlefield. On top of that I'm going to also assume that my fascination with torture has given me quite the reputation.
Kasumi: Torture? You mean like you're fascinated by it? Like you read up about it and stuff?...
Hoping to get a tame response she trailed her sentence off for Esdeath to finish it for her.
Esdeath: I read up on it to conduct it of course.
Kasumi's eyes shot open. Esdeath looked up to the sun lit sky and smiled as if to envision performing it right then and there.
Esdeath: Naturally, I'm usually innovative enough to come up with most of my own unique methods and techniques, but researching always helps.
Kasumi: But..
Esdeath: It began when I was a girl. I started with plenty of animals and danger beasts. That got boring so I turned to people. It's far more fun because you never know how they'll react to each method. Most times it's just the usual begging, others just scream and cry. Some of them even like it. . . That last one kind of bothers me though.
She finished off with somewhat of a whisper.
Kasumi couldn't say anything at all. A mixture of awkwardness and fear jumped into her blood. This woman said all of this with a genuine smile etched on her pale yet beautiful face.
Esdeath: Above all else I would have to say that it's my position as General that scares people the most. But then again that's just a guess on my part.
Kasumi's grasp on Esdeath hand had slightly loosened. That action was instinctive and not intentional. Esdeath hadn't noticed, her grip was still as firm. To Kasumi, Esdeath's grip didn't feel like one of love, it felt like a grip of possession.
Morning - Imperial Palace Foyer
The twofinally reached and entered the palace. Kasumi's amber eyes had sparkled at such place. Never in all her life had she seen such an interior like this. She's only seen them in books, but she's never been in one before. Red was the most prominent color with the carpeted flooring and huge marble columns. She looked to the ceiling to see it nearly endless, seeing the floors above that seemingly went straight to the sky. It was very beautiful.
Kasumi saw an older and portly man surrounded by a throng of well-dressed men. Viceroys, senators, and officials followed the Prime Minister. Honest seen Esdeath as he passed and addressed her.
Esdeath curtsied in his presence.
Esdeath: Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Honest: Esdeath my dear, I've heard good things regarding your progress in the current campaign. The emperor is quite pleased with your service as usual.
Esdeath: I am honored.
The prime minister's attention then shifted to the girl to Esdeath's side. He gestured a finger towards her.
Prime Minister Honest: Esdeath, who is this young specimen?
Esdeath: This is Kasumi, my apprentice.
Kasumi: Apprentice?!
Prime Minister Honest: My, an apprentice. If you can, then I too can certainly see the wellspring of potential hidden within this child. What of Normandy? Has she graduated from your tutelage?
Esdeath: Normandy is too much of a fool. She still doesn't know how to separate her emotions from battle. But she still has her uses.
He crouched and got into Kasumi's face.
Prime Minister Honest: If this young woman is poised to be a Jaeger then I will expect nothing but excellence from her. Let us hope that you will serve your emperor well, Kasumi.
He said as he and the rest of the men walked off and out of the palace. Kasumi winced, the minister's breath reeked of alcohol. She already didn't like him. Kasumi's sneer stayed on her face as Esdeath looked down at her.
Esdeath: What's the matter?
Kasumi: I don't' like him.
Esdeath: You don't have to. Just do as he says and show him respect at all times.
Esdeath seemed to immediately have an answer as if she prepared.
Kasumi: But why? He doesn't deserve it.
Esdeath: Well although he certainly doesn't need it from the likes of you, you are expected to give it to him regardless. Is that clear?
Kasumi sighed quietly and looked down.
Kasumi: Yes.
Esdeath: Good.
Esdeath's lead intel handler had just ran to up to the pair with files. Papers of reports from the perimeter patrol of areas that surround imperial jurisdiction. Esdeath had taken the papers and scanned them with her eyes relentlessly.
Esdeath: I see, the marshal has died.
Intel Agent: From what our agents say general, a massive battle was waged in a forest not too far outside of the Capital's walls. The marshal's body was recovered quite injured. The area was decimated and from what we can gather the-
Esdeath: Nightraid was the source of the skirmish.
She finished the agent's sentence.
Esdeath: It was Nightraid's Akame. I can only assume that she had aid. Even with her skill she couldn't have fought the marshal on her own and won. Also, it may only be a guess but Kurome has also died in the battle as well.
Kasumi: Kurome? One of the Jaegers dead? How do you know?
Esdeath: The reports indicate that Doya, one of her corpse puppets were found dismembered. That only indicates that fact.
Agent: Yes, Wave also hasn't been found at home, here, nor at any nearby camps.
Esdeath: If my intuition serves me right; where Kurome is, Wave is never too far behind. That would mean he's either dead or he's deserted the imperial army. A real shame.
She said with noticeable disappointment. Esdeath has strong feelings for her comrades. She would do anything she could to make them happy. She'd bring them gifts, treat them to ice cream, and just be their friends. Bols, Seryu, Kurome, and Wave have gone, and she will miss them dearly. She at least still has Run and that fact consoles her.
Kasumi: Why does they have to be dead?! What if..What if the Nightraid captured them for ransom. What if they want to trade?
Both Esdeath and the stunned agent looked at the girl.
Esdeath: It would be a foolish move on the revolution's part. Preserving the empire's integrity would take precedence above all else in that case. We'd never bother to entertain a lowbrow stunt like that. If they were to be captured or killed; then it will be a fate, they themselves must be left to face.
Kasumi: But they're your friends.
She added in a defeated tone, almost of whine of sorts.
Esdeath: That may be so, but failure to that extent isn't tolerable at any level. Surely you know that already.
Agent: General, one area was very heavy with blood. The forensics team haven't reached the area yet, but I assure you that they will reach the site before the end of the evening. That'll likely confirm a casualty.
Esdeath: Kasumi?
Kasumi: Yes, General Esdeath?
Esdeath: Stay here at the palace. Agent, has the forensics team departed yet?
Agent: No mam.
Esdeath: Then inform them I'll be accompanying them. I want to inspect the site myself.
Evening - Gyou Forest
The forensics team have swept a considerable amount of the battle site between the late Marshal and the Nightraid. Blood has been dried and littered through out the entire area. The numerous teams assembled had scraped the blood into vials for identification later. Esdeath had seen a lot. Severed trees, massive craters, patches of missing trees, and toppled woods.
The land looked ravaged. It appeared like a tornado had run through the forest. The sun was going down and Esdeath had walked to a more ravaged area passed a lot of the woodlands. For some reasons he felt drawn to that spot.
She saw the marked spot where Faide's body had lied before Its recovery. Near this spot she saw an uprooted tree with a sharp spike where a branch used to be whole. The spot was darkened with blood. Her feminine nostrils picked up on the iron scent of the blood on the tree. Esdeath hadn't known if this was spot the agent was talking about, but at the same time; she didn't care if it was or not.
She went over to the spot and placed a hand on the semi wet spot. She still felt the damped blood soaking into the tree. For some reason she felt the blood calling to her. She felt that the blood called her to this very spot for some reason. There was an outrageous amount of blood in this one spot.
Esdeath: So much blood. It's calling to me.
She stated as she wondered why she is tampering with the evidence. Esdeath couldn't stop. Esdeath finally did what she felt she should've done sooner.
She took her blood-soaked fingers and tasted them. Her eyes shut as the taste of the blood filled her taste buds. She felt something, she felt fear and sadness. Then feelings of great love and care then stifled the other emotions she'd felt. The feelings swished around in her body. She knew this feeling.
Esdeath: [Name], this blood is yours isn't it?
She quietly asked to herself.
She put her hands on her cheeks and blushed heavily. Her own hot blood rushed to her face as her body warmed despite the cool evening air blowing against her. This was his blood. She knows his taste or scent anywhere.
Esdeath: Oh, my love. Where have you gone?
She asked aloud with a great deal of concern.
Several Days Later
Unknown – Unknown Location
[Name] awoke in complete darkness. He couldn't see his hands or anything. He'd sat up and regained all his senses. He'd died as he thought.
[Name]: I knew it. I thought that I could at least make up to my mother and father for what I did to them. All the people who didn't deserve to die that day. Mom, Dad, Mari, everyone I didn't mean it. I was just upset.
He spoke allowed as the place around him echoed with each word.
[Name]: Rom and Kasumi. I hope you guys are doing okay. Kasumi more than you Rom, because you actually died. I-
Beast: You can stop all of that now.
[Name]: Hey!
He'd gotten up, felt himself and was without wounds.
[Name]: So, is this purgatory or something?
Beast: You're not dead.
Two massive blue eyes slowly opened as they illuminated the space.
Beast: You were saved.
[Name]: So, what's going on now then?
Beast: The life seal I put on you stopped you from dying completely. If you didn't have the seal, you'd be dead right now for certain. But be warned, this is the last time this can happen, so you need to be more careful.
[Name] sighed.
[Name]: I need you to clarify more things for me. Like what you meant about Tatsumi being dangerous. You need to tell me what's going on.
The beast's eyes had begun to shut. The darkness began to swallow [Name] vision again. He reached out to touch the eyes but reached out at nothing.
[Name]: WAIT! WAIT! What about my training?!
"After seeing you in that last battle, there isn't anything else I can teach you. How far you progress from here is all based on your own performance."
Morning – Night Raid Hideout
[Name]'s eyes shot open. The bright morning sun shined through the small windows of the hideout. He was alive, and he was with the Night raid.
Mine: Hey! You woke up!
She screeched in excitement. [Name] could hardly move at all. His insides hurt badly, several bones were shattered, ribcage were damaged, and many muscles were torn clean from the bone. He'd also lost a lot of blood.
Mine: You had us all worried.
Sitting up was hopeless so he spoke while laying down.
[Name]: How did I get here?
Mine: Hold on a sec!
She got up and ran out of the room, her pink clothing fluttered about as she did. After around a minute or so he saw Chelsea stick her head out around the corner and into the room.
Chelsea: Hey, there sleepy head. Glad to see you up.
"He's not up, he's just awake!"
Shouted Mine farther from around the corner.
Chelsea: Same thing!
[Name]: How did I get back here?
Chelsea: Well, that dude from General Esdeath's crew brought you.
[Name]: Dude?
He thought about it for a quick moment as Chelsea described his appearance.
[Name]: Wave? Wave did?
She snapped her fingers as if to remember something he'd forgotten.
Chelsea: That's his name, yeah him.
[Name] remembered how badly he was injured by the Marshal. He thought that Wave might've died. Mine then rounded the corner and entered the room with Chelsea.
Mine: He brought you here. At first, he said he'd have done it if Akame promised that the Nightraid would let he and Kurome live so they desert the empire.
Chelsea: But I'm he'd have done it regardless. He's too much of a nice guy. Just like you [Name].
[Name]: So... that's it? Where's Akame, Tatsumi, Lubbock and the others?
Mine: They're out hunting for General Law and Admiral Starch. Najenda is out recruiting for the final assault. Thanks to you, we got the info on where they're going to be so once the remaining generals have been taken care of, then the final showdown's next.
[Name]: So, you guys picked it up. I forgot I'd brought it to the fight last night.
Chelsea: Last night? Buddy, you were out for days.
[Name]: Days!
Mine: Yeah, Akame was here for the same time.
[Name]: I'm sure she was, she was really beaten up too.
Mine: No, I mean here with you. She was looking after you the whole time.
[Name]: Wow. Shouldn't she still be here, she was still really hurt.
Chelsea: She wouldn't stay put. I'm telling you she's a tank just like big Susano'o.
[Name]: You're not wrong about that. Can't he practically win us the war himself?
Both girls responded.
"Maybe?"
Esdeath's Private Quarters
In the past few days Kasumi had been put through a gauntlet of tasks. All sorts of physical challenges, and fights against combat guards all of which she'd lost. She'd also been running around and doing menial tasks like submitting mission reports. Creating outlines for them, and a bunch of other things. Despite all of that, she'd begun to enjoy her time here.
Kasumi, however, misses her friends and [Name] dearly. Even though she's enjoying her time here with all these luxuries she felt empty. Nice food didn't matter. Nice clothing and baths didn't matter. She wants to go back with the orphans but that doesn't seem possible.
Esdeath on the other hand hadn't smiled or shown any semblance of enjoying anything in days. She's nice but stern to Kasumi as a parent should be. But Esdeath has deeply saddened as more and more time passed, she's begun to realize that [Name] had likely died by the hands of the Nightraid.
The two young women sat on Esdeath's bed in similar night clothing, a white shirt. The two had eaten dinner prepared at the palace where they'd already discussed various topics. One of which hadn't come up until this very moment. Kasumi didn't know what was going to happen with her under Esdeath's care.
Kasumi: So, Esdeath. Am I really going to be your apprentice?
Esdeath: Well, beyond becoming your adoptive co parent. I haven't had too much else in mind other than one other than making you my apprentice. I see a lot of very desirable traits in you already, so to answer your question. Yes, I do fully intend on making you my apprentice.
Kasumi: What things am I gonna be doing?!
Esdeath: Well, I won't tell you now. I don't want you to be able to prepare.
Esdeath then went to lie down and turned towards the wall. Kasumi also then lied down as well. They sought to sleep for the night, but Kasumi had picked up on Esdeath's lack of energy recently.
Kasumi: Are you feeling okay?
She didn't answer. Kasumi realized Esdeath was sleeping already. But a moment later she would soon find that she was wrong.
Esdeath: Truthfully, I haven't been feeling like myself as of late.
She answered in a tone of very apparent sadness. Esdeath turned over sat up on the bed, now looking at her apprentice. Kasumi felt this and did the same while she was lying opposite from her master.
Esdeath: Ever since [Name] left me my energy seemed to follow him slowly. But now I'm feeling it. My heart screams for him and yet he's nowhere to be found. You, Run, and Normandy are the only ones keeping me from being swallowed by loneliness. Yet, even that's wearing thin. No matter how many of you are around, if he's not here with me then I might as well be in complete solitude.
Kasumi: Mr's alive. If there's one person who I know can survive the Nightraid, it's him. Don't worry we'll see him again. I just know it.
Esdeath: With the what I've found, I don't find it too plausible. But you are right, regardless of that fact the war comes first. I'll double my efforts to decimate the Nightraid and bring about end of the revolution! I'll smash them!
She grabbed her hair and her blue pupils dilated. It looked like she was going to tear the hair from her own scalp as she'd begun to raise her voice. The woman had become manic as her eyes seemed to cross in madness.
Esdeath: After that I will search for him and when he's found he will answer for his weakness and be punished for the misery he's caused me! And even if he is dead, I will bring his remains back to keep for myself! I will go to the ends of the earth to find him and have him in my arms again. No matter what it will take.