WARNING! TERRIBLE WRITING!

"Yoshitsune."

Minato crushed the Tower arcana card, the shattering sound of glass once again filling the air. Sharps of transparent matter fluttered around him, as if he were controlling each of every bit of their movement. The flakes soon began to stick to him like glue. As if magnetized, they were airborne for one second and then attracted to him the next.

Undergoing his next transformation, red samurai armor began to cover him. Not his entire body though as that would simply be a huge toll on the account of mobility. Arm-braces and shoulder guards covered almost the entire outer part of his arm, leaving the inner limbs unprotected. A chest plate protected the very center of his being, a strange symbol being pain right in the idle of the black metal. A black belt with a golden buckle almost seemed to be one with the chest piece. Almost making it look like a skirt were four pieces of armor that all were long enough to make it down to his knees, each piece adjacent to one another. On his lower legs was more metal, wrapping around his legs as if they were socks.

Accompanying his change were two katanas, both looking like every other blade. But he was equipped with such weapons as he watched Esdeath come straight for him, and he was going to make the most of them.

Raising both blades in an X while slashing upwards, Minato managed to defend himself against his sister's downward cut as both attacks simply reflected one another. Watching Esdeath go for a horizontal attack, Minato kept his blades vertical and still to defend against such a retaliation. Thinking it was the perfect time to counter when her weapon hit his, Minato moved his body to the side to use the momentum to help him slash his sister.

But Esdeath proved to be fast as she moved to the opposite side that Minato had gone and began to run down the narrow path that the famous shrine setting had naturally formed for them. Minato immediately turned around and began to follow Esdeath. Both siblings used the dirt walls on both of their sides to be able to bounce around the pathway easier and faster to either get away from or catch up to one another.

Esdeath however stopped their game shortly when they reached an open area as she turned around and tried to surprise Minato with such an action with a slash to his throat from the tip of her rapier. Minato managed to lean back in time to dodge the sharp metal and got back at her by slashing his own weapons. But Esdeath easily blocked the attacks and she began moving back as Minato's swordplay became a bit aggressive at the moment.

Raising her rapier to avoid one cut going for her face, she had to immediately move her forward foot back as Minato's second katana tried to cut that limb. Still hopping back one second after the next, defending herself, Esdeath's foot found a slightly large rock. Using the stone, she flipped right over Minato's katana that would have cut her shins if she didn't dodge.

However, as soon as Esdeath recovered she was back on the defense. It only lasted a second though as it seemed as if she found the perfect time to counter attack. Slashing than thrusting, she forced Minato to use both of his blades to defend due to the amount of power behind both attacks. Trying to flank his side next, Esdeath saw that Minato kept up with her. His calm face was opposite of her bloodthirsty smile as her aggressive moves were blocked by his harmonious ones.

Trying to go for his legs, Minato easily stuck his blades down and blocked the slash. Trying to aim for the upper body, Minato took small steps back to make sure that his katanas would be at the perfect distance to work while deflecting attack coming towards him. Parrying another attack to his feet, that was meant to root him in place as Esdeath closed the distance in a couple of strides within a second.

Landing a solid punch against his stomach, Minato's coughed louder than he should have despite the protection of armor. As he stepped forward to attack, he saw Esdeath spin her body as she slid right past him. Quickly raising both blades, he rested them against the back of his shoulders and was satisfied to hear the sound of metal clanging against one another.

Looking back, he saw Esdeath back her arm still up in a pose that made her look like she had frozen after the attack of her connected with his defence. Flourishing one of his blades in his hand, Minato went back on the offensive. But his power seemed to have increased as Esdeath found herself backing up once again. Blocking one hit, she was nearly knocked down. Managing to catch herself from fully falling, the blue-haired female used her free hand to help her stay up and balanced as she was now on her two feet and unequipped hand while retreating plus defending against Minato.

The tips of Minato's blades though managed to cut off the choker on her neck and collar part on her uniform. Using a great amount of strength in her legs to retreat, she didn't get far since her back collided with the trunk of a tree. Minato saw an opportunity as tossed one of his blades into the air gently. With the weapon seeming to hover in place for a second, Minato used his second katana to send the airborne sword careening to Esdeath's face.

As the general leaned her head over to avoid the blade, she heard the sword embed itself into the tree without fail. She would have looked over but then Minato didn't give her the opportunity to as his aggressive actions came into play once more. Attempting to retreat to the side since her back was blocked, she saw Minato go for the place she would have slightly. She was trapped as her other side was blocked by the katana in the tree.

Locked in the position, she still managed to retaliate back but was unsuccessful in injuring Minato as found herself overextending one of her thrusts and was forced to dodge the next few attacks. As they both stepped past the trunk, Minato spun around while grabbing his hung katana in order to not make any openings.

Sliding back after defending against a powerful slash, Esdeath slashed downwards but then Minato was just out of her rapier's reach. Forced to block the next katana slash, their blades went around in a circle before they Minato gave away a bit. But that was part of his plan as Esdeath met an elbow between her chest and her throat before slamming against another tree trunk.

Crossing his arms, Minato slashed horizontally with both swords. Esdeath held her rapier up vertically while ducking down to block and avoid the simultaneous attacks. Hearing him cut out a good chunk of the tree behind her, she raised her rapier again, this time to her side as Minato was sending an upward slash her way.

With her weight on her back and legs while she was knocked to the side, the trunk was unable to provide any more support as she slid off the tree and began to fall backwards. Minato saw this and saw a dirt wall to the side as well. Jumping over, he bounced off the wall and pointed for a thrust down with one of his blades towards her sister but then missed as she rolled out of the way in time.

Leaving the embedded katana, Minato continued to follow Esdeath who blocked his first horizontal attack. She ducked under the next one and ran right past him. As he chased her, Esdeath skidded around a tree and began to run in the other direction. Minato saw this and stopped himself right in his tracks and turned around to go after her. Slashing his sister's lowered form, he missed as Esdeath once again skidded along the ground and looped back around to Minato. Seeing a new rock, she kicked off the material with a horizontal slash but unfortunately was unsuccessful.

Esdeath stepped backwards while blocking one of Minato's attacks. Dodging the next one by ducking, she took back the offensive as their clashing went under way once more. Every attack she made would meet his blocking, the sound of metal clashing filling the air. But then they made it back to the katana Minato had buried into the ground and he grabbed the handle.

Leaning back to avoid a thrust, Esdeath was now backing up to avoid the sharp edges of her swords. Minato thrusted again, his sword being stuck in a tree like before. But then he used it to his advantage in a way, constantly attacking so that Esdeath would have to eventually bang her head against the sword and end up hurting herself.

Seeing how that strategy wasn't working though, the blue-haired male slashed in the other direction, knocking the katana out of the tree as Esdeath ducked. Trying to counter attack, she only managed a second or two of aggressive play before Minato was in charge once again. Kicking her back to the trunk of the tree, Minato went for an overhead slash.

Esdeath blocked the attack, keeping them locked for a bit. Spinning their blades in a wide circle, she began to push and move forward to get them away from the tree truck her back was on. It only worked for a couple of seconds like before, until Minato retaliated by hopping into the air and kicking Esdeath square in the stomach.

The General skidded back a bit, burying the tip of her rapier into the ground to stop her from moving any further. Looking up, she smirked. "I see that you aren't holding back much of your strength." She stated, slowly moving up to her feet.

Minato walked around, waiting for Esdeath to get ready to fight once more. "You said you wanted to practice for the final upcoming battle. Especially since you think Akame of Night Raid will be after your life, you wanted me to use a summon that specialized in swordplay."

"Yes." Esdeath nodded her head in agreement. But her playful look began to lower a bit, clearly showing that she was displeased with something. "But you should know that there is one other reason for this."

Minato sighed, almost predicting this coming. "This is also a means of punishment for allowing Kurome and Wave to leave the Jaegers without your consent." He stared straight at Esdeath. "They deserve it, Sister. Wave wants Kurome to live and make her happy. Kurome meanwhile has been fighting a war she was never supposed to be a part of for almost half of her life. I simply relieved them of their duties and gave them a blessing of mine… Which they seemed happy for."

Esdeath sighed. "That still does not help the fact that they abandoned their duties of the Empire." She stated.

"If I were dying and the only way to save me were to leave the services of the Empire, would you do that?" Minato asked, earning him a frown from Esdeath. "With Kurome's life on the line, Wave is willing to do whatever in his power to help her and make her happy." He rolled his neck. "Love works in odd ways."

"…I see…" Esdeath said to herself quietly, the volume low enough for Minato to be unable to hear her. Taking in a deep breath, she looked back to her brother's eyes. "Better keep your guard up, Brother." She warned with a grin, changing the grip of her rapier, holding the blade upside down so that it pointed to the ground. With the way it was angled, it almost touched the ground.

This fight was about to become more intense. She knew it. She was going to make it be like that.

"…This is a new method." Minato commented, looking down to the tip of the weapon before looking up to Esdeath's hand. Raising his own weapon, he stared her down.

Stepping to the side, Minato tried to slash Esdeath. But then the General stepped to the side and raised her rapier in his direction and blocked the steel. Jabbing her fist forward, Minato had to leap back to avoid the tip of her rapier. Trying hard to strike her, every slash was parried and immediately countered with a punch.

Moving back and forth, Minato made it harder for Esdeath to jab in his direction, but she simply adapted to the situation as she just moved around as well. Their blades swung left to right, forward and back. Steel clashed against one another as sparks would fly upon contact.

Managing to catch her armed hand out in the open, Minato charged forward and forced Esdeath to go backwards. With is blade at his front, he almost cut the General. But then she created a small ice-rock beneath her feet which helped her trip backwards and kicked her legs upwards to force her brother to soar over her and away so that he couldn't get a cut on her.

Running to her opponent, Esdeath didn't make it fast enough as Minato was back up on his feet. Locking blades, Minato kicked her right in the stomach. But she kept her ground as she simply began clashing blades with him again. Grabbing each other, they moved on their feet trying to throw one another down to the ground.

Minato managed to win that small bit by slamming Esdeath against another trunk of a tree. Poising to stab her, Esdeath escaped by ramming the butt of her rapier handle right against his face. Stepping forward and after Minato, she changed her grip on her weapon back to normal. With her original grip, she slashed his mid-section just as he recovered. But Minato didn't let it stop him since the only damage he felt was something affecting his ribs.

Rushing as if uninjured, he tried to kick her side but then Esdeath defended herself with her elbow. Spinning around with her ice and past Minato, she almost cut his face but then her brother managed to defend himself just in time by putting his weapon up.

Minato stumbled back. Looking at the ground, he saw that his second blade was just at his feet. Picking up the weapon, Minato regained his dual-wielding status as he took the offensive with swift swings. Esdeath landed a hit his mid-section again in a counter hit and it caused Minato to reel back slightly. Once again, he didn't bleed due to the armor but still felt his body injured.

Raising her blade, she tried to vertically strike Minato's shoulder. But then the male crossed his blades and raised them up to just managed to stop the action from doing so. Slowly pushing upwards, Minato cocked one arm back and thrusted his katana. Esdeath dodged, leaning to the side. Seeing another thrust, the General grabbed the blue-haired male and threw him over her shoulder.

Rolling on the ground, Minato got up and had to block an attack from Esdeath. Trying to counter attack, he missed as his sister ducked right under it. She soon began to spin around, the transparent cold beneath her feet helping her mobility. Every rotation was accompanied by a slash to Minato's legs as she managed to cut them a couple of times. The slashing was precise, managing to create slits along the area that weren't covered by the armor.

Standing back up, she grabbed the blade of her rapier in her other hand while encasing the weapon and hand in ice. She soon ended up slamming the weapon right against the armpits of Minato. With more power pushing upwards, she tossed her brother into the air. Watching him fall, she didn't stop as she spun around. With a slash, several spikes of ice followed and punctured his skin while watching him skid along the ground.

Minato slightly panted, feeling the pain throb. Feeling as if it were hard to breath, he still got up. But then Esdeath was right on top of him, soaring through the air and riding a huge block of ice that slammed right onto his head.

Flipping backwards and landing on her feet, she could have sworn she heard Minato gurgle. Looking direction at the male, he was panting which made her frown. Sure, she was tired too. She panted as well. But the way Minato breathed was as if he were breathless.

"Brother…" Esdeath said slowly. "The fight is over. If I didn't encase my weapon in ice to make her blade dull, you would have lost your arm." She gestured to the limb she was talking about. "Not only that, but I also stabbed several points of the body that would make you bleed out within minutes. Though I doubt it would be enough to stop Akame of Night Raid, I still think it would cripple her enough for me to kill her quickly."

Shakily getting up, Minato tilted his head. "Then show me what you mean." He requested as he stepped forward to attack her.

Esdeath used both of her hands to move her blade fast enough to slash his leg. Not even allowing a second to pass, she moved her weapon upwards to slash his face. Next came what would have bee a massive cut on Minato's hip but was a severe blow/. After that, the mid-section on his side before slashing the other. Each attack came with cold fury as more blood began to pool and stain Minato body as uncovered areas were exposed for opportunity. The boy couldn't even move in retaliation due to the speed of Esdeath and the crippling pain he felt at the moment.

With a final stab to his chest, Esdeath stopped as the impact was strong enough to create a large dent in the armor. Still standing, Minato spat out blood like a fountain for less than a second. "I asked for that…" He groaned in a whisper. Stepping forward, his steps were weak as he stumbled without enough strength. Falling forward, Esdeath was right at his side to catch him.

Dispelling his costume, his fingers twitched as he eyed the Empress arcana. Wincing, he tried to crush the card. It was extremely tough for him to. "…Artemesia." He managed to grit out before breaking the card by making a fist.

Coming to life, the Persona of his choice looked over the two of them. The summon knew what it was supposed to do just with a single look at the situation. Raising her hand, she began to heal Minato. The green light was warm. Although she was not actually having her flesh knit back together, Esdeath felt the radiating warmth of the light.

Within seconds, Minato was back to full health externally. "Brother… Are you okay?" The General asked, stepping backwards as Minato was standing at full height. "You were out of breath earlier than usual when fighting." She frowned. "You've also had been visiting that doctor of Wild Hunt a lot before stopping when she was killed by Night Raid… Is there something I need to be concerned about?"

"…I'm fine." Minato shook his head.

"…" Esdeath stayed silent, seeming to refuse such an answer. She couldn't tell if he was lying or not. Most likely he was since he was visiting a doctor after all. Her frown was still on her face as Minato stared back at her. Reluctantly, she turned around and began to walk.

She was interrupted after a couple of steps though when she heard Minato enter a fit of violent coughs. "See?" She stated, turned around. "I knew something was o-"

Esdeath cut herself off when she was blood splattered all around the ground. But then there was something far more concerning. "Minato!"

Lying in the dirt was her brother, unconscious and pale.

PXA

Esdeath stayed standing next to the door that led to the room where Minato was being examined.

Although she didn't show it at all, she was agitated. She had to admit, it was a bit shocking to her that it seemed Minato was fine one moment before coughing up blood and lying unconscious the next. It seemed that her suspicions were correct that something was up, but she didn't what it was though. It was obvious that her brother was aware of it however. Why else would he visit that doctor of Wild Hunt before they had died?

Hearing the door beside her click, she was brought out of her thoughts when she saw a male doctor walk out of the room with a confused expression on his face. "How is my brother?" Esdeath asked, eyes staring at the male from the corner of her vision. Her gaze was slightly narrowed, almost as if she promised pain if she didn't like the answer.

The doctor flinched for a bit, but then cleared his throat. "His condition is one I've seen many times before." He answered, shaking his head as if ridding himself of some bad thoughts. "I'm not sure how it came to be… but…" He looked up to the female standing tall and staring down at him. "General Esdeath… your brother is dying."

Esdeath's eyes widened at the news as she found her mouth unable to utter a word. Nothing else changed on her person. Body language, mouth, it all stayed the same. Only her eyes changed and it proved to be extremely significant. She took a sharp deep breath, the words running through her mind over and over again.

"General… It is tough… I know from experience." The doctor attempted to console the female as she lowered her cap so her gaze wouldn't be seen. "Parting ways with a loved one and family is a feat no one is ready for… But now is the time to make sure he is happy before he departs."

"…How long does he have?" Esdeath asked quietly, but managed to be loud enough to not show her emotions.

"Hours… days," The doctor lowered his own head somberly. "Perhaps a week to a month. It all depends on how much stress is put onto his body." With those words, the man in the white coat walked away.

So his body was failing… Shouldn't Minato be able to heal himself? Or would that be just injuries. There was that time when he managed to cure what ailed Kurome for a bit, but then again the poison within the girl still existed. Perhaps… there was the fact that Minato couldn't heal himself to prevent his death.

Eyeing the door now, Esdeath stepped to the side and was right in front of the barrier. Looking up and down, the door seemed to be a lot more ominous than it was supposed to be.

Reaching forward, she grabbed the knob. But then she couldn't turn it. No, it wasn't that. She didn't want to turn it. What was stopping her? She looked down to see her hand shaking slightly. Excitement? No, she would never be like that to her bother dying.

Fear?

What was there to be afraid of? It was as her brother believed. Memento Mori. Everything has its time. Everything must eventually come to an end. Esdeath frowned at the thought. That was true but… Minato's time came too soon. There was just the final, upcoming battle left before they could all be at peace. Her brother was a fighter, but only when the occasion would arise. Minato was one who chose whether to fight or not, like every other person.

Slowly releasing her grip, Esdeath looked to the side and down a large hall where other people were walking. Some even sat on benches, consoling one another. A couple of them were crying as well. Was… she about to be like that? Would she be reduced to tears when the time would come?

Once more, the General eyed the door that led to Minato's room where he was supposed to rest. She sighed. This decision was a lot harder than she had anticipated. She never thought that such a decision was going to be a lot tougher than she expected.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the knob once more and opened the door.

PXA

Makoto was very stressed at the moment.

All he could do was just pace around, thinking about what he could do. Biting his own thumb, the carpet in his room was being worn down by he heels of his footwear. Nibbling on a nail, thoughts ran through his head as if they would come and go within an instance before moving onto the next one. Such a pattern was a beat inside his head at a rhythmic pace.

Why?

Everything he was doing, everything he had ordered had led to one complication after another. He felt like his fault, but something else was off completely. Each of his orders were well thought out, thinking about the good and bad events that would play out when issued. But then what came instead was nothing good, nothing bad, but extremely worse-case scenarios.

It was as if everyone was against him…

Makoto knew Minato was subtle about it, but it was a bit obvious at the same time in a way for the Emperor to not exactly take Prime Minister Honest's words sincerely. Since he was a child, Makoto knew that no one would really take him seriously, so they would mainly listen to the next person with the highest authority. It would make absolute sense if people would do what Honest told them…

… What Honest told them…?

That's it! Despite his own orders, Makoto thought they would be put out. But no! Honest was really the one in charge! Not only that, there's a war coming up as well. With such a violent battle soon, there was no way everyone would listen to a child about the issue. Once again, the next person with the highest authority.

Makoto soon began to realize something.

Honest was really in charge…

…There was a war coming up…

…And the Emperor was all alone in a room that was too quiet.

Hearing glass shatter, Makoto only managed to catch a glimpse of a figure pounceing at him from the corner of his eye.

Feeling a cloth over his mouth, Makoto's breathed and everything went hazy.

PXA

"Just a few more hours… and the assault on the Imperial capital will commence."

Najenda snapped a pocket watch shut, staring up to the banner that contained their name and symbol. Behind her, the three remaining members of Night Raid were right behind her; Akame, Leone, and Tatsumi. Turning around, she addressed each of them altogether. "Upon discovery of the ice cavalry General Esdeath was able to create with her Teigu, our plans have slightly changed. So listen carefully."

Leone put her hand behind her head, as if relaxed despite the feeling that she wasn't. "An army of ice…" Leone sighed, looking up a bit in thought. "Esdeath really could fight an entire war on her own."

"For starters and to point out," Najenda looked directly at the blonde of Night Raid. "She's not someone we can simply ignore and push to the side. But back to the topic at hand." Her visible eye looked over to Akame. "Both you and Akame will act according to the plan thus far, infiltrating the Imperial Palace. I will join the general offensive and lead the Teigu troops. Tatsumi, you'll be coming with me."

The brunette narrowed his eyes slightly. "So I'll be out and in the open?"

Najenda looked down a bit, a single bead of sweat running down her brow. "Esdeath's overwhelming power is beyond our imagination. If she attacks us and you're not around, there will be no hope of stopping her. I know this will put an even greater burden on both Akame and Leone as well but…"

"No one's going to have it easy out there!" Akame stated, trying to ease her boss' mind. "We'll be fine!"

Leone shrugged. "Well, if my best friend is saying that, I guess I'll have to give it my all too."

Watching the three assassins in front of her, Najenda couldn't help but smile a bit at their attitude. "Right!" She nodded. "However, there had been an optional addition to the targets though!" That got everyone's attention though as they gave looks of confusion. "Let me review the new list. There is Prime Minister Honest, General Esdeath, Minister of Military Affairs Koukei, Saikyuu, Youkan, and Dousen. But… the new target, if the event were to ever come, is Minato."

"What?!" Leone exclaimed, the reveal also getting surprised looks from Akame and Tatsumi.

"You all have seen and interacted with him." Najenda eyed each member of Night Raid carefully. "He's a wild card in this war. We have no idea if he will be participating in this war or not. The chances of him doing that however are extremely slim. But if he were to ever discover Esdeath's life in danger, he will not hesitate to intervene and protect her. If that were to happen, we'll have to kill him before getting to the General." The white-haired female raised an eyebrow. "Leone, do you-?"

"No! I don't have a problem with that!" The blonde exclaimed, throwing her hands up as if stopping the thought. But the she slightly looked away from a gaze that she was receiving. "It's just that… this is Minato. He… pretty much helped us out when we were almost caught when assassinating Bolic, almost being publicly executed for what he did."

Najenda listened, closing her eye. "It is difficult, that is true." She stated, taking in a deep breath. "But this is war, Leone." Her eyelid opened up but was narrowed in the blonde's direction. "Remember that the target is optional, only kill when the situation rises."

"…" Leone sighed, rubbing her head. She then rolled her neck, popping several air bubbles while cracking her knuckles. "Got it. In that case, let's get going soon."

The leader nodded her head. "In that case, move out! Night Raid will finish off all the final targets!"

PXA

Esdeath stared at Minato as he laid in the white bed that was the only object in the room.

Looking at the sleeping figure, it was almost hard for Esdeath to believe that the person was actually dying at the very moment. There was no look of conflict on their person. Only a peaceful expression was on Minato's face, as if he knew what was happening and accepted it. But he was asleep, it wasn't like he knew what was happening to his body. Right?

…Was this what those visits to the Wild Hunt group was for? So he could have his body examined and hopefully could be able to have them help him? No, it couldn't' be.

She shook her head. Just in time too as she saw Minato begin to stir. His eyes fluttered, as if blinking sleep out of his eyes after a slumber. The male stared upwards, unmoving and unresponsive. A confused expression took over his face as he soon began to look around. As soon as eyes laid upon Esdeath, he blinked once again. "…Sister?" He asked slowly and quietly.

"You're in a hospital, Brother." Esdeath answered the unasked question that she assumed lingered in Minato mind. "After our spar, you coughed up blood despite your healing and fainted."

"…Ah, right." Minato said lightly, remembering what had happened.

"Brother… Is there something you are not telling me?"

Minato paused, staring right at Esdeath. The General had her arms folded and an expression that demanded and begged for him not to lie. Closing his eyes, he remembered that he was in a hospital so a doctor must have examined him and gave her the results. Sighing softly, he opened his eyes and looked at his sister. "I think you already know… I am dying. I'm not sure how much time I have though… it all depends on my body and how much stress I put on it."

"…So it is true." Esdeath looked away slightly. A moment of silence erupted between the two siblings as only the voices outside of the door were heard. Moment by moment passed, no one uttered a word or sound. "…Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was hoping it wouldn't have been found out until the final battle." Minato admitted, craning his head around to look at the window that presented a view of the Imperial capital. "You have a burden even heavier than anyone could imagine, being the one ace for the Empire to win. Everyone knows this, including the Revolutionary Army. No doubt that they have a plan to isolate you and attack without mercy."

"Let them come." Esdeath stated. "It will be a glorious fight."

"And what if you die?" Minato asked curtly.

Esdeath blinked, as if caught off-guard by Minato's words. She shifted her body a bit in thought. "I won't. I have complete confidence that I will win."

"Will you?" Minato asked another question. But before Esdeath could reply, he continued on. "Maybe you will win." He turned his head back to his sister. "But nobody wins for long, Sister. Everyone… anyone will eventually lose. It doesn't matter what or who it is… it will eventually happen."

Esdeath frowned. "Right." She looked down this time. "Even if I fight, I will still lose you."

Once more… silence. This time, their breaths were extremely deep. A bubble dwelled inside their bodies, threatening to explode. But then kept it inside. They kept it close. They did not let it burst and spread through their systems. Mentally, they vowed for this moment not to make it seem like it was the end. Not yet. The time had not yet come. There was still so much for them to do together.

Stepping forward, Esdeath pulled up a chair that was right next to the bed. Without a word, she sat down. She looked down at his hand, the limb not moving at all. It was as if he were already dead. Bringing up her own fingers, she wrapped them around Minato's single hand. Their eyes met, reading the emotions that each of them were trying to hide.

"My life will just disappear." Minato sighed, looking up. He reached up to the ceiling as if he could grab it. "Everything I am, gone in a moment like a breath on a mirror. Time comes and goes, stays the same yet changes. all We change as well, when you think about it. We all can be different people throughout our lives and that's okay. You have to keep moving forward so long as you remember all the people that you used to be."

Esdeath looked at her brother's expression this time, as if remembering something from a long time ago. It was… that look he held before. Back when she embraced him when Minato came back when their entire village perished.

She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself in control. It was at that moment, she came to a decision.

Minato felt a chill along his hand. Looking down, he saw the hand that was holding onto Esdeath's suddenly becoming encased in ice. "…Sister?" He asked, as if betrayed. "Why?"

"You don't have to die yet, Brother." Esdeath stated, clutching his limb tightly, focusing on encasing his entire body into ice. "When the war is over… I'll leave the Empire… explore the land. Maybe there will be something out there that will be able to help your body recover." Her gaze narrowed, determined. "You won't have to go."

Minato continued to look down at the ice crawling up his body. "Yes, I did say that." He confirmed. "But it must happen, Sister. You don't understa-"

"Shh…" Esdeath stood up and placed a finger against Minato's lips. "It's okay, Minato." She whispered into his ear. "Everything will be fine. Just let me take care of everything…"

Reaching to his back, Minato felt himself touching his own clothing and flesh. Looking around, he saw his book at the other side of the room. With his free hand extended, he tried to reach for the object despite his distance from the object. But soon, his hand was frozen like almost all of his body.

"Sister…" Minato managed to breathe out before becoming completely frozen.

Releasing her grip, Esdeath breathed but couldn't tell if it was due to relief or sorrow. She almost dropped to her knees, but managed to catch herself and stayed up on her feet. Grabbing the book, she hooked it onto her person before grabbing the ice statue of Minato.

Opening the window, she leapt out and landed on one of the rooftops of the many building within the Imperial capital before running with amazing speed towards the castle.

She completely ignored the looks she received as she sped past everyone with Minato still in her grip. Entering her quarters, she locked the door before laying her brother on her bed. She then dropped the book gently next to him.

"I will not die yet," Esdeath slowly said, looking out of her balcony window. The day had already ended. War was coming soon. "And I will not lose you."

PXA

The entire capital was surrounded by soldiers, both ready to fight for their beliefs.

The Revolutionary Army each had shields with crosses on them, as if they were a symbol of peace or that they were the true saviors. Many were uniformed and wore helmets, each having large builds that meant they trained very hard for this day. Behind them, many tools and weapons were ready to fire at the wall of the capital to infiltrate.

The Imperial Army was almost exactly like the opposition. Many soldiers stood at the ready, blades raised as if the enemy were already close to them. Their own helmets shadowed their gazes as they stood firmly in place, determined to defend their home. Along the capital wall's, cannon poked out and were ready to fire.

Atop of the wall looking at the action was Esdeath, hands on her hips as she observed the action that had not started yet. "Enemies as far as the eyes can see… How wonderful." She breathed with a smile on her face.

"They're planning to come at us from every direction." Suzuka breathed, as if anticipating the action already. She could already feel the pain coursing through her body with every slash that would be made to her person.

Esdeath looked down, noticing the many warriors made of ice standing at the very front of the Imperial Army. Proud they stood, feeling the need to fight just like their creator. "Let's see how they react when they're face to face with our ice cavalry."

Before she could give a command though, the Revolutionary Army released a barrage of cannon balls straight towards her. Esdeaht looked elated at such. Snapping her fingers, ice coated her feet and she began to float upwards. With a throwing motion soon after, waves of icicle shards matched each sphere of iron and forced the ball to explode before reaching her.

Najenda was shocked but not surprised.

All of the cannonballs that were ordered to fire were destroyed as she expected. But it was within almost a second that they were all destroyed.

The plan was not to gradually have her use up her energy though. The General had too much to spare.

But still, Najenda had other means in her head. On the horse that was provided for her, she narrowed her eyes towards Esdeath who almost seemed to stare back at her. Despite the distance, she could tell that the General was smirking. Th blue-haired woman was welcoming the challenge.

Raising her metallic arm, a soldier behind released a colored flare into the sky.

A loud rumbling could be heard and became louder as seconds passed. Many Dangers Beasts, all of massive sizes, were thundering towards the battle, all with the Revolutionary Army sign on their skulls. They all seemed to have a hatred for the Empire, but it was really the command to attack by a single man sitting cross-legged on the leading monster's head with a smile on his face.

Looking forward, Najenda saw the Emprie fire their own flare. Almost as fast as it was for their Danger Beasts of the land to come, such monsters from the sky began to fall and fly into combat. It soon became something nature had intended, the survival of the fittest. Each army's side of monsters fought to the death, ripping each other apart as if it were a sickening sport.

Eyeing the land in front of them, Najenda saw the ice cavalry coming right towards them. She knew that they couldn't afford to waste time against them because of a waste of energy. Plus they were tough opponents and the battle has not started yet. "Tatsumi!" She called out.

The brunette easily rushing through the front, activating Incursio and demolishing the frozen soldiers.

Listening to the cheers from the soldiers, Najenda still didn't like how this battle was far from over.

PXA

At the very top of the palace inside, it was a scene that was not very pleasant.

Prime Minister Honest calmly made his way across the floor with a flight of stairs right in front of him. Behind him the fat man was a single guard dragging a very groggy-looking Makoto across the flat surface. The two adults didn't care about the condition of the Makoto except for the fact that the mind of the boy was still operational at least.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Honest looked over to the guard that was accompanying him. "And here we are. The battle has just begun, but it will end as fast as it has started." He grinned, looking down at the boy. "It looks like the Devil's Whisper drug is working right now. With that administered, he should do whatever he's told. Let's see…" The adult bent over and leaned in close to the boy. "Makoto, say yes if you can hear me."

"…" The boy almost lazily reacted, his eyes half closed. It was as if he were really asleep with his body only being able to function at the sound of a voice. "…Yes." He just managed to wheeze out, unable to control his body and mouth.

Honest kept his shit-eating grin on his face. "Wonderful. Now, General Esdeath is currently holding the enemy at bay. We must prepare for the battle ourselves. Everyone thinks that General Esdeath is our trump card… but it is really you, Makoto."

"…" The young Emperor didn't respond.

Searching his person, Honest eventually pulled out the scepter that belonged to the boy and handed it over. "Go on, take it." The fat-man nodded, watching the boy slowly grab the object. "That is the key to activate the supreme Teigu. But there is one other key to use it, the blood of the Great Emperor. Only you are able to use it, your majesty. Go forward and activate it."

Within, Makoto didn't want to. He tried to force himself to stop. His internal screams were not verbal as he just walked forward, up the stairs. Each step was almost a struggle inside, as if managing to fight. But second by second past, and he lost it every time. Hid physical body would drag itself up the stairs and eventually made it to the top to stand in front of a grand alter with a hole the perfect size for the scepter in his hand.

"You are truly the spitting image of your late father, the previous father, did you know that?" Honest asked, making Makoto's uncontrollable body stop and listen. "From his looks to his soft-hearted, weak, personality." The Prime Minsiter goaded with a smile. "He was too kind and gentle, a far too problematic thing for an emperor. It's a shame I had to poison him."

As if Makoto managed to have control of his body for a moment, the young boy managed to turn around slowly at the news. "Oh, do not worry." Honest continued. "It was the most humane, merciful thing I could have done. Unlike what happened to your mother. I couldn't have her end up as queen, so I had no other option but to shove poison down her throat." He then looked up to see the boy staring at her. "Well, what are you waiting for? Activate the supreme Teigu and destroy those the threaten the Empire."

Makoto didn't want to do it though. He wanted to strangle Honest. He was just a young child, but then the full anger of a grown man boiled within the small body. He wanted to lash out, beat the disgusting pig with the very object in his hands.

But he couldn't help but do as Honest told him. Makoto internally wept as he inserted his scepter into the hole.

He felt so weak…

PXA

Tatsumi roared in fury as he continued to demolish the ice cavalry Esdeath had created.

Each cold soldier was at his mercy as he broke them without mercy. Knowing that they were made of frozen water only made it easier for him to cut them down, break them to pieces. Looking forward, he saw more come his way. But there was one other person that caught his eye. They charged right towards him like predator lunging for its prey.

Esdeath had entered battle, and was coming straight for him.

"I'll force my way through, kill the commander, and bring victory!" Esdeath exclaimed, cutting down all of the opposition swiftly while riding on a horse made of ice.

Hearing this, Tatsumi easily reacted quickly. "You think I'll let you, Esdeath?!" He roared, his armor from Incursio protecting him and granting him the necessary strength needed to fight. He shattered the frozen horse as he passed her.

Esdeath had a surprised look on her face due to the sudden interference. But then a feral grin took over her features when she noticed who had done such a thing. "You're here, Tatsumi!" She exclaimed in mad glee. "I have been waiting for this moment!"

Leaping into the air, she fell down right towards the assassin of Night Raid as the male went straight for her. The ground beneath shattered behind the forces of impact that were made with each hit that was created within seconds. Tatsumi couldn't help but defend against every attack made by the General, already struggling with grunts of concentration.

Lashing out his free hand, he grabbed onto an arm that was overextended. "Caught you! I'll get you before you can make your ice armor!" Tatsumi roared, stabbing forward with the spear in his hand.

Esdeath however smirked. "You don't know what it means to touch me, do you?" She asked. Before Tatsumi couldn't managed to pierce her skin, she tapped his hand with her free limb. The effect was almost instant, completely freezing the armored brunette in place.

It didn't last long though as Tatsumi burst out of his prison of ice, retreating backwards just a bit to catch his breath. "It's too early to be exhausted Tatsumi." He heard the General speak, walking towards him calmly. "I'm just starting to get warmed up now."

He gritted his teeth as Esdeath went for him once more. Her strikes were precise, purposefully toying with him. Tatsumi wanted to take advantage of it, but he could only focus on defense due to their difference in strength.

He needed more power. He needed more speed. He needed everything in order to stand up against the mightiest in all the Empire!

Tatsumi called upon the power of Incursio, his combat capabilities increasing immensely all of a sudden. Now he was on the offensive, turning the tables within a second. He managed to force Esdeath back. But rather than fear, happiness dwelled within her. "Wonderful! Brilliant, Tatsumi!"

Touching the ground, a massive, thick pillar of ice knocked Tatsumi into the air. With a fierce gesture of her hands, she created a giant block of ice right above the brunette to crush him. She was completely successful as the chunk landed on the ground and landed right on top of Tatsumi. "Come on, I know that's not all you've got!" She roared with pleasure as Tatsumi broke out of the ice. "On your feet! Entertain me more! Please me!"

But before their battle could continue, a loud gong rang trough the entire battlefield.

The effect was instant. Both factions stopped what they were doing to look at the source of the sound. Each of them were dumbstruck, as if they couldn't believe what had happened. "The signal to pull back for now?!" Esdeath exclaimed, looking backwards and saw the chaos.

The capital was almost completely engulfed in flames. Maybe about half of it actually. "Damn…" she cursed under her breath. "The Imperial capital is a wreck." Esdeath narrowed her eyes. She tried to make out the flames and their location. Squinting a bit more, she widened her eyes. "The palace as well…"

Creating an ice horse, she mounted onto the construct as she looked over towards Tatsumi. "You've impressed me, Tatsumi! You managed to hold me back this time! Let us meet again soon!" Swiftly, she retreated towards the palace.

Tatsumi meanwhile felt nearly exhausted, on one of his hands and both knees he had to rest. Hearing a horse pull up next to him, he looked up to see Najenda. "Are you okay, Tatsumi?" She asked, stopping right next to the assassin of Night Raid.

"Yeah… somehow." Tatsumi panted. "Her power knows no limits…"

Najenda nodded with approval. "Good job on drawing Esdeath's attention away. During that time, with the aid of the Teigu troops, we were able to completel destroy the opposition's castle gates!"

"We did it…" Tatsumi breathed, looking down while not looking happy. "Though it took a bit of a toll on my body…" He carefully observed his hands. "I think the fusion with Incursio is starting… I feel so comfortable with the armor on."

"What?!" Najenda exclaimed, whipped her head back. "Then-"

"No, I won't take it off!" Tatsumi responded back. "I can't quite explain it… but I know that by the end of this war my body is going to end up tattered and broken. But… if I can help bring about an era of peace, it's more than worth it." He slowly began to stand up, struggling by remaining strong. "All I ask is that I'm left with enough strength when it's all said and down to protect Mine. That's all the power I need. I', going to see this through until we all cry our shouts of victory!"

Najenda was taken aback by his words of determination. For a split second, she swore she saw a man with blue-hair rather than the brunette with that kind of inspiration. But she shook her head. "Tatsumi…" She breathed. "Don't worry. This war is already won. Even retreating now to defend the palace, they're far too la-"

"Hey… Over there… Some strange thing…"

A single soldier spoke out loud. It was like the gong from earlier, his voice almost deafening and loud across the battlefield. Everyone seemed to follow the finger that was being pointed. Slowly turning, everyone couldn't help but stare with mixed feelings. But none of them were positive.

In their sights was a giant standing in the middle of the capital. It looks like a giant emperor with its clothing, a giant blue cloak and collar being worn on the body. Massive shoulder-pads helped create the giant look. But the head was completely different. The mouth was an open rectangle, almost like a mouth. A single eye was at the center of the face, the color being red as if enraged.

Before anyone could say anything, the chest began to open. Inside, an actual eye presented itself to the world. Light gathered around the pupil, shining. It only took a single second. A single second to fire across the capital, out of the walls, and onto the battlefield.

A single second… a single beam… too many lives lost within that amount of time.

Najenda and Tatsumi watched with horror as so many lives were wiped out. No one had a change to survive that as the shot practically stripped away the flesh of those unfortunate enough to be in it. After the flesh, the bones disintegrated. Not even a single bit of dust or ash, anything that could be considered remains were left of the poor victims.

PXA

Esdeath's room was isolated, filled with the sounds of muffled chaos around the area.

The frozen body of Minato couldn't hear such though, the ice around his body preventing him from doing so. A single person in the room knew about this as they walked up to the frozen body. Looking down they couldn't help but stare.

Their eyes then turned to the book that laid next to him. The person reached over and picked up the book and began to read its pages. The blanks sheets were now filled with ink that created many stories, moving images also being a part of the papers. "Ah, it seems you have created many bonds throughout your remaining time here. That is most certainly wonderful. But you are not done yet, are you?"

Placing a finger over the top of the frozen body, the person traced a line from the top to the bottom. With a tap, the ice shell split in half and freed Minato from his frozen prison.

PXA

Honest cackled with glee at the sight of the chaos in front of him.

"Incredible! Magnificent!" He exclaimed, standing on a balcony right behind the giant. "We obliterated thousands of enemy soldiers in just a single blast?! Now, you will see what hell truly is. Rebel scum! This is the Empire's trump card! The very origin and pinnacle of all, the Supreme Teigu; Shikoutazer!"

He watched as Shikoutazer fired many more shots all over the land outside of the capital. Watching from a pair of binoculars, he chuckled to himself. "Giving order to fire from a safe a secure location is brilliant! Just like this, I can kill people in droves! I'm pretty sure I've already killed tens of thousands! Clearly this is the most rational and logical method!"

"But even I have to admit, this is absolute overkill! Blasting the rebel army to smithereens! This battel is so lopsided, I just can't help but laugh!"

So many shots were fired. So much chaos was created. Honest was completely enjoying himself. He even had to say and confess that he was a sick son of a bitch. And why should he care? He would admit it with pride. No one would be able to do anything about it.

Hearing a sound, he looked down and saw a bloody body right next to his feet. "What was that?" He asked, blinking with surprise as he turned around.

"And now, you've got no one left to hide behind."

Flexing her hand, Leone walked forward with her Teigu already transforming her.

Honest backed up with surprise. "A-a-an assassin?!" He questioned with shock. "You infiltrated the palace and made it all the way to the highest floor?!

Leone cracked her knuckles. "Oh how I've been waiting for this very moment." She glared, grinding her teeth in preparation of punching the fat man to death. Cocking back her fist, she charged forward.

"N-no! Wait! Please, wait!" Honest panicked, still trying to back up. Raising his hands in defense, he stood in place. But then he stopped the fist right in its tracks. He looked up, seeing Leone's shocked look. "Oh, did I manage to block it?" He asked, his fear disappearing and his arrogant side showing once more.

"What?!" Leone exclaimed, pushing back with shock.

"Surprised?" Honest asked, taking off his massive coat. "It was quite some time ago, but my subordinate was trying to sell me on the usefulness of an assassination squad. Although you had the surrounding chaos help you, you still made it all the way here on your own. Assassins are quite troublesome indeed."

Leone narrowed her eyes. "I didn't make it here all on my own." She stated. "I came here on the broad shoulder of countless others…" So many people flashed in her mind, her family, friends, and other she was close to. "Their sacrifice is the reason I stand here now! And so for each one of them, I'll kill you 100 times over!"

Charging forward once more, she tried to kick the Prime Minister but then Honest blocked it with his arm. "If that's the case, I'll just have to kill you 200 times!" Honest retorted as Leone gritted her teeth.

With a flurry of punches and kicks, the blonde tried to hurt the large adult. But then Honest seemed to manage himself fine on his own, his hands blocking and taking hits without much pain. Leaping back to avoid a swipe, he countered with a flurry of his own punches. "That was disappointing." Honest mocked.

Leone was bruised all over as she felt pain all over her body. "You can use martial arts?!"

"In order to indulge in one's hearts content and enjoy a long life, it's important one maintain a strong, stout body." Honest simply said as he walked forward. "In my younger days, it would be an understatement to say that I trained diligently. And thanks to that…" He stood right over the fallen Leone. "I'm rather durable and tough to this day. But that fight left me a bit hungry." She licked his lips while eyeing her exposed stomach. "Your belly meat looks so savory."

Leone kicked him right in the stomach before he could lay his sweaty hands on her though. Getting back up, Leone grinned at how she loved Lionel's recovery ability. "Looks like you didn't know about my Teigu's trump card."

Honest coughed up blood. "I can't believe… you'd kick me right in the stomach! That's just mean and cruel!"

Leone lunged forward again. "Mean and cruel?! Drop dead you heartless fuck!" She roared.

Clutching his stomach, Honest's eyes were shadowed. "I'll have to refuse your request. By the way, you're in range."

The headband on the man suddenly opened up and shined a light. Just was fast as it appeared, Leone's Teigu shattered and her transformation disappeared. She felt the power she would usually get disappear. "My Teigu broke?!" She exclaimed.

Those were her last words before being shot in the stomach.

"Consider that payback for kicking me in the gut." Honest stated, having a gun in his hands which he pulled out from a side holster on his hip. "It's a waste how you made me waste my precious Teigu so quickly though… It takes a week to charge you know."

But Leone didn't fall, she stood up despite the blood flowing out of her stomach. "If you think… that'll be enough to kill me you've got another thing-"

"Sorry," Honest apologized. "But unfortunately, I've run out of time to play with you. His majesty has been unassisted for far too long." Shooting Leone in the stomach for a second time, she felt Honest grab him by the hair. "Don't you dare pass out on these hallowed grounds of the place. A degenerate wretch like you deserves to die in the dirt."

Leone soon felt herself thrown off of the balcony.

As she felt and blood poured out of her body, she began to think. Was this really where she will die?! She promised Akame that she would be the one to kill the Prime Minster! She promised Tatsumi to help him get through the effects of fusing with his Teigu! She promised herself that she would tell Mine the good news!

She-

Feeling her body land on the ground, she laid in place surrounded by her own blood and didn't move.

PXA

So much chaos ensued and Makoto felt like he couldn't do anything about it.

He could hear the screams and panic of everyone as the inside of Shikoutazer allowed him such a scene to be presented and heard. All of his actions were made on their own, each one commanding the destruction of the Revolutionary Army. This wasn't right. This wasn't what he wanted! Yes, he did want to defend his people. But all of this violence was too much for him!

But he kept moving. A puppet on strings, each movement and command created on his own just from a some words from Honest! The man's voice echoed through his head over and over and over and over again and again and again and again and again! It just wouldn't stop! It was so tempting! Why did Makoto have to follow them?!

But no matter how hard he would fight, he always ended up giving in.

He soon noticed something coming straight for him.

PXA

Esdeath ran around the halls of the palace, swiftly making her way to her room. With all of the chaos spreading, she partially feared that Minato's body was in danger. Despite being away from all of the chaos, destruction had made its way into the capital.

There was a chance that people had also infiltrated the palace as many hated people resided within the walls for safety. She wouldn't be surprised if she ran into any of the assassins of Night Raid if that were the case.

Grabbing the knob of her door, she ripped open the wooden barrier. "Minato!" She exclaimed, looking at her bed.

But nothing laid on the mattress.

Stepping inside swiftly, she found herself panicking a bit at no sight of the body. "Where is he?!" She asked herself furiously, not really having any time for searching. Scratching her head, she looked at the bed once more. Glancing away, her eyes snapped back when she noticed one detail.

Minato's book was gone.

PXA

Makoto looked through the eyes of Shikoutazer and saw him.

Minato stood on two tarot cards as they provided him support and had him float in the air. His arms were folded as he watched the giant Teigu staring back at him. The man remained unmoving as his gaze was fixed on the object that caused so much destruction. He compared his own size to Shikoutazer and was impressed with how such a Teigu of size could be made.

"Makoto… I know you can hear me." Minato unfolded his arms, having they dangle at his sides.

"Your majesty, crush that insignificant man! He's a threat to the Empire!" Honest shouted, his voice being heard by the blue-haired man and the young boy.

But Minato didn't react at all to the insult. He instead closed his eyes.

Makoto meanwhile had commanded Shikoutazer to attack without his consent. Each movement was made by the boy but he didn't want to call them his own. Each move was not his. It was something that Honest had administered to him.

He watched the giant swing at him but then ducked under the large arm. He slightly frowned at how Makoto was acting. "You can." His voice was at a normal volume, but somehow it was as if it were amplified since Makoto could hear him. "Since you are responsive to Honest's voice, I know you will be able to listen." He stood on his cards, right in front of the face of Shikoutazer. "So listen well."

But before Minato could open his mouth, Honest had a faster tongue. From behind, the man called out his insturctions. "Supreme Teigu! Activate your secret weapon, purge mode!"

Minato backed up as his eyes narrowed as the body of the massive giant began to mutate, like a freak of nature. On the outside, it no longer looks like a dignified weapon or emperor. Now, it just looked like a monster. An abomination everyone would fear. The pads of armor on the shoulder and knees were now eyes, looking all around for something to set its sights upon and always changed each second to another target. Armor turned into bone and flesh. Its divine cloak now stained and ripped.

Makoto meanwhile felt something crawl up from behind. Looking back, he wanted to scream in terror. He didn't know what it was, but he felt it grab his body. It worked its way around his body. Makoto cried but nothing left his mouth, only silence was the language he could speak as he desperately fought the internal battle to regain his body so he could shake the monsters off.

But then he was eventually consumed by it. The entity had taken a hold of his body, a new force he had to fight. Suspended inside his Teigu with his mind at work and body functioning on its own, Makoto wept.

Shikoutazer's hand slammed onto the ground. Multiple shots soon flew out from behind the body. Minato gritted his teeth as he gestured his hands outwards, causing cards to fly out of his book and form above the capital. He silently cursed as he couldn't stop most of the shots as his cards were fewer than the bombardment.

From his view, Minato could see the destruction. Buildings were struck and debris began to fall. So many people ran for their lives, trying to escape the chaos. It didn't matter if they were part of the Revolutionary Army or Imperial soldiers though, each of them were hurt in some regard. Fires broke out as so many lives were taken within seconds.

Honest, who was still standing on the balcony, laughed madly however. Once more, the glee of seeing such chaos was so humorous to him. "Yes! How do you like this power, you majesty?! The power to bring a new light that will shine over the masses and bless our thousand-year empire?! It is such beautiful art from this distance! Next will be Minato! If so, then no one will be there to threaten your rule!"

Minato looked towards Shikoutazer, knowing what who was behind the Teigu. He could go up and kill Honest right now and end this entire war if he wanted to. But he didn't. That task was meant for someone else. Minato didn't show it, but he felt frustrated. He wanted to do so much more, but he was limited. "Go ahead then… kill me."

His body felt weak when those words were heard, and Makoto just managed to have the strength to regain control. Looking up, he lost the power and was pulled back from the wheel. But the body just stared at Minato who stood right at the perfect distance to be fully seen but close enough for his voice to be clear that he was accepting what could possibly happen.

Minato widened his arms, as if welcoming such a gesture. His features were frowning. "But before you do kill me, listen." Minato managed to regain his composure by taking in a deep breath. He was surprised by the emotion in his voice. He never knew he was like that. Bringing a hand up, he cupped it over his ear. "All of those people that you said you would protect and be a good emperor for, that you would lead to create an era which everyone will love… Can you hear them scream and cry?"

Makoto, one of Minato's audience members, was influenced to do so as he looked and saw the burning flames that scorched the capital he lived in. He knew what this kind of fire was. It was not for warmth. It burned with hatred and destruction.

"You think this is what a good emperor would do?" Minato continued on, commanding the tarot cards to form a circle under him. He soon began to pace around, as if he were a teacher and in front of him was a student. "Well you are no emperor. Right now, you are just a monster. An abomination that lives on greed, and lust, and every sin that mankind would offer. A destroyer that has ruined so many lives that have been filled with love but now loss, birth but now death, and joy which has been turned into sorrow." He stopped his pacing, pointing at Shikoutazer. "What kind of an ruler would do this to his own subjects? What kind of person would do this? What kind of person are you?"

"…" Inside, Makoto listened. His body remained frozen since it was told to listen. Minato's words, what he said… he was sort of right. Right now, he was a monster, an abomination, a destroyer. But he wasn't that. He was just a child who had been forced into the role of a ruler.

Makoto felt the power to obtain his body again and did. He felt himself spread through the flesh and blood that belonged to him. But he had to constantly fight. "I do doubt the people will forgive me for what happened… If I had the ability to go back and change many things, I would… But that won't stop me from trying right now!"

The force that once controlled his body though threatened to take back what it had once owned. A voice began to tell him what to do. Stop fighting against this new power. For him to let go and allow Honest's voice to be his guide. Just stop and let it happen.

"Shut up… Shut up. Shut up!" Makoto screamed, banging his head against the glass sphere where he floated. "I refuse! Why should I stop fighting?! Why should I let go!? Why should I listen to the man who has tricked me, deceived me, poisoned me, killed my family?! Why should I stop when I can do so much more?! So! Much! More!" Beating his fist against the glass, he eventually rested. "But this is what I get. I did my best… and this is my reward… it's not fair! It's just not fair!"

Panting, Makoto began to glare up. His head pulsed so badly and it felt like it was going to explode. But he only grit his teeth as he bared through the pain. "No… it's not over…" He breathed, as if realizing something. "I am not a good emperor… I will never be able to be an emperor… But I can still do what I can to make this land a better place!"

With resolve firm inside, Makoto looked up. He knew how to control Shikoutazer, and he was just going to do that. Focusing, he charged the massive Teigu for one final attack. Many hidden channels opened up around the creation and Makoto fired upwards.

Watching the shots rise, he closed his eyes in preparation as Shikoutazer just stood in place. Ignoring the protests of Honest, who's control Makoto was long gone from, the young boy got ready for impact. While he could have aimed for Honest, he had a feeling the fat man would somehow survive and run away. Where the bastard would run to however Makoto knew where he would.

Feeling a volley of projectiles band against the Teigu, Makoto winced and screamed. But then he knew that he did the right thing. No one should have this kind of access to a Teigu like the one he was in at the moment. He had to destroy Shikoutazer. The rain of pain fell upon him, each hit inflicting massive damage. Chunks of the construct fell off as if ripped by pure force, which they kind of were.

Soon, it was no longer standing. Makoto had fallen with the creation. The glass prison which contained him shattered as well, allowing him to be free. He reached a hand forward and crawled out of the Teigu.

As soon as he got outside, he heard it. He heard the massive cries of cheers. He couldn't tell if it was the Imperials, the rebels, or even the citizens. But to hear such happiness from his actions… it made him smile tiredly. But it was a short-lived happiness though.

Looking up, he saw Minato slowly descending towards him. Not surprising that the man would be concerned for his well being. Makoto was still a child after all. Getting back up to his feet, he began to wave with a smile to signal that he was okay. Watching the young man stop in place, the two of them stared at one another. "Minato… thank you for everything." Makoto said.

Honestly, he wasn't sure if Minato could hear him or not. That uncertainty was wiped away though when he saw the blue-haired male nod towards him in acknowledgement.

There was suddenly something that grew out of the corners of their eyes as they both turned. In their sights, massive mountains of ice were seen that had grown out of thin air. Normally, this was something unnatural. But with a certain person within the capital, it was obvious who it was.

Makoto watched as Minato looked at him with a bit of hesitation. Really, it was interesting to see a bit of emotion and thought flash across the blue-haired male's face from time to time. It gave Minato a bit more character. With a small, reassuring smile, Makoto nodded his head in the direction of the ice. He soon watched the young man floating on the cards begin to make his way though the air to what could have been a battlefield.

Makoto soon turned around and began to run back to the palace.

There was still one more thing he had to do.

PXA

Esdeath pretty much had no clue where Minato was as soon as she discovered that he had gone missing. How did he even escape the ice shell in the first place.

But that easily changed when the loud sounds of explosions and destruction gained her attention. Turning her head around, she saw the giant Teigu and was impressed with its power as well as strength. But then her eyes widened a bit with surprise when she saw her brother floating right in front of Shikoutazer.

She didn't know if she was going to try and fight the emperor or not. There was one thing Esdeath knew however, there was a chance that Minato would strain his body and kill himself faster in the process.

Without any other thoughts, she dashed right out of her room. Running through the halls and out of the palace, she leapt high into the air. But it wasn't enough to get to where Minato was. Creating a two blocks made of ice around her feet, she soared upwards towards her brother. Near the wall, she traveled as she was almost to the top and above.

But in the middle of the trip though, before she could call out his name or even get close enough for him to hear her, Esdeath saw something come at her fast out of the corner of her eye.

Raising her unequipped arm and covering it with ice, she blocked Murasame's blade that Akame tried to use and kill the blue-haired General. "Esdeath! You will die here and now!" The black-haired female claimed, putting pressure on the ice armor.

Esdeath scowled as this was a complete waste of her time in her opinion. There was the option between a fight or stopping her brother from overworking his body. Deciding to fight, she had to make it extremely quick and not enjoy herself before getting to Minato. "Out of my way, you insolent fool!" She exclaimed. "I've already seen through the extent of your power and speed! You're not match for me!"

But then her eyes looked at her covered arm. Hearing a crack, she noticed several lines forming along the transparent armor. With surprise due to the strength being able to break it, Esdeath leaped back to avoid being cut by the deadly blade. How Akame was much more power than before was a thought that would be discarded.

Expecting Akame to charge at her, Esdeath was surprised once more as the speed the assassin produced as the katana-user was right in front of the General. Seeing her mid-section about to be slashed, Esdeath brought her rapier down to block the slash.

But the onslaught just kept on going. Every move Esdeath made to retreat Akame was right after her, not giving a second to breath. Every step left an footprint of pressure against the rock and also destroyed stone pylons as their fight almost seemed one-sided at the moment. Movement was matched with footwork and sword play. Each attack had to be perfectly defended or countered. One wrong move for any of them and it would be death.

But then Esdeath was still stronger. With the attacks constantly coming, she managed to pick off small cuts and stabs. All over the visible skin, Akame was bleeding but then it didn't stop her. With a roar of strength, the assassin tried an overhead slash but then failed to land it due to the katana being blocked.

Pushing off, Esdeath scowled while adjusting her cap. This was taking a lot more time than she had expected. Either the younger girl went through intense training or was enhanced by something. Rushing forward, Esdeath and Akame began to clash once more. Their blades went up against one another, an argument made of steel forming with sparks flying.

With a stab, Esdeath was so close but then Akame dodged just in the nick of time. Once more, their deadly dance commenced as they began to destroy the floor around them as debris flew up only to be shattered and hit away from the action. Only blurs could be seen with their weapon movement as both were heavily concentrated to kill one another.

With an unexpected tackle with blade both defending and attacking though, Akame brought Esdeath off the wall and into a more secluded area where a few buildings were in ruin. Despite the landing, both were on their feet and standing in front of one another good distance apart. Esdeath seemed hardly tired while Akame was panting hard.

"Finished already?" Esdeath asked, pointing her rapier right at the assassin. "Good, because my patience is starting to run thin."

"No… I'm not done yet." Akame breathed, raising her blade with a murderous look. "I'll see you dead here and now!"

Flipping her grip on her weapon, Akame immediately stabbed herself with Murasame. Esdeath looked surprise, but then Akame needed to stunned time to prepare herself. Gritting her teeth, the assassing did her best not to let out any sound of pain. Her scleras turned black with dark marking appearing around the pupils and a dark aura enveloped her body. Red markings meanwhile took over her skin, decorating her visible body at the same time.

It took a few seconds for Esdeath, but then she realized what was happening. "Murasame's trump card…" She gritted her teeth. She was already wasting enough time as it was.

Lunging forward, Akame was even more faster now. Within that moment Esdeath easily concluded that pretty much all of the girl's abilities were enhanced. Slamming her hand on the ground, ice erupted right out of the dirt. The ice managed to trap the enhanced Akame, but then it began to crack only after a second.

Breaking out of the ice, the girl continued to fall towards the woman. Esdeath spun out of the way while still keeping her hand against the ground. A tree made of ice began to grow and she was right on top. Icicles began to shoot out like gunfire all around its radius. Dodging, ducking, dipping, diving, Akame did her best to avoid each and every deadly bit of ice.

Slashing upwards, several sharp pieces of ice were knocked into the air. Knocking them towards Esdeath, the General was a bit surprised as she lost concentration since she was forced to move off of the tree. As she landed on the ground, Akame was over her. Stabbing towards the ground, Akame only got the dirt as Esdeath rolled out of the way.

"Out of my way!" Esdeath shouted as she formed a giant column with spikes on it. With the position being horizontal, she commanded the giant construct to spin at a rapid pace since Akame was right under it.

The assassin grabbed onto one of the spikes, being pulled upwards as it began to rotate. Releasing her grip when she was on top, Akame began to swiftly yet carefully make her way around the spinning points to reach Esdeath once more. The column suddenly stopped and Akame had a better time getting to her enemy.

But then the General was suddenly above and was about to stomp the top of Akame's head with her heel. Akame got out of the way fast enough though as the ice creation broke right in half.

With determination and speed, Akame spun around and countered by cutting Esdeath's hand off.

It was a very shocking moment for the General as the attack had managed to land despite being on her guard. Esdeath could already feel the poison spreading within her. But then she thought quickly. "Mahapadma!"

Her entire world went frozen immediately with the water particles around them not moving. Looking down at her severed limb, a bitter look came across her face. Before the poison from Murasame could spread any more, she tore off the elbow part of her arm and severed the area where the poison began.

Freezing her cut arm to created a new limb and a sword made of ice, she swung around and managed to slash Akame just on her leg. Esdeath growled in frustration, being torn between this fight and Minato. Quickly eyeing the sky, she saw that the giant Teigu was no longer standing and Minato was gone.

Despite the crippling attack, Akame still managed to move fast enough and get right behind Esdeath. Looking behind due to sensing the presence, the General just managed to block Murasame with her ice arm.

Raw strength was behind the attack once more despite the swift speed as Esdeath was knocked backwards. Planting her foot on the ground and skidding, she leapt into the air to avoid an incoming attack. Stomping on Akame's back, the heel of her booth stabbed into the flesh.

Now chasing after Akame, Esdeath was on the offensive but then Akame began to hack and slash the ice-sword down. Completely destroying the ice, she backed off and lowered her blade to block a massive, pointed ice pillar that came from the ground. Watching from the air, Akame could only see Esdeath form several big blocks of ice and launch them towards her.

Esdeath thought she had Akame dealt with. But then the assassin proved to be strong as she leapt from block to block all the way down. With a powerful slam to the ground, Akame still missed esdeath as the General got away.

"Coming up with emergency treatments on the spot… even when stopping time you attended that injury." Akame spoke, slowly walking closer to her enemy. "You've been called the master of torture. And up to this point, you've scarred and engraved agony into the lives of countless others. So this time, you'll be the one who is tormented."

"I've wasted too much time on you." Esdeath replied back, raising her hand and firing more ice shards at Akame.

Swinging her sword, she batted away each piece of ice that was coming her way. But then her vision was blocked, allowing Esdeath to come in from behind and kick Akame's back. The assassin recovered fast though as she turned around and the intense fight began once more.

As their clashing generated so many sparks, Esdeath raised her hand once again and more ice shards began to fall as they were the only things Akame could see in the sky. Looking around and seeing how their fight had led them to some ruined buildings, the assassin placed her feet against one of the walls and began to leapt from surface to surface in hope of confusing the General.

Watching with a careful eye, Esdeath kept track of the movement. As soon as she saw the attack coming for her, she place up a wall of ice to block the katana's slash. But the defence was poor as it was broken within seconds. Stepping to the side, her large rapier furiously attacked the black-haired girl.

But Akame defended herself with equality. Their furious battle was a stalemate for several seconds. They met in a deadlock soon after. Pushing against one another for dominance, both of them pushed upwards and sent their blades soaring into the air.

Both combatants jumped backwards. Esdeath leapt up as well as Akame. Both them extended their hands to reach for their blades. Akame was slightly faster however as she grabbed Murasame. The only problem was that her blade was much higher than the rapier.

Esdeath smirked with confidence when she saw the distance the assassin traveled. But then she felt something pierce her body. Looking down, her rapier had been lodged inside her stomach just maybe missing the vitals. It was still a terrible wound either way though.

Looking up, Akame was in a position that showed she had made a slash. Esdeath then figured out what Akame did. The black-haired girl had grabbed Murasame and hit the rapier to pierce Esdeath. With the impact of the item inside her body, the General careened to the ground and landed hard.

Looking up, she saw Akame heading straight for her.

Several cards immediately clouded her vision as they blocked Akame's killing blow.

PXA

Honest furiously ran from the scene in an special hall inside of the palace.

"I can't believe it…" He panted as he kept on running down the stony passage. The fat man was all alone as his feet echoed in the space. Saliva kept escaping his lips and snot dribbled out of his nose. "The supreme Teigu beaten… by words alone?! I've got to go. I've got to escape through the secret passageways."

Running up to what appeared to be a dead end, he did not lose his cool. Instead, the adult put his hand out and touched a certain stone block. With a bit of force into his arm, he pushed the stone backwards and the wall began to move to the side. Behind the wall was a new hallway that led to only somewhere he knew.

Running right through the passage, he continued to run. But then he heard something. Cupping a hand over his ear to listen better, he frowned. "Hmph." He scoffed while still on the move, many sounds coming from outside which meant he was near the edges of the palace. "Those rebel scum are all pouring in now… But you're all too late!" But then a thought struck him. "But they still might find me… shit! If only I still Shambhala, I'd be able to escape easier. I can't believe that it got broken!"

Continuously grumbling to himself, he didn't notice a presence behind him. Well, he couldn't have noticed it really. The being concealed their body and knowledge that they were there in the first place. As the figure was behind Honest, they dashed forward with a tremendous amount of speed and kicked the fat man right on the back.

Feeling a strong impact from behind, the adult careened down the hall and rolled on the floor while screaming in pain. Stopping as he coughed up blood, he looked back at who had struck him. "What the…" He gritted out slowly craning his head to the side. His eyes widened in shock though as she saw someone who he thought was dead. "You!"

Standing and the one who struck him was Leone. But there was something different about her entire being. Her black clothing was now replaced with animal fur and skin, looking like it was all a natural part of her body. Her original black shorts were now the color of white with bits of fur wrapping around her legs. Connect to her skin was more animal hair, covering her breasts just enough so that they showed about the same amount of cleavage that her top did. Her arms as well, covered by the warmth that animals knew and kept on while a tail waved side to side behind her.

"How are you still alive?!" Honest exclaimed, pointing at her shakily while still on the ground. "It's impossible!"

Looking down at her hand, she had a thoughtful look as she traced her body with long fingernails. "…To think… I'd end up fusing with the Danger Beast as well… Even I was completely caught off guard. But thanks to that I was able to borrow a bit more time…" She glared at Honest as she walked closer.

Honest growled as he slowly began to reach for his pistol. He was too much in a hurry to had noticed her when he was running. He was at his wit's end at the moment considering how deadly and severe the attack was. But as he brought up the gun, something expected happened.

It was a sound… the sound of a furious cry. Both Leone and Honest had to admit, they were surprised to hear such a noise. Not because of it being a shout… but because it sounded like it belonged to a small boy.

Charging forward without any hesitation, Makoto stabbed Honest right through the chest with a knife.

Leone was certainly surprised to see the young boy doing such a thing that it left her stunned. Honest however felt the blade stab a very vital area to his body. "You damn brat!" Honest roared, pointing his gun over to Makoto and shooting the boy in the shoulder.

The child recoiled at the impact, but then fell forward with fury as he stabbed Honest once more. "Shut! Up!" Blood sprayed out of the wound and splattered all over Makoto. But he didn't care. With each angry pant, he stabbed Honest over and over again. "You are disgusting, you piece of wretched filth!" He didn't care if he was getting dirty. There was too much blood shed within this era. But this this kind, he hoped that it would stop it all.

The Prime Minister however kept shooting. But then there were only so many bullets left in his gun. A total of four shots were put inside Makoto. But then it didn't stop the boy. Yes, it slowed down the young emperor. But did not stop him.

Makoto felt himself weakening with every second of movement. But he kept on stabbing. "Not enough. It's not enough!" He stabbed again. "You killed my father! You killed my mother! You drugged me and forced me to kill my people! This pain is nothing compared to what we all felt and feel! Die! Die! Die!"

Blood flowed out of the hole in his body. His shoulder, stomach, and two legs spewed blood. With a final stab, Makoto planted the knife into Honest's throat. The fat man was long dead, losing his life in the middle of Makoto's fury. Makoto's hand was still wrapped the handle of the knife as he was quiet soon afterwards. "I… I did it… I… killed… that bastard…"

Leone still stared, honestly surprised that who she suspected to be the emperor was attacking and even killed the Prime Minster. She was just stunned as blood sprayed everywhere, so violently. The floor around the two figures was drenched in the crimson liquid. The blonde was not sure what to think about a child even killing like that.

Walking over slowly at the two still figures, she already knew that Honest was dead. But then Makoto was a different however. Bending her knees, she peeked under and looked at his shadowed face. She frowned.

Makoto had his eyes closed and wasn't breathing.

Reaching her hands out at a sluggish pace, she gently grabbed Makoto's back and shoulders and set him back carefully. "…" She sighed, almost admiring what the young emperor did. Shifting the arm against his back to his legs, she began to carry him bridal style. Looking down the way that Makoto came from, she began to walk down the way.

It didn't take long. She eventually made it to the end. Wincing at bit, it was due to a sudden bright light. Soon enough, she was outside. She was on a balcony that looked down at the entrance to the palace. Meeting her sight were many soldiers of the Revolutionary Army. The party she was fighting for was storming the palace already.

Jumping down, she landed right in front of the group. "L-leone!" One of the soldiers said, recognizing the Night Raid assassin. They then noticed the corpse of Makoto. "Who… is that? Wait, don't tell me. Is that the emperor?! You killed him?!"

Leone shook her head. "No… Honest killed him… But, he killed Honest in the process. The emperor gave his life up for us. He really finished this war… the reason why we fought is destroyed thanks to his sacrifice…"

Setting the boy down gently, Leone saw all of the soldiers all gathering around the body. All of them were silent, wondering what they should do next. Each of them looked around, uncertain of what should come next. The corpse in front of them almost seemed peaceful, as if only asleep. But their slumber would never end.

Soon, one took off their helmet and placed it against their chest. Their head nodded down solemnly, as if mourning. One by one, everyone else began to do the same. Gathered around the young emperor, each of them paid respects. Silent cries of thank you filled the air for Makoto's sacrifice. Their were spoken through their actions. All could agree that he was not that good of an emperor. But he was a good person.

Leone couldn't stay long though as she left, knowing that Akame would need help fighting Esdeath.

PXA

"Brother…" Esdeath breathed as she saw Minato descend from the sky.

Stepping off the cards, Minato calmly walked between her and Akame as the assassin was at a distance. Cards soon began to soar around the General, surrounding the blue-haired female. Esdeath saw this and frowned. Curiously, she tried to get up and walk forward. But then she felt a force block her path. Tapping her finger against the blank area, she concluded that the cards were forming some kind of barrier that was preventing her from coming out.

"…Release me now, Brother." Esdeath commanded, ripping her rapier out of her stomach and freezing the wound. But Minato did not listen, not releasing his command on the card barrier. "Didn't you hear me?! I said release me!"

Minato however just turned around to stare at his sister. His eyes were slightly defiant to her words, already making a choice. Turning back, he looked at Akame. "You've won – it's over. You managed to win the war. But it's come at a price." He spoke neutrally, opening his arms in small gestures to make his point. "Friends, comrades, many people of society. You can stop now – you know that yourself. But you think that the only way to truly win is to kill my sister – end her life – and you may be right."

Akame narrowed her eyes, suspicious at Minato's words. It was easily known that the two siblings cared for each other. There had to be a reason why Minato spoke like that. "Then why are you stopping me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked back. "I can't just let her be killed. She is my sister, a family member who is still a very kind person and I do not think I can live without her." He soon shook his head. "I don't expect you to agree with me." Knowing how most of his cards were creating a barrier that kept Esdeath safe, he had only one left. But that was all that he needed.

The card that was by his side hovered right next to his hand. Instead of the border being blue around the picture, it was instead gold with the symbol XXI at the bottom. It was the image of a giant disk with a unique design. Spirals circled the center of a large, white, transparent shield at the center of the card. It was almost as if they were stars. Many orbs of light floated around as well, like planets orbiting around it.

The Universe arcana was all he was equipped with.

"We are not the villains in this story." Minato continued on, placing his head to his chest. "I do what I do because it is who I am. Who I am is where I stand. Where I stand is where I fall."

"…Minato… you are an optional target, only to kill when you come to the aid of General Esdeath." Akame stated. "You can still have the opportunity to live if you walk away. Leave us. You know the deeds and actions of your sister."

"She's right, Brother." Esdeath stood up, her hand right against the barrier the cards created. "You know why I wanted you to stay out of this. You know why I froze you solid. Yet here you stand, knowing you could die from this fight just protecting me. When you do, my life will no longer be protected." She soon shook her head. "Please… I'm begging you… Stay out of this."

"We're all going to die someday, Sister." Minato closed his eyes, turning his head slightly so that he stared at Esdeath. "How will that be? Have you ever thought of that? You think that it will be in battle. But will it really? Is that you are willing to die for? I don't think it is." He slowly looked back at Akame. "But both you and I think I've spoken long enough. So come then… kill me if you can. I'll maybe cripple you at best if you don't stop right now."

Akame was silent, settling for staring at Minato as he lifted one of his hands and the Universe arcana responded. It only floated in the air and was still, almost like it represented a blade.

Without another word, Akame rushed forward towards her blue-haired opponent. Minato ran towards his black-haired opponent. Akame raised Murasame while Minato had the Universe up. When close to one another, both slashed and their weapons collided and went past one another. Minato quickly followed up thought as he struck with his left hand. Akame backed up, lifting up her left elbow to defend as she began to retreat back.

She didn't make it a step though as Minato swung his right hand and the card followed, forcing Akame to block the card. Her balance was shifted as she tripped a bit at the assault and she was forced to roll on the ground backwards, out of the way of Minato's incoming cleaving strike. Shattered, blue glass seemed to follow the attack and make it extremely flashy and maybe deadly.

Getting on three of her four limbs, Akame looked up in time to avoid a slash to her downed form. Getting back up in time, she soon saw a flurry of shards follow behind the card as she ducked under the swinging object as Minato spun around with his hands out. Stepping forward, Minato kept Akame near the ground as he swung the card down towards the girl which she blocked in return.

Akame tried to get Minato away from her by swinging her Teigu, but then Minato blocked and swung towards her. The exchange proceeded like that, almost no power between each attack. They just wanted one another to just be driven down or away for victory or a chance to win. Showing Minato away, Akame tried to slash his chest.

Minato however recovered just in time and slammed his arm right against the side of Akame's stomach. The assassin felt herself land against a wall. She quickly pushed off the flat surface as Minato's incoming card shattered the stone structure with the shards following and caused it to turn into nothing more than rubble. Despite Akame dodging to successfully, she leapt back again and winced when the card and glass dragged themselves along her skin.

Panting, she looked down to her equipped hand and saw that a large cut was made between her wrist and elbow. Blood splattered around her hand and almost half of the limb. Both stood across one another, panting a bit as Minato spat out a bit of blood.

Akame took that opportunity to rush forward again and hold her weapon horizontally as Minato's cleave was blocked. Lowering her body for the card to go down as well, Minato lifted his weapon and Akame followed up as she pushed upwards. Stepping towards one another, their bodies passed each other right after as they spun around with similar attacks. Akame was quick though, attacking his head soon after.

Minato lifted his card to protect himself from the deadly blade though as the impact was made against his head, but the actual metal did not connect with his skin. Furiously moving his hands, Akame moved her blade in response as the card soared around with Akame's swordplay. Thrusting forward, Akame missed as Minato moved his head in time. Ducking under, he grabbed tried to grab her shirt but then Akame's hand snatched out to stop him and they wrestled around a bit.

Pushing away from each other, Akame and Minato got back at it again. But the assassin left an opening and the blue-haired male kicked her right in the stomach for it. Skidding on her feet across the ground, her back slammed against the back of another wall. Raising her blade to block the card, Akame was successful as she heard the card band against the metal.

Minato's hand shot out towards her though and grabbed her by the face. Rearing his hand back, Minato slammed the back of Akame's head on the wall. Once more, he bashed her skull on the stone. Trying it a third time, Akame ripped her face out of his grip and ducked under the hand. Knocking Minato away with her blade while he defended, she felt the card soon move around and hit her right hip.

Managing to get away from the wall, she began to stumble backwards as Minato's assault was proving to be challenging even in her trump card form. Minato soon buried a fist into Akame's stomach as she reeled back at the impact. But then the girl spun around and kicked her own stomach for revenge while tripped backwards against another wall.

By having Akame hold her sword up against his incoming card, Minato had her locked in place once more as he raised a fist. Akame managed to lean out of the way as his fist went right through the rock. Seeing him rear his fist again, she didn't and watch the fist destroy the stone. A third time it happened, but then Minato ripped his arm out of a violent fashion that dust and debris would shower Akame's face as she fell backwards to the ground to avoid the hazardous bits.

Rolling back, Akame sprung up to her feet and avoided the card spinning and the glass trail it provided. She tried to slash Minato's face a few times, but then he avoided every single one before he tripped and spat out a bit more blood. But he recovered as if it were nothing and grabbed Akame by the neck.

Footwork began to be a major part in the fight as they started to kick one another. Their feet lashed out in a violent dance. Minato soon stopped the leg attacks as he brought Akame up and slammed her onto the ground. Grabbing her hand and blade handle at the same time, he didn't expect Akame to run in a circle in place quickly to get back up and wrestle his grip off.

Following up with the momentum, Akame began to spin around and attack Minato. But then she was immediately dragged out from below as Minato grabbed her ankle and yanked it. As Minato kept his grip on her leg, he began to make wild gestures with his hand as the card went where it was commanded. Akame meanwhile was on the ground, knocking the card away every time while trying to look for a way out of her predicament.

Dragging the assassin along the ground, Minato was about to attack her. Akame fortunately thought quickly as she pressed her fingers on the ground and used them to make her spin around and out of Minato's grip once more. Getting back on both feet she tried to slash Minato.

The male proved to be agile through as he leapt right past her. With a motion of his arm, the Universe card slashed Akame's back. Not giving her any time to recover, he grabbed the girl by the back of her collar. Lifting her up, Minato began to bite into her neck. Hearing her scream in pain, Minato managed to rip into the flesh as he tore a bit off when rearing his head back. Falling onto his back, he pulled Akame as well so that she would be over him and in the air. With a powerful kick upwards while on the ground, Minato sent the assassin careening towards a pile of rubble.

Minato sighed and coughed. Covering his mouth during the moment, he looked at his palm and frowned at the mount of blood. But then he began to hear footsteps nearby. Rearing his head in the direction, he had to look up and see a long balcony.

Walking along the long pathway was Najenda staring back at him. A lit cigarette was in her mouth as both of them stared at one another. "Najenda…" Minato stated, standing neutrally as if nothing were wrong. "Long time no see. Are you here to help your comrade in killing my sister and I?"

"You were just an optional target, Minato." Najenda spoke, hands calmly at her side as well like him. She inhaled deeply before exhaling a long stream of smoke. "It was easy to know that you would interfere when you saw Esdeath's life in danger. I do admit… I'm not sure what it will take to stop you. But natural causes seem to be doing that to you already." She narrowed her eyes down towards the hand covered in the blood that he coughed up.

"Well then… let's see what you've got for me." Running towards the female, Minato leapt up and high towards the balcony where Najenda stood. His card came into contact with her metal arm as he swung around but it was blocked as well. As they got ready to right, Najenda spat her cigarette out and that was an unsaid signal to start.

Punching with her metal arm, Najenda's attack was avoided but then she swung it around to avoid exposing any openings. Minato swung his card in retaliation, both weapons of choice rebounding off one another. The blue-haired male had made advances though, grabbing onto Najenda's throat with his spare hand.

Walking forward while choking her, Minato eventually spun around as Najenda tried to throw a wide fist in his direction. The result ended being the female slamming herself against the wall before raising her arm up to stop the Universe card from taking out her throat. Hopping back to dodge the weapon cutting her stomach, she tried to punch Minato. But the arcana was quick to defense as it appeared right in front of Minato and blocked the fist.

As Minato tried to counter though, Najenda narrowly avoided the attack and landed a solid blow against Minato's stomach. Knocked back, Minato found himself slightly off of his feet and leaning against the railing of the balcony, coughing crimson.

"This is where we part ways." Najenda lowered her form to get ready for a finishing blow. "Goodbye, Minato."

"Not yet." Minato breathed out, lowering himself into a stance as well. "Now's not the time for farewells."

Both charged for each other. Minato ducked under the fist while slicing Najenda's stomach. Hearing her gasp at the wound, he turned around. Watching Najenda get up as well, Minato grabbed her throat with one hand and commanded the card to attack her with the other. But then Najenda raised her metal arm to stop the Universe arcana as she was being pushed against the balcony. She tried to fight back, but Minato's strength was proving to be very strong despite him dying.

"Miiinaaatooo!"

Hearing his name being called, Minato had his attention turned over towards the roofs of the building that was across the one he was standing in. Not a second passed as a pair of lion feet nailed him in the face and knocked him away from Najenda. Leone landed on the floor soon after, all ready to help her Night Raid comrades.

Watching Najenda trying to attack him just as he recovered, he grabbed her metal fist. His foot soon lashed out like a mustang when he saw Leone try to lunge for him. Turning his attention back to the leader of Night Raid, Minato kicked the side of Najenda's head and knocked her down onto the streets.

Leone meanwhile got back up and swung her fist right against Minato's face. "Lay off my boss!" She exclaimed, ducking under a card swipe and shards that followed. Leaping back while holding her hands up, she dodged a vertical attack with more glass following next.

Minato slowly walked forward, carefully watching Leone as she did the same. Because of that, he noticed something that made him frown. "What happened to you?" He asked, lashing his hand out in an attempt to grab her.

Leone however grabbed his hand in return and slammed a fist against the arm. "Fused with my Teigu." She explained briefly before cocking a fist back and punching Minato directly in the stomach. "Come on! Aren't you even trying to fight!" She goaded, landing a few more fists on the exact area before backing up.

"And that wound on your stomach…" Minato observed, making the card try and slash Leone. But the blonde slipped by. He couldn't see her prepare another fist and land a heavy blow against his back. "You've been shot."

Leone leapt up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yeah, so what about it? Think that'll stop me?!" She asked, strangling him. Her arms pressed against his neck, attempting to cut off his ability to breath.

But it didn't last long though as Minato slammed a fist against her leg. Feeling her strength weaken, he grabbed her arms and threw the blonde over his shoulder. "Your body is as cold as ice." He commented, grabbing her by the neck and pulling her up. Tossing her into the air and off the balcony, he followed. Placing a foot against her chest and the other on one of her legs, the two of them fell as he used Leone to break his landing. "Don't involve yourself any longer in this fight."

Sighing, Minato shook his head as he began feeling a bit dizzy. Looking down at his hands, he could even see them trembling a bit as he tried to stay strong.

The sound of rocks shattering brought him back to reality as he turned around to see Akame back up and hunched over. Her gaze slowly went up, eyes even more narrower than before as she zeroed in on Minato. The two didn't even have to say anything as they began to rush at each other once more.

Coming up from the alleyways however was the fourth member of Night Raid as he got between Minato and Akame before they could even fight. "You get away from her!" Tatsumi exclaimed, spinning his spear around as he began to stab and swing the weapon. Minato however was on the defense, dodging and blocking every blow meant for his body.

Trying to stab Minato, Tatsumi's spear was blocked as soon pointed upwards. With the opening, Minato grabbed Tatsumi's throat and began to push forward. A few steps later, he shoved Tatsumi away and the armored-brunette tried to swing his weapon but then placed it against his shoulder to prevent the Universe card from piercing his shoulder. Kneeing Tatsumi in the stomach, Minato hopped into the air and kicked the brunette in the same area twice.

Akame rushed up from behind trying to catch Minato off-guard, but he dodged out of the way in time and moved the tarot card back and forth to defend himself against Akame's offense. Managing to push Akame away with a few heavy blows of her blade, Leone came barreling in and tackled Minato from behind. As Minato turned around, Leone nailed his jaw, then forehead, and began throwing punch after punch against his stomach.

Eventually after a couple of seconds, Minato grabbed Leone by the back of her bottom clothing and threw her off to the side. Akame came in quickly as she engaged Minato, but skidded back after defending against a strong blow. Hearing a battle cry, Minato quickly snapped his head around. Bringing his head up, he grabbed an airborne Leone by the leg before using the momentum to help him throw the blonde against her fellow assassin Akame.

Stepping forward for an overhead attack, Akame just managed to get back up in time and blocked the Universe card with Murasame. Tatsumi appeared right next to Akame and began swinging his spear in unpredictable movements to get Minato away from them. Najenda was following up with Tatsumi's attacks as her martial arts proved to be difficult to defend against at the same time.

Minato soon crossed his arms, preparing for two strong attacks coming in. One hand caught Najenda's metal hand. The tarot card blocked Tatsumi's spear. Pushing them both back, Minato began his retaliation as Night Raid's offensive moment turned into defense. Back and forth, Minato kept his fighting even between Tatsumi and Najenda as they couldn't find any openings to counter attack. With a wide swing of the Universe arcana, shards followed, blinded, and knocked both current combatants off of their feet.

Leaping over a rolling Tatsumi, Akame went straight for Minato as Leone ran around to try and flank. As Akame and Minato swung their weapons back and forth against each other, Leone soon tackled Minato's lower body with open arms. She then wrapped her limbs around his waist and refused to let go, attempting to unbalance the male.

While moving around while fighting Leone's strength, Minato swung and knocked Tatsumi back with his card. Pulling on Leone's hair, Minato shoved her against Najenda. Blocking Akame next, Minato turned to see Najenda and began to clash with her. While Akame and Leone ran around trying to find the best time to attack, Tatsumi and Najenda both kept Minato busy and distracted.

As soon as Minato forced Tatsumi and Najenda to back up, Akame was right in his face and swinging her sword with precision and deadly means. Grabbing Akame's arm, Minato flicked his arm backwards but still kept his grip on her. Feeling her arm being throwing in one direction, Akame winced to the sudden force being yanked in the other direction as she was slammed against Najenda.

As the members of Night Raid were all in front of him, he saw Leone coming from behind them with a giant chunk of ice that Esdeath had summoned earlier when fighting against Akame. All other Night Raid members began to charge as they followed Leone's example. With a swing of the Universe arcana, the ice chunk shattered and spread everyone out in a stunned state.

Grabbing Leone by the throat, Minato raised his weapon and blocked Najenda's fist and he shoved Leone to the ground. Dealing with an offensive Tatsumi, he was too distract by the barrage of spear attacks to notice Leone getting back up. With the blonde right in-between his legs, Leone got up on her knees and lifted Minato off of his feet which caused him to fall over in surprise.

Rolling over, Minato raised the Universe arcana to defend himself from Akame and Najenda before getting back up. Grabbing the back of Akame's shirt, Minato threw the girl while knocking Najenda back with his card. But he didn't notice Tatsumi running up from behind and slashing his side as the brunette passed by.

Moving around while hunched over, Minato quickly recovered and he ran forward. Leaping into the air while spinning around, he landed a solid kick against Leone's stomach and it knocked her out cold when she slammed against a wall. Swinging his card against Akame, he grabbed her armed hand when they were locked together and knocked her back with a powerful swing and a trail of blue shards. Ducking under Tatsumi's swings, Minato placed the card right against Tatsumi's stomach and knocked the brunette up with a blue trail following the card. Grabbing the Universe arcana, Minato placed the flat part against Najenda's chest before she was pushed up into the air and slammed back on the ground by the card followed by blue glass.

Minato soon had his cheeks balloon out a bit as he spat out a small fountain of blood. Falling to his knees, he began to cough violently. Gagging, he immediately vomited more of the crimson color that was meant to be inside his body. He heavily panted, feeling like he was losing power.

Looking up, he saw Akame slowly make her way towards him. All he could do was breath and stare as the female assassin walked over. Soon, she was standing over him. Raising his card, he saw the Universe slowly fall instead. He attempted to keep it floating. But it began to flutter to the ground, as if it had been dropped from above the ground.

Minato looked back up to see Akame swing Murasame down at him.

It was at the moment Esdeath was in front of him, Murasame stabbing her right in the center of the chest while her rapier was inside Akame's stomach.

Esdeath glared with anger as she shoved her metal blade further into Akame while stepping forward, trying to drive the assassin as far from her brother as she could. But it was only a single step. Akame however stepped back with Murasame still in hand. Grabbing the rapier, the assassin yanked it out of her body while spitting up blood and kneeling to the ground.

The General meanwhile coughed up blood and fell backward, already feeling the poison of Murasame spreading through her body. Plus, it stabbed her right where the trachea was she suspected. But she was in close enough range for Minato to weakly catch her so she wouldn't fall on the hard ground.

"…Sister-"

"Hush… Brother… Save your strength…" Esdeath breathed, knowing that she was beyond saving. The poison from that Teigu was meant to surely kill its victim. No doubt it would do its work against her. "You must live. Live as long as you can." She gasped, surprised that she was still alive this long. Maybe it just proved how strong she became. "My life will just disappear." Esdeath sighed, looking up. She reached up to the sky as if she could grab it. "Everything I am, gone in a moment like a breath on a mirror. Time comes and goes, stays the same yet changes. all We change as well, when you think about it. We all can be different people throughout our lives and that's okay. You have to keep moving forward so long as you remember all the people that you used to be."

"…Esdeath…" Minato whispered.

"I wonder how I would have turned out without you, Minato. I wonder what kind of I person I could have been." Esdeath grew a slow smile, opening her lips a bit and mouthing something. She saw Minato frown and bend down closer to try and listen better.

Grabbing the back of his head, she kept him close as she pushed their lips together for a kiss.

With her remaining strength, she got to her knees. Esdeath still kept their lips locked as she kept the kiss going for as long as she could. This was one of her parting gifts for her brother before she passed away. She had to pass it on, hoping it could help strengthen her brother and help him live.

Finally, she released the kiss as Minato stared at her with surprised eyes. He was about to open his mouth but then she weakly placed a finger against his lips to keep them closed. "I love you…" She whispered, feeling tears run down her cheeks as she felt herself smile like she never did before. "…I love you so much…"

Minato swallowed as he heard those words. A thin trail of red escaped the corner of his mouth as he watched ice slowly encrust his sister's body. Within seconds, the General's being was inside a huge block of ice. That block shattered almost instantly, leaving many snowflakes in its wake.

He was silent as he watched the bits of white fall. The snow slowly made its way to the ground. Moment by moment, it almost seemed like an eternity when it reality it was only a few seconds. Minato… couldn't believe it. He had to take his time to process it yet it was easily comprehended at the same time. Holding out his hands, he watched as the flakes landed in his hands. They looked so beautiful, but he could only admire them for less than a second before each of them disappeared.

Soon enough, all of the snowflakes were all gone.

Akame breathed, watching everything lay out in front of her. If she had one emotion at the moment, it was relief. If she was honest, she almost forgot about Esdeath and the card barrier that Minato had created. When the card he weaponized fell to the ground, the cage that the male created must have went down at the same time.

As she slowly began to get back up, she heard footsteps approach and saw Minato running right towards her. What shocked her however was the fact that there was a weapon in his hand. A sword… katana to be more specific… made out of ice.

It soon clicked in Akame's mind. That kiss that Esdeath shared with Minato. She gave him her blood… the blood of a her Teigu all at the same time. Before Murasame's poison could affect that transfer, the exchange was swift.

Rage lit up in Minato's mind. Like a white, hot knife it cut into his conscience, threatening to overpower reason, threatening to undo his calmness. But he still kept it at bay yet allowed the waves to crash forward. He could feel the urge to yell, the rage giving him strength, swimming in his veins and saturating every inch of his body. It was the best he could do without going berserk at the death of his sister by Akame.

As her blade banged against Minato's Akame watched the male roll as she tried to slice his body. But Minato proved to be extremely swift as his body got out of the way and back up. Swinging his blade back and forth, each attack was deflected until he ducked down and cut Akame's leg. Watching her buckle down a bit, Minato lifted his ice-katana as the assassin went for an overhead slash while on his knees. Standing back up despite the power of Akame trying to hold him down, he pushed upwards with strength to free his weapon and swing to slash Akame's face.

As Akame spun around, her blade was deflected as Minato hit her back. The both of them stumbled backwards, almost losing their own footing. But that easily changed as they both fell to the ground. Putting their hands on the ground, they began to get back up and limp towards each other.

Strength was found within themselves once against to fight as they rushed at each other. Ducking under a swing, Minato raised his sword and cut Akame's chin before grabbing her hand and pulling past her as she swung. Releasing his grip, Minato dodged another one of Akame's attacks. Bending forward while moving the ice-katana around, Akame made sure to keep him in such a position as she constantly banged the weapon to the ground.

Minato soon escaped that small loop as he simply dropped his weapon and created an exact replica within an instant. Making his way around Akame, She furiously banged her sword against his as Minaot continued to defend himself while still moving. Their movement was wild and near unpredictable as both were fighting with their instincts to win. Slashing Akame's midsection, Minato leapt backwards at the same time to avoid Murasame's contact.

Watching Akame fall to the ground, Minato immediately did as well. Both were on their stomach as they started to get to their feet again. Their bodies ached and they both lost a lot of blood. Pointing their blades at one another, Akame yelled as Minato glared and they both went at each other again.

Akame went to slash Minato's midsection, but he leapt into the air and kept his body horizontal before landing on all fours to avoid the attack. He turned around and immediately tacked Akame as the girl spun around to face Minato. Wrapping his arms around her, Minato felt her slam both her hands and butt of the weapon against his back. Jolting his back up, Minato ended up slamming the back of Murasame against Akame's face.

As she was stunned, Akame was only brought back to reality when Minato cut her face again. Akame grabbed Minato collar in retaliation and banged her forehead against his face. Reeling his head backwards, Minato returned the favor by doing the exact same to her. Cutting her hip, Minato lost his strength in his legs for a second and almost fell.

But he managed to use it to his advantage though. While he fell, he began to spin around and cut Akame's leg. Feeling exhausted, Akame couldn't help but feel the pain course through the limb. Walking backwards slowly, she excaped Minato's spinning attack as they both glanced at each other before the right resumed.

As they both brought their blades back before swinging them, they entered a locked state. Minato pushed back a bit and spun around while using the power in Akame's push to get past her while slashing her back. Watching her stumble forward a bit, he put the blade of the ice-katana in his left hand while keeping his right one out as if he were about to draw his weapon from a sheath.

He waited for Akame to look at him. Minto was ready for what was to come. Both of them were reaching their limits. Their eyes met and he knew that she thought what he was thinking. Watching her sheath her blade, she too entered a stance as she got ready to draw her sword.

Both fighters immediately ran towards each other. Their steps were almost like thunder in their ears. Ignoring all of their surroundings, they ran right forward. Reaching each other, their blades weren't out immediately. After a single step past each other though, they placed hands on the handles. Spinning around, Akame lifted both hands and drew her weapon for an overhead slice. Minato meanwhile stuck near the ground at first, turning around and slashing upwards with his body following.

As soon as their weapons collided, Minato kept his momentum as Murasame broke in half.

Akame was knocked back with surprise by the force that broke her Teigu right in half. Flying through the air, she could only think about how strong Minato was to snap Murasame in half. With a heavy thud, she felt herself fall on the ground and had no more power to get up and fight.

Minato however limped over towards Akame. Step by step, the space between them grew closer and closer as he was soon standing over the fallen assassin. Their eyes met once against as the girl just stared. "Go ahead… kill me if that's what you want." Akame stated, closing her eyes and waited for the piercing blade to penetrate her skin.

But nothing came. Frowning, she opened her eyes to see Minato having his own eyes closed for some reason. But then she saw that there was a hand… a hand covered with a blue glove holding onto Minato shoulder.

Following the hand, she saw a complete stranger who she never saw before ever in her entire life. The person was female with short white hair and yellow eyes. She wore a blue dress that resembled a stewardess' outfit with five black-lined circles outside small yellow circle, blue gloves, a blue attendant-like hat, black leggings and blue knee-length boots. But what really surprised Akame was that in the other hand was the book that Minato usually had on his person.

"Now Minato, deep breaths. That's the best way to calm down, is it not?" The female asked with a bright tone, as if she were talking to someone who was not covered in blood. "Your anger is rather out of your character if I do say so myself."

What seemed like an eternity passed when it couldn't have been more than a few seconds. The volatile emotion inside gradually ceased. The anger ebbed away, gone like the tide. He looked down to his fist. There, the katana made of ice was gripped in his hand. He sighed as he forced himself to open his hand into a palm and allowed the weapon to fall to the ground.

This anger was not him. This hatred was not who he was.

The rush of adrenaline that faded away was like a breath of fresh wind.

Rage subsided and in its place came acceptance. Acceptance at what just happened. Acceptance at his sister's fate. And after acceptance came realization. And with realization came a question.

"Elizabeth…" Minto spoke, allowing the woman behind him to lift her hand off of his shoulder. Not even looking in her direction, he could tell she was giving a curious look. "Can you heal everyone?"

There was a moment of silence. A moment of utter stillness. A moment for this Elizabeth character to think about what to do next.

It was then as if a light show appeared before their eyes. Green sparkles danced in their eyes. Despite the intense ray, it did not blind Akame. The assassin could only marvel at the sight of the shining orbs. But power began to return to her limbs that she though was lost. Her bleedings wounds as well, healing without a scar. Slowly pushing herself off of the ground, she stared at both Minato and the mysterious female as before noticing something spinning around the area.

All of the tarot cards that belonged to Minato circled the area where they all had been fighting. Hearing a groan, she turned her head and saw people moving. "Boss! Leone! Tatsumi!" She cried out as she saw them all move.

"Ugh… Akame… did you beat Minato?" Tatsumi groaned, rolling around a bit as he shakily got back up.

Najenda winced but then blinked as she saw the lights around them. "This light… just like when Minato would…" Trailing off, the female looked around and spotted Minato. But then she frowned in confusion when she saw who he was with. "Who is that? Why is she able to wield Minato's Teigu with ease?"

"Because it was never a Teigu in the first place." Minato answered, hearing them all. All of them got up to their feet immediately when they heard him address their question. But he began to walk forward and past them, ignoring the looks. "Because it was never mine to begin with. It was just a borrowed power that had been made into my own."

Finally, after continuously stepping forward, he stopped right in front of Leone. Bending his legs, he noticed that she was healed but not up yet. But then a tiny stir perished the thought of being too late as he watched her move around a bit and opened her eyes. "…Minato…" She breathed warily.

"Your armored and blonde friends are very weird with that armor and those cat ears." Elizabeth suddenly spoke up. "I hope you didn't mind me taking the liberty of changing their bodies a bit during the process."

"Wait, what?!" Tatsumi looked down at himself, feeling different. He felt like… he felt like he was himself again. Forcing Incursio back into its sword form, he glanced down at his hands. Soon enough, he began to cheer with joy as Akame and Najenda were still shocked.

Minato meanwhile blinked and looked to the top of Leone's head. Elizabeth was right. The cat ears on top of the blonde's head were indeed gone. "Oi… my face is down here." Minato heard Leone chuckle at her own sentence as he looked down to see the girl smiling brightly. Even her clothing was back to normal. Sure, the Teigu that served as a belt was shattered a bit, but it probably was still functional while she could maybe still fuse with it.

"Wait, what the did she-?!"

Hearing Najenda's voice suddenly raise with surprise, Minato felt the same gloved hand from before tap his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Elizabeth standing right over him. "I don't like bringing pain to your parade… or is it rain on your parade? Either way, it's time to go now. We had a deal. Your body is dying, meaning that my power has run out. Come now, before we lose you."

Minato blinked before his face fell a bit in remembrance. He eyed the cards ascend into the air but soon dive into the book that Elizabeth held in her arms. He sighed, turning around to see Leone's confused face. He saw her blink and frown curiously at the predicament that Minato was in at the moment.

"Minato… what is she talk-"

Leone did get to finish her sentence because Minato kissed her.

The blonde and every other witness was caught entirely by surprise when Minato placed both his hands over her cheeks to help draw their lips together. For a split-second her mind tried to reason with what was happening, and then she deepened the kiss and her hastily formed thoughts promptly faded into the background. She could taste the warmth of his mouth and inhale the distinctness of his scent. She could sense a desperate need behind the act yet feel the gentleness that was being used to convey it.

"I love you, Leone." Minato whispered before standing up again.

It seemed like time had lost its meaning before they finally pulled back, both as breathless as the other. A more coherent Leone would have come up with a comeback or at the very least, something witty for a response. As it stood, it was a miracle she managed to form an intelligible sentence.

"You… you kissed me."

"I did." Minato nodded his head, confirming that was what happened. Taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes. It was as if he began to soon struggle to say a sentence. But then he soon spoke again. "But I'm afraid this is where we part ways, Leone."

Turning around, he looked at Elizabeth who only smiled with a bit of sadness hidden away very well. He knew that she slightly regretted her actions. But he accepted terms that he himself had made and was ready. Even though he didn't want to go, he had to.

Soon, the lady dressed in blue turned around and began to walk towards one of the alleyways with Minato slowly following. Despite her shock, Leone out of all of the Night Raid members began to get up and run after them.

"Wait! What do you mean by that?!" The blonde called out as they turned a corner. Pumping more strength into her feet, she skidded around the area where she last saw them. But then they disappeared without a trace. Leone frowned in confusion. But then an idea popped into her mind where they could have possibly went.

As Najenda, Akame, and Tatsumi rounded the corner as well, Leone was gone.

PXA

It was a small miracle that the building where Minato called the inside the Velvet Room was still standing despite the other buildings around it were turned into nothing but rubble. Minato looked up and down the structure that he owned and was impressed that there wasn't even a single sign of damage to it.

"Well then, shall we proceed?" Elizabeth asked, stepping forward while turning around. Right next to her was the door; the entrance to what Minato called the Velvet Room.

Before he could take a step forward, he heard a voice call out his name. Slowly turning, he felt a beat in his chest when he saw Leone running towards him. "And just where do you think you're going?" She asked, skidding to a halt so that she was just a few feet away from the male. "Running off like that after kissing and saying that you love me. Seriously, aren't you supposed to be a responsible guy?"

"…Yes… I suppose I am supposed to be." Minato said after a period of silence, thinking about what to say. "But if I were responsible… I wouldn't have fallen in love with you… with my sister. Which is why it hurts me… hurts me so much to say farewell." He turned around as stepped into the building as Elizabeth had opened the door.

Leone was too slow to react though. Just as she lunged forward, Elizabeth had already shut the door. Grabbing the knob, Leone furiously tried to open the door. But the barrier wouldn't budge. Trying to tear the door apart didn't help either, her efforts proving to be futile. Soon she began to ram herself against the door, at least attempting to knock it over.

Inside, Minato looked around the area he called the Velvet Room. It looked the same as ever. Even after not tending to it for so long, everything managed to remain spotless. Walking around, he hand trailed against the surface of the table where he would read fortunes. He sighed in nostalgia, looking around the blue court room.

Hearing a knock on a door, Minato turned to see Elizabeth standing next to the door which had the black-half of the mask printed on. Opening the door, nothing but a pitch black opening was revealed with a blue frame around it. "It is now time that we depart. Please make your way forward." Elizabeth gestured.

Minato stared for a couple of seconds. Slowly, he began to walk. But then he began to hear Leone's voice accompanied by the banging on the entrance to the place.

"Minato! Open up! Open this door at once! Minato! Minato! If you really did love me, you'd show your face this instant! Minato! Minato!"

He still continued to walk though. His journey was supposed to be short, but it was much longer than it had to be. It was as if the floor were trying to keep him anchored on the spot. As if heavy weights were preventing him from moving. But still, he walked towards the entrance Elizabeth created.

But as soon as he stood in front of the doorway, he froze when he heard it. A sob… Leone's sob from the entrance. Craning his head over, his head cocked to the side to get a better reading of her voice.

"…Please… I'm begging you…Don't go… don't go… Open up… please… I love you too… I love you too!"

Listening to her cries, Minato was once again torn between having to leave or staying. Looking over to Elizabeth, he bent over and whispered something into her ear.

Leaning back, he saw Elizabeth give him a sad look but then nodded her head.

Outside though, Leone was still pounding the door. Losing strength in her strikes, she began to fall to her knees as tears left her eyes. Her head rested against the wood, listening for Minato's voice if he was still in there. He had to be though. Where else would he go?

"This is the last time we will ever see each and hear each other. Goodbye, Leone."

Her ears picked up his voice behind the door. She gasped when she heard it. Her eyes soon noticed a small jiggle of the knob. Grabbing the metal, she ripped the door open and was shocked.

What she saw… was not the Velvet Room she once was in. No… instead it was a completely ruined building. It was as if nobody had lived in the place for years. Marks charred across the walls and floor, evidence of a great fire. Shards of glass were strewn across the floor. Light creeped into the building through the many holes that roof was riddled with.

"What the…" She breathed, rubbing her eyes to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. "What… is this place?" She frowned, looking up and about. While observing anything though, she tripped on something and fell down.

With a grunt, she looked at her feet to see what had blocked her walking. Her eyes went wide though when she saw 20 tarot cards all scattered all over the floor around her feet. Each of them held the exact designs as the cards Minato used. But at the center of all the scattered items was the book that the male also always had on his person.

Reaching over slowly, her hand hesitantly hovered over the book. But with a bit of determination, she grabbed the object and set in in front of her. Grabbing the cover, opened it up and her eyes widened.

Among the pages, it was as if it were a show. It presented the moment when she and Minato first met each other, him in his Thanatos Persona while she had Lionel on. Grabbing the next page, she flipped it over and began to watch them drinking together while he shuffled his deck of cards. Each sheet was turned every second, being able to see all the moments the two of them were together.

As she stared down at the book, she saw a wet mark on the pages. A couple more soon appeared as she blinked. Leaning back and wiping her eyes, she realized that she was crying again. But then it hit her that she was crying because of so many things.

Leone cried because Minato loved her. The blonde cried because she loved him back. She cried because Minato was gone.

She cried because of the final, parting gifts he left her.

PXA

Within the endless darkness were scattered, countless bright lights, like a nebula. But those lights were not stars. Each one of them was a light of life… the gleam of man's souls. It was a world inside people's hearts. A place where every human's consciousness is connected and can be traced to their origin. Every memory since the dawn of man, and even those on the ladder of its evolution, slumbers in such a place.

Some think of the place as a sea.

Such an assumption may be correct.

Depending on how deep one went, they may see endless landscapes and innumerable faces from many worlds. Where Minato and Elizabeth both stood though was one of its furthest depths. A domain that had existed far before life became sentient or even took form. They stood between the darkness of death and the radiance of life.

"It is absolutely amazing." Elizabeth complimented, opening the book in her arms. Twenty-one tarot cards spilled out and began to surround them. Each one held a special glow to them, the light almost calming. "Your bonds are strong, but the way you wield the Personas is absolutely astonishing. I never would have been able to guess that you could potentially wear them. With that kind of power, you are more than ready."

He only nodded in response, not sure if he should speak at the moment. Everything just happened so fast. Minato swore that his mind was still trying to comprehend what he had just gone through. It was almost like the first time he met Elizabeth.

Minato looked up and gazed at a humanoid statue that was in front of them, trying to identify the shape of the stone. Surprise soon filled him. Not upon its discovery though but how it looked exactly like him if such material would be carved into his physique.

Turning his head, he saw Elizabeth just stare at the statue with an unreadable expression. Looking back, Minato took in a deep breath. Bringing his hand up, he held his fingers out and began to step forward. But he didn't get far though when he heard a voice that sounded very familiar. Almost as if… it were him talking.

"Who are you?"

Minato heard the voice and stared at the eyes of the statue. "I am you." He answered. "To be more specific, a different you." Taking another step forward, his fingers were hovering right above the stone when he heard the voice speak again.

"What are you doing?"

This time, he didn't answer. The male instead pressed his fingers against the statue. Feeling himself sucked in, he allowed the force to pull. But as he began to be absorbed into the statue, another Minato fell out from the back of the rock. This one however was not caked in blood, was younger, and looked less exhausted.

The new Minato looked at the statue he was one a part of with surprise. But then his head began to throb. Releasing a small grunt, the man clutched his head. Like a slideshow, images presented themselves before flicking to another.

A massacre. Death. Revival. A deal.

That was what basically summarized what the new Minato saw as he looked over towards Elizabeth. Just staring at her, he didn't know what to think. Eyes soon trailed over towards the statue as he knew that he was now replaced. But not only did the one sealed within forced to stay in that position, but also died at such a young age. "I'm sorry." The new Minato shook his head gently. "I am so sorry."

"You don't have to be. It was not your fault and this was my choice."

The new Minato closed his eyes. "Yes. That is true. It still won't stop me from apologizing though." A choice was made, and there was no turning back now. "Thank you for your sacrifice."

"Thank you for yours. I may have not lived a fine, content life if you did not."

A long breath escaped the new Minato's nostrils as if he were amused. "It's like you know how I will respond and you have your words already ready."

"A bit obvious to why it is. I am thou…"

"Thou art I…" He sighed back, rubbing his head. Looking up to the statue, a thought began to form in his head. But then it was dismissed. If he knew the answer, then he didn't need to be concerned about it.

A tap on his shoulder made him turn around. A pair of familiar, yellow eyes met his gaze as a small smile grew on his lips at the sight. "Come now, Minato. It's time for us to leave."

As a door appeared and Minato walked forward, he heard a roar. Turning around, a patch of the darkness in front of the rock surged an began to warp. The pitch-black substance swelled with a tar-like consistency and quickly took the shape of a giant arm. Though it was just an arm, it began to grow into a familiar form that all of them recognized.

Eyeing the solid form he once was a part of, Minato began to walk into the door Elizabeth provided and was gone. Soon, Elizabeth followed while closing the path.

That left the Minato from the Empire. He was not sure if he could be heard by the massive monster, but he managed to speak. It was unknown if it was verbal or telepathic though.

"Without the Great Seal, you are free to fulfil your goal. But, bad news, Erebus… because the Great Seal is still here." The grand beast ran towards his stony form, but then it was as if an invisible force stopped it right in its tracks before the impact could occur. "You thought you could get out with the Wild Card gone. Now the question is, how it possible? The answer, because of me. So if you had any sort of ideas, or plans on bringing ruin to humanity, just remember who's standing in your way."

The monster continued to throw itself against the barrier, as if it would be the way to break through.

As if he took a deep breath, he began to remember every moment. He lived with his clan. His life was supposed to end after an attack. But then he was revived and a deal was made. Moving to the Capital with his sister, the two of them lived their lives in content. But then the wheels of fate began to start turning. He began to be involved with more events with each passing day.

Minato remembered meeting Night Raid. He could still picture the days when he was with the Jaegers. He felt nothing when Stylish died. Bols met death and Minato still wondered if he should have had done something to this moment. Seryu's suicide in front of him was heartbreaking, her dying was an event set in stone even when he saved her. Run managed to find peace when extracting his revenge, his ashes still probably traveling the lands of the Empire. Wave and Kurome… such a lovely pair as he wished the best for them whem he blessed and healed the two with Ishtar. Esdeath… he loved her so much… but he wasn't certain it was as strong as hers. Leone… he missed her already.

But the memories of everybody... of what he went through… he did not regret going through every moment. Yes, there were very bad moments. But what life didn't have those kinds of points. He would never trade the life he lived for anything else.

"Bring. It. On." Minato challenged, still watching the monster. "I lived for this."

PXA

Akame stared out towards the ocean that greeted her sight as she was at the front of the boat.

She only stood in place, gazing at the horizon that presented more of the sea with every passing moment. The markings that tattooed her body still pained her, but then she was able to bear it. Akame had began to set out around the world, finding a way to heal her cursed body. She didn't know how long her journey was going to be, but she had a feeling it was going to be for a long time.

"Yo, Akame, what are you thinking about?"

Looking back, the black-haired female saw Leone walking up towards her with a small smile. The red-eyed girl could help but show a bit of the same expression. "Just thinking how long this will be." She answered, staring at her blonde friend. "How are you? It's been a very long time since Minato's sudden disappearance."

"…" Leone kept her smile up but then a pained look was in her eyes. Reaching over to her back, there was the book that had been left behind in the ruins of where the Velvet Room last was. "It's fine…" She slowly answered, tracing the book with her finger. "I just wonder where he is right now. But I'm sure he's doing something extremely important. Besides… it was nice to know how he felt about me…"

"What about you?" Akame asked. But then she saw the look on Leone's face and that question was answered as the smile never left her lips.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Leone reached to her side towards a small pouch. Opening it, she pulled out a deck of tarot cards. "I've been practicing my readings." Leone grinned as she split the deck in four in a smooth motion, resting each end of the chunks against one another. Putting them back together, she put it behind her back and flicked a random card into the air.

As if flew up and then down, Leone swung her arm around and snatched it in mid-air while having it rest perfectly on it fellow cards. The object also was turned around, presenting the 0 Fool arcana.

"Tell me, Akame, do you believe in fortune telling?"

So after about 25,600 words later… I'm finally finished this piece of crap of a chapter.

Hoo body… what a week it was. So… I'm honestly feeling exhausted after this. Yes, you can call it lazy, pathetic, extremely bad, you can completely shit on it. But this is how I envisioned the ending.

Yes, the connection between Minato (AGK) and Elizabeth was planned right from the start. Bringing Minato back to life and offering him a chance to live. In return, he had to strengthen himself in order to become strong enough to become the Great Seal to replace the P3 Minato.

And with being related to Esdeath and her feeling to keep her brother strong so that he wouldn't die again… it felt like possibility.

Yes… it was going to end up being EsdeathxMinato and/or LeonexMinato. DEAL WITH IT!

Makoto died killing Honest… TD that shit! It's mine! Unless someone else already did that… the FUCK! But about Makoto, despite me almost making about 3 chapters actually involving him… I almost couldn't find any other ways to write him well inside for the rest of the story. But yeah, again, him dying and killing Honest was always meant to be at the end.

Perhaps I should address what happened to all of the other Jaegers. I only did mention them a bit in Minato's finale.

Bols. He was going to die… yes. Minato read this in the cards and found himself concerned if he should end up telling the Jaegers or even the man himself. Bols noticed Minato's private concern and confronted him about the issue. The soldier understood what Minato was going on about and said that it was okay and thanked Minato for the information, and that he should let it be if that is the case.

Next… Seryu. As she began to think, she actually began to question her own justice a lot more harshly than she should have. When thinking about what she was doing at the moment, something began to make her think about her past self. She eventually reached a state of depression when realizing all of the bad deeds she did and called them justice in the past.

Minato read the future of Seryu's death and decided that he would attempt to take matters in his own hands. When Seryu's fight with Mine would come up, Minato would face off against Tatsumi. While Seryu and Mine converse in their fight, Seryu found it more difficult to defend the actions that she committed even though she was a changed person. Minato managed to save Seryu in the nick of time, but then Koro is destroyed by Pumpkin.

After a small conversation, Seryu cries while pointing a gun to her own head. Begging for Minato to just let her kill herself for penance due to what she did, Minato was too slow to react and Seryu pulled the trigger. After several moments of silence and mourning, Minato realized that Seryu's death still came even though he saved her.

Run… pretty bland. He gets his revenge. He dies. But rather than Kurome turning him into a puppet, Minato burns the body and uses a Garudyne to scatter the ashes around the land.

Kurome and Wave… After the two sisters fight, Minato heals Kurome for a last time while using Ishtar. Simple as that.

Interactions with Leone though… I don't know. There was some stuff going to be here and there. I thought about Leone even meeting Makoto, but I soon found myself against that.

But anyways… in the end… it's finished.

If you like it, good.

If you don't, okay.

If you hate it, at least reason why rather just saying that you hate it and leave it at that. That's more of a stupid flame rather than a critique.

If you want to do a reading... rewrite... adoption... something or other that is related to this fic... at least PM me for my permission so I could also give you the files if needed as well.

And like that, farewell until you decide to read another one of my stories.

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