Let me try to entertain you a little bit more in these strange times.

The past catches up

The wind blew slightly against both of them.

The sun was no longer high enough to reach them down in the alley. They stood in the shadows of the houses around them. Tatsumi thought that her eyes seemed to gleam as she stared at him. Unblinking. She did not have her weapon drawn. Her hands closed into fists at her sides.

Tatsumi just looked at her. His sad smile staying. He slowly moved his hands back and put them in his pockets. Taking a deep breath to calm himself. Waiting for some moments for her to start the conversation. Since she was the one who had revealed herself but had yet to attack.

They just looked each other in the eyes for almost thirty seconds before he decided to speak.

"I thought we would have met long ago, you know?" he said slowly and silently. "But Night Raid never answered to any of my messages or attempts to contact you."

It took some long seconds before Akame spoke. "We were unsure of how to identify that the messages were not a trap. Set by someone else. Or in the worst case, by you."

"I would never be able to do that. To doom you."

"We did answer the first message that you sent us. One of us didn't hesitate for a second. Acting on her own. When everyone else hesitated. And I trust that you know what happened to her."

Tatsumi took a deep breath again. "I had no part in Mine's death."

"Did you not write that message?"

"I did." Tatsumi said. Not dodging the question. "But I think it was intercepted."

"You think?" Akame said. Her voice calm and unfriendly.

"I don't know what happened.." He said and looked up at the sky for some moments. "I never got Mine's response. I only learned about what had happened to her weeks after it did."

"And when you learned about her fate, you still just stayed by Esdese's side. You didn't revolt, act up or even just run away from her and the empire?" Akame said. Raising her voice slightly.

"Like I could run away at that point!" Tatsumi defended. Slightly raising his voice as well. "I was not locked up in the dungeons but I was still very much a prisoner"

"But you never tried to escape, did you, Tatsumi?" Akame pressed on. "I found you out here. Just walking around in the capital on your own. Without escort or guards. You could easily have escaped this by now."

"And escape to what?" Tatsumi said with smiling bitterness. "Your faction is in ruins. What remains of it has since long condemned me as a traitor. The entire country thinks that I am the new prime minister. Even this city itself has started to paint me as the source of all the despair and corruption. I only have one ally left."

"And what an ally she is." Akame said with cold sarcasm.

"Now wait just a second.." Tatsumi said as he kept smiled at her. "What gives you the right to act like you have any moral authority here? You have killed way more people than I have. You were already an assassin when I was an ignorant country boy."

"Night raid only targets bad people."

"Oh, so you guys get to decide who is bad and who is good then?"

"When it comes to Esdese, that is not such a hard thing to do, is it?"

"You have killed many people who had a lighter conscience than yourself, Akame." Tatsumi said. His smile growing thinner.

"All the targets we bring down are done in order to bring down the empire."

"And how well has that gone for you? You lost that battle long ago. Now you are just scuttering around on the edges of the conflict inside the empire itself. Seems to me like your lofty justifications for murder don't bear much weight if you don't manage to reach the purpose that you have based everything on. Seems to me like your justification for killing all those people goes up in smoke if you fail to achieve any greater good in the end. "

"And that is what you are still doing, fighting for the greater good?" Akame said. A small and ridiculing smile forming on her face.

"I fight for what little good I can find. I don't cling to false hope anymore." he said. "Holding on to untangible delusions is a goddam sin when you use it to justify murder."

Akame didn't answer him. She just kept staring at him. Tatsumi calmed himself down slightly as he stared into her cold red eyes. He decided to go for a different approach. Hoping that he maybe could salvage this.

"We shouldn't do this, Akame." He said and took a careful step towards her. "We shouldn't be fighting."

"That is a nice thought, Tatsumi. It has crossed my mind many times. But no matter how much I think about it, I always reach the same conclusion. You need to disappear if we will have any chance to defeat Esdese. She needs to be completely singled out."

"I don't want to fight you, Akame. Haven't you heard that I saved Leone from the torture chambers? That I fought against the pillager to save Najenda. I still care about you."

"And now both Najenda and Leone are lost, nonetheless."

"I had nothing to do wi-" Tatsumi said but stopped himself. "Wait, what has happened to Leone?"

"I hoped that you could tell me." Akame said sternly.

"I genuinely have no idea what you are talking about."

Akame just stared at him for some moments before she spoke. "Leone is lost in action."

"Is she dead?" Tatsumi asked quickly.

"No, I mean literally. She was last seen almost two weeks ago and we have not been able to find or contact her since then. Though we will soon have to assume that your original thought is correct."

"I swear to you that I have no idea of what has happened to Leone. Hand on heart."

"You didn't know about what happened to Mine for a long while. I have no reason to believe that this is not a similar scenario."

"You can't hold me responsible for Mine's death."

"I can hold you responsible for just walking on when you heard about her death."

Tatsumi went a bit silent at that. Shifting his weight a bit back and forth as he stared at him. She found his reaction strange. "That is one thing that you can't defend against, can you?" she pressed. "Even if you couldn't save her, I would have at least expected you to not stay by her murderer's side."

"I didn't have a choice at that time."

"There is always something you can do, Tatsumi. You know this. Especially someone like you. Yet you just stayed in comfort. Living within the palace. Staying at Esdese's side as the conflict raged on. Leaving Mine behind you and just taking on a new persona and identity."

"But I never left her behind!" He reached inside one of his pockets. Bringing forth a small brown pouch. Holding it up in front of him. His smile widening slightly. "I always carry her with me."

Akame looked at the pouch for some moments. Then her eyes widened slightly as the realization dawned upon her. "Tatsumi, is that…"

"Yes. I still have her with me." he said. His voice was much louder than he had intended. "I have her saved in many different small bags. So that I can always have a part of her close."

Akame's mouth remained slightly open in shock for some moments. Then a frown formed on her face.

"You couldn't even leave her remains in peace?!" Akame almost shouted. The shock of the moment getting to her. "Don't you see how disrespectful this is?"

"Like I care!" Tatsumi spat back. "Fuck respect and fuck decency. I will not leave Mine behind. I never will!"

Akame was about to respond but she stopped herself. Calming herself down.

"I cannot leave her behind! Not after all that has happened." Tatsumi exclaimed when she didn't answer. And Akame realized that he was breathing rapidly. Noticing that there was some panic hidden in the madness of his voice.

She took one steadying breath. Closing her eyes for a second. When she opened them, her expression was filled with a lot more pain than anger. "I understand now, Tatsumi. You never survived Mine's death in the first place. Did you?"

"What do you mean?" Tatsumi said. Slowly putting back the pouch in his pocket.

"I think you know that. Even if you might not want to admit it."

Akame looked him in the eyes for some seconds. "Tatsumi I don't want to fight you. But I have made it my life's purpose to stop Esdese and her regime. And it looks to me that you are her closest and most powerful ally. Please, please, give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you here in this alley."

Tatsumi's smile had disappeared but he didn't let it show if the situation was threatening to him or not. "Well, most of the imperial leadership that you are trying to stop is trying to remove me from my position at Esdese's side. If that is any indication for you."

"Most of the empire has wanted you dead even after you joined Esdese. And the parts that have come into power recently doesn't seem half as monstrous as Esdese. Them wanting you dead does not necessarily reflect well on you."

"Well, whether or not you fight me here will probably make little difference." he said calmly. "Haven't you heard? I am to stand trial in a couple of days. For all my perceived crimes. It seems fairly obvious that I am going to get the death sentence."

"Then Esdese will step in. And then there will be civil war. And Esdese will most likely come out on top of that. Especially with your help."

Tatsumi had a hard time arguing with her about that. He kept silent. When he didn't say anything, she continued.

"It would probably be far better for everyone if the trial never comes to pass. If you disappear before then."

Tatsumi decided to try another route. "So it is that easy for you, huh? You just decide that my death is the most logical step towards peace. And then you just draw your sword?"

A bit of anger showed through Akame's cold demeanor again. "How can you insinuate that this isn't hard for me? Don't you realize how cruel that is?"

"I am not the one saying that one of us has to die today." Tatsumi said. Now being the calmer one of the two.

"I haven't drawn my sword yet, have I?"

"What do you mean?" Tatsumi said again and tilted his head to the side slightly.

Akame was silent for some seconds before she continued. "You can just disappear, Tatsumi."

He kept silent. Letting her continue.

"It is true that the trial must be prevented. And you are right that you will never be able to join any movement or resistance anymore. Or any other faction in this nation at all. But there is another way." she said and took a step towards him. "Just walk away Tatsumi. Use Incursio and leave the empire altogether. Travel to new lands and find a new life there. Far away from this conflict and monstrous situation."

Tatsumi remained silent. Just looking at her. Though his expression had grown more somber and much more serious.

"I understand that it might hard for you to do. I know that everything you know about yourself is rooted to the current situation. But you can be something else. I promise you. Just leave all of this ugliness and horror behind. Try and find a new life.

Tatsumi brought one hand up to his face. Slowly massaging his eyes with his fingers.

"If not for yourself, then please do it for me, Tatsumi! So that I can know that I at least managed to save one of my friends."

When he didn't answer she added, "Please, I beg you. Save yourself."

Some long moments passed before Tatsumi answered. Speaking slowly as he did.

"No… I'm sorry but.. no." he said. His hand not leaving his eyes. "It is far too late for that now."

Akame clenched her teeth in a pained expression. She could hear the sadness in Tatsumi's voice. She wished she couldn't.

Tatsumi pulled his hand back and looked up at her. "If we had been standing here a couple of years ago then I would have done it. Some months ago as well. Maybe even just a couple of days ago. But now… no. I am a part of this now. I must see it to its end."

Akame took a slow and steadying breath. Looking up at the blue sky.

"Do you remember how you were when we first met, Tatsumi? Truthful, good-natured. A bit rash and foolhardy but you used to stand up to cruelty. Not tolerate it or just look the other way." her eyes moved down from the sky and met his gaze. "I miss that boy."

She drew out Murasame from its sheath in a single stroke.

Tatsumi bent down slightly and put his hand on Incursio. "So do I."

Wave ran quickly through the streets as discreetly as he could. Trying to look like he simply was late for an appointment.

He had been informed just a minute ago that Tatsumi had been seen alone in the slums. Being closely followed by someone their warriors couldn't identify or pinpoint. He had immediately moved out of the hideout he had been in and started to head towards the location that the last report specified.

If the report was correct and Tatsumi actually was alone, then this might be a big chance. He had not been given an opportunity to talk to his old comrade ever since he left the empire. If they could just talk then Wave was certain that he would at least be able to make Tatsumi sympathize with his cause. Maybe even convince him to lay down his arms if Esdese was defeated.

He arrived at the specified location, a small and almost abandoned street, but he couldn't see Tatsumi anywhere. He ran up to the beggar that was sitting at the corner of the street and gave him a look. The old man did not return his gaze. He held his hands together over his stomach. But he slowly pointed a single finger out in a direction.

Wave immediately followed the guidance and ran into one of the diverging streets. He got the same kind of guidance from other "beggars" and soon enough, he found them.

They were already fighting when he arrived. Though it had not evolved from anything more than sparring so far. No one of them going serious just yet. Tatsumi had not activated Incursio yet. Only wielding it as a sword. Akame was attacking him but not in any serious way yet. In many regards, they were more taunting each other than actual fighting.

However, Wave stopped that noncommittal atmosphere immediately.

Wave had only been informed about Tatsumi. That was the reason he was there. He had not expected Akame. So he had not prepared himself to meet her again.

Both Akame and Tatsumi halted their movements as they felt the strong presence of Waves activated teigu. He was on Akame before she had reached a conclusion on how to handle this new situation. Striking at her in a flurry of attacks. More driven by blind rage than tactical thinking.

Yet Akame was caught unprepared by this whole scenario. Not only completely surprised by Wave but also not understanding why he was targeting her and completely ignoring Tatsumi. Not understanding why she was the prioritized target to the point where he left his entire back open to Tatsumi. All of this caused her to fall back and fight defensively as Wave pushed forward.

Tatsumi just watched the fight continuing without him. Not really understanding what was going on either. But he knew that this was an opportunity.

He started to take a couple of steps back but then slowed his movements. Struck with hesitation.

Was this the right choice here? He had a rare chance to interact with both his friends. Maybe for the last time. He was so surprised to see Wave that he hadn't really processed what it meant that the boy was there. His thoughts were still mainly caught up in his reunion with Akame.

To his own surprise, he felt somewhat indifferent. Something that he was completely unused to. The difference from how he would normally react was so blatant that he really felt like something inside him had changed. Like he no longer cared as much. As if he was a colder person than he used to.

"Why did you do it?" Wave screamed as he swung at Akame. Forcing her to jump backward. "Why did you kill her?!"

Akame didn't understand what was going on or what Wave was talking about. She had recognized the boy quickly but had no idea of why he was so viciously attacking her. It was not in her training or style to hesitate or converse during combat but she felt a need to understand. This didn't fit in with the description of Wave's persona at all.

She jumped backward again. Pushing her feet against the wall behind her and jumped over Wave. Spinning in the air as she did so that she ended up facing him when she landed. Putting a little distance between them.

Tatsumi just watched. Caught in an inner struggle as he realized that something was wrong with him. That he shouldn't be acting the way he did. That he shouldn't be considering the option of just letting them kill each other and take out the eventual survivor.

"Why are you-" Akame began but was forced to interrupt herself as Wave immediately charged at her again. Not being able to slow the situation down as Wave didn't let up for a second.

"If you had just talked!" Wave shouted as he swung at her. Akame avoiding his attacks with relative ease. "If you had just talked to her, then she would have listened."

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Akame shouted as she backed off a bit more.

"She would still be alive if it wasn't for you!"

"She?" Akame asked. Suddenly a cold premonition hit her. Reminded of the last time she had been in contact with the forces that Wave was a part of. "Who are you talking about?"

It looked like Wave was about to charge at her. Crouching down slightly. But then he stopped himself and froze in place. Akame and Tatsumi could both tell why. They were also washed over by the same sickening feeling. They had all felt it before and it was not a feeling that one could easily forget.

"Well, well, well." Makeias said and slowly walked into the alley. Crossing the corner in slow step. "Seems you forgot our little talk, Wave."

Tatsumi took a step back as Makeias approached the three of them from the alley's only exit. He had not seen the pillager since Garu but he was not hard to recognize. The last time he had seen him his torso had been cut in two. But while he seemed to have somehow recovered from that wound, the general still looked horrifying.

He was unnaturally thin and seemed to have grown at least a two decimeter since the last time he had seen him. He wore clothing but his entire body was bandaged up under them. The bandages only stopping at the base of his neck. He wore his long and destroyed cloak over his shoulder. Though he did not seem have brought a weapon with him.

"Akame, Tatsumi, thank you both for last time. Though I most recently met you both on different occasions." he said and walked up to them.

Even though the other three didn't realize it, Makeias not bringing any weapon was not a choice on his part. He had been in a nearby area when he had gotten the report that Wave had moved to meet with Tatsumi. He was desperate to not let Wave hear something that he shouldn't, so he had been forced to chase after him immediately. Even without the spears he usually fought with. He had, however not expected to find Akame there as well. The one person that he didn't want to engage with, at any cost.

But now he had to intervene, lest Wave learned the truth. Going into the situation with only his teigu. Having no choice but to try and play it cool.

"How is the hand doing, Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi smiled back at him. "I am sorry to say that the infection didn't manage to kill me yet. I think."

"It was never meant to, either." Makeias said. "Though I can tell that it is still inside you."

Tatsumi shrugged. As far as he could tell, the situation had just gotten a lot worse. Wave seemed completely committed to fighting and now he had gotten some very significant reinforcements. He looked over to Akame. If they teamed up they would stand a better chance. But Akame seemed to completely ignore him. Her eyes locked on the pillager. Going down into a fighting position. Looking like she was going to get serious. For the first time during this encounter.

This was not lost on Makeias either. "While I don't want to interr-" he began but then Akame attacked. Springing off the ground in a jump straight towards him. But before she had even come halfway, Wave intercepted her.

"Kinslayer!" he roared. Swinging at her from the side. Akame easily blocked the attack but it set her off course. Causing her to land earlier than planned. But more so than the blow itself, his exclamation rang through her head as she started to put things together. She only had one relative that anybody knew about.

"Ok, that's quite enough." Makeias said. He took a deep breath. Bent forward and spewed out a torrent of black gas from his mouth. The stream was at first directed at Akame, who avoided it by jumping to the side.

But as she did it hit the wall behind her and started to spread everywhere. She looked over at Makeias but he was already gone in a cloud of the dark smoke. Wave was standing at the edge of it. Staring at her as the gas enveloped him and he disappeared into the cloud.

Tatsumi decided that he had seen enough. He activated the invisibility of Incursio. With a quick push, he jumped up onto one of the walls. Pushing away from that to the one on the other side. Repeating the pattern as he moved upwards. Until he had reached the top and landed on one of the roofs.

He quickly moved away from the alley. Jumping across a couple of rooftops before he stopped and turned around. Still staying invisible.

He could see that the smoke had started to rise up from between the houses. On the other side of the rising cloud, he could see Akame jumping away on the rooftops. In the opposite direction of him. He looked at her for some moments. Filled with strange melancholia. Though disturbingly enough, he did not feel too sad about the situation. His feelings were more akin to nostalgia for something long lost.

Which only made him worry even more. He was sure that his heart would be broken from meeting her again. But instead, he mainly felt cold. He took a deep breath and gave the distant figure a last glance. Then he turned around and started to race towards the palace. Rushing to tell Esdese all their main enemies were now in the capital.

He couldn't make it stop.

Makeias stared as the black smoke rose up from between the buildings a couple of blocks away. He and Wave had moved away from the area where the fight had been soon after they were certain that Akame and Tatsumi had moved away. Now they stood in the street and watched how the smoke of Morbus moved.

"I think that is enough, general." Wave said.

Makeias nodded. "It will dissipate soon. Let's move away from this part of the city." he said. Unwilling to tell Wave that he had no control over the cloud. He could usually control the black smoke somewhat. At least in regards to when it would dissipate and fade. But this time he could not detect that he held any control over it at all.

To his relief, the cloud didn't seem to be expanding. Just moving around with the wind. He turned away from it and started to walk briskly through the street. Wave falling in behind him. The hoods on their robes pulled up.

"I am sorry, general. I shouldn't have engaged back there." he said in a low voice. Sounding somewhat ashamed.

"No you really shouldn't have. But I can't blame you." Makeias said in a hushed voice. Thankful that the truth about Kurome had not been revealed to Wave yet. "But now we have to set things in motion. Even if we are unsure if it is the right time or not. Because now we have lost our element of surprise. Esdese is sure to act as soon as she hears that we are in the city. And I am scared about what she might do in order to root us out. We must act before her."

"I understand, general."

Makeias nodded and looked back at Wave. "Go to the north base and spread the word. Make sure that all parts of our forces know this. We begin tonight. Hopefully, before any other faction can start any meaningful efforts to find and stop us."

"Absolutely. And you, general?"

"I will head to the east base. I will come and meet you after that."

Wave nodded and turned to the side. Walking off on a different street that they were passing by. Walking quickly. Makeias remained on the street they had been on. Slowing down his walking pace a little. Taking a deep breath now that Wave had left.

Something was wrong but he was not sure of how wrong. He felt numb. Like he had lost the perception of his own abilities. He could no longer tell if he was tired or energized. If he was feeling sick or healthy. He couldn't tell if he could just make Morbus consume the entire palace in its smoke or if he would be unable to use it at all.

He had to assume that this was because he had used the teigu again. He hadn't used it to this extent in a long while. Only in small and insignificant ways. Though he had been drinking all the things Tom-Tom had prepared in case of the worst. Maybe it had noticed that in some strange way.

He walked a bit more leisurely down the street as he tried to explore this new uncertainty within him. But he was soon interrupted by his surroundings.

There were steps behind him that were a bit too constant. That had remained at the same distance a bit too consistently and for too long. His instincts for these things warning him that he might have someone following him.

He adjusted his speed a little bit back and forth and did some sharp turns into diverging streets. After a while, he had been able to almost confirm that someone was following him. He needed to do something about it before he headed back to one of their bases.

At best it was just an outlook or spy. At worst, Akame had circled around and was now following him.

He soon reached a small town square. Filled with people and food stalls. The noise level quite high as people were talking and bartering. He increased his pace and walked around the square two times before suddenly stopping. It would have been hard for his pursuer to realize that he had been detected in this environment. Which meant that there was a chance that he wouldn't retreat into hiding.

Makeias calmly looked around the town square. Searching for his follower. He spotted him on the opposite of the small market. He felt his breathing stop at the sight.

He was standing in one of the alleyways that led to the market. Covered in the shadow of the houses. But he was not hiding or covering up. He was standing straight. Staring him right in the eyes. The man was about as tall as him. Though his stand was slightly hunched over. He had brown hair down to his shoulders. Just like Makeias' own hair had been before Morbus started to turn it grey in spots. He wore a ruined general's coat. It's ending in tatters. Dragging on the ground. He had two spears over his back.

Makeias' eyes were wide, as he stared at the figure. It was himself that was standing in the shadows of the alley on the other side of the market. Staring at him. A younger version of himself.

He swallowed slowly. Trying to remain calm. Have I finally lost it?

He turned around and started to walk quickly out of the square. Taking deep breaths. Ok, take it easy. I am Makeias. I'm still in control, he thought as he turned in on a smaller street. Trying to walk as quickly as he could while being at least a little bit discreet.

After a little while, he turned his head and looked if he was being followed. But he couldn't see a trace of whatever that thing he had seen was. While he was looking, he stumbled into someone.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking." he said and quickly moved past what looked like a blonde woman in white robes at a quick glance.

"Don't worry about it." she answered in a voice that he thought he recognized.

He took a couple more steps before he suddenly realized that while he was close to panic, he could still detect his surroundings pretty well. How had he not managed to detect that he was about to walk into someone?

He looked over his shoulder one more time.

She had stopped in her track. Looking at him. Her white dress blowing in the wind. Blue eyes staring at him from under her golden locks.

Makeias felt his heart break as he stopped in his tracks. Looking at the only woman he had ever loved. The wife of his best friend and the mother of Jack and Liza.

He stood there for almost 2 seconds, his teeth clenched in pain. Then his mind finally caught up to his feelings. He immediately turned around and started walking even faster.

You fool, she has been dead for more than years, he thought. Feeling the panic rise in him. Quickly turning around and starting to walk again.

"I am..." the voice inside him began.

"I am Makeias!" he said out loud. Making people around him turn and stare. Causing him to increase his walking speed even more. Turning another corner.

He took deep and calming breaths. Moving as if he was being hunted. Not really having any clear direction in mind as he moved through the streets. More fleeing than anything else. Yet he couldn't allow himself to start running. More for personal reasons than logical. If he started running, he would give in to the fear and panic. He needed to keep his calm. He needed to keep control.

Easy, easy, he thought to himself. Pushing down the thoughts and ideas that seemed to come whether he wanted or not. Slowing down a little. It's all in your head.

He looked around himself on the street he was crossing. Trying to distract himself from the internal struggle. To his relief, no one of those around him on this street seemed to have noticed his distressed state. But as his gaze traveled across the side of the street. He noticed that another face he recognized.

His old general Kai, was standing inside one of the stalls at the side of the street. Standing behind the man who was currently selling stuff from the stall. He was wearing the same red armor and black coat he had carried when Akame killed him, back when the negotiations with the revolutionary army had broken down. He looked just like how Makeias remembered him.

He took an involuntarily sharp breath and turned his head forward again. Desperately trying to keep his cool.

You are more than this, he repeated to himself in his head. Fighting against the creeping horror. Refusing to acknowledge the whispers in his head. You are more than your mistakes. You are more than just scars. You are more than a mere weapon.

He kept walking for a long while without detecting anything strange. Zickzacking through the blocks. Moving as erratically as possible. Trying to shake off whatever it was that was troubling him so.

After a while, he slowed his pace even further. Allowing himself to breath for some moments as he kept walking. Finally stopping after a while. Standing still in the middle of the lightly crowded street as he tried to gather his cool.

Don't give in. It's all in your head, he repeated to himself mentally. Looking forward. Not daring to look around. In fear of detecting more ghosts from his past. After a little while, he managed to gather some sense of control.

He was about to start walking when he felt a small hand grab a hold of one of the legs of his pants. Close to his knee.

He looked down to the sight of Liza. But not the vicious and sad creature she had become towards the end of her life. What he beheld was a younger version of her. How she had once been, not long after the time he first met her. They grow so fast at that age, he thought. The shock of the moment leaving him dumbfounded.

Liza's brown eyes were big and round. Still filled with joy, wonder, and curiosity. Looking up at him. When he met her gaze, she smiled a wide, beaming grin at him. With some holes in it. Since she had been losing her baby teeth back then. Her golden hair just as messy and long as usual.

"As long as we can be with you, we will be fine!" she said happily. When she said that, Jack peeked up at her from behind her back. Looking up at him with careful interest. His eyes almost not visible from under the grey unruly mop of hair. Makeias only now noticed that he had his arms wrapped around her stomach from behind.

He never dared to go anywhere without her after they lost their parents. Makeias remembered. Even back then he still had those grey, calm eyes. Even before we brainwashed him and nailed a teigu to his head.

As he stared at him, Liza wrapped her arms around his leg, as he now remembered that she used to do. Hugging him as well as she could. Looking up at him. "As long as we can be with you, we are happy, Makeias."

And Makeias ran.

He ran as fast as he could. Choosing to give up control rather than remain in that moment. Filled with panic, fueled by guilt. His eyes blinking away tears. He ran so fast that people turned and looked as he achieved speed way above what was normal.

Tom-Tom had been right. Kurome had been right. Wave had been right. All these thoughts echoed in his head as he ran without direction. But soon enough, he realized that he was being followed again.

He looked over his shoulder as he did, but he couldn't see anybody. But he could single out the steps behind him. That stayed at the same volume even when he raced through the streets. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn't seem to outpace it.

He kept running for a long time. The sun setting and night taking over. He had no sense of time at the moment. Barely noticing that he had been running for more than an hour.

The steps of his pursuer unnerved him greatly. Even ni his already troubled state. Mainly because they were uneven. Even at this high speed, it sounded like his follower was stumbling forward.

He turned a final corner and had to completely halt his momentum. Just barely able to not run into the figure that was obstructing his path. He straightened up and stood face to face with long-dead, childhood friend. He didn't even have time to react before it spoke to him in a voice he had almost forgotten.

"Where are my children, Makeias? What have you done with Jack and Liza?"

"No." Makeias hissed and turned around. Only to be faced by Kurome. Standing a couple of meters behind him. Her entire upper body and head cleaved in two. Yet her eyes were staring into his. Even if they were almost half a meter apart.

"Why?" she asked in a silent and sad voice. "I choose your side in the end, didn't I? Why am I dead?"

"NOO!" Makeias exclaimed he backed away from her but had nowhere to go. He ran into a small alleyway to his left. His only clear path. Even if he knew that it was likely a dead end.

The small alley was barely lit. He could barely see anything. He reached its end quickly. It was slightly lit up by moonlight. The small alley ending with brick walls on all sides. He looked up at the sky and prepared to jump up on the roofs.

But suddenly, something grabbed hold of his ankles and pulled them backward. Making him fall forward into the ground. He caught himself with his hands but found that he lacked a lot of his usual strength when he did. His body still hitting the ground even if his arms slowed the fall.

He turned around towards the steps that were following him. He didn't know why but he felt like his strength was being drained from him. The figure of his pursuer was barely visible in the shadows behind him.

"I am sorry." he said. Fighting back tears. "I am so sorry." Crawling backward. Not knowing who he was even apologizing to. "I tried. I did everything I could to stop this."

He hit his back against the wall behind him as his pursuer came forth from the shadows and Makeias realized that he had finally lost control over the thing that resided within him.

It was a horrifying version of himself that walked out of the shadows. It was him but with all the damage he had received since he got Morbus all still there. All the wounds that would have killed him still there.

One of the figure's arms was dragging on the ground since his chest was split in two from the shoulder. Its head only hanging on to the body with half a neck. The body ridden with stab wounds. Half his chin open from a blade that had once gone into his mouth. One of its legs bent to the side at an unnatural degree at the knee. Making the figure stumble forward as that leg was shorter than the other. But there was no black goo pouring from his wounds and its eyes were wide and panicked. Just like his own.

"I am the way of all flesh." it gurgled as it slowly shambled towards him. "I am your destiny. I am the destiny of all who live."

Makeias realized that these were all things that he had said before. It was just repeating his own phrases. "You are nothing but a tool! Created to give your strength to others!" he shouted at it.

"I am beyond strength. I am a constant of this world."

"You were created by man. And you will be destroyed by us before the end!"

The ruined shape lurched towards him. Crossing what remained of the distance in a single leap as it roared. And Makeias finally realized that all the words it spoke were coming out of his own mouth.

"I AM DECAY" he screamed. "INCARNAAAAAAAATE!"

Author's note:

What can I say that will justify this downtime of more than a year. Nothing. Nothing at all.

It feels a bit like I am throwing a message in a bottle into the endless ocean. But hey, some few of you might pick it up and find some enjoyment from this. So I will keep doing it and see what happens during these strange times. There are still a lot that needs to happen if the story is to be finished properly. Who knows, maybe we might be able to complete the entire story during this downtime of western society.

Until next time,

Take care of each other.