Chapter 1: New Life

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*Week*

3rd Pov.

It has only been a week ever since the boy escaped the excavation site.

He had nowhere to start his life.

Most importantly though.

He barely had anything to spare such as his remaining powers.

With that, he took the option to wander around the wilderness.

Starting off from the river he transported himself to.

"..."

The boy couldn't help his curiosity as he looks around at the beautiness of the land.

Then-.

*Steps*

A sound of steps being made from the grass was heard nearby.

The boy stopped himself and looked around to see if there was someone following him, or passing by.

And before he realize, he quickly climbed up a tree and hid himself.

Only a for a moment, a gap was revealed for the boy as he was hidden behind the branches and leaves.

Soon, the sound of steps were getting closer and closer.

Suddenly, a whisper of voices came inside the boy's head.

"C'mon Sayo! Keep running!"

"Wait up Ieyasu!"

It was voices of a boy and a girl.

"Get back here you little brats!"

A voice of a man was heard as well.

"They're being chased..."

The boy thought to himself.

In his view where he looks between the gaps of the branches and leaves, he saw the girl he heard, who suddenly fell down on the ground.

"Ieyasu!"

"Sayo!"

From the outside, Sayo was stopped by a man holding a sword.

The man immediately grabs the girl's neck and began choking her.

"P-please..!"

She begged.

With no hesitation, the boy showed himself and jump out of the tree before having to dash towards the man at incredible speed pummel his fist into the man's abdomen, forcing him to drop the girl and have himself pushed back into the river next to him.

"Guuuh...."

The man groaned.

"Who the hell did that!?"

He yelled as he regained his senses and looked forward.

In his views, a boy with white and silver-like hair was seen.

"Who're you!?"

The man asked, infuriated by him for having to punch him into the river.

However, the boy did not respond, but only glared at him.

"Tsk.. Doesn't matter! You're dead now!"

Then, the man stood up and charged towards the boy, only to have him be caught by surprise as the boy instantly appeared in front of his eyes and get gutted in his abdomen.

"Ack!"

The man uttered in pain and drop down on his knees.

"How the hell did he-!?"

Only for a brief moment, the boy grasped onto the man's head and began clenching it with great force.

"GRAAAAAH!!"

Soon, a dark mist of void begun to disperse from the boy's hand and travel along the man's head where it eventually be affected by it and slowly turn into dust.

"What the..."

"Who is he?"

Both the youngsters stared as the man's head was gone into dust and his body being the only remains.

"You won't have to worry about him now."

The boy said to the two.

However, the two did not respond, until the girl say-.

"T-thank you."

Hearing that, the boy nodded.

"I'll be on my way then."

He said-.

*Grumbling*

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was nothing but silence between everyone as the sound of someone's stomach began grumbling.

"What was that noise?

The boy asks himself, knowing that he's not that all familiar with a human's body.

"A-are you hungry?"

The girl asked where she only receives a stare from the boy.

"No."

He answers.

"We insist."

The girl says.

"Wait we!? Why!?"

Her friend shouts.

Soon, she slapped him.

"Because he just saved us! It's the least we can do for him!"

"..... I suppose it can't be helped."

The boy thought.

In otherward, he decided to accept because afterall, he is completely lost and does not really know where to even go.

*Time skip brought to you by Sayo asking the stranger to fetch her a couple fishes from the river so she can cook it*

As the day would end, the three agreed to camp around the river for the time being until the next day and move on with their journey.

While Sayo and her friend Ieyasu were preparing the meal, the boy that saved them was sitting down on the ground looking at them, seeing how close they are.

Eventually, he would start to think about what happened earlier.

"My strength is slowly coming back."

He thought to himself as he raises up his hand and looks at it.

With a quick startup of total concentration, he opened his palm and generated a small energy of light.

However, something wasn't right.

"Something feels... Amiss." 

"Woah..."

The boy turns to see Ieyasu staring at him in awe.

"How did you do that?"

Before he could even respond to Ieyasu's question-.

"Are you from the Imperial Forces?"

Hearing that last part, the boy did not seem to understand what is this so-called "Imperial Forces".

So, he raised one of his brows towards him.

"You don't know about the Imperial Forces?"

Ieyasu asks.

"No."

The boy responded.

"Huh.. That's surprising."

Ieyasu says.

Soon, his friend Sayo comes over with cooked fish.

"What is?"

Sayo asks.

"This guy here doesn't know about the Imperial-."

"Don't call him 'this guy'!"

The boy stares as he would eventually witness Sayo slap Ieyasu across the face.

"I'm so sorry for his manners.. He's like this a lot."

Sayo looks where the white haired boy merely sat still and stared at him with silence.

"Do you have a name?"

She asks.

"A name..."

What would his name be now that he is amongst the humans? Surely enough it is obviously that there could be certain people who are capable of such knowledge and could discover his status.

"I do not."

Said the boy.

"Seriously!?"

Ieyasu shouted.

"Quiet you!"

Ieyasu immediately receives another slap.

Before that, Sayo began to think of something where the white haired boy assumed that she is going to think of a name for him.

"Why not Taurite? I've heard it means 'balance' for those who are between the light and dark; or basically the duality of a person's inner nature?"

Sayo suggested.

"Taurite..."

The boy didn't really give into much thought about it, since a name is just a name.
(Context: Taurite means Balance in Maori)

So, he nods as a sign of accepting his new identity.

"Welp, it's nice to meet you Taurite."

Sayo smiles.

"Here. I bet you're hungry right now."

Taurite then was handed a cooked fish from Sayo.

He thanks her before looking at his meal.

The smell and fragrance from the fish was astonishing to Taurite.

As both Sayo and Ieyasu sat down and began eating this cooked fish, Taurite took a small bite.

Sayo looks at Taurite to see his expression.

"It's delicious, isn't it?"

She asks.

"It is."

Taurite replies.

Therefore, everyone continued on until it was completely dark.

And with that, the three would enter their slumber.

*Next day*

Within the next morning, Sayo and Ieyasu parted ways from Taurite and continued their journey to the capital.

Taurite would eventually make his leave and venture off to the nearest inn according to Sayo after she and her friend left.

*Three Weeks Later*

Weeks has pass already and here, Taurite kept himself at home within an inn for at least a few days.

For most of his time, he would walk amongst the human and slowly recover his strength over time.

Right now, he finds himself in front of a workshop for weapons.

He would enter inside and see the shopkeeper himself, cleaning off dust from a blade.

"Welcome."

The Shopkeeper greets him.

Taurite starts looking around to see many weapons that are pretty basic, but he could tell that the Shopkeeper did his best to refine them.

Then, he would come across a small relic that was on display which seems to take shape of a claw with a handle attached.
(Context: Basically a Karambit)

With a peak of interest, Taurite stepped closer to the weapon and examined it.

The more he looked closer into it's detail, the more he began to notice something.

It was one of his missing parts.

"May I know about this here."

Taurite asks.

"That?"

The Shopkeeper looks into the claw.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No."

The shopkeeper shakes his head.

"I hope you're the one to take this..."

Taurite begun hearing the thoughts of the shopkeeper.

"I'll be willing enough to take it out of your hands if you're desperate to get rid of it."

Hearing that made the shopkeeper flinch.

"Please. I have no intention of causing harm. I'm merely in search of a weapon that can be sufficient for my journey."

He says, reassuring him before he decides to reach out his hand towards him.

"I wonder if he could hear voices from this thing..."

"What voices?"

Taurite asks.

Then, he began to hear a sense of vibration coming from the claw.

"It's reacting to my presence.."

All the sudden, the shopkeeper immediately slaps the claw onto Taurite's hand and leaves into the backroom.

With no questions or thoughts occurring within Taurite's mind, he merely sighs before making his leave.

*Two days later*

After leaving the local inn Taurite kept himself in, he continued his way and made a decision to himself which is to find the missing parts of his former enigmatic body.

So far now, Taurite has settled down in a open space that is well-hidden with nothing else but his belongings and a campfire to keep himself warm.

As he sits himself down, he reaches out to the claw that took the form of a blade.

With no sense of repentance, Taurite grabbed hold of the blade and detached it from the handle at the cost of having a large cut on his palm.

Still, it was worth it to him.

Taurite examines the claw and senses more vibration from it.

Then, he looks at his wounded palm.

A stoic expression remains on his face, until he immediately uses the claw and stabs it into his palm.

And slowly, the claw started to be consumed by his palm.

Soon, Taurite's whole right arm would gain black markings that reflected off a wave-like pattern.

He felt a small portion of his powers coming back.

"Could I try using 'it'?"

As Taurite proceeds to clear his mind and concentrate his aura, he opened his palm and generating a ball of void energy at will.

"How much can I expand it?"

He thought to himself.

"Only one way to find out."

With further concentration, Taurite started expanding the ball of void.

However, it slowly begun to break apart.

"Hm.. That'll do for now..." 

At that very point, he decided to close his palm and cancel his ability.

And then afterwards, he looked up at the night sky.

Before having his eyes closed shut.

*2 1/2 Months Later*

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Imperial Year 1024

*Trail to the Capital*

Within the trailway where it leads to the capital, a small carriage was on its way, led by two men until-.

*Crumbling*

Suddenly, a tall and average size Earth Dragon emerged from the ground, causing the small carriage to roll over.

"AN EARTH DRAGOOOOON!!!!"

"I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THEM SHOWING UP ON THIS ROUTE!!"

The two men shouted out of fear.

"RUN FOR IT!"

"ROOOOOAAAAR!!"

"GYAAAAAAH!!"

Both the men began running for their lives.

"Looks like I can help someone out..."

Out of nowhere, a young boy stepped in.

"... And make a name for myself at the same time!"

Soon, he drew out his sword and dashed towards the Earth Dragon.

Within a few seconds, the Earth Dragon immediately lost it's parts and began bleeding out, which caught the attention of the two men.

"A class 1 danger beast, Earth Dragon..."

The boy murmured.

"A worthy opponent!"

"ROOOOAAAR!!"

Rage began to fume within the Earth Dragon's blood, where it soon raised up it's large claw and slammed it against the boy.

Only to be outmaneuvered as the boy started running up it's arm and jump towards it's face.

"It's over!"

And for only a split second, the boy slashed through the Earth Dragon's head, separating into several pieces with his sword.

"Wh... Whoah...!"

The two men watched in awe as the Earth Dragon collapses on the ground with the boy being the one that remains.

"That was amazing, kid!"

"I can't believe you took down a danger beast all by yourself!"

They ran to him.

"Heh..."

"But of course!"

The boy gave himself a thumbs up all the sudden.

"That guy was a piece of cake for someone like me!!"

He bragged.

"By the way, my name's Tatsumi!"

Tatsumi introduces himself to the two men.

"It's a name that's going to be pretty famous in the Capital, so you'd better remember it!!"

Out of the blue, Tatsumi began talking some nonsense, which made the two men stare at him, until one of them stares at him deeply as he heard Tatsumi mention the capital.

"You're looking to make a name for yourself in the Capital?"

He asks.

"Yep! And, I'm going to make it big in the Capital! It's the dream of any country boy!"

Tatsumi exclaims.

Here, Tatsumi receives a strange expression from the two, who just so happened to look at each other as if there is something else Tatsumi should know about.

"What?"

Tatsumi stares.

"The Capital... Isn't as dreamy as you might think it is."

One of them spoke.

"It's lively sure, but it's full of monsters even more vicious than that Earth Dragon."

He continues.

"What...? So danger beasts come out in the city too?"

Tatsumi asks.

"They're people... People with the hearts of monsters... That's all you'll find there..."

The man replies.

Soon, Tatsumi swings his sword, swiping off the blood from the blade and slides it back on his sheath.

"I appreciate the warning, but there's no way I'm turning around now."

He says.

"I... We.. Are going to make money in the Capital to save our village!"

*Time skip*

"WOOOOW! AWESOME!"

After Tatsumi's victory against a Earth Dragon, he finally arrived to the Capital and couldn't help but feel so excited.

"So this is the Capital."

He said to himself as he began to walk around.

"If I do well here, I could buy an entire village.. Better find the barracks, and quick."

Eventually-.

*Bump*

Tatsumi bumped into someone.

"Oh- Sorry about-."

Soon, Tatsumi looked to where he saw a boy who seems to be around sixteen-nineteen.

From the looks of it, he was tanned and his hair was a mix of white and silver-like color.

His eyes revealed a pair of dark ageless golden eyes.

And his outfit was a simple all-black simple attire with a golden cross  dangling around his neck.

"Apologizes, my friend."

Tatsumi could help but stare at him, until he watched him leave.

"Huh.."

*Barracks*

As Tatsumi came over to the barracks so he can get himself into the Imperial Army, he was asked several questions by an Imperial Officer.

"Uh-huuuuh.. So you want to join the ranks too..."

Said the Officer.

"Then fill out this form and hand it back to me."

He said as he hands Tatsumi a paper.

Tatsumi reads the paper.

"...... Does this mean I'd have to start as a private?"

He asks.

"What do you think? And plus, you'd most likely be sent to the remote regions."

Suddenly, Tatsumi slams the paper on the table and yells out-.

"I don't have time for that!!"

Then, he draws out his sword before saying.

"Just see what I can do! If you think you can use me, then enlist me starting out as a Captain!"

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Suddenly, Tatsumi gets himself thrown out of the barracks.

"THE HECK! AT LEAST GIVE ME A SHOT!"

Tatsumi shouts.

"GET REAL! IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A SOLDIER, YOU HAVE TO ENTER A LOTTERY!!"

The Officer shouts.

"IN THIS RECESSION, WE'RE BEING FLOODED WITH NEW APPLICANTS AND I CAN'T TEACH EVERY EACH AND ONE OF YOU AS THERE'S ONLY SO MANY SPOTS TO FILL!!!!"

"Oh... Is that so?"

"GET LOST, YOU DAMN BRAT!!"

Then, the Officer slams the door.

"Dang it, then maybe I should start making a name for myself by causing a scene... But I'd get arrested in the end..."

Tatsumi thought to himself.

"Hey there."

Out of nowhere, a shadow covered Tatsumi.

"You look like you're in a spot, kid."

Above him was a young women with blond hair and a pair of golden eyes.

"Can I lend you a hand?"

She asks.

Suddenly, Tatsumi's mouth dropped as he eyes were stuck on the women's cleavage.

"SO THIS IS THE CAPITAL...!!"

He began screaming inside his head.

Tatsumi then immediately stands up.

"...? So what's your story?"

The women asks.

However, Tatsumi did not reply as he continues to stare at her cleavage.

"Let me guess. You came from the country to follow your dream in the Capital, right?"

She asks once again.

"How'd you know!?"

"Well.. When you've lived in the Capital long enough, you'll eventually spot out an out-of-towner a mile away."

The women says.

"So, I have a way to get you into the service right away."

She continues.

"Do you want me to tell you?"

Tatsumi replies by nodding vigorously.

"In that case... Treat me to a meal"

*Random Bar*

"HAAAAH~!"

The women slams her drink on the table after chugging it completely.

"Aw man! Having a drink in the middle of the day's the best!!"

She exclaims.

"You're overdoing it a little."

Tatsumi said.

"Drink up, kid! Let's just have some fun!"

"At least tell me that way to get into service like you said earlier."

Tatsumi mentions.

"Right. For that... It takes connections and money."

The women says as she takes a shot of her beverage.

"Money?"

"That's right. Here, I just happen to know that one of my friends is in the army. If we just pay him some dough, you'll be right in!"

"I see..."

Eventually and with no hesitation, Tatsumi reaches out to his bag and drops a load of cash on the table.

"Will this be enough?"

He asks.

"Oooh! That's more than enough! You're pretty loaded!"

"Yep. I've been collecting rewards from the danger beasts I've been hunting on the road."

"Hmm.. You must be pretty strong."

The women smirks before taking the cash and make her exit.

"With this, you'll be a Captain in no time."

"Thanks!"

"Four-fifths of this ought to do I think."

Before that, the women turns around to Tatsumi and winks at him.

"I think you'll learn a lot from meeting me, kid!"

She says.

"Welp. see ya. I'll go talk to him now. You just wait right here."

After that, she was gone.

"Will done!"

Tatsumi waves.

"I see... So connections are important."

*One Hour Later*

"..."

*Three Hours Later*

"....."

*Ten Hours Later*

After a few hours, the bartender began cleaning up everything until he notices that Tatsumi was still there.

"Young man, we're going to be closing soon."

"Oh. I'm just waiting for someone."

"I saw... And I'd like to let you know that she just ran off with your money."

"..."

"..."

"WHAT!?"

Tatsumi shouts.

"I can't believe someone would be so trusting in the Capital these days."

The bartender sighs.

"Sh... She was a fraud! I'll file a complaint!"

Tatsumi yells.

"That's a no go, kid. In this situation, it's your fault for falling for it."

Hearing that, Tatsumi's mouth drops.

*Night*

"Shit... After paying for the meal, I'm completely broke..."

Tatsumi shakes his bag for any spare cash, but no luck.

"THAT TOP-HEAVY... I MEAN, THAT WOMEN!!"

He yells.

"IS THIS WHAT SHE MEANT BY LEARNING FROM HER!?"

Eventually, Tatsumi gets all hunched over after getting himself robbed.

"Nobody would ever lie like that in the countryside... Shit.."

As Tatsumi was going to continue his way-.

"Oh!"

Tatsumi was eventually stopped by two individuals.

One of them was a small scrawny boy with two katanas on his waist.

Behind him was a large boy with armor over his upper body and a strange-looking weapon on his back.

"A country bumpkin walking down the road with a sword over his shoulder."

Said the scrawny kid.

"Hand it over. That's an order. Heheheh."

Tatsumi stood there with a blank expression on his face.

"You're kidding me, right?"

As Tatsumi was ready to draw out his sword from his back-.

"What is going on here."

Suddenly, someone made an appearance, causing the three's attention to be drawn somewhere.

Out of the shadows, a boy who was tanned and his hair was a mix of white and silver-like color.

Immediately, Tatsumi recognized him from before after he entered the Capital.

"That guy again?"

He thought to himself.

"I'll ask once more."

The stranger spoke in more of a aggressive tone.

However, everyone was silent.

"Surely enough I wasn't going to witness a pair of rascals fight each other."

The stranger sighs.

"H-hey, I wasn't looking for trouble and I was just on my way to leave, until these two showed up."

Tatsumi spoke up.

"Oh I've seen clearly already."

Said the stranger.

"And by that, I've already saw them approach you as you were close to drawing out your blade."

He points at the two.

"Whaddya gonna do about it? Snitch on us, you stupid priest?"

"Yeah! And if you do, we've got our families to bail us out!"

Despite speaking nonsense, the stranger couldn't help but sigh once more.

"Of course you two are the type to abuse your power..."

"What a bunch of weirdos.."

Tatsumi thought to himself.

"No matter. I'll have to teach you two a lesson myself."

After saying that, the stranger approaches the two boys.

Once he was close to them-.

"Die!"

Suddenly, the scrawny boy unsheathed his katana and attempted to slash the stranger.

Only to be dodged, where the stranger only steps to his right.

There, he readied his fist gave the scrawny boy a good punch towards the face, causing him to get launched a few inches back.

"You'll pay for that!"

Soon, the other one drawed out his claymore and tried to cut down the stranger.

But once again to be dodged and have his blade get stuck in the ground.

Because of that, he tried to get it out.

"Always pay attention to your opponent."

Eventually, the stranger jumps and smashes his knee towards the boy's face, causing him to lose grip of his claymore and get pushed back.

Soon, he tripped.

"Guuhhh..."

The scrawny kid begun to help himself up.

Only to witness his friend fall on top of him.

"WAAAAH!!!"

He tried to get out of the way, but was too late, where his friend finally collapsed on him.

"Please make sure to stay home and be treated.."

The stranger says as he dusts off his cloths.

"And may that also be a warning to not do anything so redundant."

He continues, before looking at Tatsumi and decides to approach him

"God.. Just what is wrong with everyone in this town?"

Tatsumi scratches the back of his head.

"Delusional. That's all what I and most people have to say."

Said the stranger.

"They have not done anything to you, have they?"

He asks.

"No. They haven't."

Tatsumi replies.

"Thank you though?"

"It is my pleasure, my friend."

The stranger nods.

"What are you doing during this late night hour?"

He asks.

"W-well.. I was just taking a stroll around after I... Realize that I got scammed a while ago."

Tatsumi spoke out of embarrassment and shame.

"Oh. I am sorry for your loss then."

Said the stranger.

"Shall I escort you to your home?"

He asks.

"I... Don't actually have a place to stay."

Tatsumi replies.

"Ah."

"..."

"..."

Literally, there was nothing but complete silence between the two.

"Follow me, I shall lead you to a local inn nearby."

Then, the stranger begins his way to find a local inn nearby for Tatsumi.

"Thanks!"

*Short Time skip*

As both Tatsumi and the stranger continued their way, Tatsumi looked up towards the main center of the Capital.

"I wonder how they're doing..."

He thought to himself.

"Have they already arrived in the Capital...?"

"Who?"

The stranger asks.

"Just some friends I know back at my village."

Tatsumi replies.

"I see."

The stranger says.

"..."

"..."

Again like before, there was nothing but silence.

"Say, what's your name?"

Tatsumi asks.

"I'm Tatsumi, if you don't know."

He introduces himself.

"Taurite."

Taurite responds.

"I heard from those two guys that you're a priest, right?"

"No. I am not."

Taurite replies boldly.

"Do I look like one?

He asks Tatsumi, where he receives a look from him as he was being examined.

"Yeah nevermind. Most of them would be in those goofy outfits."

Tatsumi replies.

Soon-.

*Clopping noises*

A small carriage drove by.

"Excuse me!"

Both Tatsumi's and Taurite's attention were drawn to a girl that came out of the carriage.

"Are you two from the countryside?" 

The girl asks.

"Uh...? Yeah..."

Tatsumi responds.

"No. I am from another town that is nearby."

Says Taurite.

"Well, if you two are out here, why don't you both come over to my house?"

The girl asks once more.

Here, Tatsumi stares at the girl with a face that expresses how he won't fall for a trick twice even though he has no money.

"I don't have any money on me..."

"But if you did, you wouldn't be sleeping our here."

The girl giggles.

"Listen, Miss Aria here can't leave a poor fellow like you out here to freeze."

One of her guards spoke.

"Just accept her offer."

Another guard spoke.

"What'll be?"

Aria asks.

Tatsumi looks at Taurite, who was staring at Aria with a strange for a quick second before realize that Tatsumi was looking at him.

"It'd best to accept the offer for the time being until the next day, Tatsumi."

Taurite says.

".... Well, I suppose so."

Tatsumi scratches the back of his head.

"Then it's settled!"

Aria exclaims before looking at Taurite.

"Do you plan on joining us as well?"

She asks with a smile.

"I wish I could.. But I must decline as I am needed elsewhere."

Taurite responds.

"My sincerest apologies, Miss Aria."

He says before putting his hand on his chest and bow.

"I shall see you until then, my friends."

With that being said, Taurite made his leave.

"I do pray for your life, Tatsumi."

*Next day*

During the next day, Tatsumi would be kept in Aria's family household and would be given some tasks to be on guard for Aria as she goes into town with her guards and purchase some clothes and items.

At the very moment in the afternoon, Tatsumi would stand on the lookout with one of Aria's guards, who is named Gauri.

"Let's go to that shop next!!"

Tatsumi's mouth drops as he sees Aria run off while her guards are carrying loads of boxes and bags from behind.

"Please wait, Miss!!"

They shouted.

"Looks like we'll be staying at home next time..."

Gauri says as Tatsumi remains the same.

"Miss Aria sure bought a lot of stuff... And the amounts of them is actually ridiculous."

Tatsumi stares.

"It's not just the Miss. All young girls are like this."

Gauri points out.

"Yeah? The one I know picks out her clothes right away."

Tatsumi mentions.

"Eh, forget that... Look up by the way."

"Huh?"

"Up there.. That's the heart of the Capital."

Tatsumi looks up to where he sees a large palace in the distance.

"The Palace."

Gauri says.

"It's huge...! Is that where the Ruler of the country, the Emperor lives!?"

Tatsumi shouts due to how large the palace is.

"Actually-."

"The Emperor is just a mere child in some eyes of the people.."

Suddenly, the two heard someone.

Both of them turned around to where they saw who it was.

"Taurite!"

Tatsumi looks at him, surprised.

"Though I'm not sure whether to believe it, but I hear that the one manipulating the young Emperor from the shadows is the Prime Minister."

Taurite continues.

"Not only that, I also hear that he is the one responsible for the decay of this country... And I assume there is plenty to confirm, but no one is capable of making a stand."

He thought to himself.

"Are you-!?"

All the sudden, Gauri quickly covered Tatsumi's mouth just so he doesn't cause a scene.

"Careful...! Don't mention those around to anyone or else they'll have our heads...!"

Gauri whispers.

"Look, all we can say here is that those stuff you once mentioned about your village... It's a common knowledge that still occurs in the Capital."

He says.

"Though, there's also those guys to consider."

Tatsumi then was pointed to a wall that had a list that seems to show names of wanted criminals.

He reads it before coming across a name.

"... Night Raid..?"

"They're an organization of assassins that are terrorizing the Capital."

Gauri points out.

"And of course as their name suggests, it's obvious that they attack at night, though I hear they are mainly officials in the Capital's government and the wealthy class."

Taurite mentions.

"Not only that..."

Gauri speaks up, drawing the attention of Tatsumi and Taurite to him.

"There's this guy here."

Gauri points to a paper that shows a picture of someone that has a strange looking helmet.

"Who's that?"

Tatsumi asks.

"No one knows.. But I do hear that he is supposed to resemble an ancient god from a dark age."

Taurite mentions.

"What kind of god?"

Tatsumi asks once more.

"I am not certain what kind of god.. Most archives that mentions information about the dark age are forbidden and burn into dust."

Taurite answers.

With that, he decides to turn away from Tatsumi and Gauri.

"I pray for your lives, you two.. Stay safe."

After exchanging his words, he, Tatsumi and Gauri departed ways.

*Night*

Within the walls of Aria's household, Tatsumi was finally resting after having to help out with Aria's luggage and everything.

Outside and within the hallways, Aria's mother was to be found, who was walking while carrying a book and had a smile on her face.

"Now then... Time to write today's journal entry.."

She giggles.

"I just can't quit this hobby.."

Then-.

*Slash*

Suddenly, the mother was cut into multiple pieces.

As her body parts collapsed on the floor, her head was facing towards someone who was apparently behind her.

In her view before she perished, she saw another women dressed in purple, who was carrying a giant scissor in her hand and swung it around to wipe off the blood from it's edge.

"Sorry."

The women bowed.

.

.

.

With the sound of parts falling down, Tatsumi immediately woke up from his rest.

"What the...?"

Quickly, he grabbed his sword and ran out of his room.

"Is someone here for blood!?"

He thought.

Soon, he remembered how Gauri mentioned how there is an organization of assassins that are attacking high-ranking officials and high class families within the Capital.

"It can't be...!"

As he ran through the hallway, he went past a window before seeing a group stand on top of wires outside.

"Night Raid..!!"

He shouted inside his head.

"Are they seriously targeting this family because they're rich!?"

Then, he down towards the window to see Gauri himself along with three guards.

"What... Do I do!?"

He asked himself.

"Do I help them, or... Guard the family!?"

Outside with the group of assassins, a green haired boy spoke.

"Three guards, Akame."

"I will send them to rest."

Hearing that, the girl "Akame" tightens her grip on her sword before jumping down with a fellow assassin that was heavily armored.

"!?"

The four guards stood there.

"... Okay, boys."

Gauri muttered.

"Don't let that sword of hers touch you."

Out of their own sheer will, Gauri along with the three other guards charged at Akame.

"UWHOOOOOAH!!"

*Slit*

However, before the four of them could even land their first attack, Akame already appeared right behind them and lend deep cuts on their necks.

One immediately perished and the other was slowly losing his strength and consciousness as marks began to slither all over his body. 

"!"

"Rest."

"This... Is what I get.. For having.. A.. Rotten.... Soul..."

In his final works, he too perished with his comrades.

"M-monst-!"

Before the third guard could even finish his sentence, he was charged by the armored assassin, who thrusted a spear into his abdomen.

As the fourth stood there while he watched his comrades get massacred, he turned around and started running off.

"What are these guys!? They're even worse than monsters!"

He thought to himself before-.

"BAM*

Suddenly, his head was blasted.

"Hmph.. Pathetic."

The one who fired was a girl that was holding a large cannon.

Her appearance was shown to be all pink, including her hair with twin pigtails.

"Deserting under enemy fire."

She says,

"Nah. That was just plain old running away tactic."

From the window, Tatsumi couldn't help but stand behind in shock.

"They were massacred.. In seconds!"

He began gritting his teeth.

"... At least... At least I have to go and protect Miss Aria!!!"

Tatsumi began running off to find Aria.

.

.

.

Within a room, holding Aria's father, was confronted by a mysterious figure that does not seem to be affiliated with the group, Night Raid.

"W-who are you..!?"

The father asks.

From the appearance of the mysterious figure, it merely had a large cloak with a strange looking helmet.

However, there was no response as the figure was slowly dragging it's finger against the table.

"W-what do you want from me..!?"

The father asks once more.

Still, there was no response.

Until it finally said-.

"Is it not obvious?"

The figure spoke with his young masculine voice as the father gulped in fear as if he knows what the figure really wants.

"It is clear that I am here to..."

Then, the figure began approaching Aria's father.

"End your wretched bloodline..."

Soon, it reached out it's hand and grab hold of the man's neck.

As the man struggles to get out of the mysterious figure's grasp, he caught a glimpse of it's whole arm and see markings.

"No... It can't be!"

He thought to himself.

"Oh? You know who I am?"

Hearing that made the man surprised as if the figure just read his mind.

"Y-you're the-!"

Before he could even finish, the figure tighten his grip on the man's neck.

"Guh...!"

"I recommend not finishing that sentence of yours as I prefer to not have my name known to the people.

"P-please... Spare me...!"

"And why would I do that?"

The figure asks.

"I.. Have.. I have.... A.. Daughter!"

Aria's father responded.

"There is no need to worry about her..."

Hearing, Aria's father knew what the figure had in mind.

"I shall have 'them' deliver her to you in the mean time."

"No! N-not my daughter!"

Aria's father shouted.

"Do you have no mercy, you hated Nezar-!?"

*SNAP*

Suddenly, the neck of Aria's father was snapped.

After doing that, the body was dropped onto the ground.

"No one shall speak my name other than me, Nezarec... You defiled human.."

Therefore, "Nezarec" opened his palm and slapped it against the body before dispersing a small pulse of dark mist of void energy.

Slowly, the body begun to fade into a dust.

Once that was done, Nezarec begun to hear voices.

"Miss, this way!"

"What's going on!?"

"I'll take you to the storage shed! You'll be safe there!"

He heard the voice of Aria herself.

"The storage shed..."

Nezarec thought to himself.

"Miss Aria! There are you!"

Another voice was heard and it made Nezarec surprised.

"Tatsumi..."

He murmured a name.

"A naïve boy like you should not be here..."

Nezarec sighed.

"But I suppose it can't be helped."

.

.

.

Outside near Aria's location, she Tatsumi and a guard were all gathered together.

"Tatsumi!"

Aria called out his name.

"Perfect timing!"

The guard shouts.

"We'll seek shelter in the storage room and wait for the authorities!"

He says.

"You hold off the enemy until then! Got it!?"

Tatsumi looks at him surprised.

"Hold up! Isn't that a little much..?"

Soon-.

*Thud*

The girl, Akame made her appearance.

"Ah!"

Tatsumi shrieked.

He stared at Akame as she slowly rose up and readied herself.

Suddenly, Tatsumi would eventually be caught by surprise as Akame would immediately dash at him.

"Shit! Guess I don't have a choice!"

Tatsumi readied himself.

"...... Not a target."

Despite the idea that Tatsumi was prepared to meet his end, Akame jumped and bounced herself off of Tatsumi's shoulder.

"Shit! She's coming this way!!"

Out of fear, the guard began firing his rifle, but could not land a single bullet on Akame as she kept on avoiding it.

"I will send you..."

Once Akame was up close, she swung her sword and slashed the guard in half.

"To rest!!"

"EEK!"

Aria screamed as her guard was killed within a second.

Akame then appeared before her presence. 

She stared at Aria before raising up her sword

"You will be buried."

As Akame was about to cut down Aria-.

"Not so fast!!"

Tatsumi jumped into and prevented Akame from landing the finishing blow.

"You are not a target.. So there is no need for me to kill you."

Akame says with straight fast.

"But you want to kill this girl, don't you!?"

Tatsumi asks.

"Mmhm."

Akame nods.

(Context: Looking at this reminds me how cute she is.)

"Whaddya mean 'mmhm'!?"

"If you get in my way, I'll kill you too."

Akame says.

"Hey, I can't very well run away at this point!"

Tatsumi yells.

"Then I shall send you to rest as well."

Akame charged first as Tatsumi follows along with her.

Therefore, their swords clashed together.

Tatsumi would try to swing his sword towards Akame's leg, but only to be dodged as Akame eventually kicks his left shoulder, causing him to lose his sword.

"Oh shoo-!"

Akame follows it up with her sword piercing into Tatsumi's chest.

"KAH!"

Tatsumi then gets himself pushed back towards Aria.

Akame aimed her sword towards Tatsumi as she expects him to do something that would trick her.

"Tch... Even if I drop my guard, you wouldn't even think about coming near me."

Tatsumi says as he helps himself up.

"I didn't feel the sword go through your body."

Akame points out.

"Heheh! That's because my friends from my village protected me!"

Out of nowhere, Tatsumi pulls out a totem.

"Rest in piece!"

With no remorse from Akame, she immediately began to charge towards Tatsumi.

"Wah! Hold on a minute!"

Tatsumi shouts.

"It's money you guys are after! So let this girl go!"

He pleaded.

"This isn't even a battlefield, so don't kill an innocent little girl!!"

No matter, he tried, it was useless.

"It's no use... She's not listening to word I say!!"

Once Akame was about to strike-.

*Fizz*

Suddenly, Nezarec finally made an appearance by protecting Tatsumi and blocking Akame's attack with a force of void energy.

Then, that force was increased from Nezarec and blasted Akame back.

"Are you alright?"

Nezarec asks.

"Y-yeah."

Tatsumi answers.

Nezarec looks back at Akame.

As Akame was about to charge in once more-.

*Yank*

Akame was pulled by a women with blond hair and golden eyes.

"Hold it."

She says.

"What are you doing, Leone?"

Akame asks, revealing the name of her comrade.

"We still have time, don't we? Plus, I owe something to that little hot-head."

Leone says before looking at Tatsumi.

"So let me pay him back."

She winks.

"You're that big-boobed-!"

"That's right. I'm that pretty lady from before."

Leone waves.

"So this is the one Tatsumi was 'scammed' by....... Unbelievable."

Nezarec thought.

Leone's expression would soon change as she starts walking towards the storage room.

"Kid.. I get the fact that you were afraid we'd be killing an innocent girl, but..."

Once she reached the door, she smashed it open.

"I wonder if you can still that after seeing this."

Inside the storage room...

Was nothing...

But horror...

"Take a good look.."

Leone says as Tatsumi looks around, seeing so many decaying bodies, hanging and caged.

"I welcome you to what you call the 'Capital'..."

Nezarec stares.

"... Wha... What the hell... Is this...!?"

Tatsumi became horrified.

"This family here invites local people from the countryside with sweets offers.. And then play with them by torturing them until they are broken and even be at the verge of death."

Nezarec walks up behind Tatsumi.

"No matter how others might see it, this is the true nature of this family, even along with those who are purely corrupted.

He continues.

Soon, Tatsumi's eyes would widen as he saw someone.

"... Sayo?"

It was his friend from his village.

"Her..."

Nezarec thought to himself as he once saved her and another individual.

"So one of them was your friend..."

Slowly, from a short distance, Aria began to make her exit.

"Not so fast, little missy."

Leone caught her.

"That family... Did this?"

Tatsumi asks.

"Yes."

Nezarec nods.

"Guess that guy there was also targeting this family."

Leone stares at Nezarec.

"He... He's lying! I've never even knew that this place existed!"

Aria says, trying to act innocent.

"Are you going to believe me, who saved you, or them, Tatsumi!?!"

She asks.

"...Ta... Tsu... Mi...

Suddenly, Tatsumi's name was called.

Tatsumi looked around to where he saw someone else that was also from his village.

"It's you, isn't it...?"

It was his other friend, Ieyasu.

"I... IEYASU!!?"

Ieyasu was held inside a cage with wounds and blood all over his body.

"Th... That girl approached me and Sayo... And we passed out after eating a meal she gave us...."

Ieyasu began having tears in his eyes.

"When we... No, I woke up here... Sh... SHE WAS TORTURING SAYO TO DEATH...!!!"

He sobbed.

Suddenly-.

"AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT!?"

Aria got herself out of Aria's grasp and began spouting nonsense.

"YOU GUYS ARE JUST USELESS COUNTRY BUMPKINS! YOU'RE NOTHING DIFFERENT COMPARED TO A LIVESTOCK! AND I CAN TREAT YOU ALL HOWEVER I WANT!!!"

Everyone stood still, not saying anything.

"AND JUST FOR A FARM ANIMAL, THAT GIRL HAD BEAUTIFUL STRAIGHT HAIR AND TOO MUCH ATTITUDE WHILE I HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS KINKED HAIR OF MINE!!"

Aria yelled.

"SO I MADE HER PAY FOR IT!!"

"There's that girl's true nature..."

Nezarec thought as he began charging up a small orb of void energy behind his cloak.

"YOU SHOULD BE THANKING ME FOR HOW THOROUGH I WAS WITH HER!!"

"They're just wolves in sheeps' clothing..."

Leone snared.

"Sorry I stopped you, Akame."

"It's fine. She's going down afterall."

Akame readies her sword.

Nezarec completed his charge and was ready to blast Aria.

"Wait..."

Tatsumi says.

"I hope you do not intend to stand up for her still.. Are you?"

"No..."

*Slash*

"I'LL BE THE ONE TO KILL HER!"

Suddenly, Tatsumi grabbed his sword and slashed open Aria's abdomen.

"Ah......"

Aria is dead now.

Tatsumi swiped his sword, getting rid of the blood that was stained on it's edge before sliding it back into his sheath.

Both Akame and Leone, along with Nezarec, all stood there towards Tatsumi.

"She was detestable, but to cut her down with no hesitation..."

Leone was quite impressed with Tatsumi.

"Hehehe... That's my Tatsumi.. Such a refreshing sight..."

Ieyasu chuckled-.

"Koff!"

Suddenly, he started coughing out blood.

Tatsumi quickly ran to his friend and released him from his cage.

"Ieyasu! What's happening to you?!"

He asks as he sets his friend down, trying to make him feel comfortable.

"He's in the final stage of the Rubola disease..."

Akame approaches the two.

"The wife of this family enjoyed administering drugs to people and record their symptoms in her personal journal."

She says.

"I'm sorry, but there is no other way to save him."

"...Ta.. Tsumi.."

Tatsumi then lures his attention to his dying friend.

"Sayo... Never gave in to that bitch you killed..."

Ieyasu says.

"I bet your ass that you would've.. Wanted to see that.."

Slowly, his voice started to break down.

"And here.. I want to make you proud up to my last.. Moments.. Of trying to look... Cool..."

Tatsumi then receives a low smile from Ieyasu as he raises his hand up and clenches it.

"Hm.. To think such willpower has kept you long enough to see how your life would end."

Nezarec kneels down to Ieyasu.

"Hello Ieyasu.."

Then, Nezarec's mask began to slowly disappear into small triangular particles, revealing his whole facial appearance.
(Context: By terms of triangular particles, I am referring to the Pyramid particles from Rhulk's effects.
Note: Destiny 2)

"Taurite!?"

Tatsumi stared.

"T.. Aurite.."

Taurite grabs hold of Ieyasu's hand.

"You've proven yourself worthy enough already with that sheer will of yours alone."

He smiles.

"Heh... Never thought you'd be the type... To say that.."

"It was a shame that we had to part our ways from each other."

Taurite nods his head.

"Yeah... Everything would've been so different..."

Without having anyone notice, Taurite began tightening his grip on Ieyasu's hand.

"Make sure to tell our dear friend Sayo that we've said hello."

Taurite says.

"Don't worry... I..... I... W.. Will...."

In his last word, Ieyasu slowly began losing the light in his eyes.

Before having to lose his grip on Taurite's hand.

"N.. No..."

Tatsumi murmured.

"Rest well, my fellow friend..."

Taurite closes Ieyasu's eyes.

"To live in our hearts... You will never be forgotten.."

He prays to Tatsumi's dead friend.

"..... What has happened to the Capital...?

From behind, Akame looked at the two with a sad expression before turning around and walk outside to where Leone was standing still with her arms crossed.

"Hmmm..."

"What's wrong?"

"Say... Why don't we take those two with us?"

Leone asks.

"Hm?"

"I mean, you can agree that homebase is always short on hands."

While Tatsumi was being aided by Taurite who carried the bodies of both Ieyasu and Sayo, Leone yanked onto Tatsumi's shirt and began pulling him.

"Plus, he's lucky and pretty brave, so can't agree on the idea that he's got some talent?"

"Let me go! I've got to bury them!!"

Tatsumi shouts.

"Could this night get any worse?"

Taurite thought as a small sweat drop comes down before deciding to put back on his helmet and carry the bodies of both Ieyasu and Sayo.

*With the team of Night Raid*

As Akame, Leone, Tatsumi and Taurite left the household, they met up with the rest of Night Raid's members.

Those would conclude the green assassin that wielded wires, one with a large cannon, another who was heavily armored.

Eventually another would show up with a giant scissor.

"You're finally back."

Said the armored assassin.

"I'll have you guys reminded that we'd better get out of here soon."

The green assassin pulled out a small watch.

"You're literally late! What were you two even doing!?"

Out of frustration, the pink haired girl shouted at the two, but to only realize that Tatsumi was getting carried by Leone and Taurite, who was carrying the bodies of Tatsumi's dead friends.

"Who're they?"

She asks.

"A friend."

Leone smiles.

"LET ME GO! PUT ME DOWN FOR GOD SAKE!" 

Tatsumi yells.

"Actually, speaking of which.."

*Thud*

Leone eventually drops down Tatsumi before saying-.

"As of today, you're official part of our team! So congratulation on getting into Night Raid!"

Tatsumi sat there dumbfounded.

"WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?"

He yells.

"Just give in. Afterall, Leone said so, so don't question it."

Akame says.

"A friend always understands."

Leone starts patting Akame's head.

"Bulat! Mind taking him for me?"

"Sure."

Then, the armored assassin grabbed Tatsumi and tossed him on his shoulder.

"Hey! Unhand me! I have no interest in becoming a dirty assassin!!"

"C'mon~ It's all right~ Things will be better soon~."

The armored assassin says in a soothing tone.

"..."

Tatsumi gulps.

"What about that guy?"

The pink haired assassin says, pointing at Taurite.

"I have other matters to attend to."

Taurite spoke as he hands Leone the two bodies.

"And if you intend to ask me to join, I must sincerely decline the offer for the time being."

He backs away.

"In terms of that, do you mean you'll consider it? Despite us not mentioning it?"

Akame asks.

Taurite then puts his hand under his chin before saying.

".... Perhaps... But only time will tell."

Akame the looks towards her team and then back to Taurite.

Therefore, she gave him a low smile along with a nod, until Taurite would eventually follow it up with a nod as well.

"May our paths cross soon in the mean time."

He turns around.

"Farewell to you all, Night Raid."

After that, Taurite suddenly vanished into triangular particles.

Akame faces back towards the rest of Night Raid's team.

"Operation complete. Return to base!"

Once it was said, everyone scattered together back to their base as they started off by jumping from roof to roof.

"What kind of turn of events is this!?"

Tatsumi yelled inside his head.

"What's even going to happen to me?!"

-------------------------------------------------------------

Okay.

Before I end this chapter, I have a quick announcement to make.

First issue, I am going to have the first two parts of this story published for people who wants to read shit from me, because I haven't published shit in a long ass time.

Second, most chapters that I will be making will take a very long process as I plan on making all of them, but not publish them all together.

Why?

Because I just had the idea of wanting to make all of them and then publish one individual once a week, but I do not know what day exactly.
(Such as Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.)

Anyway, that's all I have to say for now. Just make check my discussions on my profile for any news.

And, I really hope you guys enjoy this returning rework of my Akame Ga Kill fanfic.

Make sure to vote and leave a comment if you like and I'll see you in the next one!

- Blueberry Zavala (Nezarec)