Slay the Persecution I

Year 1025, 11th of November

Time: 9:30 A.M.

In the early light of dawn in which the sun had just barely begun to eclipse the wide open plains and rolling hills of the northwestern territories, a gentle breeze sailed over the vast area that encompassed the domain of the Sapphire Phoenix. As the orange and yellow pigments of the morning sky began to fade into the welcoming blue skies, the day for the encroached army began. As per their usual schedule, a variety of tasks involving reconstruction and such continued but for one person, it was the least of her concerns.

About five or more miles away alone in the plains stood a solitary redheaded female unbothered by any other party. Adena stood straight up in a fixed position with her eyes closed shut as the breeze carried her long, flowing hair in their embrace caressing her soft facial features. Despite this, she was completely locked within her own solitude holding her fists at her waist on either side in a meditative stance. Her focus remained on the singular task of finding her center and channeling her inner chi but for that, she needed a state of absolute Zen.

This practice had been a long-standing study during her days as a member of the Order of the Jade Dragons. The understanding of one's own chi and knowing how to balance one's elements of the mind, body and spirit was a sacred art that allowed one to achieve their Zen; it was a custom that could have been considered ironic given how the Jade Dragons were often known for their martial arts focusing solely on power. However, a true master had to learn how to harness and utilize their power effectively and wisely. For that, training and meditation worked hand in hand for this regard. Although, there were those that she recalled that had forsaken these ways.

Ari-nee…

The sight of a silhouette whose back was turned to her flashed in her mind. Long, brown hair flowed behind her with sharp green eyes looking back in chastisement towards the girl in her memories. The face of the girl was the younger version and last visage of an older sibling of the former Jade Princess. Then that visage changed to someone more fearsome and imposing, deadly beyond the concept of the term itself with wild, jet black hair and merciless blood red eyes. Though the appearances were different, the same monstrous aura surrounded them albeit a matter of intensity between the two forms. Both represented one person in two states: the past and the present. Both were Adena's older sister—Marayah Zao Long.

The Scarlet Beast's eyelids shot open as the girl began to move her body around. She thrust one fist out followed by a kick from the right leg. Then she swung her left hand out to the side and began moving in a series of steps and movements that involved a combo of martial arts movements akin to a style known as the "Way of the Tiger". As her fists gradually opened forming like a claw-shape, she continue to maneuver her frame in fluid, yet sharp movements that for the average onlooker appeared like intense and precise fighting moves; yet for a trained eye, it was almost like a dance.

Each time she made a movement, Adena's coordinated hand and foot motion seemed to cut through the air like she was batting down the breeze as it came at her. Though giving off the mirage that she was angry, the woman was really calm but that soon changed when the face of her older sister flashed in her mind once more. Almost as if responding to her small spark of conflict in her heart, breaths of vermillion flames began to flow with her intense movement scorching the ground around her. It was purely accidental because of her feelings.

Why did you show up now after so many years of being gone? What is it that you're after? Why didn't you tell your own sister?!

All of these questions and more raged inside Adena's mind. She was frustrated and confused thinking back to when she saw Marayah for the first time in over a decade. She had so many questions for her but she doubted that she would ever get the answers that she wanted to know. After all, how could she?

You're the one who left in the first place…

The woman ceased her movements at once. Around her were black burns as a result of her violent flames. The green patches of grass were incinerated to ashes as the soil underneath had been exposed. Seeing this, the girl couldn't help but to shake her head at how careless she became for that single moment. She nearly lost herself to the sudden storm of feelings that she kept inside her. Then again, the woman was astonished that she let herself become so distracted due to the matter of her older sibling that seldom anyone really knew about. Sighing as a result, the girl assumed her initial pose to close out the mass of conflict that spiraled within her.

"Time to find my center again," she exhaled in annoyance with herself before taking a large inhalation of fresh air to steel her rattled nerves. She didn't understand how or why her older sister suddenly came up in her mind but it was only making her feel more unsettled than she initially was. After all, she was worried about Raizo and how his travels were going. Though it's only been a day, the boy in question was journeying across universes to ask for some help. Letting go of her bewildering emotions, the woman began to exercise once more.

In the very next instant, the morning sky suddenly turned black as the clear blue became shrouded by a spiral of black clouds. The gentle breeze intensified with strong gusts as flashes of crimson light blinded the entire area. Adena observed this awkward whether phenomena before she felt the presence of strong auras rushing towards her location. A split second later, an immense streak of lightning bore down just mere feet away from her location striking the ground making a loud echo just like thunder. The redhead shielded her face as the force of the impact sent debris hurdling through the area.

When the dust clears, Adena moves her arm away from her face to see four silhouettes standing together. As the light begins to shine on their faces, she smiles upon perceiving their identities. Sporting a military uniform much like before, Akame stands with her arms folded and her usual deadpan expression; beside her is a taller male wearing the ever-iconic red scarf around his neck along with a white jacket, black pants and shoes, Akaro. Then another female stands posing similarly like Akame save her long hair was more of a dark, chestnut brown. She was also wearing a unique coat that was dark pink and black that mimicked the coat that Akaro was wearing except styled for women. With her deadpan expression, how could anyone forget Kimiko? Lastly, a male with heterochromia hair decorated with black and white, a tanned skin tone, and red eyes along with a few odds and ends that she didn't recognize—this being a weird, black gauntlet on the left arm—Adena saw Raizo as well.

"Well look who all is back at last!" smiled the enthusiastic ginger placing her hands upon her hips.

"Bestie!" Akaro called out with a subtle wave.

"There's the best girl," Kimiko followed with delighted expression.

"Greetings," Akame said.

"And we're back," Raizo stated with a sense of pride. The happy ginger walked up to the quartet as the heroes known in this world as Team AKARA were reunited sooner than anyone would realize. Stopping before Raizo, she patted his shoulder observing the fancy gauntlet wondering what it was.

"Well this is rather shiny, where'd ya get it?" she asked curiously.

"Ah, well I made an unexpected pit stop at a place called Elysium and I ran into my dad…my real dad that is. So I was able to spend some time with him and meet some of the other members of the Mercer family which led to me getting this thing here. I really should wear it like a normal glove or something but…eh I've gotten used to it being like this almost," Raizo explained.

"Is that right? Well, it does suit you actually now that I get a good look at it. Hmm…well it's not the strangest thing I've seen people wear."

"Yeah, also it was indirectly stated that next time I visit, I bring you with me."

"I am not opposed to this."

"Eh?"

"Yes, the other half of my OTP needs to meet the rest of her soon-to-be in-laws at some point in time," Kimiko nodded in approval.

"Yep, it's gotta happen," Akaro added.

"I'm sure Lucy would love to meet her future daughter," Akame said plainly.

"See? Even the rest of the fam understands," Adena boasted.

"Tch…r…really guys? D…do we have to start this right now? I…I mean we just got back! I…Idiots," the Stormbringer replied folding his arms together and casting his eyes off to the side.

"The tsun side shall never die," Kimiko remarks with a sly grin. The other four nod in agreement simultaneously.

"Aka-sensei, can't you get Kimi-nee to stop with some pancakes or something?!" Raizo pleaded but his teacher shook her head no.

"Don't you remember? She ate her full before we departed."

"Well breakfast is important after all," Akaro interrupted with his opinion as Kimiko shrugged her shoulders.

"Not my fault that I require a daily fill of pancakes otherwise I'm prone to erase things on sight," the brunette responds with a deadpan expression. The sudden seriousness of her words makes Raizo squirm.

"Er…please don't do that Kimi-nee," he says clutching his shoulders nervously but Akaro shrugs.

"Please, imagine what would happen if Akame here went without meat for a day," the Red-Eyed Hero countered. His wife merely elbowed him in the side coughing as if suggesting he not bring that scenario up.

"Heh, I'd definitely blame that on ya Big Bro. You're her man after all," Adena teased with sass and a joking wink.

"Oho, that's a good one," complimented the older male giving his redheaded companion in all things puns and dirty humor a thumbs-up gesture. The female reached out with her fist as she slid over towards him.

"Damn right," Adena chuckled. The duo bump fists and in that instant, the entire planet shook as a result for a few seconds before going still as if nothing happened. Raizo pressed his armored hand over his forehead and sighed heavily.

"Try not to destroy the Earth either you two, people still have to live here and all," the former blood wolf criticized. But their chastisement did not stop there.

"Sometimes I wonder about you, Akaro," Akame stated yielding a deadpan expression as well while Kimiko merely stared hard.

"What is it Kimi?" Akaro inquired. It was then that the young girl adjusted her stare at Adena whom had frozen in her position.

"Oi, Addy, when are you and Raizo gonna get together though? This needs to be a thing by now," she expressed bluntly. The boy in question immediately held a reddened and flustered response that rivaled the hue of the fire user's hair.

"ONEE-CHAN! WH…WHAT THE HELL?!!!" he shouted out but Adena merely played the entire situation off with class.

"I'm working on it; just giving him time and all," she responded but Kimiko was not amused by that answer in the slightest. She shook her head and closed her eyes before refocusing her gaze on the girl.

"You and I are going to have a girl talk soon. I shall tell you how to conquer my tsundere little brother."

"Umu, I look forward to it Aneki!" the ginger agreed happily. Akaro walked around the pair over to his flustered younger sibling and patted him on the back sympathetically.

"Good luck Raichu."

"Tch…sh..shut up Aniki," he replied swiftly. Akame walked up and patted her pupil on the head.

"The tsun awakens again," she said plainly.

"W…would you guys knock it off already? Jeez," Raizo sighed heavily. Adena looks over and sees his facial expression before smiling in delight.

"The cuteness just keeps intensifying."

"Whatever! Let's go already…this is getting bad for my health I swear," the Stormbringer stated wearily before walking off. Adena taps him on the shoulder as he passed by her pointing the other direction where they should be walking before the group marches off towards the Sapphire Phoenix encampment.

Moments later after a quick jog, the reunited Team AKARA marches onto the camping grounds of the Sapphire Phoenix army. The sight of the five heroes sets the entire encampment ablaze as words of admiration and concern were passed along. They were the icons that saved the world…no…the entire universe from the brink of destruction once more as their likenesses were made known throughout the land. The soldiers were distracted as they couldn't help but to be awestruck from the presence of the quintet but cause of concern was keenly felt as well because no one knew if there was a new threat looming on the horizon and the land being plunged into chaos once more.

A few moments pass before the team of five arrived at the location they sought out with Raizo stepping forward. The tent belonging to the boy's mother was virtually undisturbed until the youth spread the entrance open leading his family inside. As he does so, four sets of eyes were cast in his direction belonging to Hestia, Orion, Genesis and Zephyria. They were gathered around a board that had a massive map on display with the imperial capital circled discussing plans on the next move when the time came. With the squad at his back, glances were exchanged between the legendary Red Kings and the main members of the order under Hestia's rule. An awkward air of tension occupied the air of the room specifically from Orion and Genesis whom cast their glares at the Red-Eyed Killer but the latter only yielded her trademark deadpan expression. It seemed the two men still recalled how they were effortlessly defeated by the woman still holding some resentment over the fact.

"Mother," Raizo begins to speak cutting the tension with a knife, "we need to have a talk."

"Oh?" the woman responds as her eyes focus on her son glancing him over. She takes notice of the unique gauntlet on his arm as well as how there was a different aura about the child compared to a few days ago. Though the boy has only been gone for little more than a day, she can't help but sense a shift within him.

"It's best if you listen to this alone," the Stormbringer adds effectively suggesting that the rest of her advisers vacate the premises for the time being. The trio turned their attention towards the white-haired beauty before she relinquished a nod gesturing them to be dismissed for now. Respecting her wishes, they filed out of the tent area while the five moved further in. The three cast a judging look over Adena, who was standing with the red-eyed individuals, like she was going against them or something but no words were spoken. Zephyria took a glance at the Red-Eyed Hero whose eyes met with hers for a brief second before the dark skinned female quickly redirected her eyes away with a small blush. Of course, that bit of visionary exchange did not escape the perception of the long-haired swordswoman whom jabbed her elbow into Akaro's side showing her disapproval of the action. The man merely shrugged with a sly yet innocent smile.

"Please come and sit," Hestia invited motioning her five guests to be seated at the table that was set up in the room. The woman then waved her hand grabbing six cups from the other side of the room and positioning them at the seats of her guests before doing the same with a teapot pouring everyone an equal serving of the beverage. As Raizo sat near the woman, beside the boy going clockwise sat Kimiko to Raizo's left, Akame at the foot of the table, Akaro across from Kimiko, Adena across from Raizo, then Hestia herself at the head of the table. The woman with the primrose eyes glanced at her son's arm again before opening her mouth to speak of it.

"That's an interesting piece you're wearing son. Where did it come from?" she inquired mannerly.

"Ah this? Well I got it when I visited Dad," the young man answered.

"Mercer?" she replied in a gasp. This wasn't something she was expecting at all especially since it's been three weeks since she last laid eyes on the man. A warm feeling swelled in her chest thinking of him recalling how he was the man she truly loved but that warmth was quickly snuffed out by pain as the memories of what led to their split in the first place reminded her of her place. Nonetheless, she still felt happy in regards to him.

"How is he?" she questioned before coughing to clear her throat.

"He's doing well. I'd go into detail over how the reunion went but…"

"Of course, now isn't the time. But I'm glad you managed to sit down with your real father."

"Yeah…it was definitely an experience heh."

Raizo paused to take a sip of tea as his mother did the same thing. The woman turned her attention to the other red-eyed individuals within the room. Seeing them here once again gave her pause over how she should act around them. After all, the peace that they fought for was only holding out for now and she had plans to take advantage of the civil war that was still left to be waged once things tilted in the scales.

"It is good to see the rest of you as well, although I hope it this reunion is not under the circumstances of yet another threat to the multiverse," the regal woman expressed politely.

"Heh, nothing of the sort this time around but your son over here is the one who sought out our help this time," Akaro stated with a slight chuckle before he took a sip of the steaming beverage before him. Hearing that, Hestia raised an eyebrow as she turned her focus back to her son.

"Care you explain why, Raizo?" she inferred wanting to hear her child's answer. It was then that all eyes in the room then focused on the youth which did not really help his nerves any. Taking a small breath, the Crimson Harbinger retained his composure.

"To answer simply Mother, I plan on settling a nagging issue with the Revolutionary Army once and for all."

"So you wish to wipe them from existence?" Hestia assumed from the youth's answer but her son immediately shook his head.

"No. Let me rephrase what I said. I'm going to settle my score with Fujitora by having another trial so to speak. Except this time, I plan to expose his treason before everyone there."

"How do you plan on doing that my son?"

"With Aquilo of course; after all, the only reason he's even alive is because he confessed that he colluded with the sly bastard to annihilate the Blood Wolves. Though this may sound like a clean version of retribution, it isn't. I'm seeking justice for both Aquilo's crimes and Fujitora's. Along with that, I'm also seeking something else and that is redemption."

"So that is why you wanted us to keep Aquilo alive…" she stated while looking down at her cup of tea. She always had a sneaking suspicion about Fujitora from all of those years ago but Raiden never listened to her. Her woman's intuition kicked in the moment she was able to peer into that man's eyes. Perhaps if Raiden would have listened to her instead of jumping the gun with an alliance at the time, their clan would still be alive. Then adding to the fact that he managed to seduce Aquilo's ambitions as a result, it only made that sting last longer.

"Yes," Raizo replied. Hestia snapped out of her daze taking another sip of tea before continuing.

"So why would you go through the trouble of bringing your friends from another universe here in this matter?"

"Well unlike before when the God's Tear incident was kept a secret to safeguard the sanity of the public within this universe, I plan to tell everything there is to tell. The world knows of us and the knowledge of other universes and divine beings have become public. Therefore, there is no point in keeping secrets anymore. Who all is better to testify on my behalf than the people who not only saved my life but helped save the lives of billions?" Raizo explained.

His mother fades to silence once more as she processes what she told him. Why does her son want to deal with the Revolutionary Army once again when he has her and the Sapphire Phoenix here to support him? Did he not feel like he was a part of her vision for the future? Why bother with people who abandoned him without a moment's notice? She didn't understand the mindset of her son and that was the problem. Raizo had a sense of responsibility that was stronger now more than ever. He's at a point in his life where now he is being held to a higher standard so he doesn't want any chains to hold him down. Given the way things went with regard to the army he was formerly affiliated with, how could he perceive himself as a person the people should believe in when the very rebellion that is supposed to fight for the people are at odds with him?

"Is this really the path you wish to take? Dealing with those rebels is hardly worth the effort. They chose to reject you because they could not understand you but now you are here with me and with people who respect you," Hestia stated as she let her opinion on the matter be known. It was then that one of the other members of Team AKARA elected to speak up after a few sips of tea.

"You say that like it is actually true but what do your forces out there really think? In this time of war, Raizo is by definition a war criminal is he not? He was found guilty of alleged treason and sentenced to death but escaped his execution. That also makes him a deserter. If anything, these extenuating circumstances brands him with a mark of shame," Akame explained plainly. It was then that the girl beside Raizo spoke up following the wielder of Murasame's sentiment.

"You are also claiming that he's welcome among your army yet if Raizo wasn't your son or if you were not around, what would they say about him? In fact, what does anyone in your camp truly think about all of this when you are not around? He was of a faction that is the enemy of this army after all," Kimiko tagged on. However, the visitors from another universe were not finished giving their opinions as the Red-Eyed Hero himself had something to say.

"Though it's nice that you're trying to show him the love that is natural from a mother for her child by keeping safeguarded by you, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that little ol'Raichu here ain't exactly feeling like he's at home," Akaro remarked bluntly.

Adena turns her eyes to the gravity user whose calm facial expression conveyed like an air of understanding but she could tell in the woman's eyes that there was also astonishment present. The redheaded girl knew that her superior wasn't going to like this but it needed to be said.

"Lady Hestia as much as it pains me to say this, you have to realize that they are correct in this regard. Haven't you noticed your son's emotional state over these past weeks? He's been so fragile and empty that it was just agonizing to watch. I did my best to help him out but there was a sense of loneliness that I had hoped you would have picked up on," the girl spoke placing a hand on the woman's shoulder.

Hestia had to pause in order to take a deep breath. She could not believe how caught up she was with her own plans that she basically neglected her son. It killed her inside especially when she looks at Akame's face right now and recalls the words she used to chastise her back during the Pandora War. Once again she had failed at being a mother to Raizo. All of the dealings with him she basically passed off to Adena like she just could not afford to be concerned with it. Bad enough she lost six years of his life due to their separation but now it was like she had forgotten her place as a parent and her involvement in the young man's life. She raised her head and turned towards her son once more.

"Is all of this true, Raizo?"

The Stormbringer took a moment before answering. He tilted his head down staring at his black gauntlet then he peered at his siblings around the table, each giving him a small nod of encouragement. As his crimson irises stared directly into the eyes of his mother, he felt a surge of confidence in his ability to speak up.

"Yes it is. Don't get me wrong, I was relieved when I found out that you were alive and for the time we spent together but this is your home, not mine. I can hardly sleep comfortably at night and it feels awkward walking around the encampment day by day. Your soldiers only stare at me with confusion or perhaps animosity. Hell, even being around Orion, Genesis, and Zephyria is weird for me. I don't know them and they don't know me. How can I bond with someone in this tense time period especially when it is with people who have known me for what sometimes feels like five minutes? How can I tell anyone about how I feel when it feels like I'm about to be going off to a war every single minute? It's suffocating," the former blood wolf ranted.

Hearing all of that, there was really nothing else the woman could say. Maybe it was truly too late after all but she still felt sore about all of this. Slowly but surely she felt herself in pain on the inside; however, at the end of the day it was her duty to support him in any way that she could.

"I understand what you are saying but do you really have to deal with that spineless coward again? What if he tries to execute you?" the woman asked in concern.

"Mother, with all due respect but just who the hell do you think I am?" the boy began with a smirk, "I'm not going in alone at all. I got my family with me and I'm different from who I was before. I just want to make sure that the slate is clean before I truly move on with my life."

"That confidence of yours definitely comes from Mercer," she sighs with a hint of relief, "If that is our wish then I concede. Just know that whatever happens with the resolution of the matter, you are acting on your own and not on behalf of the Order of the Sapphire Phoenix. As your mother I support you in settling your scores but as the leader of an army, I have a responsibility to those serving under my command."

"Hes…" Akame was about to speak but Raizo immediately glanced her way and shook his head communicating the desire to leave her decision alone.

"I understand Mother."

"When do you plan on handling this affair?" the white-haired woman asked.

"As soon as possible but there are other matters I want to attend to first. To start, where is Aquilo currently?" Raizo asked.

"Oh, I got a tent that's segregated from the main camp and under guard by 20 men. He's been receiving some medical treatment enough to keep him breathing," Adena answered. The Stormbringer relinquished a curt nod of approval before redirecting his focus back to his mother.

"Mother, do you happen to have his belongings on hand?" he inquired. It was then that the goddess-like beauty simply waved her hand behind her bringing out a tan satchel levitating it towards the youth. Grabbing it, the male instantly began to rustle through its contents while the others merely watched and waited to see what he would find. After a few seconds of rummaging, he found something.

"Here we go," he says while flipping through a few pages, "I can't believe this idiot seriously didn't destroy these."

"Hmm, whatcha got there Raichu?" Akaro wondered while tilting his head. Raizo laid the papers on the table so that everyone could see them.

"These are letters handwritten and signed by Fujitora himself addressing Aquilo. This only further proves the bastard's treachery," the heterochromia haired youth declared.

"Even if these papers are shown to the court, he'll deny them," Akame said.

"Babe, don't worry about it. I got something in store for that," the Red-Eyed Hero retorted with a devious grin.

"Heh. Well until then, I suppose it's time to check on the other son of a bitch," Raizo casually remarked in regards to Aquilo.

"I'm curious to see what you did to him," Kimiko spoke with curiosity.

"Oh it's kinda amusing if you ask me," Adena commented but Kimiko was just yielding her usual deadpan expression.

"If it's anything like what I did to him when he thought he could take me then I'll crack a smile," she said.

"Well I did catch his spear like it was nothing during our fight so," Raizo slyly spoke. Suddenly Kimiko reached out and patted the boy on his head.

"Good tsun, you did well."

All at once, Team AKARA rose up from the table before making ready to exit the tent to get things moving. Surprised by this, Hestia instantly stood up and reached out for her son not wanting to part ways so soon.

"You're leaving now?" asked the concerned parent looking at her son with worry. Raizo looked back at her and saw her expression. He wasn't really sure how to respond given the complexity of his feelings over their somewhat estranged relationship.

"Yes Mother. There's a lot of preparation I wish to finish first plus your forces are more than likely apprehensive over our presence as a group at the moment. The last thing we need is news traveling throughout the land of our gathering so we need to part ways," Raizo explained.

"But…where will you go if you aren't staying here?"

"Back to where my journey began in which I first felt like I was safe I suppose."

The Stormbringer merely touches his mother on the shoulder to grant her some form of reassurance before he takes his leave first. His family follows after him but one particular member lags behind a bit as the white-haired woman took notice.

"Akame," Hestia called out. The long, black-haired female stops and turns to face the gravity user. As their eyes connect, a mother's sincerity is visible within Hestia's eyes for the first time in a long while.

"Take care of my boy…please? He is still a little naïve but he has you all so keep him safe?" she requested. The sentiment made the swordswoman chuckle on the inside but she merely held her face devoid of emotion before leaving a small sigh.

"That much is obvious so you needn't worry. After all, someone has to. It's just sad that his own mother still fails to do so," the legendary assassin bluntly stated before turning her back and exiting the tent.

As Hestia stands alone inside her quarters, she clasps her hands together and pressed them against her chest feeling like a dagger just struck her heart. Doubt spirals in her mind about how things were currently. This war, her schemes, her ambition, all of it was eating away at her as she felt herself being distanced further and further away from her own child. Was it really too late to salvage her relationship with the child? Could she really give this all up now? These questions began to stir in her mind making her wonder if ruling this land was really what she truly desired. It was rather ironic because up until the Pandora Conflict, she knew exactly how she wanted to play things out but once more forces beyond her control derailed her. She felt a violent thump in her chest as the taste of disdain for these circumstances calmed her down. She was sick of not being in control of the events in her life. The only way she could stop this was taking power into her hand. I just need to win this war then I can truly make things right. I have to make sure all of our enemies are dead.

Back outside, Adena leads the rest of Team AKARA to an isolated tent where she had guards stationed outside. Seeing the woman approach with the renowned heroes, they immediately take the hint that they can be safely discharged from their posts and be dismissed. As the soldiers file out, the quintet enters the structure. Inside the area lies a singular bed with metal racks on the side holding bags of fluid and medicine. The body of a man with silver hair lies still with his eyes close. His vessel is badly cut up all over whatever skin was exposed. His raw flesh that was red from the blood that seeped out of his wounds were all scabbed over narrowly preventing the individual from being able to move freely at all. Such was the condition of the general who dared to challenge Raizo in a fight to the death, Aquilo.

"Damn, this guy looks like an avocado that had sex with an uglier avocado to give birth to a raisin," Akaro bursts out with a chuckle.

"Or if someone took a potato peeler to scrape off dead skin only to find out they have a bad rash," Adena added. As a brief period of laughter was shared between the two, they went for another fist bump before being stopped by Akame.

"Both of you please stop," the mature woman said signaling the two alpha personas to have some semblance of seriousness but of course they had to be blunt about it.

"So what the hell did ya do to him, Raichu?" the Red-Eyed Hero asked as the attention in the room seemed to focus on him. The former blood wolf merely took a step forward to examine his fallen foe observing how the man was just barely breathing on his own.

"I sliced his body 4,998 times without cutting too deep to sever any vital arteries…mostly," Raizo replied plainly. Behind him he could feel the eyes of his family just staring at him in surprise in some shape or form but he didn't turn around. Rather, he just cast a gaze on Aquilo's face like he was reliving the entire fight.

"That's a rather precise count," Akame scrutinized while also glancing over the torn up body.

"Each cut symbolized the death of each member of the Blood Wolves that was slaughtered. With that, my original vow of vengeance was fulfilled. By all logic he should be dead but I spared him so that he could face justice for what he's done, not on my feelings of hatred," the Crimson Harbinger explained turning his gaze to his family. It was then that the shortest of the group stepped up and patted him on the shoulder.

"That bit of the Raizo I believe in is showing. I'm proud of you," Kimiko nodded yielding a faint smile of approval towards the boy's words.

"Thank you Kimi-nee," he responded tucking his head with a slight blush of embarrassment. The tender moment was swiftly interrupted by Akaro clapping his hands against each other gently.

"So it looks like we are gonna have to carry some dead weight on our journey eh?" he insinuate but Kimiko merely gave him a deadpan expression before walking over to where Aquilo was.

"I refuse to be bogged down by this…thing," she says before closing her eyes. Suddenly she opens them quickly revealing her Eye of Fiction. A small rip in space opens then absorbs the injured man's body before closing again at the girl's behest. The girl blinked once before dusting off her hands.

"And done here; just so you know, I put him into a different dimension where he'll be stable until we can use him. That way we don't have to smell charred cuck while doing other things," the girl calmly explained.

"Someone slapped the easy button," Akaro remarked with a smirk but Kimi merely dismissed the comment with her trademark facial expression.

"Well, looks like business here is settled. Let's go," Raizo said turning to walk out of the tent. As Team AKARA prepares to move out, Adena merely stands there still staring blankly on the floor. The former blood wolf turned to look and saw the girl standing there before he was about to step out.

"You coming Adena?" he asked. The rest of the crew turned their focus to her as she stood there still for moment. The redheaded fire user was struggling with some feelings of conflict inside her. She feels like she's tossing away her pledge as a member of the Sapphire Phoenix by siding with her newfound comrades from another universe and her growing bond with Raizo. Was she betraying her oath or was she outgrowing it? That debate came into her mind currently.

Is it okay if I pursue this? I don't want to be known as a traitor but I can't help but feel like my path with the Sapphire Phoenix is reaching its end. I've always been true to my word always abiding by the vows I make but…my heart is being split in two ways: my duty as a member of Hestia's army and this new path as part of a team with people I am proud to truly fight alongside of.

Suddenly she feels a gentle hand tap her on the shoulder. Looking up she sees the smile of the Red-Eyed Hero peering at her before his hand ruffles her crimson strands of hair. Without her even saying anything the perceptive man knew exactly what she was feeling inside.

"If ya feel like you're breaking some vow, don't. You are your own person and you should follow what your heart believes in. If anyone has a problem with that, I know for a fact that you're strong to justify your own beliefs. In addition, you can count on all of us to back ya up," the man explains. As her cobalt eyes glance over at the other members, she sees them each nod in agreement with Akaro's logic.

"Right, thanks guys. It means a lot," she smiles with a nod.

"You're welcome kiddo, now then let's head on out. Lead the way lil' bro," Akaro calls out.

Team AKARA exits the tent and begins to walk away from the grounds but off to the side, a lone female was standing there waving to Adena. Tilting her head, the girl motions the crew to hang on a second while she goes to have a quick word with the girl. As the other four walk off a small distance, the two girls speak to one another.

"What's up Zephy?" Adena asked nonchalantly. The dark-skinned female was legitimately pissed off and was not afraid to demonstrate it.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she responded in a chastising tone.

"What are you talking about?" the flame user counters unsure of what she meant.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why are you investing so much time in their affairs when you have your duty as a general of the Sapphire Phoenix? You have any idea what this looks like to the rest of the army?"

Adena bit her bottom lip as she literally just had this thought cross her mind not even a few minutes ago. Just when the internal conflict within her was put at ease, now she has a close friend down her throat about it as well. Though she felt hesitant about it, Akaro's words alleviated her mind and her heart. Truth be told, she had already decided to follow Raizo and be a part of this team but her small blotch of fear triggered some insecurities that she thought she put to bed. Having her big bro swiftly dispel that helped her clear her mind which allowed the ginger to remain firm.

"How does it look?" the martial artist asked while folding her arms.

"Obviously everyone is on edge with nerves and fear. The last time you five were together, the world nearly came to an end and our base was destroyed along with suffering so many losses to our forces!" Zephy reminded her.

"Lives being lost are natural when it comes to war. It's something we all have to be accustomed to in these times but right now, no one is fighting. There's a ceasefire throughout the land as everyone is trying to rebuild. Surely going on a personal expedition won't hurt."

"That's not the point, Adena."

"Then what is, Zephyria?"

"It feels like you're siding more with strangers than those you have fought beside in battle for years."

"Strangers? Can we go back to what you said about the last time they were here? The world nearly came to an end…rather the universe…but they helped us stop it. We saved this reality and became globally renowned heroes being hailed under the name: 'Team AKARA' so…what's the big deal?"

"It's just…it feels like you're running away."

"Running away from what? Have you ever stopped to think about what else we could be doing instead of dealing with this so-called civil war? How many lives could we make better by actually helping? The Order of the Sapphire Phoenix has only caused more chaos since jumping into the war rather than lessen it. There's no point in a 'new world order' if so many innocents have to suffer and die to build it. So yes, maybe I am running away but I'm only doing it because I see things that I've never seen or realized before and that is because of being with these guys. To me, I'm doing what I feel is right."

"So you're fine with throwing us away…or rather, throwing me away?" Zephy asked casting her gaze down on the ground. Adena shook her head as if taking a double take.

"What?" the ginger asked.

"You've been so glued to Raizo that you just forgot about our bond…something we've shared for years before you even knew the boy was still alive."

"Dammit Zephy, are you fucking kidding me right now? You've known my feelings for Raizo for all this time. Hell, I even told you when we first started sharing our nights together that my heart belonged to someone else and when the time came, I would be with that person. Newsflash, we had a friends-with-benefits relationship! So how in the fucking hell do you have a damn problem with it now?"

"Because I was hoping that some arranged relationship would have been something you dismissed a long time ago…but clearly I was wrong."

"If you took the time to understand my heart instead of just serving your own body, maybe you would understand how I feel. Yes I care for you Zephy, yes I cherish our bond, and yes I would lay down my life for you but we have always been friends above all else. Even now that much is true. However my heart, even though I have doubted the sincerity of these feelings in my lowest moments, now more than ever belongs to him."

"So that is your choice?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Zephy."

"Fine then…go ahead and be with your so-called 'new family'. You better hope Lady Hestia will understand you because I sure as hell don't anymore," the woman declared before running off with tears in her eyes.

Adena merely let out a heavy sigh as she felt her heart shudder with some form of pain but she turned her head towards the quartet that was waiting for them and that feeling faded slowly. However, it returned when she turned towards Zephy. Just as she figured, her path with the Sapphire Phoenix and Team AKARA were dividing in two. Right now, she was stepping more towards the path that led to those that stood there waiting for her. It wasn't going to be easy but this decision was just one of many to come in which she would forge who she is without having to be burdened by the attachments of her old vows.