10 The Empire

A headache.

That's exactly what Raven awoke to once she came to. She strained to open her eyes and saw a man. He had a large build and was covered in armor. The unique thing about him was his odd hairstyle and bushy blond brows. He was looking down at her. From what she could tell, she was in a bed. She heard his deep and gravel-like voice once she fully opened her eyes.

"What are you?" He asked with a stern and stoic tone.

Raven slowly reached up to her head and felt the two horns there. She was pale as well. She definitely looked inhuman right now.

"I'm not a danger beast. I wield a Teigu. My name is Raven" Raven looked right back at the blond man.

"I know of all Teigu the Empire has.. None trigger this kind of transformation or the flames you used" He replied sternly.

"That's because it's from Wakoku. They call them Meihou over there" Raven replied, using her knowledge she had gained from Run's private study.

"I suppose that checks out. What are you doing here? Why come to the Empire?" He asked with a perpetual serious expression.

"I came here to start a new life. My looks are a nuisance and people have started to fear me. I was.. out of control in the forest because some monster.... killed and defiled the children in my class.." She said through gritted teeth and glowing red irises.

He could tell the anger was real. So the reasoning for her loss of control was likely justified. He sighed, thinking that kind of thing wasn't exactly rare in the Empire. He wanted to do something about it but that fat Prime Minister had a vice grip on the young, gullible and inexperienced Emperor. The boy would believe his 'beloved' Uncle over the General for sure. And to tell the boy that his Uncle was using him would sow discontent. He was a protector of the Royal family, of which the boy was the last of.

Now he decided what he had to do with this woman. She clearly suffered some significant loss when those Children died like that. It was obvious she cared, based on how enraged she was. Esdeath wanted her to be put under her supervision like the three beasts. Budo was increasingly hesitant to put her there. Esdeath would try to influence her for sure. Given the fact that Esdeath spoke highly of her combat skill, he really did not want another with that level of skill with a mindset like Esdeath running around.

Furrowing his brows, he came up with an idea. Either the woman left of her own accord and that would be that. Or he could appoint Raven under Esdeath for a certain amount of time before making her a General. In that time, he could probe her about her opinions about the Empire and together, they may be able to turn the Empire around and sway the Emperor away from that fat bastard, August.

"Raven. I offer you two choices here. You can leave the Palace and go on with your life as you see fit. Or you could serve under Esdeath for a while and perhaps after some observation of your skills and merits, you could become a General like Esdeath and myself. Is that offer suitable for you?" He asked, trying to be as amicable as he could sound.

Raven thought about it. Back in Joyou, she learned more about what the Empire had done and how it was ran. It was more corrupt than Rome's senate. Nobility mainly being the cause. She remembered from the series when those nobles herded commoners in a warehouse like cattle and killed them because some of them had better looking hair than them. The Empire became a place where Humanity's evil was set free, hidden under the pretty exterior a lot of people had shown.

There was still good though. Buried under it all. Raven sighed and looked Budo in the eyes.

"Okay. I'll join under her. I'll also inform you I can wield more than the one Teigu I currently have. It's already a part of my body and the only repercussion I suffer is possibly losing control when too much negative emotions overwhelm me" Raven truthfully stated.

"Then you must work to improve that then. Esdeath has said good things about you so I expect you to prove her right. Just.. don't turn out like her.." He finished with a sigh before stepping out.

Raven then thought back to Run and the school. Joyou. She surely left it a mess and Run likely had no idea what happened. She knows he saw her. Albeit her in that savage Grimm form, but he would likely recognize her.

She just now noticed she was in an infirmary inside the Palace. Multiple empty beds were beside hers. She figured the high ranking members of the Empire recuperated here when they were injured. Esdeath seemed to really want her on her team. When she thought about the General, she remembered her, Tatsumi and Akame standing out the most in that series. Esdeath was someone who viewed strength as the number one thing most important in the world. Weakness was to be abhorred.

To her, if you died? You were weak. If you failed to kill someone? You were too weak. She was reminded of herself and how she used to think as just 'Raven Branwen' back before the memories. Strength was likely the only thing that mattered to Esdeath. Though she knew she could become a better person for the right person. Someone like Tatsumi could change her. Perhaps teach her how to empathize.

Raven then heard the door open again. Esdeath walked in and smiled when she saw Raven up. Walking over, she put down a uniform much like hers but black with a popped up collar.

"Welcome to the four beasts, Raven. Judging by the strength you've shown me, it shouldn't take long to rise up the ranks. But let's make the best of it shall we? Oh yes.. and you'll need to address me as General from now on" Esdeath clarified for her and watched as Raven got up and removed her current patient gown before putting the black clothing on.

She slipped the boots on and strapped them before turning back to Esdeath with a hardened expression. Esdeath saw the intensity in her gaze and smirked, watching Raven properly salute her.

"Understood, General" Raven replied before easing her posture.

"Very good! I'll have you meet the other three now if you don't mind. After that, we can see if any other Teigu would bond with you" Esdeath nodded and lead Raven outside the Palace.

"That's fine by me I suppose" Raven responded firmly.

She was reminded of back in the army during the second World War. Being a soldier again brought up more negative emotions but this time she would be motivated by something entirely different.

As she was thinking about that, they arrived at the barracks assigned to Esdeath. Raven saw three men there. Well, two men and a boy.

~Literally two and a half men here huh..~ Raven commented to herself, watching them bow to Esdeath.

"These are the three of the newly annointed 'Four Beasts'. The big one with the beard is Daidara. He wields the Teigu, 'Double-Bladed Axe: Belvaac. The man with the mustache is Liver. He wields the Teigu, Water Dragon Possession: Black Marlin. The last and smallest of the group is Nyau. He wields the Teigu, Military Music Dream: Scream. Everyone, this is Raven. Can you tell us about yourself, Raven?" Esdeath asked with interest.

"Mm, sure. My name is Raven Branwen. I used to be chieftain of a tribe of bandits. I came here to make a life for myself. My Teigu is.." Raven thought of a suitable name.

"Destruction Extract: Grimm Incarnation" Raven came up with a suitable name to explain her ability and form.

"I see! So you fought Master Esdeath and lost, yes?" Liver asked, running his fingers through his mustache.

"That's right. I had no real agency or control and lacked a certain ability during a portion of the fight" Raven clarified for them.

"Then why aren't you bowing?" Nyau said with a twisted grin and the surroundings became quiet.

Esdeath observed their interaction. For a long time, they had remained the Three Beasts. They would never question her judgment but they seemed to be trying to haze Raven and make her embrace her role as a servant of Esdeath's. She wanted to test Raven's personality. Would she bend to them and become a servant like them or would she rise above it? Esdeath excitedly watched the three walk up to the still unperturbed Raven.

-Elite Seven-

Akame and Kurome had returned a few hours after the forest fire. Both of them were quiet. Right up until Gozuki walked towards them with a stern glower.

"What are you two doing together? My children cannot overly rely on each other. You must develop and grow into the best killers you can be" He finished with a sigh as both sisters looked away from him.

"I'm sorry.." Akame muttered with Kurome.

"Just remember this in the future. So how many Danger Beasts did you kill?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Over fourty eight.. We.. We also.." Kurome started but had issues finishing her sentence.

"Hmm? Speak up now, I can't hear you" Gozuki leaned in.

"We think we may have discovered who our Mother is.. and.. we think she fought General Esdeath.." Akame finished for her.

"General Esdeath..? Your Mother, you say..? Interesting.. Did the General kill her?" Gozuki asked with intrigue.

"No.. she took her after their fight and left for the Capital" Kurome said, more firm this time.

"I'll look into that further. For now, it's business as usual, understood?" Gozuki folded his arms and told them.

"Yes, Father" Akame and Kurome spoke at the same time.

"Good. Meet with everyone else in two hours" He finished saying and walked away.

"Sis.. what are we going to do?" Kurome whispered.

"About our Mother..?" Akame asked back with a difficult expression as she saw Kurome nod.

"...We should meet her. I have questions.. So many questions.." Akame said as she lowered her head down.

"About why she left us..?" Kurome worriedly looked at her sister.

"Y..eah.." Akame said with trembling hands before wiping her eyes.

"Next time we go to the Capital.." Akame swore to herself and her sister.

"I wonder.. what kind of person she is? Do you think she's really strong? She did fight the General" Kurome asked, trying to cheer her up.

"I think that's a safe bet.." Akame said, remembering the latter part of their battle.

-Four Beast Barracks-

All three men were sprawled out on the floor with at a few second degree burns, shallow cuts and deep purple bruises across their bodies. Every single one of them had tried to beat Raven down. Every single one of them had failed miserably. She was merciful, though that was because she's sure Esdeath wouldn't want the three of them dead.

Seeing all three on the ground, incapacitated, Raven stepped over them while sheathing her blade.

"I don't bow easily. You certainly couldn't make me" Raven commented and watched them writhe while struggling to get up.

Esdeath watched the whole exchange. The beautiful and brutal sword style. The flames that elicited painful screams with each hit. The kicks and punches that easily bruised their skin. She was a woman after her own heart. But unlike Esdeath, she didn't revel in it like she did. She was cool and calm the whole time. Smiling, Esdeath started to make plans regarding Raven. She would help her raise up to General rank. Esdeath craved a rival who she couldn't kill easily. But she could also see Raven becoming a friend as well. She would need to know more about her personality first but that wouldn't take too long.

"Good job, Raven! Welcome to the Four Beasts once again. I'm glad you 'disciplined' them. Of course, you won't mind if I go next, would you?" Esdeath said with an enchanting smile as she stepped up.

~Yeah.. this woman is going to be trouble~ Raven sighed before nodding and unsheathing once again.