Chapter 2: Rewrite the Hope

"Haven't you heard yet? The Crimson Phantom strikes again!" one of the men whispers at a nearby table in the local pub discussing the recent news in the Capital.

"S-Seriously?! Damn that guy works fast for a solo Assassin. You sure this guy isn't with Night Raid?" another one chimes in under their breath.

"Positive with all the rumors about this mysterious assassin is that he always strikes alone and with a calling card different than Night Raid's. Not to mention no one has really seen his face except a red blur and a black sword they spot when he moves," another guy spoken up in their whispering topic.

"Hear he attacks aristocrats in the dead of night and leaves almost a path of destruction in his wake. Taken out fifty guys I hear, must be a monster that one."

The men continue their conversation in the far corner of the room as a certain red hoodie individual is sitting down at one of the table sipping a hot cup of green tea with his leg over his lap as he listens in with his abilities. A wryly smile etches on his face.

"Apparently I've made a name for myself while I've been here," he takes a sip of his tea as he recounts what he's learn since his time here.

It's been weeks after what happened in that village when he first arrived in this world and he traveled to the Capital to start weeding out the corruption there. His senses were overwhelmed by all the negative emotion he was feeling and there was so many corruption everywhere it didn't know where to start.

During his time here he strikes all of the corrupted government heads he could find and erases them, though he made sure they committed the crime first before dealing out their punishment. He listens to the gossip he hears around by blending in with the crowd or going to pubs like these and he does his own investigation as well to locate them.

Compared to his travels and mighty opponents he's met on his travels the Empire's forces were… pitiful weak. He's fought lesser corrupted governments with super-powered weapons and abilities who fought better than most people here, but it's to be expected when the folks here don't know how to use Ki or have access to Mana to use magic.

He takes a deep sigh. No point complaining about it, actually it was kinda helpful to him as he doesn't need to overexert himself too much though he can't run wild as long as he doesn't want to get any innocent bystanders involved in his fights. Still a part of him wanted a challenge… curse his competitive side to find strong rivals to pal around and challenge with.

"Speaking of which did you hear the news that another Imperial Outpost was taken down last night as well?"

"W-Wha?! Another one… was it the Revolution Army?"

"Nope… it's another faction I hear that's enter the struggle, a third unnamed force. Considering that the Revolution Army hasn't suffered any losses on their side."

"Y-You're kidding right? Another force against the Empire? That's nuts!"

"Yeah I know! That's like the tenth one destroyed this month and only the Empire suffered losses. It's driving the Prime Minister crazy trying to find out who's doing it."

"Amazing… to think there's someone out there helping the Revolution Army out and that can take out Imperial Outpost without leaving a single survivor alive and without losses on theirs is unbelievable."

"I hear that when they do attack they leave a sea of flames and rubble in their wake when they destroy the Outposts. It's like Mother Nature rain down on them and cleaned them out."

"*Gulp* What monsters… I hope they're on our side…"

"Well I JUST got the info on this so everyone was thinking it was the Revolution Army originally…"

Chris chuckles to himself when he hears this as well. That's also his handiwork as well when he's not wiping out the scum in the Empire he's out there wiping out the Imperial Outpost and cripplingly their strength and throwing the corrupted government in a loop running around like chickens without a head.

Just like with his other task he also strikes in the night on the Outposts as well to try to avoid people seeing his face, but he's got ways around that if people found out. Though he wonders what their reaction would be if they found out it was a single guy taking down their glorious outposts one by one.

During his time here he's learned a few interesting things. About the local creatures called Danger Beasts who monsters with unique abilities and powers and are very vicious and prey on humans. However compared to the ECHOES he fights back in his home world the Danger Beasts are harmless kittens to him.

Another bit of info he came across are special weapons called Teigu and done extensive research on them during his trips to the library to learn as much as possible. Sadly there wasn't a lot as most of these Teigu were destroyed out of the original 48 that was made and all of their abilities weren't recorded or lost to the flow of time.

These powerful and ancient weapons remind him of the holy sacred and demonic weapons of yore from his travels to other worlds and have many abilities… though they seem more gear to killing a lot much to his disapproval but it can't be helped it seems. Though they aren't dangerous to wield it still takes a lot of stamina and strength to wield them and if you're lacking it could be fatal when trying to gain control over one and the stress they put on the user limits one Teigu per person.

Unlike his special weapon though is that they were made with some very special material and only 10 of them exist in his home world and have all the same abilities and features unlike the Teigu which vary from appearance and abilities.

Well he doesn't need these Teigu as his own fighting abilities, special abilities, and weapon are all he needs to take them down and it wasn't even that hard. Though the Empire has tighten their security it will never be enough to stop him.

As he goes around taking down the corrupt he managed to save some of the poor souls under their control, but hides his face, so he leads them to safe havens to live their lives in peace for a while. Which is why there's no Wanted Poster of him… yet.

"Well you've been busy," a voice calls out to Chris as he looks up to a friend he made while he was here.

She had long blonde hair and green eyes. She wore a brown cowboy hat with vest and a red scarf to match her look with a gray long-sleeved shirt underneath.

"Hey there Doya, how've you been?" the boy smiles at his companion who shakes her head at him in a playful manner.

"You know the answer to that hun, but I'm been doing fine thanks to you," she smiles at him.

Chris encountered Doya by chance as he was venturing outside the Empire to take out another Outpost when he detected her Ki and it was in danger as he sprinted towards her and quickly scooped her up from a girl with black hair and a long sword.

However he moved too fast for the katana-wielding girl to see who it was and blinked in place wondering where the Assassin that came for her went and Chris fled the scene as his first concern was healing the severe cut wounds all over her body and he felt another presence.

The energy he felt seem like an ECHO was nearby, but they couldn't have arrived in this world already? Right? It was a matter of time before they came looking for Chris, but he's hoping not this soon and engaging one with an injured person was a bad idea.

Since that day Doya has been thankful for his assistance though ashamed that she couldn't fulfill her contract and decided to follow the young man around, however she never really told him a lot about herself or who she was fighting though she did learn of her new friend's involvement in the Empire.

"Well I'm happy to hear nonetheless," he nods back as he finishes his cup of tea, "So you're here to say goodbye aren't you?"

Doya looks at her friend fondly and confirms his assessment, "Yeah, I'll be joining up with them. Think I might be able to do some good with my gun skills… plus I owe it to everyone who helped me get this far. I know you'll miss your favorite shooting buddy, but please don't give in to despair without me around."

"Ha ha, very funny," Chris rolls his eyes.

He knows what she's talking about. She plans to head out to join the Revolution Army and help out in the frontlines to give them a fighting chance against the Empire. Doya was originally an Assassin from another tribe sent to take out the Empire's most dangerous soldiers but her last assignment nearly cost her, her life until Chris saved her.

"Though I am a little jealous of you, how can you walk around in public without raising suspicion? I've been curious about that for a while now," Doya raises her brow. She is aware of his unique talents though she doesn't know everything about them.

"Simple really. I'm able to cast a spell around me to look like someone else except to those I allow so I can move about without worrying someone will recognize me in this city," he explained like it was the most logic thing in the world which Doya narrowed her eyes at.

"To you I look like my normal self, but to everyone else I look like a middle-age man with silver hair and a mustache and slightly overweight," he tells her as she pokes his cheek, "No matter what you do the illusion around me won't turn off unless I say so or if someone else knows how to dispel it which is very unlikely around here."

"Dang, that's not fair hun. Though I'm surprised magic does exist, thought you were using a Teigu originally," the gunslinger shakes her head once again and then chirps up, "Well I'll be out of your hair now sugar. I hope we meet again, I like having you around."

"Well I don't," he smirks at her.

She clicks her tongue playfully, "Tsk, jerk," and then gently punches him in the arm.

"Just take care of yourself, alright?" his expression changed to one of concern, "I won't be there a second time to rescue you."

"I know, I know! Sorry dad," she jokes with her arms up, "But I'm an expert shooter, no one better than me!"

His frown didn't leave his face, "I'm serious."

"Killjoy," she looks away pouting, "But I'll be sure to be extra careful. I don't like being the damsel in distress. Once all this is over hun, let's have a drink to celebrate."

"Alright I'll hold you to that," Chris gets up from his seat and stretches, "But I did give you a charm to protect you so I'm not too worry. Best to luck to you Doya."

The cowgirl shifts her hat to communicate she understood and left the pub. Once outside she stopped and looked around her body. What charm was he talking about? Anyway she needed to get to the Revolution Army as soon as possible. Staying here in the Empire any longer is dangerous for her, but she really was going to miss her favorite red hoodie friend. He was fun to tease.

After saying goodbye to Doya he decided it was time for him to go out to gather more intel on any corrupted officials he can find and take out tonight.

Before he left the establishment he noticed a pair in the corner of his eyes. A young man with brown hair who looks like he's from the country and a blonde-hair lady wearing not so modest clothing talking to each other.

Strange… he felt something when he saw them. Like fate drawing him to them.

Night has fallen as Chris sat on one of the nearby benches on the street as he relaxes and takes a deep breath before biting into his bacon cheeseburger he made. He didn't get any good info and all the foul emotion in the air makes it hard for him to pinpoint an exact location where these scumbags were.

On top of it they had secret hideouts so he needed to be extra careful when tracking them down least they get away or have other dangerous secrets they need to be taken care of as well. He was confident with his skills, but he didn't want to take chances.

He's been at this for weeks, but it didn't feel like he was making much progress. There was a lot of scumbags in this city and the ones he's taken down felt more like common goons instead of important heads tied to the Prime Minister to really put a dent in.

"I wonder if going alone here is a good idea? Back in my travels in other dimensions I worked alongside with others and we made a lot of difference working together," Chris quietly hummed to himself. "I'm so lonely now."

His mind goes to Night Raid that he's heard about while he was staying in the Capital. He saw the Wanted Poster of one of their members being a girl with long black hair and red eyes and learned more about their activities by word of mouth.

A criminal group some of the folk say that targeted the aristocrat and other high class families and officials with people saying they're doing it for the money or because their jealous of them. However Chris knows better than that as he sees the truth hidden beneath the truth.

Their targets were the same ones he goes after. Corrupted pigs with heinous crimes who prey on the innocent for their own sick amusement and only death is a suited course of punishment for them. He had hope there were SOME good officials, but they were rare and far between and most of these pigs were unredeemable.

Passing by the street that day when he learned about them as the people gossiped among themselves Chris simply smirked. Happy to know he's not the only person given these pricks hell for everything they've done.

"It's nice to know there's people out there brave enough to take it to them and clean up the mess here," the youth ponders on it as he finishes his burger, "I wonder… maybe I should join?"

He's happy with going solo and working on what felt best, but with a proper Assassin group to work with they must have a vast network on all of the corrupted pigs in this Empire and would help narrow out which ones to sock it to them so he can take them out faster.

Chuckling he recalls his rival being an ex-assassin and wondering how much angry he would be if he found out he became an assassin. Chris has never been an Assassin before as he values life a lot and considering his rival's views and ideals he felt his friend would not be pleased to know he was disregarding his own ideals for justice and became an Assassin. However he knows what needs to be done, even if he didn't like it.

"I don't look forward to that," he chuckles wryly at that thought.

In the middle of his musing he didn't notice a certain brunette young man sulking passed him and slink again the stone wall of the bridge as he laments his bad luck.

It took a moment for him to realize he was there and tilted his head, "Isn't he familiar?"

Just then a carriage pulled up and Chris raises his brow at the scene when a blonde hair young girl steps out of the carriage with two guards by her side talking to the brunette boy sulking on the bridge.

As the two were talking the young man smiled as the girl seemed to be offering to help him as he stepped into the carriage and then rode off into the night. Unaware Chris was watching the whole scene in intense focus.

Once they left he clicked his tongue in irritation and started to follow them by jumping onto the roofs of the buildings.

"Looks like my break is over," the red hoodie youth growled lowly, "That whole thing just screams suspicious. Nobody, I mean nobody, just ups and picks someone off the streets like that… not in this Capital."

In his heart he really wishes that it was a true Samaritan person helping out, but he knows better than that to be the case. Another case has dropped on his lap.

Chris stood hidden on the rooftop of a nearby building as he followed the girl to her home, which was a very large mansion, and he laid in wait and used his Ki detecting ability in the mansion to make sure the young man they took in was alright.

So far everything seems alright, but he knew better. As he jumped from the roof and moved pass the guards station around the place without letting his presence be known he caught a scent. A smell of blood and rotten flesh somewhere.

He always made sure to get solid proof that linked the accused of the crime before delivering divine retribution to the sinful. Going on a killing spree doesn't help if he accidentally killed someone innocent, however it's looking like the family is guilty.

That being the case the family's security… sucks on many levels. Perhaps for more 'normal' person they're security is alright for the most part, but for guys like him this was a walk in the park. Plus with the low level of technology here and the lack of sharp-minded guards this was joke.

Soon a man walked out of the mansion, presumed to be the father of the young girl he saw, as he left in a carriage to somewhere. Possible to some important meeting or whatnot.

Chris frowns. If this family is guilty of something he had to wait until tomorrow to get them all. Letting one of them go and then having them hearing about what happened to their home and family will cause them to flee which he doesn't want.

After a while the light in one of the room shuts off which the jet black-haired youth senses that's where the brown-haired guy from earlier is staying and his Ki levels indicating he's in fine health. At least he's in the clear so far.

Just then he sensed something off beyond the woods near the mansion and he goes to investigate. Within seconds he happens upon a warehouse shed in the back. What's that doing there?

His skin suddenly got goosebumps as the strong smell of blood and rotten flesh burning his nostrils and his blood boils with rage. Just as he got closer to the warehouse he picked up the presence of people behind him coming to the warehouse and quickly hides in the bushes nearby.

As soon as he ducked under the bushes he saw who it was. It was the young lady from before accompanied by an older woman who is most likely her mother and a couple of guards who looked nervous for some reason.

"Don't you think that young man is delightful mother," the girl chirped happily at the older woman next to her.

The blonde-haired older woman turned to her with the same smile, "Of course dear. I believe he will be the most fun around here for the time being. Perhaps we should train him?"

Train him? Train him for what?

"Unh, but in the meantime I like to play with my toys before I go off to bed," the young lady sang as she skips playfully to the warehouse.

He wasn't sure exactly what they were talking about, but he wasn't going to let them into the warehouse. So he did what he thought was the best in this situation… he lets out a bloodlust aura in the area to startled the group present.

And to make sure things go smoothly he starts to weave his hands for a spell so they don't go overly suspicious and think it's a rabid animal like a dog or something to scare them off and mess with their minds a bit so they don't think about the logic of the situation.

"W-What's this feeling?" the young lady became startled and ran behind her mother who was looking around worriedly.

"I-I'm not sure," her mother replied as the guards draw their weapons and looked around but saw something.

"Perhaps it's n-nothing at all ma'am, but I suggest we head back to the mansion for tonight," the guard spoke wryly hoping to not get in trouble with his bosses.

"I-I suppose you're right. Come along Aria, we can come back tomorrow. With the news of Night Raid and the Crimson Phantom on the rise I believe it's best to stay indoors where it's safe tonight," Aria's mother nudged her to go back.

"Of course mother… I'll play with my toys tomorrow," she sigh dejectedly and heads back with her mother and the guards who seem relief to leave this spot.

After they left the area Chris steps out of the bushes and clicks his tongue in annoyance.

"That girl's name is Aria?" he scowled when he heard that, "Tsk, I have a younger sister called Arianna so hearing that this girl has a nearly similar name to my sister rubs me the wrong way."

Finally getting that out of the way he took a peek inside the warehouse and his eyes shot up in horror at what he saw. He gritted his teeth as he found the evidence that this family was guilty as sin and his fist trembling at the truth he learned.

Now that they were guilty of a crime it was time to deal out the death sentence. However it must wait until the father comes back so he can kill all of them at once and he wanted to make sure the young man they brought in didn't have the same fate as he walked away.

Just as he did he felt like he sensed a flicker of Ki coming behind him before they vanished.

Currently Chris was sitting on a bench on the other side facing away from the ones he was tailing the next day. Stealthily following them around and blending in with the crowd as he overheard what was going on behind him.

"Though I'm bored… I miss having Doya around now even if she did annoy me at times," he sighs mentally feeling rather lonely. His whimsical spirit friend went into a deep slumber for the time being and Doya had left for the army yesterday. However he's got no time for such thoughts as he's got a job to do.

Apparently Aria was on a shopping spree and had the young man carry all of her bags along with the guards, though their guest was doing the 'heavy lifting' on his part, as he and the guard were talking about the royal palace and the topic switched to Night Raid and the Crimson Phantom soon enough.

Then he had to struggle with the other guards carrying a huge box of clothes.

"I feel sorry for the poor guy," Chris gives the young man a sympathetic look before looking away to not look suspicious, "He's basically a pack mule for her to do with as she pleases and by the end of it she and her family will do some horrifying things to him."

The red hoodie youth clenches his fist when he thinks about it and narrows his eyes and he looks downward to avoid having the public see his face.

"Luckily for him I'll be there to save him and I'll make sure no one else has to suffer at the hands of that sick twisted family ever again," as he continues to watch the girl go about her day shopping.

Well she better enjoy it. Because this will be the last day she'll ever enjoy it in this world.

It was nighttime now with the full moon shining brightly in the dark sky as everything was quiet. In the hallways of the mansion a certain older blonde-hair lady was walking down to place a diary inside one of the draws for safe keeping.

"It's truly a shame I wasn't able to do anything last night, but I guess I'll write down about today at the market," she then giggles to herself, "I honestly can't stop this hobby of mine…"

"Then allow me you witch…" a cold voice echoes behind her.

Before she could response a black sword suddenly pierced behind her and her voice dried up in pain as she looked at where she was stabbed.

The sword was pulled out and then her legs and left arm were chopped off as she fell to the floor, blood staining the floor, and turned her head with blood running down from her mouth as she looked up in horror at her mysterious assailant.

A young man donning a red hoodie and his black hair with white highlight cover half his face except the single eye that was glaring at her in raw rage looked down on her with a black sword raised over his head.

"You reap what you sow," he coldly stated as he swung his sword and decapitated her. Her head rolling on the floor with an expression of shock and horror as the youth turns around.

"That's one down… two more to go…"

As he enters back into the darkness of the hallway to kill the rest.

At this moment a certain brunette young man shot up from bed as he sensed a dark sensation filling the air in the mansion and scrambled out of bed.

"What the?! What's this intense sense of bloodlust in the air…?!" he said as he gets dressed and grabs his sword.

"I better go check it out!" he sprinted out of the room and into the halls. The wheel of fate was being rewritten now.

In another room inside the mansion a large man was behind held up in the air by a dark arm with blood colored hues on its edges as a certain black haired young man was glaring at him.

"Gah… aou… cough… guh," the breaded man choked by the tight grip crushing on him as the dark arm was the size of wrapping around his neck and shoulders. He slowly added pressure making it harder and tighter for the man to not suffocate him… right away.

"Help… please…," the man desperately cried out from the choking as he looks at the youth in fear of his life. Chris ignores his pitiful attempts at mercy.

"I-I… have a daughter… so please…," he continue to plead in the choke hold he was in.

However the youth narrowed his eyes on him.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about her old man. I'll be sending her straight to hell along with you and your wife," Chris sneered as he tighten his grip even more and his blue eyes turned red as he glared at him.

The man soon made gurgling noises as he heard what the young man before him said.

"E-Even my daughter?! Have you no mercy?!" the head of the house choked as his face soon turned to purple from the lack of oxygen.

Chris snarled even larger with his teeth all turning razor-sharp as he glared at the man with disgust, "Pot calling the kettle black! I saw inside that shed of yours! I'm not letting a single one of you dirt bags live!"

And then he enlarged his dark arm's thumb and pressed down on the man's head and decided to end it.

*CRUNCH*

He crushed his whole head in and tossed the man's now headless bloody corpse across the room and into the fire place where his body became fire wood and slowly got roasted by the flames.

"Now all that's left is that heinous daughter," Chris returns his body back to normal and leaves the room to find his last target. Soon he heard shouting and yelling and the sounds of metal boots clanking in the darkness.

"What the hell happened here?!"

"The mistress is died!"

"Look there… who's that?! And isn't that milord's room!?"

"It's him… it's the Crimson Phantom!"

"The C-Crimson Phantom?! Get him!"

Chris scratches the back of his head and clicked his tongue. First thing's first… he has to deal with them and no eye witnesses. However they were just as guilty as the family heads so no mercy… even though his stomach twisted in knots to punish these people who mostly had no choice in the matter.

Swords drawn he attacks.

The assassin group known as Night Raid, known throughout the Empire who assaults the higher ups and wealthy families, arrived at the mansion as they were given a mission to wipe out the family here for their crimes.

However when they got there somebody already beaten them to it. Bloody corpses of guards were scattered around and the inside of the mansion looked like a storm rolled in and trashed the place. To say they were surprised was an understatement, they were full-blown shock and in awe at what they saw.

"What the hell happened here?!" a green-hair man bellowed as he takes in the sights, "There's blood and corpses everywhere and that usually happens when we get here!"

"Good question," a certain blonde-hair woman ponders who had tiger ears, "This sort of carnage…"

She remembers a rumor she was hearing about earlier… and her thoughts stops when the group hears someone pleading for their life.

"P-Please… w-wait a minute…"

And the group hurried to the source of noise and were surprised at what they saw.

It was a young man in a red hoodie holding up a guard by the throat with his left hand and holding a black sword in his right hand as he glared at the guard.

"That black sword…? Could he be…" the blonde woman thought as she took notice his appearance.

"I-I beg you… spare me please! I-I just…" the guard pleaded for his life.

"Save it!" the young man barks back at him, "I didn't come here to listen to your pleading. You're just as guilty as the rest of the family as you stood back and watched!"

The guard cringed when he heard that and it was true… as the black sword then pierced his chest, "Gak… this is what I get… for having a rotten soul…"

With another guard down Chris sighs and turns back to find the daughter of the house. Only to find the group known as Night Raid staring back at him and him as well.

They stood there for a few moments before Chris shrugged his shoulder and smiles apologetically at them, "Sorry about that… I already started killing these guys, but there's still some left around here. Don't mind me I'll be on my way so you're free to do as you please… oh by the way I already got rid of the husband and wife. Just the daughter is left. I don't mind which one of us kills her as long as she's gone. Well see ya."

With that he turned around and headed to the woods outside of the mansion.

Before he could make for a few feet away from his spot one of the members called out to him.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" which was the pink-haired girl that shouted that as Chris turns around to answer her call.

"Yes? Something you need?" the youth raised his eyebrow at the girl who called to him.

She indigently glared at him, "Obviously, don't you know who we are?! And for that matter who are you?!" she pointed a finger at him accusingly and never taking her eyes off of him.

He pauses to take a look at them and turns around, "You're Night Raid obviously. A special group that targets dastards like these in the dead of night."

The group tenses a bit when he says that.

"Interesting… care to share how you came to that assessment?" the blonde animal eared woman with her arms crossed spoke this time around and curious to his answer.

He spins around and gives her a deadpanned look, "Well… one of your members is on the Wanted Poster," he points to the black haired girl in the group, "Akame, right?"

The girl he pointed to stares at him carefully, but senses no ill-intent so she nods to answer him.

"And seeing as you're together with her it's not hard to put two and two together," he shrugs and waves his hand before leaving, "I don't have any qualms or anything against you guys so I'm not your enemy, so do as you wish. If it makes you feel better, just like you guys, I also have a bone to pick with the Empire and the current Prime Minister as well."

With that he makes his exit and waves with his back turn, "Stay alive alright? See you guys around."

"H-Hey! Wait a moment," the pink haired girl known as Mine shouted to him as he disappears in the shadow of the woods, "Come back here I'm not done with you yet!"

"Hold on there Mine. Let's not be hasty," the blonde woman known as Leone speaks up, holding up her high temper friend by the waist and lifting her up.

"How can you say that?! We don't know that guy, he just screams suspicious! We can't just ignore someone like that especially now that he's seen our faces," Mine shouted back to her friend. Leone puts her friend back down and stared back where the mysterious stranger left.

"Hmm… I think I know who he is. I believe that was the infamous Crimson Phantom we've been hearing about lately," Leone states as a smile creeps on her features.

"W-Wait… THAT was the Crimson Phantom?!" Lubbock, the green-hair man, shouted upon hearing that. His group also widen their eyes when they heard that as well. The tales of a single Assassin attacking the government's people and wealthy families was on the rise reached their ears and they were surprised someone else was doing their job as well.

"I thought Leone said the Phantom was supposed to look like a black demon with red eyes from the rumors… I guess not… hehehe," the green-haired man inwardly chuckled on that thought.

"Hmm… he does fit the portfolio. A flash of red and a black sword," an armored man amongst their group put in his thoughts, "Now having met the Phantom in person, I can tell he's a kindred soul with noble intentions like us. I feel quite proud that there's someone else besides us out there helping out the good people."

"I agree," a purple-haired woman chimes in absently.

Akame remained silent as she continues to look on where the Phantom had left. She can't quite place it, but there was something otherworldly about him.

"Even if he is this Crimson Phantom we've heard about, how can we trust him?" Mine folder her arms and persist on her thoughts regarding the youth they met.

"Didn't you hear what he said before? He's got a bone to pick with the Empire just like us and he's also cleaning out the filth from the Capital as well," Leone said and then purrs on Mine's shoulders, "Besides don't you see what he did here? Wouldn't you want that strength on our side rather than fighting against him as an enemy? He single handedly wipe out more than half of the guards here and if the tales of the Crimson Phantom are to sing home about that's impressive."

Mine looks away in a huff, "You… may have a point, but I still don't trust him!"

Leone simply smiles as she pulls her friend into a one arm hug, "Trust comes slowly, my good bud! We should totally recruit that guy into our happy little family after we finish up our job here… you agree with me don't you, Akame?"

Akame shifts her eyes on Leone and responses in a clear and stoic voice, "… If we complete our objective and have enough time I don't see why not," then she sighed, "And knowing you, you wouldn't give up on recruiting him even if it kills you."

"That's my good bud! You know me so well," Leone cheers as she pats Akame who doesn't object, "I don't know about you guys, but I feel like we'll be unstoppable with a guy like that on our team."

Then they heard voices shouted in the distance.

"Hurry and find the killer! I hear it was the Crimson Phantom!"

"The Phantom?! Not Night Raid…?!"

"Doesn't matter fan out!"

"Tsk," Mine clicks her tongue, "Looks like the rats came out of hiding. Akame, Leone, leave the pest control to us. You go and finish off the last of the targets here, I don't want to be the one, one upped by the weird guy!"

Leone giggles at that last comment and turns to follow where the Phantom went, "Alright then. Akame let's go… time to kill."

The black-hair beauty nodded and the two ran off into the woods.

As Chris makes his way out of the woods and back to the warehouse shed behind the mansion he came what he was looking for. The vile twisted girl of this sadistic family and no matter where she ran he will always find her even without his Ki Sensing abilities.

"W-Who is he?" spoked Aria in a scared voice and her guard stands in front of her.

"Stand back my lady! He's got to be the culprit… that red outfit and black sword he's carrying. He's the Crimson Phantom no doubt!" shouted the guard as he pointed his gun at him, "I won't let you take another step forward."

He then started to spray bullets at the red hoodie boy. However Chris didn't looked faze or care when the bullets drew close… and in an instant he quickly, in a feat of blurred motions of his hand, grabbed every single bullet with his left hand.

His fist outstretched he opened his palm to dropped the bullets to the group stunning both the guard and young lady at his quick reflexes.

"What in the…!?" the guard exclaimed in astonishment at the display he saw.

"Move," Chris coldly stated as he cleaved the man in half allowing his severed body to fall on the ground in a loud thud as he faces forward to the frighten girl.

The girl looked absolutely horrified as she walks backward only to trip and fall on her butt, looking up at Chris with a fearful expression and trying to, in a futile attempt, shield herself with her arms.

"I only got one thing to say to you," he raised his sword up into the air and glared with so much hatred in his eyes at the girl, "ROT IN HELL YOU MONSTER!"

"Stop, dammit!" a voice cried out as Chris was about to finish off the young lady in front of him and someone intervened.

The sound of a blade coming from his backside Chris jumps into the air in a backflip and away from the attacker and glances up. He was so focus on the girl he wasn't fully paying attention to his surroundings.

He looked at the one who stopped him and who he saw caused him to sigh in annoyance. It was the brunette boy from earlier with his sword drawn on him and gritting his teeth. Perfect, just what he needs.

He was hoping to avoid this sort of situation, but he guess some things are might to happen.

Shaking his head he looks at the boy in front of him, "Could you please step aside? This has nothing to do with you."

As much as Chris had expected the determined young man glares at him and doesn't move from his spot, "But you're planning to kill her, right?!" he exclaimed.

"Yup, that's exactly right," he answered honestly. No point in sugar coating it now.

His words and the lack of guilt or shame in his voice caused him to tighten his grip on the sword as he stares hard at the stranger in front of him.

"If you say that, then there's no way I'm letting her die to the likes of you!" he shouted at him and Chris sighs at this. Now taking a look at his outfit his expression changed to one of surprise, "Y-You… you must be the Crimson Phantom I've heard about! If that's so then I'm even more determine to NOT let you kill her now!"

"Listen my friend, it's best if you step aside. This doesn't involve you and I don't want to hurt you. Trust me this is for your own good buddy," Chris calmly tells the brunette young man and changes his stance with his back arc forward slightly and both swords drawn to try to scare him off.

He was intimidated at first and confused wondering where the second sword came from as he initial had only one. The Crimson Phantom has a white glowing twin sword as well?

Shaking his flinch off he stares back sword pointed to Chris, "Absolutely not! How is letting her die doing any good?! I'm not letting her be killed by a criminal like you."

He chuckled inwardly to himself when he called him a criminal. He doesn't believe anyone ever really call him that before… well in this world yet, but it can't be helped in this situation.

This is getting him nowhere fast so hopefully he can persuade him to leave, "Listen here… um… what's your name?"

"My name is Tatsumi!" the brunette, now known as Tatsumi to Chris, shouted out.

"Oh, Tatusmi? That's a good name, I'm called Christopher Corona. Though my friends call me Chris, pleasure to meet you," Chris extends his hand, after planting his black sword into the ground, for a handshake.

"Oh… a pleasure as well," Tatsumi drops his guard and smiles as he walks up to shake his hand.

"Wait a minute?! What am I doing!" he suddenly realized what he did after shaking Chris' hand and jumps back to Aria and glares back at Chris.

He sighs… well there goes a friendly conversation.

"Anyway, Tatsumi, that girl isn't what you believe to be and I'm not sure what lies she has told you," the hoodie wearing warrior speaks up and gets ready to fight, "But you're definitely not going to back down, aren't you?"

Tatsumi is initially put off when he says 'not what the girl appears to be' and the 'lying' part, but he shakes off his anxious and stares down on the enemy in front of him. Tatsumi may not have fought a lot of people in his life but he can tell this guy was very strong and dangerous.

But to him even if he was stronger and more dangerous he has someone to protect and he won't fail.

Seeing his sheer determination and unmoving position Chris sighs though a part of him was impressed by his resolve, "Very well then. I'll take it easy on you, but don't blame me if I break a bone or two," even if it was for the wrong reasons though he was being tricked.

Chris bent forward a bit, drawing his black sword once more, and positioned himself with his black sword in front and his white sword in the back in the air. He was holding them in a reverse grip style and it was a stance Tatsumi was unfamiliar with.

As the two were readily preparing for their duel the two Night Raid members, Akame and Leone, arrived just in time to witness the scene unfold before them, and silently watched on the sidelines.

"Ooh! Front row seats… let's see what the Crimson Phantom is truly made of!" Leone smiles in anticipation as she's curious to what he's really like in a fight considering how strong he's supposed to be.

Akame simply stayed silent watching the two combatants slightly curious about the fight.

Tatsumi was the first to move, springing forward as with blade at the ready. Chris looks on without flinching or fazing as the attack came… a downward slash followed by a horizontal slash.

Which Chris simply dodged by side stepping them and never counter attacking. Tatsumi came in hot with his swords blazing around him and at times Chris brought his own swords up to parry them away in a deadly dance of blades as he dodged and parried away. He bends backwards when Tatsumi swung a hard and fast horizontal swing surprising Tatsumi that he dodged it as Tatsumi backs off.

"So… so fast!" Tatsumi thought to himself as he trades metal with energy metal as he pressed his attacks. His opponent wasn't really trying to fight back and though he felt like wasn't being taken seriously in this fight he took advantage of it. If he can catch him off guard just once he'll get him and protect Miss Aria. Tatsumi speeds forwards and does a quick feint as he bends down.

Chris continues to watch as Tatsumi goes for a sweep kick and he jumps into the air to avoid it. He saw all of Tatsumi's attacks miles away, but he felt something interesting about this guy. He could tell he had potential to become a very powerful warrior one day.

He shouldn't focus on it, but he smirked. His blood was itching to find a friendly rival to spar with and he can see greatness in this Tatsumi person and wishes to help him develop his skills even further. The boy was still rough around the edges.

"Got you!" Tatsumi shouted as he swung his sword upward while Chris was in the air as there's no way anyone could dodge in midair… well mostly anyone normal.

Chris vanished in an instant and Tatsumi's eyes widen that he managed to DODGE while in the air and he disappeared. Then the red hoodie boy appeared below Tatsumi as the brunette looks down, but it was too late.

With an upward side kick Chris kicks Tatsumi's sword out of his hand, spinning in the air, before sticking into the ground several feet away.

"Wha…?" Tatsumi blurted out. How'd he do that?! That was so fast, but sadly he didn't have time to comprehend what just happened as Chris switched stances and his black sword disappeared as he threw an uppercut into Tatsumi's chest.

*BAM*

A shattering noise was made when Chris landed his fist into his chest as Tatsumi was propelled into the air and sent flying back near Aria who called out his name in 'concern' and landing almost near his sword. The brunette laid there on his back not moving at all from the sudden attack. From the sound of it Tatsumi might be suffering a broken rib or two and in critical condition.

He doesn't move and he stays still in silence as Chris continues to look on with a neutral expression on his face as he looks at the body.

Even Akame and Leone were surprised at what they saw. Not only he was fast to he dodge all of the brunette's attacks, though Tatsumi wasn't no slouch and had pretty spot-on swordsmanship that it looked like a flurry of blurs themselves, and once he was in the air they thought he let his guard down but then he dodged while in midair in a snap vanish.

Followed by the punch to the chest, after disarming him with a kick, and then sending Tatsumi sailing through the air which made a loud shattering sound on the poor boy's body. That took immense training and insane level of speed and power to pull off what the Crimson Phantom just did.

All without using his swords to fight back. Apparently he was just trying to scare him off at first or never had any real intention of hurting him though that punch says otherwise.

"*Whistles* That was impressive," Leone whistles, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone move that fast before."

"He's strong…," Akame whispers to herself, her eyes widen slightly at the sheer display of speed and power of the red hoodie boy.

"Oh we definitely need that kind of guy on our team," Leone said as she rubs her hands together at that thought thinking how much easier and fun it will be with him in their little group. Though when she took note of the brunette boy from earlier she sighs sadly, "Sheesh, that kid has the worst luck ever… well I suppose I owe him one."

Chris slowly approaches Tatsumi's body and stops a few feet away from him and stares at him. In a moment he smirks, "Nice try, buddy. I know you're alright and can move just fine so get up."

"Heh. I didn't think that you would figure it out so easily that I wasn't heavily injured. I thought I had you when came close approaching me," Tatsumi speaks up as he jumps back on his feet. Not a single scratch on him.

Chris continues to the eye the young man with a bright expression, "That was a good plan actually. However that sort of sneak attack is best suited against inexperience people or those who can't read the situation correctly. I'll give you credit, you got talent that's for sure. Though you got to learn and know what tactics are best suited for each situation and sometimes you got to improvise on the spot."

Though he was his enemy Tatsumi couldn't help but feel bashful at the compliment.

"As with you, you've notice that I'm an experienced fighter. Though I can tell if my foe is alive or not and how much damage I did on them too. I believe with the proper training methods and a lot of hard work you'll be able to take down a lot of opponents with your tactics, not to mention you have excellent speed and power as well. Though don't just pin on a single tactic to beat your opponent it's good to learn many other techniques as well for any possible situation."

Akame and Leone were a bit surprised. He was praising the kid he was fighting and it seemed like he was giving him advice as well… training him even. Though the comment about him being able to easily distinguish if his target is dead or not was interesting to hear and wondering how he knows.

"You seem like a nice guy," Tatsumi speaks up. From the way he spoke and acted towards him he's finding it hard to believe he could be such a cold-hearted killer, "But I'm still not letting you lay a hand on Aria!"

"I know," he sighed playfully, "Though what was the cracking noise? I know it wasn't your bone. Sounded like I broke something made out of wood?"

Tatsumi reached out into his shirt and pulled out a carving of a wooden statue now cracked in the middle almost beyond being recognizable.

"Everyone from the village protected me," Tatsumi smiled, holding it out. Chris was impressed and gain a slight form of respect for the brunette he was facing. This kid managed to take a hit from him, even though he was holding back his true strength a lot and indirectly, he still manages to shake it off to come back with full health. Well maybe not entirely in full health.

"I'm impressed Tatsumi, if our situation were different I wouldn't mind training you myself and teaching you all of my skills. You'd make a great sparring partner for me," the super warrior complimented Tatsumi who seem conflicted to be praised again by his opponent, "And I think you can reach my level too, but unfortunately I'm not here to play. So I'm going to have to knock you out."

Tatsumi tensed again knowing this is far from over and goes for his sword, but remembers it was kicked away and he wouldn't make it in time if he sprinted now. He was in trouble and someone was going to die if he couldn't do anything!

All he could do was stare at Chris looking down on him, both his sword mysteriously absent though he spots a strange pendant now around the lower part of his chest where it was tied to a chain around his neck, and his left hand up in a karate chop gesture.

"Hmm…," the Crimson Phantom hums, "I could knock you out, but you'd feel guilty afterwards and you'll think it's your fault you let an innocent die. So I think it's better to show you the truth instead."

Tatsumi snapped his eyes at that in shock, "The truth?"

"Yeah… why I'm doing this," he folded his arms and nodded to himself, "I think you deserved to know and understand. What you do afterwards is up to you."

"And you can allow me to do that for you!" a cheery voice spoke up from his side.

Chris looks to his side and sees the same animal eared woman from before, noticing she's almost half a head taller than him, and eyes her a bit. She had her right arm up in the air as she came up to him and then placed her arm on his shoulder.

"And you want to do that, because…?" he feels like something in the back of his mind is telling him that he's seen this two together somewhere before.

"I owe him a favor. So do you mind if I take it from here, big boy?" Leone said smiling at him. He looks back at her and blinks and then raises his hands up in a defeat gesture to let her know it's fine.

"Well as long as someone tells him the truth, I don't mind," he backs off peacefully and lets Leone say her piece.

Doesn't really matter to Chris as long as Tatsumi learns why they're doing this. Sure it might scar him for life, but he needs to know. Plus it feels like Leone has something planned for Tatsumi.

Speaking of our humbly hero, Tatsumi is pointing his finger with indignation at the woman before him.

"Y-You… You're that lady from before who swindled me!" Tatsumi exclaimed as he stares in shock at the blonde-haired busty lady. What's she doing here?!

Leone winks at him and gives a sickly sweet smile on top of it, "Yep, it's your big sister from that time before!"

Chris blinked and smiled. "Oh… so that's where I remember them from before."

Apparently she had no shame about swindling his money and explains why he was sulking last night. He might need a word with this blonde hair lady. The Capital already has problems with the corruption, this is adding fuel to the fire.

After she re-introduced herself to Tatsumi she suddenly frowns and walks past him and to the doors of the warehouse shed. She pulled her fist back and then punched the metal doors flying off its hinges.

"You say this girl is innocent…," Leone said without a trace of playfulness in her voice, "But can you really still say that after seeing this?"

Leone stepped aside, so Tatsumi could look into the opened warehouse shed as he cautiously approaches it.

"Take a good hard look Tatsumi," Chris frowned as he said that. He knows it will scar him, but he needed to see it. Seeing as he's not fighting he blocks Aria's way so she doesn't sneak off while they're talking as the girl looks back between him and Tatsumi nervously.

He nods uncertainly and he gazes into the shed… it was an action he immediately regrets.

Bodies.

The warehouse shed was filled with mutilated human bodies everywhere, most of them hanging from ceiling with their own intestines. Heads with eyeballs removed, missing limbs, bodies torn open and ribbed apart. Even body parts rearranged in a horrible freak show and bodies hanging on spikes or pikes. This was a house of horrors and Tatsumi felt like puking on the spot.

The whole room was filled to the brim of corpses, blood, and gore as far as the eye can see. The sight of this was like a nightmare… a nightmare straight out of hell itself. However the cruelest part of this was… this was no nightmare.

It was reality. A true hell on earth.

"Wha-What the hell is this?!" Tatsumi said, almost too stunned and disturbed to speak. His face was paling and he was about to vomit.

Chris looks on with a sneer and gave a disgusted look, "This is the darkness of the Capital."

His teeth clenching as he looks at the sight and decided he had seen enough that he closed his eyes shut. How people can do such inhuman things is beyond him.

Leone narrows her eyes as she leans on the doorway frame with arms crossed and looks at Tatsumi, "They lure in people from the countryside with sweet words and promises, and then subject them to their sick hobby of torture, and continue to toy with them until they die."

She frowns heavily at this as she moved away, "This is the true nature of this household. The innocent girl you wanted to protect."

Tatsumi just looked around in the room and saw something that knocked all the breath from his lungs. Hanging among the mass of bodies was a long black-haired girl with a butterfly hair clip in them stark naked… bloodied and bruised with cuts all over. It was his friend Sayo.

"S-Sayo? Is… is that you Sayo?" Tatsumi called out to her, but got no response. The scene is forever scarred in his mind looking at her lifeless body. When he didn't get a response his heart dropped and fell to his knees crying, "… SAYO!"

Chris' heart went out for the guy. He just find out one of his friends were victims to this family and he could relate. He, too, watched as some of his friends died before his very eyes. Even with all his strength, speed, and power… he couldn't save them.

"So there was someone you knew…," Leone softly said, she too feels for his loss, and turns back to the young lady of the house as she tries to get pass Chris who continue to barred her way, "And where do you think YOU'RE going missy?"

The girl paled as she saw the glare the hoodie boy gave her and Leone and Akame were soon closing in on her as well.

"The people of this house did this?" Tatsumi spoke after nearly shutting down earlier.

"That's right. Even the guards kept quiet about it as well, so they're just as guilty as the family," Leone frowned.

Aria spins around to look at Tatsumi, pleading to him, "I-It's… It's a lie! It's all a lie! I don't even know this place! Are you going to believe me, you're savior?! Or these cold-blooded killers!?"

Chris growled. If she thinks she can get away with this she's in for a rude awakening and he's about to tear her tongue out to shut her up… man, his thoughts have gotten dark since he got here. He's going to need to take a vacation to rid himself of these nasty thoughts. He shouldn't fall to these scumbags' level.

Before Tatsumi could response a voice calls out, "Ta… tsu… mi…?"

Hearing the weak voice call out to him Tatsumi turns to his side and his eyes widen on who he spots.

"It's… really you… isn't it… Tatsumi…" the weak voice happily cried out.

"Ieyasu!?" Tatsumi exclaimed in a shocked voice. It was his other friend, Ieyasu, locked behind a cage with his body covered in blood and bruises and strange-looking sore spots.

"That girl… she approached me and Sayo… led us to her home," Ieyasu coughed behind the bars and glared at the girl before them, "We passed out after eating a meal she gave us. When we woke up, we were in here."

His hands trembling against the bars of his cage gritting his teeth, "T-That bitch… she tortured Sayo for hours! She brutal tortured her right in front of my own eyes!"

Chris grunted in place and clenched his fist in fury when he heard that. How dare she…!

"And what the hell is wrong with that?!" the girl shout out as everyone turned towards her. Her usual sweet and innocent visage twisted into something cruel and monstrous… like a true cold-blooded murderer, "You're all just useless country bumpkins! You're no better than livestock! I can treat you any way I want!"

Aria had an almost demonic look on her face, as she continue to rant like something to be proud of, "And for a farm animal, that girl had such beautiful hair and way too much attitude! While I had to suffer with this unruly hair of mine. So I made her pay. She should be grateful to me for taking such good care of her!"

Chris, Akame, and Leone all grew cold eyes on her as they ready themselves to kill her.

"A family of sadists that take on the guise of samaritians," Leone growled lowly as she smashes her animal-like fist into her palm.

"You guys don't mind if I tear her tongue out first before we kill her, do you?" Chris voiced his unbridled rage-induced opinion as he also smashes his fist into his palm also.

"Be my guest," Leone nodded to him liking his suggestion, "Sorry for getting in your way. You're free to kill her Akame, Crimson Phantom."

"Eliminate," was the only thing Akame said as she pulled out her sword.

"I'll have you know I do have a proper name," Chris shrugs as he narrows his sights on Aria.

Before anyone could get a piece of her, Tatsumi stepped forward with his hair shadowing over his eyes.

"Wait…," Tatsumi said as he walked up to Aria.

"Please don't tell me you're still going to defend this girl?" Leone asked frowning, but an arm pop up in front of her from stopping her from standing in front of Tatsumi and looked to see Chris shaking his head at her, "Huh? What are you doing?"

"That's not what he's doing," Chris smiles to himself as he stands away from the two in the center.

"No…," Tatsumi grabs his sword and with a single slash he bisected the girl from the waist, "I'LL BE THE ONE TO KILL HER!" Tatsumi's eyes were emotionless, as Aria screamed when she was cut down and blood staining his shirt and blade.

"I know she was a despicable person… but to cut her down without hesitation," Leone thought to herself as she rubbed her chin. An idea popped into her head… seeing how skillful Tatsumi was against the Crimson Phantom and what he did just now. It looks like she'll get two new recruits tonight.

Chris looks on at Tatsumi and then smirks, "You deserved that one Tatsumi. I'm glad you avenged your friends," he walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder. "It looked like he was involved in this after all. If only it were a happier ending."

Tatsumi looks up to Chris and smiles sadly appreciating the gesture.

"Heh, heh… that's Tatsumi for ya… man that felt great," Ieyasu said with a toothy grin, but suddenly stopped as he was coughing up blood.

Tatsumi's eyes widened on hearing his friend's cough and immediately opens up the cage door and pulls his friend out to his side, "What's wrong Ieyasu!?"

"That's the last stage of the lubora disease," Akame said as she approached the two, "The mistress here enjoys putting drugs into her victims and even writes about them in her diary."

Chris clicked his tongue when he heard that. That explains what the diary in her hand was about. What a sick hobby.

"He can't be saved at this point," Akame bluntly said, but it was the truth he needed to hear. Tatsumi's eyes widen in shock and immediately turned to his poisoned friend with tears in his eyes.

"Ta-Tatsumi…," Ieyasu struggles to speak; his voice extremely weak and labored. "Sayo… never gave into that bitch… You should have seen her stood up to her… it was so cool."

He starts to grip his fist tighter and grins at his friend, "So just like her… Ieyasu is keeping it real… to the very end…"

Chris frowned at this. No… he can't let it end like this! The flicker from last night must've been him… damn if he paid more attention and notice there were someone still alive in there he could've saved him. They don't know this, but there is a way to save him still…!

Just as he was thinking that and Ieyasu' life slowly fades from his body he hears a faint heartbeat somewhere and someone muttering.

"…su…mi…"

Being alerted Chris' head perks up and tries to look for the sound and by doing so everyone present looked up to his alarmed-self wondering what's got him freaking out.

He looked behind him and looked up to Tatsumi's friend Sayo. He narrowed his eyes a bit and noticed her body slightly heaving a bit. Snapping his head up he jumps up into the air and cuts her restrains with his black sword, grabs her as he descends down.

"H-Huh…? What are you doing?!" Tatsumi called out in surprise that the Crimson Phantom went to free Sayo from her prison and even Ieyasu was eyeing him too. Something in his heart told him to hang on for a little while longer.

Even Akame and Leone were curious to what he's up to.

Chris places his head on her chest and listens carefully and uses his Ki Detecting ability to sense her life force… it was very faint, but he definitely heard a heartbeat even though her Ki was nearly extinguished.

"There's a heartbeat! She's still alive!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"Sayo's alive?!" both Tatsumi and Ieyasu shouted together when they heard that. Tears started to swell in their eyes… Sayo was alive!

However Akame and Leone frowned at that. Not because she was alive, no they were happy that Tatsumi's friend lives but it might be short lived. She lost too much blood already and her wounds are severe.

"I can't believe this… Sayo…," Ieyasu snuffled when he learned that his best friend that was tortured still breathed, "I guess not having that bitch and her mother come in last night might've helped her a little. I heard she was going to chop Sayo's leg off the next time she came back."

Chris smiles inwardly to himself, even if it was a sad one, apparently his appearance last night when he chased them away spared Sayo of her cruel fate. So the faint flicker of Ki was hers and not Ieyasu or maybe it was both and he didn't notice. Sadly when someone's life force is almost drain it becomes hard to pinpoint if they're alive or not which was the case here.

However he mentally scolded himself for making such an amateur mistake.

Not to rain on this happy moment Akame approaches Chris and Sayo, "I know it's good to hear she's alive, but I'm afraid she's lost too much blood and there isn't enough time for a blood transfer."

Tatsumi and Ieyasu froze on Akame's blunt words. Sayo was going to die either way? They both gritted their teeth… at least it was better than Aria doing her in, but still…

"What are you talking about? I'm not letting another innocent person die tonight!" Chris lashed out as he placed Sayo gently on the ground and placed his hand over her stomach.

"What are you doing?" Leone perked up on this, "There's nothing you can do to save her at this point. As unfair as it is…"

Ignoring her Chris closes his eyes as he focuses his powers and a green aura engulfs his hand, "RESTORE!"

And a faint green aura wrapped around Sayo's body and instantly healed her body of all wounds. Gone as they were never there and Sayo started to breathe properly and normally now. The coloring to her body comes back as all her lost blood returns.

Everyone present were shocked beyond belief.

"What the hell… he can heal people!?" Leone was the one to shout out. Even her buddy Akame was utterly surprised too. Not only does he have impressive fighting skills and strange glowing swords, which both of them suspect being a Teigu, he also has healing powers and can use it on others. And to bring someone back from that brink like that… how powerful was it?

Akame blinked. What kind of healing power was that? To be able to heal damage to that extent in such a short time.

Chris panted as he clutched forward. "Shoot… did I use too much power earlier? Darn you Virus for putting that limiter on me a week ago. However after rescuing Doya I can't chance the ECHOES finding me and attacking this place."

Which does not go unnoticed by Akame whose neutral expression hides the concern glimmer in his eyes. She may not know him, but from what she's witness he is a good person with a kind heart and it would be a shame if something were to happen to him.

"Whew… been a while since I last did that," he wipes the sweat from his brow.

Sayo's eyes struggle to open and as she did it was blurry all around her until she saw a familiar image, "Tatsumi… is that you?"

"Sayo! I'm here," Tatsumi rushed to her side and held her.

"I-I'm glad… I knew you would come," she spoke softly to him. She was alive, though she was healed her body felt numb and tired so she could barely move.

"Y-Yeah… sorry for taking so long, but the Crimson Phantom here was the one to save you! He healed you!" Tatsumi spoke between his tears with a smile on his face.

Sayo looks over to the jet black-haired man with white highlight as he smiles towards her. She smiles tiredly back at him, "… Thank you…" before passing out.

"Ah, Sayo!"

"Don't worry she just fell asleep, she'll be fine with a good night sleep," Chris patted Tatsumi's shoulder to let him know that.

Still crying Tatsumi looks up to Chris with an extremely grateful expression, "T-Thank you…! Thank you so much for saving Sayo!"

Ieyasu sat up smiling with tears in his eyes. What a sight for his final memory of this world to be.

"I'm glad… to stick it out… just a little longer…"

"Hey wait!" Chris quickly snaps around as Ieyasu dropped, but stopped when he realized it was too late.

"Thank you Crimson Phantom for helping my friends…"

Ieyasu had just passed away.

"Ieyasu…!" Tatsumi cried out when he, too, realized his other best friend had just left the world.

"Not to say your healing power is impressive, but not even yours could've saved him in that state," Leone begrudgingly speaks up when she noticed the irritated expression the Crimson Phantom had at himself for not being fast enough to save him.

Chris looked away. Actually his Restore ability can as he knows what that power is capable of better than anyone else, but doesn't work on the dead unfortunately. Well it could fix his body back to the way it was even though he's dead, but that power is incapable of bringing the dead back to life so it was pointless.

Looking at the limp form of his best friend Ieyasu, Tatsumi wasn't sure what to feel. He was happy one of his friends will live, but he is deeply sadden one of them is dead.

The reason that his two friends had to suffer like this…

"He was only in a state where he could only survive with will power alone," Akame observed, as she gave Tatsumi a sympathetic look.

"…What's wrong with the Capital?!" Tatsumi asked out in a painful tone while holding Sayo in his arms. Chris looked down crestfallen as he sighs while rubbing his head.

"I'm afraid it's been like this for a long time Tatsumi," Chris explains as he looks up into the night sky, "It's the fault of the current Prime Minister that everything's become like this. You and your friends were unfortunately caught up in the mix."

Tatsumi could only grit his teeth in pain and sadness from what he just heard. So their dream… it was all pointless in the end?

"I'm sorry Tatsumi… if I acted sooner I could've save both of your friends," the red hoodie youth frowns dejectedly. With all his abilities he still makes mistakes and he can't use that to correct this tragedy just yet, "I screwed up. To let myself be distracted so easily…"

"No, it's not your fault," Tatsumi reassures Chris. He knows he did his best and even though he lost Ieyasu he still had Sayo for that he'll be eternal gratitude to him, "You saved Sayo and I couldn't ask more from you."

The Crimson Phantom cast his eyes in Tatsumi's direction and smiles forlornly at him for the comforting words.

"Let's go Leone," Akame closes her eyes and begins to walk away. However Leone blocked her way.

"Say, why don't we take the kid with us?" Leone asked as she walked up to Tatsumi, "Our hideout is a little understaffed at the moment and we can also use more members."

"Don't you think he has the guts, skills, and luck? Not to mention he's brave and talented as well."

"I suppose so," Akame replies back in her emotionless tone. Seeing how Tatsumi fought the Crimson Phantom does show he has plenty of talent.

"And if his friend is just as good as him, we get two skilled fighters for the price of one!" Leone beamed.

"Now wait a moment! I have to give Ieyasu a proper burial, I don't have time to fool around with you!" Tatsumi exclaimed as Leone approaches him, "And Sayo needs bed rest as well!"

"Ah, don't worry Tatsumi we'll bring your friend's body to the base to give him a proper burial, so don't worry," Leone said, trying to comfort him as she pulled his face into her large chest.

Tatsumi backs away with a blush, while being careful with Sayo in his arms, "Wh-What?!"

Standing a few feet from the group Chris looks back and forth between the members and shrugs with a smile on his face as he doesn't see a reason to stay anymore.

"Well, this is certainly an interesting development," Chris speaks up as he approaches Tatsumi and Sayo, "But before I go, here."

He pulls out a blanket and covers Sayo's nude body.

Tatsumi looks up to him mildly surprised. Chris coughs into his hand and looks away, a faint blush dotting his cheeks, "I-It's not proper for her to be like that and as gentlemen we shouldn't take advantage of it. Also she'll be warm this way too."

Tatsumi shivered a bit as he understood. If Sayo learned he saw her naked body when she woke up he might be in for the beating of a lifetime, but he appreciated that the Crimson Phantom was looking out for his friend. He can't thank him enough.

But a question rang in their heads. Where did he pull the blanket from? Also where are his swords? They keep on disappearing and re-appearing all the time. Truly a mysterious individual.

"Well best of luck to you, Tatsumi," the red hoodie boy waved his hand as he walked away, "I hope you and Sayo do well in your new career path. Maybe we'll see each other again one day?"

It was time for him to go. He could take this opportunity to join Night Raid as his mind as been wondering about it, but should he? True they do seem attack the same targets as him, but does he want to get them involved with his problems as well? He didn't want to burden them, but there's no signs of the ECHOES yet… perhaps he should join?

"Now just wait a moment there, handsome," Leone shouted to him and Chris stopped in his tracks. He turned around and raised his brow as the blonde lady looking at him with a cheery smile.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

"How would you like to join Night Raid? We could use someone with your talents and strength to help with our cause. And seeing as your goals align with ours, why not join us? Better than going off alone, right, Mr. Crimson Phantom?"

Chris blinked in place. Was he being offered a position in Night Raid?

"You… want me to join you guys?"

"Darn tooting!" Leone gives him a toothy grin to confirm what she said was true, "And even if you decline, I'll chase you wherever you go and drag you with us if I have to!"

"Wha…?" the jet black-haired boy becomes startled when he heard it. This woman, she would wouldn't she?

Hmm… he's in a dilemma. He stood there staring at her and thought upon on the possibilities. He could continue doing what he has been doing for the past few weeks on his own, but he feels his progress is lacking as he's only working in one area of the very large Empire and it might be years before his actions on his own will have an effect.

Going with Night Raid here will provide him more chances to do some greater good for this world not to mention he'll be most likely target criminal scum that hold a lot of power in the Empire and wiping them out will cripple the Prime Minister's hold even more.

He recalls his past travels and the many friends he's made and worked with and knows working with a team also brought a lot of success and not to mention it felt great having friends. He also wouldn't have to pick hours of research to pick which targets to kill or not, but the info might come in too late and people wouldn't be saved in time like with Sayo almost if he wasn't here.

Then there was the Imperial Outpost which he could take out still in his spare time.

"Just to ask," Chris looked at Leone who was watching him playfully, "If I said no you'd chase after me no matter what? Even chase me to the seven gates of hell themselves and back to drag me in as a recruit with your group?"

Leone smiled back at him, "Damn right!"

He blinked at the instant answer and within moments started to crack up with his right hand over his face, "Hahahaha! You're absolutely too much, you're really funny," he wipes the tear out of his eye, "Ah, you know what? Why not? Sure! I'll join Night Raid. Honestly I was thinking of joining you guys earlier, but I wasn't sure about it before. I feel like I'll be doing more good if I'm with you lot."

"Awesome!" Leone jumped into the air happily, "We got three new recruits in one night! Are we lucky or what?"

Akame only sighs at this and shakes her head.

"I suppose it so…," Akame calmly says as she turns her attention on Chris. He blinks in place at her unreadable expression. Why she was looking at him all of a sudden before walking passed him to regroup with the rest.

Leone lifts both Tatsumi and Sayo in her arms and carries them away with Tatsumi yelling at her to let her go as he didn't agree to join them yet.

Young Corona smiles while looking up into the sky, "It seems like things are going to be lively from here on out," and follows after his new teammates.

The group finally caught up with the others as they hopped from one rooftop to the next. The rest of the members of Night Raid look up to see their returning comrades back.

"So they're finally back," spoke the armored man.

Lubbock smirked upon seeing his friends have returned, "Perfect, we should go soon before reinforcements arrive," and something begins spinning around his gloves.

"You're late! What were you two doing!?" Mine barked at Akame and Leone for taking their sweet time, until she took noticed of another person walking next to them. The red hoodie boy from before, "And why is he here!?" she exclaimed pointing a finger at him.

Chris simply rolled his eyes ignoring her displeasured attitude with him, "Yeah, nice to meet you, too, short stack."

"What did you call me?!" Mine immediately glared at him. Lubbock snorted when he heard that and Mine turned her glare on him and he backed away in a surrender gesture.

Looking back she noticed two others with Leone, Tatsumi and Sayo who was sleeping, and gives Leone a questionable look.

As to answer her unspoken question, "These two are with us now!"

"What?!" Tatsumi shouted in shock. Leone merely giggled at him.

"Didn't I tell you?" Leone drops him on the floor while she carries Sayo in her other arm to the rest of her group and pumps her free arm in the air, "Starting from today, you and your friend are one of us! Congratulations on your inauguration to Night Raid!"

She spoke with such enthusiasm that Chris couldn't help but chuckle at that. Reminds him of several of his friends he's met on his travels.

"What the hell's up with that?!" Tatsumi pointed at them.

"Give it up. Leone won't give up once she gets started," Akame told him while he gives her a deadpanned look. Leone pats Akame on her head.

"Exactly my good bud, like I've said you know me too well!" Leone laughed happily.

"Not to rain on your parade, but we should get going. I can sense the Imperial guards are getting closer," Chris points behind him as the sounds of the reinforcements could be heard in the distance.

"Ah, you're right Mr. Crimson Phantom. We better get going," Leone perks up realizing he's right and turns to the armored man.

"Bulat! I'll leave the new guy here up to you and leave the new girl to me. Also don't worry about Mr. Crimson Phantom over there, he can take care of himself," Leone spoke to the armored man revealed to be called Bulat as he nods to her and goes to pick Tatsumi up.

Chris frowned slightly, "Um… seeing as I'm a member of your group now let me tell you my name, it's…"

However he was interrupted by Tatsumi who was ranting under Bulat's arm, "Lemme go! Neither Sayo and I have any intention of becoming assassins!"

Apparently ignoring his distress the armored man looked at Tatsumi with comforting eyes, somehow through his armor's helmet, and spoke with a passionate voice, "It's okay. It'll get better soon," perhaps a little too comforting and passionate for both Tatsumi and Chris' liking.

"Wha?" both of them stated together.

Shaking his apparently discomfort with how Bulat spoke, he tries to speak up once, "Ahem… like I was saying…"

"Mission complete. Let's return," Akame called out as the group sprang into action and leaped across the buildings in the dead of the night.

A frustrated Chris looks on and sighs, "Oh come on! That was a tad rude, don't you think?" scratching the back of his head he gives up and follows after them.

One thing can be certain at this point. Things will never be the same anymore.

Author's Notes: And with that Chapter 2 is finished! Working back to back two days in a row to finish Chapter 1 and 2 was an impressive feat, but now I have a bloody headache and I'm tired. Worked on Chapter 2 for nearly 9 hours straight, minus the eating and restroom breaks, but I'm taking a break.

It will be a while for Chapter 3 though I think I can get it done this week.

Anyway I'm sure you guys are surprised in this chapter that I kept both Doya and Sayo alive in this story. For Sayo I felt bad for Tatsumi to find out what happened to his friend and decided to save her like I've seen in some of the fanfics on FanFiction dot net. Originally I wanted to save both Ieyasu and Sayo, but for story purposes I let Ieyasu die as I want Tatsumi to grieve over the death of his friend with the Teigu talk.

As for Doya… I honestly felt bad for her when I heard what happened to her by Kurome in the manga. Even if there was hardly ANY info on her to me I wanted to spare her. She'll reappear later in the story, but I wanted to establish the butterfly effect in place because of my OC's involvement. We'll see more of her later don't worry.

Though I feel like I overwhelmed myself with how much I've written in this chapter and how to keep the story changes on point.

Well I hope you're interested in where the story will go now with Sayo involved and the story changes later on. I'm going to stop my notes here as I've written enough and I need some rest.

Oh, one more thing. Recently my computer crashed a few weeks back and I lost almost all my data on it. Luckily my stories were saved on one of my Flash Drives so I can continue my stories at least, but sadly my original stuff are gone though I do hope my files can be saved somehow. Anyway...

Until next time, this is VirusChris signing off! Sayonara my Nakama!

Disclaimer: I don't own Akame ga Kill! or any of its characters except for my original characters (I've seen this line on many fics, but is it really needed I wonder?)

Time Stamp Finished: 8/31/2016

Time Stamp Posted: 8/31/2016

Time Stamp Edited: 9/1/2016, 9/3/2016 (fixed grammar and improved sentences), 9/7/2016 (more fixes and added more to the story)