He was slowly but surely losing himself, between the base instinct of the Dragon that was consuming him to fight everything before him and his memory of a human being to end the war that was going on around him. It was too much and it was beginning to take it's toll, the evolutions that his body had been forced through up until this moment, felt like his body had been set ablaze, his now massive form lay on the ground having been struck down by Esdeath, laying in a pool of his own crimson blood. He could feel the Tyrants anger at that, the Tyrant's rage as the Incursio user had been cut down in such a form. With all that power behind him, he was still unable to deal with the white witch that the Dragon saw before him. So distracted by the pain his body was in, he couldn't even begin to control his new form let alone use it to aid the rebellion in their final push against Esdeath. He had done what he could but now… he was tired. It was time he simply left in the hands of someone else. It was over for him now.

"Tatsumi! Hang in there!" The familiar voice sounded like war drums to his heightened senses, his large head turned to view Akame standing on his arm, pleading with him to hold on. He didn't want to any more, he couldn't. He was tired of the fighting, the blood shed, losing everyone. It was to painful and there was no coming back from what he was now, what he himself had driven his body past it's limits to become this monster. He had resided himself to this fate, to do whatever he could to give the rebellion the chance to win and that was what he had done… now it was time to rest.

"GROOOOOOAR" The roar of the Tyrant brought Tatsumi's consciousness back and just in the nick of time, his outstretched talons were ready to completely wrap around Akame who stood there stock still in complete shock at what had just happened, the black haired assassin having not expected the sudden assault by Tatsumi… no the Tyrant, it was hard to determine just who was in control any more. His massive form loomed over the assassin, his cross dilated eyes scanning Akame's face, as if he would know it would be the last time he saw her.

"…. kill me..." He could see it in her eyes at the moment, the despair she was feeling as she understood what he was telling her to do. Feeling she needed the resolve to go through with it, Tatsumi pressed on. "My… consciousness… is already…. fading... away…. I can't… stop it… any longer..." He could see the small tears beginning to form in Akame's red eyes as she shook her head, he hated to maker her cry, he was pushing himself to do this so she wouldn't have to live with such a mindless monster roaming about, so he wouldn't hurt anyone. "… you... promised... me… didn't you..." Akame looked up at his form, her eyes showing such despair that he hated to look into them but he couldn't go on living like this. "HURRY!"

"Yes… I promised." Akame nodded softly as she approached him, with her head lowered her hair covering her eyes as she gripped onto Murasame at her hip, one hand wrapping around the hilt while the other grabbed the scabbard, just to stop her hands from trembling as she approached the Dragon that still stood before her as her friend. "Very well, I shall kill you." Walking towards the Dragon's chest, Tatsumi's arm that had reached out to grab her originally crashing to the ground beside her as she drew her blade, her eyes didn't hold that same hardness as usual as she rose the blade up, tears stinging her eyes as she drove the cursed blade straight through the cross that was in the armour that was now infused with Tatsumi. Quickly drawing the blade from the Dragon she turned, her back facing the falling Dragon as the cursed markings began to course over the Dragon's body. Glancing once over her shoulder, she saw the crossed pupil staring at her before the curse marks etched over the eye as it closed.

With that, Tatsumi drew what should have been his last breath as death should have embraced him in it's cold embrace… however that was not the end of the tale for this young assassin as something was about to happen to keep him living on.

"..." It was a soft voice, a woman's, he didn't understand what the woman was saying but the voice didn't stop, seemingly echoing in his mind. His large eyes opened slightly, the snow still falling from Esdeath's power, Akame was no longer near him, but what he saw above him made him reach out with his dragon arm. Above him was an oval similar in size to his own massive dragon form and as soon as he touched the green luminescent glow of the strange oval above him, he was pulled forth into a blinding light of power. Forever changing his future and that of another world.

Elsewhere

She had been alone in the palace since her friend Louise Françoise had left many years ago, no longer were the halls of the palace filled with mischievous laughter of the two girls as they played with one another when they had been children, now instead it was filled with more silence that what she could bare. Fifteen year old crown Princess of Tristain, Henrietta was lonely, yes she had her cousin Prince Wales but she needed a friend she could confide in like she once did with Louise.

Years of isolation and the only brief contact with someone that wasn't family was with her tutors. Her relationship with Wales was of course a secret for a reason, it wouldn't do for the Future Queen of Tristain to be shown having incestuous affairs with her cousin, it simply wasn't proper but she couldn't help that she had fallen in love with him. It would look bad for the Royal family, it was one of the reasons Henrietta was so lonely, because she could not be open about her relationship with Wales and saw him very rarely.

She most of all missed her dear friend Louise with each passing day. Yes they wrote to one another frequently, she had even found out recently that Louise would be attending the Tristain Magic Academy for her first year in the coming months, something Henrietta was somewhat jealous of. There could never be a time where Henrietta could attend the Magic Academy, become friends with peers of her own age, as there was too much risk to her safety to freely roam like the other students. Instead she was stuck with the castles tutors to teach her about her future duties and magic...

The princesses blue eyes snapped open as she sat up abruptly in her bed. That was it. Magic. She had gone over the lesson just this afternoon, how had she not picked up on it? It wasn't unheard of for a member of the Royal Family to summon a Familiar, but she had never been asked to perform the summons or been forbidden to do so! A Familiar, how could she have been so blind, a faithful loyal servant that could very well change her state of loneliness. Throwing the blankets from herself she darted out of bed, her heart beating as she grabbed her sceptre from her bedside table. Not bothering with slippers or even to change from her somewhat transparent night gown, she rushed from her room running with a smile across the cold marble in the middle of the night.

Dashing out into the courtyard a cold breeze whisked across her skin causing her to shudder slightly before she looked up at the two moons high in the sky, a beautiful sight to see as the stars glimmered around the two. She had been taught that some Familiars were large and that outdoors would be the best place to do a summoning unless one cause damage to their surroundings and Henrietta had no intention of damaging her room with what may be a large Familiar as she had no idea what she was about to summon forth. Walking from the path into the grass, slightly damp with dew but she didn't stop as she took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Remember your Highness, a familiar answers to your call. Each spell to summon a familiar comes from the heart and is never the same, let the words flow from your heart." Henrietta recalled what her instructor had told her.

"Let the words flow from my heart." Henrietta whispered softly as she raised her head along with her sceptre which had always been a conduit for her magic. There she stood, willing the words to come but she couldn't find the right ones and let out a small sigh as she looked up to the moons. "Am I not suppose to have a familiar? Is this loneliness my punishment for my relationship with Wales?" She felt a tear come to her eye, the loneliness she felt was unbearable, she couldn't stand the solitude any more. Wrapping her arms around herself in a hug she spoke softly.

"Please… if there is a familiar our there..." She whispered a small gust of wind picking up around her. "Answer my call, come to my side." Looking up at the moons with tears running down her cheeks. "From the Heavens or the Earth, answer my call." She cast her sceptre above her head gathering her magic. "For I, Henrietta, Crown Princess of Tristain, summon you!" Casting her sceptre forward releasing the spell, there was a moment's hesitation before an enormous explosion erupted before her flinging her from her feet. Henrietta let out a cry as she flew through the air, never had a spell backfired on her like this, were those not the right words to say? Yes they weren't exactly spell like but still they came from her heart.

As the princess landed on the grass across the courtyard she could already hear the palace guards rushing into the area, she could hear Agnes voice trying to reach her as her hand was on her shoulder but her mind was clouded and her ears were still ringing from the explosion. As she opened her eyes she could see the panicked look on Agnes face before six of the palace guards were thrown overhead causing Agnes to raise up before Henrietta drawing her sword in the process. Henrietta looked passed Agnes to see what was causing such chaos.

The palace guards were being thrown around like a toddlers toys, a swipe of the Dragon's arms was all it took to send numerous guards flying. The Dragon before her was unlike anything she had ever seen being the size of a building that had an armoured body, possessed enormous wings and had crimson eyes that glowed in the night. Agnes stood before Henrietta shouting for the guards to call for reinforcements.

"STOP!" The battle came to a standstill as Henrietta pulled herself to her feet, even the Dragon that was now present stopped it's movements as the princess stepped passed Agnes who was shocked to see Henrietta walking towards the savage looking beast.

"Your Highness?" Agnes questioned.

"Step aside." Henrietta ordered and the guards followed her orders instantly moving out of her path as the Dragon before her placed the guard that it had been holding in it's grip down, allowing the guard to run to his comrades. The Dragon's attention was now on Henrietta, the princess nervous under the cross slitted eyes of the intimidating familiar she had just summoned forth. "I am Crown Princess of Tristain, I am the one that summoned you, Familiar."

"That's a Familiar!?" One of the guards shouted gaining the attention of the Dragon only for the guards to back away once more under the threatening gaze, Agnes was the only one who followed after the Princess holding her sword ready to defend the heir if necessary. The Dragon turned back to Henrietta as she approached, seemingly calm for the moment.

"Do you have a name?" Henrietta questioned as she stood before the creature, that she could now see was wounded, and not from the palace guards but from where it had come from originally. As silence drifted over the courtyard, the Dragon simply sat staring down at Henrietta for a time, she glanced at Agnes searching for a possible answer.

"Perhaps the beast doesn't understand, your Highness." Agnes suggested holding her sword in her grip, not feeling it safe to sheath her weapon just yet. "Perhaps a language barrier spell may be necessary for it to understand you?" Henrietta frowned, she had not been taught such a spell as of yet. The contract between a summoner and a familiar needed to be completed quickly unless the bond between them would not be properly formed. Taking a step forward Agnes reached out to grip her arm to stop her. "Your Highness, truly you don't think this is a wise decision."

"The dragon is my Familiar for it came to my call." Henrietta told Agnes. "Release me so I can fulfil the contract." Agnes was reluctant to do so but released Henrietta allowing the princess to approach the Dragon, a small smile on her face. While the Dragon's appearance was certainly intimidating and slightly frightening she couldn't be happier now that she wouldn't be alone like she had been, she was willing to give this frightening beast a chance. The Dragon lowered its head as the princess approached and as Henrietta rose both arms out it didn't recoil from her as she placed her hands either side of the snout of the Dragon. "I hope we get along." She whispered softly and she leaned forward pressing her lips to the tip of the Dragon's snout. What happened next, nobody expected.

The explosion shook Tatsumi from what seemed to be a peaceful bliss, perhaps he had died and was simply drifting through an endless void for the rest of eternity, how was he suppose to know that wasn't what death was like? As he stood amongst the smoke he could hear with his now new dragon sense, the marching of dozens of people wearing armour heading straight towards him and with what he had just been through, his mentality was already set for the upcoming fight, he may have been wounded from Esdeath's brutal attacks but that wouldn't stop him now. He still didn't know what was going on but he wasn't going to back down from this fight, he'd just have to pry the information out of any survivors, if there were any.

Without a doubt the guards burst through the smoke, wielding weapons and as soon as they saw him they attacked without hesitation. Even still wounded from his prior fights he could at least deal with this much. Casting his arm out crashing into several guards sending them flying across the courtyard he let out a roar before flapping his gigantic wings sending a shock wave over the castle grounds clearing it of any smoke left from the explosion fully revealing the lush courtyard filled with guards to his crimson eyes.

There was no hesitation in the guards attacks, all charging forward and those that Tatsumi knocked away tried to gather themselves before attacking once more. It wasn't until the familiar shout of the woman's voice brought the entire courtyard to a halt, Tatsumi ready to completely crush the guard that had been stupid enough to jump into the air to try and attack Tatsumi only to be caught in Tatsumi's massive talons. He didn't know what she cried out but the entire courtyard came to a halt and his eyes were drawn to the young woman in a nightgown that was now approaching him obviously instructing the guards before her to clear the way.

It was clear that the guards were weary of her sudden order but followed without question. As the girl approached an overwhelming sensation flooded over Tatsumi, he was calm before the girl, there was no threat of danger nor deceit. He had never felt like this, not even with Mine. Just who was this girl and what was this overwhelming presence that she made made him feel committed to her, compelled to listen to her every word even if he didn't understand them.

"..." Her mouth moved but Tatsumi could not understand the words that she spoke to him which was beyond frustrating, the words she spoke obviously caused a commotion as a guard shouted something out in the unknown language causing Tatsumi to glare at him, daring him to challenge him once more before turning back to the girl now being accompanied by a blonde woman with a sword in her grip. It was clear she had no intention of letting harm come to the young woman that was having a strange impact on Tatsumi.

"…?" She spoke again, obviously asking a question by the simple tone of her voice but Tatsumi had no idea how to respond to her, even if he did speak was she able to understand him? He had no idea even how to answer her question let alone what she had asked. Instead he stared down at her, clearly she wasn't impatient nor did she seem angry at his lack of communication with her. She even seemed concerned at his wounds as her eyes scanned his large form. The blonde woman beside the girl spoke more in the unknown language causing the girl to frown at what the blonde spoke of. The girl continued forward only to be stopped, Tatsumi's eyes narrowing at the blonde guard currently gripping the girl's wrist stopping her from coming closer to him.

"..." Her voice was stern as she spoke to the blonde guard, clearly not impressed at being halted. The woman released her allowing her to turn back to Tatsumi with a small smile on her face as she approached once more. Tatsumi still couldn't place it, this overwhelming feeling to protect her, to keep her safe from everything. Even as she drew closer it simply grew stronger. Tatsumi almost flinched in surprise she rose her arms out, almost beckoning him down to her height. Lowering his head, while he knew it wasn't a pleasant sight she didn't seemed fearful of his dragon appearance. Her hands were soft as they touched his armoured skin, gently caressing her hands across his snout. "..." She spoke again, a certain loneliness in her eyes before Tatsumi was shocked as she leaned forward, closing her as as she pressed her lips to the tip of his snout.

Tatsumi recoiled in shock sending tremors through the courtyard as his massive form moved, Agnes was before the princess in an instant, pulling Henrietta behind her as she stood before her blade at the ready as the other guards surrounded them. At a moments notice they were ready to attack again. Henrietta was wide eyed, never having expected such a reaction from the Dragon, he had seemed calm amidst it all but the kiss seemed to have angered it. A deep growl echoed over the courtyard as the massive maw of the dragon opened revealing just how hazardous a single bite might be. Everyone covered their ears at what they all thought was a roar of anger.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" When in truth, Tatsumi had just been caught off guard and was highly embarrassed at what had just happened not having expected to be suddenly kissed like he had. About to demand answers from them once more he stopped as his body began to heat up, pain started to flow through him at an increasing rate. His already grievous wounds from his prior battles against Shikoutazer and Esdeath growing more profound causing him to collapse to all fours as a searing pain like a branding iron crossed over his chest.

Looking to where the pain was coming from his eyes widened seeing strange symbols being etched into his chest that glowed a vibrant white across his scaled chest. Raising his hand to his chest, clawing at the symbols as they etched into his skin, raising his head to glare at everyone gathered. Just what had they done to him!? Letting off a roar that etched pure terror into all of them he collapsed onto the courtyard his arm outstretched as he lay there, his gaze becoming foggy, so impaired was his vision that at one point, he thought he had turned back to human having witnessed his normal human arm laid out before him.

Groggily consciousness started to come back to Tatsumi and immediately he felt odd, it wasn't unpleasant but he could honestly say he had never been so comfortable in his life. The mattress he laid upon was like a damn cloud, the pillows simply engulfed him and the blankets were soft and so smooth against his skin. Wait, skin? Sitting up abruptly wasn't the best thing to do as pain flooded his entire body.

"Gah!" He shouted in pain hunching over to the side, his body was bandaged but he had not yet fully healed from his injuries. The moment he looked over himself, he was very aware that he was no longer the dragon he had forced himself to evolve into. Had it all been some terrible nightmare? No, if it was where had the wounds come from? Groaning as he pulled the blankets from himself he forced himself out of the bed, limping across the extravagant room to where a mirror was located taking longer than it should have. He had to see it for himself, just to make sure it wasn't some kind of illusion.

Stepping in front of the mirror, he began to tremble slightly. To think it was even possible that he had returned from that form. Even his eyes were back to their vibrant green, no trace of any kind of the Tyrant's presence. He was shirtless, probably having been washed in his unconscious state as well, dressed in a pair of loose fitting brown trousers that were not his own. Taking the time to look over his bandages to see that they were well mended, something caught his attention across his chest, it almost looked like a scar but the way it was printed on his screen showed it was no such thing. It was a strange cryptic writing that he had never seen before, this is what had burned him after he had been kissed by that girl.

"Just what is going on? I remember Akame using Murasame… then that green light and I woke up in the courtyard." Everything was puzzling him, why wasn't he dead? Murasame should have ended his life, not to mention just where was he? Was it some kind of afterlife? Reincarnation maybe? He'd never much thought about what happened after death, but surely this wasn't it. He didn't feel dead. Wait, what did feeling dead even feel like? "Gah this is getting me nowhere!" Hearing a slight creak of the door behind him his head whipped around only to see the wooden structure beginning to open.

"("...") I'll only be a minute Agnes, I just wish to check on him." Henrietta spoke, the words completely unknown to Tatsumi as he stood unknowing what to do. Incursio was across the room by the bedside, it was surprising that they kept it in the same room as him, however recognising the voice he didn't believe that he would need it as that same overwhelming sensation of calm washed over him. The door opened as the teen girl entered within, with her back to him as she continued to speak with the one outside the door. "("...") I'll hurry to bed, right after I'm done. I promise."

"("...") Very well Princess, I shall retire for the evening." The other voice reached Tatsumi's ears allowing Henrietta to nod with a smile as she closed the door. The moment she did she turned on her heel faster than what Tatsumi had been expecting. She had a glimmer of excitement in her eyes as they locked on the now empty mattress where he had once laid. Her eyes suddenly widened at the lack of occupant and ran to the bed as if she got closer he would suddenly reappear.

"Eh hem." Tatsumi cleared his throat awkwardly as she froze completely, her eyes widened as she slowly turned to face the shirtless assassin standing across the room. Their eyes held one another's for a long moment before she seemingly snapped out of their staring match as she rose a hand to her rather bountiful chest. It hadn't gone unknown to Tatsumi that her nightgown was rather transparent and did little to hide her impressive figure beneath.

"("...") I'm so glad you're finally awake." She spoke once more, her voice soft and if Tatsumi could understand what she was saying, he would be sure that she had spoken words of relief. Her eyes saw the confusion on his face causing her to tilt her head slightly, unsure of his reaction. True, she had not been expecting the Dragon that she had summoned to turn into a human, but she didn't mind either way. It would probably be easier to talk to a young gentlemen then a fearsome beast he had come to her as. She had so many questions racing in her mind but her focus was on his health, his injuries still weren't healed and she had worried about him since she had first seen them. "("...") My name is Henrietta." She spoke again, once more receiving a blank stare from the young man. "("...") Do you understand me?" There was silence for a time before Tatsumi spoke.

"("...") I don't understand what you're saying." He told her, his voice held irritation along with his features showing that he wasn't happy about what he had just told her for Henrietta had no knowledge of what he had spoken to her. Never in her teachings had she heard such a language and her tutors were well versed in the world's languages, something a future ruler such of herself was in need of should she need to communicate with a foreign diplomat. Tatsumi seeing her mutual frustration at the situation watched her move throughout the room for moment producing a pen and quill from a study desk off to the side of the room. He continued to watch as she scribbled something down on the page, numerous things were written and before Tatsumi knew it, she was standing in front of him offering out the parchment with the writing on it.

"("...") Can you read any of this?" Henrietta queried with a frown as Tatsumi looked at the page with a calculating eye before frowning, nothing on the page was anything more than chicken scratch to was obvious to Tatsumi what she had asked, she was trying to find a way to communicate with him, she had thought he might be able to understand her written language but even so, it was impossible. Shaking his head she frowned once more before offering him the quill. "("...") Perhaps I might recognise your written language." She continued. Tatsumi looked at the quill for a moment before understanding once more and writing his name and questioning what was going on down on the paper and handed it back to her. It was clear by the furrowing of her brow that she didn't understand it either.

"("...") What a pain." Tatsumi huffed as he rolled his shoulders only to wince as his injuries still stung, feeling a hand on his shoulder he looked up to see Henrietta looking at him with concern. "("...") I'm fine." He assured her, even if she wouldn't understand.

"("… glad… Osmond… tomorrow… ") I'm so glad that Professor Osmond will be arriving tomorrow." Henrietta sighed softly knowing that communication between familiar and master was very important, Tatsumi's eyes widened as he was able to make out a few words, gripping her by the shoulders surprising her as he stared into her blue eyes with his own green.

"("...") I could understand that! Say it again!" He encouraged however she still couldn't understand a single word, he had no idea how he had been able to understand her but it didn't matter right now. Henrietta stared at him, unsure of what he was saying, he was simply trying to get her to do something. About to question why he pointed to his mouth before making a talking gesture with his hand.

"You wish for me to speak?" She questioned, this time Tatsumi able to understand it all.

"("...") Yes!" Tatsumi laughed with a grin. "I could totally understand you!" He continued before Henrietta tilted her head slightly.

"Did you just understand me?" She questioned with wide eyes, unsure of how it was even possible, her eyes shot wide open as he nodded with a grin. "How?" A simple shrug was what she got in return, while he could understand what she said, the same could not be said for the other way around. "Then please, allow me to introduce myself properly." She smiled as she rose a hand to the centre of her chest, glad that she could finally do so. "I am Henrietta, Crown Princess of Tristain. It was I who summoned you here."

"Princess?" Tatsumi questioned, unsure. The only royalty he had even had any dealings with was with the Emperor of the Empire, not such a great way to see all members of Royalty but he had no idea what kind of place this was. "Wait, summoned!?" He shouted. "I don't get any of this." He groaned holding a hand to his head.

"This is probably all very confusing for you, especially after you've been unconscious for a week." Henrietta spoke. "I am sorry for that, but if you are able to wait for tomorrow, Professor Osmond, a renown man of Magic will be coming to the castle at my request. He will perform a spell that will allow us to communicate and the language barrier will no longer be an issue. I swear to you then, I will ask any and all questions you have of me." Tatsumi stared at her, blinking owlishly causing her to tilt her head once more.

"Did she just say one week... and magic… and a spell? Just where the hell am I!?"