Season 2 - Chapter 12 | Crimson Adventures

S2 - Chapter 12

The morning after the events with Kurohime, Akiko, and Eve, the guild hall bustled with an unusual level of chatter. The main dining hall, typically quiet in the early hours, was alive with conversation. At the head of the long table sat Akame, her presence drawing attention. To her left and right were Nila and Kasumi, who were at the center of the upcoming duel.

“Miss Akame, are you absolutely sure about this?” Nila asked, her voice filled with worry. “If you lose, you’ll not only give up your leadership of the guild but also your rank.” Her ears twitched nervously as she voiced her concern.

“Nila, it’s perfectly fine,” Akame replied with confidence, a small smirk appearing. “I already knew the stakes when I stood up for both of you.”

Nila sighed heavily. “If something happens and you lose… Akiko will be so upset with me. She might not even want to be my friend anymore…” Her ears drooped as her tail wrapped around her waist.

Akame rose from her chair and walked over to Nila, placing a reassuring hand atop her head. “Relax,” she said, her tone softening. “Everything will work out. Besides, I doubt Akiko could ever truly be mad at you.”

Nila’s ears perked up slightly at Akame’s words. “What do you mean?” she asked, tilting her head.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Akame waved her hand as she headed toward the library. The door closed softly behind her, leaving Nila to stew in her thoughts.

With a dramatic sigh, Nila let her head drop to the table with a soft thud. “Ugh… this is so stressful,” she muttered, her voice muffled against the wood.

“Nyla, if Akame says everything’s under control, then we should trust her,” Kasumi said, trying to soothe her friend’s nerves. “Even though Rajen is terrifying, I feel like Akame could handle him with one hand tied behind her back, nya.” Kasumi’s voice was calm but firm as she nodded to herself.

“If you say so…” Nila groaned, still face-down on the table.

The tension in the room was interrupted by a loud knock at the guild’s front door. Both Nila and Kasumi instantly stiffened, their ears twitching toward the sound.

Footsteps echoed from the armory, and moments later, Fae entered the dining hall. “Don’t worry, you two, I’ll handle it,” she said kindly, noting their unease. “You both look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Fae crossed the hall and opened the heavy door. Standing there was a woman dressed in a formal uniform, her attire marking her as a messenger of the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Good morning,” the woman greeted, her voice polite but professional. “You must be Miss Fae.”

“Yes, that’s me,” Fae replied with a warm smile. “Judging by your attire, I’m guessing you’re here on official business from the Adventurer’s Guild?”

“Indeed,” the messenger said, handing Fae a letter sealed with the guild’s official crest. “I’ve brought the documentation for the upcoming duel between your guild and Abyss.”

Fae accepted the letter with both hands, bowing slightly in thanks. “Thank you! That must have been quite the journey. Would you like to rest at our inn?”

The woman chuckled and gestured down the steps of the guild hall. “There’s no need. It only took a few hours.”

Curious, Fae stepped outside and followed the woman’s gaze. Her eyes widened in awe. “You came here on one of the royal griffons?!” she exclaimed.

The messenger nodded, her expression amused. “The Guild Master deemed this matter urgent and arranged for expedited travel. Who was I to argue?”

“Lucky you,” Fae said sheepishly. “Safe travels, we will be at the capital in about a week.”

The messenger headed back down the stairs and mounted the griffon. Taking off, the creature’s powerful wings carried them swiftly toward the horizon. Fae watched until they disappeared from view before heading back inside. She made her way to the library, letter in hand, and knocked on the door.

“Miss Akame? A letter arrived just now for you,” she announced before stepping inside.

Akame and Yukari were seated at a large table covered in maps and documents, their heads bent in quiet discussion. Fae approached and handed the letter to Akame.

“Thank you, Fae,” Akame said, inspecting the seal with a small chuckle. “The Guild Master himself sent this? I’m flattered.”

“Apparently so, I assume this is the final agreement,” Fae replied with a smile, stepping back to give her space.

Akame broke the seal and unfolded the letter, her eyes scanning its contents. For a moment, her expression faltered—just barely—but it was quickly replaced by a grin. This one, however, was sharper, more dangerous.

Fae hesitated before asking, “Miss Akame… is there something in the letter to your liking?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Akame replied, her grin widening. “Rajen accepted all the terms I proposed. But he added one more condition.”

“What kind of condition?” Fae asked, her curiosity piqued.

“He wants a two-versus-two match between guild members before my duel with him,” Akame explained, her voice laced with amusement. “It seems he wants to show off his guild’s strength.”

Fae frowned slightly. “What do you plan to do?”

“Bring Suzu and Yuzuki down here. I have a proposition for them,” Akame said, her grin taking on a mischievous edge.

Fae nodded and left the room, heading upstairs. Passing through the dining hall, she briefly caught sight of Kasumi and Nila, still in their seats, before continuing up to the second floor. She passed Azure, who was busy cleaning the guest rooms, and made her way to the third floor, stopping outside Suzuran and Yuzuki’s room.

Noticing the door was slightly cracked open, Fae walked inside to see if the couple was awake. What she saw stopped her in her tracks. Her eyes widened as the realization hit her.

“MISS FAE! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO KNOCK FIRST!” Yuzuki’s voice rang out, her tone both flustered and mortified. A thud could be heard and then what seemed to be crawling.

“Oh gods, oh gods. I can’t believe she saw…” Suzuran’s voice followed, filled with embarrassment. Moments later, their door could be heard slamming shut.

Back downstairs, Nila and Kasumi exchanged confused glances as they overheard the commotion. “What is going on up there,” Nila said, thudding her face against the table once again.

Kasumi’s tail swished as she shrugged, but her ears flattened against her head. “Do you even want to know, nya?”

Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed down the stairs. Fae appeared, her face beet red, her hand clamped over her mouth as if to keep herself from screaming. She walked past Nila and Kasumi without a word, heading straight for the library.

Bursting inside, Fae stammered, “M-Miss Akame… They’ll… be down shortly.”

Akame and Yukari both turned to her, their expressions puzzled. Fae’s embarrassment was so visible it left the two women exchanging confused glances as she fled the room and headed out the front door for fresh air.

“What in the world was that about?” Akame asked, raising an eyebrow at Yukari.

Yukari crossed her legs and leaned back with a sly smile. “I’d bet she walked in on them having sex.”

Akame groaned, pressing her palm to her face. “Just what I needed to deal with this morning…”

Minutes later, Suzuran and Yuzuki descended to the dining hall, their faces flushed as they asked Nila and Kasumi where Fae had gone.

“She went outside in a hurry….” Nila replied, her voice muffled as her face still remained planted on the table.

Kasumi gave the two women a confused look, her ears twitching. “You two look… pale. Everything okay?” she asked before realizing their flushed faces told the entire story. “Oh… I see.”

Pointing toward the library, Kasumi stayed quiet as Suzuran and Yuzuki hurried off, their expressions returning to a semblance of composure.

Entering the library, they found Akame and Yukari sitting at the large table inside.

“You called for us?” Yuzuki asked.

“I did,” Akame replied, her tone serious but laced with excitement. “I have a question for you two.”

Suzuran and Yuzuki exchanged a glance, nodding in silent agreement. “We’re listening,” Suzuran said.

Akame leaned towards them. “Would you two like to participate in the guild duel? Abyss added a two-versus-two match before my fight. I thought you might enjoy taking on their best together.”

Suzuran’s face lit up with excitement. “Seriously?! We get to fight together against Abyss?”

“You would,” Akame confirmed. “I’m guessing they want to show off their strength. But I’m confident you’ll put them in their place.”

Yuzuki’s eyes gleamed with determination. “To hell with them! Suzu and I will absolutely dominate that duel.”

“Alright then,” Akame said, folding the letter after jotting down their names. “You two are officially participating. The duel should be in about a week, so be ready to travel. We’ll be heading to the capital.”

Suzuran and Yuzuki nodded enthusiastically, excitement sparking between them. They made their way back upstairs, the earlier incident forgotten.

Meanwhile, Fae had yet to return to the guild hall, likely still wandering outside to shake off her embarrassment from intruding on Suzuran and Yuzuki having sex.

Later that morning, Kurami burst into the guild hall, a letter in hand and urgency etched on her face. She found Akame and Yukari seated at the dining table, both poring over maps and guild correspondence.

“Akame,” Kurami called out, rushing to their table. “I just received a concerning letter from my family. You need to read this.”

Without hesitation, Akame accepted the letter and scanned its contents. Her calm demeanor shifted as she paced the room, her brows furrowing in thought.

“Who else knows about this, Kurami?” Akame asked, her voice serious.

“Just my family and the members of the tribal council,” Kurami replied.

Akame handed the letter to Yukari, who read through it with equal focus. The letter detailed disturbing reports from the Domain of Tides. Scouts had encountered small groups of lesser undead within the domain’s cave systems over the past month. While undead appearances weren’t unheard of, these creatures were unlike anything seen before—abominations that defied natural logic. Among the reports was a particularly alarming sighting of an undead wyvern. Though it was a smaller one, its intelligence and presence on the surface world raised red flags.

“This has hell’s mark all over it,” Akame murmured, crossing her arms. “We’ll need to consult Kurohime when she returns. I have a feeling she’ll agree.”

“Can we send someone to investigate?” Kurami asked.

Akame rested her hand on her chin in thought. “If we didn’t have the duel to prepare for, I’d suggest we investigate ourselves. For now, I’ll have Fae reach out to the Adventurer’s Guild. They might be able to issue a scouting request to other trusted guilds.”

As if on cue, the front door creaked open.

“That might be Fae now,” Akame said, striding toward the dining hall with Kurami and Yukari following close behind.

Fae stood near the entrance, her hand resting on the doorframe. Behind her was an unfamiliar bunny-folk woman with a confident stance, with an outfit similar to that as a maid.

“Welcome back, Fae,” Akame greeted, her eyes shifting to the newcomer. “I was going to ask something of you, but it seems you’ve brought a guest.”

Fae bowed slightly. “Thank you, Miss Akame. While I was out clearing my head, I ran into this lady. She explained her purpose for being in the village, and I thought you’d want to meet her. This is Miss Luna.”

The woman stepped forward and offered a graceful bow, her attire catching the light.

“Pleasure to meet all of you,” Luna said with a warm smile. She adjusted the edge of her skirt slightly, her movements elegant despite the armor she wore.

“Miss Luna, are you by chance an armored maid?” Akame asked, intrigued.

“I am,” Luna replied. “As I told Miss Fae, I’m a retired adventurer. I’ve been searching for a home where I can offer my services. Unfortunately, work for armored maids seems to be scarce these days, and I’ve run out of funds.”

Luna elaborated on her background. She had been an adventurer for many years and had achieved A-Rank in the adventurer’s guild. However, she had grown weary of the adventuring lifestyle and decided to pursue a career as an armored maid—a role highly revered within her race's culture.

Akame listened intently, impressed by Luna’s experience. “You’re quite accomplished for someone so young,” she remarked.

Luna smiled modestly. “I just follow my passions, Miss Akame. Miss Fae mentioned there might be some temporary work here at your guild while I get back on my feet.”

“We do have two guild maids, Azure and Scarlet, who could use assistance,” Akame said. “I think they’d appreciate your expertise.”

“I’d be happy to help,” Luna said, her ears perking up. “The only thing left is finding a place to stay.”

“We have one room available,” Akame offered. “You’re welcome to it during your stay.”

Luna’s face lit up. “Everyone here is so generous. I’ve experienced nothing but kindness since I arrived.”

Fae exchanged a glance with Akame, her silent gratitude clear.

“Yukari,” Akame said, turning to her, “would you mind showing Luna to her room?”

“Of course,” Yukari said with a playful wink. “Follow me, beautiful.” She led Luna upstairs, their conversation lighthearted as they disappeared into the second floor.

Once alone, Akame handed Kurami’s letter to Fae and allowed her to read it. Fae’s reaction was more pronounced, her surprise and concern evident. After a moment, she composed herself and turned back to Akame and Kurami.

“Fae, can you reach out to the Adventurer’s Guild and see if they can issue a scouting request for other guilds to investigate this?” Akame asked.

“Of course, Miss Akame. I’ll get in touch with them immediately and include this letter as evidence.”

Kurami nodded, agreeing to let the letter accompany the request. With that, portions of the plan were set in motion.

Over the next two days, Luna integrated seamlessly into the guild’s routines. Her expertise and tireless work ethic impressed everyone, especially Scarlet and Azure, who marveled at her skill and efficiency. She quickly took on tasks that often went overlooked, showing Scarlet and Azure new techniques for cleaning and organizing that saved time while achieving better results.

Meals improved significantly as well, with Luna introducing more refined flavors and better presentation. Dinner became a time of shared excitement as guild members eagerly awaited her latest creations. Scarlet and Azure gushed about her endlessly, praising her work ethic and skills.

Beyond chores, Luna even found time to spar with Yuzuki, her skills as a brawler proving unexpectedly formidable. The two spent their downtime exchanging blows in the training area, Luna’s unorthodox style keeping Yuzuki on her toes.

By the third day, it was clear that Luna’s presence brought a sense of renewed energy to the guild hall, leaving everyone quietly hoping she’d decide to stay longer.

The guild was gathered for dinner that evening, with a massive amount of food being prepared, when the front door creaked open slowly. Due to the eeriness of no one coming in immediately, it drew everyone’s attention.

Fae rose from her chair, checking to see who it was. As she opened the door fully, her breath hitched at the sight before her.

Kurohime stood in the doorway, cradling an unconscious Akiko in her arms. Eve stood behind her, leaning against the doorframe for support, Fae could tell she was extremely exhausted.

“Miss Kurohime? What happened?!” Fae exclaimed, her voice filled with worry as she stepped aside to let them in.

Kurohime slowly walked inside, her face weary but composed. Nila, who had been seated nearby, dropped her utensils with a clatter and rushed to Akiko’s side, her panic was visible.

“Akiko!? Oh no, what happened? Miss Kurohime, Is she okay?” Nila’s voice quivered as she checked for a pulse, her hands trembling. “Why is her skin purple? Was she poisoned?”

“She’s stable for now,” Kurohime replied, her voice calm but strained. “Fae, fetch Gelina immediately.”

Fae didn’t hesitate, sprinting outside toward the back of the library where Gelina often worked. Kurohime carried Akiko to the infirmary, gently laying her on a bed. Nila hovered anxiously at her side, tears brimming in her eyes as she clutched Akiko’s hand.

Eve collapsed onto a bed nearby, utterly spent. Her clothes were tattered, and exhaustion radiated from her as she finally allowed herself to rest.

Moments later, Gelina burst into the infirmary, Fae close behind. The sight of Akiko’s condition drew a gasp from her, “Oh gods,” Gelina murmured, her hands glowing with magic as she began examining Akiko. “What happened?”

Kurohime leaned against the infirmary wall, directly across from Akiko. Sliding down until she was seated on the floor, she let out a deep sigh. Bracing herself, she began to explain.

“We ran into an undead rider the night we arrived at the cave,” Kurohime said, tilting her head back against the wall. “Akiko and Eve fought the undead dragon while I took on the undead knight.”

Suzuran and Yuzuki, who had been standing quietly in the doorway, exchanged concerned glances. Nila, seated next to Akiko, felt her throat tighten as tears continued to gather in her eyes.

Kurohime continued, her voice steady. “While Akiko and Eve were fighting the dragon, it released its putrid breath. Akiko was poisoned because she was protecting Eve. She would have died that night if we hadn’t received help.”

“Help? From who?” Yukari asked, stepping into the room from the shadows.

“A dark elf,” Kurohime replied. “She gave us an antidote that saved Akiko’s life. Looks like she was also hunting that undead rider.” Kurohime’s usually firm expression softened briefly, showing a crack in her emotions. “I’m just glad we didn’t lose her.”

Gelina finished her examination, her hands glowing faintly from the healing magic she had been using. She was cautious to not use her own slime, so she wouldn’t end up getting the toxin’s into her own body. With a small sigh of relief, she turned to the group. “She’s not in any immediate danger, but her body is still fighting off the remnants of the poison. It could be another day or so before she wakes up, though there’s a chance she could regain consciousness sooner.”

Nila grasped Gelina’s arm tightly, her voice trembling with desperation. “Do you mind if I look after her?”

Gelina smiled gently. “Of course. It’s safe to move her to her room now, but you’ll need to be patient with her recovery.”

Kurohime stood and walked to Akiko’s bedside, her movements were gentle. “Come on, Nila. Let’s take her upstairs together.”

Still clutching Akiko’s hand, Nila followed closely as Kurohime carefully lifted Akiko into her arms. The two made their way upstairs and to Akiko’s room, where they laid her down gently on the bed. Nila tucked her under the covers keeping a watchful eye.

“She’s under your protection now, Nila.” Kurohime said, giving her a small but reassuring smile as she patted her head.

As Kurohime turned to leave, she noticed two figures standing just outside the door: Azure and a new face. Kurohime waved for them to follow her down the stairs so they could talk.

“I haven’t seen you around before.” Kurohime purred. “Azure, who is this lovely lady?”

“This is Luna,” Azure replied, her voice brimming with excitement. “She’s helping the guild while saving up some money to continue traveling. She’s been working with Scarlet and me.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kurohime,” Luna said, bowing slightly and extending her hand to shake Kurohime’s.

Kurohime took Luna’s hand, but instead of shaking it, she brought it to her lips, placing a soft kiss on the back of it. “The pleasure is mine.”

Luna’s cheeks flushed momentarily, though she quickly composed herself.

Azure cleared her throat loudly and rolled her eyes, interrupting the exchange. “Miss Akame has instructed that Luna assist in watching over Akiko.”

“Thank you, Luna,” Kurohime said with genuine appreciation. “Please take good care of our little fox.”

Luna nodded respectfully. As Kurohime excused herself, heading further downstairs to speak with Akame and Yukari, Luna went back upstairs and stepped into Akiko’s room. She observed Nila, who was seated beside Akiko, holding her hand tightly, her eyes fixed on her unconscious face.

“Miss Nila,” Luna said softly, “if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call for me.”

“Thank you, Luna. For now, I’ll stay here and take care of her,” Nila replied, her focus unwavering as she watched Akiko’s steady breathing.

Luna gave a small bow and left the room, heading downstairs to check on Eve. Back in the room, Nila focused on Akiko in silence. Minutes dragged into hours as she sat by Akiko’s side, her hand never letting go. Each time Luna or Azure entered to check Akiko’s bandages or adjust her pillows, Nila remained quiet.

By evening, the sun’s fading light filled the room with a warm, amber glow before giving way to darkness. The candles in Akiko’s room lighting on their own from the fire runes they were placed on.

Nila gently squeezed Akiko’s hand, her voice breaking the silence. “Akiko… I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come back alive.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “The thought of losing someone I’ve started to fall in love with… It hurts.”

As she buried her face into her arm, gripping Akiko’s hand tightly, a faint groan interrupted her sorrow. Nila’s ears perked up as she looked up in hope. Akiko’s hand weakly squeezed back, and her eyelids fluttered open. Their eyes met.

“Akiko?!” Nila gasped, her tail wagging uncontrollably as she brought Akiko’s hand to her face.

Akiko’s voice was groggy and weak, her lips curling into a small smile. “Are you… an angel? You’re so beautiful…” she murmured, her words slurred.

Nila blushed deeply, flustered by the unexpected compliment. “A-An angel? Akiko, you’re just waking up from a coma. You need to rest.”

Before she could continue, Akiko pulled Nila closer, pressing a soft, passionate kiss to her lips. Nila’s eyes widened in shock, but the warmth and tenderness of the kiss melted her hesitation. When Akiko finally pulled away, her gaze was soft and filled with emotion.

“I’m glad the angel I woke up to… was the girl I’ve fallen for,” Akiko said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nila’s heart raced, her cheeks still flushed. “Akiko… I’m so happy you made it back. I don’t know what I’d have done if—”

Akiko silenced her with a finger to her lips. “It’s okay, Nila. I felt the same. When I thought I was dying, I wished to at least say goodbye to you. But I’m glad I survived… so I could tell you in person that… I love you.”

Nila’s tears flowed freely as she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Akiko in a gentle hug. “I love you too,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Akiko smiled faintly, her strength waning. “I wish I could stay awake longer… but I’m so tired. I hope you don’t mind if I go back to sleep.”

“Rest, I’ll be right here beside you, I’m not leaving your side,” Nila said, climbing into bed and curling up next to her, her arms wrapped around Akiko ever so gently.

Outside the room, Luna had been quietly watching, a gentle smile on her face. She set down fresh bandages and clean clothes by the door before walking away, leaving the two in peace.

Back downstairs in the library, Kurohime lay sprawled on the sofa, her arm draped over her eyes as she waited for Akame and Yukari to return. The exhaustion of the past few days weighed heavily on her.

Yukari entered first, settling into a chair across from Kurohime. Crossing her legs gracefully, she leaned forward. “Eve’s doing fine,” she said. “She was just exhausted and a bit banged up from the fight, but nothing that won’t heal with rest.”

“Good,” Kurohime replied, her voice soft. She moved her arm slightly, peering at Yukari. “She and Akiko held their own despite everything. I was impressed.”

Moments later, Akame entered the room, carrying herself with her usual calm authority. She pulled a chair close to them, her expression serious. “Sorry for the delay,” she began, sitting down. “I was speaking with Kurami about getting more information from her family.”

“More information? About what?” Kurohime asked, shifting to sit upright.

Akame leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. “I’m wondering if what happened to you three is connected to the undead activity reported near the Domain of Tides.”

Kurohime’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying there was another rider spotted there?”

“Not a rider,” Akame clarified. “But there have been sightings of unusual undead—nothing like what’s typically associated with liches or necromancers. According to the letter Kurami gave us, some of them look almost… demonic in nature.”

Kurohime’s face paled noticeably, as if she’d seen a ghost. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the sofa.

“Kurohime,” Akame said gently, “the last time we saw undead or demonic entities like this on the surface was during the Hell Skirmishes, wasn’t it?”

Kurohime nodded slowly. “Yes… That’s the only comparison I can think of. Which means we’re either facing another event like that or something else entirely. Something we haven’t uncovered yet.”

The Hell Skirmishes were a dark chapter in Valralor’s history, an event over one hundred and fifty years ago. Despite the Demon King’s strict laws forbidding invasions of the surface world, the Kingdom of Fellspire had defied these laws, launching an offensive onto the surface world. Their goal had been to conquer and expand their lands beyond Hell, carving out a domain on the surface.

The devastation had been swift and brutal. Entire villages and towns were wiped out, and Fellspire’s forces began establishing settlements. But the kingdoms of Valralor quickly united, delivering a powerful counterstrike that pushed the invaders back into Hell. The conflict lasted barely a month, but the loss of life was catastrophic, leaving scars on the surface world that had yet to fully heal.

For those living on the surface, the most horrifying aspect of the skirmishes wasn’t just the demons—it was the undead monstrosities. Some were grotesque abominations, pieced together from the bodies of their victims. Others mimicked innocence, disguising themselves as harmless animals or children, only to reveal horrifying, nightmarish forms that tore anything apart limb by limb.

Few among the shorter-lived races remembered the skirmishes firsthand, but for the elves, dwarves, and other long-lived races, the memories still haunted them.

Breaking the heavy silence, Yukari leaned forward. “Aside from the rider, did you find anything else at the cave? Was the mirror still active?”

Kurohime sighed, resting her chin on her hands. “The portal was closed, but the mirror itself was shattered. I have no idea how or when it broke.”

“And the undead?” Akame asked.

“Both the dragon and the knight had control crystals embedded in them,” Kurohime replied, her tone grave.

“Control crystals?” Akame’s expression changed to that of concern. “What are those?”

“They’re ancient devices,” Kurohime explained. “Some of the older kingdoms in Hell used them to control primal demons or other chaotic entities. If implanted, the crystals bend the creatures to the user’s will, creating an army of controlled soldiers. They could even be controlled directly by the user as an extension of their own abilities.”

“Do you know who might have been controlling them?” Yukari asked, intrigued by this new information.

Kurohime shook her head. “I don’t know for sure, but it has to be either a kingdom in Hell or a rogue faction.”

“What makes you think that?” Akame pressed.

“I felt a distinct aura near the portal and on the undead themselves,” Kurohime said. “That kind of energy doesn’t come from the surface.”

Before she could continue, a voice interrupted from the doorway. “It’s from Carrion Coven. More than likely, my father is responsible.”

All eyes turned to see Morye standing there. She looked fragile, her usual confidence replaced with despair. Her shoulders were slumped, her eyes red probably from crying. It was the first time anyone had seen her leave the small house she’d been given, where she had kept to herself in the days since learning of Ignis’ actions.

“Morye!” Kurohime shot to her feet, concern written across her face as she hurried to her side.

Morye’s voice trembled as she looked at Kurohime. “Were the control crystals black and dark green?” she asked, her tone desperate.

Kurohime hesitated, not wanting to confirm the truth, but she finally nodded. “They were.”

Morye’s knees buckled as she collapsed to the floor, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Why… Why is he doing this?” she sobbed.

Kurohime knelt beside her, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. “I don’t know, Morye, but we’ll find out. And when we do, we’ll stop him.”

Morye’s sorrow twisted into anger. She looked up, her face contorted with raw hatred. “I need to be there when you fight him. I need to kill him with my own hands.”

Kurohime’s eyes softened, but her voice was resolute. “We’ll deal with him together. I promise.”

“Morye,” Akame said softly, her calm voice cutting through the tension. “When the time comes, you’ll be on the front lines with us. That’s my promise.”

Morye’s breathing steadied, though her eyes still burned with rage. “Thank you, Akame. I want to see him take his final breath, after everything he has done to me and my mother.”

“I understand,” Akame said. “For now, rest. We’ll uncover the full truth soon enough.”

Morye nodded faintly. “I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but I had to know after hearing about what happened to Kurohime and the others.”

Akame placed a reassuring hand on Morye’s shoulder. “We’ve already begun making preparations. Fae is coordinating with the Adventurer’s Guild to investigate the Domain of Tides. Once the duel with Abyss is settled, we’ll focus all our efforts on this.”

Kurohime escorted Morye back to her house, walking slowly to give her time to compose herself. Akame followed behind, her eyes fixed on the bright moon overhead.

“Why do I have a feeling this is somehow connected to the other Harbingers?” Akame murmured to herself, the night’s silence amplifying the weight of her thoughts.