Chapter 10: Kill the Temptation

1.3K 24 64
                                    

3rd Person POV

Imperial Capital

"And so...." Esdeath stated, her blue eyes flashing with dark excitement as she stood before the rest of the Jaegers. James stood to the side, an icy knife floating just below the base of his neck as he leaned against the wall, the shadows of his hat covering his eyes. "These young men will be our new backup members."

This ain't good in any level of Hell, James thought, eyes narrowed as Esdeath stepped aside, presenting a chained-up Tatsumi sitting on a chair, the collar still locked around his neck.

It had been several hours since the assassins' capture, and both had been brought to the main Capital where the Jaegers resided. Upon their arrival, Esdeath had set the chained Tatsumi in a chair while she went to fetch the rest of the Jaegers.

James would have tried to help him, but Esdeath had made... certain, that he was unable to assist Tatsumi in escaping.

"Uh, Captain?" Bols asked, scratching the back of his head as he, Run, Stylish, Kurome and Wave stood before Esdeath, the two assassins behind her. "You just brought random civilians to the palace? Wouldn't that be a security risk?"

"He'll have everything he could ever want in here... he'll never want to leave this place," Esdeath explained, reaching out to caress Tatsumi's cheek, much to his disgust.

Funny how most readers would give anything to be in his place, James thought, and his memories flashed to what he knew about the Jaegers. Seven, not counting Esdeath... so where're the others?

"Therefore, not only is he a part of our reserves," Esdeath went on, pulling away and gesturing to Tatsumi. "Tatsumi here is also going to be my lover."

"Hey, General, not that I'm questioning your... excellent judgment," James spoke up, getting the group's attention. They turned and found James relaxing comfortably against the wall without a care in the world, acting as though the knife held against his neck was no more important than a fly. "But if he were your lover, then why's he got a collar round his neck, eh?"

"He's got a point," Wave agreed, scratching the back of his head as he glanced at James curiously. "It kinda makes him look like a pet, General."

"Because I like him," Esdeath replied, shrugging. "I didn't want him to run off, so I slapped it on without thinking."

Everyone sweatdropped, and James facepalmed. Great... the bloody General's a yandere, an excellent fighter... and she doesn't know the first thing about love.

"Um, if you want a lover and not a pet, you might want to take that collar off, Captain," Run suggested.

Esdeath sighed. "Very well." Walking over, she unlatched the collar from Tatsumi's neck. "I'm sorry about doing that to you, my dear. I hope I—"

Whatever she was going to say was cut short as the doors flew open, and Fury and Seryu burst through, Koro at their heels.

"Sorry we're late, General!" Seryu apologized, saluting as Fury panted, hands on his knees. "Fury got lost in the palace on the way back from the arena."

"I knew I should've mapped it before I left," Fury grumbled as Koro jumped on his head.

As Seryu giggled, James's eyes widened in shock while Tatsumi's eyes narrowed in anger. That's her... she's the one who put Sheele in a coma! His fist clenched, but he managed to restrain himself... barely.

You'll also like

          

Likewise, James was barely stopping himself from summoning Concisura, but, thanks to considerable effort comparable to bearing the neural load of a Jaeger, he restrained himself. As he did so, he noticed that the Kaiju signature that he had been picking up from Seryu had intensified... along with the one from Fury.

But Leone said that he smelled like I do, James thought in confusion. Then how can he...?

"James?" Seryu asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Eyes wide, everyone turned to her in surprise. "You know him?" Wave asked.

"Yeah, I met him a while ago in the market," Seryu explained, and smiled happily. "James, you won't believe it, but I'm a part of the Jaegers now!" she said proudly.

"Er, yeah," James said, burying his unease with a smile. "I heard."

"Why's he got a knife at his neck?" Fury asked curiously.

"It is simply a precaution," Esdeath explained calmly. "After all, I can't have him attacking me again, can I?"

"Oh... that makes sense," Fury admitted, scratching the back of his head as he glanced at James again. There it was again, that strange feeling pulling at the back of his mind. It was like the Hivemind... but different.

"To be fair, you were taking my brother to who knows where," James pointed out.

"Hmm..." Esdeath examined him for a long moment. "Very well." She waved a hand, and the dagger dissolved, fading away to nothingness. "However, should you attack me again..."

"Got it," James affirmed, dusting off the shoulder of his jacket. "I become a popsicle."

"Is that like Ice Cream?" Fury asked Seryu, who shrugged.

"It's a bit more solid, mate," James replied, pinching his fingers together before nodding toward Tatsumi. "So, you gonna let my brother go, or...?"

"Wait, you never told me you had a brother!" Seryu protested.

James's eye twitched. "We only knew each other for thirty minutes."

"...touché," Seryu mumbled, and Koro barked, jumping into her arms as Fury laughed.

"As touching as this moment is...." Esdeath said, watching the proceedings in amusement. "To answer your question, James, he will only be released when I feel he will not attempt to flee."

"And let me guess; no idea why he would, Sheila?" James asked, crossing his arms.

Before Esdeath could respond/kill him, Fury stepped in, deciding to help out like Seryu did for him. "I'm Fury, by the way," he introduced, holding out a hand. It wasn't the most subtle approach, but it did its job, causing the room's temperature to rise once more as Esdeath relaxed.

Not exactly subtle, but I can't say I am either, James thought and held out a hand. "James." The two shook hands, and as they did so, a rapid blur of memories surged between them.

"Pilots of unregistered Jaeger," the blue one called, its voice booming over the city as Obsidian Fury emerged from the Gulf of Sydney, each footstep cracking the pavement as the Jaeger looked around, curious at his surroundings. "Power down and exit your comm-pod immediately."

What? Confusion went through his mind, but before he could process it, Obsidian Fury felt himself advancing, disregarding the order.

"I repeat, power down and exit your comm-pod n—"

Akame Ga Kill: UprisingWhere stories live. Discover now