The first rays of dawn pierced the dense canopy, scattering golden light across the forest floor. Birds chirped tentatively, as if unsure whether the chaos of last night had truly passed. But above the forest, a presence radiated an aura so intense that even the morning sun seemed to falter.
Akame — now a fully awakened devil — stood at the edge of the clearing, her wings stretching wide, the crimson membrane shimmering in the morning light. Her tail flicked instinctively, balancing her as her eyes scanned the surrounding area.
"How does it feel to wield the power of a devil?" Arashi asked, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority.
Akame's fists clenched, and a shiver ran through her entire body. "It feels… incredible!" Her voice was steady, but excitement bubbled beneath it. She flexed her fingers experimentally, feeling the surge of strength pulse through her veins. "I feel… unstoppable. Like I could take on anyone, anywhere, and still come out ahead."
Arashi smiled faintly, his crimson eyes reflecting pride and calculation. "That's just the beginning. Magic power has been fully integrated into your body now. Everything you do, every movement, will be amplified. You're no longer limited by the human body — you are my peerage, Akame, my strongest dependent."
He handed her a leather-bound magic book, its cover etched with intricate runes that seemed to shimmer and shift under the sunlight.
"This is for you," he said. "It contains techniques for controlling and enhancing your devil power. Study it, and you will unlock new abilities faster than any ordinary warrior."
Akame accepted it with a nod, her tail flicking in excitement. "Thank you, Master. I won't waste it."
Arashi's gaze softened for a brief moment as he looked at her. Being a seasoned assassin had given Akame unparalleled reflexes and perception, but now, with the infusion of devil power, her potential had exploded exponentially. To him, she was no longer just a follower — she was a force capable of reshaping the very world around her.
"Are you ready for the next step?" he asked, stepping closer, his wings folding slightly behind him.
Akame nodded firmly. "Master, what do we do next?"
Arashi's lips curved into a faint smile. "First, we need to take control of the empire. The so-called revolutionary army is rotten to the core. Their promises of freedom and justice are lies. If we wish to rebuild a country where people live safely and in peace, we cannot rely on them."
Najenda and Leone, who had been silently observing from the shadows, exchanged uneasy glances. Their expressions were a mixture of admiration and apprehension. The devil before them, Arashi, was unlike anything they had ever seen — calculating, powerful, and terrifyingly direct in his methods.
"Take control of the empire… directly?" Leone muttered under her breath, his voice laced with disbelief. "You mean… right now?"
Arashi's gaze shifted toward the distant imperial palace, the seat of power that had oppressed the people for generations. "Yes. There is no time for hesitation. The empire's leaders have failed the people, and hesitation only strengthens the corruption. Akame, you will lead. Strike precisely, strike efficiently, and strike without hesitation."
Akame's crimson wings unfurled fully as she prepared herself. The Murasame, her trusted demon sword, glimmered faintly, responding to her will as if eager to taste the blood of her enemies. "Understood, Master. I will not fail."
With a single powerful leap, she launched herself forward, her movements a blur to anyone watching. Her wings propelled her effortlessly through the air, her tail maintaining perfect balance as her sword danced in lethal arcs. Soldiers tried to intercept, but her speed was unmatched. Each swing of Murasame cleaved through armor, bone, and flesh with precision, leaving only silence and chaos in her wake.
Najenda and Leone followed closely, their own abilities amplified by the confidence and aura of their devil companions. Though they could not match Akame's raw speed, they provided support and covered blind spots, ensuring no enemy could flank their lead.
The soldiers of the palace, trained elites of the empire, were no match for a fully awakened devil. Every movement Akame made was fluid, efficient, and terrifyingly beautiful. Her wings cut through the air with a whisper of power, her tail snapping with deadly precision.
From above, Arashi watched the battlefield with a calm, almost clinical gaze. His heart swelled slightly at the sight of Akame in action — the same assassin who had once been a mere human, now a devil capable of reshaping the world with her sword.
"You're adapting quickly," he said softly. "Remember, all you need is control, not overkill. A single wound is enough to disable a foe. Efficiency is the key to victory."
Akame nodded, absorbing his guidance mid-motion. Even as her sword danced through the air, she mentally cataloged every strike, every movement, analyzing and adjusting. She could feel her body changing, evolving in real-time, growing stronger with each passing second.
The palace defenders fell one by one, unable to comprehend the combination of speed, strength, and precision that Akame now embodied. Yet despite the carnage, she moved with purpose, her eyes fixed on her ultimate goal. The bloodshed was not for pleasure — it was a step toward a greater vision.
Najenda, observing from the rear, whispered in awe, "This… this is what it means to wield the power of a devil."
Leone nodded silently, his own respect and fear mingling. "It's not just strength. It's control, precision, and absolute dominance. We're witnessing a transformation unlike any other."
As Akame's blade cut through the last line of soldiers, the clearing fell silent once more. The faint scent of blood hung in the air, mixed with the electric charge of newly awakened devil power.
She landed gracefully, wings folding behind her, Murasame gleaming faintly in the morning light. She looked back at Arashi, her eyes shining with determination and newfound confidence.
"Master," she said softly, her voice steady, "the empire's defenses are breached. What is the next step?"
Arashi's crimson eyes met hers, a spark of pride and calculation in their depths. "Now, Akame, we shape the world. The empire's corruption ends here, and a new order begins — one that answers to no one but us."
Akame's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then let us begin, Master. Together, we will carve a path for a better world."
And with that, the first rays of sunlight reflected off her crimson wings and Murasame, signaling the dawn of a new era — the era of the devil's will.