User blog:MrSolomon/Solomon's Tale Act 4; Return of the Enforcers

Screw it, I guess I'll just try and work on two fics. One with help and the other solo.

The Story So Far
Solomon, a young mercanary had his life changed as he became a Seeker of Truth. After the fall of Promestein and the disbanding of the Seekers, Solomon agreed to fix the errors and aid in coexistance. However, he was captured and used to activate Tyrannea, a Next Doll chimera designed to kill the former eight Monster Lord Black Alice. After Tyrannea's defeat, Solomon is now living in a new, peaceful world aiding the Monster Lord when needed.

Prologue: An Interrogation.
I had walked into the dungeons of the Monster Lord's castle. Holding my gun-like staff, I approached a cell with a single prisoner. She was a succubus, blue skin and red hair. She wore a red labcoat and scrubs. The Succubus, chained to the wall by her arms and legs shackled down, looked up at me with a frustrated look.

"Why if it isn't Solomon.." she said. "To what do I owe the displeasure?"

"Well Akame," I said calmly. "Just trying to have a nice casual conversation, one researcher to another, on the location of your lab."

Akame smirked; "Then you might as well leave, my lab is concealed quite well and I'll never talk."

I shook my head in disappointment. "You know, Promestein had me do this sort of interrogation before," I said and looked at my gunstaff. "Thankfully a sly fox allowed me the use of my old methods." I charged electricity in my gun-staff. "But I'm supposed to be a changed man and not resorting to my old Seeker of Truth ways." I then pointed my gun-staff at Akame.

Akame merely laughed. "Ah Solomon, I actually prefer you like that." she said. "The 'Enforcer of Truth' should only care for their mission and their superiors. Your title is one many Seekers would wish they could be. Being the fangs and eyes of Truth." She then looked towards the ceiling. "I will tell you this;" Akame then looked back at me. "Tyrannea was not my only plan... I had a rather big back-up plan, but I'll never tell you."

I was ready to shock Akame into talking, but I was interrupted by a telepathic communication to me only;

"Solomon, it's Alice. Please come to the main hall, The Heavenly Knights need to discuss something with you."

I backed from Akame's cell and sighed. "Next time I won't be so hesistant, be ready to talk when I return." I told her.

"Take your time then," Akame said. "I won't be ready to talk for some time."

Chapter 1: Strange Sightings; Multiple Solomons?
As I arrived at the main hall, all four Heavenly Knights and Shadow stood there. "Hello everyone, what am I needed for?" I calmly asked. It's been a few months now so I'm not afraid anymore.

Tamamo then approached me and examined me, also occasionally sniffing around me. "No, it wasn't him.." she said looking concerned.

Shadow then stared at me, like always it's difficult to get a read on what he's thinking. "I was unsure, but he's definitely not like the one I saw at all."

"What's going on?" I asked, quite confused on why I'm being examined.

"Well Solomon," Tamamo began explaining; "recently there have been sightings. Figures, similar to you in appearance, have been spotted across the world. I had saw one in Yamatai, but they left as quickly as they appeared. But Shadow, not too long afterwards saw another not too far from the village."

"You mean there's impersonators?" I asked. "What are they doing exactly?"

"They have been either moving and gathering supplies or assaulting various areas." Erubetie then spoke up. "We knew it wasn't you planning this, but we had to be sure."

"They all were spotted with different types of weaponry." Granberia stated. "But all were donned in a black coat with strange devices on their person. Just like you..."

"Well whether or not it's really me, we still have to stop them." I said. "Where was the last sighting?"

"He's competing at Grand Noah Coloseum this afternoon apparently Solo-boy." Said Alma Elma with a giggle. "I was gonna head there myself, feel free to watch and look for him."

I sighed at Alma Elma's referring to me as "boy" at first, but I knew this would be perfect. "Fine Alma Elma, I'll join as well. I have questions for these imposters." I said.

Alma Elma suddenly looked a little worried, which was unlike her. "Oh are you?" she said. "I didn't think you'd be actually joining..."

I raised an eyebrow at the Succubus Queen. "Why is that?" I asked. "You and I have fought in the Coloseum a few times now."

"Oh I didn't forget that." Alma Elma said. "I just....kinda sorta... accidentally convinced a friend of yours..." before she could finish, Tamamo cut her off;

"She told your girlfriend Lucia about you fighting in the Coloseum when she last visited you... so Lucia wanted to try it out."

"She what?!" I said and teleported to Grand Noah immediately.

"Solo-boy wait!" Alma Elma said and soon followed. We both arrived outside Grand Noah Coloseum.

When we both arrived outside the Coloseum we focused on finding the imposter and registered first.

"Welcome back Solomon!" the guard had said. "Good luck out there!"

"Thanks. By the way, has a Lucia registered at all?" I asked.

"Sorry Solomon, Coloseum rules." He said mentioning the rule of no spoilers on my opponents. Also my gun-staff was forbidden, but it was technically fair.

"Well, just hope you fight her first?" Alma Elma said giggling.

"How long has she been coming here?" I asked. "I would've saw her if it was a while."

"It's my second time I swear!" Lucia had said rushing up to me. I merely stared at Lucia as I doubted that. "Okay...third." She then admitted. "Please don't be jealous Solomon."

"Yea lighten up Solo-boy." Alma Elma then said. "She's quite the crowd-favorite out there."

I merely sighed. "Alright as long as nothing crazy happened like you and Alma having sex." I said and looked back at the two, who were whistling innocently. "Seriously?!"

Lucia then smiled. "It's so much fun though!" she said. "So you two are registering?"

"Indeed." I said. "Be on the lookout for a look-a-like to myself, he and some other impersonators have been pulling crimes." I told Lucia about the sightings. "Also..." I then said. "Don't over-do it with the men out there..."

Alma Elma smiled. "Oh is Solo-boy jealous??" she said. "That's so cute!"

Lucia then hugged me. "Fine. Let's go, the sign-ups have ended."

I went to my waiting room. I kept a communicator with Lucia ready in case she might be fighting him. Soon my matches went by. The usuals since the fall of Ilias; Dedicated human warriors, a few tough monsters, some chimeras and even an angel or two, but no look-a-like. Soon it was the Semi-Finals, Lucia and Alma Elma went against each other first. My match then began I walked onto the area, and my opponent faced me. Like they said, he looked like me, but his weapon and outfit had differences. I knew this would be tough.

"Well now, my opponent is...sporting similar wear??" the man had said. "Oh! He must be the current." He then prepped his weapons. He was similar height with short, dark-purple hair and eyes. He wore my outfit but used a twin pair of katars. His back-claws where back-mounted blade arms instead.

"Current?" I asked. "Who are you?"

The man smiled and took a bow. "Daniel's the name." he said. "And I was hoping to take care of a Heavenly Knight today."

"Well, I'm Solomon." I responded. "And what are you and those others doing?"

"I won't talk, no time for questions anyways! Let's go!" He said and soon rushed at me.

Chapter 2: Enforcer vs. Enforcer?
I dodged his attack and tried to strike back only to get blocked by his back-blade. He quickly turned and alternated attacks with both his own weapons and the back-blades themselves. I managed to dodge and block however the repeated attacks from multiple angles forced me back.

"You're quite skilled." Daniel said.

"And your control is quite amazing." I said, admiring the technology as I exposed my back-claws. "They're similar to mine, however yours has amazing movement and speed."

The crowd was excited to see two skilled combatants facing each other. Despite him being my enemy, this was quite fun.

"That's not all!" He said. He was quite confident and energetic. "Come Wind!" He shouted. I suddenly felt wind empowering him. He attempted to rush me at an immense speed. He landed two direct hits and forced me back.

"How'd you acquire an artificial spirit?" I asked.

"That's a secret." He said.

"Well it seems you're quite the threat." I said. "But there's a thing you've forgotten... come Gnomaren!" I said and was empowered by earth.

"You won't be blocking my attacks now!" He shouted and tried rushing me again. He landed a direct hit but was shocked to find I was hardly phased by the lack of damage it had. I then grabbed him with my back-claw.

"You're not smart to know potential counter-measures." I said and slammed him into the ground.

"Gah...But I can escape easily." He responded and then used his back-blades to shove me off. He quickly stood and prepped his blades. "I will no longer hold back. Prepare yourself!" He said as I felt a powerful aura around the back-blades and katars.

Whatever he was charging, could be potentially lethal. I had to dodge it, "Zylphe." I said as Wind power now replaced Earth. I stood in a defensive stance, ready to dodge.

"Take this!" He shouted and as soon as he was about to step forward to rush at me, I knew to dodge immediately. He then dashed across the arena at break-neck speed, leaving a long fissure-like scar in the ground. "Woah, you managed to dodge? I thought you'd be too slow....wait Wind power too?"

I stood and looked at the mark on the ground. That would have cut me clean in half. "That was close." I said. "This is an official match, that could've killed me!"

"I'm on a mission, tasked to execute any who get in my way." He shouted. "The others were smart to surrender."

"Well I'm not giving up." I said and got into stance. "Wing Dash Blade!" I shouted and rushed Daniel with six swift strikes.

Daniel grunted in pain as he took the attack. He jumped back, panting. "Low on energy... she told me not to overdo it." He said. "I gotta finish this quick." Alright Solomon! Try and dodge this! "He then used Zylphe's power with his back blades to spin into a bladed wheel. "Death Cyclone!" He shouted and rushed at me, spinning in high velocity.

"Gnomaren!" I quickly shouted and grabbed his blades while blocking them with my blade as well. He slowly pushed me back as I tried holding him back. I then stopped and lifted him up before throwing him into the arena wall. Daniel winced as I approached him and held my blade up to him.

"My loss..." he said. "I see Promestein kept our legacy stronger than ever."

"Promestein?" I asked. "Is that who sent you?"

"Promestein recruited me at first... but today, another has requested my services." He said. Soon his body began to fade.

"You're fading!" I shouted out. "What's going on?"

"My time back on Earth is done..." he said. "It was good being alive again. This placed changed so much since 150 years ago...

"Wait... you're from the past?" I asked.

"No... I was revived." He answered. "And so were the others..." he had faded away completely. Soon a loud bang was heard causing the audience to flee. Lucia then entered the arena.

"Solomon!" She said. "Alma Elma found three more of those copycats! She could use your help."

"I just fought one myself..." I said. "They're not imposters...they're...powerful zombies."

"Well whatever they are, they're attacking Grand Noah! Let's go!" she said. I nodded and followed her.

We headed out the arena into town square. The area was chaos, human civilians were retreating. The city guard was told to fall back by Alma Elma, who was at the center.

"Alma Elma!" I shouted as I stood beside her.

"Ah, Solo-boy, you took care of the other one?" She asked.

"I did, they're all undead it seems." I told her.

"I see, Tamamo has informed me that another assaulted the Monster Lords castle and rescued Akame." She said.

I then realized that these 'Enforcers.' were the plan Akame was talking about. And now they've retrieved their leader.

"Precisely. And despite our fellow Enforcer's defeat we shall not be stopped by any Heavenly Knight or Hero." A male voice said and soon on the roof of a building was another man, dressed as myself. Soon two other figures, one male and one female, joined him. "Our Master, will have her revenge, and none shall stop her." He had said. "Consider Grand Noah a warning, Akame will soon rule this world with an army of infinite strength!" He said before the other male shot an arrow from his bow, releasing a thick layer of smoke to blind our vision. As Alma Elma used wind to clear it, we found that they have escaped.

"They're gone..." I said scanning around the area. "We have to go back to the Monster Lord's palace, there has to be a way to track them."

"Whatever technology they had, seemed to have been enhanced." Lucia said. "Some of their tech seemed out-dated with upgrades and modifications based on your design."

"One thing's for sure, Promestein didn't send them if they attacked you Solo-boy." Alma Elma said. "Besides, she's dead anyways."

"True..." I said, knowing that was wrong. I still haven't told Alice and the others about Promestein. "And Akame was never a Seeker. We have to head back, I might be able to track them at the lab there."

We soon all warped back to Hellgondo. As only the path to the dungeons was ravaged by the assault, we decided to head to the Main hall to meet with the other Heavenly Knights.

Chapter 3: Seeking Answers; The Legacy of the Enforcers.
As we entered the main hall, we met with the other Heavenly Knights. None of them were hurt, nor were any attempts to attack the Monster Lord made.

"So Akame escaped?" I asked.

"One of those fakers snuck into the castle." Erubetie said. "We didn't know of her presence until she was already in the dungeons. She had been empowered by artificial spirits and her body seemed modified."

"We also know that these suspicious figures are undead it seems." Tamamo said. "All seemed to once have ties to Promestein."

"I fought and defeated one of them," I said. "He said he lived 150 years ago, and that like me, they were originally recruited by Promestein, but now serve Akame. That one I fought burned out his energy supplies and died out."

"Can you track them?" Granberia asked. "We've confirm that there are five of them remaining."

"I could possibly track them." I said. "But one thing's for certain, I need to find out more about them."

"Well no archives of them existed in those data disks." Tamamo responded.

"And unless Promestein herself was alive, we wouldn't be able to learn more." Lucia said.

"Except she perished. I witnessed her demise." Shadow said bluntly.

"That White Rabbit destroyed her according to Luka and Alice." I said nervously. "Well... unless... her weaker angelic body regenerated in a... smaller form."

Tamamo, Shadow, and Lucia all glared at me. They knew full well what I meant.

"You idiot." Shadow muttered.

"As much as we need him, he's honestly pushing his luck keeping that a secret from us." Tamamo said. "Take us to her immediately Solomon."

"I don't care if we're dating how dare you keep that a secret from me." Lucia said.

I gulped as Tamamo, Shadow and Lucia followed me to Enrika. We appeared outside Promestein's house.

"I see, so Micaela was keeping her in line." Tamamo said. "Better than her unsupervised."

I knocked on the door. "Promestein? It's me, Solomon."

Promestein looked through the window, saw Tamamo, Shadow and Lucia and opened the door slowly. "You dense idiot." she said. "I specifically said, come alone when you visit."

"I know, but this is urgent." I said. "La Croix's cousin, Akame, revived these supposed Enforcers. They all look like me somewhat."

Promestein's eyes widened. "No..." She immediately let us in her home. As we settled in, Promestein looked at me. "I was hoping La Croix never discovered their locations... but it seems another Artiste found a dangerous secret."

"Who are they? And why is their revival such a threat?" Lucia asked.

Promestein pointed at me. "They're all essentially what Solomon was;" she said. "Seekers of Truth evolved into powerful soldiers. The title; 'Enforcer of Truth' was never an original title, it's been held by my strongest, human soldier since the founding of the Seekers of Truth... nearly 500 years ago."

"500 years?" I asked. "You mean after Ilias recruited you for her grandmaster plan?"

"Indeed." Promestein said. "After Ilias saved Black Alice, she then set me free to aid them. I then worked in the shadows on Earth, recruiting Truth Seekers along the way. Among them were powerful soldiers, Solomon is the seventh Enforcer of Truth. Akame Artiste knew I always trusted and had the most faith in humanity. So she knew to stalk Solomon for Hyde as well as look into the other Enforcers."

"She salvaged some data disks that neither me nor Tamamo could find." I said. "But I know they're not invincible, I managed to defeat one of them. Named Daniel."

"Ah, I remember them all." Promestein said reminiscing of the past. "Daniel was always very bold and confident, and a bit obnoxious around beautiful women."

"Not very bright to send him after Alma Elma then." I said. "But like me, you shared some sort of bond with them I assumed."

"Indeed, all of them have served me and it shamed me when they never returned. It seems Akame did not know who they were in their past lives. All, rather almost all of them, died in battle serving me..." Promestein said. "One of them, the one I'm truly concerned of, was a traitor and had to be hunted down."

"Well enough focusing on the past, we need to stop them." Tamamo said. "Do you know how to track them?"

"Of course." Promestein Answered. "However I'd need a lab, and it seems my current Enforcer has helped you with the one you've provided him."

"You will be under constant supervision you know." Tamamo said.

"I'm sure she knows the risks given her studies in me." Shadow muttered.

"And you're to only use their labs to track them." Lucia said. "Solomon be sure she doesn't do anything else."

"I understand." I said, knowing they couldn't trust her. "She's our best bet to finding them and knowing how to deal with them. But it's fair that she's done bad things and can't be trusted."

"Very well," Promestein had said. "I shall aid you in tracking them, then return to Enrika immediately. However, Akame knows of your strength and resources. It's very likely that she has them meet with her under the radar to maintain their energy and keep them as undead. And like Solomon, they've all been enhanced technologically. Do not engage them alone, who knows what modifications they received from Akame to allow them to face powerful monsters."

"Very well, shall we depart?" I asked.

"Yes, we've got a lot of work and I'll need both you and Lucia's help." Promestein said.

With Promestein at our side and approval from Micaela, we returned to the Monster Lords Castle and began the search.

Chapter 4: Tracing the Enforcers.
As Promestein, Lucia and I began working. Shadow kept guard inside the lab to ensure Promestein wasn't doing anything behind our backs. Lucia also helped, but was more there to keep an eye on Promestein.

"Now, I did not begin using tracking devices on my Enforcers originally. However if what Solomon says is true, all five of the remaining Enforcers have artificial spirits." Promestein said. "Combined with the mass energy needed to maintain technologically enhanced zombies, tracing will be child's play."

"Simple enough." I said. "

"And like Shirome's biolabs, there is a way to trace Akame's headquarters with the energy that's released from it?" Shadow asked.

"Indeed Shadow." Promestein said. "But it's harder to trace it as it's hidden under a powerful barrier like Shirome's."

As me, Lucia and Promestein worked, we updated my scanner goggles to have the locations of the five remaining Enforcers updated now. Promestein also created a back-up with the locations for the Heavenly Knights. "Finished." Promestein said.

"Now to return you to Enrika." I said.

"One moment Solomon." Shadow said. "I need to speak with Promestein for a moment." The two then walked to the other side of the lab and spoke. I overheard it and was confused at first.

"While you schemed behind the scenes, you acquired my power, didn't you?" Shadow said with a sigh.

"Yes." Promestein replied. "With semen samples leftover from whoever you raped in your path. They carried quite the dark energy I needed for my experiments, notably creating Raven and self-destructing the Drain Lab. The rest were given to 'her.'"

"... I see. Another thing: when I fought Akame, she injected me with a syringe full of dark liquid..." Shadow continued.

Promestein looked on in alarm. "Oh dear... what were the symptoms?"

"Pain. Coma. Nightmares. Forcing me to fight for my life to escape..." Shadow let out a long sigh.

Promestein's face grew increasingly worried. "... Oh dear. I think I know what you're talking about. That drug was specifically meant for torture purposes, but its true purpose is to extract an essence within the victim. However, during trial runs all subjects died within minutes after injection, and time restraints within Ilias's plan could not allow me to make proper adjustments, so the drug was completely dropped. If Akame managed to acquire the formula and perfect it to her cause and use it on you, then..."

"Enough. I know what you're getting at. Akame too had something planned for me and I failed to see it." Shadow sighed again. "All right, that's all the questions I have. You're free to go." Shadow led Promestein back to the others.

"Still, I wonder how you survived. Was it 'her'?" Promestein asked.

"..."

"Well I'm ready to leave now Solomon." Promestein said. As we arrived in Enrika, Promestein smirked at me and laughed slightly.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Oh nothing, Mr. Cassanova." She teasingly said. "You and Lucia? Seems those protests about her and her tentacles was a facade."

I blushed in embarrassment. I couldn't even respond. As we reached Promestein's house, the scanner picked something up. Shadow too also reacted. As I turned in it's direction, one of the figures from before stood there, holding a strange bow and arrow.

"It seems I have found my former master. And the current Enforcer of Truth." he said.

"Seth?" Promestein said. "It's been decades. Allow me to introduce you to Solomon."

I drew my gun-staff and faced him. Shadow also drew his sword.

"Forget the introductions." Seth had said. "I'm here to acquire something from you 'Master'." He then prepped an arrow in his bow.

I stood in front of Promestein. "And I'd rather have answers." I said. "Where is Akame?"

"You'd think I'd tell you?" He said. "I need information from Promestein. This doesn't concern you."

"I'm the current Enforcer like you said." I prepared for battle. "This concerns me greatly."

He then drew his bow back and aimed at me. "Very well, then you know force is always required of an Enforcer to use."

"Careful, Solomon." Shadow warned. "He may have all your powers, but he also has something else you don't have..."

Chapter 5: Solomon and Shadow vs. Seth.
Analyzing the situation, me and Shadow would normally be at a huge advantage. Our combined strengths defeated a powerful foe before however this foe was much stronger and could be capable of anything.

I decided to heed Shadow's warning and play at it defensively. As I understood that Akame may have done more than a few similar modifications to them.

Seth took aim at Shadow and fired three arrows quickly. Shadow easily deflected them and rushed behind Seth. I then approached from the front. Suddenly Seth phased into the floor and reappeared a short distance away.

"As I thought, Akame used my energy as well." Shadow said.

"So they could all have your power... that explains the force and speed behind the last one's attack." I said. Noticing a similar energy when Daniel nearly cut me in half.

Promestein had rushed inside her house. As Seth's arrows now radiated with power just like Shadow's blades.

"Zylphe!" I called and imbued myself with wind. Like with my fight against Shadow, I can match his speed and I can also fire from a good range. "Shadow, I'll draw his fire and make an opening." I whispered. "rush in when you get the chance." Shadow nodded and readied his blade.

I fired at Seth, who used his arrows to intercept and counter. I dodged and intercepted, taking his aim away from Shadow. Continuous fire prevented him from focusing on both of us at once.

Shadow used this opening to strike quickly at Seth, landing a direct hit. Seth then focused on him and both used their shadow power to fight. Seth blocked blows with his bow and tried using martial arts to keep Shadow back. Seth then grabbed an arrow and jammed it into the ground, making a smoke screen.

"Not again." I said and scanned around the smoke field. Shadow stumbled back and tried to sense his presence. Shadow then turned to the roof of a house as Seth readied a glowing black and red arrow. He fired at the smoke screen, we both dodged and evaded it's large explosion. Seth readied another arrow of the same kind.

"My arsenal is vast. You will not endure this." He said. Before firing several more of those exploding arrows. We managed to dodge them.

Shadow then meled into the floor and reappeared behind the house. I fired a flashbang at Seth which stopped his fire as I charged a Giga Bomb. Shadow then reappeared and extended his blades hitting Seth with a powerful spinning attack. As Seth was sent flying from the house I fired the Giga bomb at him landing a direct hit.

"Excellent job Shadow." I said to him. "We make a good team."

"Don't get any bright ideas." Shadow said as Seth landed.

"This...isn't...over." Seth said as he used the last of his strength to fire an electric arrow towards Shadow. I quickly pushed him and was struck in the arm, sending an electric current and a painful sting straight through my body as I fell over.

"You idiot." Shadow said as Promestein rushed out. "Those are lined with a similar venom to my blades."

Promestein had serums ready. "I knew they'd study Shadow's weaponry too." I'll treat him, you finish Seth off.

Shadow had turned to Seth, but Seth was on his hands and knees, panting heavily.

"No... I have failed again..." Seth said. "Master Promestein... I'm sorry..." He said as he fell over and faded away.

Not too long after the fight I awoke on Promestein's bed, bandaged up.

"A familiar feeling," Promestein said. "You in a hospital bed after a mission or accident."

"Yea..." I said. "Where's Shadow?"

"He returned to the Monster Lord's Castle." Promestein said. "That's two Enforcers now. Four to go. You should be ready to fight again."

"You bet, I aint giving up after one wound." I said. Suddenly I recieved a communication from Lucia.

"Solomon! We found Akame, she's in the Sabasa deserts. Sending you coordinates." Lucia had said.

"On my way." I said as I stood. "Thank you Master Promestein." I said.

"I should thank you for cleaning up my mistakes." She said. "But off you go anyways."

Chapter 6: The First Enforcer?
I warped to Sabasa and overheard the guards talking about a large figure approaching the city. I rushed in the direction they pointed and scanned a high concentration of energy in the desert.

"Akame..." I said. I then noticed a figure standing on a small building looking in the same direction. He wore a hood and was dressed in my attire. He then jumped down and used Zylphe to rush towards the energy source. I followed with Zylphe, but his speed was unmatched, even giving Alma Elma and Hainuwelle a run for their money.

He then disappeared as I kept going. "I'll find him later." I said to myself as I noticed a small, retreating group of Sabasa soldiers. "Hello there!" I said. "I'm Solomon, I'm here to help you!"

"Oh thank goodness!" the head guard said. "That thing's too much, we were gonna send contact to the Heavenly Knights."

"Just retreat, I don't want too many losses." I said and continued my rush towards the energy source, finding more guards retreating. I eventually made it to the source and was shocked by what I saw; A massive undead giant. Easily the size of a Sandworm. I then scanned it and saw a familiar figure on it's shoulders.

"Ahh if it isn't Solomon!" Akame said. "You are quite troublesome killing two of my Enforcers."

"Akame!" I said. "Disassemble that giant corpse and surrender before I use force!"

"And waste a beautiful arrangement of 100 corpses and energy?" Akame asked. "No thank you, but it is feeding time for this giant, and those guards retreated.

I drew my blade and held my gunstaff. "So be it." I said.

"Go, devour that man!" She said to the giant as it walked towards me slowly. This would be an easy fight.

As I was about to use Gnomaren to fend it off, a flash rushed past me and the Undead Giant was cut clean in half down the middle. The massive creature fell to the ground, making a massive rumble as Akame landed on her feet.

"Impudent traitor! I revived you!" She said. The hooded man then landed beside me and removed his hood. He had four back-claws, held a long sword and strange shield and had short, dark hair.

"I serve no master anymore." He said. "And I will destroy 1,000 more of your creations until you put all of us back to rest!"

"Thanks a lot!" I said. "But who are you?"

He turned to me and noticed my gear, "The current Enforcer?!" He said, shocked. "Just my luck, however whatever Promestein is planning will not go through."

Akame then quickly jumped up. "Well, I'd destroy you for your treason, but I can't with Solomon in my way." She said and warped away. "Goodbye for now!"

"Damn it! She got away." I said.

"I'll track her down and the other Seekers if I have to." He said and turned to me, holding his blade and shield ready. "So what is Promestein planning if she needed the Enforcer to back up that necromancer?"

"What?" I asked. "Akame is not with Promestein. And the Seekers are gone."

"Don't lie to me boy!" He said.

"Don't call me boy!" I said. Jumping back and getting into stance. "And the Seekers are disbanded. I'm just trying to capture Akame and stop you revived Enforcers."

"Like I'd trust you!" He said. "I know the Goddess and Black Alice are working with Promestein."

"They were." I said. "A hero had stopped them."

"Heinrich succeeded?" He said and looked up at me. "What...year is it?"

"1368." I said. "Heinrich lived 500 years ago though."

"Then it was another.... I must find him." he said and got into stance. "But first, I must destroy the remains of the Seekers. Including you."

"You're clearly crazy." I said. "But I'll return you all to your graves." But before we rushed at each other. Promestein teleported inbetween us.

"Enough! Both of you!" She said.

"Doc?!" We both said. "You call her that too?!"

"Solomon, you're not to challenge him!" She said. "Clark was only surpassed by Heinrich in his prime. He will kill you without remorse. Especially with the adjustments I sense he has."

I scanned Clark and was shocked to find that he was truly an ultimate zombie. All four artifical spirits, Shadow's energy, and armor plating similar to Tyranneas. He could even kill the Monster Lord as he is now."

"Promestein..." Clark said. "give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you both."

"Because the Seekers are disbanded, my lab is destroyed and my chimeras are reformed." she said.

Clark then chuckled. "Seems you have nothing but a loyal Enforcer." He said and sheathed his blade. "Very well, you wouldn't be worth the precious energy. And as for you boy, don't cross me again or I will kill you." He then warped away.

"Promestein... who was that man?" I asked.

"His name is Clark..." Promestein said. "The First Enforcer of Truth. As I've said in his prime before joining me, he was only surpassed by Heinrich amongst his fellow heroes. He joined me seeking answers following an incident in his life. If he broke Akame's control, it means his willpower and strong soul are still in top form after 500 years."

"He was the one who revolted against you?" I asked.

Promestein slowly nodded her head. "He discovered I was working with Black Alice, the same one who massacred his squad as they assaulted the Monster Lord's Castle 3 weeks before Heinrich defeated her. As well as discovered that Ilias revived her. He escaped and I had to hunt him down before he told the world the truth.

"He must be like Frederika..." I said. "Able to break free from Akame's control."

"This is both fortunate and catastrophic." Promestein said. "He must be stopped, but with great care and safety. Do not ever try to fight him one on one. I perfected his already powerful and intelligent self, and Akame made him even greater."

"I understand. Return to Enrika for now, I gotta meet with the Knights." I said.

Promestein was ready to warp away.

"You never wanted to kill him... didn't you?" I asked.

Promestein nodded her head as she warped away.

Chapter 7: A Meeting.
I returned to the Monster Lord's castle. Lucia had apparently went home and I was called in for a meeting with the Tamamo, Granberia, Shadow and Alice. With two of the Enforcers down, and one going rogue, we are definitely making progress in stopping Akame.

"Welcome back Solomon." Alice said. "Akame had escaped?"

"Unfortunately." I said. "She was going to assault Sabasa with an Undead Giantess, but it seems one of her undead Enforcers went rogue and killed it. Forcing her retreat."

"I had predicted such an outcome." Shadow said. "It's not uncommon to see summons or the possessed betraying their master."

"Indeed," Alice began to say. "Luka told me Frederika actually broke free from Chrome's control long enough to talk to Luka shortly."

"This Enforcer was no joke..." I said. "He was an absolute perfect zombie. He was a hero from 500 years ago, named Clark."

"Clark?" Tamamo said, looking concerned. "So that's what he did after that incident."

"You knew him?" I asked.

"Even I have heard of him," Granberia said. "Salamander told me tales, a fearless hero and champion. He was only surpassed by Heinrich in his prime."

"What happened to him?" I asked.

"Mere weeks before Heinrich defeated Black Alice, Clark and his squad assaulted the Monster Lords castle." Tamamo began to explain. "They easily defeated the defending forces, but when Black Alice herself came... all but Clark were decimated."

"That's terrible." I said.

"Clark himself managed to wound Black Alice, however was forced to retreat as his last man sacrificed himself." Tamamo continued, recalling the event.

"It seems he went to Promestein afterwards." I said. "He had found out Ilias' plan however, and was hunted down before he could warn everyone."

"The Valley of Darkness Battle." Tamamo said. "The former hero Clark fought a seemingly never-ending army of strange monsters at a forbidden valley in the Northeastern Sentora area. Not stopping until his death, surrounded by the blood and corpses of those beasts. His body was never found."

"Like Black Alice, his power must have grown over the 500 years." Shadow muttered. "The artificial spirits, Solomon's gear, my dark power..."

"He has all four spirits, plus your power." I said. "And several modifications to his gear. We might even need Luka's help for him."

"Unfortunately, that's out of the question." Alice said. "He's without the spirits and his angelic powers are dormant again. Furthermore, he seems to have lost his fighting spirit since he is no longer fighting to protect."

"Well, Clark's rebelling against Akame, but he might try to fight the former Seekers." I said. "We'll think of something. The other three are our main concern. As well as tracking Akame."

"Alma Elma and Erubetie are tracking two more of them currently. But they may need backup." Granberia said. "I could go after Clark, but I'd rather prepare and train for facing him. So I'll help with finding the third missing Enforcer."

"And I'm meeting with Chrome to track Akame's lab. Shadow will be accompanying me." Tamamo said. "It's somewhere on Sentora."

"Well, I guess some great progress is being made." I said.

"You need to take a break," Alice said. "you can't defeat them all in a day you know."

"I'm fine." I said. Alice merely stared at me.

"I'm not stupid." She said. "You're quite drained from fighting and running around. Even Luka nearly lost his life for trying to repel Ilias's army without any breaks."

"Alright Lord Alice." I said. "I'll go to Lucia's and rest for a little, be more mentally and physically prepared."

"Good. Besides, Tamamo may need you for a big mission anyways." She said.

"Very well, I'll go get some things out the lab and head out." I said and left the throne room. As I was walking down the long corridor, I heard giggling.

"My my, taking a break already?" A voice said. It was female. I couldn't see her but I detected her with my scanner. "So you're my replacement? You're quite handsome. It's truly a shame that death may be the only option."

"Show yourself." I said.

"Enjoy what time you have left darling." she said. "You and that Shadow, the worst, or best, possible fate will await you both."

"So you snuck in with Shadow's power?" I said scanning her.

"Indeed. Just like when I broke out my current master." She said. "They were stupefied at how I even managed to get in."

"You're quite confident you'll defeat us both." I said. "You got it backwards though. The worst fate will await you if you even try."

"Don't get cocky, though it's quite cute." She said. "Goodbye for now handsome."

"Not even a name?" I asked. "You're quite the tease. You know a lot about me already."

"Fine, but only because it's better to know who is going to kill you." She said and appeared suddenly right in front of me. She was my height, long-black hair and a very attractive body covered with a black, fighters uniform. "Sophira." She said with a wink. "See you later Solomon." She then vanished and left the area quickly.

"She's gone it seems." I said as I looked around. "She managed to sneak in this place twice, I think it's good that I don't sleep here. But still, better warn Shadow and the others."

"I heard everything." Shadow said standing behind me.

"Gah! Don't do that!" I said jumping up.

"Idiot. Always keep your guard up, this one seems like trouble." he said.

"You too." I said. "You can call on me anytime if she tries anything." I said before warping away to Witch Village.

Chapter 8: Resting
I had arrived at Witch's Village and walked towards Lucia's. Although she was originally tasked with cleaning out toxic materials, now it seems she's made the place her own. Lily is sentenced to life in the city's prison anyways. I had arrived to the mansion and knocked on the door. To my surprise, it was unlocked.

I walked inside and heard talkng. I remained hidden as I listened to two voices inside the house. One was Lucia and the other, was Promestein.

"If all of them were revived, I'm curious to see if she found...hers." Promestein said.

"Her?" Lucia asked.

"Sophira, the Enforcer before Solomon." Promestein said. "Ten years ago, a young, very intelligent girl had found me observing Grangold. I recruited her, trained her, and like Solomon, she became one of my most powerful soldiers."

"How did she die? It must have been recent." Lucia said.

"For once, I'm not sure." Promestein said. "She just...vanished after a mission. Like Solomon she was tracked however her's was somehow disabled. But at her strength, I know for certain she may be alive."

"No body, so it's unknown if Akame found her at all." Lucia said.

"I may request that Solomon doesn't track her down." Promestein said. "She'd be Solomon's age if she is still alive."

"If she is, what if the two of them met?" Lucia asked.

"I'm unsure... Sophira would definitely have an edge now. But she loved tormenting her victims until they either died or became mindless slaves." Promestein said. "At her young age, she learned to never hesitate when it came to the life of humans. But Solomon, killing was never his thing...without Hyde."

"He'll have help. The Heavenly Knights will definitely back him up." Lucia said. "I'll help him as well."

"That's precisely why I came to you," Promestein said. "If somehow, Sophira is alive and Solomon must fight her, aid him in any way. He must not hesitate against her."

"I'll help him even if you told me not to." Lucia said.

"Thank you." Promestein said. "I'll leave now, but do tend to your Peeping Tom guest, he was never the best at hiding from me, even after these years."

Lucia merely sighed before saying; "Solomon..."

I walked out and nervously chuckled. "Hey sweetie." I said.

"I'll leave you two alone." Promestein said.

"You were right by the way." I said. "When I saw her, I had scanned her... she wasn't undead."

Promestein merely closed her eyes and smiled. "No wonder... seems she's still allied with Akame anyways." she said then warped away.

I stood alone with Lucia. I looked at her and smiled.

"So what brings you here?" She asked.

"I was ordered to rest up." I said. "Seems I might be needed for something big. Thank you by the way."

Lucia smiled and held me tightly. "You're not in this alone."

I hugged Lucia back, but she didn't let go.

"It's terrific you decided to visit." She said as her arms turned into her tentacles which wrapped around me. "It's been a while since I had fun with you."

"Lucia wait!" I said as she carried me off to her room. Seems like I'll have a long night before I rest.

Chapter 9: Rest Interrupted; Solomon vs. Joanne
I awoke late in the next morning with Lucia holding me tightly as she slept. I managed to unwind her tentacles off me and got up to get dressed. I decided that a day off was necessary and went back to her bed only half dressed. I felt quite tired and stared at the bedroom window.

After about half an hour I stood, bored but still tired. I decided to explore the manor. I had only been here a few times, but have never seen the rest of the manor, as I searched and explored, I found there was a lot of history behind this place. My exploration ended when I saw a lone figure standing outside the manor. She was of medium height, short-blue hair, and wearing a black skirt and top with a dark hooded robe around it. She had one small blade sheathed on her waist and she seemed fascinated with the mansion. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my gear before walking outside. As I went outside, she ignored me and kept looking around the mansion.

"It's still standing..." She said. "This was always a beautiful house, I wish I had lived in it."

"Hello there." I said. "You were from here?"

"Oh, sorry I'm Joanne." She said. "Around 250 years ago this was my hometown."

"Amazing." I said. "This house has some great history behind it too."

"I was told this place was called Witch Hunt Village... but that's not it's real name." She said.

"It's Witch Village now." I said. "Witch Hunt was from a hunt for Witches that took place here. The former lady of this Manor used accused people for experiments."

"I know..." She said. "I was told a lot about you and those Seekers. I'm tasked with hunting you down you know."

"Indeed." I said. "But you seem more focused on this village." Maybe she'd go rogue like Clark, or at least understand that innocent lives are here. I was hoping to end this with as little energy used.

"You're right.." She said. "Please meet me outside the village. I don't wish to cause any terror to these good people." She then walked away. "I'll know if you're gonna retreat or stall, so don't try anything." She then shouted.

I sighed and readied a Hyde Injection, I'm quite tired so a back-up is necessary. I then followed her to the outskirts of the city. She stood there, blade readied.

"There, I didn't wanna harm the villager." She said.

"I understand, I'd never want to fight seriously in my own hometown." I said and readied my blade.

"Grandine!" She said and rushed at me empowered by the fake water spirit.

I narrowly avoided her slice and began avoiding attacks, I rushed back and triggered Gigamander. I tried fighting her head on, but she was taking advantage of my fatigue and dodging.

"It was right to come at you when you were resting." She said. "Now to end this quick." She then removed her cloak and I saw a wierd device on her back. It emitted a strange pulse and she suddenly vanished.

I scanned around and found her location easily, she was cloaking but moving too fast to react to. She managed to strike me twice, then kicked me on my back and held her blade to my chest.

I looked up at her, seeing her cloaked self holding me down, and winced in pain. her speed was enchanced by Shadow's power and Grandine intensified her attacks. I fired a flashbang and stood quickly as she rushed back.

"Where'd you go?" She asked.

I scanned her posistion and shot a charged bolt at her with my gun-staff. Paralyzing her as well. I decided to try and end this quick. I converted my gunstaff to gauntlet mode and lightning-charged my blade. Using Gigamander with it, I got into stance and readied myself. "Wing Dash Blade!" I shouted as I rushed at her and struck her six times.

"Gaahh!" She yelled flying back. "You'll pay for that."

I panted as Gigamander wore off, I was running on empty. I grabbed the Hyde Injection and prepared to inject myself.

She saw the injection and cloaked again, rushing to me and breaking the syringe.

"No!" I shouted as I saw the liquid fall into the desert sands. She re-appeared in front of me and held her blade to my throat.

"I knew of that too, Master Akame told us all how to kill you." She said.

"Did she tell you how I killed Tyrannea?" I asked.

"It was unknown how you did." She said.

"Well, first; She got cocky...like you." I said and grabbed her with my back claws. "Second; I had friends to help me out." I looked and saw Erubetie arrive.

"Solomon. I'm glad you caught her." Erubetie said. "I had lost her in the desert."

"Oh no, she caught up." Joanne said.

I then threw Joanne to Erubetie.

"Melt Storm!" Erubetie shouted as a large whirlpool of her slime bombarded Joanne, forcing her high into the air.

"And third..." I said, charging Oblivion Blast. "I knew she had to be put down. Just like you and the others." I finished charging and aimed for Joanne. "Oblivion Blast!" I shouted as the massive beam shot out and hit Joanne directly, vaporizing her undead body. I had let my gun-staff recharge as I put away my weapons. I fell to my hands and knees and panted. "Thanks Erubetie." I said. "I'm grateful to you."

"Anything for one who has helped my people." She said. "Tamamo will need you as soon as you are finished resting."

I looked and saw Lucia rushing to me. She lifted me up.

"You had me worried sick." She said. "You could've waited for me."

"I'm sorry." I said. "I'll go back to resting." Erubetie then left as me and Lucia went back to the manor.

Two days later, my wounds were patched and I had returned to the Monster Lord's Castle. There I met with Tamamo.

"Welcome Back Solomon." Tamamo said. "Three Enforcers Remain now. But they are the strongest it seems."

"I know," I said. "So what's this mission? Tracking Clark? Finding Akame?"

"We've almost located her," She said. "But it seems we may need more power to take her down. That's where you come in. You need to get stronger."

"I'm quite strong..." I said. "You know that."

"I know, but you need a bigger boost. You're still not as strong as Shadow yet." She said. "But first, I need to check something... hand me your gunstaff please."

I handed her my gunstaff. "Be careful." I said.

"Don't worry, I read the blueprints to this thing..." She said. Suddenly she shot me a few times without warning."

"Gah...what the.." I said noticing a small sting, but was not paralyzed or in real pain.

"I knew it." Tamamo said. "Your body is resistant to the electric charges. That's why Hyde's lightning blade wasn't effective, or how you can electrically charge stuff without recoil."

"Woah..." I said. "I've shocked myself before, but never purposely."

"This is perfect." Tamamo said. "You will go to Thunder Mountain with me. I need you to take a trial I have planned."

"Okay then. I'll take your test." I said. We both then warped away.