The prophecy had faded through the centuries, Akame's haunting melody had been playing on the tongues of royalty and common folk alike for five hundered years after all, it had become little more than a childhood rhyme, a warning to those brave enough to journey to the top of Kamiga mountain. The words had first been heard in the palace temple. Akame, the clairvoyant at the palace for fifteen years, was sat under the stone Tori in the lush gardens, legs crossed in meditation like she had been for hours already. A faint dusting of dirt rested on the ends of her robes.

"Akame."

The shogun's voice was cold and apathetic, though she expected nothing less given the war had only ended a month before.

"I was told you had another prophecy."

Akame nodded, spinning around to face the Tori and sitting on her knees. She exhaled slowly, raising her arms and letting the magic she supressed overtake her body. The quarz crystal on a string around her neck shimmered in the dimming evening light, emmiting a faint glow and humming in tune with the magic that few could hear. Slowly, as the magic flowed unrestrained through her body, Akame's eyes glazed over and when she finally spoke, it was in a voice no longer her own.

"Heir of darkness, magic of bone

End of empire, destruction of throne

Seven mages, six keys spread

Rise again queen of crystals, Kingdom of Red."

The shogun's eyes grew wider and his body trembled slightly as the words sunk in. Akame's eyes returned to their usual honey brown, although they were dillated and set into a face more pale than her normal shade.

"So this was all for nothing... the queen will return anyway."

Akame nodded slowly in terrified agreement.

"And when she does..."

The king trailed off, thinking of the son he lost in the war against the god. The sun set over the horizon, donning the sky in orange hues, bathing the shogun and clairvoyant in shadow. Akame gulped, her chest tightening.

"We will all die."