Raven was out on a family outing with his family. Ivona was on Falco's shoulders, considering he was the tallest among them. Ivona was cooing happily at being on her uncle's shoulders. Dolores was still worried but Aquila was right by Falco's side. Their destination was Cherry Blossom Empire's greatest theme park. A large ferris wheel, attractions with a mix of indoor and outdoor choices. Food selection that was plentiful, a crowd that was moving about. People staring at them but seeing Raven's glare had the photographers and journalists on their best behavior.
"A theme park. Huh. How many years has it been?"
"I don't know, Raven. It feels like forever." Stervy said as they proceeded to head into the park, making their way to look at the variety of rides. A carousel of horses where Aquila nudged his three siblings to get on. As the carousel began to spin round with the music playing in the background, Raven's eyes was focused on the other journalists and reporters. When one tried to snap a photo of Ivona, the lens would not focus. Seeing a large eye within Raven's shadow glaring into them.
Out of all of the Ashenworth's Raven still had bandages and band-aids strapped to his face and fingers. His body was better off healing itself and mana circulating in his veins. This was a form of practice for him. Aquila snapped photos of Falco and Stervy's stone faces attempting to smile, Raven who was a natural at it while Dolores and Ivona who were just giggling. Aquila, Dolores, Stervy and Falco got on the roller coaster, leaving Raven and Ivona alone. Hearing Falco scream out of fright while the other three were echoing joy from the high speed movement. The loops and the twists, where Ivona talked about what she saw. Describing the odd expressions of their faces, then seeing Falco's writhed face on the camera.
"My lovely bird." Turning to Yennifer and Ciara who were wearing casual clothing.
"Auntie!" Ivona ran up to Yennifer who lifted her into her arms.
"What is a theme park, father?"
"A place of fun, Ciara. Something we can enjoy as well." Raven said as the others returned.
"Dolores."
"Yennifer." The pair hugged as Ciara then greeted Dolores before receiving a hug herself. The reason? Dolores hugging Ciara tightly.
"Now, can I borrow my husband? We want to try the roller coaster."
"My lioness, you can't be se-" The moment Dolores gave the trio the tickets, that was when Raven got dragged into it. Bringing him to the roller coasters as they got strapped in. Bracing his stomach as he was seated by Yennifer's side, holding her hand.
"Scared, my lovely bird?"
"Yep..." The moment the light turned green and the roller coaster launched itself to the tracks. Raven was already screaming while Yennifer and Ciara had been laughing the entire time. Raven's face turning paler than a corpse, while Ciara stared at him.
"Are you having fun?!"
"No! AHHHHHHHHH!" By the end of it, Raven's legs were wobbling as Yennifer brought him to a dumpster. Puking his breakfast, lunch and whatever he had for last night out into it. Ciara got a bottle of water.
"Oh this reminds me of my morning sickness when I was pregnant with Ciara."
"Gee, I'm glad at least one of us is feeling nostal... -Ugh!" Another round of puking but that caught the others. Ivona was with Ciara who went to explore more places, as Falco was trying to ease Raven by rubbing his back.
"I didn't have morning sickness. Raven had morning sickness in my stead." That raised eyebrows.
"Then... That means."
"For the entire 9 months, he had morning sickness instead of me. Even going to battle with it, wearing a mask to ease his nose." Raven recovered as Yennifer gave him a bottle. Taking a sip to ease his throat, then Yennifer passing him a tab of gum. Chewing it as the taste of berries leaked into his mouth.
"Thanks. So what's the next plan?" Yennifer glanced to Ciara who held hands with Ivona, being stopped by a group of men. Their hands were moving to Ciara's side, only for Ciara to throw a man into a wall. Forcing the others to flee after their friend, Ivona was just amazed at how powerful Ciara was.
"They get along well."
"I hope so. Despite the age difference. Hm..."
"DOn't you dare put her into a university here. Not here when she obliterates common sense. She wants to stay by your side and hunt. Besides, I can spend time with your siblings. I lost mine at a young age, so I.." In that moment Dolores grabbed Yennifer's hand, leaning into it.
"By the way, how was that other world you were in. What did it feel like handling a harem?"
"Tiring. One is enough."
"Yet, you do know your other wives lie in wait." Then Raven scratched his head, that much was true. He had to think about how many women in his life he had met. From the demonic to the other non-human races like the beastmen, minotaur and the like.
"I hope they aren't upset about knowing this. Besides, I doubt I can marry anyone else if they hear I have so many lives." Yennifer pinched Raven's cheek, then pulling Raven's ear.
"Ow. Ow..."
"Have more confidence, my bird. We all agreed that you're the same person despite the many different lives. You loved us in those and we believe that we can love you just the same. You might be the only man whom we are fine with sharing. So stop being such a worry wart. We're here to have fun!" Yennifer was right as she pulled Raven's hand to a haunted house, along with Ciara.
"I heard you cried when one of your wives was in danger."
"Ah, Bridgette. She's a noble that I married when I lived the life as a mercenary then turned into a Baron. I was awkward and when she was in danger, I became more adamant. That one I lived quite well. She's the daughter of a Duke. Won a war and their idea of a gift was her hand in marriage. It's outdated if you ask me."
"But we're all quite jealous because she is the first one you married."
"I had to leave because of the urgency. If that wasn't an issue, I would've stayed. Now the new Causalities are appearing and I have to make a decision. Yennifer, it may end up with me missing out on our life here."
"I've been married with you for some time, my bird. Did you forget that. I can wait for you here, along with Ciara." Falco, Aquila and the others left the pair alone in their own world. Ciara was pushed to their side.
"Uncles?"
"Spend time with your dad. Who knows when he'll vanish again?" Ciara ran straight to hug them both, inviting them to the haunted house. Where Ciara and Yennifer screamed as they held Raven's hand while Raven wasn't bothered. He was amazed at the accuracy of some of the depicted horrors. Hearing his lioness and little lion scream as a result of the sights was a treat.
"So when you married into nobility, do you find it difficult?"
"Oh very. After you there was the time when I was the Grand Duke of another Empire. Emperor's fifth son but he refused to meet me for years. Not like I'd care. My wife was a bastard child but we loved each other enough. There was the case of my half-siblings trying to get her to be theirs, one tried to use charm to do it. I found out, I turned the entire Imperial Palace upside down, had them on their knees. Told them if they bothered my wife again, I would personally destroy the Empire. Leave me and my wife alone."
"Sounds just like you. So about the other Causalities... Will you act the same way?"
"Of course. I'm not going to change how I act because of it. Though since I'm.... I don't know, how old would I be? I'm 18 in this world but if I combine with the others." Yennifer snapped her fingers, getting Raven's attention.
"Then that's an assurance for me. For us, the ones who loved you. For us, we spent our time with you. Now we get to do it again, it's perfect." Yennifer pulled Raven's hand with Ciara as they headed to the bumper car arena. Seeing Aquila and the others preparing in their seats. Raven could see Yennifer and Ciara's competitive nature leak out, he was just going to enjoy himself. The bell rang as they continued to crash into each other, Yennifer and Ciara crashing into each other repeatedly while Ivona giggled in Dolores's arms.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Bumper cars done, then going over to try out other thrilling rides with Raven constantly screaming, holding hands with Falco as the pair screamed while the others laughed. Thrilling rides that pushed their adrenaline, a 360 swing that spun fast. The cameras that snapped photos of the Ashenworths having fun. When that was done, they all went to look for food. Ciara and Yennifer asking questions with Raven answering to the best of his abilities.
"It's surreal if you think about it. He's lived so many different lives and he's had wives and kids? How big is our family tree?" Falco had a question for them to ask. Then Raven came back with Ciara and Yennifer. Placing their plates on the table as they took their seats. Yennifer seated beside Dolores and Ivona.
"It's big. Like... Guild big. That's if you only count the human wives. I was married to a goddess, I was married to an elf, to a beastkin and the like...Plenty of things. So... Yeah."
"Does that mean I have more cousins?"
"Yes, Ivona. You have more cousins... You'll meet them soon one day." Ivona was happy to hear that, the thought of meeting her other cousins was something she would enjoy. Raven remembered how lonely she felt not having cousins but seeing her with Ciara was already a good thing. Ciara too, seemed to enjoy being with Ivona. A younger sister of sorts, that smile on Ciara's face when she helps feed Ivona? That's one that was unique. Even Granver and the others would spend time with her.
"Ivona. Did you meet Astravion?"
"Mister Eye? Yes! I did meet him! He was in my bedroom when I got scared because of a bug. He caught it, but I saw him!" The others were alarmed but Ivona spoke with a child's innocence.
"He's not scary! He said that he just wanted to make sure I can sleep well. I told him he's not scary and that he's just a friend who has many eyes!"
"Are eldritches supposed to be scary?"
"They are. Only reason why Astravion isn't scary to Ivona is because Ivona's immune to it. She can make friends with everything and everyone. That's a skill. Her Class is Friend of Beasts. So any beast like monster will want to befriend her. Inzaka even gave her a portal to his dungeon in her bag. You have the King of Dragons ,the Pinnacle of Werewolves and an Eldritch? Her stats because of her skill 'I have friends' makes her even stronger than me right now."
"That's a... Pretty broken skill."
"Remember, I can see your class with my eye and you can't hide from my eye. Besides, I think you all understand about my circumstances right?" Yennifer took her cue, leaving with Ivona and Ciara.
"Aquila told me. So all of this... It's our second chance. But... A part of me still feels..." Dolores was unsure of what to say as Raven thought about it. Silence loomed as the Ashenworths took a moment to look at Raven.
Raven felt the pangs in his heart reach into him, the memories of the past flowing as his eyes began to bleed.
"Raven!" He raised his hand to stop them.
"Don't alert Ivona... This is just... A reminder." Raven said as he looked at the screen.
You rescued your siblings.
You reunited your family.
Your family has gotten stronger.
Their trust in you has reached the max.
I am thou.
Thou art I.
The Trial for the Ashenworth's is ready.
The door for them to see their future selves has awakened.
For Stervy and Falco. It is the possibility that was left alone.
They will face you.
Aquila must be present for this matter.
"Tonight. Meet me in my room. The trial awaits." Raven said as he wiped the bloodied tears away. In that moment all of them received messages on their screen.
You who know the truth.
You who have awakened your eyes to the ugliness of what had happened.
It is time for you to face your trial
To go beyond what it means to be held by the chains that bind humanity.
Go beyond the meaning of the word 'S-Rank'
Your trial.
Is one that goes beyond the realm of life and death.
You will truly fall, if you lose the will to fight.
Your foe will be an enemy of great proportions.
A foe that you must defeat at all costs.
Or
Until the foe is satisfied.
FACE. YOUR. BROTHER.
Those words had them feeling shivers as Raven got up.
"I need to prepare myself too. This fight. It'll be the toughest one you'll face." Raven left first. Where did he go? It was the place where the trial was going to be present. The location of the trial was the capital of Euphemia. Riddled with corpses of every beast, Inzaka's corpse, the cadavers of every enemy Hunters have faced. The corpse of the creature that ate Ivona, he had slain it with her bones laid to rest by his side.
The trial was ready, in his room there would be a door. Raven would be standing before them, this time in his aged form. Wearing a black suit as he put on his gloves.
Valten, the Swordsman of the Stars was present.
Dolores's Constellation, the Lady of Faiths. Uriel stood with her shield and mace.
Falco's Constellation, The True Executioner of the Heavens, Walcroft stood with his gauntlets and greaves.
Stervy's Constellation, The True Painter of Blades, Yamato stood before them with his katanas.
"This battle... Is up against someone who we Constellations would feel overwhelming fear. War God. What is your condition?" The embers of his cigarette in their sights, the azure eyes that glowed was an omen. As the sheer amount of aura and mana being released, accompanied by bloodlust that Raven was ready to kill his own kin had began to blanket the area.
"I just need them to prove that they are strong. Even when they are weak." Raven's words echoed as they see monsters making their way towards him. A flick of his cigarette as angels, demons, dragons and the millions of foes. Were destroyed with a single gesture as Raven readied his weapon, Raven's Eye.
"Let's begin." Firing a shot at Dolores who stood her ground with Uriel, the singular shot had them both skidding 200 meters. Walcroft and Falco went after Raven with their fists, watching how Raven countered their blows with soft movements. Using the open palm to redirect their fists, palm strikes to the chest that sent them both flying a thousand kilometers away. Stervy and Yamato drew their blades, their katanas screamed against Raven's Thousand Eyes.
Good. They can see that Thousand Eyes is limited to what I can see. They make adjustments to keep me occupied with after images. Aquila came from behind, only to see Raven twirl and a kick that sent him flying ten thousand kilometers away. Falco and Walcroft were back, attempting to pressure him as Dolores and Uriel casted a barrier to keep Raven inside a box. It was shrinking by the second.
"Good strategy but... Against me. It's useless." The barrier passed through Raven who just lit another cigarette.
"Barrier magic has a frequency to it. If you adjust it as you do the barrier, it'll be difficult for the enemy to escape. If it stays stagnant, certain enemies can get by." Aquila came from the right while Valten from the left. An attack on all sides as Raven drew Thousand Eyes.
"Still too slow." He spoke as their bodies were cut to pieces. Regenerating in perfect shape a second later, puffing the smoke through his lungs.
"We're getting started. This place can take the abuse of your powers. So... Show me what you all can do." Pillars emerged from behind Dolores and Uriel, flying straight into Raven while Falco's gauntlets begin to burn up with red flames. Going after Raven who stopped the attack with his palm.
"Too straight forward, Falco. You need to do better than that." Falco's entire body was consumed by black flames, but his body regenerated and tried again. Fast combos of jabs, uppercuts and attempting to strike Raven from the side, only for a kick to send him flying a thousand kilometers. Again. The fight intensified as Raven was just an impenetrable wall. Their attacks were like using sticks trying to break through a wall.
An impossible task but they kept on trying. They watched their Constellations fall before him, they died by his hands. Not once. Not twice but maybe a few thousand times. Yet they persisted, their Constellations were feeling the exhaustion. Yet their Chosen Hunters continued on, Raven seemed to be bored by their attempts. Barely lifting his fingers in the fight. They pushed with the best of their abilities repeatedly, over and over again. They didn't falter, even when Raven had lacerated their limbs and bodies. Skinning them alive. Boiling them. Burning them. Maiming them. Whatever he did, they refused to back down.
Their minds took a toll as they processed their deaths. The face of their younger brother who seemed bored of it all. Persisting despite their weakness. It was difficult. The War God that was the pinnacle of combat was before them. Aura waves that he withstood just by standing, barriers that failed. Plenty of things were going wrong here. The struggle was beginning with all of them fighting to the best of their abilities. Even unleashing their greatest attacks, Raven was still standing but rather than being unscathed.
He had bled, his clothes was in tatters and their attacks had reached him.
"That's good." Raven said to them as they see him regenerate. In that moment they see Dolores who stood in front of demons and the undead. Letting out a sigh as holy mana began to rain upon the area from above. The touch turned whatever that was unholy into nothing but ash. Then seeing Falco who was Executioner Arbiter destroy a million orcs with just a jab to the air. Stervy who was Sora at the time used his blades to paint the battlefield with the corpses of vampires. Glancing at the future that had been written in another life.
"Synchronize." Those words uttered as the memories flooded in. Giving them a slight headache as they turned to their constellations.
"The War God is the pinnacle of human combatants. He is a human first, a being that is on par with the Gods of this world. It is better to say that no God wishes for the War God's wrath." Uriel spoke up first.
"For he who has braved through a trial that has granted him the ability to master the madness of violence. The insanity of bloodlust." Yamato spoke. In that moment their bodies felt the change, aura and mana tearing through their veins. Their muscles ripping apart, skin shedding as the immense pain forced them to fall on their knees. The pain subsided as they stood on their feet. Their first reaction was running at Raven, a group hug as Dolores kept hitting him.
"You're an idiot! It's not your fault Ivona died that time!"
"It is, Dolores. I promised you and Aquila, but then things happen. So I went to slay the worlds and the Sovereigns. Inzaka and Ulfang are among the few I killed." Books appeared in their hands, raising eyebrows as they glanced at Raven.
"What is this?"
"The books of the techniques I've mastered. You can use that to train the guild members. We're going to make Black Wing powerful right? You should receive an eye that can see a Hunter's potential and how you can develop them. Learn with the others. If you want to pick up talents. Get to the Hunter Academy. You'll be able to see conditions to increase their skills. You might find the people to succeed you there." Raven said as he stretched his limbs.
"Cherry Blossom is going to host the Hunter Summit, where President Black, General Shaw and Captain Max will be going. You're a main topic, Raven. I think you know why."
"My allies?"
"Yes and they may want to recruit your allies to it." Raven chuckled as he snuffed his cigarette, letting out a sigh.
"Why should I be afraid? It can be time where I put a warning over them." The Ashenworth's gave up, Raven was right about that.