"But... Sir!" Paul spoke up where Shaw raised his hand.
"He's a lone wolf. He can't work in a unit. That's why he'll be fired. Or rather, I'd say transferred to another place. Recently Rosenfelt requested reinforcements from the RF. I was planning to send Unit 17 but Raven. You can go instead. Bring your gear with you."
"Rosenfelt? Don't they hate Hunters?"
"They sent a request to me, asking for someone of skill to head there to aid them with the plenty of dungeons popping up. It's more than their Valkyries can handle." Raven had to jog his memories, Valkyries was the term for the man-made weapons created by Rosenfelt. Humans who died and using a special technology exclusive to Rosenfelt, they were able to create the Valkyries. An all women based warriors, in terms of abilities.
"They hate Hunters because the last group of Hunters that rescued them began to harm the citizens and rule over them like tyrants. That was until they unleashed the Valkyries and closed off their borders. I was part of the Hunters that were dispatched to help them free the country, only to see their new Valkyries in action. 50 A Rank Hunters killed by 7 Valkyries. But due to the dungeons popping up left and right. They need help. Unit 17 and a few other Units would go but... Seeing you. It seems like you had to hold back a lot." Shaw was right about that, Raven needed to hide a lot of his strength using the system.
"Rosenfelt will be hostile to Hunters. They may want to check your skills. The flight will be in a month. So in the meantime. Just spend time with your family. I'm sure you'll be known as a super rookie after this. Your draft will be spent at Rosenfelt, so three months there and then you're free from the RF." Shaw explained as he smiled at Raven.
Bond Increased by 100.
Bond Level with Skull King is now at Level 2.
Constellation Last Commander : He'll call you up to Hunt. Use that to increase your bond.
He also likes a nice bottle of whiskey.
I've told him to slowly develop his trust in you. Because he knows you can unlock his full potential.
Unwavering Warlord is equal to a Sovereign just without the privileges.
"While being part of the RF. Guilds can't scout you but.."
"Be a wolf hiding among sheep. Keep your fangs tucked and when the time comes take their head." Shaw grinned to that.
"My constellation told me to trust you. I've transferred about a hundred thousand into your account. Consider it a bonus for the gems."
"I will, sir." Raven said as he grabbed his gear, getting into a cab and leaving for Hartland. It was going to be a 3 hour drive in comparison to Westland because of the highways. Raven's clothes were torn and he was patching up his injuries with some bandages.
"I'll pay you extra. Especially for the mess." Raven said as the cab driver gave a nod, driving through the cityscape. Then into the highway where forests to his left and plains on the right. Raven kept his thoughts to himself. Wondering what would be necessary today? Emptying his mind, he needed to clear up the space in his head. Closing his eyes once more, shouldering Thousand Eyes. The sights of greenery all around with brown mixed in,
Finding himself in a desolate city of ruin and snow. A woman with a missing arm, seeing the sparks of machinery. Human appearance, red liquid that seemed to be blood. That was just how the Valkyries were.
"Rosenfelt. Yeah. I remember this. Capital naemd Gladys. Right after the invasion of a sovereign." Raven spoke out loud as he continued exploring the depths of the city. A dead Valkyrie on her knees with the shield. One Valkyrie had lost her waist and below, slumped on the ground with a pistol. Fought to the end, the pistol barrel was still warm. Faint traces of smoke from the barrel, seeing the slide halfway tracked to the back. A double feed, that was a death sentence if one used a firearm.
Another set of Valkyries that had died standing with blades in hand, the corpses of large wolves by their side. Rather it was better to call them demon wolves, mangled corpses and mauled bodies were getting more frequent. A stark change of this Raven and the Raven from before. A katana by the hip. A step forward, hearing the howl of demon wolves. Hand preparing for the draw, as the wolves came after him.
The wolves faded from existence, blood splattering the environment with Raven lighting a cigarette. Instant draw and sheathing. This point in time, Raven had gotten his aura and mana at the 7th Stage and Circle. Not perfect but it was going to be good enough for what he needed to do. The sovereign who did this to Rosenfelt? The Sovereign of Wolves who just wanted to destroy this place and claim it. It was a simple minded reason but Raven felt the bitterness of it stay.
"It was because they were in the way. Humans like yourselves should learn that they are nothing but vermin." Those words echoed as Raven remembered the fight against the Sovereign Werewolf. Arrogant and powerful. Yet, during that fight. Raven's desperation and anger, trumped the sovereign's might. He used his teeth to rip through the hide, punching the werewolf. Breaking chunks of the teeth, using it as a weapon. It irritated him even more just remembering how the wolves and werewolves did what they wanted.
After their sovereign's death, their attempts to plead for mercy? That fell on deaf ears. Raven just butchered them. Even their children and elderly weren't spared. He kept hunting them, he had chosen to embrace the madness. Remembering how he held an axe, hunting for a werewolf child who was hiding beneath a counter. Hearing the child's cry for its parents. The heavy breathing as Raven pulled the child out, swinging the axe to decapitate it.
Rosenfelt vanished as Raven found himself in a plain that was empty. All white with nothing. A whole lotta nothing as he sat on a sofa. Lighting a cigarette as he started to hear screeching, wailing and screaming. Glancing around to see the corpses of all the creatures and people he had slain.As their hands slowly reaching out to him. Like the second hand of a clock, trying to reach the minute hand.
"What, you want me to scream? To beg you all to stop haunting me? Haunt me all you want, I don't give a shit." Raven's words silenced all of them. Time shifted to a slow crawl, his only grace was the cigarette on his lip.
Questions began to ring in his head.
Would this be enough?
How much of my time is limited?
Can I just be left alone?
The scars on his mind, remembering plenty of things. The sight of Ivona who could only cry as a giant ate her whole. The faces of people whom he knew, brought back to life. It was not enough to lacerate. It would be better if he could just butcher everything that will bother him.
Even if Raven wanted to escape it, it would be impossible. He was the Madness itself. Yet, in this moment. He felt at peace. Accepting his nature but also understanding the beauty of peace and the brutality of war.
Opening his eyes to find himself in Hartland. Paying the cab driver three times the fare, he proceeded to head over to Aquila's house. His senses could feel someone watching him, maybe two or three individuals. It's such a shame, a quick glance around he could see that the three of them were B Rank Hunters. Scout Class Hunters that had potential to be A-Ranks.Sadly Raven merely tapped Thousand Eyes by the hilt, the eyes opened up as the Three Hunters who watched him had been slashed. Becoming fountains of blood as Raven proceeded to his brother's manor.
Seeing Aquila's blue hare was playing tag with a child. A 7 year old child. Her hair was given by her mother. Her father gave her his eyes. Running away from the blue hare that kept leaping about.
"Careful Ivona!"
"Can't catch me Blue!" She giggled as the hare was intent, pouncing to the side as Ivona managed to be a step ahead of her.
The hare pounced on Ivona, gently pushing her down.
"Okay, Blue. You win." Ivona scratched the hare's head as the hare licked her hand. This seemed to be simple and peaceful. Just the way Raven likes it, until he gets bored.
"Looks like you've been using your skill quite well." Ivona's eyes lit up, the hare got off and leaped over to Aquila.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Uncle Raven!" He lifted her up, smiling at her.
"How's my favorite niece? Where's daddy?" Ivona pointed to Aquila who could only walk on over to give him a tight hug.
"What happened?"
"I got fired."
"EH?" Aquila paused his embrace, holding Raven by the shoulders with a face that had questions all over it.
"I had the same reaction too. I'm not being fired technically, I'm going to be posted in Rosenfelt."
"When?' the pair took a seat by the coffee table and chair outside. Watching Ivona play with Blue. Giving the Phantom Hare cuddles and scratching its head. Grinding its teeth in happiness while it kept nuzzling its nose on Ivona's cheeks.
"In a month. So i have time to spend with you."
"How long?"Aquila poured Raven a cup of tea, watching Raven stuff himself with some biscuits. Seeing the bruises and cuts by his fingers.
"What did you fight that make you look ugly?" Ivona then came back to her father'side, sitting on his lap. Stroking her head while Raven just seemed to be bored, chewing biscuits as he glanced at Blue that leaped onto his head. The hare kept digging through his head, licking it.
"A Lich. B-Rank dungeon broke out. I got some good weapons with me, courtesy of the RF." Raven tilted his head, as Blue clung onto his head with all of its strength. Seeing it slide down, then playing with Raven's hair by the tails.
"Just so you know, Blue. Roasted Phantom Hares taste good as well." Immediately, the hare leaped over to Ivona's lap. Keeping its ears lowered, staying close with Ivona, cowering in fear to what Raven had said. In its eyes, Raven must seem like the big bad wolf.
"Uncle! Don't be mean to Blue! Blue is daddy's pet! Not for eating!" Raven chuckled as he patted Ivona's head, then taking a sip of his tea.
"The Lich... I did see some footage of how you faced it. How many elements can you use?"
"So far it's holy power but I have no idea why it works that way. I'm not even religious. What's your plan for lunch?"
"We were thinking about having some fish and chips for lunch, you okay with that?"
"Sounds great, is it from Lincoln's Fishers?"
"Same shop mom and dad used to have us eat. I found out Mister Lincoln's oldest son is a fisherman who turned into a Hunter, I do plan to recruit him cause he's got talent but his class...The same kid who would come over and play video games with you." Aquila showed Raven the video footage of Aiden using a harpoon gun, and the harpoons as a weapon. Along with a fishnet. Seeing that technique, familiar. This was Deep Down, a Hunter who was an expert at underwater combat. Raven remembered watching Deep Down slay a hundred mermen with just a single harpoon.
"If we get him, great. If we don't that's not an issue." Raven said as they hear a car driving over to them.
"Mommy!" Ivona ran into the blue haired woman who lifted her up. Kissing her daughter's cheeks, while one hand carrying their meal.
"Ah, hello Raven."
"Dolores. I'll help with the food." Raven grabbed the packed meals, bringing it inside as he took a glance at his brother's family.Seeing their happy faces before him, rather than the haunted visions of the past that came knocking in his mind often. Placing the meals onto the table, grabbing the fork, spoon and knives they would need. Setting up a chair for Ivona with a small cushion. Coming in with Raven making sure Ivona could sit between her parents with Raven sitting at the opposite side.
"I heard, Raven. You joined the RF... And now you're going to be dispatched to Rosenfelt?"
"Yup. That's why I'm getting my 1 month vacation. Ivona, what does Blue think of uncle?"
"Blue is scared of uncle, saying uncle is mean for saying he roasted Blue's friends." Raven chuckled only for Dolores to just him with the newspaper.
"Honey, calm down!"
"I can't believe you'd say that! What is wrong with you?! Stop being so grim with my child!" His grin as he remembered how protective Dolores was when it comes to Ivona. Just like old times, as nostalgia was hitting him. Dolores being angry at him while Ivona watched her uncle being bullied by her mother with glee.
"Blue said don't let him bully Blue again!" Aquila did not say anything, amused by what has fallen upon his brother. Despite it being a roll of newspaper, Raven could feel the blows because Dolores was a tank. So her strength was going to sting. After lunch, Dolores took Ivona upstairs to spend time together.
Raven and Aquila went into the backyard, unfolding the camping chairs and taking their seats. Far away so that Ivona won't see her uncle smoking,
"Do you remember one of the junior Hunters that worked with Dolores? The Priestess?"
"June? Why're you bringing her up?"
"Cause you had the hots for her the last time? I heard she broke up with that Cher guy or whatever his name was." Raven's face was a literal brick, not even reacting to the news. It was a thing but she just used him as a means to get close to Aquila. Just remembering it has Raven grinding his gears, he ate his cigarette where Aquila's face changed.
"What?"
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"I mean. It didn't hurt as much as the Lich firing marble sized magic missiles at me." Aquila could not say much to Raven's words. Seeing the bruises on his neck and body, he's been through a lot.
"Don't you need to rest? Didn't Dolores's hits hurt you?"
"I did feel it but, it's just Dolores being protective. Not an issue." Raven said as he puffed out the smoke from his lungs, leaning on the chair while thinking about what he would need to do next.
"I don't want to impose but, can you go with Ivona to school tomorrow? You'll be with Angelina and Mina. Her bodyguards, A-Rank Hunters."
"A-Ranks for bodyguards? How did you pull that off?"
"Dolores and I saved their families during a dungeon break. So you up for it?"
"Hey, you got two bodyguards with her. And they're A-Rank. Besides I'll spend time with her after school. Get ice cream and maybe buy her a teddy bear or something." Aquila let out a sigh.
"That's true. So where are you going to stay?"
"If you got a spare room, then sure. I'll stay." Dousing the cigarette then pulling out another one.
"We do. It's the room beside Ivona. Can you read her a bed time story?"
"Sure." Raven said as they both folded the chairs and headed back inside. Raven went for a shower since he smelled like cigarettes, second hand smoking is bad even for Hunters. What more a child like Ivona? Glancing at the mirror as he held Thousand Eyes where it faded away from his hand. Bound to his body so he could use it at any given time. Drying his hair with a towel as he opened the cupboard in the room, seeing clothes that Aquila had prepared.
"Just stay with us. There's no need for you to be out there."
"And do what!? I don't want to laze around and be a dead beat! I'm trying to be part of the fight! Forget it, I'm leaving!" Raven remembered that brief argument, because back then Raven wanted to be a Hunter to be like Aquila. To be a hero. To protect people. He just wanted to make his brother proud, yet in the end. Raven was the one who survived. The famed F-Rank. He remembered all the insults and leering he endured, yet the biggest irony was that he'd always survive.
Bond with Aquila is at Bond Level 6.
Smiling to that as Raven prepared to cook dinner with Aquila. Making a simple hotpot. An enjoyable meal with Aquila making the stock while Raven would be prepping the ingredients.
"How thin do you want these to be?" Raven was chopping through some spring onion, carrots, radishes and other vegetables before working on the meat.
"Very thin. Meat cooks fast if it's thin and last thing I want is for Ivona or Dolores to get indigestion. Hey, try the soup." Raven went over to Aquila who held a spoon, letting Raven try it.
"Careful it's hot." Raven just went for it. Burning his tongue but he was able to taste a lot of richness from it. The light chicken stock was a great touch, flavourful but gentle rather than a full on blast of peppers and herbs.
"A bit more of grinded pepper would be good. Mom always had a bit more pepper. But you are worried Ivona's stomach can't handle right?"
"Yeah. That's what I was worried about."
"Just a pinch. But it's got the flavor that reminds me of mom, nice one brother." Raven smiled to Aquila who watched Raven's knife skills, he was fast and precise.
"You could be a sushi chef with that precision. That's like what? Less than an inch thick?"
"For beef and lamb, yes. For chicken and fish, a little bit thicker because we don't want it to overcook." Raven said as the soup began to boil, where they put the vegetables in first.
"Sweeten the soup with veggies, then the meats. So what storybook should I read for Ivona later tonight?"
"Anything. The reason why Dolores and I are going to be busy is because of the fact that we have to go meet the Euphemian Nobles. The Empire's Nobles keep trying to pressure us to agree with whatever they want and it's annoying. I'd invite you to come but..."
"Don't. Unlike you and Dolores. I don't have the patience for them at all." Raven said as he put the lid on the pot, then preparing the table while Aquila just kept an eye on the pot.
"Most likely they might want to introduce you to some noble ladies. Most families are keen on having marriages with Hunters as a form of prestige."
"We're just trophies to them. Not like I care about it anyway. Besides, a guy like me? I'd rather be a bachelor than tied by the nobles or the Empire itself."
"Uncle, mom said you'll read me a bed time story later!"
"Yeah, kiddo. Which book do you want?"
"The princess and her knight!" Ivona said as she ran up to Raven and hugged him. He just patted her head, seeing Dolores who smiled towards him.
"Alright. We'll do that later okay? Food will be ready in half an hour. Can you wait?"
"Yes! I'll do some colouring books with dad!" Aquila got dragged by Ivona to do some colouring, where Dolores went to try out the chicken soup that was prepared.
"It's lovely. Light and gentle."
"You can thank your husband. He's the only one who could get it right. Out of the two of us."
"Thank you for spending time with her. She's... She's been worried since that day. You.."
"I know, guilds have their eyes on me. That's why I went to the RF. They can't touch me if I'm an RF member."
"Dolores. No matter what happens to me, you and Aquila need to promise me not to act rashly."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sure you heard of Falco and Stervy. My two other brothers?"
"Yeah. Falco and Stervy became Hunters in other countries. They haven't come back since the wedding when we last saw them."
"It makes no sense for the last 9 years for those two to not say a word. Considering how close we four are. Even if Aquila doesn't talk about it, he misses them too. He's a crybaby you know." Dolores chuckled, seeing Aquila and Ivona zoning out on the sofa to some of the cartoons.
"I know. When we saw the news... I never seen him so terrified. But, when we saw the combat footage by the Association. They were dead serious on wanting to promote you to C-Rank from the get go. Even if your stats aren't up there. The RF got to you first. Plenty of guilds wanted you, even Aquila. He told me that you're sharp. You had a pistol pointed to his neck and in your eyes... He saw madness. Like you didn't care about who you'd shoot. Now seeing you here, it's clear you changed... You know that my one of my skills is..."
"The ability to see how much karma a person has attained. My energy must look like a mix of things to you." She gave a nod.
"I don't know what happened... But.. You can tell us you know."
"One day. When I can trust people again." Raven said whereby Dolores had to think about what that meant.