The Vampire Kingdom's throne room.
"What happened to Hacan? He was supposed to attack the human territory after their loss against the elves." The vampires fell silent as they received news of the many vampire nobles with their heads on pikes. There was also news of a force led by a summoned human with several armored soldiers tearing through their towns. Three days and all that was left were corpses of their own ilk. Vampires on spikes. Be it corpse or head, it was on spikes.
"We should be more careful from now on." The word of the Vampire Lord, Ulm had the others with a nod. It had sent shivers down their spines. The idea of humans doing this to vampires. For the first time in their lives. They felt threatened.
Meanwhile, Raven was smoking his cigarette. His mouth was a chimney at this point. Seeing the Claws sharpen their weapons as they readied for a march. Wiseman on the other hand was smoking a cigar. Raven needed him on this crusade. That and Wiseman expressed he wanted to get a few heads of his own. In terms of power. They were far weaker than Raven expected. Normally even the low-ranked vampires can pose a threat to his current Persona.
A vampire knight charged at him from the left. A step back as Raven blew the vampire's face off with Howler. The howl of a beast masked as a gunshot. Interesting to say the least, expected of one of his weapons during his conquest to slay everything and everyone. Only thing that was a chore was how long it would take to reach the vampire kingdom's capital. He didn't pursue the ones who fled if they were just citizens. But if they were soldiers or nobility, he'd go after them in a heartbeat.
"Wiseman." Wiseman took aim. Firing off the harpoon that skewered a vampire that was cloaked with magic. Piercing the stomach, as Raven swung Howler's blade to send the head flying.
"How's the harpoon?"
"Perfect for what I use. I could hunt a lot more beasts with this." The Claws got in position as Raven led the way with Wiseman. Heading to the next location which was a fortress. Whereby Raven and Wiseman just decided to bring up small talk. Topic of the day? Corvus.
"When he first met me he just called me grandpa. But then again, the me he met was much older than I am now."
"What are you 90?"
"I'm 102. But this world made me return back to when I was in my prime at 60 years old."
"Shop."
Karma Shop : 2,500,000
+++ Vampire's fear.
+++ Vampire's are now terrified of you.
++++ Human countries are beginning to sow seeds of discord among each other.
Skills, Ally and Item Shop
Vampire Hunting Battalion (Bester) x 100 : 1,000,0000 Supernatural Subjugation Force Spec Ops x 20 : 250,000 Crimson Rain Petals Lightning Steps : 750,000 Talentless Hero Grit : 250,000 Shadow Lord's Necromancy Skill : 1,000,000 Moonlight Soltiude's Banishing Kick : 500,000 Black Wind Knights x 50 : 750,000 Barto's Third Son The Merchant's Eye: 500,000 VS Suit (enhanced) : 500,0000 Flame of the Forest's Flames : 1,000,000 Ardent Crusader : 500,000 RayVardo's Merciless Duke Madness Descending : 500,000 Smiling Mime's Karambits : 500,000 Abyss Gaze's Hatred Beyond Reason : 1,500,000 Lone Sailor's Journey : 250,000 The Wayward Sky's Ever Blue : 250,000
"The choices this time around were something that was unique to say the least. But I need numbers more than that. Save Abyss Gaze's Hatred Beyond Reason, Save Flames of the Forest's Flames and Shadow Lord's Necromancy skills. What I need would be Bester, Black Wind Knights, Supernatural Subjugation Force Spec Ops and a VS Suit." Upon those words the doors opened up.
Supernatural Subjugation Force Spec Ops. Clad in sleek armor with exoskeletons that supplemented their body's strength. Futuristic firearms that included shoulder mounted miniguns, wrist mounted rocket launchers. The armor covered their bodies from head to toe, with their faces covered as lenses slid out to the sides.
"Bruin is good to go, sir."
Then followed by 50 knights donning black hooded coats, a long sword, a short sword to their hips. Gauntlets and greaves fashioned to follow their bodies. By their side were horses that had maces, spears and crossbows strapped to the saddle. Black scarves that covered their faces. Eyes glowing azure.
"Your Grace." They bowed.
The last? 100 figures wearing a black tailcoat with a hood, wearing helmets. Pistols strapped to their thigh, wrist mounted blades. Long guns on their backs, a machete or saber on their hips. Knives on their chests. A tactical vest outfitted with magazines or shells for their weapons.
"Besters. Ready for action, Commander." The new forces that were added had one thing in common. They were predators and they would consume their prey. Their prey being anything of the supernatural aspect. The Vampire Brigade Besters were specialists in hunting down vampires. Making their own equipment and grenades. They were on par with the Claws in terms of tenacity. Black Wind Knights on the other hand were focused on infiltration but they don't escape. They destroy their foes in their path. The SSF Spec Ops Bruin? They were the generalized unit that handles everything from explosives, recon, intel gathering and the like.
"Bester. Bruin, Black Wind Knights. I summoned you here because we're going on a hunt. My Claws are my sledgehammer. Bruin, my scalpel. Besters, my saw. Black Wind Knights, my chisel. Bruin to handle surgically precise attacks. Besters to saw through my foes and Black Wind Knights to chisel away the strengths of my foes. Our prey for this time will be vampires. Something that I believe all of us can enjoy." The three groups turned their gaze to the Claws who stood behind Raven.
"Abyss." Wiseman signaled the vampires that were coming from beyond the horizons. An army of ghouls that followed suit, the servants of the high ranking vampires were on their way. Bruin's weapons spun up with gatling guns and rifles. Besters flicking the safety off their guns while Black Wind Knights drew their swords. With just one gesture, the Claws raced into the thick of it. Seeing the ghouls of all shapes and sizes getting in their way. Javelins thrown to skewer them first, unleashing the might of their blades that eased through the flesh. Bruin got on the rooftops, providing suppressing fire. Launching rockets that honed after the flying vampires. Blowing the limbs off as Besters set up firing lines. Black Wind Knights using mana and aura to move whereby the Shielding Claws mounted their shields to the ground. Forming a wall of spikes as they brought another shield to their hands.
"Knight! We'll boost you up!" The Black Wind Knights took that offer with gratitude as they leaped unto the shields with the Shielding Claws sending them into the air. A flying vampire met eyes with the gaze of a Black Wind Knight. Dismembering the arms, clipping the wings, then kicking the vampire down as a Shielding Claw readied a javelin that pierced the vampire's chest. Raven readied his pair of Howlers, going in with glee. Blasting ghouls away with the Howler's shots, now imbued with mana of the Elven Tree. Turning the bullets into seeds that sprouted vines that pulled the flying vampires into them.Giving the other Claws the chance to deliver the blows. Wiseman took his sweet time. Firing off harpoons that skewered vampires near the Claws, granting the Claws the right to inflict terror upon them.
A vampire crashed into a claw, biting the Claw's neck. Only to see the Claw's defiant eyes that readied the bladed gauntlets to jab her way through the vampire's chest. Tearing off her neck as a syringe was injected to stop the bleeding. Raven got close to the Claw. Kicking a vampire down, blasting shots to the face. Turning the vampire into a living tree, slowly becoming vines to pull more from above into it.
"I apologize, One Who Rips. I was careless."
"Keep fighting, Claw. This is nothing."
"Yes, One Who Rips!" The Claw readied her bladed gauntlets going in for the kill. Defiance. Hatred. The vampires can't handle human defiance nor can they deal with hatred that has been turned into a natural form. A small force against their army. Incarnations of hate, devotion and defiance. That tore through their morale. Pride torn asunder as vampires had began to plead for mercy while the Claws began to impale them with javelins. Bruin that just kept firing their weapons that left empty lots within the vampires. Besters leaping at the vampires with aura, readying their wrist mounted blades. Aiming at the chest, twisting it to see the vampires squirm. Hearing the so called 'Higher beings' squeal like pigs. It was a fitting end for their ilk. A vampire noble was thought to be enough to turn the tide. Casting magic and using blood as a means to attack. It struck a Bester's shoulder, only for the Bester to hit a lever on his wrist. Launching a blade that pierced the vampire's abdomen.
"Gah! How dare you!" The Vampire Noble unleashed spears of darkness but the Bester stood firm. Taking a hit to the leg, forcing the Bester to kneel but not to fall. Blood oozed from the wound as the Vampire Noble attempted to do more but more of the blades struck the chest. Trying to fly away was useless as the Claws wrapped the wires to their gauntlets. Forcing the vampire within range as three Black Wind Knights ran up the thin wire. Drawing their blades to get close. Before the Vampire Noble could do anything, blades struck his neck and heart. Wings clipped away as the bodyweight of three Black Wind Knights brought the vampire noble to the ground.
The vampire noble was nothing more than a cushion as the Black Wind Knights pulled their blades as Besters stood above it.
"You... You humans! Your families! I will slaughter them myself!" The Claws offered javelins as the Besters took it with a nod.
"Sto-" Stabbing the vampire noble until the life was snuffed out like a candle by a gentle breeze. The Bester who was injured was being taken care off, with Raven using magic to heal the wound quickly. Wiseman on the other hand was still smoking his cigar. Could not be bothered about anything else as he held a bottle in hand. They had a teamwork and a plan. Something that Raven never knew.
"Did you come up with that on the fly Besters?"
"No. We practiced it in the RIB. We also met your wife and vampire servants who wanted to make sure that we were prepared for this. Didn't know you were a Vampire Lord."
"Or a demon lord." A Black Wind Knight spoke up.
"Or a god." A Bruin added with Raven chuckling.
"Are you fine with that?"
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
"Of course, sir. You taught us how to kill them and how to make them feel fear. The ones in the RIB made us sharper and more powerful. We can't fight them on equal footing because of a power difference, but they said even an ant can bite an elephant and leave it in pain."
"To be honest, sir. Your Vampire family is much more powerful than this. When we faced them we only left with one survivor. These ones are lacking. Your Vampire family was able to make us feel fear because of how dangerous they were... But these? It just feels like playing with a bunch of idiots who claim to be vampires." A Bruin highlighted the point where Raven chuckled.
"Thanks. I want to bring you to meet the family that I lost in my first life but it'll take a while. Because my goal here... Is to beat this Causality and bring back forces that I need. I'm going to war." To which Raven's phone began to vibrate. Where he took a glance. Seeing a screen open up for him.
Seeing his allies, his families, his friends, his rivals, his enemies in those worlds watching Raven's life in the past. The first original life. Seeing their tears of anguish. His suffering. How Raven lost everything.
"He lost so much..."
"Father..."
"To be the only survivor..." The screen glitched out for a moment, showing Raven who had discovered what Latelica's plans are. Men in military uniforms began to discuss plans.
"I want Dreadnought Class Battleships in working order."
"We need to train our Valiants to face against Hunters."
"Then let us train them. The Ranked Hunters. We're quite similar to that regard. Black Zenith's going to need all the help he can get." Watching them all train fiercely against the Ranked Hunters from Raven's time as the Black Zenith. The most powerful Hunter. Retired but later on returning as the Chairman of a Hunter Association. The Ranked Hunters were all on his side.
"Man, and I thought I was a villain. I made Zenith's life suffer but I never touched children. I only used them as hostages but I'd never kill them. Damn, these guys are fucked up." The words coming from one of his foes, The 3rd Rank Hunter, White Wall was something he did not expect.
"Petty schemes are fun but it's more fun to just cause chaos. I can't believe they had to do this in such a backwards manner. Clever." One of his nemesis during his time as Iron Justice. Raven's adversaries in the past were different. Unlike the Latelican Royalty, they would just kill kids rather than hold them hostage. They wouldn't experiment on children. Only adults. Even the scientists who were within the RIB were appalled by the methods that had been stated for use against the late Euphemian Imperial Family. Cursing the methods.
Hearing them make up plans and suggestions, even trying to figure out a way to get themselves into this fight. Raven couldn't help but feel grateful. Though, he does wonder. What are his elder siblings doing right now.
Falco, Stervy, Aquila and Dolores were glancing at the screen before them.
A Causality Dungeon has appeared.
Causality Dungeons are Dungeons that can be done to support your brother.
The War God is currently elsewhere.
BUT BUT.
There is a reward for all of you.
5 new skills for completing this.
+Bonus.
You MIGHT EARN AN ALLY IF YOU PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT.
This will be a continued dungeon.
For Raven it would be a Persona.
This Causality has a few choices and scenarios to pick out.
The War of the Children The Heroes Association Lazy Hero. The Merciless Duke Vanguard Operators Arctic Fox Void Agent Scenario Raven Academy Instructors Blood Hounds. Lion's Reign The Adventurer who raised the legendary Heroes! The Garden of Roses. Flames of the Forest, After Burns. Black Zenith's World Valiant Valor Durandal's Blade Henchman of Burisa Shady Enforcer
An explanation into the worlds.
Raven Academy Instructors and Adventurer Who Raised Legendary Heroes are slow worlds where it focuses on building up strength rather than conflicts.
But the stakes are high when conflict happens.
Vanguard Operators and Arctic Fox are worlds that have full on conflicts and constant war.
This will take place 50 years after Raven's Persona. His identity as Whitewind of Vanguard Operators and Arctic Fox are considered as Legends.
War of the Children... Well. It's children dragged into a war. *This one is not recommended because this needs to be tackled as a team with Raven.*
Black Zenith's World comes from Raven's legendary status as the First Ranked Hunter, Black Zenith. The one who holds commands of all the Ranked Hunters. Became association president, then retired.
Heroes association requires you to be Heroes and acting out justice. *Not recommended until Raven comes back*
This is an introduction to the Causality System and a peek into the world's where Raven's allies come from.
You may recruit newer allies.
Gain newer abilities.
Your powers as Hunters will be limited but a karma shop will be activated.
Karma shop lets you buy items, weapons and skills from Raven.
Not yet Allies because technically you're not him.
"We're all seeing this right?" Stervy asked as he pinched his cheeks. They had no idea how to process any of this.
This is the same system that Raven uses.
I have been granted authority to give you all access.
You all wish to follow him to fight Latelica don't you?
"It's got us there." Falco clenched his fists at the thought.
What if.
You could recruit allies similarly to Raven?
Time flows differently.
"We can recruit allies?"
Yes.
Raven could only recruit a certain number of them. He can't recruit all of them.
However, you can recruit the ones he did not meet up. But you will also be subjected to a roulette system.
Which is why. The starting point will be vital.
You will be placed nearby with each other but in different groups.
Raven's timeline and your timelines will be different.
All four of you will be in the same timeline but Raven will be the preceding timeline.
For example
In Durandal's Blade, you will take place as members of different sections of the Imperial Army.
Raven's Section 1 will be estimateed to be 50 or 60 years after yours.
Your allies will also gain bonuses because they meet living legends.
You may also recruit members of Durandal Section 1 of your timeline.
In Garden of Roses.
You will join as members of the Garden of Roses crime family. Which will be handled by someone who Raven trained.
Backgrounds will be accommodated that you are his siblings and after his passing, you came to take over.
There will be Causalities where you four will be a family with Raven.
Specifically for newer Causalities.
Causalities that he has completed will be bringing different people altogether.
"So a multiverse concept?" Aquila interjected.
Quite So.
In newer Causalities.
You four may have to play certain roles.
For example in the future causality.
It may be a combination of all of you or one or two or three of you.
"What's the recommended Causality then?"
Durandal Chief.
Vanguard Operators
Valiant Valor
"Can we wait on this?" Dolores thought.
Of course.
There is no rush.
You may consult the members on this matter.
The four of them turned in for the night. Tomorrow, they were going to find the ones involved.
Dawn broke out as the four of them rushed over to Pridelands. Where Jack, Jizel, Kuota, Griswald and the Valors along with Bayern who were present inside the office where Lowell was working. Sorting out documents.
"You called for us?"
"Yes. The four of us received a notice to enter Causalities. Better ask you since Raven's not here." Aquila explained where the explanations started.
"When the Chief joined us. He was just a rookie of Durandal. He's Section 1 material but boy he was a wreck the first time around. Scared as shit but when the Chief joined up. His first memory was during the fall of Teresa. We're from the Steobian Empire. He became the leader of Durandal Section 1 during that scenario when all the higher ups died during one of the largest terrorist attacks known to our world. He destroyed the terrorists and Durandal became gentler. We still killed hostages but that was our last resort. That's Durandal. But the other Sections operate differently. Sections 2 to 12 are different in all regards. Section 2 handles riot control. Section 3 handles combat when there's no heavy armor. Section 4 deals with matters of research. Section 5 is for massive combat encounters in the city. Section 6 handles intelligence work. Section 7 focuses on espionage and planning. Section 8 is the assassination unit. Section 9 is one that deals with negotiations. Section 10 focuses on intelligence warfare. Section 11 well they're the experimental division. Section 12 is unique. They do cleaning up and support work for all sections." Jack explained.
"But don't let the names fool you though. All 12 Sections of the Imperial Special Army are special operations. They can all fight and they got unique styles to it. You might pick up some powerful skills. Chief made us train with the other 11 Sections and we see how dangerous they are. Durandal's the First Blade. We're the most lethal among them but you wouldn't call a sledgehammer useful when you're trying to tighten a bolt right?"
"Kuota? Griswald?"
"We called Raven Whitewind back then. He was an operator from Whitewind. The last surviving operator from Whitewind who joined Vanguard Industries. Our world is a world where there are people who have DNA from different beings. Your brother was a fox. We called him Whitewind because he survived WhiteWind's destruction. Then stopped the Seven Star War. It was a war that had humans and beastkin like us at odds. He led the charge. Saved the world but he died from his wounds. The world's more peaceful now but you might end up joining Vanguard Industries. In our line of work, we call them Operators. Operators that go into battles to fight against revolutionaries and monsters. A lot of monsters in our world are just mutated creatures that wreak havoc."
"Not to mention your brother's a legend. They made a statue of him called the Wind of Change because of his deeds. He convinced everyone that war is stupid and that the Seven Star War was orchestrated by humans who were so bigoted, they lost sight of why they fought against the beastkin. After the war, it's been peaceful. Just hunt down more monsters and keep cities safe."
Turning to the Valors.
"Scorpio... One of the first Valiants in the history of its creation.I think it's best if we let Bayern explain."
"Scorpio is a legend among the Valiants in our world. Because when the Valors had broken up and split their ways. Regal forming a utopia, Warcrest leading the underground and Fenris who became a farmer in other places. Valiants like myself would find him in combat. He would never rest. His limbs were damaged but instead of just doing nothing. He'd repair it with his own gear. Our civilization that lives underground is because of Valor's sacrifice. He kept on fighting and fighting for 3 thousand years. When it was over, Scorpio ceased all function. He destroyed the heart of the monsters. Repelled their invasion but it came with losing him." Those words had struck a nerve. Each life Raven had left a strong impression over them.
"That was how he is. Private Ashenworth's batshit insane but he's someone who'll fight tooth and nail. If you ask anyone of his allies. They'll tell you the same thing. Ask his wives. Or ask Arcien and Sichilde. Those two have an interesting story about how at their wedding they had assassins and Raven just turned the assassins to ash as he was reading them their vows. Then after the vows were read, those three went to the country that was invading them. Tore the bastards 10 new holes. You talk to Fang and Viktor. They tell you Raven massacred an entire country for brainwashing his men. You talk to Rodin and Aisha? They destroyed 10 countries because they beat up one of Raven's Book Keepers. You talk to Jersey. She'll tell you how Raven destroyed an entire international network of criminals and made them all his own. I met his other wives and families. They all say the same thing. His temper is something that should never be underestimated." Lowell highlighted it as he took a sip of his tea, prepared by Whitmore.
"Yep. Private Ashenworth's insane. Not to mention that one time he tore off the opposing king that started the war in our country with his teeth. His hands were cut off but he tore through the poor bastard's neck. Then he just went biting the necks off and earned the nickname the Mad Dog of Ibis."
"So which one do you plan to go for? It's going to be at a different timeline so you might not be going into crazy wars or anything like that. It might be relaxed than our time." Jack said as he passed a beer to Jizel.