Boarding the helicopter, all that Raven could see was the remnants of a civilization that had been swallowed up by the Heralds. Cassius, Wick, Gina and Mary were his senior members of Hunter with Cassius being the Captain. The Heralds were also consuming each other.

"We'll be making it to Reclaimer soon. You guys can go and get some shut eye. Good work Hunters."

"Hey, rookie. You joining us for drinks?"

"Maybe not, sir. I was too nervous during that fight. I need to rest." Wick patted Raven's shoulder.

"Well that's fine, rook. Maybe another time, eh?" Landing on the large land cruiser that was making its way through the ground. Raven got a feel for what this place was like, it was like a farmhouse in how loud and robust everyone was. Convicts making their way to the landing pad to get to their missions, then the others turning over to take a break after the operations. Teams were switching out, some of the Convicts went to R&D to get their Gaolers appraised or repaired for any sort of use. The materials they gathered from the Heralds would be used to upgrade their own equipment and the like.

Raven had given his reports and prepared the rest of his equipment. Bringing his Gaoler to Margery, the R&D engineer who was busy with her work.

"Hey, Hunter's Rookie. Heard you got some good kills today! The mid-sized Heralds you took out with Hunters got some really good materials I can use for your Gaoler. I can upgrade it into a new weapon or do you want to just upgrade your chain scythe?" Margery showed the catalogue, grind blades that are between short, medium and long, then to grind bashers which are weapons that combine both slashing and blunt attacks. The Ballistic Javelins which were spears that would pierce through foes and the final weapon being explosive hammers. Which were essentially hammers that would leave explosions after striking any surface area.

Sniper cannons, assault cannons, burst cannons and multi rockets. They were essentially bigger sniper rifles, rifles, shotguns and rocket launchers.

"How many weapons can a Gaoler hold?"

"It depends on your synchronicity rate. Wanna test it?" Raven put his hand on the machine.

"Wow... This is... This is amazing. You're capable to use all Gaoler combinations and can hold up to 12 weapons!" So Raven could decide to grab grind blades at three lengths, a grind basher, a ballistic javelin and explosive hammers. Mixing up the combination with assault cannons, burst cannons and multi rockets.

"That's done, thanks for your hardwork!" Raven headed out of the R&D center, going over to get his reports done. Typing his reports in a computer as he took the time to read about the world. One keypoint was the existence of Zealots and Odynn's Director Snowden. Looking into the face of the Director.

"Overseer. So you're here too. Then the Zealots must be..." Looking at the photos of the 12 Zealots, he was right. They were Zealots that he knew in the past, the ones he had slain back when he was Dead Flower Swordsman. A force to be reckoned with, even if he had won the fight against them. He was heavily injured. This must be what the system talked about, the Nexus. Just the thought of meeting his rivals once more. Would they attack him on sight?

Though he did read that the Gaolers and the weapons were designed by Director Snowden.

The guy was an inventor afterall. He made the weapons for Crimson King. He was the one who made the design and had the factory to manage it. Not surprised if he made the weapons because of the world's philosophy. He still plays by the rules.

Raven closed the laptop as he went to the mess hall, seeing a variety of dishes being served. Plenty of other Convicts who were moving around. There was an empty seat as Raven grabbed his tray of food. Taking his mind to think about what he want to eat. Grabbing some stir-fried noodles with some beef and bok choy. A refreshing bottle of water. Something to ease his mind as he took his meals. Seeing the tired faces of some of the rookie Convicts, the veterans who seemed to be kicking back with beers and laughter.

He noticed a few children, can't be any older than 12 moseying about. Eyes watering at the sight of food before their eyes, plates in hand as their tummies rumbled with excitement. Pauldrons on their shoulders.

"So those are the kids who became Convicts too. At least we're putting them on recon missions and scavenging. So they shouldn't be in too much danger."

"It's just how it is, they prolly had to be Convicts because of what some Haven's Governors have been acting. They began selling kids and these kids were called useless. Director must have a reason why he's taking them in." The gossip from the table to the right gave off good information as Raven ate his meal. Snowden had always protected children but during the time when Raven had to cut him down as the Abyss Gaze, he only made the request that the children be spared. Letting out a sigh as he finished his meal.

Getting up to the lounge area as he watched Convicts be brought to the infirmary, a few bloodied Gaolers being brought back. A sign that the Convicts had been eaten. Some veterans were clenching their fists, some others were crying. How much blood and tears would this place see on a daily basis? A pat on his shoulder as he saw Cassius.

"What is it, Captain?"

"I got called in the middle of my drinking session. Seems like a Herald was lethal during a mission that was peaceful." A small arm being brought away on a tray. A child was killed. From the murmurs it was a Corrupted Herald.

"Sometimes it can be unexpected. Even if we make everything safe, doesn't necessarily mean a lot of people will come home alive. Be friendly but don't hold too much attachments. Today's friend might be dead tomorrow." Cassius said as he went off, noticing a few more children making their way over. Seeing the arm with the pauldron, it was enough for them to cry. Their friend had also passed on. Just seeing this, it reminded Raven of the many Personas he had. The sense of dread. No matter how many times or what he does, he will always get this sensation. It will always kick in and something he'd be used to.

Though would anyone get used to this? Whether Raven killed or watched people die. The sense of dread comes and goes as it pleases, an animal he can't tame. Whatever it is, is something he'll figure out how to handle. Getting to his room. His thoughts were going back to the depths of his soul. Just sitting on his bed, seeing his environment change right before him.

Scorpio who arrived at the remains of a village he was trying to protect. The Weak One who watched everything fall apart before his eyes. Friends killed, monsters eating civilians. All of it, slamming into him like an eighteen wheel truck. Massaging the bridge of his nose as he leaned back. The trauma of all those Personas were coming at him. The time when he became The One Who Rips, impaling children with the javelins and ripping their limbs off. He was the greatest hypocrite. Being affected by children being killed. A stern reminder of what could've happened to Ivona if he failed.

Treat the tough days as longer days. Just get through it.

Going to sleep with that mantra in his mind playing on repeat. It was easier for him to stomach what he had just felt. The next day came on with Raven going out for a new assignment. Heading over to Greta who was by the mission counter. Seeing Cassius, Wick, Gina and Mary who seemed gloomy. They were grumbling at the latest mission brief.

"Morning, Hunter Five. You're right on time. Today you will be going on an extermination mission of a large sized Herald. The Herald is called Zisdian. This species is known for being dangerous because of it's characteristics." Just looking at the documents, it was a gigantic squid that was covered in armor plating. Though it was constantly floating all about. Telekinesis?

"It does not have any known elemental weaknesses and it's armor's thickness makes it a dangerous foe."

"Hunter Five. I'd rather you sit this one out. This thing has killed plenty of rookies. One reason you got recommended is because Margery said you can use multiple Gaoler types. If we do have you on, you'll have to be in front of it."

"Understood, sir." Cassius scratched his head. Wick just shrugged his shoulder while Gina and Mary grinned to that response.

"You know that we're asking you to be the bait right? It's weakness is right at the back but you'll have to take the hits from the thing. It's also known to use the environment as weapons. Constantly throwing objects at you." Raven's face didn't change which annoyed Cassius further.

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"Alright, rook. Don't die on me. Come on." Making their way to the helicopter, Raven decided that it was best to use an explosive hammer and multi rockets. The rockets could look on to targets but Raven was focusing more on using the hammer. The impact of the hammer against armor can cause weakness. If you hit something hard enough, you can bend and break the internal body parts. That was something Raven learned in the past, when it comes to enemies that had armor.

Either you hit it with enough force to break the armor or you pierce right through it. Zisdians as what Raven had read from the previous engagement notes, highlighted that it's a Herald that had a wide sense of frontal vision. When it attacks, the barriers behind it will be lowered as it uses the environment to attack. From trees, to cars or to whatever that was nearby. Even forming sand into spears that would strike deep into the target.

Cassius and the others weren't nervous. That was enough for Raven as he got a feel for the explosive hammer. Seeing a small box right behind which had gotten his curiosity.

"First time you're using an explosive hammer right? It's got five shots. You take up one shot per swing but at full charge, you take whatever that remains. Then you need to load it. Your pauldron will give you additional ones when it runs off. If there's no shots, you can still swing it but it won't be generating explosions." Mary explained.

"I used to use a hammer but I chose to swap out because my compatibility was bad with it." Mary spoke as she showed her ballistic javelin. The helicopter landed them nearby the area, just out of the Zisdian's last seen location. Stepping out as they began to check their phones. The last known location was nearby, piles of rubble all around them. The remnants of a civilization that had been harmed. The rubble, the buildings that had been torn to pieces. Blood stains that blanketed the area, it was just how things go.

"Captain." Raven called Cassius.

"Whatever happens, don't stress yourselves. I'll handle this in my own way." Raven said as they watched objects float all around them. Trees, wreckages of motor vehicles, blocks of stone and chunks of rubble that waited for a new home. A brief glance at the Zisdian that was floating above him. A certain memory was pouring into him. Something that was screaming into his mind. A memory that was out of place. A blink of his eyes, he was seeing his older self cry about a figure in his arms. Wailing as his face wrinkled with anguish. Just a memory that was beginning to shatter.

Ah. Her. Do I truly believe in it? Would love even matter at this point? So the Causalities are going to remind me of that one. You want to go back there? Those words kicked into his mind as Raven glanced at the Zisdian. An old memory. One of his regrets. Something surging in his veins. A memory that had been forgotten. A name that had been missing with nothing to mind. Like she did not exist. Just seeing that other self? The look of anguish and falling into the abyss of despair? All of that was enough for Raven to lose his cool.

"We've been spotted! Break!" Cassius called as Raven just remained behind, the others went away.

"Rookie!" The Zisdian launched everything at Raven, only to see Raven swinging the explosive hammer right on the face plate. Breaking the shell as it began to crack. Switching out for a ballistic javelin as Raven loaded the ammo into the slot, glancing at the Zisdian that began to flail objects about. Driving the javelin straight into the eye, where he pulled the trigger by the rod. Injecting the Zisdian's eye with six explosives. Then pushing it through with sheer force as he roared back in defiance.

The multiple eyes of the Zisdian glanced at him as Raven pulled the trigger. Causing the explosions to blow off the carapace and eyes, where Raven pulled out the javelin. Remembering the techniques of Severed Knot. Right now he was hunting a monster. This Herald? It was going to be his first prey. The fast movement, the relentless pursuit with a harpoon? Piercing another eye with the javelin as he clung to the Herald like a flea. Refusing to be swept away or brushed aside. A branch pierced into Raven's arm, the Zisdian's teeth opened up to devour him but as their eyes met. The Herald hesitated, and that was how Raven drove the javelin straight into the mouth. Switching the gaoler for multiple rockets as he shoved it right into the mouth.

He was screaming the entire way as the missiles blew up the Zisdian's body, silencing it as Raven pulled out his gaoler. His pauldron began to swallow the Herald, tearing it apart as Cassius came with the others.

"Hunter Five, you okay?"

"Yeah... Just lost my cool a bit, Captain."

"This is F-------, n---d su--- Cr-no. Pl- elp!"

"Greta, clear that up. This is Hunter squad, repeat your message!"

"Thank god, this is Fox One! We got 10 Cresnos on us! Help!" Before Cassius could finish speaking Raven was already off.

"Wait, Five!" Mary called out.

"Let him go, rookie's gaze... That's changed a bit. Fox One this is Hunter One, I've sent Hunter Five to act as diversion. Hunter Five, play it by the ear. You sure you're ready to hunt them? Cresnos aren't easy. They play with your senses. They're just large horses with a horn that attracts lightning. Be smart."

"Hunter One multiple smaller Heralds are after Fox squadron. Is it okay to let Hunter Five alone?"

"Yeah, Greta... I think something's changed about him. Those eyes of his? They look like someone who's fallen into the depths. Check his gaoler synchronization rate... Any sign of a gaolbreak?"

"Checking now." Cassius and the Hunters moved to support Fox squad. Readying their gaolers in gun mode, blasting off shots to strike the smaller Heralds.

"Cassius... His gaoler synchronization rate... It's... It's 500%."

"The last time we heard its at 500% means a Convict is at the end of his lifespan. It's like burning your own life force to use your weapon but... Normally they're unstable and become driven to kill and fight against everything but... He's calm." Cassius spoke as he fought with the Hunters. Trying to get Fox Squad out of death's embrace. The numbers were increasing but that didn't mean much considering the threat that was Raven with the increased gaoler synchronization rate.

"Greta, give me a update... How's Hunter Five doing?"

"I'm here, Captain." those words echoed as they see Raven charging through the horde of smaller Heralds with a scythe. Swinging it as the chains began to chase after the smaller Heralds while his pauldron began to tear the Heralds apart for materials. Then readying rockets that would rain from above. Imbued with lightning from the Cresnos. The rockets burst into bolts of lightning that struck all of the creatures.

"Greta... Update."

"Synchronization rate is increasing... It's... It's at 1000% and there's no changes to his sanity or any mental scarring... His vitals are showing normal.... Hunter Five, do you feel uncomfortable or anything different?"

"I feel tingly in the limbs. Restless. Just need to beat something up, that and I hear plenty of growling. The Zisdian and the Cresnos I killed? Yeah, they're growling at me. Is my gaoler breaking?"

"That's because your synchronicity rate is at 1000%. It's something that would kill a regular human, but I suppose you're not exactly a regular human are you, Raven?" A voice that he knew all too well.

"Hunter One, when the mission ends. I'll need to borrow Hunter Five for a moment. Of course it's to experiment and check his body as to why he's fine despite reaching that high level of synchronicity." Cassius turned to Raven, unsure of what to say.

"Kid... If it's the Director..."

"It's fine. Where's the chopper?"

"It's on the way... See you all back... I'm glad you're alright." Greta spoke as the helicopter arrived where the two squads boarded. Fox Squad was going to need to take some time to heal up because of all their injuries. Hunters? Cassius was a little uneasy with Raven heading to the Director. Arriving back at the camp, where Director Snowden. The same face that Raven knew him. The charismatic young man, the inventor who stood with a grin. A pipe in his lips, a smile to Raven.

Contrasting Raven who was bloodied with eyes that were gazing back at the Director. It was akin to a beast demanding blood. Both of them blinked, and they found themselves back in the world of Abyss Gaze. The Causality of Raven pointing the longsword at Snowden. Another blink of their eyes as they were back on the Reclaimer.

"Shall we have a talk, Raven?"

"Yeah." The pair of them headed into Snowden's office, where he had everyone leave. The pair just sat down, glancing at each other. Raven lit a match for Snowden's pipe as Snowden offered a cigar. A moment of silence as they just enjoyed their vices. Strong tobacco from Raven's cigar, contrasting the floral scents from Snowden's pipe.

"Do you resent me?"

"It's the past, Snowden. Surprised you agreed to be here. I thought you'd curse me to hell for what I did?"

"As you said. It's the past. Most of your rivals. You don't know what kind of man you are do you?"

"I know what I am. I enjoy the violence. I enjoy the silence. What's more to it?"

"You made your nemeses, your rivals and those who fought against you? They see the error of their ways.... We also understand your goals. When you were placed in the role of a villain. Not a shred of hesitation from you nor fear. Just pure efficiency. You used all of our own tactics and improved it. You made us see how to be ruthless and efficient. Particularly in the world of the Diabolical Villain. You're someone who can play the part of many things. From the greatest villain, the greatest monster and even the one who would save the world. It must be jarring to you, isn't it? Playing these roles yet you never questioned about yourself?"

"It's like acting in a way. I get to enjoy so many different roles all at once. But one thing I did notice... Was that some older memories resurfaced. Some that I seemed to have locked away from the traumas of the past." Raven spoke as Snowden poured him a glass of hard liquor with ice.

"35 year old bottle of whiskey. One that I kept in case we met. The Zealots are also an interesting bunch... They have a lot of talent and they make it work in this world. Though they aren't Crimson or Red but they can make it work. If our Colors were here, this whole fiasco would've been over by now. How is your family?"

"We're reunited. That's all that matters." Raven puffed out smoke from his lips as Snowden simply took a short drag from his pipe.

"About that one memory of yours. I was told that a single woman who was your last regret. Was there something behind your mind?"

"It seems like it's a memory I've refused to remember. Soul and body were linked but the mind... Perhaps that loss is what driven me insane. Faint figures of a woman in my first life, yet I can't make shit out of what or who she is. I'll worry about that one later, but what do you want me to do Snowden?"

"Just do as you always do. I'll prepare a new Gaoler set for you when the time comes. I need the Abyss but I can't have you here if you seem distracted."

"Fair enough."