"Hunter Five. What's the situation on your end?" Cassius was calling in. The situation? It was averted. Raven had been standing on a few Zisdians. Behind him were the children who had been doing scavenging and clean up. Then noticing the other mid-sized Heralds that were present. His pauldron tearing into it. Though his gaolers were worn out. The blades had chipped, the hammers had defects on them

"Hunter Five. The Director has made a new gaoler for you! It's flying in now!" Greta spoke up as a longsword landed to the side. Abyssal black. A classic as Raven picked it up.Raven went after a Zisdian, slashing through the scale plates then stabbing into it. Brute forcing the blade to cut the Zisdian in half. Just holding it? Light in his hand but the durability? It was a marvel of work, not even a chip despite the toughness of Zisdian scale. The sharpness was enhanced and it felt like the blade itself was working with him in tandem.

"How's the weight?"

"Light for my taste but balance is perfect." Raven said as he used the blade to redirect a Zisdian's attack with a boulder. Then leaping upward, spiraling down with slashes that sawed the Herald in half. Using the sheath to parry an attack, then going in for a fast pierce that went through the Zisdian's mouth, followed by pushing the blade deeper as he split it in two.

"The children?"

"Safe. They're with the other Hunters... This isn't the usual Gaoler."

"It's one I made for you. It's important to have a reliable weapon. Especially knowing your tendency to wear out your other gaolers." Raven couldn't argue with Snowden on that end. His gaolers, the melee parts are worn, the shield was dented and the firearm parts had cracked barrels and was losing accuracy. The sights were broken and essentially his weapons were useless.

"Hunter One, this is Hunter Five. Situation averted. Greta, any more targets?"

"None. We're in the clear! Good work!" Cassius came with the others, watching Raven just tap his pauldron to get more materials from all of the dead heralds. The children were still cowering behind cover as Cassius went over to them. Checking their wounds while Raven was staring at his longsword. Inspecting the blade, glancing at the edge and the like. The helicopters were coming but another Zisdian had arrived.

"Another one?! Damn it!" Raven leaped straight into the large herald, piercing his blade into the eye as he tore out another eye with his hand. The herald began to thrash about, trying to get Raven away from it. Too focused on Raven to worry about the helicopters and the Convicts.

"Hunter Five!"

"Take them out of here captain, I'll be fine!" Cassius had to accept that plan, bringing the children onboard the helicopters as they flew away. Though Raven could hear more heralds coming over to his way. His blade was keeping up with the intensity, the longsword was being matched with the combined years of experience. His fast stabs that pierced deep into the herald, then slashing through to free his blade. Blood splashing over his face as he wiped the blood off with his left hand.

"Snowden." Raven just lit a cigarette, puffing the smoke out of his lungs as he saw the chaos that was coming to his path.

"Yes, my friend?"

"Make an Abyss Weapon set just in case."

"Of course." The Zisdians, Cresnos and the large tiger herald, known as Balcors had began their approach to Raven. He was going to face them alone but if it meant he would be getting some good parts, then it's worth it. His instincts of facing many kinds of beasts kicked in, dodging a Balcor's swipe. Slashing the front legs, then immediately going for the neck. Letting go off the blade as a large pillar was sent flying. Unarmed but he wasn't going to just sit and wait, readying his sniper cannon as he began to move about. Firing shots that would recoil him a few steps. But those steps were precious. He was dancing his way back to his blade as he grabbed it. Going on a frenzy with the longsword. Slashing heads off, slashing limbs. As his pauldron's tendrils tore through the materials.

Getting everything he needed as Raven finally was clear. Lighting a cigarette as he breathed out. A helicopter came to get him, getting into it. Finding more rookies.

"Holy shit... That's a lot of dead Heralds!" A guy with a beanie spoke up.

"Hunter Five is onboard. Director Snowden wants to see you when you arrive."

"Got it, Greta. Thanks." Raven snuffed his cigarette as he glanced at the rookies. They seemed to have been on their first mission, talking about it. Proud of their first mission. Raven could share the sentiment. In the many Personas he's lived in. Whenever he won a first battle. It felt invigorating. The first time when he was just a regular soldier before being promoted as Grand Chancellor of War. The first time he cleared a dungeon as a Hunter before becoming Black Zenith. The first mission he did before being Abyss Gaze. Every step. It felt memorable. Every action he took in those worlds meant something. In those Causalities, he was absorbing their experiences. Gaining their skills and prowess. Though he may not have the full strength of Abyss Gaze but the Convict's body with the gaoler and connection made it somewhat possible. Knowledge of the many arts he used with the blade was a weapon.

All of his techniques. All of what he needed. Combined into his own arts. Combining those techniques all at once, from hand to hand to guns and blades. It made everything easier. The way he felt his body move. If he had Abyss Gaze's strength and Shady Enforcer's durability. He would be doing much better here. Killing the Heralds was fine but Raven felt slow. Slow in the sense that if he had his other Personas it would've been a lot quicker.Convict King still felt like something was restrained. Like there was more to the persona's skill that hasn't revealed itself to him.

Either way that wasn't going to be an issue. Arriving back at the Reclaimer where Snowden was waiting for him along with Margery and her engineering crew. Seeing Raven put the Gaolers on the table where Margery screamed.

"How did you get them so worn out!? DID YOU HIT WALLS WITH IT?! GOD THIS IS GOING TO TAKE SO MUCH TO REPAIR!?" Then Raven's pauldron dropped by plenty of materials which instantly changed her mood. The engineers were already grinning at all the materials that was brought.

"Okay! No complaints! We'll improve your Gaolers!"

"Leave his ones to me, Margery."

"But Director!"

"Raven's gaolers need to be tailor made. I will have you make it, but it will be pushing the depth of your knowledge. How's the blade?" Raven showed the longsword, where Snowden noticed the chips and the rolls on the edges.

"I'll work on fixing it. What do you want your next weapon to be?"

"A jikdo." Snowden gave a nod as Raven headed to his room. Getting himself cleaned up. A quick hot shower that was comforting. Stepping out to see more bloodied gaolers brought back. Another day of just arms being brought back. Pauldrons that showed who died. Weary eyes, the tears of friends and family to the Convicts that have perished. His weapons won't be prepared soon, so Raven had the time off.

Going back to his room to find an email from Snowden.

'At the rate the situation has been going. I'll have a need for you to operate solo. There's too many dead Convicts coming back on missions that should be safe. You'll be operating in places that are safe and clearing out as many Heralds as you can. Think you can handle it?'

'Just make sure the weapons are ready.'

'Give it a few days. I know you'll be antsy and restless but this is what you need. Rest up, get some strength back.' Raven turned in for the night, wondering what was going with his siblings?

Commander Shaw, Captain Max and President Black has encountered a special gate.

It is a gate that is exclusive to you.

The War God's trial has manifested.

The War God's Trial for Shaw, Max and Black are exclusive to them.

Will you allow them?

Vinter - Your world's gates are getting tougher. This is a freebie. If they pass, they'll get some powers and memories back.

Pre Trial

Post Trial

Assault Gunner

The strongest firearms based Hunter class.

The Unwavering Warlord.

The legendary firearms class, the Skull King's True Form.

Grants buffs to allies.

Increases firearm damage and proficiency.

Marksmanship +1000%

New skill 'Skull King' - Increases headshot damage by 500%. If enemy is at 50% health guaranteed kill. 100% health but undetected guaranteed kill.

Super Computer Mage

Second Highest Rank Magic Hunter Class

Instananeous Assault Magus

Mage + Melee Combat Specialist with Strength.

10000% casting speed.

150% melee damage.

Learns the hand to hand combat skill 'Close Quarters Mage'

Special close range mage martial arts. Combining magic to use similar to aura.

Rampaging Monk

Strongest Brawler Hunter Class

Frenzied Monk

Legendary Brawler Class.

Increased combat intuition.

Able to negate lethal blows.

Rampage + 50%.

Close quarters combat specialization.

Fast footwork.

500% increase in defense.

Wildland - the name given to Black for his feats in a special S-Rank dungeon that he attempted alone. A land of beasts where he brawled all of them to completion.

All three will become Sovereigns if they pass.

You will be transported to the Gate momentarily as the War God. But you will be observing if they can live up to their futureselves.

Your appearance will also change to the time when you were the War God.

Commander Shaw, Captain Max and President Black. The three of them were standing in front of a special gate. The gate was ranked as S but the requirement needed the three of them. There were others who were observing, all of them were curious as they thought something was going to happen. The dungeon gate began to mutate, where they heard gunfire and echoes from within.

"Commander, President... Why do you think this Gate is calling us?"

"I do not know, Captain. What matters is that this gate is dangerous." To which they see a notification appear before the three of them.

War God's Trial.

Inside you will find a foe that the three of you will need to face.

Foes that will push you beyond your skills and you may suffer a pain far greater than death.

This space is to determine if you are worthy.

Failure only occurs if you lose the will to fight.

Constellations

The Unwavering Gunman, Ulvanor Shaw. You'd best go in. Mage of the Depths, Gyrr Max. You need to enter this one. The Benevolent and Malevolent Monk,Tidus. Black. This one is one you must enter.

"If our Constellations are reacting to this... Then we should go in." Shaw readied his rifle, Max put on her gloves as Black readied his gauntlets. They were wearing their best armors for this as they stepped through the portal. Inside. They could see the ruins of everything before their eyes. Euphemia was now left as a remnant of their civilization. A lone man just sat on top of a destroyed tank, smoking a cigarette. He didn't seem to be anyone they recognized.

Then watching three figures step out from the destroyed tank, a man with a helmet that had a skull etched to the visor. Clad in a some serious armor. Skin tight armor with thrusters by the shoulder and hips. A pistol grip in the hand where a weapon began to form. A battle rifle. Shaw felt it. The sensation of death at every direction came unto Shaw, he was able to withstand it but it felt like whereever he would go. The one with the skull had his eyes set on him.

A slightly older woman appearing before their eyes, wearing a black coat over the shoulders with gloves. Wearing a military hat over her head, a scar on the face. Just the sheer mana reaction alone was enough to unnerve Max, she was feeling that intensity. The pressure that was going to swallow everything before her eyes. The mana being sent out? It was turning the entire battlefield into a chaotic mess. The ruins began to shift, the broken buildings were lifted off the ground.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

The third figure was wearing a large beast skull that covered his head, with a mask inside that covered the face. A full combat suit, no gauntlets. Just a pair of fingerless gloves. A black turtle neck sweater with a jacket. The aura being unleashed was enough to cause the walls to be chiseled. The ruins were taking significant amount of damage. Cracking and breaking into smaller pieces. An entire skyscraper that was lifted by the woman had been grounded into dust because of the beast skull figure's actions.

"Skull King. Magus. Wildland. Those three are your foes." The voice came from the man who sat on the tank.

"Good luck surviving." WIth those words the man vanished, Shaw and the Skull King readied their rifles. Firing a shot as they watched how their bullets collided in mid-air, creating chains of explosions. Matching each other with their shots. Their rifles ran dry as they drew the pistol. Strafing to the side as they pulled the trigger. Leaping to the flying pieces of rubble as cover. It was difficult, Shaw had been grazed and even when he was hiding in cover. Gunshots pierced through Shaw's cover, putting pressure on as he leaped to another spot. Hearing a loud thunder that prompted him to get down, watching the floating chunk of rubble above him be blown into pieces.

Shaw fired a shot to where the Skull King was. Only to feel a shot pierce his chest. Seeing that the Skull King left a rifle as bait, followed by a shot from a revolver to blow a hole through it. The first death had been counted.

Magus went after Max in close quarters, the two of them began to cast spells with their thoughts. Fists flying about. Max was trying to focus on cancelling the Magus's magic. She felt the difference in power and speed quickly but Max wasn't giving in. Even her fists was being reflected. Watching how Magus used the palms to redirect her punches. Gentle redirection as Max went for a headbutt to push the Magus back. Unleashing as many spells as she could. Magic missiles, elemental javelins, elemental rays. Everything she could use. Launching them as the cloud and dust began to cover her vision.

"Wind Cutter!" The wind parted the smoke as Magus stood there, stopping the wind with her palm.Then going in with an elbow strike to the face, Max watched as the fists lit up with blue flames. A strike to her stomach that sent her flying through the rubble. The sheer force sent her piercing through a few dozen buildings. Landing on her feet, blowing the blood out her nose. The Magus yawned before her. Before Max could recover, she found elemental spears all around her. The Magus waved her goodbye as the elemental spears pierced right through her body. The first of Max's death was recorded.

Black and Wildland were going at it with their fists. Technique wise they were on par with each other. The brawl would be decided by whoever makes the first mistake. The swift movements, Wildland was a tough foe, even for Black. Despite their blows creating rippling shockwaves that shook the environment. They kept on going but what Black had a single moment of carelessness. Not being tenacious enough as he was thrown to the ground. Then his head crushed by Wildland.

The three of them were sent flying out of the dungeon. Getting back on their feet, running back in. Where their equipment had been restored to their full glory. Now it was a matter of tenacity. The man smoking a cigarette by the tank, merely sat there. Enjoying the view. Shaw felt the gun barrel to his face.

"I'm your foe. Not him." A pull of the trigger as he felt death take him.

Max was strangled by the Magus as her eyes landed on Raven.

Wildland had broken everybone in Black's body, then a stomp to finish it. Thrown out again, but the three of them were gritting their teeth.

"Commander!" Shaw turned to the members of RF.

"It's a special dungeon. You can't enter. It's only the three of us. We don't know why but it's just how this goes." Then seeing Magus step out, along with Skull King and Wildland.

"Shit... They're going to fight out here?" Max readied her magic, only to be cancelled out.

"We're not here to fight. You're not ready."

"How dare you say that!? You show up in a dungeon, out of nowhere and say I'm not ready!? I don't care, I'm going to beat you up!" Max shouted as she threw a jab, watching Magus throw her down.

Shaw drew his pistol but Skull King had the barrel to his head. Black raised his hands in surrender as Wildland just let out a sigh.

"This dungeon will remain open until the three of us are bested. You can keep coming in but each time you lose, you get sent out."

"Then how many more times can we fail?"

"Until you give up. You give up, this dungeon breaks. The three of us run wild out here." Wildland spoke with a deep voice. Huskier than President Black's and the aura itself threatened the area. THe Hunters felt their passive skills kick in on instinct.

"Then what if we don't give up?"

"You keep fighting." Magus grabbed Max by the collar.

"DIDN'T YOU PROMISE TO KEEP FIGHTING?! HOW MANY MEN DIED UNDER YOUR COMMAND?! HOW MANY CORPSES DID YOU STOMP ON TO COMPLETE THE MISSIONS?! WHAT IS THE RF'S DUTY?!" Max was frozen.

Shaw holstered his pistol then Skull King grabbed him by the shoulders. Throwing Shaw to the ground with a pistol pointed to his face.

"Die like a dog, or die on your feet?"

"I'd rather die on my own terms." Skull King gave a nod, holstering the pistol and turned to Magus who let go of Max, as Wildland stood then they see the man who lit a cigarette. Standing in front of them. The man glanced at the Hunters, just a mere glance as they all felt a chill that haunted them. A bind that tightened their throats, their bodies rejected oxygen. Their minds were succumbing to a migraine.

"Power is earned. In blood. In sweat. In tears. Good luck." They went in with him. As Shaw, Black and Max went to give chase. Fighting another hundred times. Maybe a thousand. The citizens and Hunters watchedh ow every time they were sent flying. They came out coughing blood, broken bones. But they just kept rushing in.

"Hey, you're from Black Wing right? Can't you do anything?" A question posed to Corvus who shook his head.

"It's not our fight. It's theirs. When it's over. You'll know."

That insane tenacity for that dungeon, the three of them kept on fighting. Round after round, they were losing. An intense fight as Shaw kept using tricks and concealment. Running from cover to cover, leaving weapons and decoys to mask his presence. Trying to throw off Skull King's aim. Confusing the foe on the position. It was a last resort but that brought him the chance. Seizing that chance. Shaw shot the helmet of Skull King. Cracking the visor, revealing one eye that glared at him. Getting close with a knife to the throat and a pistol to the face.

"Heh, not bad." A shot that blew Skull King's face.

Max went in for close range, fists first then magic. Magus was dodging with ease but then slipping at the last second as Max hammered her down into the ground. Unleashing a dozen more elemental barrages to break Magus's body as the cap flew over to her side. Then seeing Magus smiling at Max.

"Looks like you're ready, Captain." Max put on the cap, then seeing the Magus giving her the thumbs up.

Black and Wildland's brawl was forcing the environment to shift, matching his speed and strength to be equal to Wildlands. This time focusing on different grapple techniques and reversals. Trying to avoid a grab from Wildland, an elbow to the face. Then an aura infused jab that broke through Wildland's armor, then a knee to the face. A headbutt and a punch that shattered the skull helmet.

"You're ready." In that moment, Shaw, Max and Black found themselves with their foes. A tap on their shoulder.

"Synchronize." In that moment Shaw saw a memory of him and Raven, gunning down monsters left and right. Shaw's magazine was empty, with Raven swapping it out for a fresh one and getting back into the fray. Cleaning up dragons and wyverns like they were just target practice.

"Your reload's are sloppy, kid."

"Sorry." Shaw patted Raven's head.

"We'll need to do more practice."

"Yes, sir!" The next scene was Shaw standing alone as he glanced at Raven and the others who had left. Readying his rifle as he stood against a few hundred hydras before him.

"If he's alive. He'll never forget the promise. He promised me that one day, he'll make the world back to what it was. And I'll fight by his side once again. I'll hold this line. Skull King's last battle." Shaw put on the helmet of the Skull King, then fighting the hundred hydras on his own. Firing shots that blew through the heads, constantly shifting between the rifle and underbarrel grenade launcher. Fast shots with the pistol to get through to the heart. Reloads that were faster than light itself. Nearly instantaneous. Like there was no need for him to reload at all. Towards the end, Skull King fell to his knees, succumbing to the injuries. But even then he kept on firing his gun.

Max was with Raven who was running as bait, getting creatures to pay attention to him with Max providing cover. The orcs and others gave chase to him, he was leading them at the front with nothing but running shoes and a bag. Throwing objects in their way to get their focus on him.

"You alright, Ashenworth?" Hearing him panting loudly as Max chuckled.

"I'm fine, calm your tits." Then seeing a lightning bolt strike Raven. With him jumping in the air.

"Damn it, Max!"

"That's for saying that. Idiot!" She was smiling at the sight of Raven coming back safely. He was breathing haggardly but he was fine.

"Sheesh... Warn me next time."

The next scene. She saw herself as the Magus. Standing on her own with all of the RF troops leaving for safety with the civilians. Glancing at the millions of undead before her. Smiting them all within mere seconds with elemental bolts. Creating a massive mana wave of elements that burned, grinded and tore the undead. Holding a pendant in her hand, a kiss to it as she fought on.

"Max!?"

"Go Ashenworth. Promise me that you'll end this for us."

"Damn it, Max! I'm not leaving you!" Max turned to Raven's direction, a gentle smile.

"It's just how it is." A snap of her fingers as the entire area was turned into elemental explosions. Max sat in the middle of it all as the undead came at her, not a shred of fear.

"My men are all dead. I should be by their side." Those words impacted her as Max watched the Magus sacrifice herself to destroy all the undead armies within mere seconds.

Black? President Black watched how Raven was training with him. Coaching him in melee brawls, and how to fight barehanded. Focusing more on adapting Raven's lean build for speed and flexibility. The Wildland. Throwing Raven down a few times.

"Sorry, President."

"Don't call me that, the Associations are dead. I'm just an old Hunter."

"But I'm learning a lot. Do you think... I'm lucky?"

"That and because of your future. You were told to be the one who will change the world. So I need to give you all that I can, these old bones may not have long."

"Thank you." Raven proceeded to fight against President Black, losing a dozen maybe a thousand times but he kept on going. Tenacious and furious to be perfect. Though the scene switched to the last moment.

Where Black stood with his full gear as the Wildland, facing off against titans that were the size of mountains. Roaring back at them as his fists broke through their ore-rich bodies. Throwing titans at each other. The thousands of Titans that came after him, he didn't feel tired.

"President!"

"Go on, Raven. You still have a job to do. You still can't run away or back down now. This is your job and one only you can do. I've taught you the best of my abilities. Now, kid. It's your turn. Make things right!" Those words were what Black left Raven with. The fights. The loneliness that he felt. Black fell but not before making sure the titans were no more. His death was from his old age breaking his body down.

Max, Shaw and Black found the armors appear on their bodies, then seeing the older man who smoked a cigarette just making his way to their corpses. Shaw who died on his knees, with the rifle pointing forward.

"Thanks for holding the line, commander. I'll take care of things here." The man said as they see the hundreds of hydras appear, drawing the saber. A singular slash and all of them vanished. Deleted from existence. The man walked on, finding Max's cap and her skeleton corpse with her uniform.

"I'll do it right, Captain. For you and your men." The undead began swarming the area as the man's eyes glowed azure. A bright light splashed the entire area, turning it into nothing. No remnants of the undead. The man continued his walk, reaching to where President Black fell as the titans had returned.

"Human..... You must submit to the rule of the Sovereigns!"

"I refuse." Raven said as he leaped at a titan's face, a singular jab. The titan's face exploded into pieces of precious ore.

"KILL HIM!" Try as they might, the titans that believed they were unstoppable? Were now thrown around like mere toys. In size, they were goliaths but in truth. The david that was before them was beyond human strength. Just punching and throwing them around. It was enough to get this done.

"I will make things right, President." Raven said as they watched the memories flood in. His lonely battles. His solo fights against Sovereigns and right up till the end when the world was reset.

Shaw, Black and Max turned to the older man with tears in their eyes. Running over to the old man whose body turned to Raven.

"You did it... You did it." Shaw spoke with joy.

"Why didn't you give up?"

"A lot of promises, Max. Can't simply just walk away from it. Besides this is just how our work is. Though this means there are other Sovereigns that may come to earth. I'm in another Causality right now, but I'll bring more allies and technology over. Thank you, Constellations." Their foes changed their appearance as the three Constellations showed their form.

"I told you he is not an opponent. Consider this easier, for his siblings however... They had to face him in the full might as the War God."

"So... You're.." Max paused at the realization of Raven being the War God.

"He is not at his full strength but..."

A fragment appeared before their eyes, a ball of memories as Raven touched it. Now putting a face that he had seen before. The woman who had been by his side. Princess Caroline Billwurst. The one who defended him as he took the War God's trial.

Fragment of the War God.

1/100.

Each fragment contains a skill that is necessary for your ascension as the War God.

The War God's True Skill unlocked.

The War God's Prowess Mastery of all combat skills from Personas have returned.

No need to synchronize with Persona to use them completely.

You make adjustments according to your current strength, speed and dexterity.

"Princess Caroline..."

"She's around and just so you know. She's a regressor. Make sure to find her when all this is over. You know how she feels didn't you?" Shaw remarked.

"Nope. I was dense as a brick. Besides in those times I was too busy fighting to care about stuff like that."

"And that's why you're a Grade A idiot. You couldn't lighten up at all?"

"Couldn't do that Max. I was part of Humanity's last ditch efforts of survival. Then my 12 students along with Caroline, held the line as I handled the Causalities. She died in my arms that day I woke up. So I've been living with hate. Easier to kill them. Then I went off killing Sovereigns left and right, destroyed their worlds too. But that was just the tip of the iceberg, more of them are coming and I want to be prepared when they do."

Skull King, Shaw. Sovereign Status recognized.

Instantaneous Assault Mage, Max. Sovereign Status Recognized

Frenzied Monk, Black, Sovereign Status Recognized.

You may now join Raven and the Ashenworth's in Causalities.

"Whoa. We get to do that?"

"Yeah. Right now my siblings are in another Causality, one without mana but focusing more on brute strength and defensive skills. I'd recommend you do that. A world called Shady Enforcer. It's where Rodin and Aisha are from."

"That world sounds brutal. What about yours?"

"A lot of monsters and the weapons are unique."

"Sounds fun. Besides, I could use a break from the RF. Give us a minute to tell the others we'll be busy for a bit." Shaw said as the three of them went out, informing their subordinates that they'll be gone for awhile with Raven. Returning a few minutes later.

"Let's see what this new Causality of yours is like." Black said with a grin.

"We'll see where we end up. Hope to see you there." Raven said with a smile as the three of them vanished.

Sovereigns are attempting to cause trouble.

Those that know you are warning them not to.

Some are willing to take the risk.

You have gained three new Personas as a result of their efforts.

The Lone Warfighter

Fully Realized Mage (Fragmented mage at full power)

Black Zenith (During President of Hunter Association)

"Well, they can try but they know how fucked they are anyway."