Most everyone wants to be the strongest.
Some don't.
But some don't have a choice.
Such is the case of the stern, cold, and unwavering Head Captain of the High Lords, a man so unfazed and undisturbed by life itself that he seems more robot than human.
A man named Raider.
"These are yours. Have a nice day, Captain."
"Mhm."
Raider grabbed the 3 letters addressed to him from the woman's hands at the desk. With a slight nod, he walked away, his steps heavy on the floor as everyone turned towards him. He held a high title of honor, shaping him into the rather cruel man he became, but also infiltrating the life he wanted to live.
Raider made his way back to the complex within Checkpoint Oriesal used as the HQ for the High Lords, and entered his office. The dim lighting paired with the lack of color in the room made for a depressing atmosphere, one that would unfortunately match the tone of the letters he had picked up.
As he sat down at his desk, Raider booted up his desktop computer, staring at the wall in front of him. A large metal outline of the symbol representing the High Lords was stuck onto the wall, a symbol of the prestigious group and their excellence.
The High Lords, as the name suggests, were a group of the most powerful Vanquishers in the Lord-Class, the 2nd highest class in Hulsteo, only behind the Elder-Class. Ranking up to Elder-Class was different from others, as personal recommendations and deeds done were taken into consideration when a rank up was in progress. Due to this, Lord-Class was considered the highest class to obtain through conventional means.
And Raider, being the Head Captain of the High Lords, was at the top of it.
Raider knew the position of Head captain was draining. He knew it was a position that did not allow you to be yourself.
But he was willing to hold the mantle and represent the Vanquisher role.
The world needed a strongest.
And Raider was there.
As his computer finished its boot process, Raider shifted his gaze down to the 3 letters he had picked up just earlier. He hesitated to open them, already anticipating what they would say inside. To check on the validity of the letters, Raider opened his messages on his computer, where a new notification was seen from his mom.
Raider opened the conversation, and was greeted with the message he expected.
Our mail was delivered successfully, according to wherever you work. Seriously, are you ever going to tell us what your job is, or are you just going to keep us in the dark about it forever? I hate when people keep secrets, especially you. Don't treat me like this. Anyways, just read the damn mail. Or don't. I don't know if you even normally do in the first place. I don't really care. Just don't make me wait for a response, Leon.
Raider stared blankly at the message before moving to the text box and typing a response.
I got it. Thanks.
And then he closed his messages tab.
And with a sigh, he picked up the first envelope in the stack and tore it open, taking out the paper within and unfurling it. Immediately, he saw that this letter was the one written by Malik.
Hey bro. Hope it's going good over at your job. You know I miss you, and I have ever since you left. I can't say the same about Mom. She's the same as usual. All I can say is just don't take what she says to heart. She's still a bit out of it at times. Shiro definitely misses you, I saw her writing her letter, and damn, it's pretty intoxicating with affection. I guess that's a good thing, but it's still gross. Like, get a room. Anyways, I hope you're doing good. And hey, if you ever want to tell me what your job actually is, I promise I'll keep it a secret. You can count on me.
Sincerely,
Malik.
Raider slightly smirked while reading the paragraph. And then he opened the next letter. This one was immediately recognizable.
dear honey,
i miss you, come home. i literally am bored out of my mind and you are the only thing that could cure it. i love you and please come home. youre so cruel, getting a girl so in love with you and then just leaving, you're gonna take responsibility when you come back ok mister? alright bye i love you
shiro
Raider immediately groaned upon reading the words written down. He loved Shiro, and he would openly admit so as much as he needed, but -
Damn, she's as annoying as ever.
People like Raider and Shiro seemed like polar opposites that could never be a couple, but they seemed to defy all odds and made it work one way or another, and despite the annoyance Shiro inflicted on him, Raider still loved her greatly - a true testament to their bond.
And now there was one letter left.
One that Raider was not looking forward to reading.
As he opened the envelope, an unparalleled sense of dread filled his heart. Dread was unknown to Raider for the most part, so when he felt it,
he was terrified.
And he unfolded the paper within, and upon seeing the first line, had all of his emotion sucked out of him.
I expected more from you.
And if he has been anticipating anything good, that anticipation was also gone now.
He continued reading.
Don't just remove yourself from our lives like you own them. I find it funny that you have the audacity to just abandon everything. You were supposed to be my golden child, and yet you up and left for some unknown job that you won't tell anyone shit about. I hope you feel good about yourself. Now I have to deal with your damn brother who never stops talking about how great you are when all you did was run away from your responsibilities.
Raider clenched the hand holding the letter into a fist as he read.
Thanks for ruining our family, Leon. I hope you can live up to whatever expectations the people at your mystery job have for you, because you certainly haven't lived up to mine. Don't come back home. And if you have to, do it when I'm not there. I don't want to see the face of a traitor. Now go have fun off in the Rockies where your job is while I try to mend a broken family that broke because of you.
Raider clenched his teeth. All he could do was think in the moment.
I did this for you, Mom. I did this for everyone. I did this so everyone could live safe lives. I don't… I don't understand this hatred in your heart.
Raider, his heart now aching greatly, saw another paragraph at the bottom of the page that he had missed due to it being partially crumpled. Curious, he straightened out the page and read it, his eyes widening upon seeing the information written.
Oh, and you know your deadbeat sister that also abandoned this family to constantly study overseas? Well, she's following in your footsteps. She's going to work where you are. I hope you're happy with yourself. You've started a trend of becoming a traitor to this family. Bye.
"Meirei… is coming to Oriesal?" Raider asked with a hint of disbelief. "Meirei wouldn't fit in here, she's too fragile…" He said, setting the letter down on his desk gently. "It sounds like her though, not wanting to send me a letter because she's excited to see me in person after so long." He added, smiling gently.
Did she obtain her power through her time spent with me? If so, she's a Vanquisher… but what if she's a Hunter? That could be interesting. Either way, she's - she's getting away from Mom. That's the best thing about this. And as much as I hate to admit it, Mom's right, I need to live up to people's expectations. I can't let people down when I'm so high up. Sorry Meirei, but your sweet and caring brother isn't going to be the brother you see once you get here… I'm not Leon anymore, I'm Raider… and I have to live up to that name so I can prove myself. I can't keep the world safe by being a pushover. I will be the person the world expects of me.
At any cost.
"H - hello? Is anyone there?" A voice asked through the main door into the office.
"Yes. Who is this?" Raider responded in his usual hardened voice.
"Uhh… General-Class Vanquisher Waystar. I'm here on behalf of my friend, Paragon." The person responded.
Paragon… that pupil of Calypso?
"Come in." Raider permitted. Waystar then opened the door, slowly stepping in and standing up straight in front of Raider. "What's your inquiry?" Raider asked.
"I'm here on behalf of Oracle-Class Vanquisher Paragon. He wanted me to tell you that he's seen strange behavior in his teacher, Saint-Class Vanquisher Calypso as of recently. She's been seeming very stressed out, and he's worried that the source of this is from the anomalies. He'd like you to assess her on her next notice. That's what he said." Waystar explained.
"Why couldn't Paragon come and tell me this himself?" Raider asked sternly.
"He's currently in a training session with Calypso, and he said the worry he holds for her is too strong to keep to himself any longer, so he sent me." Waystar answered, his palms sweaty.
She's most likely just afraid of the people in the anomalies. Even then, that shouldn't bother a Saint-Class Vanquisher like herself. She's also made careless mistakes before. If this continues being a problem, I might have to demote her.
"Why did this have to be reported to me? I'm a figure of very high authority here at Oriesal, could this not have been reported to someone closer to Paragon or Calypso's own rank? Why should I be concerned about the well-being of a single Vanquisher?" Raider questioned intently.
"Well… Paragon told me he saw you speaking to Calypso the other day after her notice that went wrong. He said he figured you two may be close?" Waystar replied, his voice becoming more and more nervous as time went on.
"The only reason I spoke with her at that time was because the accident caused such a catastrophic eruption that it was reported to me. Therefore, I spoke with her in her quarters." Raider said, considering his next line carefully.
"Very well. I will assess the next notice that she takes up. If she shows signs of paranoia or significantly worse performance than the standard, I will demote her to Ascendant-Class." Raider said, his voice full of seriousness.
"J - just like that? That easy of a demotion?" Waystar asked in clarification.
"The upper ranks of Vanquishers have no need for the weak. We must keep the best at the top and the weak below. That is how we work here." Raider confirmed.
"O - okay, sir. I'll relay that information to Paragon and Calypso." Waystar said.
"No." Raider spoke, nearly interrupting Waystar. "Tell neither of them. Calypso will act differently if she's aware she's being evaluated. And I cannot trust Paragon to not tell her."
"O - okay. I'll keep it a secret. I promise." Waystar said.
"Good. Is that all?" Raider asked, his patience clearly waning.
"Yes. I'll get out of your hair now, sir." Waystar said, quickly scurrying out of the room and shutting the door harder than intended.
"Another factor could also be that boy Calyspo's been around a lot recently… Nighthawk, I think his name is. I'll
Keep an eye on him too."
Nighthawk, huh?
Nighthawk.
Nighthawk's eyes opened upon his communicator screen lighting up. He had been daydreaming in his room, and the flash on his screen had snapped him out of it. A message from Calyspo.
Nighthawk. You good?
Nighthawk picked up his communicator and replied with a small smile on his face.
Yeah, I'm good. What's up?
Are you busy at all?
No. Why?
Oh, okay. Just wondering. How's it going with the visions?
I actually tried to induce them again not long ago.
Tried again? How?
I never told you this, but I actually have the powers of a Vanquisher. I'm just a Hunter. My dad was a Vanquisher, and I inherited the powers through a memory bond with him.
Woah, seriously?! Why did you choose to be a Hunter then?
My dad died, and it ruined the image of Vanquishers in my mind.
Nighthawk didn't want to tell Calypso about splicers yet, but he feared if he didn't tell her soon enough, she'd lose her trust in him.
"I should wait just a bit longer." Nighthawk told himself.
For no reason.
He wasn't in danger if he told her.
There was no reason not to tell her.
He didn't understand why he was so against the idea.
He just was.
Or,
it was the fear of her ending up like Grey.
Oh. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you on the subject. I won't do that again. But, I assume the reason you can induce the visions in yourself is because you can enter anomalies with your inner essence?
Yeah. But that's all I see. I can't actually enter the collision. All I see is a vision and then I'm kicked out and can't enter again.
What the hell? That's like, unheard of.
I know. I just have to deal with it.
Thanks for telling me this stuff, by the way. I'm glad to see that you trust me enough to tell me.
Anytime.
Guilt plagued Nighthawk.
"He's still hiding something from me." Calypso said to herself. "Anytime, my ass." She muttered under her breath.
You know, you don't talk nearly as brash over text as you do in person. Nighthawk texted.
Would you rather me be a dick on here too?
No. Good point.
"Sooner or later, I have to tell her. So I won't lose her."
"Sooner or later, he's going to have to tell me what he's hiding."
Are you scared of the people in the anomalies? Nighthawk asked.
I guess. How can I not be? I mean, even if just a little bit. I don't want to die.
"I think the truth would help her overcome her fears of the splicers. Even if it's not that big of a truth."
"He'll tell me, I just need to wait."
That's fair.
"What are the splicers? Why are they hostile? Why is everyone acting as if they're a new appearance if Grey died to them a while ago? This is too much for my brain… I need help. I need Calypso's help. I have to tell her."
"I'll wait for him to tell me. Knowing Nighthawk, he won't hide it for long. He's too afraid to lose our friendship, and he knows keeping secrets holds that risk. I won't leave him over something so stupid, but that's how he thinks. And that's something I can't change."
"And if telling her puts her in danger… I'll protect her to the best of my ability. With 100% focus."
"You can't get rid of me that easily, dipshit. You're stuck with me now, and I'm not letting you off that easy."
"Calypso…"
"Nighthawk…"
"I will tell her."
"He will tell me."