Maghreb, North Africa — A Vantage Point Near Schicksal Vimur Labs
*WHOOOOOSH!*
A powerful gust swept across the desolate landscape as Raven stood atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the ruins of the dead city.
In her hands rested a Divine Key—the Key of Sanction, Seven Thunders of Retribution (Railgun).
She raised the weapon and aimed it toward the distant ruins, her expression grim as she watched the golden structure that dominated the abandoned plaza.
Raven: "…"
Raven: "…The Herrscher is on the run. Are we to stand by and do nothing at all?"
From somewhere nearby, Gray Serpent's hollow voice answered her.
Gray Serpent: "Give her time. That is the Sire's orders."
Gray Serpent: "A kernel of wheat might die alone, but it shall bear so much more should it fall into the soil."
Gray Serpent: "She is now free. Time will tell if the seed of power within her can bear fruit."
Gray Serpent: "Let us instead focus on something far more important."
Raven frowned beneath her mask. Though she clearly remained dissatisfied, she obeyed the order and shifted her attention toward the distant plaza.
The Seven Thunders of Retribution responded to her movements. Its floating holographic optics adjusted, focusing on the scene and transmitting a magnified image directly into her field of vision.
There, in the heart of the ruined city, stood a strange golden hemisphere.
Its smooth, shimmering surface covered a substantial portion of the plaza, sealing away everything within from the outside world.
The barrier had been created by Otto Apocalypse, the Overseer of Schicksal, using a mysterious golden fluid. It isolated him and their Sire from the rest of the world, leaving the negotiations concealed behind an impenetrable golden veil.
Raven stared at the structure, her grip tightening around the Divine Key.
Raven: "I still find it hard to believe that our Sire would…"
She paused, struggling to reconcile the sight before her with everything she knew about the man they served.
Raven: "…Join hands with Schicksal."
Her thoughts drifted back to the terrifying encounter with the orange-colored, transparent warrior who had appeared during their confrontation with Kevin.
Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Muteki Gamer.
The warrior had utterly overwhelmed their Sire, dismantling Kevin's defenses with such overwhelming ease that he had been left with no opportunity to fight back. It had been less like a battle and more like watching an unstoppable force crush everything in its path.
Raven still found the memory difficult to accept.
Raven: "Then again we just Sire got destroy by that trasparent being."
Gray Serpent's voice emerged from the empty air, calm and unhurried.
Gray Serpent: "I understand your doubts, Raven."
Gray Serpent: "Otto is a scheming egoist who manipulates everything and everyone to achieve his goal. He cannot be trusted."
Gray Serpent: "…But I assure you that the deal will come through."
Gray Serpent: "His self-serving nature only makes our Sire's offer infinitely more valuable."
Gray Serpent: "The Serpent will soon rid Schicksal from its path."
Raven's gaze remained fixed on the golden hemisphere. Although she had no intention of disobeying Kevin's orders, the thought of cooperating with Schicksal still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Raven: "I'll obey the Sire's orders, but there are others who have personal scores to settle with Schicksal."
Gray Serpent: "Yet they're also here as well."
Gray Serpent: "All our key officers have gathered here. A rare sight, is it not?"
The last words faded into the dusty wind.
For a moment, silence settled over the desolate landscape.
Then—
A strange sensation crept over Raven.
Ghostly voices began echoing through the desert, seemingly coming from every direction at once. They were faint at first, like whispers carried by the wind, but their presence grew increasingly unsettling amid the vast emptiness.
Raven tightened her grip on the Seven Thunders of Retribution and kept her weapon trained on the golden hemisphere.
Raven: "If the negotiations should fail, I suppose we'll attack Schicksal right here with our full might."
Gray Serpent: "…"
Gray Serpent: "…"
Raven waited for a response.
None came.
Raven: "…Gray Serpent? You there?"
Again, silence.
Then, from somewhere within the ghostly chorus, came a quiet chuckle.
Gray Serpent: "Haha…"
The sound grew louder.
Gray Serpent: "Hahahahah…"
Gray Serpent's laughter rippled across the vast, empty desert, carrying an unsettling amusement that seemed utterly at odds with the desolation surrounding them.
Raven turned her attention back toward the distant plaza.
The golden hemisphere was beginning to dissolve.
Its radiant surface gradually thinned, breaking apart into streams of golden light before vanishing into the air. Whatever had been concealed within was finally being revealed to the outside world.
Raven watched the barrier disappear, her expression unreadable.
Then Gray Serpent spoke again, his hollow voice now carrying a note of unmistakable satisfaction.
Gray Serpent: "Raven, you can put away your weapon now."
The last remnants of the golden barrier faded away.
Gray Serpent: "Our Sire has just… concluded the deal."