I will now proceed to pleasure myself with this fish.

I kid. But what I will do, and you're going to hate me so much, is bombard you with a very long author's note. A delicious ~5-10k words worth of author's notes. And you know what's even more annoying? At the time of this writing, it has been only a few minutes ago that I posted the latest chapter with THESE NOTES! What the heck? Anyway, take it away, notes!

I'm going to be so annoying. I truly apologize in advance, but I do hope you don't mind a long author's note. I'm also hoping you are willing to read this because it will decide whether or not you should waste your time or indulge your time reading the story. This chapter is, after all, the end of the prologue, so there's no better time than now to follow up on what I said in the first chapter. All of this is to prevent me from wasting your time.

So this story. If you haven't noticed the tags, yes, this is a crossover. However, just because those are the tags placed there does not mean crossover elements are restricted to those media. Deciding which anime or book or whatever media to tag in this story depends on how heavy I use the elements. So if I use heavy elements from, say, Black Rock Shooter, then I'll include that. If I'm using like one or two characters from another media, then I won't add the tag.

As for the sources of work besides Berseria, I will tell you this now. You don't need to know anything from any other sources of work to understand what is going on. I will try my absolute best to make sure crossover elements are not only explained nicely, but also fit smoothly into the story. I will try my best to make sure as if these elements were actually in the game in the first place. However, that doesn't mean you should go in completely blind. I do recommend, but not implore you, to read up on the sources of work I have tagged. As an example, it's not much of a spoiler with this chapter now, but Ereshkigal. She's from Fate/Grand Order, but you don't need to finish the singularity she's in to understand her here but you're free and more than welcome to read up on her. Another source of work, Black Rock Shooter. I won't spoil much, but whenever I'm talking about "Hazama", I'm talking about the world that's in Black Rock Shooter Innocent Soul manga. That world, along with elements from Mushishi and Yoru no Nai Kuni, are significant to this story.

Now the writing style. I'm not the deity of uniqueness. Everyone has some commonalities. But I do admit that the way I write is a little strange. I'm not aiming for Shakespeare levels of complexity, but I am at least aiming for some critical thinking. Take the narration for example. Its speaking as if it was "alive" or is actually a character in the story and is actually talking to the characters. You should've at least noticed that. Just use some context. Who is speaking? Who isn't? Of course, I'm not adding confusion for the sake of confusion. Everything I write has a purpose or at least, I try to make sure almost everything has a purpose. I might miss some. I even keep a notepad as to why the style is like this in one part and something else in another part. And under the category of writing style, I did mention this before, but yes, I will write the music being played, but more on that below. And another thing. If you think this story is a little lacking in action scenes, then you're quite right. I tend not to write minor battles as it is a waste of time. I only write battles if they add to the story and or I'm showing off a character's combat skills for the first time. Besides, we already know how the characters in the game fight. Do you really want me to write every single random encounter? It's going to tire both of us out. I place more emphasis on "world building". The story is a journey, after all. What's the point of a journey if you don't even describe the environment?

Now for the second most important note. I'm not sure if you notice, but I will say it just in case. This story takes place after several stories have already been done. What do I mean? Well I did write that Hyoma is a traveler. Basically, he's traveled to different places and Berseria's world is the latest. I'm sure you won't care enough to listen to a little life story, but I'll say it anyway because I'm so annoying.~ So every book, anime, manga, show, game that I experience, I take notes. I've been doing this ever since I watched my first anime, Serial Experiments Lain and I still take notes today. What are these notes for? Well they help me find ways to include Hyoma into their stories. I write the entire plot with Hyoma included in them. Does it seem childish? Yea it does, but it's so fun to do. And if you haven't notice, Mushishi, Black Rock Shooter, Yoru no Nai Kuni are included in as well. Ultimately, what I'm trying to say is that this story of mine is a sequel to all the other stories I never officially put online. This brings me to the point of this part. Everything being said and written in this story has elements THAT EXPECTS THE READER TO KNOW ABOUT THEM FROM PREVIOUS STORIES. But that's cruel. I never uploaded my stories, so I can't expect you to know what Souls are. Why on earth did I write about Souls so casually and not explain them? What about Ereshkigal? Nine from Blazblue? Mushi?! The flashbacks?! The toilet?!

Whew... But rest assured. Every element that were previously mentioned in past stories (that I never uploaded by the way and didn't refine them yet), I will explain them here. For this story, think of it as rehash. That's why Hyoma's journal is important. It contains all his travels so far, so if I need a convenient explanation, I'll just pull out deus ex iter.

Now then. With all that said, will you still read the story? I know for a fact that many of the things here will definitely put off readers, so that's why I'm warning you now since the prologue is officially over.

BUT WAIT! THERE"S MORE BELOW!

-

Now, if you managed to reach here, then good for you. But I'm going to be annoying again. So once again, and I said again three times, I do apologize in advance.

I saved the most important part for last. My main character. The character that I have named after myself. Hyoma.

Such arrogance

I won't mince words. If you're the kind of person that EASILY gets aggravated, then I ask of you kindly not to read this story. When I wrote the additional tag "extremely controversial characters", I'm not kidding around. This character is the only thing original to me, and I only have one job, to maintain this character (because I'm certainly not the creator of any of the works I reference), so you can bet that I will put my heart and soul into making sure the character is as "alive" as possible.

Now, Hyoma. This chapter offers an introduction to the character. It is only a glimpse of him, but if the things he said about himself here is enough to rile you up, then again, I ask of you not to read this story. If you love characters that have unlimited, special powers, perfect personality, perfect physique, a powerful mind immune to despair, covered in deus ex machina, covered in pheromones, sudden power ups, plot armor, invincible, never uses the bathroom, this story is DEFINITELY NOT for you. As Hyoma said, he is a traveler that travels. This is a character that has no powers. Nothing. Please, always remember that. No matter how the story goes, please always remember that Hyoma has no powers. Hyoma is the kind of person that prefers to solve things with his mind instead. Now, note that I said no powers. I never said he can't fight. Well if I actually got up and finished the "prequels", that isn't much of a spoiler. He is just as much of a traveler as Ginko is from Mushishi. Look at him. He's freaking awesome even though he's just an ordinary traveler. In fact, he's a huge inspiration for my character. Ginko along with Kino from Kino's Journey, two travelers which serve as inspiration for Hyoma.

So once more, if what I said about Hyoma does not sit well with you, then you shouldn't read this story, period.

With that said, let's go over some trivia!~ Regarding all the elements that will be thrown out there that a reader is supposed to know based on past stories. These will come in handy when I start talking about them. More of a heads up. Of course, I'll add more of these trivia later on when I introduce old elements that I haven't introduce before. Also, these are just vague descriptions. Remember that none of these are considered spoilers. So off the top of my head, we have...

Multiverse - Refers to one of two dimensions in the story. The Multiverse is simply a collection of universes. This is where the nonexistent "prequels" took place.

Ascendant's Domain - Refers to one of two dimensions in the story. The Ascendant's Domain is completely separate from the Multiverse, and contains only one universe and one world which is Altjira. This is where "Rainbow World" takes place.

Living World - Refers to everything, including living and nonliving things, both of the dimensions above, reality, imagination, everything ever.

Souls - When Hyoma talks about them, he's referring to Primordus Souls, an original concept of mine. Souls are invisible unless the observer is a Soul themselves. The observer must also be aware that they are a Soul. All Souls have two default forms, called the "Shooting Star" because that's exactly what they look like, except smaller, and "Red Robes". All Souls are also immortal. All Souls can sing regardless of their form. Primordus Souls also refers to the many types of Soul under that category.

Tabula Rasas - Original concept. They look almost like Souls' "Shooting Star" form, except brighter and smaller. They are what make up Souls. Only two Tabula Rasas are needed to combine and make a new Soul, but a Soul can have as many Tabula Rasas, however with no additional effects. Tabula Rasas can also combine to create Mushi, which, to put it simply, is nature itself. 10 million years ago, Tabula Rasas rode shooting stars that were heading for Nova Hazama, essentially making that their homeworld.

Mushi - Comes from the manga and anime, Mushishi. I have my own little twists in them. First off, they're made of Tabula Rasas. Second, there are two types of Mushi. A Nature-Mushi and Animal-Mushi. Nature-Mushi is basically Mushi that look exactly like actual nature like trees and grass. Animal-Mushi can range from microscopic animals to normal sized animals, but for the most part, behave differently than regular animals. All Mushi, regardless of what form they take, are alive. They are also invisible and only reveal themselves to those with a calm aura as they are sensitive to tension. They can also simply choose to reveal themselves. Certain Mushi can sing. They will be expanded later on.

Soul-Borne Mushi - Mushi that were once Souls. When a Soul dies, they can ask the Death Goddess to choose their fate. One ending involves the Soul giving away its Tabula Rasa to make Mushi. It's similar to dead bodies being recycled and put back into the environment.

Red Robes - Refers to the video game Journey. Self-explanatory. I added more, in that their original world is Nova Hazama and that they're Primordus Souls. One of two default forms of a Primordus Souls. In Journey, they can produce music. In here, it's the same thing, except they can use sound to guide Tabula Rasas. They can also sing.

Stagnant Souls - Comes from BRS Innocent Soul. These are Souls that remain in Hazama due to lingering attachments of some kind, awaiting Ascension from the "Death Goddess".

Corrupted Souls - Comes from BRS Innocent Soul. These are Souls that cannot get rid of their attachments and become corrupted and hostile. Comes in many forms depending on the Soul. No longer invisible.

Epitaphs - Original concept, but based on Gnosis from Xenosaga. The final stage of a Corrupted Soul. The usual way of turning into these is if a Corrupted Soul is left corrupted for too long.

Bound Souls - Original concept. These are Souls that have fused with a "Vessel" and forgot their identities as Souls. Cannot separate from their bodies after death and require a Death Goddess' help. Cannot switch forms.

Unbound Souls - Original concept. These are Souls that have fused and or created their own Vessels and retain their identities as Souls. Can also be synonymous with Primordus Souls. Can switch between their "Vessel" form and default forms. Can also choose to separate from their bodies after "death" and reform it elsewhere, essentially becoming immortal. Can also choose when they go to Hazama, the afterlife.

Ad Infinitum - Original concept. A Soul that has reached the "Skyline Views" becomes this. They have a form fitting for their identity.

Altruism - Refers to one of the abilities of a Primordus Soul. Gives up their Tabula Rasas to make either a Soul or Mushi. Differs from the choice the Death Goddess gives due to still being alive when performing Altruism. Altruism will result in Nonexistence if a Soul gives up all of their Tabula Rasas or is left with only 1 Tabula Rasa.

Union - Refers to one of the abilities of a Primordus Soul. The one performing Union will have their Vessel taken over by another Soul. The one performing Union can place "Conditions" on their Vessel beforehand.

Vessel - Original concept. Refers to any form of a Soul besides their default "Shooting Star" form. This includes any form like a cat or a dog, or a catdog, or more commonly, a human.

Hazama - Refers to the world from BRS Innocent Soul. A planet half the size of VY Canis Majoris. This is basically the afterlife, where Souls go after death. 75 percent of Hazama form a massive solar system around the Hokulei Constellation. The ruined homeworld of Souls.

Nova Hazama - Somewhat original concept. Refers to Hazama before the apocalypse split the world in many fragments. The ruined homeworld of Souls.

Hazamic Apocalypse - Refers to the event that caused Hazama to break apart.

Death Goddess - Refers to the deity of Hazama. The current and longest running Death Goddess is Alcor, which is the name I have given to Black Rock Shooter (2012 anime version mind you.)

Death - Death refers to the event when a Bound Soul separates from its Vessel. It is not death in the sense that they are gone forever. For Bound Souls, death is necessary. Since a Bound Soul is fused to their Vessels and do not remember their identities as Souls, they cannot leave the Vessel and go back to their Soul form, even if their Vessel is heavily damaged. They will continue experiencing pain that's enough to kill without actually dying. If this goes on for too long, they will become insane and turn into Corrupted Souls. A Death Goddess is required to separate a Bound Soul from its Vessel. Unbound Souls can keep experiencing death and keep reviving because all they need to do is exit their Vessel and create a new one, all without the help of a Death Goddess. However, Souls are only immortal. They are not invincible. They can be killed by means of being devoured, but only by other Souls.

Rehabilitation - Original concept. Many Souls go to Hazama after their deaths because they have lingering attachments and or strong regrets. In Hazama, Souls can wish for anything if it means getting rid of regrets. When a Soul is satisfied, they will reach Ascension.

Ascension - Original concept. After a Soul has reached Ascension, they are given choices by the Death Goddess. One, they can reincarnate in a new dimension (if you die in the Multiverse, you reincarnate in the Ascendant's Domain and vice versa). Two, you can give away your Tabula Rasas, in which case, you have a choice whether they become Mushi or an entirely new Soul. For special Souls, the Goddess gives them a third option. Reincarnate within the same dimension in the hopes that they will use their talents to guide the world they reincarnated in.

Spark - Refers to the clash between Alcor and the "Shooting Star of the Star Wreath", sending out radiation. The burst killed 2 trillion lives. The phenomenon is similar to a gamma ray burst.

Spark Radiation - Refers to extremely abnormal radiation that spread throughout the Multiverse and responsible for many phenomena. Killed 3 trillion lives.

Neutralis - Refers to the pulsar surrounded by a disc of Souls. Responsible for the ultimate fate of the Multiverse by means of a Heat Death or Big Crunch (referred to as Reversal Fate) depending on where it tips.

Chaos Wars - A 20 year war whose ultimate goal was to balance out the Neutralis that was currently favoring Reversal Fate. Left 3 trillion dead and 500 planets destroyed. The war is central to the stories before this.

Amalgam - Refers to the antagonistic group that instigated the Chaos Wars with their purpose to balance the Neutralis. Contained many characters from different sources of work. Led by Hyoma Hokulei.

Fractals - Refers to the group that fought against Amalgam. Contained many characters from different sources of work. Led by Kusaka.

MYA - Stands for million years ago. For worlds that recorded their dates past a million use the term "Meganuum". So if it's September 23, 7 million years, then it's September 23. Calendar systems use the first letter of Metric prefix so H2 is 200 years because hecto = H = 100 years. Just combine them.

Interviews - Usually referring to the "Aces of the Chaos" documentary and interviews created by Reiuji Utsuho, a character from Touhou, and documents and interviews those directly involved in the Chaos Wars. It also sought to understand the main antagonist of the Chaos Wars, Hyoma Hokulei, who was being interviewed without the interviewee even knowing of his identity until the end.

Nexus Wave - Refers to the group led by Sing Love, the main antagonist from Black Rock Shooter The Game. Sought to overthrow Alcor and replace her with Sing Love.

Majestic Views - Refers to a 10 member group that includes 8 characters from the Black Rock Shooter franchise, the other 2 outsiders being Lain Iwakura from Serial Experiments Lain and Hyoma. Formed to help Alcor in her role as Death Goddess and regulate Hazama.