I know this might be a little too early to start writing an AU/retelling of Kuro no Kiseki when Reverie still isn't out yet, especially writing an OC into the story. But I couldn't help myself! I love Kiseki/Trails so much that my little brain couldn't contain itself and started writing down ideas.

Van Arkride easily stole my heart as one of the best Trails MC. I'd slap myself silly if I even think of letting the OC take his protag spot... The main OC of this story will be acting as a deuteragonist along with Elaine Auclair (maybe tritagonist? But she's too important for that!). This story won't just be a novelization of the Calvard arc, but I have already planned for it to be unique enough to separate itself from canon, not just doing simple changes.

For the pairings, you probably saw the main ship (VanElaine...the canon pair, cmon Falcom make it real!). There will be other pairings, but I'll keep them a secret for now hehe.

I am aware that the official English script when the game eventually gets localized will (probably) change a few terms/names, but for now, I'll be sticking to the terms in the Zerofield spreadsheet. However, if necessary and if I feel like it, I will change the terms to the official ones.

Also... I love tokusatsu :)

Anyways, time to start the prologue! Enjoy!

[05/ 24/ S. 1200]

-4:30-

Aurochs Canyon

The swept black locks of a young teen fluttered with the wind, bangs hiding his amber hues. The dark skies of the early morning sky camouflaged his dark combat uniform with only the strange glow of his eyes to give any illumination. As the teen walked away from the campsite, he peeked over to glance at his "family".

He cracked a bitter smile seeing those he called siblings and friends happily passed out in their sleeping bags. Heh, some were even unconscious on the ground.

He'll miss being woken up by them and waking up to the scene of his comrades passed out on the ground. His lips curled downward, averting his sights before he continued his trek out of their campsite.

He knew the consequences of leaving them. They'll likely be pissed at him for betraying his "family" and leaving without a word. And they'll probably attack him without hesitation on the battlefield next time they would see each other... if there's a next time anyway.

Oh, who was he kidding? The jaeger way always meant to fight without holding back, former comrade or not. The boy knew the risk, but he would gladly accept them if it meant achieving his goal.

Continuing to walk the path down the canyon, the black-haired teen's presence gradually faded, as if each step made him invisible.

The final stretch. Rei was almost out of the canyon, and none of his comra— former comrades, noticed his absence. He rummaged through his pocket, fishing out a note as his eyes narrowed. He crushed the piece of paper with his hand the second he read its contents again.

A sigh. The teen rubbed his temple before he resumed his journey out of the canyon.

"Where do ya think you're going, Rei? It's still pretty early to look for any breakfast."

The teen froze before he slowly turned around. His eyes landed on the muscular man behind him wearing a similar black-leather uniform, albeit the man wore a pale green shirt over the dark overcoat with white pants, a matching set of black boots and gloves accompanied his attire. The man wore an easygoing smile, but the boy known as Rei could see its intensity.

He didn't even sense a speck of the man's energy. Despite being found out, the boy chuckled in amusement. Of course, if anyone could tail him without being detected, it would be the Jaeger King himself.

"Isn't it obvious, boss?" He gestured to the sack slung around his arm. "I'm leaving."

"I see that." The man said, nonchalantly lighting up a cigar. "Where are ya heading to?"

"Where Aidios takes me, I guess." Rei shot his superior a smirk as the man smirked back, puffing out smoke.

"Boy, we both know she'll lead ya to Gehenna if she counts your body count." The older male jested, earning him a laugh from the boy.

"Fine by me. As long as I can leave the corps to settle a business of mine, she can take me to Gehenna for all I care."

"Big words." Closing his eyes, the Jaeger King exhaled a sigh along with a smoke cloud. "That goal of yours must be pretty important if you're going so far as to leave the corps. Can't you do it while you're with us?"

"Sorry, but someone like me will only hinder Zephyr if I pursue my goal while I remain as a member." Rei turned away from his commander, staring at the sky instead. "Everyone will forget about me after a few days, Rutger. It's not like Zephyr's gonna lose a lot of power once I leave."

The man heaved another sigh and ruffled his Zorba locks. The Jaeger King knew the boy was serious when he started calling him by his name. "I should deck you on the face for saying that, but it's clear that ain't the real reason you're leaving." The boy answered with silence as Rutger tossed the cigarette on the ground, crushing it with his boot. "We both know you're way stronger compared to a year ago, Rei. I would even go so far as to say you're close to regimental commander level in terms of strength."

It was Rei's turn to ruffle his hair. "You give me way too much credit. If it wasn't for your training, I'd end up being dead weight to the corps."

"Training you endured and overcame all on your own. I can't deny your brothers and I played a part in honing your instincts, but you're the one who took every beating we did to ya and threw it all back at us. Your efforts paid off, Rei. Hell, in just two months after taking on my training regime, you've made a name for yourself. There's no jaeger in Zemuria who doesn't know about Beowulf."

"My little sister will surpass me soon enough." There was no trace of any negative feeling in those words. "She has good instincts and is a quick learner. I have no doubt she'll be one of your strongest jaegers. You don't need me."

"Can't deny that she's a natural in combat..." Rutger groaned. His want of not wanting to involve his daughter in jaeger business felt like wishful thinking at this point. She showed promise at such a young age. "But that's not it either."

For the first time during their talk, a scowl appeared on Rutger's face.

"Your reason for getting stronger may be because of Fie last time, but the bullshit your spouting right now ain't believable at all." He stepped forward, inching closer to the teen as he slowly towered over his form. "Those are all just a bunch of excuses. I know you have your reasons, but will chasing this goal of yours make you happy?"

"..."

Rei once again fell silent as he stared at the ground, fists clenched. The cold winds of the early morning passed by and loomed over the two as Rutger waited for the jaeger's answer.

"I... don't know," He admitted as he took out the crushed note from his pocket. "But I do know that I need to leave the corps. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, Rutger. You guys are like family to me... But this is my only chance to get some answers, answers to the questions I've been asking myself all these years."

His gloved hand crushed the note once more, crumpling the paper as he ground his teeth. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself as a solemn look crossed his face.

"...Even if it means leaving those who cared for me and treated me as though I was their real son or sibling, then so be it."

Rutger observed the young jaeger with conflicting emotions. The emotion of a battle-hardened warrior and a father clashed against each other, fighting over what decision to make.

The boy in front of the man was similar to his daughter, even if Rei was the first one to join Zephyr. Rutger saw a warrior whose hands were dyed in red, yet he also saw him as a son, a child. Would any sane father allow their child to leave their family without giving a proper reason? The question of whether the man was sane or not was still up for debate.

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Rutger smiled wryly. "So that's your decision, huh... You know how Fie will react to you leaving the corps, right? You're not gonna leave her a note?" He took his silent scowl as his answer. "I see... You, Xeno, and Leo are the ones she could easily call brothers. Do you understand what you'll be doing by leaving her? Leaving Zephyr without a proper goodbye?"

The teen immediately supplied him with an answer, already aware of the consequences. "I'll be hurting all of them."

"Hmph..." The older jaeger shortened the distance between himself and his foster son.

Rutger whispered a few words as the young man's eyes widened. Rei opened his mouth to speak but soon closed it as the one he saw as his father ruffled his hair. The young jaeger took out the Zephyr badge from his jacket and returned it to Rutger.

As of this moment, he was no longer a Zephyr jaeger.

He had no obligation to stay any longer. With one last bow of respect to his former corps commander, Rei Liafall left Aurochs Canyon to start his journey.

As he departed to Goddess knows where, his chain of fate clanked, binding his fate with another.

"I brought us some macarons to eat together! I promise that they're really good!" A blonde-haired girl giggled as she whipped out the bags of sweets for her two friends.

"Ah, these must be the new sweets Quincy released, correct?" A bespectacled boy asked as he eyed the confections. "How about it, Van? Want to give them a try first?"

The two kids looked at the boy with bluish-black hair. His hand rubbed the back of his dark locks, azure hues staring at the sweets curiously.

"I am curious how they taste, but shouldn't Princess eat one first?" He tilted his head in confusion as the blonde playfully pouted at the nickname.

"Now you're treating me like a girl?" When the boy looked away from her gaze, she briefly gave him a half-lidded look before her face broke into a smile. "Dummy. I've already tried them before. You can go ahead and take one first!"

The brown-haired four-eyes pushed his glasses back a bit, smiling as well. "And as the oldest one here, it's only right I let my younger 'sibling' be the first one to try out these sweets.

"Geez... what a pain." His words contradicted the faint smile on his face as he picked up a piece.

The dark-haired popped it into his mouth and chewed the crisped exterior, immediately feeling the chewy interior of the sweet. His eyes grew wide at the taste of the sweet. It tasted...

"Amazing!"

The two took a step back, startled by their friend's sudden outburst. The boy instantly took two more macarons and began eating them. The pure bliss on the dark-haired boy's visage caused laughter to tickle their throats as they laughed and giggled at his expression.

The boy, confused by their laughter, looked at them oddly before shrugging as he happily ate his snack. The blonde and brunette took a piece themselves and began digging in, the three eating their sweets over a casual chat. Smiles, pouts, and smirks were thrown at each other as they enjoyed each other's company.

The boy with azure orbs gazed at his two friends with a small smile. Happiness swelled in his chest, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared as an unknown emptiness replaced it. His smile morphed into a frown as his surroundings were slowly consumed in blue darkness.

Everything around him froze as his vision cracked as if the scenery was nothing more than a still glass, slowly cracking and breaking apart. The darkness swallowed everything around the body until he was the only one present in the darkness. Steel chains appeared out of nothing, dangling from above, defying gravity.

The ravenette remained still as his body morphed into a young teen. His azure eyes stared into the endless abyss as the sound of sobs and a voice reverberated throughout the darkness.

Why...? Why did you leave me...Van...

His breath hitched as he hung his head, fists clenched. The same darkness that consumed everything surrounded the teen, swirling around him almost as though it was attracted to his existence. He closed his eyes and uttered two words that went unheard.

And then, even the darkness devoured him.

[05/ 24/ S. 1200]

-4:48-

Outskirts of Calvard

A teenage boy woke up with a jolt, sitting up as he panted, sweat dripping down his countenance.

His damp, dark mane clung to his face as his heart beat at an erratic pace. The only sound the boy could hear was the sound of his own heart beating and the breaths he took. He felt a sting in his eyes before a hand wiped away the sweat that ran down his optics.

Beads of his sweat fell onto his sleeping bag as the teen grunted in annoyance. He had to compose himself and calm his beating heart, yet he couldn't resist the urge to grit his teeth.

It was that nightmare again...

"Dammit..." The boy cursed to himself before lying back down in exhaustion, glaring at the ceiling of his tent.

How many times did he have that nightmare? He lost count after the eleventh time. Experiencing it almost every week felt like literal hell, and the fatigue that washed over his body after waking up did not help his sanity. Merely recalling the images made him sick and regretful, and going back to sleep was out of the question. Instead, the teen grabbed the map beside him, looking once again for a destination to wander to.

He rubbed his forehead and temporarily halted his search, taking out a small notebook before flipping through the pages.

Landing on a page, a single keyword was written in all caps.

...

SPRIGGAN

It was a strange yet significant word tied to the boy's fate. As he removed himself from his sleeping bag, he left his tent to breathe some fresh air. He would need to do some training if he wanted to become a Spriggan.

Taking out a chocolate bar from his pocket and tearing open its packaging, the dark-haired wanderer pondered his next course of action. His nose twitched as he furrowed his brows. There was something strange in the air, yet his gut told me the source wasn't around him.

'It smells like... a wolf's corpse...'