Yo WTF I uploaded this prologue now? What do you mean I did?

Anyway, I do not own Bayonetta. PG do. Annoy them over Bayonetta 3 shenanigans.

Also don't read the OG version of this fic. It's really bad and has absolutely nothing to do with this current canon.

Prologue: He Who Remains

…

The crackle of fire and the whisper of the wind was the first thing he heard, surrounding his being. He could not feel the heat of the flames, nor the grazing touch of the air; his entire being felt numb. Part by part it was breaking down, losing both function and form in every precious, passing second.

He was dying. The man had accepted his fate long ago; to be faced with it had not changed his view. If he were to perish alone, then he would do it gladly. As long as the monster inside of him perished as well.

For the first time in five hundred years, Balder's eyes opened of their own volition.

They squinted against the blazing sun bearing down upon them, just threatening to close again. To his right he could see the silhouette of… something blocking the blue sky and to his left was the faint greenery of trees. His fingers could feel dirt and grass beneath him and they weakly tried to grip something.

The object grew clearer. He could make out the features of marble and stone, carved into an unnaturally beautiful woman. His memories told him this was the shell of Jubileus, a vessel for holding her spirit until she could be resurrected.

Memories continued to play out, like they were recordings of just everything he had done. What he had ruined. Who he had destroyed.

Millions, perhaps billions, of lives had been affected by his actions. Entire bloodlines had disappeared forever from his machinations, with others being altered to something beyond human or what could even be considered human. He had enslaved countries of people with just a thought, killed others-

That wasn't him! That was-

He wasn't strong enough to stop it-

He had no idea what was going to happen when he-

The eyes slipped shut as air escaped from his punctured lungs, hissing into the air with withering disappointment in himself. He had let all of this happen because he was not strong enough. Now, that strength was failing and he could not stop what was going to be unleashed onto the world.

A blue spirit rose from his chest, the golden chains keeping it inside dulling and snapping with soft twangs. It regarded him with derision and hatred, tilting its head to the side and spoke with a mocking tone:

"You thought you could contain me forever and die with me, did you not?"

Balder could only cough in response. Blood gurgled out of his throat and dribbled out from the corners of his mouth, staining the ground beside him.

"Your arrogance was always astounding. 'Sanity is a requirement for your kind?' What trifling mediocrity. Yes, you made me a prison that you upheld. But look at you now; broken in mind, broken in body, broken in soul. The prison became a vessel, and now that vessel is about to perish. What a display of selflessness."

Balder wished he could speak. At the very least he could recant the spell and contain the Enemy for five more minutes, or however long it took for his body to finally die.

The figure gestured around to the presumable destruction. "All of this could have just been avoided if you were selfish for once. You left your poor daughter behind and then killed them all. Was that worth it? You saw everything I could achieve and yet you still fell into fate like a blind lamb, led directly to the slaughter."

The faces of Rosa and Cereza flashed through his mind. Of his beautiful wife and child, both gone from him forever.

Because he wasn't strong enough.

…

"If I stray… from my path…" He resisted the pull for another moment, fighting it with all of his being. Balder could feel the poison spreading from the moment the spirit entered his body and he was afraid of what was about to happen.

"Daddy!" His daughter screamed at him, reaching out with her left hand. The Witch holding her right kept her grip tight and pulled her back.

Good. Jeanne was always dependable to do the right thing.

"Cereza…" He swallowed as his thoughts began to turn against him. "Please… You must end me… You must stop me!"

"I can save you, Daddy!"

"You can't! Please, for the good of all, do the right thing!" With the last of his own strength, he relaxed his muscles and let the portal swallow him.

…

He had no idea what he would be going through upon taking in that monster. Well, that was a lie; he had an idea, but that paled in comparison to being a prisoner in his own body.

The blue figure began to laugh. "Oh, you did this all for them, didn't you? How well did that work out, Balder?"

Both arms were becoming more solid and they gripped his shoulders and heaved. All that was left inside of him was the Enemy's legs, held by the weakest of links. He needed to recant the spell.

"Shh…" One hand covered his mouth, as if they knew what was about to happen. "Balder… You would not want to stop me now, would you? You can stop this all right now. Just let me-"

A beam of blue energy shot from his left and struck the blue figure in the head, continuing along with it into the statue. The headless spirit slumped over, blue specks rising from it and they disappeared from existence.

"What a bothersome pest. Do you not agree?"

Slow footsteps approached him, light and controlled. Balder swallowed painfully, then licked his lips. He had not spoken in over five hundred years; it was due time for that to change.

"You." His throat burned with pain as the lone word slipped out, tearing at his damaged vocal cords with savage abandon.

"Oh yes," the sounds all stopped. Only the faint crackling of the fire and the wheezing of his breathing remained. "It is me. Are you not happy to see me?"

"I suppose," the Enemy continued before Balder had a chance to respond. "You would not be. But you know why I am here. And do not dare think to send it away; you know that creates an Arch Eve Origin, and that would be… catastrophic. You have to die with it now, if you want to pathetically try to delay me."

A hand caressed his forehead, focussing around his right eye. "Just think of it, Balder. You have been fighting against everything for five hundred long years. Do you not understand? Fate and destiny cannot be denied. But now you are at a crossroads and you can finally change everything. No more Witch Hunts. No more slaughtering of your brethren Sages. No more pain or suffering for this entire world. And it's so easy too! All you have to do is simply give me what is rightfully mine."

"Your… plan… is… nothing… but… pain…" He managed to gasp out, each word becoming weaker and weaker.

The Enemy laughed. "Oh, you are a riot Balder! Every time you say this, it never gets old. A good joke, but an even better tale to be told later."

"She… will… stop… you…"

"She will stop me? My dear Balder, you know of me and just exactly who I am. I cannot be stopped." They became serious within a split second. "No more delays. Give me my Eye or I will take it from you."

Balder thought of Rosa. Of how much he loved her and wished to see her once more. She would hold him tight and forgive him for his sins, no matter how sick and cruel he had become.

He thought of Cereza. His sweet child that had grown up into a beautiful and powerful woman. She still had family, but he hoped that one day, she would find it in her heart to forgive him and see the truth.

He thought of Luka Redgrave. Of the poor boy he had traumatised for no reason other than he could. He wished that he could have stayed out of this life and lived one that was relatively normal.

His thoughts trailed to Jeanne. Of a woman he ruined because she dared to stand for what was right. He hoped she hated him. He did not expect anything else and knew she would not be receptive to the future in store for her.

And finally, his thoughts came to his fabricated son. The boy who would know nothing but the tortured existence. Again, he wished he could have lived a normal life, but it was always destined for him not to.

Forgiveness could never be earned; Balder reflected to himself. Only the cold resolution of vengeance. His last thoughts lay with Cereza, hoping she would find happiness and peace in her lifetime.

His Eye would not be dying with him. And Balder knew exactly where he was sending it.

"Make your decision, Lumen Sage. I'm waiting-"

His glaive appeared in a flash, impaling his own skull and Balder knew no more.

…

Five Hundred Years Ago

…

The door opened to his cell, swinging with a screech from rusted joints and ringing from it slamming against the stone wall.

Balder did not look up. He stared down at his manacled hands, keeping his long hair shrouding his face. Footsteps echoed through the room in a brief reprieve from his rhythmic breathing.

"It is time, Onythyll," The calm voice of the Elder reverberated. "Please, stand."

"We do not have to do it this way." A younger voice argued. They then addressed him with a plead. "Brother, just confess to us; she put a spell on you. You were in an addled state of mind!"

He stayed silent, not acknowledging them. They had not listened then; what would make them change to listen now? The Lumen only ever heard what they wanted to hear.

"Norik, step away. He has made it very clear that his choices are his and his alone."

"I will not have my Lumen Brother exiled!" Norik's sudden raised voice made him flinch. "That accursed Umbran whore-"

"Do not refer to her by that derogatory name!" His throat was dry from unuse, but the sharp, biting tone remained. Balder raised his head and glared at the youngest member of the Lumen Council. "Her name is Rosa, and she is my wife!"

The Lumen Elder folded his arms with a scoff. "That marriage was annulled the minute we learned of it. You are just another man now."

"And that is what you will become. I cannot believe you, the Paragon of the Lumen Sages, would be tempted by a woman of all things." Norik folded his hands into the sleeves of his white robe while his lip curled up in distaste. "You were in line to become the Overseer of Light! The leader of our Order! The saviour of our Clan! Why would you give up everything for our guaranteed annihilation!?"

His gaze returned to his hands. He had already given them that answer several times, and he could not be bothered to say it one more time.

"Love," the Elder spat out. "That is what you have repeatedly said. A falsified love for a heretical whore."

The casual, dismissive use of the words enraged him. But there was nothing he could do about it but sit there and smoulder with fury.

"She tempted you with the apple and you willingly took a bite, even knowing what it would entail. You, Balder, are nothing more than a common peasant, ruled by urges over logic and detachment!" The Elder's voice was gaining force with every word spoken. "We trusted you! And you betrayed us! Let us see what the fruits of your 'love' will bring upon yourself. Now stand!"

Balder made no effort to get to his feet. If anything, he slunk down lower in the chair.

"Norik, get him up."

Two hands reached under his arms and lifted him with ease. He relaxed into them, trying as hard as he could to be a deadweight.

"Brother, if you please," the man hissed into his ear. "Do not make this difficult for both of us. I do not care if you believe your feelings for her are genuine. Right now, you are just-"

"Enough of this 'brother' title. Referring to him as one of us is still acknowledging that he is. You know he is not." The Elder interrupted, unfolding his arms. "Strip him of his power and banish him; Onythyll is not part of our clan and will never be."

"What of the Eye? He still has it in his possession."

"It is of no consequence. An advisor told me it would be best to let the Eye die with him." He pointed towards the door. "Take him away."

Norik moved swiftly, practically dragging him through the opening and down the hallway. Balder could see Sages looking at him, staring with daggers and poison. The Lumen Council stood at the exit to the Fortress, shaking their heads. A hooded boy was with them, staring at him with wide, innocent eyes.

Balder could not take his attention away from him. Something about the boy was not right; he was definitely not what he seemed.

…

Twelve years later…

…

Balder wiped the sweat from his brow and folded his arms with satisfaction. The pile of apples in his basket was far greater than anyone else's. He supposed it was ironic of him to feel such a thing in a non-competitive setting, but the knowledge his physical skills had not waned was a sufficient reward. Reaching down and grabbing both handles, he began his trek towards the brewery.

"Hey, pretty boy!"

He sighed, but continued to walk onwards. Two massive brutes of men stepped in front of him. Rolling his eyes, he tried to walk around the pair. Instead, another pair of men walked out and blocked his exit.

Looking around as more men surrounded him, Balder sighed again. "What do you want, Thyron?"

The sickly thin man slipped between the two brutes, rubbing his hands together. "Oh, nothing, pretty boy. Just nothing in particular."

"We both know that is a lie. What is it you seek of me?"

"Tell me, Balder. Why are you so… pretty?" A man from his left sneered. "Such a beautiful man, they all say."

"Yeah, they all fucking say it."

"Every one of them."

"None of them give us a second glance."

Frustration threatened to boil over, but he kept his calm visage. "I have told everyone who has propositioned me that I am not interested; I already am married and do not ever wish to stray from my wife."

A bark of laughter escaped from Thyron's throat. "You? Married? Don't give me that shit. Why would a married man be sent to work in the fields?"

"Yeah, he's married. To the job!"

"What a man. Taking both our jobs and our women!"

"I do not have time for this." He tried to push pass someone, but they shoved him back into the circle. The men began to walk forward, enclosing all means of escape off.

"Time? We have plenty of time. Enough time to mar that pretty face of yours so some woman can notice us!"

'My liege.'

The basket in his fingers fell as his entire body froze in shock. That was a voice he was never supposed to hear again.

"Ha! Pretty boy is all scared!"

"Look at him all frozen. Never been in a fight before, pretty boy?"

"He probably doesn't know how to fight!"

"With those soft hands and pale skin? He probably doesn't know what the sun is, let alone a fight!"

Power he could never use again began to flow into his fingers, spreading out and into his being. The grasp of his glaive was right there, just ready to be used on these people who meant harm on him.

'Fate has befallen your brethren.'

That was something he was half expecting to hear, but it still sent a chill through his spine.

"Apologies, but I must get going. We can quarrel another time."

Wings sprouted from his back and he jumped high into the sky. Cries and shouts of both terror and surprise followed him up, but he did not give them a second glance. He had to reach Vigrid. He needed to reach the Sunrise Valley.

The Eye pulsed finally, granting him the both comfort of its power and weight.

…

A massacre greeted him.

Balder stood amongst the ruins of the Sunrise Valley, the stench of death permeating everything. Bodies of his former brothers surrounding him, piled up in burning pyres that burned his eyes. Averting them, he gazed at the sky with despair.

The Umbra had done this.

No other clan in the world had the strength to be able to pull off an achievement like this. The Desert Walkers in Egypt were tenacious and could withstand an assault forever, but they were not able to return the favour in any fashion. The Clan based in France, the Night Stalkers, could have conceivably done it. But a show of force like this was not in their playbook and unwanted bloodshed was something Mamon Cyeshe immensely disliked, both due to their dedicated teachings of assignation and politics. They would destabilise the Clan, not slaughter it.

The other Clans scattered around the world were not interested in conquest and would not bother slaughtering one of the others without superseded and taking their territory for themselves.

It all lead to one, overarching question that had no immediate answer; why had the Umbra did this?

"How did…" He whispered to himself. The breeze picked up into a howling wind, tossing his long hair back in a stream of silver. "Why did this happen!?"

His daughter. The answers lay with the Umbra Witches. The issue with that was that he would step into the Crescent Valley and probably be killed instantly. Not just because he was a Lumen Sage, but he was the one they would despise the most. Hesitation tore through him. He needed to know, but he-

Sod it. He needed to know. If he died with the knowledge his daughter and wife were still alive, then he could die a happy man.

"Lumen Sage."

A cracking sound ripped through the air and he turned to see a blue portal rupturing reality. A blue figure stepped through, opening their arms wide in a peaceful gesture. A strange cloak surrounded their frame, connected at the wrists and the top of their head, giving them a diamond-like appearance. Their features were obscured by the monotone coloration, but he could see they had a despondent look upon their face.

"Who are you?" Balder asked the obvious question.

"I am known as the Prophetic One, Sage. I know the answers to some of the questions you seek."

"Why not all?"

They looked away, staring at the burning piles behind him. "Some of the future is obscured for me. I cannot divine everything."

That lined up with what he knew from Madama Khepri. Rosa had told him a few times that the Infernal could see the future, but it was limited due to the ever-changing nature of fate. He rubbed his watery eyes and swallowed. "What do you know? And what can you share?"

"This slaughter," they gestured to the surrounding area. "Was the work of the Umbra Witches, but not their machinations."

That was a confirmation of his theory, but it still didn't answer any questions. If anything, it created more.

"What do you mean, 'not their machinations?' Is there some exterior force?" Balder spat out, hiding his confusion and hurt with anger.

The figure stared at him, their expression turning mournful. "The Umbra learned to them terrible truths from a once trusted aide of humanity. He told them that the birth of a Child of Light and Dark would result in the annihilation of the world, regardless of the outcome. The only way this could be rectified was to eliminate all involved."

"You are lying!" Anger was not his mask any longer. "They would not have-"

"I am sorry. They are dead."

His glaive appeared, pointing at the figure. "Tell me the truth, spectre, or die!"

"Rosa and Cereza Onythyll perished at the hands of the Umbra Witches. And when they turned to the Lumen Sages to turn you over to them, your brother's refused. As recompenses for what they perceived as this slight, they slaughtered every one of them."

Anguish filled him and he dropped the glaive. It clattered against the floor, forgotten, and he fell to his knees and screamed. He wept amongst his fallen brothers, his strength sapping.

They could not be dead.

The Umbra were a proud clan; they would not resort to murdering their own in cold blood!

But both Rosa and himself knew the risks if they were to have a child. One of these would be them being-

No. Cereza was alive! Unless she was trained and had an Eye of the world-

She-

She had to be.

She-

Rosa-

"But, Lumen Sage," the voice was louder and clearer than ever before. "I can offer you revenge and vengeance for the senseless slaughtering of your brothers and your wife and child. The entity that tricked them from this escaped into the future in order to hide himself from anyone who could object to his machinations."

"What good is that knowledge to me!?" The Sage howled, looking up with unbridled hatred.

"I can bring you to him. Loki the trickster, is what he calls himself in my time." The figure held a hand out. "Do you wish to seek revenge for those he has wronged?"

Balder pulled himself up to his feet, focussing on the portal. His family was dead. His clan was dead. He had nothing left except to take his vengeance on the Umbra and this 'Loki.'

And so, he nodded once, slow and deliberate. "I accept your aid, Prophet. Take me to this impudent schemer."

…

And here we go! Bayonetta 2 has officially started!

The goal of this story is (unofficially to confuse everyone) to rewrite the entirety of Solar Flare, the sequel to Eclipse. The original work felt unsatisfying to finish and many elements within made me very unhappy once I realised that the entire thing was shit. As before with Eclipse, this rewrite aims to reimagine the entire game (and story) within the confines of my AU.

There are elements to this story that may not make sense due to entire fics not being written before this, but anytime they come up I will explain both what is going on and what happens in the fic it is contained within. These will become a lot more obvious when the next chapter is released.

Now, I do plan on diverging a little further away from the original fic. You may have noticed that this prolgue is entirely Balder, and that's a very deliberate choice. PG once revealed that Balder was meant to have his own campaign that played concurrently to Bayonetta's; that idea will be brought to function in this version. If there's Balder fans out there, you're gonna love what I have in store for our favourite and only Lumen Sage.

I hope you all like this prologue teaser for what is to come. Please leave a review if you have any thoughts because I definitely do like to hear them.

Until next time!