There were endless sands as far as the eye could see, far away in the distance were barren settlements with smoke yet to settle. A mix of dust, the bloodied sand and ash swept over tall rock formations.

A person stood upon one such formation, ash and sand sticking to her cloak like glue. Her gray eyes - dull and lifeless. She looked down towards a dulled dagger, barely held in place by a simple string - the inheritance, one of the pouches on her vest contained a box of crayons - a parting gift.

Light footsteps disturbed the howling winds. The person approaching was asked a question, the voice was dry, if one tried hard enough they would hear a couple choked tears.

"It's over… I'll be taking my leave soon. Tell me something W, have you… found a place to belong yet?"

The response was cocky, full of fake cheer refusing to take in the other's melancholy.

"Ha~? What brought this on, Raven? Finally feeling the age? Oh, oh! Maybe your infection is catching up to you?"

Raven turned around to face her, the moment her eyes met with W's, her lips slightly curved upward and some light returned to her eyes.

"A bit of both, kid. A bit of both."

She ripped off the pouch and tossed it her way, W caught it effortlessly.

"A parting gift, and…"

She unsheathed the dagger, forcing her arts through the dulled blade one last time as it regained a wicked edge and a soft red glow of falling embers, then cut her palm, the blood soaking into its crevices.

"Wait, the hell are you-"

Soon the embers faded, the now dark crimson blade glinted with ominous intent, its edge regained its glorious sharpness. Slowly she approached her and holding the dagger by the blade gave it to W.

"You old geezer, did you really forge-"

"No, W. I did not. But after what Theresa told me… what Doctor told me… it doesn't always have to be this way."

Raven stepped closer to the edge of the rock formation.

"If you ever lose your way, your path forward, the pouch will help. I hope the next time we meet, it'll be under better circumstances, goodbye… Little Inheritor."

Then she stepped off the edge, the dirtied cloak carried on with the winds. W was left alone.

"...damnit."

A comatose body weeps, shattered mind tries to gather its pieces back together.

A vengeful spirit takes hold of a young mind, the bloodied sands expanding ever further.

A malevolent force gathers allies under false pretenses of the weak and corrupted reuniting with their loved ones.

An amnesiac sinner will soon be awakened as a savior, hoping to find clues behind his existence.

The stale air of Rhodes Island Medical Wing threatened to suffocate its inhabitants, only those unconscious, or comatose received the blissful respite.

The once bright and hopeful minds stilled, soon to be disposed of.

Then the news broke out, among the comatose one stirred. Two people briskly approached her.

Raven's hair, once full of luster felt dead to the touch, skin paler than Siesta's sands, horns once pridefully forming a semblance of the crown, now malformed by invading Originium crystals.

Only a single eye opened. She tried to reach out towards the smaller figure.

"Little One…? Amiya…?"

Raven's arm fell before she could reach her, but soon her hand was covered with warmth. Two hands gently holding onto hers.

"...yes, Raven. It's me. Kal'tsit is here too."

Slowly her eye moved towards the bright taller figure.

"...hey, Kal… it's been a while."

The woman scoffed.

"It certainly has. And I see you didn't heed any of my advice when it comes to overusing your arts."

A dry cough resounded within the confines of the room, Amiya quickly went to get some water. The sound of a sink nearby intertwined with dry coughs and wheezes.

Soon a glass of warm water was offered to Raven.

"...thank you, Amiya."

After slowly emptying the glass with Amiya's help, Raven sighed.

"How did I get here? Is the Little One alright?"

"...you don't remember?"

At that moment all Raven felt was confusion, she also couldn't remember how her infection spread that far. When she attempted to jog her memory her tongue suddenly tasted iron, her sense of smell overwhelmed with sulfur, lungs slowly filling with ash. Then a simple sigh broke her out of her reverie, strange afterimages remaining in the wake of her deep dive.

"No matter. We'll run you through some tests, get you up on your feet."

Raven couldn't help but crack a small smile as she slowly sat up with Amiya's assistance.

"World still needs old mercs like me?"

"More than ever I'm afraid. Our new solution temporarily halted Oripathy's spread in your system, but if you start over relying on your arts again…"

The message was clear to all present, Amiya placed a hand on her shoulder attempting a comforting gesture, until one last realization hit them.

"I can't help but ask… why are you bright Kal? Can't even see your face. And Amiya is a walking cloud of darkness. Is it one of the side effects of new medicine?"

"...your infection has spread further than we expected, will you be able to provide assistance in that state?"

She couldn't help but scoff.

"We will see, now get me out of here, I've had enough of this stale air to last me a lifetime."

Yet as she said that, something within stirred. Prickling feeling in her arms, her legs, a sense of something grinding down her horns, for just a moment her vision swam and she could taste iron again.

But it all dispersed as she took her first step.

Myriad of colorful shades assaulted the shattered mind as it went through rehabilitation. The phantoms of the past, just out of reach. Leering, taunting, laughing, smirking.

The vengeful youth upon completing her revenge, carried the scars of the past with her. The phantoms gave her strength. Yet there was still a piece missing, she would find it no matter the cost.

The fog of corruption spreads, pulling wool over everyone's eyes. They crowded together within the fog, allowing their hatred and fear to be filled. And as it all threatens to spill, they shall make themselves known.

In Chernobog.

"Approaching underground exit, ETA: 2 minutes."

Even before hitting the Chernobog surface, the air felt heavy, bearing down its titanic weight on all operators involved.

"Roger, the time window will be tight, imposing radio silence until the target is secured, copy."

"Copy."

Soon the air was filled with static, a quiet click turned off the portable radio station.

The overwhelming smell of rust permeated the lower levels as they slowly reached the only obstacle between them and the surface. And all they were met with were the endless grays of overcast skies.

"Alright team, the closest route to our target is within permissible parameters, if we double time it, even better. Let's go!"

The shattered pieces of the puzzle slowly fit together, the phantoms recede. The mind shall find the strength to move beyond the rubicon even for just a moment.

The traps have been laid, the youth is both laid-back and excited. But she certainly knows the act shall end with an explosive applause.

The hatred overtakes the crowds, peaceful protests no longer enough. And yet the veil shall be pierced, if only for a moment.

The weak saviour slowly takes the stage. The board in sight, he moves the pieces with practiced ease, as if he has done this before.

"Best laid plans…"

Hounded by Reunion they ran. With the target successfully retrieved, her fog finally clears.

Her Little One tried something outlandishly foolish and she had to step in, and paid the price. Perhaps that's why she never took to her, her constant meddling, nagging, teaching… but it wasn't the time.

"They closed off the Central Square! We'll have to break through."

Her long lost acquaintance spoke with confidence befitting his station. She knew they would make it through, if not… she'll help.

"You've got an idea Ace-"

But as the Doctor was about to ask, all operators present suddenly noticed a surge in temperature. She was here.

"The Leader of Reunion… we have to move, now!"

But before anyone could move, Nearl's shield got hit by a wave of imperious flame. The defender slowly crumbling from the neverending heat. Then she was hit by another wave, and another-

A shrill scream rang out as a force field covered the RI operators. Amiya barely holding on under the strain of flames neverending, and the fatigue of approaching Catastrophe. The ring broke, and she slowly crumbled downwards, Doctor trying to hold her up.

"Go."

Was the only word spoken as the oldest operator present stood against it all. She broached no argument as she glanced at Ace, exchanging nods as he sheathed his shield and scooped up both Amiya and the Doctor.

She felt it for a while now, this piercing itch, to let her arts run free without any focus, without any confinement.

She let it feed on herself, tips of her hair turned into constantly falling embers, her eye once dull regained its clarity in full, the other eye once dead from infection opened, the grays became embers reflecting the fire burning deep inside. Her left hand slowly falling apart at the seams, turning to embers, with the arm soon to follow.

The blade, once dull and battered, gained an edge greater than ever before, covered in brilliant crimson flame.

She fought fire with fire.

Mind once fractured, now calm despite not getting a peaceful resolution to her existence she always wanted.

Youth once vengeful, now confused from new found knowledge makes a run towards the only parent figure she had in her turbulent existence.

Corruption, once spreading, retreats to lick its wounds, preparing for another strike after felling a moving city in one fell swoop.

The saviour sheds tears despite not remembering, the phantoms take hold.

She ran through destroyed buildings, across melted pavement, following a path of embers.

W reached the Square, where at its center lay a motionless body. Its limbs slowly disintegrating into beautiful crimson embers.

"Nonononono…"

With welling tears and stilled breath she kneeled next to the body, taking hold of its hand. Embers trying to soothe her.

"...not again…"

A single tear fell, slowly evaporating upon contact.

"...it's you, Little One."

W cracked her eyes open, seeing the gentle smile of her fading mentor, guide…

"...mother, why? I… don't understand-"

Raven's gentle smile grew despite the strain, she shed no tears of her own, and made no move to console W in fear of burning her further than she already did. And while slowly fading away…

"Because we're…"

Arknights.