Extra's Descent
Chapter 259: Reunion [1]

Deus was sent to complete the objectives that Brandon had instructed him to.

To replace his business rival, Rafael Asami, and to save him in the process.

Zed had set the stage for him.

He was informed that Rafael Asami was located in a hospital inside the blackmarket.

And so, he had arrived at said hospital.

Entering the hospital, he looked around. There, he could see the receptionist.

It was a nurse.

How neat.

To think the blackmarket had this kind of profession.

However, he knew it wasn't as simple as that.

The blackmarket's hospital dealt with illegal ways to treat their patients such as drugs and so on.

It wasn't a good look.

However, Rafael Asami was favored by the leader. For such a reason, his treatment must've been for a good reason.

That being said, Deus approached the receptionist.

"Good evening."

Tipping his hat, he gave the nurse a smile and the nurse smiled back.

"I'm looking for a certain man, Rafael Asami? I heard he was here."

The nurse's expression turned grim at that point.

"Sorry. I think you are in the wrong place."

Of course.

Rafael Asami's information was confidential. For that reason, the hospital's staff must've been instructed not to give access to unidentified guests.

He couldn't blame her.

His overall appearance made him look suspicious.

Especially the hat he wore.

Major creepy vibes.

It was then when Deus flashed his Twilight Device.

[White]

A VIP.

And under his name was his employer, Zed Alistar.

The nurse's eyes widened in shock.

"A-Apologies…. Sir Zeus."

That was his Codename.

Then, the nurse scanned the computer. Her brows raised and she looked at Zed after confirmation.

"Yes, Rafael Asami. Room: 505."

That meant, the fifth floor, and room five.

The fifth floor was usually restricted to VIP only.

That much was obvious to Deus.

"Thank you."

Tipping his hat and giving a light bow, Deus left shortly after.

The elevators were separated and he was instructed to take the elevator that VIPs took.

Inside, there was only one button.

It was the button for the fifth floor.

And after taking the elevator, he had finally arrived at the fifth floor.

He roamed the halls. It was bright, and as he looked at the window he could see the entire blackmarket.

Until he had finally arrived at the right room.

On the side of the door, there was a black gadget etched on the wall. The device lit up upon detecting movement.

Deus allowed the gadget to scan his Twilight Device.

Beep—

A beeping sound occurred, and the door slid open.

He was granted access.

Stepping inside the room, what greeted his sight was a dimly lit room.

And it was then when he saw it.

The familiar sight of his business rival, Rafael Asami. His deep–black hair had grown longer than what Rafael had remembered.

That, and he looked severely malnourished.

But regardless, there was no doubt in Deus' mind that the man–who–laid in the hospital bed with his eyes closed was Rafael Asami.

There were wires attached to his body, coming from several devices.

Beep— Beep—

And a beeping sound continued to ring, breaking the room's silence.

Clearly, he was in a dire state.

He was told to leave with Rafael Asami. If he were unconscious, he was given a device by Zed to immediately leave the blackmarket along with Rafael.

But seeing the state he was in….

"He should stay here."

That was his conclusion.

If the wires in his body were removed, then who knows what would happen.

It was fine.

If Brandon's plan succeeded, they would have full control over the blackmarket.

If it fails, Deus couldn't give a damn.

Profit wise, it was better for Rafael Asami to stay comatosed.

But since Brandon was his boss, he had to do his task.

With such thoughts, Deus retrieved the Twilight Device and dialed a number.

Ring…. Ring…. Ring….

But Brandon didn't respond.

It made sense.

Most probably, Brandon wasn't done.

So Deus decided to wait as he walked towards the window, taking the sight of the blackmarket.

It was beautiful.

It looked like an entire underground city.

For how this was even possible, Deus couldn't even begin to think how.

Time passed.

Deus had grown bored and turned around, wanting to leave.

He was just about to leave when his alarm bells rang.

"....!"

Boom—!

An explosion resounded and the entire blackmarket shook.

Rumble… Rumble…

Thankfully, there was no damage to the hospital room.

Immediately, Deus sprinted back towards the window and scanned.

He looked around to trace the source of the explosion.

His wide eyes landed on a sea of flames, a bit further away from the hospital.

The flames deeply imprinted in his mind as it reflected in his eye. A sudden chill ran down his spine.

That location….

"...."

It was the auction building.

***

It had to be said that Brandon had seen the visions as well.

Albeit—in a fever dream, and in a form of fragments.

The visions were scattered like puzzle pieces waiting to be pieced.

It was too much for him. Much to the point where he started.

"Hieaaaa—"

Screaming.

In a matter of seconds, the Wraith instantly perished away and Brandon found himself down on both knees.

Thump!

"Hieaaaa—"

'What the fuck is this?'

He could see it all.

All the deaths.

All his deaths.

Living a totally different life from what Brandon Locke had initially told him.

Did he lie?

What the fuck did he mean by 263 progressions?

There were way more.

A life way before the 263 progressions.

He couldn't believe it.

'Who the fuck am I…!?'

'Am I Raven Blackheart!?'

'Am I Brandon Locke!?'

He couldn't fathom it anymore.

He had seen Brandon Locke's memories, and now he was seeing Raven Blackheart's memories.

This didn't make any sense.

None of this shit made sense anymore.

He didn't see it all.

But he had a general knowledge of the amount of Raven Blackheart regressions there were.

A total of 10,000.

That much was certain.

It was all too confusing, even for him. Especially so in his fragile mental state.

He wanted to forget.

He didn't want to see it all.

"Hieaaaa—"

"Brandon!"

"Brandon!"

Belle and Amelia reached out to him, crying out his name.

But it all went to deaf ears.

"Get the fuck away!"

He waved them off as amethyst flames shot out.

Everything rushed through his head and a stabbing pain occurred as he clenched his head, gripping it tightly.

"Hieaaaa—"

'Who am I?'

'Who really am I?'

'Who the fuck am I!?'

Was he truly a Raven Blackheart variant?

A Raven that had lived a life with no magic?

Or was he the first Raven Blackheart, before all the progressions?

His mind was all jumbled up, and….

Thwack! Thwack!

He started slamming his head as he continued screaming.

"Hieaaa—"

***

Amelia had just caught her breath. Initially, she thought she was about to die. But when the Wraith's hand recoiled towards Brandon, she felt her heart drop.

She couldn't let him die.

The Wraith could take her life, but not his.

She couldn't allow it.

Over her dead body.

Regardless, it was too late.

The Wraith's hand had reached Brandon. However, in a matter of seconds, the Wraith perished, disintegrating.

Thwack! Thwack!

Brandon started smacking his head as his screams continued to resound.

His scream had sent a chill down Amelia's spine as she rushed towards him, pleading for him to stop, embracing him tightly.

"Brandon!"

"What's wrong with him?"

"That Wraith must've done something!"

The Imperial Army started coming up with their own theories as they stared at Brandon with grim expressions.

"Can anyone relieve him? Some sort of mental magic?"

"We don't have anyone like that in the squad!"

"Tsk."

Ivan clicked his tongue.

Of course, Amelia knew that as well. But they grew desperate.

Especially stemming from the fact that they had almost died to a Wraith.

Artoria was already upon Evelyn, treating her injuries.

"How's Field Marshal Evelyn?"

Belle had lost all rationality, as she too rushed towards Brandon. It was Ivan instead who took charge of the situation.

"She's in a critical state. Her abdomen was cut deep open, but I was able to stabilize her wounds. She needs to get to a hospital, fast!"

A similar state to Brandon.

In the corner of the room, a man stood up. Brandon had called him Zed.

Holding onto his arm, Zed appeared battered and bruised.

Artoria seemed to want to treat his injuries as well. But Zed held his hand up, stopping her.

"I'm fine. I haven't done much but drag Evelyn down. Please continue treating her."

Artoria nodded her head and continued to do so.

"Hieaaaa—"

"I don't know what's wrong with him. But—"

Rumble… Rumble….

All of a sudden, the chamber shook, cutting Zed off.

No, the entire auction room shook.

At that moment, everyone in the room knew. The scent of gunpowder permeated the room, especially when their senses were enhanced at the moment.

The entire building was about to explode.

Zed had come up with several reasons as to why. But ultimately, he ended up with nothing.

Most probably, it was Lancelott's doing.

Immediately, Zed urged.

"Quick! Inside Evelyn's pocket, there's a device that will transport us out of here. I'm not sure where she configured it, but we have no other choice."

It was a device given to her by Zed.

A safety net.

He wanted to give Brandon one as well, but he denied it, telling to keep it for his own use.

However, his own device broke during the fight with Lancelott.

In fact, he wasn't sure if Evelyn's device was still functioning, but he could only hope to do so.

"This one?"

"Quickly!"

Artoria tossed the device to Zed. Catching it in his palms, Zed immediately activated the device.

BOOOOM—!

As if time had frozen still, a sea of flames immediately registered in the peripheral vision in the middle of the auction hall.

The flames were the last thing they saw as each and every one of them was teleported away.

Since they were scattered around the room….

….They were sent to different locations.