When they arrived, they were welcomed by Slava, floating in the air, his hands crossed, four of his chains supporting him. “Aunty, I see you’ve brought your dog again.” Both of them walked up, unfazed by his provocation. Seeing no reaction, Slava continued. “Did Black Hydra promise to bring your sister back or something?” She still didn’t seem to care, which slightly irritated him.

“You know your sister misses you, she’s been looking for you everywhere.” Hearing this, his gaze turned cold as he slowly descended to the ground. Meeting it head-on, she continued. “Your growth is truly astounding. I thought you were a reasonable man. You know the logical choice would be for you to join us, so why don't you?” She extended her hand as if inviting him. Was she really asking him this? Despira, Kolya, Sasha… After all that, she still dared to ask him that.

“You’re still blinded by rage…” She sighed. “I didn’t expect this from a man who almost killed the woman who raised him.” What? How? No, keep it together… must buy time… “Or was it because of your friend who decided to die a warrior’s death?” This was good. He didn’t know why she was drawing this out, but it played in his favor. “Oh! I know, could it be that you’re upset about the one who was just here?” Seeing him no longer agitated, she took a long while to inquisitively stare him down.

“Ah, I see now…” Slava raised an eyebrow, seeing a smile creep up her partially revealed face. “I see why he chose to change his plans.” It was strange to see her free, almost nonchalant, attitude next to the stiff Blackcoda. Her menacing figure was overshadowed by her awkward posture. Aria soon stepped forward, eclipsing his vision.

“You see? Our Lord has been planning this for a while.” Lord? Had she overheard them? Was she mocking him? “Have you ever wondered why our country is so peaceful?” Her stern eyes shone with a peculiar light as she extended her arm as if reaching for something far away. “Why we stand free of internal conflict?” she waved her hand toward the unmoving Anyxa, standing there like an emotionless statue. “It's because of monsters like us!” Slava flinched, seeing her smile which seemed to carry a hint of madness. “We carry the burden, the unbearable darkness…” She intensely stared into his eyes, her cheeks relaxing into an inviting smile. “The curse of sin.” It was odd, something wasn’t right, her shifting mood, Anyxa’s unnatural behavior. The aunt he remembered wasn’t this… fanatical. Was this her true nature? Did she finally go insane after all this time? He was starting to seriously consider looking into her and her sister’s background. Not that he didn’t care before, but now… she showed cracks in her armor. His eyes slowly regained their coldness as they slightly dashed around, but she didn’t seem to notice as she continued with a line that shook him to his core, his pupils dilating as his eyes froze.

“That’s why we have no leader, Vich, we have heroes.” No… how stupid of him. He couldn't believe he had never thought of that. Heroes… sources of hope, faith, and adoration. They were being controlled, and that much was obvious. But it wasn't by the system and its endless algorithmic predictions or the bureaucrats comprising it. No matter what age or era, throughout history, every society has always had a leader. From a village chief to an emperor. Even in environments where everyone was seen as equal, charismatic individuals rose to take the lead. Even if indirectly, they guided humanity, whether rightly or wrongly, making difficult decisions when no one else would.

Today was no exception. Henosis had their Prophet, The Union had their Shén… and America had their heroes? No, that didn't… even when considering the original heroes, they didn't have that much power. Then who? There was only one answer to that question. The man who had his hands in every political sphere, in every business, every sphere of the government, who was everywhere yet nowhere at the same time. A man who had just sent one of the greatest innovators of this age to his death. The man behind the AITF, Black Hydra.

“Tell me… What do you think we’re doing here?” Now everything was clear. He was preparing for war. Cutting off loose ends, bolstering his own forces. There was no point in asking that question. It was obvious. “No idea? Or is it that you already know?” They were here for the awakened. To add them to their collection. He could barely imagine. What Serena had shown them was surely just the tip of the iceberg. How much more would they need to power an entire army? “Both of our enemies are weak, so we’re planning to use one to annihilate the other.” He slowly closed his eyes with a sigh. “That’s right, the Thunder God’s death brought one of The Union’s provinces into an internal struggle, and Henosis will help us ignite that spark into a flame.” He could see the thoroughness of this plan, swiftly planned and executed. It was almost flawless. Almost…

There was one variable they hadn't accounted for… him. He smiled. “He said you'd come.” She paused, waiting for his eyes to open. “He was right… I wonder if everything else will unfold as he predicted.” Seeing her calm and collected look, all the pieces fell into place. This had been a trap from the very beginning.

“So, will you join us?” He was being given an ultimatum. To join them willingly or become part of their endless army of vat rats. Honestly, an enticing offer. There was so much he didn't know, so much more he could learn. There was no doubt a fountain of knowledge would be waiting for him there… but Sasha would never forgive him if he did that. So his answer was already predetermined. As he uncrossed his arms, his chains wriggled behind him.

“And so you’ve chosen.” she spread her arms, her body elegantly rising from the ground, her suit materializing over her face, the fiend beside her crouching down, shifting into her familiar beastly appearance. “It’s a shame, you won't get to see the end of our enemies.” At the same time, the ground began to quake, forcing Slava to stabilize himself with some of his chains. In the next moment, the massive cave wall crumbled behind Aria, the sun’s rays partially blinding him. When his eyes adjusted, he was greeted by an endless wave, an army. So this was it. The reason she stalled. The encirclement was complete. Now there was no way he could leave. “This is your last chance kid,” wait, was this worry? Could she be suppressing her feelings? “Come with us.” Extending her hand, she looked like a goddess, the boundless troops flowing in from behind her. “The others will soon be apprehended, there is nowhere else to run.” He laughed, his suit slithering onto his face. Sasha was probably already gone. With Crow’s knowledge and her expertise, they would be long gone by now, no matter the restrictions the AITF put in place or the tracking methods they tried to use. “Who said I was trying to run?” He wasn’t sure how things would pan out, but he sure wasn’t getting captured today.

But for now, all of that was inconsequential. This was an opportunity like no other. Witnessing Serena’s fight with The Prophet, and the transformation she experienced from assimilating Kolya’s knowledge, had gotten him thinking. Up until now, he’d been using his domain with might and power by chaining momentum. Now that he was facing a seemingly insurmountable wall, he glanced at the army slowly moving to surround him, he would need to go past his limits, by exploring a part of his domain he never had before, precision. Guided by his thoughts, his chains spread out, before shattering into a cloud of dust that permeated his surroundings, creating a golden glow that emphasized his black-and-white figure.

“Arissa will be disappointed,” the Blood Queen spurted out, unbothered by his actions. These last words made Slava snap, and he lunged toward his opponents, an indescribable smile plastered over his face. Despite the fact that he seemed to be lunging to his death, Slava seemed unbothered. The thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. He was entranced by power, his own strength taking over, more and more pieces of his humanity slowly slipping away.