Work Text:
To think I would get the chance to write a diary entry after so long. To Whom it concerns, I am Professor Phoebus Arche. it is quite unclear what i could be best described as, given my current form. But I suppose the best way to describe myself would be a well... A refined being. now, not refined in tastes, but in biology. Following a series of events, I`d rather not get into, I am best described as what those damnable exaltists call a "Sacrifice". only perfected. I have no need to eat, drink or sleep. and I can wield corruption into weapons much like Ethereals. Listing everything would be enough to fit a small shelf. So I will try to keep this Diary brief, filling it with my observations of New Eridu, a bit of my past, and some knowledge I've learnt on the Hollows in my ten years of absence.
Wise Arna
The first familiar face I have seen in almost ten years! My, how he has grown into a fine young man! Taking up the mantle of Proxy! Much like his dear mother and grandfather! He told me he rebuilt the HDD from scratch! Calm, Collected, analytical and very kind, the eldest of the Arna siblings is someone you can always rely on. While his Sister runs the Video store “Random play” (Whom I learnt from certain sources is perhaps the most popular video store on sixth street, no less!) Wise operates under the handle of Phaethon, Using the HDD and Eous to enter the Hollows and Complete commissions. Though Helios has long since fallen, it is safe to say that its legacy lives on through the Phaethon siblings. If only their dear Mother could see them now…
As Phaethon, Wise and Belle have worked with many people from all walks of life! The odd-job Agency Cunning Hares, (Whom I shall detail my observations further below.) The Construction Company Belobog industries, The Sons Of Calydon of the Outer Ring, and a new branch of H.A.N.D, Hollow Special Operations Section 6, Lead by fellow Voidhunter, Hoshimi Miyabi! I’ve also heard he’s collaborated with NEPS on occasions! These are only a few Connections that he’s told me about. It seems his network runs far and wide, giving that one-eyed emo a run for his money!
Hoshimi Miyabi
Now there is a familiar face, even to those who know her name! Hoshimi Miyabi. Leader and chief of HSO section 6, and a sibling-in-arm as a fellow Voidhunter. Her skill with Tailless rivals even Yukiko. Calm, Collected, Miyabi is truly a Hoshimi. She shows no fear in the face of danger, and her resolve in battle matches her fellow hunters. Though it is not my story to learn of, I believe her strength comes from the loss of someone dear to her. Which, alas. would not surprise me if it was a family member. With great power comes a great cost. I should know. Every Hoshimi who bears the cruel fate of wielding that cursed blade knows.
May she never have to walk the same path as her predecessors, Consumed in the flames of Foxfire in search of revenge.
Ariadne Marcel, Lady Sunbringer.
One of my long-time friends, and adoptive mother of Carol. Former CEO of Marcel Group, She took her father’s name and switched to her mother’s name when she faked her death.
The Kalsana and Marcel names are one with a rich history best left buried in the annals of whence it came. But I can write about that later. Kind, Gentle, smart, and a strong sense of justice. Ariadne plans before anything… although she is prone to letting her emotions take over. Heiress of the world's biggest weapons manufacturing company, she spits in her family’s legacy face when she decided to create bangboo. Adept at wielding the Guandiao, or any spear for that matter. She has all the makings of an incredible warrior, and the makings of a mother. Where once she and Joyous argued over everything like a married couple as kids, which put them at odds with each other, I now learnt that they actually tied the knot after years of pretending they weren't. Elysia was very professional about the whole thing (That means she was squealing like a highschooler and proceeded to crush Joyous in a hug while she spun him around. This memory lives inside my head and this diary forever.) The words “Fuck off, Torchhead.” Are written in red letters.
Ariadne is much like me, a voidhunter. With her claim to fame being Eradicating the Hive Lord Hollow. I do not know what transpired within the Hollow, but I am sure of one thing: That was probably the best therapy she could have ever had. From that day forward, the girl who ran away from her family legacy smiled more, like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. The People of the Outer ring worship the god of the sun and fire, who watches over cinder lake. But I know for sure that if there is such a god, and I have my reasons to believe there is, then I know for sure it smiles upon the girl who won back the sun.
Joyous, Ace Investigator.
Beneath the mask, behind the cold glare and under the black cloak lies a boy who had everything ripped away from him whose existence is defined by loss and death. But despite it all, he has never faltered. Though he prefers to work in the shadows, I know for sure that no harm shall ever befall those who are shadowed by Ace Investigator and Guild Leader Joyous.
Joyous and I have a long history. I’ve known him since I was 10 years old, and safe to say 40 years later, I still trust him to stab anyone who tries to stab my back. Reserved, seemingly cold. Joyous analyses his surroundings and people with unmatched precision. adept at pretty much any kind of fighting style, but preferring his trusty singing knives. I can assure you that whoever Joyous makes disappear will never be found. He has absolute disdain for TOPS, what they do and represent. He does things his way, and his way, whether whoever works with likes it or not, works. earning both the deep trust of those who work with him, or the disdain of those who realize they cannot control one man.But Joyous is far from a one-man act, he won't let his actions endanger others, and I know why. He is a leader, a silent one, and a very effective one. Death walks with Joyous, but he doesn't mind. like he always says: “Death can have me, when it’s earned me.” He’s come out of the toughest situations imaginable, and he has the luck and skill to fight death in a fistfight and come out on top twice in a row.
It’s thanks to this Emo we have Carrots and the standard of Hollow exploration routes. It’s always my favourite tale to tell, he simply went into Papago Hollow despite his superiors orders not to. I was there that day, so was Ariadne. There also was a TOPS executive there, but I know for a fact Joyous did not care. He simply asked me if getting the data from the Divine maze would help me with my research on the Common characteristics of Hollows. (more on that later) and he went in. I won’t lie, I was a bit afraid. but lo and Behold, he made it out. and thanks to him: We gave Eridu hope. Many wanted to follow in his footsteps, and those who followed him became known by a name: Proxies.
Joyous wasn't one to smile when he was younger, or show much emotions, but over the years, I’ve seen past the mask. Joyous cares deeply about those he calls friends and family, and I have no reason to doubt that. because the happiest I've seen him, even if he won't say it, was when he was with his wife and friends, his daughter, and his students. Even after he lost many of those things in the Fall of the Old Capital… I think deep down he’s glad that we’ve returned, and even more glad to have at last found a Successor in Phaethon.
Ari, Elly, whatever you two did to him, it worked.
Elysia Falkenhayn, Leader of The Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe
She is known by many names. God’s favourite child, Miss Pink Elf, Humanity’s angel, all are apt names to describe a girl who is nothing short of a blessing to this Hollow-filled world. Elysia, or as I and anyone who knows her, Elly, was the previous leader of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe. They operate at the farthest edges of the city, near the Dark Wall. The largest and most dangerous Hollow there ever was, rare are those who know of it’s existence, none who know of it dare speak its name, and of the 3 brave souls who have pushed it back 37 Kilometers, even they speak not of the Horrors within.
Much like with Joyous and Ariadne, Elysia is another Long time friend of mine, and one I trust deeply. She lives life with a passion that is hard to match, always finding joy wherever she goes, though she acts a little childish she is very wise, gentle, and most of all a beacon of light for all who cross her path. She is forgiving to a fault, even to a fool like me. She truly believes no one is beyond redemption and while her personality seems to be in direct conflict with Joyous, both valued each other’s company dearly.
Elysia is a rare species of Thiren called an Angel Thiren. Although most of their records have been lost in the Ancient War, they are few and far between, and meeting one is considered a good omen. Which would explain why the Universe seems to shy away from bringing disaster to her. She has… Incredible luck. it’s almost scary, she somehow believes everything will turn out okay, even in the darkest times… and on more than one occasion, she has proven that. She gives people hope. Something we all need in the darkest times. But even if she is an angel, she still has her vulnerable moments. It's those moments where I'm reminded that she is very much human, even after she's endured many tragedies, lost much, she stares back at the void with a smile, and the void smiles back, she could face the end of the world, and still believe she did everything she could, and bow as if ending a performance on a stage. She's done it more times than I can count.
Elly is unmatched when it comes to wielding a bow. With a precision and marksmanship matched only by Joyous, No target is out of her sight. Her Bow is actually a very powerful weapon made from lost technology, in a companion Hollow, if her arrows reach the “Ceiling” of a hollow, it causes a chain reaction that begins the Hollows destruction. creating a ‘rain’ of Ether arrows that fall across the Hollow. The smaller the Hollow the easier it is to do.
Anby Demara
Among the newer faces I have met are The Cunning Hares, an Odd-job Agency who takes almost any job, Outside or inside the Hollow. Her white hair and quiet demeanor remind me much of Joyous. A Stun Agent, she specializes in Electric Attacks. Her movements and behavior betray a possible military training, I suppose she must’ve been part of the defense force at a certain point. Her attacks could be far deadlier, it’s as if she holds back… The question remains… Why, though? Though I have no need to eat,she kindly offered me a burger as a sign of friendship. How could I refuse? Burgers are great foods, and we share common opinions on their practicality. A shame I have lost most of my sense of taste, but that won't prevent me from eating what I know to be a most excellent burger!
Though she may hide a past, I know for a fact Anby Demara is an ally to treasure.
Legendary Starlight Knight, Billy Kid.
To think I would once again see a combat android in this day and age! And such a lively one at that! Billy, in the short time I have interacted with him, has proven himself a most eccentric ally, a source of laughter, and unsurprisingly, an excellent marksman. If he knows of his origins, he did not tell me about it, or perhaps he too, bears a dark past? Whatever the case may be, his fixation for the starlight knights and almost child-like admiration for them leads me to one possible conclusion: It is possible for Robots to have Autism.
From what Anby told me, Billy has a pre-registered script in which he details all of the lore of starlight knights, including the most obscure facts and trivia about the series. I must research how to weaponize his Autism has a torture method against the exaltists.
Out of respect for Billy, his entry will be marked as Legendary Starlight Knight, Billy Kid
Nicole Demara
Leader of the Cunning Hares, She is one of the only ones who knows Phaethon’s true identity. According to Wise “Her debt is as big as her heart.” A most heartwarming statement, if I had not seen it for myself. After the Lost Void Operation, as we chatted about, she proudly showed off her debt, which for the sake of whatever i have left of my sanity i will surmise that Nicole possibly holds a record for biggest debt i’ve ever seen. Somehow, by some miracle she manages to keep her crew afloat. When i asked her about she said “Looks can be deceiving, professor”
I’d find myself quite worried, were it not for the fact that Anby, Billy and their new companion, Nekomata. vouch in favor of her generosity. Something tells me that beneath that tough and mighty exterior lies something deeper, which Wise confirmed with a slight nod of the head. Her cunning tactics and pink hair remind much of my dear Elysia. and when I asked her about taxes, she simply laughed.
Unsurprisingly, this summoned Joyous and the both of them shared skills on tax evasion.
…I do not have normal friends. I have accepted that.
Her questionable business methods aside, If Wise trusts her and if she’s earned Joyous’s approval, that makes her a valuable ally to have.
Nekomiya Mana (Nekomata)
The latest member of the cunning hares! Adept at using daggers and her feline charms, Nekomata is never far from them. On our trip in the lost void, I have occasionally seen her demand headpats from Nicole. This little cat thirteen is quite sneaky, I did ask about her history with Wise, and it seems that it’s thanks to Wise and the cunning hares following a commission that started them all on quite an adventure involving a conspiracy surrounding a TOPS-affiliated company named Vision who tried to blow up and old tunnel in a Hollow with people still trapped within! (In all fairness, this is TOPS. Their utter disregard of life is nothing new to me, Or Joyous, Or Ariadne, Or Pretty much anyone who knows anyway. Which gets me to ask the following question once more, HOW DO PEOPLE SUPPORT THEM?!)
But we are getting off-topic.
Nekomata was an Orphan taken in by a former leader of the now disbanded Red Fang Gang. Following a commission gone wrong, Miguel, Anby and Billy fell in a Hollow with Miguel alas, turning into an Ethereal.
This death caused Nekomata to blame the Cunning hares, not realizing it was too late to save the poor man. After realizing this. Nekomata turned away from revenge, deciding to do the right thing when she realized what had happened. Having helped uncover the conspiracy, The Cunning Hares have been involved in it and have met strong opposition since. Involving multiple factions each with their own goals to see the truth realized, and given the scope of things, I have reasons to believe the truth goes as deep as Helios Academy and those damnable exaltists.
Which is in part, the reason for my return from Hollow Zero.
Lycaon
In the short time I have spoken to Lycaon, I can tell he is a very reliable attendant. Having agreed to share with me his past, which allows me to piece together what my good friend has been up to all these years.
Taken in by Joyous and Alexdrina after… an Altercation with a friend at the request of the Mayor of Eridu, Marduk Mayflower. ( Good friend of Carol, his father worked and swore us in. He’s used to the amount of damage I leave in my wake.)
Lycaon was cared for by Alexandrina, and trained by Joyous to use his prosthetic legs as a means of fighting. Lycaon has also shared that he has been trained to use and maintain an HDD. Even though he has assured me he is not a proxy, He considers it his duty to know such things. (and given what Carol left behind for me, it may just come in handy at a later date..) Following his recovery at the hands of Alexandrina and Joyous, As Lycaon shed his past behind he grew fond of her and it did not go unnoticed by Joyous. With a few nudges in the right direction, the two of them eventually became a couple. and it didn’t take long for them to have a child, or should I say two.
Corin Wickes Sebastine
Found by Lycaon In a Hollow during the fall of the old capital, Corin is an incredibly shy and soft-spoken little girl. Working as a maid, she is an incredibly hard worker who puts alot of pressure on her poor little shoulders. This has not gone unnoticed by her foster parents, who raise her as best they can despite it all. Though she has much to learn Corin is an apt maid, wielding a buzzsaw as a weapon, (i’d find it concerning, but considering my upbringing, my friends, the parental decisions of some of them, questioning why give an anxiety-ridden child a chainsaw would perhaps be calling the kettle black, given I did not exactly object to the idea of giving Bangboo the same gun safety training as NEPS officer.) She constantly apologizes for the slightest mistake. When she nearly spilled my cup of tea on my head, she was so frightened I think she looked ready to cry. The poor thing didn’t realize I am not even affected by such things. I assured her it was perfectly okay, and had to give her an idea on how I “eat” and “drink” through my refined form. She looked so relieved. I can only hope she realizes that she does not bare the world on her shoulders… But her parents assured me she is making great strides, and I am sure that the day she finds her confidence, the world will be hers for the taking.
Ellen Joe Von Lycaon
The eldest of Lycaon and Alexandrina’s two daughters, Ellen is part-shark thiren, meaning she constantly needs sugar, and has a tendency to sleep. Ellen may seem disinterested, but I know her type, she is what I call a “”Joyous” (Yeah, you have a personality for yourself, Emo. I know you’re reading this sentence, fight me) In red an inscription reads “Meet me at the HIA, campfire. We’re settling this.”
Ellen may seem uncaring, but that is far from the truth, she cares deeply for her friends and family. I must have been treated to a rare sight when I saw her hug Corin when she asked for one. Even going so far as to let her brush her tail, which speaks lengths to the trust she puts in her little sister. Though she did not let me hear any embarrassing stories (I understand the sentiment) She did show me some footage of her commissions with Wise, and I was impressed. Fast, precise and lethal are all the words I would use to describe her fighting style. Do not disturb this sleeping shark, because once she wakes, you`ll see she has a nasty bite. Ellen cares deeply about her parents and friends, she confided in me that she was very thankful for everything they had done for her. Being part shark means she has to put effort to get things done, but her struggles are known. Lycaon and Alexandrina hold nothing against her for that. As she was working on a paper related to hollow theorems I asked if she needed help. knowing what kind of person I was up against, I elected to make it fun for her. A lollipop for an answer. I managed to boil down the problem to its basic components (Child’s play for me. I mean, I wrote the original thesis on the Hollows. A fool would think this would be hard for me)
And sure enough I was able to correct her work, and I eagerly await the results of her work, (Spoilers: It’s going to be 100% I know it, I double checked.) Though she puts in a herculean amount of effort, Ellen Joe von Lycaon is a fine student, an apt maid (when she wants) and overall getting through life just fine as a fish is in water. Or, Shark in her case.
Her Parents have every reason to be proud of her.
Alexandrina Sebastine
Rounding out the rest of Victoria Housekeeping is the Head maid Alexandrina Sebastine, though she likes to be called Rina. Coming from a long family of maids and attendants, She always holds herself to a high standard, maintaining an impeccable etiquette that puts even some of the attendants I've known in my time to shame. Graceful, gentle, she is quite a diligent maid, and it would not surprise me if Corin looks up to her in terms of being a maid.
She is in part responsible for having taught Lycaon in the ways of being an attendant, having tended to him following events I shall not speak of, as they seem painful for Lycaon to recall. Joyous may have taught him how to fight, but it is Rina who made him into the Wolf he is today.
Supposedly, Lycaon must’ve been a far different person, and yet he learnt how to become an attendant and it does not surprise me to hear that it was him who first fell for rina before she fell even harder. As she shared with me many delightful stories of their times as attendants, I also learned Rina as a degree in mechanical engineering! After Joyous left them the keys to Victoria, she was in charge of fixing and maintaining Lycaon’s prosthetics.
Their greatest assignment however, came about 10 years ago, a few months after Hollow Zero. Where Joyous, Rina and Lycaon found a frightened little girl with mint green hair and a little girl with a shark tail. Both had lost parents in a hollow, leaving them orphans. For Joyous I have no doubt it’s a familiar tale… certainly to me too… Rina and I can only hypothesize, but perhaps it’s because of the way Corin looked so frightened that day or the 100 meter stare Ellen had that Lycaon was so adamant on taking her in (Rina assumes that Lycaon may have seen himself in them, as she confided in me Lycaon had the same frightened and distraught look when Rina and Joyous found him) Rina had no objections from the start, Neither did Joyous. (I most certainly know why.) From that day on. The young couple of attendants were faced with perhaps their greatest challenges as attendants: Raising children. Safe to say they have passed every test with flying colors, as they raise their two adopted daughters together. It’s quite ironic, if I had a Denny every time I had seen this scenario in my life, I’d have 4 dennies by now. While it may not seem like much, it warms my heart everytime i get one.
Asaba Harumasa
A most interesting fellow, and one I say I hold in incredibly high respect. While he may look like he’s slacking off, I can tell you for certainty that Harumasa is on Miyabi’s team for a reason. An expert with the bow and the blade, Able to switch between the at a moments notice, he certainly gave me a run for my money while i was holding back.
Alas… This brilliant prodigy and skills comes at a heavy cost. Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome. A horrible disease, really. Affecting the poor man’s heart and lungs, it makes everyday just a struggle to be alive. Leaving me to wonder how he is standing… But… I very much relate to such a struggle. …My refinement was not an easy process, or an easy time… I recall times where Carol was less my research assistant and more of a nurse for me. My lungs felt on fire, I coughed heavily, and that is putting everything mildly. Refinement is a lengthy, and very painful process, not one without gifts, but still painful. Such is life.
I bonded with Harumasa over this, leaving out the results of my disease… He still seems to cling to life, and yet… That light seems to be growing dim. I fear… he does not have much time left.
It would be simple for me to cure it. Refine his lungs and heart, undo the corruption… yet I know it’s possible… I’d much rather give him a choice… what right do i have to decide who lives and dies? And yet, as one refined by the creator, must I ignore this suffering? Is it truly fair to just let him succumb to his fate? No, of course not. I refuse to let someone suffer as I have.
…I shall give him a choice, but I will be monitoring closely. Should his condition worsen… I will have to intervene. He’s told me to keep it a secret from the others, naturally I obliged. I know the burden of such secrets. He seems to be close to Miyabi…I wonder what that’s about…
Tsukichiro Yanagi
Though she is deputy chief of section 6, Yanagi most certainly acts more like the caretaker of section 6. Handling Miyabi’s meetings, Soukaku’s hunger and Harumasa’s extensive sick leaves (I have not seen a 500 word essay on a sick leave ever since Joyous tried this tactic as a kid.)
Her demeanor is the picture perfect definition of a HSO agent. Apt at wielding a nagigatana, she moves with precision and speeds that could match some of my fellow hunters. She is incredibly diligent, plans for everything and cares deeply for her fellow teammates. No doubt she is more then apt at leading section 6.
The caretaker of Soukaku, she did not enlighten me on her past, which seems to imply a few things but I am not one to comment on them. We all have our demons, out of respect, i will not divulge them here. I did hear Eridu had… strained relations with the Oni clans beyond the borders of the city. And I'll say I will take the side of the Onis. That is all I will say for now.
It’s strange. As time passes, I’m beginning to understand why Joyous founded the Proxies and chose to work independently. Trusting few people. Following the fall of the old capital, digging through the files of HAND and my own memories of my old diary… I think i’m starting to appreciate the freedom the Mayflowers gave us with our status.
And part of me thinks it will come in handy soon.
Tsukichiro Soukaku
Perhaps I have another Denny as I am writing this but Soukaku is not only the newest addition to section 6, Soukaku is the adopted sibling of Yanagi. A bright oni with a most cheerful personality, she seems quite young to be on a team of professionals but her skills and Oni upbringing earn her a place amidst them. She was absolutely mesmerized by my flames and while I would reprimand Joyous for trying this, she wanted to see if she could cook a marshmallow on my flaming head. I could refuse Joyous, but not her eyes who were sparkling with stars.
Adept at wielding a custom made banner, Soukaku provides support for all her teammates, sending gusts of freezing ether at her foes. But her greatest strength lies in her heritage as an Oni: The Ashura state.
When Soukaku enters this state, The little Child-like Oni takes a step back, her instincts sharpen and the warrior in her awakens, giving her the means to run at incredible speeds, fight with the force of an army
Soukaku’s energy is as boundless as her appetite. I was quite worried when I noticed all she seemed to do is eat, when I asked Yanagi about this… she looked… sad. Alas… I may draw a few… somber conclusions.
While New Eridu is perhaps the only bastion of contemporary civilization left, a safe haven against the Hollows… The outer ring, and the surrounding regions… are not so.
Without the Shiyu system, the Hollows run rampant against the world unchecked. as much as i wished i could say we could all come together to band against the hollows. not everyone shares that goal, or is willing to do so. The Onis have long been at war with humanity, some of the records dating back to before the Hollows existed, before the old civilization collapsed, and from the scattered remains of history, since ancient times.
I can only surmise and guess at their history, but Onis have always been at odds with humanity. Believing we could never co-exist. Of course, I've met outliers to such beliefs. But they were outcasts of the tribe.
The fate of those outcasts… are best left unspoken. As I'm writing, I look to miss Tsukichiro, whose eyes seem deep in thought…
…Perhaps it is best that some things remain unwritten.
Hollows and Ether Related Phenomena
Hollows
On paper, Hollows are all-consuming Supernatural disasters, who appear out of thin air, distorting space time within their boundaries, corrupting sentient life into Ethereals and containing etheric matter. None of this is a lie. But the truth and Origin of the Hollows goes far deeper than you believe.
However, their true origins are known to few. I am lucky enough to be among the ones who know. As any self respecting Professor of an academy researching Hollows would be, I happen to be quite versed in them, on account of my history with them, and all my research on them, of course I could fill 10 diaries with my adventures, so I’ll keep it concise.
I should, however, give a foreword.
If you think you know the Hollows. You have been lied to as much as you are lying to yourself. We stirred the abyss, it woke up and stared back.They are not just some unnatural disaster, they are the by-products of the folly of man. The relics of an ancient war that made the world buckle to its knees and awake a presence beyond mortal eyes.
I should know. I was there when they opened their eyes.
Hollows are essentially Ever-shifting mazes within Black holes. Their size is proportional to their danger. But their greatest danger is in their unpredictability. Of course, the city administration may claim they have the means to calculate the probability of a Hollow appearing, but it will never truly be accurate. Hollow Zero served us a painful lesson, We can never truly predict the Hollows. I was foolish to think I had built a reliable system…
But do not despair, my dear reader. There are signs when a hollow is bound to appear. Spatial displacements of objects outside of a hollow, is a telltale sign. Electromagnetic interference in electronic devices is another. For example your phone refusing to work or a call suddenly cutting off and shutting down. Vibrations through the ground, similar to an earthquake.
If you meet any of these signs, I can only give you one word of advice:
Run.
The Seven Great Hollows
There was once a saying amidst “The old Civilization” called the “Seven wonders of the world.” I’d call the Seven great hollows “The Seven Horrors of the World” Each one different from the other, they grow like a cancerous cell in the body that is New Eridu. Each one named after a different labyrinth of the Old world. Having explored them all, I figured I may provide more information on them. Future Proxies and Investigators, take notes!
The Seven Great Hollows are, for better or for worse, essential to humanity's continued survival. Despite the calamities they cause, they are nearly impossible to eradicate without greatly changing the landscape of Eridu at a political, social and economical scale. As we use them to extract valuable resources such as Porcelume, or even the very Ether itself.
Using the Shiyu Network, Eridu can siphon Ether out of the Hollows, stabilizing them to an extent and preventing them from hitting the Zenless limit. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
The Seven Great Hollows are perhaps the oldest hollows to date. If memory serves me well, dare I say they are part of the first Hollows to have spawned. There are Seven in total: Lemnian, Cretan, Papago, Pursenas, Solove, Hawara ... and Zero.
I’ll go into why I consider the last one a Great Hollow.
Lemnian Hollow
Beyond the shores of the Throne quarter, lies the first of the Seven Labyrinths. Engulfed within is an ancient city that spans the scope of an entire island. Aerospace city, once a place for space research, was among the first of the Great Hollows to reach this category and become essential to humanity’s survival and war against the Hollows. Produced within is a fine material called Porcelume, vital in the creation of anit-corruption suits, and various other Hollow investigation material. On my few visits there, I happen to talk, save and chat with a few of the local minors once in a while, to help myself stay sane and not make my social skills regress to that of Joyous in his younger days.
Alas, The perimeter of Lemnian Hollow is owned (laughably, at that.) By a TOPS subsidiary named Porcelumex (they invest as much creativity in their naming department as their safety budget.) While the service they provide is essential, It makes me wheeze in laughter just thinking they can OWN the perimeter of a Hollow! Let’s see how well that goes if it hits the Zenless Limit!
…But I digress, I’ll leave that department to Joyous.
Though Lemnian Hollow Blesses us with a means to combat the Hollows… It also lurks one of the most dangerous forms of Ether: Miasma.
Miasmic Ether is perhaps the most terrifying form of Ether yet. A simple contact with it puts one’s mind in a state of near bliss. Allowing one to relive peaceful memories of better times… times long gone.
The memories will beg you to stay in that wondrous bliss, but do not. You must leave, or else you will become corrupted. Trapped in this bliss, wondering as an Ethereal in a maze of Blurry memories as you drown in a sea of Magenta.
…I’m… alas familiar with the subject…. Too Familiar.
Being Refined is a small mercy… and perhaps cruel.
But the memory of her is enough.
I’ll see her again, I’ll see them all again one day.
On my oath as a Voidhunter, I swear it.
Cretan Hollow
Not much needs to be said on the Cretan Hollow, perhaps the most famous of his six other siblings. More active than the other great Hollows. Back in the first Voidhunting Era it was a much bigger beast. Home to an Ethereal Swarm named Daedalus. Titanic in size, it wandered across the Hollow as it destroyed all in its path. Lieutenant-Colonel Dan of the Guard of staves is the one who put that foul monster in the ground where it belongs as Vike, Swordsmaster and I took down the Exaltist within the Hollow.
Now the Cretan Hollow still remains active, according to my research. But it is nothing more than a maze-like grave for the fallen titan ethereal within. Whose corpse must be overtaken by the crystals it once produced. These Ether crystals are popular in less-then savoury markets. But they net a decent profit depending on the quality. The ether Activity is not too dangerous and could even be used as a training ground for Investigators and Proxy alike, as long as one is well prepared, the hollow can be easily navigated.
Perhaps I should go investigate there soon. If Joyous says the Exaltists are on the move again… I shudder to imagine what they could plan should they find Daedalus’s Grave…
No… I rather not imagine it.
Due to its nature it is home to a wide variety of Ethereals, Thanatos and Dullahan’s are among the most common “High-Level” Threat. (I say, as if a notorious means anything to me after reducing Nineveh to paper shreds.)
Though The Cretan Hollow is now less of a threat then in the early days of its exploration. I still would like to remind you, dear reader, of its dangers.
Papago Hollow
Now This is a Hollow I will gladly talk about! The Papago Hollow, Also known as the Divine Maze, is perhaps the most famous Hollow for a multitude of reasons. It’s where the First Proxy and Fellow Voidhunter who also happens to be my best friend, Joyous created the first Carrot, laying the standard of Hollow Exploration routes but it is also thanks to him that i was able to complete my thesis on the Hollows and discover their common traits. (and, by extension, claim my own Voidhunter medal. Many thanks, Old Friend!)
The Divine Maze is an interesting Hollow. While its children do not seem to inherit its most unusual corruptive traits, Papago Hollow lives up to its nickname. It is essentially a gigantic maze, however it shifts far faster then then any other hollow and oddly enough, Corruption is very low. leaving something else in it’s place.
It is quite Ironic for a place labelled The Divine Maze, to hold a Corruption known as Demonization. It can be harnessed, much like Joyous has, but it comes at a cost. It will make you stronger but you risk the chance of losing yourself the longer you use it. making its user more emotionally unstable, lusting for the power it grants, craving it more and more. Anti-Corruption serum and outright leaving the Hollow will leave no lasting scars, mentally or physically, but it is a trade-off. Lower levels of Demonization are perfectly usable when backed into a corner with proper training. But higher levels are dangerous. While I was not present, Joyous… told me just how high it can go. He nearly was consumed by it… last battle with Yukiko.
I surmise the corruption must’ve fed off his emotions following the fall of the old capital. which explains the Serum Carol prepared a few days before the academy fell… Bless her heart, that girl.
Aside from that, Papago Hollow was once the training grounds for Joyous and the first Legendary Proxies. (Who happened to be students of Helios!) It was a common sight for Investigators, Independent and Officials alike, and Proxies to collaborate with one another on Explorations, Commissions, and Eradication missions. Though Joyous wasn’t one to say it aloud, I have no doubt that those were some of the proudest years of his life. If only Proxies would be legal again, perhaps those days could return…
Pursenas Hollow
Perhaps the most chaotic, unstable and dangerous of the Seven Great Hollows, Pursenas was what pushed me closer to finding the Hollow’s common traits. Corrupted beyond recognition , The space within it has been warped to such an extent that only the luckiest could claim to know how to navigate it. of course it is still bound by the same rules and principles as all Hollows, but it is far more active. Even though specialized technology is able to stabilize and “restore” the landscape, it will eventually shift again. Making Pursenas an ever-shifting maze of iridescent white.
This is the result of Pursenas’s unique trait: “Irradiancy” A corruption so intense, it reduces and fragilizes anything within its borders. The city block trapped within is twisted into a blank canvas of nothingness. It's quite beautiful in a haunting way, if I were so bold. But that is not all. Regular Carrot data does not function in the same way. Pursenas is so fundamentally different that only data from its companions or itself may be used to create a Carrot adapted to its terrain.
Last I had heard, the good folks over at the Hollow investigative Association had been working on a special type of Carrot data, and data pile module to counter this. I wonder if it has progressed in my absence… I should ask around…
On his first trip into Pursenas, Joyous’s bangboo had been unable to map the Hollow. While his bangboo was a prototype, it had mapped all the others. What Joyous thought merely to be a small error later turned out to be far more dangerous. While he was able to make a map from searching for Data Piles, It was only when comparing the data that he realized how different it was from all the other Hollows. Hence, he commissioned me to discover why.
I racked my head over the problem for days, using testimony from Joyous, the poor souls unlucky enough to get lost in Pursenas, comparing data from Joyous’s Bangboo, and was able to come up with an explanation, yet no solution. Do keep in mind Pursenas was wildly regarded as a very dangerous Hollow, missions within were only conducted by select individuals, handpicked by Joyous. The only way he came out alive was by making a Carrot out of only Pursenas’s data. Which, while it may not seem like much, only meant that the data would work for that singular trip within and due to how fast a Hollow can shift, it meant you had a time limit before the Carrot became invalid, forcing you to repeat the process.
The explanation lies within this irradiant phenomenon unique to Pursenas. Corruption usually reaches a plateau in what it affects, but Pursenas corrupts until nothing remains. This is due to the Irradiant Cores, amplifying and accelerating corruption, without getting too technical.
The Companion Hollows that spawn from it are to be avoided, as they all share their mother’s defining trait. While we cannot eliminate Pursenas, eliminating its Companion Hollows restores the landscape perfectly as it was before the disaster. Assuming little damage has been caused, everything should go back to where it once was. I personally find it quite satisfying to watch a Pursenas Companion Hollow collapse, as everything restores itself to an orderly state. Like cleaning your desk or watching a canvas paint itself, I do not recommend being in Pursenas Hollow, but I recommend witnessing the sight of one of its Companion Hollows collapse!
As for Hawara or Solove, I’ll write about them later. I'd need to revisit my old notes and compare the new data. I… did not visit them as often.I believe they’ve changed alot in 10 years.
Hollow Zero
10 years ago… A companion Hollow of the Dark Wall broke through the Zenless limit, growing at an unprecedented rate, as it swallowed Eridu into darkness. It reached the record of Great Hollow in a matter of minutes. To save the rest of Eridu, a series of Shiyu Pillars were detonated, creating a chasm of uncorruptible matter, leaving a wound into the world itself. Protecting the remains of Eridu at an immense cost.
As Old Eridu sank into the darkness, Hollow Zero rose. Currently the largest Hollow on record. It is also the most dangerous… and… My fault.
Ground Zero of the eruption happened to be my academy, My beloved Helios Academy. While the world blames my colleagues, researchers and their students. The mere thought of these souls being labeled a crime I should be one to bear makes me sick. I am praised as a Voidhunter for single-handly departing within in search of a truth that still escapes me.
I did not create Hollow Zero, if you are wondering but I blame myself for its expansion. On the night preceding its eruption our academy was attacked by the Exaltists. I do not know how exactly they breached the gates, but rogue Defense force agents took arms against us. Massacaring us and leaving us to die. I heard the screams, cries for help who were silenced. As blood stained the halls of our home. In those darkest moments, I changed, and took on the form I am now known as. I awoke in the dark depths of Hollow Zero and found myself under their stare once more. I will spare the details, it is not a pleasant memory, but I fought my way out. My single thought was relegated to pure destruction of any etheric being in my flaming war path. So consumed by hate I was I did not realize what I had become: A raging, refined wildfire that burned Ethereals to ash. By the time I had escaped the confines of Hollow Zero The shiyu pillars had been detonated, I stood before the abyss, and I wept. I cried, I screamed, screaming to a god who I didn't even know was listening. I blamed only myself, I cursed myself for reading the Exaltist texts. And there was only one way I could atone. I had to find what had caused this, I needed to know that divine mission they gave me.
I had to atone for my sins.
So it was that I ventured deep within Hollow Zero, in search of Helios Academy in order to find traces of the past to prove my beloved niece, her children, my colleagues and friends and their student’s innocence.
And now may be a time to discuss my findings.
Hollow Zero is the biggest Hollow yet and as such exhibits most unusual traits. Hollow Zero is so large it spawned several Ethereal Swarms (more on those later) causing Hollow Zero to be split into Domains.
Domains of Hollow Zero
Domains are the territory inhabited by Ethereal Swarms, Usually an entire Hollow can become or can be considered a Domain if it is home to a swarm, But due to the vastness of Hollow zero, Multiple Domains have been created. Each with their own weather (Yes, the Hollows can make the weather shift, but that’s a whole book to itself.), Corruptions, and landscape.
Symbiotic Domains
True to their name, they are the domain of Symbiotic Ethereal Swarms. Usually home to only one, a symbiotic swarm makes Ethereals within its domain grow in power in exchange for staying within the domain and spreading its influence, creating a self-sustaining cycle. The More Ethereals “live” within the boundaries of the Domain, the great power the swarm has, and the means to extend it.
The best way to destroy them is to prevent the Domain from expanding. An apt analogy would be maintaining a garden, or mowing weeds with a weedhacker. Except that weedhacker is on fire constantly burning down ever-growing weeds.
The craziest, but surest way to destroy this type of Domain is killing the ethereal swarm within. Without it, the Domain will collapse on itself and The ethereals within will lose their power, and maybe perish in the process.
Let it be known that unless you are a Void-hunter rank investigator, or a Voidhunter like me. Do not attempt the second option, I am crazy enough to attempt it, and even then some symbiotic swarms were INCREDIBLY hard to get rid of. But I thank my regenerative capabilities, my incredible stubbornness and my years of experience and trial and error to get me this far.
Do not attempt to kill a swarm, trust me. You won't get the chance to die trying. At best, you can repel it. But killing it is a fool’s dream. and there is no bigger fool in this city than me.
…Unless you’re a first generation Voidhunter or happened to be Joyous reading this, in that case go all out.
Parasitic Domains
Parasitic Domains are what you would expect from their namesake. Home to Parasitic Ether Swarms, They are the more power-hungry of their foul brethren, who seek to spread their influence by any means necessary. They do not move often, instead overtaking Ethereals and controlling them like a mindless army to spread their influence and overtake other Domains.
Ethereals will seem more intelligent but that is nothing more than a ruse. The swarm is the one controlling them. Ethereals rarely possess a will of their own. It is not impossible, but it is rare.
Parasitic Swarms are indeed powerful, but unlike Symbiotic Swarms they do not grow in strength in the same way as Ethereals are merely pawns on a chessboard for them. Their Power scales off of the size of their Domain, hence their more territorial nature.
Without giving future investigators much hope, Parasitic swarms are easier to deal with than most of the other types. As the Ethereals do not grow in power with the swarm, A Parasitic Domain can be easily dealt with by killing the Parasitic Ethereal. To Reiterate, the larger a Swarm’s influence, the harder it will be to get rid off. but by reducing the Ether activity in the area, you can tip the odds slightly in your favour.
As a quick aside, it is important that due to Hollow Zero’s size and it’s proximity to the 6 other great Hollows, Hollow Zero has connected to them, essentially allowing one to travel from one Hollow to another, meaning that the properties of all the Previous Hollows we have mentioned can “leak” into Hollow Zero. BUt we will get into the greater details of this theory later on.
Miasmic Domains
If Miasma didn’t give you nightmares, I’m about to. True to their name, Miasmic Domains are most prominent in areas connected to Lemnian Hollow. The foul liquid seems almost everywhere, and Miasmic Ethereals reign supreme in the area. Often times, A miasmic Swarm will appear, thankfully, they are rare, and looking through the notes generously provided to me by Section 6, Miasmic Swarms have been quickly dispatched within Lemnian Hollow when they spawned, and there has been no incident or sighting of Miasma within Lemnian Hollow in years.
…But in Hollow Zero, it’s another story.
You can tell you are in a swarm’s territory when it seems like the sky is blotted by blood-red clouds. These are the usual, nightmarish signs of a Swarm’s proximity. The subtle difference is that, for Miasmic swarms, they tend to create what’s called a Miasmic Field. Fields and Domains seem similar. But they are different. If this seems confusing, do not worry. I will simplify it.
Fields are a unique aspect of Miasma. When a Miasmic Ethereal, Or Ethereal powerful enough, is affected by MIasma, they create a localized field which greatly boosts their resistance and defensive capabilities. This field greatly enhances the ethereals within, coating them with a Miasmic shield that is hard to pierce, the surroundings and the sky become coated in a deep dark magenta, but you have nothing to fear, a swarm will not descend… probably. Simply break through the shield of the one who started the field (recognizable by the magenta aura) and you will deal a ton of damage, such is the price for losing the Miasma’s protection, a blessing for you, and a curse for those who dare wield it. I have heard that the HIA was developing a new type of training to better focus on such events… A new class of Agents… the name however, eludes me…
Demonic Domains
If any Proxies from Helios academy, My dear Carol, or Joyous come across this passage, then you are all intimately familiar with this type of Domain. Demonic Domains are home to (If you’ve paid attention, you can guess it) Demonic Swarms.
Demonic Swarms are interesting, as their Corruption can easily influence other Ethereals, and humans. Essentially making them the only swarm where one could turn the swarm’s advantage on them. Of course this comes at a cost, but if one can manage it, it puts Ethereal and Humans on the same level.
Demonic swarms spread Demonization across the entire Domain. The stronger the Demonization’s initial stages will be. Investigators will start at a lower scale, but prolonged exposure and failing to keep one’s emotion in check can lead to greater corruption and eventual turning into an Ethereal. Demonization is a double edged sword Once again, I urge you to remain cautious.
Iridescent Domains
Home of the iridescent swarms,these domains are marked with the typical landmarks of Pursenas Hollow. The ground loses it’s color and all around space begins to fracture into chaos. Your carrot will inevitably fail you unless it is specialized for these domains. Iridescent swarms are as big of a threat as their foul brethren, but there is a bit of hope. Iridescent Cores are commonplace in these domains, should you happen across one, break it. You will partially restore the landscape, but you will also reduce the Domain’s influence. With luck, this should let you map out your surroundings and get your bearings. Follow in the footsteps of Joyous, and seek the data piles, do not believe hope will come for you in these domains, create it yourself.
The Great Fissure Theorem
There was a time where this theory was debated among scholars, I myself was a staunch believer in it. Perhaps, in a moment of petty irony, Hollow Zero helped me win a few bets. I should have a grand total of 10,000 dennies to collect from a few academic peers… Assuming they are still alive that is.
And I believe I owe Wise and Belle half of that bet. Carol did believe in the theory as well and we did say we would split it evenly amongst ourselves…
If you’re interested in the theory, my basis was that if a companion Hollow connects to it’s parent Hollow, what could prevent Great Hollows from being interconnected to each other?
Due to Hollow Zero’s size, it overlaps the territory of all 6 great Hollows. While we lacked the means to start a Hollow and verify it for ourselves without endangering… Well, the entirety of the last city on earth, we could only rely on data models. But with how far the six Hollows are from each other, It would take multiple companion Hollows to even try and observe the phenomenon.
Ethereals and their classifications
If you’ve spent more than a minute in a Hollow, you will know that within the borders of Hollows lurk one of their many dangers: Ethereals. Ethereals are unique creatures born from the Hollows, composed entirely of Ether, they are incredibly hostile, coming in various forms, mutations and ranks. Composed of a crystal like body, their main trait is their volatile Ether core which doubles as their weak spot. Investigators should live by the following mantra: Aim for the core. Do not waste time trying to disarm them, because they CAN regenerate, they WILL use any chance they get to kill you. Do not let them, Aim for the core.
Of course… They are outliers to this. But we will get to them in time.
The origins of Ethereals… are murky at best. Though I have studied Hollows my whole life, Ethereals remain the biggest mystery, besides what causes a Hollow to emerge. Exaltists (Maniacs, for the record.) claim them to be the pawns of their all-mighty Creator. (if you could see me, reader, I'm rolling my eyes.) Or unworthy souls not worthy of refinement. But we are getting off-topic. It would take me an entire book, maybe even 3 if we were to classify each and every type of Ethereal there ever was. What I can give you however, is a comprehensive list of the different types of classification of Ethereals. Perhaps not the greatest subject, but it may just save your life in terms of knowing if you could take it on in a fight, (theoretically, of course. Stay humble.) how fast you should run from one, or how many seconds you have to live if you are within its vicinity!
Ariadne Scale
By perusing the folders graciously lent to me by HAND HQ courtesy of Section 6 I was able to find out that my peers have created a new scaling method, called the Ariadne scale. From the Dossier I must say it is INCREDIBLY precise, I’d only wish perhaps I had known this before heading to Hollow zero, it would’ve made my notes far more precise during my time there!
E rank: — 0 - 199 AHU. Minor etheric levels. Commonplace near fissures.
D Rank — 200 - 499 AHU. Few Ethereals would qualify at such a threat level. Investigators should have no problem dispatching this threat level.
C Rank — 500 to 1,499 AHU. Most normal Ethereals fall under this category. Typical of more aggressive mutations and a few elite class Ethereals This is the most common reading you will find in a Hollow, as such only trained investigators should take on this threat level.
B Rank — 1,500 - 3,999 AHU. Significant mutations happen at this level, such as Energized and Ionized, to name a few examples. Notorious Mutations can begin to manifest at this level among elites. Senior Investigators or higher should deal with such threat levels and as always, caution is not an option, it’s a requirement if you wish to live.
A Rank — 4000 to 9,999 AHU. High threat entities that impose broad distortions and require coordinated response. Capable of overwhelming even experienced teams of official or independent investigators. While this is taken verbatim from the official dossier, I could not word the threat these Ethereals pose better if I could. Some examples of this rank would be the infamous Ethereal known as the Dead End Butcher or the now deceased Corrupted Overlord. These Ethereals often get classified in the Notorious category and can pose a serious challenge even to Elite investigators. Fighting one alone is tantamount to two things, Incredible bravery, or suicidal ideation.
S Rank — 10,000 to 24,999 AHU. Swarms belong to this category, regardless of their type. Certain Ethereals also belong there. But these are the monsters that only Ace Investigators could hope to repel, and the monsters that we Voidhunters are born to fight and sworn to protect Eridu from. If by some cruel twist of fate you find yourself face-to-face with an S-rank. Take heart, you are not a coward for running. You are not weak because you couldn’t kill it. Just the fact you are still standing after witnessing the sight of one, (and i pray you survive) Is testament to your luck. If you made one bleed, stand proud. Even just one wound is proof of your courage.
But… To those who stared in the void like I once have. To those who choose to stand and fight against these monsters. To the ones who would challenge an S-rank, and slay it. Take a knee, you have accomplished a great feat. You stared into the abyss and made it look away.
You are more than worthy to earn the medal of a Voidhunter.
X Rank —25 000 to ???? AHU. Scholars have debated that an X-rank Ethereal would be beyond humanity’s grasp of understanding. They are right. On the record, no such Ethereal exists. However… I am afraid there is one.. Due to my refinement, I am more than able to perceive them, and trust me. You do not want to be able to perceive them.
Inter-knot classification scale
Inter-knot has also developed its own scale, courtesy of Joyous and the HIA. The science professor in me wants to hurl at this misuse of poisonous metals in the wrong order, but I'm starting to think that Joyous scaled it that way merely to spite me. Given his track record, I would not be surprised in the slightest. The more officially known of the three classification systems, the Inter-knot scale classifies the threat level posed by Ethereals. There are 10 categories.
Antimony [Sb], Zinc [Zn], Tin [Sn], Manganese [Mn], Cadmium [Cd], Nickel [Ni], Copper [Cu], Bismuth [Bi], Lead [Pb], and Mercury [Hg].
More commonly used by the HIA, This class is more so assigned to the threat they pose rather than some specific category. In my opinion, the system could use a rework, as it is not the easiest to memorize, but able investigators should at least familiarize themselves with this system, any knowledge against the Hollows or Ethereals is good enough to buy you a chance to survive.
The Helios Classification Scale
It sounds pretentious of me, given I am the founder of Helios Academy, that I favour this system of classifications above inter-knot’s but it is far more wide-spread than Joyous’s mismatched metal scale. Used by the Eridu Defense force as the most reliable way of threat Classification, I take little credit for its invention. This honor belongs to my fellow colleagues and researchers, who worked tirelessly to create the system. My fellow hunters and I were the ones who were in charge of scaling and observing them. (I STILL HAVEN’T FORGIVEN YOU FOR STEALING MY KILL ON THAT THANATOS, JOYOUS! GET YOUR OWN TARGETS!)
In red ink in a different handwriting is written below: Kill them faster next time you walking olympic torch.
The Helios scale encompensates both methods, The threat level of an Ethereal, and its mutation factor. Some Ethereals can change classes depending on how they mutate. But the system remains the most used. It does not surprise me that Phaethon’s Database uses it, too.
Normal: Any Ethereal considered a threat. Would rank a D-rank on the Ariadne scale at worst, or a C at best and Antimony or Zinc on the Interknot scale.
Elite: This Level of Ethereals is named after the higher grade Ethereals who have undergone a mutation of some kind, certain lower Ethereals can enter this class if they become Energized or Ionized but they still pose a smaller threat then real Elites such as Thanatos or Dullahan to name a few. Would rank a B on the Ariadne Scale, and can range from anything between Tin Manganese and Cadmium.
Notorious: A class of Ethereals all to their own. Named once again after a common mutation called the Notorious mutation, These Ethereals are dangerous, and often require a team of investigators to take down. Their name and the threat they pose are not to be taken lightly. Although fellow bearers of the Voidhunter medal can easily pride themselves in being able to take down Notorious Ethereals in ways that make them seem like jokes, Most people are not capable of the same feats we are, and as such, I write this urging the utmost caution against them, even the best of us can find these to be a challenge at times. While there are outliers who have earned this scale and have not undergone the Notorious mutation, be more afraid of the fact they have earned their spot on Notorious rather than elite, because if the mutation hasn’t been recorded on them yet, it will be. They would rank an A on the Ariadne scale and can range between Cadmium to Bismuth.
Disaster: Ethereal Swarms belong to this category. Fitting… considering just how many of them emerge during Hollow disasters… much like the ones from Hollow Zero. These threats should be handled by Elite and Ace investigators. Dispatching a Disaster class Ethereal is good on your resume if you want to attain the Voidhunter Investigator rank. Disaster Ethereals are the harbingers of thier namesake, appearing in great Hollows, or during large-scale Hollow diasters, facing one alone is tantamount to suicide. Generally, they belong to the higher end of the A rank, or the S-rank. and range between Lead and Mercury in threat level, to qualify them as anything less would be foolish. While Disaster class Ethereals can require the dispatchment of a Voidhunter. Elite and Ace investigators are just as capable of slaying one then one my colleagues. While the first generation Voidhunters are praised as heroes (one of us wrongfully, at times…)capable of taking on any threat, I know many ace and Elite investigators who have stood against Disaster Ethereals. They may not be Voidhunters, but they deserve as much credit as we do for fighting them. It’s quite poetic when you think about it, when we come together we are able to turn the tides and fight back against disaster. It is one of the bases of the founding of Eridu, a proud beacon of light against the Hollow Disaster.
Nightmare class: Rare is the Ethereal or threat that makes it to this level. Most Ethereals who belong to this class have been slain during the Voidhunting era, by myself and my fellow hunters. Remnants of an era where Eridu was still prey to the Hollows. Commissioner Bringer and many before have said that Eridu is “Built on slain nightmares.” and I couldn't agree more. The monsters on this list should only be fought by Voidhunters or Voidhunter-rank investigators. Their threat Level exceeds mercury, and only belong to the S-rank on the ariadne scale, and gods above forbid they make it to X-rank. Nightmare class Ethereals and their subsequent slaying is what caused many of my friends to receive their medal. Chief among them were, The Exaltist Overseers slain by the Third-generation head of the Hoshimi family Hoshimi Yukiko, The Hive Lord Hollow and the Nightmare Ethereal it once held, slain by Ariadne, The monsters that the Falkenhayn and Guard of Staves have fought in the Dark Wall are among them. But there is another threat we have faced in this era. They are the reason they say this city is built on slain Nightmares. Sacrifices. (Which i will go into further detail below.) Sacrifices are perhaps the greatest threat this city has ever faced. Unholy mixtures of Etheric matter and Human DNA, these monsters' most nightmarish asset lies not in their power, but in the fact they can leave the Hollows. At the apex of the Voidhunting era, My fellow Voidhunters and I led a city-wide war against the Exaltists and these unholy creations. Our operations were covert, but the damage they caused was real. They could have easily overrun Eridu in the day, but thankfully, we managed to kill them all.
Yukiko beheaded the last of the Overseers, Ariadne thought with the rage of a thousand burning suns, Joyous mercilessly cut Exaltists down, Dan and Vike lead their troupes with Elysia against the bigger ones, and I had begun to tap into the dormant power of my sickness…
This is where my nightmare began.
Once the last one was slain, I… took one of the texts with me, thinking it could hold the key to curing me of sickness. Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I didn't think much of it at the time. It took all seven of us to slay these abominations and while I'm sure we set the exaltists back by a few years… The forces that raided the academy seemed like early prototypes to a new kind of sacrifice… The thought alone makes me shudder… I can only hope they all died in Hollow Zero…
But given current events…
…Perhaps I should discuss this with Joyous. I made the mistake of trying to find the truth alone. I will not make it again. It’s time for the First-generation Voidhunters to come out of hiding. Given our findings in Hollow zero, I think it’s high time we face our past.
I hope that whatever shadow looms over this city knows I have returned and that I will stop at nothing to keep it safe.
Sacrifices
As previously stated, Sacrifices are perhaps the biggest threat that Eridu could hope to face. Ethereals cannot live without ether, and the ether activity in Eridu is so low no Ethereal could survive.
Alas.. Sacrifices fix that problem entirely. Composed of Etheric matter and Human DNA they are essentially an Ethereal who maintains their human mind and sanity. Sacrifices are always considered Nightmare class threats, and I fear they would pose even a challenge to Voidhunters. Much like Ethereals, they come in all manner of forms, which makes them unpredictable foes. But the common trait is a mastery of ether that rivals mine.
Sacrifices are hard to group into types. The Sacrifice one becomes is a mixture of many factors, but having undergone the process myself…
No.
…Forgive me. I shall not write it down.
I will not make that mistake again.
Voidhunter Weapons
Behind every Voidhunter is a weapon. This statement holds true for almost every recipient of the Voidhunter medal. People seem to believe that Voidhunter weapons are born in the Hollows and to an extent they are right, in a way.
But it all begins with a single incredibly rare ore, whose possession is heavily regulated, and for good reasons, Borderline illegal to obtain and even if you happen to find one, consider yourself lucky. The sight of it is exceedingly rare, but im more concerned how you ended up this deep in a Hollow to find it.
It’s called Nihilite.
Nihilite is extremely rare and only appears in Great Hollows, it can be recognized as a jagged black ore with a Chromatic aura, similar to a Hollow. It is very Malleable and shares some of the properties of the Hollows. It’s what allowed the creation of some of the weapons my colleagues use, and for good reason.
Nihilite can house Ethereals.
Do you understand why it’s so rare and borderline illegal to own it?
Tailless
According to the ancient texts of the Hoshimi clan, Tailless was forged in a lone mountain in a distant Snowy region by the 1st head of the Hoshimi family. Accounts differ heavily, and when I questioned Miyabi and Souichiro on this, both told me the original records had been lost in the fall. It's a shame, but it’s not the first time.
But given my refinement, I may offer my perspective on things.
Tailless was forged by the First head of the Hoshimi family using forbidden rituals, Etheric matter, and blood as a means of sealing the dark contract that binds that contemptible demon to the blade.
Tailless is much more than a blade, it’s a monster. A pure heart and a sound mind keep it at bay… but alas many Hoshimis lose themselves in the process… Including the one that made Tailless into the legend he is today. Tailless gives you power in exchange for him to feed off your hate, your rage and in turn feeding those emotions and when the time comes, he possesses the wielder and unleashes the full power of the cursed blade to render any threat silent.
And my hatred for him is boundless.
Why? Simple.
He turned a friend against me. fed her lies and half-truths, tempted her to kill me, claiming I associated myself with the exaltists. I saw her nearly spiral into madness and paranoia… Joyous saw the final result.
Luckly, I was able to make my stance clear with him. Given my refinement it is no trouble for me to put that spiteful fox ghost on a leash. And when the day comes when I need a fur carpet for my academy, Tailless will be my first choice if he ‘misbehaves’ with Miyabi.
Sadly, The Hoshimis are bound to it, but so long as I live I will forever put that little demon in his place by reminding him that I choose not to end him because the Hoshimis would not allow it.
I learned it was Souchiro who created a custom scabbard for his daughter, simulating a Hollow to contain Tailless. It must have taken a bit of Nihilite to create, but it’s good to see that Tailless has been suppressed… to an extent.
But if it tries anything, I will be there to stop it.
I couldn’t save Yukiko… I can at least make sure it doesn't happen again.
Aetheon
Aetheon, The raging spear. An ancient weapon of the Marcel family. Its existence predates the first age of Hollows. Aetheon feeds off rage, be it repressed or outward. the strength of it's flames depends on the wielder's emotions. Perhaps it's only fitting it found its way to the Marcel who bottled up most of hers. Ariadne's rage, and the full extent of its burning power was brought out in the hive lord hollow, where its destructive fires burnt away the Hive Lord until all that was left was ash. A weapon that has garnered quite a reputation amongst the Marcels. I remember Kevin said something along the lines of : "If i knew the monster i'd unleash when i gave her that thing... maybe Phainon should've been the one to use it..."
Ariadne has taken a liking to the spear, her touch being enough to heat up enough to dry wet clothes. Nonetheless she uses it with temperance, but every time she wields the spear, it's enough for her close ones to know that a sun doesn't shine any less when it sets beyond the horizon, and that the next sunrise burns as bright as the last one. In the hands of the Lady Sunbringer Aetheon is a warning that the rage of a gentle soul should not be forgotten even after it's first eruption.
When Ariadne uses the spear it triggers a transformation, her heterochromatic eyes change to red. She grows a wing made of fire and Aetheon’s flames burn even brighter as a result. Joyous described her as “even hotter then usual” (ARCHE I SWEAR TO GOD WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU)
Aetheon,unlike Tailless, is not picky on its wielder. Anyone could use it if they have enough anger within them. But only a Kaslana or Marcel can bring out it’s full potential.
Benares
Benares used to be Vike's Weapon of choice before she disappeared. A katana on par with Tailless and if you would allow my bias to show (and my spite for that demon, for that matter) dare I even say superior to Tailless. A beautiful crimson blade kept in a sheath of deep purple, Vike could unleash incredible storms with a few strikes, granting the ability to move as fast as Yukiko. Thunder comes after lightning, Lightning comes after Vike.
Yukiko and Vike were often sparing partners while the destruction of their sparring matches caused more headaches for Mayflower and city administration, the dance of ice and lightning were a spectacle that cannot be done justice through words alone.
I was never truly able to gauge what was the cost of such a beautiful weapon... Life force? Vike was always in good health. Even Carol couldn't tell.. or perhaps she knew and refused to.
It was only during my travels across the Hollows, during my self-imposed exile that I came across a sight that will stay with me for a long time.
A portion of the city is ravaged by perpetual lightning storms, more destructive than the ones I've seen at the peak of a Hollow under the influence of a swarm. No Ethereals dared tread there. The Ether activity there was low, but the atmosphere was charged (in a very literal sense.) At times I caught glimpses of lightning in the shape of a creature... it seemed to have giant wings as far as I could tell. Every time Lightning striked, it roared from who knows where. But it was not a roar to scare, or warn.
No.. there was deep, deep, sadness to it. A loneliness I could barely describe.
When I first heard it for myself, it passed right before me, the flash of light so blinding that I even had to look away. All that remained at my feet was a single polished red shard.
It was then that I began to piece together what gave it to me.
That's why I need to give it to her when I see her again.
He must miss her terribly.
Sentinel
Though it is made with Nihilite, Sentinel is just a cleaver it contains no Ethereal A massive Cleaver the size of 5 people, But Dan wields it like one would wield any regular sword. Sentinel was Dan’s pride. Cutting down many gigantic Ethereals like it was nothing. I’d even go as far as to say that Dan IS the Voidhunter weapon himself. His massive frames can move so fast he leaves after images in his wake. He was a force of nature, though such augmentations cause him to Overheat leading to him needing to cool down.
Dan used to relish this. He always seeked to die a Warrior’s death…but that was before the Capital fell. He sounded so utterly broken and ashamed. Last I heard he seemed to have cut all communications completely. This gentle giant, who cherished and protected life had failed in his greatest duty, though we did not always see eye to eye before that due certain matters left for another day, he always urged me to never look into the Dark Wall.
If only I could find him… time has made me wiser, my friend. I owe you an apology.
The writing stops here…