Piercing Rain

(Upon starting the commission)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Charon, look... another communicator.

(Interact with the Mysterious Communicator)

Before the Storm

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Before the Storm"

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Video Summary: In this endless rain, we will rip open each other's wounds. This will be your final test.

Story Description: Grim Vulture has finally shown her true colors. Her murderous intent now has an explanation, and a target... What follows will be a death match between Charon and her.

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Charon: Another communicator? It's a bad habit for a sniper to be so talkative.

Grim Vulture: Oh, really? I think it's rather good for my mental health to witness, in real-time, how my target becomes desperate and gives up their struggle.

Charon: ...Do you really still need to disguise your voice? I thought you didn't want to hide anymore, Zoe.

Grim Vulture: ...You're right, seems there's no need for secrecy anymore. I, Zoe, the sniper known as "Grim Vulture" of Nemesis Squad, send you my regards.

Charon: Zoe... No, Grim Vulture, You, like me, were one of the advanced troops deployed to suppress Hollow Zero right after the fall of the old capital, right?

Charon: Nocte, Chartes, and Impera Squad... So far, all the victims have been members of these squads... they were initially supposed to enter the Hollow to reinforce the advanced troops.

Charon: Nemesis... Your squad, lacking reinforcements, lost everyone except you in the fall of the old capital. You blamed their deaths on the absence of reinforcements and sought revenge on them — that's my conclusion.

Charon: Just like me, the fall of the old capital left you entirely alone.

Grim Vulture: ...A sniper, the sole survivor, a mere pawn abandoned by the military. Don't you think we're very much alike?

Grim Vulture: The Impera Squad member, Nathan — the one you're searching for — he pleaded with me to let him go when I was about to kill him, saying he had to see you no matter what. That's how you caught my attention.

Grim Vulture: I let him live to get all sorts of information on you. I was so curious about you that I even set a trap, disguising myself as a victim to get closer to you.

Grim Vulture: Haha, it turned out we share the same story!

Grim Vulture: We've even got the same PTSD symptoms — after all these years, we still see images of our teammates before they died. It's impossible to erase them from our minds.

Grim Vulture: It's just, you use ridiculous fantasies to numb yourself, chasing after illusions of your squadmates... while I can't afford to be as naive as you.

Grim Vulture: One night when I was overwhelmed with the unbearable images of my comrades' deaths, vomiting and crying, I finally realized the meaning behind their appearance before me.

Grim Vulture: They were pleading with me. Pleading for vengeance against those who abandoned us, begging me to destroy the repulsive, hypocritical new order of New Eridu.

Grim Vulture: So I carried on their will. I began kidnapping targets, and sniping them in the Hollow, watching as they became corrupted and died in despair.

Charon: Do you really think this is what they'd want?

Grim Vulture: What else? Would they want me to be like you, playing at a game of finding my missing squadmates, accepting their deaths when I'm done playing, and then forgiving the very enemy who killed them?

Grim Vulture: What a noble and virtuous gesture! Forgive on behalf of fallen comrades, coexist with New Eridu's order, and live peacefully among cowards!

Grim Vulture: It's precisely because you and I are so similar that this hypocritical and cruel attitude makes it even harder for me to forgive you! After our first conversation, I was certain — I must end your life myself to prove I'm right!

Charon: That's exactly what I wanted to say to you, too. Because we've suffered the same hardships, I can't accept the path of destruction you've chosen.

Charon: Jesse, Erin, Nathan — the client I've been searching for — and the other revenge targets you've set your sights on, they too will feel regret^{[Note 1]} and struggle over the choices they made back then.

Charon: But you can't see any of that. You didn't target the higher-ups who misjudged the situation, the dangerous Ethereals who killed your comrades, or the ones responsible for the fall of the old capital. Instead, you went after the easiest targets.

Charon: Grim Vulture, as a sniper of the Eridu Defense Force, you have failed in your duty. To preserve the will and hope left by my comrades, I will put an end to your actions here.^{[Note 2]}

Grim Vulture: That suits me just fine... A sniper should let the gun do the talking. Make it to the deepest part of the Hollow alive, and I'll meet you with nothing but raw malice.

(After riding the first elevator)

Grim Vulture: Since you made it here... let me reward you with a few things you don't know.

Grim Vulture: Nocte, Chartes, Impera, and many other squads...

Grim Vulture: Did you know the reinforcements that were meant to back us up ended up deciding to retreat?

Grim Vulture: Relying on a show of hands to vote. Isn't that ridiculous?

Grim Vulture: Our lives were discarded in such an absurd way, like a kindergarten election for class monitor.

Grim Vulture: So, when I killed them, I employed the same method...

Grim Vulture: I made the dozen or so people I captured vote on who I should kill first! You wouldn't believe how funny it was... Ahahahah!

Charon: ...

Grim Vulture: Huh? Laugh! Why aren't you laughing?

(After riding the second elevator)

Charon: Jesse and Erin... Do you have them, too? Or are they already...

Grim Vulture: You still care about them? Or should I say...

Grim Vulture: It looks like I haven't made enough of a threat to your life if you still have the time to worry about them.

Grim Vulture: Why not leave their fate hanging as an unsolved mystery?

Grim Vulture: Normally, that's more suspenseful, right?

Grim Vulture: In any case, when you stumble into the underworld with your insides spilling out, you'll see the two of them...

Grim Vulture: Wouldn't it be more exciting to wait until then to reveal the answer?

Grim Vulture: Those two morons are so stupid, it's hilarious... I just pretended to fit in a little, and they treated me as one of their own.

Grim Vulture: They had their guard up, but they never thought to watch out for me... It's no surprise they retreated back then... What a bunch of good-for-nothing idiots!

Charon: ...

(After defeating the Hati)

Charon: ...The wind and rain are picking up.

Grim Vulture: This extreme weather is perfect for sending you to your grave, don't you think? No one will hear your screams and cries as you die...

Grim Vulture: By the time the rain stops, the only thing left will be your cold corpse.

Grim Vulture: I wonder, do you remember the weather on the day the old capital fell?

Grim Vulture: It wasn't heavy rain like now, but the sky was just as dark.

Grim Vulture: Both your teammates and mine... they all perished in in [sic] a place like this.

Grim Vulture: Now that I think about it, I guess I'm actually doing something good...

Grim Vulture: ...Because if I let you and your teammates die here, maybe you'll be reunited!

Grim Vulture: You should be grateful, I'll make sure you die just as painfully as your teammates did!

Charon: ...Grim Vulture, are you in pain?

Grim Vulture: ...Don't you get it? I'm the one in charge of this conversation. I haven't given you permission to ask questions.

Charon: I can sense your suffering. It's—

Grim Vulture: Shut it.

(Enter combat with the Thracian)

Grim Vulture: You made it to the deepest part of the Hollow in one go — such determination deserves praise! Now, it's time for the final showdown we agreed on, but...

Grim Vulture: But really, "foolish" is the only way to put it! What sniper would ever confront their enemy head-on?!

Grim Vulture: I've prepared a little gift for you!

Grim Vulture: I made this dangerous Ethereal by abducting and corrupting a high-ranking officer.

Grim Vulture: It wasn't easy luring it here. You can play with it for a while!

Grim Vulture: As for me... I'll watch you from above... waiting for the moment you slip up. Then I'll put a bullet right through your heart!

(Defeat the Thracian)

The Calm After the Storm

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Calm After the Storm"

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Video Summary: The wind howls, a prelude to her transformation.

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(A cinematic plays)

(As Charon finishes off the Ethereal, Grim Vulture shoots at her)

Grim Vulture: The real failure as a sniper... is the one who's been forced into a corner... like you

(Charon calms herself and examines her environment)

Charon: The wind...

Charon: It's shifting

(She shoots down a loose banner)

Grim Vulture: I won't fall for your distractions so easily

Grim Vulture: What?!

(The banner obscures Grim Vulture's line of sight, allowing Charon to regroup and aim her shot)

Charon: I will surpass you...

Charon: ...With my own melody of victory!

Grim Vulture: Damn!

(Both snipers shoot)

Charon: And let the wind...

(Both snipers get hit)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Charon!

Charon: ...Be the opening notes!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): Charon!

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): No... Wake up! Charon!

(Charon regains consciousness and takes out her harmonica, which has taken the bullet for her)

(ProtagonistProtagonistWise / Belle): What's this...!

(Cinematic ends)

The Rain Goes On

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Rain Goes On"

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Video Summary: The torrential rain cannot wash away the scent of blood, nor can it erase a past both vivid and desperate.

Story Description: Amid the downpour that followed the gunshots, all the painful memories resurfaced once more. Charon and Grim Vulture — two individuals bound by fate yet completely opposed — began their final conversation.

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After the gunshot, the Hollow falls silence [sic] once more, leaving only the countless biting raindrops, attempting over and over to wash away the scent of blood that oozed from the wounds of the defeated, only to fail time and time again.
The loser pays no attention to her mortal wound, only staring at the distant horizon, as though salvation might be waiting there. Sometime later, the victor has climbed the steel and stands in front of her.
They share their last words while the defeated still has the energy to converse.

Grim Vulture: ...Just you? Where's your friend, the Proxy?

Charon: The Proxy went to rescue the hostages. I want to speak with you alone.

Charon: A sniper should always monitor the changes to their surroundings, factoring the environment into their tactics. Being blinded by the intent to kill and failing to take this into account was your downfall.

Grim Vulture: Didn't expect to be lectured by a youngster... What a disgrace.

Grim Vulture: When my view was blocked, I realized you'd use the visual blind spot to reposition, so I adjusted my aim accordingly... but I still couldn't hit you.

Charon: Your prediction and accuracy were spot on. I was just saved once again by this... by both this harmonica, and by my former comrades.

Grim Vulture: Are you trying to say that this is destiny, that it's the will of my companions guarding me? I lost to the wave of Ethereals, to the military's betrayal... and now I lose to your reckless actions driven by some ridiculous fantasy?

Grim Vulture: Your fantasy, your attitude, your very existence... and the outcome of this battle, they are the greatest denial and insult to my revenge.

Charon: Yet you're emitting a much calmer Ether energy now, almost as if you've found relief.

Grim Vulture: My vision is fading... I can't... can't see my comrades on the brink of death anymore. My wounds are fatal, but I don't feel any pain. Relief... That's not such a bad thing.

Charon: ...Did you intend for me to kill you from the start?

Grim Vulture: Let me answer that question with a story. The first time I saw you... was actually during the fall of the old capital.

Grim Vulture: My comrades were all dead, and the reinforcements the higher-ups promised before the mission never came. I can't even remember how long the fight went on... ultimately, I had no choice but to retreat, failing to bring back my squadmates' bodies.

Grim Vulture: I made my way through one battle line after another. The advanced troops were nearly wiped out... but when I reached a certain front, a small squad of survivors called out to me.

Grim Vulture: Few people can still stand after such severe corruption and injury, but all five of them were still fighting. They were protecting a girl who had lost her sight and fallen unconscious while searching for a way out of the Hollow.

Grim Vulture: They told me they were beyond saving, and if I planned to retreat, I must take the girl with me. I couldn't turn down the last request of a group of heroic soldiers about to die in battle.

Grim Vulture: ...Your comrades entrusted your life to me. I was the one who brought you out of the Hollow.

Charon: ...

Grim Vulture: You already know what happened afterward. It didn't take long for you to leave the Defense Force after you came to. Just like me.

Grim Vulture: I developed PTSD — so intense that sometimes I couldn't even hold a normal conversation. But for me, the hardest blow was the death of my squad. To an orphan like me, they were family.

Grim Vulture: If the reinforcements had kept their word and provided support, they wouldn't have died for nothing. Don't you ever have that thought?

Charon: To say I don't would be a lie. But I think deep down you know... from the moment we stepped into the Hollow, there was no way we were getting saved.

Charon: Given how quickly the Hollow was spreading and the ever-increasing number of Ethereals, it would take the sacrifice of countless Defense Force troops to suppress it. It wasn't something that could have been accomplished in such a short time. The reinforcements would have only been a drop in the bucket — more sacrifices without results.

Charon: Canceling the reinforcements, sending the advanced troops to rescue as many civilians as possible to minimize casualties... I think most commanders would have made the same decision.

Grim Vulture: Heh, objective and cold logic... I understand it, of course. But when you see members of the reinforcements living happy lives years later, can you still keep your composure?

Grim Vulture: I couldn't. Even if the chance was minuscule, I wanted my squadmates to survive. But they turned that chance to zero, and still have the nerve to embrace a peaceful future!

Grim Vulture: I can't help but resent them. By the time I realized what I'd done, I had already taken several lives.

Grim Vulture: Nathan... when I tied him up and was about to kill him, he begged me to spare him, saying he had something to give you no matter what. That was when you reentered my line of sight.

Grim Vulture: I think I've said this before, we're very similar, yet we have completely opposite beliefs. After meeting you, I became even more certain... in the face of suffering, I chose destruction, while you were destined to choose to protect.

Grim Vulture: But you're still entangled in your obsession with your squadmates. If this continues, you'll eventually sink into a void of despair. Your hope is like a bubble, ready to burst at any moment.

Grim Vulture: The version of you I want to kill is the complete one, who can firmly reject my answer. If you haven't found your answer yet, then I'll be the one to push you forward.

Grim Vulture: I kill you, or you end me, either way works... But after seeing your growth, maybe I'd prefer you to step over my body. That's the final answer.

Charon: ...Why?

Grim Vulture: Emptiness and doubt.

Grim Vulture: No matter how many targets of my revenge I took down, nothing changed. Aiming my gun at former comrades, drowning in hate and rage, all it left was a hollow emptiness.

Grim Vulture: But you're different. You've gained unconditional trust from the Proxy, you have the courage to fight through my trap... and eventually, you'll have a melody that's uniquely yours.

Grim Vulture: My belief has faltered. I finally remember... My squadmates were fools just like you.

Grim Vulture: You're right... They would never want me to become this way. I talk about carrying their cross... but in truth, I never carried their will.

Grim Vulture: So be it... take the hostage and go. A villain stained with the blood of others deserves nothing but a miserable end.

Grim Vulture: I'm looking forward to... how long you'll be able to protect those in front of your eyes.

Charon doesn't leave. Instead, she kneels beside Grim Vulture, picks up the bullet-marked harmonica, and begins playing a melody titled "Homecoming."

The melody briefly takes over the roaring downpour, reaching the ears of Grim Vulture as she lies bleeding out, barely clinging to life.
A faint glimmer appears in her empty eyes in her final moment.

Grim Vulture: ...It can still be played after taking a bullet? Impressive.

Charon: This is my final melody to you. No matter how miserable you've become, I'll still remember you... remember we once shared the same path in life, but in the end, our paths diverged.

Charon: Your hatred has long twisted into sin. But if not for you, I wouldn't have learned how to hate, or found the true targets of my hatred.

Charon: I used to know nothing. My teammates served as my teachers and taught me so much. And I think... you must be my final teacher.

Charon: You taught me, in the most intense way, what hatred truly means.

Grim Vulture: ...Really? So, you've found someone you want revenge against too.

Grim Vulture: ...That's good.

The melody of "Homecoming" plays on as the girl endures the agony of her ocular rejection, struggling to make the harmonica's notes rise above the sound of the rain.
As the last note fades amidst the relentless downpour, the defeated one takes her final breath.