Excidium.

In the year 2111 the world had turned its face from God.

When The Hold initially rose to power they were mostly uncontested in their quest for semi-global domination. 

However, there was a people who were disgusted by an aspect of their takeover. They were the citizens of a continent once known as Australia. 

The nation usually considered the managerial tactics of another government to be beyond their concern and typically did not meddle in foreign affairs. However, aside from being known for their freakishly large spiders, Australians placed heavy emphasis on their customs and traditions.

Though they themselves were not home to one set religion, they could not stand the idea of a people not being able to freely practice their beliefs and express their culture. Initially, they expressed their concerns on what was once the world wide web to spark the fire. Soon that expression changed to protesting.

And protesting.

And protesting.

And soon the hearts of residents in The Hold's new kingdom of Astia began to sway.

However… 

Allegedly, a group of fanatical zealots, whose names are now lost to time, rose out of the eastern nations with an unknown vendetta against the nation of Australia.

Mysteriously, they managed to infiltrate the continent and secure W.E.T. (World Ender Technology). After a failed attempt to reacquire the stolen tech, a misuse of the W.E.T led to the destruction of the terrorists group, anti-terrorist forces and tragically… the entire continent.

However… 

THESE

ARE

LIES

They did this without bloodshed. 

They did this without fighting.

They did this without resistance.

They did this.

For centuries to come, the tragedy would become known as… 

"Exscidium! I can't believe it." 

Kai slammed his fist on the edge of the life gate as the four teleported into the sanctuary.

"For The Hold to take millions of lives… and lie about it to everyone… I just can't… "

Kaizen was cut off by someone poking his cheek. He turned to see Myra near to his face, staring at him annoyed.

"Hey… " she said calmly.

Kaizen became extremely nervous. He had noticed before but at this distance he could really see how beautiful she was.

"Y-Yes?" He stuttered.

"Get a grip."

… 

"Huh?" 

"Look," Myra continued,

"The Hold is the most evil group to ever be born on this planet."

She put her hand on his head and pushed it down to the point he almost fell over.

"Arch said you wanted in on the mission. It's one thing to be compassionate and mourn the lost. It's another to lose focus. You're too impulsive, emotional and definitely undisciplined."

She released him and walked forward to Arch and Nico who were watching nearby. She turned around to face Kaizen while being in line with the others.

"Don't be fooled Kaizen, you are surrounded by persons who would die for our cause,"

Nico nodded his head in agreement. Archamed remained silent and his expression remained the same.

"If you're lack of focus hinders us in any way,"

Myra narrowed her eyes.

"I'll drag you back to PinkShell myself."

She turned around once more and walked away to a different gate. Nico followed closely behind.

Myra's words struck him deep in his soul. He gritted his teeth in frustration.

"She's right! I can't afford to lose it now. The best way to avenge those people is to fulfill my father's dream," he thought to himself.

"Don't let it get you too down," a voice said to him.

He looked to his side to see Alexander walking towards him. This time he wore a plain gray shirt and black slacks.

" Myra might seem harsh but there's wisdom in her words. "

" It's fine. I understood somewhat," Kai responded.

A smile crept across Alexander's face.

"Good, that should speed things along."

Alex turned to Archamed who had sat down on the floor and had begun to meditate with his eyes closed.

"What you got for me?" Alex asked him.

Without looking up, Arch flipped out a tiny glass cube with holographic readings flashing on each face. He raised it to Alex who took it and adjusted his glasses as he observed it.

" I see, so it's that type of encryption. No wonder they suggested our mutual contact."

Archamed did not reply.

Alexander sighed.

"So, who's going with me? Mina?"

"Take Kaizen."

"What?" Alexander frowned.

"Arch, I'm already not the best in the field, but now you want me to take an inexperienced Blinded to an Altered den?"

Alex turned to Kaizen.

"No offense?" Alex shrugged, raising an eyebrow.

"How is that not offensive?" Kaizen thought to himself.

"This is a Intel gathering mission, there should be nigh zero reason for combat to take place. Not to mention between the attack on the school and what the Farrunners have told us. They know the identities of all the Saints. We need to send two persons who aren't flagged in their system. "

Archamed stood up and placed his hand on Alex's shoulder .

"Besides, the kid needs some exposure...really badly. "

Alex's eyes widened.

Archamed turned towards Kaizen who couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Very Well, " Alex sighed, pushing up his glasses with a smirk.

He walked over to one of the leaf platforms, ready to be taken to another LifeGate.

"Here take these, " Archamed said to Kai, holding out his hand. 

Kai looked down to see a contact lens container in his palm.

" Um, thanks? But I have pretty good vision. "

Archamed shook his head.

" In this world you will encounter items that have somewhat …supernatural properties, " he started, placing the container in Kai's hand.

" Some are christened by the spirit of the Most High. They are called Blessed items."

Kai opened the container and struggled to put one of the contacts into his left eye.

" However there are objects that the Hold have tainted with their malevolent rituals…,"

Kai placed the other contact into his right eye. 

"Cursed items. "

The sound of the term twitched in Kaizen’s ear.

" Is that why you all were so adamant about getting your hands on Otonai's sword? '' Kaizen asked, wiping the excess fluid from his eyes.

Archamed nodded.

" Cursed item 290, Nebraska. We lost track of it a couple years ago and it finally turned up. Anyways, how do they feel?"

Kaizen looked at Archamed through his newly acquired lenses. He saw a slight gold aura appear around Arch's body and the lenses highlighted red areas around his head, chest and groin. 

"A bit irritating, but this is impressive technology."

<<Blessed Item 94 : Beholders >>>

" Those lenses aren't technology. They sense the Aura of individuals and highlight any weak spots of what it's looking at. Not an ounce of tech involved. "

" Aura… didn't Mina mention something like that before… " Kai began to think back as he asked.

Archamed held up his hand.

" No time for that, just follow Alex's lead. And if, and only if you find yourself in a tight spot, blink twice quickly to activate the Beholders."

Kaizen nodded in understanding and thanked Archamed before joining Alex by the leaf platform.

"Get ready kiddo, it's a crazy world out there. Especially for someone from the ITCU," Alex warned him.

"You guys aren't that much older than me, why do you keep calling me kid?" Kaizen asked, annoyed.

"Maybe not on the outside, but up here kid. "

Alex tapped his finger against his temple.

" Up here. "