seraph of the end: I am Raiden

Weeks had passed since Raiden's quiet life in the vampire base had begun to take shape. The days were long, stretching on like the endless nights, but the spark of hope remained—a flicker that refused to die out. He had found a place within this broken world, helping Akane with the children, aiding Yū in his endless push for strength, and learning to navigate the vampire-dominated terrain of their prison. But deep down, Raiden felt the weight of their situation. The walls were closing in. The only way out was through their captors.

And so, when Mikaela—Mika—had approached him with a plan, Raiden didn't hesitate to listen.

Mika was a quiet force, his eyes always calculating, always on the move. He had been close to Yū and Akane for as long as Raiden could remember, and there was something in Mika's unspoken words that drew Raiden in. Mika wasn't just a survivor; he was a leader waiting to emerge.

"Raiden," Mika said one evening, his voice soft but filled with certainty. "We can't stay here forever. It's time we make our move."

Raiden nodded, feeling the tension in the air. "What's the plan?"

Mika leaned in closer, eyes glinting with that fire Raiden had seen in Yū—an unyielding determination. "I've been watching Ferid Bathory. He always carries a gun. If we steal it, we'll have a fighting chance to escape this place. But we'll need more than just the gun."

Raiden's mind raced. A gun was a start, but it wasn't nearly enough. They needed to be smarter. They needed more help.

"I'll get the children," Raiden said after a long pause. "We'll need everyone. I've seen others who want to escape. I'll gather them."

Mika smiled—almost like he knew Raiden would say that. "You're a natural at this, Raiden. You'll make a great leader."

Raiden's heart skipped at the compliment, but he didn't let it show. He wasn't sure what kind of leader he could be, but the responsibility weighed heavily on him. If they were going to make it out, he couldn't afford to fail.

A Growing Family

For the next few days, Raiden scouted the area, slipping through shadows and listening to whispers from the younger children. There were more of them than he had realized—orphans like him, each one trapped by the vampires. He spoke to them in hushed tones, offering the promise of freedom, of a life beyond these walls. It wasn't hard to convince them. They all had the same hunger in their eyes—the same longing for something more than the nightmares they were living.

By the end of the week, Raiden had gathered a group of 50 children, all around his age. He had taken the name Hyakuya, not just for the family of the Hyakuya orphans, but as a reminder of his responsibility. It was no longer just about survival—it was about saving the others. If they could escape, maybe, just maybe, they could make a future for themselves.

Yū was hesitant at first, distrustful of the larger group. He wasn't used to working with others, not after everything they had been through. But Raiden and Mika convinced him, one step at a time. They needed Yū's strength—his will—and they needed him to help guide the others. He wasn't just a friend to Raiden anymore; he was the right hand of their little rebellion.

Planning the Escape

The night was thick with tension as Raiden sat with Mika, Yū, and Akane, the four of them gathered in a hidden corner of the base, away from prying eyes. Mika's plan was simple but risky. They would infiltrate Ferid Bathory's quarters, take the gun, and then escape through the back tunnels, the ones the vampires didn't use often.

But there was a problem. The tunnels were poorly guarded, yes, but there were other dangers. The vampires had set traps, automated defenses, and worst of all, they had their own children—trained and brainwashed to be killers, soldiers who had no qualms about slaughtering those trying to escape.

"How do we get the gun without getting caught?" Raiden asked, his fingers tapping restlessly on the stone floor.

Mika was quiet for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he thought it through. "We wait until he leaves his post. The door won't be locked. If we're fast, we can slip in, grab it, and get out before anyone notices."

Raiden looked at Yū and Akane. "And the children?"

"They stay hidden," Akane said firmly, her voice steady. "We'll take the first step, but we can't risk them being caught. We'll keep them safe here, and when we get the gun, we'll regroup."

Raiden's heart swelled with determination. It was time. He stood up, meeting each of their eyes. "We'll make this work. No one gets left behind."

The Heist

The night was cold and silent as Raiden and Yū slipped through the shadows, keeping their distance from the guards as they made their way toward Ferid's chambers. Raiden's heart pounded in his chest as they approached the door—only a few feet away now. He could hear Ferid's voice faintly, speaking to someone down the hall, but it didn't matter.

Yū was already moving, his fingers quick and sure as he picked the lock. Raiden stood guard, his eyes scanning for any sign of movement. His mind raced—could they really pull this off?

With a soft click, the door opened. Yū pushed it just wide enough for them to slip inside.

There, sitting on a table in the center of the room, was the gun. Raiden's breath hitched. They had done it. But it wasn't over yet. They had to move fast.

Raiden gestured for Yū to take the gun, but Yū was already ahead of him, moving like a shadow. They were quick, too quick. They couldn't afford to hesitate.

With the weapon secured, they retraced their steps, careful not to disturb the stillness of the night. The hallway was empty, their every step echoing in the silence. Raiden's pulse raced in his ears, but they had done it.

The Escape Begins

Back at their hiding place, Mika was waiting, his expression unreadable. He nodded at the gun in Yū's hand. "You did well."

Raiden felt a weight lift from his chest. It wasn't over, not yet, but it was a step forward—a big one.

Now, with the gun in their hands and the children waiting, the real escape could begin.

And with that, Raiden knew one thing for sure: there was no turning back. His new name, Hyakuya, was no longer just a label—it was a promise. He would lead them out, no matter the cost.

The rebellion had begun.