Raiden

"*I am free to decide my fate, if anyone intends on taking away my freedom; I will not hesitate to take theirs.*"
—Raiden

**Raiden** (雷電ー, *Raiden*) real name **Kader Weiss**, also known as **Traveller**, **Nualia's Hand**, and **The Black Star**, is a Kaedwenian apostate. Previously the heir to House Weiss, Raiden lost his memory following the Tragedy at Kingspyre, as an amnesiac, he worked dutifully under Nualia Tobyn. He later worked alongside Ex Nobis in their quest to uncover the secrets of Thassilon, but later betrayed them due to their growing disharmony and amorality. After successfully escaping, Raiden went on to assist Akari in her journey back to her home nation of Goreo.

Following the Raid on Higashikagawa. Raiden became more determined than ever to not only stop the victory of The Shattered Star but to make true to his word of becoming a hero.

## Appearance

"*Had any man ever been so beautiful? He was more than a man, though. His blood was the blood of old, the blood of dragons and gods.*"
—Marlynn Avalon
Many who had laid eyes upon Kader Weiss would say what is to be expected of the Weiss family. The ethereal countenance of marble and wispy white hair that looked as though it would fit something out of a fairy tale.

In his youth, Kader was an average heighted boy with deep purple or indigo coloured eyes. His long elegant fingers were said to have been slightly crooked from an accident with a training blade, his hair was the same snow-white as his mothers yet curled like his grandfather, Karlmann. Diarella once remarked that he had nothing of his father on his face and looked more akin to his grandfather. His appearance proved him quite popular with the female servants of Kingspyre, who would often pamper or follow him around even as a child.

Following the Tragedy of Kingspyre. Raiden's appearance undergoes a dramatic change, his height almost doubling to the point he now towered over most, his physique growing far more broad and masculine, his facial features becoming sharper and more alluring, and even his imperfections such as his crooked fingers now straightened. Tybalt Weiss at first, considered Raiden to be an imposter who wore the face of his blood for reasons unknown, thus showcasing that despite the differences there is some similarity with the boy that once was.

Furthermore, the changes to his body were far more alien than assumed as Raiden had also developed extra appendages. With two sets of irises, four testicles, and two phalluses.

Raiden's body is covered with a plethora of scars that seem to refuse to heal, the bodily scars are faded yet still are prominent enough to warrant Raiden to feel self-conscious over his body. The greatest mark upon his body was a figure of a 5-pointed star made with alternate points connected by a continuous line.

## Personality

"*That part of me, who I was. It will never fade away..*"
—Raiden

Prior to his time with Nualia, Raiden's personality was that of a savage animal, lacking any concern for his well-being other than his base instincts, it took numerous months of education and grooming before he started to truly develop.

Best described as strong-willed, passionate, impulsive and ingenious. Pair that with an unnatural beauty and Raiden would hold the attributes of one who could make history or potentially unmake it. However, he suffers a constant emptiness in his personality due to his amnesia, leaving his personality very contradicting. As such he can come across as thoroughly cynical and nihilistic yet at the same time devoted and protective, and even a little childish. Yet thanks to the journey he has undertaken over the past year, he has developed a strong ideology of black and white and is determined and hopeful more than ever to do what needs to be done.

"*There are no men like me.. ..Only me..*"
—Raiden

With his illnesses cured by heroes of old and new, Raiden is free to live his life as a young man, with all the flaws common to young men. Raiden being only a budding adult leaves him emotionally susceptible to manipulation and various other factors that wouldn’t affect someone who is far more mature than he himself. Even some of his positive traits like his strong dedication, can often lead to obstinate arrogance which ultimately can lead to him making reckless mistakes and decisions that can put him, his companions and even his quest in great danger. To top all of it off, Raiden perhaps has a hairline temper that leads to egregious actions.

"*What a pain..*"
—Raiden

Raiden's aloof nature at times can cause great strife with his teammates, lacking any recreational drive. He'd spend either his time attempting to further his agenda or simply waiting for time to pass in silence, his almost robotic nature has been called out on numerous times, it is of note that Raiden seems to feel discomfort when relaxing.

"*You can't keep burning the candle at both ends, Raiden.*"
—Sho Long

Academically, Raiden is considered to be prodigy, learning new skills at record rates. Unlike someone like Edmond Turing however, he has a quiet seriousness about him when it comes to thought, being more of a "visual thinker", retreating into his own subconscious whilst deep in thought.

In spite of his guarded, brooding exterior, he shows a more easygoing, compassionate side around the people he trusts, appearing markedly less unsociable and distant, though still retaining his dry candidness. Even as his inner darkness festers deep within him and its temptation becomes increasingly harder to resist, he retains his empathy and compassion, refusing to discard his humanity.

"*Nothing else matters.. ..Nothing else matters.. ..Only me..*"
—Raiden

## Biography

Born in 1,071AF as "Kader Weiss". Raiden is an amnesiac who knows little of his history aside from basics he was able to piece together throughout his journey in Varisia. From what he can recall before his journey's beginning, he had awakened on a beach near the ruins of Kingspyre. With nothing but the basic functions to operate, he wandered in the nude and became something of a local rumour in the region of North Saxon. It wasn't until he met the enchanting and tragic figure of Nualia Tobyn. A woman who was touched by the divine itself in the form of her silken white hair and vibrant golden eyes. Taking him under her wing, she and him began an odd relationship of sorts that remains unspoken about to this day. It wasn't until months later that his assistance with her paid off, using his cunning and cold intellect. He helped her gather up her own personal army of Goblin skirmishers and allowed her to attack her home of Sandpoint during a pious celebration. His own plan failed due to the timely arrival of heroes.

## Abilities

"*On your grave lurks my prosper..*"
—Raiden

Like most of his family, Raiden is recognised as a natural prodigy. He makes a strong impression on Marlynn Avalon, and could fight on par with men far beyond his experience. After spending a year with Ex Nobis, Raiden becomes strong enough to fight and even pressure members of the Pact of the Shattered Star such as Akira Taketora, as well as his uncle Tybalt Weiss. With training from Shō Long, he soon showcases himself as a true monster on the battlefield. With Tybalt himself stating that Raiden's abilities will soon far outclass his own.

As an Weiss and a host of The Ashen Wolf, Raiden has massive reserves of extremely strong magical energy, at least four hundred times greater than Tybalt Weiss, When angered, others remark how much stronger, darker, and more sinister his Magical Energy becomes. His initial poor control of it was offset by his sheer reserves. Raiden's control improved greatly over time; able to use another person's hand to finish a somatic requirement, and even perform one-handed somatic requirements. Raiden's powerful life-force grants him an extreme longevity, regeneration, stamina, and vitality; Raiden's magical energy is powerful enough to intimidate others into submission and destroy high-level barriers simply by releasing a burst of it.

While naturally a short-range fighter, Raiden originally was inept at martial arts, requiring unpredictable attacks and luck to surprise combat experts. He often utilised magic to simply overwhelm his foes. Although these tactics resumed later, Raiden becomes much more adept at martial arts due to Sven Mór and Akari Saito's training. After Shō Long's tutelage, he could be said to now be considered a combat expert as his status as a prodigy has transferred over to martial arts.

Raiden is very intelligent, he usually remains on the offensive, rarely pausing in his attacks or falling back to regroup. Rather, Raiden observes as he goes, being mindful to all factors on the battlefield and analysing his opponents' techniques to understand their mechanics and purposes. He is accordingly accustomed to coming up with tactics on the fly, choosing whatever approach, no matter how elaborate, will be most successful at the exact moment. His strategies could be considered irresponsible or risky, as he has on more than one occasion placed himself or allies in harm's way. Despite this, his actions have the tendency to pay off, earning praise for his analytical skills from others.

Despite how he proceeds in the midst of combat, Raiden does tend to be prepared before entering a fight, or as best as he can: He may even have a strategy in mind that he can work towards throughout a fight. He has shown tactical sense in teamwork, able to instantly understand an ally's battle plan with little communication and act accordingly to make it successful.

Raiden is a magus trained in the Art by various teachers. Differing from formal Magi, Raiden lacks any true formal teaching found in the Towers and instead can be called an "Apostate". One who does not follow the normal ways of Magi. As he is from the Weiss family, he has inherited a great deal of potential from his unorthodox bloodline, yet as he lacks the innate magical talent produced through the generations of his family striving to develop the best circuits. He could be considered an amateur at best aside, however he does have some sparse knowledge regarding the basics of spellcasting. Due to some factor, Raiden holds two unique Origins. One of the "Drake" and another that remains unknown. As such, Raiden's elemental affinity & laws of reality relies solely on Fire, Lightning and Darkness.

* Powers
* Skills
* Magecraft
* Demon of the Needle

* **Magic Core *(A+++ Rank)*:** - Raiden was born with the Magical Energy of a Dragon, common to most under the "Weiss" name. He is the holder of an "element of a Red Dragon", who carries the blood and very magical power of a Divine Beast in a human body, granting him a heart and unique Magic Circuits that transcend what can be achieved by normal magi. Marlynn claims that Raiden is not so much a man with the blood of a drake; but rather, that his heart itself is akin to the egg of a single dragon. Thus, Raiden's circuits can be considered to be something else entirely, more akin to a core, which is fundamentally different from those of a normal magus. While a magus' body can be considered a machine which creates magical energy, his body acts as a factory which creates magical energy. It functions as a industrial machine piston with tremendous capacity. The amount of magical energy it generates rivals the heat of the Earth's core, and it was due to this power that Raiden's other abilities grew in rank. It can be said that Raiden and those with cores such as this possess magical energy like that of the gods. Due to the characteristics of a Dragon, he has trouble with existences that contradict the existence of a dragon, or more simply those who have drank upon dragon blood, furthermore this trouble extends to weapons with the anti-dragon property.

* **Eye of the Mind (True) *(A Rank)*:** - This ability is a natural talent to foresee/sense and avoid danger on the basis of an innate 6th sense, intuition, or prescience. The accuracy of this instinct can be augmented by experience. The ability also grants an effect of offering resistance against penalties caused by visual obstructions. So long there is even a 1% chance of a comeback, this ability greatly improves the chances of winning. Due to this, Raiden possesses the ability to always instantly identify “the best personal course of action” during combat. As it is an innate ability unlike something that can be gained by anyone through hard work. Due to having the potential of it strengthened by a degree from magecraft and Raiden's own enhanced senses, it is essentially a sixth sense in the realm of predicting the future. Because this skill allows for the prediction of trajectory, it is possible to avoid attacks from enemies unseen, and along with listening to the sound of cutting air, it can be said to have a protection against all projectile weapons. Through this ability, it is also possible to negate the penalties inflicted by visual and auditory interference to a certain extend. While he cannot actually follow the strikes of Akira Taketora, he is able to dodge them purely through his Instinct because surprise attacks are ineffective against him. Even if he lacks sound logic or proof, it can be used a guidance, such as allowing him to tell that Shō Long was skilled in combat upon their first meeting. As it can alerts him to the possible danger of an enemy, such as sensing a threat from outside a building even without sight of the enemy and feeling someone's presence simply from their murderous intent. While it can be assumed to be an ultimate defence, it is not an infallible ability. As he has been tricked on numerous occasions.

* **Battle Continuation *(A Rank)*:** - Known to be the skill of Berserkers, it is that which allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce mortality rate from injury. To put it simply, it represents the ability to survive and/or the mentality of one who doesn't know when to give up, consisting of one's strength of vitality in predicaments.

* **Empty Legacy: He Who Shall Be Forgotten *(B Rank)*:** - Utilized unconsciously by Raiden, it manifests as a black fog in his mindscape. Primarily it is that which completely protects its user from psychic attacks of C-Rank and lower, yet this ability also may conceal Raiden's identity and power from schools of divination B-Rank and lower. When one attempts to discern Raiden's location or identity by magical means, his body is enveloped in a black fog with properties similar to high level illusion magic which constantly shifts his outline that obscures the discerning features of himself. Even should he willingly allow someone access to his mind, it will be impossible to discern his identity and power. The mist-like illusion also causes his image to double randomly, making him appear to be a hallucination, and prevents the use of B-Rank or lower clairvoyance against him. The only information gained are physical statistics regarding Raiden's exact height, blood-type, weight.

* **Inherent Brilliance *(B Rank)*:** - A rank below that of Inherent Wisdom, but different to Studious Mind. Inherent Brilliance is that of raw intellect. He is considerably intelligent, at ranks D and above, you may be considered to have an eidetic memory. He possesses an uncanny ability to learn at record speeds, and has proven to be extremely sharp, analytical and capable of swiftly remembering seemingly little details and using them to accurately come into correct conclusions.

* **Clairvoyance *(B Rank)*:** - Raiden's five senses are enhanced to a superhuman level, resulting in them becoming radar-like. He claims to constantly feel numerous things, including balance, direction, minuscule changes in air density, vibrations, and blankets of temperature variations, that are usually imperceptible to human beings. That, combined with his acute hearing and olfactory senses, allows Raiden to evaluate his surroundings in what he describes as an "Birds-Eye" of the world around him, which, according to him, "Makes everything seem so small.". Due to Raiden's inability to control his magic, it would seem this is a natural ability Raiden possesses due to his unique biology. Raiden's hearing is sharper than moth's and is extremely acute, he can clearly hear conversations, heartbeats and even breaths from several meters. He was able to hear and memorize the sound of Akari's heartbeat. However, Raiden needs to focus on what he hears; otherwise it is simply drowned out like white noise. Raiden's olfactory senses which are even sharper than a bears allows him to detect the scent of perfume in the upper-palace of Magnimar despite being in the lower district. Raiden gustatory sense is comparable to a Catfish, such as claiming to taste copper in the air from the blood of Akari's open wound. Raiden can feel the presence of those around him through vibrations, air currents, and body temperatures. He is so sensitive to these things that he will often attempt to dull his senses by focusing on something specific that is happening to his body. However, due to this. His sense of pain is so great that theoretically, he could go into shock far quicker than the normal human, even a paper-cut would feel as though his flesh was burning. Raiden utilizes eagle-like eyesight more than any of his other senses. Raiden has been able to see up to six kilometres away, as well as identify meaningful details faster than anyone else. Due to his amateur mindset when it comes to his abilities, Raiden's sense of sight takes away from his other senses, almost serving as a distraction of sorts.

* **Genetic Seed of Thassilon *(E+ Rank)*** - The genetic material that made up the super-soldiers of Thassilon. Raiden appears to have a total of twenty two seeds, two of which are currently active. Each seed fulfils a different role on the body of a Scanner. Essentially making up the building blocks of what set them apart from the average High Elf. Due to the fact these seeds are scientific in nature, they are still active even when Raiden lacks a source of mana to draw upon. The **Secondary Heart** known to increase blood supply and pumping capacity and is capable of taking over entirely should the primary heart fail. This seed alone has proven to be a great asset to Raiden as it has not only allowed him to naturally hold a near super-human stamina but also maintains his health rather well. A **Neurodeck** that is roughly the size of a thumb slotted behind his right ear, initially this was the one component he lacked. This component allows a Scanner to interface with Thassilonian tech as well as acquire information digitally. This neurodeck was fitted onto him when he and Sven Mór were captured in an ancient Thassilonian laboratory. His Neurodeck currently contains a chip that holds HARU. It is currently unknown if the other seeds will activate over time, although it is assumed without the correct Thassilonian catalyst, they will remain dormant inside him forever.

* **Aurum *(A Rank)*:** - Ranked up from Charisma, Aurum is beyond that of a composite skill and can be considered to be a natural talent. Unlike Charisma which is the refinement of the tongue, Aurum is the natural refinement of the soul. With a rank of A+ you can be considered to have the influence to build a grand empire on a global scale. Being such a rare talent, with even a B rank being sufficient enough to lead a nation, his A rank makes it no longer a matter of popularity or skill, but closer to something like sorcery or curse. His ego and self-confidence can surely boost the morale of any army led by him to an extremely high level, allowing them to gain a tremendous increase in abilities.

- **Martial Arts *(C++ Rank)*:** - Raiden's skill with hand-to-hand combat is definitely notable in his group, though not a master like his friend, he has been able to on numerous occasions keep up with many and even shows great potential with his learning.
	* **Mushinken *(C+ Rank)*:** - Honed by the last survivor of Shō Long, Mushinken is a defensive art that is focused around powerful grapples and adaptation through understanding. Though he lacks the experience, he more than makes up for it with talent.
		+ **Deadly Neo Reaper *(B Rank)*:** - An original technique from Raiden. Utilizing his anger, he tears into the target with a lunge at numerous pressure points at a blinding speed before gripping at the targets very 'essence' and tearing it from their body.
		+ **Liu Quan Chu *(C+ Rank)*:** - A technique of Mushinken that involves the continuous bombardment of precise strikes to the joints and pressure points of the human body. It is said to require such precise movement and control of your body, your heart beat must remain 60/100. At ranks C and higher, one is able to surpass the limits of the human body and deliver the sensation of two blows in one.
	* **Hakai Mao *(C Rank)*:** - Imitated from Akira Taketora, Raiden often defaults to this art when facing enemies he necessarily considers dangerous. Unlike Mushinken which could be considered a defensive art. Hakai Mao is grossly offensive and often utilises the magical element rarely found in people to truly utilise it.
		+ **Rising Dragon Divide *(B Rank)*:** - A variation of the Rising Dragon Fist invented by Akira Taketora. Rising Dragon Divide is fundamentally the same technique, however Raiden utilises his magical energy to not only enhance the weight of his strike but to also ignite his fist in a dark black flame.
		+ **Tornado Whirlwind Kick *(C Rank)*:** - Stolen from Taketora, the technique involves spinning with your foot outstretched to mow down your opponents as you fly across a small distance. Raiden utilises minor forms of wind magic to allow him to travel further than those who simply use this technique as it is.
	* **Mountain Splitter *(D Rank)*:** - Imitated from Skreylarg Onimus and Agotta Onimus, a martial art derived from using the weight of your own body against your opponent.

- **Weapon Proficiency *(A Rank)*:** - Raiden is proficient with a variety of weapons, including swords, scythes, gauntlets, and even unorthodox supernatural weapons. He displays an impressive ability to judge the capabilities of weapons almost as soon as he picks them up.
	* **Bujutsu *(A Rank)*:** - Trained by one of the greatest blade master's in history, Akari Saito. Raiden has already far surpassed those who are years his senior in the art of Bujutsu and still shows signs of improvement. Unlike his other martial skills, this one was specifically taught to him and as such he has found a way to incorporate his own style into his strikes. An example of his skill was shown when he disarmed two wandering Samurai with two movements of his own blade. It would not be a stretch to consider Raiden to be a contender for a blade master.
	* **Axes *(C Rank)*:** A weapon rarely used by Raiden. Axes; often the weapon of berserkers, are not often a weapon of choice. It is not to say that he does not know how exactly to use them, it is more that his affinity for the weapon is low. However, this affinity mattered little when he briefly used one in a fight against a Sinspawn in the Skull Dam.
	* **Bōjutsu *(B Rank)*:** Skilled in the art of Bōjutsu, Raiden learned a greater rank of skill than his usual after imitating the skilled movement of Gorald Jirvi whose ability with his own stave is considered to be high-rank. It is due to this imitation that Raiden's skill of Staves has ascended to Bōjutsu.
	* **Lances *(A Rank)*:** Second to his blade skill is Raiden's skill with lances, it is said that with his movement it is like a viper striking. Much like with a blade, he has surpassed those who are years his senior and still continues to show growth. His skill in Bōjutsu has assisted in his growth yet it is his natural eyesight and insight that allows his skill to truly shine.
	* **Hammers *(C Rank)*:** Much like his skill in axes, Hammers are simply an imitated art. His memory of Sellfrid Oric's movements and technique has served as a mentor and as such, he is a perfect mirror of the aged Paladin. However, imitation serves as a limit. Not a method of growth.
	* **Marksmanship *(A Rank)*:** - Although he is aided by his superhuman precision, Raiden has an innate mastery of any long ranged weapon he comes in contact with. Being an natural born Archer, Raiden has an uncanny ability at any range and has shown on numerous occasions to surpass people such as Kirin and Saku Les despite their own abilities being considered almost super-human in skill. It is not exactly a borrowed skill as much as it seems to be innate to his body.

- **Acrobatics *(A Rank)*:** - Raiden on numerous occasions has showcased a nimbleness of a world-class athlete, even without supernatural aide. Going as far as to being able to balance himself on the top of a bamboo stalk.

- **True Magic *(B+ Rank)*:** - As he is an unorthodox magus who makes use of a very specialized form of magic via the means of contracts, Raiden is rare amongst spellcasters. Raiden is initially completely inept as a magus, only able to use Sorcery with a low level of success, relying primarily on his unnatural ability regarding his Luck. However, he is later able to make use of the nine schools of weaving, something apprentices learn at a young age, although he is still unable to do any high-level spells regarding the nine schools due to his lack of talent regarding Sorcery. Yet despite all this, His circuit-quality is such that he could be considered one of the most powerful spellcasters in modern times, yet without years of training, there is a larger chance his own magic will be his un-doing. Later on in Chapter 13. Raiden attains the ability to form contracts with others in an ancient form of curse magic. Although unaware of its origin, Raiden has embraced this ability as his own. An ability that allows him to "temporarily install" the abilities and powers of those he is contracted with and merge them with his own. However, this ability is alien to modern spellcasters, as it is a form of Lost Magic. It requires a catalyst strong enough to hold the contracts as well as reinforce the link. It is currently unknown what exactly it is that Raiden has that allows him to use this contract magic.
	* **Abjuration *(??? Rank)*:** - Often known as the school of protection, Raiden has showcased acumen regarding the school on numerous occasions, though to say he isn't a prodigy; he has surpassed his peers however. Although he is rather unorthodox in his methods as it would seem he lacks the refined method of control which allows the school to craft magical barriers for allies.
		+ **Shield:** - A spell that conjures an invisible barrier of force that surrounds its caster. Its strength is highly dependant on how much mana is used in the creation of the shield, however the more potent the spell. The harder it is to maintain, with even cases of it turning inward and locking its user in shell of force. It is rather low-level in terms of spells, as many apprentice level magi are able to use it. Should too much strength be used against this barrier, it will explode in a great burst of energy that can potentially harm its own user.
		+ **Mage Armour, Greater:** - Much like shield, this spell conjures an invisible barrier of force that surrounds its caster. However, unlike shield. The barrier clings to the flesh of its user like a skin-suit and holds much greater strength without requiring as much magical energy. As this spell is advanced, it holds a longer incantation than Shield and is not considered to be an apprentice level ability. The defence of this ability is shown to be great enough as to protect its user from all means of attack. With arrows bouncing off the users flesh as if they hit rock and daggers barely being able to prick the veil of energy that surrounds the caster. It should be noted that enough power may break through this protection and shatter it as it is NOT indestructible. However, due to the incantation around it being far more sturdier than that of the spell, Shield. Its destruction does not result in magical energy being released in high intensity.
		+ **Justice of the Dragon/Phoenix King:** - A spell created by Shō Long that combines his ingenuity of martial arts and growing magical prowess. It is an extremely modified variant of Mage Armour that involves the use of arcane force to be used as a retaliatory attack to enemies who attempt to strike at its user. Although it sacrifices the defensive value of Mage Armour to modify the force into that of an aggressive force.
		+ **???:** - ???
	* **Transmutation *(B Rank)*:** - Raiden's skill in transmutation has shown great levels of growth and it could be considered to be one of his greater schools. Though it is to say that in order to be a Magus of high caliber, you must be able to succeed in all eight schools of witchcraft and wizardry. Although he favours Conjuration, he does on numerous occasions use transmutation in order to alter the physical properties of the tools he reproduces by his image, as shown when he refined a Bow he projected into a masterwork class weapon.
		+ **Reinforcement:** - Considered to be the most difficult Magecraft with the purpose of pushing a basis to the utmost limit. It is the foundation of all Magecraft that enhance the existence of the target by pouring Magical Energy, but as no clear expression of how much it can be enhanced is defined, almighty reinforcements are rare. It is the same as adding something to an object that is already complete, in case of failure the target will receive it as a poison. Success requires a good grasp of the inner structure to fill openings with Magical Energy. Reinforcing the purpose of existence would be increasing the sharpness of a knife, the nourishment of food, or in the case of a living creature, physical strength and durability. It is impossible to reinforce something vague. As living things will resist invasion of Magical Energy, reinforcing someone else is the hardest.
		+ **Alteration:** - A more advanced version of Reinforcement which involves changing the structure of an object down to its base. It makes use of magical energy to redefine what an object "is".
			- **Overedge:** - The penultimate variant of Reinforcement, unlike Alteration which involves changing the structure of an object, Overedge involves enhancing an object to that which is imagined. It is unlike most variants of Transmutation magic as it re-structures matter into imagination and allows for objects of a low quality to become that much higher. It may achieve this by altering the molecular bonds of objects. Although it does not just "enhance" objects as it too can also repair them.
		+ **Accel:** - Although often mis-attributed to a variant of reinforcement, Accel is in fact a low-variant of Time Alter magecraft. The spell itself alters time in a self-contained area, namely the users own body which allows them to move faster than the human eye can see. It speeds up their blood flow, hemoglobin metabolism, and muscle movement all at the same time. Using this brief burst of speed, they can use their own physical skills and reaction speed at a level far above human limitations. It allows for split second evasion in front of an enemy, and its power of mobility places the caster on a level beyond human.
		+ **Stagnate:** - The other side of Accel, much like its sister spell. Slow is not in fact a variant of reinforcement, and instead a low-variant of Time Alter magecraft. The process of the spell involves the slowing of all processes in the body, besides that of perception. Even ones own heartbeat can possibly be slowed. Where this spell truly shines is in the hands of an Archmage who's knowledge of magic allows them to plant the seeds of Stagnate into those they battle.
		+ **Telekinesis:** - Through this spell, the user has the ability to manipulate or otherwise interact with matter or another aspect of a physical system through non-physical means. Commonly, its most fundamental trait is to move and control objects (or to generate and apply physical force on a target, or potentially, an area) without physical contact. Though this spell requires an incantation, Raiden has shown to be able to use this ability wordlessly, possibly due to his dependence on the spell.
		+ **Black Feathers:** -
		+ **???:** -
		+ **???:** -
	* **Conjuration *(A Rank)*:** - Though more often used for the summoning of magical creatures, Raiden instead uses the magic to reproduce tools by his image for but several minutes. Often opting for chains that hold the tensile strength to hold down a high-class Demon, Its rank however will decrease to C if he opts to summon magical creatures, as shown with his familiar Muninn. A Jackdaw with enhanced intellect and spatial awareness that holds a direct link to Raiden's own mind. Most familiars are often not sentient in the sense of freedom yet Muninn on numerous occasions has showcased itself to be independent to Raiden, yet loyal to the end.
		+ **Projection:** - A magic that reproduces tools by his image for but several minutes. These "counterfeits" hold the potential of surpassing even the original. Even his trademark chains, was something created by means of projection magic as well. Its rank decreases on the complexity of the object.
		+ **Crow Clone Technique** - A unique variant of the Shadow Clone spell, Raiden's version of the spell appears to be superior in almost every way, with less magic being required to manifest a clone as well as each clone holding more durability than those of the original spell. When the spell is activated, numerous dark birds manifest and come together to form a clone, when the clone is defeated the crows dissolve and rot on the ground before slowly evaporating.
	* **Divination *(E Rank)*:** - Perhaps second of the hardest schools to master, Raiden holds next to no talent for the school and fails on even basic cantrips. It can be said the reason is due to the ability of imitation being next to impossible with the school due to the school being more related to the prowess of wisdom and the clearing of ones mind. It has been shown on one such occasion that his attempt to imitate the magical art from Marlynn Avalon only ended up with a poor faded image. Although it is not to say that he is unable to learn this school, it is more to say that his short time as a student did not allow him to bring his potential out in this school.
		+ **Detect Magic** - A typical ability for those with magical affinity. Requiring little to no incantation, it is a base sensation of feeling the precense of magic in an area. However, concentration and incantations allow for a greater perception in regards to what they sense.
	* **Charm *(D Rank)*:** - Different from the ability of Charisma, the Charm school alters the perceptions and very thoughts of the living. It shares in the school of Divinity with the requirement of a clear mind as in order to ensure dominance over your target, you yourself must be indomitable. Although considered "black magic" by some, Charm spells are more commonly associated with tricksters and lack the usefulness that other schools would in battle. Raiden as a magus has showcased some knowledge regarding the Charm school, primarily from Marlynn's teachings, however he finds the notion of "controlling a mind." it to be rather repulsive and as such, refuses to adhere to the school more often than not.
	* **Illusion *(D Rank)*:** - The school of lies, often paired with Conjuration or parlor tricks. Raiden has showcased some prowess with it, yet opts to instead resort to Transmutation, Conjuration, and Invocation on numerous occasions as his belief of not being a "faker" holds strong. Illusion magic is one of the few NOT taught to him by Marlynn Avalon, alongside Divination, Invocation, and Necromancy It however has been imitated by Raiden due to his observation of other spellcasters. Raiden believes that in time he may increase his rank in the skill.
	* **Invocation *(B Rank)*:** - A school that pertains to "creating matter and energy, called up out of nothing" is one considered to be the hardest school of magic, much like divination it requires acute control of magical energy yet it is not shared with the school of thought being that of "nothing" as Invocation fills that nothing with something. Raiden's affinity for the school has allowed him to truly shine and showcase prowess in it. Primarily it is an imitated school for Raiden, yet it is a known fact that something that is an imitation may soon surpass the original.
		+ **Pyrokinesis** - Users of this branch of Invocation magic can create, shape, control, generate and manipulate every form/type of fire, the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products, flame being the visible portion of the fire. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different. The user can also completely control the temperature of the fire at will. Raiden has showcased an affinity with this branch of Invocation magic and will often default to its use in combat. His prowess in the skill is comparable to that of a master Pyromancer.
			- **Flare:**
			- **Flare Burst:**
			- **Light:**
			- **Spark:**
			- **Burning Hands:**
			- **Produce Flame:**
			- **Touch of Combustion:**
			- **Snapdragon Fireworks:**
			- **Incendiary Runes:**
			- **Sun Metal:**
			- **Flaming Sphere:**
			- **Burning Arc:**
			- **Burning Gaze:**
			- **Fiery Runes:**
			- **Fiery Shuriken:**
			- **Fire Breath:**
			- **Fire Trap:**
			- **Fire's Friend:**
			- **Flame Blade:**
			- **Heat Metal:**
			- **Pale Flame:**
			- **Fire Sneeze:**
			- **Scorching Ray:**
			- **Spontaneous Immolation:**
			- **Campfire Wall:**
			- **Ash Storm:**
			- **Fire Trail:**
			- **Fireball:**
			- **Firestream:**
			- **Flame Arrow:**
			- **Flashfire:**
			- **Heatstroke:**
			- **Pyrotechnic Eruption:**
			- **Shield of Wings:**
			- **Wall of Fire:**
			- **Fire Shield:**
			- **Furious Fire Barrage**
			- **Supernovae**
		+ **Electrokinesis:**
			- **Jolt:** -
			- **Body Capacitance:** -
			- **Dead Eye's Arrow:** -
			- **Shocking Grasp:** -
			- **Shock Shield:** -
			- **Lightning Lash:** -
			- **Gozreh's Trident:** -
			- **Defensive Shock:** -
			- **Aggressive Thundercloud:** -
			- **Call Lightning:** -
			- **Lightning Bolt:** -
			- **Storm Step:** -
			- **Sheet Lightning:** -
			- **Lightning Cutter:** -
			- **Lightning Arc:** -
			- **Chain Lightning:** -
			- **Stormbolts:** -
			- **Ride the Lightning:** -
		+ **Cryokinesis** -
			- **Ray of Frost:** -
			- **Icicle Dagger:** -
			- **Frostbite:** -
			- **Ice Armour:** -
			- **Snowball:** -
			- **Chill Metal:** -
			- **Frigid Touch:** -
			- **Frost Fall:** -
			- **Ice Slick:** -
			- **Winter Grasp:** -
			- **Flurry of Snowballs:** -
			- **Creeping Ice:** -
			- **Frosthammer:** -
			- **Ice Spears:** -
			- **Sleet Storm:** -
			- **Vengeful Comets:** -
			- **Wall of Ice:** -
		+ **Hydrokinesis:** -
			- **Create Water:** -
			- **Hydraulic Push:** -
			- **Wave Shield:** -
			- **Aquatic Trail:** -
			- **Water Walk:** -
			- **Snow Shape:** -
			- **Slipstream:** -
			- **River Whip:** -
			- **Dousing Rain:** -
			- **Aqueous Orb:** -
			- **Hydraulic Torrent:** -
			- **Life Current:** -
			- **Tail Current:** -
			- **Unlife Current:** -
			- **Wall of Brine:** -
		+ **Geokinesis:** -
			- **Expeditious Construction:** -
			- **Expeditious Excavation:** -
			- **Hairline Fractures:** -
			- **Mighty Fist of the Earth:** -
			- **Mudball:** -
			- **Stone Fist:** -
			- **Stone Shield:** -
			- **Thunder Stomp:** -
			- **Root:** -
			- **Burning Sands:** -
			- **Stone Discus:** -
			- **Stone Call:** -
			- **Soften Earth and Stone:** -
			- **Magic Boulder:** -
			- **Groundswell:** -
			- **Binding Earth:** -
			- **Ironskin:** -
			- **Molten Orb:** -
			- **Earth Tremor:** -
			- **Heart of the Metal:** -
			- **Meld into Stone:** -
			- **Raging Rubble:** -
			- **Shifting Sand:** -
			- **Stone Shape:** -
			- **Thunderstomp, Greater:** -
			- **Obsidian Flow:** -
			- **Soothing Mud:** -
		+ **Aerokinesis** -
			- **Breeze**
			- **Alter Winds**
			- **Gentle Breeze**
			- **Whispering Wind**
			- **Windy Escape**
			- **Air Step**
			- **Gust of Wind**
			- **With the Wind**
			- **Wind Wall**
			- **Steal Breath**
			- **Gusting Sphere**
			- **Aerial Tracks**
			- **Air Geyser**
			- **Cloak of Winds**
			- **Fickle Winds**
			- **Sky Swim**
			- **Tailwind**
			- **Wind Wall**
			- **Zephyr Fleetness**
			- **Windsphere**
		+ **Dragon Arts:** -
			- **Lost Dragon Art: Midnight Holocaust *(B Rank)*:** -
			- **Lost Dragon Art: Deep Impact *(C Rank)*:** -
	* **Necromancy *(E Rank)*:** - A magic often frowned upon by most Magi, Necromancy is "the school of the gods". Magic that both revokes and grants the title of "life" to mortals. Raiden has yet been shown to imitate Necromancy and only has the most basic of understanding regarding it. Other than Divination, it can be considered his worst school of magic.
		+ **True Possession**: -
	* **Contract Magic *(D Rank)*:** - An ancient form of lost magic. Known to belong to the first men in the years of conquest. A magic that allowed you to "invoke" the skills and abilities of your comrades. These people were known as Soul Servants. The Soul Servant is a person who connects to the very essence of an individual and draws power from both their memories and body. By allowing this contract, the signer willingly parts with a piece of themselves that is given to the contractor. Although this magic requires great practice and sacrifice, Raiden for whatever reason is able to do so nigh-instantaneously and without equivalent exchange. Furthermore, Raiden's appears to be of a different breed as he not only is able to invoke the skills but also weaponry and armour of the individual, as shown when he used magic to project Saku's bow, albeit enhanced by Raiden's mana. Raiden has yet to fully explore this ability, although he has commented that it feels as though it isn't what it is assumed to be and perhaps related to some other power he holds.

- **Black Hearted Fenrir - Surtr *(A+++ Rank)*:** The primary font of Raiden's power, Black Hearted Fenrir is a transformation into "truth", that is Raiden's soul turned outward. It is due to his connection to the Alrisen; The Ashen Wolf, that this power belongs to him. It is said that power is a "crystallized mystery", illusions of divinity are found within these crystals yet though the root of the word divine is literally "godly", it is not to say that abilities such as these mark you as a "god". Instead, it could be akin to the imitation of godhood. When used, Raiden loses all of his five senses which unify to become one, a singular sense of the flow of energy behind the laws of the universe and as such, gains the knowledge of the flow of all energy and behaviour of every force within the universe. His physical form is quite literally torn apart and replaced by one more fitting for his power. It is at this point that he could be considered a Divine Beast. This form is described as a demon with four arms, two faces, and with unique markings on his forehead, nose, cheeks, and torso. He also has a second pair of eyes under his normal eyes, which are usually closed and a pair of horns that grow from his head, giving him an intimidating likeness to demons in Aaenwallian mythology. All parameters that Raiden previously held are multiplied to immeasurable levels and he is considered to be an anti-planetary threat. However, this ability comes at a cost as it quite literally "erases" Raiden's own existence from causality and fate, allowing a thread of consciousness of the Ashen Wolf to take hold, whose sole goal is destruction of all existence. It was only when the combined power of Shō Long, Nuno Dias, and Kohaku Kodama that they were able to stop the transformation before it was fully completed, however even when using twenty percent of Black Hearted Fenrir, Raiden was still able to exceed 335 petajoules of force.
	* **Wind of Niflheim *(B Rank)*:** A blizzard of absolute freezing temperature flowing from the world of Hel and frost of legend. Upon transformation, Raiden emitted this cold for only a few seconds and froze the very air around him, theoretically there is no limit to how cold it would get around him.
	* **Legacy of Phlegethon *(B Rank)*:** A roaring hurricane of scorching temperature flowing from the underworld of legend itself. A sister ability to Wind of Niflheim, Legacy of Phlegethon allows Raiden to emit eternal black hellfire that is unending and cannot be quenched, much like Wind of Niflheim, there is theoretically no limit to how hot it can get.
	* **Beast of the War Dead *(A+ Rank)*:** The ability primarily belonging to The Ashen Wolf itself. Beast of the War Dead is an informal anti-divine ability that allows the ability to "grow" and "consume" from all things. When in use, whatever entity Raiden consumes adds to his near limitless power. It was said the Ashen Wolf intended to consume YHWH himself so that he may take his place as the sole ruler of creation.

* **God Hand: Eternal Flame of the Gods *(A Rank)*:** - An ability possessed by Raiden, a continuously active-type ability that grants him a "body that knows no death." It is a gift representing immortality, as well as being a curse, that is born from his physiology. Although demons are known to have a form of resurrective immortality, their soul; that being their very existence is tied to Hell. Where as Raiden, who is a native to the material world is naturally bound there. As such, his body will continue to replace and restore damaged or missing cells, tissues, organs, and limbs. As aging involves the process of accumlation of unrepaired cellular and molecular damage, Raiden upon reaching the maximum growth of his body will cease to age. However, as neurons may only hold information for up to a minute, it is possible for Raiden to suffer death in regards to the elimination of his mind as any damage to the hippocampus will regenerate, all retained information will not. Thus leaving him as a mindless beast.

* **Golden Fortuna - The Destiny of Kings *(Ex Rank)*:** - Raiden's greatest weapon in his arsenal is unrelated to his magical circuits and his intellect, instead it is something else entirely. Raiden has the unnatural ability to counter the laws of reality itself to cater to him unconsciously. An example of which occured in the ruins below Sandpoint in which when someone turned against him, the stone stairwell itself collapsed onto them. Although he is unaware exactly of the specifics behind it, it's potential is perhaps the largest out of anything in existence, partly due to the fact it overwrites the rules of the universe itself. The means in which it works appears to be tied towards the mental state of its user, with Raiden feeling good about something causes something good in turn to happen to him, the same happens in reverse. Due to his fluctuating mental state in the past, it worked like a yin-yang affect. With good luck always being followed by bad luck, however with his disorders getting the help they needed, the luck has since become far more subtle. However as Luck is a universal concept, it could be argued that should Raiden learn how to use this ability to its full potential, he could be nigh-unbeatable. However, at the start of Chapter 14. Raiden lost his supernatural luck to a Thassilonian Device, wielded by Tybalt Weiss and it is now belongs to Yuki.

* **??? (??? Rank):**

## Relationships

Raiden holds unique relationships with those he comes across, described by Ser Miguel Nápoles as "someone who is contradictory in his very actions and opinions."

Akari Saito

**Akari Saito**: "*You're not what they say you are, nor are you what you think you are.. ..You're Raiden, the man who saved my life.*"
**Raiden**: "*...*"
— Akari to Raiden following the reveal of his grave.
 Raiden and Akari perhaps have the most anomalous relationship of all those in their journey together. Initially a relationship built upon false images and lies built upon a façade. Everything changed after Raiden (Then known as Kader Weiss) took it upon himself to save Akari's life after she was left for dead by her fellow companions. Spending almost a week alone together in the wilderness, Akari found herself learning a new side of the boy at the time and even feeling sadness for his state of mind, encouraging him to be self-reflective whilst he offered a stability and safety to her that was all too rare following the death of her fiancé.

Things only grew deeper between them after Miguel Nápoles returned to the group with information revealing that Akari Saito had a direct hand in the assassination of a member of a Church Militant. With her companions leaving her for the gallows, Raiden was one of the only two who had stood up for Akari in this moment and in fact directly planned against Miguel in order to save Akari, however due to Akari's own disorderliness, his plan backfired and he was forced to take a more physical role in her escape, allowing her to murder Miguel in his sleep alongside stealing his equipment.

Following this, Raiden and Akari travelled the country together, returning to Raiden's birthplace of Kingspyre so that he could find some answers regarding his heritage and amnesia, in their time together. Akari spent a great deal teaching him martial techniques that he took to with great ease that filled Akari with a sense of pride that caused her heart to swell with emotion whenever he was with her, already slowly developing emotions for the boy. Akari allowed Raiden to journey alone into the old fort of Kingspyre where he was shocked to learn of his own grave along with the sudden rush of part of his memories returning to him. A brief encounter with Lord Tybalt Weiss and the arrival of a sudden thunderstorm left Akari and Raiden alone in the ruins of Kingspyre where Akari in a moment of compassion gave the name "Raiden" to Kader, claiming that "You can still shine through the darkness.”

Following this, Raiden's personality changed. Taking on a more active and sardonic support role to Akari. He only ever spoke his mind truly to her and the rapport between the two became something greater than friends or master and pupils. To Raiden it was the first sense of family that he had felt in his new life, to Akari it was the most stable relationship she had developed. Despite the fires of passion burning between the two and obvious attraction the two share to one another, nothing has been able to shake the loyalty they both have to one another and it is considered that one of Raiden's upmost tasks is to uphold Akari's safety and happiness.

Saku Les
**Raiden**: "*I'm empty, Saku. A vessel made for a purpose that I've yet to find. Yet when I gaze into those stars, I see a purpose. I see my freedom..*"
**Saku Les**: "*<Laughs> I don't think I ever mentioned it, Raiden. But you speak very much like an Elf would, I suppose.*"
— Raiden and Saku's brief conversation on the deck of The Salted Whore
When Raiden first met Saku, he had some reservations about him and seemed to think of Saku as "fool." Regardless, Raiden came to trust Saku and soon saw him as a valued friend. However, after Saku betrayed both Raiden and Akari to an enemy out of fear for his own life, Raiden was left disgusted and despised Saku for being nothing more than a craven; this disgust was lessened after Saku's apology and Nuno advocating for Saku's own qualities. However, Raiden could never get over the betrayal that Saku had done and even long after it transpired, he never trusted Saku to a great degree and remained an arms-length from him, always contemplating his future actions should Saku betray the group once more.

Yet when they were friends, Saku acted as a healthy balance to Raiden. The both of them learning the nuances and secrets of magic from Marlynn Avalon. Saku's own talent with magic impressed Raiden who saw Saku as a sort of "upper-classman". Saku on the other-hand considered Raiden to be a peer or even superior, on numerous occasions remarking Raiden's own talent with a bow is something he was envious of, and that his demeanor could be better suited to one of the elves of Saku's clan.

Things were irreversibly damaged between them after Saku had slayed one of the "children" of Charlotte. Raiden who now considered Saku to be nothing more than a cowardly murderer decreed that should he see Saku again, it shall be at the end of a blade. After Saku's death, Raiden did not mourn his passing and instead simply remarked that it would have happened sooner or later and truthfully he got what he deserved.

Nuno Dias

**Nuno Dias**: "*You can't just run off and expect to fix everything by yourself. This is how people die, Raiden! I do not want that to happen because.. ...You're the only family I've got left.*"
**Raiden**: "*Nuno..*"
— Raiden and Nuno's argument in Palin's Cove
Perhaps someone who could be likened to Akari in terms of closeness, Nuno Dias has acted as an unwavering source of comfort for Raiden since his introduction. Immediately not feeling any strong way or another, his treatment of Raiden was like treatment of any other man. It can be said it is due to Nuno's strength of character that this could happen. Nuno has continuously acted as a great buffer to Raiden in various times of their adventures together, Nuno often being the wise steady hand to temper Raiden's anger, whilst Raiden's own strength and determination has saved Nuno countless times over.

Without Nuno, it can be said that Raiden would not be the person he is now, his affability and kindness has taught Raiden much and even in times of strife, Raiden turns to his memories of Nuno as guidance for his actions.

Following the death of Nuno's adoptive family, Nuno considers Raiden to be one of the few members of family he has left and in turn, Raiden too considers Nuno to be family. The two of them are fiercely protective of one another and Raiden has established that Nuno's safety is an importance to him (something that Nuno has gone on to mention in passing). Although it is not to say that they do not bicker, in fact. Raiden's inner-circle often is met with criticism by Nuno himself, yet Raiden simply disregards these comments due to Nuno's own naivety regarding the morals of those he considers allies. These feelings are primarily influenced by Nuno's constant defence of Saku's actions as well as Nuno's own self-righteousness. Yet it can be said despite all of this, Raiden considers Nuno to be one of his most important people and a great link to his humanity that is so often questioned by others.

Tybalt Weiss
**Raiden**: "*When this is over, I will make you submit..*"
**Tybalt Weiss**: "*You...*"
— The shared battle between blood on Station-731
A tragic relationship is the foundation of Tybalt Weiss and Raiden. Tybalt's very existence serves as a reminder of Raiden's former life as Kader Weiss whilst Raiden's very existence pains Tybalt, yet Raiden does not hold great animosity towards him, far from it. In fact, Raiden feels a contradictory sense of care towards the aged magus; who also shares this feeling. Due to Raiden's amnesia, he cannot remember his feelings towards Tybalt prior to the Tragedy at Kingspyre. However, post-tragedy, upon learning of his identity, Raiden wished to seek out Tybalt Weiss and even journeyed to his ancestral home of Kingspyre. However, upon meeting Tybalt, he was met with only scorn and mockery and was cast aside as a "faker". It is unknown why Tybalt allowed him to leave but Akari claimed to see tears in his eyes as he left.

In truth, Tybalt's own feelings on this matter were far more diverse and complicated however, yet his actions cast the die and Raiden fell into a depression due to the realisation of his identity and Tybalt's own rejection. Months passed until the two would meet again, this time as combatants on either side of battle. It was in this battle that Raiden was able to achieve the impossible and match the Magus in raw magical talent, even surpassing his own fire and burning the Dragonlord. Tybalt, astonished at the power displayed and the raw passion and emotion in his progeny, roared in ecstasy and claimed Raiden to be his blood in truth, Raiden however had long since gotten over his trauma from Tybalt and saw him now as an obstacle to his new goal, which was to become a hero the world had never seen.

Raiden still however feels that the responsibility of Tybalt's actions and fate falls to him and him alone, going as far as to warn his comrades that should they encounter Tybalt, they should leave and inform him immediately or it shall not be Tybalt they would have to worry about. However, at times Raiden finds himself contemplating if their destiny truly needs to be met in battle and more often than not ponders if Tybalt's fate is to be one woven in blood.

"*You feel it, no matter how tainted your blood may get. The Weiss line is too pure to be drowned out. That burning fire, you will claim it for your own. We shall see which one of us shall deserve the title.. ..Dragonlord.*"
—Tybalt Weiss

Shō Long
**Raiden**: "*What they've done to you, I can't forgive. I understand your pain, Shō. I understand your anger but if we're going to make them pay, we'll make them pay together.*"
**Shō**: "*...Together.*"
— A declaration of brotherhood.
A brother in all-things, even blood as it would seem. Raiden first met Shō Long when he was nothing more than a travelling monk, beset upon by the forces of the Shattered Star. Shō displayed an immense prowess and skill that Raiden was impressed at the talent of this stranger, yet he remained cautious and the two would remain at an arms-length. Some competitive rivalry however began in small embers after Raiden displayed strength and ingenuity that Shō himself envied, ironically the two seemed to marvel at one anothers powers and compare them to their own.

After the Raid on Higashikagawa. Shō was left crippled and despondent, alone in the world and at the lowest of his life since the loss of his family, Raiden acted as an anchor to Shō. Having found the martial artist on the outskirts of the ruins of Higashikagawa. Over the course of the next few days, Raiden would spend countless hours tending to Shō's wounds as well as ensuring that Pingsei Camp was running. In this time together, the two would grow close and begin to understand one another much more than they had previously, even feeling a sense of comradery and companionship in their sorrow of their past. Not too long after Shō was reinvigorated, Raiden was the first to name him as the leader of the group and willingly stepped aside so that Shō would stand as its figurehead. Although Shō objected to it, Raiden believed that Shō would serve as a greater leader than he ever could and trusted Shō with the safety of the refugees from Higashikagawa.

This only served to strengthen their bond and soon it was hard to find the two apart. Even the both of them simply enjoying one another's company in silence. It got to the point that Raiden openly considered Shō to be his brother as shown with his claim to Issei. After their re-encounter at Kamashigori. Raiden learned more about Shō's past whilst Shō was able to glimpse at Raiden's moments of weakness. Their bond was actualised after Raiden used a method of his contract magic to allow Shō to borrow his power. However, this link became something more.

Shō soon began to see glimpses of Raiden's own dreams and vice versa, Raiden even gaining glimpses into Shō's own memories. However, neither saw it as a breach of privacy and instead silently took it in stride. More events transpired and Shō showcased his loyalty to Raiden at each and every one, even going as far as to squabble with Kohaku over Raiden's attention. Something that Nuno has commented on, claiming that the two act more akin to lovers than friends. However, Raiden's relationship with Shō has long since surpassed one of physical and social connections and became far more spiritual since the contract. The pair soon also learned that Shō appeared to share some small amount of DNA with Raiden from Haru and the scanning of the "brothers" of Shō Long, truly cementing the pair as brothers in even the literal sense of the term.

Following the Festival of Spring. Shō's contract with Raiden was etched into Shō's own soul and with it, Shō's soul became permanently intertwined with Raiden's own, what this means is currently not known yet what is certain is that the pair shall remain loyal to one another to the end of this world, and the next.

"*You're my brother.. ..From this world, to the next.*"
—Raiden

Ianus Salvador
**Ianus Salvador**: "*I had theories but.. ..That anger, that pride.. ..You truly -are- him.*"
**Raiden**: "*I've had enough of your mind games, old man.*"
— A puppet masters realisation
Initially a form of an older-brother figure to Raiden, Ianus was someone who Raiden would look to in times of great strife and considered him to be the next "hero" that legends spoke of. It was not until Raiden's own mental state improved that he began to understand that Ianus had manipulated him and constructed an image of someone else entirely. Upon this revelation, Raiden was left bitter and hateful towards Ianus and would even contemplate murdering the cursed soul.

However, the beginning was entirely different. Having first met Ianus in town, Raiden immediately became enamoured with Ianus's drive to help others and learn more of what was happening. It was due to this reverence that Ianus took Raiden under his wing in a pseudo-mentorship role, giving advice and even an affable sense of comradery. Although it was not to say there were not hiccups to their relationship, as Raiden's child-like mentality often caused Ianus great ire'; amounting to being near Raiden like being near a newborn babe. Raiden however in his naivety only considered Ianus to be a soon-to-be great person of history. Showcasing such blind reverence that he once mistook Ianus's own mistake as an intentional mask of incompetence, this reverence did nothing but cause Ianus great ire, who misinterpreted it as subtle mockery.

Ianus was a man however, not a monster. He could perceive the differences and treated Raiden as a man would. It was not until Ianus's own decline in mental acumen and emotional stability that he began to regard Raiden as a danger. Around the turn of their time in Magnimar. Ianus had attempted to temporarily improve Raiden's mental maturity and in doing-so, revealed Raiden's true self. This true self shook Ianus to the core and left nothing but fear and hatred towards Raiden. All perceptions before now crumbled and Ianus spent the course of the next days in livid fear of what Raiden was capable of. However, he would not see the full extent of it due to the damage Ianus would sustain whilst in Magnimar.

When they next met, Ianus had nothing left but fear and animosity towards Raiden who soon began to see through the cracks of Ianus and what he was becoming. The two left each other at arms length yet Ianus would often ponder methods to remove Raiden from the group before something truly bad transpired. He would however be too late as with Miguel's return, Raiden would find himself estranged from the group after saving Akari. A choice that would inevitably result in Miguel's death. Ianus would never get over this and regarded Raiden as a mortal enemy following this.

Their rivalry however was one-sided as Raiden soon began to get over Ianus and what once was between them, culminating in their final meeting being Raiden simply telling Ianus to leave and that he was not even worth hurting.

"*You're not even worth the effort. Vanish back into the darkness that you crawled from.*"
—Raiden

HARU
**HARU**: "*I can calculate fractions to the one hundred and tenth decimal, the circumference of the stellar objects in the night sky and the exact units of magical energy that flow through a ley-line.*"
**Raiden**: "*Yet you cannot tell when you should keep your mouth shut.*"
— Pride of a guide to the impatience of a Hero
Forced together due to Raiden being one of the only few who can contain Haru's "body". Their first time together was forced into confinement. With Haru being an Artificial Intelligence, he lacked a body. Raiden however, carrying a Neurodeck allowed HARU a chance to escape his confinement in the bowels of an ancient Thassilonian Space Station. At first, HARU objected to being inside the headspace of a "unevolved monkey." whilst Raiden objected to having a shrill voice in his ear. Yet due to the situation at hand, neither could be placated and instead stuck up with their equal issues with one another. However, after joining into Raiden's Neurodeck, Raiden found himself with an extremely useful ally, with HARU immediately setting into Raiden's optical nerves and allowing him access to subdermal scanning as well as interfacing with technology. It was due to this that HARU and Raiden were able to help lead Akari, Saku, and Nuno off the station and to freedom.

After returning to Gaia, the two were now left at an impasse. Raiden, who had done what HARU had asked and brought him off the station wanted HARU gone; however HARU required a host to survive otherwise his CPU would be extremely damaged by the elements. The two would argue over the course of the next few days of what to do until Raiden came to the conclusion that he should allow HARU to remain, yet only if HARU were to take a more passive stance. HARU begrudgingly accepted and the remaining time in Higashikagawa was left with relative ease with one another.

However, following the Raid on Higashikagawa. HARU took a far more active role in talking to Raiden, with the two of them alone and without any companions. Raiden in his weakness found himself conversing with HARU more and more, whilst HARU soon began to willingly seek Raiden's opinion and word out despite their earlier promise. By the time Shō had been recovered, Raiden had soon forgotten his earlier transgressions against HARU and considered him to be another member of the group. HARU meanwhile showcased unwavering loyalty to Raiden, even considering him "not human.", something that Raiden takes some manner of insult towards.

Shortly after Raiden had journeyed to Kamashigori, he found himself captive at the mercy of Issei Kodama and his family. HARU was removed from Raiden's Neurodeck and encased in amber, over the next course of a few weeks. Raiden would spend arduous hours in order to not only clear his name, but also to reclaim his lost friend. His reclamation came after the Festival of Spring. Furthermore, due to the components of his enemies, Raiden and HARU were able to build a portable speaker for HARU to remain in so that he and Raiden may not be stuck together, although HARU was more than happy to remain. Even going as far as to make as many excuses as he could, however with the device crafted. Raiden would take no other recourse and HARU willingly passed on to the portable device which now Raiden carries close to him, always turning to it whenever he requires a source of quick information.

Kohaku Kodama
**Raiden**: "*C'mon Kohaku, what your father doesn't know won't hurt him..~ ♡*"
**Kohaku Kodama**: "*Y-You gaudy jerk, you can't just say things like that!*"
— The making of new friends.
Meeting someone behind your own knuckles is certainly an introduction that only Raiden can claim. Nobody would have believed that this no name opponent would end up being one of the closest companions Raiden would have. However, much like most of Raiden's relationships. They did not start with amicable terms, Raiden first meeting Kohaku as a foe who he dealt with swiftly. Kohaku meanwhile glimpsed at Raiden's power and was left afraid and envious. However, Raiden's actions were able to calm the young druid and the pair soon agreed to put aside their qualms to journey into Aka Aka Cave to do battle with the demons inside that have been plaguing the town and countryside for the past twenty years, becoming something of a local legend. Kohaku, who believed the demons to be immortal and undefeatable watched as Raiden and he cut a swathe through the cave and met with the killer of his own mother. Raiden, clueless to this relation Kohaku had with the demon, battled the creature to the death. With it ending with Raiden delivering the killing blow not by steel or fist but by consuming the demon with his own fingers and teeth. Kohaku was left terrified of what had happened and was left even more confused that following this grotesque action, Raiden saved both him and the surviving humans from a cave-in that resulted from the recent battle.

With the power Raiden exerted too much for his body, he was easily taken captive by Issei Kodama who lectured Kohaku on his immaturity and willingness to believe in a stranger, meanwhile Raiden who now considered Kohaku to be much more than he let on felt relief that he survived the night. In his times imprisoned, Kohaku would find himself sneaking out at night to visit Raiden and converse with him. It was here the two began to begin a rapport with one another and discuss their interests, hates, and past. By the seventh day, Kohaku was more than willing to refer to Raiden as his friend; at least when his father was not around. Raiden meanwhile begrudgingly admitted to enjoying the company of Kohaku, relieved that he met someone who did not bore him or bother him.

As the days passed, Raiden was able to enjoy more freedom and with it; the freedom to explore his friendship with Kohaku. The two would spend almost every waking hour with one another, it was thanks to this that Raiden for the briefest of moments was able to act his age. The two young men acting as boys would, although Raiden felt some manner of annoyance at Kohaku's catty nature, he was able to deflect this annoyance with playful teasing at Kohaku's height, something that would cause the druid's anger to quicken.

More time passed and soon Raiden's relationship with Kohaku was truly that of friendship, with Raiden considering Kohaku to be one of his loyal companions alongside Shō. However, this was a naïve and clueless view as the feeling was no longer mutual. Kohaku seemingly growing far more attached to Raiden than Raiden would expect, the two now share an awkward relationship of Raiden cluelessly teasing Kohaku and Kohaku wishing he can admit to his true feelings.

"*I knew well that he and I are polar opposites. But even so, I couldn't imagine a world in which he doesn't exist..*"
—Kohaku Kodama

Cassiel Kodama
**Cassiel Kodama**: "*The people you think this act of yours works on are either humouring you or they're scared of you, but none of them like you.*"
**Raiden**: "*Tsk-.. ..Fotze.*"
— A not very pleasant beginning
Unlike her adoptive brother, Cassiel did not meet Raiden in battle but behind bars. Her first impression was certainly not a nice one, although Raiden marvelled at her appearance and openly spoke of his admiration of her appearance, something that caught the girl off by guard. However, her cynical nature would not allow the two of them to get close, with her only ever visiting Raiden whilst he was jailed when she was looking for her brother. The relationship between Kohaku and Raiden blossoming also became another stain on Raiden for Cassiel to judge, Raiden however simply remained apathetic to her. With her lack of contact to him, he did not attempt to mend nor worsen their relationship. It can be said she simply "existed" to him and that was all.

However, this changed after he was freed and soon his work hours were spent with Cassiel, primarily due to Issei wishing to split both Raiden and Kohaku apart due to Kohaku's aloofness increasing by the day with every moment spent with Raiden. With the two of them together, Cassiel soon grew more and more fond of Raiden and his mannerisms, finding them oddly cute and entertaining. Raiden meanwhile began to consider her words more and more and soon the two would have an unspoken friendship.

Cassiel being one of the few to know her brother's affection for Raiden took great strides to act protective about him towards Raiden, warning him that should he ever endanger her family, she would not hesitate to burn him. The choice of words greatly amused Raiden.

Everything between them changed when Raiden helped Cassiel and Su Kyungsoon spend an evening together that they would never forget. This single act of kindness lit a candle for Cassiel who went from keeping Raiden at an arms length to openly hugging him when she got the chance to. Though it brought him great displeasure, he being one of the few who could touch her without harm just made her all the more eager to abuse her new affectionate gestures.

In a rather sisterly position, Cassiel now spends her time encouraging her brother and Raiden together and defensively standing up for the both of them to her father whenever she can. Although, following Raiden's transformation. She was terrified of what might would happen but was able to put aside her fear to help her family and friends. Now, feeling great empathy towards Raiden due to his plight, she willingly cast away any doubts she had towards Raiden and in a surprising act, offered her loyalty to him.

"*You're pretty cute when you growl y'know. Like a big puppy who just found his voice.*"
—Cassiel Kodama

Mr. Red Eyes
"*I am your demon never leaving..*"
—Mr. Red Eyes

Someone who has been tainting Raiden's mind since his encounter with Ianus Salvador. Mr. Red Eyes, as Raiden has aptly named him has only ever appeared in his dreams, a towering figure of darkness with gems for eyes. Mr. Red Eyes serves as a great base of fear for Raiden, so much so that he would at times abstain from sleep so that he would not come face to face with the apparition. Due to the nature of this fear, Raiden has refused to inform any of his closest comrades of the existence of these reoccurring night terrors yet Ianus has acknowledged a presence clouding him at times.

Oddly enough, Mr. Red Eyes never serves as an antagonistic force to Raiden; far from it. Instead, Mr. Red Eyes has at times attempted to offer Raiden sage advice, even if it may seem grossly out of place and even immoral, even going as far as to cause Raiden to subconsciously reference things Mr. Red Eyes has said.

After the Festival of Spring. Raiden's mental state plummeted, regarding the betrayal of Gorald Jirvi, Nuno Dias, and Issei Kodama combined with the trauma of Shō Long's near death. It was due to this trauma that he triggered a transformation into something else entirely. Given that the nature of this transformation was extremely taxing on his body, Raiden was left "comatose" for a brief time following his transformation. In his unconscious state, he "dreamed" memories of a far away place as if they were his own.

Following him regaining conscious, Raiden expressed extreme pain inside his head and complained of high-pitched noises and hallucinations. He was then informed by both Haru and Issei Kodama, that following his transformation; he does not have much long to live. In truth, Raiden had **died** after his transformation. Although his regenerative powers saved him from the cusp of death, it came with complications. Due to Raiden's unique physiology, he may regenerate even the most extreme of wounds, yet it would seem this transformation has turned his regenerative powers into figuratively a bomb with a lit fuse, the "memories" of someone else are overwriting Raiden's own consciousness, gradually taking over his body until one day he would simply be "gone". As his regenerative powers are tied directly to his physiology, it is as if Raiden's own brain cells see themselves as a tumor and are excising them from his body.