Berserk: The Wraith Of Fate

The story is taking place in an alternative timeline of "Berserk" manga. --- The universe is a macrocosmic trinity comprising three fundamental realms of existence: the Physical World, the Astral World, and the Ideal World. Following the Great Wave of the Astral World, the universe has returned to an ancient state whereby the physical and astral realms are largely intermingled in a single realm known as Fantasia. 1. The Physical World - is the realm in which humanity has always predominantly resided. In ancient times, the Physical World and Astral World were largely intermingled, though they would come to be almost completely independent from one another at some unknown point. Since the point of their separation, there has only been a fringe connection between the two realms in the form of the Interstice. Griffith's Incarnation Ceremony kickstarts the overlap of the Astral and Physical worlds. Following the Great Wave of the Astral World, the layers overlap further, giving birth to the global Interstice of Fantasia; with astral beings roaming the Physical World as living creatures of myth; 2. The Astral World is home to numerous creatures of legend on its surface layers, as well as profound forces of nature near its deeper strata. It is multi-layered, beginning at a shallow layer, in which creatures of legend reside, and expanding downward into the depths of primordial forces. Its vast extent comprises many regions, each with its own characteristic atmosphere. Shallow Layer - the Interstice where the realm intermingles with the Physical World, allowing a number of astral creatures to take form in the world of man. As a result of this close connection to the material plane, it bears a similar scenery to corporeality, deriving its shape primarily from ethereal bodies of the Physical World. It is inhabitated by beings such as trolls, ogres, elves and spirits of the dead. These beings were originally inhabitants of the mental world of humans, such as dreams and fantasies. Qliphoth - The Qliphoth is a region of darkness in the Astral World that is home to spiritual creatures with a particular Odic affinity for darkness. Such residents of this region include trolls and ogres. Divine Domain - As the Astral World expands downward, the landscape becomes markedly different from that of the Interstice, unimaginable in comparison. In this deep layer, there exist ethereal beings so profound and dissimilar from most others as to be considered divine. Such beings include angels, demons, and gods of polytheism. Abyss - The Vortex of Souls is the surface of the Astral World's abyssal layer — a swirl of collective consciousness and evil. The Abyss beyond the Vortex, what some might call Hell, is the deepest known layer of the Astral World. Most entities, clad in the ethereal body called ego, are unable to traverse this deep without losing their individuality. Road of Elves - A "road of elves" is any benign passage into the Astral World's superficial layers. On occasions such as a full moon night, when the presence of magic is most manifest,these roads open, connecting the astral to the physical. Elfin roads allow humans to perceive shallow astral strata and are known for being the means by which children trek into spirit tree forests. Road of Dragons - A "road of dragons" is a passage linking the Astral World's deepest layers to the Physical World. An example of a dragon's road is a beherit and its ability to create interdimensional spaces, through which the God Hand can manifest from the depths of the Astral World to conduct sacrificial ceremonies. --- God hand - The God Hand is a quinquevirate of demonkind sovereigns who act as executors of the Idea of Evil's will, by virtue of their desires being intrinsic to the entity. They reign over apostles as masters, and are responsible for facilitating the demonic reincarnation of beherit bearers during sacrificial ceremonies. They have orchestrated many significant events that have largely affected the course of humanity and the state of the universe. Each member of the God Hand was once human and is a previous owner of the Crimson Beherit, which distinguished them as individuals destined to be reborn as the demon sovereigns they serve as. In 216 year increments, they each attained their proper forms during the festival known as the Eclipse. --- Behelith - Beherits are created in the Abyss as "droplets of ideas that have spilled from [that] sea to eternity". The fate associated with a beherit "rests in the hands of its master who sent it". A beherit belongs to a specific owner and, regardless of circumstances, will always find its way to them when the owner's desire is great enough. Spatial separation between the individual and the beherit does not matter. A beherit resembles an egg, covered with human facial features arrayed across its surface, giving it a rather disconcerting appearance. While seemingly inanimate most times, occasionally, one of a beherit's eyes may open and stare at an observer. Furthermore, when mishandled, a beherit may give off notable expressions of discomfort. Upon activation, a beherit rearranges its facial features, forming a distressed face that sheds tears of blood and emits a low scream before creating an interdimensional space. Beherits will also shake and rearrange their features in resonance with a sudden influx of great evil power. Beherits are not rendered null after activation. An owner's desperate desire for life may reactivate a beherit, summoning the God Hand again and permitting the owner to offer another sacrifice in exchange for new life. Crimson behelith - The Crimson Beherit, also known as the "Egg of the King", is said to grant one the world in exchange for the owner's flesh and blood, only falling into the hands of those bearing the requisite qualities to become a member of the God Hand. Once every 216 years, during the Eclipse, an owner of the Crimson Beherit is granted an audience with the God Hand. As preordained by causality, an owner will offer a precious sacrifice in exchange for being reborn as a member of the God Hand. It is unknown whether there exist several different crimson beherits or if the same beherit came to each of the God Hand members in turn. Eclipse - Only those possessing the Crimson Beherit can trigger the Eclipse. Apostles eagerly anticipate the Eclipse, traveling to the designated site of the "promised time" in advance, ominously awaiting the event at its predestined setting. Upon reaching a point of profound despair, the Crimson Beherit's owner activates it, manifesting an interdimensional space where the Eclipse takes place. The bearer is then given the choice of offering as sacrifice what is most precious to them in exchange for kinsmanship with the God Hand as a demon. The event's demonic conductors compel the invoker to realize their pre-ordained decision. With the utterance of "I sacrifice," the rebirth of the invoker as a God Hand member is initiated, and their sacrificial offerings are marked with the Brand of Sacrifice.