Hersey's story

Lisa, Lisa...

Hersey? ...Is that an illusion?

It's only been a day since we parted. I've already started to miss her again... I guess this is so-called love.

Don't worry, I'll surprise her on today's anniversary! What will her reaction be when she sees the cake I made..?

She must be happy, at least not...

Take good care of yourself and stay alive...

Sad..? Hersey? Is that Hersey's voice...

Don't resist the world, even if I'm not here... At least it once brought you love, right..?

Hersey? Where are you?!

This is..? Hersey!!! Are you OK?

"Lisa... You're actually wearing my clothes... I just wanted to tease you... But... You look nice..."

Stop talking! How did you get injured so badly? Was it these monsters? Did these monsters hurt you!!!

Roar---

Damn it..!

Poor man... Do you want to protect your beloved? Let me empower you...

The resonance with the Lens... Disappeared. Lisa, did you inherit its power?

Hersey! I don't know... I just heard a voice talking to me, and then...

Yeah? My Lens, is dangerous... But if you are the successor... It seems that everything is destined...

Lisa, listen to me. This is my real job... I never told you... Fighting monsters in another world to protect the world... Protect my beloved...

Don't be sad... I have long been aware that death is the fate of soldiers... It's just...

I was too selfish... I shouldn't have fallen in love with you, nor should I have let you love me so much... The last thing I want to see is you being sad...

Hersey... You're gonna be okay, you're gonna be okay!

Lisa... I love you... Sorry...

No, no... The demands you said are the only thing I can do for you. It's sweet, and is what I'm willing to do... So please don't say sorry...

That's the last word I want to hear from you... Hersey!

Is that here?

Yes, boss, the lover of Leader Hersey, Lisa, has become the Nightmare Hunter ever since she inherited Leader Hersey's Lens.

According to the investigation, this is the last place where she appeared. In terms of her ability, she's even more powerful than Leader Hersey!

I feel sorry about what happened to Leader...

Don't be sad, Loro. As a Radiant, you must learn to face things like this. I hope we can find her, so that she can inherit Leader Hersey's will and become one of us.

Swoosh--

What's that noise? Is there a fight ahead?!

Look, boss! That's... Leader Hersey?!

That person is... A bit taller than Leader Hersey... Right? Is that..?

Let's talk about that later. Shanti, Loro, let's go offer some help!

Radiants? Hmph, mind your own business.

Is that here?

Swoosh--

Arrrrrrrgh!!!

You... Just killed it? It may have had some clues! You...

If you kill them all, no more incidents will occur.

I don't want to judge you, but since you've had this thought, join SEED. We're the most historical and powerful organization in the Dream. We will investigate Nightmare incidents and inspect the Dream regularly. Let's fight against Nightmares together!

SEED..? No, thanks.

Why? You must be Lisa, right? Leader Hersey's lover. Don't you want to inherit her will and join the group where she used to work?

So where were you when she died?

Well... We had different quests at that time...

I don't want to save the world, I don't want to be loyal to anyone. All I want is to do something for her. Even if it's just meaningless revenge...

Lisa... We're all very sorry about Leader Hersey...

You don't need to say anything.

Also, my name isn't Lisa anymore. My name is Hersey.

Detective, you have to help me. People from SEED have come to investigate the missing girl many times in Liberos. It's clear that this incident has nothing to do with us.

I know the name of Liberos is quite unique, they shouldn't suspect us because of it, right? They're clearly targeting us...

Don't you know why SEED is targeting Liberos? This joke isn't funny, Miss Yuffie.

I just wanted to liven things up a little bit. Detective, you're too serious.

There must be more than one Nightmare Lord involved in such a large-scale case. But recently, the frequency of incidents has suddenly slowed down.

My guess is that there is someone else who is solving the incidents in the Dream. It's probably the legendary Nightmare Hunter. Do you want to confirm it for yourself, Yuffie?

So... You can find where this Nightmare Hunter is?

To be precise, I'm only able to figure out where the next case is likely to happen.

Do people nowadays like to meddle a lot?

Tut, you think you can get information from me by dressing up like that? Is that all SEED has got?

Dressing up like that? Ahhhh! Have you misunderstood beauty, ma'am?

Moreover, I have nothing to do with that hypocritical organization! But you... The legendary Nightmare Hunter, you are not how I expected... Just.... Because you miss her so much, you have to become her?

You..!?

After such a long time, you are still wearing her clothes. And you'll keep killing Nightmares and refusing SEED's invitation..?

Are you doing this for revenge? In memory of her..? Or afraid that you'll forget the pain, and forget her?

What are you talking about?

Oh, why are children nowadays so unstable, and so easily angered?

I don't mean to encroach on your privacy, it's just... I know the pain of losing the one you love...

It's like the whole world has lost its color. You wanna try your best to remove the marks your lover left on your heart. But time goes by, which is the cruelest thing... It will remind you that no matter how you try to escape, you will eventually be far away from him...

So... What should I do... What else can I do for her..?

I can't even follow her. I have to stay alive for her. But how do I face the world without her alone..?

In the impermanent Dream, good things in people's hearts are too easily taken away. Everyone should have the chance to be happy. Since we want to live, we must do something...

You also want me to protect the world? For what? What does the happiness of others have to do with me?!

But the world brought you love...

It also brought me despair! You experienced the same, did you not?!

Yes, I also experienced that. A vow and a promise for life, while pain was all that remained... Ironically, I paid a huge price to bring him back to life... But now, I can't even remember his face...

Don't do what I did, and don't... Let more people experience the pain you and I are suffering from, OK?

...You're here just to convince me.

It was spontaneous. You really are like the young me...

Ah, so? Such a powerful person like yourself, will you help me who's in the same boat?

"Liberos"? I'll think about it...

Well done, Hersey! I even want to sketch your heroic look right now and send it to a magazine! Ahhhh, there can be new content!

You talk too much. Hersey won't care about magazines that you read. I know what you are planning!

The quest is complete. Go back now.

Hahaha, still so indifferent. But I like this kind of personality!

It's a surprise to see Hersey. She always used to work on her own, but she agreed to join us on a quest this time. Can I interview you, Miss Hersey?

...Can't you read people's minds already, Miss Rikia?

But I still want to hear it from you!

...Yuffie said the operation could be dangerous.

So you don't believe that we are capable of doing this? You're making me angry.

...No, no.

Hahaha, a powerful person like you can still be unexpectedly silly sometimes. You are cute, Hersey.

Alright, you're actually worried about us, aren't you? We're flattered.

You don't have to be alone all the time, Hersey. We'll work and play together more in the future!

...

OK.

This is the first time I've seen you after the City of Fog incident. I hope we can work well together.

My pleasure, Miss Knight.

Wow, I didn't know you speak like that! By the way, why did Yuffie ask our team to investigate this special Lens incident with you?

Well, because I have a criminal record.

You really don't defend yourself at all, Hersey.

Come on, Saya. We all know that the last incident was caused by the special Lens. No one will blame Hersey.

No, it was me...

It's coming! This is not the time to be sorry. Be alert! The special Lens can bewitch people's minds and exacerbate their desires...

Don't take this lightly, everyone!

Follow me, protect the princess with the Knight!

???

From what I know about women now, your so-called princess may prefer to fight with the Knight.

Eh..? Ah, that could be right...

Thank you so much. I'm sober now!

Ahhhhh, another round! The Great Hero Nina never admits defeat!!!

You'd better... Finish your homework first?

Eh..? ...Eh?! Why do you have to mention that right now?

What should I do... Everyone's in an illusion... If only I could be stronger...

You are excellent already, Miss Saya. The Leader should think the same way.

What! Leader?

Awesome! The illusions are gone! Well done, Hersey!

That's impossible! Hersey of Liberos should've been the most likely to fall into the illusion among the Radiants!!!

Is that strange? I was the first to wake up... Because I'm used to the illusion of losing my lover...

Let me go! I really don't have any special Lenses. I'm just a nobody who can create illusions!

You are too afraid of death. Have some self-respect, you're a Nightmare Lord! Don't force me to look down on you!

(I think it should be investigated, Hersey is the famous Nightmare Hunter. If we want to erase it, I heard that...)

Take him back to Liberos. Miss Rikia should be able to tell whether the Nightmare Lord is telling the truth.

Eh? ...Hersey, you really have changed.

Is that... A bad thing?

No, it's a great honor to witness your change. Congratulations.

Thank you, Miss Knight. I have to leave to contact Yuffie and Miss Rikia. I'll see you later.

Everybody's happy for you, Lisa. Even I was surprised that I could slay 'my' phantom in the illusion so decisively.

I'm very used to it, my dear. It's easy to tell, and...

Isn't the real you... Always with me, Hersey?