HERO x HERO
Part 2: The Grand Tour
Somehow, someway, Alex wakes up in an archipelago unlike anything in Tera. Somehow, he’s been taken to the long-lost Alta Islands: a kingdom of disconnected islands, linked only by the wind holding them up, and the various airships and paragliders that sail said wind.
He doesn’t know how he’s made it here, but with no sense of direction, and no idea what he’s doing, he has no choice but to put his trust in the mysterious nomad who saved him from the violent seas: Nora Captio.
Despite the odds against them, and the cascade of threats including monsters, pirates and a revived war hero, Alex and Nora face the upcoming adventure with excitement, curiosity and bravery.
HEROES
Alex Smith
A gentle blacksmith, with big dreams of becoming a knight. He hasn’t the heart to hurt anyone, n’or the strength to do so, but he will risk his life time and time again to protect those he loves. His confidence has skyrocketed after helping save Tera, and he has nothing but excitement for the journey ahead alongside his new companions. He doesn’t know why he’s in the Alta Islands, n’or how to get back, but he knows that with his friends by his side, this second quest’ll be a breeze.
Nora Captio
A mysterious Altanian nomad, camping out on the Cloud Sea. When she rescues Alex from the Cloud Sea, curiosity captures her heart, and she agrees to teach him how to fly, only if he teaches her how to fight. Despite her relative inexperience, Nora has an astonishing ability to learn things quickly, and to keep a cool head when things go south.
Tulip ‘Fay’ Fable
A strange half-Faerie girl from Faritael Island. Fay, unlike most Faerie, is completely powerless in every way. Despite that, she has an adventurer’s heart, and a brilliant mind. She’s no scholar, but her lateral thinking leads to plan after plan that no-one would ever expect to work, and yet work it does. Stress does get to her though, so she sometimes leaves the group to find somewhere to ‘reset’, usually an interesting kinetic display.
Maya Blender
A thousand-year-old ghost girl from the ARMOR War. For centuries, she’s maintained an old library on Koraia Island, but Alex and his friends convince her to leave the darkness and see the world again.
Despite her lack of a pulse, Maya is quite warm and friendly. She’s ‘had centuries to get over it’ of course, but she never answers straight when asked how she died. Even if she can’t touch a thing, Maya’s knowledge on monsters and magic makes her an invaluable companion.
Ezri Fisher
An eight-year-old Teran boy from a remote fishing village. He came to Alta with Alex and Garrison to find something important, a mission only made possible with his incredible ‘seeing’ ability. If he can picture something in his mind, he can find it, no matter what.
Despite his age however, Ezri is anything but good. He’s only on this journey for the paycheck he’ll earn for his family to pull them out of poverty. His survival instincts do him well, but his startling maturity regarding the mission is a big source of concern for everyone else.
Luka Cobalt
The Collector’s Champion, the dreaded Okami brawler at Valhlat’s side… at least, that’s what he was before the Captain betrayed him in spectacular fashion. Now without a ship, belongings or family, Luka reluctantly turns to Alex’s crew for help.
Despite their deadly duel earlier, Luka is surprisingly chill. He’s gruff, rude and grumpy, but never outright hostile… and an unexpected friendship with Ezri begins to bring out the best in him… but can he truly be trusted?
VILLAINS
Captain Garrison
The new hero of Tera, famed for his incredible strength, his unbelievable tenacity… and his astonishing insensitivity. He has all the makings of a warrior, and power that earned him an obvious spot as the captain of the Blue Arms… but he is certainly lacking in the actual ‘hero’ department, as shown when he and the Arms turn on Alex, and begin to hunt down Nora in the belief that capturing and imprisoning her will allow them all to go home.
Planc
Captain Valhlat’s left hand lady, a ruthless candy-haired gunslinger who stops at nothing to achieve her goals.
Planc’s friendship with Luka brings her to great odds with the Captain after his betrayal, as does his increasingly blind affection for her newfound rival from Tera…
Featha
A rude, snooty thief who’s been living her best life since the Battle of Tera Castle. Thanks to her knowledge on Tera, Featha has flied up the Collector ranks, all the way up to Valhlat’s side as his right hand lady.
Despite her skills, her lack of camaraderie, her ruthless nature and her intolerance for ‘pirateisms’ makes her unpopular among the crew… but they’re all too terrified to oppose her.
Captain Valhlat
The dreaded captain of the Collectors, the scourge of the Cloud Sea, the self-proclaimed King of Alta.
Captain Valhlat sits tall as the unrivalled king of crime on the skybound seas, thanks in part to his gigantic fleet as well as his immensely powerful champion, Luka. His nasty nature and love for torture places him firmly atop Alex and Nora’s ‘to defeat’ list.
Helias Rael
A legendary war hero from the ARMOR War, revived from the Spirit possessing Lily. With his body and full power returned, Helias is dead-set on finishing the war he gave his life to end, no matter the cost.
His power is beyond anything Alex has ever seen before, but despite that, the team push onwards to end this soldier’s fight, for the sake of both their worlds.
“I wish I had more to say, but this is really gonna take a while…”
Credits
Myself: Most of the story.
NinjaBash, ‘Miles’, ‘Simeon’: Many key story details.