HERO x HERO
Part 3: Shadow of Necron
Three years have passed since the fall of Dark Lord Astaroth. Tera has since recovered from the admittedly quite short ‘Age’ of Darkness. Since then, Alex has enjoyed a spot among the Teran Knights, earned through his bravery in Alta… as well as a place in Princess Serena’s heart. As the anniversary of Astaroth’s defeat draws near, all the kingdom’s knights are called back to Tera Castle for the festivities. Morale is high, and it all seems so tranquil…
Yet, across the continent, a disaster hurtles their way. Ruby and Jade had spent the last three years hunting down Astaroth’s main henchman, the evil wizard Necron. Their attempts to arrest the madman go awry however, and Necron successfully replicates Alex and Nora’s Dark Mana Ritual to grant himself unlimited power, power he uses to upgrade his mind-controlling Shadowmancy into a worldwide infection spreading from Tera Castle, corrupting everything inside into a slave to his will.
With the Shadow’s spread unstoppable, and Tera’s heroes falling like dominoes, Princess Serena IV leads her people in a desperate evacuation to the Alta Islands…
HEROES
Alex Smith
A gentle blacksmith, and a newly-minted Teran 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. He’s enjoyed a humble three years among the 21st Regiment, occasionally dipping out in private to see Serena. Necron’s return however has turned everything upside down, and like it or not, he’ll have to step forwards and become the hero the world needs.
Lily Carnelia
A brave mountain climber whose childhood friendship with Alex was cut short when a mysterious spirit awoken within her: a vengeful second identity that ruined the rest of her childhood. Despite that, she’s managed to return to a normal life within the beautiful city of Fuhai alongside her girlfriend, Kusaka. When Necron’s Shadow arrives however, she decides to take up arms and fight back against her nightmares however she can, to end this once and for all.
Ruby Kabashima
The prodigal prince to Hiyama, fresh from a three-year chase alongside Jade, hunting down Necron and his Shadow Cult. With the wizard’s Dark Mana powering him up however, Ruby’s Wind Magic will be pushed to it’s limit, as will his mental fortitude. As friends, family and worlds fall around him, Ruby will have to overcome the weight of this disaster, in the name of Altera.
Jade Willow
The Great Sage of Tera, displaying an incredible control over portals with her Space Magic. Despite her nature as the Dark Lord’s daughter, Tera has accepted Jade as it’s protector, a role that’s beginning to weigh down like a planet upon her shoulders. With the world depending on her success, it’s up to Jade to do everything to stop Necron… for everyone’s sakes.
Kusaka Kabashima
The rebellious princess of Hiyama, with a fierce passion for science and heroism. Now in full operation as the famous Dynamo, Kusaka’s finally got her life in order… or so she thought. Necron’s return turns out to be more personal than she thought, and at the most important moment, two words send her crashing to her doom. Despite everything, Kusaka must rise above her weakness, and overcome her trauma if Altera is to stand a chance against the monster.
Gorath Garnet
The legendary unbreakable hero of Tera, famed for his incredible strength, his unbelievable tenacity… and his delicious cottage pies.
Gorath has enjoyed a humble farm life in the desert, existing peacefully in his own little corner of the world, far away from the last twenty years of hell. Unfortunately, hell comes knocking once more, and it’s up to Gorath to show the next generation how it’s done.
Gary ‘Garrison’ Jack
The new hero of Tera, famed for his incredible strength, his unbelievable tenacity… and his astonishing alcoholism. 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 fails to save his friend, and fails to save the world. Now that the whole world knows the truth, Alex finds him drowning himself in ale. Can Garrison escape this spiralling depression? Can he still be a hero?
Princess Serena IV
The Princess of Tera, displaced along with her people to the Alta Islands. With an entire kingdom depending on her, Serena’s skills will be put to the test, and pushed past the limit, as a strategist, as a diplomat, and as a hero. Necron will make it to Alta, and they need to be ready before that happens. Can Serena unify the two nations? Will they even care?
Tulip ‘Fay’ Fable
A strange half-Faerie girl from Faritael Island, now in training to become the next Sage of Alta. Necron’s genocide takes Alta by complete surprise, and Fay finds her skills being put to the test sooner than anyone expected. Despite this, her optimism remains unwavering.
As armies rise and defences are constructed, it’s up to Fay and those like her to find every possible advantage against Necron, even going places they never thought they would. How far is Fay willing to go to ensure their victory?
Ezri Fisher
An eleven-year-old Teran boy from a remote fishing village. He came to Alta with Alex and Garrison to find Princess Serena, a mission only made possible with his incredible ‘seeing’ ability… but admittedly, he came back with something far more important.
Now, with Necron’s Shadow assimilating everything he holds dear, Ezri will have to grow up once more, be there for his friends, and be there for his family, no matter how scary it might get.
Helias Rael
The infamous war hero from the ARMOR War, dead-set on atoning for the disaster he caused three years ago, no matter the cost.
Despite his self-loathing, Helias finds an unexpected student in Alex Smith, hoping to learn the ways of magic. With Necron’s genocide imminent, Helias will have to decide if he’s ready to be the hero again, before it’s too late.
VILLAIN
Shadow Necron
With Dark Mana in his control, Necron has returned stronger than ever, and has begun coating the entire continent in his dark Shadow. His power stands beyond comprehension, far beyond any single team has the power to fight alone. He won’t stop until he assimilates everything. He won’t stop until he becomes all. He won’t stop. He can’t be stopped. He won’t be stopped. He will kill everything.
…that is, unless Tera and Alta can band together to stop him?
“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.