HERO x HERO
Part 5: The Dark World
The Cloud Sea is dying. They don’t know how, they don’t know why… but it’s dying.
For almost a millennium now, the mining colony of Onda has been stuck in the shadow of Altera, needlessly tortured and oppressed by it’s tyrannical ruler: the Iron Incursion. One day, Alex and Serena fall from the sky world, caught in a whirlpool on their way to discuss the Cloud Sea Crisis, ending up in the Dark World of Onda. With the help of a skittish fortune teller called Ambor, and the mysterious masked rogues known as the Masqueraiders, it’s up to these heroes to bridge the gap between land and sky, and lend Onda the support they desperately need to save the world one last time.
Yet, despite their confidence, the prophesised ‘Fall of Altera’ draws near, a cataclysmic disaster set to wipe out both worlds… unless Ruby Kabashima, fresh from the future, can prevent it with the knowledge he has. As the judgement day approaches, a new era begins to dawn all over the planet.
HEROES
Sir Alex Smith
The Hero of Tera, earning himself fame and fortune for dutifully protecting the kingdom for the last nine years. He’s since made official his relationship with his fiancée, Queen Serena IV, and brought all kinds of hope to Altera in the wake of Necron’s attack.
His strength wanes however, and the dawn of a new era approaches through the dark. Remaining firmly at Serena’s side, Alex prepares himself for one final fight for Altera, and for everything that lies beyond.
Queen Serena IV
Queen of Tera, Hero of Alta, and an all-around upstanding lady. The Cloud Sea Crisis had occupied most of her mind for the last few months, but the newly-discovered world of Onda, among other things, weigh on her consciousness like nothing else. The future draws near, and uncharacteristic uncertainty fills her mind. As the dawn of a new era approaches, Serena has to acknowledge what this means, and what she wants to become when the dust settles.
Ambor Asta
A skittish Ondan fortune teller that meets Alex by coincidence upon his arrival in the Dark World. Behind all of Ambor’s tricks, he holds an incredible secret: a power that torments and delights him all at once, and a power he’ll have to use to it’s fullest to fight back against Iyrrhon and the Iron Incursion.
‘King’ Fido
The mysterious hero of Onda, leading a ragtag resistance group against the Iron Incursion. No-one knows who he is, or where he came from, but he fights not just on behalf of all Ondans, but for all the Alterans up above as well. Despite the small size of his operation, Iyrrhon rages on about his inability to catch him and his Masqueraiders. With a full-on civil war inevitable, all eyes turn to Fido to see if he can step up, seize the throne of Onda, and free the nation from it’s decades of tyranny and oppression.
Ruby Kabashima
The prodigal prince to Hiyama, fresh from a one-year journey through time, making memories and finding himself. An impulse choice persuaded him to leave early, a decision he quickly comes to think about when G.V.N.R. rejects any chance at ‘redemption’, rendering his choice partially pointless… but no matter. He’ll just keep going as the hero he’s always been. The hero he’s always comfortable being.
The hero he’s always wanted to be… right?
Jade Willow
The 8th Sage of Altera, peacefully relived of her overwhelming duty, and retired to a happier life teaching the next generation of spellcasters at the Alteran Academy built on Citadel Island. Just when she thought she’s moved on from Ruby’s disappearance, the ninja’s return sends everything into chaos as Jade has to once again pick up her staff, and fight to her fullest one last time. This time however, with her friends by her side, and the world to share her burden, Jade Willow has never been stronger.
Tulip ‘Fay’ Fable
A strange half-Faerie girl from Faritael Island, now the 2nd Sage of Altera. The Cloud Sea Crisis has sent Altera into disarray, and Fay’s determined to find the cause. Ancient pirate legends point to a definite trail, but finding such a starting point would require some untrustworthy help. Regardless, Fay is ready to do her duty as a Sage for the sake of Altera, and for the friends she holds so dear.
Ezri Fisher
A seventeen-year-old Teran boy, well-versed in finding things with his unique ‘seeing’ power, and now adept in the art of combat. His total helplessness in the face of Necron inspired the boy to take up the spear, and with the Blue Arms as his tutors, Ezri has grown into a powerful spearfighter… as well as a budding postboy. He may be the ‘kid’ of the group, but he’s not a little boy anymore. Altera is his world, and he’s ready to put his life on the line to defend it.
Gary ‘Garrison’ Jack
The disgraced hero of Tera, famed for his incredible strength, his unbelievable tenacity… and his astonishing lies in the name of fame. He had all the makings of a legend, yet an attitude that cost him the love of the people… but when the world needed heroes most, Garrison stepped up, putting his life on the line to defeat Necron. Now back among his crew, albeit lower in the chain of command, it’s up to Garrison to join the charge into Onda… to save the world as the hero he always wanted to be.
Helias Rael
The infamous war hero from the ARMOR War, dead-set on atoning for the disaster he caused nine years ago, no matter the cost.
Ever since the Shadow War, Helias has enjoyed a solitary life with a new band of friends. For ages, it’s seemed his life is finally back in order… until Lily Carnelia comes back into it, looking for his expertise on tracking ARMORs. She’s the last person he ever wants to see, let alone team up with… but if he’s truly going to make up for everything he did, then he has no choice but to swallow his shame for now.
Lily Carnelia
The battle-hardened survivor of Astaroth’s Incursion, whose peaceful life with Kusaka has once again been turned upside down by the return of Ruby Kabashima, and the A.I. her girlfriend has just created. When Ruby’s fateful reunion goes awry, and G.V.N.R. runs away, Lily is forced to reconfront her worst nightmare in order to save the world. With determination, luck and a whole load of patience however, Lily might just provide the key G.V.N.R. was missing all those years in the future.
Kusaka Kabashima
The fearless Dynamo, the Empress of Hiyama, and the #1 leader in the field of ARMOR Research. Kusaka has had a lot of time since the Shadow War to reassess her self-view, and she’s mellowed out like never before. Despite that, nothing could’ve prepared her for the return of her long-lost brother, along with an A.I. he claims she created. G.V.N.R. presents an all new challenge to Kusaka, one she isn’t yet ready to face. With time running out however, Kusaka might have to revisit her dark past to draw out the good in the present.
G.V.N.R.
The Nanomorphite A.I. construct charged with overseeing Ruby’s return from the future, a task she carried out dutifully and efficiently with her ARMR Corps until it brought her head-to-head with the ninja, who defeated her and brought her home to the present.
Her reunion with her beloved Professor goes south when Kusaka lacks any of the answers the A.I. needs, and she storms off to rebuild her empire. Left unchecked, G.V.N.R. could threaten all of Altera… but with the Iron Incursion running rampant, who’s left to stop her?
VILLAINS
Private ‘Patch’
An ordinary man serving Onda to his best ability among the Iron Incursion. A recent incident has taken his right eye, leaving him with an eyepatch that’s earned him the nickname ‘Patch’. He may not have the power or rank he desires, but he’s determined to do the best he can in the name of Onda, to help crush any dangerous rebel forces threatening the integrity of the Dark World.
Captain Kanden
A powerful, battle-hungry Ondan warrior, obsessed with becoming the world’s strongest fighter. He doesn’t care how he does it, n’or what it makes him… he just wants to be the strongest. This obsession is what drove him up the Iron Incursion ranks, until he leads platoons with an electrified iron fist. He cares not for Iyrrhon’s goals, however. He just sees the operation as an opportunity to face stronger foes without any fear of them holding back.
Platina Asta
To be revealed…
Machine King Iyrrhon
The tyrannical ruler of Onda, a colossal beast more machine than man, appealing to all the lowlifes, misfits and villains of Onda. He’s been locked in a bloody war with King Fido and the Masqueraiders for years now, and despite it having brought him no closer to finding their secret base, Iyrrhon is determined to crush any and all competition beneath his ARMORed boots, so he may seize the world in peace.
“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.