Aku the Samurai

《 Super H.E.R.O. 》

[ 𝑅𝒾 𝓁 𝑒𝓎 ]

---

---

_{H.E.R.O. One, Savior Island, Castleburg.}

---

Riley was not what one would call a morning person.

Waking up early was something he’d had enough of more than a decade ago. Schedules were for people with no say in their lives and he wasn’t one to keep any ever since he took his life into his own hands. Besides, sleeping in late was a luxury, and he intended to take full advantage of it whenever possible, even if his joints didn’t agree with him after the fact. Sure, it would have been more comfortable to actually sleep in his own room, but then he wouldn’t have been able to work on his projects as effectively. It was safer for everyone that he didn’t saturate the housing area with deadly radiation several times a day.

That would be counter-productive.

Unfortunately for Riley, machines cared very little for his personal misgivings.

A soft groan left his lips as he dragged his face away from his desk, blinking wearily at his beeping watch. He glared at the device, wishing he could turn it off with his mind.

If looks could kill, he would–

No, he could do that, but that would just be even more of a hassle. Destroying H.E.R.O. equipment was something he could only do so many times before it became more than just a nuisance. Instead, he simply turned it off, dropping his face unceremoniously back onto his desk to happily snooze the day away–

.... Ugh.

He only managed to ignore it for a few minutes more before eventually lifting his head once again to level a glare at his watch. His gaze dropped and he sighed, finally deciding to answer the alert.

“Alright, I get it.”

Right. He supposed it was time to be a hero.

With another sigh, Riley straightened his less-than-stellar posture, his joints cracking all the way. He was almost definitely going to regret his poor sleeping habits later, but that was a problem for future Riley. It was going to suck for him.

Onto less depressing thoughts; there were multiple reasons why the basement floor was better than his room, comfort notwithstanding. The most obvious was, of course, the far greater amount of space it afforded him. Less obviously, but just as important in his eyes, was the fact that his bike could also fit down there without having to be brought up several storeys. A fact that made it that much more convenient to take it out for a ride whenever the mood struck.

Today, however, the “mood” in question was a far more dire one than usual.

When Riley arrived at the scene of the incident, he had to pause for a moment. An image flashed before his eyes; of boiling flesh and screaming people burning in nu–

He averted his gaze for a moment and let out a shuddering sigh. That time was long over and dwelling on it wouldn’t help anyone now. Focusing on the now, he allowed his eyes to wander over the scene of destruction. Landslides were a destructive force of nature that were hard to predict at the best of times. Sometimes, that had consequences for those who were unfortunate enough to be living close by when one happened.

Riley took a look around at everyone else who had made their way to the area. There were only a few others at the moment, but time wasn’t exactly on their side. Never mind whether or not the survivors would last much longer underneath the rubble; they could never be completely sure that another landslide wouldn’t happen with how unstable the terrain had become after the first.

The homeless-looking hero had seemingly been the first person on the scene and had seen out beacons to find survivors. Magic really was helpful....

“Da. Copy that.”

After confirming that he’d heard the wizard’s words, Riley carefully made his way around the devasted area, searching for any sign of glowing coins. The place was covered in so much dirt and rubble that it was hard to believe there had once been houses there.

Stopping over a particularly large mound of rubble, he took another glance at the coin hovering above it. With a steadying breath, he crouched down and placed a bare palm on the ground. Dirt and stone crumbled beneath his touch, the spread accelerating over time until there was nothing left but dust, the best he could do without causing more harm than good.

Once the rubble was clear, Riley reached into the hole and pulled out an unconscious little girl, taking care to keep his fingers from touching her. He didn’t keep her for long, passing her off to a nearby firefighter as soon as he could. As he turned away to continue his rescue effort, he could hear a woman sobbing in relief behind him, muttering words of gratitude he intentionally tuned out.

Don’t think about it too much. Just rinse and repeat.

Regalia

_{[Location] Landow, Estren
[Time] Sunday, 6:30 AM
[Interactions] N/A}

---

---

Liza was wandering.

It was an opportunity she rarely had, busy as she usually was. Some envied her position, blissfully unaware of the workload it brought. She flowed between the waves of people gathering around the known Regalia, watching their interactions with a calm smile. The Festival of Lights was a grand event, filled with bustling crowds of people who came to meet them with all sorts of intentions. Her eyes drifted to the scene of a couple begging the Regalia of Ultima for healing.... some were more desperate than others, it seemed. They were rejected, of course, as per the festival’s rules, though the Regalia sent them off rather warmly if one ignored the revulsion he displayed for the husband’s touch. It was doubtful, however, that anyone else was paying such close attention to the young man’s behaviour. It was nothing surprising.

Again, Liza wandered.

More and more Regalia were arriving, and thus the crowd grew ever more compact as most everyone clamoured for their attention, or at least to witness them in the flesh. She nimbly sidestepped any “attempts” to push her aside and put a bit of distance between herself and the rest, keeping away from the notice of the main crowd. The attention that the Regalia received proved once again her choice to remain separate from the others was the correct one to make. It was more of a detriment than anything else, even if she didn’t have a job that required some measure of secrecy. Such was the way of the–

Liza paused in her thoughts, raising a delicate hand to brush across her earring. She stepped further away from the rest of the crowd, moving closer to the outskirts of the festival.

“Hai?”

A voice came over from the earpiece, high-pitched and almost jittery with worry, “Usui-sama, where are you? Why aren’t you on your way back?”

Liza tilted her head to the side, her eyes scanning the crowd half-heartedly as she answered her junior, “Just taking a small stroll in Landow. Is something the matter, Shizu-chan?”

“No, I just–” Shizu cut herself off with a sigh, and Liza could just imagine the younger woman running a hand through her dishevelled red hair, as usual. It was a poor habit to foster if one that was rather tame, all things considered. Even still, the importance of decorum could not be understated, so it was a habit she would need to rid herself of nonetheless.

“You were worried.”

It wasn’t a question but merely a simple statement of fact. The sound of something crashing to the floor came over the earpiece and a muffled curse followed it. For a handful of seconds, only a soft shuffling could be heard, but even that stopped in short order.

“.... Shizu-chan?”

Liza’s smile dimmed slightly when nothing but silence answered her. How odd. Perhaps the line had gotten disconnected? No, the device was still on. The young woman on the other end just wasn’t saying anything anymore.

“.... did you say you were in Landow? I heard the Festival Lights is happening this time of year. I’ve never actually been to one though. How is it there?”

Changing the subject, I see. Very well.

The deflection was obvious, but Liza chose to simply go along with it. Embarrassing the poor girl any further wouldn’t lead to anything good now. That could wait until later when she was actually present and they were not separated by an entire continent.

“Hm, it is quite the spectacle, to be sure. Regalia from all over have gathered in celebration of a shared vanity.” Though her words were somewhat disdainful, her expression was anything but. Liza watched the people bustling about the Regalia and their Dominants’ shrines, some more so than others, with a faint smile. Ultima’s shrine in particular had two Regalia gathered around it, and another individual that wasn’t quite as standout, despite being the centre of their attentions. Over near the harbour, another three conversed amongst themselves. Interesting.

Shizu was a bit thrown off by the description and found herself cringing at her own inquiry. In all honesty, she truly should have expected such a response. Her next question was much in the same vein, though more directed, “Oh. Um, are you having fun, at least?”

Liza was quiet for a moment before giving a reply, “In a manner of speaking. I–”

Oh? What is this?

A sudden shift caught her attention and she tilted her head to the left as if listening for something. Whatever it was eventually led her gaze to the source of the disturbance. A woman with a painted face and a large sword slung across her back. She hadn’t been there when Liza was looking before. Another noteworthy Cetrite, though one not quite as tainted as the first.

“A stranger in a strange place. How.... interesting.”

“What was that?”

Liza’s smile widened ever so slightly, though Shizu couldn’t see it, “Just an observation.”

And then there was one.

Just Another Hero [Invite-Only]

Gauss

---

_{Location: Outside Le'Nombril Restau, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture}

---

It happened faster than he could even begin to react. Space twisted and everything around him changed, making him stumble in his steps.

His knee slammed onto the pavement, sending a jolt throughout his body and a gasp of surprise slipped from his lips. His Quirk kicked in quickly afterwards and redistributed the force in short order. Still, he could barely move, the sheer gravity of the villain’s power forcing him to a knee even as his Quirk tried to compensate. The scenery around him was one of utter devastation; ruined buildings and shattered streets as far as the eye could see. In the sky, a giant ball of flames fell, promising ever more destruction in its wake. Everyone was dealing with the pressure one way or another, but the biggest threat was only growing larger despite their best efforts.

There wasn’t enough time to move everyone, even if he had enough energy to do so in the first place. Fortunately, he didn’t have to come up with a solution just yet, since someone else did instead. Mei and Rin jumped into action and slowed the meteor, keeping it from getting bigger. It was still moving, but the most important thing was that now they had time to deal with its source, and that was exactly the plan his senior gave.

It was easier said than done, though. It wasn’t the best idea, but he didn’t have the luxury of coming up with anything else.

Gauss cracked his neck and stepped in front of his fellow heroes, facing Keyaru with an excited grin, “You heard our senpai. Don't hold back and hit me with everything you’ve got. I’m gonna make this big.”

@Danyel@Iamme@Dragon Arts@Digmata@Gerlando@BlackMaiden@The Man Emperor@Aku the Samurai@JrVader@Paingodsson@Letter Bee

Regalia

_{[Location] Near Arosa City, Estren
[Time] Saturday, 11:30 PM
[Interactions] N/A}

Tonight is the night.

Liza sat perfectly relaxed in the soft-cushioned chair in a lavishly furnished room, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The lights were off and a small pouch rested on her lap, packed with everything she needed for the night. Every inch of the room was covered, keeping every surface perfectly insulated from everything else. Her eyes were softly shut and her breathing was calm and measured as she waited patiently for the clock to strike twelve. It was a countdown to the final act, and all that was needed now was for the star of the show to take centre stage.

Three weeks she had been building up to this moment—three weeks of preparation, of cleaning up trash, of breaking cages, and of ensuring there was no room left for error. All that was left to do now was to wait. It was a pleasant feeling, being in complete control of something, if one that was remarkably fleeting at the best of times. Still as a statue, Liza waited without a hint of discontent, counting down the seconds until her mission was finally over.

And then it would be on to the next–

The clicking of a lock drew her attention away from her thoughts, and her eyes fluttered slightly, though she didn’t rise from her position. It was showtime. A minute or so passed before the door to the bedroom slid open and someone stepped in, his back turned towards her as he fiddled with something he was holding. He didn’t notice her yet, not that it would have changed anything.

“Are you well, Andersen-san? I understand the sea can be rough on the unprepared.”

The man started, dropping the bag held in his hands as he pressed himself to the door, his eyes trying futilely to find her in the pitch darkness of the room. With a soft smile, Liza reached over to turn on the lamb on the table. Her eyes opened slowly and she stared silently at him as he blinked the spots from his eyes. When his gaze finally landed on her still form, he sucked in a breath.

“Who–”

“Who am I?” she interrupted smoothly, unzipping the pouch in her lap and removing a syringe from its interior, “I suppose you could say.... I am a consequence of your actions.”

The man’s eyes darted to her hands as she removed the cap and placed her pouch to the side. His breathing quickened at the display and his muscles tensed.

“Do not worry. It is no less than you deserve,” Liza said gently, remaining seated, “And you will not feel a thing.”

Andersen immediately burst into motion the moment the words left her mouth, but she was faster. His hand was barely on the door’s handle before Liza appeared behind him, emptying the contents of the syringe into his neck with a single, precise movement.

Taking a few steps back, Liza watched him fall and then go still, “Apologies, Andersen-san. Fleeing would only make things worse.”

With a soft sigh and a gesture, the unconscious body rose into the air and moved behind her as she made her way over to the bed. She laid him across the mattress and reached into her pouch once again, then paused as she noticed something in his coat pocket. She hummed curiously and pulled out a flyer. Her eyes roamed over the print for a moment, and then neatly folded the paper before slipping it into her pocket. The Festival of Lights. It was still ongoing and Andersen had apparently been planning to go. Had, being the operative term here. It was convenient, then, that she had decided to do this now and not when he would have been surrounded by crowds as far as the eye could see. There was only a day left since she spent so much time preoccupied with other things, but it wasn’t too late yet. She still had another 24 hours to attend, if she so pleased.

.... It was a thought.

For now, though, she had a crime scene to clean.

---

_{[Location] Arosa City to Landow, Estren
[Time] Sunday, 04:30 AM}

In the end, Liza decided to attend the festival.

She didn’t do much on the way to Landow. She remained awake but relaxed, watching the scenery pass by from the car on its way out of Arosa City. It wasn’t a long drive by any means, so she wouldn’t have had much time to rest regardless. She had no intention of participating in any events while there, so she had simply entered the festival as a regular civilian. It was still mostly dark out when she arrived in Landow, the sun barely beginning to crest over the horizon, if even that. It was just as well; she preferred to blend in as much as she possibly could, and that was easier to do when the sun wasn’t up. However, trying too hard to seem unremarkable would just end up making her look out of place in a place like this.

To that end, she had chosen to dress nicely for the occasion. Disregarding her usual practical fashion, she had dressed in one of the more traditional attires of her homeland mixed with more common articles of clothing. Her nails were painted black and the barest hint of makeup adorned her features. Her hair was short enough that it didn’t require much work to style, and the only accessory she wore was a single earring with a ruby embedded within. A hint of nervousness would not be out of place for someone in her position attending an event of such magnitude for the first time. Such a response would not find its way through her countenance, however.

The ceremony began with the Regalia of Gaia, a young woman from Accadia. She dealt with the attention well, better than Liza herself would have. It was a.... unique feeling watching someone so similar to herself basking in the attention of thousands. Familiar and yet ever so different. She would never be in the limelight; it was her antithesis, and that was just fine by her. Fame was a curse.

Tradition was engraved in her being, so it was almost second nature for Liza to place an offering at Leviathan’s shrine, and then the others after that. She would have made one to her patron, but he was never much for public reverence. It was all so artificial, the way they made a show of it all. It was human nature to be greedy, to take a mile when given an inch. Cetra was a great example of that, though it wasn’t exactly something that concerned her. There were better things to have on her mind.

Liza gazed up at the sky with a tranquil smile as the sun began to rise.

“A beautiful sunrise for a beautiful day.”

Today was a celebration, after all. What was the worst that could happen?

Regalia

^{_{L i z a ' s s o u n d t r a c k}}

Liza Usui, A Poisoned Rose

_{P R E S E N C E}

---

Wise beyond her years, Liza is a polite, soft-spoken and non-confrontational individual without a speck of malice in her body. She never raises her voice or utters a curse regardless of anything and would never speak badly of anyone; not even behind their backs. Her thoughts, however, are another matter entirely. She doesn’t lie often, if ever, but her words are sometimes cryptic and give very little away for others to tell the difference and she hardly bothers to explain herself. As much as she can be peculiar, she holds herself and others to a certain standard and she makes no effort to hide her disapproval of those who fail to meet it, though it may not always be readily visible.

Despite her background, or lack thereof, Liza has little issue cooperating with people, but the opposite cannot be said to be quite as true. Though it could not be said that she is inefficient in her work, she offers little in the way of reprimand or assurances for those who’ve worked with her. Her overly polite yet paradoxically judgmental demeanour tends to put people off, to either no notice or care on her part. She is never uncivil nor antagonistic in her words or actions, and yet many who have met her would rather avoid her after the fact, seemingly against all logic. Often, she is described as less walking and more gliding, like a lizard on ice; quiet and imperceptible until someone notices her. Or, to be more accurate, until she allows it.

While Liza rarely goes out of her way to directly help individuals, preferring to deal with problems at their source, she has no issue with providing advice or even aid if requested. She never acts without considering the results of her actions, but she accepts without fuss that she simply cannot control the future regardless of her choices. Liza often stares at nothing, as if she is aware of something no one else can see; a sentiment more accurate than anyone knows. What she truly feels at any given moment remains something only she is privy to and her goals, as with her patron, are beyond your understanding.

Liza is gentle, but she is not kind.

_{C H R O N I C L E}

---

Before Liza became a Regalia, she was Nobody; a mystery in a city that crushed the hopes of those who dared to dream, and broke down and rebuilt the will of all who entered, just to shatter it like glass all over again. She was different, but not in a way anyone would be proud of. On the surface, Ochiwa was a brilliantly shining city in the ever-prosperous island nation of Tenshi. All its citizens were known to be kind and well-mannered and always welcomed outsiders with open arms. That, however, had deteriorated into a lie over time. A mere façade meant to hide the chaos festering beneath, sustaining itself on the destitute citizens who toiled ceaselessly with no end in sight while the rich indulged in the luxury wrought by their sins.

"Power does not corrupt. It merely strips corrupt men bare."

Liza held no sympathy in her heart for the poor struggling in the disgrace of a great city, no love for the wealthy few who profited off their labour and no regret for the actions she took that changed it for the better. For, while the elites of the city took advantage of its less fortunate citizens to make themselves richer, hiding beneath their masks of false charity, their true actions did not go unnoticed for long. And they were soon to learn that disregarding the law was not without consequence, and they were going to bear the full, unrelenting weight of their folly.

"They believe themselves untouchable. That they are above the law. Show them how wrong they are, my dear shadows."

As an agent of her country, Liza did things that would forever haunt the minds and hearts of most people. She was not like most people. People who knew her name were few and those who knew her face were fewer still, as was standard for those like her. Ochiwa became a different place almost overnight after the Kurai Lin passed through, delivering their judgement and sweeping away the corrupt like a hurricane. The citizens rejoiced for their restored freedom, but they would never know who saved them. Liza was a saviour of the city, but a hero to the people, she was not.

"A sharpened blade is meant only to kill. That is why they exist."

She was Kurai Lin. The keepers, overseers, judges, and executioners of Tenshi’s laws; guardians, in a sense. They were the ones who were sent to do the jobs no one else would. That was who she was, all she was. Until it wasn’t. The day her life changed forever was the day she left the place she once called home. No longer needed, she found herself lost, adrift in the sea of life with no direction. Her life had been simple before; she never had to question her purpose or whether what she was doing was right or wrong. Without anything to tether herself, she found herself unmoored and drifting directionless. That was when Gilgamesh came to her—a beacon of stability within her turbulent storm. Liza didn’t know why she was chosen then and still doesn't. Maybe it was curiosity, or perhaps it was simply pity, but the result was clear as day. Whatever the answer may be, she was forever grateful for her Dominant’s intervention.

After Liza became a Regalia, she was a nobody, because it was all she had ever known in life. The difference was that now, she had her own purpose, as well as the means to achieve it.

_{H O M E}

---

Tenshi is a temperate mountainous and heavily forested island nation with smatterings of volcanic activity mostly known for its mixture of ancient traditions and modern restyling, exquisite cuisine, and agriculture. Despite its modest size, Tenshi is quite technologically advanced, though its military is somewhat lacking compared to some others, aside from its powerful Navy. Though they are not the most welcoming of foreigners, they are a major supplier of produce that many mainland countries depend on. None of this is to say that the country is perfect, as it has its share of unsavoury factions, though its peacekeepers effectively enforce the law on most levels. When it comes to faith, Tenshi has a long history of worship for Gaia, the Earth Mother, though a fair few also reserve their religious fervour for Leviathan as well. The eastern and southernmost coast of the island sits on a major tectonic belt, making it prone to destructive earthquakes and tsunamis.

The people of Tenshi tend to value decency above all else, presenting a respectable attitude in all matters in which they are involved. Their language, the Japanese-adjacent Tenshin, is pleasantly smooth yet complex, with an important system of honorifics and many different dialects depending on location and education. The written form is separated into two syllabaries, partially based on an ancient language. While Tenshin is the main language used island-wide, due to the strict education standards upheld on Tenshi, a significant portion of the population is versed in at least two other languages, generally Common and/or Eshiyaos.

Though no longer an absolute monarchy, Tenshi still has a strictly defined social order. An emperor/empress is chosen and serves as head of government until either their death or abdication and the title is then passed down to the next in line. They have considerable authority on many matters in accordance with previously established constitutions, though their decisions are not necessarily final on any of those matters. The government rules based on tradition and stringent regulations and keeps watch on the corporations that operate within its borders, the most prominent of which is Monarch. The upper echelons of Tenshi possess a strong and long-held foothold in the country, but just as the laws are strictly upheld, so too are the rich and powerful to be kept in check.

At the top of the hierarchy sits the current ruler of Tenshi, Empress Kusanagi Usui, aided by her seven advisors. In recent years, a rise in political corruption and corporate crimes has led to the creation of a unique caste of individuals carefully selected and trained to uphold the laws and virtues of Tenshi by whatever means necessary. Its existence known only to a select few, the Kurai Lin is a covert group that answers only to the Empress’s court and operates with a higher authority than typical law enforcers.

The capital city of Tenshi; Kaihito, is a sprawling metropolis combining the best of two worlds; the ultramodern technological prowess of the present day and historic shrines of the past, as well as the Imperial Palace, a leftover from a bygone era. Surrounded on three sides by luscious woodland and mountainous terrain, including the country’s highest peak, Mount Aoji, the city is a metropolitan marvel of history and technology seamlessly blended in a show of wealth and prosperity. The steady march of progress is displayed nearly everywhere in the city through robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and other advanced technologies. Distribution and use of crystals are strictly, but fairly, regulated as a whole.

Outside of the cityscapes of Tenshi, the countryside is a vibrant and lush environment filled with rivers and lakes, wherein a major amount of agricultural production and trade occurs. It experiences great variance in its seasons, with bountiful springs, hot summers, pleasant autumns and heavy winters year round. Residents of the countryside tend to be less traditionally inclined, though they are still a generally pleasant crowd.

_{T R I V I A}

---

Likes:

• Structure
• Sour candy
• Trust

“Dislikes”:

• Disorder
• People who act without thinking

Miscellaneous:

• Liza is extremely adept at wetwork, though she claims to find it distasteful. Whether or not that’s true is up for debate.
• She is slightly short for a Tenshi native at 5’4, but her heels add three inches to her height, making her appear above average. She has considered making them higher, but she wouldn’t be able to keep her balance if they were taller.
• Liza is not an orphan but doesn't often mention her family.
• She is skilled in multiple martial arts disciplines, but her lack of physical strength has limited her options to ones that don’t rely on it. She compensates for her weakness quite well.
• She makes an excellent cook if one considers turning basic ingredients into poison an art form; she is used to it.
• One of her names is fake and the other is miswritten, though she never says which.
• Liza has a collection of knives and tools from every city she’s ever visited. Her collection is incredibly varied.
• Liza wears a choker to cover the tattoo that marks her as a Kurai Lin, even though no one would recognise it.

_{S O C I A L}

---

TBD.

Regalia

And there we go.

Liza Usui, A Poisoned Rose

^{_{L i z a ' s s o u n d t r a c k}}

‎

Lisabeth "Liza" Usui

_{P R E S E N C E}

---

Wise beyond her years, Liza is a polite, soft-spoken and non-confrontational individual without a speck of malice in her body. She never raises her voice or utters a curse regardless of anything and would never speak badly of anyone; not even behind their backs. Her thoughts, however, are another matter entirely. She doesn’t lie often, if ever, but her words are sometimes cryptic and give very little away for others to tell the difference and she hardly bothers to explain herself. As much as she can be peculiar, she holds herself and others to a certain standard and she makes no effort to hide her disapproval of those who fail to meet it, though it may not always be readily visible.

Despite her background, or lack thereof, Liza has little issue cooperating with people, but the opposite cannot be said to be true. Though it cannot be said that she is inefficient in her work, she offers little in the way of reprimand or assurances for those who’ve worked with her. Her overly polite yet paradoxically judgmental demeanour tends to put people off, to either no notice or care on her part. She is never antagonistic and yet most everyone who has met her would rather avoid her after the fact, seemingly against all logic. Often, she is described as less walking and more gliding, like a lizard on ice; quiet and unassuming until someone notices her. Or, to be more accurate, until she allows it.

While Liza rarely goes out of her to directly help individuals, she has no issue with providing advice or even aid if requested. She never acts without considering the results of her actions, but she accepts without fuss that she simply cannot control the future regardless of her choices. Liza often stares at nothing, as if she is aware of something no one else is; a sentiment more accurate than anyone knows. What she truly feels at any given moment remains something only she is privy to and her goals, as with her patron, are beyond your understanding.

Liza is gentle, but she is not kind.

_{C H R O N I C L E}

---

Before Liza became a Regalia, she was Nobody; a mystery in a city that crushed the hopes of those who dared to dream, and broke down and rebuilt the will of all who entered, just to shatter it like glass all over again. She was different, but not in a way anyone would be proud of. On the surface, Ochiwa was a brilliantly shining city in the ever-prosperous island nation of Tenshi. All its citizens were known to be kind and well-mannered and always welcomed outsiders with open arms. That, however, had deteriorated into a lie over time. A mere façade meant to hide the chaos festering beneath, sustaining itself on the destitute citizens who toiled ceaselessly with no end in sight while the rich indulged in the luxury wrought by their sins.

Liza was neither.

She held no sympathy in her heart for the poor struggling in the disgrace of a great city, no love for the wealthy few who profited off their labour and no regret for the actions she took that changed it for the better. For, while the elites of the city took advantage of its less fortunate citizens to make themselves richer, hiding beneath their masks of false charity, their true actions did not go unnoticed for long. And they were soon to learn that disregarding the law was not without consequence, and they were going to bear the full, unrelenting weight of their folly.

As an agent of her country, Liza did things that would forever haunt the minds and hearts of most people. She was not like most people. People who knew her name were few and those who knew her face were fewer still, as was standard for those like her. Ochiwa became a different place almost overnight after they passed through, delivering their judgement and sweeping away the corrupt like a hurricane. The citizens rejoiced for their restored freedom, but they would never know who saved them.

Liza was a saviour of the city, but a hero to the people, she was not.

She was Kurai Lin. The keepers, overseers, judges, and executioners of Tenshi’s laws; guardians of the people, in a sense. They were the ones who were sent to do the jobs no one else would. That was who she was, all she was. Until it wasn’t. The day her life changed forever was the day she left the place she once called home. No longer needed, she found herself lost, adrift in the sea of life with no direction. Her life had been simple before; she never had to question her purpose or whether what she was doing was right or wrong. Without anything to tether herself, she found herself unmoored and drifting directionless. That was when Gilgamesh came to her—a beacon of stability within her turbulent storm. Liza didn’t know why she was chosen then and still doesn't. Maybe it was curiosity, or perhaps it was simply pity, but the result was clear as day. Whatever the answer may be, she was forever grateful for her Dominant’s intervention.

After Liza became a Regalia, she was a nobody, because it was all she had ever known in life. The difference was that now, she had her own purpose, as well as the means to achieve it.

_{H O M E}

---

Tenshi is a temperate mountainous and heavily forested island nation with smatterings of volcanic activity mostly known for its mixture of ancient traditions and modern restyling, exquisite cuisine, and agriculture. Despite its modest size, Tenshi is quite technologically advanced, though its military is somewhat lacking compared to some others, aside from its powerful Navy. Though they are not the most welcoming of foreigners, they are a major supplier of produce that many mainland countries depend on. None of this is to say that the country is perfect, as it has its share of unsavoury factions, though its peacekeepers effectively enforce the law on most levels. When it comes to faith, Tenshi has a long history of worship for Gaia, though a fair few also reserve their religious fervour for Leviathan as well. The eastern and southernmost coast of the island sits on a major tectonic belt, making it prone to destructive earthquakes and tsunamis.

The people of Tenshi tend to value decency above all else, presenting a respectable attitude in all matters in which they are involved. Their language, the Japanese-adjacent Tenshin, is pleasantly smooth yet complex, with an important system of honorifics and many different dialects depending on location and education. The written form is separated into two syllabaries, partially based on an ancient language. While Tenshin is the main language used island-wide, due to the strict education standards upheld on Tenshi, a significant portion of the population is versed in at least two other languages, generally Common and/or Eshiyaos.

Though no longer an absolute monarchy, Tenshi still has a strictly defined social order. An emperor/empress is chosen and serves as head of government until either their death or abdication and the title is then passed down to the next in line. They have considerable authority on many matters in accordance with previously established constitutions, though their decisions are not necessarily final on any of those matters. The government rules based on tradition and stringent regulations and keeps watch on the corporations that operate within its borders, the most prominent of which is Monarch. The upper echelons of Tenshi possess a strong and long-held foothold in the country, but just as the laws are strictly upheld, so too are the rich and powerful to be kept in check.

At the top of the hierarchy sits the current ruler of Tenshi, Empress Kusanagi Usui, aided by her seven advisors. In more recent years, a rise in political corruption and corporate crimes has led to the creation of a unique caste of individuals carefully selected and trained to uphold the laws and virtues of Tenshi by whatever means necessary. Its existence known only to a select few, the Kurai Lin is a covert group that answers only to the Empress’s court and operates with a higher authority than typical law enforcers.

The capital city of Tenshi; Kaihito, is a sprawling metropolis combining the best of two worlds; the ultramodern technological prowess of the present day and historic shrines of the past, as well as the Imperial Palace, a leftover from a bygone era. Surrounded on three sides by luscious woodland and mountainous terrain, including the country’s highest peak, Mount Aoji, the city is a metropolitan marvel of history and technology seamlessly blended in a show of wealth and prosperity. The steady march of progress is displayed nearly everywhere in the city in the form of robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and other advanced technologies. Distribution and use of crystals are strictly, but fairly, regulated as a whole.

Outside of the cityscapes of Tenshi, the countryside is a vibrant and lush environment filled with rivers and lakes, wherein a major amount of agricultural production and trade takes place. It experiences great variance in its seasons, with bountiful springs, hot summers, pleasant autumns and heavy winters year round. Residents of the countryside tend to be less traditionally inclined, though they are still a generally pleasant crowd.

_{T R I V I A}

---

Likes:

• Structure
• Sour candy
• Trust

“Dislikes”:

• Disorder
• People who act without thinking

Miscellaneous:

• Liza is highly adept at wetwork, though she claims to find it distasteful. Whether or not that’s true is up for debate.
• She is slightly short for a Tenshi native at 5’4, but her heels add three inches to her height, making her appear a bit above average. She has considered making them higher, but she wouldn’t be able to keep her balance if they were any taller.
• Liza is not an orphan but she doesn't often mention her family.
• She is skilled in multiple martial arts disciplines, but her lack of physical strength has limited her options to ones that don’t rely on it. She compensates for her weakness quite well.
• One of her names is fake and the other is in the wrong order, though she never says which is which.
• Liza has a collection made up of knives from every city she’s ever visited. Her collection is incredibly varied.
• Liza wears a choker to cover the tattoo that marks her as a Kurai Lin.

_{S O C I A L}

---

TBD.

Regalia

Salutions. This looks like an interesting little story. I'm messing with an idea for Gilgamesh if no one's chosen that yet.

Fenix Tear [Invite | Ask Only]

Shinra Rudegarn

---

_{Location: Fortuna}

Stopping by the restaurant had been a blast, even if he’d had to pace himself to spare Rena’s wallet the extra strain, and he was as pumped as ever to start the quest. Weisz had explained the mission in further detail while they were eating, though Shinra only really listened to part of it. Most of what they spoke about went over his head, but the important bits stuck with him. That was more than enough.

Whatever the Krispy Klub Krew were up to, they’d stop them, finish the quest, get their reward and then call it a day.

At least, that had been the plan, but now, things weren’t exactly going the way they were supposed to. They’d made their way to Fortuna easily enough with their invitations and from there on, Shinra was happy to let Jaina take the lead since she was more knowledgeable than he was. And, yet, things had taken a misfortunate turn in no time at all.

He wasn’t sure when exactly, but something must have gone wrong somewhere along the line. Everything had been going well until suddenly it wasn’t.

The next thing he knew, he and Jaina were in cuffs and being dragged off to who knows where for apparently trespassing, and Rena was nowhere to be found. Things had happened way too fast for him to wrap his head around.

Shinra snapped out of his confused stupor with a shake of the head, then his brows furrowed, “Hey, what’s the big idea? We’re not intruders, we were–”

He found himself cut off as the men spoke over him, ignoring his words entirely. His shoulders slumped as they continued like he wasn’t even there, and he tugged on his cuffs listlessly. His ears perked up, however, when they mentioned having him and Jaina for dinner.

Shinra blinked.

.... Wait, were they serious?!

Shinra planted his feet to the ground, resisting the pull of the “We’re not gonna be anyone’s dinner!”

Shinra’s arms tensed and the chain linking the cuffs broke as he launched himself at the ceiling, landing in a crouch as his Ether Gear activated. He sent himself flying downwards with a light push off the inverted surface, a fist cocked back as he yelled–

“Magi-Mech Attack: Gravity Fist!”

His punch hit the bouncer holding his guildmate with tremendous force, breaking the floor and sending rubble flying every which way. Without a moment of hesitation, he grabbed Jaina around the waist and broke contact with the other vampires.

“Hold on tight!” Shinra called out as he jumped at a wall, smashing through it to leave the building, and the vampires, behind.

《 Super H.E.R.O. 》

[ 𝑅𝒾 𝓁 𝑒𝓎 ]

---

---

Lost in his thoughts as he was, Riley didn’t even bother looking up when Magician walked into the room, his voice nearly unbearably smug as he spoke. Whatever he was saying simply went in one ear and out the other. After a moment, there was a sound Riley didn’t recognise and then the man’s presence was gone.

Good riddance.

Dr. Reininger was next out but Riley was content to ignore everything and keep to himself for the moment. Wiseman was up next for the chopping block, which didn’t concern him. He had other things to–

All of a sudden, the lights went out and Riley perked up, his head leaving his arms to stare intently at the ceiling, eyes narrowed. He loosened his restraint and his vision splintered once again, seeing everything at its most base state. Something that he couldn’t quite get a grasp on caught his attention. Something that hadn’t been there before. His vision snapped back and he pressed a palm to his temple to soothe the dull ache behind his eyes.

How annoying.

The good doctor then tried to leave the room; emphasis on tried. Instead of the door opening as it should to let the doctor out, Dr. Reininger jerked suddenly and collapsed to the floor in a heap. Riley’s eyes followed her body as she fell heavily, nearly motionless as if hit by a thousand volts of electricity. No, not “as if”. She’d just been electrocuted by the door handle.

Was she dead?

The slight rise and fall of her chest answered his unasked question. So, not enough to kill anyone then. Riley wondered why that was. Surely, that would have been a far better way of ensuring whoever touched the door wouldn’t be an issue further down the line. Maybe they were simply more averse to killing than he was used to. Or, perhaps they simply couldn’t.

.... Regardless. With how things were shaping up, either ALISA was pulling a Skynet, or something else was at play here. Maybe even someone.

"Apologies for the intrusion. I simply need to keep you contained in order to prevent you from interfering with my plans. And also from escaping the range of the signal blocker. Please remain seated. Hey, but at least I got you out of therapy, right? That should count for something."

Were they.... talking to Wiseman? Was he their target? Did they not know who else was in here?

Not that it mattered; in the end, the result would be the same.

Riley’s eyes went back to the door as the man in question picked up the incapacitated doctor and placed her out of the way. The door was coursing with electricity—a measure to keep them trapped in the room, however long that would last. It wasn’t a terrible strategy by any means, but he’d seen better. Been involved in better, even. It was effective enough to get the job done, though.... well, not quite. For a moment his eyes were drawn to Wiseman's actions and his lips twitched as he watched the man escape out the side of the building.

So much for keeping him contained.

Briefly, he considered shifting to combat mode, but he dismissed the thought almost as soon as it came to mind. He’d wait until he actually met something he had to fight, even if it meant limiting his range. Even then, it was a coin flip as to whether it would even come to that.

Not that he needed it now.

It was easy to start the meltdown process as he approached the locked door. It was almost second nature at this point, with how often he found himself doing it. The electrified door served no obstacle in the face of his power, the metal deforming and melting before he even touched it. The electronics that made up the metal barrier shorted out and burnt up as its internal heat increased to extreme levels, and finally, Riley’s hand touched the door. His fingers sank through the molten metal like butter, and the rest of his body followed.

Now, all that was left was to find the people responsible.

“Where should I start?” Riley mused to himself.

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Sylva

Undead Smithy

---

Sylva used a few pieces of cloth to wrap a few of the rusted weapons together, making sure to leave just enough slack that they wouldn’t fall if he needed to run with them. He would have preferred to set up a few more precautions, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. He’d just have to settle with being able to defend himself with the sub-par weapons he had. When he was satisfied with his preparations, he looked up to see what the other two were doing.

Aw.

Sephily’s inability to lift the hammer was endearing, if a bit amusing to witness. Sylva couldn’t help but think of her that way, despite her words to be treated otherwise. It was just too much. Still, she definitely wouldn’t be very thrilled if she knew his thoughts on the matter so he wisely said nothing.

The small dagger she had was something at least. It was better than nothing and it fit her stature quite well, even if it wouldn’t be very damaging. Anyway, between Bianca’s hammer, and his small—less than stellar—arsenal, they had enough weaponry to hold their own against a few undead, if only just.

Wouldn’t help if the entire horde found them, though.

His ears twitched and he looked towards the direction from which the bell had been tolling. It was quiet now, leaving behind the deafening silence of an empty town, and the faint steps of feet on pavement. Well, there went that advantage. Now, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the undead found their way here, and he didn’t fancy waiting around for that to happen.

Sephily had the right idea. Staying here any longer wouldn’t yield anything of value, considering the state of the place. Their best bet was to get going before the undead came back.

“Right,” Sylva acknowledged, hefting a satchel of supplies over one shoulder to begin what would no doubt be a considerable trek, “That's enough zombies for one day. Let’s be on our way then.”

@VitaVitaAR @RolePlayerRoxas @PKMNB0Y