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WARNING! |
The Torch, also known as The Torch of Great Evil, is an ancient Shard of tremendous power that grants its user with equal abilities.
Description[]
The Torch, in its early depictions, appeared as a literal torch of impressive size.[1] However, in its true form, the Shard is a creature or entity composed of vast, plant-like vines and a single, enormous, eerie eye.[2]
While the eye was initially believed to be its only appendage, it has also demonstrated the ability to form large, venus flytrap-like mouths.[3] It remains unclear whether the entity possesses true sentience, but it has shown signs of a survival-driven instinct such as abandoning a host on the verge of death in order to infest another.[4]
Abilities[]
The Torch's Abilities.
The Torch, in the simplest terms, initially grants its host an immense amount of EST, which accumulates within their body much like a growing "fire". Over time, the host becomes accustomed to this near-infinite supply, with one such individual leveling and annihilating an entire District during their first display of combative power. However, a critical point eventually arrives when the host channels an overwhelming amount of EST to either enhance their own Gift or empower an ally's. At this stage, the host's body begins to break down due to the excessive energy, or they lose control of their Gifts, which will result in a gruesome and catastrophic death.
If the host is a regular human, the Shard will bestow them with superhuman abilities comparable to those of Gift Users, such as enhanced strength, speed, and other capabilities often surpassing them in nearly every aspect.
History[]
The exact origins of The Torch aren't fully known, but the Shard was once worshipped and revered according to ancient murals of individuals that saw it as a "miracle".
Era of Nera[]
The beginning of the Era of Nera.
Over a century ago, the world seemed to have begun to adjust to the new Era of the Lords that had developed in the aftermath of a long period of chaos. However, a young man whose life had been marked by tragedy and despair would rediscover the ancient Shard in a forgotten ruin while exploring.
The Torch entity.
Upon finding the Shard, the young man became the first recorded holder of the ancient object as the Shard fused with his body. With the Shard's power in his grasp, he used it to devastate the surrounding lands, founding a new dominion he named Nera, meaning "Torch" in the Ancient Language.
As the new king of this nation, he became known as "The King of Nera" and waged a campaign of conquest against the nearby Districts. The District Lords, too slow to react, found themselves powerless against him. By the time they took notice of his growing threat, the king had already become too powerful for them to challenge. Only the Elders, with their immense strength, had the ability to stop him, but they chose to ignore him and his ambitions. Through his actions, the world came to know about The Torch and its destructive abilities.[5]
War of Inheritance[]
However, no power lasts forever. The king's body began to fail as it could no longer withstand the overwhelming force of the Torch. Realizing that his life was nearing its end, he summoned a group of his most talented and loyal followers those whom he had either abducted as children or led astray, as well as those who had proven themselves as exceptional warriors.
The King making the proposition to his followers
The king, aware of his diminishing time, made a final proposition to his followers: Whoever that conquers the greatest number of districts until I stop breathing...Shall inherit my throne and all I have. Thus, the War of Inheritance began, a brutal series of campaigns against the Districts and their lords.
Islotta Rainfall[]
Towards the end of the war amongst the hundreds of his would-be successors, there was one that stood out as the best - Islotta Rainfall, the powerful master swordswoman. Aside from the Nera king, she was another host to The Torch but it is unknown how she gained her connection.
Envious of Islotta's popularity and compassion, the King despised her for the kindness she showed to her enemies. Driven by his desire to burn the world to the ground and his own bitter envy, he ordered his armies to hunt her down on a night of a full moon. But in an unexpected twist, it was Chain, her husband, who ended her life, killing her in an act of mercy.
Passing of The Torch and Shattering[]
The king lived on for quite some time before his body succumbed to the side effects of the Torch, and he passed away not long after, though his legacy did not fade. His successor, Engen, had emerged victorious in the War of Inheritance and was crowned the second king of Nera.
Three days after assuming the throne as Engen was preparing to inherit The Torch, a mysterious woman known as The Steel Witch appeared in Nera. She effortlessly killed everyone in the area and shattered The Torch into twelve fragments.[6] These fragments would spread out across the world and came into the possession of many individuals.
The Age of Villains and Heroes[]
Centuries into the Age of Heroes and Villains, one of the fragments came into the custody of the Hero Clan and it ended up in the hands of a particular scientist who conducted research into the ancient Shard.
This scientist would take in an abandoned little girl and subject her to years of brutal experimentation, renaming her Nenya which meant "sacrifice" in the Ancient Language. While the exact reason remains unknown, he implanted her with the fragment.[7]
The Torch's current vessels.
Aside from that fragment, Senshu, an assassin of the clan and agent of their Black Hand began searching for the other fragments of the Torch. Additionally, the scientist started collaborating with her. Together, they managed to acquire more fragments of The Torch. While Senshu sought additional fragments to increase her power, the scientist continued the research. His experiments eventually led to a groundbreaking discovery, a successful method in transplanting the fragments.
He found that a subject did not necessarily need to die outright for the ancient Shard to activate. Instead, they only needed to be on the brink of death, which would trigger the fragment’s movement within the body.[8] The fragments that two couldn't acquire would find other vessels and hosts.
Story[]
The Torch Arc[]
Due to the rumored power about it the Villains search for it in and launch attacks against the Hero Clan.
Nostra City Arc[]
Assault on Castle Gray Arc[]
War of Disbandment Arc[]
List of Known Holders[]
Former[]
Trivia[]
- The Torch could possibly be a form of parasite.
References[]
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 77
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 100
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 182
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 159
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 111
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 143
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 85
- ↑ Hero Killer Episode 182
[]
| Shards | |
|---|---|
| Weapons | Ashiyak • The Answerer • Chaser's Axe • Demonic Gust Slash • Ijincheon's Knife • Sword Purgatory • Red Sword • One Hundred-Sided Blade • |
| Items | Chain's Ring • Angirium Vipaas |
| Human Shards | The King of Nera • Islotta Rainfall • Nenya • Jintae Yang • Senshu |
| Ancient | The Torch • Tower of Milen Kula |