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The Archon | |
Race | Unknown |
Birthday | 8 August |
Age | 50+ (Physical) |
Gender | Male |
Height | 194 cm (6'4½") |
Weight | 88 kg (194 lb.) |
Blood Type | AB- |
Professional Status | |
---|---|
Affiliation | First Sky |
Position | The Archon |
Personal Status | |
Students | Muto Gekkō Kirameki |
Magical Focus | |
Magical Specialty | Gainendō |
Zanpakutō | |
Shikai | Hakujin Issen |
Bankai | Unknown |
First Appearance | |
Story Debut | Sinking Sun |
Roleplay Debut | Silent Night |
The Archon is an ancient spiritual being of unknown origin.
Appearance[]
The Archon is a very tall, olive-skinned man ostensibly in his early 50s. He is lean, and possesses an excellently toned physique. In fact, his body is very proportional, symmetrical, and imposing, like that of a remarkable statue rather than ordinary man. However, this noble visage conceals innate malice revealed only upon closer inspection, with an elusive firmness of features that is more intimidating and sinister than dignified.
His jet black hair with prominent grey highlights is long, styled in a high ponytail. The irides of his eyes are intense, sometimes gleaming scarlet in colour, and his pupils are somewhat slit-like in shape. Embedded in pitch black sclerae they evoke the image of lone stars suspended within an endless darkness. In general, the features of his face are handsome, but solemn and sharp, owing to prominent high cheekbones and an aquiline nose. Markedly, there are two long scars intersecting his countenance that cross in an almost perpendicular manner just below his right eye. The horizontal one terminates below the left eye, whereas the vertical one reaches all the way down to the right side of his lips, and up to his superciliary ridge. His thin eyebrows are straight.
Usually, he dons an ornate, trailing kimono not unlike an elegant variant of the modern Shinigami shihakushō. Nevertheless, the colour scheme is different, with royal purple kosode and hakama, and ghost white shitagi, hakama-himo, and tabi. In addition, he wears traditional zōri. The hems of his robes are adorned with black-and-white patterns that contain elaborate sun motifs. Last, but not least, there is a prominent black crest displayed on his back, a symbol of unknown importance.
Personality[]
First and foremost, the Archon is an aristocrat. As a man of inhuman power and elegance, he frequently behaves with an air of solemnity and pride that could be expected from a person of such qualities. Eloquent and august, his disposition is more like that of a character from a play rather than an actual person. A notable property that ties in with the less aristocratic aspects of his personality. Arrogant, he is sometimes rather abrasive to interact with in spite of his ostensible politeness. Amiable at first glance, patronising in truth, the scornful master of backhanded compliment, he recognises no equals. Everyone is but a child in his eyes, naive and short-sighted. Gullible.
After all, he is a wily person skilful at subtle manipulation. He readily exploits others to further his own agenda, whether they are the enemy, a neutral party, or even a supposed ally. He is extraordinarily driven, and an ambitious man no doubt, master of the long game. Cults, envoys, agents, assassins, everyone can play a role in furthering his plan. An intricate plan, a noble cause. However, the alleged goal of the First Sky as a whole is rather broad and open to interpretation, an ambiguity that the Archon deliberately fosters. For to unite disparate people in order to accomplish a purpose of his own requires a great deal of flexibility. Does he seek retribution against the Soul Society? Does he desire to become a supreme ruler? Does he strive to create a better world? That is all true, of course, but merely facets of the undisclosed total.
In a way, he might be considered a fallen angel. Possessed of profound understanding of harmony and balance. Yet disillusioned, jaded. Determined to fulfil his self-imposed duty, and shape the world more suitable for the puny mortals. In a way, that is. For while the essence of his purpose does not change, his approach veers toward the extreme, necessary evil and radical solutions included. To him, the world is deeply flawed, splintered, chock-full of unpredictable, uncontrollable phenomena that cause significant danger. The alleged guardians of balance, the Shinigami, incompetent, passive fools that struggle to keep a sinking ship afloat by pouring out the water with buckets – instead of fixing the ship. He is noble at heart, and he shall not stop in his quest to fix the world no matter the cost. Preferably, with himself at the ship's helm.
Nevertheless, the Archon is also a genuine warrior. In spite of his incredible patience and political acumen, he nonetheless prefers actions to words. In his own, part callous, part disdainful way he enjoys the thrill of combat. The ability to devise and deploy complex plans that entangle the enemy within a web of distinct possibilities they are unable to analyse, or even perceive in time to escape with their lives. The ability to exert his awesome power, unleash the semi-divine might that he wields in force to eradicate any and all opposition. He derides the enemy with an occasional sneer or snicker, patronising remarks and effortlessness with which he thwarts their plans, and crushes their techniques, time and again. After all, every battle is but a scene, every war but a stage in his millennia-spanning, carefully crafted play, an epic tale that tells the story of a world-changing hero: himself.
History[]
The origin and true identity of the Archon remain a mystery to those select few who are aware of his existence in the first place. He is neither Soul nor Hollow, and certainly nothing Human either. He speaks of events from the distant past as casually as one may speak of yesterday. There are many vague accounts of his involvement, usually indirect or from behind the scenes, in numerous pivotal events in the realm's history, reaching all the way back into the mythical and unverifiable.
Plot[]
Powers and Abilities[]
Advanced Master Swordsman: In addition to his aptitude for magic, Hikaru has always had a penchant for swordsmanship. To wield a Zanpakutō was an opportunity to obtain a reliable companion, and a way to weaponise a facet of one's very soul. For several millennia he has wielded the tsurugi at his side. A simple and effective tool, so much more elegant than purely physical blows, and much easier to wield than the abstract displays of magic. So that the Archon mastered zanjutsu in order to employ the sword as a focal point for his tremendous power. He knows by heart every single waza and kata there is. Sword-fighting has become second nature to him. Effortless, almost subconscious. All he needs is to wish to cut the enemy, and his body, mind, and soul unite to make that happen. A seasoned master, he does not require to exert himself, prepare himself to perform some of the more complex manoeuvres of the art. If he wants to perform an attack, the attack immediately transpires. With the facility, swiftness, and precision befitting an exceptional fencer. So great is his liking, and so high his skill in the art that he can deftly slay many an opponent with his blade alone. With a prominent focus upon swift, efficient, and highly fluent moves, the Archon favours the elegance of seimitsudō, the Way of Precision, first and foremost. Fluid one-handed swings, often employed with minute twirls of the wrist, rapid, crippling sallies, and nonchalant parries are par for the course. All the while he evades retaliation with natural ease, measured singular steps, in an almost dance-like manner. A supreme fencer indeed. And versatile, for in order to better express his wealth of experience during a display of exceptional swordsmanship he employs elements of the other forms, as well. In spite of his ostensibly amicable and respectful disposition, to cross blades with him is to virtually sign one's own death warrant. His blade swirls and thrusts, lightning-fast, like a blur of cold steel. No telegraphed move shall pass by, no opening shall remain unexploited. Each fraction of a second counts. In fact, such is his expertise that he can easily anticipate enemy manoeuvres, read them like an open book. And those who falter soon find out that there is truly no escape. For with a simple exertion of spiritual pressure the Archon extends the reach of his physical blade to cut down the unsightly cowards from afar. Hakuda Expert: Hakuda is undisputably the least developed combat skill of his, even though his proficiency in unarmed combat, owing to a combination of immense experience and excellent physical fitness, still places him in a high class. His moveset consists primarily of gentle, but fast and unpredictable kicks, punches, and sallies the main purpose of which is to either throw the enemy off-balance, or to incapacitate them within an instant. While never his primary method of fighting, the Archon nonetheless is still competent in the art. He is able to effectively supplement his other skills, and employ Hakuda successfully even against strong enemies, should the need arise. Gainendō Master (概念道, "Way of the Notion"): Gainendō is the power to call upon the most fundamental concepts to assist the Archon in battle and beyond. Unlike traditional Kidō, it is devoid of chants, ranks, and categories, so that there are no arbitrary limitations to hinder his performance. Truly astonishing in its scope, and horrifying in its magnitude, the only thing to limit Gainendō is the wielder's might and willpower. And he certainly does not lack either. Owing to his unimaginably immense experience, but a thought is typically sufficient to wield this raw, pure magic in high-level combat effectively, with a remarkable degree of control. However, the art does exhibit a certain criterion to realise its full potential. Word of Power (力語, chikarago) is the solemn command to ensure the spell is complete and, as such, far more effective. As if he were wielding a dozen different elements, he can incinerate a city in a blazing inferno, or encase all of it in perdurable ice with a flash freeze. He can stir torrential winds that level entire settlements, produce bolts of lightning that scar the face of earth. Or, unleash the purest form of destructive energy to shatter whole mountains with each earnest strike. After all, for the Archon to call forth a concept to his aid is to summon the forces of nature themselves. The result is simply astounding. Frightening. Perplexing. The world itself seems to submit to his will for that moment, lending an aspect of it for the Archon to wield and use as if it were his own limb. Whilst he wields his tsurugi in a duel, Gainendō is the power he employs to change the world.
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Enhanced Strength: The signature trait of the Archon is his astronomical spiritual power, not so much physical strength. Nevertheless, the amount of the former has got some impact on the extent of the latter. That is because spiritual entities do not rely solely on the strength of their physical vessels, but can also tap into a supply of spiritual energy to invigorate their tendons and muscles far above the feats mere mortals can achieve. Somewhat surprisingly, perhaps, the Archon does not rely on brute force in a sword-fight. However, he has conditioned his body through countless hours of strict training regimens. Thus, his physical strength has become noticeably greater than the average for a high-level spiritual being. The momentum behind his sword strikes is sufficient to casually cut through and pierce buildings, he may lift and toss giant boulders, and offer considerable resistance to opponents superior in that regard, if need be. While his strength is far from being his primary asset, it should not be underestimated. Enhanced Durability: Such is the case with toughness, where spiritual energy permeates the body and acts as a cushion to dampen the damage sustained. And in this case as well the Archon sought to improve with active, sustained effort. He has endured numerous wars and battles, sustained innumerable wounds, and still bears visible scars as a memoir of the events that changed his entire life. Exposed to harm so many times, the body has been toughened on its own, and then reinforced with spiritual energy even further. So that, as a primarily physical fighter rather than a proper wizard, the Archon proves durable enough to subvert the stereotype of fragility usually associated with those who frequently employ magic as their means of combat. In terms of toughness, he is more like a hill than a man, and to wound or destroy him is equivalent to toppling an entire hill. Not impossible for those of exceptional prowess, but not that easy either. Enhanced Endurance: Great strength and durability do not amount to much if the fighter succumbs to fatigue after only a short while. One might shake the earth with each strike, withstand such blows almost unperturbed, but it is important to be able to maintain high performance for a period of time adequate to overcome the opposition. Otherwise, one may be defeated by the weakness of their own body rather than any direct action on their enemy's part. The Archon is well aware of that issue, and increasing stamina was one of the many goals of his arduous physical conditioning process. Even unaided, his body is capable of remarkable exertion for equally impressive periods of time. Simple swings of a blade tire him not, a volley of thrusts and slashes all the while manoeuvring faster than the eye can see does not sap him of staying power that quickly. Furthermore, he exhibits unnatural fortitude as well. With his body battered, perhaps a limb cut off, he can still stand up and continue fighting, unyielding. Immense Reflexes: The ability to manoeuvre about the battlefield at high speed, as well as react to more or less predictable turns of events in time, is indeed a valuable trait to possess. Owing to his preference for a far more active and mobile approach to combat than is typical of a Kidō master, the Archon has honed his agility and reflexes to an amazing degree. He is no doubt a highly nimble fighter, capable of deftly evading enemy blows and techniques instead of relying solely upon his defences to protect him from damage. While confident to the point of ostensive carelessness, he is actually a very vigilant person, always ready to react to a sudden event, or a supposed ambush. Nevertheless, despite the high quality of his well-conditioned physical vessel, there is only so much he can achieve in this regard without a proper high-speed movement technique. Some of the swiftest opponents can outpace him in the midst of battle – nothing he cannot anticipate and prepare against, however. Shinkō (神光, "God Flash"): To wield light is to be as swift as a ray of light. Strong attacks will not inflict any damage if they fail to hit their target, and there is only so much damage even perdurable defences can absorb ere they inevitably falter. That is especially true considering the Archon's immense power, as many of his enemies would rather continue to evade his devastating strikes, time and again, forcing him to expend excessive effort to defeat them. Nevertheless, like any exceptionally powerful fighter, he has got a high-speed movement technique at his disposal. So that he may pursue, and outrun, some of his most elusive opponents. Owing to this unique ability, the Archon can accelerate himself, or his blade, to perform a leap or strike of incredible celerity. In a brief, abrupt impulse, not unlike the technique employed by expert Fullbringers, he achieves an exceptional degree of swiftness; with staggering speed he closes the distance, or avoids retaliation, a tangible mirage. More than that, when employed at high throttle Shinkō seems to transform him into a creature of pure light, in a flash of bedazzling radiance that may well temporarily blind anyone who dares gaze upon him. And, most intriguingly of all, he can phase altogether through many enemy attacks or obstructions – provided light can do so, of course. Gedatsugan (解脱眼, "Moksha Eye"): High Intellect: The Archon is not a fool. True, his hubris and a single-minded approach tended to hamper his outstanding intellect, sometimes with catastrophic results. But when his raw power proved inadequate means of accomplishing his goals several times, the Archon finally realised the folly of his attitude. He matured tremendously, and decided to always consider the situation properly, analyse and choose a course of action in a deliberate manner. Certainly, he has the mental acuity to do so successfully. Somewhat paradoxically, one of the things that used to hinder his progress was the natural ease with which the Archon understood complex concepts. With no need for long explanations, he did not think much about the skills he acquired. He was able to become an instant expert at anything, but to become a true master he needed more. So that is why he endeavoured to properly explore the arts of combat, determine his strengths and weaknesses, and undergo training that would yield the most efficient and considerable increments in skill. With his exceptional mind he saw through the intricacies and restrictions of the arts he had been taught, then single-handedly dismantled and improved them. He boasts the capacity to comprehend virtually everything. Provided he has the sufficient focus, he shall discover and expose the tricks and lies he is subjected to, determine and exploit the weaknesses of his enemies, select the optimal solution to almost any issue on his way. Master Strategist & Tactician: For the longest time the Archon could not care less about empty words and nuances of politics. He was learned and eloquent, but that was just a matter of nurture. For his nature caused him to hunger for battle. So he participated in countless skirmishes, ambushes, duels, battles, campaigns, and wars. He danced the dance of death, balancing at the precipice of defeat with spiritual blade and magical energies at his disposal. The expanse of his combat experience is incomprehensible to modern Shinigami. He has spent plenty of time on a battlefield. Honing his skill and refining his fighting style, witnessing numerous abilities, skills, and schools of combat used alongside him or against him. His knowledge could fill an entire city block with scrolls and parchments that describe the art of war in all its aspects. Moreover, he can use that knowledge to his advantage. The Archon is aware of general combat types, the ways numerous special abilities work, what counters are optimal in a given situation, what to expect from people of certain disposition, and how to guide them toward their doom, oblivious that they are being played or thinking that it does not matter. In order to properly wield a skill as expansive as Kidō, the Archon must act with a plan in mind, display extreme spatial awareness, quick-thinking, and problem-solving capacity, concoct sophisticated plans at a moment's notice to destroy the opposition in several stages of magical devastation. And that he certainly can. Strong Resolve: Just as stamina is required to keep the body in fighting condition, fortitude and willpower are what reinforces the mind behind that body, and allows the Archon to persevere through the most dire of situations. To continue fighting no matter the odds. To recover from humiliating defeats and grave mistakes that left his life, family, and status in ruins. To never lose sight of his ultimate goal and strive toward it in spite of all the obstacles on his way. To trample or outlast all his enemies. To exert his influence upon the world in a way that shakes its foundations. To reinforce his techniques and spells, so that they can serve as carriers for the power of concepts. The Archon is virtually dauntless, for what may a demigod fear? Intimidation and scare tactics are in vain when deployed against him. He has overcome most of his doubts and bolstered his ego. He cannot lose, no matter what. He knows that he is the sole being who can change the world for the better, at least in his own opinion, and acts with the unshakeable conviction that just might make that possible. His resolve is the foundation of his enormous power. Immeasurable Spiritual Power: The amount of spiritual energy at one's disposal has an enormous impact on their combat capacity. Physical strength, durability, stamina, agility, wit, resolve, skill, experience, they are all essential factors which determine the ability of a spiritual being to exert their influence upon the environment and upon others, to vanquish the opposition, and remove obstacles on the path toward one's ultimate goal. However, even a gifted and knowledgeable veteran will not accomplish much with a mediocre reservoir of spiritual energy. All of their undeniable qualities are impotent in the face of supreme raw power, provided the disparity is substantial enough. That is cruel truth. The Archon has conditioned his body to achieve remarkable physical fitness. Honed his skill beyond belief as he mastered perhaps the purest and profoundly powerful form of Kidō. Reinforced his resolve to never falter so easily again. While somewhat single-minded, he is a genius, with astounding experience and knowledge to depend on. Nevertheless, without a shadow of a doubt, he boasts gargantuan power. Beyond the comprehension of any ordinary Soul. One that threatens to eradicate many a foe just through the sheer fact of existing, its weight almost unbearable to individuals as strong as Captain-class. So far above them, in fact, that at its peak his power is nearly beyond their scope to perceive. Too expansive to be seen with their eyes in full, just like the world around them extends beyond the horizon. For he boasts the power nothing short of a demigod's. In all of Soul Society there may be no single person, neither Captain nor Divine General, who could hope to clash with him in a duel and emerge victorious. His power proved sufficient to transform a large Valley of Screams, one of the pockets of space that emerge naturally within the Dangai, according to his whim. In that he moulded the pocket dimension into a personal stronghold of sorts, complete with a sizeable castle and a fake sun. Moreover, he seemed intrigued rather than worried when Muto referred to their discovery of a threat more grave than the Tres Pilares combined[1]. When exerted, his spiritual power illuminates the world with an intense aura of scarlet colour, which seems to eclipse the glow of the Sun itself.
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Hakujin Issen (白刃一閃, "A Flash of Drawn Sword"): In its sealed form the Zanpakutō appears as a tsurugi with an octagonal tsuba, and an imperial red hilt wrapping. There is a tassel of the same colour attached to the pommel. The scabbard is attached to a string wrapped around the sash.
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Statistics
Offence |
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100/100 | |||
Defence |
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100/100 | |||
Mobility |
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100/100 | |||
Reiryoku |
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100/100 | |||
Intelligence |
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90/100 | |||
Strength |
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70/100 | |||
Total |
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560/600 |
Trivia[]
- According to his creator, the Archon would be voiced by Eiji Takemoto, the Japanese voice actor of the Arrancar Aisslinger Wernarr. In English, he would be voiced by Crispin Freeman, the voice actor of Alucard from Hellsing.
- His main theme is Rebuild of Evangelion 3.33 OST - Scarred and Battled. When he unveils his true power, it is Rebuild of Evangelion 3.33 OST - The Wrath of God in All Its Fury.
- In Japanese, he would refer to himself with 我 (ware), which is an archaic pronoun with a dignified overtone.
Appearances[]
- Back From the Dead: Kensei Muguruma!? (Mentioned only)
- Hunger and Greed: Predation (Mentioned only)
- Sinking Sun
- Hunger and Greed: Interbellum (Mentioned only)
- Silent Night