#ʜᴇɪɴᴏ.

[fearxtoxfreedom]

NAME : Heino AGE : 25 GENDER : Male SEXUALITY : Bisexual ENERGY : Sorcery HEIGHT : 183 см REGION : Sunset IDENTITY : Head of The Fate Clan QUOTE : "Cold and emotionless - What's wrong with that?"

WORLD CONNECTIONS :

DOILA : Perhaps a bit too cheerful and loves helping others, but always ends up causing more trouble because she doesn't know any better. She feels familiar somehow, even though they've never met before... MARCO POLO : To Heino, Marco Polo's always laughing, easily intrigued by new things, and great at getting the party going, but he never ever lets on when he's feeling down. Heino hopes that he will be able to find his father soon. MILADY : An aggressive but sensible ruler who's revived the fortunes of the Hightower clan. Heino can't seem to get a good read on her, thus he often treads carefully when dealing with her. ALLAIN : An extremely rare find. After all, where else in Navenia can one find a mercenary that helps others at the cost of his meals? ALESSIO : Heino views him as a fool, one who goes to great lengths to protect the Outer City all because of a borrowed name. Foolish though he may be, he's much better company than the local nobles. BIRON : Contrary to most, Heino doesn't see Biron as a fool. In fact, this mercenary who carries on even after losing his arm is far wiser and greater than those Inner City braggarts who only know how to show off. MAYENE : Although she keeps saying that she doesn't want to be a hero, she never holds back when it comes to certain people and issues. At this rate, she definitely won't be able to slack off. LUNA : Heino has heard of what happened to Luna's clan, and feels like she's no longer the person he used to know from the Lunari Clan. Luna's much colder and more practical now. KAIZER : Both Arkana nobles living in the Inner City, they've known each other since they were young. After a series of unfortunate events that fell upon their families, the two went their separate ways and have not met since.

BIOGRAPHY :

The Fate Clan had been away from the Navenian Council for so long, the people of Navenia may have forgotten what they used to be like. There was a time when the Fate Clan was one of the leading clans of Navenia who steered the kingdom with their ability to see the future. However, the ones who led the way met with sudden misfortune and were lost to the Deep Sea, and the stars have dimmed since then. When Heino was a child, the Scepter of Fate predicted that the Fate Clan was destined to fall. As a result, it was said by some that Heino was the ominous portent signalling the clan's downfall. If the fall of the clan was the likeliest possibility that an infinite future held, then Heino had been on the road to fighting fate alone ever since he had become the head of the clan as a young boy. Despite opposition from the rest of his clan, Heino made the decision to relocate Revelation Hall to the outskirts of the city to be more in touch with the common people and build prestige for the Fate Clan. In the face of competition from the other clans, he gave up most of their assets apart from a well-run restaurant and opera house which would serve as the clan's lifeline. Through this, he was able to save the Fate Clan from extinction, unlike the other Arkana clans. It was only then that everyone realized that the one with the so-called bad luck was actually the one they could trust and rely on the most. "I don't believe our fates are set in stone." "Fate" has never been about shackles that we can't escape. It is not the end, but the path we forge through in life. "Seeing thousands of possible fates as I walk the path of infinities." Heino firmly believes that outcomes can be reversed, and is determined to make the light of fate shine bright again.

[fearxtoxfreedom]

NAME : Alessio AGE : 19 GENDER : Male SEXUALITY : Bisexual ENERGY : Martial Arts HEIGHT : 183 см REGION : Sunset IDENTITY : Protector of the Outer City QUOTE : "I once forgot about the person behind the mask...Now I remember."

WORLD CONNECTIONS :

MILADY : Alessio lives in the liberal Outer City, and was only vaguely wary of the ruler in the Inner City. However, since Biron lost an arm in a run-in with Milady, she became one of Alessio's enemies. BIRON : They met over trying to save a cat, and became blood brothers. They always talk as if they don't like each other, but Alessio works very hard on Biron's mechanical arm, and Biron often accompanies Alessio on his voyages. MAYENE : An ally in the journey to find ol' Captain Red Hawk. It'd be nice if she could work a bit harder though. ALLAIN : Allain's new job is to keep an eye on the Red Hawk. What will happen between him, Mayene, and Alessio? The story continues. DOILA : "She snuck onto my ship and hid in a crate until she was discovered. Turns out that our stowaway is of the merfolk mentioned in the logs. Incredible!" MARCO POLO : Alessio encountered Marco Polo, an anomalic lordling, while investigating the Red Hawk, and learned more about the ship as well as the old Captain. HEINO : Alessio initially thought that since Heino's a member of an Arkana clan, power and profits would be the only thing on his mind. Much to his surprise, Heino's as passionate as Alessio when it comes to protecting Navenia, and even might have a hint of that Red Hawk spirit. LUNA : Alessio once saved a cat and befriended it. Later on, he found out that the cat, Bailey, belonged to the Moon Clan. Bailey often goes to Alessio for free food, and Alessio escorts Bailey home each time, and happened to meet its owner.

BIOGRAPHY :

Alessio, who lived in the Outer City of Navenia, was but an average individual, till in a life-changing moment, he took on the commission from the legendary Captain Red Hawk and started on a new path as a hero in disguise. The real legendary "Captain Red Hawk" had single-handedly protected the Outer City from pirates. Although Alessio had an ingenuity that provided him with a few tricks up his sleeve, he knew he was a far cry from Captain's fearsome reputation. To put on a perfect hero act, Alessio honed his skills tirelessly, doing his best to imitate the old Captain in every way possible, but he still fell short. That is, until one day, when his mask was shattered and his cover was blown. Only when the folks in the Outer City still accepted him despite not being the real thing, did he realize that a hero is recognized not by their name, but by their deeds. Today, folks in the Outer City continue to call him Captain Red Hawk. Though he had now officially inherited the name, he was no longer interested in trying to copy the original Captain. Instead, he began to accept himself and started exploring ways to become a unique Red Hawk. With his mask strapped to his waist, he continued to patrol the Outer City every day with his cannon on his shoulder, researching newfangled shells and unique combat methods in order to protect the peace. Anyone in a tight spot could be sure to rely on his kindness and determination, even if it meant confronting the powerful and ruthless Governess. And thus, in the sailors' shanty, a legendary new Captain Red Hawk was born... But deep down, Alessio continued to look forward to the day when he would see the old Captain again to tell him that he had not dishonored the Red Hawk name.

SHORT STORIES BENEATH CUT

IMPOSTER :

Alessio once chanced upon a counterfeit at a flea market.

It was a shell bearing the name Captain Red Hawk. It bore a high price tag, he bought it anyway, and it became his prized possession. Little did he know that he had gotten his hands on a ticking bomb—one that literally blew up half his room while he was asleep.

Half a room wasn't such a big deal, and even if it had blown up the entire room, there wasn't much that needed saving. But the shrapnel from the explosion was clearly engraved with "Property of the Arkana Navy," tying it to the powerful consul and her arsenal. This meant that it had nothing to do with Captain Red Hawk from the Outer City.

After that, he gathered his few remaining possessions and went to stay with his brother-in-arms, Biron. At that time, Biron hadn't yet lost an arm or earned the nickname "Steele."

This also gave Biron, always the butt of Alessio's jokes, the opportunity to poke fun at him instead.

"Well, well, since you've only got fragments of that ridiculously expensive cannon left, isn't it high time you let me have a look at your precious treasure?"

The words of gloating reached Alessio's ears as soon as he stepped foot inside. He hurled his possessions in an attempt to shut Biron up, then made a beeline for the bed, immediately making himself at home.

"Alright, so I got my hands on a lousy counterfeit."

"Just admit it—there's no difference between an impostor and a lousy counterfeit. They're both fakes."

"Of course there's a difference!"

Alessio took the shrapnel from around his neck and showed him that the words "Arkana Navy" had been sanded down, as if they had never existed.

"A great impostor always means business. If you're going to fake something, you might as well go all the way."

"Who cares what the truth is as long as it's buried deep enough?"

Alessio never thought he'd see the day when he'd become an impostor.

Dressed in a red coat and Captain Red Hawk's mask with a cannon tucked under his arm, he bore a striking resemblance to the man who had single-handedly repelled a fleet of pirates. Little did anyone know that under that familiar outfit was a complete nobody.

Threatening gangs, defeating pirates, and driving away ruffians... Getting started wasn't hard at all. Just the sight of Captain Red Hawk coming their way was enough to scare off troublemakers. Before, he'd jump right into the fray to defend the weak, but more often than not, he'd be the one getting beat up. Performing heroic deeds was much easier with this new hero getup. Every time he set out in his Captain Red Hawk mask, his disguise was foolproof, no matter who set eyes on him.

Only he knew just how much he lacked.

To truly impersonate a known hero like Captain Red Hawk, he needed the strength and skill associated with the name. This was Alessio's second task in becoming a great impostor.

He'd encountered the most ferocious predators in the waters, witnessed gladiators in the arena, seen every Sunset sunrise while honing his artillery skills, and even had his explosives blow up in his face. Through intense physical training, imitating all known mannerisms, lowering his voice, sharpening his artillery skills, and implementing any and every possible rumor... His muscles grew and he gained a few more scars. His good-humored smile disappeared beneath the mask, replaced instead by a tense and unsmiling mouth.

He grew accustomed to playing the part of Captain Red Hawk, so much so that Alessio became a distant memory.

"Where's the Red Hawk, Captain?"

"The crew took her out on an expedition. When they return, they'll come bearing a treasure that'll amaze the Outer City."

—He hoped that they would return with good news for the Outer City. And when that happened, he'd be able to return to his life before he took the Captain's name.

"Captain, fancy a drink?"

"Thanks, but I've got something to attend to. I'll be off."

—Alessio had never gotten drunk before, and the Captain's drinking capacity wasn't something he could fake... More importantly, it wasn't worth risking his disguise. He had to remain watchful.

"I recruited a lad with good mechanical skills and sent him on an expedition with the Red Hawk."

—No one had asked why the real Alessio seemed to have disappeared yet, but Biron and his mercenary buddies were bound to return at any time, so it didn't hurt to set some groundwork.

"Don't worry, Red Hawk is here!"

—Even if it was uttered by an impostor, it would still bring some measure of peace to the Outer City.

In the early morning on the pier, a determined figure leaped down into the crowd. Through the sudden haze, the ruffians had only time to make out a flash of red before being blinded by cannon fire. As soon as they came to and opened their eyes, they'd become sitting ducks in the water.

Though the haze still lingered on the now calm bay, Captain Red Hawk was long gone.

A great impostor, having been in disguise all day, will remain in disguise.

Before the old Captain returns, he'll keep playing his part to protect the Outer City. After all, did it really matter who was behind the mask?

This was something he had come to realize as an impostor.

THE REAL DEAL :

Alessio never expected that his cover would be blown, not by the pirates attacking the Outer City, or by his frequent shooting practice, but by his brother-in-arms.

After returning from his six-month stint, the mercenary must have read the farewell letter Alessio had left for him. He seemed to have bought the story, because he had gone around the Miracle Tavern bragging about having a "promising brother-in-arms who hung out with Captain Red Hawk."

After Alessio found an abandoned house by the seaside to live in, he never once returned to his old house or showed his face around his old neighborhood.

In order to perfectly imitate the old Captain's mannerisms, he even went to painstaking lengths to lower his voice. On time after a fight, even Biron joined the crowd in shouting "long live Captain Red Hawk!"

No matter which way you looked at it, his disguise was foolproof.

That was, until his brother-in-arms confronted the Governess Milady about the contamination.

When Alessio heard that Milady had hacked off the mercenary's arm, and that Biron, who hated mechcraft, had been fitted with a mechanical arm, Alessio saw red. In his rage, he forgot that he was still wearing Captain Red Hawk's mask. Without a word, he grabbed his cannon and prepared to bombard the tower of the inner city.

But when he opened the door, something blocked his path. It was a giant mechanical arm, unfamiliar to both him and its owner.

"Hey, steady there. Captain Red Hawk doesn't have a mercenary brother-in-arms, remember?"

From then on, Biron coined the name "Steele." With it and his new mechanical arm, he set off in search of the source of the contamination. Of course, there was no conceivable reason for the real Captain Red Hawk to send him off. Nonetheless, Alessio stayed up several nights studying the arm's technology, and finally, when the mercenary group arrived back at the pier, he pretended to approach them casually, dark circles around his eyes.

"Hey, I just found a copy of Maintenance Manual for Mechanical Arms. Is it yours?"

When Biron returned from the Sunset plain, Alessio had already lost his mask and had his cover blown in a confrontation with the Bullhead Shark pirates. He'd lost the Red Hawk Cannon left by the old captain, but he'd also found himself again. While playing the role of protector of the people, he in turn received their support as the new Captain Red Hawk.

The broken mask had been glued back together, and the small cannon, developed by the new Captain Red Hawk himself, leaned against the bed. With his leg in a cast and his hand tapping on the mechanical arm, Alessio couldn't resist asking:

"How on earth did you recognize me? What gave me away?"

The mercenary replied: "Look, there's cat hair on your coat. Who else could it be but you? No one ever mentioned the old Captain Red Hawk fancying cats."

He went on to excitedly recount his first meeting with Alessio: A young Alessio, wearing a crude mask, was curled up on the ground surrounded by a group of thugs, tightly holding a kitten in his arms. The kitten, struggling fearfully in his arms, had rubbed white hair all over him.

"If I hadn't jumped in to rescue you, you and Bailey would've been in for a whole new world of bullying!" Biron exclaimed proudly.

"Oh wow, I sure am extremely grateful for that..."

Alessio couldn't help but smile as he lamented the cat hair detail he had overlooked, and at the same time, another version of the story played in his mind:

At that time, he had curled up not out of defeat, but because he was buying time to think of the best way to protect Bailey and get away from the thugs. Just when he'd finally gotten his plan and managed to leave the crowd, he ran headlong into a big fellow who'd appeared out of nowhere. With no choice but to fight, he took several more punches from the big fellow.

Many years passed, and he'd been too lazy to tell him what actually happened. Plus, he didn't have the heart to ruin his brother-in-arms' memory of having saved the cat.

From outside the window, Biron heard the footsteps of Alessio's visitors. Looking at his half-finished sketch of a new cannon, he came to a conclusion.

The cat hair was but one giveaway. It was the stories circulating through the tavern that had led to his investigation. During the six months he was away, he'd heard that the pirate Blackbeard had been itching to duel Alessio and finally had his challenge accepted. Blackbeard set foot on shore only to have his ship blown to pieces. By springing a trap in the bay, Alessio had used its unique terrain to trap an entire fleet of pirates. Plus, he'd recently heard booms in the early morning, and it turned out to be Alessio practicing on the beach. It was definitely the sound of a cannon firing. Stephan had lost his cat the day before yesterday, and it was “Captain Red Hawk” who'd found it and given the thief a hard lesson...

Others couldn't understand, but Biron knew that Alessio only took the lowest paid commissions from the group. Not because he was lazy, but because the more mundane injustices were often ignored. He'd lost count of the times Alessio dived headlong into danger, thus gaining familiarity with all manner of escape routes and ambush spots. Eventually, he learned to come up with new ones on the go.

It wasn't until he saw Alessio intent on confronting Milady that his suspicions were finally confirmed.

"I'm not fixing you up again the next time you act recklessly, you tin can." Alessio tapped Biron's mechanical arm.

"What? Has the new Captain Red Hawk found a long-term funder for his shells?"

"Oh, please. The money you make is barely enough to cover your arm repairs."

"Come on, take me to the tied-up pirates. They seem to have fought the old captain, and their weapons look advanced. I'm sure they also have a base somewhere... And I need to pry something out of them before I empty their den."

The mask, the coat, the cannon, the name, the voice, and the dwelling; they all added to the finished act.

Though Biron had no absolute proof at the time, the courage to stand up for the smallest of troubles, the conviction to march into danger, and the ability to somehow win battles that seemed utterly lost—

Who could it be other than his brother-in-arms, Alessio?

This must certainly be the real deal. No doubt about it.

VOYAGE LOG SNIPPETS :

In the Red Hawk's captain's cabin, many maps and voyage logs could be found on the bookshelf. Even though much time had passed, records of the past were still kept in a neat and orderly manner. Among them was a row of logs organized in chronological order. Though some of the records were hardly legible, one could still learn much of the past through them.

Voyage Log #3

3 August

Finally, the Bullhead Sharks have been driven out... They're definitely the worst pirates I've ever come across.

But there are still too many troublesome factions in the Outer City...

6 October

I met an interesting kid today. He was just a little taller than my knees, yet he fought off some miscreants picking on younger kids he didn't even know.

Though bruised and battered, he refused to stay down and kicked them as he struggled.

He was wearing a mask that looked like mine, and even after I saved him, he refused to admit that he was pretending to be the Red Hawk... Looks like he wasn't an easy one to budge.

Voyage Log #6

4 August

I didn't expect to save a nobleman from the pirates. It was the world renowned Niccolo... If I hadn't heard Estella mention him before, I would have thrown him right off the ship.

5 August

Contamination, the Forgotten Scrolls, and the great shadow lurking beneath Sunset...

"If the source of the contamination is not found and resolved, then sooner or later, everyone in Navenia will suffer..." Looks like he was after something different from the power-hungry Arkanas.

If such a danger exists, then the Outer City, being right next to the ocean, will bear the brunt of it. I must do something...

8 August

Before parting, I accepted Niccolo's gift of gratitude, an oceangoing ship: the Red Hawk. It is fitted with Navenia's secret device and powered by fluorescent stones. In return, I promised to deliver a letter to his son.

All because I was in need of a sturdier ship.

2 December

As of today, 21 pirate strongholds have been eliminated. Therefore, I believe the people in the Outer City will not be troubled for the next six months.

I woke up this morning and found a transformation plan on the bow of the Red Hawk. I couldn't help but wonder who left it. Meanwhile, the mechsmith was overjoyed upon seeing it and jumped right to working on it.

Voyage Log #7

29 April

It's been four months since we set sail. Apart from eliminating a bunch of pirates and discovering a treasure, we've come up empty-handed.

20 May

We were heading back the way we had come when a strange colored mist obstructed our view, throwing us off course. I thought I saw something huge and glowing in the middle of the mist. It looked like coral...

Then a storm came upon us without warning. That was a strange one... Fortunately, by the power of the Red Hawk, we narrowly escaped the whirlpool...

When I opened my eyes again, the mist and the glowing coral were gone. The sun was shining brightly on the deck, and the ocean was calm as ever, as if it had been just a dream.

21 May

Things haven't been right... Recently, some of the crew have been hallucinating, and the mechsmith nearly smashed his head with a hammer... There's even a faint fluorescent blue coming from the veins under my skin... I must prevent this from happening to all of Navenia!

Whether or not this is the source of the contamination, it must have something to do with the danger Niccolo spoke of.

We must be prepared before coming back.

10 September

Even after speeding up the return trip, we're still far behind schedule. In the meantime, the troublemakers were looking to cause trouble again, but fortunately the crew's symptoms were gone.

The nobles of the inner city never lifted a finger in all of this.

But it seems a masked young man trapped a group of pirates and even blew up one of their ships. Well done!

Voyage Log #8

25 December

From what I gather, we must have encountered the Misty Seas... None of the ships that went in ever returned. All that was found were glass bottles containing this name and the words "Storm," "Danger," "Hallucination," "Rampage," and "Turn Away." Seems that it wasn't just us who experienced these symptoms.

Looking at the unfading fluorescent blue in my veins... I seem to recall seeing a seabird with feathers of this color at the pier this morning.

Finally, the Red Hawk has been fully transformed. Now the crew and I have nothing to fear. We have to investigate this contamination, even if it means never returning.

But I still can't stop worrying about the Outer City.

If I don't make it back, can the Outer City defend itself without the Red Hawk?

3 January

I didn't expect the peace to be broken so quickly.

News of the Red Hawk's departure somehow reached the pirates' ears. On the eve of the Sea Opening Festival, while the crew was gathering florescent stones on the island, the Bullhead Sharks sprang an ambush.

I didn't expect anyone to turn back and save me. After all, the Captain Red Hawk everyone knew could take on a whole fleet of ships by himself.

The young man who should have retreated with everyone else will never know the importance of the bullet he had stopped. The enemy had come prepared, and I was at a disadvantage. If he hadn't appeared in front of me out of nowhere, I might have gotten killed without a chance to fire that decisive shot.

In all my years as a hero, it was the first time I was protected by someone. Perhaps I'm getting old.

When he turned around, I realized that he was the boy I had once saved.

He was almost as tall as me now, and still he still stood firm against the pirates, even though he was at a disadvantage. Looks like the tough talker never changed.

I guess if it were him, he could protect the Outer City well enough.

5 January

I met up with the crew and set off in secret.

After so many years, I was unaccustomed to going without my mask and leaving my weapons behind. The kid gave me a bunch of weapons he had developed for me. There were cannons, mortars, smoke grenades, flashbangs, a hammer, and even a lucky conch he had bought off the street.

Anyhow, I guess I should go destroy a pirate den and replenish our supplies. After all, the kid's weapons aren't half bad. The only thing they lacked was ammo capacity.

Most of the logs had been brought back to the tower by the Arkana Navy, so Alessio could only see the last remaining log. It had fallen, and most of the pages were soaked in the fluorescent blue seawater. Only the last few pages were barely legible.

Voyage Log #10

XXXX

The weather's even worse than the previous.......... the storm lasted three days and nights, and the hurricane.......... tornado.......... the mast nearly snapped and was temporarily restored to some semblance of functionality after emergency repairs. ..........

XXXX

.......... the rudder was completely out of order.......... ran aground.......... tornado.......... an island to land on.......... coral.......... fluorescent stones.......... I thought it would be best to abandon the ship..........

XXXX

.......... if I don't make it back.......... the Outer City.......... Little Red Hawk..........

I guess the next time I see that kid, I should probably ask him for his name.

Hopefully we'll meet again.