Multiple Settings Heroes of the New Age: The New Wardens [CLOSED]

[joshuadim]

[NIKANDROS PROLOGUE]​

Sentinel held a look of awe as his opponent emerged from the waves - fueled by divine ambition - and delivered a powerful display of his innate strength. Inexplicably, the clouds over Baltimore grew more intense and agitated as if a storm was about to break upon the city. Everyone looked upwards into the sky at the sudden coalescence of this tempest, confused as the weather had been only slightly cloudy for most of the day. But this was no weather event, but rather something else entirely and Sentinel knew what it was. In the clouds above, as Nikandros launched himself through the air, it appeared as though both the mentor and father both decided to look upon their child. The nearby sailors, boat captains, and passengers watched with shock as the Scion of Pallas descended with a flurry of blows - each more powerful than the last - onto the greatest hero.

Sentinel felt every blow, even as he brought his guard up to protect himself, and was taken aback by this rush of pure mythical strength. Bruises reminded him of his own mortality, and he was certainly bound to be left with many as a result of this, but he kept on tanking every single one of them. His eyes did not break with Nikandros' gaze, listening to his claim that the Fates had not deemed him a loser and that he - the strongest in the world - should not hold back. If only it were that easy... as with a single punch, if he were to cut loose, he could break every bone in Nikandros' body. If mighty Herakles of the Olympians lost an arm wrestling competition to him, then how could this brave boy stand a chance against him without limiting himself? But if there was something Sentinel could do, it was to let go just enough to make the Scion believe he let go of his restriants...

Right as Nikandros swung his fist again for another strike, Sentinel grabbed it in mid-air - forcing a shockwave to emanate in the area. "...so be it, Nikandros of Pallas."

Sentinel took a deep breath before delivering a counter towards the demigod with a new level of force - strong enough that Nikandros could feel his body giving up on him as a result with red ichor mixed with gold sputtering out of his lips. His armour shattered at the area of impact as Sentinel's bare knuckles connected with the mythical hero's chest, which in turn sent him up into the air with a force that he had never before experienced. So strong as it was, that he became engulfed by frames as his physical coil cut through the atmosphere with enough friction to ignite it around his body. But Sentinel wasn't done, as he appeared in front of Nikandros' trajectory and grabbed him by the neck of his armour before moving him further up into the stratosphere.

In a few moments, as a result of Sentinel's exertion, they exited the atmosphere entirely and flew into the final reaches of Earth's surrounding cradle. The curvature of the Earth became more pronounced, and Baltimore had been reduced to a speck amidst a sea of green and blue. Held by Sentinel's mercy, Nikandros was left alone with Sentinel who took a moment to look at him. There was something macabre about the hero now, as the light did not shine on his face. He then quickly delivered another blow onto Nikandros' face; the force of this strike was powerful enough that it would have killed most advanced life forms, and Nikandros was sent down again at a speed comparable to a meteor as he careened back towards the pale blue dot. Had he impacted Baltimore, a few blocks would have been destroyed or damaged but he was again intercepted by Sentinel over the Atlantic ocean, grabbing him by the ankle and hanging him upside down.

"...give up, because I won't kill you." Sentinel simply stated, watching how the wounds visible upon Nikandros regenerated - albeit at a slower rate than his own - as expected of a divine being. "As amusing as it was at first, I'd like to not keep hurting you. If you demand more, I won't give you that. Call me a coward, but I'm not a mythical warrior as some members of the Olympian Champions are. But killing is simply not who I am." He then straightened Nikandros, keeping a tight grip on the neck of his armour, and sighed. "You've proved yourself already - your strength is far beyond than what I thought at first. I'd consider you to be at an Alpha level, if we were to go off the government charts. But the more power that flows through your veins... you'll reach greater heights." Sentinel said with a smile. "You are strong, and I really would like to talk to you now. Preferably away from Baltimore now... don't wanna cause Madame Midnight an even greater headache. Wanna visit Greece?"

 

[Breadman]

Dove grabbed the tube Derby gave her, opened the lid and took a few chips out. While she ate her own, she listened to the other two explain how they ended up here. Avery sounded like she had a harrowing experience, but it was still something that happened surprisingly often if the different rumors are about masks and hoods are anything to go by. She'll likely be ok if Sentinel is there to guide her. Derby on the other hand- this guy had juvenile delinquent written all over him. A classic really. A good third of the street heroes probably can relate to him.

"Me and Knight? We did our first patrol last night believe it or not and despite looking like it, the only crypto he's into is history. His power source is magic. We were down at the docks looking to stop a Mazola operation when Sentinel shows up right as we are ready to call it a night after beating up some bad guys." She placed the lid back on the tube "We stopped by a gentleman's club to bust up the rest of the operation and now we're here." She was finished, but did add something after a second "I may or may have not added a few decibels to my sonic scream last night. You know, to land the part." A smile formed on her face.

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

Hector Moses, Florida.
​

Hector stood on the roof long after Sentinel had disappeared from view. It was all a bit... weird. If he were living a stable life, it would've been much better to brush the whole experience off as a fever dream. The truth was that it was all too real, and regardless of how weird it was, all he had going for him back home was probable unemployment. Might as well see if Sentinel keeps to his word.

The reception when he finally got back to his apartment was unexpected. Someone called someone who called Hector's roommate to gab about the incident, and so the living room Hector entered was filled with friends from the area.
"Are you okay?? We heard the news."
"Are you bleeding? Is that your blood!?"
"How did you even do that... That's fuckin' sick, dude."

They wouldn't let him retire to the couch until he had recounted the story in his own words, while his roommate cleaned the blood from his scrapes and cuts. Of course, certain omissions were necessary, but Hector himself had almost forgotten about Sentinel by the time his friends left him to rest. When he awoke in the afternoon, it took some time to figure out if it had really happened. A guy like me... and a hero like him. Fortunately, Sentinel did keep to his word.

---

Hector Moses, New York.​

It took Hector longer than he was willing to admit to confirm he was standing in front of the correct restaurant. He wasn't even sure he was in the right city at first, but had faith in the tool that had been delivered to him. He felt like this on his first day in Jacksonville, showing up with little else but the clothes on his back. In hindsight, he didn't do too badly for himself considering the cards he'd been dealt. Surely this couldn't go too badly, as long as he could get back home with no problems.

"Alright..."

Hector peered through the window, not caring much if he was being conspicuous. He frowned. Well, what did you expect? An assortment so... varied. It had to be real. Sentinel did say they all had different backgrounds. With that aside, Hector couldn't shake off the sudden feeling that he was being tricked. There was either cameras in the bushes filming his reaction, or this was some charity support group here to help him. He was ready to throw hands regardless of-

Just chill out, man. Don't be stupid.

"Hello?"

He walked through the door, cutting through the group with a loud greeting. Hector then paused in place, hoping for confirmation that he was in the right spot at the right time. He didn't realise how intensely he was looking at the team.

 

[Elenion Aura]

Nikandros of Pallas - The Scion of War [Prologue]
EdwardDewey98 joshuadim​

Nikandros dangled upside down from Sentinel’s iron grip, water still dripping from his battered frame, steam rising faintly from where the heat of his divine form had met the alien chill of the stratosphere. But despite his position, despite the bruises forming on his ribs and the golden ichor streaking from the corner of his mouth, the Scion of Pallas was not yet spent. He writhed and thrashed in Sentinel’s grasp, a defiant, wild grin splitting his battered face.

“Release me, Sentinel!” he bellowed. “I am not beaten! Do you hear me? I AM NOT BEATEN!” His limbs jerked as he tried to free himself, his muscles tensing as though he still had the strength to mount another assault. He was laughing again. “You will not cow me, Titan! You think this ends here? Bah! I could fight you for an eternity!”

His words echoed with confidence, but his movements were slowing. The fire in his eyes began to dim, his flailing arms growing heavy, sluggish. His head lolled slightly to the side, the furious crimson mist around his body thinning, dissipating like smoke caught in a breeze.

“You…” he murmured, his voice softening, the fire flickering in his burnished ruby eyes. “You… still haven’t… won…”

And then, like a switch had been flipped, Nikandros went still. His head slumped, his arms hanging limp. The roaring, defiant son of Ares had been silenced, his body now heavy with the toll of his divine exertion. The battle, the blows, the raw energy of his godly blood—it had all caught up to him. Despite his best efforts, his body could take no more. Nikandros was out cold, utterly and completely unconscious.

 

[joshuadim]

[NIKANDROS PROLOGUE]

​

Archaiopolis is better known as the City of Gods, since it serves as a gateway between the mortal realm and Mt. Olympus. Its iconic architecture was not different from the rest of Greece, but there were still several temples and pantheonic places constructed in the old ways through the surviving Hellenistic traditions within the last Hellenic city of the region. Archaiopolis had always held a glorious image, but it was one that flowed with the motion of time. Its citizens never demanded anything of those who came in control of the lands surrounding them, save for one demand: to leave them, and their worship, in peace or to suffer the wrath of Olympus. The Byzantine Romans refuse to capitulate to such demands, and their armies were destroyed; hundreds of years later the Ottomans tried their luck and were soundly defeated. When the Young Turks came into positions of power, they tried once more only to suffer an outstanding defeat. And when the fascists from Italy - and later Germany - moved into the region they were repelled, expelled, and humiliated.

The city of Gods has thus bred a hardy people, but it wasn't their bravery and faith that protected them all this time by their own. After all, mythical monsters continued to attack Europe even to this day - and could not be stopped with the sword and shield alone. That task thus fell to the champions of Olympus. Home to the greatest Mythical and Magical heroes of the world, the city is a host to recruitment of those who displayed mythical powers from Greece and the wider world beyond its shores. Its leader was none other than Herakles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene who ruled over the city with a mandate from the heavens above to keep the peace. While Archaiopolis was their home, the Olympians rarely left their headquarters as they were always training or honing their skills. But when the harvest season comes, the Olympians flood the streets to help with reaping the rewards of the spring and summer labours. The farmers burdens are eased as a result, and later come to celebrate with the townsfolk for another successful harvest.

As such, the Olympians enjoyed great popularity among their mortal counterparts - who came to see them as an integral part of the city as well as a source of income from the tourism it attracts. After all, who would willingly miss a chance to snap a photo of such amazing beings? Aside from the residents, a variety of travelers from around the world walked the streets to peruse the shops, eat classic Greek food, and to party with the various nightclubs operated jointly between Satyrs and the human citizens of the city. There was also a natural wealth to behold in the wilderness beyond the city, though it saw considerably less attention than the urban interests of many travellers. And considering the nature of Greek monsters that would occasionally trample through these regions, it wasn't all that safe either. Though that was less of a concern for someone like Sentinel.

Not far from the city, on the path towards the Olympian headquarters, was the Pigadouli Spring; Sentinel sat by the edge of the waters with an unconscious Nikandros resting by his side. He could see a Satyr with a pipe looking at him from the surrounding forest, whom he waved at before noticing that Nikandros was stirring to consciousness again. "Before you try to hit me again," Sentinel quickly spoke as the demigod roused from his slumber, nodding towards a Naiad poking her head from the pond, "Lythia here says that if we disturb the peace of her pond then she'll curse us both. I'd rather not deal with weird faefolk curses... so please, lets talk."

Elenion Aura

---

With the BBQ Prongles tube acquired, Avery began to snack from it as the conversation evolved between her, Derby, and Dove - only letting out a snicker after Derby's momentary panic had quieted down. Though there was a serious aspect to consider through all this, Avery did the reasonable thing of ignoring such problems for a later time as she simply enjoyed what was happening right now. Chewing on the off-brand chips while moving her gaze between Derby and Dove while they talked, the door's bell rang again - first for a newcomer girl, and then some guy who looked like he hadn't washed in a week or something.

Where does Sentinel find these guys? she wondered to herself as she scarfed down another chip before approaching the two of them, wandering off from her previous engagement with Derby and Dove in favour of introducing herself to these two. Without a care for her own appearances, she approached as she chewed and waved to them.

"Hey, we got chips here." she managed to get out before finally getting the snack down. "I'm Avery! We got all these other folks in here too." Wordlessly, she expected to hear what either of them would say as though it was self-evident what she was waiting for, an excited gaze shifting between the two of them.

WhiskeyMarten AzaleaWonderland

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Zeynep bint Ahmed - Upiór
EdwardDewey98 Breadman AzaleaWonderland​

Zeynep turned her smile to Sentinel, walking at him with open arms. "Ah, mon chéri, you look very pedestrian in casual wear! Which I imagine is the point, hm?" Her hands settled on his shoulders, and she gave him a quick kiss on each cheek. "Love the place. Very homely."

She then turned her attention to Knight, who had been blatantly staring earlier. Who could blame him? It wasn't like Zeynep didn't want the attention. "Indeed I am. Have been for at least a few centuries," she answered with a chuckle. "But why ask? Are you curious of what I do? How I... eat?" Zeynep leaned to his ear. "The ways that I can... Suck. You. Dry?"

She pulled away with a smug giggle. What fun this gathering was! What an assortment of characters to play with! It also served as a funny reminder how average heights have risen since her time. Now, who else? There were plenty to choose from. How about... the young sulking girl in the corner? Heavens, she clearly didn't like being here! Naturally, Zeynep was drawn to her. "Well aren't you the cutest widdle thing?" she said with a coo. "Did that big blue jester force you to come?" She moved to pat Gemma's head, despite them only being an inch apart in height.

 

[Breadman]

"OH!" Knight responded nervously. "No, I'm perfectly fine without knowing about how your...vampire stuff works. You probably won't like my blood, I spend way too much time cooped up with dusty tomes and journals. If Dove hadn't picked up this hero business, I'd likely be coughing dust all the time." He tried to explain himself with more detail that was required, but he couldn't stop. Looks like it was fine as she had moved on to somebody else. Safe for now. 'Wait no, don't leave the girl with a vampire alone.' He berated himself as he stuck around that part of the diner.

"Oh hey, new guy!" Dove looked up as Hector's booming voice announced his presence. A lot of guys were coming in and either sounded nervous or unprepared. She couldn't blame them. Sentinel himself had come and invited them. This one tho could calm down with the stare. "Yeah, we got some chips. Get your handful and come in the circle, we're sharing experience and crime fighting stories."
AriAriAbabwa WhiskeyMarten