Master

## Archeron Styx

Looks older than this, couldn't find anything better

Archeron, also known as the Master, is the main antagonist of the series and archenemy of the Nine. His motivations are still unknown, but he has taken a keen interest in the Forgotten Wonders. He also supports the Ixanian Commonwealth and the Sylvanian Empire.

## Biography

Archeron had not even been born yet when his life fell apart. During the Prehadeth Wars, when Samarat still struggled to govern itself and establish Kingdoms and Borders, a small town in Western Beshlos fell to a vicious attack by a group of rogues. Many had been slaughtered, and the remaining few were forced into all manners of slavery: the most prominent of which were for leisure and work. Conceived from the malicious hate the rogues inflicted on leisure slaves, Archeron never knew who his true father was amongst the many possibilities. It was common practice that infants born to slaves were sold on the auction markets separate from the mothers, in hopes of reducing the possibility or rebellious behavior when administering punishments. Archeron had been exchanged nearly six times by the time he was fifteen, eventually coming into the possession of Highborn Lord Elias.
Unlike the other slave owners he'd fell into, Lord Elias had a different purpose in purchasing manpower. Archeron was taught how to fight, and even tested for magical potential. The Highborn Lord's purpose was clear: he meant to conquer all of Beshlos and unify it under a single command. By the age of seventeen, Archeron had already participated in many battles amongst other enslaved races of dwarves and elves. He had killed his first man at the age of sixteen, and had cried about it all night. For reasons Archeron could never explain, there was an excruciating pain on the battlefield: it was as if he felt every fighter's hopes, and the stark crush of reality that seeped away into death. There was no choice but for the slave-warrior to continue battling: both physically against the enemies that would see his Master done harm, and emotionally against the crushing sorrow he felt within his companions and enemies. Desperate to stand against the chaos, Archeron stealthily made his way through the encampments and confronted Highborn Lord Elias. The mental power he felt from the man was intimidating, for there was no spec of sorrow or blemish of regret in his Master. A surety of purpose, an aura so powerful, emanated from the man like a light that could not be ignored.
Archeron, knife in hand pointed towards his Master, asked for what purpose they had to keep killing others. Lord Elias, with a single touch of the knife, disintegrated it into ash then forced Archeron into a seat. "What is your earliest memory?" Lord Elias inquired of the young slave. It took Archeron a couple of seconds to recall that it was the painful admonishment for having forgotten a duty, followed by the beatings he received when his previous owners were in a foul mood. Lord Elias, a frown on his face and emotions of anger coursing through his blood, offered his palm to the young Archeron. "Your purpose in fighting is to create a brighter future where I can create a perfect society. Even if it causes pain and sorrow, know that the night is always darkest before dawn."
With renewed vigor, Archeron fought to his most valiant on the battlefield. Every time he slayed an enemy, feeling their despair of defeat, he relished in knowing that it was one step closer to dawn. And soon, Lord Elias' armies did conquer all of Beshlos, and the rogues amongst dwarves and giants were executed in mass. A strict justice was put onto the land, so much so that within a handful of years, the citizens started to complain of how laws limited them: why could they not move freely like they had in the past? Why did they owe taxes? When the armies of rebels began seizing Lord Elias' kingdom, joined by defectors amongst the Kingdom's men, there was despair yet again. Archeron, Lord Elias' selected guardian, was within his Master's chamber when Highborn Lord Elias called him from the terrace of the castle. His Master stared at the moon and waited for his slave to join him.
Archeron vowed to take down the entire rebellion, to make them realize the folly of their desires which led them astray, but Lord Elias shook his head. It was apparent now how much time had taken from his Master, not only from his youth, but the passion that had once burned deep in his eyes. "It's quite funny how our energy works," his Master said. He placed a hand on the table and watched as it disintegrated to ash. "On a personal level, all I've ever wanted to do was take down the entire system... but on a global level, all I've wanted was to recreate." A light shone and the ashes of the table shone, recreated once again. "I am not so foolish to not realize when my time has come."
Archeron, stunned at the deep sorrow filling his master, the specs of fear at being near death's door, couldn't contain his own emotions. He began to shake as sorrow swept through the entire castle, worst of all from his admired figure.
"You are still young, and capable enough to fulfill our dream. That day you entered my tent was destined, you sought a purpose, and you found it. Tell me, do you still wish to create a new society?"
With a small nod, Archeron held his breath as screams filled the halls, closer to his Master's corridor.
Highborn Lord Elias placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then fulfill that vision I could never fulfill. Take what I was, and become more. You are a Master now, no longer a slave. You already have the trust of the army, now kill me to take the trust of the rebels."
Archeron refused, but Highborn Lord Elias was stubborn, even at death's door. He forced a knife into Archeron's hands, and commanded him, his final command as his Master, to end his life. It was only after the blood was over Archeron's hands, and he felt the sensation of relief drifting from his Master that he realized death could also be a sweet release from the terrible shackles of life.
"Master," Archeron said, holding Lord Elias' head as one would hold a child. "Wouldn't it be better if I joined you? I could protect you from whatever is to come in the beyond."
Lord Elias smiled. "Join me after you've fulfilled our dream.

Not long after, Archeron was announced to be the new Master of Beshlos. Yet, he knew that there was something more that still had to be done. Mortals would waver and return to terrors, induce evils, and commit atrocities. He remembered Lord Elias' words: Even if it causes pain and sorrow, know that the darkness is always brightest before dawn. He abandoned his position, and Beshlos was enveloped in chaos as competing factions sought to hold power. The sorrow and pain it caused was as numerous as the old days, and there was nothing like the power of anger, hate, revenge, and darkness to lend energy. Archeron rose his hand and from it, a humanoid creature began to form: Archeron created it in the shape of Highborn Lord Elias, yet the creation did not last long before it lost energy and died. Archeron had more ability than his Lord had possessed, but he needed stronger energy to create perfect beings. Together with his own abilities and the powers passed onto him by Elias, Archeron knew what needed to be done to create a perfect society. With a new plan in mind, he revisited his chain of previous Masters, killing them and taking their slaves until all that was left was only him.

## Magical Ability

* **Self-level ability:** To be editted.
* **World-level ability:** To be editted.