Akiara

> *"Is it betrayal to realize the faults and lies of something and disavow it in the name of the truth?"*
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- Akiara

Akiara was a Wushu member and Council member during the latter half of the 20th century who later deserted the clan due to disagreeing with their philosophies and ideals. He became a Christian after he met Hank Jones and adopted the teachings of the Holy Word of God. In return, he trained Jones in the ancient and forbidden martial arts of his former Clan. He was eventually tracked down by the cunning Yamanashi and slain during their duel.

## Biography

### **Early Life**

Inducted into the Wushu Clan at a young age, Akiara grew up within their ideals and culture. However, he was seen as a maverick by the other members for his disagreements and views on the Clan’s philosophy when he came of age. His rogue nature caused much dissension between him and the Council, but many members came to appreciate his views particularly the female members who found his mannerisms and mystique attractive. Eventually, he was approached by the Daimyo himself, Master Zhao, and asked to tone down his behavior, to which Akiara complied out of respect for his leader.

### Quarrels with the White Wolf

Attaining the rank of Disciple at the age of 22, Akiara chose the class of Wushu Warrior and honed his battle skills and swordsmanship to the point where he was unrivaled within the Clan. He was so proficient at the art of the sword that he was granted the title of *kensei* during his time with the Clan, a highly distinguished title granted to the most exalted swordsman of Japan and only one can bear it at a time, only adding to the legend of Akiara.

By the time Akiara established himself as a prolific adept of the sword, the ambitious Yamanashi heard of Akiara’s ability and wished to assess his own ability. Challenging Akiara to a sparring match within the Temple, they dueled in front of a large audience with even Zhao watching. Akiara defeated Yamanashi with a precise strike to the waist that disarmed Yamanashi and tripped him to the ground. With his blade by his neck, Akiara was the victor. Akiara offered his hand to help Yamanashi get up but was refused. Humiliated and infuriated, Yamanashi left the chamber and practiced even more for their next duel.

Later on, Akiara would duel many more and eventually he beat all Council members in duels and sparring matches. This bolstered his arrogance and ego until the Daimyo dueled Akiara, himself and bested Akiara in 4 moves. This was a humbling experience for Akiara.

In 1973, Yamanashi would yet again challenge Akiara to a duel, but this time they would fight in private within the Training Center. This contest was more evenly matched than the one previous but Akiara would yet again prove to be the more skilled duelist. He defeated Yamanashi and this time he did not reach out his hand to help him up, something Yamanashi would not forget as he lied on the ground.

A number of Wushu members would gossip about Akiara’s and Yamanashi’s second duel, but the outcome would be somewhat disputed as there was no one present to see it. This rivalry between them would be somewhat of a debated and talked about topic within the Clan, they even received their own monikers. The Black Wolf for Akiara and the White Wolf for Yamanashi, a play on their appearances and attires. They were also believed to be fulfillers of an old Wushu prophecy that foretold of two individuals that were the opposites of each other, disimilar and incompatible yet their fates were intertwined, destined for their lives to end because of each other. Both Akiara and Yamanashi denied this as a myth and paid little attention to it.

In the coming years and for most of their 20s, Yamanashi would demand another duel but Akiara would deny it each time as he had no desire to humiliate the young adept again.

### **Fighting Years**

#### **The Battle of Songhua**

Engaging in numerous battles with the Eternal Knighthood, including the infamous Battle of Songhua, the largest battle between the two rivals in the 20th century. A battle that featured luminaries of the Clan such as Akiara, Yamanashi, Chen Chao and even the Daimyo himself, Master Zhao. He led a small platoon of Wushu Warriors that proved instrumental in winning the battle, Akiara dueled the Grand Noble himself and almost defeated him but their duel was cut short and ended in a draw. This was the last major battle fought by the Clan and the Knighthood after the UN starting issuing penalties to the Japanese Government for the Clan’s vandalism.

Prior to this battle, there were other smaller ones that Akiara and the Clan engaged in, scoring victories and accomplishing important missions for the Clan. Akiara would garner an illustrious battle reputation, his feats during combat would earn him a seat on the Council in 1980 and he would be considered among the most respected members of the Clan.

Yet still, after all that Akiara remained unconvinced by the doctrine of his adopted Clan. Much of his time during his early 30s were spent meditating and in search of something greater, an answer.

#### **Cognitive Dissonance**

> *"Once I found out that the teachings of the clan were mislead and false, I found Christ, my saviour."*
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- Akiara

An answer would come when Akiara was 35. During meditation, an intense myriad of images would enter Akiara’s mind. Most notably one of the Messiah and a man with a white hat. Most encouraged, Akiara would set out of the Clan’s HQ in search of an understanding and further confirmation that these visions were of credence.

### **Atoning for Past Sins**

Notifying the Council of his departure by reason of Spiritual Significance, Akiara left the Temple in early 1984 and travelled across Asia and Europe until he encountered the De La Croix gang in France and sabotaged their dealings with the Vincenzo Mafia in the name of justice. This was the first time Frank Vincenzo had run into the Wushu Clan member. Akiara discovered that the shipments of drugs the Vincenzo Mafia had sent them came from Alaska. He took this to be a sign, and thus he left for Alaska shortly after.

#### The Man With the White Hat

> *”And this Christ, what did he accomplish?”*
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> *”Everything.”*
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-Akiara and Hank Jones discussing the Bible

Arriving to Alaska in May of 1984, Akiara was not slow to discover that that the state had a problem with drug shipments as the Vincenzo Mafia set up a base of importing and exporting in the town of Wasilla through the employment of drug dealer Kevin Cox. In the town, he learned that a man resided north of the town on a ranch that was rarely seen, the most inquisitive detail though, he apparently wore a white cowboy hat. Much like the one Akiara saw in his dream back at the Temple.

Akiara located the ranch and spoke with the man who introduced himself as Hank Jones. The two of them had a lengthy talk as Akiara explained his unannounced appearance. After fully explaining himself, Hank believed that the Most High has delivered Akiara to him to receive the Word that was written. Hank agreed to teach Akiara about the Bible and it’s wisdom, and Akiara feeling like he owed Hank something as well, instructed him in the martial arts of the Wushu Clan that was forbidden to outsiders and the penalty for doing so was death.

#### Humble and Honest Work

Living in a cottage he built himself on Hank’s ranch, Akiara for the first time felt happy and content about his residence and life. Being away from the Temple walls he came to call home, Akiara realized now that it was more of a prison. Here in Alaska, he diligently worked on the ranch in the morning, trained Hank during the day and learned about the Bible in evening. Akiara liked the change of pace and anonymity that came with living in a reclusive area as he was somewhat of a celebrity within the Wushu Clan and a known figure to the Eternal Knighthood, and the work he put in humbled him. The first three months in Alaska were mostly ones of work, training and instruction. He, Hank and William “Bill” Henry had fun and became good friends in those months.

### **Arbiter of Justice**

In August of 1984 Akiara would reveal himself to Frank Vincenzo’s mafia once more when he discovered a hideout that contained shipments of drugs they received being run by Kevin Cox. Deciding to put a stop to their criminal activity and clean up the state of Alaska, Hank advised him against, knowing how motivating the desire for justice can drive a man into an obsessive state, but Akiara shunned his advocation and went through with dismantling the hideout. He only killed two Vincenzo mobsters and left the others alive, the last time he would take a life. The hideout’s destruction would appear on the news with heavy coverage from the US media as the perpetrator behind it was unseen and not known. By the manner and skill of how his mobsters were taken out, Frank Vincenzo knew this was the same violator from France a couple of months earlier.

In December of the same year, another deal that the Vincenzo Mafia tried to pull with other mobsters was stopped by Akiara. This incident would lead to Akiara receiving the moniker of the Saber Spectre as the mobsters in custody only recalled a sword wielding “spectre” moving in the shadows when they were attacked. Akiara was labeled a vigilante by the public and the media referred to him as an “arbiter of justice”. The local police did not take kindly to someone doing their job for them, and better than them nonetheless, so Akiara‘s actions were not met with positive reception by the sheriff.

## Personality

> *"All those years, a waste of a life filled with pride and lust. I am not that man anymore"*
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- Akiara

Confident with an authoritative voice and natural leadership qualities, there are few as impressionable as Akiara. While many of the male members of the Clan came to detest him for his superior swordsman skills and charismatic ooze, he was popular with the female members and had close relationships with many at once, much to the dismay of the Council members who revered prudence and even promoted celibacy. In his twenties Akiara considered himself a better and smarter warrior than any of his contemporaries, thus he became arrogant, but a duel with Master Zhao in which he was humbled and a couple of life experiences to add to it, maturing as a warrior and man while exalting himself and growing wiser, much would change about Akiara. After converting to Christianity, the humble traits of Akiara only expanded and he had fully integrated the morals and parables of the Christ, Jesus, into his own life and he modeled it after Him.

## Powers and Abilities

> *“Master Zhao called you the best swordsman of this century. Would you like to test that hypothesis?”*
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-Yamanashi during their last duel

### **Abilities**

* **Supreme Physical Shape:** Holding years of rigorous Wushu training, Akiara is a physical specimen. Considered to be one of the strongest members of the Clan, Akiara could dominate almost anyone in a fight, and with his agility, he was able to outmaneuver anyone. He was likened to a Wushu Samurai due to his physical gifts and ability.
* **Swordsmanship Mastery:** Picking the path of the Wushu Warrior, Akiara had time to hone the ability to utilize all manner of weaponry, most notably the longsword. His proficiency with the weapon was unparalleled within the Clan and he was held in such a high degree that the Daimyo, Master Zhao, called him the greatest swordsman the Clan produced in the century.
* **Acute Mental Sharpness:** In addition to his physical capability, Akiara had an extremely conscientious and sharp mind that allowed him to strategize and read situations at a faster clip than most others could. Many wondered why he had not gone on to become a Sentinel with this type of clarified mind.

## Relationships

### **Friends**

* Hank Jones
* Hendford Rylance †
* Greg †
* Sheriff Lyle

### **Enemies**

* Wushu Clan
	+ Yamanashi †
	+ Master Zhao †
* Killer's Guild
	+ Thorn
	+ Wenona Nance †

## Quotes

> *"Moshi Moshi, Thorn"*
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