Erik

## Abilities

Sword Art: One Million Cuts

**Erik** is the Prince of the province of Arcadia and companion to The Party. After being adopted by the King of Arcadia as a young orphan and meeting intense backlash from the citizens of the province, Erik spent the majority of his childhood and formative years training in the art of swordplay in order to prove his worth. Becoming a legendary swordsman, Erik used his talents to protect his kingdom and stamp out Fukkatsu threats. Erik makes his first appearance quickly dispatching of The Lightning Dragon and rescuing the party, who join him in Arcadia afterwards.

## Background

Erik was born on a small farm to two unnamed farmers, and spent the first six years of his life under their care. The prince-to-be was a happy-go-lucky boy, with no cares in the world as no one had ever disturbed his parents or their farm. However, everything changed when a group of Cultists working for the Fukkatsu raided the farm and killed his parents in a blood sacrifice. As Cultist attacks were becoming more common, civil unrest began to shake the foundations of Arcadia. Determined to keep his nation orderly and stable, the King of Arcadia, Arne, decided to investigate the incident himself and ensure that it was covered up. When Arne found the young orphan, he decided to adopt him, knowing that he may present a liability later if he had not. Thus, Erik started his new life as a young prince.

After hearing of the news, the citizens of Arcadia angrily protested the King's decision. As the King had no biological heir, many warrior were training to become the honorary prince. These warriors were remarkable talents, and had been recognized by the entire nation as special warriors. However, the King persisted, and Erik was met with constant harassment and bullying. Although it was a crime to speak ill of the prince, many citizens were so passionate on the issue that they hurled insults and threats anyway. Completely isolated, Erik wanted nothing more than to be accepted. One night, while alone in his quarters, looking out the window at the angry protesters, he realized what he had to do.

Erik made the decision that he would become the greatest warrior the kingdom had ever seen, even better than his challengers and any other prince, past or present. Unlike the other candidates for prince, Erik had no talent for magic. Even casting a simple spell proved too challenging, but Erik did not lose hope. He shifted his focus to his sword, and trained exclusively in melee combat and swordplay. Erik continued his training for eleven years. On his eighteenth birthday, when he was officially crowned the royal successor, Erik was the most skilled warrior in the province by miles.

Many challenged Erik in duels for the crown, but each challenger was swiftly defeated. Erik defeated warrior after warrior, no matter how many legends were told of them or how much support they had for the people. Eventually, after the citizens of Arcadia began to realized that he could not be defeated, they began to respect Erik as the prince, and the challengers stopped coming. A decade later, Erik had garnered even more respect than the King himself.

Long ago, on the same night the King took Erik in, he had found a strange necklace. Over the decades, the necklace had drawn King Arne mad. He obsessed over it, lusted over it even, and claimed to hear a voice from it that would speak to him and only him. As the King grew more senile, Erik had to take over more and more of his royal duties, until eventually, Arne was king only in name. As the secret king of Arcadia, Erik made his top priority the investigation of the Fukkatsu and the rise of Cultist attacks, which had only grown worse and worse over the decades.

## Personality

Erik was a happy and eager child. However, after the slaughter of his parents, he became quiet and reserved, traits that stuck with him all the way into adulthood. Having been doubly, for one, an outcast, and for two, in a position of high regard, Erik was full of confusion and frustration. These feelings caused him to retreat within himself. With Erik's standoffish demeanor and his peculiar social position, he could never make friends. However, Erik embraced his loneliness and used to fuel his training, which made him tough and adaptable. As a fully realized adult, Erik is serious and straightforward. He hardly ever smiles or shows emotion, which invites teasing by those around him. He is easily flustered when a situation becomes silly and lighthearted, something he isn't used to. Erik can be apathetic on the surface, and uses brutal methods to further his goals that do not take other's feelings into regards. Although his goals are always noble, this can cause distress within his team. Erik hardly speaks when it isn't needed, and prefers to gaze away mysteriously. However, Erik is an effective leader and strategist, earning the respect and compliance of those within his squad.

## Appearance

Erik is medium height with light skin, blue eyes, and blonde hair. His hair is medium length on top, undercut, and he dons a single braid over his left eye in compliance with the customs of Arcadia's royal standards. He wears light set of royal armor. Erik's has a sharp, cutting look, with intense eyes. He is considered handsome by many, and even lusted after by Sigrun.

## Abilities

### Swordplay

Erik, having no magical prowess, specializes solely in swordplay. Erik uses a one-handed shogun-style sword at medium range, and can swing it at speeds almost imperceptible to the human eye. His swordplay is unmatched, and his combatants must use tactical spells to overcome his aggressive attacks. To complement his swordplay, Erik is in peak physical condition for his species, and can move at high speeds and use notable strength in hand-to-hand combat. Without his sword, Erik specializes in a fighting style influenced by Muay Thai.

### Intelligence

Erik is highly intelligent and a brilliant strategist. When among a squad of those under his command, he can devise a plan within a minute or two. He is a strong leader and usually knows the most tactically beneficial decision at any given moment.

## Story

### Chapter 1: What Lies Below the Mountain

After learning of the fight between the Lighting Dragon and the The Party on the border of Arcadia by one his scouts, **Erik** and The Valkyries, his bodyguards, quickly investigate. As The Valkyries make their entrance, trapping the Lighting Dragon, Erik quickly dispatches of the dragon using the Sword Art: One Million Cuts technique. In the secret scene, Erik can be seen leaning on a tree and looking away as Sigrun explains to The Party where they are going.