Nyctonus

*Nyctonus is a monster and an enemy to the Hestions.*

Death is a natural part of life. Although terrifying, dying also brings peace to everyone, at least in this world. No one accepts that more than **Nyctonus**. Having been resurrected by the dark god Erebus, he now scours the living world. With dark blood flowing through his putrid veins, Nyctonus possesses supernatural abilities which he uses to please his lord.

But Nyctonus wasn’t always like this. In life, he was once known as Nyk, and was a loyal servant to King Minos. However, he became obsessed with the dark religions, and his ambition led him to the man he is today. Perhaps one day Nyk will see the error of his ways.

*“His obsession with darkness and death led him straight to Erebus, whom he gave himself to, thus turning him into the first zombie in Greek Mythology.”*

                                                                                                              -Hestes describing Nyctonus’ fate

## History

### Background

The man that would one day become Nyctonus started off as an orphan by the name of Nyk. Born thousands of years ago on the island of Crete during Greece’s classical period, Nyk was forced to live as a thief in order to survive.  At some point, Nyk was enlisted under King Minos’ service, becoming one of his royal guards.

One day, Nyk was sent on a mission by the king to recover a sacred herb, located near the Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Unfortunately for Nyk, the monster broke out its prison, and attacked the young man, and would have killed him if it weren’t for the intervention of Theseus, who slayed the beast. Theseus apologized to Nyk and helped him on his way back.

Having failed to retrieve the herb. King Minos furiously fired Nyk from his position. Bitter and resentful, he fled to the outskirts of the island, until finding a remote cave. There, he sat alone, until he suddenly heard a soft voice in his head, asking for help.

### Meeting Erebus

Nyk followed the voice coming from within his mind, and eventually came across a hidden temple. Inside he discovered that the temple was dedicated to Erebus, the primordial embodiment of total darkness. It is revealed that Erebus had sensed Nyk's anguish, and led him to his temple so he wouldn't be alone. Erebus begin to explain how, eons ago, the Olympians banished him inside a cosmic egg after trying to revert the universe back to its chaotic, lightless state.

Soon after, Nyk found himself completely devoted to Erebus’ cause, too the point he considered the dark god his only purpose in life. As a reward of his continued service, Erebus injected Nyk with his own lifeforce, Dark Blood, which empowered his disciple.

### Becoming the First Zombie

Erebus eventually convinced Nyk to take revenge on the man who had caused him so much pain. Although initially reluctant, Nyk soon realized he had nothing to lose, and agreed to murder the king in his sleep. That night, Nyk finally left the temple after years of hiding from the rest of the world.

Nyk eventually arrived at the king's castle and was about to successfully take the king's life away.

## *Power of the Gods: Forever Dark*

In the present day, Nyctonus remains dormant under his tomb. Having been freed by Nihlox prior to his death at the hands of the god Hestes, Erebus is now finally free from his prison, but is unable to physically manifest in the human world. To solve this, Erebus wakes his long-dormant disciple, and commands him to begin their ultimate plan: bring forth the Darkeer invasion.