Nightlord

The **Nightlord** (夜の君, *Yoru no Kimi*) is the primary antagonist of *Nights of Azure*. He is the original Nightlord, the former king of Demons, and the one responsible for the Eternal Night. He is also the most powerful demon to ever live.

## Appearance

In his original form, the Nightlord appears as a well-toned white skinned man with dark silver hair, two black horns at the sides of his head and black bat wings at waist height wearing dark armor with silver accents. He wears a black crown with long thorns pointing upwards. The armor wraps around his neck and his upper torso, but otherwise leaving most of his body uncovered. He wears clawed gauntlets, the one on his right side presenting red accents while the one on the left side with blue accents. From the waist down he's mostly covered in armor except for a portion of his thighs. The bottom armor also presents thorns beneath his calves and beneath the feet. Just like the gauntlets, the leg armor also has red accents on his right side and blue on his left side.

This version of the Nightlord is only visible in the opening cutscene for the game and in concept art. When Arnice first enters the Dream World, the Nightlord is there to greet her but he's completely shrouded in darkness with the exception of his red glowing eyes. For the vast majority of the game, the Nightlord takes the form of a slim black cat.

## Personality

When the Nightlord is able to express himself through words, he is shown to have a calm but cunning personality. He feels very confident in his power and admires those who are able to rival him.

As the Nightlord is mainly shown in his cat form, he is mischievous at first glance and steals personal items important to certain characters. He often meows at Arnice to grab her attention, sometimes trying to lead the way to help with her quest. He has an ambiguous attitude, as his intentions are hard to grasp. In reality, he's very observant and is often shown overhearing conversations. He tries to manipulate Arnice and Lilysse by sending letters and encouraging them to fulfill their duties, usually while jabbing at Arnice's indignant attitude and occasional dense antics.

## History

 **Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. Read at your own discretion.**
#### Battle Against Saint Ludegert

Centuries ago, the First Saint sacrificed herself to defeat the Nightlord. In doing so, his Blue Blood was spilled onto the world, giving life to Fiends by twisting everything it touched. Every ten years since that day, a new Saint has been chosen as a sacrifice to keep the Nightlord sealed away. But this is only what is told in history...

The First Saint, by the name of Ludegert, was disgusted by the atrocities that mankind was able to commit upon itself, and the futile reasoning behind them, like differences in ideologies. She believed she knew a way to stop the conflict and bring peace to the world. Ludegert did indeed do battle with the Nightlord, but it was for her own purposes, not to defend against a demonic invasion. Regardless, she struck him down and bathed in his Blue Blood, gaining immortality and the power she desired. The Nightlord was reduced to a powerless black cat, but always remained at her side.

#### Nights of Azure

The events of the game take place as the seal of the Nightlord is supposedly about to fade. Milada, the red Night Moon, has appeared in the sky, and once it becomes a full moon it will indicate that the seal to the Demon World has broken and the human world will be plunged into an Eternal Night wherein everyone will fall asleep and never wake. The true purpose of Milada, however, has been obscured by the Curia.

The Nightlord finds Arnice and Lilysse, who are unaware of his true identity, and follows them in their quest. At the Ende Hotel, Professor Alucard reveals the Lost Scripture, a book that has been largely burned by the Curia, as it contained details on how to seal the Nightlord. The book contains a picture of the Holy Mural, which shows how the First Saint was able to seal the Nightlord. Alucard and Arnice attempt to restore the Lost Scripture, but the book is stolen by the black cat right before they can glean its knowledge.

The initial intention of the cat Nightlord was to have the new Saint be sacrificed so that Ludegert's now-perishing body could reacquire its strength and continue to live. However, he gradually developed sympathy for Arnice's struggle, mostly thanks to her willpower and might, and inadvertently led her to the truth, whereupon she slew Ludegert. Though he lamented his powerlessness and inability to protect the woman whom feelings had blossomed for over the ages, he faded back into the night with a warm feeling in his heart, remembering the kindness and love she showed as her tears of frustration fell all those years ago. "Beautiful" was all he could think of to describe them.

## Relationships

* Arnice - Arnice was a human who was turned into a Half-Demon after touching the Nightlord's Blue Blood. The union of her red blood and the Blue Blood means that violet blood flows through her veins. He gives Arnice the Demon Sword Jorth upon entering the Dream World so he can test her power. He also sends Arnice many messages wherein he attempts to persuade her into fulfilling her duty as a knight and to forget about saving Lilysse. In these letters he always only refers to himself as "Your Guide". In his cat form, the Nightlord follows Arnice around very often, and he is always present in the Dream World next to the Maiden of Jorth.
* Lilysse - The Nightlord trails Lylisse. He steals her good luck charm ring which she associates with her early life as a Saint in training. Once Arnice retrieves the ring, Lilysse decides not to keep it anymore, devoting herself to her new duty as a Saint, which is what the Nightlord had intended to manipulate her in doing.
* Corrine - Corrine was a Holy Knight that fought against the Nightlord the day he was sealed. She decided to drink the Blue Blood in order to live long enough to protect the First Saint.
* Ludegert - Ludegert was the Saint that slayed the Demon King in legends. However, she was also the one to summon the Nightlord only to betray him, running him through with her greatsword and stealing his power. In doing so, the corruption of her misdeed created the Blue Blood, which was spilled onto the world, giving life to Fiends. Despite this betrayal, the Nightlord grew attached to Ludegert's beauty; in his cat form, he frequently visits Ludegert, and she can understand him despite him only being capable of meowing.

## Warriors All-Stars

In Warriors All-Stars the Nightlord appears in his cat form inside the base as long as either Arnice or Christophorus have joined the party. He can be found next to the tavern and every character can interact with him.

## Trivia

* In a scene, while next to the Pope, the Nightlord is shown sneezing in his cat form after Arnice mentions her suspicion of the Curia's scheming to Lilysse.
* After the event where it is revealed that the Black Book has been stolen, when Arnice enters the Dream World, the Maiden of Jorth will be shown talking to the cat Nightlord saying "What is it kitty? You're in a good mood," foreshadowing that the Nightlord was responsible for the its disappearance.
* It is unknown exactly how the Nightlord communicates verbally, mentally, or physically, but it is likely that he is more capable than he lets on even as a cat. For example, there are times when he is shown speaking to Arnice in-person, in her dreams, over the phone, or only being capable of meowing. How he writes letters as her Guide without opposable thumbs is also a mystery.

## Promotional Art

Promotional art. Nightlord from behind.Black Cat's in-game model. Nightlord's disguised form.