Phoenix Nero

## Appearance

A muscular young man with tan skin, navy blue hair, and silvery blue eyes, Nero is a very imposing individual.

## Personality

Originally described by his sister Shaun to be fierce and tough but kind, Nero was an honorable child who trained his little sister to defend herself and cared deeply for her. However, his time training to become the Phoenix Knight in Death Queen Island changed him. His master, Guilty, was cruel, vicious, and outright psychotic. Only Nero's attachments to his sister Shaun and to his master's daughter, Esmeralda, prevented him from caving under the hateful philosophy of his master. He was determined to not let his master's training change him.

Unable to bring himself to kill his master after six merciless years of training, Nero was pushed over the edge when one of his master's attacks missed him and killed Esmeralda. Taking his master's life with a fist through the man's chest, Nero was consumed with rage towards his teacher, the world, and even himself for not killing his crazed mentor sooner.

Nero has since defined himself by his wrath, his hatred, and his pride as the Phoenix Knight, having buried his previous identity in flames along with all of his pain and suffering.

While Nero styles himself as an invincible agent of hatred and wrath, he is actually deluding himself, as seen in his telepathic confrontation with Virgo Shaka upon gaining the Phoenix armor.

## Abilities and skills

* **Cosmo manipulation:** By tapping into the primal force of the universe, Nero is able to generate raw energy that can be used for a wide variety of superhuman powers and abilities. Notably, Nero's powers are fitting for a Phoenix Knight, being attuned to the element of fire.
	+ **Superhuman strength:** Nero is able to exert far more force with his body than an ordinary human. His strength is such that he was able to send his sister flying into a volcanic rock wall with enough force to crack solid stone.
	+ **Superhuman speed:** Nero is able to move at speeds far exceeding the finest human athletes.
	+ **Superhuman durability:** Complimenting his superhuman strength, Nero's body can hold up against intense pressure and physical punishment.
	+ **Superhuman agility:** Nero is capable of leaping several dozens of feet into the air from a standing start with ease.
	+ **Superhuman senses:** Nero's senses allow him to not only perceive and follow the energy signature of others capable of wielding Cosmo, but he is able to deduce the weak points of any attack by seeing it once.
	+ **Accelerated healing:** Much like Seiya, Nero can recover from injuries that would permanently injure or kill a normal human, such as having his spine repeatedly stomped on by his master, despite the severe damage to his spinal cord.
	+ **Energy projection:** Even compared to other Knights, Nero is exceptionally skilled at using his Cosmo to project a variety of energy blasts.
		- **Pyrokinesis:** More so than pure Cosmo, Nero favors the ability to create and manipulate fire. He is able to project flames from virtually any point on his body.
		- **Phoenix Phantom:** A more mental attack than physical, Nero is able to use this dark ability to force the recipient to relive their worst memory over and over again. Unfortunately for Nero, he is not immune to this power if it is reflected back at him.