Difference between revisions of "Blackflame Training Arc"

Revision as of 06:09, 26 May 2020

The Blackflame Training Arc follows Samuel Mason as he trains with Sentry and Merrow in preparation for the invasion of the Aspects that sent Junon's future son into an apocalypse.

Reuniting with the Squad

Sam experiences another vision of Decen, his past life, where he sees himself battling a powerful foe, Azazel, the Paladin of Battle. Azazel outmatches Decen in combat due to superior technique. Despite his immense regeneration, Azazel bombards Decen with strikes from his swords, sending him through multiple buildings.

Decen gets to his feet, and manages to block a twin slash with a transformed blade from his arm. However, Azazel slips through and swipes at the Paladin, nearly severing him in two. The force of the slash is so great that Decen is sent flying through several landforms.

Decen regenerates, but is pinned down by several spears that pierce each of his limbs. Azazel pronounces that he is the superior Paladin, and that Battle overpowers War. Decen attempts to secretly absorb Azazel, but Azazel predicts this and severs Decen's hand.

Sam wakes up in a sweat, where he is greeted by Sentry in his physical form and Bridget, who is sitting on Merrow's lap. Merrow asks Sam if he had experienced another vision, which Sam affirms. Sam tells Merrow of his vision of Decen battling Azazel, and Merrow tells Sam that the two had a rivalry back when they were still serving Acadia. When Decen lost the fight that day, he had decided to defect from the other Paladins, working on his own to increase his strength. This led to many believing him to have betrayed the Paladin Code.

Sam remarks that he remembered how Connor Hark had commented on Decen being a traitor. Merrow nods, telling Sam that this led to a standoff between Decen and the other Paladins. Decen was exiled from his own kind for refusing to fight alongside them. Sam asks Merrow how Decen was still in service to the Acadians despite this.

Sentry draws his katanas, and inspects them. He tells Sam that even among the Paladins, Decen was unique. He did not proudly embrace his nature, rather choosing to declare himself as a warrior of his own right. This led to constant fights with the other Paladins. Despite this, Decen was still loyal to the Acadians, which was why he was able to be contracted for missions. Sentry looks at Sam once more and tells him that if the Aspects are as powerful as Mogul, then he will need to become even stronger than he currently is.

Merrow purses her lips and puts Bridget on the ground, letting her play with a few water constructs. Merrow tells Sam that Mogul was by far the most powerful being she had ever fought. Battling an army of them would be unrealistic. However, she has a plan on getting him stronger so he would at least be able to keep up with the Aspects without being killed. Merrow explains that although Decen's regeneration was superior, it was not perfect. He was able to take damage if it was beyond his healing abilities. So if Sam masters Regeneration, he might be able to have an edge.

Sam asks Merrow how to improve it, and Merrow explains that Decen's regeneration stems from being a Conduit to The Constitution Force. This means he must find a way to hone in on it, and draw more of its power than Decen ever did.

Bridget and Sentry dissipate, entering Sam's consciousness as Merrow accompanies him downstairs. Sam greets Calliope, who gives him a big smile. Lazarus offers Sam a cup of coffee for the morning, and Sam asks where Jason is. Calliope tells Sam that Jason is in the courtyard with Amana.

Sam walks in on Amana and Jason mid-kiss. Sentry covers Bridget's eyes. Jason and Amana greet Sam happily and Sam tells them he has an idea of making himself stronger. They must seek knowledge on the Conduits of Quinta. Jason scratches his head, and asks Sam why he doesn't know. Sam explains that he can't access all of Decen's memories still, and that maybe Jason might have an idea of how Decen was able to draw out the power of Regeneration. Merrow tells Jason that even she does not know how Decen was able to do it. Jason, being a Remnant, may have some memories that might be linked to it. Unfortunately, Jason does not know.

Amana devises a plan, and rationalizes that if Connor Hark is still alive, there may be a chance that other Paladins may also have survived Mogul's slaughter. If that is the case, there may be people who possess similar abilities. Merrow commends Amana's intelligence, and agrees to the plan. The two decide to head out to come up with a plan, leaving Sam and Jason together.

Sam joins Jason in looking at the troops of the Inquisition. Jason comments that this war against the Aspects will not be easy. In fact, it may be borderline impossible. Sam jokes that maybe Mogul hit him in the head a bit too hard. There's room to grow. Jason smiles at his protege.

Jason tells Sam that he trained Junon's son, Adam Gareth, and that in his time, they were all slaughtered, thrusting him into a dark future. Sam shakes his head, telling him that the future isn't set. Jason tells Sam that he hopes so. Sam asks Jason what he thinks of Adam, and Jason tells him that Adam reminds him a lot of Junon. Determined to get better, but petty at times. His admiration for his mother has made him inherit a lot of her traits, reminding him of her more than Mavus. Sam chuckles, and asks Jason if he considers Adam his nephew. Jason asks if that's because of his old relationships with Junon. If they went by that logic, that would make Sam more of an uncle to Adam as he was the only member of Darkstar who kissed her. Bridget giggles.