Blackflame Training Arc

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 Restoration 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.

Sam leaves when he is suddenly confronted by Aaron Sterling. Aaron asks Sam if he is looking for other Conduits of Quinta, which Sam confirms. Decen was a conduit to the Restoration Force, which meant he was too. When he was free from the Corruption, his cells initiated a link to the Restoration Force subconsciously, allowing him to use Decen's Regeneration. Unfortunately, he is unable to regenerate at the same pace as Decen was able to. To prepare for the war against the Aspects, he must learn how to use it better. As a result, he needs to find other Paladins who may also be conduits to Quinta's Energy Realms.

Aaron laughs, and Sam asks what he finds so funny. Aaron reveals that he is a conduit to The Power Force. If he wants to learn, he can have a good introduction through a sparring match. Merrow tells Sam that this is a good idea, as combat with a fellow Conduit may help reawaken his powers until they find someone who is a Conduit to the Restoration Force to provide him better tutelage.

A wind breezes between the two Tier Zero meta humans, as they face down in an abandoned field. Bridget cheers Sam on while Merrow watches from the sidelines. Sentry dissipates into Sam's consciousness as Aaron draws Rigor, powering up. Sam's body bursts in white and black flame, assuming Form 2.

Blackflame vs. Giantkiller

Aaron jolts forward with immense speed faster than Sam can react with Sentry's abilities. Aaron swings, but suddenly Sam superheats his body, creating a massive white and black inferno. Aaron jumps back, but not before swiping Rigor, extinguishing the flame and sending Sam back from the immense wind pressure.

Sam bursts to the sky, propelling upwards with his hands in a black and white comet, but Aaron outpaces him, slamming his fist in Sam's face with the same astonishing speed. Sam is sent into the ground, forming a crater. The dust obstructs himself from Aaron's vision.

A red glow emerges from the dust, as Sam powers up to Form 4, swiping at Aaron with a devastating Iai chop, but Aaron retaliates with a swipe of Rigor. The flaming black and red slash is nullified by orange Power Force energy, which pushes Sam further into the ground.

Aaron shoots in and begins swinging, but Sam's reflexes and speed have been boosted, allowing to hold his own with Doma Martial Arts. Sam catches Rigor, with several hand movements, fluidly evading the strike and concentrating a powerful chop into Aaron's midsection, sending him back. Aaron summons the Power Force to slow his skid, but Sam leaps into the air, delivering a massive spinning axe kick, which is blocked by Rigor.

The sky flashes with red and black flame and lightning, while Rigor illuminates the plains with its orange glow. Aaron begins powering up even more, slowly lifting Sam's leg, winning the clash. Sam lands on the ground, but once again spirals forward, spinning in a massive black and red flaming tornado attempting to strike at Aaron once more, however, Aaron powers up his arm, punching the ground and sending a shockwave at Sam's position. Sam is launched in the air.

Aaron zips forward and attempts to swipe at Sam, but Sam once again bursts in his flame, burning Aaron and sending him back. Sam uses his hands to propel himself in a powerful black and red burst, zipping behind Aaron and delivering a powerful chop, but is parried by Rigor. The force of the shockwave sprains Sam's wrist, and Aaron is declares himself to be the winner.

However, Sam begins to regenerate, using The Restoration Force. Sam tells Aaron that he's just getting started. Aaron swings Rigor and catches Sam clean in the face, but Sam regenerates from the strike, powering through Aaron's attacks and headbutts the meta human, sending him sliding back.

Aaron wipes his forehead, which has started to bleed and smirks. Sam chuckles. Aaron remarks that Sam is able to draw out the Restoration Force in times of need and emotion, which is similar to how he was able to draw out the Power Force when he first started. Aaron tells Sam to get ready for Round 2, and begins drawing more of The Power Force, his body glowing orange and crackling with orange electricity.

Sam transforms into Form 5, his black spiky hair turning white as snow, growing out to his shoulders. His red flame turning a fierce magenta. The clash of the powers of the two cause the ground to rumble.

The fight is suddenly interrupted by Aaron's girlfriend, Hannah, who manages to run into the scuffle while on a trip with Steel to look for sewing supplies. Hannah scolds Aaron for causing more damage to Corinth, and Aaron apologizes. Aaron tells Sam that he wishes him luck, and hopefully this fight may have taught him a few things. Aaron salutes Sam and Merrow then departs with Hannah to join her with her errands.

Sam stares at his wrist, which had fully regenerated in that burst of Restoration.

Return to Acadia

Sam leaves Corinth and travels to the Champions Universe, to search for clues of Decen's past in the abandoned country of Acadia. Tob offers to come along, and the two head to Acadia alongside Guardian Merrow, Sentry, and Bridget.

On their way to the country, Tob and Sam reminisce their time together, back when they still lived in the basement of their landlord, struggling to pass their degree and pay the rent. Sam and Tob look back at their growth as people. Tob embracing his Demigod nature, and Sam realizing his Paladin inheritance. The boys joke and laugh as they enter the portal. Jason smiles at the development of the boys, as Amana holds his hand, telling her that he is proud of them.

The two reach the country, and is immediately greeted at the wasteland-like environment. Deserted, only remnants of an old civilization. Merrow leads the way and introduces Sam to Ulthane's Plaza, which was a common place for Paladins and Acadians alike to converse and worship the Aspects, which was later replaced with Seetus Scarlet, the first Acadian to be given the powers of creation.

Tob raises and eyebrow and asks if Seetus is related to Valerian Scarlet, but Merrow frowns, not recognizing the name. Merrow tells the boys that Seetus was an ancient Acadian who used his powers of creation to create magic, and from there, he had passed on his powers to his numerous descendants. It wouldn't be surprising if she was his descendent. Seetus helped Paladin Koloth form the country of Croft, and served as Koloth's advisor in the old days.

Eventually, as Seetus' life began to deteriorate, he passed his powers down to his children, who would spread across the world. The Scarlet bloodline continued for centuries. Eventually, Seetus passed, essences of his soul serving as a source of wisdom to those who sought council.

Sam and Tob explores the Plaza until suddenly Sam is struck by a vision of Decen walking around the same place the two were standing on. Decen touching the altar in the same place Sam was currently touching it.

As the group explores the Plaza, more of Decen's memories return. Decen's time with his friends Icarus and Jonna, The Paladin of The Sands. Icarus, Jonna, and Decen were friends even before being Paladins.

Sam's vision switches to a memory of Decen, where he stood at the top of a building alongside Icarus and Jonna. Jonna tells the boys that she will become the strongest Paladin in existence, but Decen tells her that he will be. The two get in an argument, and Icarus tells the two that he will become not just the strongest, but also the greatest Paladin. One that shines the light of hope and honour to all who hears his name.

Sam realizes the foreshadowing of this, as Icarus later becomes the Paladin of Light. Decen smiles, and tells Icarus that he will become great too. He will become the strongest and greatest Paladin, but on his own terms. He will become so strong, that people will see Decen as Decen, not just a Paladin. They will see him for who he is. Jonna tells the two that this means they will become rivals. A race to the top of the Paladins. Decen, Jonna, and Icarus touch gloves, a custom to symbolize a pact.

The vision dissipates, and Sam continues walking forward, meeting with Tob in an old building. Merrow explains that this building was where the old elders of the Paladins would reside, where current Paladins would seek council. Sam enters the building and is taken aback at the ancient yet elegant stonework.

Sculptures of several elders tower along the sides, which Merrow recognizes as The Five Elders, who were the first Paladins in existence. Legend spoke that a Paladin of a pure heart would be able to interact with the centre pillar, which was a sculpture of elder Rolah, The Paladin of Hope.

However, no Paladin had a pure heart, as they served the Acadians. The Paladin Code required all Paladins to seek strength for the Acadians, no matter the cost. To kill and to fight, as sentries to the Lords of Creation.

Bridget giggles, and leads Sam around the building, causing Sam to chase her around. Merrow watches as the reincarnation of her master played with the little girl, remembering how they first met. Sam's compassion for the little ghost girl who had lost her family allowed him to soul link with Bridget. Sam's desire to become great and help others had earned him his role as Jason's successor. Out of all the people she had met, Sam's heart was the purest of them all. Even when he was under The Corruption, a part of him was still fighting it, causing him to hesitate and fight.

Sentry looks at Merrow and asks if Sam is the one the Legends speak of. However, Merrow is unsure. He may be a reincarnation, but he is a reincarnation of Decen, who had committed multiple atrocities, genocides, and took many lives. Despite this, Sam was not Decen. He was strong but also had his humanity.

Merrow calls Sam over and tells him to put his hand on the pillar. Sam questions Merrow, and Merrow suspects that Sam might be the one the Legends spoke of. A pure Paladin who was not like his kind, who would be worthy to seek the council of the great Rolah himself.

Sam goes up to the pillar and touches it, to no effect. Sam tells Merrow that maybe they should try something else, but Merrow asks Sam what his end goal really is.

Sam stares at his hand, and is about to tell her that he wants to strive for greatness when he suddenly stops. Realizing that his goal has changed, advanced far beyond that. The things he is doing is no longer for himself. He wants to be great not just for himself, but for others. Before the battle against Mogul, he did it because he wanted to help Jason's predicament. Then after helping Jason get back to his world, his goals went to helping Jason's people. Then his goals to become stronger went to saving the cosmos from Mogul.

This drive was what propelled him to train harder than before, unlocking Form 5.

Sam looks his Guardian in the eye. Sam tells Merrow that he wants to be great, for the sake of others. As they speak, the fate of their futures rests of their hands. Even if the odds are stacked against them, he will become stronger, to prevent Adam's future from becoming a reality. This strength is not for him anymore, it's for the people.

Suddenly, the pillar that Sam had his hand on begins to shake, glowing with a brilliant white light. Sam's vision becomes bright as reality dissolves, sending Sam's consciousness to another world.

Rolah and Decen

Sam awakens to a floating platform, surrounded by clouds in the middle of what appears to be the sky. Momentarily freaking out, Sam attempts to use his Darkfire, but nothing emerges from his body. Sam realizes he cannot sense Sentry or Bridget.

Sam climbs the stairs to the top platform, taking in the environment. Floating metallic platforms with ancient engravings of warriors fighting a battle. Pillars lining each platform are decorated with arcane lines. Old and elegant.

Sam reaches the top platform and sees an old man in a crimson hood. His hair white from aging. The man turns around, his eyes glowing magenta like Decen's. Sam introduces himself to the man, and the man reveals himself to be Rolah, the Paladin of Hope. Rolah remarks that Sam is a reincarnation, but still fundamentally a Paladin. The first to have not been under the influence of the Paladin Code.

Rolah continues inspecting Sam, causing him to ask the elder about the Restoration Force. Sam tells Rolah that he needs to learn how to master it to fight back against the Aspects that will terrorize his future. Rolah spreads his arms and reveals that this world he is in is The Restoration Force. He has already deduced that key emotion and need trigger the connection, however that is only the first step.

Conduits to the other realms are easy to control their power, but with the implications of the Restoration Force, Queen Quinta made it particularly difficult for Restoration Force Conduits to master their power. Sam asks Rolah why that is the case, and Rolah explains that this is because those who master the Restoration Force unlock the one power that is only reserved to the gods: Immortality.

Rolah continues to talk about the history of the Paladins, causing Sam to slowly lose interest. Sam tells Rolah that he doesn't have much time, and needs to learn how to master the power fast. The Aspects are too powerful, and given that Decen was unable to defeat one, there is no chance anybody could survive an entire platoon of Aspects. However, before Sam can finish his rant, Rolah cuts him off.

Rolah tells Sam that no man is perfect, and he is a prime example of this. Patience is a virtue, and it is only when a man is cornered do their true flaws begin to show. Rolah suddenly thrusts his hands, and a person begins to manifest. Black coat, long magenta dyed hair, and magenta eyes.

Decen's body suddenly powers up, red swirls of energy snaking around him as he bursts forward, kneeing Sam in the chin.

Sam slides back and nearly falls off the platform, but manages to get to his feet. Decen closes in again, and attempts to strike at Sam's face, but Sam manages to catch Decen's fist. Despite not being able to use his powers, Sam's years of physical and strength conditioning allows him to compete with Decen's powers.

Sam and Decen wrestle, and Sam utilizes his superior conditioning to tackle Decen to the ground, pummelling him. But suddenly, Decen begins to regenerate, using more of his powers and kicking Sam into the air. Sam hits the ground, bruised and injured.

Sam glares at Rolah and asks him why he is doing this, but Rolah simply regards the boy. Rolah tells Sam that if he wants to unlock the next stage of his power, he must face his past. Reincarnation or not. Emotional growth comes from facing their past head on, without any tricks, or shortcuts. If he wishes to get stronger, he must defeat this past version of himself and learn to move on.

Sam gets to his feet and meets Decen head on. Decen clenches his fists, glaring at Sam with a pair of murderous and rage filled eyes. The two boys charge.

One and the Same

Sam swings wildly at Decen, having lost Sentry's Doma Martial Arts skill, and Decen easily dodges the strikes, kneeing Sam in the gut. Sam gets to his feet and grabs Decen's arm, tackling him to the ground again, but Decen slips out of the wrestler's hold, launching Sam across the platform.

Before Sam can get up, Decen strikes, his fist slamming Sam in the side of his head. Sam goes skidding to the other side, heavily injured. Despite this, Sam gets to his feet, proclaiming that he will not die here, because he needs to go back to his people. To get back stronger and save them from the Aspects. Suddenly, Decen speaks for the first time in their scuffle, angrily dismissing Sam's declaration. Decen tells Sam that he can't save them, because there is no way they can get strong enough to defeat the Aspects.

Sam tells Decen that there is no way he will know unless he tries, but Decen calls his reincarnation naive. Decen and Sam clash, and suddenly, Sam is bombarded with more memories of Decen. Decen's past with Merrow and Sentry, and his fight against Mogul.

Decen tells Sam that Mogul broke him in ways that even the Restoration Force was unable to fix. Mogul shattered his psyche, took away his life, and tortured the only two people he loved. Despite giving it his all, he was still slain, his powers taken from him, and now, his brethren return to destroy whatever is left.

Sam is bombarded with more visions. Sam sees Decen return to an apocalyptic Acadia, bodies strewn everywhere from the wrath of Mogul.

Decen launches Sam out of the platform, where Sam falls down the stairs and onto another platform. Decen leaps into the air before him, but Sam stands up. Decen yells in rage, and continues to bombard Sam with strikes too fast for him to react. Sam grabs Decen's face and headbutts him, the two boys stumbling back. Decen regenerates and yells that there is no hope for the two. They will kill Merrow, Sentry, Darkstar, and Bridget. Sam roars and charges, slamming into Decen's midsection and sending the boys off the edge of the platform onto another.

Decen continues striking Sam, but Sam's will to keep fighting enrages Decen, causing him to burst into tears asking why he won't stay down. Sam tackles Decen once more and wrestles him.

More visions enter Sam's mind. Sam is now seeing in Decen's point of view. Jonna's dying body in Decen's arms as she looks into the young Paladin for the last time, apologizing for not being strong enough to fulfill her promise to being the greatest Paladin. Decen, in tears proclaims that he will slay Mogul for them. Jonna gives Decen her necklace, and Sam realizes it is the Amulet that he had seen in all those visions, the one that Decen always wore and used to send Sentry into.

Sam's vision returns to normal, and realizes that Decen has pinned him to the ground, relentlessly striking his face, but at a weaker intensity. Sam catches Decen's punch, grabs the boy by the collar, lifting him off the ground. Decen's face in tears as Sam tells him that if Decen really wanted him dead, he could have used full power and killed him immediately.

Sam throws Decen across the platform and walks up to him, taking out the amulet around his neck, Jonna's amulet, telling him that he has been keeping it safe this entire time. Sam tells him that he doesn't care what he thinks. He will do everything he can to get stronger. That day the three of them made the pact to become the greatest Paladin, it was confirmation that none of them could accept their limits. They would push through the impossible no matter what. Sam suddenly realizes that he is referring to Decen as himself, and notices that Decen's body is beginning to dissipate, entering his body. More and more memories flood Sam's mind until his memory is fully restored. Decen and Sam becoming one.

Decen smiles one last time, telling Sam that he is finally free, merging his essence into the boy. Sam's body begins to glow magenta as he undergoes a transformation.

Evolved

Rolah approaches Sam, and tells him that his friends are waiting. When the time comes for him to return to the Restoration Force for council, he will be waiting. Sam does not understand what he means, and Rolah approaches Sam, telling him that his role in the final battle is great, giving him the following prophecy.

" Premature, the quelling shall place,
The final battle, of the mortal race.

Subjects of Quinta, one will unite,
Hands of purity, stained with night.

Fall of the gods, the rise of man,
Child of War's final stand. "

Sam awakens, and realizes that Sentry, Bridget, Merrow, and Tob are staring at him.

Merrow is in shock, and tells Sam he looks just like Decen. Sam looks in the mirror, and realizes that his facial structure had completely changed. It looked like Decen, but at the same time, he had kept a majority of his old traits and musculature. Sam's eyes now magenta like Decen's.

Tob comments that it looked like the little council worked. Sam senses the two soul links returning, and Sentry tells Sam he senses that he has gotten significantly stronger. His body becoming much more compatible to not just the soul link, but also to Regeneration.