Kazuma
The King of the Black Shroud
"My life began with a punch. I'll get stronger and fix myself, no matter the cost."
Name: Kazuma
Race: Seeker Miqo'te/Dominant Xaela gene-Recessive Raen gene
Age: Does not remember, from his appearance and body structure places it in the mid-20s
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Pansexual
Birthplace: The Dusk Throne in the Azim Steppe
Home: The Black Shroud
Class: Pugilist by name only
Height: 8'/244cm
Weight: 383lbs/174kg
Home
Born from a hidden union between his Seeker father and Xaela mother, Kazuma spent the first few years of his life constantly traveling throughout Eorzea with his family, searching for a permanent home. They never stayed long in one place, needing to pack up and move on whenever the populace discriminated against them and looked at them with disgust for their interracial marriage and their child of mixed blood. Both parents were searching for a home where they can live in peace, with no judgment, yet there did not seem to be such a paradise insight. If they could not find one, they would create their own perfect life, with just the three of them.They decided to create such a sanctuary in the Black Shroud, one of the very few places they could live away from any others who could look down on them for who they are and create the best life for their young child. The fear of monsters and bandits were minimal at best, the father a skilled hunter, and his mother a fighter who fought under the banner of the Dotharl for years before growing dissatisfied with them. They could handle anything that came their way if they worked together. With that confidence in mind, the family made a long camping trek through the Shroud searching for the ideal spot to build their home. Yet it was not only bandits and beasts one must fear when traveling through the Black Shroud.One fateful night, a thick, unnatural mist began to settle in around their campsite with the sounds of hooves getting closer and closer to their location. Before they could prepare themselves, a being unlike any other burst into their camp. A Primal unique among them all, one who would travel the Shroud, searching for the strong to face in combat, Odin. With Kazuma's mother being a renowned and powerful fighter in her time as Dotharl, it seemed only natural Odin would choose her to be their target. Yet, those days were past her, the woman had grown ashamed of those days, tired of shedding the blood of others, of watching others sacrifice themselves with ease due to believing in rebirth. She wanted to wash her hands of her sins permanently, she did not wish to fight anymore. The Primal left her with no choice as it attacked both of his parents.Both parents fought valiantly but even with their combined strengths, it seemed they were no match for the Primal. His mother, despite how much she wanted to protect her family, could not bring back those killer instincts and bloodlust that saw her live through several battles and Naadams. It would seem they would die here and now if nothing changed. It was a fact that her love realized and knew there was only one thing left that could bring back that fire, that could turn her into what was needed to possibly beat Odin.Using all the strength he had left, he swung one last blow to get Odin to turn it's attention to him. He knew he was not a strong man, just a simple hunter skilled at tracking and taking out beasts before they knew what was going on. But right now he was ready to risk it all for love, the love for his wife, and love for his only child. With that one swing, Odin turned to him and smacked the blow away with his sword, before cutting the Miqo'te down right where he stood.Seeing her lover, the one who freed her from her shackles that bound her to the Steppe, fall right before her eyes made something snap within the woman. With a feral cry, she launched herself at Odin again and again. With power and fury that Halone would be envious of, her attacks did not let up for a single moment despite the injuries she received continuously. As the young Kazuma knelt there, crying over the corpse of his father, his mother would not cease, she would not fall. She would protect the last thing she had left, and avenge the death of her lover, no matter the cost.With one final blow from her fists, the Primal finally crumpled to the ground, defeated. Victory had been achieved, but she would soon find no strength left as she fell to her knees. She had lost one eye in the conflict, her arms felt numb, fists bloodied and fingers broken. Her legs had not even the strength to stand any longer. She had lost a lot of blood, while she could recover from this, she was completely defenseless as she crawled over to console her child and weep over the body of her beloved. This turned out to be short-lived as she soon heard the cries and movement of various beasts.Multiple beasts had gathered to the field, the loud cries of battle and the smell of blood had called to them. In her condition she would not be able to stand a chance against them, to be able to protect her child who knelt there, fearful and devastated at what just happened to the only family he knew. Resting her weary and damaged hands on his sniffling face, she wiped away his tears as best as she could and began to hum to him. It was a song she would hum to him whenever he had trouble sleeping. It was the only thing she could do, as she prepared for both of them to meet their fate. Until she heard a voice in her head, coming from the discarded sword of Odin.The sword offered her a chance to protect her son and the chance to live another day. It could give her the power to wipe out the beasts that threatened them, if she offered herself to the Primal, to be the Primal's new vessel. She thought herself to be hallucinating from blood loss, yet she could feel the aether that seemed to pour out of the blade. It began to shift in form to fit her hand, further adding to its proposition. All she would have to do is hold the blade, and she could save the remaining family she had left. With no other options left, and wishing to at least let her son live, she broke away from him and quickly crawled to the sword. Looking over at Kazuma one last time, a tear fell down her face as she whispered how sorry she was, before grabbing the hilt of the blade.In an instant, his bruised and broken mother had been transformed, now clad in the same armor as the Primal she had just slain. She could feel her new weapon slowly draining her sense of self and memories in exchange for power, power above all else. Working quickly, she was able to wipe out all the monsters that threatened them as if she had never been injured. Once the area was safe, she took one last look at her son mournfully and placed her hand on his head, bestowing him with the only thing she could give that may keep him safe in the days to come. "Please, live for me. I hope you can one day forgive your foolish mother." With those last words, she could feel the last remaining bits of her identity seeping away, and she disappeared, leaving nothing behind for the young boy.In one night, Kazuma's entire life had been shattered and taken away from him. Before he could even begin to understand the implications of such an event, it quickly became apparent he was not alone. One of his feline ears twitched towards the sound of steps moving closer and closer at a slow pace. Before he could even turn his head, the growl emitted signaled what it was before his eyes focused upon it. A wolf, a straggler from the rest of the beasts his mother had dispatched before her disappearance. It had fallen behind the rest and avoided her attack, but now it had found new prey, in the form of young Kazuma. The canine began its advance, getting ever so closer to the young hybrid who felt fear well up in his being. Kazuma began to stumble backward, only to stumble over his own father's corpse. Once it stood before them, it began to sniff his father's corpse, seeing the prize of having a meal that won't resist. The beast opened its jaws and leaned down to take a bite. Before such teeth could make contact with his lifeless flesh, a fist came flying forward and made contact with its skull, sending the wolf rolling backward from the force.As it reared up its head to see the source of the attack, the wolf was surprised to see the frightened boy from before standing there in a boxing stance, reminiscent to his mother's own during her fight with Odin just moments before. Even the young hybrid was shocked by his actions. He was never taught by his parents to fight, they adamantly refused to, yet here he was, perfectly replicating his mother at this moment. Having regained its senses, the wolf went on the attack, charging towards the boy who dared interrupt its meal. As he leaped towards Kazuma, sharp fangs aimed for his neck, the boy slid to the side of the wolf before burying his fist into the side of its ribs. A well-executed hook that seemed done purely by his body and not his mind as he now stood in front of the slumped over wolf, failing to understand what's going on."That was a good punch." A sudden voice appeared from the tranquil silence. "It was heavy, sharp, and quick." Heavy footsteps were now easily audible and soon a tall Elezen came into view. He was extensively scarred, the most prominent was a burn scar covering the left side of his face, with his left eye missing. He wore simple hunting attire, furs, and leather, with an impressive lance upon his back, one that no normal soldier would carry. "I saw everything that happened. I must say, not many could give Odin such an impressive fight, even if they failed." Those words hit Kazuma right in his core. Failed? But, they had won? His mother defeated that being, she saved his life. "My mother beat him, they didn't fail! She won the fight!" He shouted in response, unable to control his emotions after everything that just occurred.The elezen simply gave a smile in response. "Lad, winners don't lie in a pool of their blood. Or become the thing they defeated in the first place." He spoke calmly, pointing to the corpse of Kazuma's father, casually walking over to it. "They defeated Odin sure, but here's your father, dead, and now your mother just became Odin. Odin got exactly what it wanted, and you lost both your parents in the process. I know this is tough to understand, but your parents? They lost. Take a good, long look." He explained as he knelt in front of the corpse. "This is what a loser looks like."Each venomous word that slipped past his tongue was another stab into Kazuma's heart. For the first time, a certain emotion began to fester and spread throughout his entire body. A fiery emotion that took hold of his mind and actions, Rage. "Take it back!" With a guttural growl, tears flowing down his face, the young boy charged at the stranger. Without hesitation, he threw punch after punch, only for them to meet nothing but air as the stranger slipped away from each one before they could make contact. The scarred elezen threw a light punch of his own, which caused Kazuma to do the same thing he did to the wolf, he pivoted to the side, only for him to find a knee slamming into his gut, sending the young boy tumbling backward into the ground. The impact alone caused him to begin dry heaving and coughing, the stranger pressing his lance against Kazuma's throat before he could get up."You're a copycat huh? No child could replicate such punches perfectly, training or no. It seemed your mother blessed you with a gift. Yet, copying moves means nothing if you don't understand how to properly fight and survive. You would be dead now if I was anyone else." He stood back and moved his lance away, allowing the boy to sit up and finally catch his breath. "You're the first child I've ever seen throw punches full force like that, there is a purpose behind those fists. What? Do you think you can save your mother? Forget it, lad once someone becomes Odin, they are stuck like that until someone puts them out of their misery."The elezen turned and began to leave until the young boy slowly stood up on wobbly legs and spoke once more. "Then, if I kill Odin, my mother can join my father in rest?" He asked, tears continuing to fall down his face, but a resolution plain on his face. The scarred man turned around to face the boy and seemed almost speechless at the sight. Many would have fallen to despair, would break down. Yet this one boy refused to accept this outcome and wished to make his own. "Odin isn't a game boy, it has killed more trained adventurers and heroes than I can count. You will just be marching to your death." He spat out, disregarding such an idea. Yet Kazuma was adamant as he stepped forward, not willing to give up. "Then teach me! Teach me to become strong! Even if there is a chance, I don't want my mother to suffer, even if I die...as long as she is resting I don't care what happens to me!" Even with his sobbing, his voice held steady, it did not waver for a moment. He would try, even if it took him to the void, he would do anything.With such a proclamation, how could he refuse the boy? "Lad this is a dangerous path, I won't go easy on you just because you're young. If you wish to step into the fire, I will make sure you can handle any flames that come your way." He said before beginning to walk away once more, Kazuma quickly moving to follow after him. From then on, the two constantly worked together. Kazuma being put through grueling training and sparring, beaten to a bloody pulp again and again, yet he would always get back up, ready for more. Determined to fight the world if it gave him any chance to defeat Odin. He was constantly sent on lone hunting trips to kill beasts and monsters much larger than himself, training him to face the strong and learn from them, adapting and growing, devouring their skill to grow even better and better. In time, he learned about his trainer, Évrard was from Ishgard, a former Dragoon and a veteran of the Dragonsong War. He was silent about everything else about his past, and Kazuma knew not to ask. Over the years, Kazuma had a growth spurt, growing taller than average children, until even as a young teen he was already nearing Évrard in height. He grew in size and definition from such constant training and combat, his body slowly becoming littered in scaring as trophies of all his fights and hunts. Scales slowly spread throughout his body, a sign of his mixed heritage. This partnership continued until one faithful day.The two were going to face one another, yet this was no spar. They would hold nothing back, a fight to determine who was stronger. Even in his old state, Évrard was still a formidable beast, his sense for combat not weakened for his age. They went all out, nothing was held back, no consideration for their connection was given. They fought as if they were trying to kill each other. The two were evenly matched until finally, Évrard decided to use his last resort. He leaped high into the air, determined to come crashing down at Kazuma with his lance, the move that had killed many a dragon before. Just before he made contact, Kazuma began to move. It happened in an instant, yet when the dust settled from the landing, Kazuma was on the ground, the lance just barely missing him, as his foot was buried into Évrard's side, causing him to drop to the side, coughing. "You held back...you cheeky brat." The Elezen commented, giving a slight glare to his pupil who slowly stood up. Kazuma had delight in his gaze, finally, he had won a battle against his trainer, it meant he had finally grown. "I can't have you keel over just yet. You still got more to teach me."The former dragoon used his lance as support as he slowly stood up, catching his breath before looking up at his protégé. "If I died, then it would be my fault. Losers have no one to blame but themselves. Lad, there is nothing more I can teach you. You beat me, you are the winner here. Now it is time for you to acquire your strength. There are more powerful beasts in the Shroud, beasts I wouldn't dare hunt. But you, you have a chance. Go, continue your path, don't let anything deter you. You don't need to see this old man anymore." With that Évrard walked back to the small cabin he called home, as Kazuma stood outside, comprehending this new change. Once he had steeled himself, he gave a deep bow towards his trainer and home before disappearing into the Shroud.
From that day forth, Kazuma traveled throughout the Black Shroud, hunting down all manners of beast and monster. One by one they all fell to his fists as he grew stronger with each encounter. No matter the danger, he sought out every challenge and prevailed. He would never accept defeat, he would not become a loser at any cost. He could not afford to if he truly sought to defeat Odin. Proud of the fruits of his labor, he decided to visit Évrard, to show off the trophies from his hunts and see how the old fool had been doing. As Kazuma got closer and closer to the cabin, a familiar scent was in the air, one he could pick out no matter what, blood.He dropped his sack of trophies he rushed towards it, where his worst fears were confirmed. The house was littered with arrows, and there he lay, Évrard shot full of arrows, not even able to put a proper fight. Kazuma did not even have to get close to realize he was dead, yet he moved up to him, unable to take his eyes away from the sight. 'If I die, then it would be my fault. Losers have no one to blame but themselves.' Those words echoed in his head, some of the last words he ever heard Évrard speak. He knelt before the corpse, closing Évrard's eyes before standing up. "We could never agree on that, you old fool." As much he wanted to listen to that belief, he couldn't, for an old man to be slaughtered like some animal, it was unforgivable. Grabbing one the arrows, he lifted it to inspect it carefully. It took only a little time for the hybrid to identify it. A group of outlaws and bandits, who treated everyone like prey, to be hunted. The Coeurlclaw.It took him days, but the teen had found where this particular group of Coeurlclaw camped at. From there he decided his plan of attack. Once night had fallen, he quietly approached the camp. As he reached it, he felt a pounding in his heart and core, a raging fire heating up that he never felt before. He could barely keep his thoughts straight as he approached the sentry guarding the camp. Finally, all he could see was red, and distantly he heard screams but nothing more. When Kazuma came to his senses, he found himself kneeling within the middle of the camp, blood was splattered upon him, yet it wasn't his own. Looking around in confusion, he saw the aftermath. Corpses of Coeurlclaw laid before him, beaten and broken until they had all stopped moving. It was plain to see it was his handiwork, he knew the damage his fists inflicted. He had slaughtered them completely, wiped them out without even realizing it. The sensation that caused it was horrifying to the hybrid who immediately stood up and began to stumble out of the camp, just focusing on nothing else but going back to that cabin. It felt like rain was starting to fall down his face, yet when it reached his lips, it tasted like salt.Once he reached the cabin of his former trainer, he did not care to wash himself off or check if he was wounded, instead, he began to dig a grave for the man who showed him the path to grow strong. In the middle of digging, he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and weapons being drawn. Suspecting it to be Coeurlclaw wanting revenge for the massacre, he turned his head, only to see himself surrounded by five men, all wearing strange green armor and spears he did not recognize. They were not Coeurlclaw, registering this, he went back to digging. "Leave me be." He growled out towards the newcomers, yet they continued to press forward."You, boy, did you kill this man?" One of the soldiers accused Kazuma, as they stood in a defensive stance, as the five continued their slow approach. They were trained well, a fact that did not slip past Kazuma. He continued to dig, only barely responding, still in shock from his actions at the camp. "No, but he needs to be buried. Let me put him to rest." He pleaded, just trying to create a large enough hole for Évrard. One soldier, a bit younger from the rest, lowered his weapon, and stepped forward. "Look we understand, but we need you to come with us so we can get to the bottom of what happened." He explained and reached out to rest a hand on Kazuma's shoulder, one soldier was about to tell him to stop until Kazuma lashed out, "Don't touch me!" He shouted out, still terrified of himself due to his actions as he instinctively slammed a kick into the young soldier's chest that planted him right in the dirt with a pained groan.The other four looked towards the down companion and seeing him begin to cough up and gurgle blood, it was plain to see the kick had broken his ribs which had now pierced his lungs. One rushed to attend to him, while the other three charged at Kazuma. It was a bloody fight, Kazuma fighting more out of fear and raw instinct than anything else, two of the three he faced found themselves with broken limbs until the third was able to get him from behind and slam the pole of their spear into the back of the hybrid's head with enough force to snap the pole. The impact was enough to finally send Kazuma to the ground, disoriented from the blow. As the third soldier moved to finish off Kazuma, he was able to see how young he still was, just a teen, not even old enough to serve as a soldier, still a boy. It made him hesitate and imagine his child in such a state. Shaking his head he moved to restrain him before speaking to the last remaining soldier. "Get reinforcements to carry the wounded, we are bringing this beast to the Elder Seedseer. Let him be judged for his crimes." As he began to be carried off, Kazuma who had spent so many years growing stronger suddenly felt smaller than ever before, back to the same boy who just watched his family be destroyed in front of his eyes. He began to squirm and kick with all his might, protesting. "No, let me put him to rest! Please bury him, don't leave him like that!" He was back to his pitiful state, unable to do anything, his fist was truly worthless at this moment. His cries were finally silenced when he felt a blow to his gut that made him slowly fade into unconsciousness.When he came to, he found himself in a cage, he was outside in a town that looked vaguely familiar. His memories slowly returned to him in his dazed state, he remembered coming here when he was very young, with his mother and father. Gridania. Yet the peaceful land was nothing but as he was stared at from afar by a group of civilians, cursing him and calling him a monster. Standing before his cage were a group of soldiers, different than the ones who captured him, and what seemed to be a young woman and a boy, both with horns coming from their heads. He was on trial, for the crimes of fatally injuring a Wood wailer, and severely injuring two more. He was also believed to be the culprit behind the brutal killings at the Coeurlclaw camp, though while it was not viewed as a crime, it was being used as evidence he would be a danger to Gridania if allowed to live. He could not understand what was going on, was he going to die? Would they kill him? But he was so close, he wasn't strong enough. He had to keep going, he had to let his mother rest. Just when he felt despair start to overwhelm him, the young woman knelt in front of the cage, reaching through the bars and gently cupping his cheek.He looked to her in shock and fear as he shuffled away from the warm touch. She simply gave a sad smile as she stood up to speak to all those gathered. She explained that he was a boy who had spent his entire life in the Shroud, surviving, if he has not been punished for his actions, it meant the Elementals had a purpose for him. If the Elementals would not act, then they should not as well, and asked for his release. Her ruling was met with confusion and almost anger from those there, but none would dare protest the ruling of the Elder Seedseer. Eventually, Kazuma was freed, though he now had gained the scorn of the majority of Gridania. He was called Clawbreaker for his actions against the Coeurlclaw, though many used it more as an insult for his perceived crimes. Despite this, he was treated warmly by the woman whose name he now knew to be Kan-E-Senna and her people, the Padjal. They even offered him a permanent residence within Gridania. Yet despite such kindness, he knew he would never be accepted by the people, his place was not one to live a normal happy life. Not while his mother still suffered her fate as a host for Odin.Now presented with nowhere to call home, the hybrid took his possessions and began to travel the land, constantly seeking out ways to becoming stronger that he may one day he may face Odin. No matter how long it took, no matter the sacrifice, he would not stop until he achieved it, even if he had to die for it.
Home
Kazuma is molded by those he encounters, his life changing course after that faithful day with Odin. Yet, what if he never encountered his mentor on that day? What if he spent years fending for himself alone in the Black Shroud, a feral boy fighting any beast he could so he wouldn't starve?He lived like that for a few years until he came upon on Baelsar's Wall. Having interacted with hunters and bandits before he could only imagine the amount of food it held. He wouldn't need to go hungry for years. With foolhardy confidence customary among children, he decided to scale the Wall, believing himself competent to get just what he wanted.The soldiers at their posts were shocked to see a child climb over the wall, before charging them while holding two small knives. They quickly brandished themselves and prepared for combat, only to find themselves overwhelmed by the ferocity of some boy. Kazuma had spent those years fighting and hunting without rest, creating his own self-taught fighting style that quickly dispatched two guards as the rest surrounded him. Such commotion would slowly lure a real wolf to the battle. Following the shouts and alarms blaring out, the Black Wolf himself, Gaius van Baelsar reached the top of the wall and was astounded by the sight.Four guards, all down and unable to keep fighting with a young boy in a circle of soldiers, crotched low, baring his fangs as he held his bloody knives at the ready. He quickly motioned for the soldiers to step out of the way as he drew his gunblade and approached the lad. Without a word, Kazuma charged forward knowing this had to be the leader. If he killed him the rest would flee and he could take the spoils for himself. That confidence was shattered as Gaius' first swing along almost blew the young Miqo'ra away as he barely blocked it with his knives before it made contact. For the next few minutes, Kazuma would find himself overwhelmed, unable to find a single opening to counterattack, having to focus all his energy on surviving. It looked like he would die here and now as his stamina and strength slowly depleted and Gaius readied his blade to land the final blow. Yet as it came crashing down, Gaius could feel a strong sense of bloodlust, as if a blade was currently pressed against his neck. Despite how much he had been battered and beaten, Kazuma had not given up the chance of victory, his fighting spirit was still alive and ready for the kill. As Gaius' blade came crashing down, Kazuma put his plan into action. He only had enough energy for this one shot, he pulled his body to one side, leaving his right arm to be caught if the blade hit its mark. He was aiming to sacrifice his arm to propel himself forward and use his left hand to slam his knife into Gaius' neck. As Gaius saw the plan coming, he was forced to let go of his gunblade, the weight would make him too slow to stop this. His hand rushed up and only barely caught the knife in time before it found purchase in his neck. A second slower and he would have been crippled or even dead depending on how much strength the boy had left.A child, was willing to sacrifice this much just for victory, even catching the Black Wolf off guard. This young boy must have lived fighting for his life to reach such levels. It made the Legatus gain a newfound curiosity towards Kazuma. As he forced him down and had his guards restrain the Miqo'ra he asked him a simple question. "What is your name?"Those words started a path that led to him adopting Kazuma, bringing him into the family he formed with the orphans he took in. It was an odd and sudden change for the boy who lived a lonely and dangerous life beforehand. It took him time to grow used to it, but he slowly bonded with his new siblings but he still was fueled by his need to survive and his hatred for the primal who took his family away from him. When Garlemald looked to the orphans to work for them before Gaius stepped in. Kazuma spoke up, unlike his siblings he knew he was strong, and if he offered himself up he could keep them safe from military duty and achieve his goal of slaughtering the eikons that have terrorized the world again and again. Baelsar found himself unable to dissuade Kazu and instead temporarily shed their familial bond to give Kazuma exactly what he wanted. He put him through extensive training to become a true soldier, teaching him to shackle that feral nature that was always underneath the surface, a defense mechanism that was no longer needed, though it refused to grow weaker.Due to his affinity for combat and aether, he was selected for secret experiments, one with great risk but the possibility to become stronger than his wildest imaginations. Seeing a possible path for his dream, he eagerly agreed and threw himself into it. Such an experiment was to create a perfect fusion of magitek and humans, using his natural ability to absorb aether to serve as a generator for the magitek. Once complete he found himself like a cyborg, his body augmented by the magitek with him able to store cores of aether with them and then being able to release it all at once into his bloodstream to push his body to insane levels. It was a project of a madman but it worked and Kazuma took his place as Gaius' secret third arm, a secret weapon for classified missions and assassinations.He served that role faithfully, glad he was able to repay his adoptive father for this path. Until the creation of Ultima Weapon, he felt something change in his father, to now harness the power of the beings they agreed to destroy. He began to notice Gaius acting different, disappearing to speak to someone Kazuma could not recognize. Gaius had changed and it began to make the once faithful soldier begin to gain doubts. All he knew was to survive and the tenants of Garlemald, slowly his perception began to crack and break apart when he faced the Warrior of Light, his view of the world shattered and he realized the dark path he put himself on. He broke ties with his found family and turned away from the one man who gave him the world, to now work with Eorzea to undo the wrongs he helped commit and stood by why it happened. He knows he can never be forgiven for this, but he wishes to simply help the world be a better place.
Physical Prowess: Kazuma dedicated his entire life to growing stronger and learning to fight. He knew having one speciality would be useless against something like Odin who hunted the strong, and as such he decided to study and learn all forms of combat he could. While he has no skill for magic, with his Echo and dedication you will be hard-pressed to find a fighting style or weapon he doesn't have some knowledge of. Kazuma sacrificed everything to reach the pinnacle of physical combat.
Aether Absorption: It is natural for the body to automatically absorb any excess aether around, enhancing the strength and body of the humanoid, though too much can make them go insane or even die. Yet after so many years spent surviving and fighting in such an aether rich area like the Black Shroud, Kazuma's body adapted to the constant absorption of aether to the point he could manually draw in the nearby aether for himself. His body has a natural tolerance stronger than most, able to take in amounts of aether that would kill others without issue.King of the Black Shroud: Due to many long years hunting and fighting within the Shroud, Kazuma formed a connection with the overwhelming pools of aether within it. As long as Kazuma is in the Black Shroud he can call forth and absorb aether from these large pools and can mold the raw aether to his will. With this power at his disposal, Kazuma has slowly become the apex predator of the Twelveswood.Enhanced Senses, Speed, and Strength: Due to his mixed heritage, Kazuma got the best of both races combined into one. He had the hearing and smell of a Miqo'te, along with his many years of hunting, giving him a powerful sense of hearing and smell almost unrivaled. His Seeker and Xaela blood also give him above-average speed and power, allowing him to fight with his fists and do damage as if he was holding a weapon.Echo: The last gift from his mother as she transformed into Odin, he possesses an Echo with a unique ability. Just like Odin would hunt down the strong and use them as new hosts for his power to grow, Kazuma was able to learn from the strong. Any ability he saw that was humanly possible, he would be able to replicate it just from sight alone. Allowing him to learn new techniques at a fast rate.Scaled Hands: Due to his Au ra blood, Kazuma has scales scattered throughout his body, but the most noticeable scales are those that cover his hand extensively, serving as armor for him. His ancestors who descended from the Qerel developed a reputation for slaying Steppe Tigers with nothing but their hands, slowly developing a mutation overtime where scales slowly developed over the bones to further reinforce them, to the point their nails are no longer nails, but scale-like material. It gives them hands like stone, hidden under the surface. It allows him to punch full force without risk of his hands being harmed in the process.Will of Karash: Kazuma is one of many with Xaela blood to be born with the Will of Karash causing the chance for him in battle to enter a berserker rage and go crazy, unable to realize what he is doing or currently going on.
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The Elementals. Guardians of the Black Shroud. Symbols of the land's fury and generosity. Before the fall of Dalamud, their power was feared, knowing any who wished harm upon the Shroud would suffer for it. Yet as Bahamut was unleashed and brought calamity to the world, their power waned.The Elementals have lost their strength, they went from a feared higher power, to a simple belief, only taken seriously by Gridania and the Padjal. They can no longer protect their home, and as the Ascians run rampant upon the land, tainting and bringing it closer to the brink of destruction, they are forced to simply watch.They who ended the War of Magi. They who once devastated the world with a flood that became known as the Umbral Calamity. They who served as the voice of nature, and would not tolerate such corruption of the natural balance. Now they were helpless, watching all their efforts go to waste. Resentment and anger began to well in their very beings as they grew weaker, as their voice became harder to read, where even the Padjal could no longer understand them at times. It seemed they would not go out with a bang, but a whimper into the night. Until a perfect, violent blade was brought into Gridania one day.Kazuma. A boy they knew well for they knew all who entered the Shroud. As a child, he lost his parents to the wandering primal Odin, with his mother becoming its new host. Encountering a retired and disgraced Dragoon, he gained a purpose to become powerful to kill the primal and let his mother rest with his father. He trained like a perfect little soldier under the Dragoon's tutelage until a raid by the Couerlclaw cut his mentor's life short. Losing his family once again broke something within the young boy. Causing him to track down the Couerlclaw camp and approach it in the dead of night. The next day, the Wood Wailers found Kazuma burying his mentor while covered in dried blood. They tried to restrain him, which lead the young boy to lash out and accidentally kill one Wood Wailer, he was captured and brought to trial. At first, the Elementals were going to show him mercy, until a witness came to testify against him, a single survivor from the Couerlclaw camp.The bandit testified that not only did the Miqo'ra attack the camp, he didn't just kill everyone he saw. He slaughtered them. Even those who gave up and begged for mercy found their pleas silenced. The sole survivor came back to the camp after hunting for food, only to find the broken, destroyed bodies of everyone, and Kazuma standing there aimlessly, completely soaked in their blood. His snow-white eyes turned to them in an instant, and they only survived by running until their legs gave out. The testimony by a criminal who knew revealing themselves meant imprisonment that they were willing to risk just to vouch about these atrocities sickened the populace of Gridania. While everyone reacted in shock and horror, the elementals realized they finally found their answer. The weapon that would serve as a tool for their revenge against the beings that threatened to destroy everything in their quest.They gave their verdict. The boy was to be imprisoned and sealed within a small cave, the size of a closet. Alone with no one to interfere, the elementals came to Kazuma with an ultimatum, train and serve as their weapon or die in this cave, starving with no hope of escape. The rage that lit Kazuma's core that night had not burnt out. Instead, a tiny flicker of a flame persisted, and with no other options, he accepted that offer.From that point on, the elementals pushed Kazuma to the point of breaking again and again. Even with their powers waning, they were strong enough to enforce their will upon him, pushing him to the brink and forcing him to stand up and keep going if he truly wished to live for both of their goals to be achieved. They fanned the flames so much, it began to spread into a wildfire where they truly created a monster. Kazuma now stayed sealed within the cave of his own volition, the tiny closet-like space now a massive open area with running water and furniture made by his own hands. At that point, the Elementals left him in Kan-E-Senna's hands, a weapon to deal with the primals and beings who threatened the natural order. Yet his presence would not be revealed until the day the Warrior of Light was busy on an important mission and it had been reported both Ifrit and Titan had been summoned at the same time.With no other hopes to stop the rampages both beings would wreck upon the land, the Warrior of Light rushed back as soon as they could, hoping they weren't too late. Only to be told a single being took both down and calmly requested to be taken back to Gridania before as he claimed. "The old fools threw a fit."Investigating this, the Warrior of Light came to Gridania to question Kan-E-Senna who had to reveal the existence of the Clawbreaker, a being raised by the Elementals to serve as a weapon against Primal and Ascian alike, in the place of their weakening influence. A blade that could cut down anything in his path. When the stone blocking the cave was removed, Kazuma calmly walked out, towering over the Warrior of Light. Before his angelic voice spoke. "I'm no blade. I fought both primals fairly, and when I found them boring and weak, I butchered them." Such a sweet voice, speaking so coldly and matter of fact. And now that his existence had been revealed, he was now selected by the elementals to set forth and serve as a companion. The Warrior of Light had gained a powerful ally, a tiger that had learned to become as cunning and venomous as a snake. A weapon to do what the Warrior of Light may not be willing to do.
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Age: 28
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Demiromantic Pansexual
Class: Avatar of Aether
Height: 8'3"/251cm
Weight: 413lbs/187kg
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Avatar of Aether: Kazuma utilizes a unique class of his own creation from his time under the Elementals. Due to their work and intervention, he is able to use aether to form weapons and spells based on the elements around him, turning the land into armor, weapons, and effects right in the middle of battle. Its limitations are affected by what is available to him and his own natural affinity to it. He has a strong affinity toward earth, fire, and lightning, but has less aptitude with wind, water, and ice being able to use them in more basic, or less refined ways, more brute-forcing. He has little to no skill in healing, created to be a weapon rather than an instrument of good. His abilities could closely resemble that of bending rather than spell casting.Healing: When injured and not currently in combat, Kazuma can take a few moments to concentrate and absorb aether in the area before using it to heal his wounds. It isn't like casting a healing spell, in fact, he uses the aether to accelerate the wound, causing it to rapidly heal over in a way similar to regeneration. It is extremely painful to him, to the point a normal person put under the same pain would pass out or even die from the stress of it. Due to the level of pain and concentration he has to put on the injury and aether fueling the acceleration, he can't use it in combat unless being defended or given time by his allies. The level of injury dictates how much aether he will need. But given a large amount, he could even regenerate limbs as long as he can find some remnant of said limb to use its cells as a base.Echo: Elemental Kazuma's echo and aether absorption are the exact same as normal, except for one factor. With this iteration being able to cast spells and properly manipulate aether, he can copy techniques, spells, and the moves of others almost in a perfect copy. This means the longer he fights someone whether physical or magical, the more he learns their entire fighting style until he can properly "devour" them.Devour: Once Kazuma has seen enough of an opponent's attacks and movements to get a full grasp of their fighting style, his entire demeanor, and movement change. His expression becomes calm, almost bored as he begins to avoid and read what his opponent will do while slowly getting closer and closer to them. Once he is face to face with them, then he truly goes wild. Knowing their every move and being too close for them to get away, he goes on a true hunt, pelting them with attacks from all angles, always aiming for their blindspots or unguarded spots from their technique. He picks them apart slowly with a feral grin on his face, showing them every single flaw in their fighting style before finishing them off with one final blow with his hardened fists. This manner of slaughtering is what earned him the title of Beast of the Black Shroud.Diamond Knuckles: This iteration of Kazuma has truly reached the apex in terms of his fists. Due to the training and being sealed in a cave with no natural resources, he was forced to dig out a home for himself or die. With such an arduous, his hands and scales adapted to the point they became like stone. His blows hit as hard as a primal, and he has become capable of blocking even the sharpest of blades with his hands alone. His fingers developed the ability to break and shape rock and metal like a craftsman, making him a perfect siege machine in human form. While the rest of his body is just like other versions of Kazuma, his fists are truly unmatched in the world.
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