Nexus1237

Currently
Nexus - being the only true name he wishes to be known - is seen as a mage, assassin, warrior, and storyteller among various organizations. Settled in Najer, Nexus lives a life of combat, magic, and even writing, usually leaving cryptic or expressive stories wherever he may go. Although his hometown is located within Najer, Nexus spends most of his time away, traveling.

Being responsible for the founding of the Mages Guild of Arcanum, Nexus has a keen understanding of magic, if that was not already known. With the origins of the guild remaining to be obscure, Nexus has also been known for an enigmatic personality, concealing many traits, and usually remaining with an emotionless face. Nonetheless, whether it be a job, study, or inspiration for literature, one might find Nexus wandering throughout the vast lands of Rathnir.

Prologue
As one might guess, "Nexus" is an alias, its purpose being only to conceal a forgotten identity. While his origins are a bit foggy, there is knowledge of his original name. That being "Alkir", given to him by his mother before she passed. Some might know the man now, but not all know of his past. This is how he came to be.

Life Before Rathnir
Being born of a noble house, Alkir lived with one older brother, and a father who he always wished to gift him pride. Yet, he seemed to never have his way. His older brother, Valdin, was born a prodigy of what seemed to be everything. He was charming, skillful in battle, physically and mentally strong, and wealthy (that coming from the noble house he was born into). His father adored Valdin, giving him great love and pride.

With all of this love and pride showering over his older brother, Alkir was left in the dark, seen only as a disappointment. No one cared for him, he was simply ignored, unknowing of the love a true father would give. Their mother had died of childbirth, taking their father's gentleness with her. Alkir only had his father and brother, who both ignored him.

After ten years of neglect and mistreatment, Alkir had wandered throughout the cold forests beyond his father's land. Wishing to earn his father's pride, he trained with a sword and dagger, challenging himself to survival in the forests. He forced himself to survive, out of anguish and need for approval. After three chilled nights of fear, solitude, and dedication, Alkir had stumbled upon a camp of foreigners. They wore cloaks, concealing whatever gear that may be underneath. He saw them gathering, discussing a hunt of sorts.

Alkir knew not to trust strangers, but the treasures and relics they possessed within the camp sparked interest. Having taught himself mild stealth for hunting, he waited till nightfall, aiming to steal their intriguing tools and ornaments, in hopes of impressing his father. As the dark sky began to enshroud the gray clouds, Alkir began to sneak into the camp as most of the men had fell asleep. He found a hand-sized piece of parchment within a sealed envelope, the insignia being that of an organization unknown to the boy. Alkir rushed out of the camp with the parchment as soon as he heard a rustle within a tent next to him.

After leaving the camp and making his way towards his father's land, Alkir began to read the parchment he had stolen. It seemed to be an invitation of sorts, sent to a man dubbed with what he assumed to be an alias. That name being Nexus. Alkir read on, seeing a list of requirements, those being skill in assassination, magic, concealment, investigation, and duels. After the list, the invitation explains where to go and how its organization would then allow its recipient to join after surpassing their tests. This knowledge sparked an idea within Alkir's cunning mind. He had decided to claim the alias as his own and developed a false history of it. He then began to train in order to exceed the list of requirements he'd found.

Initiation
Having finally developed the skills necessary to pass the tests he would be given after five years of isolation from his family, Nexus set out for the location he was to meet at. Fortunately, it wasn't that far from the province he currently lived in. After four days of riding on horseback, he'd reached his destination and... It seems information on this part has not been given. Apologies, but knowledge of the man's life a few years after is still available.

Tragedy
Finally, at the age of eighteen, Nexus made his way back to his family. Being taught the methods of an organization possessing great might, Nexus had made the decision to confront his brother after five years of maddening desolation and three years of honing it. After five long days, Nexus arrived at his father's estate, wearing armor foreign to his household. His brother was the first to see him, believing he was a traveler of some kind. Nexus gave him a look of anger, and Valdin recognized his eyes, slightly changed now, seeming to be more aggressive. Nexus proposed a duel before saying anything else, and Valdin gave him a look of confusion. Trying to persuade him against such an idea, Valdin realized that his brother had fallen far from him.

After a short argument, Valdin realized there was no convincing, and accepted his brother's request. Nexus and his older brother prepared, without saying a word, all while Valdin gave him a look of disappointment and regret. His younger brother had become one of heretical ways, or so he thought, always trying to be a knight of "purity". The two started their duel shortly after a conversation filled with regret and rage.

This battle should have lasted a good while, or at least that's what we all would have thought it to be. Yet, the truth is that it wasn't fair to begin with. As soon as the two had begun their duel in a solitary place, Nexus had placed a curse upon his brother. He inflicted a great deal of suffering and insanity upon the knight, not even having to dodge an attack. Valdin's mind was too weak for his brother, thus resulting in exploitation. The curse had eventually brought the warrior to his knees, begging for mercy. Nexus walked up to his older brother and held him by the neck, unsheathing a dagger. He gave Valdin a brutal death and left his corpse where no one was to find it. That was the last moment of a bond between two knights... now drenched in accursed blood.

Arrival in Rathnir
After the death of Valdin, Nexus sought out his father. With his brother gone, he would give his father the news of Valdin's death in hopes of winning his love as his now only son. Yet, when he reached his father, he was only given a look of disappointment. And when Nexus spoke of Valdin's death, the look he was given showed regret, sadness, and further disappointment. His father did not show him any love, and Nexus was shunned from his home. Having lost the only thing he ever wanted; Nexus is unknowing of what he should do, retreating back to the hideout of his organization.

After a few nights of sulking and regret, Nexus was given a target directly from the founder. The target was a noble of great influence, located far from their hideout. At first, Nexus was unsure if he could travel so far with grief and anger. Yet, he was obligated to complete the assignment, therefore having no choice in the matter. His feelings were not to interfere. With this new purpose, Nexus said his goodbyes, and set out to hunt his target.

His journey lasted two weeks, sailing and regaining supplies. The seas were treacherous, as to be expected. Yet, he'd finally found an end to it. His ship found a dock full of merchants, mercenaries, priests, and even mages. He decided to end his voyage here, and search for a tavern to rest at. Fortunately, the task was easy, as the dock was owned by a vast and wealthy government known as the Emirate of Najer, suiting his needs entirely.

After spending a few nights of recovery at a tavern, Nexus began to wander through the towns of Najer. He spoke with several merchants, expectedly advertising in various ports and marketing centers. The nation mainly resides in a desert, their culture fitting it as well. Nexus showed great interest in the nation and rented a house to temporarily reside within Kirajo, Najer. Now having a temporary home, Nexus stored his belongings and began to sharpen his skills in order to prepare himself for his target. In his memory, he recalled a merchant speaking of the continent and its name... Rathnir? Was it?

The Wonders of Magic
In order to kill the noble, Nexus would need to sneak past several guards, let alone infiltrate his castle. Then there's the concern of the aftermath, how no one would remember his face, and not get executed on the spot. He'd need a proper disguise, spectacular stealth, believable decoys, and swift blades. He has swift blades, and his stealth is decent, but a disguise or even decoys... those would be difficult to pull off. Fortunately, having learned the fundamentals of magic from his family and organization, Nexus pondered the thought of practicing Illusion Magic.

Accepting this idea, Nexus began to practice the school of Illusion heavily, each and every day. After a few weeks, he was given good results. Learning to conceal his identity with the school, create decent decoys, use invisibility for a limited amount of time, and even torment the mind of another to an extent. Nexus found the school incredibly useful for assassination and theft, making a habit of crime at times. He grew fond of magic, beginning to search far and wide for tomes, scrolls, and teachers. Nexus wanted to learn all he could, especially if he were to assassinate a noble of high standard.

After a few days of studying and practicing, Nexus became one of great and extreme ambition. His work had no end, learning, perfecting, strengthening, and greatly preparing for his assignment. Although his sights were set far beyond this little mission, he would fulfill a promise, just as if his life depended on it.

To Kill a Lord
With confidence, Nexus makes his way to the castle of the noble he will be killing. It only took a few hours, and he spent those hours preparing his mind. When he arrived, he saw many guards, making it impossible to sneak through the gates. So, he decided to cloak himself with invisibility, and follow an upcoming messenger through the gates. No one detected him as he muffled the sounds of his footsteps. Infiltrating the castle, Nexus quickly made his way past guardsmen and through two gates. He quickly found himself near the quarters of the noble he was to kill. He began to slowly sneak by the heavy knights patrolling the walls and made his way through a few doors.

After constant searching and sneaking, Nexus found himself crouching right next to the bed of the noble, the air disturbed by slow and steady breathing. He disguised himself as the messenger he followed and dropped his invisibility. At this moment, he hesitated. This kill would not be like the duel with his brother. He would be killing another in their sleep, there would be no luring taunt. The noble slept peacefully, causing all the more hesitation. Nexus ignored his conscience and quickly slit his target's throat. There was no protest, only a small gasp right before the man died. Nexus walked out of the noble's bedroom, purposely being seen by a few guards, giving them a look of confusion. He walked on and made his way out of the castle. The next time those soldiers see their lord, the messenger will certainly be wanted.

New Lands, New Life
After the completion of his assignment, Nexus decided to abandon the organization responsible for giving him the objective in the first place. With all promises fulfilled, and many skills being learned from them, Nexus goes on to start a new life in Rathnir. Away from sorrow and hiding, these new lands offer much knowledge and power to be gained. This is only the beginning of a story written with many glorious achievements, as well as the sacrifices and failures that lead to them.