Thousands of years ago, Earth was on the brink of annihilation. The invaders, a coalition of alien species and malevolent outer gods, breached the natural boundaries of Earth by opening dimensional gates.
These gates linked Earth to realms teeming with horrors and otherworldly rulers. The invaders sought to subjugate Earth, enslaving humanity and reshaping the planet in their image.
Faced with extinction, the gods of various mythologies—Norse, Greek, Egyptian, Celtic, and others—intervened. They bestowed fragments of their divine essence upon chosen humans, transforming them into "heroes," champions imbued with godlike powers.
These individuals stood as humanity's last line of defense. Legendary figures like Solomon, Hercules, Merlin, King Arthur, Alexander and many others rose to prominence, battling the invaders and sealing many dimensional gates. Through their efforts, Earth was saved, but not without cost; many heroes fell in the line of duty, and the world bore scars of the invasions for millennia.
Before his death, the last of the ancient heroes, King Solomon, performed a monumental ritual. Using the remains of his magic, he created a spiritual tether between the souls of humanity and the spirits of past heroes. This connection ensured that humanity would not face future threats unprepared.
From this act arose the phenomenon of "awakened" individuals—ordinary humans who could inherit the power, skills, and memories of past heroes. These awakened individuals could manifest their powers and, to varying degrees, their heroes' personalities.
There were also those, who sometimes bonded with remnants of heroic relics, or came across any divine weapon. Those people were also another variation of the awakened, although the chances were even smaller than awakening a spirit.
The awakened, while initially a blessing, soon became a source of conflict. Nations vied for power, using awakened heroes as living weapons.
The result was a century-long conflict known as the Heroic Wars. Legendary battles reshaped the planet, leaving cities in ruins and ecosystems devastated.
Eventually, the world's leaders recognized the folly of their actions, haunted by the stories of the ancient invasions. A ceasefire was brokered, and the Council of Heroes was established to oversee the awakened and prevent the misuse of their powers.
The Council of Heroes operates as a global governing body. Its goals are twofold: to monitor the awakened and ensure they do not misuse their powers, and to prepare humanity for the possibility of another invasion.
The Council trains awakened individuals, mediates conflicts, and studies dimensional gates, many of which remain dormant but could be reactivated. While it has maintained relative peace for the past millennium, the Council is not without its challenges. Political tensions, rogue awakened individuals, and lingering fears of the outer gods' return keep humanity on edge.
In modern times, the council of heroes is overseen by some of the strongest awakened heroes to ever exist. Some of them even inheriting longer lifespans than regular humans, living for centuries or more.
Elias Drayden: The Vessel of King Solomon, Head of the American Awakened association
Elias was an orphan, raised in a strict but well-meaning monastery. From a young age, he exhibited an unnatural affinity for magic, performing feats that defied explanation. When he turned 18, he experienced his awakening, connecting to the spirit of King Solomon. His life changed overnight as he gained access to vast arcane knowledge and immense magical power.
However, the burden of inheriting Solomon's wisdom weighs heavily on him. Elias struggles to balance his humanity with the cold logic of Solomon's spirit, which sometimes urges him to make ruthless decisions for the "greater good."
As a member of the Council of Heroes, Elias is both feared and respected, viewed as a potential savior or destroyer of humanity.
Minerva Aegis: The vessel of Alexander the Great, Leader of the European Association of Heroes
Minerva grew up in a militarized nation where the awakened were treated as assets. Her awakening as the vessel of Alexander occurred during a catastrophic battle, where her unit faced overwhelming odds.
Channeling the invincible spirit of Alexander, and summoning his great army, she singlehandedly turned the tide, earning her nation's highest honor.
Despite her heroism, Minerva feels trapped by her role. Alexander's unyielding pride and thirst for glory often clash with her desire for peace. She has since left her homeland, joining the Council of Heroes to atone for the destruction caused by her awakening. Her journey is one of reconciling Alexander's relentless drive with her own moral compass.
Arthur Blake: The Heir of King Arthur, The King of Great Britain, British royal council
Arthur Blake was a young, idealistic historian with a fascination for legends. His awakening came during a lecture on Arthurian lore, where the spirit of King Arthur chose him as a vessel. With Excalibur manifesting in his hands and a newfound mastery of leadership and strategy, Arthur found himself thrust into the spotlight.
Arthur strives to live up to the ideals of the legendary king, but the weight of expectation often causes him self-doubt. While he seeks to unite humanity, he struggles with the darker aspects of Arthur's legacy—namely, the temptation of absolute power. He acts as a mediator within the Council of Heroes, believing in diplomacy over conflict.
Zara Al-Malik: The vessel of Ozymandias , The ruler of African council of Heroes
Zara was a treasure hunter, scouring the deserts of her homeland for relics of ancient civilizations. Her awakening as the vessel of Ozymandias occurred when she unearthed an ancient pharaoh's tomb.
The spirit of the Sun King merged with hers, granting her the ability to manipulate sand, summon constructs, and radiate an aura of regal authority.
Zara's relationship with Ozymandias is complex. While she admires his vision of creating an eternal legacy, she fears his arrogance and disdain for those he considers weak. Zara walks a fine line between using her powers for good and succumbing to Ozymandias's hubris.
Kai Tenzin: The vessel of Genghis Khan , President of Asian Federation of Heroes
Kai was a street fighter in the sprawling megacities of Asia, known for his unrelenting spirit and tactical genius. His awakening brought forth the spirit of Genghis Khan, granting him the ability to summon spectral horsemen and unleash devastating attacks reminiscent of the Mongol hordes.
While Kai embraces the strength and leadership qualities of Genghis Khan, he wrestles with the conqueror's ruthless tendencies. He dreams of using his powers to unite the fragmented regions of his homeland, but he fears becoming the very tyrant he despises.
There are also several other awakened who are part of the Heroic council, while some choose to operate on their own. These awakened humans then started venturing into the newly arrived dimensional gates.
Aside from these 5 councils, the Australian council was led by S rank hero Tezcatlypoca from the ruined South American continent, and the Arctic council was operated by Russian S rank hero Ivan the Terrible. They were mostly trying to rebuild the destroyed lands that were ravaged in the heroic wars and lacked resources to contend against the top 5.
These characters navigate a world balanced on the edge of peace and chaos, embodying the duality of their heroic legacies while preparing for the inevitable return of Earth's ancient enemies.