Kuroa

Inferno

Overview

Living in the contemporary metropolis of Luthart, she is a tribal leader bearing the moniker of "Inferno". She is formidable and pugnacious, engaging foes with a magical iron staff enshrouded in flames. She is also capable of powerful punches that are seldom employed.

Chapter One

(2004–2021, Sanctum Calendar) Kuroae didn't know her origins. For as long as she could remember, she had been wandering with her sister Kurogo.
The harsh life made Kuroae vengeful, impulsive, and fierce. Her threats and bluffs were how the sisters survived on the streets. But Kus' arrival changed everything.
"Stop, don't come closer! What do you want? I am an ass-kicker!"
"Let me ask you. Do you want to be well-fed and live in a big house instead of under a bridge? Come with me."
Kus found the sisters near a garbage bin. Initially, Kuroae was wary of Kus and dismissed his offer to rescue them from their vagrant life. Why would anyone adopt two stray children without a reason?
However, Kus' sincere gaze made Kuroae feel she could trust him. After a brief hesitation, she took his outstretched hand.
Then, Kus brought the sisters back to the Infernos and named them Kuroae and Kurogo.
Kus' judgment was soon proven right. At 15, Kuroae awakened her Inferno lineage and summoned Mali, the first child of the Infernos. The Inferno clan was ecstatic, believing Kuroae could lead them to a better life.
Kus swiftly made Kuroae the chieftain, surprising her with the speed of his decision. However, since Kuroae was still young, Kus and his subordinates continued handling most of the clan's affairs.
Meanwhile, Kuroae focused on growing her strength, always recalling her adoptive father's advice: Without strength, you can't protect anything. But with enough power, you can crush any obstacle.
Kuroae wasn't solely driven by violence. For her, it was simply the most effective way to protect her sister and the Infernos, a belief shaped by her childhood on the streets.
The Infernos gave Kuroae a home, and over time, she saw them as her family. Kuroae would do anything to protect them.
What troubled Kuroae was that Kurogo, the Infernos' second-in-command, insisted on being a celebrity against her wishes.
"Kurogo, stop showing up so much. Malspring is Takashima territory. What if they discover you?"
"Huh? What's the big deal? Sis, haven't you heard the safest place is the most dangerous one? And if they try anything, I know you'll take care of them!"
"What should I do about you?"
Kuroae was tough, but always made exceptions for her sister. Unable to express her feelings, she showed her care by being extra protective.
Kuroae's swift rise finally caught the attention of the Takashimas, Mensa's Defenders, and the Church of Clerics.
Takashima's chieftain Genzo persuaded the military to act against the young Mali. The chieftain realized a crisis was approaching for the Infernos.

Chapter Two

Kuroae cannot sit back while the Takashimas try to capture the Infernos; it's not in her nature. She's aware of how "Cloud" allows them to track the Infernos effectively.
The Takashimas' advantage with "Cloud" would severely handicap the Infernos in a large-scale fight. In line with her nature, Kuroae chose to face the Takashimas by herself.
Kuroae targeted the Takashimas' arms factory and military transactions, significantly impacting their operations and finally revealing her power to the Mensa.
Kuroae met her equal in the mercenary "Poison," who was feared among the Infernos. Yet, she found him less terrifying than the whispers suggested, leading her to think the Infernos might be inflating his threat to excuse their shortcomings.
Demonstrating a talent for seizing opportunities, Poison capitalized on Kuroae's momentary lapse in focus to escape, suffering a significant injury in the process. Kuroae realized this wouldn't be their last meeting.
Kuroae and Poison crossed paths repeatedly, with Poison often at a disadvantage yet always escaping through his city knowledge and motorcycle skills. Kuroae noted his increasing strength each time.
If this continued, Poison's growing strength would eventually rival Kuroae's. Determined to end it, Kuroae resolved that Poison wouldn't escape again and decided to summon Mali.
"Do you truly hate the Infernos so much that you'd risk your own life to destroy us?"
"Absolutely! You not only killed my mother, but you also abducted Mensa children and used them as training tools!"
"Mensa children? Why would I abduct them?"
"After everything you've done, how can you still try to deny it!"
Today, Kuroae must eliminate Poison. Mali's energy melted everything nearby, but just as Poison was about to give in, the Takashimas arrived, letting him escape.
Kuroae was more troubled by the abduction of Mensa children than Poison's escape. Unaware of the situation, she felt driven to uncover the truth.
It was discovered that the elders of her clan had been secretly exchanging weapons from the Infernos for Mensa children, training them as troops.
Furious at the betrayal, Kuroae couldn't accept the elders' actions. Her adoptive father, Kus, argued that the Infernos needed a fighting force and that the trade might not harm them, but Kuroae still found it unacceptable.
Kus had a point: the Four Devils had effectively led the Infernos for years, and this incident didn't warrant their removal. Confronting them could spark a desperate resistance and civil war, which the beleaguered Infernos desperately needed to avoid.
Following Kus's wise counsel, Kuroae decided to bide her time and look for an opportunity to confront those at fault. She recognized that her drive to become stronger, like Poison's, stemmed from a desire to protect her loved ones.
Kuroae knew deep down that the longstanding animosity between the Mensa and the Infernos wouldn't be resolved by this incident, and a life-or-death confrontation was inevitable—and soon.

Chapter Three

\u3000Kuroae finally found a chance to deal with the Four Devils. She teamed up with her younger sister to lure one of the Infernos into a trade with the Four Devils, who decided to eliminate their comrade to prevent their crimes from being exposed.
While trading with Mensa was one thing, killing one of their own was another. Once the Four Devils' wrongdoings became known, nearly all the Infernos were outraged. Kuroae, claiming to "listen to public opinion," executed the Four Devils.
Unity was the only means of survival.
However, Takashima Genzo never expected to see a united group of Infernos, especially since they posed a significant threat to the "Cloud."
The final battle occurred as expected. In 2021 of the Sanctum Calendar, Takashima Genzo and her daughter Takashima Rin participated in the crackdown campaign.
"Are you the Takashima girl? No wonder you disgust me."
"Kuroae, let's settle this today."
Kuroae did not hide her true strength and summoned Mali directly. To her surprise, victory didn't come easily; instead, Poison responded effortlessly.
Engaging in a prolonged battle with Poison was disadvantageous for Kuroae, as summoning and controlling Mali drained her energy. She thought, If I can't finish this quickly…
"Kuroae! Don't worry. I'm here to help!" Kurogo suddenly cleared the Takashima corps in ambush and rushed to assist her sister. With Kurogo showcasing her abilities, the tide of battle quickly turned. Kuroae seized the moment to recover, while Poison began to falter.
Predictably, Poison was defeated. Kuroae stood over her, who lay collapsed on the ground, and coldly regarded her vanquished foe. She picked up Poison's dagger and slowly plunged it into her chest.
But killing Poison didn't end the battle. After a brief pause, Kuroae turned around just in time to see Takashima Genzo slay Kus. Realization dawned on Kuroae: it was Kus who had prevented Genzo from reinforcing Poison.
Mali lost control amidst Kuroae's desperate cries. The grief and rage of losing her father overwhelmed her, rendering her incapable of managing Mali. As a result, Mali unleashed ominous laughter, allowing lava and flames to erupt from her body, flooding the streets.
That was Kuroae's last memory. The next time she opened her eyes, she found herself in Mirren.

Historical Notes

Battle Under the Bridge:
In 2021 of the Sanctum Calendar, the Defenders of Mensa called upon churches and military forces to eliminate the Infernos in Laihart. Kurogo and Kuroae led the Infernos in a fierce battle under the bridge, resulting in their demise.

Poison:
A mysterious mercenary in Malspring, known for her legendary vehicle, the "Peregrine."

Mali:
Mali, the "Void Terror," is the eldest son of the Infernos, celebrated for his combat skills.