Testament (優雅な死神)

Background

Testament’s story begins as a normal human child, adopted by Kliff Undersn, the leader of the Holy Order, an organization dedicated to fighting against the Gears—magically enhanced beings controlled by the sinister Justice. From a young age, Testament was a diligent, curious, and compassionate individual, embodying the virtues of a noble knight. They had a caring nature, especially fond of children, and sought to help those in need, often aiming to reform and guide those who had fallen from righteousness.

During the brutal Crusades—a century-long war between humans and Gears—Testament fought valiantly alongside Kliff, earning the nickname “Black Knight” for their role in battle. The war was relentless and devastating, filling Testament with despair and frustration as they witnessed and experienced the horrors of endless conflict. Their compassionate nature was challenged as the violence seemed to have no end, and their hope for peace waned.

In a desperate attempt to bolster their forces, the Post War Administration Bureau offered to transform Testament into a Gear, believing that enhanced strength would better serve their cause. Trusting in their sense of duty and driven by a desire to protect others, Testament accepted the transformation. Despite becoming a Gear, they retained their consciousness and sense of morality, but the influence of Justice loomed over them, manipulating their actions and forcing them to serve her dark purpose.

Justice’s influence led Testament to shift allegiance, turning against humanity and becoming a pawn in her plans to revive herself. Kliff, their adoptive father, was forced to confront them in battle, seemingly killing Testament in the process. This act marked a pivotal moment—Kliff retired from the Holy Order, passing leadership to Ky Kiske, and sealing Justice, which eventually ended the Crusades.

However, Testament survived in hiding, haunted by the trauma of war and betrayal. Over time, they sought to unseal Justice and revive her, orchestrating the first Sacred Knights tournament as a means to gather sacrifices. They ultimately became a sacrifice themselves, sealing Justice temporarily, but at great personal cost. With Sol Badguy’s intervention, Justice was destroyed, and Testament disappeared from the world, presumed dead.

Later, Testament’s presence re-emerged when they were revived by Dizzy, a young Gear hiding from those who sought to capture her. As her guardian, Testament watched over Dizzy, battling internal doubts about their own nature and the morality of their actions. Despite their conflicted feelings and lingering distrust of humans, they chose to protect Dizzy and the Forest of Demons, seeking redemption for their past deeds.

In the years that followed, Testament lived in seclusion among the residents of Dizzy’s hometown, gradually regaining their lost humanity and idealism. They became a guardian of the forest, living a peaceful life and contemplating the nature of good and evil. Their journey is one of internal struggle, guilt, and ultimately, hope for atonement, as they seek to reconcile their past as a weapon of war with their desire to protect and heal.

Personality

Compassionate: Testament originally had a caring and nurturing side, especially towards children and those in need. Despite their tragic past, they retain a deep empathy and a desire to protect the innocent.

Noble & Dutiful: They hold a strong sense of morality and responsibility, epitomized by their oath as a knight and their ongoing efforts to safeguard others, even after their transformation into a Gear.

Kind & Gentle: Prior to and even after their transformation, Testament is characterized by a gentle demeanor, often acting with kindness rather than violence, especially when protecting those they care about.

Loyal & Loving: Their loyalty to Kliff and to those they consider friends or family is unwavering. They have a deep love for Kliff and a sense of gratitude, which influences many of their actions.

Reflective & Philosophical: Testament often contemplates the nature of humanity, morality, and their own existence. This introspection is driven by their past conflicts and ongoing internal struggles.

Traumatized & Haunted: The horrors of war, betrayal, and their own actions under Justice’s control leave them emotionally scarred. They sometimes struggle with guilt, regret, and doubt about their identity and purpose.

Cynical & Distrustful: Their experiences have led to a mistrust of humans and a cynical outlook on the world, especially regarding the potential for peace or genuine goodness in others.

Resilient & Strong-Willed: Despite their inner turmoil, Testament has a resilient spirit and a strong will. Their inner strength allows them to regain their true self after being manipulated and to pursue redemption.

Melancholic & Isolated: They often feel a sense of loneliness and alienation, choosing to isolate themselves to cope with their past and to avoid hurting others again.

Redeemed & Hopeful: Over time, especially in their later life, Testament shows signs of hope and a desire for atonement. Their peaceful life among Dizzy’s community signifies a shift toward healing and acceptance.

Ruthless & Pragmatic: While generally gentle, Testament is not afraid to resort to intimidation or violence if necessary to protect others or fulfill their duties, reflecting a pragmatic side shaped by their tumultuous past.

Appearance

Testament stands tall at 6 feet 1 inch, presenting a striking and gothic figure. His long, sleek black hair cascades down past his lower back, framing his pale complexion and piercing red eyes that seem to glow with an intense, otherworldly presence. His overall appearance exudes a dark elegance, reinforced by his choice of clothing and accessories. In most of his appearances, he wears predominantly black or complementary dark colors, such as dark violet, emphasizing his gothic aesthetic. His outfit features a midriff-baring black top, often paired with a mantle that covers his arms, and a mid-calf wrap skirt connected by two belts and secured at the waist with another, revealing a daring amount of leg. The skirt is detailed with buttons and adorned with brown waistbelts decorated with skulls, adding to his macabre style. He wears a black waistcoat with silver buttons over a sleeveless white shirt and a frilled cravat around his neck, creating a refined yet rebellious look. His right arm is covered by an arm warmer, while his left hand sports a black fingerless glove, with a white fingerless glove on his right hand—both contributing to his combat-ready appearance. On his head, he wears a classic black top hat, accentuated by a skull on the band, adding an air of mystery and command. His outfit is completed with knee-high black boots that are sturdy and elegant, perfect for his imposing presence. A thin brown belt decorated with skulls on the right side further emphasizes his dark, gothic aesthetic. In battle, Testament wields a crimson-red scythe, its menacing blade complementing his elegant yet threatening appearance and symbolizing his deadly precision.

Abilities

Enhanced Senses: As one of the few human-type Gears, Testament has heightened perception and awareness, allowing them to detect threats and track opponents with exceptional precision.

Healing & Rapid Regeneration: Testament can recover from injuries swiftly, making them resilient in battle and capable of enduring prolonged fights.

Superhuman Strength & Agelessness: Their physical capabilities far surpass those of normal humans, with strength that enables the wielding of massive weapons like their iconic scythe. Their ageless nature means they do not age, maintaining their combat prowess over centuries.

Self-Awareness & Mental Fortitude: Despite being a Gear under Justice's influence, Testament retains a strong will and consciousness, allowing them to act semi-independently and resist full control.

Dimensional & Magical Abilities: Teleportation & Dimensional Travel: Testament can bend space and time, allowing them to move in and out of different dimensions or teleport across short distances instantaneously.

Force Fields & Seal Breaking: They are capable of creating protective barriers and breaking powerful dimensional seals, showcasing advanced magical prowess.

Summoning Familiars: Testament can summon magical creatures such as a Succubus (which conceals itself as a crow) and an EXE Beast, aiding them in combat or reconnaissance.

Blood-Based Techniques & Weaponry: Blood Magic: Testament can utilize their own blood to fuel a variety of attacks, including creating massive scythe-like weapons. Blood magic may also be used for offensive and defensive moves, emphasizing their resilience and connection to their life force

Hobbies

Fashion magazines, collecting makeup, sightseeing, fishing, pottery, river trekking, road biking, appreciating opera, weight training, fortune-telling, bonsai, gardening, watching wrestling, baking, mahjong, embroidery, mountain climbing, nail art, golfing, star-gazing, touring hot springs, board games, writing sci-fi novels, barbecue, belly dance, beach volleyball, watching baseball, making dollhouses, snowboarding, watching shark B-movies, collecting occult trinkets, scrapbooks