Afterlife

name: viktor volesky (human), dimmed aphelion (nictus)
aliases: vik, lifer, the beast of brickstown
age: 19 (human), 1299 (nictus)
occupation: vigilante
place of birth: paragon city
affiliation: (formerly) nictus, (formerly) the council
gear: none

dark energy manipulation at the heart of the warshade's power is the manipulation of dark energy. nictus are made of it, and warshades wield it with deadly efficacy. for the most part, afterlife relies on dark energy for protective barriers and blasts targets at range

teleportation by warping spacetime in short bursts, afterlife can teleport. with enough focus and energy, he can teleport anywhere he wishes. mostly he uses it as a means of closing distance quickly or surprising his enemies

energy drain As any Nictus or Warshade worth their salt, Afterlife is capable of draining the life essence from his enemies to rejuvenate his own. Afterlife is capable of only draining a portion of his target's lifeforce, but often gorges himself to the point of killing his enemies.

Shapeshifting Warshades can revert to aspects of previous hosts, and leverage their unique advantages over a human form. With care, he can shift between forms on a dime, making for a dizzying and deadly combination of attacks. Afterlife relies on four forms, in addition to his default human form:

Dark Nova (The Squid) So-called because of its many tentacles, "the Squid" allows Afterlife to fly swiftly and blast enemies from afar. However, this form as almost no natural protection, and while a smaller target, it cannot stand up to damage like the other forms can. Even Afterlife's human form is tougher.

Black Dwarf (The Lobster) A juggernaut of brutal power, "the Lobster" is a giant armored beast who pummels foes into submission. Afterlife has incredible strength and durability in this form, able to shrug off most conventional weapons fire. In this form, Afterlife can make short teleports to charge his enemies, making the Lobster more nimble than expected. However, without teleportation this form is slow to move and difficult to fit into tight spaces.

Dark Nebula (The Ghost) "The Ghost" is simply based on a host from a race of sentient gaseous entities, called the Ublimu. This form makes Afterlife nearly impervious to traditional attacks, in that they have nothing to hit. Afterlife can become "the Ghost" to sneak into secure facilities, escape capture, and easily hide. But in this form he cannot attack in any form, cannot teleport and is still subject to physics, and so a strong wind or suction could trap or destabilize him.

Black Rift (The Jackal) Based on a race called the Kyeta, "the Jackal" turns Afterlife into a nimble, psuedobiped with excellent ground speed. The Jackal is faster than Afterlife's human form, equipped with sharp claws and fangs, and best of all: capable of using many of the same Dark Energy attacks he uses in his human form. Despite these advantages, the Jackal cannot fly or teleport and is only marginally tougher than Afterlife's human form.

IMAGELINK

if nothing matters, we're all to blame

At an early age, I began to suspect my parents didn’t want me around. Not long after that, I accepted it. After all, I didn’t want anything to do with them either. I had friends, and I had Yana.

In my youth I betrayed my brothers for power. As a reward, I was...humbled. I had power, but it would be made to serve my new masters. But I served dutifully, for the Kheldians would never take me back…

It was time for a party, but not like the “ragers” all the troglodytes go to. No, my friend knew people in the Skulls. I knew they were a gang, but...how cool right? To say that you partied with the Skulls? I had to convince Yana to come...

Two of my dark peers, slain, and many humans...but I broke free of my bondage. No longer would I serve The Council's vicious ends. But neither could I return to the Kheldians, for how could they believe I wished to atone for my crimes? No, I would have to make my own way. But without a host, I was sure to perish…

we all surrender to those we serve

IMAGE

The party was in full force when we arrived. It was dark and moody, just what we were looking for. Drugs were swapping hands, Skulls were lurking in the corners. Yana was nervous - and so was I - but after some drinks, she dragged me out to the dancefloor. For a time we forgot where we were. But it didn’t last...

There it was: a gathering of human youths. Surely I would find a willing host among them? For I could not bear another forced merger. Yet...the young humans began to disperse. I witnessed their law enforcement firing upon one of their criminal factions. Time was my enemy, and now fate, it seemed…

First sirens came, and most of us scattered. But before we could all clear out, there were gunshots. Yana and I were caught between the Skulls and the police. The cops hesitated. The Skulls didn’t.

we get the world we all deserve

He would have perished, had I not intervened.

I would have died if it hadn’t come to me. But Yana...she was gone...

I would not force it. I could not. So I offered him the same thing the Nictus offered me when I became one of them: life and power.

I could not bear to live without Yana, but neither could I bear to let her killers go free.

He accepted. His only condition: once joined, we would -

Hunt.

Them.

Down.

When you turn the lights off, in the night I'm the shivering feeling...

Down.