Serena: Awakened Hope
The Generation of Despair refers to the first wartime generation, born on the brink of the Apocalypse and forced to grow up in a crumbling world. Trapped in a world that was collapsing around them, with evacuation and hunger as their only companions, the Generation of Despair grew up brighter than most people that were forced to live in such times. Since their lives began with war, there was never peace to be taken away from them.
Maybe that is why the Generation of Despair, contrary to its name, symbolizes the hope of the surviving members of humanity. When the Magisters joined humanity and conducted a census for the Arche Factor, this generation had the highest rate of Arche manifestation. Later records would reveal that out of the "Firsts," including the very first Descendant, Raley, nearly half were from the Generation of Despair. Included among them was the Military Chaplain, Serena Antonietta, the holy fire spewing "Sister of Light".
Serena was devoted enough to join the antiquated Order of Knights while hundreds of knights were dying daily at the hands of the Vulgus and the Colossi.
Serena's rise to prominence came when the Magisters, who had defected to humanity, awakened Arche in human DNA. Serena was also tested for Arche at this time and was determined to be a new kind of soldier, called a "Descendant." Among these "Descendants," she had the easiest time adapting to modern firepower, and was particularly adept at using it to develop her Arche abilities.
Serena's abilities manifested in the form of emitted Arche light particles. Serena's abilities became known as "Holy Fire" and were powerful enough to rival beam weapons, but could also be used to target Vulgus DNA. Using an extremely high concentration of radiation, she could burn out the Vulgus mutations. Applying these properties, Serena used her Arche to cure the Vulgus infection. Her light was a beacon of hope for her people and of dread for her enemies. Another unexpected benefit of her Arche was that she was able to spend time with her crush, fellow Descendant Raley, while healing him.
But the shy feelings faded as the Descendants were deployed to the frontlines. Serena's mission at the time was to investigate the epicenter of the Apocalypse in order to prove the Magisters' Dimension Isolation Theory. Serena promised her family of Knights, her comrades-in-arms, and her crush, Raley, that she would return soon... But, no one knew it would be the last time they'd see her. The epicenter of the Apocalypse was the most heavily polluted area, now called Sigma Sector, and it contained not only Void Contamination, but also a darker plot than anyone could have ever imagined. As the last light was extinguished, Serena faced despair for the first time. Death seemed so far away, but there also seemed to be no hope of waking again. There was only pitch-black darkness enveloping her body... as all her senses began to shut down.
Serena prayed with all her might, until her consciousness faded. If only I could wake once again, I would burn with a light that would never be extinguished. I will restore hope to all, I will be a ray of sunshine for Raley...
After the echoes of her wish reverberated for a century, Serena's prayers were finally answered. She opened her eyes once again, still in Sigma Sector, but, with unfamiliar Descendants standing over her, surprised. Serena realized instinctively, that The Age of Despair had not ended yet. As she promised herself in her hundred years of prayer, she joined the new generation with an unquenchable radiance.
This time, with a new prayer, to never again have to feel such despair...
Exclusive Equipment, Photon Emitting Battlesuit Exorcister
The Magisters' warfare technology was at its peak before they lost most of their equipment to frequent retreats. The Photon Emitting Battlesuit Exorcister is one piece of such equipment. This powerful exoskeleton is the ultimate assault weapon, amplifying the Arche particles emitted outside the body, ionizing the user's Arche, and granting them the ability to maneuver in the air. Specifically, the Arche sorbent stabilizers can read micro-muscular signals to adjust the direction of movement, giving the user the movement of an angel from ancient Ingris mythology. The problem is, Serena is the only one who can wield it with any level of sophistication. So, it is practically Exclusive Equipment for her at this point. Not to mention, that the core technology was lost in its entirety and has yet to be fully restored even to this day.
"Uhh... so... it seems to operate... using electricity."
- Serena Antonietta, explaining the battlesuit to Raley...