The story of Vearn from Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai.
Past[]
| “ | We were originally enemies in the Underworld. But we share the same hatred. We despise the gods! They tossed us aside and gave only the humans of the Surface World peace. Their injustice is unforgivable! The only choice was for one of us to become a god! So we ended our opposition. That was some centuries ago. That's when I suggested a little bet. We would go ahead with our own schemes, and whoever lost would serve the winner. Of course, as you can see from how Velzar sent Kill to me, neither of us ever fully trusted the other. Even after Velzar fell and was bound, Kill continued watching me. Even in that state, Velzar never gave up on the Surface World. | „ |
| ~ Vearn explains his and Velzar's ancient history to Popp. |
Vearn is a demonic deity who has lived for eons. Whether he comes from Heaven, most often called Zenithia in the Dragon Quest lore (Celesta in the anime), and is related to the God of Darklings is unexplained. He is eternal, yet he ages, and he can be killed, implying a lower divine rank. In the Dawn of Times, the God of Dragons, the God of Darklings and the Gods of Humans shared the world for their races: Fitting their power, the darklings and dragons went to the harsh Underworld where might is the only rule, while the weaker humans went to the Surface.
Since the Dawn of Time, Vearn has craved for the sun to shine upon his dark realm.
Vearn denounced this as a banishment. Over the eons he conquered half the Underworld, having to share it with his staunch rival Velzar the Abyss Dragon King. They fought for millennia until Vearn suggested a wager that which of them first took over the Surface World would gain the other's fealty.
They both agreed to cease their long enduring antagonism, however unlike his ancient nemesis, Vearn had no real interest in conquering the Surface, he only desires it's annihilation so the sun may finally shine over their realm.
He built his might and influence until he reached the main gods' level. Desiring immortality, Vearn split himself in two; one with his intellect and magic might and the other with his strength, frozen by a time-stopping forbidden spell powered by a solar eclipse. Thus, only one half would age and wither, keeping the other in peak condition and keeping him alive unless both were slain.
In order to become eternal, the Dark King literally divided himself into two.
At some point, Vearn recruited the shadow spectre Myst, who became his most devoted servant and was entrusted with his frozen half, renaming himself Mystvearn.
Over the centuries, Vearn built several strongholds in both the Underworld and the Surface World; he built his impenetrable palace built beneath the Field of Death, and would soon accept the Reaper Killvearn for vassal as a "truce gift" from Velzar, well aware of his true aim to kill him. Only a handful have seen Vearn's face as he remains hidden, always appearing behind a veil.
For untold eons, Vearn has planned for the Surface World's destruction.
Around a century before the start of the story, he enlisted the legendary darkling weaponsmith Lon Berck; who forged highly powerful Orichalcos weapons for him, including the Staff of Edacity Vearn chose. But during a dinner party at Vearn's seventh palace, he defected, feeling unsatisfied as he found Vearn to be his most "boring" customer, despite the blissful years he had under him especially in terms of wealth. Vearn wished he would lead his future Dark Army given he's one of the strongest warriors in the Underworld, but Lon Berk bluntly refused. Though disappointed, Vearn had faith that in the long run Lon Beruk might change his mind and return to their side.
Vearn witnesses Hadlar's defeat by Avan.
Around ten years before the start of the story, Vearn corrupted Baran who had defeated Velzar but lost his wife due to humans, and revived the Dark Lord Hadlar who had been slain by the Great Hero Avan, to build a perfect Dark Army to enforce his rule after he reached his goal.
Secretly, during Hadlar's recovery, he had a Black Core implanted in him as an insurance. From Hadlar's defeat, he recognized the threat Avan's unique strength (his scholarly intellect, cunningness, and inspiring integrity) would pose, hence he made sure Hadlar would slay him the moment he would fully recover.
A few years later, upon learning of the Alkeed Kingdom's destruction at the hands of the current Dragon Knight Baran, who had defeated Velzar but lost his wife to the discriminatory Alkeed King, he saw an opportunity and made indirect contact with Baran and corrupted him to join his newly formed Dark Army, as he believed Baran (at the time) was the only being in the world capable of resisting him. Baran agreed to follow him, till he kept his promise that all the humans would be eradicated, Vearn never divulged the true extent of his goal.
The Six Legion Commanders of Vearn's perfect Dark Army.
Officially, Vearn placed his right-hand Mystvearn as part of Six Legion Commanders of his newly formed dark army, so he may observe the other legion commanders, Baran and Hyunckel were chosen for their deep hatred for humanity, Crocodine was chosen for his loyalty, Zaboera and Flazzard were chosen for their cunning and ambition. He believed that the tension between such commanders were essential in order to create the perfect army.
Vearn had created the gigantic Sovereign Rock Castle (which was based off of his Sovereign Supreme form) to serve as their official headquarters. Among all the six commanders, he uniquely favored Hyunckel (despite being human) due to his tenaciousness and burning hatred towards his own kind, he even mentored him through Mystvearn. Vearn created a medal with his Infernal Emblem as a test of loyalty, daring his Commanders to seize it in fire, which Flazzard took with his fire half.
Faceless ruler of the Dark Army[]
Vearn speaking to Hadlar through his emblem.
Aware of how powerful Avan is, he sent Hadlar to Dermline Island to slay him at once. Vearn is first mentioned by his second-in-command Hadlar, who is exacting revenge on his archenemy Avan on Dermline Island, home to the main hero Dai. After Dai manages to drive him away, Hadlar retreats to the Sovereign Rock Castle, but cannot bring himself to tell Vearn about Dai whom he labels as his utmost priority.
Learning that the Disciples of Avan have defeated Crocodine, Commander of the Furfang Division, Vearn personally orders Hyunckel, a former disciple of Avan and Commander of the Undead Division, to track down and kill them; but he is beaten in turn. The Dark Army sets a full-scale ambush, but to no avail and Flazzard, Commander of the Blizzblaze Division, is killed.
After many failures, Vearn decided to give Hadlar one last chance.
Since Crocodine and Hyunckel, who joined the heroes know the location of the Sovereign Rock Castle, Vearn sends Killvearn to move it away. He later appears to his remaining commanders as Killvearn reveals that Dai is a Dragon Knight and the son of Baran. Pleased by the prospect of commanding two Dragon Knights, Vearn decides to name Baran his new right-hand should he brings Dai to his side: retrograding Hadlar to punish his failures.
After Baran defects from the Dark Army in turn, Hadlar is scolded by a displeased Vearn, who holds him responsible for Baran's defeat; for he knew that Dai was a Dragon Knight but did not share the information out of petty interest. He lists the number of Hadlar's failures and warns him that he will not forgive another.
Vearn Reveals himself[]
Vearn revealing himself to Hadlar.
After Hadlar, who became an extremely powerful mutant called the Superior Being, defeats Dai, Vearn shows him his face as a token of appreciation for his newfound resolve. He then comforts him in his rank of Commander of the Dark Army.
He offers him five Orichalcos chess pieces, from which he can give birth to five immensely powerful Orichalcos Warriors to replace the fallen Commanders, naming it the Orichalcos Royal Guard, Hadlar's new Praetorian Guard. While the disciples of Avan invade the Field of Death, the Dark Army's stronghold and battle the Royal Guard; Vearn watches Hadlar fighting Dai and Baran who joined forces.
As Baran is prevailing, Vearn detonates the Black Core (a magically powered bomb rivalling a modern nuke) he secretly implanted into Hadlar when he revived him. He states that it was a precaution he never planned to use, but that Hadlar's metamorphosis made it too unstable. So, he opts to detonate it anyways, not caring the slightest that Hadlar can no longer resurrect.
After centuries of concealment, the Vearn Palace takes flight.
As Hadlar and Baran are trying to suppress the explosion, Vearn sends Mystvearn to set off the core. Though Baran sacrifices his life to contain the blast, it still obliterates all the Field of Death, revealing the monumental, flying Vearn Palace, which takes flight.
As Hadlar and Baran are trying to suppress the explosion, Vearn sends Mystvearn to set off the core. Though Baran sacrifices his life to contain the blast, it still obliterates all the Field of Death, revealing the monumental, flying Vearn Palace, which takes flight.
Avan's Disciples only owe their survival to Crocodine who buried them underground. Despite grieving Baran's death, they resolve to battle Vearn. Which is when the Dark King appears before them; ordering Mystvearn and Killvearn to stand aside while he deals with them on his own, out of consideration for their bravery. He decides to incinerate Baran's corpse with his Frizz blazing tornado, triggering Dai's outrage. The hero jumps at him… only to be hit by a point-blank Dark Aura beam.
Vearn thoroughly crushes the heroes, effortlessly repelling their best attacks. Revulsed by his social Darwinist views, Dai stands up and manages to wound him, channelling the Dragon Knights' Draconic Aura in his Orichalcos sword. Yet, Vearn heals himself and unveils his Staff of Edacity, using it to easily break Dai's sword in the ensuing clash of power, before unleashing Calamitous Wall to finish off all his enemies.
As Crocodine and Hyunckel sacrifice themselves to protect the others, they are saved by Hadlar of all people, who collapses the ground under them and casts them to the ocean, away from the God of the Underworld. Enraged at Vearn for ruining his duel with the Black Core, Hadlar attacks him with intent to kill and manages to drive him into a corner, as Vearn carelessly exhausted a great deal of his power against the Disciples of Avan.
Hadlar attacks his former liege in a rage.
However, Hadlar gets magically held by surprise by Zaboera, Commander of the Mystic Division, only owing his life to the sacrifice of Block, Rook of the Orichalcos Guard. Vearn pays it no mind, knowing that Hadlar is doomed to die very soon, noticing with satisfaction the Holy Mother Dragon taking Dai away, seemingly to the Afterlife.
The following days, he fires five tower-shaped projectiles on different locations in the world, nuking where they land. Vearn later warns every ruler in the world that he set Hyunckel and Crocodine for public execution in Loroi Valley, expecting the Disciples of Avan and their allies to gather and rescue them, despite being fully aware that this is a trap. He orders Mystvearn and Zaboera to hide enormous hordes of very powerful monsters from the Underworld in the valley, to ambush and kill all of his enemies.
With their friends holding the monsters away, the Disciples of Avan cast Kaglimmer: the mightiest anti-evil spell to exist, enormously amplified by their holy five-pointed star formation, on the Vearn Palace, breaking its defences and enabling them to invade it.
Invading the Vearn Palace[]
Before the heroes can storm the palace, they get ambushed by Hadlar and his Royal Guards for a final battle that Vearn gladly watches and comments. He later commends Killvearn for trapping Dai and his friend Popp in a blazing inferno. As his comrades and a returning Avan deal with his remaining vassals, the God of the Underworld waits for Dai and Princess Leona, taunting them as they climb the Tower of Supremacy.
Yet, Leona is caught by the Magic-eating Dark Force Reactor moving the Vearn Palace, attracted by the powerful artifacts she carries, and by its keeper, the drumbler monster Goroa. Goroa uses his Gravity power to get rid of Dai, under Vearn's disappointed watch, but he is no match for him. Dai awakes the Dragon Crest he inherited from his father, adding it to his own to vaporize the Reactor, defeating Goroa.
Dai facing Vearn's Calamitous Wall.
The Dragon Knight finally engages the Dark King, gaining the upper-hand with the might of his Twin Dragon Crests, owing to the battle experience inherited from all the previous Dragon Knights, he counters a full-power Calamitous Wall, and later a combination of a spear strike and a Kaiser Phoenix. Vearn plays on his fear of rejection to persuade him to join his ranks, but the hero encouraged by Leona, refuses to consider it. Dai casts Doraura, the Dragon Knights' devastating Aura Blast, but Vearn blocks it with his staff. Leona then refills Dai's power with a magic feather, enabling him to overwhelm his enemy with a double Doraura and blast him across the sky.
But as everything seems over, Dai and Leona musing that too much power is a burden, Vearn returns near death but stating that he cannot die due to his other half. Having no choice left, he orders Mystvearn to return it, fusing both to rejuvenate.
The Final Battle[]
| “ | How could it be that you can possess such incredible power, and only think to use for such frivolous purposes? Perhaps, the reason you waste such a gift on pointless things is, the gift terrifies you as well? | „ |
| ~ Vearnn musing on the human heart he so despises. |
Unwilling to waste his full might on a weakened foe, Vearn waits for Dai's full recovery before resuming their battle. Dai gauges him with his mightiest move, only to get summarily trounced by his Demonic Guard of Heaven and Earth stance.
Vearn beats three formidable foes at once with his Demonic Guard.
Vearn offers to spare Leona, if she becomes herald of the Hero's failure, but she refuses and wounds him by surprise, demonstrating that he is not invincible. Irked, the Dark King seals her in an Eye jewel.
Just as he is about to finish Dai off, the other heroes rescue him. Unfortunately, only Avan, the mage Popp, the Orichalcos Warrior Hym and the Land Rider Larhalt are not sealed in Eye jewels. Popp heals Dai, while the others attack Vearn, only to be crushed by his Demonic Guard in turn.
With only Popp and Dai remaining, Popp, who has deduced a weakness in the Demonic Guard, forces Vearn to barely deflect his mightiest spell Medroa, goading him into using his stance again.
Confident that Popp and Dai have no way of exploiting said weakness on their own, Vearn accepts and easily overcomes Popp's assault, combining his deflected spell with Kaiser Phoenix to kill them both. However, Popp was counting on this and reflects all the magic back to Vearn with a hidden magic mirror, providing Dai with an opening. Dai cuts off Vearn's left arm, right before jumping on his shoulder to stab one of his three hearts, leaving his sword there, preventing him from healing and using his stance again. While Dai is spamming the Zapple Lightning spell to channel it through his sword, Vearn releases the last tower-projectile, destroying the valley where Dai's allies were standing.
One of Vearn's giant Black Cores.
It is revealed that these towers, called the Pillars of Vearn, hide a giant Black Core, over ten times more destructive that the one infused in Hadlar. Vearn dropped them to form a worldwide Six-Pointed Star (an immensely powerful Evil-amplifier), so as to magnify the explosion of all six Black Cores and obliterate the Surface of the world, leaving only the Underworld to bask in the sun.
Vearn used the execution to lure the heroes where he would drop the final pillar, fully expecting the Disciples of Avan to storm his palace. Dropping the final pillar would nuke the Kaglimmer pentagram and restore the Palace force-field, trapping the heroes there and obliterating their allies. Thus, no-one would be able to stop the imminent explosion. As everything seems well and truly lost, (with Vearn even earning Velzar's begrudging congratulations) it happens that the disciples' allies escaped the blast in time. Indeed, the young fortune-teller Merle, who developed a telepathic link with Popp after a near-death experience, heard everything and could warn them in time.
She contacts them through this link and rekindles their hope, revealing that the others stopped the Black Core by freezing it with an Ice spell. Every ally who can teleport immediately goes to the pillars and freeze the Black Cores, but time is running short and few people can do it. As Vearn is about to detonate the Cores before the time limit, the people trapped in Eye jewels start to levitate and attack the bewildered Dark King.
Vearn detects Leona's jewel as the origin of that phenomenon and destroys it, freeing her. He identifies Dai's pet she kept with her, the winged golden slime Gome, as a Tear of the Gods: a divine item able to grant wishes to the pure of heart, which Dai unknowingly wished alive years prior. It was it who just answered Leona's pleas for help. Livid, Vearn crushes Gome in his fist, but before vanishing, he can grant Dai's final wish to unite the hearts of everyone. This enables the population to rush and freeze every Black Core, in spite of the hugely powerful Jamirus gryphon monster tasked to protect the one in the North Pole from the cold.
Bewildered, Vearn finally acknowledges humanity's merits… But stubbornly refuses to accept its significance, still deriding it as meaningless. He boasts that he just needs to kill his remaining opposition, leaving no-one able to stop his next plan to destroy the Surface. The situation remains dire, for even badly injured the God of the Underworld remains too powerful for Dai's team.
This prompt Dai to fuse his two Dragon Crests into one to vastly boost his might, despite fearing that he might no longer be able to control his power and return to normal, or worse become a monster. Amused, Vearn traps all the other heroes within the Heart of Vearn Palace, planning to fight Dai one-on-one… An error he shall soon regret.
Vearn getting a taste of his version of justice.
Dai Fused Crest makes him so powerful and unrelenting, that he inflicts a thorough and very much deserved beatdown on Vearn, while asking if he still relates power to justice when he is the one on the wrong end of the stick.
As his palace is collapsing around them while ascending into space, the Dark King fearing for his life unleashes his final form, the Sovereign Supreme, overwhelming Dai with his tremendous size, strength and clusters of homing red rays. While still collected enough to explain his transformation, he loses all composure and starts yelling that destroying Dai is now everything to him, even if he has to rule forever as a giant demon of terror.
Dai unleashes his Draconic Aura to its maximum, and fires a point-blank Doraura at the Dark King, who resists and nearly kills him. The gods send the Dragon Knights' sword to Dai, who is encouraged by his father's spirit. With it, Dai wrecks the Sovereign Supreme's left arm to reach its third eye, but it breaks against its lid and Vearn retaliates with a tremendous, point-blank onslaught of energy.
Farewell, Vearn the Dark King.
Vearn seizes and crushes Dai, releases his full might to escape and reaches for his sword, still piercing Vearn's heart. By pulling it downwards, he slices his foe in half, slaying the God of the Underworld once and for all.
The Sovereign Supreme petrifies and explodes, with Vearn's remains hurled into the sun he craved so much and other fragments burning up in the atmosphere into shooting stars. Victorious but exhausted, Dai falls back to Earth to get saved by his friends.