The Invictus

Overview

The Invictus are a genetically modified version of the Protiun species, given powerful abilities activated by the Light and deployed as combatants against the Empire Desimun. Their abilities are a bionic enhancement developed mid-conflict and granted to a specific force of combatants, but can be passed down through generations.

The Invictus were nearly all lost due to their proximity to the Light at its destruction. Several are known to have survived the event, having been trapped on Earth or in the Desim system when they were pushed out of the Wider Universe, or being beyond the range of the initial blast.

Characteristics

Characteristic Overview

The Invictus are originally a subspecies of Protiun, but in modern Eras are better defined through their tech-enhanced abilities rather than any genetic components.

Abilities

Enhanced Strength

The Invictus have above-average strength generally, being able to lift a significant but reasonable amount more than standard members of their species. When powered by the Light, they have greatly enhanced strength and can lift several hundred times their body weight. When not in close proximity to the Light, this strength bleeds-over, deteriorating over time until they reach their base strength again.

Invulnerability

The Invictus are nearly impervious to physical damage. They're resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, or other physical attakcs. They are also resistant to extreme temperatures, being able to survive for short periods of time in the vaccuum of space or close to the surface of a star. They're not completely indestructible, however, as they posess the strength to injure each other. A sufficiently overwhelming force can break their invulnerability.

Effective Immortality

Without a direct connection to the Light, an Invictus will live to be nearly a thousand years old. Their enhanced durability and ability to live withstand extreme conditions contributes to this greatly. However, if they remain in proximity to the Light or remain in frequent contact with a Light Shard, it will sustain them indefinetely. Maia, for instance, used a Light Shard to live upwards of seven thousand years on a Protiun Exoplanet at the edge of the Outerverse. Without external intervention, an Invictus can live in perpituity so long as they regularly interact with the Light.

Environment Independence

The Invictus are able to survive without oxygen, food, or water for a significant period of time when in contact with the Light without discomfort. This can't go on indefinetely, but the ability can sustain them significantly longer than other members of their species.

Light Connection

The Invictus generally have above-average durability and strength, but when nearby the original Light source or when in contact with a Light shard their abilities become enhanced. Contact with the Light cannot be substituted with other power sources, so most modern Invictus aren't able to unlock the full breadth of their abilities.

Notable Invictus

Kris Larzelere

Kris Larzelere is a human of Protiun ancestry. One of her predecessors was one of many Invictus trapped on Earth as it was pushed out of the Wider Universe. Because the abilities of a Protiun are technological rather than biological, they aren't diluted through generations but are instead passed-on entirely, making Kris a human with the full powers of an Invictus. Kris' abilities are passive prior to her first encounter with a light shard, expressing themselves as simple durability and enhanced strength. After her abilities are awakened for the first time, she continues on to develop far into her full potential.

Emi Navarro

Emi Navarro is not a full Invictus, but was an attempt to recreate the Invictus by the Argan Empire. As such, he doesn't need direct contact with the Light to access his full abilities, but they are not as potent as a full Invictus. He posessses enhanced strength and durability, but is physically weaker and more vulnerable to physical damage than Kris or Maia. He does not posess environment independence, and cannot create a connection to the Light.

Maia

Maia is a member of the original Invictus combative force, having survived the blast after the destruction of the Light. She is the only known Invictus to have survived in the Wider Universe (though there are likely others around). She's remained frozen in time as she's lived the last several thousand years as the only resident of a Protiun Exoplanet within the Outerverse. Maia has remained apart from the Wider Universe for the majority of her life post Era-1, only coming back into the fold as an ally of Kris and Emi after they discover her while searching for the LIght Shard in her posession.