Ario

Ario (アリオ, Ario^?) is a human from Sorcerion and the 19th Hero. He is currently held in captivity by the Neo-Humans.

Appearance

Ario has medium-length hair that extends over his ears and eyes and is styled in wavy on the ends, which covers nearly half of his face. He braids his shoulder-length side hair and hangs it in front. He is of average height, at least the same as Hallow.

Gallery

Personality

Ario is confident in his strength as a hero, acting flamboyant with confidence that Hallow appreciated. However, he has a cowardly side, notably when he runs away just from seeing Nyudo playing with humans from afar. He becomes fearful and full of guilt of his actions after he runs off and becomes envious when Hallow reveals in spite of his fear, he is still willing to fight against the demons.

Despite this, he is still courageous enough to try to overcome this flaw. Facing the Titans and the Neo-Humans, Ario slowly overcomes his fears while also becoming enraged at the treatment humanity faces against Neo Humans and fights back against them. Holding hope that humanity will begin their counterattack even if he himself falls while having his companion Kira explain to Hallow to not save him after being captured.

Ario also likes to flirt with women, as seen from his attempt to hit on Keila and Hallow's remark that it was his old habit.

Plot

Background

At some point, Ario joined the Heroes. He underwent hard training that even made him vomit blood.^[1]

Introduction Arc

At Humanity's Fortress, the heroes listen to the king's speech. After hearing Liwan telling the others to not underestimate the Demon Army, he assures him they will win, asking Hallow for confirmation. However, the latter is incredibly nervous because of the heavy responsibility he's carrying. When Panepane doubts Hallow's abilities, Ario disagrees with the fairy, saying that despite Hallow's lack of flexibility, he won't lose to anyone in terms of strength of heart, which is the strength that heroes really need. He then motivates Hallow, agreeing to a promise with him to have congratulatory toasts once they take down the Great Demon King.

He went missing after his fight against the 19th Demon King, Nyudo, according to the report given to Panepane. His defeat and unknown whereabouts concerns Hallow.^[2]

During the meeting with Glasp and the other world's representatives, he appears while suggesting the necessity of his presence. Shortly after that, he mentions not having been to The Fort for a while.^[3]

Titans vs The Neo-Humans Arc

Ario tries to pick up on Keila by giving her a flower. She asks him why he is uninjured, and he says it is because he is a hero. As Ario is about to explain the meaning of the flower, she eats it, thinking that he wanted to feed her. Ario shows his disappointment as Hallow approaches, telling him that he is trying to chat on women again. Ario asks the hero if he slept well last night, and asks him how his battle against his demon lord went. Hallow asks him about his battle, but Ario stutters and tells him he simply lost against his demon lord. Hallow cheers Ario up, to which Ario says he has not changed.^[4]

When Hallow, Keila and Ario return to the meeting room while others are sharing information, Ario reveals a group of titans is coming in the fort direction.^[5] Once everyone gathers outside, Pakkya angrily questions Ario for not mentioning it earlier, to which Ario claims he wants everyone to get good sleep but will do it differently.^[6] Once the question of who to divert the titans is raised and Hallow volunteers, Ario rushes and punches Hallow, claiming Hallow is too worn out and he should go instead.^[7]

While waiting on the castle wall until the magic circle is complete, Ario is confronted by Keila, who doubts he ever faced the demon lord.^[8] Ario confesses the truth and how he was terrified upon seeing Nyudo play with humans. He recalls wandering until the worlds got merged and returning to the castle after.^[9] He then tried to find sympathy from Hallow but figured out Hallow was different. Ario explains he wanted to make up for it and thus volunteered to face the titans.^[10] After receiving a flower from Keila, he promises to do his best.^[11] Shortly before the mission, he bids others farewell, reiterates the mission to his squad and attempts to lift their spirit.^[12]

The group finds themselves facing the titans, with Ario trying to find his courage to speak up.^[13] He announces the group's surrender to the titan^[14] and shouts at them to stop after Shoks is killed^[15] and again after Shigeru meets the same fate.^[16] When he thinks about fighting, Braginte steps up to entertain the titans. He watches the battle and remarks that Braginte can hold his own only to realize Braginte is only being toyed with.^[17] He and Riam then guide the titans to the Neo-Humans's area. The titans try to kill them but they escape and blend in the Neo-Human crowd.^[18] He tells Riam to be careful while hoping the battle between two natural enemies happen.^[19]

He finds Neo-Humanity's indifference to the situation peculiar and questions if they made a mistake.^[20] Then they are shocked to see new humans' capabilities and the commencing battle.^[21] As he turns around to tell Riam to escape, he finds her murdered by a neo-human and their disguise was exposed since the beginning.^[22] He tries to turn neo-humans' attention to the titans but all they want is to torture him both mentally and physically. Angered, he decides to fight while reminiscing his past.^[23] He fuses with his fairy, Kira, and unleashes Golden Storm.^[24] Despite his initial upper hand, his hesitation against neo-children makes him suffer heavy damage and after a long and gruesome battle, he falls at the hands of a group of neo-humans and is held captive.^[25]

Abilities

As one of the 47 Heroes, Ario is a very powerful human. He has demonstrated remarkable strength, speed, and durability. Despite this, he was ultimately exhausted and overpowered by the neo-humans.

Physical Abilities

• Superhuman Strength: Ario, like the rest of the Heroes, is very strong. He is able to punch Hallow with enough force to smash him into the fortress wall with ease.^[26]
• Superhuman Durability: He has very good resistance; he can take multiple stabs from neo-humans and a kick from titans and still be able to continue fighting.^[27]
• Superhuman Speed: He can move at high speed, as seen when he catches Hallow off guard with a punch in the face despite Hallow being quite fast himself.^[26] Titans and Neo-Humans are unable to react to his movements during Golden Storm.^[28]

Magical Abilities

• Golden Storm: By fusing with his fairy, Kira, Ario can command a storm of raging light. He can then control this storm to draw enemies in and deliver devastating blows. It's powerful enough to kill a large number of neo-humans and titans. The fusion also increases his mobility, even allowing him to float in the air.^[29]

Miscellaneous Abilities

• Expert Swordsman: As he has trained tirelessly, Ario is a skilled swordsman. During his fight with the Neo-Humans and the Titans, he can deliver strikes that they can't even counteract.
• Strong Courage: It has been implied Ario has a strong courage that gives him power over his sword, especially during his fight with Neo-Humans and Titans. He also tries to make up for his cowardly run from his original fight by volunteering to divert the titans despite knowing his life is at stake.

Equipment

• Sword of Courage: Ario wields a holy sword.

References