Centurion
“The Void is not my master. It is my weapon.”
Profile
Real Name: Valen Thorne
Callsign: Centurion
Alias: The Black Sword
Age: Undocumented
Status: Active
Faction: Hell Hosts
Branch: Special Operations
Unit: Classified / Variable Attachment
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Threat Level: Extreme
Primary Role: Close-Quarters Combat / Infiltration / High-Value Target Elimination
Primary Weapon: Void-Infused Longsword
Secondary Weapon: Modified Pistol
Anomalous Classification: Voidmatter-Affected Human
Valen Thorne, better known by his callsign Centurion and the title The Black Sword, is an anomalous Hell Host special operations soldier whose abilities originate from an unexplained incident within the Voidlands.
Centurion was once believed to have been killed during an operation deep within the region.
He later returned.
Exactly what occurred between those two events remains unknown.
Following his return, Centurion demonstrated the ability to manipulate an anomalous substance or physical state designated Voidmatter by Hell Host researchers.
Voidmatter exhibits signatures associated with Element 95, but its behavior around Centurion differs considerably from conventional Element 95 corruption.
How Centurion survived exposure, why the substance appears stable around him, and what exactly returned from the Voidlands with him remain subjects of classified investigation.
Centurion himself appears considerably less concerned.
Appearance
Centurion wears a distinctive suit of black armor unlike conventional Hell Host equipment.
The armor has gradually developed an angular, layered appearance resembling an ancient suit of plate armor, with dark surfaces broken by faint gold and amber energy patterns.
Much of its current appearance was not intentionally designed.
Following Centurion’s return from the Voidlands, Voidmatter began interacting with his equipment. Replacement armor components introduced over time have shown similar alterations after prolonged exposure.
The result is an armor system that appears partially technological and partially anomalous.
Centurion’s helmet completely obscures his face during combat.
His imposing appearance, combined with his preference for a longsword, eventually resulted in personnel referring to him as The Black Sword.
Centurion did not create the title.
He has made no effort to discourage it.
The Voidlands Incident
Prior to his anomalous transformation, Centurion participated in a classified operation within the Voidlands.
The mission suffered catastrophic failure.
Centurion disappeared during the operation and was subsequently declared deceased after recovery efforts failed to locate him.
The amount of time he remained missing is classified.
Centurion eventually returned without assistance.
He was carrying his equipment.
He was physically alive.
He was also no longer entirely the same.
Initial examination detected anomalous material distributed across his armor, weapons, and body. Several instruments identified signatures consistent with Element 95 exposure, while others produced contradictory or impossible readings.
Expected symptoms of severe Element 95 corruption were either absent or manifested differently.
Centurion remained conscious, coherent, and apparently in control.
Attempts to determine exactly what happened to him have produced few reliable answers.
Centurion remembers portions of the incident but has never provided a complete account.
Whether this is because he refuses to discuss it, cannot remember it, or lacks the ability to adequately describe what occurred is unknown.
Voidmatter
Voidmatter is the provisional Hell Host designation for the anomalous material or state associated with Centurion.
Despite the name, Hell Host researchers have not confirmed that Voidmatter represents a unique element or conventional form of matter.
The term exists primarily because no better classification has survived continued investigation.
Voidmatter displays characteristics associated with Element 95, particularly material recovered from the Voidlands, but does not consistently behave like known forms of E95 corruption.
Around Centurion, the substance appears unusually stable.
It can interact with physical objects, alter surfaces, spread across weapons, distort sensor readings, and produce localized spatial anomalies.
Separated samples have proven considerably less predictable.
Whether Centurion controls Voidmatter or Voidmatter has simply become dependent upon his presence remains unknown.
Centurion considers the distinction largely academic.
Abilities
Void Phase
Centurion can temporarily disappear from conventional physical observation before reappearing a short distance away.
This ability is commonly known as Void Phase.
During the event, Centurion disappears from visual observation and most conventional sensors for an extremely brief period.
Where he goes during this interval is unknown.
Several theories have been proposed.
Some researchers believe Centurion temporarily enters an alternate spatial state associated with the Voidlands. Others suggest local space is being compressed or distorted around him. Another theory proposes that his physical structure temporarily transitions into an anomalous E95-associated state before reconstructing at a nearby location.
None have been confirmed.
Void Phase is limited to relatively short distances and repeated use causes significant physical strain.
Centurion primarily uses the ability for rapid repositioning, avoiding attacks, entering defensive positions, and closing distance with hostile targets.
Personnel frequently describe the ability as teleportation.
Researchers strongly dislike this description.
Centurion uses it anyway.
Void Infusion
Centurion can spread Voidmatter across weapons and nearby surfaces.
His most common application is the infusion of his longsword.
When infused, the weapon becomes considerably more effective against armor, energy shielding, and anomalously resistant materials.
Voidmatter can also temporarily spread across environmental surfaces, allowing Centurion to interfere with structures, equipment, or enemy movement.
The effect is temporary and becomes increasingly unstable when separated from Centurion.
Void Surge
Centurion can temporarily use Voidmatter to enhance his physical movement and reaction speed.
During a Void Surge, his acceleration and reflexes increase dramatically for a short period.
This allows him to cross exposed areas, rapidly close distance, overwhelm targets in close combat, or evade incoming attacks.
The ability requires substantial energy and places considerable strain on Centurion.
Repeated use within a short period can cause physical exhaustion, reduced coordination, and increasing instability in surrounding Voidmatter.
For this reason, Void Surge is used in short bursts rather than continuously.
Void Domain
Centurion can manipulate a limited volume of Voidmatter within his immediate surroundings.
This ability, informally designated Void Domain, allows him to distort and reshape localized concentrations of the substance for tactical purposes.
Applications have included temporary barriers, disruption of enemy movement, manipulation of Voidmatter-coated surfaces, and short-lived spatial distortions.
The effective area remains relatively small.
Centurion cannot transform an entire battlefield or freely manipulate large quantities of matter.
Attempts to extend the Domain significantly beyond its normal range rapidly increase instability.
Limitations
Centurion’s abilities are powerful but not unlimited.
Voidmatter manipulation places significant strain on both his body and equipment.
Extended combat can cause:
- Physical exhaustion
- Increasingly unstable Voidmatter readings
- Reduced precision
- Equipment degradation
- Elevated body temperature
- Neurological stress
- Temporary loss of anomalous abilities
Void Phase and Void Surge are particularly demanding when used repeatedly.
Centurion must therefore balance conventional combat with anomalous abilities rather than relying exclusively upon Voidmatter.
His condition also remains poorly understood.
Hell Host medical and scientific personnel cannot guarantee that prolonged Voidmatter exposure is harmless.
Centurion has survived thus far.
That is not considered proof of long-term stability.
Combat Style
Centurion is primarily a close-quarters combat specialist.
His abilities are used to remove the traditional weaknesses of melee combat on a modern battlefield.
Rather than charging openly across long distances, Centurion uses cover, infiltration, Void Phase, and short bursts of enhanced movement to rapidly close distance with priority targets.
Once within close range, he becomes exceptionally dangerous.
Centurion specializes in:
- High-value target elimination
- Close-quarters combat
- Infiltration
- Command disruption
- Anti-armor attacks
- Fighting anomalous targets
- Breaking fortified interiors
- Rapid battlefield repositioning
His combat behavior can be extremely unpredictable.
Centurion frequently combines conventional movement with Void Phase in ways that make maintaining a reliable firing solution difficult.
Despite his abilities, he remains capable with conventional firearms and does not hesitate to use them when they are more appropriate.
The Black Sword
Centurion’s signature weapon is a large longsword heavily altered through repeated exposure to Voidmatter.
The weapon predates at least some of Centurion’s current anomalous abilities, although its original configuration is unclear.
Voidmatter has gradually integrated into portions of the blade and surrounding structure.
When inactive, the weapon behaves as an exceptionally durable heavy combat sword.
When infused, dark anomalous material spreads across the blade while energy-like patterns become visible throughout its structure.
The resulting weapon can inflict severe damage against heavily armored targets and has demonstrated unusual interactions with energy shielding and anomalous materials.
Hell Host researchers have repeatedly requested extended access to the sword for examination.
Centurion has repeatedly declined.
Personality
Centurion’s appearance has produced a somewhat inaccurate reputation among personnel who have never met him.
Despite resembling an ancient executioner dragged out of the Voidlands, Centurion is charismatic, confident, and frequently surprisingly light-hearted.
He possesses a dry sense of humor and remains capable of joking during situations that other personnel consider deeply inappropriate.
This behavior does not appear to originate from carelessness.
Centurion understands the danger surrounding him.
He simply refuses to allow it to dictate his personality.
He is fiercely loyal to individuals who earn his trust and has repeatedly placed himself in significant danger to protect personnel fighting alongside him.
Centurion can become considerably more serious when discussing the Voidlands.
Questions regarding what happened during his disappearance are among the few subjects capable of immediately ending his humor.
Relationship with the Voidlands
Centurion does not worship, serve, or express loyalty toward anything associated with the Voidlands.
He strongly rejects suggestions that his abilities represent submission to the region or the forces within it.
His attitude toward Voidmatter is deliberately utilitarian.
It is a weapon.
Nothing more.
Whether that assessment is entirely accurate remains unknown.
Centurion’s condition has occasionally reacted to anomalous activity before Hell Host instruments detected it, suggesting some form of connection may persist between him and the phenomena responsible for his transformation.
Centurion dislikes discussions of this possibility.
His usual response is:
“The Void is not my master. It is my weapon.”
Known Relationships
Aeon Unit
Aeon has repeatedly attempted to construct reliable models of Centurion’s abilities.
Results remain inconsistent.
Voidmatter interferes with several forms of observation, while Centurion’s behavior during combat is sufficiently unpredictable to further complicate analysis.
One Aeon assessment reads:
“Difficult to analyze. Behavior inconsistent. Threat level confirmed.”
Centurion considers Aeon’s frustration entertaining.
Null
Centurion and Null share an unusual similarity.
Both are humans whose combat abilities depend upon anomalous or unconventional material integrated with their bodies.
The circumstances could hardly be more different.
Null’s condition originates from an engineered adaptive combat substance and controlled experimentation.
Centurion returned from the Voidlands carrying something Hell Host science still cannot adequately classify.
Null represents deliberate creation.
Centurion represents an accident that should probably have killed him.
This contrast has resulted in considerable scientific interest in both individuals.
Centurion’s own assessment is less technical:
“He’s the controlled one. I’m the exception.”
Scientific Monitoring
Centurion remains under periodic observation by Hell Host medical and scientific personnel.
Standard monitoring equipment frequently produces inconsistent readings around active Voidmatter.
This has made establishing a reliable baseline difficult.
Despite this, Centurion has shown no confirmed progressive loss of identity or cognitive function.
He remains aware of his surroundings, retains memories predating the Voidlands incident, and demonstrates independent control over his abilities.
These facts distinguish him from many documented cases of severe Element 95 exposure.
Why he is different remains unknown.
Reputation
Centurion has developed an intimidating reputation among both allied and hostile personnel.
His physical appearance contributes heavily to this.
His actual combat record does the rest.
Reports of Centurion appearing inside supposedly secure positions have produced exaggerated stories regarding his capabilities, including claims that he can move through solid walls, survive complete physical destruction, or travel freely through alternate dimensions.
None of these claims have been confirmed.
The reality is already dangerous enough.
Among personnel who have fought alongside him, Centurion is generally considered dependable, fiercely loyal, and significantly easier to speak with than his appearance suggests.
One description has followed him through multiple deployments:
“He doesn’t enter the battlefield. The battlefield changes when he arrives.”
Centurion considers this unnecessarily dramatic.
He has nevertheless never asked anyone to stop saying it.
Unknowns
Several aspects of Centurion’s condition remain unresolved:
- What happened during his disappearance in the Voidlands?
- How did he survive?
- What exactly is Voidmatter?
- Is Voidmatter a form of Element 95, a product of it, or something else entirely?
- Where does Centurion go during Void Phase?
- Why does Voidmatter remain stable around him?
- Why did he avoid the severe corruption expected from comparable exposure?
- Is his condition permanent?
- Does his connection to the Voidlands continue to change?
Until these questions can be answered, Centurion remains both a valuable Hell Host operative and an unresolved anomalous case.