Thursday, October 4, 2007

Origin of the methuselah and the crusnik
[edit] Methuselah
The Methuselah are a group of humans that have been infected by a virus (truthfully, the Bacillus nanomachines) that drives them to feed on human blood. Before the symptoms manifest, contact with sunlight does not harm them, and they age at the same speed as an uninfected human. But once the symptoms start to make themselves evident, an "awakening" occurs. The virus will then prolong the lifespan of its host, in addition to bestowing superior strength, speed, and healing ability. In turn, it feeds on its host's red blood cells, and when they become depleted, the virus will cause its host to crave blood, thus earning them the name "vampire". Common perceptions associated with the undead monster of mythology do not, however, hold true with regards to them: they can procreate (offspring inherit the condition), and they can consume normal food.

In addition to their athleticism and stamina, Methuselah also posses varying individual powers. These include:

1. Blades: This is the most common power. Most vampires can create some kind of blade. It can be in the form of an actual blade that comes out of the arm, claws, or even as sharp, prehensile hair. It is important to note, however, that Ion Fortuna (Earl of Memphis), a Methusela that is featured in a number of episodes, does not display this power at all.

2. Flight: An ability Astaroshe and the Methuselah who turned her possessed. This hints that Methuselahs share abilities with those who turn them into vampires.

3. Elemental Forces: This is the ability to control classical elements. The controlled elements shown in the series are fire (Radu) and ice (Helga). Dietrich states that this is a rare power, though, as he said it to Radu, he may have been referring only to fire.

It is unknown if Methuselah are able to regenerate lost body parts like the vampires of certain myths (though in Volume I of the manga, a Methuselah does state that they "have the power of regeneration"). However it is implied that they are able to continue living as long as the heart is not destroyed. This is implied in the first episode of the anime where one Methuselah has sustained horrific wounds yet carries on living, but screams and dies as his heart is destroyed. It was shown recently, that Abel, while in Crusnik form, can regenerate lost limbs; after losing an arm to tank artillery fire. He regrew his lost arm, in a swarm of black specked matter, which could be the nanomachines in his body; in a dust-like cloud form.


[edit] Crusnik

Abel yelling at Cain when they were CommandersThe Crusniks (based on Krsnik) are vampires who feed on the blood of other vampires. They possess immense power and destructive potential, easily able to overwhelm even the most powerful of Methuselahs and with enough strength to raze a whole city. Their lifespan is longer than that of normal vampires. Because of this, they have gained enough experience and ability to retain a high position of power, as Commanders during the Human-Methuselah war and as leaders after the war. Whereas normal vampires in this series are born or infected, Crusniks are a result of an experiment, "expendable goods for the Mars Colonization project", according to Abel. Cain states at one point that he and Abel have identical DNA.

Names of three of the four known Crusniks can be found in biblical lore, where Cain, Abel, and Seth are sons of Adam and Eve. The name of Lilith is not a direct biblical reference, though some mythos refer to her as the first wife of Adam.

When a Crusnik's nanomachines are activated, he or she undergoes a change in appearance:


Cain in Crusnik formCain, Crusnik 01: when his Crusnik powers are activated, his lips turn an effeminate red, he grows four white wings, his eyes become red, and a black lance materializes in his hands. This weapon is likely a reference to the Spear of Longinus, also called the Spear of Destiny, keeping in line with the many Catholic references in this anime. In this state, he can generate destructive red energy. When not in Crusnik form, he appears to have the power to launch a destructive and invisible force from his hands, perhaps being composed of sound waves. A similar tactic may be used as his shield, as he is shown with the ability to stop bullets in midair without raising his hands. He also seems to possess super strength. Among the four Crusnik siblings, he is the only one who has fused 100% with his nanomachines.

Abel in 80% Crusnik formAbel, Crusnik 02: with 40% of Crusnik nanomachines activated, his eyes become red, his lips turn a dark blue, his teeth become fangs, his nails turn into claws, and a gigantic scythe made of blood materializes in his hands. At 80%, he grows black wings and can generate massive amounts of electricity. At 100%, he turns into a humanoid creature with dark skin, black bat-like wings, and blue markings that cover his entire body. He also generates more electricity than his 80% form and a second blade forms on the other end of his blood scythe. Abel has also demonstrated what may be form of telekinesis, and can draw Methuselah blood directly into his body without using his fangs. In episode two Abel drew in blood through his shoes while being impaled by a vampire, and in episode fourteen he absorbs Ion's blood into his wings. It is possible that this presumed telekinesis is actually a result of Abel controlling the Bacillus bacteria present in Methuselah blood. On no occasion was he seen doing the same with the blood of normal human beings.

Seth in her Crusnik formSeth, Crusnik 03: when her Crusnik powers are activated, her eyes turn red, her lips turn a greenish-blue, her voice becomes deeper and a pair of trident-like weapons made of blood materialize in each of her hands. However, upon closer inspection, her weapons could be interpreted as oversized tuning forks. In this state, she can almost instantly disintegrate her enemies. Similar to Cain, this power appears linked to the manipulation of sound waves. She calls her technique "The Fire of Sound". The youngest among the four Crusniks, from an earlier age she has shown aversion to Cain, even before he fused 100% with his nanomachines. Among the four Crusnick siblings, she is the one that spends the most time with Methuselah, but on no occasion was she shown to have fed on the blood of those to whom she associates with.

Lilith as she appears before her deathLilith, Crusnik 04: the prototype to Cain, Abel, and Seth. A mother figure to her younger siblings, though she seem to be romantically linked to Abel. She is shown in episode 24 as a memory, and is also shown being held by the neck by Cain on episode 2 when Eris uses her power on Abel. There is speculation that she may have been beheaded, however, her body as a whole is contained in a coffin-like glass capsule. Here Abel mourned over her for 900 years before he rescued Caterina Sforza. Later in the series, her blood - or more specifically, her nanomachines - was used in order to revive Abel from the death-like state Cain forced him into. Neither her powers or Crusnik form were shown in the anime.

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