Starcraft II Story Book: Naniwa (Image Heavy)

Every few years the Goddess Providence comes down to the mortal world to hold a special combat tournament called MLG Providence. The grand prize is 50000 rubies and the title of World Champion.




Many warriors from all over the globe gather to test their mettle during this event, but only the strongest are ever crowned. In the year 2011, the tournament was driven by a few notable warriors.

Of those, Naniwa was the most prominent.
He was an ambitious young man, with skills beyond his years. Naniwa was a warrior driven only by nectar of victory. He cared for little else nor for what people thought of him. What Naniwa lacked in affection, he made up for in pride. His war bounty record includes MLG Dallas 2011, Gadget Show Live and IOL Season 3.3.




The other great hero during this time was Nestea. A valiant man who fights for honor and country. Nestea was a hero of many won wars, which included SCII Open Season 2, GSL May 2011 and GSL July 2011.





Naniwa slew many foes in this tournament. He knew in his heart that he was destined win. It was his time for fame and glory. The first powerful opponent Naniwa faced was none other than Nestea's younger brother, MVP. At 10 years Nestea's junior, MVP was already shaping up to be one of the finest warriors the world had ever seen. In his short millitary career, MVP had already won over a dozen major battles, which includes LG World Championship 2011, WCG 2011 and Blizzcon 2011. Yet for all his talents, MVP lost to Naniwa at Providence in the battle of MLG Global Invitational.






To avenge his younger brother's defeat, Nestea challenged Naniwa to a cavalry duel. Naniwa gladly accepted. The match lasted a grueling 3 hours. In the end, it was Naniwa who was victorious.




With his greatest opponent vanquished, Naniwa gloated gleefully, his pride inflated to new heights.






Enraged by Naniwa's offensive behavior, Nestea again challenged him to another duel. This time on foot in armed combat. Unable to refuse such a challenge, Naniwa accepted. At noon the next day, the two warriors clashed tirelessly until nightfall.






Yet again Nestea fell to Naniwa's skills. Badly wounded Nestea surrendered the prize of Providence and retreated back to his homeland along with his younger brother. A rivalry between these two men began, one that could not easily be undone.


Again Naniwa was elated by his victory vigor. Only one opponent stands between him and the title of Champion at MLG Providence.





Naniwa gave little thought to his final challenger, 16 year old Leenock from the eastern lands. Leenock was young and had little military success under his belt, certainly he would be no match for someone of Naniwa's caliber...

The next day, a careless Naniwa stumbled in the Championship match. He was underprepared for the young warrior's rush attacks. Round after round, Naniwa would use his fabled "Forge Fast Expand" technique, yet Leenock would block it without effort and harshly punished with his own "Roach Rush Spear" Attacks.








After being handed a critical defeat in the finals, Naniwa had to swallow his pride and accept second place. He and Leenock were invited to meet the goddess in order to personally claim their prizes. While Leenock accepted his rubies and the Championship title, Naniwa waited patiently outside. After what seemed like hours, he was then escourted into the goddess's chamber.

Providence was magnificently beautiful. Flawless skin, hair that flowed like the clearest crystal river and eyes as bright as the full moon. She greeted him...






Naniwa bowed his head...
The goddess kissed his forehead and blessed him good fortune. A great warmth ran though his body. It was the first time...no, it's been a while since he had felt something like this. It reminded him of his mother...






When the warmth of the goddess subsided, Naniwa repositioned himself at a strong stance. A flush of anger ran over him.
Where was his prize? Certainly there must be more rubies to be awarded!







Naniwa panted the anger in his chest. The goddess only smiled. She sees a fire in him that cannot easily be quenched. Providence held out her hands and offered...






Naniwa extends his hand to receive the crystal heart. Providence tells him that she has given nine others pieces of her heart, to be returned to her at Mount Blizzard Cup in the land of Korea. It is a race amongst champions. The winner will be crowned the greatest of them all...along with another 40000 rubies. The goddess paused for a moment...she tells Naniwa that since he is the last champion to be invited, she will allow him to borrow her steed so that he may catch up to his opponents.







Naniwa went home that night satisfied. He mused how even the gods sway to his demands...
At dawn's first light the following morning the goddess met with Naniwa outside his quarters.








With the red hare Code S in his possession, Naniwa never felt more invincible. The steed literally flew at speeds unseen by any animal. Nothing could stand between him and the greatest prize to be bestowed on a warrior: to be a champion amongst champions...

Again Naniwa's ego betrayed him. Having the Code S allowed Naniwa to travel quickly and take long breaks in between. He flew past all his opponents in 4 days time and was confident of being the first to reach the mountain top in Korea. Naniwa's oppositions began scheming to take him down. During a rest stop, Naniwa was ambushed by none other than Leenock and two other champions: MMA and Polt. All three knew that Naniwa likes to employ "fast expasion" attacks and thus were able to riposte them with ease.







The raid was immensely successful and left Naniwa critically injured. The heavy wounds prevented Naniwa from traveling for a week.... He quickly lost his lead along with his chance for glory.


When Naniwa finally approached the base of Mount Blizzard Cup he found Nestea waiting for him....









Furious that he was once again denied the victory so rightfully his, Naniwa took out the Heart of Providence and threw it to the ground...






The crystal heart shattered into 7 probe-like pieces...






Suddenly his steed, Code S, began to neigh and rock violently. The horse instantly crystalizes and shatters before Naniwa's eyes.






Nestea could hardly believe his eyes...How could Naniwa show such disrespect towards that was given to him by Providence.




Of all the shock that had just befell him, Naniwa could but only process one...It suddently hit him that without Code S, he would not be able to climb the mountain to see Providence again. It dawned on him that he was actually looking forward to seeing her most. How peculiar that at the depths of defeat, Naniwa feels nothing but a deep sorrow for his own loneliness.

He began to weep quietly.





Nestea felt a profound change in his opponent ...






As Nestea departs, Naniwa is left alone in his dispair.
Nestea was right, he had to make a choice: Either stay in Korea or go back to his home in the west. If he wanted to see Providence, he would have to climb the mountains by foot. The road to the summit would require Naniwa to make it through the Passage of Code B and then through the Qualifier Road of Code A. There will be many challenges and obstacles. None but the strongest will ever make it...

"But I am the strongest!' Naniwa thought to himself...





With that Naniwa set out though the passage of Code B and the Qualifier Road of Code A. He fought through many opponents...and bandits....and zerglings!




But Naniwa prevailed. At the precipice of mountain, Naniwa approached the goddess Providence. She was no longer in human form, her body ethereal...






Stammering, Naniwa began...his eyes were full, his heart heavy.

"For a long time, I never really played this game for anyone else other than myself. Now, I realize that it involves so much more than that. I’m not alone playing from my home anymore; there are so many people watching my every game, and wanting to see me perform at my best. I don’t just play for myself anymore, but for all the fans of StarCraft 2 and eSports. Clearly, being a pro-gamer involves a lot more than I initially thought." -Naniwa, 2011