Nero first ventured to the island that would one day be known as Ravenna, drawn by the promise of rich ores but aware of the island's deadly aura. This aura, he believed, came from a powerful curse cube hidden deep within the Eternal Mines. His mission from the Navy was to retrieve it and bring it back to Winterveil, where it could be secured. Nero's team, which included an arcane mage, ventured into the cave despite the ominous energy surrounding them. But when a teammate accidentally struck the cave wall, triggering a collapse, Nero seized the opportunity to dive deeper into the heart of the curse. With raw strength, he shielded the mage and the cube from the falling rocks, ultimately succeeding in purifying the curse. Though honored by the Navy upon his return, Nero's teammates had perished, and he soon became isolated, even feared, by his comrades.
Amidst this isolation, Nero found a rare ally in Derrick Choi, a young recruit who displayed extraordinary abilities. Nero challenged Derrick to a duel but was unexpectedly defeated. He soon realized Derrick possessed the Absorption Curse—a curse once used by Durza, a dark wizard notorious for destroying the Old Seas. Nero explained that Durza's final battle had been against Theos, the Undying Phoenix. As the story went, Theos's white and orange flames had burned Durza's left arm and leg. In a last, desperate move, Durza unleashed all the magic and curse energy he had absorbed, missing his mark and instead creating the Dark Seas, now haunted by Durza's dark magic.
Later, while on a mission to Mount Othys, Nero and Derrick encountered "White Eyes," a monstrous shark-like creature known to terrorize the War Seas. Chaos broke out on board, but Nero instructed Derrick to watch closely. Demonstrating the true force of his power, Nero delivered a powerful slash with just a swing of his arm, cutting the creature in half and sending its remains into the ocean. Derrick was astonished, asking if Nero had been holding back all along. Instead of answering, Nero simply smiled and shared Durza's tale, asking Derrick what he would do if he had such a power. Derrick answered that he would use his abilities to absorb pain and protect humanity, a response that made Nero smile approvingly.
The journey to Mount Othys was perilous, taking them through a dark, winding cave once home to ancient titans. Eventually, the team arrived at the ancient shrine of Poseidon. As the Navy troops prepared to confront the sea god, they were swept away by a massive wave, leaving only Derrick, Nero, and a mage skilled in flare magic. Poseidon spoke directly to Derrick, revealing that the Absorption Curse he bore had once belonged to Durza. He warned Derrick that he stood at a crossroads: he could either follow Durza's dark path or use his power for good. Poseidon explained that he had been in a deep slumber, and upon awakening, he found a world transformed, haunted by the legacy of Durza and the Dark Seas.
Turning to the flare mage, Poseidon warned him of the dangers ahead if he continued seeking knowledge about sea curses. Recognizing the mage's potential, Nero later invited him to join him in a new endeavor.
After the mission at Mount Othys, Nero and the flare mage left the Bronze Sea to form a pirate crew called "Ravenna." In time, they claimed Ravenna Island, transforming it into their stronghold. During their conquest, Nero slayed a dragon-like creature, using its scales to craft a trident and armor, which would become heirlooms of the Ravenna Kingdom.
As Nero's kingdom flourished, he turned his attention to the powerful Winterveil Kingdom, known for its strength and dominance. Driven by ambition, he unleashed his curse's full power and his formidable physical abilities to eliminate Winterveil entirely. This act marked Nero as a target of the Grand Navy, who began hunting him relentlessly.