Rebirth (manhwa)

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Rebirth is a Manhwa series created and drawn by Kang-Woo Lee. It has been published in serialized format in the Korean weekly comic magazine Champ since 1998. As of April 2005 it up to eighteen volumes.

Rebirth is the story of a 17th century vampire named Deshwitat Lived Rudbich. It follows the first encounters, the fate-bonded relationship and the eventual friendship he builds with a nobleman named Kalutika Maybus II, the son of the man who killed Deshwitat's family. Befriending him their lives become entwined and Deshwitat is given a chance to live among humans and fight alongside Kalutika against a cult attempting to raise the dark god "verakdah". However, a hooded figure of un-imaginable power (a being beyond time and space) begins to manipulate events in order to fulfil a destiny preordained by the gods...

Kalutika is pitted against his former friend and ally Deshwitat, and with the help of the hooded-figure, attained Godhood. With near unlimited powers of light, the now "Golden God of light" (Kalutika) kills Deshwitat's loved one, "Lilith" and casts him into limbo for over 300 years...

Now in the present day, Deshwitat seeks to avenge Lilith's death and to destroy Kalutika, while the God seeks to destroy the world. Their paths cross once again and Deshwitat enlists the help of a group of warriors with powerful magic to fight, but finds that he will need to obtain much more power to stand a chance against a God.

Rebirth is published in English by Tokyopop. As of July 2006 eighteen volumes of the series had been released in English. Rebirth is published in Swedish by Wahlströms. The Swedish release started in summer 2005, with three volumes in the series released by the end of the year. Rebirth is published in Italy by Flashbook.

1 The Story Thus Far
2 The Cast of Characters
3 The Identity of the Hooded Man
4 Online Sources/Fan Sites

[edit] The Story Thus Far

Three hundred years ago, the God of White Magic, Kalutika Maybus was nearing the end of a one-sided battle against the vampire Deshwitat L. Rudbich. After a plea from Deshwitat's fiance, Lilith, to stop the fighting, Kalutika cold heartedly murders her. Angered, Desh attempts a final, desperate attack against the God, only to have it shrugged off. Kalutika, in a sort of perverse mercy, sealed Deshwitat in limbo, where he remained for several centuries, calculating his revenge.

The Present

Time passed until the 21st century, when a band of spiritual investigators lead by Sang-Ho Do uncovered a band of demons. Engaging in combat, the trio were quickly outclassed. Their own deaths seemed imminent until Do's daughter, Remi, cut her hand. Her blood would inadvertently break the seal that bound Deshwitat, releasing him.

Still weak from his captivity, Deshwitat was no match for the demons. It was then that Sang-Ho made up his mind to sacrifice himself to save his daughter and 21 year old exorcist Millenear Sheffield. Draining San-Ho, Deshwitat regained his strength and made short work of the demons. Angry at the vampire for her father's death, Remy sought to kill the vampire, but was reassured by Deshwitat that upon his death, her father would return after reducing his body to resurrection dust. He also angrily notices his ring is red, prompting a curse to Kalutika.

A lot has changed since the 17th century. Carriages have been replaced by cars, the Internet connects the world, and vampires have become the stuff of legends. But beneath the veneer of technology, magic and religion still reign supreme. Kalutika is the most powerful person in the world, although few actually know he exists. Determined to exact his revenge on Kalutika, Deshwitat enlists Millenear's assistance to teach him light magic.

Upon further discussion, Deshwitat explains that due to the fact his dark magic was overwhelmed by Kalutika's light magic, if he were to learn light magic, he would be on equal ground with the God. Millenear tells him that she is unable to instruct on light magic herself, but she does know of a Buddhist monastery in Hong Kong that could be able to instruct him. Flying to Hong Kong, the three arrive at the monastery only to be attacked by a swordsman and his companion. Deshwitat discovers in shock that the swordsman is in fact his old friend Rett Butler, who should have died over 300 years ago. Rett sees his friend and calls out to his companion, Beryun, that their information is incorrect. Rett is promptly knocked unconscious by Beryun and engages in battle with Deshwitat.

Desh quickly discovers that Beryun is is not only skilled in Dark Magic, but Light Magic as well. Millenear, unable to feel a life force from her, discovers that she is not human. Desh and Beryun battle until Master Tae, who is in charge of the monastery, stops the battle, instructing Beryun that Deshwitat is not the threat. Desh attacks Master Tae, but is soundly beaten. When Remy happily declares that they can kill him, Tae corrects Remy, stating that Deshwitat is in fact the key to the humanity's salvation.

A Little History

Master Tae gives the newcomers a little history about not only Deshwitat's role as the savior of the world, but also of her two trusted protectors, Beryun and Rett Butler...

Created by the monks, Beryun is a living Yin Yang symbol. She is the perfect synthesis of Light and Dark magic and the only being able to wield both. She is deadly efficient, but soulless. As for Rett, during Desh's last battle against Kalutika, Rett was supposed to provide backup for him. He would arrive with several men, but arrived too late. He would find Lilith's body and Deshwitat's ashen remains. Kalutika returned and told Rett what he had done. Rett tried to avenge his friend, but was severely wounded and saw his men butchered before his eyes. Because of his past friendship, Kalutika did not allow Rett to die, and gave him immortality, the process of which would leave a cross shaped scar between his eyes. Kal instructed his once time friend that it was nothing personal, that he simply wanted Rett to live to see the Armageddon that the God of Light would bring forth.

Deshwitat reawakens from his slumber to catch most of the conversation and then asks what his part is in all of this. It is mentioned that Kalutika is prophesized by several texts, including those of Nostradamus in Century 2, Quatrain 62 of his prophesies, as the one that will bring about the end of the world. Even his name is almost exactly, as Nostradamus mentioned the name Mabus, and Kalutika's last name is Maybus. Also mentioned is that a vampire who has faced him will be the world's best chance to save the world. Deshwitat is believed to be the best choice. He also receives some crushing news. The monks are unable to instruct him on how to learn the magic of the light. However, there may be one place where he could learn. The center of all light magic in the world: The Vatican.

Lessons Learned in the Vatican

The Rebirth Crew (as I will now refer to the group from now on) heads to the Vatican, where they are awaiting the arrival of Deshwitat. They accidentally stumble upon his feeding on a young woman, whom he converts to resurrection dust for revival after his death. Angry, Millenear attacks Deshwitat, who calmly beats her thoroughly. He then tells her that his feeding is merely the same as that of a wolf eating a rabbit in the wild. There is nothing he can do about it and that reducing the girl to resurrection dust is the best he can do. Disgusted, he leaves the group. While healing, Millenear has a flashback to her traumatic childhood, where she was cared for by an abusive aunt and uncle until they were killed by her spiritual rage. A priest named Father Williams took her in and taught her how to focus her powers to help people. However, she lost her standings in the priest when she disobeyed the head Bishop of the Vatican to save a possessed girl using her dark magic ability. Though she protested that she did what she had to, to save the girl, she was defrocked. It is then that Deshwitat appears and tells her that they were simply afraid of her and that she should feel no shame at the course her live has taken. She awakens, but Deshwitat lingers for a moment before disappearing.

Alone, Deshwitat is soon met by a priest, who instructs him that a priest wishes to meet him. Desh willingly goes along, but is instead ambushed by a large group of priests, which also include the elite special forces unit of the Catholic Church, the Order of St. Michael. Deshwitat fights as best as he can, since his powers are being blocked by a seal underneath St. Paul's Cathedral. However, he soon succumbs to his injuries and is about to be destroyed when Lilith appears to him in a vision. She asks him how he was able to fight before and he tells her it was his love for her that kept him going. Lilith transforms into Kalutika and asks him if he really is that weak to succumb to these priests. His thirst for vengeance reawakened, Deshwitat draws upon his own inner strength and devastates the party, taking one of the Order of St. Michael, a girl named Erica, hostage.

Meanwhile, Beryun returns and tells them of Deshwitat's whereabouts. Millenear realizes that Deshwitat is being lead for death and leads the group into the Vatican, where they eventually find Father Williams, now caretaker of the Vatican library. There they hear the sad story of Deshwitat's imprisonment and the subsequent coverup by the church itself. The group sound finds the Order of St. Michael, who realizes that they were deceived by the Bishop of the Vatican.

Deshwitat soon reunites with both parties and confront the Bishop, who reveals that he wanted Desh murdered because he could not accept the truth that a being of darkness would be the savior. He decides that rather than let the world be saved by a vampire, he would instead assist in its destruction. He instructs Millenear to kill Deshwitat, giving her back her standing in the church. To his and Deshwitat's surprise, Millenear turns on the Bishop and blasts him with white magic, causing him to morph into a creature of white magic. With the Order quickly unlocking the seal, Deshwitat regains his magical power. However, even Deshwitat's full strength is not enough to stop the creature. Only by teaming up with Erica to combine their attacks is the creature destroyed.

The Rebirth Crew and the Order of St. Michael part on good terms and the Crew heads back to Asia. Millenear now holds the diary of Father Daniel, once a record keeper for Deshwitat, Kalutika and Rett in the old days and they discover the secret of Deshwitat's ring. It was meant to glow red to signify to the wearer that its twin's owner was still alive. When the owner died, the rings would turn blue. Because the ring is still red, it means that Lilith is still alive. It turns out that Lilith was resurrected by Kalutika as a sort of revenge on Deshwitat. Despite her forced loyalty to him, Lilith still loves Deshwitat.

Once back in Asia, Deshwitat tells the group that their trip to the Vatican did bear some good news. During his battle with Millenear, Deshwitat had been under the impression that light magic would always defeat Dark Magic. However, Millenear was considerably weaker than Deshwitat and lost easily. Therefore, Deshwitat tells them that he doesn't have to learn Light Magic to defeat Kalutika. All he has to do is strengthen his Dark Magic.

[edit] The Cast of Characters

Deshwitat L. Rudbich - Deswitat was born in the 17th century to a vampire father and a human mother. He lived a normal childhood until Captain Maybus, leader of the Sacred Knights, stormed Rudbich Castle. Maybus had been falling into obscurity with the lack of notable victories and saw the Rudbichs, who hadn't committed any crimes, as a target to re-establish himself. The elder Rudbichs were killed, but Deshwitat survived thanks to Mayubus' younger son, Kalutika. Kal attempted to move the young vampire into hiding, but was followed by his father, who attempted to kill Deshwitat. Kal held off his father long enough for the young vampire to escape, only to captured by a circus troop, who would hold him captive as an attraction in their freak show. Desh would remain here for several years until he met a young girl named Lilith, who showed him kindness. She would leave him a doll to keep him company. Emboldened by her kindness, Deshwitat would break free of the circus and roamed the countryside for years, becoming a powerful Dark Magician. Deshwitat was never particularly evil, but held his status with dignity. 300 years ago his beloved fiancee Lilith was killed by the God of Light Kalutika, and Deshwitat's body was sealed in limbo while his mind was left to contemplate revenge for 300 years. He is awoken in the modern day to find Kalutika's forces rising in power. Deshwitat now seeks the means to destroy Kalutika, and after completing his quest he plans to let himself die. Though Deshwitat appears cold and cruel, he is often capable of acts of compassion. Deshwitat's middle initial stands for Lived.

Kalutika Maybus - Kalutika was once one of Deshwitat's closest friends and his confidant until Desh failed to save his true love Danube from death. Kal was killed by soldiers shortly after pledging that he would kill Deshwitat for his actions. He was revived in a ceremony that turned him into a God. Kal now seeks to destroy humanity for its cruelty to him while he was alive.

Millenear Sheffield - A 21-year-old Exorcist, Millenear was orphaned at an early age and placed in the care of her uncle and aunt. However, her relatives were abusive to her and one day, during a particularly heated exchange, Millenear killed them with her spiritual rage. Priest Williams took her in and taught her how to focus her powers to help people. She would become one of the best exorcists employed by the Vatican until she disobeyed the head Bishop of the Vatican to save a possessed girl using her dark magic abilities. She would lose her standing as a priest and left the service. She would partner with Sang-Ho Do in his journey's until meeting Deshwitat. Though Deshwitat is often critical of her, she stubbornly continues on in an effort to not only help him on his quest to defeat Kalutika, but to also prove herself worthy in his eyes. She was captured by Mr. Grey during an assassination attempt on Deshwitat and would be turned into a vampire. Curiously enough, Millenear retains independent thought, a feature not seen by humans turned into vampires, who instead are controlled by the vampire that created them. Millenear has subsequently been entered in the Lord of the Vampire's tournament and is in the same bracket as Deshwitat. She has instructed him not to die until they can face each other and has revealed to him that she is in love with him. During the battle between Deshwitat and her, Millenear admits to Deshwitat that she is in love with him. He seemingly scorns her and promises to give her a quick death. Millenear uses this to her advantage by wearing him out. When it seems that Deshwitat is too tired to fight, Millenear creates a crucifix and says that she will not only kill him, but herself too so that they could be in death together, but they both survive the kamikaze attack. Millenear again tries to kill the both of them, but Deshwitat stops her and embraces her, telling her that in another time, he would have loved her, but he that would always remain faithful to Lilith. He then kills her and promises to bring her back to life once he has completed his mission in defeating Kalutika.

Remi Do - The 17-year-old daughter of Sang-Ho Do, a supernatural investigator. She is angry at Deshwitat for draining her father's blood, but the vampire assures her that Sang-Ho can be resurrected after he himself is slain. Despite her dislike for the vampire, Remi works with Deshwitat to eliminate Kalutika in order to revive her father. Remi has some natural combat abilities, as she is undergoing training to become a shaman of earth magic.

Rett Butler - Rett is Deshwitat's best friend and fighting partner, both in the past and in the present. Rett would lead a party of men to attempt to stop Kalutika's rebirth into a God, but would arrive too late. He would find the body of Lilith and the burnt remains of Deshwitat's body. Kalutika would return to meet Rett and proceeded to slaughter his men. Because of their past friendship, Kalutika forced immortality on him so that Rett would have to witness the end of the world. Rett is a good natured and rowdy man who enjoys beer, women and good times. He is often able to read Deshwitat's true feelings, no matter how much the vampire tries to conceal them. He is quite lecherous, particularly to Millenear, Remy and Beryun. He was also in love with Master Tae in her youth, but did not pursue the relationship because he would have to see her grow old and die.

Beryun - A spiritual warrior created by Master Tae, fulfilling her promise of creating an immortal companion for Rett. Beryun is the only person capable of simultaneously wielding Light and Dark magic. Despite her appearance, she isn't human, as noted by Deshwitat during their initial meeting. Despite the fact that she literally has no personality and is cold to her teammates, she is devoted to them and is willing to put herself at risk to save them.

Lilith Servino - A young noblewoman, known for her kindness and charity. Lilith fell deeply in love with the vampire Deshwitat, helping him rediscover his humanity after years of cruelty from humans. To signify their bond and to reassure her of his safety when in battle, Deshwitat gave Lilith a set of rings, binding the two for eternity. When the rings were red, the other ringbearer was alive. Blue signified the other wearer's death. During Kalutika's rebirth, Lilith attempted to stop the battle between Deshwitat and Kalutika by reminding him that they were once friends who cared for one another. She was killed shortly thereafter by Kalutika when she tried to shield the vampire from his attack. However, Kalutika would revive Lilith to serve as his consort. Deshwitat would discover this painful truth the hard way, when he discovered that his ring was still red. Though Lilith opposses Kalutika's designs for the world, she is powerless to stop him. Despite Deshwitat's long absence, she is still very much in love with him.

Master Tae - The head of a Buddhist temple for light magic, Master Tae has been watching the events leading to the possible end of the world unfold. She guides the Deshwitat party in their quest to stop Kalutika and also trains Remy and Millenear to improve their talents in order for them to be better able to assist Deshwitat, Rett, and Beryun. Master Tae is immensely powerful and isn't taken lightly by any of the party (in particular, Deshwitat.) In her youth, Master Tae was in love with Rett Butler, but seeing his pain at having outlived his friends and family, she swore to him that she would create a partner for him that would also been immortal. Master Tae dedicated much of her life in creating a partner for Rett, ultimately cumulating in the creation of Beryun. Shortly after annoucing that she fulfilled her promise, Rett confessed to her that if he could have fallen in love with another woman, it would have been her. She still has a room that holds an old photograph of her and Rett in her youth, possibly dating from the 1930's.

Mr. Grey - The would be lord of the Vampire Race. Currently the most powerful vampire alive, Grey's mission is to destroy Deshwitat. The first battle between the two ended in a draw, so Grey extended an invitation to Desh to compete in the tournament to decide the next Lord of the Vampires. Grey would later capture Millenear during an assassination attempt on Desh, where he would later turn her to a vampire herself. It is later revealed that Grey's power comes directly from Kalutika himself and it is hinted near the end of volume 16 that Grey is in fact the son of Kalutika and Lilith. Excapt for his expressions he looks almost exactly like Deshwitat. His greatest asset is his limitless stamina, no matter how often he regenerete or how much power he uses he never weakens. So long as a single hair remains on his head he can heal endlessly; it has been suggested that he could regenerate from a single cell. He also contained an atomic blast with no apparent strain.

Danube Maybus - Danube was Kal's adopted sister and was looked upon as both sweet and devoted to her older brother. Kal would often confide in her when the criticism by his father became to great for him to handle. As time would pass, Danube would become his personal confident to many of his feelings and secrets, including the secret of Deshwitat's true identity. Danube was arrested along with Lilith and imprisoned as a worshipper of the devil, where she was raped. She was sentenced to hang the next morning. Despite an attempt by Kal, Deshwitat and Rett to save her and Lilith, only Lilith was rescued. Danube was beheaded in the same instant. It is her death that turned Kalutika against his old friend and would later result in his own death.

The Hooded Man - A man with a hood, with seemingly unlimited power, this man in the past set many of the events in motion that created the current conflict between Deshwitat and Kalutika.

Eiji Inaba - Eiji is a ninja who was sent to lead Deshwitat, Rett, and Beryun to New York. Upon arriving there, his fellow kunoichi were found already killed (by Mr. Grey). Since then, he has stuck around with Deshwitat's group. He was watching the vampire tournament, but was sent with Remi on a mission to find the Order of St. Michael. He is quite perverted (pretty much the younger version of Rett) and is often seen hitting on Remi (most often very inappropriately).

Draestail - Draestail was in the form of vampire ash in a box that was given to Deshwitat. With the help of a few drops of Remi's virgin blood he was brought back to life to help train Deshwitat for his battle against Kalutika and for the Lord of the Vampires tournament.

[edit] The Identity of the Hooded Man

There are several hints dropped in the manga that the hooded man is in fact, Kalutika himself from the future. A closeup of the man at one point in the story reveals a strong resemblance to the current appearance of Kalutika. The other hint is the sincerity in the man's voice when he speaks that he wanted to meet the young, innocent Kalutika one final time. If the man is Kalutika, then he himself had a hand in his own creation, as well as his own sorrow that he would suffer as a result of Danube's death.

Most notably, the Hooded Man, like Kalutika, is capable of time manipulation.