After a long while, Spade and I have finally completed this. Like the second gen., Spade drew it, I scanned it and added all the coloring with Photoshop.

This is the next step-up to Exate's change. The old-school version of Exate was black-mageish, and I decided to retain that to an extent.

He becomes this way due to the aftermath of an epic battle with a demon spreading between realms. Several parts of his clothing were destroyed in the process, and he became infected by the demon during battle -- as well as his father's sword -- which changed his DNA substantially.

The main race of people Exate was assisting were ancestors of the people who created the demon. Throughout his quest, they aided him by teaching ihm certain magic abilities. He could only push them so far.

After winning the battle, and his left arm being severely more damaged than the rest of his body, he was granted a staff for that hand to channel the dark energy within him as powerful blasts of magic. He's condemned to using pure magic until he can find a method to lift the curse upon him and his no-longer-usable sword.
His clothes were repaired best as possible by the people, and he was granted a few other pieces to them for defense purposes.
In addition to those two as well, he was granted a mage's hat to cover his torching head -- as it would no doubt frighten other people to thinking he's a monster -- for the fact that his body is volatile and can burn anything he touches.

Exate becomes this way at the end of his quest in his second gen. form, but the part of the story that concerns him, Spade, and Ace most is two years after the incident.

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This took me all damn day yesterday... and about half an hour today. The presence of the staff made it longer since it needs more colors, and I took into account of shading this image as well. Lots of small details, lots to outline, color, etc. Came out nicely, though.