Baran

Baran, the Emperor of Light (光帝バラン, Kōtei Baran)

As a boy he asked Raoh to teach him some of the Hokuto Shinken secrets (like the Gousho Ha technique) to take revenge on God for the death of his sister Yūka. However, Raoh declined, since Hokuto Shinken is "transferred only from father to son", and advised Baran to learn it through observation. One fateful day, Raoh's army walked past a destroyed village where Baran found a girl that had lost her mind. Taking pity on her, he tried to give his mantle, however Raoh instead told Baran to end her suffering. Baran couldn't do it and so Raoh deserted him. Many years later Baran conquers the land of Blanca and takes over as the "Kōtei" (Emperor of Light). He relinquishes control after being defeated by Kenshirō's true "Gousho Ha" technique, and when Ryu (Raoh's son) tries to sacrifice himself to stop the madness. Baran is moved by Ryu's actions and admits defeat, allowing the people of Blanca to execute him to prove he was not a man of miracles. It is Baran's sacrifice that shows Ryu the way of heroism.