Hello! I used to write fanfics on this account under another name for other fandoms, but now I wanted a fresh start and basically deleted like two of my really old stories because I'm too lazy to create another one (lol). X-posted from my AO3 account :)
The year is XX885.
King Yagi Toshinori had recently stepped down from the throne after a bloodless revolt led by the descendant of the previous line: Tenko Shimura, now known as King Tomura Shigaraki. Unrest spilled through the lands, washing over its denizens and instilling fear in their hearts. The transient peace that had settled in after the last Great War, nearly over 30 years ago, was endangered.
Sumufatu—a land composed of periti and the imperiti. Those born with gifts that could rival even the gods and goddesses, and those without. It's made of numerous countries, ranging from small, trade-focused islands to militaristic empires. When King Toshinori ascended to the throne, blessed with powers that could wipe out entire armies in one singular punch, the destructive wars that ravaged the land were ended.
"I will become the symbol of peace that Sumufatu needs," the magnificent man declared.
A king's words were absolute.
And that was why, when Toshinori announced his retirement, no one was able to sway his mind. Only those closest to him, those who knew the truth behind his unflappable strength, understood his decision.
"The country is in shambles because of you," Gran Torino, Toshinori's most trusted advisor, told him. They stood over a valley overlooking the capital, Yuuei. The sun dipped down below the horizon line, painting the sky a collage of red, pink, and purple.
The former king was dressed in a brown cloak. Stress whittled away at his imposing figure until he was just a husk of his past. He offered the shorter man a reassuring smile: the only feature of his that remained unchanging throughout the years.
"This kingdom would completely collapse if I continued to ignore the problems."
They stared off at the changing skies, inwardly hoping that this moment would never end. But light dims to darkness, and all are subject to Time.
"Something large is about to happen, isn't that right, Toshinori? Do you think that the gods and goddesses have forsaken us?" Gran wondered.
Peace had made this country weak. Peace had hidden discord underneath a façade of unity. Peace is what they fought countless battles, spilled gallons of blood, severed numerous relationships, squandered a myriad of homes for.
"No," Toshinori resolutely denied. His bright, blue eyes seemed to look far-off into the future. "My dear friend, Jet tells me to relay the message that desperation is unbefitting of you."
Gran scoffed. "There you go again, talking to spirits. Only you are able to see them, blessed child of Congeria."
"It is because I am Congeria's champion that I can confidently confide in you that this country's future is not doomed," Toshinori chuckled. There's a bitter look in his eyes. "Although, change is not always welcomed by the masses. That is why I must hurry."
Gran tilted his hat down to cover his eyes. "To find your successor?"
"Nay," Toshinori murmured. With a swish of the long fabric, he began to widen the distance between him and his former home. With a squared back, he asserts:
"To find hope in despair."
When the sound of crunching grass no longer reached his ears, Gran finally looked up and stared at the imprinted steps on the ground. "I wish you luck on your journey, old friend." And with that, the short elder leapt up and propelled himself down the opposite way.
With Tomura Shigaraki donning the crown, both men no longer could call Yuuei their home.
"Mom, Mom! It's story time," a young, green-haired child told his mother. His small, five-year old hands gripped at her skirt, pulling her to a seat by his bedside. The woman merely laughed at his antics.
"My, Izuku, you listen to this story every night. Aren't you tired from playing with Katsuki all afternoon?" Inko Midoriya asked teasingly. She smoothed down his wild hair and brought his blankets just under his chin. Her son shook his head.
"Kacchan left me to go play with the other kids!" Izuku huffed. Ever since Katsuki's quirk manifested, the blonde often ditched his childhood friend to frolic with the others. "But—but—but, I'll feel a loooot better if you tell me the story!"
Inko could only relent to her son's wishes.
"Alright, alright. Should I start from the beginning?" Izuku ecstatically nodded his head. Clearing her throat, Inko began the tale known to all in Sumufatu:
In the beginning, when all there was in existence was light and darkness, there lived three gods.
Ordo—the oldest and wisest.
Statera—the middle child and most sagacious.
Congeria—the youngest and wildest.
Growing bored of the emptiness, they created the land of Sumutafu. With just a flick of their fingers, they created large bodies of water, colossal mountains, and soaring skies. With just one breath, they brought to life all forms of living beings.
Their favorite were the humans.
("That's us!" Izuku giggled, quieting down when his mother brought a finger to her lips.)
Ordo and Congeria often got into arguments with Statera acting as the middleman. The former valued order, structure, rules. The latter favored spontaneity, change, choice.
'I shall give humans writing and speech, to better communicate and establish systems,' Ordo declared one day.
To counter, Congeria said, 'Then, I shall give humanity free-will and desires, to separate themselves from one another.'
And this kept going, until one day, humans began to grow too self-aware, too independent. Ordo feared their potential while Congeria lavished it.
'They will become more powerful than us!' Ordo argued. Even Statera—calm, composed Statera—feared for the worst. Congeria waved away their concerns.
'If the time of gods has come to an end, then that is the will of the Fates.'
A clash of beliefs. A revulsion to revolution. A battle between her siblings disheartened Statera, so she proposed this:
'We shall give blessed individuals powers, to fight for their future. A side for humanity, and a side for the god's rule. You both shall choose a champion to lead your ideals.'
A perfect balance for the two beings. Statera, the face of neutrality, stood off by the side to watch over the waging war.
And a war it was. Countless lives were lost, lost in the battlefield and lost in history. At the end, Congeria's side had won, but at what cost? Hostility had been sewn into the hearts of the people, and the fighting did not end even with a victor established.
Ordo, the wisest, had seen this coming.
'Without our guidance, they shall kill and rid each other,' Ordo declared. He restored order and stole the gifts they had given to the humans. Congeria's heart broke upon seeing the empty shells they had become.
'I will no longer argue against your ideals if you return the gifts back to them,' the goddess begged. And so, the youngest and oldest struck a deal, with Statera as the witness.
True to her words, Congeria retreated deep into the depths of the underworld while her two older siblings watched over their creations far off into the skies up above, invisible to the naked eye.
Inko stopped when she saw the steady rise and fall of Izuku's chest. With a soft smile, she placed a chaste kiss on his forehead, caressing her only son's cheek before moving to prepare for bed herself.
Change was coming. Though they lived in a quiet settlement deep in the forest, away from bustling cities where crime and corruption were commonplace, news of King Toshinori's unforeseen disappearance had reached her ears.
She could only pray, that as imperiti—those born without the blessings of the Ancients and remained quirkless for the rest of their lives—they would not have to witness the atrocities of war.
I've always wanted to write an adventure story filled with action-packed scenes and adult themes. And, well, I combined BNHA + a dream I once had + the fantasy AU. The result is this...
Things to note: This is obviously AU, but I will do my best to keep characters' personalities canonically compliant. The main story will take place when the main cast are ~19-20. (Year XX899; yes, that number is important.) Mature themes /mean/ mature themes, so if you feel uncomfortable with seeing our precious cinnamon rolls commit murder, adultery, and the likes, I heavily encourage you not to read because this is meant to be a tale of ambiguous morality. OCs will be introduced, though most will play minor roles and serve to be expendables. The "main character" is technically Midoriya, but that will often change with every arc (I am determined to let other characters shine b/c BNHA is focused mostly on Midoriya's journey).
Update Schedule: I don't want to promise updates that I'm not sure I can deliver, so until I have time to set aside to write these chapters (which will be looong), updates will be sporadic...FOR NOW!
Ships(?): Romance isn't the focus, though I do plan to eventually explore the characters' relationships. Initial pairings may not always be end-game. (Because they're at war god dammit.) But, I will say that I'm entertaining the idea of Izuku/Ochako/Katsuki because it'll be fun. Platonic scenes may be interpreted as romantic ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)