In the early 22nd Century one of the most revolutionary technologies were developed in the gaming industry. The DMMO-RPG games were pioneered as a fusion of cyber technology and nanotechnology, many such games were created but by 2134 only one game received true international acclaim. The game was Yggdrasil.
With over 3000 Jobs and and many advanced Classes each player was immersed in choices, one of the defining features of the game were it's insane amount of personalisation choices. Each Class maxed out at fifteen and thus anyone could take numerous classes to mix and match, it was unheard of two people having the same build unless one talked about guilds.
Yggdrasil also had an immersive creative system, allowing players to craft weapons and armours if they had the crafting equipment required. It was a feat in itself for the massive game to generate massive amounts of individualistic items and keep the Servers running.
There were Nine Worlds in Yggdrasil, and keeping to the Norse theme they were aptly named: Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Nidavellir, Midgard, Jotunheim, Helheim and Muspelheim.
The game with its immense content, great personalisation abilities and immersive quests had managed to become the first thing that came to a person's mind when DMMO-RPG was mentioned anywhere. In its heyday people from Western Europe to Oceania all knew and played this game and yet slowly the community faded out. By 2138 the game was shutting down, there were talks about making Yggdrasil but all of that is in the past now.
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In Midgard a massive Citadel floated amongst the clouds. It was one of the two floating cities on Midgard, with seven curtain walls made out of various metals the castle was not one of the Nine Great Guild bases, not technically at least. Yet with its seven levels and massive enclosure of farmlands in the outer wall both this citadel and its rivals stood firmly in the realm of 'flee at sight'.
The citadel in question was Othrys, the guild base of the Titans. Led by twelve players who had managed to master the Celestial-Class with its total of one hundred auxiliary players and a massive host of NPC non-combats pops that were granted as a rewards for successfully making one of the two Celestial Cities in the skies across the nine realms.
The Base was a host of 2950 of NPC levels, a number rivalling the Nine Great Guilds, seventeen times the citadel had been invaded and only on the Sixth occasion did an invader force the twelve titans into combat. On that day as the only other group of Celestials -who themselves were inspired by the Titans- managed to earn a game long rival. Olympus and Othrys were constantly at each others throats, the second rank was fought over with Zeal as both Olympus and Othrys were close to each other in prowess.
All other guilds were relieved immensely relieved as the two powerful guilds duked it out, the guild Seraphim managing to run past both these guilds and getting the first rank. Despite their rivalry though a pact was forged between Kronos and Zeus to kill any more aspiring Celestials, combined with the already two and a half times greater experience that was needed to actually level a Celestial-Class this led to a direct decline and eventual end to users of the Celestial-Class with some exceptions.
The guild was made up of the core twelve Titans that had been the pioneers of their class and been granted the option to advance to a special class, the First Generation advanced class. With that the twelve gained new abilities, spells and equipment options that embodied the Titan they chose from the original twelve.
Combined with these Twelve there were eight other Titans that completed the Council that ruled Othrys Unlike the Twelve these Eight spots were entirely dependant on the strength of the occupant though as the game came to an end all were occupied by the same people for a long time due to their peak being higher than others.
As time advanced most of the players of the Titans started leaving the game. By the time of the last day only the Twelve had logged on, out of which only one was left at the end of the day. Olympus meanwhilst had gone almost entirely defunct but as a sign of the fact that both guilds were rivals not enemies they had donated their equipment and treasury to the Titans.
In the throne room of Othrys where once the most powerful beings in the nine realms had japed and planned now remained one Titan, Hyperion the Titan of Heat sat on his golden throne, various imagery and heraldry of the Sun, of fire and light were carved onto his throne.
First POV
A bitter smile was all that I managed, the overlay was displaying guild rankings, it was the last day. More specifically the last twenty minutes of the game other than the most nostalgic of player all had logged out not wanting to see the slow end of all they had played for an entire decade.
With nearly no players online and even more actually quitting the game for a final time the guild rankings had changed. Number Ten was that despicable guild of monsters, Ainz Own Gown. Or something like that, we had raided that place once. Not out of anger to their races but to their actions, all the top five guilds had many guilds we protected in return for tributes, the guild of monsters had targeted our tributaries for no reason but roleplaying as evil overlords.
In retaliation Kronos had sent me with fifty other members of our guild to teach them a lesson, in theory fifty Celestials and a Titan, the strongest one, should have devastated them.
We lost. For once the Titans were humbled and I, our strongest sword failed to chip their cowardly defence of the eighth floor. In response the monsters had overstepped their bounds and actually attacked our home. The Citadel of Othrys was attacked and with great annoyance about the recent defeat all of the Council rallied and fought the infamous PK guild. Just like my little army they were annihilated, I relished the vindication of killing the World Champion though I commended him for the tough battle he gave me.
After that we never interacted with their guild directly but we did make sure to commit quite a few accidents that might or might not have spoiled their plans. Like that one time we used a world item to close of seven Prismatic Ore Mines from their guild. That was a profitable time for us, for a month we exhaustively mined with the aid of our tributaries. By the time we left only small chunks were left for the other guilds that took over after we left when both Olympus and Seraphim started sniffing around the mines.
I flexed a little, yawning, as fun as it was remember our adventures at the end of the day the game had come to an end. For ten years the Twelve had roleplayed as wise yet firm Titans by now it had almost become a second persona for me, in a way I suppose I was Hyperion, the Titan of heat.
I looked at the ranking display again, Olympus had slipped to rank eighteen, the loss of their items was not kind to them, I let out a short bark of laugh -mentally of course- at our rank.
The Titans stood proud and tall, for the first time in six years the name of the Angel guild Seraphim was coloured not in a taunting gold but a humble silver. It was our name that was golden now, a colour that had instantly moved from taunting to enshrining pride.
The clock ticked, only five minutes remained before I was kicked out of the game. But for the last five minutes in all the realms everyone was weaker than the Titans, like it should have been throughout the game.
23:59:56, I suppose it had been a fun journey so far. 23:59:57, From Oceanus' calm deadpan to Kronos' smug face and Prometheus' obedient curiosity. 23:59:58, This city that was our dreams unleashed from the first stone of its entrance to the largest lookouts of the tower. 23:59:59, I smiled mentally I wouldn't give up this decade of experience for anything. 00:00:00, I was Hyperion I would not close my eyes at the end.
And my eyes remained open. 00:00:05, the status bar disappeared and my eye started twitching in annoyance, I snorted, "Bloody devs, can't you even shut down the servers properly?"
My lips froze, and eyes widened, I spoke, as in move my lips and twitch my eye. That should not be possible. It was out of bounds for Yggdrasil, rapidly leaving my throne I threw the doors open.
The sky. The sky was filled with twinkling stars, my nose picked the fragrance of various flowers that lined the corridor, my hands felt the smooth surface of the door -made out of a golden mineral, of course- and his ears picked up a voice referring to… him?
I levelled my gaze at the soldier that was calling for me. Inwardly I was both excited and terrified, I was in the body of my game character and I certainly felt it. The thumping of my heart, the gush of my fancy blood as Ichor flowed through my veins and energy pulsed through my body, I am a Titan. The Lord of Heat, King of Othrys, one of the Twelve. I am Hyperion, the Titan of Heat.
"My lord?" It took all the poor guard have to not stumble in his words or form, he was a mere mortal, in front of him however stood the king of Othrys, a titan. A true immortal.
I smiled disarmingly at the guard, I swear I had the body of a g- wait I was one it made sense I had the body of a god. Well Titan really, "Speak child, what requires my attention?" I kept any tremble out of my voice, I am an immortal Titan that act might be the only thing between my skin and me. I needed to know if I retained anything but the instinctual prowess of a Titan, off to the practice area I suppose.
"I enquired if you were fine my lord" The soldier said, a single drop of sweat forming on his forehead, "You seemed frantic when you first took your leave from the throne room"
I thought on it, was I frantic? Remembering my frenzied movements to ascertain reality I suppose it looked frantic to one not aware of my intention. Who am I kidding it was frantic movement, "It was nothing"
The guard would have stiffened if it wasn't me who said it, the guard would have snorted if it wasn't me who said it but it was an immortal titan that said it and thus he nodded, "As you say my lord, it is not within the purview of mortals to glean your plans" the guard nodded at me again with conviction in his eyes and stepped back into his spot, guarding the gates again.
I smiled again at the guard, before moving for the arena to test my prowess taking in the sight of the marvelous city and its massive spires, we had left nothing to default as we designed our level. The seventh level of Othrys, the hall of Titans, a fort within a fort. I mulled as I moved forward nodding absently to the staff or patrolling soldiers that bowed to me, I was forgetting something, something rather important.
As my eyes shifted to the night sky of stars that were not Earth's stars I wish I could have smacked myself without decreasing credibility. We were not in Yggdrasil anymore, on one hand I loved the new world that I could explore but unfortunately on the other it was an unknown world.
It was terrifying to think off, a world that knew nothing of the my glorious self and could not worsh- wait. No. Bad Hyperion! I knew this was too good to be true and now here I was apparently slowly becoming more like the Titan I roleplayed as.
No, that won't do whilst I wouldn't be adverse introducing myself to the world -the reputation of the Titans was rather good amongst most guilds that might have hopped along- I needed to get a threat assessment of the world, and I needed it yesterday.
By the time I entered the training arena I was well aware of the disadvantages of having a Titan's brain. Sure I was smart, I picked up languages and could remember everything I knew in detail but I could also do two things, be as arrogant as my persona was or overthink things. I was working on thinking about other things, like the beautiful breeze that just went by, and how the air soothed my eyes. No pollution, for once my eyes did not sting and lungs did not burn.
"My lord!"
I swung around, facing the voice of someone who stopped me from indulging in practice, oh wasn't that the Lord of the Inner Walls -Manuel I think. That's a level hundred NPC Blessed Human. He was the champion of Oceanus to my knowledge, bah that fish man was deader than the seas he ruled.
No I do not regret that joke. Not even if Oceanus drowned me in a Tsunami would I regret that joke.
"Yes loyal friend?", Loyal friend, yes that was what we called our wall bosses, it might have been cheesy but it worked very well with our whole benevolent Titan roleplay. Never thought it'd work out in my favour like this.
"We're not in Yggdrasil anymore my lord" He said, he looked rather worried were any affairs not in order? Unless the walls were breached I saw no reason for him to worry, "We seem to be above some rural area, no great city can be spotted. Olympus is not visible neither are the rest of the realms accessible through magic any more. We can't contact our tributaries"
Okay yeah, he was panicking. I just smiled -it seemed to work so far- "Good job at showing good initiative Manuel, it pleases me you are truly a loyal friend and not a mindless minion" I patted his shoulder, I was surprised but he actually seemed to have calmed down after that, "Now please summon the Civilian Governor and the Seven Guardians, get a squad of Hyperian guard ready to escort me into this rural village"
Each of the twelve had invested a huge amount of time to properly assemble the lore and backstory of Othrys, updating them steadily to make sure our roleplay never changed. I couldn't be more thankful about our ocd tendencies now because if lore truly converted like it seems to have converted we have quite a decent force of soldiers standing ready.
The General snapped a salute at me before moving away to do his duty, and I got down to doing my work.
Titans were special in Yggdrasil, unlike most Classes we could use both magic and melee on a terrific scale. This was one of the payouts and there were others as well all a rewards for following through the insane levelling chain that was becoming a Titan.
"[Minimise Magic] [Tier 10: Titanic Blaze]" in hindsight using a tier 10 spell even with another spell to nerf it was a bad idea, I was stuck in the same place as runic circles started flashing and charging all around me. I could see on the edge of my perception my followers had arrived, oh well. I suppose I can't cancel my spell anymore, not in front of them.
What happened next could only be described as a small ball of flame as hot as surface of the mantle vaporized the metallic dummy, by my name if I hadn't put that nerfing spell the bloody area of effect would have burnt the floor. And the observers. And my magnificent eyebr- not now buddy, get it together for your loyal subjects.
Manuel's eyes were wide, awe and terror mixed in his eyes, "That is the power of one of the twelve" he was only answered with dumb nods given by his comrades.
I waved my hand, dismissing any leftover flames and turned towards my audience. I needed to affirm quite a few things and get ready for that expedition, I needed to understand the level of strength of the natives here.
"My thanks for coming on such a short notice" I said as I sat down on a throne -who knew there was a practical reason to horde them?- summoned from my inventory.
And I was met with tens of statements and declarations of loyalty and how it was their sworn duty to attend to the needs of a Titan, yeah I set myself up for this. Should have expected this to be honest especially with the sort of the crowd I have.
I closed my eyes, sighing in disgruntled amusement, why must I behave like the responsible adult. Right it's because I technically am the millenia old Titan."Children silence"
"None of you are here to be questioned about your loyalty" I said, that should have been obvious we made them and we don't make defective things, I was going to stop but I suppose if you can't beat it you join it, "I wish to know, how is the city. Is it still as loyal as ever? Do the people still hold faith in my siblings and I?"
"We have faith my lord" It was Manuel that replied, "Even though the recent events have shook certain sectors the people would face death before giving up on their celestial patrons that have led them to a millennia of peace and prosperity"
"As good as that is if you wouldn't mind I'd like for a renewal of oaths as we enter a new world filled with opportunities to spread out nation" A new world, well at least I won't be genocidal in my conquest. I hope.
"I Alys, Guardian of the Civilians swear my eternal loyalty to my his celestial majesty" Alys was another level 100 NPC more focused on a commander aspect rather than the other seven that were combat oriented.
The next to step forward was a tall mage carrying an ornate silver staff, we had put quite an effort in her none more so than Atlas,"I Calypso, guardian of the first line affirm my unending loyalty to you divine grace" she said, bowing her head lower than the rest. She was programmed to be one of the most loyal through her backstory, only my NPC could have outpaced her in that regard.
With Calypso done the warrior with a deep blue armour and two greatswords bent next, "I Theseus, Guardian of the second line give my fealty to his divine grace" Oceanus' NPC, it was ironic most our NPCs were named after historically Olympus aligned heroes but that was where we drew our inspiration from.
"I Heraklios, Guardian of the third line swear my strength to to my celestial lord" He said, a titan in size the nine foot man had donned a golden leather armour made from the skin of a horribly difficult boss -the Nemean lion.
The next one to step forward was noticeably different, he had two wings that were as white as ivory, "I Azrael, Guardian of the fourth line renew my vows to his majesty" Azrael, the only angel we had. It was purely to have a shocking counter, who would expect a Celestial Seraph three levels into Othrys -one of the most Hellenic themed guild bases in the nine worlds.
"I Perseus, Guardian of the fifth line swear my unending loyalty to you, my divine ancestor" A man armoured in a legendary set of bronze armour not forged by us, with a shield that rivalled the world champion set and a sword that was one of the highest quality levels in the game. This was the result of their most recent update. Olympus' best guardian was more or less imported into their guild with the unofficial merger they had right before the end and his backstory suited that. Son of Zeus, grandson of Kronos, my grand nephew.
"I Valerian, Guardian of the sixth line swear my life to thy will my divine lord" Seeing another bright golden NPC with shining equipment truly made me wonder if we really were addicted to gold and silver as colours? He wore equipment only rivalled by Perseus, the next one, Manuel and me for a simple reason, as Helios -one of the eight- left the game he requested Kronos give his equipment to his NPC. Kronos being the softy he was under his smug exterior granted the request with little thought. Valerian was in all senses a child of Helios, a Celestial in his own right, a Titan even. Not a first generation of course, they were limited to only twelve first generation titans in the entire game, just like the twelve Olympians (and that brat Hades).
The next one to step forward was a blonde in bright golden armour, his eyes were gold and a smile adorned his face as he knelt, "I Constantin, Guardian of the seventh line swear my loyalty to you to death and beyond my divine father"
I was frozen, I hadn't forgotten the backstory. Constantin was my son, my demi-titan son. He was obviously the most powerful of the guardians, mostly because of the time I had spent getting him equipment and his own levels were carefully allocated by me. He was a Second Generation Titan, a son of Hyperion.
Manuel knelt next, his eyes on the ground the General of the Walls, Lord of the armed forces of Othrys, a champion of Othrys. "I Manuel, Commander of Othrys swear my loyalty to your grace"
"I am pleased that all of you continue to remain steadfast and loyal despite the circumstances" I said, remembering the quite important visit I needed to make, "I will be going to the surface, to see how strong these new world people are"
I smiled wryly as the silence fled the field once more, oh silence why do thy betray me my sworn enemy do thy not understand my love for you?
"Perseus" I said, drawing his attention to me and my word once more thrusting the arena into silence. "Organise a ceremonial guard for me, we leave in five minutes" with a nod he was out of the training arena.
Before the protests could break out again I gave a stern glare at the Guardians freezing every, "Do any here doubt my strength?"
Silence answered my question, Titans were known for the insane prowess they had. Together perhaps they could have truly defeated me but they were both loyal and they knew just how powerful I was. Which was rather troubling since I didn't know how powerful I was at peak offense.
"I expect for a full report to be compiled on food sustainability, taxes, army readiness and stocks to be ready on my desk by the time, you all are the Guardians of Othrys. Precaution is good but paranoia is nothing but a steep hill rolling into stagnation"
With flourish I did not know I possessed I left the arena with the guardians still in it, I hoped they would not hold a grudge against me for my forceful attitude it came rather naturally to me.
With a small use of the [Gate] spell we were quickly near the outgrowth of the village, surrounded by twenty infantry and ten clerics (it was a rude shock the clerics actually worshipped the twelve) all equipped in golden equipment. Truthfully they were rather inadequate security as they were the summoned pops they were level 70 but due to the scaling of the game I could probably tank their attacks and wipe them out with one spell.
I marched out of the bush imperiously, my head held high, my eyes glowed gold and the cape I had bellowed without a wind. It was glorious, and the looks in the eyes of my fanati- loyal subjects surely proved that.
Which is why I was rather put off when I found two knights and two girls about to be slaughtered by said knights staring at me in growing horror (well the girls seemed more hopeful than anything)
"Tell me mortals why do you not bow before a celestial?" I said, my eye was twitching in annoyance, I could sense the bloody mess going on in the village behind them, thankfully it seems game lore took priority and as the Titan of Light my natural instincts were protective rather than apathetic.
"[Class Spell: Volcanic Spears]" One of the class spells given to me for just being Hyperion, cast instantly the ten fiery spears of contained magma spun around me. It was a rather usefull spell easily doubling in as a Tier 8 spell in a pinch.
The villagers were the first to bow, "Forgive us your holiness we didn't know a god was amongst us"
I smiled, gloriously of course, and patted her head, "Seize these knights" with great efficiency the knights were overwhelmed by my zealous followers.
"You are hurt child" I said, gently brushing her wound. It wasn't fatal, well it was but I'd make sure it wasn't, it would be a terrible thing to let her die after saving her.
The girl shook her head with winces of pain, with the enemy gone the adrenaline was running away and so was her strength, "N-no your holiness I beg of you. Please save my sister"
I snorted, "I am a god girl" I pointed my hand at her, I wonder what tier should I use. I didn't know how close she was to death probably should overshoot just in case, "[Tier 9: Greater Circle of Healing]" within five seconds a green circle extended around me, curiously I could control its range. An aoe spell to heal, though it was rather draining for anyone not suited to casting spells, plus it took some time to cast being yet somehow this healing spell had turned out to be one of the premier undead attacking spell with its massive undead damage.
Within moments the girl was back to her feet, I nodded in satisfaction, "Then girl lead us to this village of yours, as the Titan of Light it is astounding that these foolish mortals dare to slay the innocent in my presence"
The girl shakily nodded, "As you wish your holiness" as they went forwards towards the village the knights could only stare at horror as they were dragged along in chains. The Ninth Tier, a level of gods. Horror was all they felt, they had dared to raise their arms on a god.
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Character Stats
Celestial Races
Hyperion: Titan of Heat, Light and Fire
Job: King of Othrys, One of the Twelve
Alignment: Good, Sense of Justice: 100
Racial Levels:
Immortal: 10
Celestial: 15
Greater Celestial: 15
Titan: 15
First Generation Titan: 10
Hyperion: 5
Job Levels:
Master of Fire: 10
Master of Light: 10
Immortal Enchanter: 10
Racial Level: 70; Job Level: 30; Total Level: 100
Ability Chart
HP: 120, MP: 140, PHYATK: 100, PHYDEF: 110, AGI: 90, MAGATK: 150, MAGDEF: 100,RESIST: 80, SPECIAL: 180
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Demihuman Races
Perseus: Prince of Olympus, Demigod of Zeus, Hero of Olympus
Alignment: Great Good; Sense of Justice: 350
Racial Levels:
Demigod: 15
Immortal Demigod: 15
Celestial: 5
Son of Zeus: 5
Job Levels:
Swordsman: 15
Sword Saint: 15
Lightning Mage: 10
Commander: 10
Hero of Olympus/Othrys: 10
Racial Level: 40; Job Level: 60; Total Level: 100
Ability Chart
HP: 100, MP: 80, PHYATK: 100, PHYDEF: 100, AGI: 90, MAGATK: 75, MAGDEF: 75,RESIST: 70, SPECIAL: 80
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I hope you guys like it, if not feel free to tell me why and make sure to drop a review, they make an author work better.
EDIT: Fixed a few errors, and whilst I'm thankful for all the best wishes may I enquire why they're the only comments with small variations?
