You have no idea how long I worked on this story. A year! A YEAR! And a few months thrown in too. Constantly changed this story title until I decided to settle for the Guild's name. It was originally named Knight Dragon, but didn't like the sound of it. The city name was also changed to Abaddon. It was previously known as Evadne.
Well, happy reading and hopefully you like this finish product of mine. :)
I. Abaddon, City of Ruins
In the early 12th century of Earthland starts the birth of a new cycle for the King. Earthland is His garden. How He wishes to see fit in ever blooming beauty shall go. Or if He wishes for the destruction of the world, so be it. It is His will and His cause. His laws are absolute. And all those that follow alongside Him are under His ever great shadow. Only one deity opposes this divine being. And he created the greatest weapon to overpower and overthrow all His rulings, His garden, and those hiding in His shadow.
And this small little force made the heavens at war of each other for centuries. Until the creature was vanquished and the deity killed for its betrayal. And even when the new order was established, the deity passed away with a smile. His creature will be reborn in the form of a mortal, but only one is the true one. This final act outraged the heavens and created sanctuaries in the mortal realm to establish powerful warriors to take down the terrible menace that will plague His garden once again.
After many years, one rose and claimed to be the King. But soon that King fell. And another so years, another claimed its throne. Until another vanquished the impostors and claimed to be King. Ruling for hundreds of years until, he too, fell. And now, more than five centuries has passed...
And the Unseen Gates are moving.
"... How freaking ironic," A young man cringed his nose in disgust at the screen. A reporter giving daily news as some citizens of Abaddon were also watching in a local pub that was near the market. A few turning to the foreigner as some observed his short cyan blue hair spiked in a messy way and nearly pale silver eyes that made folks wonder if he was partially blind. His built wasn't big nor small either, but he was fit though slim. His skin was fair, his features strong yet gentle, and his clothes were awfully curious.
Nothing to what the citizens were wearing of loose and thin fabrics that everyone needs to easily move around and avoid a heat stroke. At the moment, it may be raining, but even when it is humid the heat is great. It helps out when the guild comes by to give more cooling lacrimas designed in the form of accessories to be much more easier to carry around. Though the downfall it needs to charge up energy once it runs out. That's why the citizens always have at least two or three more left at home.
The foreigners clothes wore a white V-neck shirt under a black long thin sleeved large hoodie vest and a denim jacket over it. Abaddies, what the citizens of Abaddon are called, always threw him odd looks. Because who in there right minds wears two jackets in Abaddon? No one. His skinny jeans were bright red, but the clothing looked quite thick. Including his black knee-length laced boots.
And to finish off his look was his khaki colored backpack strapped behind him and looking pretty darn full. Though no one questioned him as people saw an opportunity to make good sales off of him.
Which led to his money nearly depleting.
The reporter continued to report of the Kingdom of Vernsing banning all magic including those that are born with magic. Forcefully kicking out magic-born, including those that chose to live a normal life, and casting them out of their kingdom with food and water to not starve outside of their walls. The king of Vernsing believe that all magic-born are causing the people to become infected with the Omni. Due to the fact that scientists have proven Mages emit some kind of energy that attracts not only Vita, but also Omni itself. Especially when Mages have a higher chance of carrying the disease inside them and able to pass these transmitted diseases either by touch, blood, and their magical aura contaminated by acting as a sort of radiation.
As the reporter kept going on and on of the Kingdom of Vernsing's citizens actually supporting their king, the young man laughed.
"Oh yeah," he rolled his eyes as he began to attract some attention onto him. "First they created machines. Then they created a bio-weapon that they caused and are putting the blame on all magic-born. Real smooth," he sighed aloud, deciding to ignore the screen and its continuous speaker blabbing away ridiculous things.
Good thing this city does not hate magic-borns.
"Oh," he approached a nearby elderly "Can you point me to the magic guild? I'm wishing to join," At the mention of magic guild the elderly man smiled a million watz as he kindly drew the young man a map to the direction. After some explaining, they bid their goodbyes as the young man continued walking. Crossing off a few things and writing down things he's already passed in order for him not to get lost himself.
After all, he needs to climb and find another detour since this city is practically living inside ruins. Even some really large buildings that seemed to be made of complete glass was knocked to the side with large stone walls acting now as boulders around the road. Water filling up in certain cracks and some cascade out like a mini waterfall in certain buildings. It was eerily beautiful. All the vegetation growing in the roads and walls of the buildings, cars stuck underneath a large pile of rubble and vegetation, and some pretty butterflies flying around.
Birds are singing too.
And even though it was abnormally beautiful, the young man didn't want to think about what happened in the past that went all to hell.
Abaddon could've been one big beautiful city full of diverse culture and languages. But now only hundreds of kilometers ran in complete wasteland. And only in the heart of it all is where the people decided to station themselves. In the past, it must've been millions of Abaddies and now there is only less than 500.
This city held a mysterious past that the young man wondered greatly. But it was a past that he was also afraid of learning.
"Man, its hot," he huffed, having the deep temptation of stripping off his clothes but didn't want to appear indecent in front of the guild Master when he gets the interview. At first it was raining, now that the sky is clear the sun made it its greatest goal to burn him. His clothes were starting to stick to his skin at the amount of sweat his body was producing.
At one point, he was walking in the shade in hopes to access more of the cool air. But looking at his map and all the various shades showed him he has to be exposed in the sun in order to access the nearby bridge that will soon take him to clean stone stairs. So, now under the glaring sun he stared at the so-called bridge. It was really more of a large tree trunk fallen over with its roots still sticking up and a large flower bed growing at its sides with few mushrooms here and there.
"Doesn't look safe," he pressed his foot down at first gently, then his whole weight and froze. Not hearing any cracks or groans from the tree, he proceeded carefully. As he didn't want to fall to his death seeing he's pretty darn high up.
As soon as he reached the other side, he pulled out his map and scratched off the bridge and wrote stable next to it. Pocketing his map, he continued forward in search for that stone path. Which he found pretty quickly. Pausing to write on his map in red ink 'take ten steps and you'll see it!' before running up the stairs... And more stairs at the top... And then more stairs.
"What the hell!? How many more is there?" he huffed, wiping the sweat off his face as his cyan colored hair stuck to his face. "I wish it was still raining..." Shielding his eyes from the possible laughing sun as he glared up at the sky. Half hoping his glare would scare the sun away and bring the water again.
When he finally reached the top, he took a breather then glanced behind him to see all the vegetation extending miles away with large abandon buildings peeking from the vegetation and others in their full glory of rubble. "Well, that's a rewarding sight." he grinned, stretching his arms and legs before continuing more up. And at last, he finally reached the large stone walls that the old man said.
They were indeed solid white walls with vines clung tightly to all its sides. The iron bar gate looked it could have seen better days as its hinges were just hanging halfway out. Indecisive to let the gates topple down to the mossy ground or continue hanging limply. Not wanting to risk the gates falling on top him, the young man squeezed his form in between the small gaps. Of course, he got rid of the backpack first since that bugger will possibly knock down those gates.
As soon as he was inside, he was rewarded a, somewhat, taken care of mansion with an arch of stairways on both sides. In the middle was a man-made cascade of levels going down in cubical form.
Readjusting his backpack, he continued up the steps and opened the large wooden doors of the entrance. It led out a loud groan as the young man ignored the sudden chill that ran down his spine.
The inside was clean and well taken care of.
Which surprised him since seeing the look on how it was outside and all around Abaddon.
There was a reception area in a L shape to the side with cabinets behind it to the wall. Few natural plants with their pots on the side of the walls and a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. On the right side were other large wooden doors with a faint buzzing of people talking.
Licking his lips, he pushed that door open to see it was a large grand hall. The ceiling high with large bone chandeliers holding sphere lacrima to produce light source. With all his observing, he failed to notice all eyes turned to him wide eyed.
"Can I help you?" At the sound of a woman's voice, he snapped his head to her direction. She had multiple colorful bandanas wrapped around her head with a long raven braid sticking out from the side. She reminded him of gypsy based on her attire but with a mix of armor in it. He briefly wondered what her magic is.
"I'm looking to join," Walking to her as he sheepishly smiled. Instead of returning the smile, she studied him carefully that made him quite uncomfortable.
Finally, she spoke, "I need to be frank with you. Before you think about joining, I need you to process this information and then you decide if you think it is still worth joining." He began to wonder if this was the briefing of some sort of test. Bracing himself, he nodded for her to continue. "Our guild is in near disbandment." Well... That's some luck! "We've received a report under the Magical Surveillance Center that we have less than ten members in our guild. If we don't obtain more than ten members by the end of next month, I'm afraid we'll have to disband. We're already planning to turn this place into casino either way," she shrugged. "Having this knowledge, do you still wish to join?"
"Isn't just having a Master and members good enough to be called a guild?"
"Well," She exhaled, placing a tray that held a pitcher and three cups to the side as she took a seat. He decided to follow suit believing it will be quite long. "That was the old times. Before the treaty was even made. The treaty was designed to have more control over magical beings and magic-borns since the people were starting to see us as a mutated being."
"A freak," he hummed as she nodded.
"Nowadays, when people hear magic they believe it is dark and destructive. Which I don't entirely blame them since many guilds have become dark. Not to mention, the revolts and terrorist attacks," she rolled her eyes at this "it makes us look bad. And those of science look holier than thou. So," she softly slapped her hands onto the table as he blinked up at her. "Do you still want to join?"
He decided to process this information over. "Doesn't this make looking for jobs difficult?"
"It does," she nodded. "Since the majority of the population prefer Vita than magical-borns. But there is some few people who still send requests in magical guilds. Not to mention, some people have no other choice." Grabbing a cup from the tray, she poured herself some water and taking a drink.
"How come?"
"Well, because they're poor. Hiring a Vita to do the job is very expensive. Getting a mage to do the job, is cheap."
"Huh," he leaned back as he processed this information. Tapping his fingers onto the wood as he thought about being low on money to even travel to another content in search of any magical guilds. If there's any, he snorted to himself. This magic guild is the only existing in this nation while the other neighbors are banned of magic. "You said till next month, right?"
"Yes,"
He continued to tap his fingers onto the wood in deep thought as the woman in front waited patiently for his response. "Ya'll guys are advertising, aren't you?"
She frowned slightly at that, then responded slowly. "My son... And Dagger hanged flyers all over the content in search for mages. But I doubt anyone will bother coming here." She paused. "Why?"
"Well, I need to help, no?" He smiled as she blinked.
"You want to join?" Even when the words came out, she still couldn't believe the young man in front of her wanted to join. She actually thought he was going to turn away just like the others that came by before him.
"Yeah." He shrugged. "So when can I get my mark?"
At that, the woman snapped out of her thoughts and became serious. "If you wish to join, I need to test you if you meet up the criteria we are looking for."
And... He was hoping there was no test.
"Okay, shoot," Getting himself ready to pass this test with flying colors.
"Seven Lions is a representative of seven virtues. You must possess one of the three important motto we go by." Ah, he nodded for her to continue. "Follow me," And so he did.
He followed her out to the reception desk where she ducked down and pulled out some chess pieces. His confusion must've shown for she began to explain.
"With this, I will test which one are you or none at all."
"If I fail?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to look for another guild." Well, shit.
She began setting up the pieces in a single row without the board game. Then she looked to him, "Pick the one that represents you."
He studied the black and white pieces: King, Queen, Bishop, Castle, Knight, and Rook. He easily dismissed Queen and King as he didn't think he was of royalty or even capable of leading people around. Be it in the fronts or in the shadows. He looked to the Bishop then dismissed it as he didn't believe he was holy or religious. The Castle was like a defender, the great protector. But he doesn't know himself well enough to know if he is willing to shield everyone. Including the most screwed up individuals.
So, he dismissed it.
Now he was trying to decide between Knight and Rook.
Knight is all about justice and honor. It was something he strive for, but the colors made him wonder is it corrupted or holy? The Rook was simply a soldier. But a free man that had no worries in carrying principles. Then the colors... White or Black? The Knight or the Rook?
He chose the black Rook piece. "This one."
She began putting the pieces to the side, but left two: the Queen and the white Rook. "Choose one, who would you save?"
He blinked, staring at the Rook piece in his hand then to the Queen and white Rook. The Queen is the mother to her people and nation. She also leads the King in the shadows. The white Rook is the opposite element to his piece. But appearance can be deceiving. And that piece is his enemy, naturally.
"The Queen."
"Why?"
"Before Queen, she is a wife and a mother. She is also the role model to her people, a complete nation. A nation is more important than the enemy's life."
She nodded, taking away the white Rook piece but replacing it with a King. "Who would you kill?"
Now, the test was starting to get a tad bit harder. He stared at both pieces. Then looked to her confidentially, "Neither."
"Why?"
"I am a Rook. I may be a soldier, but I have free will. And even if the King ordered it," he pointed to the black King standing with the rest of the extra pieces. "It is not in my right to slay someone. I slay men in the battlefield. Not defenseless people."
"Your King is a corrupt tyrant that killed his sibling to take the throne. You have the choice to keep your mouth shut to save your family or reveal it all to the enemy. Which would you choose?"
"I'll do both," She raised her eyebrow at this. "Save my family and reveal the truth."
"Why?"
"Because it is the right thing to do."
She smiled at him, "Truth." Putting away the pieces and taking out what looks like a large stamp. "Welcome to Seven Lions. I believe I did not get your name?"
"Ah, it's Aeron."
"Just Aeron?"
He paused before nodding. "Yep, just Aeron."
She stared at him for a couple of seconds before reverting back to her cheerful mood. "Well, I won't pry. Welcome to the brotherhood, Aeron. Where would you like your mark? Before stamping on it, please have a clear picture of the color you want."
"Wait, um, before that," he scratched his head as he held a small frown. "How did I pass the test?"
"You need to have one of three motto's we go: Love," she began to list it off with her fingers. "Honor and Truth. You are Truth. Those of Truth is what we call another word for Discernment. People that hold insight, justice, wisdom, are judgemental, and have a sense of rationality." She let that information sink in before continuing. "When we were talking, I knew you're judgemental and have a peculiar insight on certain things."
Aeron blushed in embarrassment. He knows he's judgemental... He just hopes it isn't bad for the future and doesn't piss anyone off when he begins to study people.
"So, what are you then?"
"Love," She smiled. "My son is Honor though," she shrugged. "Much like his father."
He hummed as he began to take off his jacket and roll up his shirt, revealing his nicely built figure. "How about here?" He pointed to his left pelvic region as she nodded. "Think of the color you want then nod when you're ready." His mind dashed around trying to think of a color. With the image in his mind, he nodded to her as she went and stamped in the location Aeron pointed.
Aeron expected to feel a pinch or maybe a cold touch. But he honestly felt nothing as he stared at the stamp leaving his body to reveal a silver ombre color of his guild mark. His guild mark was the shape of a lion head with roman number VII to the side and underneath the lion's chin.
"Cool," he grinned at the sight, touching the tattoo to feel his own skin instead of a paint job. "This is really awesome."
"Glad you liked it. My name is Jiselle Silverlion. I am a retired mage who now is simply the right hand woman of the guild Master." She led him back into the grand hall as he followed along. "Before you ask, the Master is very busy. So, you won't be seeing him much." Then she stopped dead before turning to Aeron in a flash as he was startled by her change of demeanor. "My apologies, I forgot to ask. What do you think of chores?"
And that's the start of the story.
I will be accepting at least ten OCs. NO S-CLASS PLEASE! Potentials are greatly accepted.
Seven Lions has a different ranking system that Jiselle didn't bother explaining to Aeron.
You're also allowed to invent the testing system in sorting your character in. If you don't want to invent one, then I'll make another one up. Each test is different and Jiselle is looking for one of the three qualities: Honor, Love, or Truth. The seven virtues that the Seven Lions represents: Chastity, Temperance, Diligence, Kindness, Charity, Patience, and Humility. In case anyone was curious about that.
Also, if you want to submit bad guys, I'll only be accepting ages 14 and above. The dark guild, Ghost Queen, does not accept children. Though the main dark guild is another that I want to keep secret for the moment.
As you read, you must've gotten a clear view of what kind of world this is going to be centered. I'm sure you have questions on what the heck is a Vita? An Omni? Science vs Magic? Yeah, that will come all in due time. I hope this provides some creativity.
If you're going to submit dragon slayers, please submit non-canon. No fire dragon slaying, iron dragon slaying, shadow dragon slaying, etc. Invent something else! This also includes God Slaying. If you want to get creative in slaying magic (say Pheonix Slayer) go for it.
Will no more blabbing. Here's the OC forum for Seven Lions:
Name:
Known As: (what the people call him/her or the guild. Optional)
Age:
Gender:
Reputation: (good, bad, etc. Describe why?)
Rank: (no S class mages, but potentials will be accepted)
Guild Mark Location & Color:
Acceptance: (Love, Honor or Truth)
Occupation:
Affiliations: (if any)
[APPEARANCE & PERSONALITY]
Appearance:
Default Clothes:
Casual Clothes:
Formal Clothes:
Summer Clothes:
Winter Clothes:
Work Out Clothes:
Party Clothes: (Optional)
Memorial/Funeral Clothes: (Optional)
Sleep Wear:
Swim Wear:
Personality:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Fears:
Romance?
Strangers?
Enemies:
Friends?
Team Mates?
Drunk?
Pressure/Rage?
[MAGIC INFO]
Magic Color:
Magic Type: (Caster, Holder, etc.)
Magic:
Magic Description:
Abilities: (if any)
Spells: (10-12 limited. Add weaknesses underneath the spell)
(Example:
Flash: blah blah blah
*Weakness: blah blah blah)
Spells Later Learned: (6-9 limited. Add weaknesses underneath the spell)
Weapon(s): (if any)
Equipment(s): (if any)
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
[BACKGROUND]
Family:
Hometown:
History:
Plot Ideas: (any arcs you have in mind for your character?)
[EXTRA]
Opinions on Govt.?
Opinions on Politics?
Thoughts on Science vs. Magic?
Does He/She believes in Magic/Science being superior than the other? If so, why? If not, explain.
Do they hold ill feelings towards the system/people that treat magic differently?
How does he/she feel about doing chores?
Living Expenses: (how much does your character spends on money: rent, bills, clothes, food, etc.)
Living Kind: (dorms, condo, house, apt., etc.)
Home Decor:
Ideal Missions: (what your character prefers to take on missions)
Hated Missions: (what your character loathes taking in missions)
Exceed? (if yes, add personality and appearance)
Pet?
Theme Song(s): (Optional)
Other:
Guys I know. It's long. But I want to get your character right instead of going back and asking questions. Take your time. There is no rush and no current deadline. So... You have all the time in the world. :)
Well, happy creating! I'll see you in the next!
Thanks for reading, reviewing, following, etc., etc.^^