Disclaimer: DanMachi and its original characters are created and owned by Fujino Omori.
Prologue: A Prophecy
It is said that a thousand years ago, the deities descended from their dwellings within the Upper World to join hands with the mortals of the Lower World. They sealed away their divine power- the Arcanum- and made a vow to enjoy life and navigate through its inner workings just as the mortals they would soon live alongside did- they would experience the joys, the hardships, and all other possibilities of the wondrous realm of the Lower World.
The deities, now among the mortals, could only offer them one thing: their blessing. And with that blessing, came the power to stand against the monsters which had ravaged their lands for millennia. Heroes rose up among the ranks of mortals, and took a stand against these monsters.
And through this influx of power brought about the end of the Ancient Times and the beginning of the Deities' Era- a time where the fiercest and bravest heroes received the blessing of the gods and fought against these monsters.
Their exploits were written in stone, and their stories were passed down through generations in the form of Myths and Legends which continue to thrive even to this day. They act as a catalyst to inspire the hero within all of us- to set us free from the chains of mundanity and soar high above; to reach beyond the stars, and to explore below the abyss.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, in which a mortal man journeyed across the land in search of the truth behind immortality.
The Iliad and The Odyssey, telling the stories of Achilles, of the Trojan War; and of Odysseus' journey home after its conclusion.
Heracleia, the telling of the twelve labours completed by Heracles.
Argonautica, the story of the Argonauts who accompanied Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece.
The Arthurian Tales, depicting King Arthur's reign over his kingdom and his feats in battle and the search for the Holy Grail.
And many, many more, among others.
As such, it is not surprising to know that Mythologies and Legends were somewhat of a big deal within these parts of the Lower World. They tell fantastical stories of the gods, of the heroes, and of the monsters. They tell of the epic adventures those heroes embarked upon, and they tell of the terrifying monsters those heroes crossed blades with and defeated. Indeed, Mythologies and Legends were somewhat of a big deal- especially in these regions of the world, where one could only dream of being the subject of such notable and prestigious ancient literature.
Everyone had heard about it; after all, you'd need to have been living under a rock for eternity to have not: Orario, the Adventurer's City; home to the Dungeon, where monsters were birthed from the ground; and also home to the adventurers, who regularly descended down into the Dungeon to defeat those monsters and attain whatever it was they desired: treasure, glory, fame- everything was there- and everything they'd ever needed was there. And anyone brave (or perhaps foolish) enough to descend those steps could very well have it all.
Their exploits- big or small- were written down in the form of surging sagas, in the form of captivating ballads, and they became the subject of some of this world's greatest and finest literature. Those heroes- and especially those who rose above the rest and proved their prowess- cemented themselves as some of the world's greatest, and had their names carved into history. In the most recent era of world history: the Empress, Supreme, Gluttony, Silence, the King, Vana Freya, Braver, Nine Hells, Elgarm, the Sword Princess, and now, the up-and-coming rookie, Rabbit's Foot. Those were but a mere collection of some of the world's greatest who had taken their place amongst an even more expansive ensemble of heroes more numerous than even the brilliant stars which tinkled in the night sky.
And yet, despite this- despite the unending talk and gossip about Orario's heroes- it appears as though the people of the outside world have recently come across many other things, and something quite peculiar, indeed- a sort of… Urban Legend.
Unlike Ancient Mythologies and Historic Epics, these Urban Legends were not born from the grandiose and avant-garde story-telling of Ancient Myths, nor from the reputation which sprung from being a hero in both the ancient and modern times.
Rather, it came from a rumour.
The rumour told of a group of seven warriors, who were only known simply as The Seekers.
No one knew who they were or where they came from. Perhaps they were once adventurers from Orario and were now journeying around the world going on yet another adventure to explore the Lower World; perhaps not. Perhaps they didn't even exist at all and were simply the result of mere coincidences. Or perhaps they were something else entirely, something yet to be discovered by the mortals. Though, that was probably the point: "wouldn't it be cool if they were real?"
That was simply the foundation of this new fad- this new phenomenon of the Urban Legend. It came from a desire of intrigue- from the mortals' natural instinct of curiosity- which soon builds from a foundation of a rumour to become an Urban Legend. After all, just as a smoke would not rise without a fire, a fire could not start without fuel and oxygen- everything came from humble beginnings. As long as one looked close enough and studied hard enough, they would eventually uncover the truth to the world, the universe, and everything.
Now then, you might be wondering, just how did this Urban Legend come to fruition? Well, of course, it began as any other rumour. It began as a rumour which appeared to be so absurd that it became an Urban Legend.
- It began as a rumour of seven individuals who came to be known as The Seekers.
- There was a rumour of a warrior of the most striking shades of crimson who fought and danced as if she were a flame.
- There was a rumour of a fierce Werewolf capable of tearing battlefields asunder as if he were the most unstoppable of thunderstorms.
- There was a rumour of a snow-white Renart sorcerer whose arsenal was so diverse and powerful, he could wipe out entire continents with a flick of his wrist.
- There was a rumour of an Elven marksman so dexterous and so terrifyingly precise not a single thing that felt his gaze could escape unscathed.
- There was a rumour of a feral spear-wielding Chienthrope who advanced and tore through armies like the most calamitous of rapids.
- There was a rumour of a Pallum so wise and cunning she could topple even the most insurmountable of walls and foil even the most meticulous of plans without fail.
- Lastly, there was a rumour of a maiden of only the most pristine and lustrous of blacks who was untouchable as if she were a phantom.
- And yet…
"There was no way something like this was real."
This was what everyone thought, and thus, it became nothing more than fiction to some. Though to others, it became a hypothesis and topic of hot discussion and discourse. After all: just think of the fame one could attain by being the one to reveal the secrets of this Urban Legend.
And so: people searched, and when the rumours persisted-
It was said that an unrivaled duelist from the Far East boasted an untainted match record in Nike's Arena.
It was said that the skies would stir and wisp black as the waters churned and flowed unimpeded- thunder boomed, and waves crashed in the wake of the two canine hunters.
It was said that a titan boasting power of which could topple Orario was subdued within mere seconds using a single spell.
It was said that a war which broke out in neighbouring nations ended in a single night with a flawless victory.
It was said that an abominable monster second only to the Three Grand Beast was felled with a single arrow, piercing cleaning through its heart.
It was said that those who dared approach them caught a glimpse of death personified.
It was said that… was said that… was said that…
Of course, many people had gotten interested; they worked tirelessly to gather evidence of this Urban Legend's existence but only came away with more questions. The Seekers came and went as they pleased, disappearing and reappearing, slipping away from those who got too close. In particular, one who was especially intrigued by the rumours searched and searched, finding anything that was available about this Urban Legend which had taken the Lower World by storm. Anything that appeared credible enough was used. However, the inconsistencies persisted, and the search was eventually halted, and was abandoned altogether. Perhaps the Urban Legend of The Seekers was an Urban Legend better not to be unraveled.
And thus, when the grand research and investigation came to an end, the mystery surrounding The Seekers thickened and intensified. Some hypothesised that they were a secret organisation of which only the most talented individuals congregated; or that they were a group of deities playing a prank on the mortals of the Lower World; or perhaps they were remnants of the Zeus and Hera familia wandering the world aimlessly; et cetera, et cetera… however, none made an attempt to verify those claims, and they remained as they were: hypotheses and rumours- but infamous hypotheses and rumours nonetheless-
And with that, the rumour finally became an Urban Legend.
Of course, the group itself- The Seekers- were given every right to speak; to announce themselves to the world and declare themselves as they were-
But nothing came. They ignored and denied this privilege and remained silent. Even in their own stage which had been unknowingly prepared for them, they were spectators. And as for everyone else? The mortals continued to watch as the story unfolded, but knew not of the characters nor the plot.
Since there was no known information except for brief descriptions and rumours of the seven members, everything was a mystery.
Though, these descriptions were at best, nothing more than rumours themselves. And this was particularly why this Urban Legend had gained such notoriety. The discrepancy between information available about The Seekers from different places throughout the world only contributed to the growing fallacy about them. Many had already dismissed and discredited the existence of The Seekers entirely.
So, what was the only thing that was known for certain? That they were a band of warriors searching for something… yet that something was unknown.
…
So then, why don't we introduce them all? And reveal the truth?
Crowned as modern heroes, rivaling even those individuals who reside and have resided in Orario as part of the collection of heroes from the Deities' Era-
The Seekers, their true identity-!
The ground shook beneath them as they moved along the dense jungles. The mechanical whirring beneath their feet made a gentle, melodious hum in the ears of the seven who sat within the carriage. They stared forward, their eyes piercing the thick trees which surrounded them. The sun flickered from between the leaves, glaring in their faces and forcing them to look away until the light ceased.
"So, Cleaire? Ready to spill the beans on your 'Grand Plan'?" A voice initiated the conversation, breaking through the silence of the sublime.
"Well, to reach Orario, of course. I thought that much was obvious." Another voice retorted back, on the verge of laughter.
A sigh, "I meant after that, Cleaire. I'd like to know what we'll be doing once we get there." The same voice, but now sterner, replied.
A laugh finally squeaked through, "Oh come on, Akagi. Can't you take a joke?"
"..."
A pause and a sigh. "Well, if you insist. Once we enter Orario, we'll need to speak to Loki or Freya- either one of the two will suffice. As for after that… well, it all depends on how the deities of Orario respond to what we have to say. Of course, the best case scenario would be for them to listen to everything and to recognise the gravity of the situation- but I doubt it; the gods are not well known to be very perceptive, especially to things like this which seem negligible at face value. Regardless, once the gods have deliberated, the next step is to prepare for battle. It will be their duty and their familia's duty to ensure they are strong enough to survive what comes next. Considering their current lineup and their recent achievements, it would be best if they could find a way to step up their game. It is said that the Sword Princess managed to defeat floor 37's Udaeus by her lonesome, but alas, that is currently the extent of her abilities. On the other hand, the King has yet to attempt a fight with floor 49's Balor ever since reaching level 7; whether he is capable or not is still up for debate. Or perhaps, he's already reached the limit of his potential. Lastly, we have the Rabbit's Foot, who has been quite the hot topic of debate recently; his achievements have been nothing short of astounding, from what I've heard. Orario's best chance lies within Rabbit's Foot, but for now, he still remains a wildcard. As it stands, any more than seven will squash Orario; two or three for Freya; one or two for Loki; and one or two for the rest of Orario. Though, this is me being generous- and quite generous, at that- especially if they get caught off guard. They'll need to know what they're truly up against if they wish to tip the odds in their favour."
"Is that all for now? How long do you expect this to take- considering everything and anything that might come up along the way."
"No clue. Apparently, I've heard that the Kingdom of Rakia has declared another war with Orario, and Ares seems to actually have something going for him this time. It simply means that Orario is wasting their time having to deal with people who won't help them in the slightest for the future ahead of them. But, anyways, there's no indication of this war ending anytime soon- mostly due to the adventurers' distaste for killing the Rakian soldiers- so it may take several weeks before we can actually get the chance to speak to Loki or Freya," a pause followed by a shrug, "but there's no rush, I guess."
"There's no rush?" Another voice entered into the conversation, hushed and grim. "Cleaire, Antares awakened four months ago, and Iapetus, nine. I'd like you to reconsider the time-frame of our expedition. It certainly is not 'no rush'. For all we know, the next one will appear in a few weeks- days, even-"
"And of course," The Pallum shrugged yet again as she retorted, "even still, predicting when or which Harbinger would awaken next is simply impossible; not even I would be able to figure it out in advance. But, I do understand your point: it is certainly true that our metaphoric 'timer' is running low. Of course, as I've mentioned before, that is not for me nor for us to decide. It depends on how Orario deals with the situation. If they decide to take action immediately, then it means that they have that much more time to prepare for when she is freed; this will be the best case scenario. On the other hand, if they decide to do nothing about it," she paused and giggled for a little bit before continuing, "-which they have done for nearly fifteen- no, more like sixteen- years by now, might I remind you- then things will take a turn for the worse, without a doubt. If it came down to it, we would all die fighting to defend- or at least trying to defend the Lower World- like the mortals that we are; I am not concerned about my own mortality, and I'd assume you wouldn't be either." She paused and leaned back slightly in her seat, "unfortunately, that is the status quo for now. Our cards have been laid down, and now we await Orario's move. Whether or not it will be the right one is not for us to decide- though I'd say it's certainly possible for us to exercise some amount of influence."
The carriage fell silent for just a moment.
"Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, and there will be no hiccoughs along the way. I'd rather not deal with angry deities- in fact, if it came down to it, I'd rather leave than have to deal with their piss-poor attitude." None said a word, and allowed the Pallum to continue speaking her thoughts. "An Age of Gods, Monsters, and Magic. All three defy my teachings from the Far South. Like an impenetrable cloud which looms above; the will of the mortals is hopelessly obstructed-"
"I think that's enough for today, Cleaire." The Elf interrupted her, placing his words carefully. "As of now, such thoughts are not necessary, and we should simply focus on our main agenda. Later down the line, we can consider it further- of course, with proper deliberation."
Cleaire sighed and snorted, "as expected of an Elf, just as I was getting into the groove, too. But I'd say they've done far enough for a verdict to be reached, no? The blatant ignorance they've displayed about this entire fiasco is enough- ah, whatever-" She shrugged and waved her hands to dismiss the thought. "Well, just like you asked, I've laid out the plan for you, Akagi. The general layout of our expedition is there for you, just leave all of the smaller details to me; but keep in mind that not even I can predict everything that is bound to happen. After all, the fate of our world lies amongst the whims of gods; I hope you can rest well with that knowledge in mind. But, given that it's you, you probably wouldn't care anyways."
The carriage fell silent for a second time as unease spread among the ranks of the seven. After a while, the first voice returned to the conversation, steering it back into the right direction, "then, everyone in favour?" She crossed her arms as she awaited the consensus- which was a staple among these seven individuals. All things were decided by majority vote.
"Of course."
"No objections, as long as we remain focused on the task at hand."
"As long as it's convenient."
"Fine by me."
"Whatever."
"..."
"Then it is decided."
Just like that, their conversation came to an end and they continued the rest of their journey in silence. Riding atop a mechanical carriage, the only thing they could hear was the whistling in their ears as the wind blew by and the mechanical whirring beneath their feet.
The crimson warrior- Kuzuryuu Akagi. Duelist; swordswoman; black hair with red highlights; crimson eyes; tall; smug; wearing a ragged white haori embroidered with flames atop a deep-navy-blue uniform; two blades were sheathed by her waist, one long, the other shorter. An orphaned child who studied the sword under the tutelage of Goddess Amaterasu and God Kagutsuchi in the Far East.
The wise Pallum- Cleaire. Strategist; inventor; dark brown hair; hazel eyes; petite; jittery; wearing a white undershirt underneath a leather vest and denim shorts; a brimmed, leather hat; and two mechanical instruments holstered by her waist with a black belt. A mischievous thief and genius inventor who ran away from home in the Far South at an early age and relied only on her own wit to survive.
The Elven marksman- Vardan. Archer; proficient in basic wind-type magic; sparkling silver hair; equally grey, stormy eyes; slim; noble; wearing a fur-lined, green-and-brown mottled hood and cape covering a dark-navy uniform and shrouding his face; a quiver and an ombre wooden bow hung loosely over his shoulder. A half-Light-Elf, half-Dark-Elf driven away from his home in the North because of his mixed heritage.
The Renart mage- Kanamori Yukikaze. Sorcerer; vast understanding of the Deities' Ancient Script; a luscious mane of snow-white hair, a pair of equally white point ears, and a bushy tail; striking, sky-blue eyes; thin; air-headed; wearing a pastel blue-and-pink, traditional, Far Eastern haori embroidered with tapestries of the clouds over a white uniform and pants; a worn, leather book was cradled in his left arm. Childhood friend of Akagi, and considered to be a prodigy magician capable of mastering all schools of elemental magic.
The fierce Wolf-person- Remus. Sword-bearer; martial artist; electrifyingly-blue hair with a pair of soft baby-blues; muscular; grim; sporting a brown-and-green mottled jacket which flung freely from his shoulders atop a navy tank-top and navy uniform pants; a pair of daggers were sheathed by his waist. A hunter raised by a pack of wolves before engaging in Far Eastern disciplines.
The feral Chienthrope- Diane. Spear-wielder; boasts a near uncountable trophy collection; dirty-blonde hair with deep, sea-green irises and jagged, pearl-white teeth; lean; bashful; clothed in a fur-lined crop-top and shorts, exposing her midriff; a long shaft with a speartip at one end and a curved, sickle-like edge on the other was hoisted above her shoulder. A natural born huntress raised by a pack of wolves alongside Remus; briefly engaged in Far Eastern disciplines, but was deemed to be unteachable.
The pristine, black maiden- V. Assassin; magic user; lustrous, black hair with a tint of rich purple framing a pair of kaleidoscopic violet eyes; delicate; apathetic; the robes which clung to her body twisted and writhed, made purely out of living, black shadows; a bundle of white cloth wrapped around a slim, silver blade was propped up against her seat. A member of the extinct species of demonkin known as anti-spirits sealed away a thousand years ago during the time when the first generation of gods descended to the Lower World.
This was the identity of The Seekers. This rag-tag group of seven was the subject of what can be described as possibly the most famous (or perhaps infamous) Urban Legend of its generation- an Urban Legend which had found roots so deep, stories of their travels and exploits made their way around the Lower World. Even those who denied their existence couldn't help but watch their story unfold with excitement and intrigue, just waiting for what would greet them in the next chapter of their adventures.
So, then, how exactly does our story begin? Well, in order for us to answer that, we must first begin with a precursor; and to begin with the precursor, we must first begin with a recount of events.
And so, to start off, let us first ask the question:
Just what is it that they want? Just what is it that they are searching for?
Not much is known about them, and currently, to the outside world, their objective seems clouded in an even thicker layer of mystery- but please allow me to share with you a little secret.
Though, this is not a secret of The Seekers, but rather, a secret of Orario and of all of the gods who have come to the Lower World. It is a closely guarded secret, one which must never be discovered by the mortals. Regardless, here goes:
Fifteen- nearly sixteen- years ago, the familias- Zeus and Hera familia, along with several of their allies, journeyed across the entire Lower World with one goal in mind: the completion of the Three Grand Quests, and with it, the vanquishing of the Three Grand Beasts along with their servants, the Harbingers.
Firstly: the Behemoth, the Lord of the Land; defeated by Zeus familia's level 7 Gluttony, Zald.
Secondly: the Leviathan, the Ruler of the Waves; defeated by Hera familia's level 7 Silence, Alfia.
Thirdly: the One Eyed Black Dragon, the Emperor of the Skies; the mythical creature who had plagued the mortals' lands for millenia, only having ever faced a rival in the Great Hero, the Sword Champion, Albert Waldstein; and Waldstein's lover, the wind spirit, Aria. However, they only managed to injure the beast's eye before Waldstein was killed, Aria was captured, and the Sword Champion's daughter went missing without a trace.
Zeus and Hera familia stood no chance. They were unable to put an end to the beast, and fell from their position as the world's strongest.
With their defeat came a new era of Orario's history. The up-and-coming familia, Loki familia, as well as the already well established Freya familia took the lead and banished Zeus and Hera from Orario, cementing themselves as the new strongest. However, even with their rise to the top, with the defeat of Zeus and Hera familia, the Dark Ages of Orario descended. Evilus, an organisation hell-bent on plunging the world back into the darkness and anguish reminiscent of the days of the Ancient Times were now free to do as they pleased without worry. Their ideals eventually culminated to an incident seven years ago, in which two members of Zeus and Hera familia who had managed to survive their encounter with the One Eyed Black Dragon: Gluttony, Zald, and Silence, Alfia, had joined forces with Evilus to wage war on Orario in the hopes of forcing a hero to rise up among their ranks and to put an end to the Dragon they had failed to kill. However, in the end, Orario won, Silence was defeated by Astraea familia and subsequently plunged herself into the depths of the Dungeon to die; whilst Gluttony was defeated by a then level 6 Ottar who subsequently earned level 7 and cemented himself as the only level 7 to reside in Orario since then. However, in the aftermath of the war, one thing was made evident: a hero had not arrived- despite the Sword Princess' astounding rate of growth; the King's achievements; and Astraea familia's fight for justice. Evilus' efforts were in vain, and two years after that very war, their main forces were completely decimated by the calamity known simply as the Gale Wind.
Of course, let us now take a few steps back, and then ask the question: just why was it that Zeus and Hera familia had set out to defeat the One Eyed Black Dragon in the first place? While there was much to gain, there was also so much to lose. Had they been blinded by their own successes, and had overestimated themselves to be capable? Had they believed that by riding the momentum of their prior victories, they would stand a chance? Or was there something else in the works, behind the scenes hidden from all?
…
In the end, Zeus and Hera familia, despite Zeus' level 8 Supreme and level 7 Gluttony and Hera's level 9 Empress and level 7 Silence, were nothing more than mere pawns, moving aimlessly and under the careful eye of another, larger threat who dominated their lives.
Just like how the Primordial Goddess of the Earth, Gaea, who laid her expansive domain into the Dungeon, the Primordial Goddess of the Night, Nyx, loved all of her children, known simply as 'The Children of The Night', dearly- and among them, the One Eyed Black Dragon, as well as the two other Grand Beasts, and the Harbingers.
And so, to appease her, the Primordial God of the Skies, and the leading figure of Orario, Ouranos, made a choice- a pact with the Goddess of the Night. And thus, the Treaty of Orario came into fruition- a treaty conceived nearly 800 years ago during the Golden Age of Heroes- a treaty which served both as a blessing and a curse. The very same Treaty which guided Zeus and Hera familia to ruin.
The terms were simple: the Dragon would be placed into a dormant state, and a timer would begin.
No one knew exactly when the timer would expire. One would only know when the signal came: when Elpis- Hope, would be freed, and act as a beacon to attract the One Eyed Black Dragon and the Harbingers and signal the beginning of Doomsday.
And so, all of the deities who knew of the Treaty held their breaths as they awaited the day that would come- the day when their children, those in their familia, and those they cherish- would be forced to finish what Zeus and Hera began. They would either see it accomplished, or they would die trying, and the Lower World will be plunged into Chaos. As mortals, the deities' children will suffer and die; but as immortals, the deities themselves will not. They will return to the Upper World after having unleashed their Arcanum to prevent themselves from being destroyed. Even as they try to descend again, they will only be greeted with Chaos as the mortals- those the gods consider as their children- struggle to fend off the monsters hunting them down. And despite knowing this, the gods made no attempt to prepare for the inevitable, hoping that it would never come- a vain wish- but one nonetheless.
Upon the precipice of the beginning of the Treaty, the Lower World was plagued by natural disasters. Many astrologers from around the world, most notably: from Athena familia situated in Athens and Thoth familia, gathered together to investigate the unique and alarming onset of meteorites falling from the cosmos.
Though, while the mortals of the Lower World continued their investigation, the deities- both within and outside the confines of the Labyrinth City already knew just what had been set into motion.
After all, they could feel it: the Divine power emanating from these cosmological events was no coincidence. The Arcanum they had sealed into their Divine Artifacts- their Symbols of Power they had left behind upon having crossed the boundary between the Upper and Lower Worlds had now descended alongside themselves.
Of course, over time, the deities who had gained the curiosity and desire to search for these items left, but mysteriously never returned. Some other deities, noticing this, made themselves ignorant of the impending doom and lived in the now, whisking the problem away for the mortals to solve… like they've always done. As for the rest, they joined alliances with Evilus and continued the reign of the Dark Ages of Orario, their servants searching tirelessly for these artifacts- and in particular, Pandora's Box, which was where Elpis was kept, and by extension: the catalyst for Armageddon.
Though, this posed a serious problem. Simply because these Divine Artifacts did not violate the terms of the original agreement between gods, so long as it were not deities themselves who handled these items. Mortals who laid their hands onto the Divine Artifacts were freely able to use them- filled and bursting to the seams with the Divine power of the gods, and with the power to manipulate and kill even the deities. To kill a god- not to return them to the Upper World, but to steal their Divine power and to become a god yourself.
Indeed, anyone who got their hands onto these Artifacts would surely change the entire world. A single decision, a single swing of a blade or a blow of a hammer could decide the fate of the Lower World- and perhaps even the Upper World.
So why, you might ask, have I taken the time out of mine, and more importantly, your day to tell you such a secret?
Well, the answer is quite simple, for this situation which had been brought about because of a series of unfortunate (and mayhaps even inevitable) events is a situation which needs to be resolved.
And, well… if the gods won't do it, then the next best thing would be to do it ourselves. After all, it was us mortals who first inhabited the Lower World, and thus, it should be our (rather annoying) duty to clean up the mess which have been made by the very deities whom we live alongside
Alright! Now that everything is finally settled and our characters have been introduced, allow me the liberty of doing one more thing: the Legends of Old are long overdue, don't you agree? I believe it is prime time for things to change.
Then, how about I begin the telling of a new story in an attempt to make the world just that much more interesting- a new story which will rival even that of the deities' great Familia Myth-
Of course, to begin a story, one must first begin with a solid foundation. The stories of Old were good because they made readers and audiences alike interested from the very beginning. So, we will follow along the same vein, and begin our story with stylistic beauty.
The story goes a little something like this:
Quick note before this begins: the cadence of the poem will switch from reader to reader, but an important thing to keep in mind is the use of apostrophes in the words. For example, "curs'd" will be read with one syllable; while "cursed" will be read with two (cur-sed). I hope this makes sense.
To the Center of the World where all roads lead,
The prophetic dream, they do not heed;
As secrets are reveal'd, the die is cast,
The bygone gears in motion at last;
Descend down the steps into the Abyss,
The endless labyrinth where something is amiss;
In the depths: a shadow,
Writhing and growing: harbinger of sorrow;
A divine calamity
Of hallow'd agony;
Accusations made from false pretenses;
A single choice: a pathway of chances;
As the Shadow looms closer ever-more,
The approaching storm blooms into war;
A divide in ranks, misplac'd trust;
Dreams of a future, ground to dust;
As the eternal flames flicker away,
A hero is led to a path astray;
A single choice shall twist their fate,
For his return, they will await;
The open skies to grasp and reach;
The sun grows dim as they beseech;
Impatience grows and the moonlight wanes;
Beginning of the End: the deities' bane;
…
In the depths where monsters are birth'd,
The Lady of Justice shall be curs'd;
And as the embers fade,
The price is paid;
The toppl'd palace: their sacred home;
And a prayer sent to a pageless tome;
In the distant plains,
Dormant beasts, unbound by chains;
Unyielding grit and ravag'd land;
The Trickster deals her final hand;
A flash of fervor: celestial smite,
The Divine Bolt in all its might;
Swept beneath the gentle lull;
The cursed blade, they shall cull;
Where the light shan't reach: the dismal depths,
The mind first crumbles, at a loss for breath;
Forg'd in solitude: a Spirit's decree,
A blade to reap and to split the sea;
In the bloodstain'd sun and the vast azure,
The battle of destiny for them to endure;
In the distant skies where Her Valkyries soar;
The Tempest utters its deafening roar;
Ignite! Set fire to the blazing heart;
The focused eye shall not depart;
…
And once the sands come to dry,
The time arrives to say goodbye;
The hero mourns for the place he call'd home;
The Golden Blade now stands alone;
The Lady's lament of pure disgust,
The dealt hand: deem'd unjust;
But a celebration comes premature;
The Titan's Curse, one shall endure;
With a final stand- hellfire!
And the ending note play'd from the Golden Lyre;
When the final grain slips through the seams,
Finally achiev'd: the ever-lasting dream;
And then, finally, when the sounds of battle cease,
Shall the heroes find their peace?
To the Center of the World where all roads meet,
Happily-ever-after, or an ending bittersweet?
- "The Prophecy to End All Prophecies": An Ode to Dreams Yet Forgotten
Hey there, Author here. I've had this in the works for some time, thinking about the things I want to write about.
This story will take place after vol. 14 of the LN (unfortunately I haven't gotten around to reading vol. 15 and 16). The main events of chapter 1 will take place after a small time-skip: a few months after vol. 14, and just before the next Denatus.
Keep in mind that the OCs of the story will be powerful (as they need to be). The reason for their power will be explained, but I wouldn't be surprised if people can already figure it out. This story will be as much about the OCs as it is about the canon cast.
As for this poem that I have left you with, feel free to disassemble it and decipher what it means. This is my first time writing something like this so it's probably really bad. Some parts are blatantly obvious, but I tried to keep most parts ambiguous as to who and what it is referring to. If you wish to post your theories in the comments, also feel free, but just be sure to indicate potential spoilers.
As for this story, currently, it's summer vacation, so I have loads of time to write. I'll probably be going through and writing as much as possible and gradually slow down once school starts again and go back to edit. I'll try to update every 1-2 months, but I can't make promises.
Feedback is greatly appreciated.