Akane no Mai: Supplementary Material
Anthology - Alf-Phantasy
The Light and Dark Elven Princesses that Anastasia and Nadia are based on as Io's constructs were originally from a different dimension that the Yami Matter destroys that universe named Alf-Phantasy. These two were once Elven Princesses/Goddesses named Astraea (the light elf goddess, her physical appearance and voice are the same as Anastasia's, but her clothing is different like wearing a dress since she's a goddess figure) and Dike (the dark elf goddess, her physical appearance and voice is the same as Nadia's, but her clothing is different like wearing a dress since she's a goddess figure). In the last second, the Light and Dark Elven Princesses sacrifice themselves to traverse their remnant essences in traverse to the Akane-no-Mai dimension, where Io's presence assimilates these essences and creates Anastasia and Nadia. Since Astraea's meaning is star-maiden and starry night, her title is known as the Phantasy Star (It's a reference to the video game series from Sega).
The two elven goddesses rule their unified Elven race (formerly separate races of Light and Dark Elves) called the Alfoi as the dominant species like humans (and have the same different skin tones as humans (and themselves). The Alfoi's name is based on 'Alf/Alfar' and the Eloi from The Time Machine. The Alfoi's capital is named Elphame. The city is modeled after London, Dublin, and Lindblum (FFIX) with many natural environments and aspects that are more prominent than urban.
The Alfoi's main opposition is the Similocks. They are anthropomorphic simians/humanoid primates like apes, monkeys, and lemurs like Planet of the Apes. These primates are major characters in this universe (As they and the Alfoi are the main race duo in Alf-Phantasy) and play the role of Orcs, Dwarves (Which is the reason why Dwarves don't even exist unlike most fantasy worlds that have them with the typical rivalry with Elves), Uruk-Hai, and Goblins in the fantasy world, though they're a neutral race.). The Similocks' names are based on 'simian' and Morlock from The Time Machine. The Similocks' capital and one of the largest metropolises like a modern city is named Xanadu. The city is modeled after and inspired by San Francisco, New York, Midgar (FFVII Remake), and Insomnia (FFXV). A Statue of Liberty-like statue with an anthropomorphic chimpanzee Similock is seen. A suspension bridge traveling to and out of the city that is inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge is seen.
Other sentient and anthropomorphic races are seen like the Beastmen (such as cats, dogs, and rabbits), the Lizardfolk, the Simurgh (bird folk), the Devonians (of various fish species and merfolk), the Amphibimen (such as frogs and salamanders), and the Inverte-Legion (such as insects, arachnids, and crabs). Their appearances vary from humanoids with animal features to full-out furries. They also remind me of the Chimera Ants besides the usual animal humanoids in fantasy and isekai worlds.
These races obviously have their own governments, so there's still the balance of alliances, conflicts, etc despite being a utopian dimension. There are various interspecies romances between the races. Normal animals and fantasy creatures (playing the role of wildlife animals) are seen. Real-life primates don't exist. Men (Humans) don't exist unlike most fantasy worlds (Since the Elves play the dominant species as 'the humans', and human corruption doesn't fit well in a utopian dimension).
The Similocks live in a continent based on North America, the Alfoi live in a continent based on Europe, the Simurgh have floating homes and cities in the skies, the Devonians have civilizations in the seas, the Beastmen live in a continent based on combining Africa and Australia, the Lizardfolk live in a continent based on Asia, the Amphibimen live in a continent based on South America, and the Inverte-Legion don't live in a specific continent as their homes/civilizations appear in various parts of the continent lands/seas/skies (such as Austėja and her people live in the Europe continent as the Alfoi). Examples of random Similocks different appearances that are anthropomorphic and humanoid are chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, gorillas, baboons, mandrills, ring-tailed lemurs (there's a family of ringtails that are NPC minor supporting characters), Coquerel's sifakas, rhesus macaques, Proboscis monkeys, gibbons, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, night monkeys, indri, aye-aye, and slow lorises.
The Alf-Phantasy dimension is a fantasy world (not a real-life world) with fictional continents like Final Fantasy and RWBY (The Alfoi as 'the humans' while the other races as 'the Faunus'); and loosely tributes the utopia that is Crystal Tokyo. It is a dimension of nature (Since Elves are associated with nature) without humans affecting it and driving animals endangered/extinct, and why there are sentient animal races. Alf-Phantasy is also like a homage/parody of a fantasy world as well. There are factions like the Similocks that use Magitek, especially when the Similocks are using magitek robots (Just like the SOUJA) that the protagonists are fighting against. Automobiles like cars are seen. Alfoi is seen riding on Fairy Unicorns. There are Similocks that ride on Fiend Unicorns. The Earth planet that the Alfoi Goddesses, the sentient races, and others live on is named Tellus.
Four guardians act like the Four Holy Beasts of Vietnam mythology, so the group name is the Tứ Linh. They have humanoid forms that the appearances are based on and tribute the characters from Final Fantasy Type-0. The phoenix one is named Phụng (His human form looks like Ace (FF Type-0) alongside his voice and hairstyle) and is part of the Simurgh, he has a Simurgh wife that is a spunky bluebird humanoid named Aoi (Her appearance looks like a fusion of Deuce and Mutsuki Chiharano from FF Type-0). The dragon one is named Rồng (Her human form looks like a fusion of Queen and Celestia of FF Type-0. Her dragon form looks like a sea dragon viperfish.) and part of the Devonians, she (Yes, this is the second time a form of Seiryu is a female like in YYGDM instead of male and uses water/ice/storm powers) and Quy are married. The turtle one is named Quy (His human form looks like King and Gilgamesh from FF Type-0. His turtle form looks like a mata mata.) and is part of the Lizardfolk, he and Rồng are married. And the white Qilin with black tiger stripes is named Lân (Her human form looks like a fusion (including a combination of their hairstyle) of Seven (Having more prominent hair features of Seven to Lân's hairstyle) and Sice (Though Lân does not have a ponytail unlike Sice) of FF Type-0) and part of the Beastmen, she (This is the first time a form of Byakko (though technically it's a Qilin use for Vietnam's four symbols instead of a tiger) is a female instead of male) has a husband who is a warrior watcher (He looks human, but not a human since he's like a deity watcher. He is a good friend of the Alfoi Goddesses.) named Tsubasa (Him imagine riding on Lân as a Qilin loosely reminiscent of Susanoomon and the Golden Kirin in YYGDM-01). Tsubasa wears a mouthguard mask that has two different colors: black on the left and golden on the right (tributing X's mask in DFK). Tsubasa's appearance looks like Kurasame from Final Fantasy Type-0. There is no golden phoenix emblem for Tsubasa unlike X. Tsubasa's weapon is a mystical jewel granting various abilities called the Jewel of Asc, name is short of ascendant, loosely tributes one of the three Imperial Regalias of Japan (Yasakani no Magatama).
How the Alf-Phantasy dimension is destroyed by the YM: It started with the two Elven goddesses having meetings with a benevolent anthropomorphic (not humanoid) chimpanzee Similock leader named Romulus of the chance to co-exist between the two races. Romulus's attire is similar to Roman emperors like Caesar. However, Romulus has an anthropomorphic (not humanoid) bonobo Similock brother named Cain (To Kanius: Yes, are you surprised? Also, Romulus's name loosely reminds of the Romulus Source besides the Roman founder.) (Kanius's response: I am. Another Cain out there with a superiority complex and xenophobic towards others not of his own kind, but as you mentioned he's not on the extremist level as Koba. This shows us those inflicted with severe darkness are susceptible to the YM corruption.) who denies the coexistence, and when the YM corrupted his mind decides to rebel to show how the Similock race is superior, while Cain is going to impose his xenophobic hatred on his rule. Cain's hatred/darkness attracts the YM (unlike Koba, Cain is not a Complete Monster and is a tragic figure and a victim consumed by hatred, Cain is not as xenophobic, but the YM affected and manipulated his mind to become one). Cain's attire is similar to Cid Aulstyne (FF Type-0). During the defiant conflict against Cain's forces (and both Romulus and Cain are killed during the war), it is where the YM (after Cain is killed) destroys the dimension and all its inhabitants except the Elven goddesses' essences traverse to the AnM dimension at the last minute.
An eight-character group with each character representing each of the eight sentient races and tributes the main heroes of Final Fantasy IX. They are involved in the coexistence plans of the elves and simians, and the conflict against Cain (Which this group will also pay tribute to the YYGDM-01/Shin-YYGDM founders against their Cains). They also remind me of the eight protagonists of Octopath Traveler. The group's name is called the Journeys and consists of:
1.) A humanoid blond-haired golden-headed lion tamarin Similock (remind me of Sun Wukong from RWBY and hairstyle also reminds me of Shindo Hikaru from Hikaru no Go besides Zidane) with fair skin, black body fur that covers only his chest and back, yellow-furred human hands and feet, and yellow monkey tail. His appearance/personality is mainly a fusion of and tributes Zidane (FFIX) and Machina (Type-0). He's the leader of the Journeys and is an official couple with the black-haired Alfoi princess. Their love (and plans of proposing marriage) represents the co-existence of the two races and one of the factors why Cain disagrees with it. Unlike Zidane, he doesn't have a brother (Since the brotherly antagonistic relationship tributing Zidane and Kuja is used/shown through Romulus and Cain). His name is Zachary (Which I remember the name was used back in D-Reaper's Fury).
2.) A black long-haired, fair-skinned Alfoi princess. Her appearance/personality is mainly a fusion of and tributes Garnet (Dagger) (FFIX) and Rem (Type-0). She is an official couple with the blond-haired Similock. Their love (and plans of proposing marriage) represents the co-existence of the two races and one of the factors of why Cain disagrees with it. She is a summoner that can summon powerful guardians of Alf-Phantasy (There are five of them she summons in parodying those of Final Fantasy. The first is a fire demon parodying Ifrit named Berial, whose appearance has elements of Berial (Devil May Cry 4) (except Berial (Alf-Phantasy)'s appearance is not centaur-like) and Etrigan the Demon, and his signature attack is a fiery earthquake called Inferno Quake. The second is an ice goddess parodying Shiva named Chione and her signature attack is Ice Barrier Storm ('Ice Barrier' name part based on Metalla X's 'Ice Barrier Beam') which she casts a large ring-like icicle barrier cage that encases/surrounds the enemies and the cage explodes in inflicting blizzard damage. The third is a thunder god parodying Ramuh named Xolotl, his appearance looks like an anthropomorphic Boltund (Pokémon) with an attire similar to Beerus & Champa, height is dwarfism, and his signature attack is Electric Rush that he charges with an electric aura and strikes down enemies many times with lightning speed. The fourth is a sea serpent parodying Leviathan named Bakunawa and his signature attack is a tsunami named Poseidon's Divide. The fifth and her most powerful parodying Bahamut is a bipedal white dragon (his white appearance has elements of Mikhail from Drakengard 3 and Bahamut ZERO (Final Fantasy Type-0) and has the same roars from the Blue-Eyes White Dragon) named Y Ddraig Wen, the dragon's signature attack is Metatron Flare.). Her name is Vera (Which the name was used back in D-Reaper's Fury).
3.) An anthropomorphic rhinoceros knight that's part of the Beastmen in tributing Steiner (FFIX). He has a wife in tributing Beatrix (FFIX). His name is Bruton.
4.) An anthropomorphic tokay gecko mercenary that's part of the Lizardfolk in tributing Amarant (FFIX). He holds a twig in the side of its mouth almost always. His personality is also reminiscent of Iwai if he imagined he existed in a fantasy world. His name is James.
5.) A young spunky humanoid bluebird girl white mage that's part of the Simurgh in tributing Eiko (FFIX). Her (and her mother's) wings are attached to her arms like a harpy. She is the daughter of Phụng (meaning Salia can harness his fire powers) and Aoi (why Salia is a half-bluebird and where she got her spunky personality and hair/feather/eye colors from). Her name is Salia.
6.) A swordfish mermaid of the Devonians in tributing Freya (FFIX). Her name is Nerea.
7.) An anthropomorphic wood frog obese chef that's part of the Amphibimen in tributing Quina (FFIX). Zir name is Crapaud.
8.) A young anthropomorphic black ant boy black mage that's part of the Inverte-Legion in tributing Vivi (FFIX). His name is Oliver.
Adikia (long hairstyle and hair color is mauve with silver streaks, eye colors are lilac) was originally an Alfoi with fair skin like a Light Elf, but her jealousy (it loosely references Quedesha from Cornerverse, so elements of being a corrupted light elf are finally used in a canon story anyway except there's no ancestor/descendant relations this time from Adikia, unlike Ellen/Quedesha. She once attempted to have her way with Astraea before she and Dike drove Adikia off) which led to her using dark magic in becoming an eldritch dark guardian monster (in the same group as Vera's guardian summons) for her attempted revenge before being slain. While Cain is a tragic villain, Adikia is a Complete Monster. Adikia's now monster form appearance is based on Myriafrom the Breath of Fire series, her upper half is based on Myria's xenomorph alien like appearance from the first Breath of Fire (except no snake heads on her bottom half) alongside Zeromus (FFIV), while her lower half of her body is based Myria's transformed state in Breath of Fire III (except no snake body and tail, Adikia's original Alfoi body is seen in-between her bottom and top monster body like the monster's heart/core, and the wings are alien natured with elements of Deathguise from FFIX (alongside having its insect-like legs and the bottom half is shaped like a manta ray's) instead of feathered), her monster form also has both the appearance and power/ability elements (the alien aspects, not the plant aspects) of the Xenian Flower Queen from Shinnen (Yes, we're going to finally use appearance traits from her in a canon story to help describe her, since I remember you first bring the Xenian Flower Queen that surprise me, using her appearance inspiration for Adikia in a canon story outside of Cornerverse). Her alien-like powers also remind me of Moro (and to a certain extent of Moromon in Ascendancy) from DB Super while the Alfoi Goddesses opposing Adikia is reminded of the Grand Supreme Kai. Her roars/sound effects are from the Xenomorph Queen and Destoroyah.
The Journeys did have their adventures taking place before the conflict with Cain's forces: Like exploring towns/cities/dungeons interacting with people and fighting monsters (One of the first bestiaries that the party fought in Alf-Phantasy (like starting monsters seen in first/beginner levels of RPG/JRPG) are named Rompo.) like any role-playing game journey. Another of their quest is that the Journeys encounter/interacted with a clan of succubi and incubi that are humanoid bats of part of the Beastmen, the king of the incubi is named Camazotz and the queen of the succubi (and Camazotz's wife) is named Leutogi. Another of their quests is encountering/interacting with humanoid bees (part of the Inverte-Legion) with their queen named Austėja. Obviously, it mentions how the Journeys recruited the five summons (such as fighting them to prove their strength for the guardians to join the party) that Vera uses of her as a summoner.
Another backstory is that Tsubasa also had two old friends (that are deities like Tsubasa, these three are part of a deity race called the Watchers) as a trio named Aion and Cybele (Aion is based on Shulk, while Cybele is based on Fiora. Aion and Cybele are a couple and married. Aion's weapon is a legendary sword called the Century Caliburn, which loosely tributes to one of the three Imperial Regalias of Japan (Kusanagi no Tsurugi). Cybele's weapon is a magical mirror called the Magna Mīrus, which loosely tributes to one of the three Imperial Regalias of Japan (Yata no Kagami).). The Watcher trio, the Alfoi Goddesses, and the Tứ Linh have fought and defeated a dangerous villainous deity that threatened Alf-Phantasy (Happening around the time when after Adikia fought the Alfoi Goddesses before being slain, so Adikia is the first main villain to be fought before Xemiurge's tale as the second main villain is shown.) named Xemiurge (Name combines 'X' and 'Demiurge'. He is loosely based on Grand Xeed (Making it the first time a villain based on him is explored outside of DF/DFK), Zanza (Xenoblade Chronicles), and Hearts (Dragon Ball, the closest to a canon character loosely based on Zeed X); making Aion loosely tribute Century X and Ryo's predecessors of being explored outside of DF/DFK) who is also a Complete Monster, taking place around the time before Zachary, Vera, Salia, and Oliver are born.
Xemiurge is the most powerful antagonist of the Alf-Phantasy dimension (And one of the most powerful beings in the Akane no Mai franchise, specifically in his prime), he is actually the last of a race of time demons called the Laplace (a name loosely based on Laplace's demon), they live in a distant/far-off planet named Zurvan until Xemiurge's influences destroyed his homeworld and literally the planet is blown up) in which Xemiurge is clearly the one that killed and absorbed the elders (two of the elders are named Ormazd and Ahriman), causing the race's ideals and lack of handling a government to clash in a civil war and decimation of Xemiurge's planet) for power and knowledge (Loosely based on how Xeed rebelled and absorbed the elders for his race to be wiped out. While CG has the race simply named Time Demons, Alf-Phantasy gives a race based on them an actual name (the Laplace). Unlike Xeed and his reincarnations like Zeed X, Xemiurge does not have the ability of reincarnation/regenerative life cycles, Xemiurge also does not change faces unlike Zeed X.), Xemiurge also has a transformed state called Ultima Knowledge (relating to the villain's desire to seek ultimate power and knowledge and to overthrow Deus, alongside back in his early life that he was denied by the elders of gaining access to books containing knowledge beyond their mental capabilities before taking matters to his own hands). Cain has an anthropomorphic bonobo Similock wife (who was pregnant with a son) who is killed by Xemiurge's rampage in the last stages of the villain's attempt to overthrow Deus (to expand that; Romulus, Cain, and Cain's wife (named Awan) in their younger adventure years (and relating to how Cain used to be more idealistic and not hostile towards the Alfoi) team up with the Watchers/Alfoi Goddesses/the Tứ Linh in fighting Xemiurge. Unlike Charon who killed Cain (YYGDM-01/Shin-YYGDM)'s wife without him knowing who's responsible until DoC (and Shin-YYGDM's final arc), Xemiurge killed Cain (Alf-Phantasy)'s wife more directly with Cain personally witnessed.), which is another factor of his vengeance besides his opposition towards the Alfoi, Cain's unborn deceased son would have named him Enoch (Which is relating to another factor of why he pilots his giant magitek robot named the Thousand Enoch of relating to avenging his family). Xemiurge used to have a scar on his face back then, but after absorbing the elders, his scar is permanently removed. Then coming full circle, Xemiurge would, later on, give Cain a scar (for sharing the same hatred legacy which would lead to Cain being corrupted by the YM) from the same attack that killed his wife.
Xemiurge's desire to seek ultimate power and knowledge, his endgame back then is to seek the core of the Alf-Phantasy universe and overthrow the God/Creator of the universe simply named Deus (Meaning this god/creator of the universe is loosely based on the Overseer of your fanfic omniverse, and the core (and Deus himself) is loosely based on the Source. Deus's appearance is simply a formless void of white light, the same appearance used for the Overseer in your fanfic omniverse, his voice actor is KaiserNeko. Unlike Zeed X that he didn't confront the Overseer in person, Xemiurge has finally met Deus directly in attempting to overthrow him in the last stages of his endgame only to be thwarted and slain by his enemies.) so that he can become the omnipotent ruler of the universe in being the new God and spread his influence and control throughout the multiverse/omniverse. The location of Deus, which is the name of the Alf-Phantasy universe's core, is named Ein Sof.
Xemiurge's hair color is Platinum Blond with prismatic rainbow streaks (Base), Grayish White with prismatic rainbow streaks (Ultima Knowledge). His hairstyle is like Gilgamesh (Fate series) and Hearts's Ultimate Godslayer form. His eye color: Royal Yellow with prismatic irises. He is voiced by David Vincent (Voice is Gilgamesh from the Fate series) (Base), Michael Emerson (Ultima Knowledge) (For Zeed X's voice to 'return' for a character based on him) His clothing and colors in his base form have prismatic features, it's like a fusion of Grand Xeed's armor and Zanza (base form)'s attire. Clothing design and colors (Ultima Knowledge) in his transformed attire besides retaining the prismatic features is a combination of Zanza's final form and Hearts's Ultimate Godslayer form. His (and the Laplace race) skin color in his base form is lavender (Tributing how Xeed and the Time Demons of CG have purple skin and yellow eyes). His skin color in his Ultima Knowledge form is pale white with prismatic features. Xemiurge can summon 3D Xemiurge faces for trolling moments (tributing these 3D Zeed X faces back in Ascendancy).
Tsubasa is a mentor figure to Zachary like X/Max towards Tai. It is revealed that Zachary is the reincarnation of Cain's unborn son (Meaning Cain would be shocked to find out his 'son' is born as a different person, of course, the YM forces and corrupts him in attempting to kill him). Y Ddraig Wen's original summoner is Cain back in his younger years (And a furious Cain screaming in bold/capitalized/italics (connecting to his Koba-like breakdown when fighting the Journeys years later) would summon the dragon again to attack Xemiurge upon his wife's death) before the Similock seals away his power after his wife's death and quits being an adventurer, years have passed and that Vera would then gain the ability to summon the white dragon (and would later use to fight Cain and his robot). This brings more personal confrontations between Cain and Zachary/Vera beside Zachary/Vera's proposal of marriage. It's like making a version of Koba more outright sympathetic than the actual character.
The Journeys are Cain's main opposition (after Romulus is slain) like the YYGDM-01/Shin-YYGDM founders fighting their Cains in the final battle. Xanadu is also the place of the final confrontation against Cain's forces, and the 'final dungeon' for the Journeys' adventures. Xemiurge is also revived by the YM/Cain (In having the villainous deity distract the Watcher's group to not have them interfere with Cain's business. Normally Cain would have not revived the deity that killed his wife and their unborn child, but it's because of the YM that corrupted Cain into doing this and not his own free will. Also, being revived by the Yami Matter makes Xemiurge's strength weakened and completely nerfed; like he's still powerful and retains his Ultima Knowledge form, but not in his prime enough to threaten the Alf-Phantasy universe (and the multiverse/omniverse) due to the YM's side-effects.) besides Adikia (That Xemiurge and Adikia meet and team up for the first time while siding with Cain, though obviously they have self-interests (such as Xemiurge's plans to regain his prime strength and removing the YM effects from him) and do not ally with Cain.) during the conflict with Cain, and of course, Xemiurge is killed again just before the YM destroys the universe. Adikia is killed again by the elven goddesses at the same time as Cain is killed, just before the YM destroys the dimension. For fighting Zachary's group, Cain pilots a colossal Magitek robot in tributing SOUJA-Cain (YYGDM-01/Shin-YYGDM) and appearance also has elements of Ark (FFIX) as a robot summon and the Giant of Babil (FFIV). The name of Cain's robot is the Thousand Enoch, which the name of Enoch is based on Cain's son in the Book of Genesis original source. Cain also suffers a horrifying breakdown (like Koba's crazed insanity and making chimpanzee/bonobo sounds/screeches of being completely different from Cain (YYGDM-01 and Shin-YYGDM)'s breakdown) as he and his robot are about to be defeated before he's killed and cured of the YM (alongside Cain being freed of the darkness genuinely shows remorse and guilt of his actions of being used by the darkness).
A/N: Two to three years ago, this was originally intended to be incorporated into the Elven Princessess' (Nadia and Anastasia) backstory later in Akane no Mai and was going to be told in flashbacks. However, that idea's been scrapped. That said, we didn't want to shelve it without showing what was conceptualized.
As a result, and now joining Pokémon Nótturne, it was decided Alf-Fantasy would be an anthology concept that is linked to Akane no Mai since the Yami Matter is involved.
Here are what I shared with Ford's Alf-Fantasy concept: Alf-Phantasy is a good title for this dimension. I can already see this one requires more work and research since this is crafting a full fantasy dimension that's not tied to any Earth-based mythology and religion. I am impressed with the amount of time to create not just a cast of characters (and paying homage to D&D/RPG/J-RPG teams), but a whole set of different race species based on the real world animal kingdom (minus the Alfoi since they're based on fantastical elven and some others. Now, we have the names of the original Elven Goddesses whose remnants would later create Anastasia and Nadia. I see, their names are Astraea and Dike, both named after the Greek figures. I find it intriguing the Alfoi's main opposition are primate people, further reinforces the fact that true humans not only are not involved in the conflict, but don't exist in Alf-Phantasy.)
By his admission, Alf-Fantasy is Ford's least favorite of four AnM-related anthology stories. Although, I like the idea of a JRPG story featuring a fully anthropomorphic cast. Not to let this go to waste, this has been included in AnM's Supplementary Material section. There are no plans to utilize these characters in AnM, so thoughts on Alf-Fantasy?