Letter Bee

Blood Reigns Over Westeros: A Song of Ice & Fire Story (Accepting Player Proposals)

Withdrawing my application for House Martell once more.

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

<Snipped quote by Letter Bee>

If it involves taking Hakim's little test then I'll pass.

@Double

Sorry.

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

((Collab post between Letter Bee and WXer))

There were wooden, padded, and blunted weapons on the racks, but Giorgios just took up another shield. Facing Lukas, the heavily-muscled eighteen-year old said, "I have all I need."

The shields would glow with a faint, almost certainly supernatural light...

The keyblader would grab the first wooden sword from the closest rack, quickly turning his attention to his sparring partner afterwards. "Then I choose Holzschwert here. En garde!" Lukaz would exclaim, doing a running lunge towards Giorgios with a drunken swagger. His aim was naturally drawn towards the light of the shield, almost like a moth to the flame.

As the wooden blade struck the shield, Lukas would feel the force of the blow magically bounce back from the enchanted item, causing a shockwave that would hit him and deal the same force he had struck with. Girogios then took up a protective stance, saying, "Sorry about that; I was assuming magic was allowed."

"All's fair in war, Sir Kyrios." Lukaz would state with a smirk on his face. This brief pause gave certain insight to the fiery fencer, concluding that if he merely stopped attacking then surely the shield could not reflect his force. But that wasn't the point of the duel. With the same initiative, Lukaz would aim high in the hopes of bypassing the shield and knock a few bells off of Giorgious' helm. However, the blows would be quick yet soft for a sweep aimed at the legs would soon follow after, hoping the shield was raised high enough that they couldn't protect the opponent's lower body.

Giorgios took the second shield for a reason; one to protect his upper body and head, the second to protect his lower body. Both shields glowed with the same reflective magic that would bounce back the damage to Lukas, but it was quite clear the shieldbearer's dexterity had been tested. The next words from him were, "Better than before. But an eighteen-year old isn't granted magical shields when he doesn't know how to use them."

A soft 'Hyuk' esaped his throat. "Oh, sorry about that; Damianos says it's a 'verbal tic' or something."

"Think not a second thought of it, shieldbearer. I'd say you have quite the storied career ahead of you considering your skill and age." Lukaz would state before switching the wooden sword to his left hand. He was now about to pull out more tricks than just fancy swordwork. The Ghostrock Gauntlet on his right hand started to glow before exhaling a fog of smoke directed at Giorgios, as he hoped to get the element of surprise on him. Instead of a strike from his sword though, Lukaz attempted to grapple his opponent in a headlock.

The sound of both shields dropping would be the first clue that Giorgios has figured out his ploy. The second clue would be Lukas finding himself grappled back in close-quarters wrestling, with Girogios proving to be just as strong as he was, and well-aware of the principle of leverage and using said principle to position himself in a way that made the best use of his strength...

As both men were stuck in their grapple holds, a feeling of uneasiness rose back from Lukaz's guts. "We... seem to find ourselves in a predicament, Giorgios." he would state just before throwing up towards his opponent. This wasn't the trick he had in mind but he'd take it, hoping that the locks of strength would loosen up to accomodate the situation.

Girogios closed his eyes, but his grapple was broken and he was forced to stagger back. His shields began floating back towards his hands even as he blinked out the vomit. Regaining his composure, he attacked; throwing one shield, then the other, then having the first thrown shield return to his hand. The young man was cutting loose.

Lukaz threw the sparring sword at the first shield, hoping to change its trajectory while attempting to catch the second shield in mid air with a punch from his gauntlet. His aim might have been impaired but he was still standing, barely. He couldn't tell if shields were suppose to do that, but if he was getting tested for eye-hand coordination then perhaps it was time to return it in kind. "Sir Giorgios. How fast is your shield and how lucky do you feel?"

The shields would reflect their force back onto Lukas' body when they were hit, and as they returned to Giorgios' side, the soldier would say: "To both questions? Very."

"Then I call an ace high!" exclaimed Lukaz, pulling his pistol from his holster. Faster than his earlier sprints, he would run and gun towards Giorgios. However, all the shots would miss as they flew by his target's head as the deputy was careful not to hit anything vital. These were all warning shots to flinch his opponent as the big finisher was coming. Lukaz was tough and drunk enough to take a punch to the face while his fellow fighter was surely formidable. So, as he came close to Giorgios, a straight jab from a full powered Ghostrock Gauntlet landed squarely on his shield. A shockwave of power eminated from the impact which would have crushed Lukaz's arm if it wasn't already protected.

One shield parried the shots, another shield would parry the Ghostrock Gauntlet. However, only the Gauntlet's blow would be reflected back onto Lukas' body, while the gunshots would be bounced back to a random training dummy. Giorgios smiled at that, and said, his face still covered with vomit: "Draw."

Lukaz was worn out from the fight but glad that he could keep up. After all, it's been a while since someone actually gave him a run for his money. "Now, I suppose someone else can take a go if they want." he would state, before taking a seat on the training hall's floor.

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

Wake me when the plot happens.

@Double

I can make some plot for you if you want...

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

@WXer, Tell me when you can collab.

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

"Well, young Lilliana," Giorgios Kyros said, even though he was only one year older than her, "That's what Damianos Sardis can teach; he's a Wizard and my best friend." He would then give a slight bow to Lukas. "Have you come here for a spar as well? The young lady has actually expressed a preference for wizardy, meaning that my best friend will have to be the one to spar with her."

Finally, Alex arrived at the scene with his own questions; the reply was, "Either would do; fighting me or each other."

~~~~~

Damianos Sardis smiled at Seth's words. "You're welcome to what help we can provide. Either way, I think my presence is needed elsewhere; Wizard's intuition."

And with that, he would go to where Giorgios, Lilliana, Lukas, and Alex were, saying once he arrived; "So, is a Wizard needed anywhere?"

@Rai@The 42nd Gecko@Rex@WXer@Double@Gentlemanvaultboy@Drifting Pollen

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

@Rex, @Rai, your turns.

Royal Rumble!

Will be on hiatus in the next few days.

Royal Rumble!

((Part 5 of the Collab between Scarifar, Letter Bee, CavnderOHeart, and RoflsMazoy.))

Alexander walked towards Ascot and pinched his left ear, saying, "This is why getting all the details right is important, especially historical details! Jumping to conclusions will just destroy the story, little bro!" A frown. "But aside from that, you actually did well; more than I expected. I'm...actually proud of you, Little Bro."

Ascot nodded, before he frowned once more. "I am going to need to apologize to St. Laurel if he is alive. More importantly, it seems the Ancient Evil is the true threat, and its potential anchor in the form of Mephisto; as our God said, there are things beyond deities."

He thought of Vittorio, the potential pawn of Mephisto, who served the Ancient Evil who had killed his friends in the first place. He then looked at the God of Stories once more, and asked: "I am physically tired, I am physically weary, and Samoth cannot keep the students of St. Laurel's delayed for too long. But I must continue." A pause for breath. "What God governs the province of Ressurection? What are the circumstances where the dead can be brought back to life?"

"None," The God of Stories said. "The God of Death makes sure of death's finality in this dimension, but for the Ancient Evil the energy of the dead often remains, albeit without an ego. However, it would've been a trifling matter for the demon Mephisto to obtain immortality in their dimension, why he would not do so... Well, I suppose there would be reasons."

Ascot saw a potential possibility. "Then Mephisto could have committed some shenanigans with his energy, impreganting a woman with said energy, or otherwise reincarnating. But I speak not just of him alone; I speak of four people killed by the Ancient Evil. Are those killed by Demons bound by the rules of the dimension they died in, this one? Or are they bound by the dimension of their killers?"

More words, "As for the God of Death, I find it strange that he would bless Clara Deimos Edrigan and validate her contracts; this despite the fact that she is Mephisto's adoptive daugther."

"The souls of demonkind and the souls of humankind are bound to their dimension intrinsically. The souls of humankind cannot be taken by Demonkind, however if they are killed on the other side their soul will linger until brought here." The God of Stories said. "As for The God of Death's blessing, it was with her before she was Mephisto's daughter. We gods do not rescind our blessings. The God of Death especially, who treats all life equally, even for Demons. He was one of the few who were indifferent to the war. Thus, if you were to confirm that Mephisto is the very same person as in legend, he would not stop the other gods from coming to strike him down."

As the God of Stories spoke, Michael never stopped typing on his cell phone. There was much to be learned here. Yet even with all this information to be gathered, there was still something missing. A purpose. Michael interjected, "Ascot. All this information is nice, but... what's the end goal here? What, exactly, are we going to accomplish by gathering all this info? I can't see all that much practical use for what this God of Stories has given us."

Ascot looked at Michael, and said, looking down at the ground, "My goal was originally to get Alto and Clara together, then it was to find out who Mephisto is, then it was to try and see if Vittorio can be redeemed from his path of vengance and cast aside all hate for Alto. Then after that, it was to find out who Mephisto was again and how to defeat him. But I am tired, Michael, I am tired of following empty lead after empty lead, all the while as the conflict between St. Laurel's and Mephisto's continues. Which is probably the real answer to the questions; I want to end this war or at least the most tragic aspects of it."

"If you are tired, then go to sleep, William. There are others who could take your tasks, others who could bear your responsibilities." The God of Stories said, getting up from the altar. "This is something you have only taken upon yourself. It will end with or without you."

"This is no foggy road you walk on, this is only a forked path. If you do not think yourself strong enough to cut through the thorns, then do as your duty would have you do and watch. But do not presume that to write history is an easy task. It is one of the hardest of all."

"This is something many of your ancestors learned the hard way. Some have even called my blessings cursed, to have so much power and yet to be unable to see the road to its end. But like you, they only brought it upon themselves.

"If you cannot bear the burden of your own creation, then let it fall."

"Perhaps," spoke Ascot. "Perhaps I should. But today...I do what I can." A smile. "Thank you anyway."

Sensing that things were beginning to end, Michael put away his phone, then bowed his head towards the God of Stories in reverence. Looking back at Ascot, Michael allowed himself an amused smirk and asked, "Getting Alto and Clara together? That was your initial goal?"

A yawn from Ascot. "Yes. It seemed like a good story, and I was genuinely 'shipping' the two; they look cute."

He then stepped forward, but was now swaying from exhaustion. He and Vernon will have to go to their homes soon.

"I suppose we have been out for a while now," Michael said, noting Ascot's fatigue. "We should be getting back home. I can probably just call a cab or something. Maybe your brother could even drop me off."

"If all is said and done, I will take my leave," The God of Stories said. He walked behind another pillar, too thin to hide his form, and vanished.

"Farewell," said Ascot as Alexander, Christine accompanying him, prepared to leave...

Royal Rumble!

((Part 4 of the Collab between Scarifar, Letter Bee, CavnderOHeart, and RoflsMazoy.))

Timeskip

The Secret Temple of the God of Stories was maintained just underneath a Gunsmith's Workshop ran by Arthuria and Shiro Ascot, whom Alexander and William had greeted warmly before revealing the purpose of the summoning. And so the group now found themselves inside a hollow cavern where runes and script from the great epics of old were engraved on the walls. There was an altar at the end of the crude hall, a small altar that can be used to call forth the God of Stories, if needed. The summoning would be done by reading from the Grimorie of Correspondence, a book that was physically chained to the altar. And so, Ascot went to said Altar and read from the Grimorie, before loudly proclaiming his questions as per the ritual:

"God of Stories, we ask you these three questions: One, which God or Goddess was the most likely to have given Vernon Gire Jester his powers? Two, how many blessings did Humanity's presumed betrayer, Mephisto, have as his gifts? And three; we wish to know; who can be so powerful as to need the help of multiple Gods, Goddesses, and Champions to strike them down and only temporarily?" The boy paused, knowing that he was about to speak blashphemy, not quite against the Gods, but rather to his peers and friends.

"I know of only one such person, the most powerful and well-known Gifted ever to exist. But how can he have betrayed us? Or is there someone more powerful than St. Laurel?" Ascot instinctively shuddered as his secret suspicions were finally voiced.

The God of Stories manifested within the temple from behind a pillar. One would think the entrance of a God would be more glorious, especially the God of Stories. At once it had been so, during humanity's fight against the ancient evil. There were more stories of heroism in those days than any other, and the God of Stories had been like a shining beacon of glory.

But now, the God of Stories represented the nature of history as it currently was. Long gone were the days of the Ancient Evil, and now the stories of true heroism were outweighed by the billions of stories of mundane life that humans lived. As the Gods withdrew influence from human life, the God of Stories' form changed to reflect his changing role. No longer a writer of history, but now a watcher.

He took the form of an hooded figure. Unassuming at a glance, his grey cloak blending right into the stone of the temple.

"The Blessing bestowed upon Vernon Gyre Jester is a blessing from the Goddess of Winter. It is not just a blessing of snow and ice, as you may have noticed. His soul is like winter itself, and he was given the ability to spread his influence to others in such a manner." The God said. "It is a very interesting blessing to be sure, but your next question is quite the interesting one itself, William."

([@CavnedrOHeart], last word's on you for your power thing by the way, tell me if you don't agree with it)

The God of Stories sat down on the temple's altar. It looked as if the next answer would be a long one.

"I know you speak of the being known as Mephisto. He struck down the one who had bestowed his blessing and everyone who had known him, before vanishing into the dimension the Ancient Evil resides in." The God of Stories explained. "He, and Laurel of Victory, were two different people. He enacted his betrayal some time after Laurel had vanished, but before that point he was just another human.

"To understand him, you must understand why we banded together against the Ancient Evil. The Ancient Evil are beings not from our dimension. They have the ability to enter into our dimension by anchoring themselves to it. Their full power is not unequal to us, but we would not truly lose if we Gods were to battle them.

"However, they do not belong here. To scrub their anchors from this dimension's soil, to cleanse their presence from the world entirely, the gods banded together to protect their creations.

"The man known as Mephisto from antiquity was blessed no more than any other human. He wanted more, and so gave up the blessings of the Gods in return for powers from the Ancient Evil.

"He betrayed his Demon Lords to retain his power, and then betrayed humanity and left to enter the other Dimension. Your investigation is concerned with whether the man named Mephisto now is that same man, and the answer is; perhaps.

"This man Mephisto has not received our blessings. However, from birth until now we have seen him, and he is after all a man. We have seen his mind and actions, there was no sudden or drastic change. No interference from the other Dimension. He was named Mephisto at birth, and he has walked with his own two feet to become the man he is now.

"But you must still remain cautious. The eyes of the Gods are not omnipotent, and though we drove the Evil from our plane, and they fought with all they had, we do not know the extent of their powers. Just as our ways are beyond them, their ways are beyond us in equal measure."