#maplestory heroes of maple

[tastycitrus]

kinesis's entire thing is kind of hilarious to think about

first off, nexon intended for him to be, like, way more popular than he ended up being—they basically tried to design him to become more popular than phantom, the most popular character at the time, and he was advertised as being "your new favorite character." it didn't pan out because the class ended up not being liked on release in KMS

to go with this, kinesis was supposed to play a part in heroes of maple, hence why there's the segment where the heroes go to friends world to retrieve the transcendence abyssal stone, but since the reception to his class was so poor, they ended up writing him out of the story. i haven't played it, but apparently the maplestory m version of heroes of maple features his inclusion in the story that didn't make it into the original release where he uses his powers to prevent abraxas from crashing into seoul, and while the rewritten heroes of maple still doesn't include him, it does hint that kinesis was still involved in making sure abraxas landed "safely"

kinesis's storyline originally, explicitly took place after black heaven, hence why he doesn't have his own cutscene in act 2. the problem with this though is that the storyline has since established that black heaven is where the player character becomes the adversary via the seal stone being used to save their life, which is integral to the arcane river storyline and beyond, so technically it should be impossible for kinesis to be the adversary

even the premise is funny to think about. yeah you know the mushroom game where the setting is a fantasy world filled with magic and monsters? here's a class that comes from the high school AU we just introduced. and they proceed to just leave it like that, pretty much

[uber-the-sky-kid-primary]

With the new update and the changes for Heroes of Maple, I have one thing to say…

*deep intake*

*gestures towards both Phantom and Luminous*

YOUR HONOR: THEY ARE BROTHERS.

They literally act like siblings would.

[eorzeashan]

Reverse City spoilers but this guy owns my Mihile's whole ass. He doesn't even have a face but he moved me in this story so much. Sad author guy who put his entire soul into his books but also needed the courage of another human being to have the will to live. Kind of boring in his own way but he was so cool-- 'we're all sad lonely pathetic outcasts who want to see our next sunset' theme got me ok

Not to mention there's something really intriguing about isekai'ing a guy from the normal world to this alien one while the PC is from a fantasy world, so you're technically both isekai protags but reversed as well

[nekooru]

Could I request some headcanons of how each of the heroes of maple would cheer you up when you’re sad?

Am I doing this right?

₊ ☾⋆ maplestory heroes hcs pt. 1 ⋆⁺₊⋆

freud. mercedes. aran. phantom. lumi. evan. shade. x reader

synopsis: the heroes of maple discover you're upset and comfort you to the best of their individual ability.

tags: slight drabble headcanons, individual pairings, fluff, comfort, maplestory, heroes of maple

wc: 1243

a/n: hi new friend!!! ty for the request, u did absolutely perfect <3 hope u enjoy ! 🥰

freud

Freud hums behind you, and lowers his chin to rest on your shoulder. You glance at him as he stares, blue eyes half-lidded, at you.

"Oh, come now. What's wrong? I can tell something is weighing on you."

You smile and sigh. Nothing ever gets past him, and you're not quite sure why, although you suspect something magical. Freud could be sly like that, but perhaps he just paid more attention to the smaller details than you thought.

After you explain, he nods and looks you up and down. With a brief word of comfort, Freud will gather you in his arms and take you to bed. He knows exactly what makes you feel better, which is his worship and undivided attention as you nestle into him arms— which, in your opinion, is the safest place in the world.

In the coming days, Freud will neglect his studies to pay special attention to you until he's absolutely sure that you're in better spirits.

mercedes

Mercedes is thoughtful, but insecure of herself; she's hyperaware of your emotions, and sometimes convinces herself that you're upset because she did something wrong, when you're really lost in thought or something.

You're patient with her, and are sure to mention feeling down as soon as it comes to mind. You know how she struggles with overthinking when you allow yourself to fester in your sadness alone.

Mercedes will spoil you senseless, (moreso than her usual love language of service,) and demand for you to remain in your comfort zone, wherever that may be. She'll arrange her luscious pillows into your preferred angle to rest on, and run a warm bath full of floral essences and fresh, powdery pink blossoms. She'll try her best to prepare your comfort food, braid your hair, and rub dew-crafted toner into every inch of your skin.

At the end of the day, your limbs lie intertwined with hers under the covers, and you whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears.

aran

Although "emotionally intelligent" wouldn't be the first words anyone would use to describe Aran, she isn't oblivious by any means. A change in voice tone or energy levels will prompt her to ask if you're upset, and sometimes she hits the mark, but not every time.

When you're sad, Aran comes behind you and wraps her arms around your waist, laying hungry kisses down your neck and along your shoulder. You giggle, and for a few moments, she squeezes so tightly that you can barely breathe.

After that, she asks if you'd like to take a walk outside. It's good for you, mentally and physically, she says. You oblige, talking back and forth until your mind is solely on her instead of whatever was bothering you.

Her hand always finds a way to intertwine with yours. You smile; you know you're never alone as long as she's near.

phantom

Phantom is perceptive even to the most subtle changes in expression from your norm— it's nigh impossible to hide your feelings from him.

When he realizes you're feeling down, he turns the charm dial up to max and begins to envelop you in the prettiest words and promises, all the while running his hands over your form or engaging in a playfully romantic dance.

"My love, let us sail through the stars in whichever direction you fancy, as I beg on my knees to feel the skin on your knuckles at my lips. The Master Thief, Phantom, is at your beck and call; tell me of the most expensive jewel you desire— or the prettiest, of course— and it will be yours before the moon glows radiant at the top of the world tonight."

You think he's rather ridiculous, but his boyish grin and melodramatic tendencies never fail to put a smile on your face before you realize it.

At some point, Phantom would have opted for a more cool and distant playboy approach, but he's now forever aware of how time can elude him. He would rather cherish these moments and never regret missing an opportunity to make you happy, for humans are fragile and everything could change in a second.

lumi

As a practically born researcher, Luminous has spent his entire life studying an array of physical and metaphysical components, mostly of magical origin. Out of every ounce of knowledge filed away in his mind, he's proud to say that his fondest subject is you.

His eyes narrow as he observes the quiver in your lip. The heightened speed at which you flip the page of your book, and the way your irises, frequently and slowly, wander until you pull your attention back.

It's always clear to him— he knows you far better than he knows himself, at this point.

He carefully sits next you, slowly, as if he were afraid you would be spooked and subsequently hide away. Without a word, his hands find themselves at the small of your back and gently tangled in your hair. He waits for you to lean into him. And you do.

Luminous is a quiet individual, but you sense the significance of care in his tender, calculated, and somewhat maternal touches. He places light kisses at the corners of your eyes, and pets your hair lovingly. His heart paces faster as you melt further into the embrace.

evan

Evan usually doesn't realize when you're upset unless your expression is visibly distraught, or you explain in words. His denseness occasionally frustrates you, but for the most part, his carefree attitude and optimism is something you appreciate as encouragement to persevere.

When he realizes you're upset, panic quickly sets in. He'll wrap his arms around you tightly, bury his nose in your neck and apologize, before exclaiming, I'll be right back!

He scurries off to convene with Mir briefly and brainstorm ways to cheer you up.

"Mir, what do I do? I can't bear seeing them so sad! How do we cheer them up?"

"Hmm. I could set you on fire! I think that'll make them laugh," Mir replies, pulling back his snout into a mischievous smile.

Evan pouts and puts a thumb to his chin. "No, their sense of humor isn't as cruel as yours."

When he realizes he's left you alone for a bit too long, he sprints back, trembling, and hugs you again. Evan clutches you tightly, and Mir carefully rubs his side against your back. Evan doesn't know exactly what to do to cheer you up, but he'll try his best to comfort and serve you for the time being, and encourages you to let him know if something specific will improve your mood.

shade

Shade will ease you into talking about anything that's bothering you, oftentimes before you even realize you're bothered. He seems to be particularly skillful at rousing the feelings of others with a simple conversation, his intent listening, and careful responses that incite a deeper thinking.

He coos and clicks his tongue when you begin talking about your worries, and moves behind you. His hands brush against your shoulder, and glide onto your back, where his thumbs push circular motions against your taut muscles. He lays soft kisses against the back of your head while massaging you.

He'll ask if he can fetch anything for you, like a special blend of tea or a hot towel for your neck. Whatever your answer is, he'll kneel before you, take your hand in his, and stroke your knuckles with his thumb while he looks at you with doe eyes for a few moments.

"I was so lost before you came along," he says with a faint smile, "In far more ways than one. It brings me joy to be a beacon for you sometimes."

☾. like/reblog if you enjoyed the story !

masterlist: x

[novastardolphine]

[lawain-dimensional-heroes]

Okay, let me try this again without the mun option.

*- The arc is about Maroon being falsly accused and is running away from the 6 legendary heroes of Maple.

**- This arc can be either a separate arc or an arc or an arc that comes after the heroes of maple arc where Maroon ends up in Grandis and meeting Tear/Angelic Buster (for the first time).

[tearsofanova]

Okay, but for real, I am not going to move Tear yet to this blog or if at all depending on things.

For those new to this blog, this was originally been set up as an experiment blog to see if there was still interest brewing-- specifically when it comes to promos and the likes of that when it comes from canon muses compared to OCs or less recognizable canon muses.

I've also have made a March 7th blog before this one a little over...What? A week or two ago if not longer? It honestly showed that what I was wondering about was indeed TRUE.

75 followers on March 7th, compared to just a mere 16 followers, even though I still adore the 16 followers of mine even though most of you guys are ones I barely interact with nowadays.

I am not going to migrate her to this blog yet-- if anything, I am rather conflicted on if I should or shouldn't.

On one hand she's a Maplestory character with connections to a few of the muses on my blog maple-alliance. But on the other hand...I think I've expanded Tear/Angelic into so much more than just another maplestory muse on the roster. Hell, for those who follow me on my OC blog lawain-dimensional-heroes, she's got a whole other verse ready for her-- and seeing some of my mutuals making specific blogs for their own muses-- with me being one who has done that with March 7th I can actually see a genuine benefit to me using this blog for her, but if I do that, I don't think I can really do the whole having her friends and such be in her threads cause they're basically stuck on maple-alliance cause of their non guest muse status in that blog.

Sorry for the sudden ramble. I'm kind of unsure with Tear now regarding her being on this blog yes or no--

[lele37]

Can’t list everybody bc poll size is only 10 options :’(

Reply with your unlisted Valentine

[strooples]

At work, they started to play Christmas music for December and TBH this season always gives me nostalgia (what with the whole holiday feeling + winter atmosphere and aesthetics).

One of the songs that came on reminded me of the MapleStory BGM for Happyville! MapleStory was a game I used to play as a kid…

I came back and played for a few months about 2 years ago but it never quite felt the same. That, and some other stuff about how Nexon runs the game problematically really deterred me from staying despite the cool new classes & their storylikes (like okay, I LOVE Phantom and Shade/Eunwol — I loved the 6 Maple Heroes’ lore in general!!),

But oftentimes during this season of the year, something reminds me of how Happyville used to be available to the players back then throughout December. And I remembered the joy of turning on my computer screen, logging on to MS to go that happy snowy town, and hearing the music play as a kid.

It’s super silly, but that’s probably one of my most happy memories!! Things were so simple back then, and the holidays brought me more comfort + joy.

[starsrshiney]

More Crossovers I can't get out of my head but chances are I won't write longform prose of

MHA x MapleStory

(take note: that my for-sure knowledge of MHA only goes up to the Culture Festival, but I have some wiki-walk knowledge of afterwards)

BACKSTORY- how MHA world interacts with mapleworld.

Sometime before Izuku gets into late middle school (aka the jump off the roof scene doesn't happen), our little green bean is involved in a villain attack where said villain has the quirk of making people disappear.

Little did said villain know, by 'disappear' they mean 'send to another universe.' Izuku gets sent to Maple World.

Scenario 1- Izuku lands in Ereve, becomes a Cygnus Knight

Pretty much just as it says. Izuku lands in Ereve. The Cygnus Knights are wary for a bit, but quickly realize that Izuku is just a lost kid.

The Knights agree to help Izuku get home, and lo and behold, representatives from Izuku's world/ the Hero Public Safety Commission do find a way to contact Maple World (what with Maple world's wonky relationship with spacetime, its a wonder they didn't before.)

Except when the HPSC representatives find out that the only person from their world here is a Quirkless child, they tell Cygnus to keep him and go on their way.

No One Is Happy With That.

Some time after the reps leave, Izuku realizes that he can, in fact, manipulate Maple World's magic. (Could Alicia have done something to him [putting Izu's time in maple pre-kidnapping by Damien]? Perhaps. She is the Transcendent of Life and Was Also Not Happy with what she heard from Cygnus' rantings during their teatime.)

Now that he has power, Izuku is still determined to Help. He joins the Cygnus knights officially, becoming a Thunder Breaker (because OFA or no OFA, he still ends up a brawler with electric motifs.)

(Timeskip as Izuku grows as a knight, meeting other Maplestory characters who are a part of the Maple Alliance including but not limited to Evan, Hayato & Kanna, Kinesis, and Tear/ Angelic Buster)

When Izuku gets close to main MHA story age (post Alicia's kidnapping/ Cygnus' Awakening, probably even post Heroes Blockbuster) the HPSC reps make contact again. It turns out Maple World was the only alternate universe they could find and they've gotten to the point where they need to rescue someone or the public would riot. "Even the quirkless child."

Cygnus basically says "no, you said to keep him and we did. He adapted to our magic just fine and is a fine Knight now."

[The HPSC is nervous. This is not the little girl Empress they talked to last time.]

(Really, despite everything Izuku does want to go back, even if Cygnus and the chief knights think the only redeemable things about Izuku's world [that they've heard from Izuku's stories] are Izuku, his mother, and All Might [they've even convinced him to stop calling Bakugou 'Kacchan.'] But Cygnus is NOT sending him back without making sure some things go right for him. He put his all for Her and the other Knights, she will make sure she can respond to such loyalty.)

This goes back and forth for a while until Nedzu joins the calls and offers to give Izuku a spot at UA. The HPSC try to talk Nedzu down from this, still stuck on "Quirkless child" but Nedzu points out that they were told he has this new world's magic and has become a full fledged Knight, he sounds like he's already ahead of most normal first years.

Nedzu would also like to have some interdimensional chess games with Neinhart, but that's a side detail at the moment.

The HPSC grumble but agree to give him a test similar to the reccomendation exam, and Cygnus agrees to send Izuku back.

But she and other Knights do give him some Decorative Armor (cash shop equips) so he can look like a Pirate Hero when he does join UA (and even if the HPSC doubts he can pass their test, Cygnus and Chief Knights have no doubt)

(Insert HPSC dropping their jaws as their test is decimated by a kid who's making shark heads out of lightning. Izuku doesn't wear his new duds for this, as he figures he should look as basic as possible to maximize the contrast.)

Other notes:

During a meeting with Nedzu, Izuku asks if he can make sure their Earth isn't actually the future version Friend World. Nedzu confirms- there was never a sinkhole in Seoul and no reports of powers before Quirks.

Bakugou tries to pull the Deku card on Izuku when they meet up at UA. Izuku, now having healthy self esteem thanks to Cygnus and the Chief Knights, doesn't let that slide.

Being gone from Earth for a long time, Izuku gets introduced to underground heroes by Eraserhead (also only finds out about Eraserhead during day one) but is able to mentally equate it with how the Night Walker branch of the Cygnus Knights work- they move in the darkness to bring justice where light doesn't reach.

Despite not seeing Izuku in the trials (therefore not 'knowing he hurts himself') Eraserhead tries to erase Izu's 'quirk' during the ball toss, only to find out that his quirk doesn't do anything to Izu's Thunder Breaker magic.

Izuku officially debuts his Decorative Armor look during the beginning of the battle trials, when everyone else in the class debuts their looks.

Bakugou tries to target Izuku during the battle trials, only to get a face full of lightning shark and a gut full of lightning-that-moves-like water.

Izuku actually likens Bakugou to the Resistance's Blasters- some of who he's sparred with in the past with the Maple Alliance.

Fast forward to the USJ and we get another big change. When the villains invade, they bring not only the Nomu, but also a Xenoroid.

Guess who didn't die during the Black Heaven blockbuster and instead got isekai'd to MHA-Earth? Yep, Gellimer joins All for One and Dr Garaki as a mentor/ supplier for the League of Villains.

Izuku is Not Happy to see a Xenoroid on Earth. When Kurogiri comes to scatter the students, Izuku yell-asks where they got the Xenoroid from. Kurogiri is shocked that 'this student knows Doctor Gellimer's creation by name.' Izuku is Even More Not Happy that Gellimer is alive.

Kurogiri tries to scatter everyone, Izuku aims a Sea Wave at his metal brace, shocking him. Izuku/ Tsuyu/ Mineta get sent to the Flood Zone, but no one else (besides Bakugou and Kirishima, who attacked earlier) gets scattered due to Kurogiri not expecting that shock.

Izuku, still having access to his Inventory from Maple World, pops an Air Bubble from Aqua Road when he recognizes he's underwater. Shark-quirk guy gets lightning-shark punched.

Tsuyu pulls Izuku out of the water, the trio gets back to the mainland, Izuku goes straight for the Xenoroid.

Gellimer, watching through the Xenoroids eyes despite the jamming quirk, Is Not Happy seeing Cygnus Knight techniques being used on his Xenoroid. They should be back in Maple World, dammit.

Izuku's classmates (the ones who weren't teleported by Kurogiri anyway,) quickly see how much Izuku was holding back during the battle trials when he goes Full Knight on the Xenoroid. (He only used first and second-job skills during the trial, but goes third and not-fully-trained fourth-job skills against the Xenoroid.)

Eraserhead is Not Happy he did that, but Izuku makes his point that this is Maple World/ Cygnus Knight business.

Izuku even holds his own against the Nomu for a bit, because while it has shock absorption, that was more for kinetic-energy shock and not electric shock. Izuku likens it to fighting a Boss Monster. Also, being designed to kill All Might, it can barely touch Izuku and his 'electricity that flows like water' style of movement.

Note- holds his own, not beats. All Might still comes in for that.

Side fic idea- Midoriya explains Maple World Terms to the Class. Basically, during free periods someone asks about Mido's time in Maple World and Izuku explains how things work there. Topics include- the difference between Warrior/ Magician/ Bowman/ Thief/ Pirate fighting styles and why most heroes here on Earth would be considered Pirates (hand-to-hand fighting styles are Pirate fighting styles,) A breakdown of the different branches of the Cygnus Knights, an introduction to the Heroes of Maple World, The Resistance and why Bakugou would be a Blaster, etc. (Bonus points- Izuku says that by being the pirate branch, the Thunder Breakers are essentially the problem children of the Cygnus Knights. Eraserhead believes it.)

-----

Remember how I said crossoverS? Well, Thunder Breaker!Izuku is the most developed, but I did have other ideas

-----

Scenario 1.5- Izuku lands in Ereve, becomes Neinhart's disciple

Instead of becoming a Thunder Breaker, Neinhart takes note of Izuku's analytical mind and decides that its high time he took an apprentice. He still gets basic training with other knights, and ends up making a connection with all five of the Cygnus Knight Elemental Spirits. I forget the elemental spirits actual names atm, so I'm going with Soul/ Umbra/ Ignis/ Ventus/ Lightning.

This is basically a works-with-his-mind Izuku. "Mechanically" he would be like a mix of Shade and Lara, punching with spirit friends helping along. Highlights include

Battle Trial- Bakugou goes after Izuku. Izuku compares the gauntlets to Blaster weapons and has Ignis and Lightning go after the pins, while Soul, Umbra, and Ventus distract Bakugou. When Bakugou tries to do the big explosion, he find the pins were forcibly welded to the gauntlets.

Tokoyami/ Dark Shadow and Umbra friendship

-----

Scenario 2- Izuku lands on the Lumiere/ Crystal Garden, becomes Phantom's disciple Codename: Impeccable Memory, Immaculate Analysis

Post Lotus- possession/ talking to Aria's ghost, Phantom's short lived mental peace gets shattered when a kid from another world lands on his flying boat. He decides to drop the kid off at Ereve the next time they're in the area, but by the time that happens Phantom is too impressed by Izuku's analytical abilities and decides to train him as a successor.

During the Heroes Blockbuster, Luminous Is Not Happy to hear that Phantom has a disciple. Izuku is happy to have a friend his age in Evan.

Under Phantom's training, Izuku's analysis combined with Maple World Magic gives him the ability to copy/ "Steal" any ability he's analyzed enough of (though like Phantom he can only use so much at a time.) When he gets back to Earth its discovered that this ability applies even to Quirks.

Bakugou is Not Happy that "Deku" used his quirk to do the ball toss.

Iida is aghast that his engine could be copied during the dash test.

Monoma's hatred is aimed only at Izuku for doing the Phantom Thief thing like he is, except Izuku claims to be trained by a Phantom Thief named Phantom

-----

Scenario 3- Izuku lands in Edelstien, becomes a Wild Hunter

Honestly, this one is mostly for the gag of Eraserhead telling Izuku not to bring a Jaguar to class, only for Izuku to bring a different one next time. And then Eraserhead just giving up because the jaguars are tamer than most alley cats he feeds. Until Izuku needs to fight, of course.

Also a gag of Shigaraki sending the USJ nomu to attack the jaguar riding kid, but Izuku just seeing a boss monster out of the corner of his eye throws out a wall of drills that tears the nomu apart.

Shigaraki: How are you a hero? You tore my nomu apart with a wall of drills! I don't even know villains who do that!

-----

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

NEW SCENARIO WITH A NEW BACKSTORY-

Everyone knew Izuku was born Quirkless. What fewer people knew was that Inko was as well.

After all, her family's Telekinesis wasn't a quirk. Her ancestor had telekinesis since before the glowing baby was born.

They used to tell everyone that their power wasn't a Quirk, but stopped when they were accused of being part of the original Meta Liberation Army. But within the family they kept the knowledge of being descended from the hero that went to another world.

With her own grasp of telekinesis being so weak, Inko thought the power of her family has finally been exhausted when Izuku didn't show any signs of his own powers.

Until elementary school Izuku, emotional from being bullied, opens a new Sinkhole.

Scenario 4- Midoriya, Descendant of Kinesis

[evanelleonyx]

I read the word "MAPLE" before I processed the art, and my brain went "Oh, like the MapleStory Heroes, ha!" then the fact that this is, in fact, the Heroes as Slugcats (and a lizard) hit me like a ton of bricks.

I have disgraced my URL and icon.

These are amazing.

heroes as slugcats

[tastycitrus]

the flora discuss conductors

[maplestoryquotes]

[nekooru]

I’ve been having headcannons on the brain, and I’m really curious if you have any about Freud. Not much is really known about him other than the fact he gathered the heroes, made a spirit pact with Afrien, and was an extremely powerful mage.

₊ ☾⋆ freud headcanons ⋆⁺₊⋆

dragon master freud.

synopsis: headcanons about freud and his life after the heroes' fight with the black mage.

tags: maplestory, freud, angst, headcanons, small drabble

wc: 968

a/n: yess freud's journey is smth i think about often.. he was the biggest mvp against the odds of being a human in that era (he didn't have resources for his research like neinheart did, and wm had his little mages runnin around for him) i think about how much trauma he must've had to be the only one to come out of that fight basically physically unscathed while his friends sacrificed so much, and all the other things he went on to accomplish after the fact. he was truly a genius, and i think his intellect could only be rivaled by white mage and neinheart (imagine if neinheart was charismatic and could fight in other ways besides smackin a bitch w a big book!!) SORRY THINGS GET A LITTLE ANGSTY 🥲

headcanon

˙⋆⁺₊⋆.

☾. everyone who knew freud would agree that he's a rather strange individual who embraces the nuances of life. for instance, while others would see a future of arduous roof repair when looking at the holes in the ceiling of his house, he saw a window to the stars by night and a convenient light source during the day; an improvement onto his home, even if it was... rough looking.

☾. despite the vast amount of people that gravitated towards him, freud found a way to make each and every person close to him feel special. his charisma seemed neverending. although, besides afrien, he considered eunwol to be a particularly precious friend; it was a rarity that freud would meet someone nearly as open minded as himself, and he enjoyed conversing about philosophy through countless nights with eunwol. afrien— well, dragons tend to be proud and opinionated beings. when freud was in the mood for intellectual debate, luminous was also somebody he would turn to. luminous could be dry, but his realistic ideals would often spark freud to think more deeply.

☾. he was lightning in a bottle. an unequivocal genius, a steady leader— an inspiring friend, who seemed to always know the words to bring forth one's inner potential. despite the fleeting existence of lightning, how amazing is it that freud managed to provide the turning points for a dormant war yet to awaken for centuries?

☾. however, after the battle with the black mage, he began to change in the smallest, quietest ways. walking the world alone when you're so used to the warmth of companionship can be gruelling.

☾. at some point, he would have gladly wasted an afternoon playing with a young monster, sketching it in his notebook when it finally tired itself out. but he had no time, now. he was on the unmerciful clock of the human lifespan, and the sounds of ticking he imagined were nearly maddening. he could only smile blankly at the little monster, shoo it away with his leg, and continue his trail.

☾. although he still offered his skills to those in apparent need, he no longer sought out problems to solve himself. his research took priority. the secrets of transcendents, what came before them, how to kill a god... he had only delved into the surface of what the heart of the world was to create the seal stones. there was so much more to learn. and, in addition, he had to make sure his comrades wouldn't be forgotten as someone or something worked to erase their history. it became an obsession, and obsession has a way of dragging along a human body past it's limits.

☾. whispers resounded across the people of maple world. dragon master freud has changed. and where is his dragon, anyway?

☾. but the rest of his life wasn't spent in that way. there was an event; a chance of fate that he would see something that could take him back to his roots and remember why he gathered his friends to fight in the first place. he did what he needed to finish the work he started before resuming a habit of selfless aid. to protect those that cannot protect themselves, that is what he lives for.

☾. he moved slowly as he returned to afrien's cave in rien. his once model posture slouched under the weight of his old bones, and his hair was a shade of white that could be compared to the snow around him. his bright blue eyes had faded over. as he reached out to pat the snout of his old friend, the insignia on the back of his gnarled hand began to glow, and afrien's golden eyes slowly opened.

"my friend," afrien mumbled, although even such a quiet tone for him echoed around the icy walls. "you've grown... old."

freud laughed, and for a moment, his expression was youthful and carefree, as it was before everything happened. "had to happen sometime, afrien."

"yes. it's everything i wanted for you." afrien paused to consider his next words. "was this life everything you wanted, too?"

freud's eyes crinkled as he smiled softly, running his hand gently along the scars of his dragon's snout. he remained silent as he reflected on his long years. his first thought was, no, growing old wasn't as fun or enjoyable as he wanted it to be. but the first thought is always a result of the inherent selfish nature that all humans are born operating on. his second thought was, yes, i was able to ensure our legacy, and give my friends and the warriors of the future a fighting chance at beating the black mage, as well as any other entity that might threaten this world.

"...yes," freud finally replied. "it was lonely without you and the others, my afrien. but i've done so much with my life; i'll never have regrets of not doing— or being enough. i'll always be eternally grateful to you, you know. for giving me such an opportunity."

afrien looked down at his master, and his lips pulled back into as much a smile as a dragon could muster. somehow, he knew that this was the last time they would meet. the curse of the ice began to lull him back to sleep, and he fought to keep his eyes open, desperately trying to memorize every detail of freud.

freud's smile widened and he leaned his wrinkled forehead against afrien's scales. "it's okay. sleep, old friend."

freud sat with the king of onyx dragons for a long time after he had fallen asleep. when he finally got up to leave the cave, he looked over his shoulder, watching afrien's body heave slowly. tears ran down his cheeks as he turned away for the final time.

˙⋆⁺₊⋆.

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[novastardolphine]

[lawain-dimensional-heroes]

After having played a lil bit of Maplestory's heroes of Maple questline I am in the mood for Mercedes again.

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