#tmb 7th anniversary

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB, Part 4: The Iridescent Rover and the Angelic Author

By Lucas Reynard (feat. Aluros)

(Read series introduction here!)

Trying to outsmart a god, let alone a life deity, at what is basically hide-and-seek with extra steps… is totally impossible. Still, I thought Aluros deserved a little treat for winning— a book about him, written by yours truly. Well… I was going to give it to him eventually, considering I’ve been working on it for a few years already.

As expected, I found him taking the Princesses out for a walk in the woods outside Alphica, happily singing an old song he transcribed for his scholar friends; Clementine trotting around his feet, Lorelei on his head, Domino floating next to him, and Minerva being carried around in his arms, sleeping.

To be honest, I didn’t expect that he’d be here in his god form and not some other guise like… Bengt the Bard or that blue goblin whose name I can’t quite recall. But again, with practically no one in Phantasmia knowing who he really is (other than me), I guess he has nothing to worry about as long as he’s here.

Still, I’m not letting him tag along with me to Mikel’s place unless he changes into his elf form. I’d rather have my partner call Aluros “Mr. Reynard” rather than try to wrap his head around the idea of an “entirely new” deity.

Whoops, I’m getting off topic here… Anyways, back to my story.

“Oh, Lukey! Nice to see you again. The girls have been wondering when you’d…”

Aluros and his familiars were quick to spot me, but quicker did their attention turn towards the purple rectangular object I held in my arms. It’s the God of Colors’ favorite hue, and every author before me who’s ever written about him made that very clear.

Before I could fully explain as to why I got him this present, a collaborative effort from the two older Princesses swiftly removed the book from my grasp, then into their maker’s.

“All About Aluros: The God of Colors… You wrote this for me?”

And so he gently sat himself down, laid sleepy little Minerva onto his lap, and began to go through the pages, each word and picture, as the other Princesses gathered around him. His grin, which started off small yet soft, grew wider with every detail that amused him.

I wasn’t expecting much of a reaction from Aluros since it’s not really an elaborate gift, but looking back at it now… I probably should have. Unlike the stone-faced goddess that is my mother, he’s always been an emotional deity, and this time too was he moved to tears.

“I’m so honored,” “This is everything,” “Thank you so much…”

He kept repeating those words as he wept all over his new book and melted into a puddle, both his hair and the skies slowly morphing into a sweet, euphoric mix of purple, pink, and all those pleasant hues. The Princesses, Minerva included, meowed in harmony at the clouds, as they did every previous “purple sky.”

Like how the air turns golden to anyone who donates to a Moon Goddess statue, Aluros’ joy has the power to free anyone lucky enough to get to bask in it of their worries and all other negative sentiments. For all that my friends and I have endured these past few years, I admit this “purple sky” was much needed.

“Oh, I almost forgot… We got you a present too! Happy Birthday, Lukey!”

Well, I was so distracted from the joy of making Aluros happy that I forgot about my own birthday. Being the artist he is, obviously he’d have made me a portrait— marked with paw prints from all four Princesses.

Today, that portrait has its very own place in my study, framed in elegant wood and set right next to my table lamp. Whenever I’m a bit tired from writing, I’d put all my work aside and stare at it for minutes, even hours on end…

He’s gotten better at capturing my likeness yet again. 💕

Previous: Finny + Photia

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB, Part 3: The Illuminated Sovereign and the Gifted Elf

By Finn Dentrad (feat. Photia)

(Read series introduction here!)

It’s been a few months since I returned from my journey with Team Mythic Beasts, but my husband is still processing my new identity as a sword singer. I really don’t blame him, to be honest… how a man once rejected by both his nation and his family would be Granstod’s first sword singer in decades is not something anyone would expect.

Luckily for me, Sveri is willing to assist me in this new journey. I learned from him that an abandoned sun shrine lies within the deepest parts of Tradjatt Forest, where past sword singers used to hone their skills. He recalled that a few gold statues stayed intact, but whether they’d still work… would be up to me to find out.

In the woods, I was offered a ride by the Jatte, who had previously been hostile towards my companions; the woodland titans have never too fond of outsiders, after all. Distracted by how my face was graced by the cool breeze while I sat atop the head of a tree giant, my ride felt shorter than it likely had taken.

I soon landed in an empty field surrounded by statues of gold, all smothered in vegetation and devoid of their original glow. There, a lady stood faced away from me, her bright, elongated locks further illuminated by bits of sunlight that managed to seep through the lush greenery.

“It has been a while since I last heard my songs in this land.”

I just froze there. I didn’t know whether to bow or kneel, or how to properly address her.

A glowing headband of gold, shaped like the rays of the sun… a crown of that kind can only adorn Lady Photia. I’ve never been a huge follower of the Sun Goddess, but the feeling of meeting her in person is something I still can’t put into words. That goes with any other deity too, to be frank.

Knowing how invested I am in the history of my people, she told me all about the rise and fall of sword singing in Granstod. As it turns out, I had ancestors who bore the same magical gift, though their names have long been forsaken. Hard to make a name for yourself in a community that “never looks back.”

So I had to return the favor; I told Lady Photia about my travails with Team Mythic Beasts, how we reopened the vaults my husband had locked up, restored Skidbladnir back to its former glory, and defeated our demonic invaders. She listened attentively to my stories, occasionally laughing out loud with pride and joy.

“Many before you could only dream to be as successful as my champion, Feliciano Lycardia. But not you… for you’ve already proven your worth. Thank you for ensuring the survival of my name and my gift, child.”

Before I could muster up a response, Lady Photia had faded out of sight, for the sun’s presence was once again obscured. The spots of sunlight that shone upon her, and the warmth that followed… all gone, as if this encounter was merely a fleeting dream.

In the harmony of the old statues, freed of their verdurous prisons after their goddess had vanished… I stood alone, pondering this brief, yet mystifying meeting with my guardian deity.

Previous: Mikel & Fra'ser + Alphix

Next: Luke + Aluros

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB, Part 2: The Masked Lord and the Aspiring Dreamers

By Mikkel Anderson (feat. Fra'ser Du'randt & Alphix)

(Read series introduction here!)

Fra’ser landed a job as an archivist at the Library of Alphica recently. As a local and fellow disciple of the Lord of Dreams, I naturally offered him help. I even got him to borrow some of my favorite author’s books while we were at it!

However, he still doesn’t have his house in Alphica yet, so I let him stay at my nan’s place for the night. From what I heard, she treated him nicely— with lots of food, of course! Bert (my cat) was happy to have him around, too.

But what makes this day even more special was the dream we both dreamed. Usually, we’d find ourselves in some random corner of the Dream Realm; but both of us woke up in a library.

And it wasn’t just any library, mind you… but the private archives of Lord Kristan.

“Has the waking world been treating you well, lads?”

Come to think of it, that was our first time visiting Lord Kristan in the same session, wasn't it? Huh… maybe he does have control over where we wake up there.

Anyways, we gave him a quick rundown on everything that happened since Team Mythic Beasts parted ways— Finny is back with his family, Master Ludi got an assistant to help with his crafts, and of course… Fra’ser’s new profession. Not sure about Jones or Arthur, though… haven’t heard from them for a while now.

I was gonna bring up Lukey’s newest project, but Fra’ser beat me to it— a three-part book series about our legendary quest! I had the honor to be in charge of illustrations, and I promised Lord Kristan that he’ll get signed copies of all three books before their public release— free of charge.

“The next big thing since The Golden Lady? Well, I sure can’t wait.”

One may say we’ve been doing our best to make his job as our new continental guardian an easy one. Judging from the soft smile he gave us after our recap, I suppose he must feel the same. This is the thanks he deserves for founding the prosperous nation of Alphica, a glimmering gem amongst the nations of Phantasmia.

I can’t really recall what happened after that, but the words Lord Kristan gave me as he sent us back to the waking world have been stuck in my head for quite a while:

“You have nothing left to prove, Mikkel. I am glad to have chosen you as my champion, and it pleases me to know that my people are in safe hands.”

Previous: Jones + Diadema

Next: Finny + Photia

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB, Part 1: The Blind Prophet and the “Reformed” Villain

by Jones Fitzgerald (feat. Diadema)

(Read series introduction here!)

Most people already know that I am in… not very good terms with the Prophet. It’s even worse when she tells me, reluctantly, that I’ll become a hero one day. Source? Her silly little “predictions” that she sees in that wicked mirror of hers.

And those do-gooders from Luftstadt call me a heartless psychopath. This woman doesn’t have a heart or conscience at all! The only thing she ever does is look at her precious little mirror and believe everything it shows her. She never takes responsibility, ever. What a sorry excuse of a deity.

Sadly, being one of her biggest haters isn’t going to stop me from having to see her face again.

None of her daughters in sight, I stepped into her temple to find the woman had already set up a table in her usual spot. She didn't even turn her head towards me or give me the usual temple greeting; pretending not to notice me, she kept sipping her tea. It wasn’t until I pulled my chair back and sat myself down... did she finally make her first remark.

"So... you have saved a continent from certain doom and earned the favor of my children. I have feared this would happen."

…

Pfft, haha! Who would’ve thought a goddess would be afraid of a miserable prick like me? Next time Arthur tells me off for bragging, I’m passing on those exact words to him. My amusement didn’t last long, though… As the old woman revealed to me the truth of my family… and why her “precious baby son” decided to look for me in the first place.

A ring she wiped with a tiny piece of cloth, golden and decorated with a foggy white gemstone. She claims to have obtained it from my old man, who’s missed me dearly since my mother whisked me and my older brother away to Phantasmia. Seems to me that she thinks I’m ready to take his place as king… What madness!

“Should you never return to Einlon, your family’s reign will surely end with your father. I dare not think of what will happen if the kingdom falls in the hands of other nobles once again.”

There she went again… Always guilttripping her subjects into heavy, life-ruining decisions. I’m doing good enough in my new home with a giant stone demon upon my roof, I told her— but I doubt she even heard me.

Below were the words she left me as I got up to leave, finding this conversation a waste of time.

“I know your ancestors well, Jones Fitzgerald. Or should I say… Alfred Lycardia II. The choices they faced then… you soon shall, too.”

…

Why did I agree to this meeting again?

Next: Mikel & Fra’ser + Alphix

[team-mythic-beasts]

Seven Years of TMB: Introduction

This year’s TMB anniversary project will be a four-part writing series, one for each god.

But wait, aren’t there only three?

There’s actually a fourth god named Alphix (he's made a few appearances back on IG), who plays quite a big role in TMB. He’s too young a deity to have his own facts post though, so he will be making his debut through this series.

The posts start on April 25, Jones’ birthday and seven years since the original mod was released, and end on May 6, my personal TMB anniversary and Luke’s birthday.

Now you can probably figure out who’s going first and last, but we hope you stay tuned for all four parts!

— Makoto S.

Story Portal

Part 1 (Apr 25): Jones + Diadema

Part 2 (Apr 29): Mikel & Fra’ser + Alphix

Part 3 (May 3): Finny + Photia

Part 4 (May 6): Luke + Aluros

[team-mythic-beasts]

Hello, Luke here.

(TMB 7th Anniversary Event!)

This blog is co-owned by me, Makoto Shizumu, and the rest of Team Mythic Beasts (though only I have direct access). Despite the name, we don’t just post about ourselves; historical figures and gods also show up sometimes.

Oh, and did I mention Prins? Can’t wait to see him again ^^

P.S. Our banner is seriously outdated; refer to this post for our personal info & new designs 💕

Additional Links

Makoto’s side blog: Hetaveyond casting posts, otherwise reserved for non-Hetaveyond content, including Palestine fundraiser shouts 🍉

Makoto’s Instagram: Includes older Hetaveyond stuff (mostly outdated)

My Instagram: Roleplay + gaming highlights (yes I’m a gamer lol)

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