Before the dominion of lesser beings, there existed Six Gods known as the Eons. From a barren and forsaken realm, they shaped existence itself. Before their arrival, the world was empty-devoid of complex life, soundless and still.
Then, one day, the gods bestowed life upon the land.
Humans were born, alongside wyverns and beasts. More importantly, the Eons granted the world the possibility of further life, growth without end. To preserve this creation, the deities entrusted the world to a single human: conscious, intelligent, and capable of understanding their will.
Millions of years passed.
When the Eons finally returned, they were met with an unexpected sight. Civilizations had risen. Humanity had conquered the lands and bent nature to its will. Meanwhile, beasts and wyverns had divided into countless species, scattered across the endless world.
This immense and unforeseen transformation stirred the curiosity of the gods.
So they bestowed upon the world something more-something different, immense, and terrifying.
Rune Arts.
Rune Arts were sorcery, magic, and power beyond comprehension, rooted in the very essence of the Eons themselves. Yet, during this divine act, the world was irrevocably altered.
The world was split in two.
On one side remained humanity, its civilizations, and other minor beings. On the other emerged the Matsuri Highlands, a realm where major beings dwelled, including primordial creatures and entities of overwhelming power.
The Matsuri Highlands were no ordinary half of the world. They were divided into six distinct domains: The Eternal River, Black Aether, Verdant Lands, Azure Moon, Silent Shades, and The Cerulean Sky. These were not mere regions, but endless worlds unto themselves, each existing within the vast expanse of the Matsuri Highlands.
At the very center stood the World Tree, known as The Evergreen. The source of conceptual power.
It was the tree planted by the gods themselves the source from which Rune Arts flowed into existence.
Yet as humanity's civilizations grew greedy and abusive of power, the Eons made a single promise.
There would come a time when the gods would return.
A time when civilization and the Matsuri Highlands would become one once more.
And when that day arrived-
Humanity would be no more.
Matsuri: Dark Mischief
Chapter 1 - To be a hunter
"Hauf, hauf."
Rapid footsteps signaled the essence of panic. His barefoot steps struck grass, puddles, and branches, making all kinds of noise as he ran. As he continued, his breathing grew more intense, heavier with each stride. When his face was revealed, panic and dread were etched across his entire being.
"I should have never… come here!" he thought, pushing aside the huge leaves that swayed in his way.
Then, out of nowhere, a massive tree root toppled him over, tripping him and slamming his face into a puddle. After a few seconds of lying, the boy slowly tried to lift himself up, but failed, only managing to raise part of his body.
And there, he saw it.
He saw his worn-out face.
Upon seeing his reflection, he gritted his teeth and tightened his fist.
"Ehh? You probably can't enter the Matsuri Highlands and come back! Haha! In order to be a Mischief Hunter, you should have the guts to do so! But well, your family doesn't even have any hope for you. So just give that… dream up, haha."
Remembering what his friends had told him, he slapped the pond, rippling his reflection.
"I was too full of myself…" he thought, squinting his eyes in disappointment and fear.
Then suddenly-
!! A roar erupted from the distance, raging as it shook the ground.
He was startled and slowly turned his head back, his eyes filled with dread and his body trembling. As the threat drew closer, an aura gleamed from the distance in gold, and the massive trees and plants began to stir. Above all else, it felt unfathomably heavy.
However…
Despite the fear and uncontrollable shaking, the boy clenched the grass beneath his fists and slowly rose to his feet, turning to face the impending doom. He was still undeniably exhausted, panting heavily. Yet he held his ground and steadied himself.
"Hauf… hauf… Even if I am going to die, I would at least want to make a name for myself. Heh. The boy who stood his ground against a possible Biome Lord. If everyone demands bravery from me, then I will show them. I will show them!" he thought to himself, confidence and frustration building within.
He extended both arms and aligned them in front of him, his palms open. A dense white hue of light sparked from the center of his joined palms. Then- he closed his hands and separated his arms. A silver chain formed between them. He wrapped the chain close to his body; long and thin, its form becoming clearer as it enveloped his surroundings glowed in white.
"Art of Divinity: Creation, Whirling Chain!" he thought.
"My Art allows me to create anything out of nothing. I know for a fact that my Rune Art is a divinity type. I was blessed with such power, yet I am infinitely far from mastering it. I do not even have enough essence to sustain my own Art, let alone master it…" he reflected, memories of being mocked out of jealousy resurfacing.
Even so, he clenched his fists, gripping the chain firmly within his grasp. Blood began to drip from the side of his head. He still smiled, filled with both confidence and anger.
"I will die in battle!" he shouted within his mind.
Then-!!
An image of a beast's eye suddenly flashed open in his mind.
"Ha-" his eyes widened.
"What… was that?" he thought, his eyes still widened. "Hah… no matter, I still-"
His thoughts were cut short as he suddenly noticed it.
Before him stood a massive, furry white wolf, its body marked with red, tattoo-like stripes. Three tails swayed behind it, and long sharp horns from its head as it looked down upon him. It did not appear aggressive, only observant, unmoved.
The boy and the wolf locked eyes.
He stood frozen in disbelief, sweat dripping down his face, as both remained still, trapped in an unbroken stare.
Chapter 1 ends!