I Am Beyond Excited!!! Commissioned An Artist I Have Commissioned Quite A Bit In The Past To Make A Logo

I am beyond excited!!! Commissioned an artist I have commissioned quite a bit in the past to make a logo for my Cryas Chronicles mythos and they did a banger of an incredible job!!!😭💙💛💙💙😍 Here is the artist in question: MasterMaind Designs-Open Commissions (season 5)👀 (@MastermaindD) / Twitter Please, I highly recommend commissioning them or donate to their ko-fi!

I'll also shoutout the artist that made this logo for Cryas Darkstalkers. Elsie Gray 🍒 (@Elsie_gray007) / Twitter Give them a look as well. 🫡

Nǚ Jì Sī and Guì Zi Shǒu

(Credit: @masterartlocked) You may be curious what is with this art and the names? 'Those are Mei-Ling and Hsien-Ko you silly' you might be saying to me. Well, in the lore of Cryas Darkstalkers, there is an interesting turn of events due to following their journey from the beginning. When they first went about their journey, they figured that due to Hsien-Ko's appearance being overtly less human than Mei-Ling, she would need to hide her appearance from the eyes of humans. To do this, Mei-Ling made a cloak for her sister to wear in order to conceal herself in the times they walk through a village. Initially, Hsien-Ko only ventured with Mei-Ling at night to ensure she would not be recognized as being non-human. While a few close calls, they got pretty good at it. This was necessary since they did need to accept jobs of hunting and exterminating the Darkstalkers in order to get information regarding any stories about places of interest in the many vast areas of China.

Slowly over the decades however, an unintended side effect of their exploits would occur. As Mei-Ling was the one being seen and they would retread through places they have been to on many occasions over the decades, people would start noticing this ageless, beautiful mystic. Not only that, but people also realized how she and her hooded companion were effective in their job of ridding their lands of the creatures of the night. With this air of mystery, stories would begin to spread across the roads of this woman being possibly a spirit. More than that.... she could be a Xian. The stories would begin to tell of a Xian whose beauty was said to be unmatched with her elegant face, hair of many lustrous shades of umber, and eyes more brilliant than the finest jade. She was said to have descended from the heavens to finally free the people and Zhōngguó (中國) from the grasps of the demons and monsters that brought suffering and death to their livelihoods. While many names were thrown of this Xian, eventually the name of 女祭司 (Nǚ Jì Sī) would stick. This name of 'priestess' was fitting due to her appearance. Once the sisters started catching on due to hearsay they heard, artwork that began popping up, and even being greeted as such, they had their own reactions to Mei-Ling’s title. While Mei-Ling was incredibly embarrassed and flustered at this effective deification of her (especially with all the myths speaking of her otherworldly beauty), Hsien-Ko found it incredible. She loved the idea that her sister was effectively becoming part of the mythos of different cultures throughout the lands, just like the many mythical beings they learned about in their youth.

The stories didn't stop with Mei-Ling. While her sister was more prominent in these new legends that were unfolding, Hsien-Ko herself would gain titles. The most popular that stuck was 劊子手 (Guì Zi Shǒu), which means ‘executioner’. Due to the fact Mei-Ling did most of the talking, not many people knew what this cloaked individual’s relation to Nǚ Jì Sī was. Some thought they might be a follower, keeping record of the Xian’s many deeds as she traveled the lands ridding the Darkstalker threat. However, due to many stories noticing them dragging a large coffin with them, they believed this individual may actually be quite strong. Some believe they act like an attack dog on a leash, sicked on to the Darkstalkers by Nǚ Jì Sī. The gender of this being has been put into question as not many have heard their voice. However, those who have said it sounded like a woman, full of cheeriness in her tone in one moment and sounding very serious in others. Some wonder if this being is even human. Some believe she may be one that was bestowed great power by Nǚ Jì Sī. Others think she may in fact be a spirit or Xian herself. The more outrageous claims think she may in fact be a demon under the control of Nǚ Jì Sī, repenting for their past transgressions by serving the guardian deity. 

When the two learned of this via gossip and art that depicted her (in various ways based on each person’s belief), Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling had their thoughts. Hsien-Ko thought it was genuinely cool that despite not having her face being shown, she was still effectively becoming a mythical figure, like the being that she obtained her name from. She had a fondness for the title Guì Zi Shǒu. Mei-Ling on the other hand felt some sense of resentment. Considering the spotlight she was receiving despite the fact Hsien-Ko is the one putting in the hard work of defeating the Darkstalkers they faced in their hunts, she felt it was unfair, especially when some artwork depicted her sister as this demon under her control. Part of her wishes she could do something to silence this depiction of her young sister, but Hsien-Ko would calm her sister’s furrowed brow. She explains that if anything, these myths help make their travels easier since humans are more willing to provide aid to a Xian rather than some traveling hunters. And to her, she thinks it is cool that people get creative with these really cool ideas about who she is. She likes the idea of being this powerful enigma to the masses.

Primordial Origins

In Cryas Darkstalkers, there are three ancient deities that are responsible for the creation of major aspects of the universe. They are known as Genesis, Primordial, and Ethereal. In a sense, they don't truly have a form that we could comprehend. The best way to describe each one's appearance is that of a sentient nebula or something akin to Beta Arceus: A mass of energy that has a mind and soul. With that said, allow me to share an excerpt about each deity and their role in creation. Genesis: "Before the aspects of anything, there was merely the endless void. From the void however, an aspect would not only begin to take shape but also thought. From this being, the first soul and mind would be born. As they gazed upon the endless void they were cradled in and then at their own amorphous form, ideas would come to form in them. When their thoughts were finished, their own form would condense down to a singularity until it couldn't hold. From the body of the first aspect, the seeds of creations had been forged and a cosmic explosion of unfathomable proportions had occurred. Many aspects were being created right before the original one's sight: energy, forces, clouds of cosmic dust, light, celestial bodies, space, time, matter...everything. The original aspect marveled with curious joy to see all that was happening before them. While their form was no more as it served the foundation for all, their essence would continue to exist. Sight that reaches all continually growing aspects of reality, the 'Genesis' of all only wished to witness how all will continue to create, grow, and change."

Primordial: "Between the weaves and waves of space-time was the nexus. Beyond the nexus was the void. In a pocket of the void, the seeds of creation bundled together into a mass of dust, energy, and light. This mass eventually moved as the first thought came to be. A soul and mind were born in an area beyond the nexus. As this primeval sentience was beholden to their surroundings, they looked upon themselves. Thoughts flowed as they began to paint the void with the aspects of creation. Clouds of energy laden dust would be the nursery for stars. Celestial bodies of different compositions were grown among the cosmic dust. Nebula rivers would flow through the void as energy and light spread. This sentient nebula was gleeful at seeing all the various aspects they were able to create. In their joy, silence and contemplation would occur. They were the only ones to bear witness to the marvels that were flowing before them. As they thought more and more, their mind slowly went to rest. As this cosmic titan would drift into slumber, their mind would slip evermore. The energy and dust of their form would eventually solidify into a mass of truly cosmic proportions. The star that served as the 'heart' of the sentient nebula would cool and create many different forms of matter. Near the end of all of this, their essence would slowly break apart as their eternal slumber marked their death. Despite no longer existing, this 'Primordial' essence served to create a realm with land that stretched beyond all idea of boundaries. Lifeforms would grow from the pieces of the star in time. Many of these beings eventually began to also gain a sense of awareness, with their own thoughts and 'souls'. Though with no idea why, they would gaze up towards the sky, beholden to the majesty of the cosmos before them."

Ethereal: "Much time had passed since the seeds of creations spread throughout the universe. Within a cradle in between the fabric of space-time and the nexus, a sentient nebula would be born from the bundles of dust and energy. Passing through a point in the nexus, this sentience bared witness to the vast universe before them. They were in great awe at all they saw. As they glided across the cosmos, they couldn't eventually help but feel lonely. All the wonderful celestial bodies they saw looked empty in their mind. With thought, parts of their aspect were taken and molded into various forms. These forms were able to develop thought and looked towards the vast cosmos with their creator. Compelled, these forms would glide across the various bodies across the universe, leaving behind the essence necessary for what would be life... souls. As the aeons passed, the celestial essence saw how life would live and then die. While countless saw the sky, in death they no longer could bear witness. Their minds were still, eternally in a never-ending slumber. Unpleased with this, the cosmic form set back to the cradle where they were born. Their creations following, these 'angels' were beholden to their creator using their body and essence to create a realm for the endless sleeping souls of the universe. Never would they sleep in the void, never would they truly die. Understanding, these children of the 'Ethereal' essence would go to bring the departed to the final resting place. Allowing them a chance to bear witness to the universe before them for all of the foreseeable future." Genesis was responsible for the creation of everything. Primordial, in a layer of the universe, was the creator of the realm of Makai along with Inkai, the afterlife of Makai. Ethereal was responsible for the creation of 'souls' and thus life as we think of it. Not only that, but they also created angles and the afterlife that would serve for all those in the universe, Reikai.

Dark Embrace/ Xié è De Yōngbào(邪恶的拥抱)

During the 'Hunters of the Dark Saga' (around the late 1900s), events lead to Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling coming across an unusual disturbance in China: a portal. After discussing with one another, they decide to investigate as they have had no solid lead to saving their mother. Unknowingly, they end up traveling into a brand-new reality. In this reality, the Cryas Chronicles reality, they end up on the word of Umbralus. In an initial battle with a strange creature, Hsien-Ko becomes afflicted with a strange substance of this world. Through intel, they learn this substance that bled onto Hsien-Ko is a dangerous substance known as Corriyami. Corriyami is dangerous to lifeforms as it causes them suffer Corruption, leaving them as nothing more but an erratic, dangerous victim of the mutagenetic substance. In time, it eventually kills the victim, using their bodies to eventually fuel its simple needs to multiply and survive. However, Hsien-Ko is different since she is an undead being of which do not exist on Umbralus nor Illumalus.

Over their journey to make it to the world capitol, Lunalos, in order to see if the portal there can lead them home, Hsien-Ko deals with the very real fear that this substance might do something to her, possibly something that even Mei-Ling can't save her from. Afflicted with nightmares and even being taunted by her inner darkness, it all comes to a critical point during a battle with a large group of Corrupted, beings who fall victim to Corruption. In a near death situation, the Corriyami in Hsien-Ko, which had been festering and mutating in her during their travels, awoke and caused a new power to awaken in both her and Mei-Ling. This new power... nay new form gave them the advantage they needed to win. Upon having a chance to rest and take stock, they found that on Mei-Ling's talisman form, the phrase '邪恶的拥抱' was written on her rather than the typical phrase. They would refer to these forms as Xié è De Yōngbào, though would also use the phrase 'Dark Embrace' as well. From then on, the sisters would practice their use of these new forms to give themselves an edge in battle as they saw the potential they had with these otherworldly powers bestowed by the Corriyami. However, upon their initial return to Earth, they decided to keep these powers a secret to their friends and allies till they felt the time was right to explain how they got it.

Newcomer to a new realm.

Hello there people of the world of Tumblr! Pretty new to this place so give me a bit to get my bearings in this new, strange land of the digital landscape. Just to at least give an immediate bit about me, the name is Aura! I have been told by some this can be a good place to keep some info down since one of my big things is my OC lore and lore for an AU I have. The AU is for Darkstalkers known as Cryas Darkstalkers. My OCs also has a name for that mythos known as Cryas Chronicles. Just a fun passion project I hope to keep up till the day I am no longer among this world. With that said, I hope to in time share my love and lore that I have in my brain for both over time with this blog and stuff. Also art that I make! I hope you have fun seeing what I have to share and all that.

Mission of the Shao Sisters

I want to go over something in regard to Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling: their goal. In the original Darkstalkers lore, the sisters transform in order to have the power to free their mother's soul. The game's story seems to imply that by defeating the Darkstalkers, their mother would be freed. However. that doesn't add up. At the time when the sisters became jiangshi, it would have 1746 as they were 16 at the time. At that point, many of the cast were not born yet. And those who were alive would have had nothing to do with the sisters and their plight. So, is there a specific amount they have to defeat? Or specific ones they have to beat? No matter how you string it, it makes no sense. And while the OVA implied the idea that Pyron's presence (along with I believe a source from Japanese sources) caused the dark forces to awaken around the time when the raid happened in their area...that is inconsistent since Pyron first arrived around Earth at the time of dinosaurs. He only returned once he was ready to consume the world. Yeah, none of that for this elseworld.

In Cryas Darkstalkers, things are altered to give a sense of direction for them while still being aimless and long enough for them to be around for the amount of time that they would be around. They know their mother's soul was lost to the darkness. However, they don't know what this darkness is: Is it a demon out there that has their mother in its clutches or is it a place that imprisons their mother to endless suffering in oblivion? They don't know and seek to journey across the lands to find out the answers to save their mother. Of course, they still hunt Darkstakers. Initially, it was to vent anger but in time is used to help win favor from the locals of China in order to more easily obtain information. That, and they still feel a duty as Xianshushi to protect the innocent from the dark forces of the night. It all works out in a way.

However, their journey not only has them travel beyond the borders of the middle kingdom, but even further beyond to lands across the horizon and past the oceans. They meet many kinds of people and Darkstalkers, which over the centuries causes them to slowly start seeing the world in a more nuisance lens of gray rather than the strict ideas of black and white. Not only cause of what they see from the side of humans and non-humans, but even forging bonds, alliances, and friendships due to circumstances or understanding of conflict from their own experience and pain. A fantastical, if dangerous journey of saving a dearly lost loved one and of growth and improvement in various ways. 😃