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Hsien-Ko from Darkstalkers!
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darkstalkers art
Algo random ...
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Crossovers fun!^^
Dakimakura Blaze-ko!^^
My old fan arts of summer gals!^^
More Halloween goodness!X3 Melissa and Vanessa Fos from Nun X Priest Adventure and Ultra Fighters as Felicia 2p Color Palette and Hsien-Ko/Lei-Lei!X3
My girl!X3
Hsien-Ko - Darkstalkers series
I made mention of this in my introduction and in my description so I should tell you a bit about one of my life-long passion projects. So, what is Cryas Darkstalkers? Cryas Darkstalkers is an elseworld of my creation. The story follows the journey of Hsien-Ko Shao and Mei-Ling Shao from the fateful night when they became jiangshi to the countless adventures they face through the centuries. While they are the main protagonists, other characters also have big roles as the two sisters make friends, allies, and enemies along the way. But the sights and people they meet don't stop with Earth. The strings of fate see the two crossing the boundaries of space time to another reality, interacting with new races, face tough dangers, see incredible landscapes, and come across powers they had never seen in their world. Basically, I plan to use the foundation provided by the official lore, non-canon material, and my own interpretations to craft an AU of Darkstalkers. I love Darkstalkers, but talks with friends who are also fans have made me really question aspects of the lore from its inconsistency, dumb ideas, and questionable lore. So, I just want to make one of my own for fun. Not only that, but I want to give some personal justice to the characters Hsien-Ko Shao and Mei-Ling Shao. Those two characters mean pretty much everything to me. No other fictional characters have I latched onto more than Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling. Their designs, their lore and ideas really resonate with me; they clicked in my head, and I just fell in love with them! They have some really cool stuff going for them but got screwed over in Vampire Savior due to Hsien-Ko's popularity. I remember a developer said that Darkstalkers is in a way where the character you pick is the main character for you. Well, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling are the main characters for me, so Cryas Darkstalkers follows them.
In time, I hope to share more lore and information regarding the characters, their lore, the world building, and story ideas I have and such. I hope you will have fun with me on this journey. :)
These are official ref sheets I have made for Hsien-Ko Shao and Mei-Ling Shao of Cryas Darkstalkers. Very proud to detail not only their full designs, but aspects of their layers of clothing, tidbits about their bodies, and even how they looked when they were young humans! I did quite a lot of research into their looks and designs since they were born in 1730 AD in the Guanzhong region of what is in the modern Shaanxi province in China. That period of time was during the reign of the Qing Dynasty. Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling are a mix of Han and Manchu.
These are some old renders I made for Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling. Not completely in line with my current ref sheets, but still really nice art of them. :)
Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling Backstory
On 1730 AD, February 17th, fraternal twin sisters were born to Shào Míngxiá (邵明霞) in the village of Xiān Mén Cūn (仙门村). Before the sisters were born, their father was killed in an incident where he and several individuals were guiding and protecting a caravan of merchants to their village. He and several were killed by monsters of the night known as Darkstalkers. His name was Shào Xiāngzǐ (邵湘子). Happy with the birth of her daughters, Mingxia named them 邵美玲 (Shào Měilíng) and 邵仙姑 (Shào Xiāngū). Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling grew up among the Shao family, whom have for centuries have had a long tradition and association with the mystical ways of 仙術 (Xiānshù). As they grew up, Mingxia saw via their Qi that they had great potential in them which was of great relief as she was wanting to not only assure their safety, but also keep to the Shao family traditions and name. Since they were able children, Mingxia trained them to become 仙树师 (Xiān shù shī), practitioners of Xianshu. Mingxia herself was a Shifu of Xianshushi and had great aspirations and hopes for her daughters. However, she was never overbearing, allowing them to still be young girls and blossom in their own ways. Even with the freedoms allotted to them by their mother, both sisters sought to make their mother proud. Mei-Ling would show great promise with her natural ways in the mystical aspects of Xianshu while Hsien-Ko was fond of the martial arts and hand to hand combat involved with Xianshu. Balancing their studies, training, and leisure time, the sisters showed relatively swift progress in their abilities in the way of the school of Xianshu and many of the shifu believed they were ready to move on to the next big step in their training: they would be recognized officially as Shifus of Xianshu. However, days before the ceremony, on 1748, July 3rd, Xianmencun was besieged by a hoard of the undead. All the xianshushi were dispatched to fight off the hoard and protect the innocent villagers. At the time, Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling were enjoying some leisure time elsewhere, away from many. As the hoard came in, they did what they could to protect the people. Despite all their years of training, the hoard was proving too much as the sheer numbers were just vast. Before they were consumed by the hoard, they were saved by several xianshushi and shifus, with their mother among the group. Happy to see their mother, they greeted her gleefully and with relief. However, this joy was not to last as with final words of praise and a motherly hug, Mingxia had her daughters restrained by the other shifu as she then made the ultimate sacrifice. Using the Art of Unusual Transformation, she transformed her form into that of a golden dragon of power. She tore through the hoard like a blade to flesh, burning their dark rotten corpses into ashes. While at first confused and wondering what their mother meant by her words and actions, the sisters were in awe of the incredible power their mother displayed. Unfortunately, that awe turned to sheer horror as they witnessed their mother's body burn away right before their eyes. The only thing that fell to the ground were her bagua mirror and bead necklace donning the family name. Both twins were inconsolable and feel into a deep depression, refusing to eat nor talk with anyone. They only knew that their mother's use of the art not only killed her but banished her soul to be lost to the darkness for all eternity. Not able to cope with this, they went against their mother's final wish. After a heated debate between both Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling, they agreed to use the Art of Unusual Transformation. On the night of the July 7th, four days after the death of their mother, they shed their humanity to become warriors of the night: they became jiangshi. After a scuffle with some xianshushi and talking with one of the shifu closest to their mother, they were banished from Xianmencun for their own safety. Having had time to gather supplies and a coffin, they set out in the dead of the night, on their journey to save their mother.
Mandarin names in Cryas Darkstalkers
In the backstory for Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling, I brought up several names that were of Mandarin Chinese origin. I want to take the time to not only explain those, but some other small details relating to Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling. The backstory blog for reference:
Let us start with the names of Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling's parents. First off, yes, they have names in this mythos, unlike in the main timeline. Mingxia, 明霞 (Míngxiá), translates to roughly 'bright halo'. 明 (míng) translates to 'bright, shining, clear' while 霞 (xiá) translates to basically 'halo'. Why this name was chosen was because I like the idea of how the translation of her name basically could be the way her form looked when she transformed into that dragon. A bright body of light in a way. Plus, some positive ways of how the sisters saw her in their lives. Despite being their only parental figure growing up, she was literally their world. Xiangzi was chosen to play off how Hsien-Ko got her name. Hsien-Ko getting her name from the Xian, 何仙姑 (Hé Xiāngū), Xiangzi gets his name from the Xian, 韓湘子 (Hán Xiāngzǐ). So why this Xian specifically? Well according to a bit of digging, there exists a love story between the Xian Xiangzi and a dragon girl known as Longnu. Considering dragon's play a big symbolic importance to the Shao family later on, specifically in the case of Mingxia transforming into a dragon via the Art of Unusual Transformation, I thought it was a cool nod to the legend.
Now for the name of their village: 仙门村 (Xiān Mén Cūn) So, the first part, Xiān Mén, translates to 'Immortal Gate'. The reason behind this relates to the next translation I got. In the main timeline, their martial arts were known as Senjutsu. However, that had more Japanese origins in naming, so I wanted something more in relation to their cultural background. The name for their martial arts in Cryas Darkstalkers is the following: 仙術 (Xiānshù) Xiānshù translates to 'Immortal Arts'. The idea of the village is that it is the birthplace of Xiānshù, first developed by the Shao family line many generations ago. It is said the skills and sorcery of these arts were passed down by the Xiān to the people in order for them to have a means to fight off the Darkstalkers. Overtime, people would believe the land the village sits on is the gateway to the Xian. Or so the stories say. 仙树师 (Xiān shù shī) is the name bestowed upon practitioners of Xianshu. Cūn is basically 'village'. So, their birthplace is basically 'Immortal Gate Village'. Now, these were not mentioned in the backstory, but I wanted to go over these since we are talking about Mandarin. Hsien-Ko's special attacks. In the original game, they clearly were name with the convention of Japanese, which will not fly in CDS. With help from a buddy, I got them translated into Mandarin! They are as followed:
Henkyouki (返響器) is now 返響器 (Fǎn Xiǎng Qì) Reverberate Senpuubu (旋風舞) is now 旋風舞 (Xuànfēng Wǔ) Whirlwind Dance Houtengeki (放天撃) is now 放天撃 (Fàng Tiān Jī) Sky Punch Ankihou (暗器砲) is now 暗器砲 (Ànqì Pào) Concealed Weapon Cannon Chireitou (地霊刀) is now 地靈刀 (Dì Líng Dāo) Earth Spirit Blade Tenraiha (天雷破) is now 天雷破 (Tiān Léi Pò) Thunderbolt Chuukadan (中華弾) is now 中國彈 (Zhōngguó Dàn) Chinese Artillery Those these are likely not necessary, it brought me a lot of joy to do some research and really show some care and love to Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling's Chinese origins. :)
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.
Dark Embrace Powers and Abilities
In this entry, I'd like to go over the powers, abilities, and aspects of the Dark Embrace for Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling as they are quite a big part of Cryas Darkstalkers lore. To start out with, official ref sheets of their designs to help visualize some things that will be discussed:
To start things off, 'Dark Embrace' (Xié è De Yōngbào) is a technique known as a 'Burst'. Burst is the term used by beings in the Cryas Chronicles reality in regard to the ability of using stored potential energy in the individual to invoke a power-up in the individual. This power-up can simply be a boost to aspects of the individual's capabilities or manifest in a transformation in the user. For Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling, the Dark Embrace manifests as a transformation invoked by their Qi, mutated Corriyami, and the 'shadow selves' that were created in them thanks to the mutated Corriyami within. The appearances they take on invoke the looks of beings that would later come to be known as Corrians.
Once both sisters have enough potential energy to initiate the Burst, one sister can trigger the transformation and cause both to transform. Later on, through training they find a way to where only one sister can transform and the other can hold on to their stored energy to tag in later better utilize their stored energy in a strategic manner.
When Hsien-Ko uses the Dark Embrace, her physical strength is bolstered to further heights, allowing her to overpower quite a number of physically powerful individuals in close quarters combat. Not only that, her stamina and endurance are increased to allow her to tank her way through hits with greater ease, allowing her to get into the thick of battle and power on through with great fervor. Another benefit is her healing factor is hastened, allowing her to recover from horrible wounds quicker to allow her to get back into the battle. While it is unknown if Hsien-Ko can regrow body parts while in the Dark Embrace should they be severed, it is theorized that should the limb still be in one piece, she could attach it back and her body could re-attach to the limb. However, neither sister is in a position nor desires to test this theory.
(credit: @o-corvo-art)
An interesting quirk of the Burst is how Hsien-Ko's sleeves can move and function. While Hsien-Ko has always been able to move her sleeves with manipulating her Qi, in the Dark Embrace they move in ways as if they have a mind of their own. The sisters theorize it is Hsien-Ko's 'shadow self' that takes control of the sleeves during the Burst, allowing Hsien-Ko to more focus on what her body is doing. Because the shadow self is a part of her psyche, it synchronizes better with her movements and makes her quite a dangerous foe to face. Speaking of shadows, if Mei-Ling attaches to Hsien-Ko while in the Dark Embrace, she can call forth the Qi and Corriyami in Hsien-Ko's body in the form of an energy mass that is referred to as a 'shadow'. This mass of energy is able to be manipulated to take on the form of fully functioning limbs, weapons of varying kinds only limited by the imagination, or they can attach to the inner lining of Hsien-Ko's sleeves and drape out to give her 'wings' of sorts. These wings allow for Hsien-Ko to fully be able to fly.
(Credit: @itsununnusart) Initially, this shadow mass was only able to be called forth by Mei-Ling, but overtime as Hsien-Ko improved her capabilities with the Dark Embrace she eventually found a way to do it herself. This effectively gives her six functioning limbs to work with, making her incredibly dangerous if she is fresh and ready for battle. Another noteworthy aspect of the Dark Embrace, and the mutated Corriyami in general, for Hsien-Ko is how the influence and voice of her inner jiangshi, Xienian, are effectively nullified. However, cautions are still taken to assure she doesn't taste blood in case that still triggers this inner darkness to come forth.
(credit: @masterartlocked)
Mei-Ling, like Hsien-Ko gets a notable increase to her physical capabilities and stamina, able to match up more to her younger sister's base form. However, that pales in comparison to the other profound changes to her. The immediately noticeable feature of Mei-Ling's Dark Embrace is the shadow mass on her. When she initiates the Burst, her arms melt away as the Qi and Corriyami in her body sprout from where her arms used to be. During this Burst, her shadow becomes her arms. These shadow limbs make Mei-Ling an incredible dangerous foe to face down. These limbs are quite powerful as they are able to pulverize bodies, shatter rocks, and even pierce metal. Not only is it strong, but it is very resilient. While it can be cut off, the shadow will grow back fairly quickly from the stub left on Mei-Ling’s body, without causing pain to the jiangshi spirit. Due to their amorphous nature, they can change shape per Mei-Ling's will. Beyond simply taking on the shape of normal arms and hands, they can change size and length per her will. Should she need to, she can change the shadow to take on the form of varying weapons, of which are many thanks to her knowledge as an enthusiastic weapon master. However, one of the most prominently used forms of her shadow is that of a dragon. This 'shadow dragon' is basically a corrupted mirror image of the memory of seeing her mother's dragon form the day she sacrificed herself. It is a cathartic way for not only her mother to still be aiding her in a way, but for this corrupted image to pulverize her foes with great ferocity.
(credit: @o-corvo-art)
Beyond the shadow, another notable trait of Mei-Ling in the Dark Embrace is the astronomical increase in her magical powers. Not only are her Xianshu arts increased in their potency but so are the many magi artes she learned from her friends and allies in the other reality. So great are her magical capabilities in the Dark Embrace, she is capable of even using the powerful Jrukoshn Aarts with relative ease.
(Credit: Bunny_Bones BunnyBones ✨COMMISSIONS CLOSED✨ (@Bunny_Bones_) / Twitter)
A shared aspects with Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling in the Dark Embrace is the fact that due to the nature of how they obtained this Burst, both sisters are immune to the Corruption inflicted by Corriyami.
Powerful as the Dark Embrace is, it is not without limitations. Like all Bursts, it requires a certain amount of stored potential energy in the user in order to even make use of the Burst, of which the amount varies between each individual, each Burst, and their skill with the Burst. Once the Burst is active, the user only can only keep the Burst active for as long as there is enough stored energy to fuel the Burst. With practice, the energy consumption can be made more efficient to keep the Burst going longer, but eventually the reserves will run dry. Normally once the pool of energy is gone, the Burst will force the user to deactivate the Burst. However, individuals can force the Burst to break past this limitation and keep it going once the potential energy is gone. However, this is incredibly dangerous as the Burst is then relying on the user's own life forces as a means to fuel the Burst. Should the user recklessly keep this up, it can kill the individual. Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling nearly had this happen to them in the Void Labyrinth, the Burst only shutting off once they fell unconscious after a great ordeal. Should this happen, individuals can be left in a comatose like state as their bodies try to recover and stabilize their energy.
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. 😃
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.
Wanted to share this playlist I have been working on and off on for some time. I recently found a bunch of really cool and interesting songs to use for this playlist. Basically, the idea of this playlist is to find songs to basically tell the story of characters vaguely from beginning to end. For this one, it is of Hsien-Ko and Mei-Ling from my Cryas Darkstalkers mythos and without a doubt it is the longest with +50 songs used. Makes sense since they are the main protagonists of Cryas Darkstalkers. I am proud of this and look forward to giving this a long listen. Maybe you'd like to give it a look and give it a listen!🎶😎🎶
I do have ones for other characters and will share in time. I hope you enjoy! 😁💙💛