Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

"The multiverse is vast. Some stories are similar to each other, while others are as different as night and day. But what would happen if two stories of identical tales came together?"

A man in hooded robes watched as two versions of the Straw Hat Pirates sailed the Grand Line via a pair of glowing orbs in his hands.

"The reason for this unity between two stories is that a world is in need of their aid. A world with a dying prince, a corrupt system, and a man with goals that will spell death and destruction for all involved."

A horse-drawn carriage was making its way through desert mountains. The people riding looked to be simple merchants. Though three figures stood out in particular. The first was a boy with blue hair and two different colored eyes. The second was a tan-skinned man in a skull cap, and the third was a tall, imposing man in a hood and mask.

"Looks like we're in the clear," a girl's voice spoke up from the first person's pouch.

The speaker was what appeared to be a fairy girl with orange hair. The first boy hastily hid her from sight as the other people on the carriage began talking.

"Is it true, then? The king is dead?"

"Aye, and the guard's more concerned with the funeral than keeping the roads safe," another man replied, "So now the monsters are roaming around in broad daylight. No soldiers to stop ‘em."

"Monsters, huh... I've certainly been hearing the stories."

The first boy looked to the person sitting in front of him, a beautiful woman with long red hair and pointed ears with black tipped ends. Suddenly, the sound of tremors caught everyone's attention. A type of ship that walked on mechanical dragon-like legs landed in front of the carriage.

"They're bandits!," one of the passengers realized.

"Come on, let's see some respect for the militia!," the apparent leader barked, "Us folks, we're commoners! No crown or Church will save us!"

Another bandit stepped up beside the leader.

"But Lord Louis will save us one and all! All we ask is a little tribute."

"And what happens if we don't want to?," asked the man in the skull cap.

The second bandit scoffed.

"You're with us or against us. And if you're against us..."

He raised a type of scepter into the air, which began glowing before firing a blast of fire that rocked the carriage. The fairy gasped.

"An igniter!?"

"Cute toy," the hooded masked man scoffed, "Why don't you try showing us something a little more flashy?"

The bandits scowled but did their best to keep a cool head. Everyone was then lined up to hand over what valuables they had. As soon as one of the bandits approached the first boy, the leader noticed something. He went to take a closer look.

"Huh? Look at you... What have we got here? He's an elda!"

The collector sneered.

"So he is. No horns, no knife-ears..."

"Filthy gremlin like you," the leader scoffed, "Whatcha got in the capital?"

He then noticed the first boy had some kind of tome and tried to take it, only for the second boy in the skull cap to grab his wrist.

"Come on, don't you know it's not nice to take someone's personal belongings?"

The hooded masked man nodded.

"Money and jewels can easily be replaced... But a person's treasure can never be."

The bandit leader scoffed.

"Preaching like that ain't gonna do you any good!"

He moved to strike the skull cap-wearing boy, who suddenly turned into ash as the bandit leader's hand phased through it.

"What the bloody hell!?"

The hooded masked men stepped forward, his arm enlarging and turning into pure rock.

"Titanstone Knuckle!"

The bandit leader was punched in the face hard, breaking his nose and sending him flying into the cliff face. The other bandits moved to attack as one of the carriage riders tried to flee, only for the bandit to aim a slash at his back.

"Hold it!"

The skull cap-wearing boy suddenly appeared in front of the bandit, blocking his sword by turning his arm into a blade of solid carbon. The red-haired girl from earlier then sprang into action upon seeing the bandits try to harm an innocent man, using her sword to impale the one who was attacking the skull-cap wearing boy through the back, making him choke up blood as he drew his last breath. In the ensuing struggle, the first boy ended up stumbling over the road, falling down into the desert below. The skull cap boy and the hooded masked man noticed and jumped down after him, the former boosting himself on bursts of brimstone and burning ash from his legs as he grabbed the boy.

"Brimstone Barrier!"

Creating a cloud of ash and brimstone to cushion the fall, the skull cap-wearing man made sure the boy was okay as the fairy poked her head out of the pouch, spitting up some stray ash as the hooded masked man landed flawlessly on his feet.

"Ugh," the fairy groaned, "This place already feels like a death trap."

"Are you both okay?," The skull cap boy asked.

The elda boy nodded.

"Yeah. Thanks."

"You got a name?," The hooded masked man asked as he approached, "Looks like we'll be traveling on foot from now on. It'll help to get to know who we're working with."

"My name? It's Will. And my fairy friend here is Gallica."

"Yo," the fairy waved.

"My name is Martin Thomas," the skull cap boy introduced.

"Edward D. Lithos," the hooded masked man said.

The skull cap boy actually looked surprised to hear that name.

"Edward? Wait... Is your father named Edward Newgate?"

"Yes," Lithos said, "What's the issue?"

"That's the name of MY father...," Thomas explained, "And I certainly don't remember ever seeing you on the Moby Dick."

Lithos was surprised.

"How is this possible?"

"Uh, sorry to break up whatever the heck is going on, but we need to get going," Gallica said, "There's bound to be tons of monsters roaming around."

Thomas shook his head and smirked.

"Don't worry. If the monsters are anything like where I come from, I can eat them for breakfast."

Lithos chuckled.

"It seems you really are a child of Whitebeard. I was thinking the same thing."

The group headed through the desert. In the process, flashes of light manifested in front of them, leaving behind notes. Will and Gallica seemed to already know what they entailed, but Thomas and Lithos read them for clarity on what was going on.

Magic Igniters:

A tool that acts as a conduit for magic power, without which people cannot perform magic. To own or use them, one must obtain a permit from the kingdom by passing a test--with some exceptions, such as those serving in the state army. Igniters can be costly depending on power and specifications, and purchasing them is akin to buying land or housing. The expense is so great, buying more than one igniter would be difficult, even with the entire lifetime income of the average commoner. In order to prevent accidents and crime, the Crown Theocracy and the Magic Association have exclusive production rights of igniters. Unauthorised production is considered a serious offence. The time needed to cast magic depends on the user's skill, but can also be slightly impacted by the capabilities of the igniter itself. While using an igniter while sedentary poses little problem, activating an igniter while moving is difficult, and it is thus advised to use them cautiously.

Gauntlet Runner:

Often called "runners" as shorthand. A general term for magic-powered, semi-automated vehicles designed for traversing the wastelands, and either overcoming or circumventing local wildlife threats and magical phenomena. Travelling the wilds on foot or even in a lightly armed carriage has historically been incredibly dangerous, making any long-distance trips a life-threatening risk. However, as cities and countries grew, so too did demand for resources, many of which required transport in large quantities. The gauntlet runners filled the niche of an armed, sturdy vehicle that could help with transport and land development. There are smaller runners roughly the size of an armed carriage with a simple deck addition, but it's more common to see models that walk on "legs" with an internal living area comparable to a modest house. Legs are more common in their design than wheels, partly because of their versatility on all manner of difficult terrain, but moreso because adopting the remains and skeletons of large monsters as-is is more cost-effective and stronger than artificially creating all the components necessary.

Gallica:

A fairy who accompanies Will on his journey, doubling as his chaperone for his special mission. Her diminutive size excludes her from participating physically in battles, but her special fairy traits allow her more proficiency than Will when it comes to sensing magla and knowing magic. Though she can become heated when her personal values are tested, she is a reassuring travel companion.

Sanctism:

A monotheistic religion devoted to the worship of the one God, the Almighty. The religion of majority across the united kingdoms. Its sanctors preach that uttering the prayer "closurei" with one's whole heart will reach God, bringing salvation. It is the state religion, and the Sanctist hierarchy is deeply intertwined with the kingdom's politics. Currently, the Crown Theocracy is at the heart of the kingdom's political affairs.

"Interesting," Lithos noted, "You people are a bit more advanced than I imagined."

"What's that supposed to mean?," Gallica huffed.

"He didn't mean any offense," Thomas assured her, "It's just that where we come from, our technology is a little basic in some areas."

Suddenly, ravenous-looking wolves appeared before the group. Will had no weapon to defend himself at the moment, but Thomas and Lithos rushed forward, taking down the wolves with ash and stone.

"Surprisingly weak," Lithos noted, "But then again, our power no doubt dwarfs them."

"By the way, did I hear fight music a little ago?," Thomas asked.

Gallica blushed.

"That was me. See, music was the first magic this world ever knew. I can make it so that music plays in your head depending on the situation. Gives it an ambient vibe, you know?"

"Well, I certainly think it's good," Thomas noted, nodding his head to the rhythm.

Along the way, Lithos and Thomas found a few more notes lying around, giving them more details on the world, as well as the source of magic.

Magic:

A general term for the technique that consumes power to cause phenomena that bend the laws of nature. It has a wide range of applications, from modest use in daily life to destructive power in war. However, as magic igniters, which require a state permit for ownership and use, are required for people to be able to use magic, many cannot wield magic.

Music and Magic:

An unusual variety of magic that causes the listener to become aware of their state of mind through the form of sound and music. As it is a modest form of magic with seemingly no utility on the battlefield, it is considered a meaningless, trifling skill in society, and is thus rarely used.

The group soon found a trail of traveling merchants and blended in with them, entering the city of Grand Trad. Thomas and Lithos admired the sights around them.

"Kinda reminds me of Orange Town," Thomas noted

Lithos nodded.

"I feel like it has a Loguetown vibe as well."

On the way in, they noticed the Thousand Sunny being worked on by a few of their friends.

"Friends of yours?," Gallica asked.

Thomas smiled.

"Yup. You could say we're pirates, but we don't go around raiding and pillaging villages for the heck of it."

Will was confused.

"What other kinds of pirates could there be?"

Lithos laughed.

"Geogeogeogeo! More than you think."

"Gogogogogogo!," Thomas laughed, "In fact, our world has so many kinds of pirates you'd need more than two hands to count them."

"Was that supposed to be laughter?," Gallica asked, "Weird way of laughing if you ask me."

As the group wandered, they saw a man being executed in public, supposedly for the crime of misusing an igniter. Thomas shuddered.

"I'm getting bad flashbacks..."

Lithos shook his head.

"It seems the people here are as blind to justice as the World Government back home."

While Will and Gallica were distracted by the sights of the city, Lithos and Thomas thought back to how they got here.

The Straw Hat Pirates didn't know what the heck was going on. They had been sailing for Sabaody Archipelago after dealing with Shiki when they sailed into a massive flash of light. When the light cleared, the Thousand Sunny was floating in some kind of multi-colored void and a few extra people were on their ship.

"What the heck!?," Sanji exclaimed, "Who are you people!?"

"We should be asking you the same question!," a girl with long strawberry blonde hair snapped, "Who the heck are YOU people!?"

"It's the invasion of the dimension pod people!," one tall boy called out.

"Shut it, lumpy," another shorter boy said, bopping the first boy.

Amongst the newcomers the Straw Hats saw were a hooded masked man, a boy with goggles and a bandana, a woman with blue hair and bangs that shrouded one of her eyes, the aforementioned girl with strawberry blonde hair, the tall and short boy, along with an average-sized boy in a sock hat, two extra Fishmen that neither Brusa or Nishijima recognized, another Transponder Snail, this one with a beard, a tomboyish girl, a girl with green hair decorated with flowers, a monkey-like girl, a young man with a rake and gourd, N'Doul of the Nine Glory Gods, Hsiao Long-nu from the Sanzang Pirates, a man in a black hoodie and mask, a man with shades and a beret, a woman in robes, a young man who seemed to look at Vivi with familiarity, a large girl with brown hair in a ponytail and a white cap, a blue-skinned girl, a girl with whiskers and fangs, a man with a big nose and powdered wig, a Bandicoot Mink, and a woman in traditional pirate clothes.

"Vivi, what's going on?," The young man with black hair asked, "It's me, your brother!"

Vivi was confused.

"I think I'd know if I had a brother."

"Is that Alvida from the Buggy Pirates?," the boy in the sock hat asked.

"I haven't been hanging with Buggy since Loguetown," Alvida noted.

"Hsiao, N'Doul, what are you guys doing here?," Luffy asked, "Shouldn't you be with the Sanzang Pirates and Nine Glory Gods?"

"Nine Glory Gods?," N'Doul asked, "I'm not familiar with those people."

"Sanzang Pirates?," Hsiao asked, "I mean, Sonson, Choi, N'Doul, and I were starting out as pirates before you guys picked us up!"

Alvida frowned as she looked at the fat girl in the white cap.

"How do you manage to be fat but still so pretty?"

The girl blushed.

"I just make it work."

"Okay, obviously, something weird is going on here," the blue-skinned girl said, "We know you guys, but you guys don't seem to know us." 

"I believe I can explain all of it."

Everyone suddenly saw a man in hooded robes appear before them, his features shrouded completely.

"Are you the one who kidnapped us?," Zoro demanded, drawing his swords.

"I apologize for the sudden abduction, but you are the only ones I can turn to," the man explained, "You see, there is a world in need of your strength, a world on the brink of ruin."

"Wait, a whole other world?," Nami asked.

The man nodded.

"As to how I brought you here, I am the one who ate the World-World Fruit, a potent Paramecia that can interact with alternate realities. Its existence has long been a closely guarded secret by the World Government, but by chance, I was able to find it. Ah, Vivi, I should mention that due to certain differences between you and the version of you that Noctis here remembers, you are temporarily gifted with a very potent new ability."

"Which is?," Vivi asked.

"The Sand-Sand Fruit, once used by Sir Crocodile," the man said

"What!?," most of the Straw Hats exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, we killed him," the boy with goggles and a bandana said, "Well, Merone dealt the final blow to him. She ate the Water-Water Fruit."

"Wait, there's a Water Devil Fruit!?," Honey asked, "I mean, my Liquid-Liquid Fruit can simulate water since it's a liquid, but..."

"We also killed Enel," the hooded masked man added. "So far, we don't know if his Rumble-Rumble Fruit has returned to circulation or has already been eaten by another."

"Great," Sanji said, "Next you're gonna say you killed Gecko Moria and his Devil Fruit is in the wind."

"Okay, hear us out...," the strawberry blonde girl began.

"You didn't," Vivi said.

"It was an accident!," the short boy insisted, "He impaled himself!"

The mysterious man cleared his throat.

"May I continue?"

The Straw Hats all promptly kept quiet as he resumed his exposition.

"The world I need you to protect is currently suffering a succession crisis. The king of the great country of Euchronia has recently been assassinated, and his only heir, the prince, has been cursed into a comatose state. Only the death of the one who cursed him can free him."

"So who cursed him?," Chopper asked.

"I am uncertain," the man admitted, "While I can interact with every alternate world, I can never know all of its details. But I do know the one who is blamed for the incident has gone off the deep end and has started taking actions that most assuredly lead the world to ruin."

"So we gotta find this guy and kick his ass, right?," Luffy guessed, cracking his knuckles.

The man nodded.

"You will have help from the denizens of the world I am sending you to, of course. And quite possibly access to great powers long lost to time. Seek out the members of the resistance against the man known as Louis Guiabern. They will be your allies without fail."

With that, in another flash of light, the Straw Hats of two different but similar realities were taken on a new journey.

While wandering, Thomas and Lithos managed to pick up a few more notes, which were being sent by the user of the World-World Fruit to get them caught up on the history and lore of the world.

Kingdom of Euchronia:

A union of allied kingdoms. Spans the Kingdom of Euchronia, the Principality of Oceana, and the Principality of Montario--Euchronia being the suzerain, with its king holding authority over all three kingdoms. The original King Hythlodaeus was this united nation's first ruler, and is often referred to as the founder king. The continent is surrounded by fast-running currents, and ships can only set anchor from the southern inland sea, where the otherwise-swift currents are less violent. As a result, there have been few invasions from overseas and the three countries have achieved long histories. The capital of the kingdom is Grand Trad, the largest city in the kingdom, located in north-central Euchronia. The most widespread religion is Sanctism, established as the state religion under the reign of the most recent monarch, King Hythlodaeus V.

Royal Capital Grand Trad:

The nation's largest city: capital of both the Kingdom of Euchronia and the united kingdoms at large. Also referred to as the Royal Capital, being the home of the palace and seat of the royal bloodline. Known for its solid ramparts, a sight which has long been emblematic of the city itself. However, when the massive Regalith Grand Cathedral was built, the building's grandeur became the new symbol of Grand Trad.

Elda Tribe:

The ninth tribe, distinct from the commonly known eight tribes, they are condemned by the Sanctist Church for inheriting "a dangerous magic heretical to the teachings of the Church". Their population is so small that to even see one in public is rare, and they face greater discrimination than any other tribe. In fact, many outside the main cities don't believe they exist. Each of the eight tribes possess unique physical traits making them recognisable at a glance, such as the clemars' horns or the roussaintes' long ears. The elda tribe, however, bears no such distinguishing feature, and thus are regarded as inferior beings.

Clemar Tribe:

The clemar tribe composes the largest population in all the allied kingdoms. Their most distinctive features are the horns which grow on both sides of their head. Clemars have a broad diversity of facial and body types, which has essentially made them average. The Euchronian royal family are clemar, and members of this tribe hold a majority of important positions within the government, leading many clemars to internalise the belief that they are the kingdom's most preeminent tribe. Clemars value freedom and dislike illogical restraint. They enjoy cultivating discussion, but do not always consider the situation or appropriateness of doing so, which occasionally leads to conflict. However, some studies suggest this disposition is what drives them to seek governmental positions and other important offices.

Roussainte Tribe:

One of the most populous tribes of the united kingdoms, second only to the clemar. Long, pointed ears are their most distinguishing feature. They often boast excellent physiques, which has given them superior martial prowess. Roussainte women are stronger than most men of other tribes. Many inevitably work in the military and often hold key offices. They are considered as influential as the clemar, and the two tribes are sometimes called the "prevailing tribes". Many roussainte pride themselves on outperforming others in strength. While this can be perceived as a self-disciplined competitiveness, on the flip side, there are many with a belligerent temperament, obsessed with proving superiority in any situation.

Paripus Tribe:

A tribe recognisable by bestial ears and a tail. There are many variations in their hair and skin colours, including cold-coloured skin not seen in other tribes. They are physically adept and often honest with their emotions, giving them a reputation for hedonism, for better or for worse. They are drawn to parties and festivities, and while this happy-go-lucky charm is often to their credit, it can also be seen as recklessness. Due to this stereotype, they are looked down upon by other tribes which prevents them from securing a foothold in politics despite being nearly as populous as the roussainte and clemar tribes. The discrimination against them is especially obvious in large cities.

Prince of Euchronia:

The son and heir to the throne of King Hythlodaeus V. More than ten years ago, a mysterious attack in the royal palace left him afflicted with a deadly curse. The curse took its toll on his body, and though he bravely endured treatment, his recovery was interrupted several years later when he and his closest aides suddenly vanished from the castle without a trace. The king exhausted all possible means to find him, but was ultimately unsuccessful. He was formally declared deceased three years ago, and a royal funeral was held in his honour...

While exploring the area and talking with the denizens, Thomas and Lithos couldn't help but notice how little Will seemed to know about the world, gazing in wonder at the igniters while Gallica bragged about being able to manipulate magla without one.

"Kid seems a bit clueless, even though he was born here," Thomas noted.

Lithos nodded.

"Indeed. Gallica seems to be the only thing keeping him informed on what he needs to do."

"Wonders never cease. A fairy and an Eldan child. Are you new to our fair city?"

Hearing the voice, the group turned to see a dark-skinned woman with white hair who appeared to be a merchant of some kind.

"Well, I suggest you keep a low profile. Trust me when I say you don't want to catch the eyes of the lords and ladies."

"And you are?," Thomas asked.

"Unimportant for right now," the woman dismissed, "I simply run this humble shop. Are you in the market for an igniter?"

"Well, Thomas and I are pretty well-off," Lithos said, "But thank you for the offer."

The woman then noticed Will was looking at a large staff resembling a spinal column with a model ribcage surrounding a gemstone.

"Ah, that is modeled after the Royal Sceptre. It would make for quite the souvenir."

"Uh, the Royal Sceptre?," Will asked.

"You've really never heard of it?" Gallica asked in a deadpan tone, "Wow, where do I even start? Uh..."

"A symbol and instrument of the crown's sovereignty," the woman explained, "Passed down through generations. If you believe the legends, it houses incredible magic. World-shattering power..."

"Given it looks so ominous, I believe it," Thomas noted.

Lithos nodded.

"It could very well be on par with Father's Tremor-Tremor Fruit."

"In the king's hands, it was enough of a deterrent to stave off invasion," the woman continued, "Tragic, isn't it? Kingly magic is of little use without a king."

She frowned as she addressed the group.

"You picked a bad time to visit. I don't know why you're here, but there's trouble brewing."

"Don't worry, lady," Thomas assured, "Wherever we go, trouble tends to brew no matter what."

"Still, I'll keep that in mind," Will said.

"A word of caution, then," the woman said, "Your survival is your own responsibility."

With that, she turned and left.

"Well, that was unnecessarily ominous," Gallica noted. 

"She has a point, though," Lithos said, "We should be on our guard."

Along the way, they came across another few notes.

Magla:

A technical term for magic power that serves as the basis for magic. There are varying amounts in all things found in nature, including people, plants, and animals. Because magla sometimes crystallises in areas of high concentration, some scholars theorise that magla may be physical particles too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Royal Sceptre:

An ornate cane-like sceptre passed down through generations of the Euchronian royal family: proof of their right to rule. A magical instrument of extraordinary capabilities, powerful enough to induce natural disasters. It can only be wielded by the king, and the popularly termed "royal magic" it commands serves both as a pillar of the king's authority and a deterrent to war. Consequently, any king of Euchronia must be well-versed in magic, and the boon of royal lineage is not enough to ensure succession to the throne. Historically, there have been many cases where an offshoot member of a prince's family has become king, when the bloodline's most direct heritor was judged not to have enough magical aptitude to truly wield the Royal Sceptre.

The Royal Magic:

A powerful magic passed down through generations of Euchronian kings, invoked through a unique magic igniter called the Royal Sceptre. It has tremendous power that can bring about anything the king desires. There are several records of its use in the long history of the kingdom, be it for revolutionary or oppressive aims, but each is described as a cataclysmic disaster. It continues to represent a strong, deterrent power to the royal family and the kingdom.

Soon, the group finally arrived at the Recruitment Centre. As Will and Gallica headed inside, Thomas and Lithos held back to discuss what to do, since they were obviously not from this world themselves.

"Remember what the guy who sent us here told us to do?"

Lithos hummed.

"Yes. We're part of a magical research team from another country. It'll help explain some of our more... Unique members."

"Any problems we should be expected to face?," Thomas wondered.

"I did hear talk of a man named Sanctifex Forden." Lithos noted, "Something about him gives me a bad feeling..."

"Okay," Thomas said, "Let's head to the recruitment centre. If what Gallica said on the way here is true, a member of the resistance we're supposed to meet up with is at a certain post."

"Wonder why nobody here is a human," Lithos said, "It seems odd that none of the people here refer to themselves as such."

Gallica managed to hear Lithos say that as he and Thomas headed inside and joined her and Will. A shudder ran up the fairy's spine at the mention of the word "human".

Forden:

Aestivum Forden. The 78th Sanctifex of the Sanctist Church, the state religion of the united kingdom. He holds the highest authority within Sanctism and, as such, is the leader of the Crown Theocracy. Despite hailing from the rhoag tribe (rather than the more common clemar or roussainte tribes), he enjoys a broad base of support. In the turmoil following the sudden death of the previous king, many view him as something of an interim king, given his position as the leader of the moderate faction.

Recruitment Centre:

A centre located in every city for people to apply to join the army. For those without family or means, volunteering is one of the quickest ways to earn money and social credibility. Recruitment is not always open, but concerns about public safety due to the sudden death of the king, as well as monster outbreaks in the area has led to an unusually long recruitment period in the royal capital.

Will, Thomas, and Lithos were now seated in front of a portly man with important-looking robes over his armor and a mustache. The man, Captain Klinger, was quite a pompous and rude individual. When Will gave his disguised reason for enlisting as wanting the money, Klinger commended him for being "pragmatic".

"Man, this guy knows nothing about how my brothers and sisters on the Whitebeard Grand Fleet got hazed," Thomas joked to Lithos quietly.

The Earthbender snorted in amusement at that but kept it to himself, trying to remain inconspicuous under Klinger's scrutinizing gaze before the man asked Will the next question.

"So, what can you bring to our beloved corps? Any skills to speak of?"

"I'm stronger than I look," Will replied.

Klinger scoffed.

"With arms like that, you'd have to be."

He then pulled out a piece of paper.

"Right, last order of business. Make your mark, or sign your name if you're actually literate."

Will nodded and wrote down his name on the paper before handing it back to Klinger. With that out of the way, he headed off as Thomas and Lithos spoke with the captain next.

As the group waited in line, Will noticed a golden beetle by itself. Sensing it was important, he picked it up and pocketed it for later. Meanwhile, Lithos found himself accosted by an uppity-looking roussainte. The Earthbender wasn't too bothered, considering he was much taller than the other man.

"That gear is better off in my hands than yours, big boy. Give it here."

"Why go after me when the guard giving things out has enough gear for the entire line, yourself included?," Lithos pointed out.

The deep tone in Lithos's voice intimidated the man, who quickly tried to pick on Will, figuring he was an easier target. However, a young man with silver hair and small horns stopped him.

"Brute force and crude insults," the young man muttered sarcastically, "The world is yours for the taking."

"Care to say that again, boy?," the roussainte snarled.

"We all have our reasons to enlist," the young man said, "Now get back in line."

"Oh, another high-and-mighty clemar, is it!?," the brute said with a scoff.

"Hey."

The man turned, only to be cowed into silence by the cold glare Thomas was giving him. It obviously promised pain if he continued to press the issue. Will gave both Thomas and the other young man a thankful look.

Later that evening, as everyone was getting ready for bed, Will was looking through his tome, the one that the bandit leader had tried to take earlier.

"What kind of book is that?," Thomas asked, looking over Will's shoulder.

"Huh? Oh, it's uh..."

The elda started to explain, only to find his words lost. Gallica started to read the first chapter.

"'The young traveler was amazed by the world he saw. In this world, there is only one tribe. All people accept each other, and no soul is born into discrimination. In such a world, there is no need for sorcery. A megapolis is built through learning and labor. Towers of glass that reach the heavens. Safe nights with no dark shadows. Busy streets well traveled. And in the laws of these emotionally satisfied people, it reads... All lives are equal.' Wow, no magic, no tribal conflict... And equiality for all. Shame there's no fairies, though."

"Whatever it is, it's no doubt fantasy," Lithos noted, "Some of the stuff in there is impossible, even for where Thomas and I come from."

"Say, Will," Thomas spoke up, "Considering we're friends for the most part, what's the real reason you decided to enlist?"

Will frowned but considering how kind Thomas and Lithos had been to him since he had met them, he figured he could trust them.

"You see, I'm actually friends with the Prince of Euchronia. Have been ever since he was brought to our hidden village. This book was his. He spoke of wanting to become a king that could make the fantasy of this book a reality. A world with no magic, no tribal division. I believed in his dream. And when he collapsed and became comatose from the curse, I swore to train hard so I could make his dream a reality."

Thomas smiled.

"That's a dream worth pursuing."

"Indeed," Lithos added. "Our crew highly values the dreams of each other as well as any we come across, no matter how small they may be."

Meanwhile, a few soldiers who were still awake were muttering to themselves about three elda being part of the guard. Since Luffy didn't see much issue with what everyone looked like, no special magic was used to disguise any of the Straw Hats.

Two days later, Will, Thomas, Lithos, and the young man who helped them out were with several other guards in a carriage taking them to the Northern Border Fort on the outskirts. Will was fingering his igniter, and the magla crystal installed within. While waiting, the young man began striking up a conversation with the other three.

"So, what brings you to enlist?"

"Just trying to make our way in the world," Lithos said, "There's a lot we wish to know about it, since we're not from here."

"We didn't quite get your name yesterday," Thomas added, "I'm Thomas Martin, this is Lithos Edward."

"It's Strohl," the young man said, "Leon Strohl. Last son of the House of Halia."

"A nobleman?," Thomas asked, "Didn't think you'd be enlisting."

Strohl sighed.

"You could say my only path left in life is to try and help others. I once ran away from danger. Never again..."

When everyone arrived, Captain Klinger began going off on a long, blustering rant. Tuning him out, Will, Stohl, Thomas, and Lithos began making their own small talk when Thomas felt something hit his nostrils.

"Do you smell that?"

"Smell what?," Will asked.

Lithos began smelling the air as well, his eyes narrowing.

"It's copper... That means blood."

"Either that or a massive pile of pennies," Thomas pointed out, "But with our luck... I'm gonna say it's blood."

Suddenly, a heavily wounded soldier stumbled into the clearing, desperately trying to stay on his feet before collapsing.

"Is that a soldier?," Klinger asked before rushing over, "Hey! Speak to me, man! What happened!?"

"Listen... Stay... On guard... It's... It's too..."

The soldier then died of his wounds, Klinger frowning as he stood up.

"Not one of mine... Must be one of the fort's guards."

He then turned to the soldiers. 

"Those damned vultures across the border, they must have heard about the king's death!"

He then nervously cleared his throat.

"A-Anyway, to the fort! Double time! I'll stay behind to see to the poor bastard's wounds!"

"He's already dead, though...," Thomas noted as he turned to Lithos, "Something tells me there's more to this story."

Strohl seemed to be thinking the same thing Thomas was. But right now, the other soldiers were hoping this could be their chance to prove themselves as they stormed on ahead, Will, Strohl, Thomas, and Lithos staying behind and sticking together.

"There's safety in numbers," Lithos noted. "We'll be able to handle things together easier that way."

As the four walked through the forest, Strohl was introduced to Gallica while Thomas and Lithos came across a few new notes.

Magla Crystal:

A crystallised cluster of magla that forms naturally in places where high concentrations are left to fester, though scholars have recently developed methods to create them artificially. The colour of the crystals depends on the formation process and its impurities. High-purity, natural crystals are indispensable in producing high-performance igniters. As a result, some value them higher than gems and precious metals. Areas where crystals are abundant are often claimed in the name of the Crown as mining sites. However, people have long whispered that magla crystals are dangerous to those who deal in them. Such statements are largely regarded as hearsay because there was little evidence to support it, but recently the State Army has grown more cautious with them as reported incidents are on the rise.

Northern Border Fort:

A defensive fort on the northern edge of Euchronian territory, also bordering the country of Oceana to the west. Built before the kingdom's unification, this old stronghold has outlived its political and strategic relevance, and is most often used as a training ground for new soldiers.

Strohl:

Leon Strohl. A young man of the clemar tribe met at the Recruitment Centre in Grand Trad. A genial youth who values justice with a good head on his shoulders. He comes from a noble family but seems to have complex circumstances that led him to enlist in the army, typically a commoner profession. Though new recruits grumble at being ordered to refer to each other by their surnames in order to prevent overfamiliarity, Strohl doesn't seem to mind.

Fantasy Novel:

The book Will carries with him. It is a memoire-style novel depicting a country with neither magic nor a notion of tribes, where people are not discriminated by birth--quite literally a "fantasy world". It was designated as a forbidden text by the Sanctist Church ten years prior and most copies are thought to have been burned, making it hard to come by in present day. It is a well-bound book that would be unusual for a commoner to own.

Soon, the group came across a large fort, no doubt the one where the dying soldier had been attacked.

"This must be the Northern Border Fort," Thomas noted, "The smell of blood is even stronger up close."

"I got a bad feeling about this," Gallica said worriedly.

They all headed inside, only to look shocked as they saw the soldiers being thrown around like ragdolls but some inhuman abomination. It looked like a large pomegranate, but with a winged head, bladed legs, long arms, and fruit-bearing vines.

"A human!," Strohl gasped.

"What!?." Thomas gawked, "That is NOT a human!"

"Is this why none of the people who inhabit this world are named humans?," Lithos noted, "Because it's already been claimed by these... Creatures?"

There were so many dead bodies littering the place, including the rouissante punk who had antagonized Will and Lithos the other day, who was clutching his wounds with tears in his eyes while pleading for help before slowly choking to death on his own blood.

"A fate I would not wish upon him even if I was allowed," Lithos noted sadly.

"There's nothing we can do now," Strohl said, "We need to keep going. Hopefully, we might be able to find those who still draw breath."

As they made their way through the fort, the group were faced with multiple different monsters; lizard-like creatures freshly hatched out of eggs named Homo Oppos, ravenous wolves named Feral Hundos, and goofy-looking living teeth named Homo Tenta. Strohl mentioned that any creature given the name "Homo" was another type of human. Thomas privately noted that the creatures didn't even have any human-like features, unlike the giant human seen earlier. Will and Strohl struggled against the monsters a bit, but Thomas and Lithos were able to dispatch them much more easily, but had to resort to just their physical might, not sure how their Devil Fruit powers would affect the world in the process.

Soon, the group reached the top of the fortress, where the human from earlier was waiting for them, surrounded by dead bodies everywhere.

"Damn, such tremendous power...," Strohl muttered wearily.

"It's horrible...," Gallica said, "I can't believe what I'm seeing."

"Come on, guys," Thomas said, "We can't let it get away with this! We just need to stick together and take it down!"

The human known as Homo Gorleo was quite strong, Will and Strohl barely making any dents in it. Thomas and Lithos were having slightly better luck, but even then, the creature was just barely injured. Every time it tried to attack, Thomas and Lithos would use their Logia bodies to bypass it, making sure to protect Will and Strohl in the process.

"Trying to punch that thing is like trying to punch air," Thomas noted, "Some sort of cushion is keeping it from being severely injured."

Will grit his teeth, especially since Strohl had taken a bad hit in the process that Thomas and Lithos couldn't protect him from. However, it was then the young Elda felt a flash go through him.

"O, fate-saddled child. O, anguished traveler..."

Will looked around for the source of the voice, only to find himself floating in some kind of bright chapel.

"Thy fate is crown-twined, thy soul bound for the throne. The future yet unknown dawns in this moment. Thy path may fork, but only one may be chosen. Confront the threat before thee, or die here in obscurity. Now, choose."

Reaching into his chest, glowing orange marks formed on Will's body.

"Heroism lies in the soul that stands firm against its fears... Power awaits thy command. The time is come to awaken the hero within!"

Invigorated by these words, Will screamed and ripped out what looked like some kind of heart-shaped radio, power exploding out of him in the process.

"Engrave thy very heart!," the voice cried, "Awaken!"

At the same time, Thomas and Lithos heard a voice in their heads.

"Children from another world. Brothers from two different realms. Why do you hesitate? This world is not made of glass. It needs your full power for you to be the lodestar who guides the king's own path. Unleash your full power. Let thine enemies understand that you and those you protect will not fall so easily."

The duo looked at each other and nodded. With a resounding yell of determination, they unleashed the might of their Devil Fruits. Thomas started looking like a living volcano, while Lithos turned into a mighty golem.

"I am Brimstone Martin Thomas!"

"And I am Tremor Edward D. Lithos!"

"Even from two different worlds, we are still brothers! We are the Children of Whitebeard!"

As for Will, he had become some kind of giant armored warrior carrying a mighty shortsword. The Homo Gorleo soon found itself being viciously pummeled by the barrage of attacks. Thomas struck it with an explosive brimstone fist, Lithos turned his arms into a giant rock cannon and fired an exploding boulder infused with heat, and Will unleashed a torrent of wind with a swipe of his sword. Eventually, the human collapsed, dead from all the damage it took. As Will, Thomas, and Lithos turned back to normal, two people approached. The first was a familiar face to both the sons of Whitebeard.

"Sanji!," Thomas smiled, "And who's this guy?"

The other man had dark skin, an eyepatch, greying hair, and a beard. From just one look, you could tell he was an experienced soldier.

"That's the contact Will and I were trying to meet with!," Gallica realized, "Grius!"

The man, Grius, smiled.

"Gallica! You made it!"

"What have you guys been doing together?," Lithos asked, "And how did you survive that creature?"

"I managed to get a job here as a chef," Sanji explained, "When the monsters started attacking, I just did my usual."

"Never seen a man fell humans with just his legs before," Grius said, "Something tells me you people aren't from around here."

Lithos shrugged.

"You could say that."

Meanwhile, Thomas was checking up on Strohl's wounds. Fortunately, they weren't too bad, but they would still need to be treated before they could fester.

After leaving the fortress and resting Strohl against a tree to check up on his injuries, the others began talking with each other.

"Say, those powers you two were using...," Grius noted, "They don't look like they came from an igniter."

"It's part of an experiment from our homeland," Thomas explained, "Basically, fruits that carry a certain type of magic within them. Almost like an organic igniter. Just eat one and you can use some very potent magic."

"It does come with some side effects," Lithos added, "We haven't been able to remove the weakness to standing water. Plus each fruit is unique. You can only retrieve an eaten fruit by killing the current user."

"And what about the boy?," Grius asked, referring to Will, "How'd he manage to command powers like what he showed?"

"It's like nothing I've ever seen," Gallica admitted. "Do you know anything about it?"

"I might," Grius said, "For now, the mission comes first."

"What's the mission?," Sanji asked.

"We have to kill Louis Guiabern," Gallica explained, "It's as simple as that."

"About damn time," Grius said, "Those scheming nobles haven't said so publicly, but every soldier knows it's nothing natural that killed the king."

"Yeah, even the commonfolk have been hearing the rumors," Lithos noted.

"There's more," Gallica said, "The prince's condition is getting worse and we're running out of time."

Will and Gallica showed Grius a small mirror called a Farsight Mirror, allowing Grius to see the condition the prince was in. Thomas, Lithos, and Sanji also got a good look as well and frowned at what they saw.

"Jeez, that looks bad," Sanji said, "I'm no doctor, but given all the times I've brought food to Chopper, I did pick up some knowledge. I'd say the kid's got five months at best."

Grius frowned.

"That's a fair estimate... His Highness won't last much longer. Those thorns are thick enough to claim him."

"Louis cast the curse," Gallica said, "So killing him is the only way to lift it. If we wait any longer, they're just gonna crown a new king."

"Now hold on," Thomas spoke up. "How do we know for sure it was Louis. Sure, he did kill the king and make no mistake, but what about the prince?"

"How can you say that?," Grius questioned. "No one else has such an ability."

"Did you even search?" Lithos retorted, "Surely Louis can't be the only child prodigy archmage."

Will just looked confused.

"Uh, can someone catch me up, please?"

"About fifteen years ago," Grius explained, "A child enlisted in the army. But it wasn't his age that had people talking... It was his ruthless military genius. Hero to some. Monster to others. Louis Guiabern, a prodigal tactician and a master of magla arts. Some said it was only a matter of time before he made general. The youngest the nation's had."

"Sounds like a promising guy," Thomas noted, "So what happened?"

"That night, the very night the prince was attacked," Grius said, "His quarters were breached, and a young child with potent magla arts placed a terrible curse on him. It was no ordinary mage who cast that fatal curse. It could only have been Louis Guiabern himself. Not that you'll find a scrap of evidence to prove it. The man's too damn clever to have left any behind."

"At fifteen?," Lithos asked, "I don't care how much of a prodigy he is, removing all evidence of one's involvement is just impossible. That said, it is true that Louis needs to be removed. He's a proven tyrant, regardless of what some might think."

"It won't be easy," Grius admitted, "He's seen as a hero for a reason. The royal army thinks they were at their best with Louis in charge, and in truth, it's hard to deny. Without him, we'd never have crushed the rebel uprisings so quickly. The man's ruthless, tyrannical, cunning, and uncaring of who's in his way. But at the very least, I can say he's earned his titles fair and square."

"That's a hell of a mission. And I want in."

Everyone looked to see Strohl having woken up, being supported by Thomas as Grius glared and prepared to draw a knife on him, only for Sanji to stop him.

"What are ya doing!?," the veteran demanded, "He was clearly eavesdropping on the plan!"

"I can assure you that Strohl has nothing to do with Louis," Lithos said, "And we can use all the help we can get if we're going to stop him."

Human:

Unknown monsters with bizarre forms unlike any natural beast. Their bodies hold immense amounts of volatile magla, and they rampage through their surroundings indiscriminately. Despite their berserk nature marking little sign of intelligence, they can wield advanced magic beyond the grasp of all sentient beings. Many aspects of their biology and ecology remain a total mystery. Given their unnatural physical resilience, large specimens can wipe out entire armies. Although there have been sightings of humans since antiquity, actual encounters are incredibly rare, and they have long been dismissed from being any real threat. However, recent years have seen them appearing with more rapid frequency across the Crown's lands, which has the people uneasy.

Resonant Vessels:

When an Archetype's power causes a transformation, the first stage is that of the heart becoming a metallic object of unknown origin. To activate the power, the wielder must announce their determination and their hopes for it into their newly made heart, which urges the body to awaken. This outcry is akin to the battle cries of heroes past, who were known to call upon Archetypes in the face of danger. It could be said that the transformation makes the wielder an ideal vision of themselves.

Prince's Curse:

The lingering, malevolent magic sustained by the prince during his assault twelve years ago. At the time of the incident, great minds from all over the country attempted to break the curse, yet none were successful. Those who can see the flow of magla say it resembles poisonous briar vines entwined around the sleeping prince.

Farsight Mirror:

A mysterious looking-glass tinged with magic. Entrusted to Gallica by the Resistance for her secret mission. This pair of identical mirrors reflects the view of the other, no matter the distance separating them. Gallica possesses one half of the pair, while the other remains by the prince, allowing her to check on his condition at any time. Originally owned by the prince, it is a small item that is impossible to make with contemporary technology. Some believe it may in fact be a divine relic.

Hidden Village:

A hidden village whose name and location are kept secret from the world. The prince, afflicted by a curse, is being sheltered and receiving treatment here. This is also where Will and Gallica were issued their secret mission.

Prince's Assault:

An assassination attempt on the prince twelve years ago. Assailants infiltrated the palace to attack the prince as he was sleeping, catching the royal guard by surprise with their sudden appearance within the secured grounds. Though these loyal guards gave panicked chase, they ultimately made a cataclysmic blunder: not only did they allow the prince to be harmed, they failed to capture the assailants, or even ascertain their identities. The assailant who made direct contact with the prince was a mage who fled the palace after casting a high-level curse. Thanks to the efforts of the royal healers, the prince avoided an untimely demise, but they were unable to free him from this affliction. According to the royal guards who fought the band of assassins, the only clue regarding the identity of the mage was they were "patently not an adult". This assailant was able to arrange a sneak attack within the palace, had a masterful command of high-level curse magic, and the appearance of a child... By all accounts, the only person to match these unique criteria was Louis, who was afterwards strongly condemned by all in the palace. However, no evidence could be found, and justice is still yet to be served.

Grius:

Arvid Grius. A veteran rhoag warrior and resistance member alongside Will and Gallica. He infiltrated the ranks of the army and has been working as a covert operative. Gallica was entrusted with delivering secret orders to him.

Louis:

Louis Guiabern. A clemar royal army officer of great renown who managed to become nobility at an exceptionally young age. He possesses extraordinary skills as both a warrior and an archmage, but even more highly regarded are his capabilities as a military strategist, for which his superior insight and grasp of psychology set him apart. His faculties as a young soldier were so shrewd that his own allies came to grow wary of him, calling him a "monster in the making". He prizes rationality above all else, strictly adhering to a policy of appointing officers by their capabilities alone, without regard for tribe or origin. As a result, senior officials accuse him of trying to undermine tradition. However, he now wields an influence far beyond a typical officer, and many believe he will be the youngest person ever to be appointed the army's highest ranking position of general.

Mage:

A general term for those who have good command over magic. Formally, it refers to those who have achieved a national qualification to professionally use magic. However, as many commoners have difficulty discerning those who are formally qualified, this catch-all term rose to prominence. There are several tiers to mage certification, with the majority being for low-tier artisans, engineers, and soldiers, which limit the type and usage of magic. However, some professions have fewer restrictions, such as magic professors and healers. The higher the tier of certification, the more difficult it is to obtain. Few in the kingdom hold the highest tier, and one bearer alone can influence nations.

After setting up camp, Sanji amazed Will, Strohl, Gallica, and Grius with his cooking skills using a nice pot-au-feu made from some of the local wildlife. Gallica in particular couldn't help but ask for seconds.

"That's why Sanji is the best cook in our crew," Thomas said, "He learned the best from the legendary Red Leg Zeff."

"Not sure I've heard the name, but the skills speak for themselves," Grius said, "And a good hearty stew like this is just what we need in order to trek through the Nord Mines tomorrow."

Later, after everyone had gone to sleep, Will found himself waking up in a giant expansive library. Sitting at a desk was a man petting a cat.

"Nice to meet you," he greeted, "I've been waiting. And now you've acquired a most interesting power."

Will looked to see a flying book make its way over to the man's desk and rest at his hand as he stood up.

"Fascinating. In the moments where your heart is most gripped by the book, I can reach out to you."

"And who are you?," Will asked.

"My name is More," the man explained, "And I am the humble author of the novel you've been reading. You stand now in my study. Quite something, isn't it? A hall of wisdom, purpose-built for the research of certain powers. I call it Akademeia."

"What am I doing here?," Will asked.

"Simply put, to give you context to the power you just awakened to," More explained, "A power I have been researching for quite some time. My life's work, in fact. But alas, this place is as much a prison as it is a library. His most merciful Majesty saw fit to lock me in this place."

Will frowned.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Why would he do something so cruel?"

More shrugged.

"To be honest, it has been so long, I no longer remember where in the kingdom my study actually lies, let alone the reason for my imprisonment. In truth, I never imagined my words would even reach beyond these walls. That is, until you appeared. Whatever force allowed this, it clearly intended for us to meet. So, what would you say to an alliance?"

"What kind of alliance?," Will asked.

"There must be more you wish to know," More pointed out. "For instance, the nature of this fascinating power you've awakened to. I believe you have found a way to wield true magic! You need no petty conduit of mortal make, you can even change your appearance using the raw magla within."

"Is that what I did the other day against that human?" Will realized.

More nodded.

"It is above all a mystic, long-hidden art, now the stuff of legend, what I have come to call Archetypes."

"Do you also know something about the powers Thomas and Lithos use?," Will asked.

"Not the specifics," More said, "But I have heard of such research. There are old tomes, ancient texts the nature of which has been long forgotten, which speak of such 'organic igniters'. They are referred to simply as Devil Fruits. Despite the name, there is nothing inherently evil about them, so I have no idea where such a name even came from."

"And what about the Archetypes?," Will asked.

"A spirit of heroic virtue," More explained. "A transformative power that manifests only in those who embody the heroes and kings of old, in some core aspect. Heroes of antiquity are often depicted as near-mythic figures, with forms transcending the mortal. These accounts are no mere allegory, but truth."

"I see," Will said.

"However," More continued, "None of my records describe anyone wielding such power as freely as you. Perhaps you are meant for not just proficiency, but mastery."

"What do you mean?," Will asked.

"In their truest form...," More began, "Archetypes represent the power of a true hero. One who can drive away calamity and evil in this world, no matter what form."

"Is this why you want to form an alliance?," Will asked.

More nodded.

"Indulge me this request, and I believe my dream may yet be possible. Together, we can restore the kingdom's ideals. I shall gladly provide you knowledge and assistance to master your newfound power. So, what say you? Will you take my hand in friendship?"

Will nodded and reached out his hand for More to take. As soon as they shook hands, Will could feel a powerful bond forming between them.

"The bargain is struck, then," More said.

Suddenly, the mysterious voice Will heard when he first awakened his Archetype spoke up again.

"The scholar in search of utopia, More... Within him dwells the virtue of the Seeker. Nurture thy bond with him, and new power yet slumbering within thee may awaken."

Waking up the next morning, the group made the trek to the Nord Mines. Will also noticed that some notes had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Archetypes:

A mysterious power that Will has awakened to. Shining magla engulfs the entire body, transforming it into a giant figure reminiscent of a hero. It seems to be a sort of magic, but clearly not the same kind as the igniters issued by the army. Everything about it deviates from what is commonly known of magic.

Akademeia:

A mysterious room described by More as a "Hall of Wisdom", reminiscent of a researcher's study. The chamber is filled with all manner of objects rarely seen elsewhere, from books containing secret knowledge regarding Archetypes, to forbidden texts and tools which accurately map the movement of the stars, among countless others.

Nord Mines:

A mine dug in the hills of northwest Euchronia. Due to the abundance of high-quality magla crystals, the mining efforts had long been run under the king's direct authority. However, some sort of catastrophic accident took place several years ago, costing many lives, and the mine was temporarily closed until the cause of the incident could be removed. However, the mines remain shuttered even now, and they're generally thought of as abandoned. Nevertheless, as ample magla veins still remain and the mine's entrance was never sealed off, the past years have seen a reliable influx of daredevils who come seeking their instant fortune in the mine's remaining prizes, which has led to its own associated problems.

More:

An enigmatic young man imprisoned in a peculiar study called Akademeia. He first contacted Will during a particularly trying moment by somehow linking their consciousnesses. Though he is undoubtedly an ally, many mysteries surround him, such as his knowledge that igniters are not essential to magic, or his profound expertise on Archetypes.

Along the way, they faced off against a few monsters such as more Feral Hundos as well as giant butterflies known as Nocross, and giant ravens known as Wild Corvo. Fortunately, a combination of Thomas and Lithos' Devil Fruits and Sanji's powerful legs made them paltry before the crew. After making their way through a clearing, Thomas suddenly felt a pulse warning him of danger thanks to Observation Haki.

"Careful! We're not the only people in these woods."

Sure enough, soldiers appeared from both sides as the group got on guard. Strohl and Will recognized them as some of Klinger's men.

"Heads up," Strohl said, "Those are State Army Soldiers."

"Looks like you sniffed us out," one of the soldiers said, "Too bad it won't do you any good. Take them out!"

He launched a fireball using his Igniter, but made the mistake of hitting Thomas, who chuckled as his ash body easily repelled the attack. The other soldier tried to attack Will with another fireball, but Lithos got in front of him and turned his entire body into stone, shrugging off the flames as well. The duo then slammed their fists into the soldiers, taking them both out in one blow.

"We'd best keep on our guard," Grius said, "Those were no deserters from the fort. And they had to have set this ambush up well in advance."

As they reached the outskirts of the Nord Mines, the group stumbled across a wandering young peddler with a large backpack.

"Haven't you lot been around these parts before?," the peddler asked. "You wouldn't be bandits, would you?"

"If we were, you'd be dead already," Thomas quipped.

"Fair enough," the peddler admitted. "Now that I get a good look at you, you don't seem like bandits to me."

The peddler had a few wares to sell, mostly medicine and herbs, which Will, Strohl, and Grius took for themselves. Sanji also took a handful to give to Chopper.

Travelling Peddler:

Merchants who travel from town to town, selling regional specialties from across the kingdom at higher markup. They are invariably veteran travellers, even willing to explore caves and other places where the world's monsters are most likely to lurk. Their sense of adventure and the rarity of their goods often inspire awe in those who have never ventured outside their town's borders.

Soon, the group finally made it inside the mines. There were a few State Army Swords lying in wait to ambush them, but they were easily dispatched. They soon came across an injured miner who was slowly bleeding out.

"Hey!," Strohl called out as he crouched down to get a closer look at the man's wounds, "Are you alright!?"

The man weakly lifted his head.

"I told you... I didn't see no deserters... Please... don't kill me."

With that, he drew his final breath as Strohl hung his head in anguish.

"Why!?"

"To send a message, boy," Grius pointed out, "Either we give ourselves up, or these innocents pay the price."

"I hate to say it," Thomas said, "But if it comes down to it we're gonna have to sacrifice the miners for the greater good. Our mission is just too important to turn ourselves in."

"Agreed," Grius said, "It's distasteful, but it has to be done."

"But the only one who could know we survived...," Strohl noted. "And the only one who could send soldiers after us..."

"Klinger," Lithos growled. "I knew that man was a rat."

"Lithos, have a heart," Thomas said, "Rats are way better creatures than Klinger will ever be."

The group continued onward, soon coming into a clearing in the mine where Klinger and a few of his men were waiting.

"I knew I'd find you here," Strohl growled, "You were the only one who never went up to the fort itself, after all. It couldn't have been anyone else."

"Only a real scumbag would stay behind and send innocent people to die for no good reason," Sanji said, "Have anything to say in your defense?"

Klinger, while momentarily surprised, sneered as he turned to face the group.

"Who would have thought a bunch of sorry stragglers would make it past a whole unit of assassins?"

"Bastard," Strohl said, "You never intended for anyone to survive... You knew the human would be there!"

"Naturally!," Klinger proudly confessed, "You heard the reports. I only put more bait on the hook... Though I wasn't expecting the damned thing to be rampaging already."

"This was all part of your plan, wasn't it?," Thomas realized. "Just one question. Why?"

"Because the kingdom is powerless before the might of the humans," Klinger explained, "And only a pile of bodies will prove that."

"Oh, Brook would so have words with you," Lithos muttered angrily. "So you intend to sacrifice as many people as possible to prove a point?"

"It's more like someone wants the king's guard disgraced," Strohl noted, "And when the people need him most, a savior rises as their shield."

"Speak plain, lad," Grius said, "You think he's one of Louis's men?"

"It would make sense," Sanji said, "Louis does have a lot of pull in the state army, after all. I wouldn't be surprised if at least half the higher officers were part of his forces."

"You've hit the nail right on the head, boy," Klinger said with smug pride, "A pitiful flock needs its shepherd. If a little blood is what it takes to show them who their real savior is, then that's a price easily paid."

"Right," Thomas said, "The old ‘can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs' excuse. Except you're using way too many eggs."

Klinger scoffed.

"The soldiers cry for reinforcements, the villagers plead to be spared, but I know better than to confront a human."

Strohl froze as realization dawned in his eyes. Images of a burning village from seven years ago filled his mind.

"A... A village...? You refused...? Then you were the one who..."

He took a deep breath

"Seven years ago... The first Flamesday of June... A village in the northern hills was razed to the ground."

The others looked at him, realization hitting them as Strohl opened his eyes.

"A village called Halia."

Klinger thought for a moment.

"Oh yes. The name rings a bell. Tragic what happened there. Merciful that half the population made it out alive. Shame about the noble family, however. I heard they all died in the attack."

Strohl started Klinger down, anger building in his eyes.

"You made a fatal mistake, Klinger..." he began, "You left one survivor!"

"Stay back!," one of Klinger's guards demanded, holding a miner at knifepoint.

"Help me!"

"Oh, you did not just bring a hostage into this," Thomas angrily started, "Now that you've done that, it's time to put your life on the line."

The guard holding the man at knifepoint was suddenly stabbed through the face by Lithos, who turned his arm into a jagged stone spike. Klinger's eyes widened in shock at the speed the large young man had showcased.

"Guns, knives... Those aren't things you swing out like toys. As soon as you draw it, it's kill or be killed."

"What's a gun?," Will asked.

Gallica shrugged, just as confused. Despite the sudden attack, Klinger managed to recover his demeanor.

"Suppose there's no need for hostages anyway. Not when we have the entire mine sealed off."

He smirked as he pushed Strohl to the ground.

"You played right into our hands you know," Klinger said smugly, "This was the only road without checkpoints. The only place you could travel without questions being asked of you. A simple deduction."

Strohl picked himself up, his anger still swelling.

"I may not make it out of here alive. But as for you... You're hopeless!"

It was at that moment that the same voice Will had heard spoke in Strohl's mind.

"O thou who are seared by bitterness. O thou anguished traveler... It is time for thou to choose thy path. O lodestar, whose light reveals the king's own path... Awaken!"

Klinger's eyes widened in shock as the same orange energy and marks formed over Strohl. Angrily, the corrupt captain clutched his sword as dark energy formed from his body.

"You struggle in vain!" he snapped, "I won't let you rob me of my glory! This is the way of the real world, little lordling!"

"You call this real?," Strohl said, "Leaders abandon their people? The innocent die by their scorn? If that's what you call the real world... Then it can die with you!"

He reached inside himself and ripped out a similar heart-shaped radio as the one Will had. He slammed one foot on a nearby rock and began speaking into it.

"My name... Is Leon Strohl da Haliaetus! My home and my family were taken from me! I am the last of my house! I am the last of my noble bloodline! And in the name of my people, I will strike you down where you stand!"

Images of a cheering crowd seemed to appear as Strohl pointed to the sky in declaration, before he transformed into an armored figure with a greatsword at his back, which he drew to its full height and held in front of him.

"Come! I will show you a world with honor!"

"Wait, he's got powers like you, too, Will?," Gallica asked, gobsmacked.

Will, while surprised as well, felt invigorated by Strohl's words as he transformed into his Archetype as well. Grius, Thomas, Lithos, and Sanji then got into their own fighting stances. Klinger panicked as the group charged him, wiping out his men with contemptuous ease. 

"Not so tough now that you can't hide behind your underlings," Lithos said, punching his rock gauntlets together.

Klinger, in a fit of fury, yelled as he activated his Igniter and charged, only for Strohl to swiftly strike him down with a single blow. The corrupt captain collapsed, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

"Is he dead?," Gallica asked.

Thomas examined him.

"No. Guy may be a bastard, but he clearly earned his captaincy. He was tough enough to tank all of our attacks and only passed out."

"I just have one question," Grius said, "Who are you boys, really?"

"I'm Leon Strohl," Strohl said simply, "Just a fallen noble from the countryside. Back there, Klinger mentioned a village that was razed by a human. They sent for help, but he abandoned them."

"And that was your village, wasn't it?," Lithos noted.

Strohl nodded.

"Halia was its name. I am the son of its lord. And now I know what really happened. We sent our fastest riders, but... We were doomed from the start."

"And something tells me Louis had a part to play in it," Thomas said, "Even if he's innocent of cursing the prince, he's still a tyrant we need to take down."

Strohl turned to Will.

"I have my own reason to fight now. I don't want to be an ally of convenience alone. So once more... Please. Let me join your cause."

Will smiled.

"You didn't need to ask."

The two shook hands and Will felt a familiar rush of energy course through him.

"The proud noble, Strohl... Within him dwells the virtue of the Warrior. Nurture thy bond with him, and a new power yet slumbering within thee may awaken."

It was then that Thomas noticed something hidden in Klinger's robes and took it out, revealing a novel much like Will's.

"Huh," Will said, "I thought I had the only copy."

He reached out to touch it, Gallica sitting on his shoulder, when a sudden light engulfed them and Thomas.

When the light died down, Will found himself back in Akademia, but this time, Gallica and Thomas were with him.

"Uh, where are we?," Thomas asked.

"What just happened!?," Gallica demanded.

"Well, now this is interesting," More said, "I wasn't expecting there to be another copy of my novel. Most of them had been burned by the Crown Theocracy, you see."

"Uh, who's this guy?," Thomas asked Will.

"This is More," Will explained, "He's a researcher that seems to know quite a bit about the power of Archetypes Strohl and I awakened to."

"Remarkably, another has awakened," More said, "What miracle is this? Yes, that same power now stirs in your companion... Another of the mighty Archetypes."

"Archetypes, huh?," Thomas noted, "Is that what you transformed into?"

Will nodded.

"Apparently. And it seems Strohl can do so now, too. I wonder, would any of us be able to do so?"

"Almost," More said, "The man with the eyepatch, Grius, I believe his name is, and the chef Sanji could certainly awaken to the power of Archetypes. But Thomas and Lithos seem unable to access that power."

"It must be because of our Devil Fruits," Thomas theorized, "After all, you can't eat more than one Devil Fruit. Your body will be destroyed by the feuding devils inhabiting the fruits."

More nodded.

"And it appears the devils empowering you would also reject the power of Archetypes. Rather like trying to pour water into a cup that is already full to the brim. By the same token, the heroic spirits of the Archetypes will reject the devils inside the fruits, so one who has awakened to an Archetype will not be able to gain power from a Devil Fruit."

"Hey, hold on a second!," Gallica said, "I don't know what's going on here, but I don't trust you one bit! If you try to mess with Will, you're gonna have to go through me."

More chuckled.

"Ah... You two share quite a deep connection, don't you?"

"Well, we didn't always...," Gallica admitted, "But now, we're partners to the end! We're linked down to the depths of our hearts!"

Thomas raised an eyebrow.

"I... Have a crewmate that can make things grow larger. Would you like her to... You know..."

Will and Gallica blushed brightly once they realized what Thomas was getting at.

"Uh, let's table that for the time being," Gallica said, "The point is, we've got each others' backs."

"Right," Will said, "No matter what."

In that moment, Will once more felt the rush of energy and the mysterious voice speaking yet again.

"The mystical fairy, Gallica... Within her dwells the virtue of the Mage. Nurture thy bond with her, and a new power yet slumbering within thee may awaken."

Will sensed a new presence within him, a robed figure wearing a mask and carrying a staff.

"Hey," Gallica realized, "Wasn't that...?"

"Fascinating!," More noted, "Do you understand what just happened, Will? By connecting with others who have found their resolve, you awaken to new strength."

"Guess we should find as many like-minded allies as possible," Thomas noted, "In order to maximize the range of Archetype abilities you have access to."

"You can use this library to awaken the power of Archetypes in Grius and Sanji," More said, "To do so you will need MAG. Otherwise the drain on your body's natural magla will be too taxing."

Will nodded, and used Akademeia's power to awaken the Mage in Grius and the Warrior in Sanji.

"Oh," More began. "And before you go, a man came by here. I don't know how, but he left behind these notes for you."

MAG:

Miniscule fragments of magla crystals that accumulate in the bodies of animals and magical beings in areas where magla is dense. Though they are of little use to ordinary citizens, there is a system in Grand Trad where people can sell their fragments. As a result, some people, like soldiers, whose work gives them ample opportunity to leave the city, carry a bag to collect them, instead of throwing them away.

Halia:

A mountain village governed by House Haliaetus, the family of Leon Strohl. Not wishing to partake in the extravagant lifestyle of most nobles, Strohl's parents were modest in their governance and considerate to their people. However, when a human suddenly attacked seven years ago, the village was reduced to rubble after petitions for the State Army's aid went unanswered. Strohl's parents lost their lives saving their son and their people. Today, the village remains uninhabited, no trace of its former self remaining.

On Gallica:

Gallica tried to stay resolute as Will's chaperone, but as he gets involved in unexpectedly intense battles, she begins to doubt her role in the grand scheme of things. However, with the fairy's unique ability to deflect anxiety, she does her best to help the protagonist in whatever way she can.

On Strohl:

The son of the noble family of Halia, a village that was destroyed by a human. Now that he has lost his home and family, he has only his pride to redeem himself from the shallowness of his past self.

Captain Klinger:

The captain in charge of new recruits at the Recruitment Centre. A short, portly, unsoldierly man. Called "an incompetent fool" by Strohl after an attack on the fort led him to order new recruits to the front lines in a panic... Or so he made it seem. In actuality, he is a fervid supporter of Louis, and had always planned to take a mass of new recruits to die at the hands of humans in order to demonstrate his support of Louis's assertions.

Gallica then noticed Plateau, More's pet cat, and happily flew over to begin petting him.

"Who's a good kitty-witty~?"

"Ah, yes," More said, "This is Plateau. He's been my sole companion during my time here. A rather intelligent feline, one I suspect will be of great help on your journey moving forward."

Plateau:

More's pet cat who lives in Akademeia with him. He doesn't necessarily resemble the animals called "cats" that exist elsewhere. The strange charm hanging around his neck (a type of magic igniter, according to More) allows for visions of him to be projected outside of Akademeia.

Thomas, Will, and Gallica found themselves back in the mine, where Lithos, Strohl, and Grius were staring at them in confusion.

"How long were we out?," Will asked.

"Barely a few seconds," Grius said, "But long enough to get us worried about you. And yet in that time..."

Sure enough, he and Sanji were now glowing with the same orange energy.

"Care to explain what's going on?," Sanji asked

"Well," Thomas said, "Let's just say you and Grius can do what Will and Strohl can do now, Sanji."

Deciding to see if they could find a way out of the mines, the group headed onward. Thomas could also sense More watching over them with Observation Haki, and so could Lithos.

"I take it he has something to do with this?"

Thomas nodded.

"You got that right. Don't worry, he's a friend."

Along the way, the group fought some Feral Hundos as well as slime-like creatures known as Gelatinos, snake-like beasts called Serpetias, more Homo Tentas, the underground dwelling Sandworm Valmos, and more Nocrosses. Soon enough, they came upon a glowing door.

"Hey, maybe we can go in there," Gallica said, "There's a hollow space in the magla just beyond it."

"Are you sure?," Strohl asked.

"I'd say she is," Grius said, "Fairies are known for being able to sense magla. And if there's a hollow space in the room, even the magla-infused beasts will be loath to follow us in. Good place to rest and catch our breath."

Everyone headed inside to see it was some kind of safe room. The lack of magla meant that the monsters couldn't come through, allowing the group to rest for a bit. Sanji also noticed a note on the nearby table with more details.

Magla Hollow:

Magla is not uniformly concentrated in the atmosphere, existing more like patches of smoke or fog in the air. As such, magla is dense in some areas and extremely thin in others; one could say the magla was "hollowed out". Such areas provide reprieve from especially dense magla, as the likelihood of encountering organisms affected or frenzied by magla is significantly lessened.

After a brief respite, the group exited the Magla Hollow and continued onward, soon coming across a door that reeked of dark magic. Bracing themselves, they entered to find a human resembling a bird-like creature with a human face, glasses, and hooded robes standing in front of some sort of crystal orb.

"What is that?," Strohl said, "I've never seen anything like it."

"It's a crystal of raw magla," Grius noted, "This feels wrong somehow..."

"No shit!," Sanji said, "Just look at the dark stuff coming off it!"

"The miners mentioned how the monsters were multiplying beyond control," Lithos said, "I'm willing to bet this is the cause."

"Now I remember," Grius realized, "They say in the lands beyond mortal reach, great spires of crystal stand... And anyone who might touch them is driven mad."

"That's all just superstition though, right?," Gallica said worriedly, "Still, this thing is giving off a really nasty aura."

"Not to mention one of those humans is guarding it," Will said, "They must be what's influencing the monsters in the mines to become violent."

"Then let's take it down!," Thomas said.

The human, Homo Fulquilo, let out a chirping bellow as it moved to guard the crystal, only for Grius and Sanji's newfound Archetype-infused power to deal a hefty blow.

"Never thought I'd use a blade for anything but chef's work," Sanji said, "But something about these Archetypes just makes me want to go beyond limits both natural and personal."

Eventually, the human was felled, leaving behind only the crystal to deal with. Will destroyed it with one swing of his magla-infused sword.

"More questions than answers," Strohl said, "But there's no time to ponder them. We better move."

The group headed further through the mines, only to stumble across a shocking sight.

"Holy crap!," Sanji exclaimed, "Is that a dragon!?"

Sure enough, a giant dragon was currently sleeping, surrounded by crystals and bones of fallen prey.

"Well, that's one question answered at least," Grius said, "The veins of magla crystal around here are clearly not drying up anytime soon, so ordinarily the Crown Theocracy wouldn't close down such a lucrative operation. But that dragon being here would drive them off right quick, no matter how much money was to be made."

Dragons:

An enigmatic and powerful creature reigning supreme at the top of the ecosystem. King of all monsters. They are known as "Dragons". With their overpowering strength, they could wipe out an entire fleet of military gauntlet runners as easily as breathing. Best to not get on their bad side. Many are believed to possess colossal, scaled bodies with membranous wings and raptor-like talons, but due to lack of personal encounters, the exact details remain unknown. In some areas, they are thought to be mythic creatures of legend, and are even revered on occasion as gods.

"Luckily, it seems to be asleep," Will noted. "We can just slip past it and--"

As if fate was playing a cruel joke, the dragon woke up from the smell of Thomas's ash body and roared right at the party.

"Guess we got no choice," Lithos said, "Let's take it down!"

The dragon proved to be a mighty opponent, nearly overwhelming the group. Luckily, Thomas shielded everyone, tanking the beast's fire with his ash body.

"Are you okay!?," Strohl called out.

"Don't worry!," Sanji assured him, "It'll take more than a little fire to take our quartermaster down!"

"Funny thing," Lithos noted, "I'm the quartermaster of my own version of the Straw Hats."

The dragon seemed to notice Thomas's fireproof body and leaned in closer.

"Child of the mighty volcano. Long have I waited for a master worthy of my power. Take up my Divine Relic, great warrior of Kahuna. I, Fire Dragon Mauna, pledge my servitude to you."

And with that, the dragon vanished into light before slipping into a nearby jitte made of magla crystal. The weapon then floated its way into Thomas' hand, much to everyone's confusion.

"Huh," Gallica said, "That was... Surprisingly easier than I thought it was gonna be."

Grius rubbed his good eye, wanting to make sure he hadn't lost what little sight he had left.

"I'm not sure what just happened," Strohl said, "But at least we can leave the mines without any further issues."

As everyone set up camp, Sanji cooked up some ginger-fried pork for everyone.

"Ah, this is so cozy." Gallica said in content. "I feel alive again."

Strohl smiled.

"Reminds me of when I was a child. Back then, I wouldn't have been caught dead out in the wilderness like this. Countryside nobility like us had no fortune to speak of. My parents bowed and smiled for their money, and honestly? I despised them for it."

Sanji sighed.

"I can relate."

Strohl nodded.

"Back then I'd thought being a noble was about... I don't know, a life of prestige. Being respected."

"And that all changed when your village was destroyed by the human," Thomas noted, "Out of curiosity, was it the same one we killed back at the fort?"

"It's been too long for me to remember," Stohl admitted, "But what truly stung was that my parents, the ones I'd so despised, gave their lives to protect the villagers who couldn't flee."

"Your parents were heroes," Will said.

"Indeed," Lithos agreed, "I could only ever think of my father, Whitebeard, doing something similar."

"He always puts the people first," Thomas said with a nod, "A lesson he learned the hard way in his youth."

"What my parents did," Strohl said, "It taught me what it really meant to be a noble. But our town's just rubble now. A footnote in history. The human that destroyed it is all we'll ever be known for. I suppose that's why I decided to join the state army in the first place."

"And bittersweet fortune brought you to us," Grius said, "Seems you were fated to find out about our plans after all."

He smiled.

"You've certainly proven yourself trustworthy. So, I'll tell you everything about our mission, and the prince we hope to take the throne in his father's place."

Thomas, Lithos, and Sanji listened in as well as Will and Strohl as Grius told the tale.

"It was over a decade ago. I was the prince's sword tutor. That sword Will carries actually belonged to the prince. As you've seen, it's infused with potent magla crystal. During that fateful night, it was raining just like it is now. Masked men breached the prince's quarters. The prince's loyal knight guard, a woman named Hulkenberg, defended the prince alongside myself. I wish I could have seen it coming, but I didn't. One of the mages suddenly started casting a terrible curse. It struck the prince with black thorns before we could stop them. Hulkenberg chased them down, but they apparently managed to escape."

"But wait," Thomas spoke up, "If the men wore masks, then nobody actually saw Louis's face. Meaning it probably couldn't have been him."

"You have to remember memories are a fickle thing," Lithos pointed out, "So any memories you might have of Louis being there could be false."

"Even if that's true," Grius said, "The curse has a complex formula to it. The best healers in the kingdom couldn't remove it because of that. Who else but Louis could conjure such a complicated formula?"

"We can argue about that all we want," Sanji said, "But the important thing is to stop him before he takes control of the kingdom. He is a tyrant and a kingslayer, no one's denying that. Grius, you mentioned the best place to take him out is the royal funeral in five days?"

Grius nodded, while Strohl looked thoughtful.

"You haven't told this story to many people, have you?"

"It's a sign of trust from a rhoag," Grius said, "And with our longer lives, we never forget our debts, or our grievances."

The group smiled as the sat down to eat and celebrate their successful trek through the mines.

Rhoag Tribe:

A tribe whose members have longer lifespans, some living more than twice as long as the average of other tribes. They age at the same pace until adolescence, spending the remainder of their lives in middle and old age. Perhaps as a result, the rhoag tribe conjures images of the elderly in many minds. In a seniority-based society, rhoags often hold high positions due to their longevity. They place great value in eventually passing down their knowledge and purpose, so much so that they're known to remember favours as well as hold grudges for three generations. Though many rhoag have unique markings on their face, they are not born with them--they are a form of traditional make-up.