Lahmu Keep

[Bloodedge]

Established in Guildford, UK, the headquarters of game corporation Industrial Illusions was mysteriously established overnight at the former location of Guildford Castle. Constructed by founder and CEO of Industrial Illusions, Albertus Animusphere, Lahmu Keep has become the cornerstone of gaming innovation while being the point of origin for Age of Eternity, a game that has gone above and beyond even the laws of reality.

The story begins with a single young man with no history in this world, who appeared abruptly and somehow erected a castle from ruins one night. Albertus Animusphere took on a journey that would change the world. . .

[Apollymi]

Guildford was such an interesting place. A man full of eccentrities had appeared in a place home to schools, farmlands and old abandoned castles and homesteads of the European Elite. One such person, was a young girl of an apparently well-known background. She'd recently transferred in from a private school, to attend one in the area. Her lineage traced back to Queen Eleanor and she was aptly named in that queen's honor. Oleana Tyrell was a good student, clever and well-kept. She heard of this strange man, but none from around had ever actually laid eyes upon him. He was something of a ghost story to the young at heart like them. And currently, he was apparently traveling. That castle he'd renovated something strange to look at from the outside. They were supposed to take a trip to see it, something arranged by their school and now, they were being told it was no longer open for public viewing. How strange. Perhaps, she'd have a different kind of look some other time. He was according to some rumors planning to run some sort of business out of it. Or at least that was what his building and rennovation permits said. That was all a matter of public record. And the school children visited a nearby brewery instead of the castle... Oh well...

At the same time, in Japan there was a young woman casually approaching her thirties. She was a young divorcee who hadn't had her first marriage work out. A man had married her for her 'exotic' looks, and had four children by her only to leave her for the next pretty young thing more suited to his needs. Of course, she was embittered by that situation, but she wasn't exactly hideous. She was now post the births of several children a curvy young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. They were sharp and her form was rather large. She'd only recently stopped breast feeding and in Japan it was the middle of winter. Even so, she only wore a sweater, leggings and large white hat. She seemed to be a fashionable individual, well-paid after her divorce. But she'd become a tough outer shell compared to other people. She'd even taken it upon herself to go back to using her maiden name Kujaku, her given name, Meron. Kujaku Meron was looked upon by her contemporaries with raised brows and sympathy. But she never let it get to her. She walked with cold confidence everywhere, and she'd never let anyone think less of her because of the situation surrounding her life. Her husband had left her, taking her children and making her a laughing stock. For the town she lived in, she was seen as 'damaged goods' and couldn't pick up a another permanent engagement without having to make major concessions. She'd never settle. She'd find what was right for her, and have some fun in between. Here and now she was sitting at a hotel bar in Tokyo, away from her home so she could meet some people, mingle with young professionals who didn't know anything about her, and perhaps meet a good man.

[Bloodedge]

It had been about sixteen years since a strange man suddenly appeared in Guildford. For all those years, he experienced the strangest dreams nightly. He saw a world not filled with technology, but with magic and power. So... he'd truly gone to the wrong version of the world after it split into segments. Sadly, it seemed a plan from long ago hadn't worked out. Sixteen years ago was not the first time he'd been here. No, he first arrived on this planet many thousands of years before, choosing to reincarnate himself over the ages. The worlds should have become one again since then. Alas, that was not the case in this era either.

Luckily for him, his reincarnation spell had a stipulation attached to it. He had once been the great Creator Anshar, paired to the equally-renowned Kishar. Thousands and thousands of years before he appeared again, he spoke a specific set of words. Those words were to create the condition for his rebirth. Those words were to ensure he regained stability after reincarnation. Those words were to let him help reconnect the versions of Earth, that all might benefit from it. Those words were...

Let us become Impure Anshar.

With this incantation, he had been reborn as Albertus Animusphere, an anagram of the mantra itself. It was with white hair that he spawned this time, and he kept it slightly parted with bangs swept down. He was clean-shaven for the time being. His features were conventionally masculine, yet he was considered handsome by any who gazed upon him. In age, something this world seemed to think was important, he was currently passing himself off as 31. Such was how he appeared after creating Lahmu Keep. A decision had been made. Albertus Animusphere had come to understand this world and its take on achieving fantastical things. This thing called video games had become very popular, so... he'd make the other world he dreamed of as one of those. To do that, there was apparently no better place for him to find the means and understanding than Tokyo, Japan.

Albertus traveled to Tokyo in search of knowledge, and he gained much. He wasn't going to waste a trip on business alone though─ not while there was so much enjoyment to be had in a world still so new to him. With that being the case, it was only natural that Albertus found himself drinking at the first bar he could find. There he was, hanging out in some hotel bar with a tall glass of liquor in his hand, his feet propped up onto a table, and a constant flow of more liquors toward the table. Apparently, Albertus had no need of money. He'd created something for himself called a... credit card. Whatever it was, he made one that was always accepted despite a lack of whatever currency was demanded of him for things. Exchange in this world was odd, but they at least had some excellent drink options. So, what was he to do other than purchase rounds for every inhabitant of the bar? That was only the best decision to further his own enjoyment.

[Apollymi]

Here in a Tokyo Hotel bar, Meron was drinking her sorrows away and trying to be personable. Of course, that was quite difficult as the more she drank the more she seemed to find herself thinking about those moments from her past which shaped her into the person she was now. Those feelings of hers were still raw, it was still quite early for her. Only a couple of years had passed since her husband decided to leave her. Their bitter divorce, had been quick, efficient and devastating. She could still remember the man she'd fallen in love with, and birthed four children for, walking into the door of their mansion. He called held a small meeting in his office with his lawyer, nothing out of the ordinary and then he'd called her in. She could still see the look on his face as he pushed papers across the desk. His lawyer had stood behind him, quietly giving her sympathetic eyes as he'd explained the terms of their divorce. She would sign the papers, she would hand over custody of all four of her children, she would sign a non-contact agreement and in exchange she'd be given one of the fully paid for properties, one of the vacation homes and a monthly stipend for the rest of her life. This was all. She remembered in the moment looking aghast why would she agree to give up her children? Why did he even want to leave her? How long had he been planning these actions? Forever apparently. He'd gotten her to fall in love with him and marry him as part of his grand scheme. He needed heirs to train to run his business and he needed them to come from someone he could guarantee the faithfulness of. Their romance had been a public affair, spread across news outlets. Even the births of their children had been highly publicized. But all of this was simply to make him look better in the public eye. He was already spinning it for his image. Making it seem as if he'd decided to release her from her obligations, how he'd taken custody of his children to ingratiate them into the family business so his former young wife could still have prospects for life without the added responsibility. They would talk about how generous he had been...

It was shit. So here she sat, drinking away her stipend. Wondering if she'd just become ugly to him, fat? Was she ever even actually the kind of woman he'd wanted? She couldn't actually know any of that information. Instead she'd been consuming unfathomable amounts of alcohol. But what was this? This particular hotel seemed to be full of young people, brimming with life and excitement. For instance, a man just caught her attention once more... not directly but instead by ordering drinks for everyone. Her own was refreshed as she sat by her eyes turning towards the man who'd been responsible. Actually, she'd not really noticed but he was quite attractive. Legitimately masculine which was pretty hard to come by in modern times. And for the first time since she arrived she managed a smile, raising her glass in his direction to thank him as others cheered amusedly. She'd begin nursing this drink as well. What a strange outing this one was.

[Bloodedge]

In paying the price for everyone in this building to consume this magical water called alcohol, it went without saying that Albertus received a great many looks, nods, waves and... very interesting gazes from various patrons. This money thing was apparently important enough that humans appreciated having things given to them for free. How very strange. Whatever the case, he enjoyed the atmosphere created by such a simple gesture. His glass rose multiple times as he returned all sorts of attention. This included, of course, a very downtrodden-looking woman with proportions the likes of his own people. She in particular seemed to be in a very strange predicament. She smiled at him, but it was an act that followed sullenness. How could anyone be that way while consuming such a wondrous beverage?

Obviously, she needed more. She was a fair bit meatier than most other women in this region of the world; maybe the effects hadn't kicked in yet? He'd take care of that. "Oi oi!" he called out to the bar. With the bartender's attention, he pointed in that woman's direction before spinning his finger to suggest that rounds keep flowing toward her. "This is a party now. Nobody should have a reason to be sad until we've run out of this good stuff." Albertus' words were to no one in particular, though they were heard by few. He was an Englishman in this world, yet he strangely spoke Japanese as if it was the only language he knew. In truth, he could speak every language as flawlessly. Traveling had yet to become an issue for the male. Now, with drinks for everyone and a specific order to keep one woman's glass full constantly, Albertus downed what may have been his tenth full glass of the night. All of these drinks should have existed in the original world. He was becoming particularly fond of something called whiskey, and gestured toward his most recent glass for a refill after slamming it onto the counter. "Ahh~! Sorry to everyone else, but if we run out of this one, it's probably my fault!" he shouted to the other patrons.

[Apollymi]

Meron had returned to her drinking seemingly without care, but she couldn't quite take her eyes off that man who'd been so generous with the entirety of the bar. Perhaps, he'd just struck some big stock deal? Perhaps he'd just sold the next big idea to the highest bidder? Perhaps he'd just been born filthy rich and this was how he amused himself? Regardless of how they got here, it was an absolute fact that they were now all drinking on him and what was this... He'd pointed to her and told the bartender to keep up the drinks. Was he flirting with her? Maybe, or perhaps he was just being friendly.

No. She couldn't really think that. Not with him taking note of her emotional state and commenting on it so boldly. This little move of his had to be pointed right? "It most certainly is a party with you being so kind. Thank you~" she mentioned allowing her glass to flow with a bit more ease. Of course, she was drinking just to make herself feel better, far be it from her to ruin anyone else's mood. And what was this, he was making a claim in advance that he was sorry about a drink being missing for everyone else as he claimed for himself another refill. She sat at the end of the bar looking towards him a bit astounded. He'd definitely been inside this place for a while. "I don't know what you're celebrating, but you're going to have to slow down a bit or you won't know either~" she teased gently. Ah, when was the last time she had something nice to say to anyone? Obviously this man had no idea who she was, perhaps then, she could have a chat with someone... like when she was still young with a bright future ahead of her? She seemed quite amused at her own statement, having made her way through about half of her drink of choice, a dry gin, with the base juniper berry flavor and ginger. Strangely, as most would say she was drinking it straight, with the bartender stopping by to fill her glass when it was found empty. She was already starting to feel that deep heat within her chest, with her sinuses also being rather open, she was surprised she'd not already become a drunken crying mess. But... the night was still young.