Hey, I'd just like to ask, how do demigod classes/aspects work? Is there a ranking? Can you have more than one? Are they all the same as canon? You know, that sort of thing.
Thank you very much for the question, Anon!
There are no rankings in the Demigod’s classes/aspects, those just denote what Godly abilities they’ll be able to obtain and what their job will be as a God (this only truly applies to trolls, since the Guardian Saints don’t have a system like this. As stated, the kids only have Titles because they’re purposefully being exposed to how the Beforan Pantheon works).
Your class is assigned to you by the Seer of that generation of Gods, or in this case Sufferer/Kankri (next generation would have been decided by Terezi). Your Aspect is something you find on your own, which is a little more detailed in one of the stories done by 3vad127. Basically what happens is, while going about your daily life and having adventures of youth, one of the Aspects resonate with you and gives you their power. This also happens with the Guardian Saints, but they don’t have a name for it.
For example, John came into his Aspect (Breath) because he fell out of a window and started free-falling, and Breath resonated with him and his Title of Heir (and thus saving him from falling to his death). Eridan came into his Aspect while trying to help a human woman on Earth, and Hope resonated with his Prince Title and caused the woman to lose all hope (and thus kill herself).
The abilities that come with these titles work much the same as canon, though, or as close as I can guess canon wise since some of them have yet to be explained very well. Some liberties are taken there.
This bit is still quite a ways from where we are in our story. But I figured you could use a little hook to keep interest.
"They took Karkat. I don't know where they went but they took him and I passed out and what if they're hurting him!" They're all staring at him, no wonder since he had charged in like a bull. Meenah frowns "Who took Nubs?" She looks angry, protective, and John still isn't even sure why he came here first other than this group of trolls says protection to him. "I don't know! Mobsters, gangsters, something! They jumped us and my arm hit the wall at the wrong angle and I blacked out, but they're the same ones who attacked us before." Meenah is frowning harder now.
The rest of the group is trading looks except for Kankri. He's been growing pale steadily and lurches to his feet. He doesn't say a word just grabs John's hand, the one that he had wrapped around Karkat's right before they were grabbed. And then John could have sworn his eyes glowed. It lasts but a moment and the older mutant is shuddering, white as a sheet, and about to collapse. Cronus is next to him in a moment. "Kan? What-" He shushes him and pushes himself back upright.
His grip on John's hand is painful tight. "Karkat's at the Felt Mansion. Hurry... the colors are going to start running." Then he passes out amid the general uproar. One thing whispers through John's mind, The Seer always knows.
With a jolt Karkat awoke and still trapped in the dregs of his nightmare fell off his chair just as the door opened to let in John’s father. “Karkat are you alright?” The man offered a hand and pulled the small troll to his feet. Face burning in embarrassment, Karkat brushed imaginary dust from his clothes. John’s father smiled at him and approached his son. He brushed his hair off his forehead and with a jaw cracking yawn dazed blue eyes opened.
Snorting Karkat leaned against the door, thinking about making his easy escape now that they were distracted. Instead he interrupted John’s retelling of his very short first flight. “I’m going to go get a drink. Do you want anything?” John shook his head but his foster father raised a hand. “Actually Karkat if you could wait just a moment.” Gesturing to the other chair the man waited for him to take a seat.
Turning he patted John’s leg. “Now you already know this, but I’ve been planning on sending John here to Salamandas.” Karkat turned in surprise at that. Before he could ask any of a million questions the preacher continued. “He wants to learn more about the church and its origins before he makes any big decisions. And since the rebuilt Church is in Salamandas there is no better place to learn. The Elder has already agreed to meet with him upon his arrival.”
Karkat nodded but frowned. “Alright but what does any of that have to do with me? I mean I’m glad to have met you both and appreciate you letting me stay, but…” He trailed off waiting for an answer. Chuckling the man pointed to John’s arm. “Now John can’t exactly drive himself to Salamandas can he? I wondered, since you two seem to get along so well, if you wouldn’t mind going with him.”
John let out a very intelligent “Uh…” before shutting his mouth and visibly thinking hard. Karkat rolled his eyes. “Don’t hurt yourself Egbert. So let me get this straight. You’re willing to let your kid, derp that he is, get driven across the country by a stranger on the off chance they get along well?” Tapping a finger to his jaw the man offered a hand. Confused Karkat shook it. “Hello I’m Mark Wells. And you are?” John chuckled and Karkat quirked a smile despite himself. “Karkat Vantas.” He gave another strong squeeze before releasing him. “It’s wonderful to meet you Mr. Vantas.”
He gave a decisive nod. “And now we’re not strangers.” Karkat threw his hands up. “That doesn’t mean you can trust me to trek across the country with your kid.” John and Mr. Wells both chuckled and frustrated Karkat stomped out the door. Slamming it behind him the two left behind traded a look before beginning to laugh again.
Hearing them Karkat grumbled to himself as he stomped down the hall. He was forced to return to the lobby before finding a vending machine and then proceeded to fight with the damn thing about taking his bills. “They’re perfectly straight you piece of!” He cut himself off to kick it and it ate up the dollar happily. Which was his luck, but every bill that followed was swallowed with no fuss. He pounds the button for bottled water still frustrated with the world in general and leans back against the machine.
Why am I even considering his offer? I want to leave town and get away from Spades but this is ridiculous. To go cross country with some kid I met yesterday? And do what once we get there? This is madness plain and simple. He presses his fingers against his forehead as it pounds and a voice whispers through his mind. He needs you. An Heir needs a Knight to protect him. With a sigh he tucks the oh so very helpful information away with all the other tidbits the voices have left him over the years.
He slumps back down the hall and it’s completely nuts. He can’t go with John to Salamandas; it was completely ridiculous. There is no reason for him to go so far just because his father was nice, John pulled at something inside him, and Spades was- Distracted he slammed into someone and as he looked at their face he swore. “There you are kid,” Spades drawled. “Been looking all over town for ya you little shit.”
*
Discussing the logistics of the trip is boring, but the thought of finally going, of getting out on his own even if Karkat is along is so exciting it keeps John from slipping back to sleep. His father has spread a map out on his legs and is highlighting his best route. It’s an easy drive; he could make it in two days baring any extenuating circumstances yet… Two days on the road without anyone to talk to seems awfully lonely.
And he loves his foster father, he does, but this is his chance to figure out his future. Having his Dad tag along wouldn’t exactly make it seem like making his own way into the future. So while he points out stops along the road, good restaurants and bed and breakfasts, John nods along even as his mind turns over having another companion.
Does he want to have Karkat come with him? You barely know him. But he’s really friendly under all the grump! And he wants to get out of town too… Smiling to himself his dad folds up the map even as John stares a bit dazedly at his hands. He taps the top of his son’s head and John blinks and glances up. “Clearly you still need to rest some. Let me go see about when they’ll let you leave. I’m betting you’d rather be at home than here tonight.” John smiled, but it was broken by a huge yawn. “That would be great.”
His Dad nods and places a hand on the knob. “Back as quick as I can son.” He pulls the door open right as a shout rings from the end of the hall. “WOULD YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY? I’M A BIT BUSY RIGHT NOW. AND IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED THIS IS A HOSPITAL, NOT SOME TWO BIT SHADY BACK ALLEY WHERE YOU CAN THREATEN ME AND GET AWAY WITH IT.” The yell is ear shattering and the complaints of patients and nurses are already rising up and down the hall.
John for his part sits bolt upright. “Is that Karkat?” His dad is looking down the hall wide eyed. “It appears so. He’s being followed by a rather small, threatening looking man. And they’re coming this way.” He jumps back from the door as it is slammed against the wall by a small livid troll. Karkat is breathing hard and glares at the room at large before whirling to yell some more at his pursuer.
The man he’s facing is small, compact, and has a scowl that is only enhanced by a nasty scar curving down one side of his face. He growls back at Karkat, no taller the tiny troll. “As you can clearly see I’m here visiting someone so if you would be so kind as to FUCK OFF it would be greatly appreciated!” The man scoffs. “Like hell you are runt. Leave these poor saps alone and let’s get back already. I’m sure Droog is already tired of waiting on me and you got a shit ton of apologizing to do for running off.”
The troll growls and oh yeah that is actually kind of terrifying. John is staring at them both wide eyed while his dad presses a hand to his mouth and is he amused by this? Karkat is still snarling but somehow manages to form words through it. “In case you haven’t noticed I’m not following your orders anymore. I’m not one of your stupid fucking gang Spades and you can’t make me one of them!” He swipes a hand through the air furious and wow John is really glad those claws are not near him currently.
His dad however has the gall to interrupt the two of them as they glare and growl at each other. “Excuse me, are you Spades Slick? Karkat’s guardian?” They both turn and Spades smiles. “Yeah that’s me. Don’t worry I’m not here to hurt you or your little boy. Just hear to get my little shit.” Karkat hisses at him and crosses his arms. John’s father smiles and taps a finger on his chin. “Well this is a happy coincidence! I actually wanted to ask you about Karkat.”
He lays a hand on the troll’s shoulder. “You see he and my son are becoming fast friends and I asked a favor of him, but it isn’t right to ask him without posing the question to you first.” The mobster doesn’t seem to know how to react, his good eye darting between the man’s face and that of his charge and even over to John briefly. His glare intensifies slightly as his eye narrows. “Oh yeah and what’s that?” The question is a challenge. “I can’t have the runt running all over town just to help out some preacher man and his whelp.” John frowns at that; ‘whelp’ indeed.
His dad however just smiles a bit wider. “Oh no nothing like that. I just would like for him to accompany John on a little trip. Which I’m sure isn’t a problem as it will involve nothing dangerous and won’t get Karkat in any trouble with the police.” Spades and Karkat notably twitch at that and John grins outright. Friendly for sure, but his dad never liked parents who tried to use threats to keep their kids in line. Karkat glances at John and he winks at him making the troll roll his eyes.
Spades is doing his best to stare down the taller man who continues smiling at him. With a short irritated growl he turns back to Karkat. “Well? Are you doing this thing or not?” The troll hesitates for one brief moment before he nods sharply. “Of course I am. The nookwhiffer clearly needs a hand getting through everyday life. Trekking cross country may actually get him killed if I’m not there.” He lifts an eyebrow as Spades scowls at him.
John just leans back with a relieved sigh and then frowns. Why does that make me feel better? Why do I want him to come with me so badly? The mobster seemed ready to continue the argument but John’s father stepped forward instead. “Thank you for stopping by, but I think it’s about time your left. You and Karkat have both raised quite enough of a ruckus in my professional opinion. Ah! Indeed here’s someone to escort you to your ride.” Everyone turned to face the doorway to find John’s nurse and a pair of security guards frowning at the room as a whole.
John’s Dad clapped Spades on the shoulder. “Here you are gentlemen he was just on his way out. I’ll even come down with you as I need to sign the release forms for my son. Mr. Slick if you would be so kind.” The mobster snarled but relented. He threw one last glare over his shoulder and said, “You watch your back in the city kid. Not everyone is as nice as me and you know not everyone will like ya thanks to me.” Karkat gave a sharp nod. “I know.” And then the group left even as the nurse stepped inside.
“I think that’s enough excitement Mr. Egbert.” She fiddled with his sheets smoothing them down even as she gave Karkat a look over. John sighed and yawned again. “Yes ma’am, but I should stay awake if we’re leaving soon.” She pats his cheek and he frowns at the childish treatment. “Yes of course, dear. I’m sure your father will be back in just a moment.” She sweeps from the room leaving the two of them alone.
John blinks a bit blankly at the door and leans back. The silence lingers long enough to be awkward before John blurts, “You don’t have to come. I mean if you don’t want. I understand if you just want to get away from your dad or whatever and we’re a good excuse. So if you-” Karkat apparently moves while he’s talking because he is suddenly very much next to your bed and glaring at you.
“Egbert, if I was using you as an excuse you would know it. But seeing as I am not actually a raging ass wipe, I am going with you. Someone has to look out for you.” John smiles even as it echoes in his head. Someone has to look out for you. You don’t know the first thing about starting your own rel- Karkat leans forward to flick in the forehead lightly. “So yes I am going with you to Salamandas and yes I am going to make sure you don’t get yourself killed even as I get away from my fucking insane dad.”
His voice is abrasive even as John grins to himself at the friendliness. “Can’t wait to get on the road Karkat. It’s going to be a great adventure!” The troll grins despite himself and bumps fists with his new companion.
Chuckling the man pointed to John’s arm. “Now John can’t exactly drive himself to Salamandas can he? I wondered, since you two seem to get along so well, if you wouldn’t mind going with him.”
John let out a very intelligent “Uh…” before shutting his mouth and visibly thinking hard. Karkat rolled his eyes. “Don’t hurt yourself Egbert. So let me get this straight. You’re willing to let your kid, derp that he is, get driven across the country by a stranger on the off chance they get along well?” Tapping a finger to his jaw he offered a hand. Confused Karkat shook it. “Hello I’m Mark Wells. And you are?” John chuckled and Karkat quirked a smile despite himself. “Karkat Vantas.” He gave another strong squeeze before releasing him. “It’s wonderful to meet you Mr. Vantas.”
He gave a decisive nod. “And now we’re not strangers.” Karkat threw his hands up. “That doesn’t mean you can trust me to trek across the country with your kid.” John and Mr. Wells both chuckled and frustrated Karkat stomped out the door. Slamming it behind him the two left behind traded a look before beginning to laugh again.
Hey look proof that the next piece is being worked on and coming soon~!
Now that I've gotten all the story pieces over allow me to welcome you to the Heiretics blog!
The plan here is to have a blog much like the one the RMWT's crew runs. (If you aren't reading rmwt what are you doing? Shoo go do that and come back) Feel free to inquire about the universe, the characters, beg for updates or sneak peeks. We're here to serve~
But apollosprophet and I are so glad to have anybody be interested in this AU so thank you for reading!
In which the HHSCMS Book Club discusses a popular novel, terrible puns, and Eridan picks the doomed otp
It was one of the loudest days of the week in the library at the local school. But as it was the weekly discussion of the book club, it was hardly surprising. It almost always devolved into arguments about something. Ampora seemed to be the epicenter of the storm this time. Watching over his shoulder, the underclassman wished the librarian would hurry with checking him out before they started throwing things. Scurrying out he threw one last look over his shoulder and wondered what had gotten them worked up today.
“Shit, shit, shit, shit. John, come on. Please don’t be dead.” Kneeling next to the prone figure Karkat attempted to control the shaking of his hands as he turned John over. Blue eyes met his own with a groan. “Oh thank the Witch you’re not dead. I hate handling dead bodies.” That surprised a chuckle out of John. He attempted to push himself up but broke off with a yell.
The problem was clear as Karkat took in John’s arms. The right was clearly broken and Karkat sighed. “Dumbass I hope that short flight of stupidity was worth it because you busted your arm for it.” John still managed a laugh despite the gray tones to his face from pain. “I’m more concerned that you seem to spend quality time with corpses than a little break.”
John’s foster father had turned out to be a good cook and more than willing to debate the finer points of a number of subjects with Karkat. In the end he stayed the night on their couch because as John said where else did he have to go and he refused to take the kid’s bed. Now I just need to wake up first and leave before they catch me. Half formed plans flitted through his mind before he drifted off.
The ringing of a phone woke him and he jerked upright as John’s foster father picked it up and shot his bewildered guest a smile. “Church of the Heiretics, this is the head pastor. How may I help you?” A slight pause and the man smiled as he stepped outside. “Ah yes I was waiting for your call.”
Officially doomed to spend at least breakfast here Karkat flopped back on the couch. It was much too early and he had had too little caffeine for his mind to be spinning this way already. With a groan he lurched to his feet and went in search of coffee. The Gods own gift to humans and trolls shone on the countertop with a mug placed next to it. Wishing all good blessings on John’s father, Karkat poured himself a cup.
The day is quiet, and you are gills-deep in your studies when a knock comes at the door. You start, jostled from your imaginings of conquerors (troll and human alike) and guiltily flip pages in your books, pretending you were busy. The only ones who live here are you and your patron troll (who acts like a combination of a human guardian and a troll lusus, except much more irritatingly withdrawn), so the probability is that someone is here looking for Cronus (because honestly, who would be here looking for you?).
You are Eridan Ampora, and you don’t have many friends—that much is obvious—but what, exactly, is the cause of this is up for debate. The general consensus is that, despite the symmetry of the bones in your face and the overall aesthetically pleasing nature of your facial features, you are ugly, if only because the festering in your heart is obvious on your face and morphs your lips into a frown and your eyes into narrowed slits. You sneer instead of smile, showing all your teeth, to keep people away, to keep them from being tugged into the gravitational pull of the chasm in your chest. You are ugly.
Surprised John turned to face him again just as Karkat shoved past him. “You guys got a back door right? Cool I’ll see myself out then.” A surprisingly strong arm blocked his path.
John studied him quizzically. “What’s the rush? You know that guy?” Scoffing in derision, the troll attempted to duck past him but he simply adjusted his arm to keep him in place. “Seriously, do you know him?” The boy’s focus seemed to have increased from slightly joking during their debate to tense attention to his newest guest.
The clouds had been building all day and still Karkat had neglected to seek shelter before the storm broke. The town was far from small and he had spent all day ducking around buildings and darting into alleys. Ah the life of an almost fugitive. It was nothing if not stressful and exhausting. Desperate to get out of the rain and dry off without being recognized or forced to spend what little money he had Karkat headed for the city center. Some public building had to be open, the library hopefully. Except that it was Sunday… dammit.
Rubbing his forehead in an effort to relieve the beginnings of a headache Karkat glanced around. Ignoring the black shape that darted out of sight, he headed for the next building. Reaching the overhang of the doorway his eyes darted upwards and he groaned in frustration. It was open as some trusting churches still were despite the danger in this day and age, but it was the Church of the Heiretics. Not like I’ve got a choice at this rate short of dying of exposure. Suck it up Vantas and get warm and make nice… Well make less hostile.
So some time ago I was having a chat with bookwormally, and what resulted was an imaginary religion based around John Egbert whose followers would be known as “Heiretics" (bookwormally trademarked). My brain then proceeded to run of into the grand expanse of everything and come up with an AU idea, which the following short fic is a result of. I may or may not continue it, who knows.
The fic takes place on Earth during what would be somewhere around the time period of the Greeks. The AU trappings here would be that the Earth is populate by both humans and trolls, and our story takes place on a continent known as Beforus. Beforus is made up of 3 main territories/countries: Alternia, Alterniasia, and Gaia. And about 200 years ago they were all consumed in a terrible religious war: The Beforan Pantheon (made up of the dancestors with Ancestor titles) VS the Guardian Saints (made up of the beta kids’ guardians, with Dirk acting as Bro and Roxy as Mom). This conflict extended to the Gods, too, and things between both religions was nasty until the war ended.
To try and smooth things over between themselves and ease the mortals a little, the Gods all made a pact so that their children would be tutored in the beliefs and traditions of both religions to try and prevent future conflict.
And things were going great until John started his own religion by accident.
I’m partially blaming you for this, bookwormally xD
