Marco: The Last Arconian Beast
This is an official entry for the Arco Beasts Lore Contest for the Axie Infinity: Origin Launch. The goal is to create a lore and story for the reoccurring arco beast character in Origin card illustrations. Note: All lores here are just my creations and not part of the original Axie Infinity: Origin Lore.
Marco: The Last Arconian Beast
This is the story of Marco: the last arconian beast in the land of Lunacia.
Arconian Beasts are axie that once belongs to a tribe known as Moon Arc Tribe. All members of this tribe are characterized by their beast body and an arco horn that has a crescent moon at the back.
After the death of his parent when he was young, Marco became the last axie of his tribe. Marco then grew up being ridiculed and outcasted by the whole Lunacia. Not because he is an orphan but because of his Arconian roots.
Why? Let’s study some Lunacian history.
The Bloodmoon Rising
Around 70 Lunacian years ago, the Moon Arc Tribe started a ritual that gave birth to what we now know as the Bloodmoon. Ever since then, Lunacia found itself in constant war. And most axie associates these wars with the Bloodmoon. They believe that the Bloodmoon does something to axies and chimera that makes them more violent.
So from that moment on, Lunacian constantly shamed and ridiculed all generations of Arconian Beasts. And Marco especially, being the last of his tribe, gets the most of these.
Marco does believe though that there’s a good reason why his ancestors summons the Bloodmoon. He believes that the actual reason was to open The Tunnel.
The Tunnel is said to be a gateway to many worlds. It is been long theorized by Arconian scholars that such a gateway exists. They think that the gateway allows you to go to worlds with different versions of axies. A multiverse of axie if you will. Marco always remembers the following verse from an Arconian Scholar’s book:
Beyond The Tunnel lies the truth and the key to our existence - a missing piece on the whole existence of axies.
Marco holds this verse dear in his heart and acts as his motivation to prove everyone wrong.
The Red Bug Tribe
The Red Bug Tribe is one of the most open on their hatred against the Arconian Beasts’ descendants. They actually believe that the blood sacrifice of an Arconian Beasts will help stop the Bloodmoon. They always spy on him and bite Marco to get blood samples.
They use the collected blood to perform rituals to counter the Bloodmoon. But so far, none of the rituals succeeded. Lately, though, the Red Bug Tribe secretly hired the Night Cat Gang to capture Marco. Their plan is to sacrifice Marco itself (instead of just drops of blood) so they can strengthen the power of the ritual.
Mysterious Bloodmoon’s Voice
Every Bloodmoon, Marco always hears a voice speaking in his head. The message has been unrecognizable until recently. The voice says:
Go to the fallen ruins of Arconian Temple in the east.
Bothered and curious, Marco sets to travel and visit the Arconian temple:
Little did he know that the Red Bug Tribe’s plan to capture and sacrifice him is also that day. Some assassins of Night Cat Gang and some agents of Red Bug Tribe are actually on his track.
Finally, a Night Cat Gang assassin has caught on to him.
Marco fights valiantly and is able to escape. But then a Red Bug Tribe agent found him. And at the time that they are about to clash, a green portal sucks both of them.
The Ancient Forest
After the appearance of a green portal, Marco wakes up in a forest surrounded by mystic axies. This forest is what the old legend calls: The Ancient Forest.
Marco: “Whaa… What I’m doing here?”
Mystic Axie 1: (in a mystic voice) “We’re waiting for you, Marco”
Marco: “How do you know my name? Are you guys mystic axies? First time seeing you this many!”
Mystic Axie 2: (in a mystic voice) “Our leader is waiting for you. He will explain everything.”
Marco then moves along with the mystic axies. They enter a cave and there he saw their leader — a legendary axie.
Marco is mesmerized by sawing a legendary axie for the first time. He then immediately asks:
Marco: “Are you the one calling me all this time?”
Legendary Axie: (in a mystic voice) “No. But I know who’s the voice calling you all this time.”
Marco: “Who?”
Legendary Axie: (in a mystic voice) “She will make her own introduction once you met her. But we can’t talk to her right now. We need to open the doors to his location using a ritual. And we need to collect three mystic resources for that… Marco, the time has come. The Age of the Bloodmoon is about to end.”
Marco has a lot more questions. But he knew that he can save these for later. For now, it’s time to gather the mystic resources.
The Mystic Resources
There are three mystic resources that Marco has to gather: “Arconian Blood Soul”, “Ancient Rain Drop”, and “Golden Timber.”
Arconian Blood Soul
Marco sings a ritual near the Tree of Knowledge. Then bit himself to transform his blood into an Arconian Blood Soul.
Ancient Rain Drop
Marco cooks a red potato in the Water Woods while chanting a ritual. Ancient Rain Drops then came pouring down.
Golden Timber
Marco cut down 20 zombie trees in under 2 minutes. Zombie trees regenerate every 2 minutes. Golden Timber only appears if 20 zombie trees are cut down at the same time.
Layah, The Banisher
Finally, the time has come to meet the creature behind the mysterious voice. All mystic axies gathered the resources and starts a ritual. As the chant is finally over, Marco is transported to an enormous forest. And there stands an enormous axie right in front of him.
Marco: “Aaa… Are you the mysterious voice in my head?”
Layah: “Yes I am.”
Marco: “Who are you? And why are you calling me?”
Layah: (in a mystic voice) “I am Layah, The Banisher. An ancient axie. The first ones who walk the land of Lunacia. Long ago, your tribe and I started a ritual that will open the Tunnel. It’s about to open now. But I need a representative from the tribe to finally unlock it. I need your help to open the Tunnel.”
Marco: “So it’s true right?! The Tunnel is real! Have you been there?”
Layah: (in a mystic voice) “Yes, once. Because that’s where I came from. I don’t know much about it though. That’s why I want to go. My journey here in Lunacia has been long and mostly fun. But I always felt something is missing within me — the roots of my existence, my Origin.”
Marco felts something within him has been ignited. He mostly wants to go to the Tunnel to prove their tribe’s doubters wrong. But now, something within him is building up.
The two then started a long exhausting ritual. After 3 hours, the Tunnel is finally open! All mystic axies, the legendary Axie, and Layah are now heading to the Tunnel. Marco also starts moving toward the Tunnel. But before he steps in, the Red Bug agent trailing him before (that’s also sucked into the tunnel) appears in front of him.
Red Bug Agent: “I’ve been following you all around the Ancient Forest, trying to finish my job of capturing you. But then, I started to realize greater things beyond the conflicts of our tribe. This might be too much to ask because I know we’ve been enemies for so long. But can I come with you beyond the Tunnel?”
Marco: “What’s your name?”
Red Bug Agent: “Bagi”
Marco: “Bagi, what’s your motivation for going beyond the Tunnel?”
Red Bug Agent: “Just like Layah, I also felt this hole in my existence ever since. Have you ever wondered why only four of our parts have abilities? I want to stop fighting now and join you on your journey beyond the Tunnel.”
Marco: “That’s nice to hear Bagi. You know, all this time, my main goal to go beyond the Tunnel is to just prove you guys wrong. But hearing you and Layah, makes me realize something. For you to move forward on your journey. You need to go back to where you came from. And remind yourself of why you started this journey anyways. So let’s go Bagi! Let’s find our ORIGIN.”
Closing Remarks
Some parts of the lore have representations, like the Tunnel. The Tunnel represents the infinite possibilities of using the axie NFTs. This includes the Axie Infinity: Origin and the Builder’s Program.
I will create an Axie Infinity: Origin card based on Layah, The Banisher. This will be my entry to the Custom Card Contest of Axie Infinity: Origin Launch.
Hope you guys enjoy this article. As usual, comment your reaction down below or hit me up on my Twitter account: @alvinaragoneth.