History WebOriginal / TheArknMythos

Content in the [[TheVerse Arkn Mythos]] can be divided into four canon and one non-canon "universes". The first canon 'verse is a prequel with a single, ongoing plot line. The next three are sequels (of sorts) to the first set in parallel universes, and contain an {{Anthology}} and a Chronology (not to be confused with a UniverseChronology); the works in the Anthologies advance the [[MythArc myth arcs]] of their respective universes, while the Chronologies generally advance self-contained lore (creating connectivity between the characters and events that shape the Anthologies).

* ''Arkn: Echo''.[[note]]A prequel blog series set in a universe before the creation of A. Reveals how the formerly mortal Hethe became deities. Debuted May 15, 2018.[[/note]]

* ''Arkn: Eternal''.[[note]]A canon SpinOff of The Arknverse. Centers around Universe E, a canon AlternateUniverse version of Universe A created by the manipulation of time and the alteration of key events. Currently open source, it was created to allow newcomers to produce content around the key concepts of Universe A without disrupting the ending of that universe.[[/note]]

* PsychologicalTormentZone: The Infernous of Universe A. Fitting, seeing as it's essentially the Arkn/Dekn equivalent of ''{{Hell}}''.

Content in the [[TheVerse Arkn Mythos]] can be divided into three canon and one non-canon "verses". The first canon "verse" is a prequel with a single, ongoing plot line. The next two contain an {{Anthology}} and a Chronology (not to be confused with a UniverseChronology); the works in the Anthologies advance the [[MythArc myth arcs]] of their respective universes, while the Chronologies generally advance self-contained lore (creating connectivity between the characters and events that shape the Anthologies).

* ''[[WebOriginal/TheArknverse The Arknverse]]''.[[note]] The first established community in the franchise. Set in Universe A, it contains stories revolving around the Arkn-Dekn Wars, .Reality, and the Arknangels. Closed-source as of 2017.[[/note]]
* ''[[WebOriginal/ArknLegacy Arkn: Legacy]]''.[[note]] The first official SpinOff (or "expansion pack") to the Arknverse, set in Universe X: the new universe created during the FinalBattle of Universe A.[[/note]]

* ActionGirl: In Universe A, Seraphina, Ambriel, and Phobos all qualify.

** Played straight with Project Entropy. The Entropy machine was created as a duplicate of .Reality for the Arkn to live in, separating them from the Dekn once and for all. However, the program's engineers were forced to activate it before it could be completed; [[spoiler:in its unfinished state, Entropy connected to the existing .Reality and overloaded the system, causing a shutdown. Entropy interpreted this as an "error" and attempted to fix it — resulting in an cataclysmic anomaly called a Red Nova that caused the fabric of the entire universe to splinter into ragged fragments.]]

*** As of ''Arkn Legacy'', ''all'' of Universe A has been consumed by Voidweb [[spoiler: -- including most of the Hethe]].
* AlternateSelf: All the human characters of Universe A have countless variations of themselves existing throughout the timelines of .Reality; many of them are nearly identical to the characters we know -- with a few minor differences. Has [[AlternateSelf/TheArknverse its own page]].
* AlternateTimeline: .Reality (of Universe A) runs on this principal, creating numerous "main" timelines (A, B, C, etc.) that branch off into countless offshoots with minute differences for humans to live in (ensuring that no one individual will ever be completely obliterated by programming glitches or the War, and that all humans have infinite opportunities to live a happy, prosperous life). There are numerous ways for humans to travel between timelines, and variations in the timelines (and [[AlternateSelf the characters who inhabit them]]) feature prominently in a number of story arcs (see above). However, shifting timelines spontaneously can potentially cause a number of problems: jumping without protective magic runs the risk of attracting Lurkers, while spending too long in an alternate timeline will cause you to acclimate; not only will you become foreign data to your OWN timeline, but you overwrite your counterpart and fill their "space" in the new one. .Reality ''really'' abhors a vacuum.

** Season 1 of Michael's Camera ''appears'' to start in an alternate timeline. [[spoiler:It's actually Timeline A, before undergoing a brief reset (due to Michael -- who just shifted into that timeline from another, unseen one -- having a run-in with a Lurker).]]
** In the Season 2 episode "Two minutes in" from Michael's Camera, Ellpagg ''literally'' shoves Michael Knight into Timeline B in order to get Persophelus Redgrave off his tail. Michael replaces his counterpart via the Debigrath Effect, and spends the rest of the series in (variations of) that timeline (until the end of Season 3, when he [[spoiler:ends up in the Infernous and becomes the Carver's vessel]]).

** ''Liquid Bones'' is an entire ''series'' of MindScrew. (''No More Truths'' somewhat qualifies as well, given the overall lack of context for the entries.)
** ''handprintsofthedead'' is another one. While it features a character (the Hooks Killer) and certain events that tie into the bigger picture of the Arknverse, many of the videos are seemingly random and unrelated (some "episodes" are nothing more than slightly-glitched television commercials), making the series as a whole nigh incomprehensible. The creator admits that this is deliberate, and that he was aiming more for a general feeling of dread, horror, and confusion than a clear-cut story.

* PostModernMagic: The Arkn of Universe A work their magic through sigils, symbols incantations...and Western-style revolvers. (They were actually forged by the Hethe, and work as functioning firearms by focusing the powers of the user.)
* ThePowerOfBlood: Blood is the medium through which the power of the Hethe is passed to the Arkn in Universe A. A ritual involving the blood of the first four Arkn created the BackgroundMagicField that is the source of all Arkn magic. The amount of “Hethian blood” an Arkn possesses also appears to be directly proportional to their magical abilities (and the strength of said abilities).
* PsychologicalTormentZone: Some levels of the Vale of Nightmares (Asmodeus's [[DreamLand home dimension]] in Universe A) function as this -- particularly Level 1 - The Entropy of Blackened Nightmares (which causes visitors to relive their worst memories and/or nightmares) and Level 4 - The Arena of Nebulous Shadows (which starts as one's fondest dream and gradually turns into one's more horrific nightmare).
** The Infernous. Fitting, seeing as it's essentially the Arkn/Dekn equivalent of ''{{Hell}}''.

* WorldInTheSky: The Golden Cities (collectively known as Elysia) of Universe A. Each city is divided into districts (government/banking, etc.), with each district suspended on a separate, floating “island”.
** The [[http://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/Paradisium Paradisium]] is similarly made of twelve tiers suspended one atop the other (courtesy of "Arkn flair" and Dekn technology, via Raziel’s {{Magitek}}). It crashes into the sea below during the Battle of the Arknza.
* WorldTree: The very first creation of the Hethe of Universe A was the First Tree: a massive tree carved from the door of the very portal they emerged from, which sat in the center of existence. The Dekn made it their home, until it was overrun by the Arkn and set on fire. Its remnants (or a facsimile of it) sit in the middle of the Infernous.

Content in the [[TheVerse Arkn Mythos]] can be divided into four canon and one non-canon "verses". The first canon "verse" is a prequel with a single, ongoing plot line. The next two canon universes contain an {{Anthology}} and a Chronology (not to be confused with a UniverseChronology); the works in the Anthologies advance the [[MythArc myth arcs]] of their respective universes, while the Chronologies generally advance self-contained lore (creating connectivity between the characters and events that shape the Anthologies). The third canon universe is a fully [[WideOpenSandbox open source]] realm, with no current established plotlines. The final, canon universe is a prequel

* ''Arkn: Eternity''.[[note]]An [[AlternateUniverse alternate]] follow-up to the Arknverse. Set in a new, entirely separate universe with no end times. Set for release in summer 2019.[[/note]]

* ''The Alterverse/Extended Universe''.[[note]] Unofficially known as "Universe F". The home for non-canon work based on the lore of the Arkn Mythos, including fanfiction and works that have been de-canonized.[[/note]]

** Malachi X. His Risen name is even cooler: Malachi Iscari Fairfax.

** The Arkn and Dekn of ''Legacy'' forgo possession entirely, entering Ersis directly in a human [[{{Glamour}} disguise]]. However, both Arkn and Dekn can still take over the bodies of humans, in a sense: the Arkn use specialized Ythen-granted sigils to "relocate" directly into the body of a human (basically wearing the human as a LivingBodySuit), while the Dekn can use their psychic powers to overload a person's brain and [[PeoplePuppets puppet]] them.

* NiceHat: Malek (more specifically, his vessels) wears a signature plaid flat cap. It's a holdover from his Hethe origins: each Hethe wears a distinctive style of headwear.

** In ''Legacy'', mortal creatures can [[http://deathlylogic.tumblr.com/post/157181777170/something-screamed-in-the-distance become]] broken, feral husks (with [[GlowingEyelightsOfUndeath glowing white eyes]]) puppeted by negative ethric energy.

** In ''Arkn Legacy'', humans who impress Cedric have their souls transferred into featureless, adult humanoid husks called Eelekti[[note]]Elective Ghost Data[[/note]] in a DarkWorld version of Earth upon death. Those who live successful lives as Eelekti for 100 years are reborn again as humans -- with all the skills and instincts they acquired in their previous life intact. If they can use their skills to prove themselves worthy, they will be reborn as an Arkn or Dekn upon death. If said Arkn or Dekn achieves great things in life, they will be reborn a final time as a Risen: a human with the [[SplitPersonalityMerge combined]] powers, memories and skills of ''all'' of their previous lives.

* ''Universe O: Arkn: Echo''.[[note]]A prequel blog series set in the universe before A. Reveals how the formerly mortal Hethe became deities. Debuted May 15, 2018.[[/note]]
* ''[[WebOriginal/TheArknverse Universe A: The Arknverse]]''.[[note]] The first established community in the franchise. Contains stories revolving around the Arkn-Dekn Wars, .Reality, and the Arknangels. Closed source as of 2017.[[/note]]
* ''[[WebOriginal/ArknLegacy Universe X: Arkn: Legacy]]''.[[note]]The first branch of the SpinOff (or "expansion pack") to the Arknverse, set in a new universe created during the FinalBattle of Universe A.[[/note]]
* ''Universe Y: Arkn: Eternity''.[[note]]The second branch of the Arknverse expansion pack, set in [[AlternateUniverse another universe]] created during the end of Universe A. Set for release in summer 2019.[[/note]]
* ''Universe F: The Alterverse/Extended Universe''.[[note]] Non-canon work based on the lore of the Arkn Mythos. Includes fanfiction and works that have been de-canonized.[[/note]]

Set in both [[DarkFantasy fantasy realms]] and the [[UrbanFantasy modern human world]], the Arkn Mythos revolves around a ForeverWar between two powerful races of alien beings: the angel-like [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Arkn]], who possess [[FunctionalMagic magic powers]], and their demon-esque counterparts the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Dekn]], who have PsychicPowers. The franchise follows the conflict as it unfolds in multiple universes, detailing the events that spawn and shape the conflict, the deities that influence it, and the various other beings and entities that get pulled into it -- especially the human race, who unfortunately always seem to be in the middle of it all.

Content in the [[TheVerse Arkn Mythos]] can be divided into two canon and one non-canon "verses". The canon universes each contain an {{Anthology}} and a Chronology (not to be confused with a UniverseChronology); the works in the Anthologies advance the [[MythArc myth arcs]] of their respective universes, while the Chronologies generally advance self-contained lore (creating connectivity between the characters and events that shape the Anthologies).

* ''[[WebOriginal/TheArknverse Universe A: The Arknverse]]''.[[note]] The first established community in the franchise. Contains stories revolving around the Arkn-Dekn Wars, .Reality, and the Arknangels.[[/note]]
* ''[[WebOriginal/ArknLegacy Universe X: Arkn: Legacy]]''.[[note]]The SpinOff or "expansion pack" to the Arknverse, set in a new universe created during the FinalBattle of Universe A.[[/note]]

* ''Universe O: Arkn: Echo''.[[note]]A prequel blog series set in the universe before A. Reveals how the formerly mortal Hethe became deities. Debuted May 15, 2018.[[/note]]
* ''Universe F: The Alterverse''.[[note]] Non-canon work based on the lore of the Arkn Mythos. Includes fanfiction and works that have been de-canonized.[[/note]]

* ActionGirl: Seraphina, Ambriel, and Phobos all qualify.

* AncientAliens: In the Arknverse, the Arkn (namely, the Watchers) were responsible for teaching Humanity a number of concepts -- including War.

* TrappedInAnotherWorld: In the Arknverse, which takes place within a computer system that has an infinite number of timelines (and numerous methods of traveling between them), this is bound to happen. Usually, there are only minute differences between the timelines (averting the usual FishOutOfWater antics), and the characters are able to return to their original timeline before they acclimate and/or permanently take the place of their counterpart (See You Can't Go Home Again and Only One Me Allowed Right Now). However, there have been a few exceptions: in Season 1 of ''[=acryfromwinter=], Alex Winter became trapped for a considerable amount of time in Timeline B -- in which his counterpart is [[spoiler:the mass murderer behind the Winter Family Massacre]].

*** Arkn: Echo reveals that Malek was always a

The official wiki for the Arkn Mythos can be found [[http://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/The_Arkn_Mythos_Wiki here]]. (Unfortunately, much of the content is currently incomplete.)

* AIIsACrapshoot: .Reality manages to subvert this; despite being an incredibly powerful, ''living'') program, the system generally functions as intended (save for a few hiccups -- all of which were caused by invasive forces).

* AlternateSelf: All the human characters of Universe A have countless variations of themselves existing throughout the timelines of .Reality; many of them are nearly identical to the characters we know -- with a few minor differences.
** After Alex enters Timeline B, he discovers that "Alex B" was responsible for the Winter Family Massacre (at ''age 7'') and now sits on Death Row. Timeline B.2 Alex (whose videos are later posted on the ACFW channel) is an internet reviewer who uncovers a few things involving the Arkn and Lurkers. [[spoiler:In the Season 3 finale of [=ACryFromWinter=], it's revealed that all the Alexes we've met were really Uriel, living out versions of the lives of his human counterparts in the Infernous. (However, all of these individuals do exist within .Reality -- and all of what we saw in Season 1, up to the reset, was actually happening to Alex Winter "Prime".)]]
*** ''[=Starving4Truth=]'' introduces yet another version of Alex Winter: a sociopathic young man who calls himself "Tony" and was acquitted of murdering his family (but hinted to have actually been responsible for their deaths -- while under the sway of a [[DemonicPossession possessing entity]]).
*** Another short-lived vlog from the Mirrorverse, "[[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU6bHmzMxJqI3k4yBAWM_-A awalkinthepark]]", involves yet another version of Alex who is investigating the New Age religion of "Arknism" — only to get tangled up in the crimes of The Hooks Killer.
** We meet another version of Michael Knight at the start of Season 2 of ''Michael's Camera'', who seems to be experiencing the same things Michael Knight went through early in Season 1 -- right before [[spoiler:Michael Knight replaces him via the Debigrath Effect[[note]](a "law" of .Reality that causes a person who enters a "new" timeline to take the place of their alternate self in that timeline -- usually when their counterpart is dead or otherwise absent)[[/note]]]].
** While .Hopping (see below), Michael replaces several alternate versions of himself. Initially, the only difference seems to be their choice of tee-shirt (or lack thereof, in one case). However, he briefly ends up "holed up" in one timeline in which he and Alex Winter are siblings. Michaelis later confirms that in several timelines, Michael and Alex Winter are brothers -- and that in most of those timelines (including his own), they have a sister named Elizabeth.
*** Michaelis himself is a special glitched version of Michael Knight, created by a programming change that occurred when King Uriel threw himself into one of the .Reality engines. (He also reveals that ''every'' version of Alex is [[spoiler:patterned after the Arkn king: Alex Winter is .Reality doing its best "interpretation" of Uriel as a human, in data form]].)
** In his human life, Michaelis was in a relationship with a boy named Mark -- who was confirmed by WordOfGod to have been an alternate version of Gabriel ''Markus'' Holden.
** While trapped in a "house" in Humanity's Infernous, Azrael meets several deceased Michaels from various timelines: "Tour Guide Michael" (who shows Azrael around their "cell") is a pedophile who dresses in a white turtleneck and sunglasses; [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Spooky Michael"]] is a silent, sinister figure in a rabbit mask who steals milk from the refrigerator; two other versions of Michael also appear briefly -- one sitting on the toilet (dressed in a tacky polyester shirt) and another in the garage who wears blood-splattered clothes and wields a baseball bat.
** In an interesting variation, Tobit and Tobias Kestler are twin brothers born in different timelines.[[note]](The Kestlers jumped timelines, somehow producing a version of the same son within each.)[[/note]] Tobit went on to fuse with Raphael and become an Arknza, while Tobias is human and a prophet.
*** [=MedBoy456=] introduces us to yet another version of Toby Kestler. This Toby is a great deal more mentally unstable than [=MedBoy789=] — and instead of being a prophet, he's the Guarded Human of the mad Arkn Gynesis. (This later becomes a minor plot point in Season 2 of [=MedBoy789=]: Raphael discovers that someone is killing off alternate versions of Tobias, and immediately suspects that it's one of Toby's duplicates -- and that Gynesis is the culprit, due to his connection to [=MedBoy456=]. The guilty party is actually revealed to be [[spoiler:Elias Exodus]].)

** This seems to be [=DeathlyLogic=]'s [[http://deathlylogic.tumblr.com/post/162726910450/arkn-legacy-additions-v2 intention]] with ''Arkn Legacy''.

** In Universe X, Arkn blood contains many of the natural properties of Ethri (the [[PureEnergy energy]] through which Arkn practice magick), and is heavily implied to be a form of Ethri itself.

** This, in turn, angered the Hethe Tum'to (who doesn't like it when mortals commit acts of war without his explicit guidance or instruction); he decided to retaliate by [[spoiler:[[PeoplePuppets puppeting]] the body of Raphael and forcing him to attack and destroy the]] ''[[spoiler:Dekn]]'' [[spoiler:capital.]]
* CessationOfExistence: In Universe A, most ordinary humans only exist in .Reality as pure data; upon death, they're typically absorbed back into the system and blink out of existence. There are a few rare exceptions to this, however: humans who possess special Arkn blood (or are otherwise marked by The Carver) can survive beyond death -- usually in their own special subdivision of the Infernous. Azrael also mentioned that there have been cases of humans reincarnating via being reconstituted in another timeline; we have yet to see this occur in .Reality, however[[note]](though Azrael spends many eons believing ''himself'' to be one such case)[[/note]].
** Xerex and Raziel briefly allude to possibility of other realms of existence after death -- and state that they don't know what "comes next" (or whether it would apply to humans). It's implied that not even ''the Hethe themselves'' know all the secrets of the afterlife.

** Subverted with Malachi X: he just buys an ordinary, $12 NERF gun from Wal-Mart and infuses it with Ethric energy.

* CosmicHorrorStory: The overarching plot of the Arknverse contains many elements of this. Universe A is a CrapSackworld where existence itself was orchestrated by petty, monstrous [[EldritchAbomination deities]]. Humanity (as it is) is confined to an [[InsideAComputerSystem artificial realm]]; everything we think we know was designed and created by a powerful race of [[OurDemonsAreDifferent inhuman creatures]] with [[BlueAndOrangeMorality motives beyond our comprehension]], as a tactical move against an equally powerful, incomprehensible race of [[OurAngelsAreDifferent malicious creatures]]. At ''any moment'', one of them could pop into your life, [[DemonicPossession seize control of your body]], and destroy everything you hold dear. Even if you manage to avoid ''that'' fate, you might still bump into one of the random, [[RealityWarper reality-warping]] [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters]] generated by the fabric of your artificial world; they lurk around every corner, and can drop out of the sky and fly off with you...or drastically alter your world in ways you can't detect. Don't bother praying to your god or GuardianAngel for help: all of our myths, legends and gods were inspired by the same creatures that seek to manipulate us. Don't look for a reprieve in death, either: you'll either [[CessationOfExistence blink out of existence]], or [[{{Reincarnation}} return to life]] in an equally-perilous world. Oh, and if all that wasn't bad enough? This is only the latest iteration of an unending cycle of creation, war, death and destruction. Did we mention that this is a Crapsack World?
** ''Arkn Legacy'' drastically reduces the cosmic horror aspects of the mythology, making it something closer to LovecraftLite. The new pantheon of Hethe (who include a fully-grown Cedric Kharon and an ascended Ellpagg), while still far from benevolent, are far less powerful and far more [[TheGodsMustBeLazy apathetic]] than their predecessors. Gone is the terror of .Reality and its many hazards. The Arkn and Dekn are still [[ForeverWar at war]] with each other; unlike in Universe A, however, they can enter the physical world without causing the fabric of existence to break down -- and are more akin to [[TheMasquerade a secret society]] than anything. Arkn and Dekn-human [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]] are a regular (if uncommon) occurrence, and while the Arkn and Dekn wield even more influence over the human realms, the Lumeric company is [[FantasticScience utilizing their magic]] to create [[{{Magitek}} weapons and devices]] that provide humanity with a means of defense. (However, there is still the looming threat of Voidweb -- [[OhCrap which is bigger, and more powerful, than ever]].)

** Given that Ellpagg spends much of TheKnightShift in the Infernous, he also qualifies.

** The Arkn and Dekn of ''Legacy'' forgo possession entirely, being granted a physical body (which they customize via magic transmutation) by the Ythen when they enter Ersis.
* DontGoIntoTheWoods: It seems like this might be becoming a plot point in both ''[=ACryFromWinter'=]' and in ''[=There Are No Lights=]'', what with the former having Alex [[spoiler:possessed in the woods]] and the latter having the stalker seeming to show up in the woods.

* BlackAndGrayMorality/GrayAndGreyMorality: One of the prevailing themes of Universe A (and the franchise as a whole). The ForeverWar between the Arkn and the Dekn is an artificial one, engineered for the shallow amusement of cruel gods. Both sides are prone to dubious behavior; while the Dekn seem ALighterShadeOfGray (due to their drive to protect humanity), they are no less willing to manipulate, betray, torment, and kill countless others -- including their own kind and the very humans they claim to be '''protecting''' -- if it means gaining traction in the war.

** Interestingly, we are introduced to at least four other characters in Universe A who represent Death in some way: Tum'to (the Hethe who embodies death and destruction), Crow (the former Arkn Lord of Death), Edgar Kharon (who was literally known as "Death" and seen as an avatar of Death among the [[TheFourHorsemen Fearful Four]]), and Theatre Mask (who is an [[TheAntiGod anti-god]] that embodies the elements of decay and entropy). Surge, the Dekn Lord of Murder, might also count.

* {{Reincarnation}}: In Universe A (according to the "6) Reflection" of Solar’s Crimson), some humans who die are reincarnated by having their data reconstituted in other timelines.

** In ''Arkn Legacy'', humans who impress Cedric have their souls transferred into featureless, adult humanoid husks called Eelekti in a DarkWorld version of Earth) upon death. Those who live successful lives as Eelekti are reborn again as humans -- with all the skills and instincts they acquired in their previous life intact. If they can use their skills to prove themselves worthy, they will be reborn as an Arkn or Dekn upon death. If said Arkn or Dekn achieves great things in life, they will be reborn a final time as a Risen: a human with the combined powers, memories and skills of ''all'' of their previous lives.

* ''[[WebOriginal/ArknLegacy Universe X: Arkn: Legacy]]''.[[note]]The SpinOff or "expansion pack" to the Arknverse, set in a new universe created at the end of Universe A.[[/note]]

*** Malek's [[SoulFragment "shards"]] use a number of hosts: human, Arkn, and even ''[[CrowningMomentOfFunny a dog]]'' on one occasion.

* SealedInsideAPersonShapedCan: The some of the Arnkangels/Arknza start out as this: they (Hethe-blooded Arkn) are "embedded" in humanity by being bound to human vessels (typically either a human in their bloodline, or .Reality's "interpretation" of them in human form); once the human becomes fully aware of their "other half" and awakens their powers, the human and Arkn selves integrate, transforming them into a being of incredible power. The particulars, such as how the vessel is acquired and which side (if any) has dominance, vary in each case.
** Alex Winter is a ''double'' example: [[spoiler:not only is he the human translation of King Uriel (in digital form), but he's the physical vessel for the Hethian Scrolls of Creation]].

* ''[[WebOriginal/ArknLegacy Universe X: Arkn Legacy]]''.[[note]]The SpinOff or "expansion pack" to the Arknverse, set in a new universe created at the end of Universe A.[[/note]]
* ''Universe O: "Project E"''.[[note]] A new upcoming project in the mythos, set to debut on May 15, 2018.[[/note]]

** In Universe X, the Arkn and Dekn are both descended from humans, and possess the physical traits of angels and demons...and nothing else.
* PhotoshopFilterOfEvil: In .Reality, this sometimes happens in the presence of especially powerful beings. We've seen it occur when The Carver is onscreen, as well as when Elias Exodus uses his Nephilim powers onscreen. It also sometimes appears when the Persopheleums show up.

** According to WordOfGod, Azrael believes himself to be Edgar Kharon reborn, due to possessing all of Edgar’s memories. (In reality, [[spoiler: he received Edgar’s memories from Ellpagg on the day he converged with Xerex]].)

** In ''Arkn Legacy'', certain humans chosen at random by Cedric have the option of being reborn as Elekti (featureless adult humanoids) in a DarkWorld version of Earth. Those who succeed in their lives as Elekti are reborn again as humans -- with all the skills and instincts they acquired in their previous life intact. If they can use their skills to prove themselves worthy, they will be transformed into Arkn or Dekn upon death.
*** Arkn and Dekn who achieve great things in life can be reborn as Risen (i.e. supernaturally powered humans humans who eventually remember their lives as Arkn).

** As of ''Arkn: Legacy'', the cycle is confirmed to have played out ''at least'' twice in full.[[note]] The Hethe entered Universe A through a door that led from a previous universe (hinted to be the one inhabited by Emmanuel from ''Diary of a Mistake'').[[/note]]

* OurZombiesAreDifferent: In the vlog "The 7venth Reality" (Universe A), humans in the town of New Comshine are turn into feral, zombie-like creatures after drinking water contaminated by the blood of SerialKiller Alexander Tamil (who is implied to have ties to the Dekn).
** In ''Legacy'', mortal creatures can [[http://deathlylogic.tumblr.com/post/157181777170/something-screamed-in-the-distance become]] broken, feral husks (with [[GlowingEyelightsOfUndeath glowing white eyes]]) puppeted by negative ethric energy.

* AllThereInTheManual: The official wiki reveals many facts about the characters, some of which are unstated in-universe. Unfortunately, many of the pages were written based on the information that was available at that time, and were infrequently updated -- resulting in much of the info being incomplete or outdated. Much of the unspoken information about the plot arcs, characters, and TheVerse in general has been revealed by [[WordOfGod the creators]] (usually via their tumblr blogs, during livestreams, and in [[WordOfGod personal interviews]]).
* AIIsACrapshoot: .Reality manages to subvert this; despite being an incredibly powerful, ''living'') program, the system functions exactly as intended (save for a few hiccups -- all of which were caused by invasive forces).

* HalfHumanHybrids: The Nephilim. (See below.)

** Arkn and Dekn-human hybrids are fairly commonplace (though not widely recognized) in ''Arkn: Legacy''. They possess traits of both species (including [[HybridPower Arkn and Dekn powers]]), and are regarded by humans as something akin to superheroes.

* {{Nephilim}}: The [[http://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3ANephilim Nephilim of the Arknverse]] were created when the "Watchers" (members of a group of 200 Arkn assigned to observe humanity) mated with human women. After the Carver revealed their existence to the Council, the Arkn agreed to systematically track down and eliminate the Nephilim (and the Arkn who sired them). Fortunately, Persophelus Vine and Asmodeus were able to transfer some of them to the safety of a hidden realm known as "The Hybrid Grounds". ''Un''fortunately, they failed to keep them safe from ''each other'' -- [[spoiler: leaving all the Nephilim, save for Michael Knight, to be killed by the most powerful of their kind, Elias Exodus]].
** By the time of Arkn Legacy, Arkn and Dekn [[HalfHumanHybrid half-human hybrids]] are far more common (such that there's no evidence that the term "Nephilim" is even ''in use'').

* TheGrimReaper: The Arkn and Dekn of Universe A have their own, in the form of Xerex Storn. He can "feed" on the essence of deceased Arkn and Dekn, and is regarded as the only being who truly understands the afterlife, as well as the only one (aside from Uriel) who can enter and exit the Infernous at will. After Xerex becomes bound to Michaelis Winter, Michaelis (under his Arkn name, Azrael) uses his powers to free the souls of Arkn and Dekn (and some humans) who are trapped in the Infernous.
** Interestingly, there are at least three other characters in Universe A who explicitly represent Death: Tum'to (the Hethe who embodies death and destruction), Crow (the former Arkn Lord of Death), and Jester (who represents the elements of decay and entropy). Surge, the Dekn Lord of Murder, might also count.

* OurAngelsAreDifferent / OurDemonsAreDifferent: Despite being the inspiration for traditional Western representations of "angels" and "demons", the Arkn and Dekn are a complete reversal of how those beings are usually portrayed: the Dekn, being the [[RedEyesTakeWarning red-eyed]], [[BigRedDevil red-skinned]], [[HornsOfVillainy horned]], leathery-winged beings of darkness, were created first and are closer to having to humanity's best interests at heart; the Arkn, despite being [[WingedHumanoid fluffy-winged]] beings of [[LightIsNotGood light]] who live in a Golden City in the clouds, are closer in nature to what people usually think of as demons (in the sense that they're a secondary "evil counterpart" to a primary race, and intend to possess and enslave human beings). The discrepancies are explained in-universe as being largely the result of Arkn propaganda.

* ''Universe O: "Project E"''.[[note]] A new [[/note]]

* ''Universe Q: The Alterverse''.[[note]] Non-canon work based on the lore of the Arknverse (later expanded to include Arkn Legacy).[[/note]]

*** As of ''Arkn Legacy'', ''all'' of Universe A has been consumed by Voidweb -- [[spoiler:including the Hethe]].
* AlternateSelf: All the human characters of the Arknverse have countless variations of themselves existing throughout the timelines of .Reality; many of them are nearly identical to the characters we know -- with a few minor differences.
** After Alex enters Timeline B, he discovers that "Alex B" was responsible for the Winter Family Massacre (at ''age 7'') and now sits on Death Row. Timeline B.2 Alex (whose videos are later posted on the ACFW channel) is an internet reviewer who uncovers a few things involving the Arkn and Lurkers. [[spoiler:In the Season 3 finale of [=ACryFromWinter=], it's revealed that all the Alexes we've met were really Uriel, living out versions of the lives of his human counterparts in the Infernous. (However, all of these individuals do exist within .Reality -- and all of what we saw in Season 1, up to the reset, was actually happening to Alex Winter.)]]

** We meet another version of Michael Knight at the start of Season 2 of ''Michael's Camera'', who seems to be experiencing the same things Michael Knight went through early in Season 1 -- right before [[spoiler:Michael Knight replaces him via the Debigrath Effect[[note]](a "law" of .Reality that causes a person who enters a "new" timeline to take their place of their alternate self in that timeline -- usually when their counterpart is dead or otherwise absent)[[/note]]]].
** While .Hopping (see below), Michael replaces several versions of himself. Initially, the only difference seems to be their choice of tee-shirt (or lack thereof, in one case); however, he briefly ends up "holed up" in one timeline in which he and Alex Winter are siblings. Michaelis later confirms that in several timelines, Michael and Alex Winter are brothers -- and that in most of those timelines (including his own), they have a sister named Elizabeth.

* ''Universe Q: The Alterverse''.[[note]] Non-canon stories loosely based on the lore of the Arknverse (later expanded to include Arkn Legacy).[[/note]]

''The Arkn Mythos'' is a web-based UrbanFantasy franchise. A SpiritualSuccessor (of sorts) to Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos and Franchise/TheFearMythos, it began circa 2014 as a collection of independent projects from web content creators [=DeathlyLogic=], [=TypeONegative=] and [=Huntzilla=]. With the help of a few friends, the three creators incorporated various ideas and concepts from the projects, eventually forming the cohesive mythology that served as the basis for the Arkn Mythos. What started as a community of loosely-connected vlogs and blogs expanded into a complex [[TheMultiverse multiverse]], featuring two continuities, a multitude of interconnected plots, and content that spans vlogs, blogs, short stories, a short film, animated shorts, audio logs, and even electronic music.

Set in both [[DarkFantasy fantasy realms]] and the [[UrbanFantasy modern human world]], the Arkn Mythos revolves around a ForeverWar between two powerful races of beings: the angel-like [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Arkn]], who possess [[FunctionalMagic magic powers]], and their demon-esque counterparts the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Dekn]], who have PsychicPowers. The franchise follows the conflict as it unfolds in multiple universes, detailing the events that spawn and shape the conflict, the deities that influence it, and the various other beings and entities that get pulled into it -- especially the human race, who unfortunately always seem to be in the middle of it all.

** The videos of ''Handprints'' were posted on multiple playlists -- ''all of which'' are posted out of order, and [[UpToEleven none of which featured the series in its entirety]]. (WordOfGod says that because The Hooks Killer is a [[BodySurf body-surfing]] entity who continually jumps back and forth between timelines and time periods, it would be impossible to try to place the events in any kind of chronological order.)

* EldritchAbomination: The Hethe. They're monstrous, bird-like beings of pure evil who emerged from a giant cosmic door -- which they used to carve into a massive TreeOfLife (before crafting the universe itself). They've been deemed responsible for creating not only all things in existence (save for .Reality), but '''''existence itself'''''. Meeting the Hethe face-to-face in their true forms is said to result in instant death. Many Arkn [[ReligionOfEvil worship them as gods.]]

** The Deedrn, a caste of ultra-powerful beings created by the Hethe as a sort of secret “experiment”. Virtually nothing is known about them, and they were dubbed so dangerous that the Hethe had to ''seal them away''. [[spoiler:The end of TKS revealed that one of them, Indroi Facilis, is set to escape into .Reality in the near future.]]

* {{Nephilim}}: The [[http://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3ANephilim Nephilim of the Arknverse]] were created when the "Watchers" (members of a group of 200 Arkn assigned to observe humanity) mated with human women. After the Carver revealed their existence to the Council, the Arkn agreed to systematically track down and eliminate the Nephilim (and the Arkn who sired them). Fortunately, Persophelus Vine and Asmodeus were able to transfer some of them to the safety of a hidden realm known as "The Hybrid Grounds"; ''un''fortunately, they failed to keep them safe from ''each other'' -- [[spoiler: leaving all the Nephilim, save for Michael Knight, to be killed by the most powerful of their kind, Elias Exodus]].
** By the time of Arkn Legacy, Arkn and Dekn [[HalfHumanHybrid half-human hybrids are an accepted part of everyday life (such that there's no evidence that the term "Nephilim" is even ''in use'' anymore).

** [[WorldInTheSky The Golden Cities]] (in keeping with the Urban Fantasy themes) seem to be roughly structured after a Middle Ages or [[UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance Renaissance-style]] monarchy -- with smatterings of 21st-century technology (implied to be the result of {{Magitek}}). In Elysium, the royal family lives in a stone castle lit with fireplaces and torches, clergy members make annual [[HumanSacrifice sacrifices]] to the gods, [[KnightInShiningArmor knights in shining armor]] train with swords...while interdimensional nomads trade in the marketplace and a team of scientists in a state-of-the-art laboratory create a [[CyberPunk living A.I. system]] powered by [[BloodMagic the blood of a god]]. Meanwhile, in the SteamPunk-style city next door, civilians watch the [=Cloud9=] broadcast on hand-held electronic devices, [[MagicKnight magically-trained]] and SecretPolice snipers communicate through walkie-talkies.