#exalted four

Now, before we begin, because this is the piss on the poor website...

☆ Disclaimer: I am not saying that any of the endings in-game are bad. I am not saying this is the best ending possible (it's very much not).

This AU is created purely because I really like exploring characters in more high-stakes/apocalyptic settings, and I especially like the idea of Sam continuing to help people in a more grounded manner (without 70-90% of the world being fucking obliterated or enslaved)- and this AU gives me the avenues to do that.

I personally think Denial is undoubtedly the 'happiest/best' ending of the game, but sometimes, whats happiest is not what's most interesting. Now, with that out of the way...

☆ What is the gist of this AU?

Basically, it's an AU where Sam gathers all the perfect offerings, but refuses to take part in the ritual. Because of that, he never battles the astronomers on the roof as they fuse... and it's the violence of the fight itself that causes issues with the stability of their new form. Without the fight, they manage to use that time to create a more stable form, and thus, remain lucid. They then are able to use their powers to fly around and help the world as a sort of 'guardian angel', protecting it from the biggest threats... but unable to help on a smaller/more personal level the way 'Denial' Sam is. Thus, the world strikes a balance that's somewhat in between 'Screaming Skies', 'No Going Back', and 'Perfect Ritual: Denial'. The Hundred Gods (and other large, destructive cursed) are felled by the Exalted Four if they turn aggressive, thus keeping the Earth safe from the largest threats. But the streets are still filled with smaller monsters, looters, and other dangers, with the remaining humans and lucid Cursed having to work together to rebuild the world and society themselves.

☆ What does this AU have to offer?

☆ A setting in which Sam remains human (or a smaller Cursed if you want!) that isn't really dark and upsetting. ☆ A more bittersweet ending that leans more towards 'sweet' than 'bitter' without feeling too happy, in the way I've seen some people consider Denial. ☆ The astronomers living and remaining lucid (but still Changed). ☆ Apartment 33 residents potentially staying and surviving together more long-term (allowing for more exploration of character). ☆ The apartment complex becoming a potential hub for survivors, similar to this post (it's awesome you should read it. It's what inspired me to think about this AU in the first place). ☆ Humanity having to come together rather than having things fixed for them. ☆ A really fucking bangin' redesign of the Exalted Four. ☆ A universal shorthand for a specific setting, so you can simply tag your work 'golden skies' and link back to this post, so you don't have to set up complex worldbuilding in your fic to justify why everyone is still in apartment 33. If that makes sense.

☆ FAQ

Whoah! Can I use this setting for my fanart/fanfic/headcanons?

Yes, go ahead. I made this AU for everyone to use. Sort of a 'free use' policy. You don't even have to credit me. 👍

But what if I want to credit you?

Then go ahead! You're allowed to, I'm just saying you don't need to.

What makes the Exalted Four look different?

Honestly? Up to you. I provided a design of how I imagine it would go, but you're welcome to play around and redesign it if you'd like. Essentially, I think they'd be in a form their human minds can better process. Something with a front, back, up, and down... which is much more comprehensible to the human mind that an endlessly spinning wheel. The design shown up there has eyes on top (but not the 'belly'), and does indeed have a front and back- they look similar, but only the front has a mouth. You can see it in the concept art at the bottom. I also imagine the 'wings' can expand and retract to certain lengths, and are actually quite dexterous and grippy. More like tentacles than feathers. But, again- all of this is up to you!

This AU is cool, but I think it would be better if the exalted four's design remained the same/Sam was a cursed instead of a human/the visitor had big tits/whatever.

Awesome! You can do whatever you want forever. Like I said, I have released this AU to the masses to do with whatever they please. Edit it to your heart's content for whatever fanworks you want to create. It's just a base to allow people to jump off of.

I can do whatever I want forever?

Forever. I love you. Have fun.

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and sell this idea and make a bunch of money off it and-

Okay I lied. This is still an AU for a video game I did not create. I am not Frankie. I am not an actual owner or developer of Look Outside. You're still not allowed to do that because of, like, actual governmental laws. Come on, dude.

Okay, sorry. Do you still love me?

Yes.

I made a fanwork that used this AU! What now?

Awesome! :D I recommend tagging it "Golden Skies AU", or "LO GS AU" (Look Outside Golden Skies Alternate Universe. Say that 5 times fast). This will allow people to quickly know your setting... but most importantly, it will allow me to find it and look at it and spin around really fast because I'm so happy.

Do you have any thoughts you couldn't fit into the above categories?

Oh yeah, lots. Did you know that my first pass of this AU had Sybil orchestrating the ritual in Sam's place? And that I was going to have two versions of this AU (Golden Skies: 'Guardian Angel' and 'Serpent') for whether or not Sybil was there? I ended up scrapping that idea because we don't know enough about Sybil canonically for me to feel comfortable using her for such a big thing. I decided to keep it more simple. Feel free to play with that scrapped idea though.

I have a question you didn't answer here!

My askbox is open, friend.

As a bonus for reading all of this, here's some concept art!