[TheScarletWillow]

username;; -Willow
kalon name;; Viktorria
kalon gender;; Female
story;;
-born into a middle-class working family
-parents are farmers, father goes to sell crops in village's market
-worked the fields until the age of adulthood, when she set off to find her purpose
-traveled a few villages over before turning back, assuming true purpose lay where she began
-fire ravaged village, survivors of the fire dispersing into neighboring villages
-set off in search of a place of true belonging
-stayed with several villages and small bands of Kalons before moving on, never truly feeling as though she belonged
-visited main city, seeking employment
-was approached by a elderly fortuneteller, who informed her to leave the city
-stayed anyway and wound up getting in trouble with the law- blamed for stealing from the royal family, which she did not do
-fled the city and now lives life on the lamb, never able to settle in one place for too long or able to find her purpose or place of belonging

[Anza]

username;; Anza
kalon name;; Theodora
kalon gender;; female

story;;
I walked the streets alone in that village. All the creatures that I saw before me had dull eyes unlike my own. I was alone because nobody shared the sparkle that I had. The children, those who were scampering about with there eyes still light were the closest to making me feel less alone. And yet I still was. Despite the pressure my parents put on me with there arguments over the raising of crops properly and bartering when you would go to the town village as well as there comments of "you need to grow up and face reality," I never managed to. I'm a hard worker. I always did what I was told. I cared for the land as though it was my family. But that wasn't enough for my parents. I stood with my head bowed and my thong tied. Ever sense I hit my teen years I've had a horrible stutter that always seemed to grow worse when I was under any sort of pressure. So when my parents criticized me or my neighbors who worked the fields with me laughed over my "common" appearance I stood with my mouth shut. I wished it open. I wished my words to carry over the fields as the wind does. Yet they were sealed in my mouth by some unseen force over which I had no control over. When I wasn't working the fields, a grueling task for most but a relief for me as I never had to speak, I wandered under the trees surrounding the fields. While most scampered out of the fields as soon as they heard the lunch bell ring I remained. I couldn't follow them to a place where my weakness would be exploited and where I would be humiliated.

But I've grown. I have changed. I'm now an adult who has left the fields and the horrid people behind me. I went in search of a place where I wouldn't need to speak. A place where my kindness and my diligent work would dignify me. And so as I walked through the empty streets on that cool morning and headed towards an isolated cabin at the top of the hill. Terrified I was, but I managed to bring up the nerve and knock on the solid oak door.

"Hello?" A elder Kalon opened the door and examined my appearance. I bowed my head in fear but managed to get out more words then I was ever able to "I have traveled from a distant land...and I search...for a position with you...perhaps." The Kalon was kind and she smiled at my shrinking figure. "I've been seeking for an apprentice. But I'm not going to take in just anyone. Being a healer for the village is an important position! You must know herbs and medical procedures..." She trailed off and raised my head with her paw so that I was looking her in the eyes. "But most off all, you must be a handworker and you must be kind."

I nodded my head. "Well come inside then." And so I followed her. My past was left there at the door as I hoped for a better future. Before the door slammed behind me I looked over the village located bellow the cabin. Perhaps I could bring light into those peoples lives.

[BlackWren]

Omg I mite try for them, love them aaHH
- named Sho Yie
- they're a traveling merchant who sells their horrible unique sculptures made of either clay or metal.

[huddson]

username;;
kalon name;; Damage
kalon gender;; Demigirl
story;; It was a journey to find her gender and sexuality. It took several years to know and come to terms with the fact that she's bisexual, and even longer to know she's a demigirl.

[zaz]

mark

[~Finchly]

username;;
~Maddy~
kalon name;;
Takara Kishi
- first name japanese for "treasure", last name japanese for "shore"
kalon gender;;
female
story;;

Takara Kishi’s Journey

“My story is not a happy one but I’ll tell you it anyway. I grew up in a small village along the coast with my parents Hajime and Sayuri Kishi. When I was born my mother hadn’t totally been sane. She had some mental problems, but she did really love me. My father on the other hand was a completely different story. I could never understand how she ended up with a guy like him. He was barely ever home and when he was he never said a word to me. I know it was stupid but at the time all I wanted to do was please him. All I wanted was for him to acknowledge me, to be proud of me and stop shoving me aside like I was a worthless child. I used to love art and my mother always encouraged me to continue with it, but I remember working up my courage to show him my paintings and when I finally did all he did was frown. I never touched another set of art supplies since then.
My mother had been ill ever since I was born and her condition just kept getting worse. After a while she became incapable of caring for me or herself properly so everything went on to my shoulders because my father was never around. Then when I was only seven she died. My childhood wasn’t happy to begin with but at least there had been some joy, now there was none. My father became more and more distant and he often never came home for days. There was no one for me to smile with anymore, my mother had been my whole world and now she was gone. I cried for so long after her death, but that sadness turned just into bitterness because throughout all my pain my father hadn’t shed a single tear in her name. It drove me crazy that he was completely fine. He once caught me crying when he came home. The first thing he did was hit me and start yelling. It was the first time he had ever hurt me physically and it scared me half to death I had never seen him like this. After the exchange I ran right up to my room and laid there, I wanted to cry but I couldn’t I was scared to. I had a large bruise on my head where he had punched me that continued to ache.
My father was the most terrifying thing in my life. He inspired me to take up martial arts. I didn’t want him to be able to hurt me anymore and I had seen a few people sparring in town and it had sparked my interest ever since. I started to go into the village to take a class while my father was away all day. The class was only twice a week so the rest of the week I would practice in my backyard. I began to train as hard as possible to become stronger so next time I wouldn’t be the one getting hurt. Whatever I didn’t know my sensei taught me and anything I didn’t learn from him I looked up in the books my mother had about fighting styles and techniques. It had never occurred to me why she had so many books on combat. I didn’t figure it out for five more years. By then I had gone through every book she had twice and already was very skilled in hand to hand combat. I was searching through the attic to see if there was any more of her books up there, I hadn’t been up there since she died and there was a lot of boxes and scattered trinkets I had never noticed before. One of those was a long box painted green and gold, it was metal, unlike the other boxes in there which were wood or cardboard. It also had a really old rusted lock on it that was easy for me to break. I know what you’re thinking, if it has a lock on it then maybe you shouldn’t open it, but my mom was dead and the box had Sayuri written on it in ink. How am I supposed to not open it with her name on it? Well what I found inside was something more exciting then combat books. There was a ton of old documents and photos as well as a green and gold leather scabbard for a sword. I had never seen these items before and they intrigued me, as well as confused me on why my mother had such items. I began to read the documents and most of them were legal forms for my mother who had apparently joined a battle squad or something. I didn’t really believe much of it. Then I looked at the photos. There was a bunch of them and my mother was unmistakably in many of them sometimes surrounded by other Kalons and in most of the photos she had the green and gold scabbard tied to her side. Then I came across a photo with around seven or eight other kalons with my mother who all carried varying weapons, but the weird thing was every one of the Kalons had a red X painted over them except my mother. Then I noticed there was writing on the back, I can’t quite remember it word for word anymore but I remember the last line “I’m now the only one left.” My mother had apparently fought in a war that I had never heard about, she was an undercover agent who had been a skilled warrior among her team of nine. But apparently there had been a very bloody confrontation between my mother’s team and the enemy, I didn’t know the details all I knew was that none had survived except my mother. This was apparently the mission that had cost her sanity. Being the only one left out of her companions had taken its toll on her. I was enraged at my father for not bringing this information forward, but I don’t know what it might have changed it wouldn’t have brought back her sanity or make him acknowledge me. I remembered the stories my mother used to tell me about brave warriors soldering on to triumph. I realized that these were probably all true stories based on her and her companions own battles. I looked at the scabbard, this must have been the same blade my mother had fought with. I took it out of the box and unsheathed the sword. It was a katana. The handle was green and the blade was a shiny silver. On the bottom of the hilt there was a gold flower with an emerald in the middle.
After finding the sword I didn’t want to put it down I began to learn how to use it properly yet again from my sensei and from learning on my own. After four years of taking out my anger on the trees around my house I finally got the chance to use my skills. My father had come home early this night and I had been completely engrossed in slicing away at a tree with my katana. He had apparently heard the hacking noise and came to investigate. I heard him coming and quickly scrambled to hide the blade, but I was too late. He saw me and stomped right over to me. His eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of liquor. He had been out drinking again, which had become a common practice for him. I held my ground, I wasn’t scared this time. Everything I had done had been to prepare me for this confrontation. The ‘smack! And I was on the ground in an instant. I was apparently not as prepared as I had believed. I felt my cheek where he had smacked me it was throbbing. I got a spark of terror and panic, what if I was only trying to comfort myself with all this training and that it was all just a lie to make me feel better, that I could never overcome this fear and never beat my father? Then he spoke and I will forever remember these words as a blood boiling statement. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DO YOU WANT TO DIE LIKE YOUR WORTHLESS MOTHER?! YOUR PATHETIC” At that my eyes widened, he had crossed the line. Nobody called my mother worthless especially not him, the guy who never loved either of us. The person I always wanted to be acknowledged by but was never good enough for. Well not anymore in one instant he shattered all hope I had of connecting with him. This was not my father this was a selfish jerk who never took care of me or my mother when we needed him. I leaped to my feet grabbing the katana from where it had fallen to the ground and surged forward, a lump of white hot anger in my chest. He held his ground and I attacked hitting first with my paws, while he tried to block. I bowled him over and raised the sword blade preparing to strike. He still had a defiant look on his face, taunting me. This just fueled my rage. I brought the blade down and everything was over in an instant. It took me a moment to fully register what had happened as the lump of anger and pain in my chest started to diminish. I dropped my sword which I had still been holding. As it clattered to the ground a look of horror crossed my face, but at the same time a bit of relief which made me slightly guilty, but he deserved it.
I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard footsteps entering the house. I looked back at my father’s body. What had I done? You can’t just kill someone, no matter how much they deserved it. I was only able to quickly grab my katana and sneak away due to the adrenaline rush I had. I knew that this would come back to haunt me but at the moment I put the thought out of my mind. After I had fled a safe enough distance into the trees I looked back. I could just barely make out the form of my house and the shape of another kalon stumbling out to my father’s corpse. It looked like one of his drunk friends or something. Whoever it was it didn’t matter, someone would be after me I had to leave. But I had nowhere to go, my only relatives where dead, I had no friends, and they would search for me throughout the village. My only option was to leave the coast completely. I was still carrying my mother’s katana which I had grabbed quickly before fleeing. As I sheathed the blade I was grateful that I had been wearing the scabbard when everything happened otherwise I wouldn’t be able to carry it safely. I started towards the shore where I could hopefully board a ship and get away from here.
When I got to the port the docks were filled with large cargo ships importing traded goods. I befriended an old captain who said he could take me across but I had to go only where they were going, he wasn’t going to make any special stops for someone like me. I thanked him for his hospitality. After I boarded the ship and had time to rest, I realized the weight of my actions. I had killed someone, I didn’t like to return to that thought. I could never come back to my homeland and I was on my own from here on out. I had no money, no home, no family or friends. I had nothing except a sword that still had blood on it and my combat skills. So when I got to the new land we had traveled to I didn’t have much to start with. I ended up working as a mercenary for anyone who needed my services, I had already been very skilled in the arts of combat with weapons so this was right up my alley. I just didn’t like to kill anyone and avoided it at all costs, because every time I did it brought back the memories of what I did to my father and my rough childhood. I didn’t like to revisit those memories. I lived on the road for many years traveling from land to land offering my talents to everyone and anyone. I worked for rich powerful emperors or just a simple man. I have traveled to many places and met many people but still never did I have a friend. Throughout my whole life though my actions when I was younger still haunt me. I cannot get over the fact that I did this or that my father was ever that unloving to me. I have learned to lock up my feelings and never tell others of my past. This is the first time in twenty nine years my story is being told.”
“So why tell it now? And to me of all people?”
“I don’t know. Something about you makes me feel like I can trust you.” Takara replied. “And maybe it just feels good to get it all off my chest. I had it bundled up for a long time.”
“You shouldn’t have to carry that pain.” The grey kalon stated. “You should forgive yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern Everest, but this is a punishment I am forced to live with, I bury my feelings so deep that they don’t bother me anymore.”
“That’s not how you should deal with this,” Everest complained. “It happened you must accept that, move on, and start over.”
“It’s been so long I don’t even know how to start. I don’t have anyone.”
“Well, I’ll be your friend. That’s where you can start.”
She smiled at him. It was the first time she had smiled for a truly joyful reason in years. “I would like that.”

sorry for the length, also her journey while she did go on an actual journey throughout her life travels, i mostly am talking about her internal journey.
BTW if you want to know who Everest is he is an actual Kalon that i own here if your curious what he looks like:http://www.chickensmoothie.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=3020087

[credit]

Warning!: The following form is quite long. It was not originally intended, and I deeply apologize for that. Enjoy the read!

username;;
Credit

kalon name;;
Theoma Salu

kalon gender;;
Male

story;;

Welcome reader to a tale of a very unique creature. A creature by the name of Theoma Salu. The story takes place within the mountains of Oolong in a mystical land unknown to the human race. The creatures live peacefully in their respective locations, yet they hardly leave them. Theoma lives in a village along the side of the largest mountain in the mountain range, where he and his fellow guardians watch over the land. This is Theoma's story of how he found himself by leaving his land of isolation.

Prologue

"My son. You are my prized possession, my magnum opus. Remember what I have told you over the years. As you know, my time is setting on the earth, which means that you will be the one to continue in my footsteps as the leader of the mountain guardians. The elder's life slowly began to fade away. The breath that he reserved for speech was being stolen by coughs, but he struggled to speak once more. You will do great things Theoma...Remember the motto of the mountains...remember. As the sentence came to an end, the elder closed his eyes and drifted off into the afterlife.

"We stand as one, and we stand strong. We listen to the mountain's song. Through rain, or sleet, or snow, and hail, the protectors of the mountains will prevail. We stand as one, and we stand strong and that's what makes us proud. That is the motto of the mountains"

The Beginning

The sun slowly began to rise on the mountains that spread across the land. Theoma stood atop the mountain that lie in the center, breathing in the mountain air. He inhaled slowly with his eyes shut, taking in the full essence the land had to give that morning. As he inhaled his face slightly crinkled up and he released the air with an exhale. He couldn't focus. Something bothered him deeply within that wasn't right. It had been weeks since his father passed on, yet it still felt as if his soul lingered around to haunt him. He sighed as his hair blew in front of his face. Before heading back down to the village, he gazed upon the land with his emerald green eyes that would pierce anyone's soul if they gazed directly into them. With no signs of danger to be reported, Theoma headed towards his small hut in a state of unease.

Back At The Village

It didn't take long before Theoma was back to the place he called home. Something just didn't feel right to him that morning, and he couldn't detect what it could've been. Was it the constant thought of his father on his mind? Was it the huge responsibility that now weighed on his shoulders? One thing was for sure, he needed to know soon or it would drive him crazy, as he isn't one that likes having problems to dwindle on. With his morning control completed, he believed that seeing the village oracle would aid him in finding out what his problem was.

The Oracle

It was rather chilly in the oracle's tent. Mist poured from the sides of the wall and the floor was covered in smoke. Theoma looked around him,wondering where the oracle could've been. "Madame Chitchua, I am here to seek your guidance... I have returned from the mountain with a heavy burden laid upon my shoulders. Please...help me." He called tentatively. There was a moment of silence that was soon broken up by the cluttering of assorted pots and pans. "T-Theoma?? Is that you child?" Said the voice of an elderly goat. She was rather small and boney, but that was expected for an individual of her age. She approached the younger one in front of her and licked her chops to moisturize them. "Well if it isn't the mountain guardian, Theoma..! How ya doin sweetie?" She said with a smile with several gaps where teeth should be. Theoma closed his eyes and let out a small smile as he clearly began to feel uncomfortable with the motherly vibe he was receiving from her. He wasn't used to it as his mother was absent during most of his youth."I'm doing rather well Madame, but I do need your help with something."

The goat shook her hooves into place and shook the dust that clung on to her fur. 'Reaching under the table she pulled out a rather large crystal ball, and after wiping off the dust it was placed onto the surface of the table which it had been hidden under. She motioned for the Kalon to sit as she was about to begin an ancient ritual passed down from generation to generation of mountain dwellers. Her eyes were shut gently and Theoma sat near the table watching very closely. Her chants started off as a quite whisper but as she repeated the chant, her voice rose to the volume of a motivational yell.

The room around them got darker and the mist began to engulf the two in its magic. Theoma's eyes widened and he lifted his paws in an alternative fashion depending one what object came flying his way. "Madame Chitchua, pray tell, what are you doing?" He yelled. Madame opened her left eye slowly. The flying objects slowly came to a halt and placed themselves on the rightful shelf. "Quite rude to interrupt my chantin' youngin' now please...place your paw on the ball... Let me into your mind."

Theoma did as he was told and placed his right paw on the ball in front of him. Immediately it took affect on him. His eyes widened and everything around him turned white. Vivid images of his childhood played in the room like a slide show. He saw himself with his father, or at least he thought. Every image that zoomed in front of his face had his father and...his father again, or was the young kit supposed to be him?...

The vibrant images began to circle around him which caused him to lower himself to the ground, clasping his head between his paws. He curled over and started to question himself. Am I really Theoma?,. Or am a my father's copy? "Who are you?" Said a gentle whispered that echoed through the room. Theoma looked laround trying to find the source, but it was no use. "Who are you?" It repeated. "I-I don't know" he answered. The questioning voice soon became louder and more furious. "Who are you?!" It screamed, causing Theo to look towards the while walls in worry. His heart was pounding out of fear and sweat began to form above his brow. His responses grew quieter as it was being drowned with questioning shouts. Then it all went silent Madame stood in front of him with a comforting smile as she placed a dainty hoof upon his shoulder. "Seems like you've got identity issues, sonny." Theoma looked towards her with an irritated glance and struggled to get back on his feet. "And what do you suppose I do about it?.." He asked. "You must go on a journey of self discovery, prove to yourself who you really are" She answered.

"But the mountains... They need me" he said with lowered ears. The old goat laughed softly. "The mountains will be fine. Yes, you may be head of the guard, but we have many skilled warriors protecting us." Theoma looked towards her in doubt. "So suppose I did go on this journey, where where I start, and where exactly would I end up?" Madame laughed, "Oh there's no what if child. You've already started!" Theoma stared towards the old one rather lost and confused. Before he had time to ask what she meant, the room began to disappear. What was once white began to turn black and reality began to hit him once again.

It had seemed as if what had happened was more of a dream and none of it really existed. When his vision cleared he looked around him and noticed something strange. He wasn't in the mountains. In fact he wasn't near the mountains at all. It looked as if he were placed in a clear opening with no familiar faces around. The journey had officially begun.

The Journey Begins

Theoma sat in the field blinking irregularly , trying to wake himself from the daze. "Ugh my head..." He said as he rubbed his paw against the side of his face. "I always knew that goat was mad. Then again I don't remember drinking anything that she should've tainted..." He looked around and noticed a creature he'd never seen before. It was staring him directly in the eyes and tilted it's head to the side as it's tail twitched. "Well aren't you a peculiar character" said the small creature. Theoma looked at it and sniffed. "W-What are you?..." He asked. The creature chuckled and held on to his noise. "What am I? What are you?" Theoma stood up as the small animal climbed all over his face." Hey get off of me!" He said while shaking his head, all the annoying creature did was laugh. "Wee!!!" It said as it was flung from left to right.

After a while the Kalon was out of breath and let the creature. Feeling a bit irritated, Theoma lowered his ears and talked between his teeth. "Little one..you never answered my question. What are you? And to add on to that, Where exactly am I?" "Oh, right! Welcome to Okami woods friend. I'm Ginger, and I happen to be a particularly lovely red squirrel, dontcha think?" A squirrel? Are they all that grabby? He thought to himself for a bit, taking in the atmosphere. "Okami woods eh?..." Why has he never heard about this place? Or any other thing outside of the mountains. The more he thought, Theo realized that besides the mountains he knew nothing else about the land, or the world he lived in.

He started to drift away in amazement of his surroundings but quickly snapped back to his senses. His quest. A quest to make it back home. "Squeerl thing... Do you know the way to Oolong Mountain? I need to head back there as soon as I can. Any help you provide I shall cherish in my memories and repay you in kindness at a later date." he said with a stern look. Ginger spoke up, "It's Squirrel, and I'm not actually sure where this Oolong mountain is, unless you mean that big big rock towards the East over there. It's kinda spooky if you ask me." Theoma looked in the direction she pointed in and nodded. "That's where I'm heading. Thank you so much small one!"

With that he began bounding towards the east. 'If I just keep running in this direction I should be home in no time!' He thought as he sped across the flat ground. Each step step he took allowed him to take in data for the land: Flat ground allows those to run at immense speeds, lowland dirt is... Actually quite soft, and the wind.. A lot lighter and clearer that mountainous mist. Those were some of the many calculations that went through Theoma's mind. "Self discovery? Psh! This is more like a training session!" He said as he darted across the land. Theoma looked towards his goal in the distance and kept running, knowing that at some point he'd reach the base of the mountain, his home. He brought himself to a stop and caught his breath by the nearest tree. "I wouldn't continue on if I were you, and I'm not. Come to think of it, you're quite fast for.. Whatever you are!" He said as he scurried down the tree, landing upon his head. "You didn't listen to my full instruction either.~" he said with a giggle. "Seems like a certain someone needs some guidance! I can help you with that!"

Theoma jumped into the air and puffed up like a cat does when it's startled. "How the- " "How did I get here so fast?" he said finishing his statement. " It's not important". At this very moment, Theoma thought carefully of his choices. He was rather irritated by the fuzzy creature that seemed to cling on to him that somehow knew the way and then there was the option of wandering the forests aimlessly trying to find his way back. He thought long and hard about what he should do. "W-Well father would say follow your heart... But my heart and mind aren't in the same place. It was as if the first key to his self- discovery had opened up something within him. The start of separating his true self from his fathers influence.

With his mind made up he looked towards Ginger with a slight bow. "Please aid me in my quest to return home..." Maybe getting help from this creature was the wisest move to make. Ginger obvious knew more about the land than he did, and he'd most likely help him get there quickly. In the back of his mind he thought about what Madame has said to him, and maybe, just maybe Ginger could help him find out who he really was in the world. Without a second thought, Ginger leaped upon his back and crawled up to his head and sat upon his hair. "Good decision ya made there! I mean it was kinda obvious" Theoma rolled his eyes and opened his ears to the guidance the squirrel would give him. "Alright navigator, which way?"

The first trial

The two had been traveling for almost an hour, any they were quite the unlikely pair. Ginger kept talking about the most random things he could possibly think of and often changed the subject. Theoma didn't know how to react to so many things being said to him at once and it caused him to go into a slight panic. Not being able to take anymore, Theoma came to a halt and his ears flattened in annoyance. "Can you please quite down for a few minutes? I have a lot on my mind at the moment, and I kinda need to focus " He said in a gentle tone.

Ginger covered his mouth with his little paws and spoke between them, "Oh so sorry!" he squeaked. "I'll try to stay quite and focused too." Theoma gave a sigh of relief as a response and continued on the trail. Of all the thoughts cooped up in his mind the one that stood out the most was the words Madame had told him in his mind scape. "Self discovery... How am I supposed to do that. It's just me and the squirrel... But I need him " His words were soon interrupted by his hair being pulled by Ginger. "HEY! What was that for?!"

Ginger's tone had changed from being rather energetic to soft and serious. "You must be careful in these woods. There are things that lurk within the trees that aren't as friendly as others. "What do you mean by that? It just looks like a bunch of trees." Ginger scurried to the tip of his nose and turned to face him. "It may look like that from the outside but something..evil lurks within." Theoma wasn't understanding what the frightened creature was trying to convey to him. "Look whatever is in there, I'll protect you if I must, but we'll be fine." He said while looking into the darkness of the trees. With that he slowly stared to enter.

Theoma walked through the trees cautiously watching his surroundings. Throughout the walk he heard a low growling noise coming from behind. Ginger buried himself within the bun in his hair, sheltering himself from the beast. "Ginger, you're fine, As long as I'm here nothing will hurt you."

The hair on Theoma's neck rose as he felt hot breath along his back. It's source was coming from a rather large black bear with fiery red eyes. It's growl was low and teeth were sharp, dripping with saliva that dripped onto Theoma's back. His mind was telling him run, but his legs weren't moving. His father's voice began ringing through his mind. 'True guardians do not run, they fight.' But he didn't want to fight. He had no reason to. It's not like they were being attacked by it.

The word 'Fight' kept repeating its self getting louder with each passing moment. Unknowingly he began to growl and got into an attacking stance. Realizing what he was about to do, Theo paused staring into the horrified eyes of the bear. What seemed to be so large and scary once before was now small and helpless. "No dad", he said under his breath, "I will no longer fight without reason... And I'm not going to listen to your bias views anymore from this point on." Ginger looked at him rather confused, not understanding what the Kalon was saying.

Theoma rose to his feet and offered to help the lost bear cub find its way back home. Once it was reunited with it's mother, Theoma looked up towards Ginger, who was still sitting on his head. Seeing that there was a slight sign of good within the Kalon, Ginger spoke up. "That was a very kind thing for you to do. Most wouldn't have done that." Theoma blushed out of embarrassment, "It was nothing.. I had no reason to fight them. They were lost and it's my duty, at least I think it is."

It had been the first time he had completely turned on the voices in his head. It was time he thought and acted by himself. I'm the midst of a daydream, Ginger brought him back. "I never caught your name." He said with a wide eyed smile. "It's Theoma" he said softly. "Well Theo, you've officially won me over with your kindness! I'll continue to help ya out. Free of charge~" Theoma smiled softly and began to walk towards the edge of the forest. Was this the start of a friendship? Theoma wasn't too sure, but whatever it was it have him a warm feeling inside. He was starting to free himself and he liked that change. After realizing what Ginger had said Theoma said in a worrisome tone, "Wait, you were going to charge me??" Ginger laughed, "I was only messin!"

A bond between the Kalon and squirrel was being born. A bond that would soon grow stronger as time passed and through many trials yet to come.

The Journey Ends

The journey had been long and treacherous. The pair had faced many trials and from each a part of the journey Theoma found a little more about himself that he never knew existed. The overbearing cloud his father left him slowly began to dissipate into the atmosphere. He was happier now, and it was rather apparent. His fur seemed a bit brighter to those who knew him, but the only one who could really tell was Ginger.

This journey helped him let loose and to enjoy life like a butterfly floating in the wind rather than a machine rebooting itself by the day to repeat the processes it was programmed to do. He was freed, and maybe he could free the other guardians as well. The thought of his village never left his mind, it was really all he thought about, what kept him from giving up on his journey.

It was the last day Theoma and Ginger would be together. Theoma gazed into the fire before him with Ginger at his side, curled up next to him. "You've been of great help to me Ginger, and I can't thank you enough for all that you've done." His words we said with joyous appreciation, but the meaning was filled with sadness, and Ginger knew it. Theoma had gotten rather attached to him as he was the one to be with him during this hard time, and he was the first true friend he had made on his own. He didn't necessarily want to leave him. He wanted to keep her by his side for as long as he could.He opened his mouth the saw something but he noticed that Ginger had fallen asleep. "I guess I should do the same. I've got a long hike ahead of me..."

The sun rose that morning, but the pair was well ahead in their journey. As of then Theo and Ginger sat at the bottom of the mountain preparing to say their goodbyes. Theoma offered a home for him, if Ginger wanted to stay, but he kindly refused. "My place is down here" he said "Watching over the forests." Theoma nodded in understanding and kneeled down allowing the squirrel to hug his face. They stayed like that for quite some time. It felt like hours, yet it was only a few minutes. "I'll miss you..." He said in a tone of sadness. Ginger pat his nose. "I'll be okay." And with that he sent him on his way.

The higher he went the farther away he was from the waving creature below. He sighed for a brief moment and whispered under his breath as he continued on. As he walked to up the side of the mountain his heart was beating fast. It was as if he was climbing up to the gates of heaven, preparing to enter a new life.

No more shadows, and more fun, this is how my life will be run. I'll be myself and that's no lie, I won't pretend to be the other guy. I have found who am. I am Theoma Salu, guardian of the mountains.

Agg I'm sorry this is rather long DX

[The Worst Username]

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Ruth

G o i n gxxxS o m e w h e r e
970 words

Our journey has lasted eight months, and I don’t think it’s ending anytime soon. The old clunker—I called it Judith—ran out of gas early in the first month, back when we were still in a frenzied panic. Back when we were still in shock: our village had been bombed. We were three young Kalons—siblings—and we had no idea what had happened to our parents, our friends, our neighbors the night the village had been attacked. We couldn’t do a thing except run.

For a while after Judith the car broke down, we pushed her. Imagine: three kids shoving a muddy vehicle down a dirt road, rusty license plate hanging by a nail, bumper fallen to the ground a while back. But it was pointless; we had no money for gas and the brakes were shot. So we left Judith near some kibbutz, which was nothing more than a smoking husk of what it had once been. It had been bombed. Just like ours.

None of us, not even my dumb little brother Boaz wanted to go check the kibbutz for supplies. Not even if we could scavenge some food or something valuable we could try to sell. None of us wanted to have to think of what the place must have been like, who might have lived there. We didn’t want to have to wonder if they made it or not.

x

That was maybe seven months ago. Now, we walk in the sun, along the highways. Right now, my sister is whispering assurances to Boaz that we’ll be fine. He bites his lip. “Naomi, but we dun’ have much food,” he says. I cringe. Even for such a small child, he knows that we may not survive our journey towards a better life—if said better life even exists.

“Ruth, c’mon, help me here,” Naomi sidles up to me. I don’t know how she has the energy to do it; I’m already wasting away just walking at a normal pace through this heat. Maybe it’s just because I gave my water ration yesterday to Boaz.

“What can I do?” I reply bleakly. “He’s right, damnit, he’s right…”

“Don’t say such negative things!” she says back. Sometimes I wonder who really is the bossy older sister in my family—if you can call a small band of scared refugees a family.

“I’m sorry,” I say. My voice is tired, but I mean it; we’ve all been saying things we shouldn’t be saying lately.

We lapse into silence for a bit as we continue schlepping along the highways. The stupid sun seems to be focusing all of its heat on me right now. Sweat grows in patches across my fur, under my backpack, drenching me so that my mane sticks to my fur and skin. Now, in the silence, is time for the unrelenting panic—will we die? Are our parents dead, or are they alive? What happened? Why did that country attack our country? What if I can’t find enough food? Will I die of heatstroke or heat exhaustion first? Or dehydration? Starvation?—and also regrets, like why did I ever get mad at Mom?

Another car wails by, its screeching tires smothering the sound of our footsteps. We see cars a lot. Sometimes, we see the drivers. The typical driver looks over, slows a bit, whips his or her head back to the road. Tries to ignore us. But they never can; I see it on their faces as the drive away: pity and worry, the guilt. They all feel like they should do something. Yet they don’t ever do anything, just drive by and leave us in the smoke. I used to be angry at them. Now, even if one passed us by, I doubt that I would feel anything for them.

This driver, however, is one of the mean-faced ones. She—I think it's a she—glares at us. Boaz looks to the ground. Defiant Naomi glares back. I just heave a heavy sigh at the Kalon in the car, knowing she is one of those who is on their side. The side of those who bombed our village and many more, just because of religion or economy or global trade or some crap like that.

But what can I do? War can’t be stopped. Hate can’t be stopped, evil can’t be stopped, bombs can’t be stopped once they already fall.

There is no easy answer, I think, staring at the red car of the glaring Kalon as it fades into a dot. I can’t do anything to prevent this war going on or stop it in its tracks. I look back at my siblings, and I think, at least I can help them. Maybe, with our parents gone, I can raise them to be good people…not like these idiots in political office who always climb towards power—no matter how many innocent people they throw under the bus. Those are the Kalons who start wars. Boaz, Naomi and I will not be like them.

I look at both of my siblings and I say, “c’mon, you two. We can get through this.” They merely nod, faces sober.

I continue walking, hot sun beating, near-empty water bottle sloshing in my backpack. Even as we have to circumnavigate a derelict building hunched on the side of the road, I keep looking back at them. Boaz’s face is set. He walks with purpose. A bit of hope sparks behind Naomi’s gated eyes as she stares towards a few songbirds flitting across the empty sky. She, too, walks with purpose.

I smile as my heavy green paws, pads cracked from the heat, sink into the sand again and again. There’s something inexplicably inspiring about seeing them, these two kids who have lost almost everything, soldier on into the unknown.

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Well, that's my story. I'm sorry if there are any weird parts or grammar errors;
I probably didn't revise it as much as I should have. I hope the mods approve this by the day the contest ends.

Anyways, good luck everyone and have a great day!

[The Worst Username]

First off, sorry about the double post. Second, good luck everyone! I think this ends tomorrow, and I'm pretty excited! Congratulations to the winner, and have a great day.

[✧ the Archivist.]

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Going to extend this! New end date it
October 26th, @11:59 PM, EST

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