[Griff]

user: Griff
kalon name: Kindale
prompt (500 words max.):

Everything had led up to this singular moment in time. Every bit of training, every second she had lived, every friend she had made... every enemy or lover she had encountered. For anyone, it would be considered a rich and full life, if not a touch short. Her hand once more caressed her book of photos, as she remembered when each and every one of them had been taken. She knew the faces, the stories... the emotions behind each.

Ah great, she was crying again.

It had all been a trial, she was told, to shape her for her new role. To prepare her to become a goddess, of a world that needed guidance and love. A great honor, one only her bloodline could follow. Everyone else had already taken that step, an entire pantheon awaited her on the other side. All she had to do was let go.

She did not want to let go. She never wanted to let go. Sure it was no goddess's life... but this was her life! These were her friends! This was her home! As she once more looked to the portal and glared at it, her teeth grit. No. She would not go. She would fight with tooth and nail to remain here, and live out her life as she wanted to. They could find some other goddess, she did not want it!

...Except, sometimes she could hear them calling. They were lost, her people. In pain. They... they needed her. and she was left struggling yet again to try and figure out what was her correct path, and if she could really let go for the sake of those she had never met.

[Olive;]

user: Olive; #786345
kalon name: Despina
prompt: I could take the whole system down from the inside.

Everyone is ready. All of the systems are in place to support each other, to build and to grow after the revolution. The only thing holding us back—is me.

As the doors swing open at the grand entrance, the air conditioning whooshes at me all at once. It's a nice break from the blistering heat outside. The climate has been changing rapidly in the past ten years. Housing is becoming more and more scarce, and kalons are being pushed into the streets. It’s not uncommon to see someone passed out on the street from heat exhaustion.

I really do believe in building a better future. I’ve planned extensively with the resistance. But that’s not what’s on my mind as I take the elevator up to the 15th floor.

"Good morning, Dad!" I beam at him as I walk up to his desk.

"Good morning, Pumpkin. How is the project going?" My latest task at work was a plan to develop more housing up north, where it was cooler. Those who could afford it were flocking to cooler areas in droves.

"It’s going really well! I’m looking into natural ways to keep the houses cooler to cut down on AC costs." I would give the houses to the kalons that needed them after the revolution. It was only right. The only question was when that would be. I quickly shoved the nagging thoughts out of my head.

"I’m so proud of you, my dear. Keep it up and you’ll be ready to be CEO in no time." I couldn’t help but smile under his praise. My dad had always been an amazing father to me. He encouraged me in every way, and despite his position, he was there for me throughout my childhood and as I got older. However, being a wonderful father did nothing to erase the damage his company did to the environment and the growing social divisions that emerged.

I make my way to my desk, mulling over the most recent message from the resistance I had received. We don’t have much more time to waste. The climate is taking kalon victims. There is no more room for fear. Are you with us, or are you going to condemn our mother planet, and by extension, ourselves, to death? It was true, there was not room for fear. But still, I carried it with me. My dad would certainly be disappointed. Destroying everything he had built for himself? For us? I love him. Is this how I show my love?

It is what has to be done. But I don't know that I can. The earth is already destroyed. I can't destroy my dad’s trust, too.

[bakuraas.]

user: bakuraas. | 876991
kalon name: Sambor von Sien
prompt: (500/500 words)
"All of my life, I've been working towards a nice, normal life. To have the family that every soul I've met said they wished their family was like. A nice house, a wonderful spouse, bright and energetic children to pass on your legacy. Something beyond the heartbreak and fear of living in this world plagued by the monsters that only exist in fairytales to those we wish to be. Everything I have ever done has been to work towards that goal. Every battle against kalon and beast alike, every stone that I've placed, every word that I've said, every song that I've sung, it's all had connections to it."

"You seem very dedicated, and you've almost succeeded in this?"

"Yes... I've been able to purchase a house far away from any of the conflict and turmoil that I live in, a modern place that has never heard of the beasts that torment my place of birth. I've found a wonderful partner, who I would never trade for anything in this world. We've no children yet, but we do have pets, and I've heard from some of those in the modern age that with the right amount of heart, those pets can become similar to children in the family. I've even found a job in this modern place I've found myself in, to sing professionally and to teach others to tune their voices as well. And yet it is not all there... and I do not think that I can truly achieve my goal just yet."

"And what is stopping you? What's keeping you from this happiness?"

"I'm afraid. I've been working towards this all of my life, every part of my existence has been leading up to the moment where I can truly relax with a wonderful family and a calming life... but what happens when I achieve it? What happens when you achieve the very thing that you've dedicated your life to, at what point does your journey to your peace and comfort end up being an old tale that nobody believes to be true? Does all of your effort go away? Does everything you've done end up becoming worthless despite your success? I feel so regretful for my fears... for the fact that I have not asked my love to marry me, to take the final step to having my goal in its entirety."

"Your partner... are they upset with you over this?"

"No.. never would they shame me for a fear I have, even if it is unreasonable and foolish. They understand that the story I wish to weave is one with them in it, my story of reaching normalcy would not be complete without them. One day I will finally achieve my goal in its entirety... but for now, I'd rather keep writing the tale with my beloved, and hope that when I gain the courage, our efforts will not be in vain."

"I hope that you achieve your goal."

"Yes. Truly, I do as well."

[LokisTrick]

user: LokisTrick


Tristan

“In one hand I hold a sword made of the worst days of my life, the indignity, the shame, the self-recrimination. I fall upon it readily, no one need guide me to it. I am all to quick to shoulder the blame, to call myself lesser. I must master this sword, accept that my sadness and doubt tempered the metal, breath through my pain and wield it. Then, without denial, without cruelty or prejudice, allow myself to lower it's glinting blade. Life will not wait for me, and every moment spent in agony merely sharpens the sword in my hands.

In front of me lies the path I choose to walk, it leads to where I want to be. I seek the holy grail, some say, do you know what it represents? Perfection. To never fail, to never hurt, to never let another tear fall because of thoughtless words. And yet the more I walk this path, the sharper my sword grows. Perfection is unattainable, and it is not what I truly search for. Instead, it is a sweet poison that permeates my thoughts. "If I am only perfect, I can have what I desire most in this world." Love. It sounds trite, to some. Many relate, but few attain what I seek. What does it mean, to love oneself? Is it possible to truly know ourselves, or do we miss the tree for the leaves?
I seek love, to love myself, to love another, and to be loved in return. Perfection claims my answers lie there, but I have learned better. ”

Tristan set the pen aside, willing herself to commit the words to memory. “I have learned better.” She whispered. Perfection was a lie, it offered an ideal, but it was unreachable. “I have learned better.” She repeated, louder now. She had courage, despite her fear. She loved that about herself, her dedication, her willingness to overcome. Maybe he could love that about her too. “I will never know if I don’t try. In the end, I only lose a possibility.”

But what if you are wrong?
What if this isn’t the right time?

What would you do without him?
You could be better.

Tristan shook her head, and took a deep breath. The words pulled up all the painfulness of rejection, all her fears of loss, all the loneliness of her past.

“I don’t need him to be happy, I love myself and I am happy with myself.”

I love him
a small, sad voice whispered.

“Yes, I do.” Tristan smiled, and remembered how happy they were together, the feeling of connection, the look in his eyes when he told her about his time deep in the wilderness.

“I love him, and that doesn’t have to hurt me.”
“I love him, and if he doesn’t love me, that’s okay.”

“I love who I am,”
she said, remembering the glinting sword she carried with her, and the path she walked to get here,
“and I am enough.”

[499/500]

[kanadensis]

Just a reminder, this ends tomorrow!

[Lex.]

user: Lex.
kalon name: Avalon [aka Ava]
prompt (500 words max.):
Ava has always wanted to find salvation. Salvation from the self, salvation from the physical world, and salvation from all sources of pain and hurt. She wishes to find a place to rest her mind and stay in a state of never-ending peace and security. The thought of reaching that nirvana has always stayed in her mind. But alas, she cannot reach it. She has heard the teachings of others who have allegedly accomplished said goal, but she has not been able to find this path to enlightenment herself. Why, you ask? She simply can't let go of the physical world. As much as she would love to be devoid of all impurity, she is unable to release the natural world from her grasp. The beauty of nature, the people in it, the joys of life. Even though life brings pain, it can also bring great happiness. But what to choose? A life lived in bliss? Or a life that you can enjoy to the fullest by experiencing all you can, good and bad?
Ava values them both. But in this life, only one can be chosen with a clear conscious.

[kanadensis]

Closed!
No editing forms please.
I'll have the winner up within the next couple of days!

[kanadensis]

Thank you to everyone who participated! I really enjoyed reading your stories ^^

The winner of the Magician is:

bakuraas.!

Congrats on Sambor!
Honourable mentions will be awarded to the following:
LokisTrick
altiora
strawberrymwilk

[LokisTrick]

Thank you so much for the honorable mention, this contest was really nice!! congratulations to the winner and other HM receivers ^^