TRIAL OF THE STORM

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contents
i. Justice.
ii. The Beginning.
iii. The Aftermath.
iv. The Spring.
v. Credits and Thanks.




Original Contest. Do not post.

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personality
gender:
agender (any pronouns.)
interests:
cultural studies, angelology and demonology,
star gazing, horoscopes.
alignment:
lawful good.
mbti:
ENFJ. "the protagonist."
birthday:
december 4th.
horoscope:
sagittarius.
chinese zodiac:
rooster.
likes:
warm tea, fire, mist, rain, swimming, cookies,
instrumental music, temples.
dislikes:
politics, violence, pressure, famine.
weapon of choice:
sickle.

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Solace.

His mother. He loves her dearly, and prays for her safety often at the shrines spread
throughout the kingdoms.

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Soul.

His father. He came off as cold to him, but Justice still deeply cares for him, and heeds
the words he parted with him before leaving on his long journey.

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Endeavor.

His brother. He has a few memories of playing with him as a young kit.
He likes him, though they did have their disputes before he left their
home temple.

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Vail.

A friend who aided him in finding his way. He respects him, despite not seeing much of him.

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In the beginning, the world was at peace. As Justice’s mother and father sent
him off to explore a new land on his own, the future seemed bright and vast
for him. Justice traveled far and wide through this new land, wings and paws
carrying him from one kingdom to another. As he made his way on his
adventure, however, an unwarranted attack was brought to the city of
Mercurio by their rivals, Terra Sotto. Shortly after this event rumors spread of
a war beginning, and by the time he had reached the next city, kalons and
humans alike were recruited left and right to wage battle against each other.
The dispute had been a strange one, to Justice—Mercurio’s young king had
passed laws to keep magical kalons from entering their city, and the
neighboring kingdoms swiftly disagreed, pushing for the right to be permitted
entry, even if they appeared to be demons, or held powers that none could
comprehend. Justice felt torn at this—he had witnessed the ruthless attack on
the city of Mercurio, and yet he couldn’t stand by the idea of excluding kalons
due to something out of their control. In the end, he sided with those who chose
to combat Mercurio, and soon joined the battlefront to fight for what he
believed was right.

As the war dragged on, Justice witnessed the terribleness that lay in the
hearts of mortals. The soldiers fought on and on, some stooping so low as
to raid campsites while others slept or attack them in their dwellings.
Towns were lost to flame and famine, and as the war waged on each side
became more vicious, until the kingdom of Terra Sotto itself was destroyed,
left in ruin with no king and no citizens. As the flames of war died down,
Justice felt sorrow at all of the lives lost. He had never had to mourn before
now, and it weighed heavy on his heart. As he began to travel once more, he
soon realized that the kingdom of Mercurio had put bounties on all of those
who fought for Terra Sotto, forcing him to see his portrait with the words
“wanted” hung in the city streets. Horror struck him like an arrow, and at
that moment he could do nothing but run. Run, run as far away as he
could, far from the holds of the three remaining kingdoms.

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Heavy panting. Rustling leaves. Darkness. This was his world now that he had
left society, fear and bewilderment his constant companions as he kept to the
forests and grasslands on the south of the continent. He now travelled at night
to avoid unwanted attention—the bounty on his head had only grown with the
others as Mercurio tried to wipe the old kingdom of Terra Sotto from the
world’s memory. It was wrong, and he knew this; yet he couldn’t help but
feel guilty for being a wanted kalon. What would his parents think? Would
they even recognize him now? He could only hope that they would still
accept him like this. His running thoughts were cut short by a louder rustling
up ahead, the bushes before him notifying him of an approaching kalon. He
hid behind the nearest tree, eyes filled with fear, body trembling as he
looked to the clearing where the figure was headed. As they stepped forward,
however, it was clear that this kalon was another from the kingdom he had
sought to protect. His brows raised, the young angel leaning slightly to give
up his position. As the other noticed him, he seemed surprised, staying in his
spot as they stood in silence for a moment.

After what felt like an eternity, he spoke up. “Are you lost, young one? This
forest is not the friendliest of sorts.” Justice nodded. “I am lost… But not in
terms of geography. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know who I am
anymore.” As he frowned, the other kalon gave him a small smile. “I
recognize you. Are you Justice? I do believe we fought together in the war.”
Justice’s brows rose, though he knew that he could not be surprised. His
wanted poster hung high and low, even in some reaches of the outskirts.
“That is my name. Who are you? I don’ think I’ve seen you before.”

The kalon laughed softly. “I am Vail. I was a royal astronomer to the king
of Terra Sotto, and a soldier for our kingdom. It is surprising to hear that
you haven’t seen me before—but it’s no trouble. Perhaps Mercurio has
given up on finding me.” He gave a smile, and Justice returned one.
Perhaps if they had given up on this kalon, his bounty, too, would soon
disappear. “You are lost, you said,” Vail started, turning his back to him
with his hands clasped. “What are you looking for?”

“I don’t know,” Justice said, wings folding together as one would hold
their hands, a deep frown on his face. He had nowhere to go. Where
would be safe? “I am tired of hiding,” he explained. “I want to live
somewhere where I need not hide my identity. I want to be myself,
whoever that may be.”

The kalon nodded, paw on his chin as he turned. “There is a forest
far to the east. An untouched shrine sits there, protecting those who
pray to it. I suggest you head that way. It is high in the mountains—
the people of that region give little care to our politics. Perhaps
you can find sanctuary there.”

“Thank you,” Justice said softly. He shook the kalon’s hand, and then
turned to head to the mountains, heart filled with hope.

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The trip to the east was a difficult one, as the young kalon had to travel through
a wide expanse of badlands to finally arrive at the base of the mountains. Tired
and weary, he took refuge in a nearby cave and spent a few days resting. Once
rejuvenated, he began his long climb up the mountain, a warm black cloak
draped around his shoulders. The hills were quiet and snow fell silently to the
ground. For the first time in quite some time, he felt at peace.

After hours of hiking, he finally reached a small expanse of forest, the area
somehow free of any snow despite the storm that had just passed. The
clearing contained a small spring, and at the front of it, a statue stood tall,
a few pieces of fruit left in the small offering bowl before it. This was the
spring Vail had mentioned. It had to be. Justice took careful steps on the soft
grass, kneeling down once he reached the statue. His wings folded together
in prayer, and softly, he muttered a few words. He asked for his family’s
safety, first and foremost. He asked for his own safety, and safety for those
who had fought to defend Terra Sotto. And lastly, he prayed that the hatred
left from the war in the hearts of humans and kalons would subside.

As he stood, finished with prayer, he heard a voice.

“An angel!” The voice cried. “An angel at the fountain! Arcana, look!”

Justice’s eyes went wide with horror, his mind fixated on the idea that this
man had seen his bounty. He quickly took flight, heading further and further
east, not looking back to the spring once. Hours passed before he spotted a
small source of light below, and landed in the small village, breath heavy
and body tired. An elder kalon greeted him once he came to the center of
the village, a smile on the tired man’s face.

“You must be the angel. Welcome home, young one. You are safe here.”

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credits
Credit to néktar for coding.
Credit to Cannon's Luxury Art for bust art.
Credit to myself for the two un-watermarked pieces.
Thanks to Kyar for holding this competition!
HUGE thanks to everyone who read this form!

Mbti website.
D&D alignment test.
x x x

moodboard sources.
x x x x x x

[1465/1500 words not counting credits]

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