↯ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐒

[Vivika]

from left to right credits: ( xxx // xxx // xxx // xxx // xxx )

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

the lands of azeryn are rich and diverse, flowing with a rick vibrance and timeless grace. that is, until now. azeryn’s lands are now plagued.
plagued with the outcry of injustice, plagued with the innocent blood spilling across the soil, plagued with a web of deception and lies, plagued
with the wickedness of matters carried out in secret, plagued with treason coming from the very rulers who swore to protect the kingdom with
their heart, soul and minds. and this darkness manifests as poison, infecting the vein of magic running through the lands. it mutates its
creatures, changing and evolving them. some beyond the point of return. the archangels’ headquarters and base of operations rests in the
outskirts of azeryn, sheltered from the mutations running rampant across the lands.

[THE AERIE]
the archangels make their home amongst the cliffs in the outskirts. the aerie, also nicknamed ‘the fortress’, is the cliff they’ve appointed at
their home. the place is well-protected by the angels, guarded from prying eyes. although not the tallest, it calls to each and every one of them
in inexplicable ways, a tremor deep within their bones. the angels claim that the stars’ favor is upon this cliff. a place they call home.

[AURA]
an aureus tree growing atop the aerie ─ it was nicknamed ‘aura’ after the soft glow it emanates at night. it serves as a meeting ground and a
place to plot, scheme and devise their next steps. the angels often bunker in the shade, discussing important matters… at least sometimes.
more often than not, the tree is a place of companionship, filled with gentle camaraderie and the cadence of laughter.

[THE NEST]
a small cavern hidden in the ridges of the aerie! it acts as a storage facility for all of the angels’ personal equipment, currency, food and herbs.
the cavern also is choked full of crystals, often used for creating gadgets and currency. a small narrow path winds around the aerie, almost
imperceptible to the naked eye. the hike to the cavern is far from easy and the angels risk plunging far below with a misplaced step ─ it is
certainly not for the faint of heart, but a cost they all are willing to pay for ensuring the safety of their belongings.

[THE POST]
the tallest of the cliffs, it serves as a lookout post for the angels! the post provides an extensive view of azeryn’s grandeur from the north, east,
south and west. most attackers or intruders have to pass by this cliff and can’t do so without being spotted from afar.

[VERUM]
amongst the cliffs, a river weaves through the center, meandering and winding around the towering cliffs. its blue, crystalline waters are clear ─
still and undisturbed. verum means truth, a name given to the river countless generations ago. and truth is what most come here to find. the still
waters provide a clear reflection and for those who peer into it, perhaps a true glimpse of themself. rumors claim that the river is where the
stars work most strongly and visions are certainly not uncommon for those who bunker near. the wanderlings also lurk here often, skittering on
the surface of the waters. in the depths of the night, a light show of flame-like creatures ruptures, enough to set those frazzled minds at ease.

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𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐀 & 𝐅𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐀xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

the lands of azeryn is home. home to countless creatures, both flora and fauna, from the skies, seas and the depths. some harmless, some
capricious and some dangerous. others made more deadly from the poison seeping through the soils and spilling into the rivers, mutating many
of the creatures over generations. the darkness leaching into the lands have sent many native azeryn wildlife into hiding, but many can still be
found in the stillness of the undisturbed landscape ─ for a breath’s pause frozen in their ethereal stature.

[THE SHROOMS ↯ FLORA]
native to the kingdom of azeryn, the shrooms can be found all over the kingdom. often, they pop up in shady patches, nestled underneath trees
and shrubs. they come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes! some gigantic and others tinier than a kit’s paw! their uses vary, although healers
have to beware of ‘the change’. when the shrooms start glowing, no matter how common, medicinal or harmless they are, their use is void.
darkness writhes within those mutated mushrooms and consuming them is a death sentence.

[SIREN’S VIOLETTES ↯ FLORA]
shades of mauve, pink and lavender, these flowers are a true delight! their petals twirl in the azerynian winds, dancing to an unseen melody.
every spring, these flowers sing as they bloom, weaving a new melody each season. but when mutated, their song perishes, transforming into a
shrill screech ─ a resounding scream. some say that the flowers ‘screech’ for the innocent voices long since silenced by the monarch of the lands.

[TANGLED IVY ↯ FLORA]
an excellent source of rope or binding material! the tangled ivy is one of the strongest materials and an essential for architecture. they can be
quite tricky to handle as they are heavy. however, a pair or trio of cats can easily best them. beware of the adder’s strike though! those
venomous serpents enjoy lurking within the ivy.

[BUGCATCHER ↯ FLORA]
a cousin of the venus fly trap, these plants lure bugs in for a tasty snack. however, those bugs don’t go to waste! over seasons, the bugs are
slowly transformed into crystals ─ a valuable commodity amongst the villagers. the crystals vary in size and shape, although crystal hunting can
prove to be dangerous due to the bandits lurking throughout the lands.

[PODLINGS ↯ FLORA]
usually clothed with petals of gold, auburn and silver, these plants appear like snowdrop flowers, their buds hanging low to the ground. however,
they are ‘activated’ by tremors in the ground. during the spring and summer, these podlings release a spray of water for those who lurk too close.
their ‘spray’ changes with the seasons. in winter, they release a weak venom, capable of leaving the sodden victim with itches for the rest of the
day. they are inactive in autumn, although healers aren’t sure why. some theorize that the podlings need time to create venom for the winter!

[AUREUS TREES ↯ FLORA]
the pride and joy of the azerynian kingdom. these towering trees range from eighty to one hundred feet, their branches often spreading out far
and wide, cultivating shade. their blossoms are similar to cherry blossom trees, although that is as far as their similarities go. ranging from a
deep crimson to a rich auburn, their flowers are the insignia of the kingdom, blooming year-round even through the frost-bitten winters. aureus
trees serve as a symbol of unity, amity and tranquility, representing a vibrant core of azerynian history. however, this history has since been lost
as the trees have been burned or chopped down ─ a proclamation of the current monarch.

[ADDER'S STRIKE ↯ FAUNA]
sneaky serpents cursed (or blessed) with the ability to color shift. they are renowned for their shrewd cunningness and their speed, moving at
lightning speeds and striking in a blink of an eye. often, they are found hidden in the tangled ivy, waiting for their next meal. when it comes…
they strike without warning. a bite from this creature is lethal and excruciatingly painful. lately though, the anti-venom seems to be becoming
less and less effective as these serpents continue to mutate. they lurk in a variety of places, their new favorites being village homes. and
although a mere whisper, rumors abound that the king uses a weakened version of the adder’s venom for interrogation purposes.

[WANDERLINGS ↯ FAUNA]
the equivalent of a firefly, these smoke-like, wispy creatures dance and twirl in the forests. they spend most of their time dancing around lakes,
appearing almost like multicolored flames in the night. they are capricious creatures, some choosing to play around with travelers and others
staunchly ignoring them. when threatened, they simply disappear, vanishing without a trace.

[RIVER JELLYFISH ↯ FAUNA]
near invisible, these jellyfish spend their days, near streams and rivers. mutations have led to these fish losing their ‘stinging’ ability and are
thus harmless. healers have found that their tentacles hold some medicinal purposes, especially for wounds.

[SNOW DOVE ↯ FAUNA]
ivory doves with dark eyes, the sacred caretakers of the aureus trees. they eat the pests (both plants and animals) that prey on the trees,
ensuring that these trees remain in their full splendor with their auburn-rose blossoms all year round.

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└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

[Vivika]

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

their primary mission and what spurs them on!

[GENERAL]
the archangels have one united agenda: to dethrone the king and his heir. generations of a corrupt monarchy have infested every thread and
sector of the kingdom, even poisoning the lands. cats, both of noble origins and lowly origins, have suffered. plants, herbs and trees have
withered, evolving into a more poisonous state. wildlife have become deadly and increasingly dangerous, wreaking havoc and destruction by
invading villages. weather patterns have been increasingly disturbed. famines and droughts more commonplace.

and that’s not all.

where there was once unity, amity and tranquility lies nothing. nothing, but division, prejudice and wars. under the current king, raids and
arrests are widespread. injustice, lies and deception reigns in place of what was once a prosperous kingdom. and the angels sought to restore
the kingdom of azeryn to her glory.

the first step is putting the rightful heir on the throne ━ and that’s where they’re at now.

[OFF-THE-RECORD]
truth be told, there are… other motivations for each of the angels. reasons that turned them over to the heir’s (lani) side. each of the six other
archangels were promised something in return ━ something extra ━ for their undying loyalty. something each of them desired desperately. if
everything goes according to plan and the rightful crown heir ascends the silver throne, they will each get what was promised.

the only exception is the archangels’ unofficial commander and second-in-charge. enzo was not promised anything, but pledged his loyalty the
same. his loyalty is… unsettling. for that, lani does not completely trust him, choosing to keep her distance. everyone wants something. isn’t it?

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𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

their enemies, allies and neutral acquaintances, along with a brief snippet of their thoughts on these groups!

[THE CURRENT MONARCH] ↯ [negative, no loyalty ↯ “um, you have got to be kidding.” - orien]
↳ a lean, muscled tom with thick ivory fur and piercing, jade green eyes.

none, no way, absolutely not. the archangels harbor nothing, but ill feelings towards the current monarch and will stop at nothing to topple him
from his throne. his rule has brought nothing, breeding selfishness, division and war. there’s not a semblance, nor shred of loyalty they’ll offer
the king. if he so much as steps one paw from the safety of the silver iron fortress of his, he’s as good as dead.


[THE IMPERIAL] ↯ [wary, future ally ↯ “under the right paw, they can be trusted and swayed to our side. trust me.” - lorenzo]
↳ the royal guard of the kingdom! an elite force under the king’s command and the highest level of ‘police’ authority next to the courts.

they’re… considering. most of the angels believe that this group can be swayed over to their side in the final stages of their plan. of course,
most of their intel is coming from a former commander of the impérial, but the chances are likely this group will become an ally in the future.
if the cards are played right, the impérial could be paramount in overthrowing the king.

the impérial may be misguided, but their oath and foundations rest on truth, justice and transparency. many of their recruits cling to those
pillars, although many have gone astray, led by a false shepherd (the king).


[FALLS OF EDEN] ↯ [neutral, suspicious, uncertain ↯ “wait! isn’t that place like haunted or something?” - iryssa]
↳ another rebel group, doubling as a safe haven, residing on a tidal island off the mainland. rumors abound that they are also mounting an
attack against the king… and that their leader, silverleaf, wants to take the throne. they are a powerful, growing force, gaining traction with
every passing second.

there are… mixed feelings about this rebel group. eden resides on an island, where the vein of magic in the lands cannot penetrate. for that,
it’s… unnatural. haunted. furthermore, the angels can’t seem to agree on a course of action towards this group. some believe it’s merely a safe
haven. others believe it’s a front hiding a growing rebellion. and yet others believe it’s a mix of the two. and none of them can agree on their
intentions, whether good or bad.

for now, the archangels remain neutral. they don’t aid eden, but they don’t work against them either. for now.


[THE NORTHERLIES + SOUTHERLIES] ↯ [allies ↯ “they are the ordinary acts of bravery that make all the difference. ” - lani]
↳ a network of informants that hold ties to the angels! mostly ordinary commoners who help the archangels out!

ranging from commoners to the nobility, who gather intel in their day-to-day lives and who aid the archangels by providing food, shelter or
resources when needed. this intel is forwarded to the archangels at some point, whether through direct contact or ‘drop-zones’ ━ indirect
contact; information is ‘dropped-off’ at a specified location and picked up. all contacts and informants are chosen by the archangels and
cleared by lani, who holds the final say.

each informant is only a small piece of the vast network the angels maintain. if one was to be compromised, the network would continue as
normal, remaining uncompromised, as each informant rarely knows another.

the northern and southern villages are where most of their informants reside. they are affectionately called the northerlies and southerlies!
these villages are particularly hard-hit by the mutations, evolving the lands, and are often targeted by the king on suspicion of disloyalty. the
archangels defend these villages whenever they can, curbing as much damage as possible, in exchange for their assistance. many are swept up
by the angels’ vision, starving for change. for the justice, truth and peace that once ruled azeryn. and many have no qualms of seeing the king
fall from his throne.

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└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

[Vivika]

↯ 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 & 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

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𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐒 & 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

the archangels lack a formal ranking system! each member plays a specialized role on the team and operates within their skillset, often
offering advice and their thoughts regarding missions! they are led by their leader and crown heir, lani, who has the final say in matters. more
often than not, a decision is made by consensus and the variety of opinions from each member’s expertise. there may also be overlap between
roles and often one ‘job’ may require a variety of members chipping into help!

THE PROFILER: ELANI
→ tasked with identifying individuals who may be of use to the angels.
→ often initiates contact with possible sympathizers to the cause and sways them to aid the angels.
→ responsible for organizing future contacts and meetings.
→ tracks developments that occur in the social, political and economic sphere of the kingdom.
→ occasionally interrogates targets that hold important information.

THE ARCHITECT: LORENZO
→ responsible for coordinating with other members of the team for needed intel.
→ creates air-tight possibilities for the completion of a mission, clad with contingency plans and escape routes.
→ organizes information and keeps track of all details surrounding a mission.
→ often suggests roles for each angel during a mission.
→ in-charge of figuring out supplies, costs and risk assessments.

THE POISONER: ARETHA
→ devises concoctions of various forms as needed for the situation.
→ gathers essential herbs, prey and materials to maintain a reasonable stock.
→ doubles as a healer in the case that any of the angels are injured.
→ knowledgeable about wildlife, including common flora and fauna.
→ offers emotional support for the team and ensures their mental wellbeing!

THE INFILTRATOR: IRYSSA
→ befriends certain cats and gathers intel from there as a ‘friend’.
→ switches between different personas to gain others’ trust.
→ often plays ‘point’ in missions that require the angels to apprehend the target.
→ acts as a translator and linguistic expert in certain situations.
→ may also act as a distraction to cover an ulterior motive!

THE ILLUSIONIST: ORIEN
→ creates smoke screens and other illusions as a distraction.
→ utilizes a variety of techniques to demolish structures if necessary.
→ devises methods of stealth and camouflage.
→ occasionally responsible for gathering the materials needed.
→ may also collaborate with the poisoner and the infiltrator for their work.

THE ASSASSIN: EMILIJA
→ breaks into and out of certain places as needed to gather valuable intel.
→ may be asked to ‘neutralize’ certain targets that post a threat to the angels.
→ scopes out the playing field before the angels start planning their mission.
→ responsible for gathering hard intel, such as papers, scrolls and hard-to-get supplies.
→ primarily in-charge of securing a target as needed.

THE TRACKER: BJORN
→ often tracks down hard-to-find targets, especially those who don’t wish to be found.
→ shadows targets and gathers valuable intel about their habits and movements.
→ may work with the assassin to ‘retrieve’ said target and apprehend them.
→ occasionally plays defense and acts as a lookout.
→ the main hunter of the team, responsible for tracking and hunting prey.

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𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

a brief snippet outlook on how missions are decided upon and executed!

often, the team decides on missions and targets as a whole! they pool resources and intel, going over possible strategies for their next steps. it
is a literal chess board and each piece ─ each mission ─ brings them closer to achieving their ultimate goal. common missions include: target
retrieval, assassinations, intel gathering, retrieval & reconnaissance, prison breakouts and contact initiation. they work closely with their
networks of informants and allies, planning their moves carefully and intricately before striking. and when they strike, they don’t turn back.
they are a unified force, striking as one.

for missions, each member of the angels plays a specific role. depending on the nature of the mission, their roles will vary and some will take
up different roles as needed. usually one or two of the group runs ‘point’, while others act as reinforcements, look-outs and distractions to
allow those running point to complete the mission. all missions are only executed after many sunrises of planning, often rehearsed during
training! and truth be told, the rehearsal takes just as much time as planning, since the team is known to fool around during it.

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𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐒 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

much like the rest of the kingdom, each of the archangels hold their own beliefs and morals. the majority believe in the stars, praying to the
three constellations for guidance and wisdom. together, they are the three messengers of the stars. the stars are known to answer in dreams
and visions, unrestricted in who they speak to. some are closer to the stars than others, while others shun the stars completely. it is believed
that the stars guide the kingdom, lighting a path for all of azeryn. a path of unity, amity and tranquility.

[THE PHOENIX]
an ancient, mythical creature of crimson fire and ash. the phoenix symbolizes unity, a cornerstone of azeryn’s motto. each of the phoenix’s
feathers plays a role, banding together, to create a creature cloaked in a roaring inferno. a creature that lights up the skies and leads the way
in a pillar of fire, lighting up a path to follow. a symbol of blazing unity built on a passionate zeal for the kingdom, both unshakeable and
undaunted. united.

[THE PEGASUS]
a frolicking, winged horse who rides the winds and the seas with carefree abandon. majestic, wild and free, the pegasus is a symbol of
friendship ━ of amity. legends have it that the pegasus visited villages and the shoreside, offering gifts and rides to all from far and wide. they
are the harbinger of dreams and visions, riding on the swift winds to deliver words of comfort, guidance and hope. the pegasus emphasizes
friendly relationships, built on goodwill and love.

[SNOW DOVE]
ivory birds with wings sheathed in silver and dark eyes that know all and see all. these birds are said to be guardians of the sacred aureus
trees, ensuring the rose-auburn blossoms bloom year-round. the snow dove in an ancient symbol of peace. tranquility. they serve as a reminder
that peace triumphs all. it is only through peace that unity and amity follow, that a kingdom can flourish and grow. these are only creatures
that still reside in azeryn today, serving as a forever reminder of the cost of war and division. however, their symbol is long since forgotten ━
the meaning lost through the tyranny of a crooked king bent on destruction, division and war.

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𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

the archangels have no particular naming system! each of them enters the group with their own names given from their birth and often choose
not to change it. however, there’s a joking claim that one isn’t fully ‘integrated’ into the group unless they have a colorful, variety of nick-
names! it’s all fun and games, almost tradition, and usually an archangel has anywhere from seven to ten different ones.

nicknames range from/are inspired of:
→ shortened version of their name! (as calling ‘lorenzo’ instead of ‘enzo’ during a high stakes situation eats up precious seconds!)
→ their role name! (“c’mere architect! build us something!”, “o great and fearless leader...”, “tracker, we need your advice here!”)
→ personality traits (“hey, grumpy.” → elani; “little firecracker.” → emilija)
→ quirks/habits/likes (“head’s up, berry-berry!” → iryssa)
→ skills (“magician” → orien)
→ literally anything that comes to mind! they tend to steer away from sensitive topics and things of the past as things can get… ugly.

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𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐒 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

as a whole, the archangels’ group name was inspired off from a long lost legend. few of the nobility understand the reference, but the name is
particularly evocative amongst the villagers, who are well-versed in the legends. while the king and his aristocracy dismiss the legend as folly,
the legend remains, ablaze and alive, in the hearts of the commoners. the centerpiece in bringing the king and his court to the dust.

[THE LEGEND]
generations ago, a small band of cats emerged from a portal ━ the location since lost to the seas of time. they sought to create a new world,
a new generation, away from the appeal of magic ascending through the realms. while powerful, magic was easily corruptible. it was
destructive and brought out the darkest in the hearts of cats. greed, pride and division. a desire for avarice and grandeur. a means to destroy
themselves and others from the inside out.

and so azeryn was founded.

a kingdom grounded in reality, bursting with flora and fauna. a place of their wildest dreams, a perfect blend of reality and the supernatural.
magic still seeped in, a vein running through the heart of the territory. but it couldn’t be wielded. it couldn’t be harnessed, nor controlled. it
was… there, but untouchable. it was a paradise, free from the writhing fronds and frills of magic.

or so they thought.

skolýkos. the first of… intruders descending into this new haven. illusionists, often taking the appearance of wolves in their natural forms, but
masquerading as cats. in doing so, they poisoned the minds of the new generation, stirring up a desire for… unattainable things. through lies
and deception, they rose. higher and higher as lofty creatures and no one could stop them. no one knew that this change, this poison, was
coming from the inside.

it corrupted the lands, covering it in an inky darkness, writhing with horrors and venom. even the trees attacked, snaring travelers in the
forest. where once the sun lit the skies, there was nothing but darkness. and the stars… they wandered far. far away, unable to see how a
promising nation would destroy themselves.

until the archangels rose.

they were villagers, parents, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends. they were ordinary cats, who saw the extraordinary. who saw past the
web of lies and deceit, and who rose to take their places through ordinary acts of courage and bravery. it was said the stars blessed them. they
revived the three constellations, the phoenix, pegasus and snow dove, to aid them. and they blessed each angel with a unique set of talents
and gifts to root out the skolýkos. and they did. together.

the skolýkos were defeated. banished and sent back into the portal, but the dark magic infesting the lands could never be completely cleaned
out. it remained. and rumors have it that they flare up again, when the circumstances are right. when the land descends into that cover of
darkness once more, they will welcome back the skolýkos.

the archangels appointed a leader, a monarch, in-place to prevent something like this from ever happening again. the family was appointed
and commissioned, they swore to defend azeryn from these creatures, from the poison that could decimate the lands. peace ruled and
reigned.

until now.

[NAME MEANING]
the archangels were named after the same group that rose up as ordinary cats to defend their nation. the cats, who answered the cry of
innocent blood spilled along the ground and the terror that gripped its inhabitants ━ who rose to defeat the evil infesting azeryn, shattering
the lies and deception, from within.

this time, there is no skolýkos. the poison comes from within the royal family. it comes from within the very cats sworn to defend the azeryn.
and now? the king is on the verge of bringing the skolýkos back.

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[Vivika]

↯ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 ─ 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐈 ↯

The world was a whirlwind of ash, fire and blood.

Lani inhaled sharply, choking against the fumes in her chambers. It hurt to talk, to move, to breathe. She sank to the ground, pressing her forehead against the cool stone. Her claws curled.

“Ara?” she rasped. “Are you─”

“Your Grace.” A flash of white flickered underneath a pile of rubble and ash. Ara. Her servant coughed, a long, hacking fit as she released a groan. She shifted, gasping.

Rocks clattered, rolling along the ground. A crown of flames rimmed with gold licked at those stones, weaving a twisted tango around the cavern, climbing the walls and cloaking the arch above.

The world was tainted.

Roaring with flashes of crimson and gold, auburn and copper. Smoke invaded the space, an unwelcome intruder, seeking its targets and vanquishing precious air in its wait. Time was running out.

“Ara.” She stumbled over, darting around falling rocks and leaping over widening fissures in the ground. The earth tremored, shaking to its core. Everything was a dull echo, blurring into a soundless noise, disappearing into a void. She coughed, eyes stinging from the smoke. The rubble. It needed to go. Now.

“Just hold on, I have you. Ara?”

Soft gold eyes rose to meet hers, a gentle light dancing within. A paw rested firmly on hers, gripping hard. “Princess. You need to go. The King─”

“I think we’re past the formalities.” She scrabbled at the rocks, pushing the rubble aside. The fire-kissed stones burned her paws, singeing her fur. To hell with it. Her chin lifted, eyes flashing. “If the King wants me dead, he’ll have to kill me himself.”

The lyrical cadence of her servant’s voice was hushed. A mere whisper. “He’ll send assassins. You know this. Lani, you need to─”

The rocks crumbled.

Dust rose, a thick cloud filling the cavern, as the rubble scattered, spilling, along the ground. A small grin tugged at her muzzle as she offered a shoulder to the molly. “You’re out. We need to go. This w─”

A force collided with her side.

She hit the ground, sprawling out on her side, the breath knocked clean from her lungs. She gasped. They were here. And too soon. The escape… it relied on timing. By her estimates, they shouldn’t be here. Not now.

Ivory claws skimmed her shoulder, drawing a hiss from her. She reeled back, stumbling to her paws to meet her opponent. A dark form met hers, verdant eyes ablaze. Remington.

The King’s lead assassin and twisted spider, responsible for spinning the inky web of lies the King had risen from. Of course, he’d send Remington. Of course. Why wouldn’t he?

She struck.

False charge to the front. Side step, swing around to the back. The movements were instinct, overflowing from years of late nights training. Every move needed to count. And it never counted more.

She raked her claws across his side, spilling crimson along the stone. A howl pierced the night, a resounding war cry, as his head butted into her shoulder.

Her head slammed against the cavern.

The world was spinning. Twirling and swirling, colors and shapes swarming into each other. Everything was numb, so numb. Her claws scraped against the cool stone underneath her as the assassin advanced, his pawsteps light against the ground. He moved like a ghost. Like a harbinger of death.

Her claws were ringed with red.

Closer.
She needed him close.

His pawsteps paused as he neared, verdant eyes sliding over her form. A crooked smile split his muzzle, lit by the flames swarming around him. His jaws parted as a smirk danced onto his features, warping it.

His smirk froze.

Another form charged as if struck by lightning, bearing down onto the assassin. A paler, lighter form, sleek as if an arrow, storming through the darkness.

“Go.” Navy eyes caught hers for a fraction of a second.

Her heart stuttered. No, it couldn’t be.
The commander of the Imperial?

“Princess, go. I’ll hold them off.”

Did he understand the consequences? If he was left behind and the King put the pieces together…

“Go.”

It would mean death for him. A public execution.
But he was offering her life, a chance at one, so feeble and fragile. Loyalty she hardly deserved.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and seized the offering, pulling Ara up beside her.
And fled.


↯↯↯


The stench of smoke never left her.

It burned, searing a brand in her nostrils, even as she trudged on. The silver palace, an iron fortress of roses and thorns, disappeared behind her, fading as if the thin, morning mist as she drifted further and further away. Further from home.

Even the soft, sweet fragrance of freedom wasn’t enough to silence the splinter in her soul.

“Princess.” Soft gold eyes turned to her accompanied by a gentle nose to her shoulder. “We should rest for the night. If only for a few moments.”

“I… don’t think that title is appropriate, considering the circumstances.” She paused underneath the shade of a large tree, gently easing the molly down. “You should rest,” she murmured. “I’ll keep watch.”

Ara shook her head. “This doesn’t change things. The King has no right to… expel you from the throne.”

A bitter laugh bubbled from her throat.

The King was hardly restrained by right or might. He did whatever he pleased, whenever and wherever. With one proclamation, the rules were his to bend and twist as he deemed fit. Even to fashion a crown.

“He has every right, Ara.” Her tail flicked against the grass. She swallowed, forcing a breath out. “I’ve lost everything by running.”

“Have you?” Ara leaned close, clearing her throat. “Lost everything, that is.”

Her gaze flitted to the stars.

To the gentle, silvery glow twinkling in the navy seas above. To the trio of constellations hanging in the skies. One a winged horse, its foreleg raised and mane running free in the winds. The second, a fierce creature with wings cloaked in flames and a beak parted in the song of a war cry. And the last… a dove, wings outstretched and dark eyes luminous with the brightest star.

The pegasus, the phoenix and the snow dove. They were… so free. Free and dancing with reckless abandon, and without a care in the world. Had the stars forsaken her? Had they abandoned her? The principles and cornerstones of the kingdom was crumbling.

It was disintegrating before her eyes.

Her crown, her home, her nation… and him. Her twin flame, the one who set her heart ablaze ─ her soulmate.
Stolen, snatched and thrown into the realms of the dead by a jealous King.

She’d lost everything.
Or had she?

Her will, her mind, her soul and her heart were still hers. And hers alone.
They’d set her back, but they hadn’t killed her. Yet.

And that would be their gravest mistake.

“No.” Her chin lifted as her gaze settled on the gentle soul in-front of her, soaking in the warmth hidden in those gold eyes. The strength from a soul, who refused to be beaten. “They haven’t. They haven’t taken everything. We’ve been… set back, cast aside and exiled, but it’s not over.”

Her voice was a mere whisper. “It’s far from over.”

The wind cradled her cheek as she rose to her paws. There were whisper in the winds, soft and insistent, stirring something so deep in her bones. A flash, snippets of past memories, of past moments in history. Of legends.

A legend reborn.

“We won’t abandon them. I won’t abandon them.” She held her head high, lifting it up to the skies. Her eyes fluttered shut. And for a moment... for a moment, she let go.

She let the winds mount, rippling through her fur. Letting them twist and turn, surrounding her as if a protective shield against the world. Letting them ease the tension from her shoulders and kindle a spark of veins. A spark to root out the lies, the deception, the deceit. To reinstate unity, amity and tranquility. To restore the kingdom to its glory. And take back what was hers.

“The King will fall. And the angels… the angels will rise.”

[Vivika]

↯ 𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐘 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐘 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

One will rise, one will fall,
At the back, one will stand with silver claw

Another will be put to the test,
While the other springs a serpent’s nest

One will walk a trial of fire,
Another drowns in ocean’s choir

And the last will be put to rest.

[LANI & THE PROPHECY]
the prophecy came without warning.

it was the night where it was decided. decided that she would create a group, one forged from the injustice of the kingdom, to revolt and rise
against the king. it would be a rebellion to take back what was hers. and restore the kingdom, healing their land.

the stars had other ideas. a gentle song, crafted and twisted, as she lay her head in the soft pastures. a song of fates, of things to come, with
implications so awful. it reeked of chaos, failure and destruction.

she never breathed a word about the prophecy, not to any of the angels. it was hers to suffer with and wrestle with alone. and on the darkest
nights, she wrestles with the words so ingrained in her memory, trying to decipher the words that seal their fate. trying to evade them. she
turns them over and over in her head, willing the words to shift… to change in their favor.

death and betrayal. a burning and a drowning. poison. and a test.
one will rise to ascend the throne. and the other will fall.

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[Vivika]

↯ 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 !!

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

and a closing post for honesty purposes! <33

thank you so much for hosting this! i loved the chance to delve into my clan and discovering their culture inside and out! it was an
absolutely wild journey, but i adored every bit of it! i hope you have a lovely day! <3

back to lore thread ↯ the front page ↯ the color-in

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