Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 18, 2018 22:43:54 GMT -8
Blake sat alone in the woods with nothing but the clothing on his back as he continued his fast before the ceremony. This was all new, a new tradition for a new people. Most of what had been his people were dead, and those that remained were now a minority in their land. Strangers from near and far have come once word of our prosperity and change had spread. War burned through the land like a vicious wildfire, and here they had created a refuge from that war. It had been hard fought, and it was not something that he or his people could have done alone. He had mixed feelings about what was happening. On one hand, his people, what remained of them were safe. They were more prosperous now than they ever had been. But it was hard to see all of these new faces walking the streets. It was hard to see more Qi users among them.
He knew they had been lied to, and he believed his people agreed with him. They had been betrayed and taught to hate and fear where there was no need. But even knowing that, it was hard to unlearn hatred once it had taken root so deeply. They were fortunate that they were a disciplined people or such poison may have been too much to overcome. Though he knew it still wove through the fabric of his heart and others. All he could do was strive to be better. To tame that beast as he did with the literal one that constantly roared and gnashed inside of his heart.
He was to meditate on what it meant to be a leader and what the future of this land would hold. But his mind kept wandering to the past. Thinking about what Virgil had said, that the land weighs the souls of the children born here. He had been weighed and what? Found lacking and cursed? Found worthy and blessed? To Barker, The Demon Who Destroyed The World, it was nothing more than an experiment run amok. Blake and those like him happy accidents. It was hard to find the point between those realities to see where he truly stood. If this was a blessing or a curse or if it was simply random chance.
What he knew for certain was that the beast within him took something from him. It took away his purity, no matter why it was given to him it was a thing of evil with evil intent. It wanted to rip and tear. To consume and breed. To spread and mutilate, and it was always waiting. It was always watching him for that moment of weakness where it might try to take control. A heated exchange where it can nudge him to go too far. A year ago he would have welcomed it. Now he contained it. It was a tool to be used, evil that he would wield for the good of his people. His darkest desires made manifest. The beast had stolen his peace of mind forever. But it had given him something in return. Something more than raw power. It granted him clarity. Because he had to restrain the beast he could not act rashly for fear of unleashing it uncontained. Perhaps that was its purpose. Perhaps Blake's evil was set free within his heart not because he was wicked, but to give him the strength to overcome it so that he could lead his people. Though that begged the question on the existence of Fate or Destiny. Two things he disliked the idea of, but could not confirm or deny. But he personally found the idea of not being in control of his own fate distasteful. Even if he was a willing weapon of the old Elders, willing and ready to be used and cast aside it had been his choice. The invisible strings of Fate hadn't forced him there, his belief and dedication had.
He sighed and shifted in place, resting his back against the rough bark of the tree. The moon was high now, midnight approached and his stomach growled in unison with the beast. Though both were easy to contain at this point. It wasn't the first time he had gone hungry and despite his position, it may not be his last. There was no telling what the future held. That he had come to trust, for he would never have seen himself in this position. Creating a new culture for a new people. People with their own beliefs and terms. People with their own desires and dreams unlike any he'd ever had before. He envied them their ambition, people like Diana with dreams for themselves and only themselves. To be able to look inward and see a future to achieve that was not beholden to others. But it was not Blake's life, it had never been his life. And from the moment he awoke from his coma after fighting the previous Elder, it was clear that it never would be his life. Blake's life belonged to Aurora and it's people. New and old. It was the only life he knew, and it was the only way he knew how to measure himself. When he closed his eyes at night he never had dreams of being a King, being a God, or anything so great for himself. No, when Blake closed his eyes what he saw was a glistening city like those of the big four, clean and gleaming. Full of life and people happy and prosperous. Where no one wants for food or water. Blake never dreamed for himself, he dreamed of a land where no one would ever go thirsty again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the dawn cleared the treetops Blake would slowly rise to his feet to make his way back toward the town being met by several guards. He placed his fist to his chest and bowed his head as they repeated the gesture before escorting him to the heart of the city. The last few days a platform had been made for the occasion. The crowd that was gathered was massive, at least to Blake. Hundreds of people gathered for this. Familiar faces in the crowd. All of those from 63 that survived. Brill and Sai stood on the platform with one of the eldest members of 63. There was a representative from 249 on the platform as well as two of their new arrivals. Merchants if he recalled correctly. A symbol of their people all joining as one, none above the other.
In the crowd on the ground, he was able to pick out Bailey, her face setting a small fluttering in his heart as his eyes spotted Diana, filling him with more steel and resolve. She'd had the courage to follow her dreams, he could do this. He had no words for the crowd, nothing could express the confusion and joy that filled him seeing so many people from so many walks of life here for him. To think that he could be part of building something like this was more than he had ever imagined. And the fact that it wasn't even close to being finished blew his mind. If they knew how unsure he was outside of his stoic exterior he was sure they would all run away. He wasn't trained for this, he never asked for this, but he had been chosen by the voice of the people.
The center of the platform held Jake's sword laying across it on a red cloth as well as a simple dagger, a chalice, and another small cup. Blake would approach them and face the crowd from behind the table so that he could look upon his people. The Eldest of 63 would approach and motion for Blake to pick up the chalice.
"The blood of power granted by pure intentions to protect this land. Mixed with the Wine of prosperity earned through peace. May it be an everlasting one." The Eldest spoke to the crowd as Blake went through the ceremony they had devised, taking up the small cup next. "The water of the homeland. The precious giver of life, the lifeblood of our land." He continued as Blake poured some of the water into the Chalice before picking up the dagger and slicing his hand, spilling his own blood into the chalice. "Blood freely shed to protect the people of this land."
Blake would swallow hard before drinking the mixture down, the bitterness of the blood and sweetness of the wine an odd taste, washed out by the ice cold water from the primary stream of the land. He had just enough time to set the chalice down before pain wracked his whole body. He lurched forward against the table, his hands gripping it tightly. He was dimly aware of a few people coming toward the stand but being kept back by the guards. He felt a hand on his back, though he couldn't say who it was as his vision split and spun. The beast inside howled and raged, his arm bubbling as it tried to force a transformation here on the stage. With gritted teeth and a growl, he forced himself to stand on his own power, his human hand moving to his transforming arm, gripping it.
"No!" He hissed, commanding his body to obey him. Which is would reluctantly, the beast was forced back and his arm returned to normal as the pain started to leave his body. He was breathing heavily, but he nodded to the Eldest that he was fine. He could do this.
"So stands before you Blake Oleander. First King of Aurora and Defender of the Realm. Long live the King!"
The crowd erupted with cheers as a pit filled his stomach. The term felt strange, stranger than Elder. But as their people became a smaller portion of the population new terms were thrown around, and the most common had been King. It had been decided with him and his closest advisors that he should accept the title to show unity and to cement his position in the minds of outsiders. And thus Aurora became more than a few villages, but a Kingdom.
"Thank you..."
Blake said, swallowing a lump forming in his throat as he stepped forward.
"Thank you all, it is you not me who deserves the credit for the strides we have made. Not only turning this land prosperous but coming together as one people. I am inspired by each and every one of you and the fortitude and compassion you show every day. And I vow to spend every day striving to be as strong and good as you. To be the King you deserve and to see this land and it's people prosper. You have all honored me today, and I would like to honor four individuals as my first act as King. Without these four there would be no Aurora and I would not be standing here today. These four were the guardians of Aurora before the name was even a whisper of a dream. Diana Seinz, will you please come up here."
He motioned for Diana to come up from the crowd, much to her surprise. A few moments hung between them as Blake feared she would not comply, but eventually, she did make her way to the platform, standing next to Brill and Sai.
"Kneel please."
He'd say, taking Jake's blade in his hands tapping Sai first on both shoulders.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and protector of this realm. Rise Sir Sai Demarko. Rise and be recognized!"
Sai would slowly rise to applause and cheers from the crowd as he bowed to Blake with his fist to his heart. Blake lowered his own head in respect before moving to Brill and repeating the motions.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and a protector of this realm. Rise Sir Brill Collins. Rise and be recognized!"
Brill would rise to the same cheers and applause as Sai had, offering Blake a similar bow which Blake returned with another lowering of his head, unable to hide his smile. Sad as it was that not everyone was alive for this. But happy he could give them this at least.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and a protector of this realm. Rise Sir Diana Seinz. Rise and be recognized!"
She too would rise and bow, the gesture also being returned with his own respectful one as he silently mouthed thank you to them all before turning to the crowd.
"There is one more I would like to honor. He gave his life in the final battle against the tyrant that held our people captive for decades. He gave his life so that we may build a better one. I award the late Jake Presley the title of knight and protector of the realm. May he be honored and remembered for generations to come."
Blake lowered his head in respect as the crowd continued to cheer and applaud. His own private moment of silence finished, however, he had one last thing to declare to his people.
"My second decree is that today is a day of celebration and that you should all enjoy it. You have earned it and so much more."
Blake bowed his head to the crowd amassed before them and would send them off to celebrate. As for him, the events felt heavy on his shoulders. But it was the first day of the rest of his life, and the true birth of the Kingdom of Aurora.
Name: Your Event
Requirements: Approved Character
Job: An event has happened to your character alone. What happened? Write a story about some big event that just happened to your character. This event can be done once a month.
Bonus: Receive an injury that lasts 3 threads.
Payout: +3 exp, +$250
He knew they had been lied to, and he believed his people agreed with him. They had been betrayed and taught to hate and fear where there was no need. But even knowing that, it was hard to unlearn hatred once it had taken root so deeply. They were fortunate that they were a disciplined people or such poison may have been too much to overcome. Though he knew it still wove through the fabric of his heart and others. All he could do was strive to be better. To tame that beast as he did with the literal one that constantly roared and gnashed inside of his heart.
He was to meditate on what it meant to be a leader and what the future of this land would hold. But his mind kept wandering to the past. Thinking about what Virgil had said, that the land weighs the souls of the children born here. He had been weighed and what? Found lacking and cursed? Found worthy and blessed? To Barker, The Demon Who Destroyed The World, it was nothing more than an experiment run amok. Blake and those like him happy accidents. It was hard to find the point between those realities to see where he truly stood. If this was a blessing or a curse or if it was simply random chance.
What he knew for certain was that the beast within him took something from him. It took away his purity, no matter why it was given to him it was a thing of evil with evil intent. It wanted to rip and tear. To consume and breed. To spread and mutilate, and it was always waiting. It was always watching him for that moment of weakness where it might try to take control. A heated exchange where it can nudge him to go too far. A year ago he would have welcomed it. Now he contained it. It was a tool to be used, evil that he would wield for the good of his people. His darkest desires made manifest. The beast had stolen his peace of mind forever. But it had given him something in return. Something more than raw power. It granted him clarity. Because he had to restrain the beast he could not act rashly for fear of unleashing it uncontained. Perhaps that was its purpose. Perhaps Blake's evil was set free within his heart not because he was wicked, but to give him the strength to overcome it so that he could lead his people. Though that begged the question on the existence of Fate or Destiny. Two things he disliked the idea of, but could not confirm or deny. But he personally found the idea of not being in control of his own fate distasteful. Even if he was a willing weapon of the old Elders, willing and ready to be used and cast aside it had been his choice. The invisible strings of Fate hadn't forced him there, his belief and dedication had.
He sighed and shifted in place, resting his back against the rough bark of the tree. The moon was high now, midnight approached and his stomach growled in unison with the beast. Though both were easy to contain at this point. It wasn't the first time he had gone hungry and despite his position, it may not be his last. There was no telling what the future held. That he had come to trust, for he would never have seen himself in this position. Creating a new culture for a new people. People with their own beliefs and terms. People with their own desires and dreams unlike any he'd ever had before. He envied them their ambition, people like Diana with dreams for themselves and only themselves. To be able to look inward and see a future to achieve that was not beholden to others. But it was not Blake's life, it had never been his life. And from the moment he awoke from his coma after fighting the previous Elder, it was clear that it never would be his life. Blake's life belonged to Aurora and it's people. New and old. It was the only life he knew, and it was the only way he knew how to measure himself. When he closed his eyes at night he never had dreams of being a King, being a God, or anything so great for himself. No, when Blake closed his eyes what he saw was a glistening city like those of the big four, clean and gleaming. Full of life and people happy and prosperous. Where no one wants for food or water. Blake never dreamed for himself, he dreamed of a land where no one would ever go thirsty again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the dawn cleared the treetops Blake would slowly rise to his feet to make his way back toward the town being met by several guards. He placed his fist to his chest and bowed his head as they repeated the gesture before escorting him to the heart of the city. The last few days a platform had been made for the occasion. The crowd that was gathered was massive, at least to Blake. Hundreds of people gathered for this. Familiar faces in the crowd. All of those from 63 that survived. Brill and Sai stood on the platform with one of the eldest members of 63. There was a representative from 249 on the platform as well as two of their new arrivals. Merchants if he recalled correctly. A symbol of their people all joining as one, none above the other.
In the crowd on the ground, he was able to pick out Bailey, her face setting a small fluttering in his heart as his eyes spotted Diana, filling him with more steel and resolve. She'd had the courage to follow her dreams, he could do this. He had no words for the crowd, nothing could express the confusion and joy that filled him seeing so many people from so many walks of life here for him. To think that he could be part of building something like this was more than he had ever imagined. And the fact that it wasn't even close to being finished blew his mind. If they knew how unsure he was outside of his stoic exterior he was sure they would all run away. He wasn't trained for this, he never asked for this, but he had been chosen by the voice of the people.
The center of the platform held Jake's sword laying across it on a red cloth as well as a simple dagger, a chalice, and another small cup. Blake would approach them and face the crowd from behind the table so that he could look upon his people. The Eldest of 63 would approach and motion for Blake to pick up the chalice.
"The blood of power granted by pure intentions to protect this land. Mixed with the Wine of prosperity earned through peace. May it be an everlasting one." The Eldest spoke to the crowd as Blake went through the ceremony they had devised, taking up the small cup next. "The water of the homeland. The precious giver of life, the lifeblood of our land." He continued as Blake poured some of the water into the Chalice before picking up the dagger and slicing his hand, spilling his own blood into the chalice. "Blood freely shed to protect the people of this land."
Blake would swallow hard before drinking the mixture down, the bitterness of the blood and sweetness of the wine an odd taste, washed out by the ice cold water from the primary stream of the land. He had just enough time to set the chalice down before pain wracked his whole body. He lurched forward against the table, his hands gripping it tightly. He was dimly aware of a few people coming toward the stand but being kept back by the guards. He felt a hand on his back, though he couldn't say who it was as his vision split and spun. The beast inside howled and raged, his arm bubbling as it tried to force a transformation here on the stage. With gritted teeth and a growl, he forced himself to stand on his own power, his human hand moving to his transforming arm, gripping it.
"No!" He hissed, commanding his body to obey him. Which is would reluctantly, the beast was forced back and his arm returned to normal as the pain started to leave his body. He was breathing heavily, but he nodded to the Eldest that he was fine. He could do this.
"So stands before you Blake Oleander. First King of Aurora and Defender of the Realm. Long live the King!"
The crowd erupted with cheers as a pit filled his stomach. The term felt strange, stranger than Elder. But as their people became a smaller portion of the population new terms were thrown around, and the most common had been King. It had been decided with him and his closest advisors that he should accept the title to show unity and to cement his position in the minds of outsiders. And thus Aurora became more than a few villages, but a Kingdom.
"Thank you..."
Blake said, swallowing a lump forming in his throat as he stepped forward.
"Thank you all, it is you not me who deserves the credit for the strides we have made. Not only turning this land prosperous but coming together as one people. I am inspired by each and every one of you and the fortitude and compassion you show every day. And I vow to spend every day striving to be as strong and good as you. To be the King you deserve and to see this land and it's people prosper. You have all honored me today, and I would like to honor four individuals as my first act as King. Without these four there would be no Aurora and I would not be standing here today. These four were the guardians of Aurora before the name was even a whisper of a dream. Diana Seinz, will you please come up here."
He motioned for Diana to come up from the crowd, much to her surprise. A few moments hung between them as Blake feared she would not comply, but eventually, she did make her way to the platform, standing next to Brill and Sai.
"Kneel please."
He'd say, taking Jake's blade in his hands tapping Sai first on both shoulders.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and protector of this realm. Rise Sir Sai Demarko. Rise and be recognized!"
Sai would slowly rise to applause and cheers from the crowd as he bowed to Blake with his fist to his heart. Blake lowered his own head in respect before moving to Brill and repeating the motions.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and a protector of this realm. Rise Sir Brill Collins. Rise and be recognized!"
Brill would rise to the same cheers and applause as Sai had, offering Blake a similar bow which Blake returned with another lowering of his head, unable to hide his smile. Sad as it was that not everyone was alive for this. But happy he could give them this at least.
"For your willingness to lay down your life for the betterment of the people of this land I dub you my knight and a protector of this realm. Rise Sir Diana Seinz. Rise and be recognized!"
She too would rise and bow, the gesture also being returned with his own respectful one as he silently mouthed thank you to them all before turning to the crowd.
"There is one more I would like to honor. He gave his life in the final battle against the tyrant that held our people captive for decades. He gave his life so that we may build a better one. I award the late Jake Presley the title of knight and protector of the realm. May he be honored and remembered for generations to come."
Blake lowered his head in respect as the crowd continued to cheer and applaud. His own private moment of silence finished, however, he had one last thing to declare to his people.
"My second decree is that today is a day of celebration and that you should all enjoy it. You have earned it and so much more."
Blake bowed his head to the crowd amassed before them and would send them off to celebrate. As for him, the events felt heavy on his shoulders. But it was the first day of the rest of his life, and the true birth of the Kingdom of Aurora.
Name: Your Event
Requirements: Approved Character
Job: An event has happened to your character alone. What happened? Write a story about some big event that just happened to your character. This event can be done once a month.
Bonus: Receive an injury that lasts 3 threads.
Payout: +3 exp, +$250
