Pythian’s Distorted Divinity

 

Duration of preliminary: Nov 27th- Nov 16th Sunday, midnight PST
Type of Trial:  Prompt, Horror, Character highlight, and Scene Creativity,
Type of participation: Solo
Requirement: Showcase strengths & weakness, Blood Moon side effects influence and prompt incorporation

Reward

1st place: 250 points
2nd place: 200 points
3rd place: 150 points
4th place: 100points

  • The objective: Prove to the citizens of Heleo that you are worthy of the title Blood Brawler Trial Champion 

  • Start by identifying the top THREE strengths and weaknesses of your Champion. This MUST be done prior to beginning the prompt. Failure to do so will result in automatic elimination.

  • There are SIX prompts below. Your champion’s prompt will be determined by your initial roll.

  • If the initial dice roll results in both you and another champion receiving the SAME prompt, you have the option to roll once more for a different scenario. You may roll an additional time if the second dice roll is the same as another champion.

  • After you roll for your prompt, you will be teleported to your personal arena to begin your trial.

  • This is a SOLO trial. The dice roll merely serves as a tool to assist you with limitless creativity.

  • Although your champion’s progress in their trial is influenced by the dice rolls, this challenge is designed to test your creative uniquiness as a writer by demonstrating your character’s growth since the first trial.

  • Ivory in the Mist is an R- rated RP and we do believe in limitless creativity. The Blood Trials can be especially brutal, so please be sure to properly label any triggering content TW.

  • Remember, your Lunar Side Effect is active at ALL times throughout the event.

  • The dice roll will determine the affects on your scenaro with THREE rolls. 

  • You MUST roleplay a scene dedicated to the outcome of EACH roll. 

  • The winner of this trial will be determined by the citizens of Heleo's votes, NOT by dice roll.

Here is how the dice roll affects your scenario
6: Lost from the heat and nightmares, hallucinations leave you flirting with the idea of death’s sweet embrace.
5: You’ve been cornered and injured by a wild pack of desert beasts. Those bites leave you with a nasty infection.
4: Heat drives your thirst to desperation as you bite into a cactus fruit. Caution: they cause violent hallucinations.
3: You’re met with an impossible decision only you can make. Act quietly for it is a matter of life and death. 
2: Your instincts once again serve you well, but you have trouble distinguishing reality from illusion. 
1: The Moon flows through you as no foe, obstacle, nor prophecy stands before you and your progress.

Prompt 1
Prompt 2
Prompt 3
Prompt 4
Prompt 5
Prompt 6

 

The Citizens’ Blood Trial Champion:

Citizens of Heleo choose their Blood Champion by the following criteria:

Side effects incorporation, Prompt creative usage, Display of champion's strengths and weaknesses

  • How successful was the champion's incorporation of Blood Moon side effect(s). Rating on a scale of 1-5 [ ]

  • Effective execution of  the champion's influence by dice rolls.  Rating On a scale of 1-5 [ ]

  • Exploration of the champion’s strengths & weaknesses, and how their decisions support their objectives. Rating On a scale of 1-5 [ ]

  • How effectively did the champion showcase their creativity while staying within the assigned prompt? Rating On a scale of 1-5 [ ]

  • Only ONE vote per roleplay republic account will be accepted.

  • Voting booth will be open Nov 9th and closed Nov 6th @ 12am PST

 

Blood Brawler Champion Voting Booth [Currently closed]

 

 

 

 

♆ Seo Inguk [A] 1 week ago
@დ Lalisa Manobal Thanks for letting me know
დ Lalisa Manobal 1 week ago
@♆ Seo Inguk Lisa will be dropping out due to life throwing in my face
♆ Ten [A] 2 weeks ago
@♆ Seo Inguk [thank you good sirrrrr]
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 2 weeks ago
@დ Lalisa Manobal @❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ @♆ Ten @☾ Sora Choi¥✔ Due to the nature of the third trial's and multiple champion's request a one week extension had been granted for the tourney.
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 2 weeks ago
@დ Lalisa Manobal @♆ Ten @☾ Sora Choi¥✔ Do all of you require more time? ()
♆ Ten [A] 3 weeks ago
@♆ Seo Inguk [.... i know we're only halfway thru the week but is it too late to ask for an extension since this past weak has been brutal..? lol]
♆ Ten [A] 3 weeks ago
STRENGTHS
+broad-minded
+resilient
+justice-seeking

WEAKNESSES
-self-seeking
-opportunistic
-headstrong
დ Lalisa Manobal 3 weeks ago
Strengths
Strong willed
Leadership
Swordman ship

Weakness
Combative
PTSD
reluctance to ask for help
☾ Sora Choi¥✔ 3 weeks ago
Strengths
Loyal
Independent
Charismatically bold

Weakness
Guarded
Deceitful
Prideful
❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ [A] 3 weeks ago
Strengths
Blessed Blue flame magic
Self-sufficiency
Logical intellect
Weakness
Self loathing
Blinded by ambition
Self doubt
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 3 weeks ago
@♆ Ten Four of Coins
♆ Ten [A] 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 1
♆ Ten [A] 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 6
♆ Ten [A] 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 2
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 3 weeks ago
@❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ Eight of Swords
❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ [A] 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 2
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 3 weeks ago
@დ Lalisa Manobal Five of Wands
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 3 weeks ago
@☾ Sora Choi¥✔ The Knight's cup of coin
დ Lalisa Manobal 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 5
☾ Sora Choi¥✔ 3 weeks ago
* rolls dice * gets a 6
♆ Seo Inguk [A] 3 weeks ago
@დ Lalisa Manobal @❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ @♆ Ten @☾ Sora Choi¥✔ Congratulations to our final four Champions. Please be sure to read the information about carefully then proceed to roll for your prompt. Remember what awaits you on the other side of this is eternal glory, profit and the respect of your people. Good luck champions.
❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ [A] 2 years ago
Dawn is eliminated to due to time constrain.
დ Kang Daesung 2 years ago
BANG!

Daesung awakened to the sound of several bullet rounds slicing into the flesh of the monsters. He hit the ground hard when the creature released him. "Go back to hell, you some!" Ross demanded cocking back the rifle once more to blast a hole in the heads of several demons. Reimold dashed in, scrambling to get Daesung back on his feet. Dizzy and delirious, he struggled to stabilize himself. He hobbled alongside Reimold, fleeing from the horde of monsters and heading toward the entrance of the tunnels. Ross swore under his breath, tempting his rifle. Reimold stumbles under the weight of Daesung, sending them both crashing to the ground. Ross sprinted to them when the horde of creatures made their move for the kill. Reimold, painful but stable, shoved Daesung towards his brother. "Go!" He ordered, waving them off. "Reimold, no!" Ross yelled, and a horrid Daesung attempted to reach for the lone brother, but they were met with a smile and a cheery wave.

"Save them~."

Dozens of demons poured down on Reimold, feasting on his flesh. Ross wells in horror, watching them rip into his brother. Daesung grips a hand on his chest, hauling it towards the cave. Rocks shuffle, tumbling down behind them, sealing off the entry and any possible debate of backing out of the caves. The only way they have is forward. Once they were sure they were alone, Ross created a safe distance away from the monsters and, coming down to his knees, wept into his hands. Daesung swallowed deeply, unsure what would even be the appropriate response at a time like this. What would he even say? 'I'm sorry your brother died trying to save me. My bad, I thought I could keep my word and protect everyone.' No, absolutely not. This is why he never wanted to agree to help them in the first place. Those people tend to end up dying when he is responsible for protecting what he values the most.

He said nothing but merely played a sympathetic, patient hand on his shoulders. Ross stalled his grieving, knowing this was never the best time or place. Thankful for the tunnel's dim, damn near nonexisting lighting Daesung couldn't witness wiping his damp eyes with the sleeves of his blouse. "We must keep moving," Daesung said, gently helping him back to his feet.

They walked in dark silence, relying on Daesung's superior sense of smell to locate the group. It didn't take only a 15-minute walk, two left and down a low tide of ankle-deep water when they finally met up with the group. Relief swept through him when he spotted a dimly lit torch through thick cobwebs. Some parted other webs with strong silked threads and fresh prey captured within them. Daesung smiled, pleased when he laid eyes on the child at the head of the line. They were unharmed, sporting a relieved smile and looking up at him. "See, I knew you were the bravest person I know." His hand d through the strands of the kid's hair before a cautious one placed his expression.

"What is it?" Ross asked but soon fell silent when Daesung hushed him. His ears twitched, tingling from unnerving sounds of s, no, beast moving amongst them. "Ross, run." He whispered calmly but failed to see the stupified look on Ross's face witnessing a large insect cocoon one of the villagers. It removed its sting pin from the man's abdomen, leaving the corpse hit the ground. The man's stomach is hollow, and his organs are completely drained. The villagers let out a loud frightful scream when the insect shouted venom at a woman melting her to the bone.

"Everyone, this way." Daesung directed, running down the tunnel with the child in hand. Petrified screams could be heard as Daesung dodged and weaved through the assault of acidic venom being flung by the creature. Daesung's urge to run faster was derailed by the child who couldn't keep up. Daesung scooped the child in his arms, transforming his legs into that of an ostrich. Faster and faster, he ran, only to be happy to see a literal light at the end of the tunnel. "This way! We're almost out!" He encouraged. Who he was shouting to at this time, he wasn't sure. He had no idea who, let alone how many people were still alive, to follow him—swiftly racing out of the tunnel to a small forgotten woodland outside what looked to be Castle Lamont.

He clutched the child in one arm while aiding the surviving villagers out of the tunnel along with Ross. Daesung's foot slammed into the rocky mountainside of the entry with every ounce of force he could muster, effectively sealing the insect in the tunnel behind them. A moment of silent realization set in that they had ultimately met their goal, surviving the first night of the hellish nightmare. The villagers cheered with glee, embracing one another in sweet relief when the castle men spotted them and immediately sent soldiers and medical aid. Various sentiments of praise and thanks were offered to Daesung. It hadn't occurred to Daesung he was hearing of all the people but the one he worried about most.

"Hey, we did it. We're safe," Daesung gently shook the child in his arms. "It's okay; we're going to be okay." He pressed a gentle hand on the child's back only to discover it would soon be covered with deep, staining blood. "Hey?" Daesung questioned, not ready to accept what he knew to be true. "Hey, kid?" He softly called out, but it came out more like a pretense question. Tears slowly began to fill the brims of his eyes, but his gentle, calm demeanor never diminished. "I'm sorry if it's loud." A hand was placed on the blood stain of the kid's shirt as he quietly walked wayed from the cheering coward. He aimlessly traveled into the woods after his departure from the town folk. "You must be exhausted after all you've been through today. Right?" A pained smile traced his lips, his only solution to keeping them from trembling.

The woodland began to merge into an open green meadow. The sunset highlighted the rolling green grassy hills. Various flowers swayed in the breeze, leaving the gift scent of jasmine and lavender behind. Once Daesung arrived at the top of the slope, he placed the child against the tree. His hand swapped over the child's eyelids to close them.

"It's okay; you don't have to be scared anymore. I'll help you finally rest." The edges of his lips twitched in agony as he dug up the dirt bed and laid the child to rest.

"Good night, my brave little Wayfinder."

[finale ...thanks for reading. Sorry for all the typos, a es eyeballs are tired AF]
დ Kang Daesung 2 years ago
Thin layers of dust fell from the ceiling after every thud that came from above. The door shuttered together, holding whatever was on the other side of that door at bay. A wave of panic swept through the surviving townspeople. "They're going to get in here?" One woman shouted, pointing in the direction of the metal doors underneath the weight of an unknown force. "There's no way out!" Another man in the forward cried out. The people began to scramble back as full panic was on the brim of erupting.

"Is there no other way out? "Daesung asked the pair of brothers. Desperation in the form of the young child tugging nervously on his pant and sobbing into his leg. Now infuriated, Daesung snatched Reimold by the collar, shaking him to get his attention. "Is there no other way out?" Reimold shook his head. "No. Just the tunnels?" "Then let's go." He urged, shoving the brothers towards the tunnel path. His steps followed closely behind the brothers while clasping the hand of the young child. "Here," Reimold pilled back a leather auburn curtain while Ross shoved a few boxes out of the way. Behind the clutter were wooden blankets concealing what appeared to be an underground tunnel. The long pathway was cloaked in darkness, and the walls were decorated with cobwebs and lingering unidentified damp odor.

Another heavy bang sounded on the cellar doors; this time placed, a sizeable bent in the doors. Terrifying screeches, gnarls, and screams rang through the undercroft, and the ugly heads of demons appeared. The brothers wrestled with removing the planks again, triggering alarm amongst the towns folk. Daesung's eyes bounced back and forth between the beast breaking in and back to the brothers. Turning on his heels shoves the brothers aside, kicking down the wood with ease. "Come on; you guys get everyone through the tunnel."

His eyes fell on the young child beside him kneeling in front of them. "Hey, I need you to do something for me. You're the only person that can do this task for me, okay?" The child took a long look at him, releasing a breath before nodding their head in agreeance. "Good, I knew I could count on you." the shifter turned to dig in his pocket and then placed a gadget into the child's hands. "This is a path Wayfinder; only the bravest people can use it. You are the bravest person I know here." The smile never left his face, and his expression remained vacant of any apparent displays of fear.
"You see the tips of the star. When it lights up at a point, that means you are close to what you need. You will find your path." The child's eyes traced over the device before reconnecting with his understanding. "I need you to guide all these scared people to safety. They'll be safe once you get to Castle Lamont. Please do this for me." Daesung patted his chest in sincerity, knowing that this kid would repay his kindness.
On the other hand, he had no clue what was waiting for them at the castle. Or even if Lamont is a real place. For all he knew, they could be the ones conducting the Demons. He was left with the only thing he could lean on in times like this karma paying him back.

"AHHHHH!!!!" A shrill scream of terror echoed through the cellar when the first wave of the monster filtered through, picking off the people closest to the entry. "GO! Go now. Follow the kid!" Daesung waved to Ross and Reimold as the ushered people through the narrow entrance of the tunnel. "Follow the kid? Are you crazy?" Ross ridiculed the order, questioning the absurdity of the suggestion to place all their lives in the hands of an orphan child. "No! JUST FOLLOW THE IN KID, ROSS! Daesung snapped back, mimicking the tone of Reimold to hammer his point home. "The Kid is your map. Just follow them!" Daesung roared, transforming into the form of a humanoid bear. A bone-crunching sound came as he split the skull of the first demon with a pair of hatches. "Go!"
[part 4]
♦ Seulgi 2 years ago
( just so you know everything in between the / / are just song quotes I used for inspiration)
♦ Seulgi 2 years ago
/We're sick and tired of wondering, praying to a god that you don't believe. We're searching for the truth in the lost and found, so the question I ask is; Oh, where the is your god now?/

“The rules are very simple, my lovely contestant.” The Magician was grinning far too wide again, his mouth nearly stretching from ear to ear as he stepped closer and held out both of his hands. In one the strange green cube appeared, in the other was a single white feather. “You only need to admit the truth. Which of these do you desire most? You didn’t ask for help, so you only get this one choice, this one chance. If you lie to me and choose wrong, you’ll be trapped here forever.”

She had to choose between the star, and what? Dongwook? Love? That was too easy, and her arm shot out to grab the star but froze just millimeters from making contact with the cold surface. She knew she was on a time limit, the vine was slowly crawling higher up her leg, and the fire was getting closer, but she needed to think about this. If she got it wrong she would never escape. She would die here, or worse, just be suspended in time for eternity. She didn’t doubt that the Magician could torment her for far longer than her natural life.

What was the choice in front of her? Pulling her hand back she looked between the two objects again. Clearly everything she’d been through up to this point meant something. She had been set up to fail with each door she walked through, and she’d played right into the Magician’s hands each time. Which meant there had been an alternate ending to each scenario. One where Seulgi hadn’t disfigured Dongwook and tried to kill him, and hadn’t destroyed her mother’s spirit. One where she wasn’t standing here alone.

It wasn’t about Dongwook, not really. It was about what he represented in her life, about who she’d been when she was with him. This was about her. This whole thing had always been about her. Forcing her to face the worst parts of herself and either conquer them or fall deeper to them. She’d always thought isolating herself was the only way to survive but her mother had tried to tell her differently. Instead of listening she’d doubled down on her own mistakes.

That was all she’d been doing since the trial began, mistake after mistake, refusing to actually open herself to what was truly being asked of her. She had a choice now; power or strength. The path she’d always walked, or the new one she’d always pretended didn’t exist. She wasn’t past the point of redemption yet. She could change, she could live instead of just existing but only if she was strong enough to do it.

With these dawning realizations she finally understood, and she reached out without hesitation to take the feather. The moment her fingers closed over it the Magician began to laugh hysterically.

“I really thought you were going to choose the correct answer, you were so close. You can’t lie to me Seulgi, you lo–” Cutting off his eyes widened in shock when he finally realized the fire had changed direction and was rapidly heading towards him. “What? You were lying!” He screeched, but he sounded desperate now as he seemed to be trying to leave but couldn’t. He seemed frozen in place and his panic was escalating. “You lied! YOU LIED! You would never choose him over power!”

“You’re right.” Seulgi agreed, stepping back as the heat of the fire was already becoming too intense. The vine that had been restraining her slid harmlessly to the ground and she stepped over it. “I wouldn’t choose him over power, but you never said it was between him and power. I chose me.”

“You– and I thought you’d be easy.” The Magician shook his head, and he started laughing again even as the fire reached him and the sound of his hysteria melted into agony, and then silence as the fire burned up every trace of him.

The only thing left as the fire died down was the star. The strange green cube was still emanating that eerie fluorescent light and Seulgi finally reached out to take it. She understood now what this trial had been trying to tell her. Power could isolate those who held too much of it, and Seulgi needed to change her heart before she lost it forever.

She wanted to escape the misery of her past. She wanted to become stronger, not just powerful. She wanted to live for more than just the conquest of magic. Now that she was finished with this trial, she would.

(part 6 - end)
♦ Seulgi 2 years ago
/You need a new clean slate without the dents. A place to put your pain, your consequence. When you look into the mirror, are you even there?/

She didn’t have to wait long. Cackling filled the air moments before the Magician appeared again, looking heavily amused at the mess around him, regarding Seulgi like she was nothing more than a cute toy. “My my, you’re certainly stronger than I expected. You’re just destroying all the pretty set pieces I made for you. Reached through my realm and plucked your mother right out. I almost got a little worried. Too bad you just destroyed her soul… which is rather impressive.”

“Shut the up.” Seulgi snapped, a vine covered in wickedly sharp thorns shot out catching the Magician by surprise as it curled around his leg and trapped him in place. For a moment his eyes widened just slightly before he grinned again.

“Oh you’re serious now? Alright fine, I had a few more doors for you to play with but I can see you don’t want my help anymore. But you’ll get it anyway!” Grinning maniacally he clapped his hands together three tarot cards appeared between the two of them, each one nearly as large as Seulgi was. “In your life, dear Seulgi, there are three people who might possibly come to your aid in the final game. Each one of these cards represents someone you can reach out to for help. If they agree, you will be granted one extra chance in the finale. I’m sure they need no introduction from me.” The grin on his face was disturbing but Seulgi was more focused on the cards in front of her.

The Lovers.

The Empress

The Magician.

She felt her heart sink at the realization of what each card represented. Even more so when she made the connection that the first two cards had corresponded with the two doors she’d already walked through. She knew what that meant for the final card and she almost felt sick. She had burned every one of those bridges already. She was alone going into the final round and she knew she only had herself to blame.

Keeping her head high she leveled a glare at the Magician. She didn’t need anyone but herself. She was more than strong enough to survive this, whatever ed up game he wanted to play. “Just get on with it. I don’t want help.”
“Don’t want it? Or won’t get it?” Laughing because he knew as well as Seulgi did that he had guessed right, he waved his hand and the cards vanished. The moment they did Seulgi felt the shift within herself, it was sudden and disorienting and she nearly cried out in shock when razor sharp thorns dragged across the skin of her legs as the vine that had been holding the Magician found a new target. The fire blazing around them was now making it slow way towards her, and she could feel the heat of it already as her own magic was turned against her.

(part 5)
♦ Seulgi 2 years ago
/I see through you, I know what you are. I've seen the Devil more than I've seen God. And when he has you by your neck, I hope you choke on every ing word you said./

Slowly Seulgi sat up, frowning as she pressed a hand over her heart. There was a heavy weight settled there as a disturbing picture was slowly painted in her mind. The people that she had lied to, manipulated, hurt, and even killed just to achieve her own ends. Her own single minded focus on becoming more powerful; to master death. Was her mother calling her weak?

Or worse, was she telling Seulgi she was just like her father?

No. No.

NO. Seulgi was nothing like him. Nothing!

But… she was lying to herself, she just didn’t want to admit it. Scrambling to her feet she stumbled away from her mother, her hands burying in her hair as she screamed at the horrifying realization that she always known, deep down.

She was her father. She was a monster.

“NO!” She screamed the word out loud as if that would fend off the lies crashing down around her. Distantly she heard her mother’s voice trying to reach her but she wouldn’t let her come close. She was supposed to help, she was supposed to be there for Seulgi, not call her a ing monster! Anger was easy, familiar and she let herself sink into it, screaming again as she lashed out at the who dared to compare her to the vile abhorrent creature that had made her childhood worse than Hell. Her magic responded in kind, the cabin trembling as the very earth beneath their feet roared with fury, cracking open and devouring the spirit that Seulgi had been so proud to bring back into the world. She could feel blistering heat pouring from the deep trench in the earth as her mother’s screams faded.

“I don’t need you! I don’t need him! I don’t need anyone! I’M NOT A MONSTER!” Seulgi screamed until she tasted blood and there was nothing left of the cabin but debris and fire flared to life to consume even that. She wanted nothing left of this place, she never wanted to see it again.

“Where are you, you son of a ?! I’m tired of your games! Face me yourself you ing coward!” She shouted, demanded. She would end this ing trial right now.

(part 4)
♦ Seulgi 2 years ago
/I thought I wanted legacy, I thought I wanted fame. I didn't know I'd lose all my loved ones in exchange. Left 'em all behind, and, yeah, for that I am ashamed. But that's the price I'm paying till I'm buried in my grave./

Sighing, she opened the door to the house, stepping inside. She was expecting to hear her mother’s voice but instead she heard another voice. One even more familiar but much less welcome.
‘Really Mortal? You're going to play that game with me right now?’

‘Feelings scary girl, get used to it.’

‘I'm just bitter because no matter what I do. No matter how experienced I am and worldly...I keep losing to you. Kang Seulgi, is a person I can't seem to figure out.’

“Shut up!” Seulgi pressed her hands over her ears, trying to drown out the unwelcome voice of the angel she didn’t want to be thinking about.

It had just been part of the ed up game, right?

Right?

Except she knew better than that. He’d asked her what he meant to her, but when she’d asked the same to him he’d never answered her. Seulgi had blamed it on the start of the trial, but the fact that he never answered had weighed on her. Was she just a tool? She knew that something about her had caught his attention, and she was fairly sure it was more than just her charming personality.

Closing her eyes, her shoulders slumped in defeat and she walked further into the little cabin space. Sitting down in front of the chair her mother always used to sit in while she was mending another of Seulgi’s pants that she’d managed to rip by being too reckless, or telling her a story about the magic of the forest. She missed her mother.
Usually she was too focused on moving forward to look back and think about her, or at least that was the excuse she always gave herself. In truth, she never let herself think about her mother. Grief made her weak and she couldn't afford to be weak. Rubbing at her eyes she took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She didn’t know what she was supposed to be doing here. The Magician had taken her home deliberately to hear that conversation Dongwook was having, but why had she been brought here? Was this just another torment?

The last time she was here, her mother was already here waiting for her. This time the cabin was quiet and empty. It didn’t feel right without the warm presence of her mother pottering around, cooking, or grinding herbs. Gently scolding her for tracking dirt in the house, or coming in late. The memory of her mother from the last trial hadn’t been complete, Seulgi’s mind had already long forgotten the exact features of her mother’s face. They were lost to time just like this cabin she was sitting in.

Something shifted behind her, and a dull thud had her lifting her head to find the source. A book had fallen from one of the handmade shelves on the back wall. Dragging herself back to her feet she walked over to pick it up. It was old, not one that her mother had made but clearly one that she opened a lot. The title on the spine was too faded to read so Seulgi opened the book.

‘A Guide to the Realm of Spirits’

It was a spiritual guide to the afterlife, and the realm of the dead. Taking it over to the chair she sat down, flipping through the book until she reached a section labeled ‘Summoning Spirits’. This was a subsection of necromancy, not the one that Seulgi wanted to master but it was still death magic. She’d never successfully managed death magic before, but she’d also not been blessed by the Blood Moons before either. If this book had fallen then there was a reason for it, and maybe Seulgi could use a mother just for a little while. It was that selfish desire to just be held in the safety of her arms again that convinced her to read over the section until she was sure she knew what it wanted her to do.

Being a direct relation to the spirit she wanted she didn’t need any other components to the spell, just her own magic and the hope it was strong enough now to accomplish something she’d never done before. Sitting down on the floor she set the book in front of her, taking a deep breath and as she exhaled she envisioned herself reaching out, through the fabric of the physical world and into what lay beyond it.

An unnatural coldness started at the tips of her fingers and began to creep slowly up her arm until her entire body was cold like she had been cast out into the snow. It was almost painful but she pushed past it, focusing on what she was looking for; on who she was looking for. She could hear whispers skittering through her mind, memories being tugged, trying to catch her attention but she shook them off. She had come here for her mother, not the ghosts locked in her past.

A sudden and intense fury hit her like a tidal wave and it nearly broke her concentration. It tasted like acid in and the enraged howling of an animal threatened to deafen her but she refused to open her eyes and acknowledge it. She couldn’t. If she opened her eyes now she would never reach her mother. The anger slowly began to fade when she didn’t acknowledge it and finally, finally, she felt something warm, sweet as honey, and the scent of pine and soil. Relaxing she opened her eyes and breathed out a gasp of shock when she saw her mother standing in front of her in the cabin.

She had done it. She had found her spirit, but she had thought she would only be bringing a spirit back. Seulgi’s mother looked alive. She looked solid. There was a flush on her cheeks, a light in her eyes, and an impossibly warm smile on her lips.

“My little fox, all grown up.” The woman spoke with a fondness that Seulgi could never remember being directed at her before. It was so deep, unshakable, and before she knew it she was being swept up in a hug that was just as warm as she’d always imagined it would be.

“Mom..” she breathed the single word, her eyes welling up with tears as she clung to her mother tightly. She hated crying, and this was no exception but she just couldn’t stop it. Knowing that she had lost Dongwook… No, the realization that she had never had him to begin with had already been too much for her, but now her mother was right there and for a second Seulgi let her walls crumble to dust.

“Oh baby, you’ve been through so much.” Her mother whispered, hugging her tighter as Seulgi cried. “What can I do?”

“N-nothing, there’s nothing…” Seulgi shook her head, pulling away from her mother reluctantly to brush the tears away. She wanted so badly to just sink back into her mother’s arms and let herself cry until the tears ran out, but she knew she would never have that luxury again, especially not now in the middle of a demon’s trial.
“You’re allowed to cry my love, your heart is hurting. It’s okay to let yourself feel.” Her mother’s voice was soothing, and it was tempting but even the gentle touch on her arm wasn’t enough for Seulgi to give in again.
“No, I’m not. I don’t need to feel, not for him, not for anyone. It was stupid to give him this much power over me to begin with. I knew better.” She spat out the words like they were poison in , shaking her head and stepping further away from the comfort of her mother. Closing herself off again, and this time she wouldn’t make the mistake of trusting someone. She had known she was being stupid when she started to let him in, and she had been right. She was always right. People would only ever hurt her.

“Little fox,” her mother sighed, looking resigned and she walked over to sit down in her seat, waiting until Seulgi sat down on the ground in front of her before she spoke again. “I have watched you struggle for so long. I’ve seen your angel, I don’t know the truth of his heart but I know the truth of yours.” She began, slowly reaching out and when Seulgi didn’t pull away her fingers combed through her long, dark hair in a gentle rhythm, coaxing Seulgi to relax again by slow degrees. “Your father was not always such a cruel man. When I first met him he was just a poor boy with wild dreams, promising me a beautiful future of jewels and riches. I didn’t care about money, but I loved him and he loved me. He worked so hard trying to give me the future that he promised me, and as his wealth grew his heart shrank. He began to care more about his money than me, or the life we were supposed to have together. He did things that the boy he used to be would have been appalled by; hurting people, cheating them, even killing them. He was so focused on more, never happy with what he had, always demanding. When I left him he was furious, he blamed me and tried to tear me down, to hurt me, but there was nothing left of the man I loved, and his words couldn’t reach me anymore. Power is lonely Seulgi, especially when it’s gained at the expense of others. Shutting people out might make you more powerful, but it will never make you stronger. Your father was a weak man with all the power he ever wanted, and he died a weak man and his power meant nothing in the end.”

(part 3)

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Keikeu 1 month ago
Gimme me Kohei Higuchi as a cyborg pls
studentofmagic 1 month ago
can i please reserve giselle as human?
JungHyunki23 [A] 1 month ago
In Effect as of 9/25/24

We appreciate your application to the Ivory of the Mist community.

Until further notice, we are currently not accepting any more Demons, Wolves, Vampires, Kistune, Hybrids, or Shapeshifters due to the imbalance of races. We are currently seeking Angel, Humans/Mages,Dragons, Ghouls, Merfolk, Fairies, and Cyborgs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Once the population in the 12 Kingdoms is balanced, we encourage you to reapply for your desired race.

Kind regards, King Namvo
Keikeu 2 months ago
Hallo, everyone. Long time no see :)
higuruma 2 months ago
heya! can i reserve kim yerim pls?
direraven 2 months ago
can i request lee taemin as merfolk please?
bvbbles 2 months ago
Can I please have Ok Taecyeon as a vampire?
Keepyouwarm 2 months ago
is it possible to get Choi Seunghyun as he is before ( a demon)? Thank you
direraven 3 months ago
can i reserve hongjoong as my second please?
SeHYUNG 3 months ago
Been eyeing this place for a bit. I checked the wishlist, but it seems pretty dated. Any updated wishes? Male muses pref.
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