Kauri the treachery of demons is nothing compared to the betrayal of an angel
Two little paws paddled away at the water before them, and the innocent eyes behind the motion searched deeply into the ripples. A squeak sounded from the canine’s mouth, obviously disgruntled. While scanning the area around him, Kauri eyed his noisy companion. He knew what the fennec was looking for; sadly, it would never be found. No hint of the afterlife touched these waters, though certainly did sorrow.
Devastation had found its power. The land meters before him reeking of grief. Violets gleamed through mask’s sockets as his gaze fell onto the building resting southward of this lake. A cesspool—that is what he saw of the castle. Despaired souls overseen by fools with crowns. He always kept his distance from these "hearts" of claimed lands. Those folks back upon his homeworld that endured negligence and abandonment from the monarchs. Overcrowded streets piled with diseased corpses, and yet they breathe in the filth, consume the rubbish fed to them—it sickened him. His blood began to boil as memories reminded him of the corruption.
However, as he stared at this castle, the bitterness and sickness started to subside.
The past seeped into the present, but this was not the earth he once walked—the one in which died beneath greedy sands, depraved rulers, and despondent divinities. No, all this is different... worthy. Nose pressed into Naiosé’s scrawny body as he pulls the fennec’s attention away from the lake. Kauri lifted his companion onto his back, and quickly did he feel him wiggle into the locks of his mane.
Winter has now taken the winds and blew its chilling kiss. His body wept for warmth, but nature here seemed willing to reap even the desert of that. Only was that blizzard proof he could not fill in this hole within his heart and replace what he had known with something that would simply mock it. And so, he was gone. Gone from the demons that brought agony and pain, yet guilt remains with its fangs bared.
Nostrils flared as he took a deep breath and stepped into the castle. Blood assaulted his nose, and his eyes greeted by the sight of destruction. While he surveyed the damage, he gave a sigh of disappointment. Not toward the people of this court but to the gods. What trust could he have for them as they seem to care not for the disasters that have struck? If only, if only.
He picked through the debris and peered into every opening as he searched for any souls. Embracing the silence that lingered the streets, his attention snapped toward the sound of a voice. He paused and listened. His head tilted from uncertainty. The words he hears... his mind considered them hollow. It did not want to believe; he was in disbelief. Kauri crept forward once hearing what he thought to be illusive within his life. Were the pieces still there?
Coming close to a crowd, he ceased his inspection and slowed his steps. Ears were pricked, but his head was low as to not be seen. Naiosé played along as he blanketed himself more with the stallion’s hair. Kauri listened and observed more of what has come from the meeting so far. The slight honeyed taste of hope he has long since forgotten. Nearly did he choke on the sweetness.
The soot within his chest plastered his throat and then his mouth. He would not open his mouth; he could not. This mention of freedom, dreams, purpose. What could be done of his chains from guilt, and this desire for death and reconnection? Without Mother, could he become more than just a ghoul behind tired eyes? What could he give to these people that were wronged by devastation?
Show me what I refuse to see.
An outsider looking in, Kauri mused within the shadows far behind the crowd. He would remain silent as he appraised the thoughts that ran through his mind. His senses taking in the energy flowing through the atmosphere.
