APPLICANT #15

the exiled deity, kim jieun

Death is everywhere. When it started, she did not expect anything to turn out this way. She feels alone in this field, surrounded by corpses – there are too many to count. Some of them are still moving, hoping to survive despite the poison filling their lungs. She remains as the only one human of an army. Human? No, she is not. Her holy blood is the only reason she is still standing. She looks around her, knowing already that the small hope she has is vain. Blue banners, red banners, green banners – torn reminders of what used to be armies lay on the ground, blood tainting as red as the phoenix carved on her armor. She wipes her dirty hand on her shoulder. It is too late to go back now. She wants to scream. So many lives lost for the sake of a dirty war. She raises her head to the sky, glaring with all her strength, hoping for the Gods to see her. She has been sent to protect – what could she protect now? If the Gods are not playing fair, what comfort can she provide to the troops? As the Luce army lays dead around her, her resolve gets stronger. Her blue eyes stare at the catapult in front of her, next to it is the deadly weapon. She takes a few step, her hand gripping at her hammer. It is time to put this battle to an end. Her blond hair swirls in the hair as she takes a moment to gather her strength. The hammer flies in the air until it hits the catapult in a devastating blow. There is a big explosion and what remains of the weapon is only broken glass and dust. She feels her link with the Gods break. Fire surrounds her, she accepts her punishment without fighting. She is too tired; she does not care anymore. Her eyes close – and she is no more. 

It had been a while since she had stepped a foot in the white city. She had managed to avoid it for many years and Noir had been very adamant when she was living with him: they would not come close to the city at any cost. Now she had her memories back, she firmly believed there was still some resentment for the Goddess in the mischievous man. Despite having been pushed away from the main godly affairs, he had been forced to take part into a war he did not want. She knew he liked when things were going wrong – but that was when he was the one at the origin of the troubles. He had barely any role in the past war, contrary to what had been told in legends. And because of this war, he had almost lost the one he considered as a daughter. In some way, Jieun resented Lucie as well, so after she got her memories back, she stayed close to her so-called father’s territory.

Seeing the city of Lucia now – and in such circumstances – was something she had not thought would happen. Besides, she needed to be careful. She knew of the Goddess’ affection for the city and she liked watching the inhabitants’ lives. The blond girl did not want to think of what could happen if the Goddess as to notice her presence.

What can she do anyway? She would be too busy thinking about her precious city, the girl thought with a sigh.

After a few minutes of walking, she arrived at a large square. People were walking, children were playing and running around, which made her smile. At least, she felt happy to know that those children had grown up without the threat of a war. They all seemed carefree and joyful, even the adults working were like this. They smiled at each other, threw a joke or two while selling their goods. Jieun chuckled at the sight of young boys playing tag with loud laughter, catching the attention of passerby who stopped their morning routine to watch them play. The woman felt a sudden peace at the situation until her eyes caught sight of the place she was at. A gush of wind made her green cloak rustle as she took the imposing building in front of her. She frowned. The Church of Light. It seemed that work had been done after the war for it was bigger than she remembered it to be. Had Lucie ordered for it or was it the new King’s tribute to the Goddess who protected their city after the war? It felt bitter. She had been the one to fight to protect them in a game Lucie had helped to create. But yet again, legends have always twisted the truth, have they not?

Legends… and priests.

She turned her head to the left, finally catching sight of what she was searching for. The white castle was dominating the city and all could see its riches from here. High towers, high trees betraying a rich garden – it was a haven of riches and nobility in an otherwise ordinary city. Though despite that, Jieun had to say that the King had taken great care of his people after the war, making the city blossom into a haven of its own – a haven of prosperity. Her legs moved on their own, making her go towards the castle without being able to stop. She walked for a good thirty minutes until she almost reached the gates – and her legs stopped.

A noise in a nearby alley caught her attention. She stepped closer, hoping to hear what was happening and maybe to help. She stared as men were cornering a lone man, covered in white clothes. Jieun noticed with a groan that the man was wearing the clothes of the Disciples of the Light, the followers of Lucia and priests-in-training. The hammer vibrated in her hand, making her move closer. The tan-skinned man was only a boy, eighteen at most. For a split second, he looked at her, hazelnut eyes uncertain. Her blue eyes shone under the light and she felt her body move on its own.

She was getting closer and this priest would be her entry to the castle.   

upperclass themes 2014 ©