I won this baby in a contest, for writing the story below about him just by gazing at his picture. I'm so excited! I managed to poop it out in under 30 minutes! Art and species by Chioky, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Noctis/character ©  sevelliara

Story:

The war in the Heavens rages on, as I lay breathless in these wretched hollow grounds where those whom I considered compatriots, writhe and wither beside me. Some dying, others screaming, begging for release from the agony of their injuries, or from the loss of their loved ones. All cries ended eventually, through ragged choked breaths of their bodies giving way, or of that of an enemy’s blade piercing their chests.

Where did everything go so wrong? This burning sensation within me I felt during combat, this pride and confidence---no, this arrogance… It led me here. I had believed myself better than them, better than all of them, but look at me now. I am defeated… I am broken.

I try to lift my arm to reach my sword, but nothing remain but a bloody stump. I touch at the spot with my remaining hand, then trail it up along my shoulder. A gasp of pure shock escaped through my dry and blistered lips. My wing… My precious way home, it was lost. Tears begin to stream down my cold and pallid face as a mix of anger and sorrow brim in my chest, like a sweltering swarm of ravenous crows.

With this realization, I allow my breathing to turn shallow, and my eyes to close it utter defeat. I must accept my fate. I will die, consumed with a pride of my own skill which ultimately lead to my downfall. I was bred for this… Since the moment of my birth and release from my capsuled womb, I was made for battle. I exceeded my friends, surpassed my family and rose to the highest ranks. I was made for war---but now I was nothing.

My lip twitches, a small trail of blood dripping from the corner of my mouth. I openly welcomed my end. If I could not be the best, if I could not slay and defeat my enemy, I surely deserved to die. The skies begins to darken overhead, the battle that had been raging for hours had dwindled down to nothing more than foolhardy stragglers.

One of my comrades fell with a sickening crunch beside me. I turn to gaze at him, listening to his ragged breaths, and watching the light leave his eyes. Silence, everything was silent. I too close my eyes, and as I gave my last breath, I greeted death as if he were an old and dear friend. Still. All was still.

No…

NO.

A monstrous roar escaped my throat, my body lifting with a savage and ungodly force. I hover ever so slightly off the ground, my breathing ragged and the breath that escaped my lungs, turned the air to frost. My eyes burst open, emitting and eerie blue glow. The fist that remained, clenched and my teeth grit as my form was wracked with an unbridled rage. I was made to war, I was the best. I will take vengeance upon my enemy, I will show them-- I will show all of them all!

I land lightly on the ground and survey the fallen, wandering to the corpses that lay scattered at my feet. I bend and gingerly stroke one’s hair, and in doing so, pulled his soul from his being. The soul floated toward my tail, encasing itself within the lantern esque form culminating at the tip.

My eyes narrow and I stare up at the stars. I will scavenge these hallowed grounds, gathering the souls of the fallen. I will gain back my power and you will see…. You will all see...