Trials

The elven bloodline is one of purity and regulation. To outsiders, the elven kind are known as self-righteous and prideful, but in rebuttal, the elves also believe that outsiders lack discipline and moral fortitude. The people of the elven nation of Quvinost were no different, and were even considered among their cousins as a regimented, militaristic clan who found more beauty in combat than in the nature around them. Among this nation, the children of the royal families were required by law to elect a son from each family at the age of ten to represent their name, signet and stature in Qu'Shu army. This was an incredible responsibility for the child elected, however it was law and therefore mandatory. In the family of Vyk'dal, there was only one son, a bastard half-breed known as Athedius. Athedius was an anxious and scrupulous child. The oldest of his siblings, he was forced to age quickly in order to prepare for the life of a soldier. His father was a renown general who was also known more for his strict and often unorthodox methods of training. For instances, the trials of inception into the Army only required the child to be proficient with two weapons, but Athedius' father required him to be familiar with every weapon even when Athedius lacked the finesse for some. At the age of four, Athedius was old enough to hold a sword, and thus his training began. The harshness of his father was unlike any other, for his father was ashamed of his tainted bloodline, but he also refused to let Athedius settle into his racial differences. During the morning hours, Athedius was taught to think in military tactics, routines and to always question those around you. Six years had passed since the first day of training, and Athedius had grown into a finely tuned soldier. The trials were upon the families, and Athedius stepped forward with quivering hands, shivering at the noise and attention. As he approached the entrance to the Halls of War, his father stood at the gates in legendary battle armor that shone with brilliance of unquenchable fire. Athedius felt his body stiffen as he stepped closer to the gates, deeper into his father's gaze. Standing at the gates, his father looked at him with swirling blue eyes that were stern and aged, hardened by war. Athedius bowed his head, in respect, in fear. At that moment, a firm gripalmost seemed to crush Athedius' shoulder, and another hand lifted his head gently to meet his father's eyes. Their eyes locked, and Athedius saw the stiff, emotionless face of father ease into a soft, subtle smile which quickly fell from his face to give way to these words that still ring in Athedius' ears today: "Listen to your heart and always lean into the Light, for the darkness is all around us and this will be your strongest weapon." With those words, the horns blared and Athedius was thrown into the trials of passage.