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Description
Name: Ethereon
Age: 48 Acidwing years
Species: Acidwing
Sex: Male
Height: 6'3"
Occupation: Royal Patriarch
Sexuality: Straight

Ethereon was the oldest of two brothers born into the royal family, the younger one, who's name was Claridon, having passed away shortly after birth. This made Ethereon the immediate uncontested prince of the Acidwing kingdom, a role in which he seemed born to play from a young age. Both his parents had remarked how calm and dedicated the small pup was, even during playtime with the maids.

The prince grew up in a mildly overbearing environment, his royal highness being tended to from dusk till dawn. Even during late-night awakenings when he couldn't sleep, someone from the royal estuary was taking care of him. Despite all his luxuries, Ethereon remained humble, grateful, and happy.

Years passed, and the prince was budding into a lovely young teen. It was during this time that Ethereon's father approved of a year's worth of public schooling amongst the commoners of the kingdom. He deemed this would teach the young prince about novelty and getting to know his people.

It was there in the school meadow that Ethereon came across a miserable black Acidwing who was being berated by a couple of hooligans from his age group. These males seemed overly confident due to their desireable markings and flashy colors. Suddenly angered, the prince stomped over to the commotion and raised his head, the golden antlers on his head glinting in the sunlight.

"Hey, why don't you leave him alone, you miscreants?" he bellowed, using the air in his chest to sound louder than he was.

He placed a paw on the lanky black Acidwing's shoulder, sharing a reassuring glance with him, before turning back to look at the group of males, who now seemed meek in comparison.

"You heard me," he continued, firm, "leave him alone. I won't have bullying in my kingdom!"

The group of males had scuttled away, tails between their legs. A loud caw of laughter eminated from below. The ashy teen turned around and smiled at the prince, amber eyes bright and relieved.

"Thank you!" he had then boomed, ecstatic, "Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before! I'm Asmodeus, by the way."

"It's a pleasure, Asmodeus," Ethereon replied, "I'm Ethereon. I'll make sure those big jerks don't tease you anymore. My father raised me to protect my people, and you seem like you could use a friend!"

And friends they would become! Ethereon grew to love Asmodeus like a brother, the remnants of what could have been if his own sibling Claridon had survived all those moons ago. The pair went everywhere together, bound at the hip, enjoying one another's company throughout that warm spring. Even during hardships, like when Asmodeus's mother died due to pneumonia, Ethereon never left his best friend's side.

They had shared many secrets together, and knowing of Asmodeus's past, perhaps Ethereon should've known to predict a spurt of confusion and loss, or perhaps managed it second-handedly in a more appropriate way. The prince watched as his brother pushed him away, inaugurating himself into a crowd of hoodlums who would vandalize property and cause grief amongst the kingdom. Ethereon, despite his efforts to prevent such behavior, would not succeed in quelling this demon growing inside his best friend.

During their falling out, Ethereon was called back to the royal tree where his parents would officially corronate him as king of the Acidwings. Even though this was meant to be a happy occasion, the new king felt saddened. What would become of Asmodeus, now that they lived two very separate lives?

One blustery autumn day, humid rain pitter-pattering on the yellow leaves above his head, Ethereon glanced over the kingdom from the royal balcony, his paws tracing the carefully-etched wood of the railing, and sighed. He knew not where his friend was, or how the other teens from his age group were doing. He never understood why he felt so alone, even when the whole of Briarwood now bowed before him.

Then, as if by magic, Ethereon noticed some rustling in the canopy a few paces in front of him. He peered over the railing, eyes squinted, before he saw what had been making such a fuss.

Perched on a branch, eyes closed, muzzle pointed up to face the rain, was the most beautiful Acidwing Ethereon had ever laid eyes on. Her feathers were the shade of waning dusk, a whispering violet figure gently catching rain drops on her alabaster tongue. The king was starstruck almost immediately, his maw falling open in awe. He must've made a noise of some sort, because the female turned her head to look at him, confused. She noticed where he was standing, ocean-blue eyes flicking up to look at his golden antlers. She blinked once, long lashes fluttering, before placing a dainty paw over her mouth and giggling.

Ethereon sputtered, smoothing out his now rumpled feathers. He figured he'd call out to her, even though she seemed rather far away.

"Hey, you there!" he boomed, voice echoing through the branches. "Y-You could catch cold out here, flying in this weather!"

She tilted her head, smiling. "Perhaps, king! But I love the rain, always have. Can't say the same for you, though!" she joked, voice like silk.

Ethereon blinked once, noticing that he had leaned over the railing to the point where the leaves no longer protected his feathers from the afternoon shower. The fluff on his head was entirely soaked, making him look like a wet parrot. The king squawked, shaking the dampness from his cranium violently.

He could hear the laughter from the lovely female again, her soft trickle of a voice caressing the air around him. He sighed, glancing across the trees to look at her again.

"Well, uh... would you perhaps be interested in enjoying this weather from my balcony? It's less dangerous, and warmer too!" he sung out to her, infatuation heavy in his voice.

The female raised a brow, chuckling to herself.

"Is that an offer of courtship, your highness?" she called out to him, playful smile teasing her cheeks.

Ethereon's feathers rumpled up once more, his demeanor suddenly bashful.

"I-I.. uh..." he managed, scoffing at his inability to speak all of the sudden.

"Maybe I'll take you up on that someday, then," she laughed flirtatiously, batting her sky blue eyes at him before crouching down and whisking herself away into the undergrowth.

Ethereon let out a sound of protest, jutting his neck out, searching for the mysterious female who just stole his heart.

"W-Wait!" the king shouted after her, frantic. "What's your name?!"

A moment of silence passed, nothing but the gentle splatter of rain above his head, dripping down his antlers.

"Thyra," a distant reply echoed, the sound of her voice a lullaby that Ethereon would never forget.

The king nearly fell back into the tree trunk behind him, clutching his heart with a paw.

"Thyra..." he repeated dreamily, hazel eyes droopy and wistful. "Wow."

The next few months were a blur of chasing after stunning evening feathers and fetching the most exotic flowers, enjoying the rain together, and finally, when Thyra had stopped pretending as if she didn't find the king's affections for her endearing, Ethereon danced for her, a proclamation of love so strong, that she could no longer resist him. They came together that night for the very first time, two as one, binding one another through courtship. Ethereon took Thyra as his mate, promising to love her until the day he died.

It wasn't until about a week later, that Ethereon learned of Thyra's abilities. She was one of the very few Acidwings in the kingdom to possess a skill known as "Summoning," an ancient magic born of the earth that allows an individual to harness the energy of the universe. The new queen had joked, chuckling to herself that she had only been able to make flowers bloom and wounds heal more quickly. Ethereon was stunned, holding his mate in his arms and telling her how wonderful she was. Thyra leaned into his embrace.

"Dork," she had sighed, nuzzling her mate and appreciating his presence.

Together, the pair brought a daughter into their world, a future queen whom Thyra would name Corrosion. The kingdom celebrated all night following Corrosion's ceremony of life. Ethereon looked out past the balcony, eyes soft, smile wide on his face. He glanced down at the tiny ball of purple fluff in his arms, her big emerald eyes blinking up at him excitedly.

"My dear daughter," he crooned down at her, "you look just like your mother, so beautiful."

He paused, a moment of anguish washing over him. The king longed to share this blessing with his best friend, his brother, a face he hadn't seen for years now. Ethereon wondered where Asmodeus had gone, or what he was doing. If only they could've remained as close as they had been. The king knew he would've showered that Acidwing with all the love he could muster, letting his friend know that he was worth something, that he had a purpose.

"If only..." Ethereon breathed, shaking his head free of negative thoughts and focusing back down at his new daughter, the princess of the kingdom.

In a way, Ethereon's questions were answered that horrific night. In the silence of his chambers, he felt safe, holding his mate in his arms, their daughter nuzzled in a cot beside their nest. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the kindgom. Ethereon and Thyra shot out of their bed, panicked. Outside was abruptly alight with roars of pain and snapping fangs, bodies falling to the ground with a thud. Ethereon was already on his feet when one of his soldiers rushed into his room, arm seeping with crimson blood.

"Your highness, it's the black Acidwings! They're rushing the tree! T-There's hundreds of them! I don't know if we can hold them off!"

Thyra let out a sharp gasp, running over to Corrosion and shielding her cot with her wings.

"Black Acidwings?!" Ethereon repeated, unsheathing his claws. "Who's leading them?"

The soldier shuddered, weak from blood loss.

"He calls himself the 'Black King,' sir... I'm sorry... I think it's your old friend... Asmodeus."

The world seemed to tilt on its hinges for a moment, Ethereon in a state of complete disbelief. The screams of pain seemed distant all of the sudden. Asmodeus, the one he called brother, the one he wished more than anything he could've shared all of this with... it couldn't be.

The king shook his head, flinging himself back into reality.

"Rally the guards!" he bellowed, "Those Acidwings will not make it up to these chambers, do you hear me? Now go!"

The soldier nodded his head quickly, rushing out of the room and back into the chaos below. Ethereon whirled around, glancing at his mate, who was now suddenly so small and afraid. He raced over to her, placing a slow kiss on her forehead.

"My dear, I promised I would always protect you. I will keep that promise today. Stay here with Corrosion, keep yourself hidden, and I will join my people in battle."

"N-No! Please Ethereon, you can't go out there! You could be killed!" Thyra weeped back, her once sing-song voice rife with fear.

"It is my duty, Thyra," he told her softly, caressing his mate's cheek. She leaned into his touch with a gentle sob. They met eyes for a moment, the stagnating air suffocating with fate's unavoidable chokehold.

"Be careful," the queen pleaded him, tears falling down her face.

"I'll try my best for you, my love," Ethereon whispered, holding back his own cries, before whisking out of his chambers and into the dimly-moonlit hollow.

The king glided through the tree's narrow corridors, using his claws to grapple around corners. His eyes were alight with the flame of battle. If it really was true, that it had been Asmodeus who had begun this war, it would be Ethereon who would put a stop to the one he once called brother.

He arrived at the bottom of the royal tree, where the brunt of the fight was raging on. His soldier had been right. Hundreds of black Acidwings gathered in the gully, their sharp hisses resonating through the undergrowth. They were everywhere, their midnight pelts making them almost invisible between the shadowy tendrils of nightfall. Some of his people had already fallen, their lifeless bodies hunched over and sightless, eyes gaping at nothingness.

Thankfully, some of the inky Acidwings had been restrained with strong vines by the remaining soldiers, their paws tied behind them, flight feathers broken and torn off. One of them, a small female with a crooked jaw and narrowed green eyes caught the king's attention. He strode over to her, teeth bared, and snarled down at her.

"Where is your leader, traitor?" the king glowered, enraged at the state of his kingdom.

How could these.. these BEASTS do such a thing? What had encouraged them to perform such heinous acts upon their citizens, the place they called home?

The female sniggered, using her shoulder to wipe away blood pooling from a tooth that had been knocked loose.

"The Black King is performing his magic wherever he must be, of course," she rasped back, her voice low and ice cold. "Perhaps the question you should be asking yourself is... where's your cute little mate, hmm? What's she up to?"

Ethereon paused for a moment, gaping at this tiny creature who spoke with so little regard for him.

"She's safe, vermin," he retorted, still furious.

The black Acidwing's maw curled back in a crooked, menacing smile. It sent chills down Ethereon's spine, the feathers on his back standing on end.

"Think again," she whispered, chuckling horrifically.

The king didn't even let that vile creature finish her sentence. All at once, his lumbering body was hurling itself up the tree, his claws a flurry of grappling hooks as he launched himself through the hollows and towards his chamber. Was his mate in danger? What did that awful Acidwing mean? He didn't stop to find out.

"One more corner," he gasped to himself, flinging his form around the nook, breaking through the entrance to his chamber and glancing around frantically for Thyra.

The first thing he saw made his blood run cold.

A tall inky figure loomed in the middle of the room, horns long and hooked, feathers ragged from battle, eyes red like a blood moon in winter. He saw Ethereon and chuckled, a dark chilling sound that filled the room. Beneath his paws, a crumpled figure lay motionless in a ball, beautiful violet feathers that were all too familiar, coated with crimson blood. Ethereon's knees almost gave out as he locked eyes with the intruder, his whole world suddenly falling apart before him.

"Hello, Ethereon," the black shadow snarled, a voice that had once brought the king great joy and comfort. It was so strange to him now, so foreign.

The king paused, feeling a sickening shudder jolt down his spine. He felt as if he might vomit.

"A... Asmodeus..?" was all Ethereon could muster, his voice caught in his lungs.

The unfamiliar creature laughed, a broken sound that seemed unnatural coming out of his throat.

"Perhaps I was called that once," he responded gently, his icy ting-tang of a voice eerily calm. "You may now call me...King."

Asmodeus cackled, crazed, before getting down on all fours and whisking himself out the chamber window, black wings snagging the air as he sailed into the night.

Ethereon shuddered and raced over to the body on the floor. He touched her feathers, which were now damp and heavy with her own blood. The king began to shake, placing a trembling paw on her shoulder and moving her around to face him.

It was just as he dreaded. It was Thyra, his beautiful mate, who Asmodeus had harmed in this way. There was a gash on her neck that was still profusely bleeding. Another wound wrapped itself around her midsection like a red tendril. Her weak blue eyes slowly opened, fluttering up to look at him. Oh, thank the ancestors, she was alive!

"M-My love," Ethereon weeped, holding her as close as he could to his body, keeping her warm, "What d-did that brute do to you?"

Thyra coughed, an awful wet sound that indicated there was blood in her lungs. Ethereon shuddered again.

𝘚𝘩𝘦... 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, Ethereon told himself over and over, looking at his mate, who's eyes seemed suddenly so at ease.

"Ethereon..." Thyra wheezed, placing her weak head on his chest, "C-Corrosion... she..."

The king's veins suddenly felt so cold.

"N-No..." he quaked, a shocked tear falling from his face. "Did Asmodeus-"

Thyra took his paw in hers, using the strength she could muster to shake her head.

"Corrosion... there..." the queen breathed, extending a shivering limb and pointing in the direction of one of their wooden tables. She was gesturing beneath it. For a moment, Ethereon saw nothing but the swirling patterns of the chamber flooring. Suddenly, all at once, a strange force seemed to lift away, revealing Corrosion's cot where the small princess was crying, her tiny paws flailing in the air for someone to hold her.

The king gasped gently, clutching his chest.

Thyra had used her powers to conceal their daughter behind a veil of illusion, the most powerful thing the queen had ever managed to do with her abilities.

"You..." Ethereon tried saying, "You saved her."

Thyra coughed again, this time much more urgently. Ethereon weeped and held her closer, bringing her head into his chest again.

"Shh... I'm here, my love," he cried again, "I'm here."

"I-I.... l-love you, so much..." Thyra managed through bubbling teeth, blood now dripping from her mouth. Ethereon's body began wracking itself with devastated sobs.

"I love you too," he breathed back.

His mate died in his arms that night, her wounded body too weak to fight any longer. Ethereon had reluctantly left her body to tend to his daughter, who was scared and hungry, confused as to why so much negative energy filled the room. The king had looked down at the tiny princess, nuzzling her with tears in his eyes, promising he would never let anything happen to her. Even though his people had overcome adversity and won the battle, the victory was nothing more than bittersweet. That night was hard, soldiers and citizens alike cleaning up the mess that the black Acidwings had created in his kingdom. After hundreds of burials, including Thyra's, Ethereon decreed that any and all black-pelted Acidwings, even the innocent ones who hadn't participated in the war, would be exhiled from Briarwood. It was with a heavy heart that he comprised small pups within this decree, ones born into the kingdom would be immediately abandoned in the woods.

The king even managed to get in contact with a neighboring tribe from Pinefall Forest, posing a question of alliance to their leader. He claimed they would be stronger in numbers together, in case the black Acidwings ever decided to come back for revenge. They were called Zeowolves, and eventually inaugurated themselves into the kingdom for safety.

A new term began circling the kingdom following the weeks of the devastating battle. The people of Briarwood began calling the black Acidwings "Deathwings," coining the murders that occurred just hours following the princess's birth.

Ethereon watched his daughter grow up, his heart still heavy, promise still fresh in his mind, knowing that as long as he lived, he would never let another tainted soul harm his beautiful daughter. Each and every day that passed, Corrosion began to look more and more like her mother. This made the king happy, watching the princess blossom into a stunning young adult.

And as for Asmodeus? Ethereon still has no idea where the murderous tyrant fled with his people, or how he could even possibly begin to live with the atrocities he commited that night. The king still blocks out memories of the adventures the pair once shared together, the bond that they possessed all those years ago. Asmodeus was nothing more than a claim to be staked, that perhaps one day, Ethereon may evoke justice for all the losses within his kingdom, and the losses within himself.

But then... why is it that the old king still finds it within himself to miss his brother..?

~~~~

I need to stop doing this. Look at that novel. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?

Anyways, yeah! I finally got around to finishing Ethereon, the great king! I've talked about him so much in my bios but I never actually got around to drawing him. Welp, here he is in all his royal glory! I'll eventually have a ref sheet done up for Thyra (if I'm not crying writing her backstory, of course) but for now, have a king boi.

(Characters mentioned below) (A map of Brighthaven)

Description
Name: Ethereon
Age: 48 Acidwing years
Species: Acidwing
Sex: Male
Height: 6'3"
Occupation: Royal Patriarch
Sexuality: Straight

Ethereon was the oldest of two brothers born into the royal family, the younger one, who's name was Claridon, having passed away shortly after birth. This made Ethereon the immediate uncontested prince of the Acidwing kingdom, a role in which he seemed born to play from a young age. Both his parents had remarked how calm and dedicated the small pup was, even during playtime with the maids.

The prince grew up in a mildly overbearing environment, his royal highness being tended to from dusk till dawn. Even during late-night awakenings when he couldn't sleep, someone from the royal estuary was taking care of him. Despite all his luxuries, Ethereon remained humble, grateful, and happy.

Years passed, and the prince was budding into a lovely young teen. It was during this time that Ethereon's father approved of a year's worth of public schooling amongst the commoners of the kingdom. He deemed this would teach the young prince about novelty and getting to know his people.

It was there in the school meadow that Ethereon came across a miserable black Acidwing who was being berated by a couple of hooligans from his age group. These males seemed overly confident due to their desireable markings and flashy colors. Suddenly angered, the prince stomped over to the commotion and raised his head, the golden antlers on his head glinting in the sunlight.

"Hey, why don't you leave him alone, you miscreants?" he bellowed, using the air in his chest to sound louder than he was.

He placed a paw on the lanky black Acidwing's shoulder, sharing a reassuring glance with him, before turning back to look at the group of males, who now seemed meek in comparison.

"You heard me," he continued, firm, "leave him alone. I won't have bullying in my kingdom!"

The group of males had scuttled away, tails between their legs. A loud caw of laughter eminated from below. The ashy teen turned around and smiled at the prince, amber eyes bright and relieved.

"Thank you!" he had then boomed, ecstatic, "Nobody has ever done anything like that for me before! I'm Asmodeus, by the way."

"It's a pleasure, Asmodeus," Ethereon replied, "I'm Ethereon. I'll make sure those big jerks don't tease you anymore. My father raised me to protect my people, and you seem like you could use a friend!"

And friends they would become! Ethereon grew to love Asmodeus like a brother, the remnants of what could have been if his own sibling Claridon had survived all those moons ago. The pair went everywhere together, bound at the hip, enjoying one another's company throughout that warm spring. Even during hardships, like when Asmodeus's mother died due to pneumonia, Ethereon never left his best friend's side.

They had shared many secrets together, and knowing of Asmodeus's past, perhaps Ethereon should've known to predict a spurt of confusion and loss, or perhaps managed it second-handedly in a more appropriate way. The prince watched as his brother pushed him away, inaugurating himself into a crowd of hoodlums who would vandalize property and cause grief amongst the kingdom. Ethereon, despite his efforts to prevent such behavior, would not succeed in quelling this demon growing inside his best friend.

During their falling out, Ethereon was called back to the royal tree where his parents would officially corronate him as king of the Acidwings. Even though this was meant to be a happy occasion, the new king felt saddened. What would become of Asmodeus, now that they lived two very separate lives?

One blustery autumn day, humid rain pitter-pattering on the yellow leaves above his head, Ethereon glanced over the kingdom from the royal balcony, his paws tracing the carefully-etched wood of the railing, and sighed. He knew not where his friend was, or how the other teens from his age group were doing. He never understood why he felt so alone, even when the whole of Briarwood now bowed before him.

Then, as if by magic, Ethereon noticed some rustling in the canopy a few paces in front of him. He peered over the railing, eyes squinted, before he saw what had been making such a fuss.

Perched on a branch, eyes closed, muzzle pointed up to face the rain, was the most beautiful Acidwing Ethereon had ever laid eyes on. Her feathers were the shade of waning dusk, a whispering violet figure gently catching rain drops on her alabaster tongue. The king was starstruck almost immediately, his maw falling open in awe. He must've made a noise of some sort, because the female turned her head to look at him, confused. She noticed where he was standing, ocean-blue eyes flicking up to look at his golden antlers. She blinked once, long lashes fluttering, before placing a dainty paw over her mouth and giggling.

Ethereon sputtered, smoothing out his now rumpled feathers. He figured he'd call out to her, even though she seemed rather far away.

"Hey, you there!" he boomed, voice echoing through the branches. "Y-You could catch cold out here, flying in this weather!"

She tilted her head, smiling. "Perhaps, king! But I love the rain, always have. Can't say the same for you, though!" she joked, voice like silk.

Ethereon blinked once, noticing that he had leaned over the railing to the point where the leaves no longer protected his feathers from the afternoon shower. The fluff on his head was entirely soaked, making him look like a wet parrot. The king squawked, shaking the dampness from his cranium violently.

He could hear the laughter from the lovely female again, her soft trickle of a voice caressing the air around him. He sighed, glancing across the trees to look at her again.

"Well, uh... would you perhaps be interested in enjoying this weather from my balcony? It's less dangerous, and warmer too!" he sung out to her, infatuation heavy in his voice.

The female raised a brow, chuckling to herself.

"Is that an offer of courtship, your highness?" she called out to him, playful smile teasing her cheeks.

Ethereon's feathers rumpled up once more, his demeanor suddenly bashful.

"I-I.. uh..." he managed, scoffing at his inability to speak all of the sudden.

"Maybe I'll take you up on that someday, then," she laughed flirtatiously, batting her sky blue eyes at him before crouching down and whisking herself away into the undergrowth.

Ethereon let out a sound of protest, jutting his neck out, searching for the mysterious female who just stole his heart.

"W-Wait!" the king shouted after her, frantic. "What's your name?!"

A moment of silence passed, nothing but the gentle splatter of rain above his head, dripping down his antlers.

"Thyra," a distant reply echoed, the sound of her voice a lullaby that Ethereon would never forget.

The king nearly fell back into the tree trunk behind him, clutching his heart with a paw.

"Thyra..." he repeated dreamily, hazel eyes droopy and wistful. "Wow."

The next few months were a blur of chasing after stunning evening feathers and fetching the most exotic flowers, enjoying the rain together, and finally, when Thyra had stopped pretending as if she didn't find the king's affections for her endearing, Ethereon danced for her, a proclamation of love so strong, that she could no longer resist him. They came together that night for the very first time, two as one, binding one another through courtship. Ethereon took Thyra as his mate, promising to love her until the day he died.

It wasn't until about a week later, that Ethereon learned of Thyra's abilities. She was one of the very few Acidwings in the kingdom to possess a skill known as "Summoning," an ancient magic born of the earth that allows an individual to harness the energy of the universe. The new queen had joked, chuckling to herself that she had only been able to make flowers bloom and wounds heal more quickly. Ethereon was stunned, holding his mate in his arms and telling her how wonderful she was. Thyra leaned into his embrace.

"Dork," she had sighed, nuzzling her mate and appreciating his presence.

Together, the pair brought a daughter into their world, a future queen whom Thyra would name Corrosion. The kingdom celebrated all night following Corrosion's ceremony of life. Ethereon looked out past the balcony, eyes soft, smile wide on his face. He glanced down at the tiny ball of purple fluff in his arms, her big emerald eyes blinking up at him excitedly.

"My dear daughter," he crooned down at her, "you look just like your mother, so beautiful."

He paused, a moment of anguish washing over him. The king longed to share this blessing with his best friend, his brother, a face he hadn't seen for years now. Ethereon wondered where Asmodeus had gone, or what he was doing. If only they could've remained as close as they had been. The king knew he would've showered that Acidwing with all the love he could muster, letting his friend know that he was worth something, that he had a purpose.

"If only..." Ethereon breathed, shaking his head free of negative thoughts and focusing back down at his new daughter, the princess of the kingdom.

In a way, Ethereon's questions were answered that horrific night. In the silence of his chambers, he felt safe, holding his mate in his arms, their daughter nuzzled in a cot beside their nest. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the kindgom. Ethereon and Thyra shot out of their bed, panicked. Outside was abruptly alight with roars of pain and snapping fangs, bodies falling to the ground with a thud. Ethereon was already on his feet when one of his soldiers rushed into his room, arm seeping with crimson blood.

"Your highness, it's the black Acidwings! They're rushing the tree! T-There's hundreds of them! I don't know if we can hold them off!"

Thyra let out a sharp gasp, running over to Corrosion and shielding her cot with her wings.

"Black Acidwings?!" Ethereon repeated, unsheathing his claws. "Who's leading them?"

The soldier shuddered, weak from blood loss.

"He calls himself the 'Black King,' sir... I'm sorry... I think it's your old friend... Asmodeus."

The world seemed to tilt on its hinges for a moment, Ethereon in a state of complete disbelief. The screams of pain seemed distant all of the sudden. Asmodeus, the one he called brother, the one he wished more than anything he could've shared all of this with... it couldn't be.

The king shook his head, flinging himself back into reality.

"Rally the guards!" he bellowed, "Those Acidwings will not make it up to these chambers, do you hear me? Now go!"

The soldier nodded his head quickly, rushing out of the room and back into the chaos below. Ethereon whirled around, glancing at his mate, who was now suddenly so small and afraid. He raced over to her, placing a slow kiss on her forehead.

"My dear, I promised I would always protect you. I will keep that promise today. Stay here with Corrosion, keep yourself hidden, and I will join my people in battle."

"N-No! Please Ethereon, you can't go out there! You could be killed!" Thyra weeped back, her once sing-song voice rife with fear.

"It is my duty, Thyra," he told her softly, caressing his mate's cheek. She leaned into his touch with a gentle sob. They met eyes for a moment, the stagnating air suffocating with fate's unavoidable chokehold.

"Be careful," the queen pleaded him, tears falling down her face.

"I'll try my best for you, my love," Ethereon whispered, holding back his own cries, before whisking out of his chambers and into the dimly-moonlit hollow.

The king glided through the tree's narrow corridors, using his claws to grapple around corners. His eyes were alight with the flame of battle. If it really was true, that it had been Asmodeus who had begun this war, it would be Ethereon who would put a stop to the one he once called brother.

He arrived at the bottom of the royal tree, where the brunt of the fight was raging on. His soldier had been right. Hundreds of black Acidwings gathered in the gully, their sharp hisses resonating through the undergrowth. They were everywhere, their midnight pelts making them almost invisible between the shadowy tendrils of nightfall. Some of his people had already fallen, their lifeless bodies hunched over and sightless, eyes gaping at nothingness.

Thankfully, some of the inky Acidwings had been restrained with strong vines by the remaining soldiers, their paws tied behind them, flight feathers broken and torn off. One of them, a small female with a crooked jaw and narrowed green eyes caught the king's attention. He strode over to her, teeth bared, and snarled down at her.

"Where is your leader, traitor?" the king glowered, enraged at the state of his kingdom.

How could these.. these BEASTS do such a thing? What had encouraged them to perform such heinous acts upon their citizens, the place they called home?

The female sniggered, using her shoulder to wipe away blood pooling from a tooth that had been knocked loose.

"The Black King is performing his magic wherever he must be, of course," she rasped back, her voice low and ice cold. "Perhaps the question you should be asking yourself is... where's your cute little mate, hmm? What's she up to?"

Ethereon paused for a moment, gaping at this tiny creature who spoke with so little regard for him.

"She's safe, vermin," he retorted, still furious.

The black Acidwing's maw curled back in a crooked, menacing smile. It sent chills down Ethereon's spine, the feathers on his back standing on end.

"Think again," she whispered, chuckling horrifically.

The king didn't even let that vile creature finish her sentence. All at once, his lumbering body was hurling itself up the tree, his claws a flurry of grappling hooks as he launched himself through the hollows and towards his chamber. Was his mate in danger? What did that awful Acidwing mean? He didn't stop to find out.

"One more corner," he gasped to himself, flinging his form around the nook, breaking through the entrance to his chamber and glancing around frantically for Thyra.

The first thing he saw made his blood run cold.

A tall inky figure loomed in the middle of the room, horns long and hooked, feathers ragged from battle, eyes red like a blood moon in winter. He saw Ethereon and chuckled, a dark chilling sound that filled the room. Beneath his paws, a crumpled figure lay motionless in a ball, beautiful violet feathers that were all too familiar, coated with crimson blood. Ethereon's knees almost gave out as he locked eyes with the intruder, his whole world suddenly falling apart before him.

"Hello, Ethereon," the black shadow snarled, a voice that had once brought the king great joy and comfort. It was so strange to him now, so foreign.

The king paused, feeling a sickening shudder jolt down his spine. He felt as if he might vomit.

"A... Asmodeus..?" was all Ethereon could muster, his voice caught in his lungs.

The unfamiliar creature laughed, a broken sound that seemed unnatural coming out of his throat.

"Perhaps I was called that once," he responded gently, his icy ting-tang of a voice eerily calm. "You may now call me...King."

Asmodeus cackled, crazed, before getting down on all fours and whisking himself out the chamber window, black wings snagging the air as he sailed into the night.

Ethereon shuddered and raced over to the body on the floor. He touched her feathers, which were now damp and heavy with her own blood. The king began to shake, placing a trembling paw on her shoulder and moving her around to face him.

It was just as he dreaded. It was Thyra, his beautiful mate, who Asmodeus had harmed in this way. There was a gash on her neck that was still profusely bleeding. Another wound wrapped itself around her midsection like a red tendril. Her weak blue eyes slowly opened, fluttering up to look at him. Oh, thank the ancestors, she was alive!

"M-My love," Ethereon weeped, holding her as close as he could to his body, keeping her warm, "What d-did that brute do to you?"

Thyra coughed, an awful wet sound that indicated there was blood in her lungs. Ethereon shuddered again.

𝘚𝘩𝘦... 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, Ethereon told himself over and over, looking at his mate, who's eyes seemed suddenly so at ease.

"Ethereon..." Thyra wheezed, placing her weak head on his chest, "C-Corrosion... she..."

The king's veins suddenly felt so cold.

"N-No..." he quaked, a shocked tear falling from his face. "Did Asmodeus-"

Thyra took his paw in hers, using the strength she could muster to shake her head.

"Corrosion... there..." the queen breathed, extending a shivering limb and pointing in the direction of one of their wooden tables. She was gesturing beneath it. For a moment, Ethereon saw nothing but the swirling patterns of the chamber flooring. Suddenly, all at once, a strange force seemed to lift away, revealing Corrosion's cot where the small princess was crying, her tiny paws flailing in the air for someone to hold her.

The king gasped gently, clutching his chest.

Thyra had used her powers to conceal their daughter behind a veil of illusion, the most powerful thing the queen had ever managed to do with her abilities.

"You..." Ethereon tried saying, "You saved her."

Thyra coughed again, this time much more urgently. Ethereon weeped and held her closer, bringing her head into his chest again.

"Shh... I'm here, my love," he cried again, "I'm here."

"I-I.... l-love you, so much..." Thyra managed through bubbling teeth, blood now dripping from her mouth. Ethereon's body began wracking itself with devastated sobs.

"I love you too," he breathed back.

His mate died in his arms that night, her wounded body too weak to fight any longer. Ethereon had reluctantly left her body to tend to his daughter, who was scared and hungry, confused as to why so much negative energy filled the room. The king had looked down at the tiny princess, nuzzling her with tears in his eyes, promising he would never let anything happen to her. Even though his people had overcome adversity and won the battle, the victory was nothing more than bittersweet. That night was hard, soldiers and citizens alike cleaning up the mess that the black Acidwings had created in his kingdom. After hundreds of burials, including Thyra's, Ethereon decreed that any and all black-pelted Acidwings, even the innocent ones who hadn't participated in the war, would be exhiled from Briarwood. It was with a heavy heart that he comprised small pups within this decree, ones born into the kingdom would be immediately abandoned in the woods.

The king even managed to get in contact with a neighboring tribe from Pinefall Forest, posing a question of alliance to their leader. He claimed they would be stronger in numbers together, in case the black Acidwings ever decided to come back for revenge. They were called Zeowolves, and eventually inaugurated themselves into the kingdom for safety.

A new term began circling the kingdom following the weeks of the devastating battle. The people of Briarwood began calling the black Acidwings "Deathwings," coining the murders that occurred just hours following the princess's birth.

Ethereon watched his daughter grow up, his heart still heavy, promise still fresh in his mind, knowing that as long as he lived, he would never let another tainted soul harm his beautiful daughter. Each and every day that passed, Corrosion began to look more and more like her mother. This made the king happy, watching the princess blossom into a stunning young adult.

And as for Asmodeus? Ethereon still has no idea where the murderous tyrant fled with his people, or how he could even possibly begin to live with the atrocities he commited that night. The king still blocks out memories of the adventures the pair once shared together, the bond that they possessed all those years ago. Asmodeus was nothing more than a claim to be staked, that perhaps one day, Ethereon may evoke justice for all the losses within his kingdom, and the losses within himself.

But then... why is it that the old king still finds it within himself to miss his brother..?

~~~~

I need to stop doing this. Look at that novel. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?

Anyways, yeah! I finally got around to finishing Ethereon, the great king! I've talked about him so much in my bios but I never actually got around to drawing him. Welp, here he is in all his royal glory! I'll eventually have a ref sheet done up for Thyra (if I'm not crying writing her backstory, of course) but for now, have a king boi.

(Characters mentioned below) (A map of Brighthaven)