Hello all, welcome to my newest story! It's of course a Submit Your Own/Original Character story (otherwise abbreviated as SYOC). Honestly, I'm not expecting many submissions simply because I realize this idea is neither fan fiction or entirely original, but I fancy it at the moment so I'm going to write it. Or at least try…

So read the chapter, decide if you're interested or appalled, and then depending on your respective reactions maybe submit.

A blood-curdling war cry tore from my chest as I unleashed my sphere of pulsing magic, arms thrown forward, palms out and facing up.

It barreled and careened into Arkiro, striking him faster than he could cast a ward to protect himself. The force was brutal, sending him back into a wayward spiral that left him spread on the black shiny stones of the floor.

I swirled my hand in a circular motion; the magic thrumming and burning and slithering beneath my skin like hissing snakes. This time, I was going to do it.

This time, I was going to be free.

Arkiro's nose was bleeding, a thick stream of dark red that ran and ran, but his eyes were still sharp and glinting, and so was his dagger. It sailed expertly through the air, a wicked whoosh, and buried itself into my chest to its obsidian hilt. I stared at it, the crimson swell weeping ferociously around the dagger's solidity. It felt hot, boiling. I screamed, my own ears protesting the harsh noise.

The world seemed suddenly drunk, spinning and tipping like the inebriated so often do. The floor wasn't kind as it embraced me.

I wrested the dagger from myself, conjuring a pool of tears and blood as I did so. I flowed, I flowed like a river. Hot, frigid, red world with a gaping river. I clamped my hands over it-sobbing-and they became instantly warm and slippery, blood escaping between my fingers like they weren't even there. Sickness rolled and sloshed like stagnant water through my stomach and panic struck like bolts of lightening.

Beaten black boots materialized in my line of failing vision, spots just as black streaking across it.

"H-help me." My voice was weak, raspy. I choked on the taste of copper.

Ungentle arms scooped me up unceremoniously, a splitting pressure that burnt and ate my nerves rocketing through my torso at the force of it. I felt the wound begin to throb faster with the amount of blood flowing from it.

My consciousness became a physical, tangible thing-bouncing and clanging off the walls of my head, fading in and out. A light in an electrical storm. It's a strange sensation, being aware without being aware of it.

I was laid on something soft, but the movement hurt like the surface might've been concrete. A pressure, a horrible sizzling pressure, was placed on my wound. I thrashed like an animal-feral and dying-or a demon being exorcised-desperate to cling to its host. Screams filled my ears like liquid metal; they didn't sound like me.

I was drowning-boiling-in something hot for what must have been hours. Blood or sweat or both. Numbly, I noticed the taste of magic in my mouth. It wasn't mine.

Pain. Fever.

Fever & pain.

There was plenty of each, swimming through my veins all night long. Dreams also afflicted me, and they were just as harrowing. Dreams of a lady, gaunt and crying-my mother I suppose. Dreams of escape, dreams of a river cutting through the darkened earth, red and rushing-my blood.

My lids were heavy, opening them was exhausting. But I did it anyway. The surroundings were dark and shadows danced like demented little ballerinas around the hazy expanse. I blinked several times, and they went away.

I was in one of the guest bedrooms, the one with the jade silk and dark varnish furniture.

Dizziness seeped into my head, leaking into my stomach from there: I was still here, I hadn't escaped. The only thing I managed to do was have a near-death experience.

The memory of the deep crimson hole in my chest jolted through me, my hands flying up to survey the damage. My frantic fingers sought and sought, only to find soft, sore warm skin, more smooth than a newborn infant's. I sucked in a startled breath.

"I severed an artery. You were dying-it took three servants to heal you this time."

Instantly, I froze. Panic ebbed back in; my heart began beating erratically.

"I know you're awake, Truth. You think I don't know how you sound when you sleep?" Arkiro mused.

I still didn't move, not an inch.

"Who did you use?"

"That's not the most important-"

I cut him off. "Who. Did. You. Use?" I ground out each word, rocks in my mouth, being spit out one at a time.

Long, insufferable seconds ticked by, and I began to believe he'd left. He moved so silently it was plausible that I wouldn't notice.

"First, I used Ira, but the old man wasn't strong enough to do much of anything. So I chose younger. The twins, Boyd and Bray- those were their names I think," Another pause as he shifted in his chair, making himself more comfortable, "Or were they Brick and Brian? Never mind. You know who they were, anyway."

I did know. I knew all of them, and he knew that. I sniffled weakly.

"Oh come on. You should be elated this is how they died, saving you. It would have happened sooner or later. Chances are, it would've been much, much worse. If anything, you saved them." He spoke softly, a murmur said in a reasonable tone.

"No thanks to you." I said, bitter and sick.

"You tried to kill me first, remember?" His voice was so gentle, not angry at all; it made me want to ripe out his tongue so he couldn't talk to me anymore.

I clenched the cool blanket in my fists. "I'm tired and I've got a headache. I'm going back to sleep."

Please leave, please just go.

I felt the bed dip, and when he touched my arm I flinched. His breath chilled my cheek as he bent to brush his lips against it. A cold, lingering kiss.

He brushed a strand of hair out of my face with his thumb. "Feel better; I'll see you at dinner."

I stayed in that bed for hours more, but I didn't sleep. I cried. I cried for Ira, for the twins, and for myself. I'd never leave this place, not as long as I lived- and neither did they.

Mona watched me warily while I braided my own hair. Her hands would float about at her sides and then still again. They reminded me of two little birds, hopping around on a windowsill.

"Are you sure you don't want me to do that?" It was the third time she'd asked.

I looked back at her in the vanity mirror as I finished the braid in the center of my back.

"Positive. I'm done now anyway. See?" I picked up the thick cord of dark hair and showed it to her.

She eyed it with a particular interest. "Very nice." Mona said at last, doing a little half nod half duck.

The woman was obviously bothered by something, and I didn't truly believe it was my braid. I scooped up a random handful of cosmetics.

"Want to do my make-up?" I offered, smiling.

"Of course." Her answer was immediate, almost out before I was finished speaking, and she rushed forward as if I were on fire.

I sat on the lace adorned seat as the beautifying process began. The foundation hid the red puffiness of well enough, but there was nothing to be done for the bloodshot lines streaking across the whites of my eyes. Even if I hadn't been magically depleted, I wouldn't have wasted it on something so trivial. Magic was far too precious, and obtaining it was far too hard.

Mona stopped her work again while putting on the shimmering eye-shadow.

"What is it Mona?" I was about to open my eyes, but she had already resumed running the little applicator over my lids. Back and fourth, back and fourth frantically. It kind of hurt.

"It's nothing Miss…it's just. It's…"

"Mona, spit it out. You won't offend me, I promise."

"It's not that Miss." She snapped the eye-shadow shut and laid it down on the vanity, her back to me.

"Then what is it?" I asked her softly.

She made eye contact with me in the mirror. "I cleaned up the blood. Yesterday, I cleaned it up."

"Oh." How was I supposed to explain everything was fine without tipping off nothing was.

"Are…you alright?" She appeared stricken.

"I'm fine. It was an accident; that's all. Arkiro healed me." Please don't ask how. I won't be able to tell you.

Mona looked at me for a long time. A full minute passed.

Finally, she cast her eyes downward and said, "Of course." And smiled the brightest, most fake smile I've ever seen. She scurried to the bed where two evening gowns were carefully lain out; she took one in each hand.
"Red or blue?"

I sighed internally, an acute little pain beginning to throb behind my left eye.

"Red."

So there's the beginning. Next chapter I hope to announce the cast list, which is why I ended it at that point. Okay, on to necessary story information.

What you need to know:

This takes place in a fictionalized setting. Anything or one resembling real life events and people is purely accidental/coincidental. I'm not stealing anything nor I am stalking you.

The story is set in Davinangeles, a fictional realm where magic ability equals power and it is not spread evenly. The magic-born are called Elites, Primes, and Paragons to indicate their superiority of blood. The upper class and gentry like to believe it is their wealth, taste, and exceptional breeding that cause the Ancestors to gift them with such extraordinary ability, but in all reality it seems to be just as random as the places trees grow.

The Ancestors are most of the Davinangelesian deities because they are from which the people descended in The Era of Dawn (the beginning of time for them). They are seen as godlike beings who created civilization and established the Gem Dynasty, the ruling family who have been in power for as long as anyone could care to remember. If it's one thing Davinangelesians hate is change, which is mainly why the only 'dark' Ancestor is Akila - deity of change, chaos, and revolution. All of the Ancestors are depicted as two figures, both man and woman, because no one really knows what gender they were.

The only established city in the realm is Arknobane, a fortress like city carved from mysterious black stone during The Era of Dawn by the Ancestors. It's home of the Gem Palace, the seat of the royal dynasty. It's the heart and soul of Davinangeles. If something were to happen to it, the realm would soon shrivel and die.

Gender roles there aren't nearly as strict as our own, and there are no other nationalities, so racism isn't an issue either. What causes disparity in this realm is class, wealth, deities, and most importantly magic. Less than one percent can use it, and those who can't wish they could.

Davinangeles is technologically advanced, through magic and regular means. They have a lot of the same things we do, except they aren't exactly the same and look way different. For example, they have electricity, but not the internet, smart phones, and computers simply because these things aren't thought to be needed. Communication is done by letters (for normal people) and for Elites communication can really be done any way they wish- they're magic for Pete's sake.

Davinangeles is a very scenic realm, filled with lovely lethality. It often times doesn't make much sense - it was forged from magic, the most unpredictable of the arts after all. Locations have been known to just disappear, people have fallen up, walls erected from shimmering black stone out of positively nowhere, children speaking in strange languages no one's ever heard. It has cold, hot, and mild weather, but no seasons. In the morning it could be radiantly sunny, but come nightfall it could be snowing.

In Davinangeles, nothing is free, not even magic. It must come from somewhere - everyone has it inside them; only the Paragons can take and manipulate it. It's not pretty business, and even though magic is sheer unpredictability, there's one thing you can forever count on: it always has a price.

The Ancestors:

Mercy- often depicted as the most humanistic of the bunch. Embodies forgiveness, protection, familial love, light, pure intentions, olive branch, friendship, trust, sometimes weakness, and diplomacy.

Roko- depicted as intelligent, ingenious, creator of the sciences, king of architecture, maker of medicine, healer, the arts, methodical warfare, and clarity of thought.

Tamalia- Mystery, fate, time (past, present, and future), memories, dreams, premonition, mystic connections, souls, and emotions, especially love and hate.

Akila- Chaos, change, blood, revolution, lies, darkness, the night, unpredictability, trickery in warfare, nightmares, warnings, sensuality, and, to an extent, magic itself (people tend to deliberately forget this).

Now, where the story actually begins. One of the main characters is Truth, a seventeen year old Elite who lives in MorganNight Manor with Lord Arkiro MorganNight. Her past is mystery because she was abandoned at the age of four by her mother, who left her with Arkiro. Truth doesn't know why; Arkiro is insistent on not telling her. He's essentially held her captive: no friends, no visits, no outside influences. She's tried to leave multiple times, but it never really ends well for her, as you've probably deducted for the passage. Arkiro is an Elite as well- the most powerful one anyone's ever known. He uses his power to defy the laws the nature, cheating death and screwing life. The man may look about 18-25, but he's a lot older…

As apology for nearly almost killing her and to quench her apparent unhappiness, Arkiro decides to turn his magnificent manor into a fancy Boarding School for Elites/Paragons/Primes, but he also wants them there for a more ulterior, nefarious motive as well… Which is where your OCs come in! (There's much more to it, but I'm feeling cagey…)

So, here's the submission form, have fun, be creative. Also please read the whole chapter (including the lengthy bout of information) so you'll know what the hay is happening. * means optional.

Name:

Age: (12-22)

Gender:

Economic standing: (rich, poor, etc.)

Personality: (Be descriptive as you can)

List of positive personality traits: (Just list em')

List of negative personality traits: (same as above)

Appearance: (Include scars, tattoos, make-up, unique markings, etc.)

*Personal History: (Optional because I know the info may be confusing)

How do they feel about being a Prime/Elite/Paragon?

How does their family and/or friends feel about it?

How adept are they at magic? (Scale of 1 : 10, 10 being scary good, one being no skill whatsoever)

Family:

*Friends:

How moralistic are they?
What do they think of MorganNight Manor?
What do they think of Truth?

What do they think of Arkiro?

Fears:

Dreams:

Secretes: (Doesn't have to be anything dark and groundbreaking, but it certainly can be)

Sexuality:

Do you want romance for your character?
How mature (if ya know what I mean) would they like for their romantic relationships to get?

What type of person do they like romantically and for a friend?

What type of person do they dislike romantically and for a friend?

Would you be alright with me using your character as Truth or Arkiro's love interest? Which one over the other?

Strengths/Pros/Talents:

Weaknesses/Cons/Weak areas:

*Face-claim: (Names, not links)

What does their hose look like?

Are they a virgin?

Are they scared of blood?

How good are they at listening to and following orders?

What makes your character laugh out loud?

What traits do they most like in themselves?

What traits do they most dislike in themselves?

How ambitious are they? (Scale of 1:10)

How do they handle pressure?

How ruthless are they? (Scale of 1:10)

Are they willing to kill and hurt the people that get in their way?
Are they eager to please?

Do they believe in the Ancestors? If so, do they worship one in particular or all of them?

What's their personal philosophy of life?

Quotes they'd say: (Doesn't have to be brilliant; try your best)

Quotes from a book, song, poem, movie, famous person, etc.: (pinterest is really great for this)

Songs that describe/relate to them in some way: (theme songs basically)

What do you feel is the most important thing for me to know about your character?

If I feel the need to do so, can I change some things about your character?

*Anything you hope for in this story? (can literally be anything at all; I like hearing your ideas)

Will you review? How often?

Anything else you would like to add?