keithaustinn
The South was a land spoken of only in hushed voices. It was said its people were cultists; Devoted worshippers of beings that did not belong to their soil, nor their sky, nor even their world. Once every decade, without fail, the South offered tribute. Their youngest were sent away to be turned, bound into service for the unseen powers they claim to call Gods.
Those between the ages of fifteen and sixteen were chosen. No exceptions. No mercy.
Five were taken in their current generation: Grian, Jimmy, Martyn, BigB, and Pearl. They were told not to resist. Resistance, after all, always bore consequences. And so it proved. Only two of them managed to flee.
Martyn and Jimmy.
The others were not so fortunate. Grian was beaten into submission, his will shattered before he was forcefully turned. BigB and Pearl followed soon after, claiming the same cruel fate.
Above them all loomed the higher beings; the Watchers-the one the South pleads loyalty to-and the Listeners. Ever-present. Ever-seeing. And every day, the youth of the South whispered the same silent question: Did they ever truly have a choice?
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TW: Gore, Mentions of Death, Trauma, Killing, etc.
Characters only, not Content Creators!
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Available on Ao3 as well! ( @keithaustinn )