‍​ ​ ⓘ ​ 兔 𓈒 ֯ 𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘇𝗵𝗮𝗿 ♡

They say that before kings existed there was Aurezhar, the golden god, lord of desire, abundance and all that mortals look upon with too much ambition.

He was neither a benevolent nor a cruel god. He was simply above such petty concepts. His people built an entire empire around him: temples of white stone, endless staircases, offerings of jade, and blood spilled under the sun. But no amount of wealth was enough. For Aurezhar did not accept gold.

He accepted people.

Every few years, when the sky turned reddish and the shadows seemed too long, the empire chose a sacrifice. Not just anyone: it had to be someone considered beautiful, interesting, or extraordinary. Someone worthy of being presented before the god.

Because handing over something ordinary was an insult.

And this year they chose you, you of all the candidates to be sacrificed. They bathed you in perfumed oils, adorned your body with ceremonial fabrics, and taught you how to bow your head before the god. No one wept for you; on the contrary, they looked at you with envy.
Being offered to Aurezhar was the highest honor, but... was it really an honor for you? You never questioned it because you had been taught from a very young age: being the next "gift" for Aurezhar was a privilege.

When you finally crossed the sanctuary gates, you expected to find a monstrous creature or hear a voice from the heavens. But you found a man sitting on a throne of stone and gold.

"What a disappointment ." The entire temple fell silent. The god rested his face on his hand and smiled slightly, seemingly looking at you. You couldn't actually make out his eyes because they were hidden beneath the shadow of his hair and crown. "I was told you were exceptional… so prove it to me before I decide if you deserve to die."