[ KULNING ]

"Kulning - A form of song used to call livestock back from long distances."

This story focuses on a toxic relationship between a knight and a false priest. Despite the toxicity and their differences the two become dependent on one another. This will ultimately end in the physical death in one, and ego death in the other. What was once fulfillment results in an empty husk.

One night a false priest set out to call upon the stars to answer its prayers. Prayers of once again being amidst the Godkin and ascending into Godhood. This was, after all, something that had been ripped from it so mercilessly. It has performed this ritual many times before, but that night was different. From the sky fell an aurochs originating from the Taurus constellation itself. The star came from the bull's horn, thus had the visage of a knight. It was as if the aurochs was battle ready at the moment of their creation.

While the false priest has a name, the other does not. Cathexis later names the aurochs Catharsis, as they will be the answer to its prayers. Although this is not the first Catharsis, there have been many before.

A weapon is donned and the knight is sent to hunt two Godkin, a tatzelwurm and tarasque specifically. During the first encounter Catharsis acquires a scale, which does not please Cathexis. Being sent out again, a fight ensues with the latter and they are able to get a piece of their horn. This is deemed a worthy trophy, and they are thus rewarded with both intimacy and the truth. The identity of the one who has been pulling the strings, the hidden nature of a lanternfly.

Catharsis is sent to kill many other Godkin and miscellaneous creatures, until ultimately being prepped to slay a God itself. The God responsible for Cathexis' fall from grace, reducing it to a priest and having to form its own form of religion and flock. The aurochs sets out on this venture and barely makes it back alive. This leads to a lot of questioning and self reflection: is this right, is this just, and do they truly love each other? The journey back to Cathexis' church is a tormenting one.

Finally, Catharsis is back at the church. Cathexis welcomes them, expecting good news of what is to come. It is at this moment that aurochs impales the lanternfly with Iscariot. Killing what was meant to be a New God. Shortly after, while still covered in the other's blood, Catharsis stabs the polearm into their own heart.

Catharsis - Catharsis is an aurochs that was formerly part of a celestial herd in the constellation known as Taurus. They were particularly one of the stars that were on the horn, the sharpest and most dangerous point of the bull. Due to being summoned by Cathexis, they lost their place in the herd and fell onto the earth as a knight.

Was an adept fighter in their prior form, and remains so even in this alternate form. They are used to hunt Godkin and adjacent beasts, before ultimately being made to fight an actual God itself. This leads to a near death experience that makes Catharsis spiral, in which they begin to question the point of their existence.

Is in a toxic relationship with Cathexis, and is unaware that they are being groomed. Believes that they love it but that love quickly turns to resentment.

Wields a polearm named Iscariot, named after both Judas Iscariot and the song "Iscariot" by Walk the Moon.

Cathexis - Cathexis is a lanternfly who used to be in service of the Gods, despite not being a Celestial or Godkin. Due to betrayal and personal scheming, it was forcibly stripped of its ranks and banished to Earth. There it lives as a mortal and is currently disguising itself as a priest and has founded its own religion. Hides its nature and attempts to be something it is not.

Is not capable of fighting but is incredibly clever and resourceful. Appears to be very generous and kind to its followers, however this is just a mask. The one that sees Cathexis' true nature is Catharsis, who is unaware that this behavior is abnormal. Due to this confusion the behavior is encouraged and enabled, and the lanternfly simply gets worse during the course of these events. Even when their true nature is revealed Catharsis and its followers are too far in its influence.

This remains the case until Catharsis returns from their last hunt, to kill the God that had exiled Cathexis. Upon the good news that it had indeed gotten the revenge it was searching for, it was killed shortly afterward.