Always a Callaghan [PK]

[MatronMaeve 170]

 

 

 

 

Always a Callaghan

 

Morwen WAS a Callaghan, despite their attempts to strip the name from her. She’d always said family was chosen, not blood. Even if they stripped the name from her, she’d chosen them as her family, even during the worst fights. That was why it hurt so much when she’d found herself surrounded by family and strangers she’d not known. Lured on the promise of a Krugmas gift of all things. The clarity that rang in that moment, stung. One path before her was left. Death and whether it had been intentional or not, it was her family that had led to her capture. 

 

Sitting in the dingy cell of Tir Glass, she tried to hold the emotional wave inside her at bay. She’d always believed in her family and held hope they’d see things through her own view. She’d placed her trust in them and they’d let her down this final time. There would be no chance of convincing them to walk away. No moment of “Oh Morwen we see you. We understand.” There would be no place of sanctuary for her family that she’d seen. No reprieve from the continual call of duty at the cost of morality. They’d succumbed to the concept that loyalty came before family. And what of her mother? Unable to see her daughter, to tell her one last time “It’s okay, you did what you believed in.” Morwen was AFRAID. Not of death. She’d never been afraid of the concept, always the reckless member of her family. No, Morwen was afraid for her family. Afraid they’d continue to serve the thing she knew in her heart was wrong and unjust. 

 

She had countless hours to wait in her cell before the sentencing to think and ponder. She’d picked up the unhealthy habit of ruminating on the past, it’s why she’d turned to the drugs and alcohol in the first place. The loneliness and pain. She’d ran from her family, from Idunia and its duties to build something. To build a better life for her family. She’d seen from an early age her people’s complacency and lack of action when faced with the opportunity to be the better person, to stand for something just. In that running, she’d lost her family and herself. It was only the people of the Twin Rivers region on Kalldur that had kept her sane. They became her rock, and her purpose. They spoke of building a place of acceptance for individuals like her brother, and a place of progress and prosperity. A home. This became Cerulia, a place she was proud to be a citizen of. But the distance from her family hurt her. She tried to visit, but every time it pained her. She could only stomach the family gatherings through a diet of strong proof liquor. Didn’t they know why she did what she did? Did they truly think she was abandoning them? No! She was trying to save them! To save them from themselves, from their loyalty. Paranoia grew, she’d seen Haelun’or fall, then Iryalen. It was only a matter of time before her home fell, her sanctuary where she was allowed to be herself. She knew she would be forced to march to war and defend the place she held dear, so she did the one thing she could do. She wrote to her mother and sought her counsel. WAR WAS DECLARED and with it Morwen Callaghan’s hand had been forced. She knew her brothers would be fighting on the battlefield, she’d have to avoid them at any cost. 

 

They came for her, as the trial neared. Her brother was coping with recountings of her youth. She really had been a rascal of a child. Dueling a peer with a barstool. Starting a child fight club. Demanding the release of a cursed child in Drusco before she was ten of age. No, Morwen was not afraid to die. She was proud of her life lived. The trial commenced as those present paid little heed to her reasonings. This was normal. She’d expected this- but God did she want a smoke! It was seeming less and less likely she’d get to. She was practically itching for the touch of tobacco upon her lips after days in a cell. Her sister pleaded her case as the punishment of execution was called. They still after all this time believed in their system? Surely it was plain to see? Morwen had known this was the only verdict possible.  “My sister may have fallen down the wrong path in life-. . .” the words came from her twin’s mouth. Morwen had never chosen the wrong path! How could she, when there had only ever been one clear path? The bargaining hurt, it was inevitable. 

 

They began bickering over who would be the one to execute her as she was given last words to say to those present. Would any words truly suffice? Her thoughts drifted to those she loved as the words came out “. . .-Last words, Ay am naet afraid. Ay am naet afraid of death, never have been. Some, well most have called me foolish n' reckless fer it. But there's very little Ay fear but the fate of me family, for they are truly lost now. Ay'm afraid for our people. What stories will they tell centuries from now of this time? Will they be remembered as oath breakers? Will they be remembered for the genocide on their hands? Ay once held a dream of a place. A good place, pure in intention n' it's simplicity. Ay never thought Ay'd see it with me eyes, but it lives. It has been Me home n' Ay am glad to die representing the best of its truths. A truth tha' will live when Ay am dead.” Her mind wandered as they stalled, momentarily drifting to her friends she’d failed to reconnect with. Those she’d played with as a kid. She mourned the idea of her two friends Sylvia and Andromeda who she’d failed to apologize to. But most of all she mourned what could have been. She’d enjoyed the last several meetings with Julia and now she’d never receive that Krugmas gift. . .a shame. “Ay am naet yer enemy. Ay only wished we were better, so that Ay might have stayed n' fought fer a cause Ay believe.” Her words fell on deaf ears. She really wanted that cigar. . . Her body dropped in an instant as the spectral lion claw of Prince Llewyn struck her neck. Morwen Callaghan was dead, but she had truly lived.

 

To My Family

Spoiler

I believe each of you know by now how I feel. I wanted to believe that you’d fight for a cause that was just and good. It pained me to see ye turn a blind eye to the crimes of Idunia in the name of appearances. You’ve become complicit in a system that does not care who lives or dies. There are good folks among you but the laws and people in power are broken. I left home when I saw that, I searched for freedom and I found it. I’d foolishly hoped you would join me but I see now that was a foolish errand. I want ye to know everything I’ve ever done was out of love, for you my family. I don’t know if your actions were intentional or not, but they led to my arrest and I believe my soon to be death. I hope ye are wiser from this. Know the master ye serve and learn from it. I hope ye know ye always have a choice. Always. Who knows me death may have been preventable, maybe not. Don’t dwell on it- the past is in the past. Do not become me, continually stuck in yer past failures. Be better. I won’t lie if I’ve been broken in my belief of ye all, but I hope somewhere there is hope ye learn sense. Learn there is freedom out there. Live. Be Free To Be Yourself. 

 

Nicky, do not wait for others, seize yer opportunity. Do not let others stand in yer way. I meant what I said. Ye were the father and brother I never had, it was YOU that raised me. Mereid, I wish for ye to be yer own person. Too long in our childhood ye lived under me more outspoken shadow. Speak out for yourself. Do not let others decide who ye are. Owin, ye and I were always fighting but know I said these things because I LOVED ye. I hope now in death ye see, and learn. I would have fought any foe in me path fer ye. Ye were always me brother. Mother, I’m sorry things happened the way they did. Ye were not there to see your daughter’s final moments. Be strong, and know I died happy with me life. I lived as ye taught unafraid to be meself and resolved in me beliefs. I love ye all, and I don’t envy the fallout of me death. I’m sorry I failed ye. I’m sorry I wasn’t who ye wished me to be, but know I’m resolute in who I am. I’ve lived free of lies, and apologies. For what is the point if not living as one’s self? I love Cerulia, in time I hope you do too. Learn its people and visit them for my sake. If now is a time for apologies, the one thing I will come clean on. . .I’m sorry for the substances. I spiraled in my belief ye all were disappointed in me. I held myself as if I didn’t care what others thought of me, when in reality I did. I needed help, and maybe in another life things would have gone different. I love ye all, and will always in death. Be unapologetically yourself, be stubborn, be vocal, be free. Be as you are CALLAGHAN. 

 

Love,

Morwen

 

To Sylvia and Andromeda

Spoiler

I’m sorry our last words together were ones of anger. I have always had a temper, and I lashed out in my frustration of a broken system. You however have been my anchors, my moral compass of what is good in this world. You were my example, and I’m proud of you both. Love and cherish each other, for you both are a rarity in this world. I look fondly back on the memories of our youth in these final moments. Do not despise Idunia for their actions, as I have, for they are ignorant of what they do. My people need guidance not anger, and wrath. 

 

Your Friend,

Morwen

 

To the Children’s Fighting Club

Spoiler

Your Donna, leader, and friend here. . .I always think fondly on the past and what we created for a brief moment. Those days were pure, and filled with joy and adventure. In my adulthood I lost that, and I wish not the same for you. Challenge authority, be counter culture, be the whimsy and fun ye wish to see in the world. I failed ye all in me own collapse of depression that I abandoned friendships I cherished. Time moved on and so did we. I hope that things change in that regard. I hope you remember your inner child, and enjoy the simplicity of youth.

 

Your Friend,

Morwen

 

To Julia

Spoiler

I trusted and it was trust that did me in. They have me held in a cell within Tir Glass, I’m to be on trial soon. I don’t imagine I’ll live past these few fleeting moments. So I wish to tell ye a few things. Ye are strong, ye have a fire that few have. I respect yer love and kind heart, ye are better than most in this world. I only wish I’d known ye sooner. The REAL ye. It has been a pleasure, and I won’t lie if I haven’t started to FALL for ye. Like a moth to flame. Ye burn bright and I see it. Be the inferno that burns anything standing in your way.

 

With Love,

Morwen

 

[Aimy_lol 429]

Mereid spent most of her days inside recovering from the bandit attack that happened a few days after Morwen's trial and execution. She would sit near the warmth of a fire pit, staring off into the flickering flames as her mind run through all that had occurred within the past months. The sense of being on the edge returned, the nightmares of a death in front of her kept her up at night, and the aimless walking in search of something. The only thing that kept pushed her to remain sane was for her family, she couldn't go off running away now. Her tears, though fallen a few times, never sought to flow enough to form a river containing her sorrows and grief. 

"Rest in peace..I hope you find the happiness you need. The freedom you sought so much after."

In the family's crypt, she'd look to her sister's urn. Knowing it was not a good place to put Morwen's remains there, it only felt right in Mereid's head that she was the most safest here. Even thought she disowned her sister on paper, in her heart, however, Morwen was still her sister and a Callaghan. It may be selfish keeping Morwen confined in a place she left so long ago, but Mereid could not bear losing her sister again. Not to some waves flowing endlessly to the ends of the Earth, or buried into the ground where it would decompose and people walk over the face of it everyday. For at least this time, Mereid chose to be selfish on something.

"Only for a moment..Just this time, then I will let you go once it is safe for you to be free."

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Aimy_lol

[drtrollado 267]

Franz would be left speechless as the news arrived to him. How come mere hours ago he had sent that same woman a letter, expecting a quick reply, only for it to remain forever unanswered. They were made of the same short-tempered stock, him and her, that's why they had come to blows too many times to count, but that is also why he knew she was someone that could be trusted, for she never stopped being herself for others.

It was a damn shame the world had lost someone who stood up for their own ideals while many cowered behind false morality...

[ChainedDragons 1374]

Bron's heart ached as he walked away from Tir'glas, clad in studded leathers. Why did it take his sisters death to wake him to the truth? He looks back at the place he loved so much only for his gaze to fall where Morwens body had crumpled. Idunia was not safe so long as the empire held her by the leash. The devil moved once Solveig took his hand.

Edited December 28, 2025 by ChainedDragons

[Fluffy Horror 496]

Julia sat in shock, staring at the letter in her hands, for perhaps the hundredth time. Her fingers carefully smoothed out the wrinkles from when she'd clutched it in her fist with rage, tracing the world FALL over and over again. A feeling unspoken, a path not taken, a future forever trimmed from her life path.

'She loved me.'

 

Why hadn't she said anything sooner? Would it have made a difference? Would Morwen be alive today if Julia had run away with her to Cerulia, like she'd so often asked? If Julia went with her to that Krugsmas trap, would she have been able to protect her?

'I'm a coward.'

Why did she insist on staying in this place that despised her for existing? In this Kingdom where she couldn't go anywhere without getting disapproving glances. Everyone thought they knew Julia. Julia was a despised voidal mage, a shit disturber, a manipulator, a narcissist, a stalker, a little tart, a liar. She sometimes wished she was the Julia people thought her to be. That Julia wouldn't hurt so much.

 

Viru and Cerulia. The only two places she'd ever truly felt welcome.

 

But she couldn't leave. She couldn't cross the war front, join the other side. Not without losing everything she'd worked so hard to build. But then again, what was left? The mage ban had tidily destroyed her career in the Empire before it had ever begun. The diploma that she'd worked her ass off to get hung on her wall, a useless piece of paper.

 

'Coward, coward, coward.'

 

There was nothing left for her in Cerulia now, either. Morwen was gone. That shining woman, with her hammer and her vices. Gone. Betrayed by her own family. During Krugsmas, for ****'s sake. Whatever honour Idunia had had, whatever mercy, whatever kindness- it was long gone. This Empire had no place for honour, for mercy, for kindness.

 

Still. She had to do- something. Even if she couldn't leave. She had to make Morwen's death mean something.

 

Julia carefully folded up the letter once more, and hid it in her bedside drawer.

"I'll do something, Morwen. I promise. And when this war is over, I'll make sure you're free again." The woman whispers, a solemn vow.

 

She closes her eyes, and pictures Morwen on the swing set that day. Her smile. The colour in her cheeks. All the little signs that Julia hadn't noticed. She will remember.

Julia walks out the door without a backwards glance.

[CasualNuker 1113]

Upon hearing word of his sister's death, he was hit with a wave of shock.. He'd stumble back against the wall; his only comfort that day had been Bronadron, until it too had departed at that time. It had been so sudden, so quick, and yet merciful a death, so he'd heard. Nonetheless, he'd watched half his family die now in less than a decade, and Morwen had been another fallen member, her memory etched within his mind.. Lessons taught by her seared themselves into memory forevermore. His only words that night would be mixed with tears. "Ich love du sis.. May du rest in peace that du never had whilst here.."  

Edited December 29, 2025 by CasualNuker
Added my emote.

[Little_Kitty48 19]

Sylvia upon hearing the news of Morwens death felt a wave of anger, sadness and guilt wash over her. She had failed to apologise to her friend, never having the chance to say 'sorry' because she wanted to give Morwen space. Once more the Empire proved itself to be corrupt and evil, destroying anything and everything that is good.

She would mourn for the woman that Morwen was. The proudest, honest, selfless, and bravest girl that Sylvia ever had the pleasure of knowing. A human that proved not all humans were evil and corrupt like the Empire tried to make every elf believe. Morwen was like a sister to the elf. Even if not by blood, but blood meant very little to her and Morwen, one of the many things the two had in common...one of the many things she would miss from the girl.

"Morwen...I am sorry you never got to see your dream to its fullest. Cerulia will mourn the loss of such a loyal and dedicated warrior. A friend, a guard, a dreamer and an inspiration to many." She chuckled dryly "But you would call me sappy if you heard that. You always did speak your mind, even if it got you into trouble. A true fighter till the end. Rest well friend, you deserve it after fighting so hard for us all"

[Sr_Dimentio 586]

"What!?" Dementio screamed when he heard the news, he couldn't believe this, the child that just some time ago was playing with them on the old Viru... "Those... Monsters!!!" he lamented "This is what they do to those that follow their heart? And then they will say how whimsical they are! Peace and Love! **** them!!!" he groaned "Rest in peace... I hope you are in a nice place..."

[clearlynoko 201]

There many bitter, untrue thoughts Andromeda Adiler wanted to take back. Who cares if she dies? She'd thought it a few times when she deliberated over her own immaturity. For her to stay angry at Morwen for years, to ignore her presence- years Andromeda knew she would never get back.

 

She thought she had time with Morwen. She had always thought she had time. 

 

Andromeda thought she had time when she saw Morwen less and less in favor of the friends she felt less terrified of. It was never Morwen that scared her of course, but it was the bold face of Humanity she had feared as a child. She should have never taken that out on her first friend.

 

She thought she had time after the argument. So what if Andromeda held a grudge for maybe five or ten years? Morwen had two hundred of them. It was Morwen who cut those words into her heart, and it should be Morwen who apologizes! She'd wrongly assumed Morwen had good graces with her family. 

 

Andromeda sat in her apartment, a half eaten bowl of stew discarded. She stared down into a booklet of names, an invite list to her wedding. Many names had been scratched out with vitriol as the war settled, as people chose sides. It was a sour feeling that she had no name to scratch out for Morwen. Another regret to her list.

 

She rose her knees to her chest and took a deep breath in. The news had come hours ago, but it didn't feel real. Surely she could go to the bar and see Morwen there nursing a drink, and the two would look at each other and not say a word. Surely she would see flashes of Morwen’s silver gaze as they defended their home against the raids. 

 

The elven woman stood, and went to the bar. 

 

Ignoring the few patrons that milled about, Andromeda ducked behind the bar counter. She didn't know what Morwen's favorite was, nor did she drink herself, so she selected a random one. She took a rag and wrapped up a raw chicken in it, then made way to the small sandy beach area in Cerulia itself.

 

They had no body to burn. It wasn't a good idea to burn alcohol and chicken in the middle of the square anyway. With nothing to mourn, Andromeda made her own. She dug out a small chunk of sand and placed the chicken and alcohol in. Then she covered it up, found a piece of driftwood, and jammed it into the sand above it.

 

"Do not despise Idunia for their actions, as I have, for they are ignorant of what they do."

 

That was a tall order, but Andromeda would try to give a dead woman's final wish some amount of effort.

 

Spoiler

I CAN'T MAKE A GRAVE RN BC THERE'S AN LC BUT I PROMISE I'LL MAKE ONE <3

 

[Marthia 273]

Long ago, Sascha, too, had found homes in unexpected places. It was there that she and her husband found commonality; a seed took root. Where people were inconsistent, she turned to her surroundings. The whisper in the trees far exceeded the comfort any one person could provide. She knew what it was like to find a home outside the one where she was born, and she understood the primal desire to protect it once found.
 

But to raise a sword against one's own people? Unforgivable.

 

Sascha knew what must be done. Even after confronting the lass, reminding her that she had placed her family in the worst of positions, nothing shifted her resolve. In the night following the capture, voices echoed and rang true to what Sascha knew deep down.
 

"We do not tolerate traitors; all must die."
 

"Death is mercy."
 

If only the girl had not fought on the battlefield, mercy might have been an option. But the blood of Idunians painted Sascha’s thoughts a vivid red. She could not ignore the reality. 
Morwen’s blade had taken the lives of her people.
 

"This could have been kinslaying, had she found her brother on the battlefield," Sascha's aunt had reminded her.
 

"She knew the risk." 
 

As those stormy eyes met the gaze of the lion, the Heiress asked those onlookers, 

"Do we not kill the enemy in every battle? In truth- how is this any different?"
 

From the moment she looked upon that phantasmal lion, to long after its spectral claw broke Morwen’s neck, Sascha pondered the life that was taken and the ripple of loss it left behind.

She did not regret the decision she had made—and she never would.

Edited December 29, 2025 by Marthia

[ArmouredSkelly 57]

Standing before a makeshift grave, with nothing but a shabby drift wood to mark it in the night's rain. Ashe Paleheart gazed at the grave with a blank expression. She never knew Morwen that much, a mere acquaintance, just the usual hellos and goodbyes after their first meeting in Cerulia. Oh what a hilarious first meeting it  was, the terror of humanoid living dolls surely stuck in her memory, then the duck and goose thing happened, drawing a somber smile from the elf for a brief moment, before fading as her mind drifted to the next memory. The elf watched the woman move in and out of the city in during the raids, clad in Cerulite armour, for that she was thankful as a non-combatant herself.

 

The elf laments of the young life taken too early by the tides of fate, or was it betrayal by her own kin? She would never know for certain, all remained in speculation. She set down a vase of glass flowers, faintly glowing in the night next to the drift wood grave marker, before pouring a flask of sake over the drift wood grave marker. "From a friend of a friend." With that the elf walked away, hoping that the deceased found her way to the Seven Skies, or whereever human souls go after they perish, if only they could've been friends. If only.

 

Spoiler