ACT 5: Asheal

The Inevitable Heartache

“I didn’t tell you to help me!”

“How dare you think I’m not beautiful?”

“If you think I like you, think again!”

“I could have managed on my own in the first place. Hmp!”

Nation: Cedora

Sex: Female

Birthday: August 27

Asheal is a Holy Cat from Cedora. She is the fifth playable character in the DEFVERSE cosmos.

Asheal is a prominent member of the Holy cats of Cedora. The equivalent of Cedora in the human world is heaven. She was considered the best of the best among her kind. She complied and only did what was expected of her - of her race. It was no wonder that the three gods favored her more than anyone else; the loyalty she had proven was as fierce as the sunlight. Her people adored her; she remained the stalwart warrior of their land. However, as they say, ‘All the good things have something in return.’ Little did she know, the person she believed in the most would be the end of her.

Cedora is the highest place in the DEFVERSE cosmos, overlooking Neko Sekai. The three gods specially made the land exclusively for them and the holy cats, dwelling in the presence of their creator. It is a restricted land that anyone who dares to enter shall be punished by law. The Holy cats served the three gods and are responsible for their protection and other essential needs. They are separated into classifications depending on their roles in Cedora. Asheal is the leader of the Host of Angels; justice and fairness rest upon her shoulders. They are in charge of maintaining the peace, law, and order in Cedora. It is quite a heavy task to fulfill, but it is feasible with six trustworthy and reliable comrades.

RIZ’GATH’S BETRAYAL

Ever since they were little, Asheal had a friend she depended on with her life, Riz’gath. They were inseparable and considered one another family. When her responsibilities would be too much for her, she would rant her heart out to her friend. Riz’gath, being a holy cat himself, never really understood her affliction until he experienced it all. Her trust for him made her unable to see the seed of evilness growing inside his heart. She avoided the fact that he was planning something that would ruin them and their race. Ever since they were young, she had witnessed him follow the values and moral principles in Cedora; he wouldn’t even dare hurt an insect, let alone plan something terrible for everyone. She held the piety of Riz’gath from before that little did she know that the naive and innocent had long been gone.

Riz’gath was consumed by his obsession with power and fame and saw Asheal as someone who would interfere with his plans. His friend was receiving all that recognition he knew he deserved, that his heart was filled with enviousness. The once understanding and hardworking Riz’gath became so dark that it corrupted the heaven they live in. Before the sun even dawned, the darkness inside his heart could not be contained. He quietly made his way into Asheal’s house, with no hesitation and conscience in his mind. He saw her sleeping soundly and pointed the bottle of poison above her lips. The red liquid shone brightly against the light, but his eyes betrayed him as his tears began to fall.

Asheal woke up, only to find out her friend was about to kill her. With her reflexes, she defended herself and even tried to fight him, but her heart hindered her from hurting him. Other Holy cats came to where they were, and they captured Riz’gath, who didn’t resist. In the end, the three gods were furious at what Riz’gath had turned out to be. They were disappointed and planned to dispose of him on the spot. Yet, with Asheal’s plea, they spared him but exiled him from Cedora. His beautiful white wings became dark; thorns sprouted above his head, skin red as blood; now known as Hellcats, banished from the gates of Cedora; ruler of the underworld.

THE LEADER’S DUTY

The past continues to haunt Asheal to this day. The pain of betrayal disturbs her mind with everything she does. Still, life needs to carry on, even if it’s hard to accept the painful truth that has been revealed. Her heart that had been deceived became cold and dark. She didn’t dare to associate with anyone and only did her job as ordered, without any feelings involved. She was a holy cat outside but had an ice heart inside, stopping her from making the same mistake again, when the right time must come, hoping that the scar of yesterday can finally be healed and learn to open up again.

One day, Asheal was called by the three gods for a crucial and private mission. She was ordered to go down the Neko Sekai and find someone, part of an unknown race that has been eliminated from all of history. She was clueless but still did what she was told. Her fate was decided when her wings flew her down, and she finally met a cat whose race and behavior were outlandish; yet, the man offered her a place to stay. He led her to a particular village where everyone had their judgemental eyes, lips that speak maliciously towards them. Still, the stranger gave them no attention as they continued to walk towards a small lodge.

Although Asheal was given food and shelter, she grew cautious around the stranger. She wanted to test his patience and attitude, saying nasty words. Yet, as odd as it is, he just smiled at her. Her heart softened in his reaction that deep in her heart, she knew he was the mission task for her to find. Oblivious of where he came from, the stranger lived in the village until he grew older and lived a peaceful life despite the pestering neighbors. It was rare to find a cat like him; she let her guard down and trusted the stranger with everything she got.

BATTLE FOR VICTORY

The days Asheal spent with the stranger, she grew fond of his amiable behavior that her heart started to open up again. She helped him look for hints regarding his past and the long-forgotten race. However, their exploration led to evidence connected to the underworld’s ruler. Just from its word, reminiscence from the past came flashing back. She didn’t want to remember the past again. She didn’t want any of it; it brought pain even to let the memories roam in her mind. It broke her that tears never stopped falling that day.

That’s when everything made sense of what had happened in her life: the sudden mission, the lost cat race, and the stranger. It was fated for her to face him again, the friend she once treasured and loved. Even if she tried to forget their close connection from before, fate would always make way. No matter how much she struggled to run away, it somehow came to her instead. Asheal knew in her mind that it was time to finish the friendship they had previously shared. It hurts to see him be filled with darkness, and it was her fault; she wasn’t able to save him before. She won’t let the past happen again as it was her destiny to end the wrath of the hellcat.