Malphas in the void (DEVIL'S SENTENCE 10)

A City Wrapped in Reverence

The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled, their chimes rolling over the rooftops of Rome like waves crashing against a silent shore. Torches lined the stone corridors, their flames licking the high-arched ceilings with a flickering, restless glow.

The Vatican was alive with celebration.

The streets were crowded with pilgrims, their voices rising in prayer, their hands outstretched toward the great cathedral. The news had spread like wildfire

"Gabriel Cross has returned."

The exorcist who defied the abyss, who cast Malphas back into the void.

The savior of the Church.

Yet, as Gabriel walked through the grand halls of the Vatican, barefoot upon the marble floors, the cold of the stone did not touch him.

He should have felt it.

But he felt nothing.

The Vatican’s Grand Chamber

The chamber was vast, echoing with centuries of whispered prayers and unspoken sins. The great domed ceiling loomed high above, adorned with gold-leaf frescoes of angels clashing with demons, swords flashing, wings burning.

The air was thick with the scent of myrrh and incense, curling in ghostly tendrils around the pillars.

At the far end of the hall, seated upon his elevated throne, was the Pope.

His robes spilled like a white sea across the steps, the fabric embroidered with threads of gold. His face—lined with age, wisdom, and quiet sorrow—turned toward Gabriel with reverence.

Behind him, the College of Cardinals stood robed in crimson, their faces solemn, eyes hollow with exhaustion and faith alike.

The High Inquisitor stood at their side, his hands clasped before him yet his gaze never left Gabriel.

The bells tolled once more.

And then

"Kneel."

Gabriel lowered himself before the throne, the cold metal of the altar pressing against his skin.

The Pope rose, stepping down, his hand trembling as he placed it upon Gabriel’s brow.

"You have done what no man could," he whispered. "You have cast the demon into the abyss. The Church honors you as its greatest exorcist."

A golden chalice was brought forth, filled with sacramental wine deep, rich, red as blood.

"Drink, and be purified," the Pope intoned.

Gabriel hesitated.

The chalice was warm in his hands.

A whisper coiled at the edge of his mind.

"It will not cleanse you."

He ignored it.

He lifted the cup to his lips.

The wine burned.

Not like fire but like ice, creeping through his veins, spreading outward, crawling beneath his skin.

He swallowed, but it did nothing.

No warmth.

No absolution.

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

And then

The candles flickered.

The air grew unnaturally still.

A single breath echoed through the chamber but it was not Gabriel’s.

For the briefest moment, the Pope’s eyes darkened.

The Shadow That Wasn't There

The College of Cardinals bowed their heads, whispering blessings in Latin.

The soldiers lowered their weapons, crossing themselves in reverence.

The crowds outside chanted his name.

And yet

Gabriel stood there, motionless, as if watching everything from behind glass.

The flames of the torches cast long shadows upon the walls.

But when Gabriel turned

His shadow did not move.

For a moment, he stared at the floor beneath him.

Where his body stood, the marble remained empty.

The Inquisitor’s Watchful Eyes

The High Inquisitor did not kneel.

He did not chant.

He did not celebrate.

Instead, he watched.

His fingers tightened around his rosary.

He had seen many things in his time.

Men possessed.

Demons bound and exorcised.

But he had never seen a man without a shadow.

"Something is wrong," he thought.

The words never left his lips.

But in his heart

He knew.

This was not the same man who had left them.

And when Gabriel’s eyes finally met his, the High Inquisitor’s blood turned to ice.

Because for the first time in his life

He felt fear.

The Vatican’s Joy. Gabriel’s Isolation.

The celebration continued into the night.

Wine flowed. Candles burned. The faithful sang.

The Vatican had its savior.

Yet Gabriel stood apart from it all.

The laughter. The prayers. The joy.

It all felt distant.

As if it belonged to a world he no longer walked in.

As if he was watching from somewhere else.

And somewhere, deep within his soul

Something stirred.

Something listening.

Something waiting

"The war is over," they said.

But Gabriel knew better.

How to Apply for the 2025 American University Washington College of Law Human Rights Scholarships

The American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) runs one of the most respected LL.M. programmes in international human rights and humanitarian law in the United States. The Law School and its Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law offer multiple scholarship routes that can substantially reduce the cost of study for LL.M. candidates, including merit scholarships, program-specific awards, and partner-funded scholarships such as the Organization of American States scholarship. This guide explains which scholarships exist for 2025, who can apply, exact application steps, documents required, deadlines, and practical tips to make your application competitive. Official AUWCL pages and partner calls are linked for verification and follow up. 0

Why AUWCL for human rights

AUWCL’s LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is built around the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. The programme is distinctive for combining academic coursework with strong practical exposure via clinics, moot courts, summer institutes, and guest practitioners from the UN, regional human rights bodies, and NGOs. The Academy frequently partners with external funders to provide scholarships to deserving candidates, including former participants in its advanced programs and winners of essay competitions. 1

Which scholarships are available in 2025

AUWCL offers a mix of institutional and program-specific scholarships. Below are the high-value opportunities to consider for the 2025 LL.M. intake.

1. Automatic Merit Scholarships & Institutional LL.M. Scholarships

All LL.M. applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they submit their application. These institutional awards are decided by programme admissions committees and vary in amount and coverage. Applicants applying specifically to the HRHL LL.M. should check additional document requirements for scholarship consideration. 2

2. Academy-Linked Scholarships and Summer Program Awards

The Academy offers a set of scholarships tied to its Program of Advanced Studies and related activities. Examples include:

Summer Program Scholarship: two scholarships to participants of the Academy's Program of Advanced Studies that cover up to 12 LL.M. credits. Applicants must submit an essay and apply to the LL.M. simultaneously. 3
Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Scholarship: two scholarships for former participants of the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition, covering up to 12 credits. Applicants must submit a short essay along with their LL.M. application. 4
Civil Society Scholarship: two scholarships for active civil society members, again covering up to 12 credits for eligible candidates. An organizational letter of recommendation is required. 5

3. Partner Scholarships (OAS and COLFUTURO etc.)

AUWCL partners with external funders that provide tuition support to admitted students. Notable examples include the Organization of American States scholarship programmes and national funding partners such as Colfuturo for Colombian students. These partner scholarships often require separate applications to the funder while AUWCL may provide matching or credit-based discounts. Check the partner program page and AUWCL’s scholarship listings for exact terms. 6

4. LL.M. Program-Specific Fellowships and Grants

Some fellowships support specific LL.M. tracks or projects such as advocacy, gender, or comparative law. AUWCL also runs internal fellowships for students demonstrating public interest commitment. These awards are competitive and often require additional essays or proof of engagement in the relevant field. 7

Who is eligible?

Eligibility varies by scholarship. Common rules across AUWCL scholarships include:

Applicants must apply to and be accepted into the LL.M. programme to receive most scholarships. Some Academy-linked awards require prior participation in Academy events. 8
Merit scholarships are open to all applicants and are assessed automatically on LL.M. application. Specific Academy scholarships have targeted eligibility such as active civil society involvement or participation in the Inter-American Moot Court. 9
Partner scholarships like OAS have citizenship or institutional requirements decided by the partner. Read the partner call carefully. 10

What scholarships typically cover

Coverage varies from partial credits to full tuition. Examples:

Scholarship	Typical Coverage
Merit Scholarship	Partial to substantial tuition discounts decided by admissions committee.
Academy Summer Program Scholarship	Covers up to 12 LL.M. credits; participants must submit essay and application. 11
Inter-American Moot Court Scholarship	Up to 12 credits for former competition participants. 12
OAS / Partner Scholarships	Varies; often partial tuition or credits; check partner announcements. 13

Key 2025 deadlines and timing

Deadlines differ by scholarship and program track. Use this as a planning guide and always verify on AUWCL pages and partner sites.

LL.M. application deadlines: check AUWCL LL.M. pages; some intakes have rolling admissions. Merit awards are considered at time of application. 14
Academy-related scholarships: submissions tied to the LL.M. application; essays usually due with the LL.M. application. Example: Moot Court scholarship deadline often falls on the LL.M. application deadline (e.g. November 1 in past cycles). 15
Partner scholarships such as OAS: follow the partner call timetable; OAS had a 2025 announcement PDF describing its AUWCL program partnership. Apply to the OAS program per their instructions as well as to AUWCL. 16

Documents you will need

Gather these items ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress.

Completed AUWCL LL.M. online application. 17
Curriculum vitae highlighting legal education, practice and public interest or human rights work.
Personal statement / statement of purpose tailored to human rights and the AUWCL programme.
Transcripts and degree certificates. Official versions may be required at matriculation.
Two or three letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional). For program-specific scholarships, select referees who can speak to the relevant experience (e.g. moot court, NGO work). 18
Any required essay for specific scholarships (e.g. 750-word essay for the Moot Court scholarship or Summer Program scholarship). Submit these essays along with your LL.M. application to the addresses specified by AUWCL. 19
Proof of participation in Academy events or moot competitions for targeted scholarships where applicable. 20

Step-by-step: How to apply

Decide which LL.M. track you want and review the AUWCL LL.M. pages for the HRHL programme and scholarship rules. Start your LL.M. application online. 21
Prepare standard LL.M. documents (CV, statement, transcripts, references) and scan certified copies where requested. Ask referees early and give them your scholarship goals. 22
Check scholarship-specific instructions on the AUWCL scholarship page and the Academy page. For Academy-linked awards, prepare the required short essay (max 750 words) and email it to the addresses specified in the scholarship call at the time you submit your LL.M. application. 23
Apply to partner funders if needed (for example OAS applicants should apply to the OAS scholarship programme following the OAS PDF call in addition to AUWCL admission). Keep copies of partner applications and confirmation receipts. 24
Submit early so admissions and scholarship committees can review your materials. Early submission improves chances for some time-limited awards. 25
Follow up if you receive requests for additional documents; be responsive and professional. If shortlisted for interviews or additional vetting send timely replies. 26

How to write the 750-word scholarship essay (practical template)

Several AUWCL Academy scholarships require a short 500-750 word essay. Use this compact template to make every word count.

Opening (1 short paragraph) - State one specific human rights problem you have encountered or studied and why it matters.
Experience (1-2 paragraphs) - Provide 1 or 2 concrete examples of your direct involvement, measurable outcomes or responsibilities. Be specific about role, time frame and impact.
Fit and intent (1 paragraph) - Explain why AUWCL and the Academy will enable you to address this problem. Mention clinics, faculty or Academy activities you plan to engage with.
Need and plan (1 paragraph) - Briefly state financial need if applicable and a realistic plan for what you will do post-degree to apply your skills.

Selection panel priorities

Across AUWCL scholarships panels generally look for:

Clear evidence of commitment to human rights, public interest or advocacy work. 27
Academic ability and professional potential demonstrated through experience or publications. 28
Alignment between the candidate’s goals and the Academy’s mission and partnerships. 29
Concise, well-evidenced scholarship essays and strong references. 30

Common mistakes to avoid

Submitting the scholarship essay after the LL.M. application close. Many Academy scholarships require the essay with the initial application. 31
Using a generic essay not tailored to the Academy or to the specific scholarship priority (moot, civil society, summer program).
Asking referees at the last minute and failing to confirm submission. 32
Not applying to partner funders when they require a separate application such as the OAS. 33

After you apply

If awarded a scholarship, review the offer letter carefully for conditions (credit coverage, semester limits, ineligibility for other concurrent awards). Accept quickly and complete any paperwork the Financial Aid or LL.M. office requests. If you are not awarded a scholarship, ask for feedback if possible and explore partner funding, external foundations, or partial credit awards. AUWCL also sometimes offers work-study roles and smaller internal grants for students in financial need. 34

Quick checklist before you hit submit

Have you applied for the LL.M. and selected the HRHL concentration if relevant? 35
Did you attach the 750-word scholarship essay where required and e-mail it to the addresses specified in the call for Academy scholarships? 36
Are your references aware and ready to submit? Confirm via email. 37
If seeking partner funding, have you applied to the partner (OAS, Colfuturo) using their process? Keep receipts. 38
Have you saved copies of every document and your confirmation page? Keep them in a scholarship folder.

Official AUWCL and partner links

Academy on Human Rights - Scholarship & Aid details. 39
AUWCL LL.M. Scholarships page. 40
Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (programme overview). 41
LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (programme). 42
OAS - AUWCL Scholarship Program announcement (PDF). 43
Colfuturo - AUWCL partnership (example partner funder). 44

Final words

Pursuing an LL.M. at AUWCL with Academy scholarships is realistic when you prepare early, tailor your essays to the Academy priorities, and leverage any prior participation in Academy programs or moot competitions. Use the official links above to confirm deadlines and specific submission addresses. If you want, I can now draft a concise 750-word scholarship essay template tailored to either the Inter-American Moot Court scholarship or the Civil Society scholarship for you to adapt and submit. Good luck. 45