Chapter Text
The world is constantly turning and evolving. All lifeforms know of this fact, all respect it and live by it. To oppose change is to defy the will of reality. From the largest tree to the smallest leaf, adaptation is the key to survival. In a place far away from the known lands, the gears of change work their magic of Light and Dark…
A strong clap of thunder echoes throughout the lush green caldera. A myriad of creatures scatter into the forest below, looking for shelter from what is to come. The wind picks up, sending a strong gust through the treetops and rustling the rich leaves. High above the canopy, a swirling mass of dark clouds form overhead as the wind increases in strength. Pellets of rain soon hit the caldera floor, accompanied by a brilliant flash of light and another impressive boom.
A spring storm has arrived, showering the huge caldera in the mountains with much needed water and nutrients. Despite the helpful effects of such a storm for the betterment of life here, it still poses a danger to the residents of the basin.
Amidst a lush section of woodlands near the sea where the mountain range ends, a strange tribe of brown bipedal creatures retreat to the safety of their straw and wooden huts. One of them watches the approaching storm with an air of intrigue and thought surrounding it. However, a bolt of lighting streaking through the air jostles the creature out of its own mind, causing it to remember why it was out here. With a determined look on its face, it proceeded deeper into the wilderness and away from the safety of its hut and clan.
On the other side of the depression etched into the mountains, a jagged, towering cluster of brown and gray rocks looms over the valley below. Connected to the surrounding mountain range, this craggy spire stands tall against the storm that would try to bring it down. Its imposing height put the rest of the mountains next to it to shame, so much so that one could see almost the entirety of the caldera with a sweep of the eyes at the summit of the spire.
Right now, a pair of beady eyes was doing exactly that.
Its owner swept over the valley side with its gaze, from the distant pools and tropical trees to the south, to the great plains and hills abound in the north side. The torrential rain and flashing lights of the roiling tempest overhead seemed to prove nothing more than a menial distraction for the creature. Finding nothing of interest, the mysterious entity turned towards the small cave it had found at the summit of the mount.
A mound of bones and meat were piled up; rations stored for emergencies in case anything went wrong. The creature felt itself smirk. It had prepared for this eventuality, and was grateful that it had done so.
With a small chuckle, the dark creature’s long head swiveled over to inspect the drenched forest below. Despite this storm coming out of nowhere, it seems that it had only been a good thing for this being. Not even those shining hypocrites could put it down, so what could this meager storm do against a powerful creature like itself?
Scoffing at the thought, it turned away from-
A flash of light caught its eye. That was odd, there wasn’t supposed to be another bolt of fire from the sky for several more seconds. But it didn’t look like a flash, more like a speck in the distance. Even more perplexing, it glowed differently from the bright flashes of light the creature had seen before.
Confused, the creature rattled in a disgruntled manner and turned to inspect the sky above the caldera. It didn’t take long for the source to be visible again. The creature’s eyes narrowed in pure contempt.
A single, vulnerable, pale white leaf, drifting in the wind aimlessly. The intense winds were flipping it around wildly, almost like they were ready to tear the poor foliole apart at any second. The storm had taken it far from its intended origin, blowing it wildly across the caldera. It appears to be flying to the northeast, beyond the creature’s line of sight.
If it were not for the context the creature possessed regarding that leaf and its kind, it would have felt sorry for its unfortunate situation. Instead, all it felt was amusement. At first, it had half a mind to fly out there and tear that leaf apart itself out of dislike, but this seemed a more fitting punishment. Leaving this leaf to its sorry fate, to be torn apart by the roiling gale above, left the creature laughing out loud in joy.
Oh, karma can be sweet indeed.
Satisfied with the little distraction, the large creature stood up and marched back to its cave atop the jagged spire to outlast the storm. It wanted to get out of this downpour before its feathers got too soaked. It looked one last time out at the landscape beyond, before scoffing and stepping into its cave. His cave.
“It won’t last long anyway.”
Meanwhile, caught in the hands of nature’s wrath, the tiny pale leaf was whisked away. Lightning flashed and roared around the leaflet, outshining the dim glow it was giving off. Whatever stability the thing had was quickly fading, and it fell into yet another tumble. The gale was not letting up, pushing and throwing the leaf around to its hearts content. If it had a mind and personality, one could say that the storm was playing around with it like a child would with their favorite toy.
Across the landscape it traveled. Stuck in the whims of the current as the leaf was, it could only float along. The leaf stayed adrift for a while before lowering, the wind finally letting the tiny leaflet rest for a bit. It floated from side to side as it fell. The ground below wasn’t much to look at, being a small section of beige green grass surrounded by plates and fields of rock.
It was better than drifting off forever in a single direction or at the mercy of the storm above. The leaf drifted lower and lower, but it was suddenly pushed up! A great column of steam and water shot up in front of it, blasting the leaf further up into the atmosphere.
Perhaps that was not a good spot after all.
Captured again by the winds of the storm, the leaf continued its unwilling journey across the lands that seemed to stretch on forever. After what seemed like hours of tossing and turning, a patch of ground came into view as the storm parted.
Not that the leaf could see anyway. Despite its current lack of eyes, the forest below looked different from normal. A field of dead trees littered the landscape, the ground was covered by a layer of gray ash, and occasional specks of black rock jutted up from the forest floor.
Above the ruined landscape did the leaf flutter, pushed towards the edge of the caldera by relentless winds. A large cracked pillar of rock stood etched at the base of the mountain side. Despite this being the opposite of a good landing spot, the leaf was heading directly for it anyway. The detached part of a plant spun and twirled around, before disappearing behind the pillar and through some trees. Its glowing dimmed further and further as the foliole faded out of view and into the darkness of the thin mountainside.
All was still. No signs of movement or activity were present in the ruined and destroyed thicket.
Thunder crashed across the landscape. Rain hammered the barren trees relentlessly. A bright flash of pale light illuminated the landscape. A rockslide was triggered and rumbled down a mountain, chunks of scorched earth turning as the landslide eventually subsided. A howl of a creature, sounding mournful and filled with sorrow, echoed through the dead woods.
Aside from the storm above, all was quiet.
…
Hours passed, and the storm calmed down, but was still present to dump its contents all over the valley. The winds whistled constantly, and the occasional flash and strike of lightning illuminated the stormy caldera.
Deep in the dead woods, rustling was heard coming from a dead bush. Branches were being snapped as something was trying to force its way through the deceased plant. An ambient pale glow was visible through the rotted bush as more and more aspects of the plant were pushed aside. Eventually, whatever it was stuck a limb through, glowing with the same silver light. The paw was flailing around, trying to grasp anything it could. It finally found purchase on a sturdier branch, before pulling and pulling and pulling-
An echoey grunt came from the radiant creature as it yanked itself through the bush and planted face first into the ground beyond the vegetation. A small puff of ash was thrown into the air as the small creature fell down. They let out a small disgruntled squeak as they tried to pick themself up. After a few attempts where it struggled, they were able to do so and stood on two wobbly legs.
The glowing creature seemed to be young, with two forepaws for grasping and two digitigrade legs ending in curved paws. A light coat of white fur adorned the creature, which displayed vibrant silver and gray spots, stripes, and patterns. A long fluffy tail was splayed out behind them, broad and flat in shape. The rear flurry appendage was tipped with a large plumb of fur, splayed out like a flat rudder. They looked around their surroundings with large curious black and silver eyes, occasionally flicking their larger, leporid-like ears to study the dead forest. Finally, the catlike creature possessed 3 offshoot tufts of fur that extended upward from their head, which moved around as they studied their surroundings.
Despite the almost pristine look of this creature, they were covered in a multitude of cuts and injuries, apparent even through their fur
Another flash of lightning popped through the forest. They…no, she yelped in fear and shivered up, her ears drooping to the side as she looked around. There was something awful around her, making those horrible booming noises. She wanted, she needed to escape that terrible noise! Afraid and lost, she looked in a random direction and started moving, whimpering as a gust of wind blew her back. She tried to throw a paw in front of herself to block the strange force that pushed against her and the weird cold liquid drops that drenched her form. The liquid was the worst of all; it hit the strange cuts on her and made her whimper and flinch in pain. She had no idea what was going on, but she wanted this all to stop.
Every step she took on this level surface, that strange force would hamper her progress. She squinted to try and see where she was heading as she took another step forward. All she saw was a blank haze of cobalt gray, and a pathway leading to nowhere. Desperate to get away from these uncomfortable sensations, she walked forward into the haze of rain and wind.
On and on she pressed, even with the uncomfortable sensation of this ground material on her feet and the increasing aggravation of her injuries. She just wanted something, anything to give her comfort and warmth. To add to the list of uncomfortable feelings, she heard a rumbling close by. She yipped, tensed up and looked around. Did that strange fire strike again? As if answering her, a bolt struck in the caldera and made that sound again. Except this one was louder, and sounded less…wet?
That strange sound was heard again, but this time, her ears were able to locate where it came from. It was coming from her! She looked down in a panic at herself, feeling a strange urge well up within her. She wanted…food, that was it. She wanted to eat. She paused, how did she know that? What even was food?
The feeling grew stronger, forcing her to move forward again. The liquid falling from the sky felt even more bizarre than before, and it seemed like it was connected with everything somehow. She was getting more and more weird sensations and feelings the more she pressed on through this forest-
Wait, forest?
She blinked and looked around. A bunch of weird brown and green growths extended from the ground, surrounded by more of those bushes she had seen, except these were thicker and green. Was this a forest? What was a forest? Could it help ease her pain and warm her up? She could feel that this ‘forest’ was more safe than whatever desolate area she was in before. Something told her to trust this place and to go in. Those tall plants seemed to block out the stinging pellets. With more force than before, she half ran, half stumbled towards the tall plant in order to escape the relentless bombardment of liquid.
She arrived and nearly collapsed around the base of the lush plant. It felt so much better to be under here than out in that plain area. She curled up and wrapped her tail around her, trying to warm up and make her fur stop sticking and clumping together. This was so much better than before, and she felt so comfortable that she closed her eyes-
An absolutely ghastly sensation swarmed over her, as she could feel the same region that growled earlier explode in pain, even more extreme than the pain she felt on her cuts. She yowled at the feeling and curled up on herself tighter, hugging her tail. Why was this happening to her?! How can she make it stop?! Curling up didn’t work, so what would? Food? What could she eat?! She desperately looked around the forest area. Her head swiveled left and right, her ears perking up and listening keenly for anything out of the ordinary. With a stroke of luck, the little fluff ball found something!
It had a strange color, different from the bland and hardy greens she was now accustomed to seeing around this area, nor the blacks and grays of that dead area. It almost looked like a smaller version of the giant brown plants she was next to, but a different color altogether. Curious, she stood up and went towards it. Was this food?
She leaned down and chirped, sniffing at the strange plant. This new feeling flooded her face, and whatever it was, it felt amazing. It must mean that this new plant was definitely food! Eagerly, she picked up the welcoming plant and pulled it from the ground, only it wouldn’t budge. She pouted and pulled again, using the entirety of her body to help pick this piece of food. Why was it so stubborn!? After a few more pulls, she heard a snap! She got it-
She let out a yelp as she fell over, smacking into the ground for the second time she could recall. She grumbled as she looked down at her fore paws. The food was now in her grasp, which would help her get rid of this pain!
Eagerly, she took the strange plant and brought it to her face with both paws, opening her mouth to consume it. She bit off a good portion of the plant as instincts took over, trapping the plant inside her mouth. It took her less than a second to realize that she was wrong.
Her eyes flew open as she rapidly opened her mouth, coughing up the small plant to expunge the awful sensation from her mouth. Her paws lashed desperately at the strange pink fleshy thing in her mouth that produced the bad sensation to get it to stop. No matter what she did, that sensation still lingered on. Letting out a whine, she stood up, feeling miserable after what just happened. She was sore, tired, hungry, and in pain. She didn’t even know what these sensations are, but she wanted them to stop already! Maybe there is something else that could help her?
Just as she thought to start moving again, the wind picked up, sending a strong gust through the forest canopy. A loud snap was heard off nearby, sounding like something large broke apart. Now on high alert, the bipedal catlike creature swiveled to see what was going on.
All she saw was a huge branch falling towards her before her instincts kicked into overdrive.
She yelped in fear and dove out of the way as the branch crashed right where she was previously. She stepped back from the branch, the wind whistling through the trees yet again. This time, besides a new warning sensation, she could feel something different. It felt…cold, hurt and alone, and it didn’t come from her. Something else was there too, a mix between danger and that annoyed feeling she felt at that plant earlier. Should she investigate this thing that felt just like her?
Another sudden gust of wind answered her silent inquiry, followed by another snap and another branch falling towards her. Now overcome with this dangerous urge, she turned tail and ran as fast as she could into the lush overgrowth. Her legs were still steady and uneasy, but she pushed forward regardless. Behind her, she could hear the faint thumps of something alive following her. Something dangerous and terrible.
She felt her breathing go out of control as she forced her body to move faster, desperate to escape her mysterious pursuer. Even when she looked back to try and see what was following her, all she saw was the rest of the forest and a strange blackness all around her. Turning back around, she could see a log in the distance, and despite the circumstances, ran towards the unknown object. Her legs were producing a horrible feeling that urged her to stop and not risk her getting hurt. But she refused to listen to them, pushing herself further and further until she reached the log. Instincts took over as she placed a paw over the downed mighty plant and pushed on it. Her body followed suit with her momentum, vaulting over the log and to safety that lay beyond it.
Safety that took the form of a steep hill. With no way to stop, she yipped as she was sent tumbling down the slope, clipping several rocks that were jutting out of the bank of the hill. After several agonizing seconds, the battered creature was finally spat out onto a flat surface.
Everything hurt. She was bruised, battered, and bleeding all over. Tears filled her eyes as she sat there, whimpering and unable to move. All she wanted was for this torturous feeling to stop! Why won’t it stop?! Why couldn’t anything help her? Did she…deserve this? Was this what she was supposed to do?
All she could do now was attempt to crawl against the ground with her forepaws, desperately reaching for something. But everything was out of reach. The greens were too far away. She couldn’t take it anymore. The bad sensation was too much. The poor creature closed her eyes, just wanting to rest for now.
The last thing she saw was a strange brown creature before everything went black.
“Ahh, ‘tis a dreadf’l day tah be searching for berries, but I gottah get this done. Is my turn afterall.”
A chipper, yet solemn male voice said as a hand reached for a ripe blue berry on a bush. With not too much effort, the berry was picked and dropped into a bag by the creature’s side. This process continued for a while before the bush was stripped clean of berries.
‘And that's the last ‘ne. Guess I shoulda stopped a while ago. Storm’s hammerin us hard.’ The creature thought to himself, hoisting the bag full of sweet fruit over his shoulder and heading back the way he came. He was a stout creature, with a fairly sized rodent-like face and brown fur, despite the small buck tooth poking out of his mouth. Despite his height, he possessed a fair amount of muscle and powerful hands and feet. He also wore a strap around his chest for holding things like the bag he picked up.
‘Bah, no mattah. Once I return home from m’ successful adventure, everyone here ‘nd far from the Littoral Thicket’ll will praise me as a ‘ero!’
To accompany his bold thoughts, he posed to himself, thrusting his hand out and pointing at a random tree. If the tree had a face, he was certain it should be blushing.
“Ah, it’s alroight, fellow tree! I know yer just too shy to admit it. But soon everyone will know the name o’ Sir B-”
He stopped his monologue as he heard a tumbling sound followed by a crash coming from behind him. In a not so ‘heroic’ moment, he shrieked and turned around, throwing his fists in front of himself.
“Who goes dere?! Answer me ya fiend!”
He received no response. All was quiet after that loud noise.
“‘Ello?! Any’ne?”
All he heard was a small whimper, barely audible. Growing more concerned, the brave brown knight dashed to the location of the sound he heard, moving past the collection of bushes and fields of flowers in his way. His concern was hidden behind a face of courage, as he parted one final section of bushes before stepping into a clearing.
“I swea’, Halfe, if dis is one o’ your pranks, I’m gonna…lay you…out.”
Right in the center of the clearing, splayed out on all four on the ground, and wounded all over was-
‘A Spirit!?’
At first, he did nothing. Weren’t Spirits supposed to be strong and powerful? Why was one right here, so far away from its kind? And after what happened in the past…
He shook his head. No, it didn’t matter whether or not the Spirits were in the wrong here. This is clearly a child, and they’re on death row right now!
The valiant creature lept at a run towards the injured Spirit, kneeling next to them once he was certain that they were unconscious. He quickly sat his bag down next to the Spirit, performing a cursory inspection of the luminous creature’s wounds. He sighed. There were far too many for him to help heal at the moment. He needed to take them towards the village.
He paused. Would the rest accept him for what he brought? A Spirit in the village would raise questions.
‘Ahh, to da Underwurld with dem! I’m not about ta leav’ a child here.’
Slowly as to not injure them more than necessary, the savior lifted up the juvenile Spirit and rose up to a standing position. Surprisingly, they were rather light to lift up, which only helped the creature in the long run. After taking one cursory glance backwards up the hill the Spirit likely fell down, he strode forward through the bushes, picking up his bag and attaching it to the strap on his chest for now.
“Must’ve been quite da fall. Let’s getcha patched up, lil’ guy.”
As he walked through the forest, he failed to notice the area growing slightly darker around him. Nor did he notice the gaze of something watching him from the shadows. Something with 4 piercing orange eyes.
Those eyes narrowed in displeasure. Its kill was stolen. No matter. Darkness claims everyone eventually, no matter how much time has to pass. It can afford to wait and play this bumbling idiot’s little game.
After all…
Revenge is best served when one least expects it.