Kingdoms of Ethirebard: Silver Eastcastle

Prologue

The moon shone bright in the night sky. Brambles and twigs lied still in the hard undergrowth. The trees' leaves swayed back and forth as a cold breeze passed. The moonlight penetrated the thick canopy leaves of the forest. Patches of moonlight gave way to the old path. Thick undergrowth started to grow back in place where the path used to go. Dawn was breaking in. Patches of light blue and purple came into view. The pitch black dissolved, as yellow and orange took their places. The sun bright as ever came into view and the moon's cold silver light disappeared. The core of the forest was still in black. There the canopy leaves of the trees were too thick even for the sunlight to penetrate. The birds started to sing their morning song. Squirrels and rabbits began to wake. The ancient Sky Oak was growing back its leaves after a long and cold winter. Winter was leaving for a break, while spring took its job. The remains clumps of snow began to melt as the spring wind passes by.

The birds stopped, there was a loud sound that made the birds scattered around, fleeing for their dear lives. The trees shooked as great force touched them. Bursts of black fire claimed the sky. Roars of a powerful creature broke the calm silence. A few feet away from the Sky Oak, huge feet ran the path. The creature's pelt brushed the leaves as it ran deeper into the core of the forest. The light got dimmer and dimmer as it approached. The feet stopped, the creature was panting for air. Droplets of lava were hanging from the mouth of the creature. It started to walk taking its time, but soon launching itself toward the darkest area of the forest. The creature jumped, surprising the animals. All the animals that were sheltering from the uproar soon scattered around for better shelter.

The creature scanned the area. Small patches of sunlight were visible. The thick canopy leaves shelter the ancient Sky Oak from the open air. The creature sneered and snickered at the presence of the Sky Oak. Was the Sky Oak powerful enough to defeat the single creature alone? Did it even have power? Or was it all a myth told the young ones? The creature surveyed the Oak. Its roots gnarled and almost torn apart, only a few strings held them together. It was hard to see, but the creature moved confidently taking small, but wise steps as it approached the tree. Suddenly, the roots took hold of the creatures' feet. It had run straight into a trap! A gap in the tree opened. The roots were taking it straight into the gap. The creature fought its way out, trying to walk backwards, but the roots were too powerful. Yards, then feet, then inches apart from the mouth of the tree. The creature thought and thought how to escape. The mouth of the creature glow as it breathes in fire. A small ball of black fire glowing purple rose from its mouth. The roots seem to sense the threat and soon began to uncurl themselves out of its feet. The creature snickered and gave one more look at the Oak before vanishing from where it came from....