Chapter One: What once was.

Chapter 1.
What Once Was

Before the concept of time was formed and manifested, the web of life had been intertwined with those forms of magic and magical creatures that we have long forgotten about. Believed and sought after by young innocents and those who had finally come to understand the very nature of things, for you see, it is these magical creatures that hold the key.

The Web of Life has been weaving its chaotic stitches for longer than even the elders can remember, intertwining all the elements of creation to construct its interconnected netting. The substance which gives all life its breath. Then, the web started to form complex images from which all forms of life appeared. Within these early life forms were combined all of the knowledge and memories of the web from which they had risen. (the Primordial consciousness if one may). Many of these creatures (both plant and animal)were equipped with naught but instinct and the fundamental knowledge that they shared with all living things their collective mind.

Some of these creatures were born or rose with something else. They too harboured instinct as well as the knowledge and memories of the web itself however they felt love which was accompanied by consciousness and thus with these attributes came understanding and if one may wisdom. Out of the web they crawled into an ominously large space filled with mountainous land masses and large broiling bodies of water. Each different species headed in a different direction, looking for somewhere that felt like home. Many of these groups were dissatisfied with the local terrain and set off to search for their own private sanctuaries. Of these groups many kept on with their tireless exploration of what was now their world. A large number of these groups found solace in the plains within the protection of the surrounding grasses. Others, still at a loss, kept on with their seemingly endless trek. Of these, many sank down into the depths of the ocean, finding peace beneath the surface of her undulating waves, adapting as became necessary.

Of those left, hordes sank down into the rich soil sprouting roots or burrowing deeper into its dark, cool depths. Some of these beings grew into large handsome trees. Giving many relief from the scorching orb of heat and light above. (what many now know as the "sun" but which has been known by many other names throughout the cycles.) Those few beings who still didn't feel at rest by way of understanding decided that their fields must lie at the peaks of the mountains scarring the surface. Ever upward they trudged. here and there some, unable to go on, veered away and found their "Fields" on the jagged peaks of the mountains. Still many more kept going, only stopping once they had reached the summits and then casting themselves into the surrounding updrafts, sprouting their respective wings. All of these creatures had after all been imbued with the magic and wisdom that makes the basis of the web which they had been borne.

The web has been described by those who have been blessed enough to behold it. As a cord of made of silver thread, a sticky Luminous substance, which mesmerizes and hypnotises those who behold it. This is the essence of life and magic woven together forming the thread, which then weaves the web.

Those creatures that came from close to the centre of the web, grew into highly magical beings, Wise and Strong, their magic originating from the core of the web where the magic is more concentrated, powerful. These creatures emanated love and compassion.. They were at one with all that existed, understanding intrinsically the way of the living world. A number of these creatures chose their body according to personal fancy. Some of these entities, just experimenting with their physical form. However, unlike the other creatures, who let their chosen environment define their physicality, many of the more obscure creations were developed on a whim, not environmentally defined necessities. It was here that all sorts of wondrous creatures came to be. (Griffins, Centaurs, Fairies, Pixies, Elves, Giants, Nymphs, Dwarves) Strangely enough many of these decided on their preference for the human physique or various aspects of it. They all harboured the ability to meld with the web, making subtle changes and accessing the webs ubiquitous vaults of knowledge, unleashing and manipulating the wealth of power which constituted the vastly complex web. Be aware that this plethora of power did by no means elevate them to the status of a deity, gods already existed, it was they who created the web.

pishogue- prologue

Prologue

The one whom they had named Flame “The Light Hunter”, so many cycles ago that one could scarce recall who had taken it upon themselves to name her thus. Absentmindedly, she watched the encroaching rays of light as they relentlessly crept forward, causing all in their path to light up, brilliantly. Causing the early morning mist and dew to glisten as thought for a brief moment they were precious jewels,
ready for the plucking. Only to evaporate into the early morning air, disappearing until the next such confrontation between warm, regenerating sunlight and early morning condensation.

Smiling to herself, Flame shook herself from her reverie and drew her focus from the sheer unbridled beauty of the play of light on the previously overshadowed forest undergrowth, producing an increasingly mottled effect everywhere she laid her eyes. Flame felt her hair light up as she was engulfed in a ray of sun that had found its way through the thick canopy overhead. She sighed as she felt the warmth creep through her. Her hair, for which she presumed she had gained her namesake (but in all honesty she could not have known infallibly) these things had occurred an age ago. To most all but forgotten, Flame had to admit that nowadays the cycles were starting to merge into the other. Time does, she contemplated, evaporate into a memory. Time passes in a blur of images and sounds, feelings and consequently an element of wisdom. (though we must be aware some learn quicker than others). Rousing herself again Flame glanced over at the stark reminder that she was only fooling herself, she would ever be ageless, the patches of light becoming cooler once more blanketed by the canopy of the forest.

Time or the concept of it would ever be something to be mused upon, something that would only ever be observed from a distance. Like peering into an Aquarium, watching its inhabitants as they move, oblivious that they are under observation. When one had seen and was likely to see as many cycles as she had, then, they may also come to understand this as the nature of things. The cyclic nature of things means that everything will rise and fall and rise again, continuing the cycle. However one cannot put a time frame to this pattern of events, the cycle will only run as long as is required.

Looking around, Flame realised that the light of day had moved along to lay its tendrils of light and heat elsewhere, Staring forlornly at the fading warmth, Flame stretched her arms back and shaking out her now deliciously dry and somewhat warm wings, letting them drop to her body, stroking her skin making her shiver in mild ecstasy. Straightening herself up she started to move back, trying not to think about what lay ahead. She bade her goodbye to the small glade that had allowed her some time away from the circle of mushrooms that she could feel, even though she could not at present see it. She longed, desperately to linger some more but she knew that she had dallied long enough. Turning to face the doorway ahead she steeled herself for the coming onslaught of queries she would now have to fend. As she stepped into the circle the familiar sensation enveloped her. Looking out of the ring she noticed the last rays of light fading into the distance. A panorama she new she would not be witnessing soon enough.


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On the other side of the world Magmas “The Night Hunter” was taking his evening vigil around his neighbouring forest, getting rid of pesky beasts and keeping the area safe for all of those who lived within his “realm”. This forest was one of the myriad of offshoots from the mother of all forests, wherein much of the mysticism of the world still resides, although it can be found permeating everything,. This forest is known to all who revere her as “Gaia” for within the centre of this forest stood the mother of all trees, older than even the ancients, she has seen all and stood firm through all manner of environmental upheavals, standing tall and strong. Wise beyond comprehension, Gaias’ roots spread deep, feeling every shift in vibration upon the earth that is her home. Anyhow, Magmas was perusing the area when at the edge of his senses he perceived a discordant vibration coming from the far side of the forest. Displeased at having to now traverse through the forest, he quickly checked his quiver to see how many arrows he still had left. (Although he was a infallible shot and his arrows were dipped in a fatal poison, if the antidote was not administered within 24minutes the unfortunate being would fall into a deep sleep, so deep in fact that after a while one forgot to breathe.) Magmas made all his own potions, having being adopted by an anarchic, warrior sect of the elves, Elves after all become masters at whatever they set their mind to, he was in all senses of the concept, a very self sufficient man.

While he headed towards the inconsistency, he tried to sense what sort of being he had come across. It certainly wasn’t one that he had encountered before, so he held himself in an alert readiness, ensuring that his already light gait appeared as though he wasn’t even touching the ground. Continuing to move towards the shifting vibration, Magmas was beginning to get concerned, recently many more warped and twisted beasts had made their way through the web, all of which were starting to affect the equilibrium of the world. He was starting to feel as though it was time for a journey back to Gaia, to commune with those who may have an answer to what he was finding more and more difficult to understand.

Aware that he was getting closer to the abnormality, as he was now referring to the beast, for want of a better name, he slowed himself down and became as invisible as possible, (Which in the case of the Night Hunter was complete.) Ahead, about fifty paces lay a small copse of bushes, which looked to be wilting swiftly the closer he got to them. Looking around Magmas noted a somewhat larger tree, that could support his weight, which would put him in a defensibly strong position but still invisible vantage point. Thanking Gaia and The Web that it was not too light for him to be seen, but still light enough for him to see. Quickly he scaled the tree, thanking, its spirit, he found himself a spot high enough for him to have a clear view of the glade.

At first it was only his senses that told him there was something within the glade, even his outstanding eyes could scarcely make out anything more than a shadow amongst the now, putrefied trees. Then, he realised what he was looking at; ahead, about fifty paces lay an indistinguishable black mass. It was in the centre of the glade, which for the present moment was strangely awash with light, yet he couldn’t help but note, that the very light itself seemed to be sucked into the very substance of the beast. Much like what was happening to the shrubs that grew around the glade. Gaia’s once beautiful shelter and sanctuary for weary travellers was being mutilated while he watched, just from being in proximity to the creature.


With a deep feeling of nausea, that was growing at every moment, in his being, but still desperately curious he tried to get a fraction closer Careless in his intent focus on getting closer, he made the smallest of noises, what would have been the only noise he had emitted all day. The beast heaved, grunting gutturally and raised its makeshift head, pieces of flesh falling off it, as though its own flesh rotted off it while it sat. From this angle Magmas saw that what he had at first thought was skin, was actually a malleable black mass of a sticky slimy mess, that was now actively swarming across its surface, like an angry hive of insects, that were trapped just beneath its skin, forming what we could be led to believe was its face, it shifted somewhat, and Magmas noted that it appeared to be injured.

Looking now at the rest of the shape he realised this really was nothing like any living thing he had seen before, and he had seen many debauched creatures tear through the web. To him it looked as though it was a mismatch of creatures, sloughed together like a badly made quilt, he was sure he could see the remains of a Dragon and what looked to be an Orc among the tattered patchwork of various hides. Then, the creature looked at him directly, what he saw shocked beyond all else, empty pits of loathing and malevolence, yet with an inexplicable intelligence, probably due to the number of creatures that made up its exterior alone, Magmas, shuddered with a despair, that welled, up from deep within his soul. Quickly, he moved back through the canopy of the trees, quickly retracing his steps, glancing back periodically to ensure that the creature did not follow.

Eventually dropping to the ground so he could travel more efficiently, eager to put as much distance between him and the beast as possible. He had planned to continue, searching the area and then head home. Now, he was going straight home, and then, to the council. He steadied his mind and lithely made his path through the forest, moving as fast as he could.

Far away, though not so far that we could not see her, a lady, glowing, iridescent, radiant and wise, looks up from the task that she had set for herself. Her head, cocked to one side, as if listening to some distant sound that only she was privy to. Her eye’s, the pupils, shaped like crescents, glazed over, staring into a realm, many miles from where she now sat.


She stood up, her glistening, blue hair tumbling down the curve of her spine, she looked down at her skin, so dark that it was darker than the blackest night, yet, interspersed were various glowing moons, in all of the waxing and waning phases. Like her eyes, they represented her charge, and the major part of her responsibility. But we’ll talk about that later. Stepping back, into the twists and turns of the tunnels beyond, she made her way back to where, now apparently there were things to be done.
* * *

“Now, the story you are about to hear, may seem a little odd at times, but I assure you that, when I, your host, Elysian, finish in the telling, you can be sure that you have just been in witness of a fine, and true story. The only thing that may influence, whether or not, you truly agree with what I’m about to tell you, is whether I have told it well enough.
For, you see this is what I have come here to do. To tell you a story that just maybe, hopefully, will change the way you look at the world a little. Or, at least, if that doesn’t happen, you fail to view the world differently, to move you in some way that you have never been moved before. To inspire you perhaps, ah but that would be a grand folly to hope for such a thing?”


The only thing that I truly ask is that you enjoy the tale I am about to tell, let it bring a smile to your face, or a tear to your eye. For you see, it is those stories, that we remember for eternity. For they are the ones that are meant to be told, and they are the ones that are real. Please do not use the information that I am about to tell you for wrongdoings or harm. I am giving you this information in trust and good will, much of the information you are about to find out is highly secret. If, in my haste to try and help, I have in fact done the opposite, then, well…. We’ll just have to see what happens. I have faith in you, so please above all else do not worry.”
Namaste
Love and Respect
ELYSIAN