Prologue—Silence of the Forest
Impossibly far out to sea, in a land so far west nopony could ever hope to see it, stood a single, lonely island, covered in a dense forest. The last rays of the fading sunset filtered through the canopy and cast an orange glow across the forest floor, colouring the landscape an array of reds and yellows, mingling with the green light that shone through the leaves of the many trees. The forest floor was silent, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind, or the occasional twig falling from the boughs of a tree.
Until one listened more carefully. Then one might hear the steady, delicate sound of cloven hooves on dried leaves, as the forest's residents went about their day. One such creature poked her head out from a knothole in the tree she called home. Her large antlers hit off of the wood of her home tree, creating a loud sound that echoed throughout the whole forest.
Wincing, the creature emerged from her home to the forest floor below. She was a Kirin, a strange creature with the body and antlers of a deer, and the head and tail of a dragon. And it was Kirin that made up the bulk of the forest's population. This Kirin had distinguished herself, and had earned the rights to bear a pair of soft, feathery wings. Her scales shimmered a bright blue and her wild and unkempt mane was a brilliant green.
The Kirin quietly trotted towards the forest's center to begin her duties for the night. Quiet was of utmost importance in the forest. All residents of the forest knew that they must remain as quiet as possible so as not to disturb the meditation of the Central Guardian. The Kirin was flanked by others of her kind as they moved to the place where their duties were carried out. None spoke. Words were not needed. The group mind had advanced to such a fine point that the Kirin could easily and silently communicate their emotions and desires through their shared consciousness. Kirin kept no secrets.
As the Kirin neared her destination, her ears suddenly flew up, as did the ears of the others. A sound, magnified by the silence of the forest. It sounded like the grating of teeth upon tree bark. The Kirin herd glanced from one to another and nodded. Those who had earned wings took to the air, while those that had not broke into a steady gallop towards the precious and sacred place at the center of the forest.
The blue Kirin beat her wings as strong as she could. However she may loathe the disruption of noise, she recognised that in the pursuit of such a potential danger to the forest, silence could be forsaken, if only for a while. The sound of the Kirin's beating wings and the galloping of their hooves was an unwelcome disturbance in the forest. Kirin who had been resting in the trees, as well as other residents of the forest, such as the birds and animals, were soon stirred from their slumber by the noise, and they too joined the frantic pursuit. When the mass of creatures reached the center of the forest, they could not help but be awed by the sheer presence of what they saw there.
A massive tree, with roots that spread out into the forest for miles, and extended below the ground just as far. The trunk was kilometres in diameter, the bark gnarled and twisted. Knotholes had filled with soil over time, and smaller saplings had taken root upon the huge tree. The tree stretched impossibly high into the sky, so high that the top was not visible. The leaves pointed up as though intending to grasp the stars. It had been whispered among the Kirin that the highest boughs of the tree supported the very heavens themselves, but no Kirin would dare to try and find out. Only the giant eagle that dwelt upon the high branches of the tree and the Central Guardian herself would ever know for sure.
The Kirin all paid their respects to the great tree, saluting by placing a hoof upon their chests and pushing it outwards. Respect was due when in the presence of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. The grating sound started up again, and the assembled Kirin pricked their ears attempting to identify the source of the sound. To their surprise, it seemed to be coming from below the tree. The Kirin glanced at each other, unsure of what to do. The grating stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
Suddenly, a light began shining from within the tree. Silently, the great eagle descended and perched upon a branch, his head inclined with interest. The light from within the tree grew brighter and brighter, until at last a knotted tangle of vines and ivy that covered up a giant knothole unwove itself. Out of the tree glided a great and elegant creature. The Kirin all breathed in a collective gasp—for some, it was their first time seeing Her.
She emerged from the tree still shining and glowing with a gentle, yet harsh yellow light. Her long and narrow head emerged first, followed by Her serpentine body and thin, yet strong legs. The gathered Kirin stepped back as the mighty creature uncoiled herself. She was a glorious sight to behold, shimmering with the radiance of a thousand suns. Her golden yellow scales rippled and shone like water, and Her soft, silky mane was a deep blue colour not unlike the ocean.
The Kirin bowed out of sheer respect for the Central Guardian as She rose to Her full magnificent height. She was impossibly long, like a serpent, and as She stood up She towered over the assembled Kirin. She didn't need words to speak to Her subjects and faithful servants. Like them, She valued silence.
My faithful subjects, you have no doubt heard the sounds that plague the forest, as have I. I commend you for your quick reactions, however I fear there is very little you may do.
The Guardian's voice rang through the minds of the Kirin. Her lips did not move, and She did not physically speak, but Her telepathic bond with each and every Kirin was very strong.
The beginnings of fear began to ripple across the Kirin's herd-mind. The comforting tones of the Guardian started up once more.
The sounds are caused by an unforeseeable and nigh on unstoppable event that will set in motion the downfall of our fair forest and the entire world of Equus. Though there is naught you may do, there are others who may be more of use to us. Until then, I ask that you resume your duties. They will help slow the decay until help arrives.
Though residual traces of panic remained in the minds of the Kirin, the calm nature of the Guardian, even as She spoke of such grave matters as the potential end to all things, soon reassured them. They began to communicate with one another as the Guardian transferred the information throughout their shared mind.
You may go now. For now all you may do is pray that the Wheel of Fate is upon our side.
Each Kirin turned and began to reluctantly resume its duties. Some returned to the trees to rest. Other flew or climbed onto the many gnarls and calluses upon the bark of Yggdrasil to set about maintaining the huge tree. Still others climbed into the knotholes to perform maintenance from within. Each task was perfectly coordinated through the use of group-mind.
The blue Kirin spread her wings in preparation to take off in order to assist the great eagle with his maintenance of the branches when the voice of the Guardian rang out in her mind.
Rōu Shuì, I have a special task for you.
Rōu Shuì froze before she replied.
What is is you would ask of me, my lady?
The Guardian spared no details as She transferred Her plan directly to the Kirin's mind. Rōu Shuì turned a deathly pale.
You would ask me to...leave the forest?
Despite the Guardian's reassurances, Rōu Shuì still felt rather apprehensive abou the whole thing. However she decided to obey her mistress, as was proper for a Kirin. Quite suddenly, the Guardian issued a warning across the Kirin's group mind for them to cover their ears.
Rōu Shuí could only watch with a mix of interest and fear as the Guardian shattered the silence of the forest by unleashing an unearthly, bellowing howl.
