The Festival of the Father,
The sound of winged Minions
And so beginsf the Ordeal.

In the village of Syrus, things were... relatively peaceful. People did their best to live in harmony with the Forest and its myriad denizens.

The Festival of the Father was to be the very next day, and soon-to-be-declared Cocoon Master Levant was feeling introspective as he sat with his friend, Mahbu. He was playing a tune on his flute, much to her entertainment. He was thinking of what the future would bring, of what was to happen the next day. OIf his long-missing father.

"Ah," Mahbu sighed. "Your music is so enchanting. But that's the way of a Cocoon Master, isn't it?"

Levant, at the moment, declined to comment, and nodded instead. (1)

Sudenly, a voice rang out behind them.

"Hey, you two! Is it getting a little hot up here? If you get what I mean."

Levant rolled his eyes at the stab.

"Lui! Mind your own business and leave us alone, kid!" Mahbu seethed.

"I'm no kid. This tower is MY responsibility too, after all." Lui returned proudly. "I have a job, unlike your STUPID Cocoon Master."

Levant's eye twitched at that. As much as he tried not to let that bother him, Lui did kind of hit a nerve, there, but he wasn't entirely wrong.

"Tomorrow is the Festival; Don't stayup too late, ya idiots!" Lui finished before laughing and climbing back down.

Mahbu called down, "You're all talk, anyway! AND a buck-toothed idiot to boot!" she snarled.

At this, Levant chuckled. Say what you will about Mahbu; she could spit fire when she needed to. "Are you alright, Mahbu?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Eish. What's H'IS problem? Whatever. He is right, though; the Festival is tomorrow. Maybe we should call it a night?"

"Yeah; Probably a good idea." Levant agreed, makind to stand up. "I'll just be a moment longer."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

Levant took another moment to stare back at the Forest. Soon he'd venture oiut there like his father had before him. And his father. And his father. Such was the way of their family bloodline.

"Father; Ancestors; Elhrim... Wish me luck."

So saying, he played one last note on his flute efore climbing down.

Later...

Levant awoke in a hazy-looking part of The Forest. His first instinct was to proceed, though he was unsure of where he was, therein. The path seemed relatively straight-forward, though.

Walking along the path, he encountered a tall figure, who wore a poncho and a hat that covered his features.

"Who are you? A newbie, are you? Without the Lion of Parel, Syrus shouldnb't have a Cocoon Master at all, right now."

"The Lion of Parel? That was my father's title!"

"So YOU'RE his son, eh? Well, isn't that interesting? Let's see how you measure up to your lineage!"

So saying, the man drew fortha Cocoon and released the beast inside.

'A Dragon?!' Levant exclaimed internally, eyes widening with shock.

He shook that off. 'Dragon or not, I don't think he's going to let me by without a fight. And I'm not going down without one!'

Swiftly, he drew his knife and advanced. He was able to score a clean hit on the creature, and dodged its swipe, but it was able to knock him aside with the force of displaced air behind the swipe.

He was barely able to roll to the side. 'This creature is powerful indeed! I'll have to be more careful.'

The man taunted, "Having a little trouble, are you? Or are you giving up?"

Levant got to his feet, boldly. "Neither!"

"That's the spirit! Come on then!"

Attacking again, Levant was able to score couple more hits before dodging another swing.

"Impressive, for a novice... but altogether pointless. Finish him off!"

The creature took in a deep breath before spitting a ball of flame, which exploded with magnificent force..

There wasn't enough space or time to dodge this attack.

"GAAAAH!!!"

"Without a beast of your own, you're nothing at all. Just the son of a coward! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

With that, everything went black.

Levant started awake, his mother at his side. "Levant! You cried out in your sleep, last night. Are you alriight?"

"I... I don't know. That was a doozy of a nightmare." Levant said, making to stand up.

"Maybe you just had a lot to think about? It's almost That Time, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Maybe... Maybe you're right."

"Just look at you now. I'm sure your father would be proud to see you starting on your own journey."

"Thanks, mom."

Suddenly, Khelmar ran through the doorway. "Come quickly! The Forest! There's a lot of noise and Something is coming!"

Then he started at having remembered something. "OH NO! Mahbu is stil;l at the tower! Come on!"

"It might be a good idea for you to stay here, mom! I'll be back."

And so the two dashed off.

As Mahbu watched from the top of the tower, there was a loud thrumming sound as hundreds of enormous insects began to fly forth from insiide of the Forest. They were massive; many of them easily the size of a fully-grown man.

"Elhrim protect us!" she exclaimed, making to head back down.

The village elder, Mother Garai, swiftly incanted a spell to protect the town from the oncoming swarm. 'I have to hurry, before it is too late!'

After a moment, she finished the spell and a golden light started to flow over the village.

Author's Note

1: Yes, he will have a speaking role when I deem it necessary. I DO NOT do silent protagonists. Hot take, but I find it irritating, just as much as characters not being able to say the name, but can say everything else! If Reader Rabbit can accomodate for that, but you can't...