Summoning (1)
[Eirian Continent – Milbong Rainforest]
Deep in the rainforest, a strange sensation had taken hold of the creatures that inhabited it. Screeches and growls floated through the air, creating a sombre cacophony that mixed with the rapid footsteps of those fleeing aimlessly. The beasts took refuge in their territories, seeking shelter in the shadows of caves, among roots, or in their nests, although they knew that the energy that ran through the rainforest was uncontrollable, impossible to avoid.
The orange sky of dawn was slowly darkening, while storm clouds gathered, spreading over the horizon. The wind blew hard, shaking the treetops, and thunder rumbled with increasing intensity. The ground began to shake, the vibrations escalating with each second. Birds, alerted by the danger, squawked and scattered in erratic flight.
In the middle of a vast lake floated an island surrounded by towering cliffs. But unlike the chaos that dominated the rainforest, there reigned a heavy silence, as if something waited in the shadows, hidden and expectant.
At the heart of the island, a massive beast slithered along at breathtaking speed, its body a blur of motion as it tore through the undergrowth. Its razor-sharp scales bristled with every movement, while its blood raged as if a storm had been stirred within it.
"She's back… she's back," the creature murmured, with a mixture of disbelief and fervor.
Its four eyes glowed with a deep, almost feverish longing. Each breath reflected the intensity of the excitement that consumed it as it followed the trail of that familiar energy, a feeling that had disappeared millennia ago.
Every sentient being in the rainforest, and even beyond, sensed it: something was awakening.
They had finally returned.
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[Hathor Kingdom]
The Belenos district was located on the border between the kingdom of Hathor and the Milbong rainforest. This place was well known by warriors, hunters, herbalists, and merchants; a meeting point for those looking to improve their combat skills or acquire products ranging from medicinal plants, and weapons, to beast carcasses.
However, in recent months, Belenos became the center of all conversations in the kingdom, not because of its usual attractions, but because it had become the scene of brutal clashes between the rainforest beasts and the warriors of Hathor.
The beasts that inhabited the Milbong rainforest were intelligent creatures, depending on their evolutionary level, so many chose to avoid humans and focus on hunting lower-ranking beasts to feed themselves and defend their territory. Until, without warning, they began to ally to attack humans, and Hathor was one of the first kingdoms to be besieged due to its proximity.
The idea that the beasts had reached a higher level of intelligence, leaning more towards conquest than the defense of their territory, left all the nearby kingdoms with a sense of urgency. Thus, the best warriors were sent to the front to form a line of defense and prevent widespread devastation.
But that morning, the infamous battlefield that had witnessed bloody fighting for the past five months was completely deserted. It was not that one of the factions had emerged victorious; the beasts that had besieged Belenos had inexplicably retreated, plunging the warriors into a state of confusion and worry.
Several looked up at the cloudy sky, noticing a strange flow of ether enveloping them like a veil. However, everyone remained calm, staying at their posts in case the beasts took advantage of the moment for a surprise attack.
Storm clouds, born in the heart of the rainforest, quickly spread over Belenos and beyond, reaching the kingdom's capital in a matter of seconds. Suddenly, the earth shook violently, causing the warriors to lose their balance and kneel on the ground. The mounts, terrified, tried to flee. It was at that instant that they realized something was wrong, but it was too late.
The rushing ether seeped into every corner of the kingdom, as if seeking something, then abruptly stopped. But its pressure persisted, heavy and pulsating in the air, over humans and beasts alike.
In Iabet, the capital, people who had started their day normally now found themselves sprawled across the ground, struggling to regain their balance after the tremor that shook the entire kingdom. The
"The sky!" a woman in the crowd exclaimed. Everyone looked up, their hearts constricted by the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
In addition to the dark clouds, hundreds of strange, glowing symbols began to form in the air, spreading out in huge rings that surrounded the capital, like a dome that foreshadowed something sinister.
Instinctively, the Hathi's gazes were drawn to a giant wisteria tree that flourished in the heart of Iabet. This tree, called 'enedina', was a national emblem, present even before the foundation of the kingdom. The Hathi considered this tree a sacred treasure, vital to their survival, and its location on the kingdom's acropolis made it a symbol of power and stability.
As the tree's purple flowers shook violently, a golden glow, similar to that of the floating symbols, began to emanate from the enedina. The thick branches, which covered much of the capital like a natural umbrella, swayed vigorously, producing eerie creaking sounds.
When the sound became unbearable for the inhabitants, the tree stopped moving. The Hathi watched, nervously, both the tree and the symbols floating motionless in the sky.
For a long time, the capital was plunged into silence, while everyone waited, holding their breath, for the symbols to disappear.