The First Flame

Thick black smoke rose from deep within the forest, blending with the morning light like an ominous warning. The Sage Rat stood still for a moment, his eyes fixed on the swirling column of smoke in the sky. His heart grew heavy—this was no longer a vision of the future but a reality unfolding before his very eyes.

"We have to go. Now" he said firmly.

The Wise Crow said nothing, only nodding before they both rushed toward the source of the disaster. The trees blurred past them, their trembling leaves whispering in fear of the calamity ahead. As they got closer, the acrid scent of burning wood became stronger, mixed with the terrified cries of creatures fleeing the inferno.

When they arrived, the scene before them left The Sage Rat momentarily frozen.

Bright red flames devoured the vegetation, tree trunks collapsed, and branches crumbled into ash. Animals scattered in every direction—some took to the skies, others burrowed into the earth, but not all were lucky enough to escape. And amidst the chaos, looming figures of humans emerged—axes, torches, and weapons in hand.

A group of hunters stood at the forest's edge, watching the destruction with indifferent expressions. One of them smirked, spinning his axe in his grip.

"This one's done. Move on to the next forest" he said.

"What about the animals?" another asked.

"Kill whatever we find. The rest will run off on their own."

Every strand of fur on The Sage Rat's body bristled. In that moment, he was no longer a philosopher or a seeker of ancient knowledge—he was a protector, a warrior of nature.

This could not continue.

The Sage Rat stepped out of the shadows, climbing onto a large rock where the sunlight illuminated his small frame against the devastation.

"What do you think you're doing?"

His voice rang out, soft yet powerful, making the hunters snap their heads toward him. At first, they chuckled at the sight of a mere rat, but something in his gaze made them hesitate. Those were not the eyes of a small creature—they were the eyes of a leader, a being who had faced the greatest of battles.

One man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and crouched down, staring at The Sage Rat with amusement.

"And what kind of beast are you, to stand in the way of humans?"

The Sage Rat did not step back.

"I am the one who will protect this forest. And if you do not stop now… I will make you regret it."

A strong wind swept through, carrying ash and embers into the sky. The Wise Crow took flight, letting out a sharp cry that echoed through the burning trees—like a bell tolling the start of the first battle.