Chapter 4 - Spring of Life

The forest was cheerful, several weeks have passed since the event and only the wisest of creatures remembered it and they were off hooting and doing who knows what. The strange tree that towered above the rest, had begun to lose it's leaves, carpeting the ground around it in greenish-blue foliage. The decomposing foliage created a blue miasma warding of any curious creatures.

The purple cracks in between its bark grew slowly to become more prevalent than the bark itself. In some places, the bark had completely fallen off, leaving purple streaks on pale blue, almost white, wood. This process was slow, already having gone on for several days. It could be extrapolated that it would take more than a month for the rest of the leaves and bark to fall.

The hierarchy for the new forest was decided. In the east, near the entrance to the valley and the plains beyond several packs of wolves had united under a mighty Dragon-blood Alpha. To the North on both sides of the river, in the rocky mountain crags, flocks of birds had joined together. Although both Mana-touched and Dragon-blood avians still fought for supremacy, the sky was much less empty than before.

Where the mountain streams joined together into the river, Bears lumbered alone or in small sleuths, hunting the weaker creatures and fishing from the river. Throughout the woods smaller creatures wandered alone, hunting and adjusting to their new power. A small number of mountain lions crept through the green dark. Herds of deer guarded by bucks with glistening antlers, newly sharpened and ready for battle, leapt amongst the trees.

All the while the trees and bushes and grass and vines and flowers exploded into growth. The mana-rich air and earth thrumming with the addition of the Dragon’s essence fueled evolution among the greenery. Creating vibrant new colors, potent poisons, and new kinds of edible fruits that were filled with life.

The entire forest blooming with life began to resemble a jungle instead of the former cold pine forest. Formerly constrained in the valley by environmental factors and the persistent logging of small nearby villages. The reborn forest began to spread seeds and sprout seedlings beyond the valley’s entrance, and intrude upon the human’s world.

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‘Thwack’

‘Thwack’

‘Thwack’

With a mighty groan, the large pine fell over, crushing branches and smashing the tall grass underneath.

‘Phew’

Wiping the sweat from his brow with a large dirty hand, the forester ignored the new streaks of dirt joining many others, walking over to the long tree whistling a jolly tune. A large straight pine like this was a good find it had taken several days of wandering around the outskirts of the forest to find one tall enough, but it would all be worth it. A prime pine like this one was worth several dozen silver, enough to feed his family for over a month and buy some tools to begin teaching his son the trade.

Smiling at the thought of his son, a burly lad who just turned 14, big enough to learn about his trade now. The woodsman reminisced about how his own father had taught him this trade and looked forward to seeing his son grow and fell his first tree.

Beginning the laborious process of stripping the tree of the smaller branches. Then using a small cantrip to mark several places on the trunk with his tag, in case another forester stumbled across his tree, while he went to get help for moving the forest giant. Separating a long piece of the radius of the trunk, to show and brag about the many rings it had, the forester whistled while he began the long walk home.

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An hour had passed and the forester was almost home. Twenty more minutes of brisk hiking and he would be able to rest beside the fireplace, eat some nice home cooked food. All while awaiting the arrival of his customer to receive payment, before delivering the log with several friends.

Thinking happy thoughts, the forester almost didn’t notice movement in the bushes around him. Only instinct allowed him to roll to the side, beneath an attack that would have assuredly taken his head. Sharp claws scraped through dead foliage, leaving deep tracks marks on the ground and arresting the large wolf's momentum.

Cursing, the forester's smile instantly disappeared, and slowly dropped his leather pack, filled with several plants and small tools. The forester drew his ax and straightened up. Previous encounters with wildlife had taught the man that defeating them was difficult without the right weapon, which he definitely did not have.

The only plan he had was to intimidate the wolf into retreating, an easy task with his 6-foot tall burly frame. However, he also knew that if this lone wolf was truly desperate for a meal, he wouldn't be able to escape without a fight. Mumbling a quick prayer to the gods, he stepped forward and began shouting.

"Get back you mangy mutt! Go on git! There's no food for ya here! Come on! Go!"

Swinging his ax a couple times, the forester advanced, confidence growing as the wolf seemed to shrink back and retreat. With a little less panic in his heart, he was starting to notice how weird the wolf looked. For one, it was quite a bit larger than a normal wolf, and the usually shaggy grey coat was tinged purple-red. Despite the wolfs appearance, it was retreating the same as every other wolf he had run into, though to be honest that number was quite low.

It had been less than two minutes since the wolf had jumped out at him, and already it seemed ready to retreat. Relaxing a small bit, the forester gave one last push and charged towards the wolf causing it to whine and dart away. His guard still up, but much more relaxed than before, still watching to the wolf to make sure it left, before picking his pack back up, putting it on.

Suddenly an even larger wolf burst from the bushes to his left, taking him by surprise. Unable to react his arms still caught in the motion of securing his pack. Eyes widening in fright and face paling, the man saw death in the wolf's mouth before it snapped shut around his throat, and ripped back and forth. Breaking his spine, and showering the surrounding trees with bright arterial blood. The man's last thought was of his family, and especially his son, who might never become a forester now.

The wolf turned and let out a howl, soon joined by hundreds more. The resounding clamor declaring to every living thing in the area that this was their territory.

Less than a mile away, in the formerly happy village strode a gigantic wolf, easily taller than two grown men one on top of the other. its coat was pristine despite the nature of the surrounding town. Sounds of ripping and tearing echoed among the empty gravel streets, the wolf pack gorging themselves after a decisive victory.

The Alpha wolf gazed curiously around at the dismembered bodies lying in rivulets* of blood. The only wolf that seemed to remember the short time ago when these corpses would hunt them. Finished contemplating life, and noticing that the wolves seemed to be full, the Alpha gave out a long howl. Head back and nose stretched high, summoning his pack to him. Several minutes later the large pack rushed out of the hamlet, leaving a small broken palisade, and bits of the villagers that defended it in their wake.

The sun slowly fell, shooting streaks of orange and pink light to glimmer on the river. Carp leaped above the surface and swam below, dodging predators, and searching for food. The still surface was disturbed, a shiny object and a wriggling worm floating down, suspended only by a piece of cork. Some fish swam closer, nibbling but not taking a bite. Suddenly a large blue bass pushed aside the others, startling them with its sharp teeth, and slowly swaggering up to the worm, it confidently bit down and swallowed.