Hero awoke. He was in a cot cushioned by a thick layer of rich grass and moss. The walls was made of rough hewn stone bricks, green with moss. Posts made of gnarling living wood held the ceiling. Glass jars with insects glowing pastel rainbows inside hung on green twine.

Hero's head throbbed with dull pain he sat up. His head as well as his body was wrapped tightly in bandages. His clothes appear to have been replaced as he was now wearing a clean lime robe rather than his navy vest. His sword wasn't in sight either, leaving Hero feeling rather edgy.

*Creak.* The door swung open as a smoky white creature slowly entered the chamber. It smiled, nervously showing its sharp shark teeth. Its head was that of a weasel while his legs was that of an elephant. Its upper arms and wrists were protected by large shells that were textured like a pineapple's.

The smoky and somewhat translucent creature ambled towards the blue bear. In its hands was a board, and plates holding breakfast lay on it.

"So... Breakfast in bed?" Hero stated. The creature nodded, placing the board on Hero's lap, held aloft by wooden feet.

The creature slowly ambled and escaped from the chamber, closing the door behind it. Hero could have sworn that the creature simply phased through the door jamb.

Hero shrugged. He turned his attention to the meal he was given. There was a large plate that held a serving of rice, a saucer of saucy lamb chops, and a bowl of chop suey. A spoon and for were set aside in plastic wrapping.

He unwrapped the eating utensils, and began gingerly eating. He found the meat pleasantly sweet and savory, and the chop suey to be well cooked. In ten minutes or so, the meal before him was gone, and he was wiping his lips clean of sauce.

"I see that you have enjoyed your meal." A voice spoke. It came from wooden creature that stood still and straight like a proper tree. Their skin was bark, and eyes were golden stars. Their snout bore serrated teeth like that of a saw, but lacking a lower jaw. A pair of horns jut out the sides of their head. The horns curve up in a right angle, with the right ending with a spruce sapling. A medallion hung on its left horn.

Hero nodded. "Compliments to the service." The smoky creature edged closer to gather the dirty dishes Hero had produced.

"Your welcome, honored guest. I am Tree Truth's Blaze." Tree bowed before Hero. They then point toward the smoky creature. "And that is my adopted brother, Smoke."

"My name is Hero's Prophecy, but I'll prefer you calling me Hero." Hero waved at Smoke, but the timid creature swiftly escaped as if afraid that Hero's stare could burn. "So, where am I?"

"You, sir, are in Ruinton in Chasmland, the underbelly of the Imaginarium."

Hero attempted to stand, but Tree stopped him. "No, no, good sir. Please, stay in bed. Let's wait until your wounds has healed."

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"Where's my sword?" He asked.

"Do not worry, sir Prophecy. It is kept safe," Tree answered. "It will be returned in time."

~***~

Hero stayed in the infirmary of the Truth's Blaze residence. His attempts at standing and moving were stymied by Tree before he could properly begin. Smoke delivered his meals regularly like a ninja waiter.

The day would come that he could roam free in Ruinton.

"There, there, Mr. Prophecy," Tree soothed as they unwrapped him of bandages.

"I suppose I'm free to go now?" Hero asked.

"Yes. You are."

"May I have my sword back?"

"No. Not yet, but you will." This statement made Hero a little sad. Soot accumulated in his insides and dimmed the outgoing light.

Hero was allowed to leave the infirmary, and he entered and large chamber. The chamber was carved straight from a gargantuan tree, and illuminated by candlesticks burning rainbow flames. In the far wall was a desk made of stained wood on which was a crystal ball on a golden stand. Smoke was dusting the room while warily watching Hero's presence.

Hero slipped out the treehouse and into Ruinton proper. He found himself in a large dark cavern. Crumbled walls of concrete and skeletons of buildings littered the landscape while darkness veiled the land. The ground was paved with roads of grey brickwork and outlined with shallow earth-filled canals. The occasional stalagmite would break the landscape of architecture.

Ruinton was eerie. Silence hung in the air like a ghost constantly choking you. With the exception of the fiery beacon that was the Truth's Blaze residence, Ruinton was a lifeless forlorn underworld. Names of those that once lived and perished in these homes that lay in ruin were carved into the cornerstones.

Smoke poked at Hero's shoulder. Hero was alarmed; he had not heard Smoke approach. Smoke flinched at his aggressive expression, slinking behind the familiar navy clothing it brought.

Hero's face expressed surprise at Smoke's incredible silence before the piece of apparel was shoved upon his face, and the split second his eyes was closed, Smoke had disappeared from view. It appeared that Smoke had washed his favorite vest for it was fresh and free of grime.

He wore the vest above the lime robe that he had been provided. The cloth may not provide further protection, it helped to keep dust and debris from irritating his healed wounds.

He gazed upon the sorry town, lain in ruins, dead and forlorn. His heart was doused with iced water as he thought about what had happened to the deforested concrete jungle before him. The darkness drenched the land before him like a slow-moving tsunami of tar that vaporized in the burning luminance of the treehouse.

Somebody poke his shoulder. He turned his head to a wincing Smoke holding a board holding dishes for lunch. Smoke sat beside Hero, and set down the food. Smoke motioned Hero to eat as the eating utensils were procured.

"Smoke, if I may ask, what happened to Ruinton? I'm sure that it wasn't always this way."

Of course it wasn't always this way, evident from the frowning face of Smoke. Smoke began to gesture in the air, trying to silently tell a story through motions.

At first there was standing buildings. Somebody came. Explosion. Things fell. The end.

Whilst the display and meal, Hero spied something in the darkness, a shining golden star in the deep darkness. It totally stole his attention. Looking closer, he saw that it was not just a star, it was a woman, an angel clad in gold, with rivers of golden light radiating from the body. There was something about the distant star in the darkness he found enchanting.

Smoke took his hand, and faced Hero. Smoke shook its head, disapproving whatever thought have trickled into his attention.