The woods were dark and desolate, or so it would seem. For what else would you find in an old glen of dead and dying trees, bone-chilling and a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop for a thousand miles. Forever clouded skies, so dark you could never see light or day. Always cold, a maze of winding paths and endless trails; sometimes, even some that just disappear entirely.
Would it be a surprise, to say the least, that were you to turn left, right, back, straight, and completely northwest, you would come across a giant of a castle standing in the middle of the forest?
An old fortress in appearance, built from cobblestone and other rock, looking to be over a thousand years old. Ivy grows up the sides, the vast towers and walls of the unknown fortress, creeping and curling vines sneaking in and over rock crevasses and cracks. A crow cawed, cackling laughter, swooping in overhead, landing on the iron perch at the top of the tallest tower, lying somewhere in the midst of twisting mazes, caverns, dungeons and corridors.
From behind a grisly, dirty framed window, a single cerulean eye peers out at the surrounding area, the other hidden behind a fringe of long, trailing bangs. A figure of smallish stature, he eyed the bird dully from his stance at the window, reaching out with a slender finger to tap thinly at the glass. The old pane swung out with a rusted creak, the bird squawking indignantly, staring haphazardly at the open sill.
Spreading glossy black wings, it fluttered off the metal rail, gliding perfectly onto the offered outstretched arm. Talons sank through the thick, water-like ebony fabric, yet not deep enough to break through the pale skin hidden underneath. A black gloved hand stroked its head, earning a contented croon from the bird's throat.
Slowly, the holder brought the animal in, a wave of the hand stirring up an unknown force of wind in pulling the window shut. Striding over to an old antique oak desk, the holding arm was raised, the crow jumping from limb to a branch seemingly growing out the side. Sliding into a rickety chair, the emotionless creature snapped his fingers, a small flickering flame ignited upon the wicks of three half-melted candles. The orange glow softly bathed the desktop in a weak light, shadows crawling and spilling long puddles of darkness. Cold cerulean scanned over the surface, the empty gaze landing upon a dusted drawer on the front side. Loosely grasping the knob, the wooden casement gave way to reveal a peculiar series of artifacts.
A glass ball, smoke clouding about inside, a bottle or two of murky goo, a set of cards of curious blue and shape, and a couple of keys shaped in the most strange symbol imaginable to mind.
In the center of the clutter, a large tome of thick durability, dull grey with a metallic spine. On the front, the symbol of the keys, three intertwined, lay puzzling and mind boggling. A sinister aura befell him, the right hand slowly pulling the battered, worn book from its resting place. The left hand fingered a bottle of charcoal ink, sitting below the branch perch. The crow atop squalled, ruffling its body, a single black feather floated innocently down. Setting the large book down, he absentmindedly grabbed the quill, licking the tip in a form of self-comfort. Dipping the end into the vial of night's tears ink, he flipped the old twelve-year old hardcover, to the first page of yellow parchment.
Eyelids blinking slowly for a second, he lowered the feather to paper, a drop of ebony sinking into the page. He moved his hand ever-so-slightly, and the first line was drawn. The words would be written, and it would start slow, and steady.
He could sense it in his veins, empty blood flowing to a heart that was never there. He'd hidden away well, kept invisible from prying eyes and unfriendly company. From this he found a place of solitude. His sanctuary, one might presume. A castle of unknown location and existence – something that once was, now an old ruin of stone and forgotten memory. He'd hidden himself here well, from foe and ally alike. He had none of the latter and many of the former. So aggravatingly enough to become a hazard to his well-being; not like he had any to begin with, but he digressed, he was – what was it called? It had been so long now – happy with where he was. Unbothered for four years, even longer now that he'd thought about it; he'd let go of time many a decades ago.
The castle ghosts were kind and quite civilized, if you had the choice of crossing there good side; they could be quite unpleasant to any other. Ah, but he understood them more than he could mention, in fact he hardly had the chance to be lonely and alone. Quite welled mannered himself, he was pleased to come across such decent company.
The cats were a formable party as well, arriving in the perfect moment, if one would excuse the rather dry pun. Always the ones for news and tidbits, he listened to their whispers in his ear, the little tales and rumors that would fly about in gossip and passage of message. They roamed the grounds constantly, always coming across something new of interest. Plus, they kept the mice under control.
He stopped, quill empty of ink, the first of many words lined across the top of the page.
"What is seen is not really seen"
He knew the meaning so well, stamped across his mind like a blindfold to eyes.
Speaking of which…
He froze, standing up so suddenly, the crow was shaken from rest with an alarmed cry. A dark looked scoured his face. The perimeter! Someone had broken it! Dared to enter the forbidden land, his territory of solitude and security – they would pay for their interference and ignorance!
He'd never let himself lose his guard again, not when it had cost him everything he once had. Even his own life, almost – pure luck had gotten him through that mess no doubt. Reaching his arm, he felt the crow land softly on the edge of his wrist, wings fluttering impatiently. Walking to the window, he pushed the pane open, stuck his arm outside, watching as the crow took off into flight. He stood silently, arm falling back to his side. Eyes traveled to the bird, locked on in sight as the black creature soared up into the sky and away.
Soon, it will all come together, and begin in a twisted, unpredictable storyline.