An incandescent pulse of lightning threw the forest below into stark illumination. Thunder growled among the thick grey clouds, and green branches tossed like waves in a stormy sea as a howling gale swept through the forest. Rain tumbled down, cold crystal drops combining in a vast curtain of swirling water. The tears of some great sky-being, weeping for who-knows-what.
Amid the storm-stricken trees, a thin path wove and twisted like a jungle creeper. A flicker of motion darted up it, slipping from bush to bush as though it feared that unfriendly eyes would observe its furtive journey. A mere shadow in the storm, dancing between the raindrops with an agile grace. But who would be out in such a tempest?
Among a grove of trees at the path's terminus was concealed something that gave off a constant blue-green glow. The luminous light filled the small circle of trees, somehow projecting an aura of peace and serenity.
The shadow on the path increased its pace.
Lightning flared, for an instant blinding the whole world with burning whiteness. By the time the explosion of thunder rattled the branches, unleashing yet another torrent of raindrops, the mysterious traveler had entered the grove.
Bright eyes gleamed sinisterly as they drank in the sight of the most valuable treasure in the world, one that no sane thief would ever attempt to steal.
Until now.
"At last, I've found it!" The exultant whisper was barely audible above the moan of the wind and the splashes of the raindrops. "A Time Gear!"
There was a quick, sharp click, and the grove's illumination vanished. One last scar of lightning split the tortured sky. A steady ripple moved outwards through the forest, leaving behind lines of still, frozen trees. Raindrops hung in the air, waiting for a fall that would never come.
The thief's fingers closed tightly around the Time Gear, hiding it from view.
"But this is only the first of many…"
