Prolog
The house was dark but warm and smelled strongly of the smoke from his grandfather's pipe, as Kahrash a rather special seven year old boy sat on the rug by the fireplace flipping dutifully through the pages of the book of chaos. He struggled every now and again trying to understand the material contained within the book. Karash was born and raised on Angel Island, or Angelucorananta in the language of his ancestors. The island once housed the thriving civilization that had now all but died out, save for one small echidna and his grandfather who sat in a rocking chair by the fire place smoking his pipe thoughtfully. All though the people had died out their greatest treasure was still guarded by the few who had survived. A beautiful gem that had been bestowed upon them by the goddesses Alurashena. They called this gem, the master emerald, and through it the seven chaos emeralds could be controlled. For generations the guardians had been responsible for protecting this, one of the most powerful objects on Mobius. Kahrash's grandfather was the current guardian, and soon Kahrash would take his place. In preparation he was asked to study the book of chaos from beginning to end. The book of chaos was a series of twelve books written by a collection of accent philosophers and scientists who had studied the master emerald and the chaos emeralds. Karash had studied every page, knew every word by heart but this alone would not be enough to prepare him what lie ahead. They sat in a comfortable silence for a long time before his grandfather called to him "Kahrash". "tehsay?" he replied, looking up from the book he had been so absorbed in. "cuevata neh" his grandfather beckoned him closer.
Kahrash stood up then walked over to his grandfather's side "tehsay kehseso" his grandfather took a deep breath then spoke in his naturally slow wheezy voice "Kahrash" he sighed "mow noroto cuevateh etenirateh, were mow extinite tho sheronirateh, nowshiro tho nenecisar knavatashow shevatan cove natura mezoniteh"
(translation: Karash I won't be around forever, when I am leaving this world you will be left alone, no doubt you will need to know the ways of the surface dwellers)
Karash asked his grandfather why. "shey nokatehnosha ronaces mehsha locanat aluramay, sonat tho giverta shecenana, zomo tekoro tho postin were tho extinite"
(translation: if for no other reason than to find a bride, to provide an heir to take your place when you leave this world)
Karash knew of his obligations, to guard the master emerald and to provide and heir to take his place. but it had never accord to him that he would have to leave the island to do that, for moment he was sad and almost frightened, he had never even been down to the surface, he only spoke what little English his grandfather had taught him, which wasn't much, and knew virtually nothing of their culture. His grandfather quieted his fears and assured him he would learn these things in time, he told Kahrash to leave Angel Island for one year to learn the ways of the surface dwellers, and then he could return home. "but what if you leave before I return" he cried "shekite" his grandfather soothed, and promised he would still be there when Kahrash made it home, "mow knavatashow tho feshina, bosh tho nenecisar showlerata livine shin boro mobines"
(translation: I know you are frightened, but you will need to learn to live in both worlds)
Karash nodded and promised to try his hardest and tell him all about his adventures when he returned. For those whom it may concern, the name Kahrash translates into to English as "knuckles"