Prologue: The Doom of Innocence

" In the beginning, there was eternal darkness, a world of unimaginable beauty and despair," spoke the Lord of Darkness, his voice a mournful baritone that echoed throughout the chamber. " Until the night was corrupted…by light's touch and the horrors it wrought. My brethren were forced to flee, powerless against this new enemy."
The dark lord paused as he stared intensely into the roaring flames, the memories of a dead era reflecting in his smoldering eyes. " And now look at us, a shade of our former glory. I am but a prisoner in my own realm, and can only watch as my enemies roam freely in a world that is mine by right. But no more will that be so." Darkness ceased his mutterings and listened intently. " You may enter."

Majestic twin doors, stretching from floor to ceiling, swung open on complaining hinges, and a woman stalked into the chamber. Her amber eyes held only the lord on his throne, then lowered as she kneeled at his cloven hooves.

Darkness did not speak immediately as he admired the woman's bronze flesh, which held an eerie sheen in the firelight. Her midnight hair fell about her in heavy ringlets and clung to her form like a burial shroud. She seemed hardly to even breathe as she patiently awaited her lord's command.

"We stand upon the brink of a new era, Rashima, my esteemed champion. Do you know what this entails?" Darkness stretched forth a taloned finger, slipped it around a stray lock of her hair. It curled tentatively around the black talon like a child's finger.

Rashima raised her head, her feline eyes boldly meeting the smoldering eyes of the dark lord. " I do, my liege. Light, and all of its horrors, shall be no more."

" The last sunset draws near, yet we must not underestimate the power of the enemy. A task I lay upon you, dirge wolf, that shall set time in motion." Darkness let slip the lock of hair from his talon.

" What will you have me do, my lord?"

" There is a presence in the forest that troubles me, a presence I had mercifully forgotten. They are creatures of purity; a spiraling crown rests on their brows and threatens to pierce the night." The voice of the dark lord dropped to a sinful whisper. " Bring me their crowns, dirge wolf. Bring me…their blood."

Lilly

The enchanted forest was alive with beauty and mystery. Its secrets beckoned the princess as she sprinted among the proud trees with the grace of a spring doe. The underbrush snagged playfully at her skirts, small animals skittered in her wake, and the birds whistled to her as she flitted past. Sunlight sparkled through the dense trees and peppered the forest floor with gold. The desire to head deeper into the forest was nearly overwhelming for the princess, but instead she made her way to a small cottage that stood upon the forest's brink.
The princess came to a halt when she spotted a line of fresh linen billowing like flags in the warm breeze. She stood upon a mossy log, her creamy flesh ruddy from her run through the forest. She reveled in the feel of her heart beating strong in her chest, of the sharp intake of flowery scented air and overall warmth spreading richly through her being. A thought came to the princess and a mischievous smile touched her lips. Lowering into a crouch, she sneaked towards the lonely cottage.

There the old woman stood with a basket of milky white linen at her feet. She whipped out another with a flourish and draped it over the line, unaware of the princess darting past her not too far away. The princess' smile widened as she dashed towards the line's knotted end and gave it a hearty tug.

" Cursed fairies!" the woman exclaimed as her line of linen fluttered to the ground. The princess giggled and hurried inside the cottage before the old woman could see her.
An elderly man slumbered noisily in a rocking chair in a nearby corner, and a wooden clock kept time above his balding head. The princess gazed at the clock, admiring its ornately carved face, and the stiff figures that emerged from its depths every hour. The princess blinked and for a moment, the clock was white with frost.

" Princess Lilly! 'Tis always a pleasure to see you, love."

The princess whirled around and there the old woman stood within the doorway, a basket of linen tucked tight beneath her arm. She was the same height as Lilly, pleasantly plump and dressed in a peasant's garb. Yet her full face shone with maternal love for the royalty standing in her home.

" Have a biscuit, dear," the woman said as she whisked across the room. " And pray tell, what brings you into these parts o' the wood, your majesty?"

Lilly groaned and waved a hand in dismissal. " Nell, how many times must I remind you? You need not address me with those tiresome formalities here; just call me Lilly." She dropped into an empty chair.

" Well, beggin' me pardon, miss, but ye are a princess, and well—" Nell paused in her linen folding and stood before the girl. "—it's time you start behavin' like one. Ye should be lookin' for suitors, not runnin' bare foot in the woods."

Lilly smiled warmly at Nell's gentle chidings. " This place holds more magic than any palace in the world. I know you mean well, but it's your world I would rather live in." Lilly laughed suddenly as a sudden thought occurred to her. " I don't have time for this; the forest and its wonders awaits me."

" Wonders as in Jack you mean," Nell corrected as Lilly rose to her feet.

An uncontrollable smile came to Lilly's lips and she blushed slightly. " What my father doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Forgive me, child, if I sound too harsh. I think it lovely ye found a sweetheart. Just promise me you be careful out there." Nell leaned forwards and planted a soft kiss upon the girl's cheek. " Now, remember to stay away from toadstool rings and the fae folk."

Lilly heard these warnings whenever she ventured from Nell's cottage. So far, she had yet to come across any fae folk or any of the magical creatures Nell claimed to wander the forest. She took the warnings lightheartedly, heading for the open door, when Nell suddenly grasped her arm. Lilly turned and was surprised to see urgency and even fear cloud the elder woman's cheery face.

" I mean it, girl. I know ye don't believe, but believe me when I say this; bewares the devil's wolf and its death song. I heard it last night; its howlin' can make even the bravest soul turn black with sorrow. If you hear it, girl, run as fast as ye can." Nell released her grip and her features relaxed, yet the fear in her eyes remained.

" I will, Nell," Lilly replied solemnly, disturbed by her old friend's manner. She planted a light kiss on Nell's ruddy cheek then silently left the cottage where the forest waited.