Tall trees grew up into the sky, new buds bursting forth from the trees.
Every spring this happened without fail, every year, after year, after year. Yet still, it held a certain magic aver Kai that he could not explain.
He didn't know what it was; the crisp, clean air, the sun sifting down through the branches, glittering off of left over snow like diamonds embedded in the earth.
But something was different about this year, yes the trees leaves were growing, and the snow sparkled, but something was somehow… different.
Kai surveyed his surroundings, unsure what was wrong. Hmm, just my imagination. Kai thought to himself, going about his normal day, walking through the woods towards an old friend's house.
Today was a special day, the spring equinox, not only that, but it was Kai's eighteenth birthday, the day his homeland officially declared him a man.
By other city's standards, this was young, not counting someone a man until they are twenty one. But Kai didn't live in the city; he lived in the woods, Hartland to be more precise.
He was going to visit Richard, an old friend who moved back to Hartland following the fall of D'hara.
Richard was the last war wizard alive, something only Kai knew.
He overheard Zed, Richards's grandfather and Richard talking about it one day, after Richard had moved back to Hartland.
Kai picked up the pace, trying to get to Richards house before noon. Doing so probably saved his life.
Suddenly there was a huge explosion, sending mud and dirt flying everywhere, and sending chunks of trees up into the sky. Kai was sent flying farther down the path.
Kai landed hard on his back, hoping nothing was broken. He looked over, trying to see what caused the horrific explosion. There was a swirling black mass in a now clear and smoking grove of tree stumps.
Suddenly Richard was at his side, helping him up. He was accompnied by two mysterious looking woman, both of them looked dangourous.
"Are you all right Kai?" Richard asked, pulling him to his feet.
"I think so. What is That thing?" Kai asked in return, trying to keep his composure.
Both women looked gravely ill as they stared at the swirling black mass. Richard looked over at it as well, seeming to be the only one not affected by the terrible sight.
"That is your first look at the underworld..." Suddenly the color drained from Kai's face as well.