O
The Light and The Darkness
Hedgulus
It was a standard day for Bark, the 13-year-old with green hair and blue eyes. As he walked out of his wooden
hut in the town of Shrublon, he looked the men covered in red bark, hitting the trees as part of their training. Bark longed to be one of them, the most
skilled and respectful of all the land.
A Redwood warrior.
Bark knew that someday, he would have the potential to become one of them. But not in a very long time. It took
decades of training and dedication for one person to become one. Until then, Bark would have to stay in the Arbor warrior class, the second-to-least skilled
and respected. But oh, he longed for the attention and respect.
There were nine cl;asses of Wood warroirs, from first to last: Ivy, Arbor, Elm, Oak, Birch, Pine, Willow, Maple, and Redwood. Of course, Redwood was the most
sought-after, but few ever got up there.
People greeted Bark as he walked down the path to the stone hut where all the Arborian warriors gathered for their meetings. He had already
befriended the townsfolk, but he wanted his name known farther.
The Arborian warriors gathered around the stand where their aged master, Arboro, stood and spoke. Arboro was old, and wrinkly, and wore an old beehive on his head. He had with him a walking stick.
"Fellow Arborians," he announced, "as you all know, today is your graduation ceremony the day you have longed to see, where you will all become Elm warriors."
He never got to continue. A warrior ran through the door. It was Bark's older brother, Ivyan, who was in charge of the Ivy tribe, the bottom of the bottom. He had short, blond hair and always spoke seriously.
"Sir!" he yelled. He was not serious today. He was in panic. "The west forest is on fire!"
"Oh, dear… Who could've caused it?"
"The Pyro, sir! Their after 'it'!"
Bark knew what he was talking about. They had found it under the ground centuries ago. It held unlimited power, and the power to control greed.
Bark wanted his name known.
He was about to get his wish.
