The Final Stand of Thera

Not everyone within the realm shared Duiran's gladness at the awakening of the Trees. Within the village of Thera, their priest read through the ancient tomes left by his predecessor and collapsed in despair, for he knew what few others did - that Thera stood upon the ancient ground once claimed by the Morgun Forests. No doubt remained in the priest's mind that it would only be a matter of time before the trees marched upon Thera to reclaim their ancient ground. He began to gather a force of Therans to make a final stand for their home, to march against the trees in a last defiance of the forces of nature.

Not all Therans agreed to this endeavour. Children and craftsmen journeyed away from the village, finding temporary sanctum within the city of Shallam, which opened its gates in hospitality to the Therans. Yet a large group formed at the chapel, lead by the Priest and the Theran Mayor. Despite the many attempts by people of all walks of life to dissuade them from this suicidal mission, they seemed resolute in their decision to go down fighting.

True to their intent, the mob of Therans marched upon the forest, wielding torches and axes. Tree after tree erupted in flames as the mob rushed through the forest. Yet the trees were not alone, for their newly found friends within Duiran had come to their help with buckets of water and the power of ice. The Elder Oak himself joined in the fighting, leading a contigent of his people against the mob. One by one, the Theran people fell, until only the priest continued his insane mission. Yet none tried to kill him, for the ancient Oak had asked that he be left alive. The priest, not knowing this, continued his arrogant run, until his path crossed the Elder Oak himself.

With a grumble, the Oak seized the priest, attempting to berate him into reason. Yet the man appeared to be indifferent to logic. With a sigh, the Oak marched off with his prisoner, muttering about teaching him a lesson in respect he would not soon forget.

In the meantime, the chaos of the Black Forest began to die down slowly. Yet a strange scene met the eyes of travelers, for Thera stood empty, and a number of poisonous hemlock bushes - the guardians of the trees - had been awoken within the forest's depths, lurking from tree to tree in search of something to pounce. The Five Elder trees - Oak, Beech, Pine, Willow, and Maple - gathered upon the edge of the forest, discussing amongst themselves if the time was now ripe to begin the takeover of their ancient lands, now that both animal and human had left for a new home. As the Elders dug in their roots into the path that lead into Thera, many of the forest folk present could not suppress a cheer, for they knew beyond any doubt - over the passage of the next months, Thera would soon be no more, reclaimed by the ancient Forest as the cycle of existence completed a full circle once more.