1 Chapter 1 - Burst
There are many countries on the Astral Continent. The largest of which is called the Omar Empire. It is ruled by a loving king and queen. The capital city, called Celestia where the palace resides is the largest city in the entire continent. At the edge of the city, an enormous forest starts. The forest, called the ever-shifting Forest, is normal until about 100 miles in, where it suddenly changes into dense ancient trees that block and confuse all who try to enter. People have tried time and time again to go into the deeper parts of the forest only to find themselves back where they started. Many methods have been used, such as marking trees to show which direction one went or to use a compass to go in one direction only. Yet if one marks a tree they will soon find the tree marks leading back to the starting point. If one used a compass, the compass will always point to the starting point. There have been many theories as to why no one can get through, but the most likely one is that it is blocked by magic. Then again, there is a well-known prophecy about a disturbing Evil. It goes like this: "As the Darkness falls, Evil will rise. When the dawn breaks, the Light comes to the task. And once again history will repeat. Beware, the One to save us all comes when the hidden forest opens, for Evil will rise once again." Therefore people think that this is the forest in the prophecy.
One day, a day just like any other, things changed. The day itself was a beautiful spring day; the sun warmed the thawing ground and farmers were preparing their soil for the planting of new crops. In the city itself, the market place was bustling. One could hear merchants hawking and calling out their goods and services. There was the tantalizing scent of frying food from restaurants and food stalls. Suddenly, at high noon there was a rumble and a shock-wave of magic radiated out from the center of the forest. Though, only those attuned to magic could feel it. Within the main palace, the Royal Magic Research and Development Sector was trying to pinpoint the relative position of the source of the shock-wave. They were able to pinpoint it to deep within the center of the Ever-shifting Forest. Once a report was compiled, the Sector Head Nautilus Quincy rushed to report to the King and Queen.
He runs to their private office, and greets the guards, "I have an urgent message for the King and Queen." The guard then knocks on the door to ask for permission to enter.
"Enter" He enters the room. There are large windows with heavy velvet outer curtains to darken the room as well as light white lace curtains to obstruct the view, but still, let light in. The King is sitting at a large mahogany desk working on paperwork, while the Queen is standing by an open window enjoying a faint breeze as it ruffles the light curtains.
"Your Majesties, I have an urgent report about the Ever-shifting Forest." said the Sector Head. That got the king and queen's attention. The king then laid his pen down and laced his fingers together on the desk, giving Sir Quincy his full attention. "Just a few minutes ago," Sir Quincy continues, "there was a massive burst of mana originating from the inner regions of the Forest. Though it only lasted a few seconds, it was powerful enough to knock some of the magicians down and mess with our instruments for studying mana."
The king then asks, "what do you suggest we do, Nautilus?"
Nautilus replies, "I suggest an expedition to go to the Forest to study the residue and try to find the source of the burst."
