Growing up, Ogen had read a story here and there about a complete civilization being destroyed. Though the various authors of these stories tried to portray the feeling of loss in certain individuals who lived in these devastated places, Ogen was never able to grasp the entire thought of losing everything that one loves. It seemed liked a far away thing, interesting because something that he could not imagine was happening to another person that lived long ago or was made up in a tale. It was always pleasurable to look at tragedy and horror as long as those things were not happening to him. It was almost as if he was able to look down at the sad story from a heavenly view, as if he were a god. Yes, a god, untouchable from grim events that should never happen to him. Now, Ogen had to laugh. It was a bitter, painful laugh. His already fuming anger increased. He was the god no longer. Ogen had become one who could only look forward to seeing things that he was only able to read in books. His future contained destruction and sadness beyond belief. But he would never have thought this even a week ago, as he trudged by himself along the hot and arid land.
In all of the beautiful land of Kinion, there had never been a kingdom like the one that he belonged too. He was a very low ranked soldier in the huge military, but it was a great honor to be even at that low position. For the army of Kinion was a symbol of peace for the entire world around them. With a word from his King Helon, opposing sides from all around the world found a way to have peace with one another. They realized the might of Kinion was too much to go against. Poor countries looked to Kinion for goods and protection, which was freely given to all. Because of the great prosperity and peace in the land, men were able to practice arts of all trades. Kinion was a dynasty like no other, one in which it ruled for over 1,000 years. To Ogen, it seemed to be a 1,000 years that he was fleeing in this harsh desert. So when reports came of a marauding band of creatures in the northwest region of the land, it was believed by many that the problem would be dealt with swiftly. It was known that this new evil was especially brutal, wiping out many villages completely. Where they were from or who they were no one knew. But the king sent his best to deal with the group, so that they would be destroyed as they destroyed others--with ruthless might. Ogen was proud to be picked to go along with king's great army, and was not worried about his death in the least when he told his newlywed good-bye. He was sure that he would return to Kinion City, his home and capital of the empire. Once again he had to laugh at the grim humor of it all. I will return indeed, he thought to himself, as the hot sun beat down with its relentless rays.
But what he would return with, was news most grave. King Helon's greatest army was annihilated and scattered across the land, by monsters that used weapons beyond imagination. The Kiniontite army prided itself with its unmatched ability to use swords, bows, and lances. But the marauders had indescribable weapons that would kill with a swiftness and range. Ogen saw some of his men melt in liquid fire, others burnt to a crisp by blue electrical energy. The metal of swords glinted off armor that covered the opponent's body like a glove, bodies that were horrible to stare upon. Ogen was in the back lines watching his friends dying, but it was not until he saw the demonic appearance of his foes that he was compelled to run like a coward.
And now, under the terrible heat in the Valley of the Sun, he was running still. He did not know where some of his companions went, but he knew that he had to see his wife. He had to tell her of the horror, which will no doubt reach the capital city. He had to tell his beloved inhabitants to flee for their lives. The thought of what he had to do was hard to believe for him still, even though he had seen with his own eyes the unstoppable power of this unknown army. It was like telling his people that they had to learn how to fly without wings. An incredible thought. But they would surely believe, when they saw him.
Ogen was a tall man, at least a head over most others. All of his life he wanted to be in the Kinionite army, and prided himself when he was found worthy of it. Members of the army always wore gleaning armor for show around the city, and he was respected by all. That along with the fact that he was relatively handsome allowed him to be married to a very pretty woman named Gwen, his one and only love for his entire life. So when she does see him return by himself in complete disarray and utmost humility they will see and believe that the impossible has happened. His gleaming helmet was gone and probably crushed somewhere, lost while he fled. His usually light and soft olive colored skin was sun burned and leathery. The cape which was embroidered with the emblem of the Prowling Tiger of Kinion was now stained with blood, wrapped around his badly cut left leg. His golden armor became an oven in the heat and was discarded, also allowing him to move faster from his stalkers. He only wore a white towel wrapped around his head, thin brown pants that used to be worn under the armor, and a pair of leather boots. His sword was strapped on his back. It was only useful in catching a meal here and there to eat, since it was of no use against his enemies. He was very hungry now, since the pickings were very few in the desert like valley.
A little ways ahead, the desert would end as a cliff, which would overlook the Fig Forest. There would be food in abundance there, and a bit of cover from sight and sun. But he had to make it there first. Hot dust was kicked up and left hanging in the air after his feet pounded on the land that it came from. A lesser man would have collapsed long ago, but he carried on with the need to see that the one he loved would be safe in his arms. Quickly, Ogen tried to resist the strong urge to let Gwen completely fill his mind. But the memories were too strong. It had been weeks since he had last saw her, weeks since he was lying in bed next to her. He remembered watching her lying on the pillow next to him, sleeping as the dawn light crept through the large window in their lofty bedroom. The same sun that punished him now seemed to gently caress his wife that morning. It was able to magnify her beauty, making her long ebony hair shine and sparkle. Her skin glowed, as if it had taken a bit of the sunlight and gave it back lightly. Her nose breathed the air in and out in such a cute way, and she slept with a tiny smile. Ogen did not want to disturb her, but he could not resist the urge to at least touch her on the cheek with the back of his palm. Slowly he moved his hand towards her cheek, which was without blemish or mark. The feeling of her cheek was gritty and loose against his hand, and her face was suddenly slightly deformed in the place where he had touched. He began to feel shock and sorrow, but the two feelings were quickly overcome by cold realization. He struck at Gwen with all of his might, and her body evaporated and became roasting grains of sand. Ogen struck at the sand. again and again. It hurt to burn his hands in such a way, but he was punishing himself for letting his thoughts wander again in a climate that makes a mockery of minds.
It was not too long before he reached the cliff that overlooked the Fig Forest far below, and the sun was in the position that meant a quarter past midday. It was odd how the desert simply ended at this point, and how much the climate in the forest differed from the harshness above. It was believed to be because of magic, performed long ago. If he could make it down, things should be able to be easier for a time. He was hungrier than ever, not wanting to waste his energy in the desert when he was so close to the lush forest. But he did not think about how he would get down. The heat of his anger began to match that of the sun when he thought of his own foolishness. He would have to find a slope that was not so steep, and try his best to make it down alive.
He walked along the crooked edge, trying to see what he can handle or not. Sometimes he would see a slope that he thought he could safely descend from, but fear of death always made him look a bit more. The forest was calling to him, almost teasing him. It was like taking a risk that could mean death in order to see paradise. Soon, he had a group of possible trails picked out, and was trying to figure out which one was best.
There was a spot in the horizon, which suddenly caught his eye. He turned to get a more complete look. Despite the temperature, his body suddenly felt as cold as ice. They can not be here already, he thought. But it was true. There in the distance was the unmistakable shape of a huge invader from the army that massacred his own. He was all by himself, if Ogen judged correctly. He could not afford to be spotted if he can help it, and quickly ran to a slope that he thought he would be able to make it down on. With a prayer and a breath, he stepped down the steep angle with haste.
The back of his heel pounded against the loose dirt, causing him to slide for short distances down the slope. Ogen fought for control and balance, as his legs were made to move faster to cope with the force. Ogen felt as if he were in the grasp of a giant invisible hand, throwing him down steep hillside with the intent of dashing him to bits. Before long, the land around him became a blur. It took all of his might to focus on the ground before him to make sure that his steps were sure. He came to a dip in the hillside, which would force him to jump or break his legs. But he did not have to jump much since his velocity allowed him to soar over rather easily. However, even that little jump was too strong. His body continued to float just above the ground as he rushed down the hill. He panicked and waved his arms in a desperate attempt to land since he began to move to swiftly while he was in the air. Quickly he began to reach the end of the fall, where the angle of the land began to become more of a horizontal one. The ground rushed at Ogen, and he braced himself in the best way that he knew how. His landed with his legs, and his face slammed into his bent knee as his upper body was forced to double over. He then rolled the rest of the way, rolling too fast to feel the individual small rocks and stiff weeds slamming into his body. Finally, he came to a rest against a tree, which stopped him in an instant. He began to feel the pain of the many different injuries he had taken on the way down, and the tree had already taken the wind out of him. Yet, he smiled. He had made it to the Fig Forest alive. But the thought of the person behind him soured his accomplishment.
He arose quickly then, eager to walk as much as he was able before he was forced to rest. He checked his sword on his back, which was still in good shape and in one piece. Though he had been to this forest before, he admired its beauty now more than ever. He reasoned to himself that it must be because he had already experienced the total opposite for the longest time far above in the desert. Instead of the painful burn of an unbridled sun, it was now held in check by the shade from the large leaves of the trees. It was cool and comfortable, moist and colorful. Ogen thought that he would never see another color besides the one of bright yellow sand. Initially, the hot sand can be beautiful, but not if that is all one sees and feels cooking him. Now there was before him a myriad of colors. The grass did not grow well because of the shade, but it was vivid green wherever it grew. Forest flowers were very low to the ground with the grass, the same flowers that he had dismissed as inferior to the ones that he would bring Gwen. These tiny beauties now looked to be the prettiest that he had ever seen, with their pale pink look. Orange straw-like plants shot from the ground in bunches in many different places. Large mushrooms were milk colored and red spotted, just as they were drawn in children's books. They stuck on the corners and sides of tall and thick trees that were healthy and tall. From these trees there hung figs, from whence the forest attained its name. The figs were thick, long, and brown. They had a fleshy shell, which was easily peeled open to reveal the delicious fruit inside. Ogen was quick to grab one that hung low from the branches, careful to make sure he did not pull one down that was being eaten by one of the many animals that inhabited this area of abundant life. He was able to hear the sounds and calls of insects, birds, and animals that walked on the land. In the distance, he heard the crashing of a waterfall. He would head there.
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