Prologue

Above a flash of light broke across the stormy night sky unmasking the dark green forest and slowing the journey of a lone travelling wolf. Its normally pristine grey coat was now heavy and sodden from the rain allowing the creature to blend within the muddy surrounding. The large wolf came to a halt as the light allowed for better leverage of what lay ahead, a thicket of thorns and bushes shrouded with overhanging vines. The path was simply inaccessible to someone of his size.

The animal paused, something of a whine escaping its jaws as it shook to relieve the heaviness of its soaked coat. More at ease, its nose took to the air and sniffed in search of the familiar tantalizing scent that had been guiding him for the past four days. Once found he paced the ground, jumping on a dormant log (the badger within cowered for fear of being found) as he deciphered the favor of the new routes. Nose to ground the wolf continued its pace, ears twitching back and forth, until reassured he took off in a new skewed direction.

Its long legs were far greater than that of the average wolf allowing the mythical creature to travel faster sprinting through the open patches. With strong asserted movements the wolf jumped over upturned roots, dodged oversized boulders and dashed pass stray impaired trunks with nary a thought of succumbing to the tempting smell of ripened fruits of pollinating flowers.

With a towering height the wolf instinctively commanded respected over the surrounding woodland dwellers displaying a form of nobility as it splashed across a slow stream partly lit by the half moon.

Unbeknownst to the creature within its fur was a small visitor, crouched and barely hanging on. "Slow down!" yelled the tiny flea, its stubby hands clutching tightly to the strands of fur whilst its body swayed recklessly against the wind. The frantic pleas however went unheard as the wolf seemed to triple its stride, excitement taking over as the scent became more pronounced. The rain had eased to a mild shower though thunder and lightning rampaged, their charge echoing throughout the forest, giving life to the quivering woods.

Suddenly the creature stopped, its feet grinding to a halt. The flea heaved a sigh of relief then a string of curses as it hurriedly made its way from the wolf's neck to ear.

Here he had thought he had stumbled upon a blessing, a pure blooded wolf, dire wolf, within these regions. The gods had truly dealt him a favor to be able to taste such a succulent blood, the last he had sampled as such had been from a rather vindictive daiyouki who had met a timely demise. The demon flea had planned to simply camp within the voyeur for a day or two then continue on his way. He did not plan to be taken on some far off journey, stranded from his home and subjected to near death experiences. As it were he had barely been able to fulfill a quota for a daily meal, each session quickly disturbed by rapid sprints. The wolf had barely paused to recuperate, as if in some hypnotic trance.

Once satisfied, or rather out of breath, the flea leaned against the animal's ear none too surprised by the lack of response. Looking out, the flea tried to determine what had called the wolf for surely this was not a typical expedition. He was positive that this wolf was under a spell.

Before the two stood a large oak tree, its trunk a wide crimson girth that spanned the clearing, blocking the path. Its features were thick and marred, the column twisted, overlapping and aged. It held an overpowering aura that sent a tremble through the meager demon flea.

A mask of power and death, the flea slowly realized that the tree was dying, its essence was being transferred to the large bulky green vines that had twined and woven around the trunk and up into the branches. His gaze followed the twisted trail of the parasitic vines as they came together looping around the branches and ending at the tip where a large bulbous flower overhung. The sepals of the flower were bright yellow and tightly overlapped giving a closed appearance. The wolf sat back on hind legs and whimpered gazing at the overripe flower.

The flea muttered, "This is what you were dead set on finding." Another whimper came from the wolf as its ear perked back and its head tilt to the side. The flea heaved a sigh, "Not even a tree that's bearing fruit you worthless creature." The wolf panted, its tail flickering behind.

There they remained for a while, an anticipating wolf and its reprimanding flea. Above the rain had picked up once more carrying with it a slight gust of wind. Thunder had gone to rest whilst lightning now scurried to and fro giving barely a moments rest. The flea huffed, "Move you big oaf. MOVE."

The wolf however proceeded to pant, its tongue hanging to the side, idly moving its head from side to side. The flea had just about given up when the wolf suddenly stood, its body braced and its fur spiked on edge. With the excessive lighting the flea immediately noticed.

The flower was moving.

Or rather something within the flower was moving. Its oblong shape was being weighed down with heaviness such that it lowered more over the ground. Slowly the overlaying sepals began to peel away. One by one they reveled apart, showing the lush yellow inner display before instantly withering to a dusted burgundy color.

Within, the closed petals twitched as whatever laid inside the flower stirred.

Astounded the flea gazed above, entranced as the overlapped petals slithered apart slowly forming a small opening. Then, as if this were anything but a normal occurrence, something began to slide out. Slowly, inch by inch, a head of ebony locks emerged. A long unblemished back sauntered through followed by two pert globes and long legs. The body hung from the tree, covered in a cream sticky slobber, by the tip of its toes which was still encased with the flower. Then with a final burst of energy it was freed, falling the short distance and lying on its side almost curled. The petals of the flowers were release and they spread open, excess slobber dripping.

The flea glimpsed from the body to the flower that had just given birth. The inner colors were so vibrant it seemed to glow within the dark. A dark lavish hue of red with orange and yellow tips, the petals spread apart as if showing their glory before they fell apart one by one, as if plucked. As they float through the air, falling to the ground, their colors faded. What was once so glamorous now appeared dirtied and brittle showering around the life it had sacrificed to produce.

All this occurred before the demon flea, a sight so foreign to the five hundred year old that the only possible words left to utter from his tiny chiding lips were, "Oh my gods…"

Ok, I've had this story idea in mind for a while and I can't wait to get into it. I hope you guys like it so far. This is my first time posting so pleas don't kill me and i accept all constructive criticism. Please let me know if I should continue by reviewing !

Love Alli A :)