Chapter 4: Prophecy Fortold

After questioning the Jungle chieftain Mike finally gets the answers he was looking for, but comes to a horrifying realization.

Mike sits on the floor comforting Jeremy, Walter sits in his chair “are you sure you wish to become involved Mike ? You’re way in over you head, this is beyond Tribal affairs” Mike leans forward “These b******s destroyed my home... I want justice” Walter grips his cane tightly “Very well”

TIMELINE
THE PROPHECY CHAPTER
CHAPTER 4: PROPHECY FORTOLD

Walter sits, processing how he’s going to explain this phenomenon, Mike waits impatiently, Walter starts to speak l”This Stone, as we call it... is an artifact of sorts, it’s origins are unknown, but it was found by the ancient chieftains, one to them touched this Stone, they harnessed the powers of Creation and Destruction, they became a god, and they for a while... used their power for good... but as time went by, he grew hungry for more power, so he began using the powers for destruction, they built an army of beats and slaughtered the innocent they became known as ‘The Corrupt One’. The Corrupt One destroyed anything or anyone who opposed, they could level mountains and burn villages in seconds, the Tribes were forced to come up with a plan, they managed to trick the Corrupt into attacking them in the Jungle, the Jungle warriors, managed to restrain the Corrupts arms and legs with chains forged in Spruce fires, they trapped the Corrupt and pried the Stone out of its chest with metal spikes and spears, it took the strength of many men before they pried it from the Corrupts chest, they had finally killed the beast that plagued the island, but they still had The Stone to deal with. So the Spruce built a large handheld claw that would be used to hoist the Stone so it could be relocated, so it was made so, the Acadians built a temple out of the hardest Stone they had on hand, the Stone was sealed away, but the temples simple wooden doors didn’t satisfy the chieftains, and upon inspection of the Stone it was found that the part imbedded into the Corrupt One was cracked... damaged, they used hard steel tools to break the cracked fragments free, they broke away into small shards that changed colors once torn away, the ancient Spruce built a new element, that when combined with the energy of the Shards will evaporate, this substantive was used to build the temple doors, meant only the Shards may open it, and these shards were entrusted to us Chieftains, so that only we may open the temple and harness the Stones power in time of crisis... are those the answers you were looking for Mike ?” Mike sits stiffly and in shock “You answered all of them and more ! I don’t even know what to say ! I-I” he goes silent and takes a moment to process all of the information, Walter speaks up once more “Mike... if what you say is true... Birch may have the Acadian Shard...” Mike quickly looks up at Walter in horror “W-What...” his voice shaky, Walter speaks once more in a matter of fact once “Mike, if he attacked Acadia, that’s what it’d be for” Mike begins to imagine a world where Birch has so much power “we-we have to gather an army ! We have to stop him”
After Mikes statement Walters face turns to anger “Don’t sound foolish ! The pirates have more numbers than all of the tribes combined ! We would get slaughtered !” He leans back and sighs, he speaks in a calm voice once more “The chieftains have previously arranged a meeting set for tomorrow to discuss the increase in pirate attacks, but this information changes... everything, I’ll break the news at the meeting tomorrow” he stands up and looks at Mike “I have some preparing to do for the meeting, but you should get some rest, judging by the spots under your eyes it looks like you need it” he looks at Freddy entering the room once more “Freddy you’re just in time ! Please escort Mike and Jeremy to an empty house” Freddy nods “yes sir” he motions for Mike and Jeremy to follow, Jeremy follows Freddy as he walks through the door, Mike walks to the door and stops, he looks at Walter as he walks through a door down the hallway, Mike sighs and follows Jeremy and Freddy out.
Freddy leads then along a rope bridge, Jeremy walks slowly as he shivers in fear of falling, Mike pats Jeremy on the shoulder and laughs “it’s okay Jeremy, I’ve been on bridges like this plenty of times, you’ll be fine” Jeremy brushes Mikes hand off “Don’t touch me ! Your making me more nervous, I can feel the bridge moving with me !” Mike laughs “it’s connected with ropes Jeremy” Mike grabs the sides shaking the bridge, Jeremy screams in fear and runs across the bridge jumping and rolling across the floor of the tree platform on the opposite side, Mike laughs as he moves long, making it to the other side, Jeremy scowls at Mike and punches his shoulder, Mike laugh as Freddy turns around snapping at them “I have important things do, I’d appreciate it if you kept moving !” Jeremy looks back at Freddy “I-I’m sorry” he looks down, Freddy begins moving again and Jeremy follows, Mike looks at Jeremy saddened as he realizes Jeremys not okay.
The three finally arrive at the door of a small house suspended at the edge of a tree platform, it’s supported by small braces, Freddy opens the door “This is your new home, it may not be as comfortable as your fancy Acadian houses but you’re gonna have to get over it” Mike and Jeremy walk inside and look around, the walls and floors are bare, there is nothing but 2 beds and small chests at the base of the bed acting like foot lockers, Jeremy turns to the door and looks at Freddy “Than-“ but before he can finish Freddy closes the door, Jeremy saddens, Mike pats his shoulder “It’s okay kiddo, he’s just doing his job, now get some rest, it’s been a rough few days, we both need it” Jeremy looks at the floor, he glances up at Mike not saying a word, he walks to a bed and lays down facing the wall, Mike saddens taking off his armor placing it in one of the chests, he glances his sword with it, he walks around to the side of the bed laying down and closing his eyes.

CREDITS
Concepts By: Jason Hensley and Caleb Reynolds

Written By: Jason Hensley (me)



AFTER CREDITS
The pirate in the brown trench coat walks up to a ledge overlooking a valley, he looks down into it viewing houses built into the sides of the valley, outside the homes hang the Oak banners, Brian walks up beside him looking at the other pirate “You ready Daniel ?” the other pirate now revealed as Daniel turns away “not yet, we need to set up a camp before we do anything, Brian starts to protest “But now we are more than ready” Daniel stops, his face contorting into anger. He turns pushing Brian off of the ledge but grabs the collar how his tumor stopping him from falling, Brian barley stands on the ledge with the tips of his feet, Daniel brings their faces close “Listen, we may technically be the same rank, but this is MY operation, and if you have any problems with that I can drop you right now” Brian looks down and nods, Daniel pulls him up throwing him on the ground next to the ledge “That’s what I thought” Daniel looks away as Brian stares with concern across his face.