The Dark Ravine - Another super short story (Scene) from Mr. X
www.xomba.com exclusive

I crouch like a chimp in the dark forested gully, feeling my way almost unconsciously along the slender elm and pine saplings that seem to be the predominate living things here. Darkness is permanently settled upon this place. Its ebony beauty shines with its own violet light. even my vision has taken on its purplish shining glow. "Is this place tainted or blessed?" I wonder absently. "Perversion, or natural?"

The Dark Ravine; Merely another of the myriad paths I traverse, stumble along, trespass upon... They're all the same to me now anyway. Other possible definitions of what i assume to be a quest, flash inside my head like lighning... there and gone again. Planeswalking, astral projection, dreams, perhaps even an after life... I shake my head "nothing more than my neurons firing." I think to myself.

Although feelings of dread batter fiercely against me, I just caulk it up to childhood fears of the dark and common sense. I grumble, almost arguing with myself. "Sensible people don't wander about in dark gullies searching for God knows what God knows where. Especially when a single slip, could mean a nasty but short roll, to a possibly long fall, most likely leading to something broken... like my neck!" But fear does not reach me. "Creator protect me."
.
A short hammock of trees draws my curiosity closer. A rare opportunity for a rest gladly taken. Exhaling deeply and silently I scout the haven for hidden dangers. All seems well, just a copse of elm root-bothers stretching impatiently towards the top of the ebony canopy. More impressive though is the sinuous Dragonwood tree snaking among them. The slow growing Ash must be strong indeed to survive among the greedy semi-clones of these high rising elms, almost birch-like in their standings here.

The Dragonswood's bark hangs delicately from the twisted trunk, deceptively soft around the firmness of its heart. A work of art i think to myself as i touch the serrated skin softly, fine brownish red powder falling oh so softly to the dark forest floor. A work of art. A good omen.