By Howard U. Dewin

A tiny red ball shrieked in pain and all the land was dark. A hush tore through the mountains and valley. Silence deafened all who lived. Slowly up from the black waters of the Manoknoc rose the horrible figure of Manubu, his thick green skin and razor sharp spines unseen in the darkling air. Viced in his talons a tiny red ball was past the point of screaming and into the realm of trauma.

Manubu’s first step onto land shook the cottages of the villagers, shook the castle of the king, and shook the fortress of the gods. Across the lake on a small rock a single match flared to life and darkness was once again on the defensive.