The night here is dark, yet there are stars in the sky. There are monsters lurking about, but he is not afraid. He is somewhere in a forest, the trees have no leaves, and he doubts they've any in a long time.
When he looks around, he can only see trees,
and when he looks up, he can only see stars. But one of the stars isnt a star, rather, its the light from a tower. He looks solemnly at it, prepared to make his way there.
Then, out of nowhere, gnomes appear behind the roots of the trees, some dozens of them.
"Ah! A tall one!"
"What are you doing out here in the night? There are monsters lurking about!"
He scoffs.
"I am aware, but worry not, i am not in danger. I am rather strong you see"
The gnomes seem impressed.
"Wow! Are you really?"
"Yes, there a few who can defeat me"
A choir of amazement resounded from the gnome crowd.
"But what are you doing here? What purpose does someone like you have in this dark forest?"
".."
"Nothing, really. I'm just looking around. But say, who lives in the tower in the distance there?"
The gnomes seemed a bit confused of the mention of the tower. Then, a little goblin appears out of the forest.
"A witch! there is a witch in that tower!"
The other gnomes looked at him, some let out a growl.
"Aaaah! This again! No one wants to hear about your stupid witch story!"
"Sorry, he just likes to scare people. He's a transmuter, and has made his body into a goblin, not turning back just to convince us of this 'witch' in the tower."
"Its true! That witch turned me into this goblin! i cannot turn back, no matter what i do, they must be of the highest rank if someone like me cannot reverse their powers!"
"It was a day like no other, i walking down the road collecting frogs when suddenly, a tall figure in purple cloak, with a long nose and a brimmed hat suddenly attacked me!"
"She was a transmuter no doubt! She turned me into this hideus creature, and try as i might i cannot reverse it!"
"Say, tall one, you dont have the powers to revert me back do you?"
"No, apologies, i am a conjurer"
The gnomes seemed even more impressed.
"Wow! Really? Youre like that guy! Nightwalker!"
The conjurer looked at the gnome for a second.
"Nightwalker?"
"Yes! It is said that he was a conjurer who never feared the night, rather, it was the night that was scared of him! It is said that he made a great bridge that leads to a hill, a hill which has a great tree. Here, one may seek solace, from the monsters, from the world. But no one has ever seen this bridge, only the hill which you cannot cross to. Some say you can only see the bridge if he, nightwalker, wishes for you to see it. Others say it doesnt exist at all.. "
The gnome took a second.
"Oh! there is this poem!"
"Only when the knight, clad in gold, brings its dawn will the world make way.
Only when the knight dons its light will the world finally see.
But when its time comes, so will the knights"
He tilted his head a little bit.
"Curious, say, if i help you gnomes solve this witch mystery once and for all, may you lead me to this tree? And maybe help you, little one, get back your gnome body?"
A gnomes exploded with excitement.
"Yay! Adventure!"
The goblin shed a tear.
"Finally! someone believes me!"
And so, they set out.
***