Everywhere in sight are remains of a once glorious land burning. The streets are in riots, and the bodies of long forgotten friends and neighbours are littering the entryways of every road. Amongst all the madness of what is everyday life in this small shabby town, a shadow runs along the roads, burgundy cloak flying around it as it darts further away. Gliding up to the forest that traps the land within its centre, the cloaked figure comes to a halt, shuddering from the sudden drain of energey. The figure would have kept going if it weren't for the rumours that surrounded the forest. Unlike most forests, once you enter, you do not get lost. It isn't magical, there is no curse that traps you within , it is easy enough to find your exit once inside. However, once you enter, you become a part of the game. No one knows what or who it is, some people say this is where death resides, others call it a ghoul or monster, but most know it as Ebony. A simple name, delicate you might think, but such a name harbours connotations.

"Nothing good ever comes of an Ebony." The street urchins call to each other. Ebony is a simple game, if you enter the forest you enter the playing field. If you win you live, if you lose you die and become like Ebony: a tangled mess of distorted limbs in a pool of drying blood. Well, at least it was drying when Ebony was found.

As the first player, the game was named after her. A cruel way to honour someone, but the town isn't really remembering Ebony, just what happened to her. A game to ward off others, almost like a fairy-tale. Designed to keep little children in check, except this isn't a story, it's very much true and it scares the adults as well as the children. 

In the distance the sounds of galloping horses and shouting can be heard, the burgundy figure swiftly turns and darts into the forest, the latest player for Ebony.