Enojar had heard of the chaos in the forest, he had ears, and eyes, but the eyes have done him little. He had only heard rumors, news about this new creature that had taken his mantle of terror, however, none had seen it. News was that it bore his resemblance, and abilities that were similar to his.
He bit on his right thumbnail which he always did when he was stressed, anxious or frustrated. This time, he was frustrated. From what he had heard, the radiant beasts were hot on its trail and it would be simply just a matter of time before they would get to it, unless he had something to do about it.
A maniacal smile appeared on sloppy aged face, he had not had a genuine one in years. All these, the chaos, the tumultuous radiance blowing across the forest, the rage, and hatred all directed to a creature that was not him. He was envious of the new creature, of his prime—when he was much younger and was not afraid to step out of his old sad abode.
He sat by the window watching ocean waves rise and fall. He could leave, could return home, but that would not be fun, and he was sure that his people would not welcome him looking like how he did. Suddenly, he struck the side of his chair in anger. Oh how he was all powerful, beautiful and utterly radiant. How he had cleaved fear in the hearts of Talcaf's residents.
"I must have this creature by all means. Perhaps it could be the key to restoring my youth and power." He mumbled. Standing up, he walked to the center of his room of magical crafts—where he spent most of his time musing and fantasizing. He stood in front of a large mirror that reflected his image.
An image of a tall creature reflected on the tall mirror, it showed Enojar's frail and drab body. He was tall—about seven feet, and lanky. His skin was a dull grey and across them, over his limbs jutted out spiky structures of various colors: Black, blue, purple, yellow, green, all on the spectrum and beyond—a testament to the radiance he had stolen centuries past. He coughed, arching his back. He raised his face, and a bulbous mass of flesh was revealed.
Enojar's face was a subject of his shame, perhaps he could have returned had his face not looked so utterly repulsive. Clumps of soft tissue were about his face, stretching his skin. Of his facial features, only his sunken eyes and pointy nose could be made out. To eat, he would have to pull back the tumors. The only unblemished features were his large and long elven ears jutting from the sides of his ears.
He frowned. No matter how many times he had seen it, nor how many years had passed, it sickened him to see what he had become, to see the monster he had literally become. The mirror was always draped over but this was an occasion, a hunt.
His image bounced off the glassy surface, and ripples ran across it until he could see the multitudes of radiant beasts between trees, unrelenting and in a hurry.
"They have still not found it."
"Yes master," A slithery voice ran across his mind. One of his eyes and ears.
'It must be an elf, how else could it be mistakened for me?'
"Keep your eyes peeled, and coordinate the others. You all must not be sighted."
"Our expertise master."
The image of magical beasts and vegetation dissolved away, and once again, his image was cast on the surface. He did not let another second pass, and he swiftly pulled a purple cloth over the mirror.
"XelanaTon…" He muttered.
Enuma's task was to keep an eye on Hesk, the leader of the search and to maintain a link between his brothers. This was an important time for its master, never had their abilities been expended this thin.
It coiled about a branch, invisible and imperceptible. It had not a lick of radiance that could be radared, and staying still without making any noise was a task it was much too familiar with. It was the perfect creature for esponiage.
A gust of wind blew past Enuma almost causing it to fall, but it managed to maintain its position. A radiant beast had flown by and it came with a message.
Enuma stared at the little blue winged thing, it looked suitable for possession unlike Hesk.
In the middle of all these, Hesk kept the company of a couple of dwarves. They were less jovial than usual, and he noticed.
"Is something responsible for this solemn mood?"
"Forgive our impertinence great Hesk." The dwarf chief bowed.
"Speak!" Hesk commanded, and his black fur flared with flames.
"It has come to our knowledge that you are looking for an intruder. We hosted this intruder days ago as a sign of hospitality and it looked so much like us we were certain that it was a cousin. Until…" he paused.
"Until what?!"
"Xenar realized what it was, a monster in waiting, and he called it out. I was lenient which I realize now was a mistake, but Xenar was stubborn. He took a bunch of the men and went on a hunt for it. Half of them did not return, those that did haven't left their houses. They say he fed on their radiance and their very life force."
Hesk's pupils shrank upon hearing those words. Though the dwarves were subservient, and they revered them, they too were masters of radiance, taking six of them down was commendable.
"How did Xenar get to know what this creature is?" He asked calmly, and lowered his head closer to the dwarf. He could sense the anxiety in the creature, could see it flicker momentarily in its aura. He withdrew.
"I feared that you would ask this." The dwarven chief turned to a dwarf by its right flank, and nodded to it. It walked forward, and pulled one of the few old books of their ancestors. It opened the page that had the drawing that convinced Xenar.
"This is Enojar." Hesk bellowed.
"Yes, radiant one, we believe he is of the same kind."
"As do I, do you think this creature is a an apprentice? That would be breaking the vow between us."
The dwarf chief bowed once again, "We believe he's another tool of his."
"Hmmm…" Hesk turned to the radiant beast that hovered meters from him, it had a message to tell, and so did he.