//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Crow's Feet 
// Story: Where's the Fire? 
// by Vin Diesels Go-Kart 
//------------------------------//

	A gentle breeze made its way through the empty field. Grass swayed in the wind, moving back and forth in an elegant dance. There were overcast clouds, making it seem dark even though it was only noon. Animals went about their business, collecting food, playing around, or just lounging in trees and bushes. 

The quiet atmosphere was suddenly ended by a strange object appearing in the center of the field. A tear in reality seemed to form out of nothing, remaining open long enough for creatures to make their way through the rift. They were small, black, and agile, cawing loudly as they went through the portal. 

Crows. A large number of them flew through the opening and into the sky. They fanned out in different directions, already aware of their purpose and objective. 

As the last of the birds exited the tear, a figure stepped through as well. He wore a black robe and hood that completely concealed his face. The seal of a sword adorned his hood with a red streak running down the middle. A large coffin was chained to his back, but didn't seem to hinder his movement.  

The portal closed behind the man as he looked around his new environment. He instantly didn't like the place, it was too earth like, and not in the good way.

A large raven flew to the man and gingerly landed on his shoulder. It cawed loudly, almost in a questioning manner. 

"This is where they said he was sent." the man replied, his voice cold and unemotional. 

The raven cawed again, this time more skeptically.

"No, this is the place. Those two blathering fools may have played their little games with DeWitt, but they know better than to toy with me." he responded. 

The raven cawed twice more. 

"The others will arrive once the preparations are complete. Until then, finding him is my first priority."

The bird cawed quietly. 

"My brother would not die easily, but if that is indeed the case....." the dark figure drew a sword and held it at eye level, examining the craftsmanship.   

"Then no mercy will be granted whatever heathens reside here."

One of the crows flew low and hovered by the hooded man, cawing excitedly before flying east. 

"It seems as though we've found our first stop." the man said, sheathing his weapon and starting off in the direction the bird had flown. 

The wind blew across the field as the man shifted into a flock of crows and disappeared from sight.