Shadowed
Darkness descended upon the lush valley as the blood red sky hovered menacingly to the east. The forest was quiet; no woodland creatures dared to step out into the shadows. Suddenly an almost ethereal light shone from the center of the valley, pushing the darkness back. Even though this beacon of hope shined bright, it would not be able to fend off the darkness forever. The end was drawing near.
Far to the east in the small town of Riacön a young man lay hidden in shadows, waiting for his quarry to step into his trap. A small doe, unaware of her surroundings, stepped delicately into the confined space where the hunter had laid his trap. On instinct, she felt the danger, but it was too late. The young man aimed carefully and fired one arrow straight into the throat of the deer, killing it instantly. He knew that the kill would be a good feast, but before that he had to skin and gut the lifeless doe. As he set to work binding it up to a tree, the sound of footsteps could be heard. He instinctively hid behind a tree to watch out for the trespasser.
"Heero! Heero! Answer me! If you keep hiding out in the woods, both you and I shall be in much trouble!" yelled a youth of similar age to the hunter.
A long braid hung from his head, a sign of youthfulness throughout generations of his family. Hunting boots of a dark mahogany contrasted his pearl jacket and dark green chinos. His eyes seemed to catch every bit of sunlight in the shadowed forest, creating an almost diamond like appearance to his blue orbs. Heero, the hunter, came behind the tree glaring at his friend.
"Duo, what do you want?" Heero asked in clipped tones.
"What a courteous greeting," mocked the cheerful young man, "I am happy to see you too. Besides, it is time to head in. Your absence from church has once again angered the priest, your father, and everyone in the town."
"Hn."
"Seriously, Heero. This must stop. What you are doing is sacrilege. People are starting to question your intentions in this town. If you do not straighten out we are going to be exiled," pleaded Duo.
Though Heero hated the town and his father, he valued Duo's friendship more than anything else. Duo was the only person in the town who accepted Heero as he was, not the heir to the throne of Philein.
"Fine. I must gut the deer and prepare it for tomorrow. Head back to town. I shall be home when the sun hits the mountains."
Duo just watched his friend intently. He noticed that Heero's features had turned stony. Heero did not want to return home.