As the golden sun cast its warm embrace over the forest, the Deer Boy reveled in the joy of play, surrounded by the playful antics of baby fawns and the melodious chirping of birds. With laughter dancing on his lips and a twinkle in his doe eyes, he darted through the dappled sunlight, his movements a graceful dance amidst the verdant splendor of the woods. He taunted the birds and babies by teasing them with a light push with his antlers that twined up and up like branches.
Suddenly, the playful melody of the forest was shattered by the jarring echo of gunshots, reverberating from the east border. The boy's heart skipped a beat as he froze in place, his senses heightened with alertness his eyes widened as he twirled his head round until he shook his head harshly and stopped fully. With a flick of his delicate ears, he listened intently, his gaze darting toward the distant sounds of danger.
As he heard a second wave of gunshots he shuffled the group of infants behind one of the great oaks and whispered sweet nothings into the ears as the fawns shuffled together for comfort and the birds hovered beneath them thinking they could be their wall that protects them. Once he made sure the animals were safe with a snap of his fingers and a wave of green mist Galen appeared out of nowhere a worry struck look adorned his face as he galloped towards the boy.
"My lord did you hear that! We must hurry!" The Elk urged the young lord as he heaved him onto his back and quickly sped of into the forest the trees soon engulfed them as they headed east both of the flinching as the third wave of shots disturbed the forest further, groups of animals could be seen running past the pair bowing as they went but both of them could never forget the terror in the animals eyes.
As they neared the border of the forest, the boys heart pounded with anticipation, his doe eyes scanning the clearing ahead. And there, amidst the swirling mist, he beheld a figure unlike any he had ever seen before.
Standing tall and imposing at the edge of the forest was a man of striking appearance, his form towering above the surrounding landscape. With muscles rippling beneath his taut skin and jet black hair cascading around his shoulders like a waterfall of shadows, he exuded an aura of strength and power.
Cool, majestic tattoos adorned his left arm, weaving intricate patterns that seemed to dance with life as he moved. A small smirk played upon his lips as his piercing gaze met that of the boy, surprise flickering briefly in his eyes before being replaced by a steely resolve.
Behind him, a group of men stood at attention, their guns still loaded and ready, their faces masked in grim determination. Yet, despite the tension that hung in the air, the Deer Boy sensed something more beneath the surface—a glimmer of uncertainty, perhaps, or a flicker of doubt.
As the two locked eyes, green mossy eyes meeting black onyx, the mysterious man's smile seamed to widen and the boys grip tightened onto Galens fur. The elk noticed this as the animal took a large step back just wanting to seep into the dense walls of the forest that now, face to face with these hunters seamed a lot more appealing.
This action, however seamed to fuel the man's hunger more as he clicked his fingers, the sound cutting through the thick tension like a butter knife. A man, dressed in a dark suit that hugged his body, stepped forward slowly carefully handing the mysterious man a black box.