The sun had climbed high in the sky, its scorching rays mercilessly beating down on the earth below. Heat waves danced in the distance, creating a mirage of shimmering light. The pup, nestled in the deer's antlers, found himself panting incessantly, his small tongue lolling out in an attempt to cool himself.

The deer, in a display of care, expanded its majestic antlers above the pup. The complex branches intertwined and grew, creating a makeshift umbrella. They had ventured into an open clearing, the cool shade of the forest a mere silhouette above the distant horizon. Several hours had passed since the pup's near-drowning episode and subsequent rescue.

During this period, the deer took care of the pup's needs, ensuring he was fed and comfortable. At one point, the antlers that cradled the pup stretched upwards, piercing a hanging fruit from an overhead tree. With precision, the antlers sliced the fruit into bite-sized pieces, offering them to the famished pup.

"Th-thwank yow..." the pup stuttered, his gratitude barely a whisper.

The deer paused momentarily. It didn't respond verbally, but the pup could swear that the deer understood him.

It was not until much later that the pup mustered up enough courage to ask the question that had been gnawing at his mind. "Wh-whewe aw we goinn?" he queried, his voice small, almost lost in the rustling of tall grass.

The green-furred deer didn't respond. Instead, it kept moving, its strides unfaltering as it continued toward an unknown destination. Discouraged by the lack of response, the pup decided not to probe any further, not wanting to be a bother.

Suddenly, the pup felt an odd resistance, as if they were passing through a tangible curtain of wind. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw an enormous tree appear out of nowhere in the distance. The tree was so colossal that the pup was astonished by how he could've possibly missed it before.

Monumental and unyielding, the gargantuan tree overshadowed everything around it, serving as a striking testament to the resilience of nature. As they drew closer, the pup's gaze was torn from the tree by a new spectacle.

The sudden manifestation of five individuals before them marked a distinct change. "Your Highness, welcome back," they intoned in unison, dipping their heads slightly in a show of deference. Their stature was poised and their demeanor exuded an air of quiet reverence. Each of them sported hair of a verdant green hue, mirroring the fur color of the deer in an uncanny display of unity.

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Suddenly, the comforting shade that had been shielding the pup from the harsh sunrays vanished. Before the pup could comprehend the shift in his surroundings, he found himself being cradled gently in the arms of a stranger. The transition was so subtle and smooth that it took him a moment to realize that he was no longer ensconced in the antlered canopy.

Lifting his gaze, the pup found himself staring into the face of a woman. She had hair that shimmered the same vibrant green as those in front of them. Her features were sharp yet elegant, exuding an air of majesty that was simultaneously serene and pleasant. Her demeanor was soft yet commanding, and her presence was as comforting as it was awe-inspiring. A noticeable scar marred her otherwise flawless neck—a burn mark, stark and unmissable.

As her gentle smile spread across her face, the pup felt a sudden surge of understanding. The comforting gaze, the familiar scent, the aura of protective calm—it all clicked into place. This woman was his silent savior, the green deer that had led him to safety. The deer that had now transformed into this majestic woman, the pup realized with a start, was the very entity that had saved his life.

The silence of the moment was abruptly shattered by the resonating echo of a feminine voice. "Your Highness, what is that peculiar creature cradled in your arms?" It was one of the five individuals who had materialized seemingly from nowhere.

With a softness that belied her regal demeanor, the woman, once the green-furred deer, simply lowered her gaze to the pup nestled in her arms. The tender way she looked at him seemed to command the very earth around them. Responding to her silent call, a root, robust and gnarled, sprouted from the ground, offering one of the aides a piece of wood.

"I-I see… We are prepared to escort you to your residence," the aide stammered, accepting the piece of wood with a bow of his head.

Just as the last syllable echoed in the air, another root surged forth from the soil. It bestowed another piece of wood upon the aide, who nodded in acknowledgment, "Understood."

And then, as if they were mere figments of imagination, the five figures melted away, vanishing as swiftly and mysteriously as they had appeared. Their departure left an uncanny silence in their wake, one filled with unspoken words and unasked questions. The sudden whirlwind of events left the pup feeling a dizzying mix of confusion and curiosity, struggling to make sense of the enigmatic spectacle he had just witnessed.

Unfazed by the abrupt disappearance of her subjects, the woman, cradling the pup tenderly in her arms, pressed onward. Her every step seemed to bend space around them, and though she appeared to move only a few steps, the journey felt as though they had traversed a vast distance, crossing unseen thresholds.

Gradually, an imposing structure loomed on the horizon, its grandeur hinted at by the faint glimmers of light that bounced off its stone surface. The sight of the large gate, bolstered by towering walls, sent a wave of awe through the pup. They stood tall and firm, their very presence a testament to a powerful kingdom they were designed to protect and conceal from the outside world.

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Chapter 7: “Unseen Worlds”