A fawn once lived peacefully by the river, frolicking with his family, never knowing a day of struggle. The gentle flow of the water and the sheltering trees provided a haven of tranquility. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soothing sound of birdsong. The fawn's days were spent in carefree play, his small hooves dancing across the soft grass as he explored the vibrant world around him.

However, that tranquility shattered the day a wolf wandered down to the river's edge, injured and scared. The wolf's fur was matted with blood and dirt, and his eyes, usually so fierce, were clouded with pain and fear. He limped towards the water, his movements slow and labored, and collapsed by the riverbank, panting heavily. The once serene atmosphere of the river was now tinged with a sense of unease and foreboding.

Out of curiosity and compassion, the young fawn's mother approached the wolf, ignoring her instincts. She had always taught her children to be wary of predators, to recognize the danger in their sharp teeth and predatory gaze. But the sight of the wounded creature stirred something within her, a sense of empathy that overpowered her caution. She saw not a predator, but a fellow being in need.

The wolf, sensing an opportunity, played on this compassion. His eyes, though filled with pain, gleamed with cunning as he watched the doe approach. He whimpered softly, a pitiful sound that tugged at her heartstrings. The fawn's mother, the epitome of grace and kindness, extended help to the very symbol of danger in their lives. She lowered her head and sniffed the air around the wolf, her body tense but her heart open.

The moment hung heavy in the air, the fawn's heart pounding as he waited to see the outcome of his mother's choice. He hid behind a thicket, peering through the leaves with wide, fearful eyes. His mother's bravery both inspired and terrified him. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of life falling silent in the face of this unexpected encounter.

The wolf, seeing the doe's vulnerability, made his move. With a sudden burst of energy, he lunged at her, his jaws snapping shut inches from her throat. The fawn's mother leapt back just in time, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. She had shown compassion, and it had nearly cost her life.

The fawn watched in horror as his mother and the wolf circled each other, the tension between them palpable. Every muscle in his small body was taut with fear, his eyes wide and unblinking. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of life falling silent in the face of this unexpected encounter.

But just as quickly as it began, the confrontation took a deadly turn. The wolf, summoning a final surge of strength and desperation, leaped onto the doe's back, his teeth sinking into her flesh. With a vicious snap, he bit down hard, severing her throat. The fawn's mother collapsed to the ground, her eyes wide with shock and pain, the life draining from her.

The fawn stood frozen, a scream lodged in his throat, unable to comprehend the swift and brutal loss of his mother. The scene before him blurred as tears filled his eyes. Just as the wolf began to turn his attention towards the fawn, a new figure emerged from the shadows.

Out from the sticks and leaves, a majestic buck charged forward, his antlers gleaming like deadly spears. He bellowed a deep, resonant cry that echoed through the forest, a sound both of grief and fury. The wolf barely had time to react before the buck's horns struck him with the force of a thunderbolt.

The impact sent the wolf tumbling, his body skidding across the forest floor. He lay still for a moment, dazed and bloodied, before staggering to his feet. Seeing the formidable buck standing over the fallen doe, the wolf realized he was outmatched. With a final, hate-filled glance, he limped away into the underbrush, disappearing into the shadows from which he had come.

The buck, panting heavily, lowered his head to nuzzle the fallen doe, a mournful look in his eyes. He then turned to the fawn, who had not moved from his hiding spot. Despite the hard blow, the wolf got up, lunging toward the buck with renewed ferocity, scratching, clawing, and biting at his thick hide.

The buck bellowed in pain and defiance, using his powerful antlers to fend off the relentless assault. The forest echoed with the sounds of their struggle, the clash of survival and vengeance playing out under the canopy of ancient trees.

The fawn, watching everything unfold, felt a surge of terror and helplessness. His instincts screamed at him to flee, to escape the danger that had already claimed his mother. His legs, shaking with fear, finally obeyed. He turned and ran, his small body darting through the underbrush, heart pounding like a drum in his chest.

Suddenly, my head jolted up, waking from my nap. I found myself surrounded by books with a blanket draped over my back as I sat in the chair by my desk. "Huh! I don’t remember putting on a blanket," I muttered, my mind still groggy from sleep.

I glanced over at my bed and saw Mai fast asleep, her breathing slow and even. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Thank you," I said softly, inferring she was the one who had placed the blanket over me while I was asleep. The warmth of the gesture filled me with a comforting sense of gratitude.

Rising from my desk, I carefully walked over to my bed, trying not to disturb her. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the evening light filtering through the curtains, casting a serene atmosphere. I lay down beside her, the mattress shifting slightly under my weight.

Mai stirred slightly but did not wake, her face relaxed and peaceful. I watched her for a moment, my thoughts drifting back to the dream of the fawn. “What even was that dream I had? Reminds me of that story Uncle Cyrus told me yesterday,” I mused quietly.

I settled in beside her, feeling the day's fatigue ebb away. The warmth of the blanket and Mai's comforting presence calmed my racing thoughts. The connection between the dream and Uncle Cyrus's story lingered in my mind, a reminder of the lessons he had shared about courage, compassion, and the complexities of the world.

As I closed my eyes, the images of the fawn, the wolf, and the brave buck began to fade, replaced by the soothing rhythm of Mai's breathing and the quiet stillness of the room. The day's worries and the remnants of the dream melted away, leaving only a sense of peace and safety.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

As the days passed, my life became a cycle of rigorous learning and relentless training. Mornings were spent with Mr. Cato, whose lessons in strategy, history, and leadership filled my mind with knowledge and the weight of responsibility. Afternoons were reserved for training with my father, whose strict regimen tested my physical limits and sharpened my skills as a warrior.

Each day, my father's training grew more intense. His strikes came faster, his demands more exacting. One afternoon, during an especially grueling session, my father delivered a powerful slash that sent my sword flying from my grip. I stumbled backward, unbalanced, and fell to the ground.

"Never let your guard down, Alexander!" my father bellowed, his voice echoing in the training yard.

Determined not to disappoint him, I scrambled to my feet and ran after my sword. The blade had landed a good distance away, near the edge of the training grounds. As I retrieved it, I felt a sudden rush of air as my father charged at me, pushing me beyond the castle walls and into the forest.

This part of the forest, unlike the areas ravaged by the many explosions from past battles, was still lush and vibrant. The trees here stood tall and proud, their leaves whispering secrets of the ancient world. The forest floor was a tapestry of ferns and wildflowers, a stark contrast to the barren, scorched earth that marked the remnants of destruction elsewhere.

"Get back here," my father commanded, his voice echoing through the trees. “We aren’t done!”

I ran deeper and deeper into the woods, my heart pounding as I darted between the towering trunks and dense underbrush. The forest seemed to close in around me, the labyrinth of trees providing cover as I lost sight of my father. The sounds of his pursuit faded, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds.

Breathing heavily, I slowed my pace, hoping to find a moment of respite. As I navigated through the thick foliage, a clearing came into view. I squinted my eyes, trying to make out the figure sitting serenely in the center of the open space.

It was Uncle Cyrus. He sat on a fallen log, whistling a tune that carried softly on the breeze. The melody was light and playful, a stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled chase I had just escaped. His presence here, so calm and unexpected, felt almost surreal.

"Uncle Cyrus?" I called out, stepping into the clearing.

He turned towards me, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Ah, Alexander," he greeted, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "What brings you to this part of the forest? Playing a game of hide and seek with your father, I presume?"

I walked over to him, still catching my breath. "Training," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. "Father's been pushing me harder and harder. I needed a moment to get away."

Uncle Cyrus nodded understandingly. "Your father means well, but he can be quite relentless. Sit with me for a while, and catch your breath."

I sat down beside him, grateful for the break. The clearing was peaceful, a small haven amidst the wild chaos of the forest. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground. For a moment, it felt as though time had slowed, allowing me to savor the tranquility.

"What tune were you whistling?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the lingering tension.

"A simple melody I learned from the forest creatures," he replied, his eyes glinting with a hint of mystery. "It's said to soothe the spirit and calm the mind. At least thats what a mouse told me."

I listened as he resumed whistling, the notes weaving a gentle spell around us. The forest seemed to respond, the leaves rustling softly in harmony with the tune. The weight of the day's training began to lift from my shoulders, replaced by a sense of peace and clarity.

"Uncle Cyrus," I began, hesitating for a moment. "Why do you come to the forest so often? What do you find here?"

He paused, considering my question. “Well, this is my home, just as Mr. Cato has his study to call home and your father has the courtyard to call his own. This is mine,” he answered, his voice filled with a deep sense of belonging.

I looked around the clearing, trying to see it through his eyes. “Well, what do you do out here?” I questioned, my curiosity piqued. All I ever knew about him was that he could speak with Eleos, Koe, and other animals.

Uncle Cyrus's expression grew more serious. “I’m trying to defeat the forest guardian my predecessor set loose upon this forest. It is a creature formed from an unholy amalgamation of creatures he bonded, taking their attributes to build a deity esque entity.”

The gravity of his words hung in the air, making the forest feel suddenly darker, more foreboding. “A forest guardian?” I echoed, trying to wrap my mind around the concept.

“Yes,” he said, his gaze distant as if recalling a painful memory. “My predecessor, a powerful druid, created him for a special purpose. A couple of years after I came to this castle, it was released from his bond, becoming a creature in and of itself, severing their connection and killing him. The guardian became something more monstrous than divine, a patchwork of various creatures with immense power and a will of its own. It doesn’t just protect the forest; it controls it, and it’s been growing stronger with time.”

I shivered, imagining a beast with the strength of a bear, the cunning of a fox, and the flight of an eagle, all combined into one entity. “How do you plan to defeat it?” I asked, both fascinated and horrified.

Uncle Cyrus’s expression hardened. “I hunt and kill hundreds of beasts that wander this forest, forming my own creatures. Every now and then, when I encounter the guardian, I unleash my unholy horde of creatures, followed by my own amalgamation, to battle it. This weakens the guardian, but not enough for me to kill it. But when that day comes, I shall bond the two together, merging the guardian with my creation to bring it under control and end its tyranny.”

The enormity of his task weighed heavily on me. “Isn’t that dangerous? What if it doesn’t work?”

He sighed, a look of weary determination crossing his face. “It is dangerous, but this power has been growing unchecked for too long. I must try, even if it means risking everything.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of awe and concern. The forest, once a place of beauty and tranquility, now seemed fraught with hidden dangers and immense challenges. “Can I help?” I offered, wanting to be useful despite my lack of experience.

He smiled, a touch of warmth returning to his eyes. “Your time will come, Alexander. For now, your training with your father and Mr. Cato is crucial.”

“I can handle it! I promise,” I insisted, my voice filled with determination. The idea of such a monumental task stirred something deep within me. I wanted to prove my worth, to show that I could contribute more than just as a student.

Uncle Cyrus studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. “Your mom will kill me if you die but, ok.”

“I can handle it! I promise,” I insisted, my voice filled with determination. The idea of such a monumental task stirred something deep within me. I wanted to prove my worth, to show that I could contribute more than just as a student.

Uncle Cyrus studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. “Your mom will kill me if you die, but, okay,” he said with a wry smile. His words were lighthearted, but the seriousness in his eyes betrayed his concern.

I felt a surge of excitement mixed with apprehension. “What do you want me to do?” I asked, eager to begin.