Two people wearing green cloaks expertly blended into the forest surroundings as they strolled through it. The two appeared identical, but the older one had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, while the younger boy had fiery red hair and captivating green eyes. But to call the younger one a boy is misleading as he only had one year left until adulthood.

“And that’s how I met your mother,” the tall god joked while the young man simply rolled his eyes and kept walking.

As they walked, they suddenly came across a small open area where a large group of rabbits had gathered. The older man stopped at a safe distance from the rabbits. The young man, understanding why, took out his bow and carefully pulled back the bowstring, ensuring it was taut and ready. He confidently aimed and fired his bow at a rabbit, swiftly killing it and scaring the others away.

“Good shot lad, you getting better by the day.” The tall god said with a grin on his handsome face.

“With or without your divine intervention?” The young man asked as he aimed and fired another arrow, killing another one of the scurrying rabbits.

“Why the question?” The god asked, all humor gone from his face.

"You seem to have forgotten that as the god of archery, you can use your divine power me feel better about an unearned kill?”

“Don't be smart with me, boy speak honestly." the god said, almost sounding insulted that his grandson didn't trust him with something as important as this.

"I think that you cheated me of a fair hunt." The young man spoke honestly, just like the old god wanted.

"Since you do not believe me, then how can I earn your trust back again?" The godly grandfather asked again, as this was not the first time that this had happened For some utterly bizarre reason Hearne simply could not accept that he was a skilled archer, but confidence would come to him as he grew older and wiser.

"I want to hunt alone."

“You can, but first I need to let you know something. I’ll still watch you, stepping in only if necessary, and besides, if I don't watch you, your mother will kill me, and I fear her anger far more than any god's wrath” The god said, summoning a peregrine falcon and instructing it to watch over the young boy before he then disappeared, leaving no trace of his presence of than the boy's memory.

But in the god's place came a magnificent wolf. The wolf noticed him and ran, igniting a ferocious chase. In the end, the boy emerged victorious, killing the wolf. He knelt before the wolf’s carcass, thanking it for its life. He went on many similar hunts against vicious animals and emerged victorious, but still yearned for more.

Feeling unsatisfied with his day’s adventures, he decided to walk through the dense forest. As he wandered among the trees, he saw a great oak tree with a stag antler carved into it. Knowing its purpose, he approached the tree and reverently knelt before it.

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Closing his eyes, he whispered a prayer to Lord Herne, the ancient god of the hunt, asking for a challenge to test his limits. The gentle rustle of the leaves and the distant calls of birds were the only sounds that accompanied him in his silent contemplation. After a few moments, he rose to his feet, feeling invigorated and ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.

After the peregrine falcon flew away to hunt for food, the young boy bravely continued his journey then suddenly, a great red stag charged at him, to defend himself he held onto the stag’s antler but despite the great strength he had cultivated throughout his life, he struggled to hold on to the stag by its antlers.

It seemed that he was losing the contest of strength until suddenly an unknown strength burst through him but with this newfound strength came a violent rage which he used to bring down the stag and broke off one of its antlers, using it as a dagger and stabbing its neck multiple times killing it.

After spending some time in a state of intense fury, he eventually calmed down and realized the gravity of his actions. He had killed a sacred symbol of Lord Herne, and he could not justify his behavior even to himself much less to an ancient god whose mood could change on a whim, and so he decided to confess the truth and accept punishment for what he had done.

The young boy confessed his crime to the peregrine falcon and asked for its help to find Lord Herne’s location. The falcon guided him to the destination, while the boy carried the heavy weight of the magnificent stag that he had killed.

He felt the weight of his guilt growing heavier and heavier as he walked towards Lord Herne’s abode, but he was determined to take responsibility for his actions. Finally, he reached the location, and the peregrine falcon perched on Lord Herne’s left shoulder.

The young man came before the ancient god and placed the magnificent stag before his feet, its holy vitae permanently staining the deity’s leather boot. The young man told the ancient god of his crime as he knelt before him, permanently staining his forehead with the stag's holy vitae.

“Look at me, Hearne,” the great god commanded with a calm voice.

The young boy obeyed, and he witnessed Lord Herne's true form, a colossal man with the head of a red stag. It was a strange and uncomfortable sight, but it did not last very long. After witnessing the true form of his god, the young boy was thoroughly confused, to say the least, but he was even more confused by what Lord Herne said next.

“You have passed the test, Hearne.” Lord Herne said, his tone and appearance completely changing to that of a human instead of demanding god.

“A test?” Hearne asked, unsure of what he had just heard.

“Yes, this was a test for me to see if you were worthy of the honor of becoming my Godbound”

“What have I done to earn this great honor, grandfather?” He had committed a great sin, but he was being rewarded. It didn't make any sense.

“You have proven your willingness to accept the responsibility of your actions, which is a very important trait to have as you grow into your divinity.”

“But I just want to know now that you can refuse my offer and continue to live a regular life if you want to.” Herne continued.

The young boy thought about it for a couple of minutes and he made his choice. “I am completely certain of my choice to become your Godbound, Lord Herne.” If Hearne had looked up at the night sky, he would have the stars reshaped into an instrument of his newfound divinity.

“Then please make yourself welcome, for I have much to explain to you, Godbound.” Herne said as he led the grandson inside his home to begin their lengthy discussion.