In the heart of the Folzia Sanctuary of Vernalia, there lived a tall and enigmatic figure known as the Scavenger. Clad in attire as dark as the night sky, his hazel brown eyes held a captivating glimmer that seemed to mirror the sun's first rays at dawn. As he traversed the bustling town, his presence commanded respect, not through fear, but through the genuine kindness that emanated from his every action.

The Scavenger embarked on his weekly excursion into the rugged mountains, a journey that fueled both his sustenance and his soul. He liked the act of hunting, a passion instilled within him by his father from a young age. The thrill of tracking and capturing prey resonated deep within him, connecting him to the primal essence of survival and the natural world.

This time, he ventured into the isolated mountains of Folzia, which some called the ‘Forbidden Forest’. The Scavenger was intrigued by this, he wanted to know and see what was so forbidden with this forest. He’d first come across a large pile of fallen trees, blocking the pathway to move forward. He’d sigh and proceed to go an alternate route since the trees were blocking his path.

After walking for a while, he finally came across a prey. It was a pig, however this pig was different. It was much bigger than most pigs, its foul skin made up its outer layer. However, the scavenger was smiling, if he properly killed this pig, he wouldn’t have to hunt. He took out his curved knife, plated in gold. The Scavenger analyzed the pig, he was so silent to the point that the pig couldn’t hear where he was. In a split second, he attacked. It was as if he went to the ground and attacked the pig from its shadows. However, all he did was use his quick reflexes in the night to destroy the coarse-haired animal. The knife sliced the back of the pig, and the meat was savored.

“Aha! Score!”

Suddenly, he heard ominous sounds rustling from the nearby bushes, distinct from the usual whispers of the wind. The scavenger's senses sharpened, detecting a human presence lingering in the vicinity. Swiftly, he concealed the freshly captured pig in his white sack and drew out his musket, each movement deliberate and cautious. Step by step, he traversed the terrain, keen eyes scanning for any sign of movement or intrusion. Yet, as he surveyed the surroundings, a perplexed expression etched across his face — there was no visible trace of the intruder. Who, then, could be lurking in such proximity without revealing themselves?

He shot the musket at one of the trees, trying to intimidate the entity standing near him.

“Come out, human. I can sense you.”. He called.

As his senses sharpened, the Scavenger detected the swift footsteps of a man breaking through the underbrush. With a surge of adrenaline, he lunged forward, his eyes fixed on the fleeing figure. The man's unkempt beard billowed behind him as he sprinted, showcasing a height that surpassed even the Scavenger's stature. Each stride propelled him forward, covering the ground with astonishing speed.

With a firm grip on his musket, the Scavenger pursued the man, the weight of the weapon steady in his grasp as he aimed it toward the fleeing figure.

"You won't escape unless you reveal yourself!" his voice boomed as he ran.

The lush green canopy above swayed rhythmically as the chase ensued, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. The urgency of the pursuit was punctuated by sudden obstacles that impeded their path, fallen trees, and dense foliage forcing them to navigate swiftly.

Amidst the chaos of obstacles, the Scavenger noticed the man's agility and familiarity with the terrain. Each hurdle seemed merely a brief interruption for the man, suggesting a deep-rooted knowledge of the forest's twists and turns, perhaps hinting at his intimate connection with this wilderness.

As the Scavenger and the unidentified man traversed a significant distance, a faint light appeared on the horizon. The Scavenger surmised that it originated from the unknown man. Gradually, distinct features of the man became visible: he had casual attire and possessed a mane of dark brown hair.

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After an arduous chase, they arrived at the source of the light: an isolated cabin nestled deep within the forest. Soft glows emanated from lanterns strategically placed around the cabin, casting an ethereal glow over the immediate area. The structure itself appeared to be crafted from sturdy logs, weathered yet resilient, bearing the marks of time and solitude with a rustic charm.

As the Scavenger and the unknown man approached, the tension in the air was palpable. The unknown man's perspiration was evident, his panicked demeanor betraying his unease at the unexpected intruder's presence.

The unknown man hurriedly entered the cabin, quickly closing the door.

The scavenger would slow his pace, walking through the vegetation that was laid on the ground.

He swiftly put his musket back in its cover without making a sound. His footsteps became slower than usual and were almost unheard by the unknown man in the cabin.

The dark clouds of the sky concealed the moon of midnight. The scavenger wondered, why would someone stay at a place called the ‘Forbidden Forest’.

“Fine, I’ll score a deal with you. If you come out, I won’t harm you.”. The scavenger offered.

The man didn’t reply.

He was walking for a while, and couldn’t get the man to break. So he finally knocked at their door.

“May I come in sir?”. The Scavenger questioned.

Once more, the man remained silent, much to the Scavenger's growing frustration evident in the creases on his weathered face. Exhausted from the chase, the Scavenger released his hold on his musket and knife, allowing them to drop to the forest floor with a thud. He retained only his grip on the bag containing the pig. As he did so, he adjusted his gold-rimmed circular glasses on his sharp nose.

After several unanswered inquiries, frustration crept into the scavenger's demeanor. With each ignored query, his patience waned. Abandoning diplomacy, he positioned his sizable frame, clad in sturdy brown boots, for a forceful action. Stepping back to achieve optimal leverage, he readied himself for impact.

In a swift motion, he launched himself toward the door, channeling all his pent-up energy into a powerful kick aimed at the door's center. The resounding thud echoed through the forest as the door yielded to the force, crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust and splinters.

Inside, he saw the man with a musket in his hands, and behind him was a woman, who seemed to be the spouse of the man.

The cabin looked very cozy to the scavenger, it seemed to have a neatly cleaned atmosphere. He stepped in.

“One step in the cabin and you're dead!”. The man screamed.

“It’s fine. I won’t harm you, or your wife. I’m just curious about why you ran from me back there?”.

“You don’t have to know the details, just leave sir!”. The man demanded.

“They always think I’m a scary man… I was just curious about who you people were. I originally came here to do my weekly hunt but I got off-tracked by your appearance.”. The Scavenger explained, trying to seem more friendly.

“Ah!” Screamed the woman behind the tall, brown-haired man. “Sweetheart, please make a truce with this man… it’s causing me too much stress-”. She complained.

“And the baby too…”

Eagerly, the man would drop his musket and go to his wife's rescue. He would make her sit down at a nearby wooden chair.

“I’m sorry honey, but I couldn’t get our food for tonight…”. He whispered in her ear.

The Scavenger heard what the man had said, he suddenly had a bright smile on his face. “I have food here if you guys want to share.”.

The man knew that there were more important things than trusting a stranger. However, because of his wife’s distress, he had to make the choice.

“Considering the circumstances, I have no choice. Thank you sir.”.

“Sounds great. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Smith.”. The Scavenger revealed.

“I’m Lance Abes, this is my wife, Isabella Abes.”. The man said.