A slight breeze blew through the verdant copse of Trees filling the surrounding area with the light scent of evergreen. A young Man sat with his back against a tree writing in his journal while listening to music. A sun-faded brown hoodie was the only thing protecting him from the still young spring air. Black harem pants cascaded comfortably down his legs meeting a pair of bare feet. This Man is Jun Tahoma his unnatural red hair sat around his shoulders in a wolf cut with an undercut beneath.

Deep in thought Jun didn’t notice the passing of time. Lately his life had been a mess. He had found out earlier that day from his mother that they would be moving off of the reservation after his father’s passing. This bothered Jun greatly as life on the Rez was all he knew. All of his friends and family on his father’s side lived here. He had never been bullied by anyone about not being full blooded Native. No one here really cared as long as you came with love, and respect, you were considered family.

Half Japanese, and Half Native of the Puyallup Tribe; His clay-colored skin complemented his new hair color quite well according to his friends. Jun was always the center of attention when it came to the interesting food’s his mom would cook for his lunch, but after some hesitation the other kids in his class were willing to give them a try and fell in love. This being before sushi became the new trendy thing. Jun was thankful for this though he didn’t have the heart to tell his mother that he didn’t really enjoy sushi all that much, but he knew better than to make his mom sad.

It had only been two weeks since his dad had died, but he still really hadn’t come to terms with his new reality. Ever since that day in the hospital he felt like he had constantly been in a dream-like state, like the feeling you get when you play a first-person shooter; Life really didn’t feel real to him. Every day was a struggle to find motivation, but he didn’t give up on his mom, he couldn’t leave her behind while he wallowed in self-pity. He had taken to writing all of his feelings and experiences down in a journal. His therapist said it might help him cope with his feelings of loss. He really could not fathom at first how jotting down his sadness in a notebook would really influence his reality in anyway at first, but he was slowly, but surely coming to terms with his emotions as the days went by writing in the journal had become really cathartic.

“I found out Today that we are leaving the Rez behind to start a new life, in Ohio of all places. I can’t say that I am happy about this, but i haven’t been happy since that day. So maybe this change will help like mom says, but I don’t understand why. Why do we have to move away from everyone?! Why do we have to leave the home I grew up in. It’s the only thing we have left of him. Him and Uncle Bruce built our house from the ground up when I was only a baby. We don’t even have family in Ohio! I know she says it is for the better, but I don’t want to leave!” He sighed as he decided this was enough writing for the day. Closing the green leather-bound, Hand-made journal he clasped the brass lock into place on its cover.

He listened to the soothing sounds of the forest, as they were the only things that seemed to soothe his ADHD problem outside of medicine, but he hated the pills. He told his mom he had been taking them, but he had been selling them to one of his classmate’s Dad for some extra cash. He knew it was wrong to fuel someone else's problems, but he really could care for not at the moment. The birds whistled their songs as the breeze soothed his shot nerves a little. Taking a couple deep breaths he stood from his sitting position and brushed the pine needles off of his butt. He looked deeper into the pine forest behind his childhood home as if it were the last time, he could visit his safe space.

For all he knew it might be, but it did not stop him from taking in the scenic view. Deeper in he could hear the constant rushing of water and the movements of small animals as they scurried about the underbrush. At that moment the forest became eerily silent as he stood looking inward. He might be hallucinating, but he could swear he saw a faint glow almost lighting up the path. Rubbing his eyes the imaginary glow seemed to disappear.

The swaying of the trees in the wind seemed to lend an almost horror movie-like vibe to the now silent grove he stood in. He had explored these woods his entire life and never really had to fear anything. He was always told stories of the Hairy man-like forest spirits that would kidnap trespassers in the forest, but he didn’t believe any of that, after all who would?

His father, and family would call them the Hirsute, and his mother Yokai, but let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute it was Bigfoot. Who in their right mind would even believe in that stuff. His family often told tails of Hirsute, Wendigos, and skin walkers, but to him these were all legends meant to scare the kids into behaving. Anyone who disappeared in these woods either got lost or fell prey to any number of real predators that skulked through its depths. This line of thought offered him no comfort though when he heard the loud crash of trees as if something heavy had smashed into them.

His curiosity was piqued, but he was also terrified at the same time. Trying to calm his quaking body he felt he should take a quick peak so to speak; He could always run away if it was something dangerous, he thought to himself. Part of him felt he needed this in this moment to feel more alive than he currently did. The feeling of just pushing forward felt like a death sentence in its own right. Putting one foot in front of the other he did his best to imitate the large cat’s of the forest and silently crept towards the sound against better judgement.

The bushes and twigs snapping with each misstep he took seemed to reverberated alongside his thumping heartbeat. Making him more paranoid that whatever lay ahead was waiting to pounce on him. 60 foot Pine Trees stood guard over the forest like a vast army of silent sentinels. The Twelve year old boy, feet covered in sap and dirt directed his attention to a large boulder near the river that never used to be there. The Giant rock look as though it had been torn from the mountainside and thrown across the river. The sound of trees falling and making loud booms as their now dying bodies hit the forest floor almost made Jun sick to his stomach. The Tribe considered this forest sacred land and would never take from its Bounty this deep in. Climbing slowly up the boulder in front of him he peered over its edge and was surprised at what he saw.

A man no taller than five feet tall was felling trees with a small hatchet in one strike. Soot covered skin that seemed bronzed by the Sun, and a sap coated beard a tangled mess of back hair hung loosely around the man’s shoulders as it came up to meet two large braids on both sides of his head. Jun listened closely as the man talked to himself. The issue is Jun couldn't understand him at all. Almost as if sensing his presence the man looked directly at Jun.

“Come out boy I know you’ve been there for some time, s’no use in trying to hide from me noes. It knows best after all.” He shouted Jun’s way.

Jun’s Heart was beating rapidly in his chest this time. He knew this man was dangerous he was cutting down sixty foot trees in one swing, and he could tell he was there from 20 feet away. Jun was sure he made no noise on his approach, but this short man said his nose spotted him. He thought this man must be crazy. No one could smell someone from that far. Steeling his Taiko drum of a heart he made the decision to run away.

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

Turn to run it was too late Jun didn’t see the man from across the river now standing behind him as he ran full sprint into his chest falling down onto his ass with a heavy thump.

“Ye must be fucking daft lad, creeping up on an old geezer and then denying him the right to know who his visitor is, when they come knockin’ on his door.”

The bearded man croaked out a hearty laugh as he stared at the bewildered Jun sitting on broken stone with quite possibly a now broken tailbone. He looked up at the short man with fear embedded in his eyes. The look of Mirth on the man slowly turned to one of concern as he noticed the look on the boy’s face.

“Look here lad I mean ye no harm in fact was bout to sit down to some lunch me’self and have a nice cup’o tea. The fact O' the matter is you surprised me boy. No if in you be so kind sit down and have a mug as you humor this old Codger.”

The words came out messy to Jun’s ears he couldn’t tell if it was his still anxious heart, but it almost seemed as if the stranger wasn’t used to speaking English. Jun Tried to look for an escape from this strange man looking left, and then right to find a clear path to run when his legs finally started to listen to his brain. Looking back in front of him he noticed the man had pulled a full dining table and two chairs from out of no where along side a rather fancy looking teapot. He was baffled “where the hell did the table and chairs come from?!” His mind was still racing but now extremely curious about the man at the same time. Slowly the man walked over to Jun and lifted him to his feet with one hand.

Sitting him down in the wood chair and leaving Jun no room for escape he resigned himself to his fate. He still remained cautiously optimistic that he would be able to do something to run away if the man was distracted enough, but sat still anyway. Slightly fidgeting he decided to try and scare the man with the old Hirute Legends.

“Listen Mister I don’t know what you’re doing here in the Forest, but all of them trees falling could Wake up the Hirute. They don’t even like it when the tribe step foot into their lands.” Jun trying to not sound as nervous as he was shot the words out of his mouth like a Machine Gun.

“Oh really now boy, why don’t you go on and describe these Hirute to me, they sound like fun people.” He said, bemused at the boys attempt to be brave.

“ Iffin I spose you were talkin bout them Ole Hairy Bastards who came running at me with sticks the other night, I kicked them right in their gibbly bits and sent them runnin back to their mamas.” The crazy man laughed as if recalling a hilarious memory.

Jun was at a loss for words he stared at the man mouth agape like a Fish gasping for air. This only made the man’s smile grow wider as he realized Jun was only trying to lie, but then was even more confused when the man spoke of these beings like they were living creatures.

“Wa..wait a minute! They are real?!” He was flabbergasted at the thought of how safe he had felt in these woods up until this very moment.

“As real as you an me Lad, but we aren’t here to talk about some cave dwelling monkeys. I want to know more about you lad, and where ever the hell it is I find myself, because it sure as Dragon-shit isn’t Me Homeland.”

Seeing no way out of this awkward encounter he now found himself in Jun Acquiesced to his request, and told him a little about himself. He told him about Northern Washington where they now found themselves, about the local wild life, and about his tribe. The man seemed to smile at the mention of the Tribe, a longing could be seen behind the man’s kind eyes. The man looked at the boy with a soft smile as he would his own and spoke softly.

“I have seen many a thing boy, but your world is new to me, I am only here on a scouting mission as for what or who It is not your time to know, but you may call me Brolen Sunderbeard. Captain of the Royal Scouting team, and leader of...”

Jun’s mind trailed off as the boy listened he had no idea what this crazy man was talking about, but he didn’t get a bad feeling from him anymore which was good for Jun, but he still didn’t want to be in his company for longer than he had to be. He was also really confused about what this man named Brolen was talking about, Royalty this, and scouting party that. He was starting to get fidgety again so he asked Brolen a question before his mind could wander off again.

“ Sir why are you so short?”

A great bellowing laugh spewed forth from the mans lips cause a gale force wind making the nearby tree branches quiver.

“You best mind that tongue of yours lad before a troll eats it, but to answer your question I am a Dwarf of the Sundering Circle. As for where that is and what that means I’ll repeat myself kiddo it is not time for you or yours to know this.”

The mirth in his eyes never seemed to leave, but the questions answer only seemed to infuriate the boy as his face got red with impatience, and anger. “Ah to be young again I envy the youth Brolen thought to himself.”

Pulling a Pocket Watch from the pocket of the vest he wore Jun looked on stunned in amazement, because the watch seem to be see through almost crystal like in nature and Jun wanted to know how it worked, but his thoughts were interrupted when Brolen spoke once more.

“Sorry lad it seems me time is up with you, but fear not this won’t be our last. One day you will be ready for the truth of everything. I make no promises I will be the one to deliver on that now, but it makes no difference I s’pose.”

With those final words Brolen took a last gulp from his cup of tea and stood ono his feet slowly shuffling over to stand in front of Jun.

“I do apologize about this lad, but it is too early for you to know.”

Before Jun could get a word out edge wise Brolen’s Hand started to glow a blueish green in color, before he flicked Jun in the middle of his forehead. Knocking him unconscious. Heaving the boy over his shoulder with minimal effort Brolen began to trot off towards the Forest’s edge.

“Once again sorry bout this Son. Someday I will be able to tell you everything, but only after you and yours are ready for the truth.” Speaking mostly to himself he placed Jun down in the copse of trees he sat under not some 65 minutes ago. Speaking one last soft goodbye he said.

“ I hope You will all be ready for what’s to come Little Tahoma. We sure weren’t.”

Brolen step away from the unconscious boy and seemed to melt into the surrounding forest as the birds once again began to sing their songs. 20 Minutes later Jun woke up with a pounding headache. Looking around he grabbed his journal and began to walk back home for some medicine trying to figure out how he had fallen asleep. A vague dream of a short man telling him off slowly fading from his memories with each pulse of the headache.