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Fantasy The woods go deeper still.
- Thread starter Calibutcher
- Start date
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
The King's river of the Sierra Nevada mountain range stretches for 133 miles. A popular river in the valley of California and a significant source of water. Along its vast stretch of reach, many camps, cabins, and fair trails have been laid. Even so, the mountains are vast and the river is not all occupied. In fact, many places remain unseen. Untouched by humanity for decades.
Humanity however has not seen many things. While some come close to the truth, bigfoot sightings and alien abductions, claims by crazies and conspiracy theorists often come close. But very few ever actually see the truth. Fewer still experience it. Those that do either do not return or are so changed as to become the very lunatics they may have once scorned.
In these very mountains near the same King's river lay one such creature. A beast of ferocious design and origin. Sealed away by a small family who were unfortunate enough to stumble into its layer. The beast however was not dormant. Contained as he was he sought every means of escape he could muster. Alone he could not free himself. Recently though he had gained influence over another. Not one that could free him, But one that could help him expand his influence. He communed with her even now, viewing the world through her eyes struggling to plant his control ever deeper into the druid. Forcing her to find him a human that could break his imprisonment.
Finally after months of waiting and searching. A lone traveler was drawing near enough to enter his sphere of influence. For now, the druid Nita was only to watch and see what she could learn. He still needed the human to come closer...
Humanity however has not seen many things. While some come close to the truth, bigfoot sightings and alien abductions, claims by crazies and conspiracy theorists often come close. But very few ever actually see the truth. Fewer still experience it. Those that do either do not return or are so changed as to become the very lunatics they may have once scorned.
In these very mountains near the same King's river lay one such creature. A beast of ferocious design and origin. Sealed away by a small family who were unfortunate enough to stumble into its layer. The beast however was not dormant. Contained as he was he sought every means of escape he could muster. Alone he could not free himself. Recently though he had gained influence over another. Not one that could free him, But one that could help him expand his influence. He communed with her even now, viewing the world through her eyes struggling to plant his control ever deeper into the druid. Forcing her to find him a human that could break his imprisonment.
Finally after months of waiting and searching. A lone traveler was drawing near enough to enter his sphere of influence. For now, the druid Nita was only to watch and see what she could learn. He still needed the human to come closer...
NoXenXenNo
More Xeno More Problems
Branches crunched lightly under Elena's feet. She had walked these trails numerous times, always finding peace in the natural setting. Mundane life was always stress-inducing, pushing Elena to break away to spend time alone. Between the crisp, breezy fall air and the beautiful plethora of colors, the young woman remained in awe every time she chose to explore the mountain ranges. Today was no different. She walked slowly on the trail, allowing herself to be whisked away by the energy of the forests. She followed the trail for minutes longer, until she finally reached the King's River. Usually, the trail would end right here, as people would turn left or right to follow the river along its edges. Elena, however, focused her eyes across the river.
There was no trail or significant pathway marked, yet, the trees and bushes made a slight clearing. Elena's senses would tell her to continue on the normal trek but, something pulled her in. Something drew her interest. She felt that she wanted to cross the river to the other side. Her curiosity skyrocketed in moments, which would be unlike her more often than not. She blinked for a few moments, her eyes still unmoving from the mysterious clearing. Her sight flicked down to the river next, taking note of where certain rocks were placed. Elena intended to get across.
Cautiously, she tapped her foot on the first rock, making sure pressure wouldn't cause it to just wash away in the river's current. From there, she took her first step, moving from rock to rock until she was close enough to hop onto the other side. Oddly enough, even the air on this side of the river felt different. Something was very off, but, it didn't deter Elena... she wanted to go deeper. Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes for a moment, before snapping them open with readiness, plunging forward into the clearing.
There was no trail or significant pathway marked, yet, the trees and bushes made a slight clearing. Elena's senses would tell her to continue on the normal trek but, something pulled her in. Something drew her interest. She felt that she wanted to cross the river to the other side. Her curiosity skyrocketed in moments, which would be unlike her more often than not. She blinked for a few moments, her eyes still unmoving from the mysterious clearing. Her sight flicked down to the river next, taking note of where certain rocks were placed. Elena intended to get across.
Cautiously, she tapped her foot on the first rock, making sure pressure wouldn't cause it to just wash away in the river's current. From there, she took her first step, moving from rock to rock until she was close enough to hop onto the other side. Oddly enough, even the air on this side of the river felt different. Something was very off, but, it didn't deter Elena... she wanted to go deeper. Taking a deep breath, she shut her eyes for a moment, before snapping them open with readiness, plunging forward into the clearing.
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
Nita stood stock still holding the tree in front of her gently as she leaned against it. She was anxious. Waiting for the human girl to cross the river. She stopped at the edge of the river and paused. Nita wetted her lips with her tongue. "Closer.." She muttered to herself. The girl stepped onto the first rock in the river. Nita's coal-black hands clenched into the bark of the tree. Could it finally be? A human girl she could use to earn her freedom?
The girl made it to the other side of the river. NIta shifted unsure what to do for a moment. It finally happened. Her eyes grew wide as she looked on. "time, not much of it." She looked to the sky gauging the position of the sun. "Need to keep her here. Lead her deeper." Nita stepped away from the tree finally and delved deeper into the woods. She searched for a time before finding a small group of deer. She muttered to the deer in a gentle voice and strode towards them with her hands out and head bowed. Her own antlers pointed towards the deer. Two of them approached. She reached out with gentle hands and stroked them one after the other. "Tallahu, Emui. Thank you for your trust."
The deer seemed to nod in understanding. "There is a young woman in the woods not far from here." She pointed to where she had come from. "Will you lead her deeper into the woods for me?" The deer looked uncertain, "I will see to that you are not harmed." Having trust in their friend they nodded their agreement. The two deer began striding towards the clearing. Nita followed behind and stayed well behind and out of sight.
Tallahu and Emui found the clearing and the young woman who walked around. They came through the brush and approached the women with cautious steps. However, the two came within a few scant feet of the girl and sniffed at the air in front of her. Tallahu, the less trustful of the two stayed farther away however Emui got close enough to let the girl touch her. Testing the hiker to see what kind of person she would be.
The girl made it to the other side of the river. NIta shifted unsure what to do for a moment. It finally happened. Her eyes grew wide as she looked on. "time, not much of it." She looked to the sky gauging the position of the sun. "Need to keep her here. Lead her deeper." Nita stepped away from the tree finally and delved deeper into the woods. She searched for a time before finding a small group of deer. She muttered to the deer in a gentle voice and strode towards them with her hands out and head bowed. Her own antlers pointed towards the deer. Two of them approached. She reached out with gentle hands and stroked them one after the other. "Tallahu, Emui. Thank you for your trust."
The deer seemed to nod in understanding. "There is a young woman in the woods not far from here." She pointed to where she had come from. "Will you lead her deeper into the woods for me?" The deer looked uncertain, "I will see to that you are not harmed." Having trust in their friend they nodded their agreement. The two deer began striding towards the clearing. Nita followed behind and stayed well behind and out of sight.
Tallahu and Emui found the clearing and the young woman who walked around. They came through the brush and approached the women with cautious steps. However, the two came within a few scant feet of the girl and sniffed at the air in front of her. Tallahu, the less trustful of the two stayed farther away however Emui got close enough to let the girl touch her. Testing the hiker to see what kind of person she would be.
NoXenXenNo
More Xeno More Problems
Elena's mind told her to halt. It was what stopped for her a second, the girl firmly planting her feet on the soft ground. Still, that feeling never faltered. It was as if something was screaming at her to keep going. What was going on? Everything already felt ominous and bizarre, this inquisitive feeling only being the icing on the cake. She gripped the straps of her backpack tightly, scanning the horizon for anything. Ever since she had crossed the river, the sounds of the forest had died down and she could barely hear the river behind her. Maybe, just maybe... she should turn back.
That is until rustling came from the undergrowth. Elena's chestnut hues flicked towards the direction of the sound, the girl practically holding her breath as she awaited the source of such noise. Out came two deer, who approached her in unison. Elena took a deep sigh of relief, her tension washing away as she broke free from her frozen state. One of the deer stood back, being a bit more territorial to the human before it. The other deer came closer, Elena taking a step forward to meet it. Elena's mother was a veterinarian, meaning Elena had always grown up around animals, strengthening the bond she had with nature and the love she had for its creatures.
"Why, hello there." Elena spoke lowly, her voice echoing a slight sweetness. She reached out a steady head, letting her fingertips rest on the deer's head before she settled her palm. She pat the deer gently, a small but warm smile stretching across her features. "A little more friendly than your friend, hm?" Elena continued, letting out a soft giggle as she pulled her hand away from the deer's head.
That is until rustling came from the undergrowth. Elena's chestnut hues flicked towards the direction of the sound, the girl practically holding her breath as she awaited the source of such noise. Out came two deer, who approached her in unison. Elena took a deep sigh of relief, her tension washing away as she broke free from her frozen state. One of the deer stood back, being a bit more territorial to the human before it. The other deer came closer, Elena taking a step forward to meet it. Elena's mother was a veterinarian, meaning Elena had always grown up around animals, strengthening the bond she had with nature and the love she had for its creatures.
"Why, hello there." Elena spoke lowly, her voice echoing a slight sweetness. She reached out a steady head, letting her fingertips rest on the deer's head before she settled her palm. She pat the deer gently, a small but warm smile stretching across her features. "A little more friendly than your friend, hm?" Elena continued, letting out a soft giggle as she pulled her hand away from the deer's head.
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
Emui held very still for a time as the girl placed a hand on her head. However, it was quickly apparent the girl would not harm her. Emui flicked her small tail in satisfaction. She pushed her head further into the hand that patted her head. Emui looked back to Tallahu who flicked her ear before stepping forward as well. Tallahu decided to be a bit more direct in her approach. She walked around behind the girl and gently nudged her to walk further into the woods. Emui began to lead the way into the woods. Looking back to see if the girl would follow.
Nita stayed still watching from the concealment of a bush as she waited to see if getting the girl deeper into the woods would be this simple. There was still more to be done but this was a promising start. It was only about midday now. Plenty of time to get the girl lost in the woods still. She began to move as the deer led the girl further into the woods.
Emui and Tallahu led the way down one of the trails they frequented. Something that would keep the girl far from the trails others may visit. They did not realize that this also led closer to where Nita needed the girl to go. It would not lead her directly there but should get her close enough. "Yes, follow. Walk. Go deeper." She whispered and chanted as she traveled along.
Nita stayed still watching from the concealment of a bush as she waited to see if getting the girl deeper into the woods would be this simple. There was still more to be done but this was a promising start. It was only about midday now. Plenty of time to get the girl lost in the woods still. She began to move as the deer led the girl further into the woods.
Emui and Tallahu led the way down one of the trails they frequented. Something that would keep the girl far from the trails others may visit. They did not realize that this also led closer to where Nita needed the girl to go. It would not lead her directly there but should get her close enough. "Yes, follow. Walk. Go deeper." She whispered and chanted as she traveled along.
NoXenXenNo
More Xeno More Problems
The deer were friendly, thank the lords. If anything, her chances of running into a mountain lion or a bear were slim, but still a possibility. At least she got lucky to run into more calm wildlife. Elena watched as now the second deer began to move, this time walking behind her, the girl keeping a steady eye as she peeked over her own shoulder to see what the deer was doing. Gently, it pressed its head to the square of her back, pushing her forward by a few inches. Confused, Elena gazed over towards the first deer, which had begun to walk forward, stopping to look back at her.
"Do you want me to follow you...?" Elena questioned, mainly to herself. This was bizarre behavior, she had never seen any animal close to a deer act like this. She hesitated for a second, her sight traveling back and forth between the two deers. Finally, she took another breath, straightening herself out as she began to follow the deer onto the trail.
After what seemed like forever, Elena had lost track of the deer. The one that echoed her steps from behind had run off, and the one in front had sped up enough to where she couldn't keep up. The sun was already setting below the trees and at the moment, Elena had zero clue where she was. The trees were growing thicker and the trail was growing thin, clearings becoming rarer and rarer within this patch of forest. Where was she?
"Do you want me to follow you...?" Elena questioned, mainly to herself. This was bizarre behavior, she had never seen any animal close to a deer act like this. She hesitated for a second, her sight traveling back and forth between the two deers. Finally, she took another breath, straightening herself out as she began to follow the deer onto the trail.
After what seemed like forever, Elena had lost track of the deer. The one that echoed her steps from behind had run off, and the one in front had sped up enough to where she couldn't keep up. The sun was already setting below the trees and at the moment, Elena had zero clue where she was. The trees were growing thicker and the trail was growing thin, clearings becoming rarer and rarer within this patch of forest. Where was she?
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
Emui and Tallahu did well in leading the girl into the woods. As the trail drew near to where she wanted the girl, the two deer peeled away. Nita now would have to intervene herself. She felt uncertain about how to proceed from here. It was nearing dark so surely the girl would seek to flee the woods. How could she be convinced to stay now? She knew what she was supposed to do but now she was feeling plagued by doubts. The tree she was clutching to she began to attempt to back away from. No, how could she? This girl was kind to her creatures. Kind to this forest.
Her doubt soon turned to agony. A sharp pain cracked at her skull as the master of this place made his will known. Nita shrieked in pain and sunk to her knees. The message was clear. Lead the girl deeper. Make her stay. Get the blood. Awaken the Master. Just as it started it stopped and Nita sat on the ground panting for breath. She quickly looked up to see the girl looking for the source of the sound. Nita stood quickly and retreated into the woods. A new sinister thought was planted in her mind. She mourned the very thought of it but the idea was not her own. And the thought of resistance was met by a dull pain in her head. "Fine.." She muttered in a defeated voice.
She scoured the woods and quickly found a rabbit nearby and lured the creature to her with soft words. Her next actions, she wished she could block from her mind...
She left the rabbit with a broken leg in a small clearing to cover the tracks of her earlier scream. She hid nearby readying herself to be seen for the first time by any of humankind.
Her doubt soon turned to agony. A sharp pain cracked at her skull as the master of this place made his will known. Nita shrieked in pain and sunk to her knees. The message was clear. Lead the girl deeper. Make her stay. Get the blood. Awaken the Master. Just as it started it stopped and Nita sat on the ground panting for breath. She quickly looked up to see the girl looking for the source of the sound. Nita stood quickly and retreated into the woods. A new sinister thought was planted in her mind. She mourned the very thought of it but the idea was not her own. And the thought of resistance was met by a dull pain in her head. "Fine.." She muttered in a defeated voice.
She scoured the woods and quickly found a rabbit nearby and lured the creature to her with soft words. Her next actions, she wished she could block from her mind...
She left the rabbit with a broken leg in a small clearing to cover the tracks of her earlier scream. She hid nearby readying herself to be seen for the first time by any of humankind.
NoXenXenNo
More Xeno More Problems
"Oh come on... this can't be happening." Elena muttered to herself, her pace growing quick as she began to hurriedly walk through the forest. The sun was set, darkness settling around her. Moonlight illuminated her though, well enough to where she could still the trail before her. However, beyond the tree line, nothing was visible... just an endless void of silent blackness. Night had come much quicker than Elena expected, and without any service, she was stranded alone. Suddenly, an animalistic shriek echoed from beyond the trees, Elena freezing instantly. That wasn't a human scream but, at the same time, the young lady couldn't tell what that was. She spun on her heels, turning constantly as she tried to locate where the agonizing scream arose from.
Stopping for a second, Elena turned towards the pathway, trying to erase the scream out of her head as she started forward once more. This time, she entered a new clearing, a slight gasp arising at the sight she saw. In the center of the clearing laid a rabbit, struggling on the ground. One leg was moving constantly, trying to spur it forward, but the other one lay limp as if It was broken or damaged. Even though her intuition told her to ignore the animal and continue moving, she stopped to kneel beside the rabbit.
"Oh, you poor thing. What happened to you?" Elena whispered to it, reaching to scratch the top of the rabbit's head. Looking around, she couldn't see any predators nor any real height that the bunny could have fallen from. Worried, she turned her attention back to the animal, trying to comfort it. She couldn't willfully allow herself to leave the rabbit, so she sat down fully, cautiously picking up the creature and placing it in her lap. "I can't do much right now for you... but at least I can try to make sure you stay safe."
Stopping for a second, Elena turned towards the pathway, trying to erase the scream out of her head as she started forward once more. This time, she entered a new clearing, a slight gasp arising at the sight she saw. In the center of the clearing laid a rabbit, struggling on the ground. One leg was moving constantly, trying to spur it forward, but the other one lay limp as if It was broken or damaged. Even though her intuition told her to ignore the animal and continue moving, she stopped to kneel beside the rabbit.
"Oh, you poor thing. What happened to you?" Elena whispered to it, reaching to scratch the top of the rabbit's head. Looking around, she couldn't see any predators nor any real height that the bunny could have fallen from. Worried, she turned her attention back to the animal, trying to comfort it. She couldn't willfully allow herself to leave the rabbit, so she sat down fully, cautiously picking up the creature and placing it in her lap. "I can't do much right now for you... but at least I can try to make sure you stay safe."
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
NIta watched cautiously with deep remorse gripping her. The creatures here should not have to pay in such a way to help her. Furthermore, the girl again showed herself to be a kind-hearted soul. She stayed nearby the injured Rabbit seeking to nurture it as best she could. Somehow what she was to do next seemed more difficult. She shuffled in place for a moment as she tried to muster her courage. Even as she did so the twigs beneath her hooves crackled. NIta froze. Surely the girl would have heard that. She shook in fear for a moment but gathered courage having seen how kind the girl was to her other creatures.
Nita stepped out from behind the tree and took a few gentle steps toward the girl. "Hello" She called meekly, Nita held her hands clasped together in front of her. Her head hung low and she appeared diminutive despite her rather large size. NIta was a druid, though not entirely human, her face, hands, and torso were human. But antlers grew from her head. Her legs were long deer-like appendages with hooves at the end of them. She simple loose cloth to cover her torso, though leaves and growing vine hung about her just as well. She blended in well with the foliage of the forest. Now as she stood before this lost hiker she looked out of place compared to the human girl.
"I see you found a friend of mine." Her voice still shook slightly as she mustered the courage to speak. "Could I see her?" She stepped forward some more and knelt down, holding out her hands to take the rabbit.
Nita stepped out from behind the tree and took a few gentle steps toward the girl. "Hello" She called meekly, Nita held her hands clasped together in front of her. Her head hung low and she appeared diminutive despite her rather large size. NIta was a druid, though not entirely human, her face, hands, and torso were human. But antlers grew from her head. Her legs were long deer-like appendages with hooves at the end of them. She simple loose cloth to cover her torso, though leaves and growing vine hung about her just as well. She blended in well with the foliage of the forest. Now as she stood before this lost hiker she looked out of place compared to the human girl.
"I see you found a friend of mine." Her voice still shook slightly as she mustered the courage to speak. "Could I see her?" She stepped forward some more and knelt down, holding out her hands to take the rabbit.
NoXenXenNo
More Xeno More Problems
Elena continued to pat the rabbit, sighing softly as she tried to regain her composure. There was no reason to panic, and with the night surrounding her, there was no purpose in trying to find a way out. She would have to wait until the morning, then try to retrace her steps. For now, though, she sat with the bunny, at least grateful that another living creature could provide her company instead of the grueling emptiness of the forest. Until a snap of a branch startled her. Her head snapped up from the animal, scanning the treeline for whatever caused the sound. Something... or someone, stepped on a branch.
As she looked away to check behind her, by the time she turned her head around, a creature unlike any she has witnessed before stepped toward her. Elena's eyes widened, the girl using her feet to scurry slightly backward, holding the rabbit to still protect it. For a moment, she held her breath, terrified of what was in front of her. Would it attack her? Hurt her? What the hell was it?
Instead, the unknown being spoke, greeting Elena. The voice sounded human, and for the most part, a great portion of its body remained human. However, between the antlers growing on her head and deer-like legs, whatever it was truly wasn't human. Elena's eyes trailed from the hooves up, taking in the presence of the being before her.
"H-hello..." Elena barely muttered, her heart almost beating out of her chest. The being stepped closer, this time kneeling before Elena. Elena, hearing her request, pulled her hand away from the rabbit, allowing the newfound stranger to take it.
As she looked away to check behind her, by the time she turned her head around, a creature unlike any she has witnessed before stepped toward her. Elena's eyes widened, the girl using her feet to scurry slightly backward, holding the rabbit to still protect it. For a moment, she held her breath, terrified of what was in front of her. Would it attack her? Hurt her? What the hell was it?
Instead, the unknown being spoke, greeting Elena. The voice sounded human, and for the most part, a great portion of its body remained human. However, between the antlers growing on her head and deer-like legs, whatever it was truly wasn't human. Elena's eyes trailed from the hooves up, taking in the presence of the being before her.
"H-hello..." Elena barely muttered, her heart almost beating out of her chest. The being stepped closer, this time kneeling before Elena. Elena, hearing her request, pulled her hand away from the rabbit, allowing the newfound stranger to take it.
Calibutcher
Did you think me Defeated?!
The girl was shaken, though Nita's thudding heart did not calm even as the girl spoke back to her. Though she pushed herself to be brave to respond. "Thank you." She said quietly as she took the rabbit. The creature was panicked and clearly did not like being moved with its injury. Nita reached back to a pouch and drew some pellets. She fed the rabbit some of them and the creature fell asleep soon after. She began to fashion a small splint for the creature out of branches and twine.
"I'm Nita, by the way." She said after a brief silence. "I keep the forest here." She continued helping the rabbit and stroking its soft fur as she worked to soothe herself. "You seem lost. Are you OK?"
"I'm Nita, by the way." She said after a brief silence. "I keep the forest here." She continued helping the rabbit and stroking its soft fur as she worked to soothe herself. "You seem lost. Are you OK?"
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