Note from Author: Much like Chapter VI, a song can be listened to while reading certain parts to help give you a full feel of what I am trying to do. You will find a random link to the song at two parts of the chapter that I feel it fits best. Feel free to listen while you read or listen later or just skip it.

Also, a little bit of information regarding the song, Hårgalåten. The song is an instrumental piece about the old, Swedish legend. The legend is about a devil who went to a village and played his violin. The village people danced to his music but could not stop and ended up dancing until they died. At least that is what I've gathered from research but maybe those of you who are actually from Sweden or was familiar with Swedish myths and legends can correct me.

"Hurry up, Kumiko!" Constant stood at the bottom of the hill looking up at her. He stomped his hoof in frustration. "It shouldn't be this hard to walk down a hill!"

"I'm coming. I'm coming," Kumiko looked down back at him. He seemed so far below her at the bottom of the steep hill.

She slowly took her time, choosing carefully where to place each step, as she started down the deep slope. Nervously, she continued onward until she lost her grip. She gasped as she began to stumble and gain speed. Sliding down the last little bit, her hooves drug across the ground digging into the dry earth until she reached the bottom with a few pebbles rolling behind her.

His heart had skipped a beat the second she began to fall; worry had overtaken him. Quickly, he stepped sideways and braced himself. An unbalanced Kumiko fell into his side, knocking them both to the ground. The wind was knocked out of him, but that did not seem to matter as he gazed down upon her beside him; her petite body leaning up against his. He could not help but smile and stare.

She looked up at him to see that he was smiling at her. Quickly, she turned and blushed desperately trying to hide the smile that she now had upon her lips. With his tail wagging, Constant leaned his head closer down to hers. She glanced back at him; their noses were gentle touched together as his cheeks turned a brighter shade of red.

"What is it?" she asked shyly with her ears pulled back.

"Nothing," he replied pulling his head back a little. "Just lookin'."

"At what?"

"At you."

The two fawns continued to sit there for a few moments staring into each other's eyes. Time seem to have stand still as a warm feeling over took both their fluttering hearts. Constant leaned closer to Kumiko's face once again and attempted to lick her check. Quickly, she dodged him and stood in a pouncing position.

"I don't think so," she giggled. "You gotta catch me first!" She turned laughing as she dashed into the tall grass.

Constant chuckled, "Here I come!" as he began to chase after her.

(Life in Technicolor - Coldplay)

The forest seemed to disappear around them. The hard soil beneath their feet morphed into white, fluffy clouds. The trees had vanished, leaving nothing but bright, blue sky around them. The birds sang sweet songs as they hovered above the playing fawns below. Hidden in the clouds was a patch of beautiful purple flowers; butterflies in many shades of blue, green, and yellow fluttered above them. Kumiko leaped in the patch of flowers where she hid. The pollen spores were knocked into the air. Constant cautiously approached it, sneezing as he drew closer which only made Kumiko laugh even more. He began to look around all around for Kumiko's light tan pelt to point out her hiding spot. However, the tall flowers protected her well.

Watching his step, he began to search for her. His eyes wondered the light flowers as the butterflies tricked his sight. With each beat of their wings, he would looked side to side to see nothing but the butterflies. He could hear her giggles coming from somewhere in the sea of flowers. Without a warning, she leaped into the air behind him. She tackled him to the ground. The two fawns rolled about the flowers, laughing.

Once again they found themselves laying beside each other. Their eyes twinkled as they gazed deeply into each others.

Constant sighed, "You have such beautiful blue eyes..."

Kumiko giggled, "Well, you have handsome gray eyes."

"I wish we could stay this way forever," he said as he shifted his body, laying her head to rest on his shoulder. "But I know that that stag won't let us..." He looked off into the distanced as he watched the clouds float away and the forest returned to normal.

"Why won't he?" Kumiko asked.

"He says he doesn't like your mom and dad and you..." his voice trailed off.

Kumiko sat up, "Why?"

Constant shook his head, "I don't know. It doesn't make sense to me. Your mom is sweet, your dad is cool, and you're...You're amazing."

"Well...My mom said that the stag that hangs around your mom is mean. That's why she wouldn't let me play with you. I think..."

The two fawns continued to lay side by side. Neither knew what to say for neither understood why their parents had such strong hate towards each other. They continued to lay there and watched as the forest carried on its daily life as they wondered.

Serenity had managed to stop crying but her eyes were stained red from the tears. Laying by Serenity's side, Freya tried to comfort the mourning mother. She whispered reinsurance to her but fear bit viciously at Serenity's soul. She tried to block out the horrible thoughts that floated within her mind. Thoughts of Silvanus harming Kumiko or chasing the young fawn off continued to fill her head. She shook them away but only for a few moments.

Not far in the distance, they heard the heavy steps of Castor running. Branches and bushes snapped under his weight. His breathing was raspy as he slid to a halt in front of them Standing on his hind legs, he yelled to them, "Come! There is not much time!"

Both Serenity and Freya looked up at him with terror in their eyes. Serenity quickly got to her feet shaking, "What do you mean, Castor?"

"My mother spoke of the raven's flight and the scent of blood in the air. She senses great danger for Kumiko. We have to find her!"

Serenity shook her head and stomped the ground in anger and in fear, "Why did she say such things?!"

"Serenity...The nightmare I had described to you was a vision from the Divine..."

"The Divine?!" she interrupted. "That is just a legend! Do not believe it!"

Freya was now on her feet, "It may be a legend to you, Serenity, I know you are not from around here, but please try to understand...We take it very seriously and our mother's senses have never been wrong. If you care about your daughter, I suggest you listen to Castor."

Serenity was silent. She did not want to think about her daughter being in grave danger but she had no choice. A feeling pulled at her heart; it was her mother's intuition gnawing away at her, warning her of the nearing storm. Castor gently rubbed her cheek. She left out a sigh as another tear came to her eye.

"Please stay strong," he whispered to her. "Kumiko needs us both."

She nodded, "Yes...It's just...I don't want to believe it."

Freya stepped up closer to the sorrowful pair, "No one wants to believe something horrible like this."

The three did not speak. The worry in their eyes spoke for each. They only nodded in agreement as they quickly began their search. Their heads low for they knew their chances of finding her before it was too late were slim.

(Hårgalåten- In Flames)

The sky grew dark as black clouds swallowed the sun. Long shadows engulfed the forest, pulling the life out of everything. Birds refused to sing their songs of happiness. Thunder in the distance silenced them. Rabbits and squirrels retreated to their nests waiting for the storm to blow over. Other deer in the forest grew restless as electricity filled the air. A strong scent of rain over powered the sweet smell of the flowers. Everything stood still; it was the calm before the storm.

Beyond the horizon, the sky light up as streaks of lightning ran across the sky. The wind howled madly as it ran upon the still woods like a beast on its prey. Branches creaked as they bounced in the swirling wind.

In the darkness, Silvanus could still see the black stag as the candle light cast a glow on his face. His eyes glowing red in the shadows stared back at Silvanus. His words continued to echo in his head, You know what to do...Silvanus looked back at the fire. It's flames batting away the darkness that growled at its door. He gulped as he stepped closer to it. Visions of the burning leaf returned to him as temptation called to him.

"Do it, stag," the mysterious black stag said in a stern voice. "You know you want to. Within an instant, all your troubles will go up in smoke." He chuckled at his own sick joke.

Silvanus took a second step closer. The faint smell of burning wood and ash lifted from the pit; it lingered and mixed with the scent of fresh rain. He leaned down to the pit watching the flames. Their bright reflections glowing in his eyes. A large stick sat beside the pit. He had seen the humans poke at the burning wood with it. With his teeth, he grabbed the stick and placed an end near the base of the flame. The heat beat against his face making him cringe as he waited for the stick to ignite.

A small flame broke from the large on and sat at the end of his stick. He lifted his head; his eyes showing please as he looked crossed-eyed at the flame. Without hesitation, he turned and walked towards the meadow. Its long, dry grass would burn easily, making it the perfect place to begin.

The black stag stood in the distance behind him, disappearing into the darkness as silently as he had appeared with a grin on his face. Silvanus stood there for a moment looking at the field. The grass swayed in the wind along with Silvanus' fur. He pulled his head back, then swung it forward while opening his mouth. The flaming stick flew through the air and landed not far from where he stood. Patently, he waited.

Out from the field of grass, black smoke arose. The dark meadow light up as the fire crawled up the blades of grass. It hopped from one blade to another and to another until soon, a whole section of the was aflame. Silvanus stood tall with pride as he watched the fire spread towards the forest. His vendetta had begun.