Note from Author: First off...It's time for a mature warning. This chapter is the darkest chapter in the whole story as of right now. Those who are feint of heart probably should not read this.

Also, a song shall come into play. You may choose to listen to it or skip it. It's up to you. It's a rather long song that has slow and fast parts to it. I imagined that the slower parts of the song were during the slower parts of the story, while the fast parts matched the fighting. It should hopefully make sense once you get to that part.

A sharp pain shot up Kumiko's leg as she laid before Silvanus. A burning sensation swelled around her ankle. She attempted to stand, but her hind leg was too tender; she collapsed down to the ground with her scrawny legs tangled beneath her. Her eyes were wide as they gazed up at the approaching stag. Her mouth hung open with a her lower lip trembling; she tried to speak but only tiny, quite noises escaped.

His eyes were fixed on her as he continued closer to her. Unlike many of the deer Kumiko had come to know, his eyes were cloudy and dull. They showed no sign of life or happiness. An unsettling vibe came from him and his voice was always as cold as ice; it cut through her soul each time he spoke.

"What's the matter, my dear?" Silvanus asked with a grin on his face. "You aren't afraid of me. Are you?"

She struggled to stand and run, but her sore ankle kept her on the ground. Silvanus' eyes were locked on her's; he seemed to highly enjoy seeing the terror in her eyes as she laid their helpless. As he took a step closer, Constant jumped up in front of her. The brave, little fawn lowered his head to mimic lowered antlers. His tiny stubs barely showing in his bushy hair. His whole body shook; it was clear that he was just as terrified as Kumiko was but something deep down inside of him gave him the strength to step between Silvanus and Kumiko.

Constant stomped his front hoof and scratched the ground. "I...I won't let you hurt her!" he screamed out.

It took a moment for Silvanus to process what was going on. He- a magnificent stag- was being challenged by a fawn. "Foolish fawn!" he scoffed, "Are you asking for an early death?"

Maia's heart skipped a beat at Silvanus' words, "Don't you dare harm either one of them!"

Silvanus snapped his head towards Maia. His soulless eyes set on her, "If you value your life, you will not command me again!"

She gulped down her fear and proceeded to stand her ground, "You heard me."

Anger shot through him. How dare she! He yelled violent in his head. How dare this worthless doe say such things to me! Without thinking, he quickly reacted to his heated rage. Blindly, he charged at her hitting her with his mighty antlers. The sharp points dug deeply into her side. Constant gasped as he watched his mother tumble to the ground; blood slowly dripping from her wounds, staining her pale pelt crimson.

She laid on the ground with her head in the dirt. Her teeth grinned together as she tried to endure the pain. From where she laid, she looked up Silvanus who still towered over her. A mixture of pain, hatred, and sadness swirled in her eyes.

"Mommy?!" Constant called out from Kumiko's side.

"I'm...Fine..." she said between her teeth. She let out a long, low sigh of pain as she attempted to get to her feet. She was bruised and beaten, but her will was strong. Kumiko and Constant were only fawns. They could not defend themselves from Silvanus.

Constant took a few steps towards Maia before stopping. Quickly, his head began to bunch back and forth between Kumiko and Maia. Who do I stay by...? he questioned himself as he stomped his hooves in nervousness. Kumiko...Or Mommy? His heart pounded in his chest. Behind him, Kumiko had gotten to her feet but stood weakly. Her little legs shook under her weight as she tried to keep pressure off her hind leg. Constant glanced back to see her trying to keep from falling again; his mind was made up. He leaped back to her side just in time to catch her. Her body leaned heavily against his as she slowly tried to steady herself once again.

Silvanus continued to look down at Maia. His eyes were red with rage and showed no mercy. It was almost as if he was completely soulless as if a demonic entity overtook his body and controlled every aspect of him. "Fool," he said under his breath, "The fate of you and your fawn has been chosen."

He stepped back a few feet to put some distance between himself and Maia. He scratched the ground with his mighty hoof, preparing himself to charge. His long antlers hung in front of him as his head lowered. Snorting, he charged running towards her as fast as he could. Just as he drew near, something stopped him in his tracks. A loud clanking sound echoed as his head was jerked back and knocked him off balance. He stumbled to the side shaking his head. He looked up to see an unpleasant sight; Castor stood before him. Castor stood tall before Silvanus. Behind him, Freya tended to Maia while Serenity happily ran to Kumiko's side.

"Kumiko!" She cried out with joy as she pushed Constant aside to get to Kumiko. She nuzzled her daughter madly as tears streamed down her face. "I'm...I'm so glad you're ok."

"But Mom..." she mourned partly not liking the large amount of attention she was receiving, "My ankle."

"It shall heal with time," she buried her face in Kumiko's furry head.

Constant had retreated to Maia's side as well. Maia managed to sit up with Constant close to her. With awe in his eyes, he looked up at Castor. Castor was smaller in size than Silvanus and his antlers were not nearly as wide. Yet, even with a size different, Castor looked like he could put up a fight.

"You..." scoffed Silvanus as his eyes began to size Constant, "How dare you interfere!"

"That's enough, Silvanus!" Castor called back. His voice was a strong and stern. "Maia was only a doe who offered you a place in her home. All you could do was throw it back at her! Kumiko and Constant as just innocent fawns who have gotten themselves mixed up in this mess. And for what? An unsettled score that lies within your heart?"

"It is your fault!" Silvanus charged at Castor. In return, Castor charged back. Their antlers began entangled as they began to battle against each other. "You stole what was rightfully mine!"

"I stole nothing!" Castor replied as he pushed Silvanus back. "Serenity had the right to choose which ever stag she wanted! It is not my fault the she found happiness in me."

They stepped away from each other. Their antlers scared from scrapping against each other. Their hooves were full of dirt and grass stains as they attempted to keep their ground while the other pushed. With eyes locked, they began to circle each other. Not far away from them, the forest lit up as the flames drew closer to their location.

"Serenity," Castor called out as he kept his eyes on Silvanus. "Take Kumiko and go! You too, Freya! Maia! Grab Constant! All of you get out of here now!"

Serenity shook her head as she tried to plea with Castor, "No! I won't leave you!"

"Don't be stupid, Serenity! The fire is drawing too close and I cannot back down from this fight. Getting rid of Silvanus is the only way I can protect my family."

Silvanus chuckled madly, "You think you can get rid of me?"

"I have no choice..." Castor charged at Silvanus interlocking their antlers once again. The two mighty stags groaned and snorted as they bashed away each other.