The Beginning: A History of Demon's Birth

Everything must have a start, and that too includes a particularly well-known individual called Walter. Or as most people refer to him: The Demon Gazelle.

When it began, the surrounding world was dark. Vision was impossible, yet hearing was not. The call of birds could be distinguished, accompanied by the soothing trickle of running water nearby. So when Demon awoke for the first time, the sounds could be identified with vision and his life could begin.

The first sounds were the birds high above in the air. The second sounds were of his hooves as he took his first steps. The third noise was his call, which echoed throughout an almost deserted forest.

Almost? Well, it seemed so, because there was no other living deer around. Not even another asleep just as he had been. Still, smaller critters: squirrels, frogs and birds, were all busy passing by, doing just as they had done when the world was formed. The stag watched with curiosity and amazement as a small amphibian passed him by, hopping and croaking as if everything were normal. But how could they be normal? The land was empty..


On the second day, Walter awoke once more to the sounds of the birds in their nests, the croaking of the frogs and the running of the water. He was bold this time; his feet took him out from between the trees, and out into a bright clearing. From here, his eyes could see that the world around him was beautiful and at peace; the running water he knew so well could be seen running into a pond. Keen to explore this paradise, the young stag wandered forth, and indulged himself in the water of the river.

What a delight! The water was neither too cold nor too warm, but a refreshing temperature. He drank from the river for a few seconds, then ventured further downstream to see this pond better. He noted the bridge along the way, and for a moment, stopped to look at the structure. The stone seemed old, and yet the bridge seemed sturdy. He dared not test the safety of the crossing though, and continued down to the shallows of the pond, where he once again allowed himself to relax.

When the stag finally grew tired, his form fell beneath the shade of an old weeping willow. And it was here where he finally chose to sleep.


Finally, on the third day, the stag awoke to the surprising sounds of voices calling out. They were neither harsh nor light, but nevertheless similar to his own. With a reply he hoped that would be heard, the stag's hooves picked up in his first run, moving him through the trees and towards the sounds he had heard.

And what a surprise it was! The stag stopped in his tracks and stared at the sight before him. Two other deer were eating mushrooms from the tree bark, before a glow of light seemed to emit from their antlers. Wary, yet nevertheless curious, the stag approached carefully, hoping to see what wonderous things were happening.

Wonderous it was too, for when the glows faded, masks hid the faces of the deer, whom turned to see him. Neither seemed to be as amazed as this one male, who stared dumbfounded at the red and gold-covered face of one deer, and the purple-shaped cover over the next. Clearly they were enjoying themselves, and so he allowed the glows to be cast once more, this time directed at him.

When the light had faded, the stag could feel that his face was covered, but by what? He called out his thanks to the two other deer, but to his surprise, his voice was gone! He could still hear it faintly, but it sounded choked, as if there were no air.

The young buck followed the two other deer for the remainder of the day, and soon found himself in the strangest of attire. His pelt had faded to black on his top half, whilst the bottom half faded to the purest white. His antlers which he had been so keen on vanished, and were replaced by massive fan-shaped horns. He was thankful to his new friends for helping him that day, but even so he needed to sleep once again. Would he see those other deer again?

He certainly thought so...