This is the human here (who some of you know is Pega ;D), not Bastilion writing. He probably won't write a journal 'til later. Right now he's too amazed to write, and for good reason...

...seems to have dissipated some, though it lingers in lesser amounts, as if too stubborn to vanish all at once. Still though, the cool dampness it brings to the air is no different. Perhaps felt even more so than the previous day. I will admit, I felt more energetic when it was thicker. Maybe the mysterious feel it left caused this? I cannot say. I just know that today seemed to be one of lethargy.
There seemed to be some sort of congregation at the pond, for the majority of the forest was gathered there. I ventured to have a look at what the fuss was, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Or maybe my lack of energy made it seem less exciting. Though I cannot deny the bustle of activity occurring around me. I even found myself briefly joining a dance in line formation. The music was startlingly different though! More haunting than it normally is, as if choosing to fit with the mystery of the fog.
I recall hearing of violent events the other day. Does the fog bring out the worst in some deer? I did not witness any such acts, but I am aware of the result.
I sigh.
Darkweaver, what did you get yourself into this time?
No. Never mind. I do not wish to know. I will more than likely find out the details eventually.
...
Strange, but I cannot shake the feeling something interesting will be happening soon. Nothing violent, or at least I do not think so, but...I do anticipate something.
I must ponder upon this as I end this writing here.

I remain, silent but heard,

I constantly ponder my existence in this world. It is neither Heaven nor Hell. It is both a place of peace, but as of events recently happening that I have heard of, it is also a place of death. But that is just it. It is not the Hell I have learned of, as I thought I should have been sent to.
I ask myself again...
Why am I here?
Why am I not in Hell?
Or some place of fitting punishment for my deeds?
Is it because I have already been punished, in the form of my last life being brought to an abrupt end, to longer see the only family I had left?
To know that Cousin is now alone, with no other of the same blood to turn to?
...
Perhaps this is a form of Hell then. Although...
I see the others here, see how they interact, how the majority are of cheerful spirit.
Even those I saw as hostile or vile beings can prove to be...pleasant is not the word exactly, but perhaps...amiable? Companionable?
Still, though, this does not answer that nagging question of mine.

Why am I here?

Will I ever find the answer?
Perhaps I will not. Perhaps it is the same answer I sought in my last life. What all beings search for.
Hmm.
If that is the case, I may never find the answer then.
For some odd reason, this does not trouble me as much as it should. After all, this new life of mine has been...content, for the most part. I believe I have discovered all I need to of this world.
Only time will tell.
...time.
I have heard that after a time, a fawn suddenly finds himself waking up differently. Waking up fully grown.
I have yet to witness such an event, but it does intrigue me. It seems to happen with no warning, no transition. Just a sudden change.
I wonder... Will I find myself waking to such a change?
I find, again, only time will tell.

I remain, silent but heard,

[center]Bastilion

[=white][i]...grow more distant these days. I am unsure as to why. Well, no matter. I am writing now, and that is all that matters at this moment.
Though I find this stone structure interesting and not, for it reminds me of my old life, nothing intrigues me more than the Great Oak. Its forever resonating hum, that sounds both of sorrow and happiness mixed, seems unending. To some it is eerie. To others a gentle lullaby. I am unsure as to which opinion I fall under. But I will admit, that no matter what one finds the tune like, there is beauty to its song.
I awoke within the cave formed by its great roots, candles atop my crown once again. I have grown a liking to them. They serve as a good substitute for antlers. I still wonder if I will ever grow to be a noble stag with an impressive antler rack.
Stepping from the Oak's shadow, a gleam of white caught my eye. Ah, yes. Those statues. The twin statues that serve as a place of worship to the Gods of this forest. Though why deer would need to pray I do not know. But then, I must remember, this forest is not filled with normal deer. Most have human faces after all, and all but the unnamed ones may cast magic.
While studying the craftmanship of these great stones, I was approached by quite an odd deer. Not only were they no larger than my slight fawn form, but from their eyes, flowed tears. Not just any tears.
But tears of blood.
Blood flowing forth from empty sockets where their windows to the soul should be.
How strange.
I had no time to think on it further before they were on their way again, not the least bit impeded by lack of eyes. The aid of magic? Perhaps.
There are still so many wonders of this forest I have yet to discover.
I soon found myself in the company of a few young ones. I must admit, I am never sure how to act amongst fawns. My mind is not that of a child. It has not been for many years. And even then it was forced to grow up too fast. The day that...
...

[=white][i]...since I have written anything, has it not?
I came upon an interesting site to say the least. That "possible foe" I had mentioned previously seemed rather turned for the better. It was as if they were a different stag entirely. I must wonder...
Not only were they acting differently, but their appearance was changed too. Not the black and white pelt of bones were they wearing, but they ended up with a fur of dark blue with gold markings. The antlers, too, were changed, from one intact and one broken spike-tipped fan, to an enormous rack, befitting more than the biggest stag I have seen. The only feature to remain the same was that mask of bone.
The group had dwindled at that time, to just the skull-faced one, a stag with impressive intricate antlers, and myself, the slightest of the group. I must admit, it is a bit overwhelming to be surrounded by such huge forms. I wonder if there will ever be a day that I am no longer out-sized by these massive stags...
But I am beginning to ramble.
There was another, as well. A doe, who seemed quite shy, despite the small group, and not being small of stature like myself. It took some coaxing, but eventually, she approached, and seemed to settle into ease.
And then the grown ones were, for lack of better word, hopping. It seems more act fawn-like than I previously thought. The doe wanted me to join them too. Me! I was not quite sure how to respond to that, and could not explain even if I knew how, but she kept insisting, so I gave it a try.
I am still not sure what to make of this childishness. I admit, I did not have much of a childhood in my previous life. I was barely given a chance to act my age before I was thrust to live in the castle's cold stone walls, where I was taught the proper behavior of an adult. But there I go carrying on about the past again...
But yes, I did give in. I hopped.
Though not much!
...I still wonder why I keep writing these...journals, and why anyone bothers to read them.

I found the forest to be oddly devoid of life. It may be due to the time at which I entered, but I am uncertain. It seemed that those that would appear would simply drift off not a short moment later. Except for one I spied.
This stag is one I have seen before, with a pelt of black and white, more like walking bones than fur. They might be the only skull-wearing one I have seen where the image of death it portrayed was fitting.
And they were looking just a bit too intrigued by the sleeping forms around the pond.
What was this!
What did this vile creature think he was doing?
He had just...
I do not even wish to speak of what I witnessed.
But I would not let that continue!
Without a thought of how slight my current stature was, I rushed to stand over the sleeping form, hindering the disturbed one's intent.
We stared off for what seemed hours, before their intended victim faded from view. It was hardly noticed as the silent not-duel continued.
Finally, they walked off. Though I continued to watch warily, lest they try something again. Luckily, they behaved, even until they faded from the forest.
I will be watching out for that one in the future. Something tells me we will face each other again, when I will truly be able to duel as a stag.
But I do not intend to end them. I have sworn not to take a life again, not since Cousin's reaction to my last deed.
Vile as a being may be, it gives no right to end their days, for certainly someone will mourn them.

I remain, silent but heard,

I came across two deer that seemed rather close. One a pure white, like one I have seen before. The other in the bright incandescent colors of a butterfly, adorning a skull of his kind over his visage. There was another with them, a pale slate in color, with intricate noble antlers atop their crown, but they soon fled at my approach. I must wonder why.
These deer, though, seemed to be dancing. Dancing amongst the glowing fireflies in a patch of purple hyacinths. More human behavior. I suppose it makes sense, as I have seen many with undeer-like faces, like my own.
They have also proven that age does not mean one will not act childlike, for they were gallivanting around in the flowers like a couple of overgrown fawns. I watched, my previous life's upbringing not allowing me to take part. Though I might have.

A group seems to be gathered where I have dazed off. I shall end this here.

I remain, silent but heard,

This forest continues to cause me much wonder. In not even half a fortnight, I have bared witness to three changes of weather. Rain, sun, and now the pleasant warm shades of dusk. It seems to have brought out the flickering light insects known as fireflies, though the ones of this forest only seem to dwell about the purple hyacinths, as if they feel the space should be occupied while the butterflies are away. They did not tire as they danced through the air. Much like the flames of the twin candles I found myself carrying this day. Strange how they do not burn my fur, nor even does the wax melt.
I seem to have taken a liking to this one great stone at the Ruins. It is like a throne almost, and makes me think of dear Cousin.

I have almost written deer in dear's stead. Perhaps I have been here too long already...

I shall end my writings here now. Perhaps to be added to later.

I remain, silent but heard,

I am left to wonder if this truly is not some form of Hell. For starters, the stone structure by which I dwell that is left half-crumbling is surrounded by gravestones. In this forest full of strange deer, one must wonder what objects of man are doing in such a place. Surely, there must have been humans inhabiting this land, so what, if one may ask, has happened to them? The reason for so many graves, perhaps?
Even after my own death, I do not wish to find out about the manner in which those buried have died.
But it would seem death is not only linked to these remnants of man. There are traces of it amongst the deer as well. I have witnessed those adorning the skull of a larger stag. I have learned of mask magic, but what would possess one to wear the head of their own kind in such a way?
Despite these oddities I have seen, it does seem this place is indeed one of peace. Of life. It is evident in the behavior of these deer. In how they frolic and interact with one another. Even the one with a skull over his face was quite lively. I find it interesting that despite them being deer, they act much like humans. I was taught to be courteous to all, to greet with a bow. It seems many of these deer believe the same.
I am not sure what fate had in mind with sending me here after death, but if it remains as it is, I can confidently say I will be content.
For now, I sit upon these giant rocks I have discovered in the red forest. A better way to appreciate this mystical place's beauty.
I must wonder if I will ever get to speak of it rather than just writing it down.
I will also continue to wonder where all the humans have gone. Perhaps they too were being driven downward by a foolish king...
...I hope Cousin is doing well...

I remain, silent but heard,

[i][=white]I knew from the moment I woke that something was off. I did not feel like myself. It took me a moment to collect my thoughts, to remember previous events.
I should not have awoken. Not after I was forced into darkness. ...or was this the Afterlife that was always spoken of? If so, it hardly seemed befitting of either Heaven or Hell. To make my first observation, it was raining.
This may seem a moot fact to point out, but it seemed important to myself at the time. But getting back to things...
I did not feel like myself. I was unsteady as I tried clambering to my feet, only to discover I could not stay upright. I would simply wobble and topple back to all fours. It oddly seemed right, though I was not sure why at the time. Until I looked down.
Hooves. Hooves attached to legs not my own. And there were four of them.
Needless to say, I was quite speechless.
How could this be? Had the powers that be, if they so exist, decided this had been a fate befitting of my death?
..yes, that was right. I had died. But not of my will. It was by my own fault though. All because I saw. I saw how our country was going downhill. All because of that blasted wretch. That wretch who dared to call himself our king. He did not deserve to be born into such high life. Not when he used his power to sully the land and further drive our people into poverty. I saw what had become of the land, so I felt a stop had to be put on that wretch.
It did not matter that that wretch was my own uncle.
I knew ending his reign would result in my own death, but no matter. I did not care of my own fate then. My cousin would be a better leader.
...dear cousin...
How I wish you had not looked at me so when you had learned of what I had done. I did not feel guilt for my deed. Not until you gazed at me so sadly.
But it is too late to lament on that now. My life was ended. I just hope it was not for naught...
I seem to be rambling.