For this contest






Her eyes caught a glimpse of something approaching. She tilted her head curiously. Was it a star falling to Earth? Was it the Moon that had decided to give itself back to the planet? She didn't know. She only saw a glowing red thing coming closer.

Her fogged eyes could not make out the form of the other deer. He seemed to radiate to her, a brilliant red aura that was otherwise unseen, masked by his red fur.

For a brief moment, she caught a glimpse of his actual shape - a great red stag with a glorious crown atop his head. Being nearly blind, the darkness that took her sight away was easily pierced through by light. This one was no different. He resembled her older brother in a way...though glowing red instead of white.

The doe stood here. She rarely walked unless she was accompanied by another. She would often trip over those she could not see. It was a burden to her, so that was why she sat so often. She smiled now, sure that she was not seeing a falling star or other strange thing, but that she was in the presence of one who seemed to radiate outwardly. He would not understand what the fortuneteller's eyes saw.

"Hello there, you must be a king as I see the crown you are wearing.", Hex spoke at once, a slight smile on her lips. She was never wrong.

The stag stopped, unsure what to think of this strange doe who seemed to look like the sky itself. The darkness of the night hid her well, he actually did not see her there and was a little startled by the voice. "Hello to you, my fair lady.", Mr. Sanguine replied.

The doe gave a slight nod in his direction. "It seems as if there is something on your mind. Perhaps you are concerned for your future?", she asked.

The stag tilted his head just slightly, "As if you can read my mind. Yes. I have had some concerns.", he replied.

"Then perhaps I can help. However, there is something I will need you to do for me...for both of us, really.", Hex spoke, her voice seemingly pressing here.

Mr. Sanguine tilted his head, "Oh? What would you ask a king?", he questioned her.

Hex's eyes moved. She locked onto something close by. "There.", she spoke. In the distance, a pair of glowing yellow eyes were watching them. "It is called a rock hound, and it's presence is a danger to us. I will need you to defeat it, not just for our safety, but to determine more about your future.", Hex instructed.

Mr. Sanguine was about to reply when the wolf skeleton rushed them. Hex was fast in her movements, backstepping just in time as the rock hound jumped toward her. It was Mr. Sanguine who stepped in to protect the doe. Instead, the yellow-eyed rock hound sidestepped here, it's agility catching the stag off guard. He saw a white blur at this point, and had to readjust his eyes to lock on to the skeleton.

It pounced at him, the fangs on it's skull gripping his neck. But they seemed unable to sink in, just barely scratching the skin. Mr. Sanguine used this to his advantage, jerking his body in a way to where the wolf simply slid off and went flying. It managed to straighten up while in the air, landing on it's feet, and then in a flash it was after him again.

The moment seemed to go in slow-motion for Mr. Sanguine, who was very quick to think. Turning, his side exposed to the attack, he made one simple motion that won the fight for him.

One powerful leg raised up at the same time the rock hound bounded for him, the hoof connecting with the skull with enough force that it went flying off. It hit one of the boulders with an awful cracking sound, the skull shattering and black ooze seeping out of the fractures.

"Good. Well done.", Hex spoke, calmly.

Mr. Sanguine turned to her, as she returned to the place where she was sitting. "What....pray tell...was that?", he spoke bluntly, his breath winded.

Hex smiled, "I told you, it was a rock hound. One of Iugulare's works."

Iugulare...where have I heard that name before...?, the stag questioned to himself. But before he could ask, Hex spoke some more, "Now, my gift to you. Are you ready to hear your future?", she questioned.

The stag stood there for a moment, but decided that this could not hurt. She might know something to help clear his mind. "I'm listening.", he replied.

Hex nodded and raised her head to the sky. The starlight filled her vision, and she saw a multitude of visions, more than any other deer she has spoken for. "How interesting...", she spoke. Returning her gaze to the direction of the King, she spoke her words for him.

"I see several things in your future. Listen well to your fortune. A challenger will arise to take your crown. They will be from outside of the Endless Forest, and will try to force you to retreat. But be steadfast, and don't back down, and victory will be yours. Now, after this threat, the need for a sacrifice will arise. There are three possibilities, and you will choose among them what to give up - a loved one; your crown; or a part of yourself. The choice is indeed difficult, but you will not do this without being given something in return, and from what I can tell from you, this will be worth much more than that you surrender.

You will have many children, and among them you will have strong, powerful princes and princesses to carry on your kingdom and crown. And the Forest...no...the world will bow to their hooves and celebrate the coming of a grand empire fit exactly the way you wish for."

Mr. Sanguine was taken aback here. The words seemed very interesting to him, and he was not sure what it all really meant to him. "How do you know all this?", he asked her.

Hex smiled, "It is all written in the stars. It is all there for us to see, but very few can understand what it means."

The stag stood there for a moment, but then spoke, "Then I will prepare for this. The upcoming challenge, the sacrifice, and the legacy you have spoken of. I thank you, my fair lady, for these words.", and bowing, he walked away.

Would he take the words to heart, or disregard them as superstition. It was his choice alone.