[=10][=lightblue]Days grow longer in the days of summer, and nights shorter. Darkness is far less overwhelming. Sorrow is less common.
But recent times have pushed summer's regular habits away. The days are dark, the heavens weep, and Death hangs over the Forest like an ominous storm. Death has struck the Forest.

I wandered alone this dark day, rumours of murder ringing inside my mind along with the sorrowful and angered murmerings of the lost...And yet the Forest seemed less filled with spirits and souls today, as though something or someone had driven them out. I cannot sense nor see every spirit in the Forest - if I could, I'm sure I would have gone insane long before now. But still, the whispers were faint, the strength of their presence dulled. It was a blessing, but I was certain there would be consquences for the odd serenity that enveloped me.

I was not wrong. It seemed that while I had slept by my own grave, two friends of mine had encountered someone they never thought they'd meet.
My father, Rak Adrokus.
He'd made himself corporeal.
My mother, Laurel Adrokus, had done the same. However, both Silvery and Cirrus had met Rak - only Cirrus had spoken to my mother. Cirrus told me that Mother had fled after muttering something about my father. This is understandable - if Rak had come across my mother, I doubt he would have retained the sanity he has left.
Rak made my life similar to Hell once upon a time, but he had and still has his reasons for doing so. I destroyed almost every reason he had for living. I took her from him. And so he took his revenge for most of my life...But he was never a naturally cruel person. Truth be told, my father is reasonably friendly -- if slightly aggressive -- around anyone but myself, and my close friends.

He couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't live like this.

Why did he have to suffer so?

The navy-pelted stag dropped to the soft, cool soil. With no other desire than to relieve the anguish consuming him, Walter slammed his face hard against the ground. A scream of agony followed and filled the air. Droplets of blood splashed amongst the grass. The mask's spines previously used for defence had turned against their master and now embedded themselves deep within Walter's cheeks.

Beneath the mask of ivory, tears formed and fell. He knew he deserved this pain, this inner turmoil. Each day of his human life had been spent rejecting hospitality and love from others. But now, here, in the eternal second life, he desired nothing else than the warmth and comfort of another.

Walter lay where he fell and made no effort to move, letting his blood and tears combined stain the floor around him. Noone was here to comfort or assist him. He was alone.

Sleep overcame the stag, with the pain and sadness being his only lullaby. He made no effort to remove the mask from his face, or even stop the bleeding. Instead he lay there and accept the agony burrowed mentally and physically within him, tearing at his soul.

"This is the punishment I deserve."

First of all, my apologies to all of you readers. I have failed. And I'm not joking about my low self-esteem or writing qualities or anything, but I really messed up this last chapter. It depresses me, really. >< I couldn't find the inspiration I wanted, but I really felt like ending it. I really had enough of it. It's over now.. it's done...

Maybe someday, when I feel like it, I'll rewrite it. I just feel like the last 2 chapters drained all of my writing skills. My next big story isn't going to be english either, I just suck at it!

Oh and there maybe SOME gore and violence, but not much. But be warned anyway!

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CHAPTER TEN

'Who are the skull soldiers?' Silvery asked curiously. The couple was running through the forest, making their way to Nimlin's sleeping spot. Fenqua realized it was the first time she would be asking the Alpha's mate for help.
'The Skull Soldiers are deer that were chosen to guard the forest against humans. They were trained by Orphrite himself and they are the strongest deer around.'
'But why are they called the Skull Soldiers? It sounds rather horrifying.'
Fenqua smiled at the young adolescent. That was her first thought too, when she met the soldiers for the first time. What as mistake she had made...
'They're called Skull Soldiers because they all wear the Skull mask. That mask is capable of hiding someone's identity partially. Nobody in the forest knows who they are, it's much safer that way. Also, the Skull mask seems to be succesful in scaring humans. It probably reminds them of death.'
'Humans are afraid of death?' Silvery seemed somewhat surprised. She never thought these fearless, cold creatures would be afraid of dying.
'Yes, they are. Probably because they aren't sure where they will end. We know our fate, eventually we'll meet the Twin Gods and stay in their heaven. Humans are still unsure of what will happen to them. They even fight over religion, isn't that ironic?'
'It sure is...'

Finally, chapter nine! And the story doesn't end here... ;D

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CHAPTER NINE

She was sick of it. Sick of feeling sick. There was nothing she could do, she felt tired, angry and she hated everyone. For weeks this had been going on and Fenqua didn’t have the slightest idea what was growing inside of her. She felt broken, dying, like the world didn’t care about her anymore. Like the Gods didn’t care anymore. She was on the edge of either exploding or drowning in her own misery.

‘Fenqua? I think we need to talk.’ Fulu carefully approached the grumpy doe. ‘It’s about… your mood swings.’
‘Talk? What is there to talk? I’m going to die, so please leave me alone.’
‘Fenqua, you’re not going to die, just listen to me.’
Fenqua just let out a soft growl and turned her head to the young birdlike deer. Yes, young deer. Much younger than herself, she felt so old being like this. She used to run through the forest before the sun rose, but this morning she felt sick and threw up on her own mate.
‘Okay, listen Fen. You know darn right what’s going on. You know there’s something different about your body,’ Fulu swallowed when she saw Fenqua’s face ‘you… really… s-shouldn’t deny it and just accept the fact that…’
‘That what?’
‘That you’re…’
‘That I’m what, Fulu?’ Fenqua’s face was now right in front of the white doe and she gasped. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea at all, she thought. She looked away.
‘Tell me Fulu… what’s wrong with me?’ Suddenly Fenqua’s voice sounded softer, almost sad. Like she was about to hear terrible news from her. Fulu took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes.

‘Fenqua, you’re pregnant.’

A loud and angry bellow followed, together with the flight of a hundred birds.