Chapter 20: Four Years Later
The forest stretched in a vast expanse of green, bathed in the soft glow of morning light filtering through the canopy. Birds chirped in distant melodies, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves, creating a soothing rustle that echoed through the woods. Amid this tranquility, a lone deer grazed upon a patch of mossy ground, twitching its ears at every subtle sound. Its amber eyes scanned the surroundings, it was alert, yet calm as it plucked tender shoots quietly.
A sudden rustle.
The deer's head snapped toward the source, tensing its muscles. Silence. Only the wind swayed branches overhead. Cautiously, it resumed its feeding, nibbling at the foliage—unaware.
Until—
Schlik!
From above, a figure descended. A boy drove his knife into the deer's neck with precision. The deer kicked once, twice, before stilling. Warm blood seeped into the forest floor, and the woods fell quiet again.
Velren exhaled, pulling his blade free. The knife, though aged, gleamed with a well-maintained edge. Its handle, wrapped in dark leather worn from years of use, fit perfectly in his grip—like an extension of himself. He wiped the blade on the grass before sheathing it with practiced ease.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the deer's legs, hoisting the carcass over his shoulder. The weight was notable, but he carried it with ease.
Four years.
That incident... it felt like a lifetime ago. Time, as it does, had pressed onward, molding boy into youth. His responsibilities had grown too—one of which was hunting. It wasn't just necessity anymore; it was routine, survival.
His boots crunched against fallen leaves as he made his way back. Familiar trees marked the path, and soon, through the foliage, the outline of the hut emerged. Approaching the porch, Velren shrugged off the carcass with a thud, letting it rest beside a collection of firewood and scattered tools.