Today would be my last day of being a fawn. Tomorrow would be a new chapter of my life.

Letting a soft sigh pass her lips, she stooped down to pass beneath low branch. Her gentle breathing rose in little puffs, blending into the fog. The overgrown locks cascaded over her forehead, parting gently to let her see the path before her, as if that was even possible. Raising her gaze, she stopped. The path before her parted and both appeared to lead to nowhere.

Suddenly a shrill cry caught her attention. Whipping around, eyes wide, she tried ever so hard to see through the fog. It's getting stronger, she thought grimly as she turned her gaze back to the fork in the road. Two paths, two fates, one decision to make. Deciding to glance back one more time, she cautiously eyed her surroundings. There was a soft pounding that made her tense.

There was no time left. She scrambled, digging into the dirt as she bolted down the path. She could feel it nipping at her heels, egging her on. It could run faster, it was purposely staying just shy of her. She could see something up ahead, a light perhaps. And just as suddenly, it was there before her.

A dead end.

[=crimson]Hnn… It has been a long time since my silence has last broken. Perhaps months, if not at least half a year have gone by since anything of substance has occurred. Today has not proved to be much different from the rest within this year.

The morning had been spent, uprooting weeds from around the ruins. With how often these bloody hooves upturn and arrange the ruin grounds, it continues to be a surprise when outbreaks of weeds litter the sacred lands. Once the ground appeared respectable again, I chose to rest beside my dear Laghodessa’s grave. Toward high noon, a few unwelcome faces turned up.

I suppose they call it Murphy’s Law… I thought I’d never see those clowns again. Aves, Daiki… An unemotional scholar and a… well… whatever he is. Then there is that fawn… always teary eyed and hiding at the corner of my eyes. I hardly ever hear him actually speak, but the other clowns have mentioned his name. Orion.

Hnn… Orion was the one to speak for the three today.

He mentioned that a certain abomination…
Spill…
Has somehow returned from the land of death.

Hnn… The disgusting creature…
If I see him again, I will deal with him.

They dispersed after leaving their message, and I came out of rest. With a bow and a nuzzle, I left Laghodessa and began to walk for the lake.

Hnn… It seems that these old joints have not seen any action lately, and have grown stiff. I’ll need some exercise. It didn’t take long before a fawn began to bleat in my face. It took a toll on my patience to deal with it politely. Soon I chose a tree to rest beneath, and with the passing of a short time, I was joined by Ourania.
Ourania, it has been too long. It is good to see you again.

She left after a short while and I finished my walk to the lake and took a drink. I noticed a pain welling up in my ankles and walked thru the creek to the main body of the lake and sat there. That fawn continued to follow me everywhere.