The shadows of Darkness crept up to me quietly as the Moon woke up in order to awaken the spirits hiding in silence…the spirits that were patiently waiting for the Master to come up to them and give them the right judgment…

I arose, only to find that those whom I have been waiting for had arrived. They were none other than the acolytes of the Master.

"Why so late?", I asked, as I took the bow and quiver full of arrows sitting by my bed. I was fearful for their answer, for I knew only too well the reason for their tardiness.

They all looked at me with the sullen look in their eyes I have always hated. It was the only thing that made me fear them…their eyes…

"It is business of the Master, and not of yours. Now come. He awaits.", replied the tallest one of them all. He always had the most grotesque attitude toward me…but why? How come?

I fell silent and followed their steps out the bedroom door, out the house, out the courtyard. Swiftly, yet silently, they took me to their Altar, which stood deep within the forest nearby my humble home.

"It is now time. You know well of your task. Come back here before Night skies fall for the Light to arise, and then you shall be rewarded. Now, go!", whispered she, as she shoved a dagger onto my hand. The edges of the blade pierced my palm as I gripped it tightly.

I have always loved her, even though I felt that her affections were far from my grasp. This small gift was all that I needed to make my heart bleed even more. She knew that well.

But still I looked meaningfully into her eyes and asked in a soft voice, "Are you sure? Isn't there any possible way…?" My voice then trailed off when she shook her head in reply. She knew only too well of the question I was to ask.

I then sighed and looked at the knife in my hand. I wrapped the blade in cloth before keeping it safely in my wallet. I then took another long piece of cloth and started to walk away from that shadowy corner of the forest without a backward glance. The blood from my palm stained the piece of cloth crimson red as I wrapped it around my hand as a dressing.

o

I walked on deep within the woods, tracing the paths I took once upon a time in my childhood. Alas, such times of my youth were far away…but the memories of this place still linger in me…I knew every grassy way by heart, but still, it was such a long time ago…

A left turn. Then a right. Almost there. I was hiking toward the Cavern of the White Stag, and I was almost there…

CRACK. Someone or something was following me. I had felt his or its presence for quite some time now, but I was too focused on my search. I got my bow and tried to fit an arrow on the string, but I was afraid. Was it the One I Feared the Most?

In its terrifying fury, that which I called the most magnificent of all beasts came to me. Its horns twirled in graceful curves; its poise was reflected on its seemingly gentle face; its skin was so pearly white…it was all too painful to see…but…why?

It then lunged, with its horns pointed to me in (delicious) rage. I took my bow and tried to take a shot at it, but its surpassing beauty held me back. I…I couldn't do it! It was insanity! Who cares about the Master NOW?

Those calm eyes peered into mine, and it was then that I knew my place. I was not worthy to strike it…I was not even worthy to see its magnificence…I dropped my weapons, knowing that I had no use for them now. The renowned beauty of the Stag beheld me. But anyway, I had no place to run, no place to hide. I knew my fate…I knew that I must let go…

It was then that it happened. Heaven help me! It stopped before me, with its eyes staring into mine with delicate care and beauty. I held my breath in fear that it would go away, but I need not worry. I nervously then thought of stroking the delicate hairs on its back…was it possible to ask?

As if reading my mind, the Stag stepped cautiously toward me, seemingly waiting for me to do as I wished. And so I did. It was so…heavenly to have done such a thing. I do believe that no one would ever DREAM to have done such a thing. But such as an opportunity had been given to me, I abused my freedom yet again…

Staggering, I made my way back to the Acolytes' Altar.

"You came back? Amazing! No living mortal would dare do such a thing…I admire your loyalty, …" He then laughed as I shoved a chest onto his hands. I have done it indeed…

It was near morning when I returned to them. I have finished the job, thus they left, one by one…but not before haunting the forest walls with their laughter…

She then came to me…her steps were as silent as the breezes that passed by…I then fell down onto the ground in exhaustion…I couldn't help it. The pain…the suffering…

She bent down to my level on the forest floor and whispered, "I'm so sorry, …" But knowing that I was still distressed with what I have done, she neared her lips to mine and the world started to fall apart…

It was morning still, but the Sun was already high up in the Sky. I was still in my hapless state…still in my grassy spot, and drenched in dew. The feeling was sinking deeper and deeper…the wave of Guilt was knocking me down…over…and over…and over again…

I then saw a circle of black birds flying high in the Sky. Ravens, I thought immediately. The last thing that I'll ever see…such a bad omen.

The laughter of the Acolytes still rang in my ears…and then her voice…and then…

I fell upon the ground once again. My mind was in constant whirling…

"Let me savor the sweet taste of a Painful Death…", I whispered to the Earth.

My breath came in gasps as I struggled to get up…the truth shall soon be known…for it was I, and no one else, who killed the Stag for its heart…I then began to laugh, but the pain sunk…lower and even deeper…

It's still screaming to me…the heart…with the blade of whom I loved I took it…it was by Order of the Master…

It was long before that I have known the price of the defilement of those chaste…the blood of the Stag still burned in my hands…

AGH! The pain! The murder! The beauty of the kill!

o

PS: Ah...yes. Some people laughed at this short story of mine...something about the "chest" part...did you laugh too? Ah...I'm sorry...guess I MUST make my words clearer...