SIX YEARS LATER
The morning woods were caught in a breathless, golden stillness. Shafts of early light pierced the high, interlocking canopy of jade leaves, cutting through the morning mist to paint columns of warmth across the forest floor. Below the earth was a vibrant tapestry of life; plush emerald moss carpeted the roots of ancient oaks, with their large branches partly covering the rays of sunlight, and wild, violet orchids nestled quietly in thick patches of clover.
Yet, for all its richness, the forest was utterly hushed. There was frantic chatter of squirrels, no rustle of startled birds and no winds to stir the ferns. It was a beautiful reverent stillness, but so deep that even the hum of a single dragon fly felt loud, and the slightest sudden sound would shatter the peace like breaking glass.
From the edge of the clearing, a shadow separated itself from the ancient trunk of a pine. Luk stepped into the golden light with agonising slowness, his centre of gravity low and his knees slightly bent. In a forest this hushed, speed was a liability.
He planted the heel of his boot first, rolling his weight onto the outer edge of his foot before settling into the toe, ensuring the thick cushions of emerald moss swallowed the pressure of his stride.
He didn't look at his feet; his gaze remained fixed on the green expanse ahead, reading the shadows while his boots felt out the earth. Every few yards he froze, mimicking the absolute stillness of the oaks around him, waiting, listening, and letting the vibrant silence of the woods close back over his trail.
He fixed his gaze up ahead at the green expanse, from which a young buck appeared; its head was lowered, as its dark eyes tracked the dew-slicked grass, entirely unaware of the ghost in its midst. The deer's ear twitched, rotating like small radar dishes, catching the faint, ambient hum of the woods but finding no danger.
Luk bent his knees slowly, still fixing his gaze upon the oblivious deer. He caught his breath mid-exhale, locking his joints and easing his weight back onto his trailing heel. The vibrant quiet of the forest transformed in a heartbeat, no longer a peaceful sanctuary but a tight wire stretched between hunter and prey, waiting for the slightest vibration to snap it.
He gently moved his hands towards his shoulder, where he unstrapped his bow quietly, while removing an arrow from its holder. He arched slowly, repositioning himself to a perfect stance, his gaze still fixed on the deer.
He placed the arrow on his bow, aiming at the Deer while still maintaining Silence. He was about to send the arrow flying when.
SNAP.
Luk Froze.
The deer's ears twitched; he turned in the direction of his assailant and then took off as soon as he noticed that he had company.
Luk turned towards the direction of where he had heard the twig snapping to see what had given him away. He walked slowly towards a shrub a few distances from where he was. As he got closer, he placed his hand on the hilt of his dagger, gradually pulling it out. He tiptoed, trying his best to make no noise. As he got to the shrub, he forcefully pushed the leaves away with one hand as his other hand still remained on his hilt.
His eyes grew bigger in shock.
" What are you doing here?" He asked
He had a confused look.
He stood staring at the little figure in front of him. She had dark, short curly hair, her cute eyes sparkling as she smiled at Luke. Her gown was covered in dirt and leaves, a pair of leaves poking out of her hair.
She stood smiling, looking up at Luke.
" I followed you here"
"SOPHIA!! " He called, surprised.
The little girl just looked up at him innocently.
" How did you leave? I made sure you couldn't "
" I sneaked out", she replied.
Luk Sighed.
Since Sophia had been able to walk, she would barely stay in a place. She was always in one place or the other.
Luk liked her, as unlike other kids her age, she had grown to be a really smart kid; she was exactly what he wanted when he had gone to meet Hurburn to retrieve her.
" What were you doing?" She asked. Curiosity could be seen on her face as she could not hide her emotions.
" I just came to gather some herbs for Maya", he replied.
"Hmm" She placed her hand on her chin, gazing into the air.
Then her gaze turned towards Luke's bow.
" But I saw you using your bow ", she continued.
"I thought it should only be used in emergency situations ", she asked, her face filled with curiosity.
Luk Sighed.
He knew Sophia had always been really smart for her age; she asked a lot of questions, especially when she didn't understand what was going on.
He really liked that about her.
" Oh well, you got me ", He replied
" I was out hunting"
Sophia's eyes grew bigger with excitement, her face curved widely into a smile.
" Oh, whoa, where is it?" She asked, jumping in excitement.
"Well, I was about to get it until you chased it off " Luk replied. He placed his arrow into its holder, clipping the bow to his hilt.
"I am sorry, Luk "
" Can you teach me to hunt?" She asked.
" If you promise not to make a sound.... we all need to be as quiet as we can be "
" Can you do that for me?" He asked
Sophia nodded.
" So you're just gonna stay behind me and follow my movements, okay"
" Remember we need to move with stealth, okayyyy," He said, looking back at Sophia.
She nodded, reassuring him.
" We just need to follow its trail", Luk said.
He turned towards the path that led to where the Deer had been. He walked on stealthily, and Sophia followed behind him, trying so hard to avoid making any noise. They walked through the carpeted forest floor, following the deer's trail.
They kept on following the trail, and as they got to a small clearing, Luk stopped. He turned to Sophia, gently placing his index finger on his lips and then pointing up ahead.
Sophia's eyes quickly followed Luk's hands to what he was pointing at; her eyes grew bigger at the sight up ahead. There in the clearing, a few yards ahead, the Deer could be seen, its coat a polished chestnut, its head lowered as he tracked the grass.
Luk wore a grin as he gently removed one of the arrows from his holder, unhooking his bow, which was clipped to his hilt. He arched his knees, locking his joints. He was pretty determined to get his game this time around, so he didn't hesitate.
WHOOOOOOSSSSSHHHHHHHH
The arrow went flying, piercing the Deer in its back.
Sophia shrieked in horror.
The deer's chestnut fur had grown dull, as blood began seeping slowly from the opening at which the arrow had pierced. The Deer froze on its legs before falling sideways, its eyes wide in shock
As it fell, a loud thud echoed throughout the forest, sending birds flying out of their nest.