The transport vessel hummed gently as it cut through the stratosphere, its sleek black body reflecting the distant twin moons. Inside, five women and one young man sat together, clad in their armor, Avera stood at the center, calmly reviewing the mission details from her wrist console. Xion sat in the corner, glancing occasionally at the others as they murmured among themselves.
Their destination: The Emerald Veil, a dense, uncharted rainforest stretching hundreds of miles to the south. It was known for its extreme humidity, and unnaturally intelligent wildlife.
Kaelith broke the silence first. "I still find it hard to believe such a creature exists. The Nine Color Deer… sounds like a bedtime story."
Zera chuckled, twirling a knife between her fingers. "Yeah, a story where rich old women bathe in powdered antlers to stay young. Sounds delightful."
"It's not a joke," Selune said softly, her violet eyes fixed on the forest terrain map. "The Nine-Color Deer has been referenced in over thirty biological records across the centuries. Its regenerative properties were mentioned even in pre-exodus scripts."
Myla, seated silently across from them, simply nodded. "Too rare to dismiss. Too valuable to ignore."
Xion leaned back, arms crossed, watching the others with mild confusion. "Still don't get it. One bath and you stay youthful forever? That's... insane."
"You're a guy," Zera grinned. "You wouldn't understand."
"Wouldn't understand what? That all of you suddenly got ten times more excited the moment the word youthful was mentioned?"
"It's not just vanity," Avera added, closing her console. " Staying young means staying useful."
Kaelith answered this time, voice hard. "Some empires even execute elders when they become 'burdens.' Others… turn them into fuel."
The room went silent for a moment. Even Zera stopped smiling.
Avera's voice cut through the tension. "We're arriving."
Outside, the green forest of the Emerald Veil came into view titanic trees that touched the clouds, vines as thick as ships, and dense mist.
The transport descended into a stone cliffside. As the hatch opened, the sounds of the forest rushed in roars, chirps, rustling leaves. Xion stepped out behind the others. Gasing in awe it was the first time he saw a forest.
A security team greeted them guards from the royal house, heavily armed and clearly uneasy. One saluted Avera and gestured toward a small field tent.
"Captain Avera," she said. "The researchers are inside. They've marked possible migration patterns. We've had movement around the fourth quadrant. Something large and fast."
"Any losses?" Avera asked, sharp.
"Two scouts. There armor was Torn apart But no deaths thankfully. Just… be cautious."
Avera nodded.
---
Inside the Tent
Holograms floated above a table, showing outlines of animal patterns, paths, and a central glowing symbol labeled Target: NCD.
One of the researchers, a woman in dusty robes with thick goggles, stepped forward. "We've triangulated where it might be. The Nine-Color Deer appears to follow no set pattern, but it consistently circles one region the Heartglade. That's here." She pointed to a glowing circle surrounded by dangerous red zones.
"What's in the red zones?" Zera asked.
The researcher hesitated. "We call them 'Echo Creatures.' very fast predators. Highly aggressive."
"Perfect," Kaelith muttered, eyes narrowing.
---
Later That Night Campfire Interlude
As darkness fell, the squad made camp near a massive fallen tree. The guards set up defensive lines, while Avera sat with her squad and Xion by the fire.
"Everyone rest in pairs," she said. "Rotating watch every three hours. Zera, you're with Xion first shift."
Zera smirked, nudging Xion. "Lucky you."
Xion looked annoyed. "Sure."
Kaelith and Myla set their gear silently, preparing for sleep, while Selune quietly took out a small glass orb from her pouch. She whispered to it and a soft glow appeared, hovering gently in the air above them.
"What is that?" Xion asked.
"A star fragment," she said softly. "It guides me."
Zera scoffed. "She talks to glowing rocks. Don't question it."
Selune said nothing, but her eyes flicked to Zera, unamused.
Zera leaned closer to Xion. "So… what would you wish for if you caught the deer?"
Xion shrugged. "Probably food. A proper house. Safety for my family"
Zera blinked. "That's... surprisingly noble."
"I don't need eternal youth," Xion said. "I just want peace."
Zera's teasing grin faded slightly. "Careful. A man like you saying things like that might start sounding like a hero."
Xion snorted. "Not interested."
"Too bad," she said. "Some of us are."
---
Midnight The Screams Begin
Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed from the northern perimeter. One of the mercenaries' flares shot up into the sky, blazing red.
Avera stood immediately. "Form up!"
The squad shot to their feet, grabbing weapons.
"Stay close," Kaelith barked.
Zera's smile returned as she strapped on her gauntlets. "Finally. I was getting bored."
Selune's orb flared to life, casting silver light around them.
Myla drew her long, sleek blade, her expression unreadable.
Xion looked around vigilantly.
the forest was filled with growls and movement.
And somewhere out there between the trees something was watching, it's eyes especially looked at the glowing orb Selune holding.