Okay...

My voice had only just died down when the forest brush began to break apart. As the plants gave way under the weight of something unseen. Even as it came into what should be in clear view, I saw nothing at all. As the foot prints came closer, as I could feet the weight if its gaze, smell the musk of a wild beast... I saw nothing. 'Fantastic' I thought to myself. 'Nothing like an invisible horror. Lets do this.'

Raising my blade I try to channel what energy I could. Only to be met with a completely empty reserve. What power I had managed to build up went entirely to that explosion. The dam in my head didn't even appear. This wasn't about unlocking another skill, this was just being wrung dry. Everything I had spent finally caught up to me. At the mercy of some invisible monster.

My arm fell away as I simply accepted the outcome. Whatever was to come. I'd fought enough. Ran myself to **** and found my end. I slid the broken sword back into its sheath. Ready for the incoming attack. Only... it never comes. Instead I started to hear a huffing a stamping of feet. As I looked up once more I'm met with something... incredible. Right in front of me the air started to... shake. To shift before a set of antlers cut through the vail. Literally, cutting through the shimmer. Raising its head a large golden elk stepped through. A soft pulse on its head, between its antlers. Tall, taller than me by at least a head. Wider than anything I'd seen on any deer. This... this was more akin to a horse or moose. It's dark eyes watched me witb something like pity and curiosity.

To say I couldn't believe my eyes is an understatement. Especially so when the damn elk knelt down in front of me. It bowed its head as if it were asking me to climb aboard. "Guess you're with Eros... remind me to thank that deer when I get the chance."

I climbed to my feet once more. Having to use the elk's antlers to brace mysekf as I walk around. Throwing the injured leg over the animals shoulder before climbing on myself. Still had to use the antlers to keep my balance. Each time I tried to squeeze my legs I was met with more searing agony bursting through my leg. "Don't suppose you have any pain killers?"

Not that I expected a response but the huff could have been only be a no. If the animal even understood the question at all. But who was I to argue with a god's deer. As it rose to its feet I had to struggle for a moment. Recieving an irritated huff once as I have to cling onto the animals neck and antlers. Barely holding on. As it starts to walk I'm thankful for the antlers even more. As it travels through the forest they push and seperate the leaves and branches. Keeping them from slapping me in the face with each step it took.

Before long we reached a small grove in the center of the quarry. In each dustance I could see the steep walls carved by human hands eons ago. Well... metaphorically speaking. As we continued on I couldnt help but admire the beauty of this new world. As strange and painful as it is, its unique and mesmerizing in its grim circumstances. A new world built in the fossils of a bygone era. Even if that era was my own.

The ride kept on as the elk carried me through the grove. Back into the forest as if it were following a preset path. I can't say when but somewhere along the ride I had fallen asleep. Holding tightly to the animals body as it carried me. Only to wake up hours later as it knelt down once again. Huffing loudly to stir me awake. Twilight washing over the world as I rub my eyes and slowly come to my senses.

In distance I could see soft lantern light cutting through the woods. "Back to the village... I won't complain." I swung my leg back as I gently pet the elk's soft fur. Scratching its jaw before I stepped back. "Don't suppose you'll give me a ride back to the main village? No? Didn't think so."

The elk watches me before huffing loudly. Another negative. After a moment it rose from the ground and turned away from me. Stabbing its antlers into the air once more as the very air seemed to warp and twist. A hole in space that the elk stepped into as if it were nothing special.

I turned back after watching the incredible sight. If I didn't believe in the gods before, i certainly did after that. Facing the village once again I started my slow trudge forward. Dragging my leg behind me before long. Not having the strenght to lift it properly. My energy still completely drained. As I step into rhe village's light, a familiar voice comes through.

"Sir!"