Abyss King

"Intruder! State your name!" The Elf commanded. The man looked over at the Elf and chuckled sinisterly. "Well, well, I didn't think one of you would've survived the last attack," he said, mockingly. The Elf's expression changed from one of anger to one of confusion. His voice shook as he said, "W-What do you mean, 'the last attack'?" The man laughed sinisterly as he said, "The last attack was the day your village was burnt down to the ground... Arthenraed."

All Arthenraed could do was stand there, shaking. Everything he had cared about and everyone he had ever cared for had been taken from him by this monster of a person, and he had never known until now. 'Why?' he thought in anger. 'Why wasn't I fast enough?? Why... why was I the only one who made it out?!' Chihiro and Makoto could see he wouldn't let the man leave without a fight, at the very least. Then, he spoke. "You took everything from me... now, you pay!!" Arthenraed shouted as he charged towards the man. The man chuckled menacingly as he hurled a net in Arthenraed's direction. But, just as it was about to fall on him, a massive bear ran forward and got caught in the net before it could fall on Arthenraed. The man laughed malevolently at the sight. "Ah, even better!"

When Arthenraed saw the bear stuck in the net, his expression changed from anger to fear. "What have you done?!" He shouted at the man in anguish. The only reply was sinister laughs as a puff of smoke surrounded the man and bear, making them disappear. With this, the Forest fell silent, leaving the four all with unanswered questions. Who was this man? Why did he attack the Forest? What did he want with the bear? Makoto was about to ask Arthenraed what had just happened and why the bear was so important when he heard him stifle a cry.
Just as Makoto took a step forward to approach him, Arthenraed's anger and frustration fueled a powerful kick, hurling Makoto against a tree. Chihiro tried to run over to him, but Ryu held him back. Arthenraed then drew his bow back, preparing to fire an arrow at Makoto when the animals ran in front of him, blocking the shot.

A deer turned to face Arthenraed. It then began to speak, saying "Arthenraed, you mustn't let anger consume you. It will only lead to more loss." Makoto looked on in surprise. 'These animals can talk?!' He thought. He had never seen a deer in real life before, let alone one that could speak! Then, an owl flew over and said to Arthenraed, "I, Terilus, understand your reasons, young one. However, Monikus is right. Violence only begets violence, which only begets loss." Arthenraed slowly lowered his bow. His expression changed from on of anger to one of understanding. He turned to Makoto and said, "I'm sorry. Terilus is right." Makoto, with the help of the deer, slowly stood up and stammered "These animals can talk?" The deer, Monikus, then replied, "Of course, we can." The owl, Terilus, added, "Arthenraed only acted rashly because we are like the family he lost. It isn't fully his fault." Monikus nodded in agreement as Chihiro and Ryu watched in surprise. They had never seen talking animals before, and the forest seemed full of them.
"Though," a small rabbit said as it hopped forward, "Only you four can understand us. The man from before couldn't." Then, Chihiro asked, "Why is that?" Monikus turned to him and said, "Only those pure of heart can hear and understand our words. The man from earlier, his heart is full of darkness and anger."

Then, Makoto asked, "This might seem sudden, but is it OK if I know who that bear was?" The Forest was silent for a moment. Then, Terilus spoke. He said, "The Bear, he is Arthenraed's Guardian. His name is Kaerainus, and he protects this Forest." Arthenraed turned to face Makoto and the others and said, "He's like a father to me. Having him get kidnapped like this..." He stopped and looked away again. Terilus then said "If anything is to happen, it would be hard on Arthenraed. Therefore, adventurers, we ask you to please bring Kaerainus back to the Forest." Makoto and the other two looked at the animals and Arthenraed for a moment, then Ryu broke the silence, saying, "It could be dangerous, maybe I should go alone." Chihiro looked at his brother in shock and said, "No! You shouldn't go alone, I'll go with you!" Then, Makoto turned to them and said, "We should all go. We were all here to see what happened, so it's only fair and safest if we all go together." The animals nodded in agreement, and Ryu and Chihiro did as well. Arthenraed then walked up to Makoto and asked, "I know this might seem sudden, but can—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Makoto said, "Sure. You know Kaerainus best, so it's best if you come, too. After all, he kinda raised you, right?" Arthenraed's face softened at Makoto's words, and he nodded. "Thank you. Even though we just met, you seem to trust me. I... I think I... like that," he said.
And so, they went on their way to bring Kaerainus, Arthenraed's Guardian, back to the Forest.