“Do not be afraid. I mean you no harm.” the deer walk out on four leg from darkness and approach the children who light the fire to see.

“You...are you a spirit?” Eirian shout while trying to make his teammate back away. He never heard of an awaken deer before and if this deer isn't who he says he is then he might be an evil spirit who has been eaten people to the point he gains power of speech.

Magic reacts to a strong will, sometime a dying animal or people who have a strong unresolve grievance may manifest into a spirit although it’s very rare and even in his home of Medina Forest he only ever saw one or two spirit. They’re usually detached and try to avoid people; Only an evil spirit who suffer some great loss go around attack anyone they come across.

“You need not be frightened. I am allowed here at the mercy of Headmaster Osmond. In exchange I help him look after this wood and any student who came here.”

Hearing Prof. Osmond name and finally seeing this deer clearly in the light Eirian starts to calm down. It’s a red deer with golden Antlers but Eirian knows that is not gold it’s Zirt, a color only Amiel can see. He has a peaceful grace around him, give off a feeling of sacred being which is the opposite of evil spirit.

“Are you really the first deer who awaken? Is there...more of you?” Josh looks behind the deer but saw no one there.

“There is only me”

“From what you said you must been living here for a long time then why aren’t you...”

“Awaken other of my kind?”

Eirian nod.

“It was a decision I made long time ago and the story can be quite uncomfortable, do you still want to hear it?”

Eirian turns to his teammate and everyone give a nod. This deer is the first of his kind who awake of course they want to know the story.

“Yes we do.”

“Very well, it’s been such a long time seeing all the children from six races together. Maybe all of you should hear this story...come you should sit.” the deer bring children to more open area to sit and light a fire “My name is Lao, allow me to tell my story.”

“In the final years of great cleansing, I awoke amid battle field between wolf and goat at the central plain. Confused and afraid I can only run away from the fire and killing till I found the forest of Medina. There for a time I live under a protection of Amiel who teach me the state of the world and what I have become.

For a long time, I stay there, waiting for the council decision of what would become of me, at the time Astra and Lucena is no longer with them, so some of the elder consider me as a threat to the balance of 6 nation power and favor eliminating me. However, many elder still want to follow Lucena example and decided to let me go after the great cleansing has ended, their decision maybe influence by my decision through since I told them I won’t be awaken any more of my kind.”

‘Some of the elder want to kill Lao? I understand the reason but that is just wrong...I wonder which elder is it.’

“You see while I was waiting I was also been watching the world. Many more of animal has been awaken than you kids realize but they just didn’t make it. Cat and Dog had awakened you know? They both live under a human protection for a time but after many disagreements of who is better and deserve a higher place next to man they went to war with each other. Arch Renato orders all human to stay out of the fight and let’s cat and dog conclude this conflict on their own. In the end the dog win and the remaining survivor meet to sign a new pact and celebrate the end of the war. But while everyone is celebrating all the awaken dog suddenly start coughing blood and die. The cat leader then proclaims in front of Renato that now there’s only cat left and they should allow them alone to be by human side, with their magical power and human technology they both will be unstoppable.”

Bill and Josh get more excited when Renato name come up.

“Renato however is having none of it. The dog leader is actually Renato’s companion before he awakens but Renato still refuses to help him in the war to keep this fight fair and reduce the chance of more conflict in the future. Now that his old friend lies dead before him, poisoned. Arch Renato cries out in rage and order an extermination of all cat in New Terra, awaken or not. On that day all awaken cat and dog is dead. The remaining normal cat were carried away by people who pity them into Elswyts, far outside Renato jurisdiction. Today the cat has return to Republic of New Terra somewhat but the law that command the killing of all cat still remain in place to this day although no one enforced it anymore.”

“To thing such horrible thing happens” said Biscuit in sad voice.

“So that why there is so few cats in the city I never thought there would be a reason to it.” said Bill.

“This is one of many reasons for my decision. If I should awaken more of my kind, all I would bring them is suffering. Herbivore like me doesn’t stand a chance against powerful carnivore, that why you won’t see a lot of awaken herbivore, sheep and goat are properly the only exception.”

Lao gives a gentle smile at Biscuit.

“So, tell me about yourself children, I wish to know what is happening in the world.”

The team introduce themself and tell Lao of how everyone is more open now a day; a Fire Ant allow Goat missionary into their second colony near Amalthor border, A wolf start to open seaport and trade with New Terra. But there is also bad news about bombing in the city.

“I see, that is not good at all. I hope headmaster Osmond and Chief found who is responsible soon.”

“Chief?” the children asked.

“Ah most of you would properly never meet him, he’s like a head of security for Alana. You know that tall white tower? He’s live there.”

“So, somebody really live up there?”

“What race is he?”

“Race?” said Lao “Why would it matter what race he is?”

Everyone stumbles “We’re just curious.”

“Well keep being curious then and maybe your curiosity will lead you to answer.” Lao seems enjoys talking with them.

“Mr. Lao, I’m sorry to say this but...” Biscuit hesitates to speak.

“It’s ok Biscuit. You can speak your mind.”

“Is it ok for you to leave your kind as a wild animal? When I imagine all those deer who could have open their eye but will never be able to...it just seemed so sad.” she refers to all the deer living all over the world who will never awake and only become prey for other races.

“I do feel sorrow for them that why I do my best to protect the herd here in Cinder wood as much as possible although sometime people or wilds animal do manage to hunt some of them down...but such is the way of life. I already given my word to the elder, I won’t go back on it.”

“I see.” Biscuit nod down.

“Then can I ask about the moment you awaken? What can you remember?” Josh asked.

“Do you see Lady Estellia?”

“Do you see Amalthaea?”

Josh and Biscuit glance at each other for a moment before look away to focus at Lao.

‘Estellia, Amalthaea, månen they all the same to me’

“I’m sorry I don’t think I see anyone. I’m only remember feeling this sense of deep sorrow before the flash, then I hear the scream the clashing of sword, smell of fire and blood, so I run as far as possible. Even now when I try to remember it’s all blurry.”

“Thank you Mr. Lao, sorry for making you remember such unpleasant memory.” said Josh.

“It’s alright Josh.”

“Since you been watching us from outside may I ask for your opinion on something sir?” Eirian address Lao like an elder.

“Do ask.”

“How should a leader govern the people?”

“I’ve seen all kind of leader rise and fall during the time of chaos, from what I observe...”

“If you want to be a great leader you must learn to follow the way of the world. Do not try to control the world, the world can take care of itself. Do not fight the natural course of life or you will only invite chaos.”

“When the leader is gentle, the people are simple and happy.”

“When the leader is crafty, the people are sly and unhappy.”

“The more head force heart to be happy, the more stress body felt.”

“If a leader doesn’t believe in his people, he will find that the people become untrustworthy.”

“A good leader live and lead effortlessly with patient and compassion. He acts and not speak, when his work is done the people shall said: we did it all—by ourself.”

“The best way is the simple way. Lead by example, live a simple life. Learn to be lower than the people. The leader who takes shall never have the world but leader who give everything he has, the world shall offer itself to him.”

“But the world is already full of chaos, we need power and tactic to combat the conflict that already here. Simply lead by example will truly be enough sir?” Eirian question.

“There will always be conflict; the chaos you see now is a result from a choice taken long ago, sometime intentional sometime accidental. We can only accept it and live a life as they come.”

Eirian bows with respect “Thank you for your teaching.”

“It’s not the same with Pan’s teaching but it’s sound really nice Mr. Lao” said Biscuit.

‘It’s sound good but it’s not realistic. This world is full of chaos and everyone have an agenda of their own. Even now I feel like someone is trying to start a new cleansing with these bombing, I can’t let the war that burn away everything start again. I must find other way.’

Lao gets up “I better be on my way, still need to check on other student and make sure those wild dogs didn’t return to Cinder Wood.”

“So those dogs were running from you?”

“I’ve been tracking them for week now but I don’t like to fight so I just use magic to try scare them away. If those dog attack you kids I would have jump in.”

“Thank you for looking after us sir.”

“Just doing my part.” said Lao “I’m glad I get to meet all of you, the wood is vast and we might not run into each other again so stay safe now children.”

Lao then leaves the team to continue collect mushroom. Everyone quicky gather all the glowing mushroom they need and head back to camp.

“Amy you didn’t bring any sleeping bag?” asked Bicuit.

“I can sleep on dirt.”

“No no come sleep with me then I got extra blanket.”

“It’s fine I sleep on dirt all the time.”

“I insist.” Biscuit keeps begging and hugging until Amy finally go sleep next to her.

“Well now that we got everything we can leave the wood tomorrow morning. Let’s be the first group who finish our assignment.” Eirian tells everyone and they all went to sleep.