The morning fog drifted softly across the forest floor as if the world were wrapped in a giant fluffy blanket. Birds chirped excitedly overhead, croaking frogs warmed their throats like they were preparing for a concert, and somewhere in the distance a squirrel sneezed dramatically.
Aru stood in the middle of the training grounds—a wide, flat area covered in moss, leaves, and suspicious holes. Tiko had tried to name it something heroic like "The Arena of Destiny," but Rella had vetoed it.
"It's just a clearing," she'd said.
"It's a clearing of destiny," Tiko insisted.
"It's a safety hazard," Squirlo added, falling into one of the holes immediately afterward.
The Start of Aru's Hero Training Arc
Zara, elegant and intimidating in equal measure, stepped lightly onto a log. The morning sunlight caught her silver fur, giving her a faint, magical glow. Aru gulped. She looked like someone who could bench-press destiny with one paw.
"Aru," she said, her voice calm but stern. "Today, we begin your real training."
Aru nodded, legs trembling.
Bolo stood beside him. "Don't worry. Training builds strength."
Tiko hopped up onto Aru's back. "And character! And possibly bruises."
Rella crossed her paws. "That's not helpful."
Squirlo cracked his knuckles. "Let's DO THIS. I brought motivational snacks."
Everyone stared.
"They're acorns!" he added proudly.
Aru sighed. "Great. Fuel for my humiliation."
Lesson One: Stealth… or Something Like It
Zara paced slowly. "Hunters rely on vision, hearing, and traps. You must learn to move unseen, unheard, and unharmed."
Tiko saluted. "Stealth lesson! I'm basically a ninja."
"You're yellow," Rella said. "You stand out."
"I'm vibrant," Tiko corrected.
Zara gestured toward Aru. "Your turn."
Aru attempted a stealthy walk.
Attempted.
He stepped on a twig immediately.
CRACK!
Then he tripped over a vine.
Then his antlers snagged a leaf—just a single leaf—and he spun around in panic until he crashed into a bush that screamed.
Yes. The bush screamed.
It was a hedgehog. "HEY! WATCH IT, ANTLER HEAD!"
Aru froze. "I—I'm so sorry."
Zara blinked, trying to figure out whether to laugh or cry. "We… will revisit stealth later."
Lesson Two: Speed Control
Bolo took the lead, standing proudly in the center of the field.
"Aru," he said solemnly, "you run fast. Too fast, sometimes. Today we learn control."
Aru nodded. "Okay. I can do that."
"Run to that tree," Bolo instructed.
Aru ran.
A blur. A gust of wind. A WHOOSH.
He passed the tree.
He passed two more trees.
He passed Squirlo's treehouse and knocked the mailbox off.
"MY MAIL!!" Squirlo screamed from afar.
Aru reappeared thirty seconds later, panting. "Was… that… good?"
Bolo sighed. "You overshot your target."
"By a mile," Rella added.
"By a whole residential district," Squirlo yelled, still chasing him.
Lesson Three: Mental Focus
Zara sat cross-legged on a rock, tail curled gracefully around her.
"You must quiet your mind," she said gently. "A calm heart creates a sharp instinct."
Aru nodded. "I can be calm."
Tiko climbed onto his head. "Be peaceful, Aru."
From a branch, Squirlo tossed acorns. "Calm thoughts!"
Bolo began deep breathing exercises. "Hooooo…"
Rella set down flowers. "Meditation atmosphere."
Everything was perfect.
Everything was serene.
Everything was still.
Until—
CRASH!!!
A massive boar burst through the bushes, screaming, "THE SPICY BADGERS ARE AFTER ME!!"
Three fiery-tempered badgers—one holding a pepper like a weapon—charged after him.
Aru screamed.Tiko screamed.The badgers screamed.The boar screamed louder.
Zara slowly covered her eyes. "Why… does this keep happening…"
A New Mentor Appears
Just when chaos reached peak absurdity, a loud thundering sound shook the ground. Birds flew from trees. Leaves rained down.
A massive silhouette emerged from the shadows.
Aru's heart skipped.
Was it a monster?A hunter?A mythical beast!?
No.
It was an old, enormous elephant with rings, beads, and ancient markings painted across his wrinkled skin.
His deep voice echoed:
"Who… disturbs the sacred training grounds… of Master Eldros?"
Tiko gasped. "THE LEGENDARY ELEPHANT SAGE!? He's REAL!?"
Rella bowed immediately. "Master Eldros!"
Bolo stiffened in respect.
Zara stepped forward. "Great Sage… we did not expect your presence."
The elephant eyed Aru slowly, thoughtfully.
"You," Eldros rumbled. "The antelope who outran the hunters."
Aru swallowed. "Y-Yes, sir…"
Eldros leaned down until they were eye-to-eye.
"Your legs hold great potential… and your antlers hold great chaos."
Aru blushed. "That's… accurate."
"I see a spark within you," Eldros continued. "I shall train you."
Aru's eyes widened. "R-Really?"
Eldros raised his trunk.
"BUT FIRST… YOU MUST CATCH THIS ROCK."
He tossed a pebble.
Aru tried to catch it.
He missed.
He tried again.
He missed by three feet.
He tried a third time.
He fell over completely.
Tiko clapped. "You did GREAT! You almost caught the air around the rock!"
Eldros sighed deeply. "This… will take time."
Zara smiled softly. "He learns fast."
"Does he?" Rella whispered.
"NO," Squirlo whispered back.
Aru's Determination Awakens
Despite the embarrassment, Aru stood tall. For the first time, he wasn't annoyed at his failures.
He was motivated.
"I want to get stronger," he declared. "For my friends. For the forest. And for myself."
Zara nodded proudly.
Bolo smiled.
Tiko cheered.
Rella patted his leg.
Even Eldros grinned. "Good. The spirit of a warrior… begins to bloom."
Aru stood firm, his antlers shining in the sunlight.
"Let's train," he said.
And the forest…the entire Emerald Forest…seemed to rise with him.