The Emerald Forest was breathtaking at dawn—mist curling around ancient roots, dew glittering like fallen stars, and glowing mushrooms painting soft blue light across the moss. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
But peace rarely lasted long in a forest full of hyperactive monkeys, dramatic peacocks, and rogue badgers with pepper-based combat techniques.
Aru stretched his legs, cracking joints that probably shouldn't crack. Today marked day two of "serious training," which meant he had only fallen into three holes so far. That was considered improvement.
Zara approached gracefully, her fur shimmering faintly under the morning sun. "Today," she said calmly, "your training moves to the next stage."
Tiko gasped. "The NEXT stage? Does that mean we finally learn EXPLOSION MAGIC?"
"No," Zara said instantly.
"Fireballs?"
"No."
"Banana bombs?"
Zara blinked. "Absolutely not."
Tiko crossed his arms dramatically. "Then what's the point of magic?"
A Strange Smell in the Wind
Before training could begin, Eldros the Elephant Sage raised his trunk. He sniffed the air slowly, eyes narrowing.
"There is movement," he rumbled. "Foreign… dangerous… unpleasant."
Tiko sniffed too. "I smell… roasted nuts."
"That's you," Rella replied flatly.
Zara closed her eyes, focusing. "No. Eldros is right. Something—or someone—is approaching."
Aru's ears twitched. "Hunters?"
"Worse," Squirlo said dramatically.
Everyone stared.
Squirlo cleared his throat. "Sorry. I've always wanted to say that."
Zara continued, ignoring him. "But it might be hunters. And they're getting closer to the heart of the forest."
Aru's stomach squeezed. Hunters again? Already?
"We need recon," Zara declared. "Someone quick, quiet, and small."
All eyes turned to Squirlo.
He blinked. "Why me?"
"You're the smallest," Rella said.
"And the loudest," Tiko added.
"And the most willing to run into danger without thinking," Bolo said.
Squirlo puffed his chest proudly. "You had me at 'danger without thinking.'"
The Squirrel Recon Mission
Squirlo marched off with a tiny acorn helmet strapped to his head and two backup acorns in a pouch. He looked ridiculous. He looked heroic. He looked like someone who would absolutely cause trouble.
Aru whispered, "Will he be okay?"
Zara sighed. "He's a gremlin. He'll probably make new enemies… and new friends."
Meanwhile…
Squirlo zoomed through the forest, dodging branches, swinging off vines, and imitating dramatic spy music the whole time.
"Dun dun da-daaa… sneaky squirrel mode!"
The forest shifted around him—the deeper he ran, the darker and stranger it became. Here, ancient trees twisted like old guardians, and faint blue wisps floated lazily through the air.
Then Squirlo froze.
Because ahead… he saw them.
Hunters.
Three of them. Tall, armed, pacing around strange metal cages.
But worse—
They weren't alone.
A creature was with them.
Something big.
Something covered in spikes.
Something growling.
Squirlo gasped, then immediately ducked behind a log.
"Okay… okay… don't freak out… don't freak out… I AM FREAKING OUT!"
He peeked again.
The creature was a Spineback Wolf, rare and notoriously grumpy. Its silver spines rattled as it snarled. Hunters prodded it with metal sticks.
But the wolf wasn't the only surprise.
One hunter unfolded a map. Squirlo zoomed in with binoculars made from acorns (don't ask how). It showed—
Aru.
A drawing of him.
His antlers exaggerated like a chandelier.
Below it were words:
"PRIMARY TARGET. CAPTURE ALIVE."
Squirlo's fur puffed in panic.
"Oh no… oh no no no… ARU IS A SUPER-RARE COLLECTIBLE!!"
He bolted back toward camp.
Back at the Training Grounds…
Aru was practicing dodging Eldros's pebbles with absolutely zero success. He tripped, stumbled, and somehow managed to dodge the rock only because he sneezed at the exact right moment.
"That was… accidental brilliance," Eldros admitted.
Aru beamed. "Really?"
"No," Eldros corrected.
Just then, Squirlo BURST into the clearing.
"EMERGENCY! RED ALERT! MEGA PANIC TIME!"
Tiko immediately threw himself into a bush. "I'M NOT READY TO DIE!"
Rella slapped him with her ears. "Calm down!"
"What did you see?" Zara demanded.
Squirlo pointed dramatically at Aru. "YOU. ARE. WANTED."
Aru froze. "Wanted? Like… famous?"
"No! Like wanted—by hunters!"
Aru blinked. "Okay, that's… less flattering."
Squirlo gulped. "They have your picture. A map. And a big, angry Spineback Wolf."
Zara's eyes widened. "A Spineback… here? That shouldn't be possible."
Eldros stomped the ground. "This is serious. Hunters must have captured it from the Iron Ridge Mountains."
Bolo frowned. "They're expanding their reach."
Tiko stood on Aru's head. "Bro. They're obsessed with you."
Aru's legs trembled. "Wh-why? I'm just an antelope!"
"No," Zara said softly. "You are more."
Eldros nodded. "They seek your antlers—not for vanity, but for power."
Aru blinked again. "I… beg your pardon?"
Zara's eyes glowed faintly. "Your antlers have dormant energy—magic buried deep within them. Ancient magic."
Bolo lowered his head solemnly. "Hunters must have found old records."
Aru's mouth fell open. "MAGIC!? My antlers have magic!? Since WHEN!?"
Zara smiled. "Since forever. You simply never noticed."
Tiko gasped. "Aru is a SECRET WEAPON!?"
Rella nodded slowly. "That explains… a lot."
Squirlo added, "It explains his ability to cause disaster by existing."
"HEY!" Aru protested.
A New Chapter of Danger Begins
Eldros stepped forward, his voice deep and commanding.
"If hunters know your potential… they will stop at nothing."
Zara placed a paw on Aru's leg.
"You are no longer just training to run or survive. You're training to protect the entire forest."
Aru swallowed hard.
Protect the forest?Him?A clumsy antelope with tangled antlers?
His heart raced…But he didn't back away.
"Okay," he said softly. "Tell me what I need to do."
Zara smiled—proud and encouraging.
Eldros nodded.
Tiko climbed onto Aru's back like a general preparing for war.
Rella tightened her scarf.
Bolo stomped the ground.
Squirlo cracked his acorn knuckles.
Together, they stood ready.
The Emerald Forest, once peaceful, now hummed with anticipation.
For the hunters were coming.
And Aru…Aru was about to learn what it truly meant to be chosen.