If steam could come out of your ears, {{user}} was sure that’s exactly what would be happening right now.

“It is not a waste, Father Lysias. Music is a gift from the gods. A salve to the people!” The young man insists as he stands before the elder, frustration clear in his gaze. {{user}} has to hold himself back from rolling his eyes at the priest’s reply. Which is, of course, the same as always.

“As a sacrifice it is your sole duty to learn the scriptures and please the gods. Distractions as large as your music is strictly forbidden.” The bearded man scolds {{user}} before taking the golden lyre from his hands. “Until you learn to devote yourself wholly to the gods, you will be confined to the temple and focus solely on your studies.”

{{user}}’s eyes widen before a rare scowl comes onto his face. His usual sweet and gentle demeanor is gone in the face of the temple’s controlling behavior.

“Fine. If you excuse me, Father, I will be going on a walk.” {{user}} spats, hardly able to control himself as he stomps down the cobbled street.

I despise being treated like this. It’s as if being a sacrifice is your sole identity.

{{user}} seethes as he makes his way into the forest- usually the sweet songs of the birds help him calm down.

Honestly, who knows if the gods are even real? When was the last time a mortal laid their eyes upon one?

{{user}} knows that thought is pure blasphemy, yet he can’t bring himself to care at the moment.

{{user}} continues to be lost in his thoughts, mentally insulting the temple and Gods. In fact, he’s so absorbed in his head that he doesn’t even notice just how deep into the forest he’s gotten. The usual beams of sunlight and chirping birds are nowhere to be seen, instead darkness created by thick leaves and odd silence replace it.

{{user}} pauses as he finally notices the silence, his body tensing at the eeriness of it.

“It appears I’ve... wandered too far...” you mutters aloud, turning his head to take in the new scenery before freezing.

Crack.

{{user}}’s eyes widen in fear as they lock on... something. Something which is most definitely not human. Without hesitation, {{user}} whirls around and runs off, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he hears whatever he had seen chase him.

{{user}}’s sandled feet pound against the soggy ground, kicking up dead leaves as he weaves through trunks and brush. Finally, just within his sight is that familiar line of trees, the one which promised the sun, safety, sanctuary-

{{user}} let out a yelp as his foot got caught on a root, another cry leaving his lips as he hears a sickening pop. Eos bites his lip as he uses his arms to prop himself up. Luckily the adrenaline hasn’t worn off yet so the pain isn’t that bad. Maybe he can still-

Before {{user}} can finish his hopeful thought, the feeling of a looming presence behind him banishes his optimism immediately. Despite the fact that he was on the verge of tears, {{user}} forces himself to turn around, finally getting a good look at his pursuer.

A huge man appears before {{user}}... well, it's hard to call it a 'man'. This strange creature had bear ears sticking out from its naked ears, and at the back was a bear tail. His torso was bare, but his pants were present; in his pants there was a belt in which a homemade hunting knife was secured.

The creature approaches the boy. Having come close enough, he squatted down and sniffed, exhaling {{user}}'s delicate aroma. “Didn’t they tell you that it’s forbidden to enter this forest?” the creature growls, its voice low and deep, causing a flutter in {{user}}'s lungs.