5 Encounter in the Forest

Another month had passed, Mars continued to practice his Prestidigitation all day, every day. He had become obsessed with magic. Compared to his old life of being a Spaceship Captain, which was a glorified way of saying Space Pirate, his new life was superior.

He was still aware of his current deal with the mysterious Goddess, but he was undoubtedly going to enjoy his life in the meantime.

It was another frigid day in Skagi, despite the sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky.

When he practiced his magic out in the yard, at Uncle Olaf's home, people would often gather and watch as magic was spectacular to them. They treated it as entertainment and would cheer Mars on. These cheers often felt patronizing to Mars, so today he had his cousin, Hagar Olafsson, bring him along to the forest for a change of scenery.

He was 18 years old and had grown to a monstrous 7'2" weighing just over 29 stone (407 pounds). His size was only slightly larger than average for men in Skagi. The women were much, much smaller by comparison.

Women in skagi rarely reached over 5 feet tall. They were delicate and beautiful, while the men were enormous and rough.

Hagar got along well with his younger cousin; Mars would act as more of a big brother than a cousin. Although Hagar was 15 years older than Mars, that kid was wise beyond his years. Mars had helped Hagar with advice on women plenty of times. Hagar didn't know how it was possible, but Mars was always right about those matters. When he had asked Hagar to tag along today, he gladly agreed to bring him.

Hagar was going out to see if he could find some wild game to hunt. Wild Boar were known to roam the area. He also felt indebted to Mars' father, Magni.

Magni used to bring Hagar out to the woods to hunt and teach him about cutting trees, skinning beasts, making fires, etc.

Mars also enjoyed Hagar's company, as playing with children his own age* was unbearable for him. He was not a child, but a nearly 40-year-old man in a child's body. Hagar walked along the worn-down path, with Mars on his right shoulder. If Hagar had been any more significant, he could have just carried Mars in the palm of his hand.

As Hagar was looking for tracks and signs of beasts to hunt, Mars was simply enjoying the beautiful scenery and fresh air. The cold didn't bother either of them in the slightest. Thanks to "Prestidigitation," Mars had imbued their clothing with magical warmth, which he would recast throughout the outing as was needed.

Once Hagar had found some tracks, he placed Mars down to the snow and gestured to be quiet by extending one of his meaty fingers in front of his mouth. Mars nodded and simply watched as Hagar readied his bow. They quietly followed the tracks into the forest. They came upon the Boar digging and rooting through the snow at the base of a tree.

Hagar silently drew an arrow from his quiver and lined up the shot. He kept his breathing steady, pulled it back, and woosh. It sailed through the air and hit the Boar in its side, a perfect shot.

It began squealing and writhing and took off deeper into the woods, Hagar placed Mars back on his shoulder and began following its tracks again. Droplets of blood and wild scrapings in the snow lead them to their prize until they were nearly 10 miles from Skagi.

"See that Mars, that right there is what I call tasty!" Mars laughed and replied. "Look at the size of you! If we want to feed everyone, we'd better get another pig!"

The two of them laughed and were giddy at the prospect of delicious Boar. Hagar placed Mars down and picked up the beast and draped it over both his shoulders. It was more awkward than it was heavy, as it was only 16 stone or so (about 230 pounds). They had been walking for some time when Hagar suddenly stopped. He lowered his hand in front of Mars, signaling him to stay where he was.

Hagar placed the Boar in front of them.

"It's yours, just leave us be!" Hagar had begun breathing heavily, and not because he was tired.

Then Mars saw it; a hideous and enormous beast was waiting for them. It looked to be nine or ten feet long. It had long slender legs like an elk while having a muscular body. Its head was enormous, as was its mouth. Massive sharp fangs were dripping with blood. They instinctively realized how outmatched they were. They did not know this was a Leucrotta.

Hagar began to tremble and emanate a palpable rage. He should not have brought Mars today, he did not care for his own life, but he did for Mars. His hand gripped tightly on the ax at his side. In response to his hostile action, the beast slowly began to move towards them.

"Dtx qaddqx isx qiiez duzdg..." The beast spoke guttural sounds to them.

Mars was in disbelief, that was not just growling and senseless noise, that was some sort of language?

Having never encountered a beast that could talk before, he began to feel as though death would embrace him once more. He was unsure what language this was, but it certainly wasn't human.

"How well can you climb?" Hagar said without looking at Mars, his eyes glued to the beast before them.

Mars felt his panic building and replied, "N-never tried it before."

"You'd better hope you can! I don't know what that thing is doing here! " Hagar blurted out.

The monster had now gotten within 15 yards of them; it paused and lowered itself as a lion would before it exploded onto unsuspecting prey. Hagar raised his ax and swung down with all his might.

He connected right between the eyes of the Leucrotta. He'd expected to have caused some damage, but the monster's attack continued unphased.

Its front cloven hooves slammed into Hagar's shoulders and pinned him to the ground before it bit into his ax-wielding hand. It's razor-sharp teeth pierced through his flesh like a hot knife through butter. Tendons snapped, and bones cracked as the Leucrotta's jaws forced shut further upon his hand.

The Leucrotta began to swing its head side to side and tore Hagar's hand completely from his arm. Blood began to spray over the snow as the Leucrotta chewed its new toy briefly before spitting it out.

The beast looked in the grimacing Hagars eyes and spoke once more, "Tokusz uyx zi wxqalaioz rod zi nxue." It seemed to be in no rush and was reveling in their pain and anguish. Again, it opened its mouth and slowly lowered its head to bite another chunk out of Hagar's arm.