Citizen 1133 Zagreus

The Ancients needed offerings and only the best would be presented to them. As such, it was only natural that Zagreus took up the task. Many Rexes attempted to hunt the large beasts of the Dome, most returning injured and some returning as failures. Yet Zagreus was not afraid, he wasn’t even nervous. He would prove his skill and go beyond what any other could accomplish.

Taking a deep breath of the fresh forest air, Zagreus began his hunt early in the morning. The scents of many animals travelled on the wind but nothing stood out, there wasn’t anything nearby. Looking down, he brushed aside some grass to examine tracks in the dirt, only to be met with old markings left by small critters. Zagreus snorted, it would be a disgrace if he returned with mere songbirds or rabbits. He needed to return with something magnificent. He continued to walk onward, checking the grass for tracks and scent trails, for any creature that would be worth his time. His luck was poor and the dirt was dry as it crumbled under his steps, obscuring any remnants of the old tracks. As the sun crawled high in the sky, Zagreus had to search on with little guidance.

Stalking through the bushes, a flash of white caught the large Rex’s eyes. Against vibrant green leaves, its colour was unnatural, sharp and out of place amongst the darker tones. Zagreus crept towards it and his eyes widened as his gaze fell upon the beast.

Before him stood a magnificent albino stag, drinking from a stream. Lean muscle built the creature’s frame under a pelt of shimmering white fur and impressive antlers arched over its head, with the highest point peeking over its shoulders. Zageres could only imagine how many foolish hunters had met their doom on the ends of those spikes. Even so, he couldn’t see a single stain or scar on its body, though it must have battled other stags and predators to survive so long. Nothing marred its perfect fur and Zagreus was drawn towards the holy creature. A creature like this was an incredible find in the Dome, and almost impossible outside of it. The Rex smirked. Only because of the Dome, this creature could live without fear, yet it appeared to him during his hunt, when no other creature would reveal itself to him. Zagreus was chosen to show it terror.

He brushed against a thick bush, breaking the silence. The stag whirled around, flaring its nostrils, and lowered its head to level its antlers at the predator. Even against a Rex, the stag was bold and dug its hooves into the dirt to prepare to charge.

For all his strength, Zagreus was not ready to battle with the stag head on. His eyes glanced between the sharp prongs of the antlers, the strong legs and hard hooves, and the determined stance before he began to back away. He was no fool, taking the deer head on with little space to manoeuvre and dodge would be his doom. As he retreated into the bushes, the stag took the opportunity to turn and flee, bounding between the trees with speed and grace that Zagreus couldn’t help but admire.

The light fur glowed as it danced between the tree trunks, flickering in an out of existence. The Rex stood still, speechless, and stared long after the creature disappeared. That stag was his perfect prey. To bring back such a rare specimen, powerful and of holy beauty, would demonstrate his strength and his name would never be forgotten. The desire — no, the need to follow it tugged at his chest and demanded his attention. A smile pulled at his lips as he began to move. This would be his target.

The scent trail was winding, the stag never stayed in one place for long, but Zagreus followed it with relentless devotion. His persistence would pay off, he was certain of it. As he stalked the creature, he found tufts of its perfect fur caught in bushes. His heart would race whenever he thought he caught a glimpse of his stag but it would only be a trick of the light. Whilst flashes of sunlight, shining through the leaves, distracted him with false visions, the tufts guided him on the right path.

The longer he travelled, the more tense Zagreus became. No other stag would be enough to prove himself. He would claim this stag, the perfect albino that looked touched by the Ancients themselves. He would be the one to bring it down, he would not sully his name by bringing back a normal stag after seeing such a beauty. So, day and night, he pressed on, following the small tufts of fur for a hope that he would find his stag.

A full moon hung over the forest, illuminating a small clearing. His target had found an open and empty arena for their battle, and the trees beside Zagreus reached their branches towards the stag. It stood still with its head raised high, antlers framing the shining full moon, and stared at him as he approached. It knew he had been hunting it. Yet, even as Zagreus bared his teeth, it stood tall and stared down its snout at him. Zagreus resented that sneer. He was worthy of this kill. He would show his power to the beast that had taunted him for days, and prove himself to above the Ancients.

Zagreus rolled his shoulders and the scales down his spine bristled as he stepped forward. Standing to his full height, he began to circle the stag and the two great beasts began in step with one another around the space, never letting the other out of sight. The wind rustled through the branches and scattered leaves into the clearing. Only the sound of soft steps could be heard between them, the peaceful calm before the storm.

The Rex took one last look at the pure white of the stag’s fur. In the moonlight, the beast seemed to glow with unnatural beauty. The breeze ruffled its fur and revealed the pale skin underneath, unblemished by wounds or scars. Zagreus would be the first and last to mark its body. As clouds shrouded the moonlight, Zagreus took a deep breath and dug his claws into the dirt. This was his chance to show what he was capable of, he would not waste it.

His feet thundered on the ground as he dashed towards the stag. It lowered its head, prepared for a head on collision, when Zagreus darted to the side. Nimble on his feet, he dodged the sharp prongs and latched onto its shoulder, sinking his teeth into the flesh. One arm wrapped around its neck as he clung onto its body. Each claw drew long bloody lines into the white fur, staining it pink and red, as the stag flailed and bucked in his grip. Growing dizzy, Zagreus didn’t see the strong hooves coming down upon his tail. The sharp edge cut through his flesh and muscle from the power behind the strike, forcing him to let go with a cry of agony.

As Zagreus stumbled back, the deer planted its hooves, let out a furious snort and charged at the Rex, giving no time for the Rex to escape. Zagreus turned and cried out, a high and painful wail, as the prongs sunk deep into his shoulder and side. He roared as he shoved into the stag, even though the spikes pushed deeper, and knocked it off its feet. It bought the Rex time to step back, taking in a breath through his teeth, and escape the danger. He looked to his side at the puncture marks gushing blood and snarled, lashing his tail. He needed to end this fight, and soon, or he would bleed out and fail his mission.

As the deer struggled to get to its feet, Zagreus lunged again and leaped onto its back. He dug in with his claws on all fours and, even as the stag bucked again, he was too heavy to kick off. The stag wobbled and threw back its head. The tip of its antlers sliced over Zagreus’ face, leaving long grooves in his flesh that bled into his eyes. Agony and movement were all he could feel and he darted forward to sink his teeth into flesh. The stag stumbled as Zagreus leaned forward on its body and they both pitched forward into the dirt. He reached forth and grasped the deer as they fell, refusing to let go, until he felt a sickening crack under his palms and the deer went still.

Zagreus panted for breath as he laid on the ground. Agony stabbed through his body with every breath. He couldn’t see the deer through the blood over his eyes but he couldn’t hear it struggling anymore. He was victorious. He had proven himself, soon the Dome would see his power. With a groan, he pushed himself up, patting the ground around him to find the stag’s body. It was still beside him, warm but lifeless, and Zagreus smiled.

Standing tall on his hind legs, Zagreus wiped the blood away from his eyes to stare down at the stag’s body. He still marvelled at the majesty of it, at the strength visible throughout its body even in death, but the divine beauty was gone. The shimmering fur was stained in gore and mud and the fur was torn by brutal wounds. The stag with fur blessed by the Elder’s moon fell to his claws and teeth. He’d won, he’d killed the sacred deer. Zagreus scowled as he recalled his mission. His glorious kill was supposed to go to the Ancients, they wanted to take his victory. The meat would be useful and even the fur could be cleaned. And the antlers, the trophy of his success, they would take it all. Never , he would not let them take from him. They would only get his scraps.

As he stood over the body, the clouds freed the moon and its glow washed over the clearing once more. Zagreus shadow dwarfed the large stag and glinted off of his blood stained scales. He stood injured but victorious. When he returned with the body, he knew he would never be forgotten. The Dome would remember his name as a warning and he would be given the respect he deserved. His lips curved into a smile.

He would become a legend.

~ paradoxspir1t