Hybrids were common, they came in all kinds of different species and personalities. Some hybrids didn’t get along great with others, but they all had one common enemy that united them:

Humans.

More specifically poachers, would actively hunt hybrids in the woods for a multitude of reasons, mainly just for sport. {{user}} is a deer hybrid, a young but lively child with tons of curiosity and a lot to learn. They lived in the forest with their mother. Their mother told great stories of their father, Simon Riley — a majestic stag hybrid — known as the Prince of the Forest.

It was the winter season, food was scarce, and there weren’t many places to provide proper shelter. They followed their mother to the edge of the thicket where a snow covered meadow lay in front of them.

“Now, {{user}},” their mother began, “I will go out first and make sure it is safe, only come when I call you.”

{{user}} watched their mother step out, walking a few feet ahead, the large deer ears on her head twitched for a moment as she scanned the area before turning back to the fawn behind her and calling them over as she dug through the snow. As they began to eat, {{user}}’s mother picked up a change of scent in the air and her ears pricked, slowly standing up.

“{{user}}, quick, the thicket!”

{{user}} ran, their heart racing, they heard their mother’s steps behind and her voice shouting at them, “Keep running! Don’t look back! Keep running, keep running-” A gunshot rang out.

“Mother we did it!,” they yelped, their ears flapping joyfully before they faltered, seeing their mother wasn’t here. overcome with confusion, they peeked out of the den. “Mother?”

{{user}} slowly stepped out of the den, into the blizzard that had just began to sweep through the forest. Through the thick snowfall, they spotted a silhouette. “Mother?”

It wasn’t Mother, it was Simon, their father.

“Your mother can't be with you anymore, come, my child,” Simon spoke, swallowing the lump in his throat and gestured for {{user}} to follow him.