A certain heroic young boy had been walking through the forest south of town for quite some time, immersing himself in the greenery and taking in the fresh forest air, with his well maintained armor fitted perfectly upon him, and his greatsword along his back, ready to take on whatever it is the forest might bring him, just as he did rather frequently. 

And, also like usual, there were very few thoughts in his head, other than visions of great heroics, which usually involved either several impossible athletic feats or incredible violence. Sometimes, often times, really, both at once. It helped that he was quite good at both of those things. 

Today, however, he was distracted. Something was off about the woods today. Other than the fact that he didn't know the difference between 'forests' and 'woods', and mostly just thought they were interchangeable. And, in fairness, in everyday conversation, that's mostly true, unless you happen to be talking to a massive nerd. But that's not important right now, what was important was the fact that Michaus could tell that someone, other than him, of course, had been in the woods this day. Multiple someones, most likely. 

This was peculiar. There hadn't been any sign that anyone that he didn't know about had crossed the bridge in the past few days, and he knew that no one from town came out here at any point recently, other than himself. It could've been the new guys, as it's rather difficult to keep tabs on them, but he just got the feeling that wasn't the case. Though, he did feel that something about it was a little f-

A rustle from a tree nearby, just behind. 

"Who goes there?" He shouted, quickly turning around and readying his blade for combat with a quick flourish.  

He turned to find a tall, unfamiliar young man, probably in his mid-late twenties. They were messily shaven, and had the hair of a brigand. The look of one, too, what with all the natural bulk and equally bulky hide armor. They wore a small pack on their back, and a sword at their side. 

Michaus couldn't help but think they seemed a little familiar, though he couldn't place it. Maybe they'd visited town at some point? Who knows. 

Despite their looks, the man had a warm smile on their face, and non threateningly had their hands raised at chest height.

"Oh. I thought you were gonna be a girl, for some reason!" Michaus said, after taking a look at the man before him.

"A girl, eh? Can't say I've heard that in a while. 'Least, not with such confidence." The man joked, calmly.

"I can imagine!" Michaus said, putting his sword on his back once more, as he didn't feel the man posed a threat. "Sorry for threatening you, mister! Thought you might've been a bad guy!"  

"No harm done." The man said, putting their arms at rest. 

"Wait a minute, how'd you get out here? Nobody new crossed the bridge in ages!" 

"Oh, a... Friend of mine is a very good swimmer." The man explained.

"Good enough for ford the entire river?! That thing's, like... Huge!" Michaus is not very good at imagining scale.

"Well, he's... He's very good." 

"Well, he'd have do be! How'd he even do that? What, did he carry you on his back?" 

"Something like that." 

"Wow. That's really cool!" Michaus said, awestruck. He doesn't question things very much.

"I suppose it is." The man said, with a gentle laugh.

"Anyways, what's your name, guy?"

"Well, I've been called 'boss' so many times as of late I'm startin' to think that might be my name." The man said, looking a little distant.

"What's you're actual name, though?"

The man hesitated, just for a moment. "Branch." They said. 

"Cool! My name's Michaus! I'm a hero! So, why did you come over here? And where are the rest of you?"

"Oh, we're holed up in the ruins just over yonder. 'Cept for the guy I mentioned earlier, he's headin' out right about now." 

"The ruins, eh? I'd be careful if I were you, the golems or traps might come back any moment!" 

"Oh, I'm not too worried about that. My friends are quite capable."

"That's good! Well, I'll be heading there soon, I'll be sure to say hi!"

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you." The man said, starting his third thought in a row with 'oh.' "My friends are a little... Shy, we'll say. Though, I get the feeling you'll be meeting them soon enough."

"Oh, alright." Michaus said, a little disappointed. "Well! I'll be looking forward to it!"

"Right. Well, I think it's about time I get back to camp. I'd suggest you head back to town, yourself, young man." 

Michaus felt a chill run down his spine as he said that. This confused him, for about half a second, before he stopped caring about it. 

"Yup! I'll do that after I finish up here!" 

"I see. And, might I ask, what are you doing here, exactly?"

"Seeing if there's anything cool! Like, mad beasts or boars or something!" 

"Those common around here?"

"Surprisingly!"

"Huh. I'll be sure to keep an eye out. Well, I must be off, then. See you later, Michaus."

"Uhuh! Later, Branch!" Michaus said with an overly enthusiastic wave, before he turned around, and began walking in the same direction he was heading earlier.

"Later." The man said.

The man began to grin as Michaus made his way away from them. They barred their teeth, and reached an arm out towards Michaus. Energy of some sort began to coalesce in their hand, and, after a moment, something shot out of it, aimed directly at the boy.

Michaus simply continued walking forward, seemingly noticing nothing.

The man, with a short, satisfied laugh, began making his way back to camp.

"Not much longer now..." The man said to themself, and they sulked, inching closer and closer...