Agent #47 and Agent #23 were grouped together at the edge of the clearing. They were carefully observing each movement of the Patriots. Due to their rigorous training, they were both experts at not making a sound. Every part of their body and movement was trained to be undetectable and silent. Their minds were conditioned to not be reactionary and to be emotionless. Each individual in the 73rd branch was bred and developed to be the ultimate soldier for covert missions.

The two agents noticed four other agents all positioned around the clearing in the woods. Their piercing eyes soaked up the mannerisms of the rebels and their ears memorized any intel they announced to one another. Everything was going to plan, nothing could go wrong. Especially if Agent Larisa was leading the mission. Or at least that was what Agent #47 thought.

10:53 PM Eastern Time, within the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Agent #23 reported to his partner that he heard voices southeast of the convergence point. No agent was able to identify whether these voices came from the Patriots or a foreign source. Due to Agent Larisa's instructions, no agent further investigated. The mission carried on.

11:02 PM Eastern Time, panic ensued within the Patriot's camp. According to a report from Agent #47, the Patriots identified a creature that is referred to as The Smiling Stag. The agents of the 73rd Branch maintained position, but prepared to retreat in hopes of not being identified within the chaos.

11:07 PM Eastern Time, Kinsey Ryder, code named The Scout, exits the camp in search of any outside enemies. The Agents assume a retreat formation and hide amongst the trees. Agent #47 follows Agent #23 behind a fallen tree and awaits orders from Agent Larisa. What has been recorded after is classified and only for the eyes of Agent #13. Some parts have been redacted.

"Agent #23... do you have a read on Larisa's position yet?"

"No. But I have a visual on Agent #54 and Agent Sickle." Both of the Agents were only 15 yards away from their comrades. In the dark it was hard to identify their status, but they seemed safe for the time being. No agent would dare make a sound, but hand signs were used to communicate messages.

Agent #47 rose his hand to get their attention. Agent Sickle responded in kind. Agent #47 responded with the common signal that indicates safety. Agent Sickle did the same, but as soon as he raised his hand, a figure dropped from the tree right above him. The silhouette moved at such a quick speed that it was hard to identify its characteristics. The predator quickly subdued and neutralized both Agent #54 and Agent Sickle. After the killing blow was dealt on both agents, the target retreated back into the woods by climbing up a nearby tree. Both Agent #23 and Agent #47 retreated in horror. The only conclusion they could make was that the shadowy individual had to have been The Scout, and they were not in a position to overtake him.

Paul reeled back into his tent as people sprinted around the camp in mass hysteria. He was hoping to find Juniper there, but he was nowhere to be seen. Kristoff bumped into him while he was exiting his tent.

"Oye! Paul, have you seen that young man, Juniper, anywhere?" Paul shook his head. He most likely was getting ready to fight a bipedal demon deer but he didn't want to freak out Kristoff. Kristoff grunted and continued to walk around while barking orders at people. Paul knew how Juniper would react to a situation like this, and it was dangerous. His "don't care" attitude probably is leading him to jump headlong into battle. On top of that, Paul couldn't find Arthur to save his life. Arthur is a little more measured and tactical in his approach to these situations, so that made Paul feel better.

Paul finally found Juniper, he was loading a rifle with shells by the supply tent.

"Are you really going out there? Kinsey said to avoid those things like the plague." Juniper looked up at Paul and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah... keep on ignoring them until they're eating you alive? I'd prefer to not get eaten, Paul." Juniper then threw a gun at Paul. "Load it up, we have some eldritch monsters to kill." Despite Paul's hesitation and overwhelming anxiety, he slowly loaded up his gun with shaking fingers. Paul then threw the gun strap over his shoulder and slowly followed Juniper into the woods. Juniper looked back at Paul and motioned him to be silent.

The deeper they got into the woods, the more rustling they heard. Paul hoped with every fiber in his being that it was Kinsey. Suddenly Juniper raised his hand and both of them halted. Juniper quickly hid behind a tree and pointed in the direction of a dark figure in the distance. Paul looked and noticed it as well. His initial thought was that it was Kinsey, but to his horror a second figure stood up next to the other. They did not appear to resemble a deer-like creature. Were they inquisitors possibly? It couldn't be? Ramsey said that we lost them.

Before either of Juniper or Paul could react, a creature as fast as the wind and silent as the night sky dashed from a bush at full sprint. It sprinted in the direction of the two figures in the distance. Paul could clearly make out antlers protruding from the creature's skull. Fear struck Paul in the deepest recesses of his heart, he couldn't move. The creature swept up one of the inquisitors in its arms in one swift motion and disappeared into the woods. The inquisitor's screams could be heard in the distance until it finally stopped.

Paul couldn't believe his eyes. What horrible creature could move that fast and without notice. Are more of those creatures around? Will Paul even see it coming when he gets snatched up? What happened to the inquisitor? Paul eventually freaked out and started frantically hitting Juniper's arm. He started saying retreat underneath his breath but Juniper motioned him to stop. He mouthed "bait" as he trained his gun at the other guard who had no idea what had just happened.

Sure enough, another smiling stag appeared from out of a bush. It walked on all fours until it started running. It was as if when it ran on two legs it was going into a second gear. Juniper calmly followed the creature with the barrel of the gun, and took the shot. Immediately the stag crumpled to the ground. The inquisitor disappeared into the woods as soon as the shot was fired. Juniper told Paul to stay still as he got up and carefully approached the dead creature. Juniper stood over the unholy animal with his mouth agape, Paul couldn't get a good glimpse of what it looked like. But Juniper's reaction told him everything he needed to know.

To Paul's relief, Kinsey also appeared from the depths of the woods and met up with Juniper. Paul could hear their voices from afar.

"Your name is Juniper, innit."

"Yes it is, you're Kinsey, right?"

"Yes I am, in case you wanted to tango, we are currently surrounded by multiple Inquisitors, 13 alive, two definitely dead, and one stolen by one of the stags as you just saw. As for the stags, I was able to identify three of them, I'd imagine they are closing in on us as we speak. The Inquisitors are regrouping 70 yards south. I need you to kill as many of those inquisitor bastards as you can, I'll deal with these devils." Juniper nodded his head after Kinsey finished talking. Kinsey was impressed by Juniper's lack of fear. All of the sudden they heard a noise from a nearby bush. Both Kinsey and Juniper put their backs to one another. Kinsey straightened his cowboy hat and laughed out loud.

"Juniper!! From one man of action to another, let's go kick some ass!" They both sprinted in opposite directions. Paul couldn't help but be awestruck at the lack of fear from both Kinsey and Juniper. A surge of courage rushed through Paul's veins as he got up and closely followed Juniper. He decided he would back him up.

As Paul rushed through the woods, he observed Kinsey from afar. He wasn't trying to fight the stag's, he was more so doing his best to avoid them. The creatures moved with unnatural speed and agility. Kinsey was definitely outclassed, yet he effortlessly avoided their strikes. If anyone could escape a Smiling Stag, it would be Kinsey.

Paul tore through the woods, praying that the stags would stay occupied with Kinsey. He could barely see Juniper in the distance but stayed in position nevertheless. Finally, Juniper came to a halt. Paul could hear voices from afar. He assumed it was the inquisitors. It was a woman addressing everyone, Paul assumed she was the one leading the mission.

"We have three recorded deaths. We have no information on the nature of the creatures with antlers, and The Scout is probably tracking us as we speak. This mission is now deemed an outright failure. We will return to our base and reassess the situation. Agent #13 must know what we are dealing with immediately." No one objected to her orders. Suddenly, another voice spoke up.

"Agent Larisa, what should we do about the boy who is watching us right now. He's armed." Paul's heart sank. How did they see him? The woman inquisitor responded with a despondent voice.

"Seize him." Juniper started firing his rifle immediately but two guards jumped from a tree above him and knocked him out with a swift blow to the back of the head.