Part 1: The Running Boy

"How could this happen to me?"

In the deep forest far away, a young boy was being chased by a wolf. The boy was so frantically running away from the ferocious beast that he didn't realize he was going deeper into the woods.

Eventually, the boy became exhausted from all the running and the wolf's front paws almost touched the boy's back. Suddenly, with a rustling sound, a little deer jumped out of a bush in front of them.

Surprisingly, the deer's eyes were golden.

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Part 2: The Boy's Morning

A long, long time ago, near the border of a kingdom, there was a forest called as the "Maze Forest".

The villagers were afraid to go near the place because a lot of people who went into the forest for hunting or to get some wood often got lost in the forest or went missing.

One fine spring day, a boy moved to a village near the forest. His dream was to be a novelist. A few day later, he took a walk around the village and then he saw the forest. Without knowing the danger, he went into the woods to get inspiration for his writing. Unfortunately, he stepped on the tail of a wolf who was sleeping in a bush while looking around the beautiful forest.

The wolf yelped in pain and the boy started to run, startled by the sound. The wolf became furious at the boy who disturbed his sleep and started to chase the boy. The boy ran for his life, but he got exhausted and the wolf almost caught him. Suddenly, a deer with golden eyes appeared and surprisingly, it shouted to the boy in human language.

"This way!"

The boy was surprised to see a talking deer but decided to follow her to get away from the wolf.

At that moment, another deer, a little bit smaller than the first one, came out of the bush and stopped in front of the wolf. Because the smaller deer stopped the wolf, the boy and the golden-eyes deer could escape from the wolf.

The boy was very confused and worried about the little deer, so he kept looking back while running. The golden-eyes deer saw this and told him.

"My sister's fine! She may be scolded but it'll be fine!"

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Part 3: The Special Flower Garden

Meanwhile, the wolf was scolding the little deer who blocked his way. Instead of attacking her with his sharp teeth, he snarled at her.

"Why did you stop me? I've lost him because of you!"

"I'm sorry, Mr Wolf. I was just following my older sister. She suddenly started running."

While the wolf and the younger deer were having these conversations, the boy and the elder deer successfully moved away from them. They kept moving for some time until they found a safe place.

The boy sat down to calm his mind. Then he lifted his head and looked around. He was surrounded by flowers that he has never seen before. The colors of the flowers were very mysterious.

He couldn't understand where this place was and who the deer next to him was. When he opened his mouth to ask questions, he saw a glimpse of the wolf's shadow.

The elder deer saw it too. She hurriedly picked a golden flower and touch the boy's head with it. Suddenly, with a golden light, the boy turned into a small deer.

The wolf's shadow came closer and stopped in front of the elder deer. Also, the younger deer came after the wolf. The wolf asked the elder deer, looking very angry.

"Where is the human you helped escape?"

Both the elder deer and the younger deer shook their heads without speaking.

"You know the rules. Any human who enters the forest must be trapped inside the maze."
"I'm going to tell your mother about this. She is the keeper of this forest."

After the wolf went away, the deer sisters looked at the boy who turned into a deer, then looked at each other heaving a sigh of releif.

"Phew! That was a close one."

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Part 4: Flor, Lumen and Venny

Once the boy was out of danger, he began to realize how bizarre this situation was. Speaking animals, a flower that turns a human into a deer... He wondered if it was all a dream.

The elder deer led the boy out of the deep woods and to a sunlit lake located near the entrance of the forest then began telling him her story.

To calm the confused boy, the elder deer turned the boy to his human form again. And the sisters turned themselves into their human forms too. The elder sister explained where this place was and who they were to the boy.

"Our mom takes care of the God's flower garden. We're her daughters."
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced. I'm Flor, the daughter of the forest keeper and this little girl here is my younger sister Lumen."

The boy felt nervous because her introduction sounded like something that would only exist in novels. However, her kind attitude and bright smile calmed him down.

"Thanks for helping me. I'm Venny. My dream is to become a writer."

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Part 5: The Promise

When they were introducing each other, a voice cut in from behind. It was the younger sister Lumen, who blocked the wolf's way.

"Sister. You do realize how serious this is, huh? You picked the flower without permission and moreover, you used it for a human!"

What Flor has done was irrevocable. She looked at the boy and said earnestly.

"Venny! Promise not to tell anyone about this forest and about us. Can you do that?"

"Of course! You save my life. I will never tell anybody!"

Lumen wasn't happy about this but she decided to follow her older sister's decision.

"If you break your promise, I will kick your ass."

With Lumen's cute threat, the three of them promised to keep their secret. The sisters showed the way out of the forest.

Before they parted, Venny said to Flor wistfully.

"Could we meet again?"

After a moment of hesitation, Flor answered.

"When the sun is the highest in the sky, wait for me by the lake where we talked."

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Part 6: The Forest's Rule

After having such a dreamlike day, the boy returned home safely. However, what was waiting for the sisters when they returned home was the mother deer's scolding.

"Flor! Lumen! What you did today should never have happened. Don't you know we're supposed to protect the God's flower garden? Especially you, Flor. I know you've always had an interest in humans but this is too far. You not only picked the God's flower but you also dragged your sister into this."

"But mother! He didn't hurt animals in the woods or do any harm to the forest. Besides, he was too young to be trapped in the maze."

Even though the mother deer was very angry, the girls has a point. She didn't know what to do.

She thought, however, if she treat her daughters leniently, the God may become angry and punish the girls even more severely. So the mother deer decided with a heavy heart to make the sisters go into a long hibernation.

Lumen complained but the mother held both of them responsible. So Flor and Lumen fell into a deep slumber.

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Part 7: Waiting

The next day, the boy went to the lake to meet Flor and Lumen again. He waited until the sun went down. However, the sisters didn't show up.

The same thing happened the next day and the next day. The time flew by and the season has changed. The trees shed leaves and it became winter. However, the girls still didn't show up.

At the frozen lake, he thought about the dreamlike day he had and started to write down his memories.

His hands moved fast before he knew it. By the time he lifted his head, a beautiful fairy tale was completed. Wiping the snow off his shoulders, he said.

"Gosh, is that the time already? I'd better go home."

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Part 8: Venny's Cousins

A few years have passed. One day, two of Venny's cousins visited his house. They were brothers running a book publisher.

"Hi, Venny. It's been a while. We were on our way to the train station to go to town and thought we would stop by to say hello."

Venny greeted his cousins cheerfully. After ushering them to the living room, he went into the kitchen to make tea for the guests.

While Venny was busy with making tea, the younger cousin looked around the living room. Soon, he found a worn out notebook in the corner of a bookshelf.

"What an old notebook."

A few moments later, the younger cousin said excitedly, holding the notebook over his head.

"Hey, brother! You should read this! I wonder why Venny kept this to himself. I knew he was talented in writing but this story is really amazing."

When Venny entered the living room, carrying a tray of tea, he was very surprised to see his cousin holding the notebook. The story written in the notebook was supposed to be a secret.

"No, no, not that one! It's just something that I wrote ages ago. It's not worth reading."

"What are you talking about? It's a great story! Come on, don't be so modest!"

Venny took the notebook away from the cousin and put it in his drawer. After that, they had a good time talking and drinking tea. When time to catch the train came, the two cousins left the boy's house.

In the train going to town, the younger cousin took an old notebook out of his inside jacket pocket. It was Venny's notebook.

"Brother! You must read this. Don't worry about Venny. I'll apologize to him later."

He handed the notebook over to his older brother. The elder brother read the quietly.

"This could be published with just a few touch-up!"

The brothers believed the story in Venny's notebook would make a good book and he will be thankful for this.

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Part 9: The Broken Promise

Later, in the early hours of the morning, Venny's house was full of noises. The loudest sound was the voice of the elder cousin.

"Your book is the most popular bestseller in the city! And you're the famous author now! What on earth is the problem?"

From the cousin's point of view, it was with good intentions that he published the book and the result was successful. However, things were different for Venny.

Venny yelled, slamming his fist on the desk.

"I promised not to tell this story to anyone!"

Venny took his notebook out of the cousin's hand and ran out of the house. For a while, he kept walking absentmindedly in silence. Then he naturally turned his steps toward the lake where he met the girls.

'I won't be able to meet them even if I go there. But still, I want to apologize.'

He headed to the lake in the forest. When he arrived, the sun was shining beautifully on the lake. Venny stared at the water, lost in thought. After some time, he was surprised to hear someone call his name with a gentle voice.

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Part 10: The Place by the Lake

"It's been a while, Venny."

When Venny turned around, he found a beautiful girl in front of him. Even though she looked different than before, he knew it was Flor right away because of her vivid amber eyes.

It felt like he went back to his childhood. He had a mixture of emotion - joy, guilt, longing - when he ran toward her.

The two of them had a long chat and told each other how they have been these past years. Flor apologized and explained to Venny why she couldn't come to the lake that day.

Upon realizing that Flor was punished because of him, Venny couldn't tell her that he broke the promise that he made. He was afraid that it would get her into trouble once again because of his irresponsible behavior and this time, she might get serious punishment.

Also, he was afraid that if that happened, she might blame Venny and end up hating him. During the chat with Flor, Venny tried to tell her the truth a few times, but failed to do so. The time has come for them to say goodbye.

"It was nice to see you today, Venny. Can I see you again tomorrow at this place?"

"Sure!"

"Then meet me here this time tomorrow. It's late, I'll walk you to the village."

"Nah, it's fine. I know the way home from the lake. I will walk you home."

Flor smiled brightly and said goodbye, promising to meet the boy again the following day. When she was out of sight, Venny plunked himself down on the stump by the lake.

He regretted not telling the truth but he was so happy and thrilled to meet her again that he went back home without realizing he left his notebook behind.

Not long after the boy left the lake, a shadow of a deer moved toward the stump on which the boy sat.

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Part 11: Lumen's Concern

As Flor and Venny continued to meet together, they grew fond of each other. And Lumen was there watching them.

One day, Lumen said to her older sister Flor.

"Please don't tell me you're in love with a human."

Flor said with a gentle smile.

"Maybe I am."

Upon hearing this, Lumen took out a notebook she picked up from a stump by the lake a few week ago.

"The day you met the guy again, he accidently dropped this under a stump before leaving. I don't know why he wrote the secret of our forest in the notebook. But the thing is, he broke the promise he made with us."

Flor opened the battered notebook and slowly read the words writen inside. The well writen story was undoubtedly about that day. The day he promised not to tell anyone.

Flor shed tears, felling betrayed. She didn't want to read it anymore but as she continued to read the story page by page and line by line, she couild feel how he sincerely he longed to meet her again.

Then she remembered that Venny looked like he has something on his mind everytime they met. After a moment of thought, she said to Lumen.

"I don't think he did it on purpose. Venny probably missed the chance to apologize to us. Let's give him some credit."

Flor's answer made Lumen angry.

"I don't want to be punished again because of him."

"Lumen!"

Lumen turned into a deer and started running. Flor tried to chase after her but couldn't catch up with her litte sister who was faster than Flor.

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Part 12: To the Human Village

Lumen ran to the mother deer who was the forest keeper and told her that Flor and Venny were together.

The mother deer felt hugely disappointed and betrayed. Soon, Flor arrived and the mother deer asked sharply.

"It is true that you fell in love with a human?"

Lumen hoped her sister would say no even if it was a lie and give up the boy. However, Flor didn't want to hide her feelings or lie to her mother.

Flor explained what was happened so far to her mother and said the boy became a special person to her. Upon hearing this, the mother deer wanted to shout at her daughter but she changed her mind.

"It's not to late to make a better decision."

"I will love him again even in another life."

The mother deer wanted to change her daughter's mind but she looked so serious and resolute that the mother deer thought trying to persuading her was useless.

"My daughter! As a keeper of this forest, I can't let someone who is a potential danger live in this forest."
"You must either give up the boy or leave the forest."

Flor remained silent, deep in thought. The next evening, Flor quietly left her beloved hometown and headed towards the human village.

Lumen wished Flor would stay in the forest. She felt like it was her fault that Flor left the forest. However, there was no turning back.

As she was out of the forest now, Flor could no longer turn into a deer. She walked all night to meet Venny. Finally, she saw a light in the distance. It was a human village.

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Part 13: The Reunion

Flor entered the village and asked people for directions until she finally found Venny's house.

Venny was surprised by this unexpected visit. After listening to Flor's explaination, he was so ashamed that he couldn't raise his head. It was his fault that she left her hometown. He had nothing to say but sorry. Looking at her lonesome golden eyes, he dicided to protect her by her side from now on.

Several days have passed, Venny was happy to be with Flor. Flor was happy too but her eyes looked sad somehow.

Venny felt sorry for her. To cheer her up, he suggested going to a flower festival being held in the city. Flor loved flowers.

It was the first time that Flor visited a city. The city was full of energy and the people at the festival looked all excited. Flor and Venny enjoyed viewing beautiful flowers from all over the country. Flor comforted by this.

"Such beautiful flowers. Looking at them makes me feel happy."

Looking at her purely enjoying herself, Venny said decisively.

"Let's grow flowers and stay together forever."

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Part 14: The New Start

The two of them went back to the village and prepared to open a flower shop in the town. Before leaving to the town, Flor contacted her sister Lumen. Even though she was expelled from the forest, she wanted to say goodbye to her family.

"Hi, Lumen. It's been a while."

Lumen was standing at the entrance of the forest.

"I still don't get it."

"You will understand one day when you fall in love."

Lumen said with her eyes full of tears.

"When are you coming back?"

"I'm not sure. But I will come visit at least once or twice a year. And my letters will be delivered to here at the entrance of the forest. I've asked the postman."

When Flor was about to leave, Lumen said quietly.

"Mom's starting to think that she was too harsh on you. You may be allowed back in the forest if you persuade her."

Flor said, shaking her head.

"I'll write you letters."

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Part 15: The Letter from Flor

After some time, Lumen received a letter and some gifts from Flor. The letter described her city life in details.

Flor was going to open a flower shop on a main street overlooking a nice little river and she was enjoying her city life with Venny very much. The rest of the letter went on and on like this. At the end of the letter, Flor said it would be nice if her beloved sister Lumen could come and see the beautiful flowers that Flor grew.

Lumen thought if she should go or not and talked to her mother about this. The mother deer allowed Lumen to go as she was worried about Flor and wanted to know how she was doing in the city.

Lumen was so happy at the thought of meeting her big sister again after a long time. She put on the clothes and shoes that Flor sent to her as a gift and headed towards the city.

When Lumen arrived at the city and entered a small plaza in front of the train station, she could see her dear sister waiting for her. They hugged each other excitedly.

"I've missed you, sister!"

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Part 16: Hello and Goodbye

Flor and Venny showed Lumen around the city and the flowers they grew together. Lumen was really glad to see her sister was happy.

The two sisters had a great time together. They spent a couple of days drinking tea, viewing the city at night and buying gifts for other sisters.

The time went by quickly and it was time for Lumen to go back to the forest. In the plaza in front of the train station, Flor, Lumen and Venny were saying goodbye with a heavy heart.

"Lumen! Take care. Let's meet again soon."

"I'm relieved to see you happy. I wanted to apologize for making you leave the forest."

"Don't be sorry. I'm happy here with Venny." said Flor, holding Venny's hand gently with a happy smile on her face.

When Lumen went up the stairs and turned around to wave her hands at the couple, someone yelled loudly.

"WATCH OUT!! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!"

It was the horseman who was riding the carriage. He shouted because one of the wheels of the carriage suddenly fell off and it change the carriage's direction. The carriage came towards Flor very quickly.

The horseman tried to stop the carriage but he couldn't calm the scared horses. Flor saw the carriage coming towards her but she couldn't move her body. At that moment, Venny held her tightly in his arms.

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Part 17: Epilogue

Lumen came back to the forest and told eveything that happened in the city to her mother.

The eyes of the mother deer who always had to be stern as a forest keeper, becane red and watery. She had been feeling sorry for her daughter so far and could not hold back her tears now.

The sad news spread over the forest. The mother deer, Flor's sisters and the animals in the forest gathered to memorialize Flor. Everyone felt the same way about Flor.

"Flor! We were lucky to know you."

And the mother deer prayed to God, regretting not accepting her daughter's feelings earlier.

May my child be with the man she loved in another life...

At that moment, as if it was God's answer, countless comets fell from the sky.

- To be continued in another story-