Nathan was awoken by pain from his stomach and his body feeling like a pack of ice. He got up from the ground and rushed outside of his shelter. He stumbled forward before puking up all the content of his stomach. Nathan felt cold and lightheaded like someone had been slowly sapping what energy he had left since the day before. He could see that his hands had turned red over the night and his lips felt swollen. The young man slowly made it back to his shelter and sat down, holding his stomach. It felt like someone was playing with his intestines like they were strings on a banjo and Nathan could only let out a whimper in pain. He rested for a couple of minutes before he slowly pulled himself up, his blurry gaze sweeping over the clearing. It seemed to be early morning, as the sun was rising in the east and there were still embers left of his campfire. His legs felt like they were made from lead and his head had gone beyond the clouds. He got out of the shelter and took some very wobbly steps towards the river, almost tripping several times. His chest felt hollow and his arms burned, only making his already shallow breathing worse. Nathan managed to drag himself to the water's edge after a few minutes of stumbling and he started to drink as a man possessed. Then cold water soothed his stomach ache slightly and it helped him focus on his surroundings a bit more.

"I am going to die out here..." Nathan mumbled before cupping his hands to drink more water.

What would Isabella tell him to do? She likely would have told him to find some better shelter and people who could cure his sickness. But there were no other people around and Nathan hadn't seen a single building for miles. The only thing of note he had seen was a dragon, and that alone told him there was no big city nearby. There may not even be people in this new strange world. Even if Nathan tried to find others he couldn't even go looking for signs of civilization. He still had a hard time moving his legs and even now he felt like the world was moving more slowly in his peripheral. It was with great effort he dragged himself back to the shelter and his smoldering fireplace, the embers crackling and flying into the sky. He needed to put more fuel on the fire eventually before it burned out completely, but right now he felt too much like a sick dog to do anything. Before Nathan knew it he was passed out on the floor of his shelter, his breathing shallow.

When Nathan woke up it was late in the afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and the summer warmth spread across his shivering body. His stomach grumbled and stabbed at his innards, not unlike a dagger digging out a pit in his flesh. He curled up into a ball and nausea hit him. He gagged for a few seconds before being breathed heavily, tears running down his face. He tried to sit up but all his muscles felt like they were made off-air. Whatever had been in those berries were killing him, slowly but surely. He needed to get hold of food soon or he wouldn't even be able to wake up the next time he fell asleep.

He looked at the charred remains of his campfire and crawled towards it. There were some tiny red spots left in the ashes and he grabbed a bundle of sticks. Nathan breathed hard, the muscles in his arm tensing as he brought the firewood over to the campfire. He put it down with a huff, laughing pitifully at himself as he tried to sit up. He moaned and groaned, but eventually, he sat upright and started blowing gently on the embers. Grey ash flew up into the sky but Nathan could clearly see the remaining heat slowly feeding on the new wood. He continued blowing on the embers and more grey ashes flew up into the sky, some of it getting caught in his long hair. Nathan was ready to give up when a small flame erupted from the sticks and a small smile graced his pale face. He held out his numb hands over the small flame and shuddered as the warmth spread across his frozen limbs.

Not even the summer sun warmed him as much as his little campfire.

Nathan spent the coming hours working himself ragged. His hands and feet wanted nothing but burying themselves in the dirt and his head had a hard time standing straight on his shoulders like he was a mannequin with limbs made from stone. But thanks to his hard labor he had a decent sized pile of branches and sticks by the time the sun fell on the horizon. As he had dragged himself through the trees and undergrowth to find firewood Nathan had also picked up several mushrooms. He sat by the fire and rubbed his new food source against the skin on his arm, hoping that they would also turn red like his hands if the shrooms were toxic. After he had waited for an hour he couldn't help himself and he put most of the mushrooms on a stick and cooked them over the fire. He gagged at first at the horrid smell they gave off and his stomach lurched, but he had nothing left to puke up. After a few minutes of cooking, Nathan pulled back his stick and sniffed the mushrooms. They had lost most of the gag-inducing smell and some of them even smelled good. His stomach grumbled and he licked his lips as his fingers tentatively grabbed one of the warm shrooms. Nathan almost dropped it from how hot it was, but he quickly blew at it until it cooled down somewhat. After he was certain it wouldn't give him any third-degree burns the young man simply tossed the thing into his mouth.

"Oh that's good," he moaned and chewed on the spongy thing with glee.

He had never starved before in his entire life, nor had his stomach ever rebelled against him as it had a few hours prior. But he knew he never wanted to go hungry again, and barely a day had passed without him finding proper food. Would he even last more than a couple of days if this continued? Nathan stopped mid-chew and looked around the clearing for any signs of animals or more mushrooms. If he could kill another rabbit and somehow skin it then maybe he wouldn't starve. With the mushrooms and clean water, he could last a couple of days, hopefully. But he desperately needed meat, so it seemed he would be forced to learn how to hunt.

After finishing his meal Nathan grabbed one of the thicker sticks he'd collected and looked it over. He grabbed a rock and began to whack it against the end of the stick, the wood splintering. He sat hunched over his work, focused on the task before him. He continued to beat the stone against the stick until he started to see it be sharpened. The teen would burrow the stick into the ground before he pulled it out. The easier it slipped into the soil the sharper it was. So he continued working, eventually getting a stick with a sharp end. He would rise from his seated position and grin, eyes sparkling. Nathan would jab the stick into the air, testing it. While it wouldn't be a weapon against a wolf or bear, he had now had a spear. Now he could try to fish in the river.

The teen would drag himself over to the water and seat himself by the edge of the water. He would remove his shoes and stick his feet into the water. Nathan pulled his feet back and swore, he hadn't expected the cold feeling of the water. He had hoped on something more akin to a warm spring, not an ice bath. With a mutter, the teen would walk into the water, and look around. Most of the fishes he saw were too small to be eaten, but there was one fish that seemed large enough to sustain him for a while. It held blue scales that shimmered in the sunlight and its eyes were focused upon his feet. The animal swam closer before swiftly turning around, hiding between some rocks. The fish would repeat this pattern, retreating to the rocks whenever it got close. Nathan was frozen like a statue, arms raised above his head, spear pointing at the creature. He took a step closer and the fish was spooked, twisting its body and furiously beating its tail-fin. It returned to the rocks and waited. Its glistening jelly eyes seemed to stare right through him, the fish openings mouth and releasing a few bubbles. Nathan remained still as he waited for it to move once more, shuddering slightly as the water pooled around his feet.

"I am really hungry... Come here little guy..." he called, green eyes locked onto the fish.

Slowly the animal started swimming back, wanting to repeat its pattern. The young man took this as his chance to strike, bringing down the spear upon the fish. He burrowed the spear right next to the fish and it swam away in fear, this time fleeing down the river.

"Shit..."

Nathan would stick around for a while longer, waiting for the fish to return or for a new one to appear. But there was no new prey that fell into his lap. So the teen made his way back to his shelter and put away the spear. The heat from the sun was burning his neck and making a thin layer of sweat stick to his body. The young man would wipe his forehead before he sat down onto the grass, looking around his shelter. Nathan would sigh and fall back into the grass, looking up at the blue sky. The wind cooled his body and the birdsong made him smile, yet there was no food and no real protection. He didn't know what he could do to survive out in the woods. Perhaps he could wander until he found better shelter, but that could take him several days of walking in random directions. He would much rather be close to water than have a cave or something similar to sleep in.

With a sigh, Nathan would stand up and look around. He was gonna have to live off caps for now. In time his skills with catching fishers would get better and maybe he even would be able to catch one of those hares and cook it. His mouth watered as he thought about the juicy meat of the rabbit. It didn't matter that he didn't actually know how to skin it or which parts were edible, he just wanted its meat so badly. Nathan would grab his spear once more, look towards the river, and head back once more.

He needed to try again.

The coming tow days were filled with the same routine. Nathan would look around in the woods for animals he could kill, either finding nothing or being to slow to catch an animal. When his attempts at hunting failed he tried spear-fishing. He would never be quick enough to catch any of the larger fishes. Small fishes that were barely larger than his hand became his only source of meat, and they didn't stave off the hunger. The mushrooms didn't make him sick as the berries had, and by then the worst pain had gone away. But he still didn't eat enough to curb the hunger. As he laid on his back trying to sleep it gnawed in his side, demanding more food. Nathan was certain it would slowly drive him mad. The constant awareness of just how empty his stomach felt. The loneliness that became more and more apparent the longer he spent time in the forest.

It was during his fourth night in the woods that he was certain he'd gone mad. It sounded like people talking in the distance, and the constant howling of a wolf made him scrounge his eyes shut and cover his ears. Yet, the sounds didn't fade. If he looked outside his shelter into the night sky he could see the moon's soft light covered by a stream of smoke. The sounds were faint, but he was almost certain that there were people nearby. The fireplace outside the shelter was still glowing softly, providing some light. Nathan would crawl out of his makeshift home, clothes covered in dirt, and stumble in the direction of the sounds. He walked for a few minutes, being forced to lean on trees to not fall. Nathan was very tired, and his green eyes seemed to have a hard time staying open.

It was at this point he heard the crackling of firewood and saw a soft orange light among the trees. Nathan would hunch down and sneak forward, the light growing ever stronger. The voices grew in strength as well, one distinctly female and the other being male. Finally, Nathan would reach the source of the sound. The teen hid behind some bushes and slowly peeked over them, his eyes widening. No, he had gone mad. The sight before him made no sense in anything but a fever dream. Maybe those mushrooms had been bad after all. Because the sight before him made no sense. He had seen a dragon a few days prior, but this?...

"Can you not just make it shut up?" asked a small pastel-colored horse, dressed in thick cloth.

"Do you want me to break its jaw? I don't have anything to keep its mouth shut," A griffin responded, he too dressed in thick pieces of cloth.

A wolf cub was in between them, locked away in a metal cage.

Nathaniel looked at it all with stunning realization. They were talking, like people. These two were having a conversation like everything was completely normal. He felt like his chest rose faster and faster, slowly backing away. He needed to get away, he needed to-

"Is the food ready yet?"

He froze in the middle of a step. He looked towards their fire and now he noticed a small pot hanging from a stick above it. Whatever was in it smelled divine. Nathan watched as the griffin picked up the lid and stirred what looked to be stew within the pot. The griffin picked up the ladle, brought it to his beak, and tasted it. Now when the griffin stood right next to the fire Nathan could admire his black and brown feathers, mixing together to create a beautiful pattern. The horse was a very unnatural color, however, having shades of purple in its coat. Nathan watched them both, waiting for them to grab a bowl and fill it with food. The wolf cub howled, promoting the mare to kick its cage.

"Quiet! For the love of Celestia, I am so tired of hearing that thing complaining! If it continues I WILL kill it," she grumbled.

"It is a dire wolf for crying out loud! Do you know how much that little guy will sell for among Canterlot's nobles? Think about all those bits and those sounds become all the more pleasurable!" the griffin laughed and ate his stew.

"Oh, you're horrible," she said with a grin and started eating herself.

Nathan just silently watched. He got eye contact with the wolf for a second, the small cub whimpering and pawing at its cage. It was a pitiful display of weakness, and the human wouldn't lie and say it didn't make him feel something. His heart ached a bit as he looked at the little thing struggle against the confines of its cage, biting and pushing against the locked doors.

But he was here for other reasons.

Nathan would continue watching from the bushes as the horse and griffin continued to jest and annoy one another. Eventually, they would lay down to sleep. The wolf cub had given up at this point, only whining ever so often. Nathan would leave his hiding spot, crouching low. He took a gentle step forward, letting the moonlight and the remnants of the fire light his way. The griffin snored loudly, sleeping on his belly. Nathan would eye the horse next, but she too was sleeping soundly. They both laid close to each other, the griffin's hand firmly clasped around the horse's flank. Were they... Oh, that was a disgusting thought. He tried to wipe it from his mind but it was everywhere.

Nathan would shake his head and make his way over to the pot. He would look around for a clean bowl before he gave up and picked up one of the used ones. He would open the lid of the cauldron and sigh as the warmth and heavenly smell hit his face. His green eyes sparkled for a second and he began pouring the warm stew into his bowl. He immediately began heaving the food into his mouth. Nathan moaned in delight as he ate of the stew until the wolf cub howled. The little thing made more whines and struggled against its metal prison. Its blue eyes stared right into Nathan's green ones. For a second there was silence before the little thing continued to howl.

"Shut it!" the horse slurred.

The griffin just mumbled.

Nathan would immediately bend down by the cage and put a finger over his mouth. "Shhhhh! Quiet!"

He kept his voice to a hiss and looked over his shoulder at the two sleeping figures. His gaze would turn back to the whining cub, pawing at the door to its cage. How had they even captured it? It was unlikely they just strolled up to a pack of wolves and grabbed it. It was then his eyes landed upon the racks around camp. Grey furs hung on the racks and the smell of blood was nearby. The color drained from Nathan's face as he looked down at the stew in his hands. He looked into the eyes of the cub, a sad whine escaping its mouth.

"Oh god... I didn't... I am so sorry..." he mumbled and threw the bowl to the side.

What sort of cruel fucking disgrace of a person would do such a thing? He knew that hunting was vital for survival but this was just cruel...

"I am getting you out of there, hang out," he whispered to the wolf.

The cub whined in response.

Nathan would look over the cage, noting that it was locked. He pulled on the small cage door wit all his might, knuckles turning white and face reddening. He grunted and continued to pull, the cub pushing its head against the door as well. Finally, Nathan pulled back, panting, and looked towards the two sleeping figures nearby. Maybe one of them had the key? But it would be safer to just pick up the cage and carry it off, but how was he then supposed to open it? He couldn't bash it open, it was made from steel! He sighed and looked over the cart the horse and griffin had brought with them. Nathan found many different supplies, like a knife, sewing supplies, and cooking appliances. There even was a spear! Oh if he only had time to take it all...

The cub howled.

"Shut up!" the horse yelled and stood up.

Nathan quickly ducked behind the wagon, peeking over the side to keep an eye at her.

"It will fall asleep, just ignore it..." the griffin mumbled.

"Yeah, I bet it will fall asleep when I slit its throat," she growled in response.

"Think of the bits honey, think of the bits..." he would grab a hold of her leg and pull on her back towards him.

For a second the horse glared at the wolf cub, who seemed to cover from her glare.

"Fine."

The horse would once more lay down, this time much more awake and ready. Nathan watched as she closed her eyes and the griffin pulled her close. Nathan scrunched his nose before he continued looking through the wagon. Not a single key in sight. He looked towards the two figures once more and sighed, he would sit down and wait, keeping an eye on the mare. He grabbed the knife as he watched her, and once he was certain she was asleep once more he snuck towards the two hunters. Nathan would move slowly until he finally reached the two, flinching at the smell the two creatures gave off. It reminded him of rotten flesh and herring as if the two had lived outside for a decade. He gagged yet continued to look over them, trying to find keys of some kind.

Then he spotted some of the griffin's belt.

The shone in the moonlight and Nathan could practically feel his fingers itching towards them. He grabbed ahold of the keys and tugged, eliciting a groan from the feathered beast. The keys almost seemed stuck, like no amount of tugging would free them.

"Come on..." he hissed and pulled on the keyring harder.

Then it finally loosened, undoing the griffin's belt.

Nathan quickly backed away from the sleeping couple and held up a hand, closing his eyes. He was prepared for one of them to wake up and attack him, yet they both continued to sleep soundly. He breathed a sigh in relief and hurried towards the cage. As he began fiddling with the keys trying to unlock the cage the wolf cub licked his hands through the bars. It whined in excitement as he human finally undid the lock and let the cub out.

"We need to leave, ok? They might wake up," he whispered and began to rise.

It was then his world exploded into white.

He felt something slam into the back of his head, sending him face-first into the wagon. He hit the ground with a groan and turned around to see the small horse, standing over him with a grin.

"You're too loud, monster," she said and spat on the ground.

Nathan watched as the wolf cub growled and launched itself at the horse. She simply kicked it away, making it whine in pain as it hit the ground. With a growl Nathan pushed himself to his feet, brandishing the knife. The horse eyed him for a second like she held a curiosity about what he was. Before he could even say anything however she slammed into him and they fell onto the ground, the knife bouncing away. Nathan felt a hoof slam into his face and cried out in pain. He grabbed ahold of the horse and tried to push her off, but she simply pushed him down on the ground again. Suddenly the wolf cub reappeared from the bush, jumping at the horse. It bit down on her leg and growled, tearing through skin and fur. The horse screamed and tried to push the wolf away, only for the Griffin to grab it and tear it off. Nathaniel saw the gleam of steel in the darkness and began to crawl.

"Mist! It is going for the knife!" the Griffin yelled as he tried to hold onto the wolf.

The wolf in turn bit into the griffin's leg.

As the griffin was distracted Natan wrapped his hands around the handle of the knife. Nathan looked behind him to see the horse running towards him with a spear in her mouth. He didn't think. He just thrust out his hand, and then there was a cry of pain. He watched as crimson rivers traveled down his right arm, and the horse stumbled back, gasping and crying out. He saw a deep red gash through her clothes and she fell to the ground. Blood ran down the side of her mouth, there was so much of it soaking through the garments one could think they had always been red. Nathan laid there with wide eyes, panting and shaking. He felt his lip quiver as he looked at the dying animal, crying out for her griffin companion. The griffin simply let go of the wolf and rushed to her side.

"Mist! Mist! Oh, gods above!" the griffon held and shook her as she wheezed and coughed blood.

Nathaniel started running. The wolf followed. The human was crying, wildly breaking through the tree branches, His heart was beating quickly and the whole forest seemed to have gone quiet. No owl hooted, no firefly buzzed, no predator stalked. It was like the dark branches tried to reach for him.

"I'm sorry!" Nathan felt the salty streaks reach his neck as he ran. "I am so sorry...."

Before he had even spent a week in this new world Nathaniel had committed a cardinal sin. He had murdered someone.

Author's Note

After much delay here is the rewritten third chapter of the story. Already Nathan's story has changed quite a bit, and this is just one of many changes I plan to bring to the story. Stay tuned for more.

//Lux