The Renegade: Oblivion

Prologue

The woods were silent. It was a brisk, warm morning, and the trees were in full growth. And yet a chilling silence filled the air, as if it was almost otherworldly. Nature had never felt more pure.

But then a clitter-clatter was heard, and suddenly a small cart came out onto the dirt path that ran alongside the forested trail. It was drawn by a sturdy little donkey, obediently trekking on, and set upon the cart itself was a hamster of short stature. He wore a straw hat and was of a quiet composure, not having a care in the world.

"Well, it's a rather nice day today," The hamster said to himself after a time. "I didn't expect such an easy trip back to the village." He was heading to a small village by the name of Jamizaki, that of which lay at the foot of the hill pass, but there were still a few twists and turns on the path left.

All of a sudden, his peaceful solitude was interrupted, for another merchant came up in his direction, carrying his own share of goods. It was clear that he was going off to another settlement beyond the mountain.

The opposing merchant was a stout jackal, but relatively unassuming. He exchanged a short awkward glance with the hamster for a brief moment before recognizing him.

"G'day, Mori!" The jackal hailed him happily. "Where are ya off to?"

"Just heading into town to sell my goods." Mori stopped his cart to speak with his friend, dipping his head.

The jackal cocked his head. "Oh?"

Mori shrugged. "It's a good day for it."

The jackal eyed him closely, his expression now a tad more serious. "Well, keep an eye out. I've heard there's been thieves here since you came last, and I wouldn't like for ya to lose all yer stuff, now."

The hamster laughed at this. "I'll be fine! I've traveled this path many, many times before and never once have I had trouble with thieves." Then his expression softened when the jackal looked hurt. "I do appreciate your concern, though." He added gently.

His friend stared at him for a moment longer before nodding briskly. "Right. Just keep an eye out, like I said." He picked up his wheelbarrow and once again headed off on the trail, passing Mori.

"May good tidings be with you!" Mori called hopefully.

"You, too," His friend responded in the distance.

Mori continued on, humming to himself thoughtfully. But then he noticed that his donkey was beginning to tire out, and he stopped once again, pulling aside on the trail.

"Oh, Yukki, you must be thirsty!" Mori exclaimed after a glance at his pitiful donkey. He turned to quickly grab a bucket from his cart, then filled it with water from a wineskin before coming back over to Yukki.

"Drink up, there's a fine fellow," He murmured gently. The donkey looked at him gratefully before shoving its face into the pail of water, slurping generously. "My goodness, you must be exhausted! Drink, drink."

But what Mori didn't know was that he and Yukki weren't alone on the path, for a malicious gang of three were hiding in the bushes this entire time, watching closely, and their luck had apparently come to pass. With nobody nearby, this little lonely merchant was easy pickings.

Their leader, a strong and tall badger named Noriuji, slid slowly from his hiding place, but his lack of stealth only alerted his victim too late. When Mori turned at the sound of a rustle, he found himself face-to-face with a surprising individual, one who stunk of ill intentions.

But yet the hamster tried to stay cordial as he asked politely, "...Well, hello, my good sir. What would you like?"

"Shut up, rodent. You know exactly what we want." Noriuji growled, standing over Mori menacingly. His comrades slunk out of the bushes from behind, and they encircled their target while the hamster let out a gulp.