Keystone Trilogy Book II- Rift World

6

For the next week, Glael had Elias do several chores around the city to prove himself. Elias did not enjoy this so-called 'training', but he would do anything to have his old life back. Even so, most of the tasks seemed pointless. Elias picked fruit, which Glael never ate, cleaned the streets, which became dirty again the next day, and explored the forest. He enjoyed the forest, as it gave him that sense of energy and excitement, as well as being vast and beautiful. It also gave him time to get away from work, and immerse himself in nature.
After about four days of this, Glael changed the routine. He instructed Elias to bring him a deer. "And where the heck am I gonna find a deer?" Elias questioned. Glael only said that he should go before the sun rose, and be back before it set. Elias, still confused, obeyed.
He wandered for hours cluelessly, not straying far from the city so that he could get back. Then he had a thought. Maybe the tragedy of the ruined city, or the energy, kept all the animals away? He then walked in a straight line(as straight as you can in a forest, anyway) away from the city until he could no longer feel the energy. Elias began to notice sounds. Birds chirping, insects buzzing, squirrels chattering. He then saw his prey. A lone deer was standing in a clearing, grazing on some long, green grass. Then Elias realized- he had no way to kill the deer! How was he supposed to bring it to Glael? He thought for a moment, then had an idea.
Elias picked up a fist sized stone from a trickling creek nearby, and lined up his shot. His aim was true, and the rock hit the deer square in the face, knocking it unconscious. He then laboriously dragged it back to the city, making it just as the sun disappeared behind the trees.
Glael was pleased with the catch, as well as the fact that Elias hadn't killed the deer. "I am proud of you Elias. You solved a problem that seemed unsolvable, and in a short time too! You also found a way to get the deer back here in time, without killing it. This says a lot about you, Elias. I think that you're ready now."
Glael pulled out a small object from behind his back. It was a gun, that looked like a hybrid between the old western pistols and the modern guns of the current Union Armed Forces. It had a glowing blue barrel and black exterior. "I am trusting you with this, Elias. It may help you defeat the Collective, and will never let you down. It has saved my life many times. Do try not to lose it, but don't risk your life for it. After all, it's only a gun. now go get some sleep, we leave at dawn."