Let's Write a Story [In-Depth Game]

This is a little different that most games on here, but I figured it could be a really fun way to not only create an interesting story, but also have a bit of writing practice.

Similar to that one-word story game, in this game the objective is to continue the story with each post. However, where that game was silly and often nonsensical, this one is intended to be a bit more in-depth and is supposed to flow like an actual story or roleplay would. Your post can still be silly if you wish, but please do try and add to the story some. It is a game, though, so just have fun most of all. :)

How do you play, you ask? It's simple. Just make sure you have read the posts leading up to yours (or at least the most recent ones when/if this thread ever gets super long), then add in your own post to continue the story. Your post can be as short or as long as you'd like, just please try to make it at least a couple sentences long as to provide the next poster with enough content to work with. The story is not intended to take any particular direction, so feel free to be creative with it! You can add in characters as well - it does not have to stick with just the one I am going to start off with. However, please keep them all in the one story. The other characters are not meant to be part of separate storylines, but to be included in this one, if that makes sense. Think of it reading like a novel would. You can also kill off said characters if you decide to do so, but obviously do not kill off all of them or even a majority of them at once. There needs to be at least one active at all times.

That's really it! But before I end this introduction post, I gotta include some rules.
1) Do not bully someone for their writing ability. This is for practice and fun.
2) Do not try to control what others write. The cool part about this is that the characters' next moves are supposed to be a mystery.
3) Please try to allow a couple others to post before you post again. We want many people's input in this, remember! That's the fun of it! :)
4) Obviously, follow all EV rules with this. Keep the romance PG, the violence PG-13 (I believe?), and the language EV appropriate (which means, if it gets censored, don't say it... this one's easy lol).

I will start this off with the first post, which will be separate from this to keep things tidy. Do not post until I have done so. Thanks!

Last edited on 2019-07-17 at 12:59:19 by Raptor 🦞

 The prince wheezed as he sprinted down the overgrown path, its groping vines threatening to trip him, their thorns ripping the cuffs of his pants. Squeezing his eyes shut, he burst through the wall of foliage that blockaded the end of the winding woodland path from the sunlight beyond, stumbling out into the open. Narrowly preventing himself from falling down by grabbing onto a tree limb, the young man dared to open his eyes, looking out across the rolling green fields that seemed to beckon him forward, away from that treacherous forest. He smiled, heaving a small, breathy laugh as he let go of the tree and took a few weary steps forward. Adjusting the guitar on his back and the bow slung over his shoulder, he continued his trek, finally able to peacefully take his time and walk now that he was free of the dangers he'd left behind.
 About an hour later, he had successfully scaled one of the hills and had decided to sit down at its peak, watching the sun set over the ocean in the distance, the stars just beginning to show their face. Sighing in exhaustion, he ran a hand through his curly blond hair, now crusty with dried blood and sweat. After debating what to do for a moment, he pulled his guitar into his lap and began to play a tune.

Tendrils of smoke escaped from the creature's flared nostrils as it watched the prince. Gnarled talons embedded themselves deep in the bark of the tree that obscured the monstrosity from view. It turned its hideous head to follow the prince's movements, wincing slightly as the gash in its neck was exposed to oxygen. As the prince began to play his music, the creature shrieked in a tone too high for human ears to detect, and disappeared into the forest to hide itself from the piercing notes.

The prince continued to gently strum some simple but elegant chords on his instrument, the action soothing him and putting his nerves at ease. Suddenly, he stopped when he thought he heard something move behind him, panic starting to well up again. His hand instinctively reached for his bow. His eyes fervently scanned the treeline, searching for the source of the noise, but alas, the only movement was that of the leaves. Having not quite shaken the feeling that he was being watched, he slung his guitar back over his shoulder and began the descent down the side of the hill.

The prince reached the bottom of the hill, and began walking west, towards the ocean and the setting sun. He knew he wouldn't reach it tonight, although it was closer than ever. Thinking about the events of earlier, he wasn't sure he ever would. It was certain he couldn't stop to rest tonight, weary though he was. 
His hand kept touching his guitar, making sure it was there, because it and the ocean were the only things that could possibly save him now. He swept a glance over the quiet landscape one more time. The prince didn't see anything, but that didn't really mean anything. He couldn't rely on his eyes in this case. 
He shuddered, the creature's face flashing into his mind. His only hope was to reach the ocean and - his hand went to his guitar again, his eyes scanned the forest again. The bow would do no good until the creature showed itself. 
He quickened his pace, although he knew he shouldn't, that soon he could be overtaxed and crumple, easy prey for the creature. He made himself slow down again. His limbs screamed in exhaustion, telling him how much he needed more rest. But he had to keep going, ever westward, until he reached his destination.

A young stallion had watched the prince and the creature, and had decided to follow the boy. He would be quiet and tried to keep from being unseen. The stallion was a bay roan with some minimal tobiano markings on his neck. He was curious and had recently left his herd to try and make one of his own or join a bachelor herd. 

The stallion lost his focus when he stepped on a stick causing it to break. The prince quickly grabbed his bow turning around drawing a arrow. The stallion had no choice. The horse stepped out from the shadows carefully nervous as the prince had a arrow pointing right at him. The prince eased a little putting the bow down, but kept the arrow in place. The stallion stopped a few feet from the prince perking his ears in the prince's direction. The prince took a step forward, his bow now placed behind his back along with his guitar. The stallion snorted taking a step back then eased when the prince talked softly.

The stallion let the boy approach. The prince then realized that if he could ride the horse, he would reach his destination a lot quicker than him being on foot.