The forest was alive with joy, as the children of the forest danced around the man carrying a basket brimming with food. Gerard's warm smile lit up his face as he handed out fruits and bread, his gestures tender and kind. The children transformed before his eyes—some into towering trees with blooming flowers, others into animals that darted off into the dense forest.
A gazelle approached Gerard, nuzzling its head against his arm.
"Heh, what's this?" Gerard chuckled, crouching to stroke its smooth fur. "Do you want me to pet you?"
The gazelle let out a soft sound of approval, and Gerard laughed heartily, his fingers running through the creature's coat. Around him, his stone guards worked in silence, distributing food to the forest's magical inhabitants.
"The forest is so beautiful today," Gerard mused, inhaling the earthy scent of the trees. "I feel amazing."
One of his stone guards, his granite face impassive, replied, "You say that every time, Your Majesty."
Gerard sighed, turning to him with a teasing glint in his eye. "Don't be so cold. One day, even your stony heart will melt at the beauty of this place."
The guard gave a resigned sigh but said nothing more.
Suddenly, a rustling sound broke through the tranquil atmosphere. The forest grew still, and all eyes turned toward the source of the disturbance. The guards immediately surrounded Gerard, their stone bodies poised for action. One of them stepped forward, parting the thick bushes with a swift motion.
"Who's there?!" the guard barked, his voice deep and commanding.
Out from the shadows emerged a trembling little girl, her dress worn and tattered. Her wide, fearful eyes darted between the guards.
"oh..... just a human child"
Before the girl could respond, Gerard pushed past him, his eyes softening at the sight of her.
"Your Majesty!" the guard protested, but Gerard paid him no heed.
He crouched down, his towering figure made small to appear less intimidating. "It's okay," he said gently. "I won't hurt you. This forest is a peaceful place."
The girl hesitated, her small frame quivering.
"Where is your family?" Gerard asked, his voice full of concern.
"Family...?" she whispered, her lips trembling.
Gerard's heart clenched. "You don't remember your family?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "They left me... my father left me alone."
Without a second thought, Gerard scooped her into his arms. She gasped, startled, but he held her close, his warmth reassuring.
"Don't worry," he said, smiling. "This old man will take care of you."
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Days turned into weeks.
The little girl, Emma, grew comfortable in Gerard's care. She lived with him in the main tree, learning about the forest and its magic. Gerard adored her, dedicating all his time and attention to her, neglecting even his duties as the forest's king.
Years passed, and Emma blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Gerard's affection for her deepened into something far more intense.
One evening, as they sat beneath the main tree, Gerard spoke, his voice soft but laced with emotion.
"Emma," he said, "I want you to rule this forest with me. Marry me and give me children to carry on our legacy."
Emma froze, her face pale. She stared at him, horrified.
"You're like a father to me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "How... how could you say this?"
Her words struck Gerard like a blow. His face fell, but his desperation only grew. "No, Emma. You're everything to me. I've loved you since the day I found you."
Emma shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "This isn't right, Gerard. I can't."
She turned and ran, leaving Gerard standing beneath the tree, his heart shattered.
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Days became weeks, and weeks became months. Gerard sank into despair. His once-pure magic turned dark, spreading through the roots of the main tree. The forest began to wither, its vibrant greens fading into dull browns.
Consumed by his obsession, Gerard searched relentlessly for Emma. When he finally found her, she was living in a small hut at the edge of the forest.
"Emma," he said, his voice breaking as he stepped inside. "Please, come back. I need you."
Emma turned to him, her face a mixture of fear and anger. "Gerard, you've lost yourself. Please, leave me alone."
"I can't," he whispered, his hands trembling. "You're mine. You belong with me."
She backed away, shaking her head. "I'm not yours, Gerard. I never was."
Her rejection shattered the last remnants of his sanity. In a fit of rage and heartbreak, Gerard lunged at her, his hands closing around her neck. Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed, "Why won't you love me?"
Emma struggled, her hands clawing at his, but his grip was unrelenting. When her body went limp, Gerard released her, staring in horror at what he had done.
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Gerard knelt beside Emma's lifeless body, his face void of emotion. A dark storm brewed within him, and his magic, once a source of life, consumed him entirely.
His body twisted and morphed, turning into a monstrous black figure. His guards and servants, bound to him by magic, transformed into shadowy wraiths.
The forest, once a haven of peace, became a place of terror. The shadows spread like a plague, devouring the souls of anyone who dared enter.
Gerard, now the Black Monster, roamed the forest aimlessly, his heart a hollow void, his love twisted into eternal rage.