You wandered through the thick mist of the strangely excessive steam room, taking each step with careful precision. In all honesty, it should have been a greenroom, with all the vines plants and monstrous trees growing through the marble tiles and over the pools turned ponds. The air was thick in your lungs, and the mist seemed to cloud your thoughts. You needed to get out of here, and quick. You pass an exotic tree and smile; at least it was interesting here. Exhaling sharply, and shipping a firm of sweat off your forehead, you hesitantly removed your shirt and wrapped it round your forehead. It was too hot in here. You wrote a metal note to tell the manager, whoever that was, about that. Heck, if you were here long enough, you’d just drop dead!
Passing a large pool of murky, muddy water, and resisting the urge to cool down, you pressed deeper into what seemed to be ruins. Strange, you think as to jumped over a tall pillar that had long since falling in front of you, what on earth is this doing in this steam room. This place certainly is impressive. You pressed on, admiring the flowering vines etching across this ancient looking ruin. Of course, it wasn't a real ruin. Otherwise what was it doing in this, albeit suspiciously large, and excessively tall steam room.
“Who goes there?” Said voice ahead.
You stopped, peering head. There was something. You responded with your name.
“Ah,” said the voice, which was deep with what could only be described as an echo something, something else, “Come forward then.”
You moved a few steps forward and the mist unveiled itself like a curtain. Situated on a stone throne, which was surrounded by small, stone pillars and a mirriad of vines, trees and large flowers, was a figure.
His face was stern, with strong, sturdiness about his features. A scruff of hair coating his jaw and chin, matching the overall state of his messy hair. Glowing tattoos of what looked to be stylish etchings of various flora and fauna were marked over his furry forearm, sturdy chest and thighs. He gestured to you, outstretching his clawed hand.
“Come closer, let me get a clear look at you,” the man said in a smoky tone.
You did so, feeling the weight of his gaze. His eyes were as yellow as fine wine, with square pupils and general unease coming out of them. His body was sturdy and vital, with a strong musculature. However, what became abundantly strange to you, apart from the loincloth embroidered in strange rooms which was the only clothing he wore, were to large antlers. They spread out wide and tall, with two golden rings hanging within them. Including this were two, pointed ears coated in silver fur.
“I am Cernunon, mortal, and you are in my property.”
“Property? But this is a steam room in a zoo!”
Cernunon smiled, “ The founder of this zoo is my servant. I returned his freedom, and humanity, once he agreed to found a palace for me in this new land. This zoo is inhabited by my creatures of nature, and this steam room is my home. Why else would it be so eleabret.”
You mind felt hazy, the passing moments sending you reeling. This was until something caught your shifting thoughts.
“Wait, how can you return humanity?”
Cheron laughed, and rose up from his throne. He stood sinisterly, at least being seven feet tall.
“Oh you little mortal,” He whispered, reaching forward and removing the shirt you had wrapped around your head. He lifted it into the air, and it suddenly crumbled into soil and fell to the ground. “I’m going to show you…”