Under a star-strewn sky, a gentle breeze swayed the tree branches, humming a cheerful tune.
Unfortunately, that sweet night symphony had to compete with the ravenous growling from the stomach of a small wolf nimbly moving between large roots jutting from the ground.
Three days had passed since he last ate a disgusting green creature. Now, the food stock in his den was critically low, once again forcing him to hunt for fresh meat to fill his belly.
The small wolf was adapting to his environment. His sharp instincts aided him in many ways: navigating direction, scenting potential prey, and most importantly, avoiding danger.
He leaped into the bushes. Crouched to hide his presence. The bush thorns tried to pierce his fur and skin, which had grown thicker over time.
There.
A sharp grin spread across his face as his gleaming eyes caught a small deer eating grass in the forest.
Alone. Nothing accompanied it.
The deer's body emitted a kind of intensely piercing, fragrant aroma. Even without his instincts, he knew that deer was certainly not the creature he imagined it to be.
Well, after all, this forest was only filled with strange creatures.
His legs bent, his claws unsheathed from his toes. But just as he was about to pounce, his instincts screamed, as if warning him of something.
He relaxed his muscles, choosing to wait and observe for a moment.
The deer raised its head, looked left and right, as if its instincts also detected danger. It then jumped away.
The wolf snorted. This was annoying.
He followed it with slow, almost silent steps. His shadow merged with the darkness of the night.
Along the way, although his eyes never stopped watching his prey, his mind actually wandered.
It would be nice if I had a pack and hunted together.
Whether it was a drive from his animal instincts, or simply his desire for an easier life.
Normally, wolves hunt with a large pack. Surrounding, ambushing, and chasing prey together. A wolf pack can take down creatures far stronger than themselves. They are unstoppable when together.
But he was alone. Without friends. Without a mate. He wasn't even sure what kind of creature he was, or where he was now.
Silence greeted him.
He shook his head, pushing the thoughts far away. His focus now was hunting the prey in front of him to quiet his churning stomach.
Right. I still have to survive and meet 'her'.
His head tilted slightly as he saw the deer suddenly stop and eat a nearby shrub.
This is the time!
Once again, he tensed his muscles, bent his four legs, and prepared to pounce on his prey. But a moment before he did, a shadow twice his size passed over him.
What?!
A giant owl swooped down, aiming its talons at the deer.
"Grrrr."
His jaw tightened, knowing what would happen—or at least, that's what he thought.
"Graaaah!"
"Khiiikh!"
Just as the owl was about to grab it, the deer suddenly grew immensely large and muscular. Its antlers elongated and branched. Its hooves curved into sharp points. Its incisors transformed into a row of terrifying, sharp fangs.
What the hell!
The bird tried to turn back but it was too late. The deer—or perhaps more accurately, the monster—opened its mouth wide. It turned and snapped at the owl.
Blood spilled from its mouth as it chewed its prey.
Crack... crack...
The sound of crunching bones hurt his sharp ears. His body fell limp to the ground, losing strength and spirit.
As he tried to steal a glance, his red eyes accidentally met the monster's golden irises.
He's dangerous! Run! His instincts screamed.
Without waiting for a signal, the wolf turned and ran as fast as he could.
The deer chased him. His long legs easily cleared tree roots and other obstacles. Quickly, the distance between them closed. Only a few spans remained.
If this continues, I'll die!
His brain raced, his eyes darted quickly, looking for gaps he could use to escape the monster.
The monster's shadow slowly crept over him. Just as he glanced, the deer's sword-filled jaws were already open, ready to snatch him.
Crack.
The wolf managed to dodge just in time to the left. The deer caught nothing but an exposed tree root.
The wolf ran in a zigzag pattern, using his small body to slip between tree trunks and roots.
Did it work?
He looked back; his idea worked. The deer seemed to have more difficulty because his large body couldn't twist and turn deftly between the trees. Several times the creature crashed into tree trunks.
A satisfied grin spread across his snout. Good!
"Grrrrrooorkh!"
The deer roared into the silent forest.
The small wolf paid no mind and continued to distance himself. But suddenly, a scorching heat wave came from behind. When he looked back, his eyes widened.
The body of the deer monster was now covered in blazing fire. Trees touched by his flames instantly turned to ash.
His heart pounded, he ran as fast as he could. Occasionally turning to avoid its pursuit. But the deer didn't give up, chasing him relentlessly.
I'm really going to die!
Shaken by panic, his ears twitched, catching the sound of heavy footsteps not far away. His nose sniffed the air, detecting something pungent.
This smell... there's a strong monster nearby. He glanced back. I need to lure this damn deer there.
His steps quickened. Not a trace of fatigue in him. A wolf's stamina is among the greatest in the wild. They can run all night without rest if needed.
The scent creeping in the air grew stronger, a sign he was getting close. But...
Slash!
"Raaawr!"
The deer lunged his jaws, tearing the left hind calf of the wolf.
A sharp pain, blood seeped out as he forced himself to keep running, avoiding its pursuit. His leg felt numb, his agility drastically reduced.
But there was no time, he had to keep driving his legs or his life was at stake.
Just a little more. A few more steps, please...
His jaw clenched tight. His blood seemed to boil as he squeezed every last ounce of strength he had.
The deer's shadow drew closer. For the last time, he leaped as far as he could, avoiding the deer's lunge that was right behind him.
Crash!
Again, the deer only hit the dirty ground. He successfully avoided his attack. Tumbling several times on the earth.
Thud!
The ground shook as a large foot stepped down. A massive shadow appeared before him. Clearly, this was the source of the pungent smell he had detected.
Behind, the deer also approached, his faint embers slowly revealing the large figure. Its form now clear. A green giant with a sturdy, muscular body and lower fangs protruding from its mouth.
It somewhat resembled the disgusting little green creature he had eaten. Except it wore a wooden crown on its head.
A faint grin etched onto his snout, lined with rows of sharp teeth.
On time!
The two monsters stared each other down, growling at one another, ignoring the small wolf still lying on the ground. Time seemed to stop, breath caught in throats.
The deer made his flames burn brighter, the green giant raised a large, rusty sword in its hand.
Crash!
The two leaped. Sword clashed with antler. Muscle contended with agility. They punched, kicked, bit, and swung their respective weapons.
Amid the chaotic battle, the small wolf tried to slip between their large legs.
Slash!
The green creature's sword slash missed his snout by mere millimeters. Luckily, he stopped just in time. A slight mistake and his snout would have been severed.
He could still feel the deer's gaze, as if seeing him only as prey. Fortunately, the green creature advanced and kept pushing the monster back, giving him time to escape this chaotic situation.
Whoosh!
One long leap was enough to get him out of the deadly fight. He immediately spurred his hind legs and hid in a thorny bush.
His initially ragged breath began to find its rhythm again.
"Caw... caaaw."
The sound of a crow echoed amidst the battle of the two monsters before him. For some reason, he had a bad feeling. That deer would surely hunt him down.
Not much different from the green monster, for some reason he felt that creature would kill him for revenge after he ate the small creature that resembled it.
I must go. I don't care about the outcome of this stupid fight.
He immediately left, abandoning the two monsters still fighting, tearing the silence of the night with their noisy clamor.
******
Dawn broke in the east.
The wolf walked limping into the cave he called home. He dropped his body to the side. His breath was still uneven, his body a mess, his fur dirty with leaves and soil.
I... am tired.
All night long, he was chased by danger. Even had to let his left calf get injured to survive. As a nocturnal animal, he initially thought hunting at night would be easier, but in reality, even more terrifying monsters emerged.
Tonight's hunt was a total failure!
His eyes were sleepy, tired, and weak from exhaustion. But they couldn't close, disturbed by his loudly growling stomach.
He rose slowly, approaching a lump of meat at the side of the cave that was starting to rot. Bitter and undeniable, but what choice did he have?
There was nothing. No delicious food. No fresh meat. Only a piece of half-rotten meat to fill his belly.
Hunger would probably be his daily routine from now on. At least, he wouldn't be so hungry today because he still had yesterday's rotten meat.
"Grrrr."
He growled softly, a form of disappointment in himself. In the end, he might have to hunt later in the afternoon or he would be even hungrier tomorrow morning.
But... his stamina was gone. His body lay on its side, his eyes slowly closing, pulling him into the realm of dreams. Not a pleasant sleep, for his jaw remained clenched even as he dreamed.