Ch.34

Finally, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye, looking over his shoulder to see the face of someone in a bear skin cloak‌—but with gold scales running along their arms, legs, and chest. Evander swallowed, stepping away from the tree and quickly dropping the food that he was holding.

The creature shambled closer, hissing through sharp fangs as its clawed hands came together to make fists. Then he turned his head toward Evander, gazing at him intently. "Well, you're more than I expected. Now we'll see just how smart you really are."

Evander stayed where he was for a moment, holding his breath while he tried to figure out what to do next. But eventually he knew that he had to react somehow if he wanted to survive. So he took two steps backward, raising the spear that he'd stolen from the hut the first day, and aiming it directly at the monster's throat.

Then the beast took another step forward, closing the gap between them. And with that, Evander let out an exhale as he lowered his spear slightly. The bear-man cocked his head, looking down at it.

"Don't move," said the dark elf, narrowing his eyes as he stared hard at the monster. "I've got you covered. I want to play with this one for a little bit first, so don't move around too much or you're going to ruin the fun."

For a moment, Evander thought the creature was going to laugh. Instead, though, he lifted his right hand and reached toward the wound on his chest. Then Evander heard the snap as the creature touched his claws to the skin, revealing long rows of teeth jutting out underneath. He watched for a moment, his jaw hanging open in disbelief, as the blood slowly poured from his chest onto his clothes‌…

Then suddenly, he stopped bleeding.

Evander forced himself to look up again, feeling his heart jump into his throat. But all he could see was the creature calmly studying him.

The young dark elf paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to ask whatever was going on here. Then he quickly leaned down, trying to grab the other hunter's throat and pull him back before he could do anything else. But the thing held tight, refusing to let go of his throat with its clawed hand.

And after a moment, Evander looked down at the water bag he'd dropped against the ground, realizing what was happening. Somehow, the monster had used the sharp fangs that it had worn as teeth to get through the fabric of the bag, pulling out the tiny pieces of cloth that kept the water from leaking out. So when Evander finally got a grip on the bear-man, he immediately started drinking the contents without even bothering to stop to finish chewing on his prey.

Evander watched, frozen in place, as the creature swallowed more than half of it in a single gulp. And then, just as the last of the water went down, he gave a contented sigh as the monster tore the bag apart.

But Evander still couldn't move. Not yet. He stepped backward until he bumped into the tree behind him, struggling to keep from letting out another exhale. Then he pressed his head against the bark and closed his eyes, turning his ears toward the sound of movement.

Soon enough, he heard the voice. "It won't be too long before one of us sends them all running‌… I'm sure of it." The beast chuckled again, and Evander realized that he was standing near the cabin. The words seemed to come from directly in front of him as well, coming out of the darkness of the woods.

Then the wolf-man turned to look over his shoulder again. "Now‌… it's time for you to play along. If the others don't return soon, then we'll have to fight again. And I need your help to make things easier on everyone. We should still be able to get out of here with their weapons and supplies. Maybe the humans will find some nice village or town to live in before winter comes."

The dark elf stayed where he was for a moment, trying to think of a way to get back into the woods to search for Michel. But as he glanced around, he found himself paralyzed by the sight of the monster. He couldn't seem to turn away from the creature as he looked straight into its face.

He still had a chance. But maybe he shouldn't bother. Maybe this was his punishment for bringing the others to him in the first place. What if he just stayed out here forever? Or maybe it would take him to the afterlife so that he could finally see his mother again?

He clenched his teeth together as the bear-man licked the blood off its fangs, looking over at him again.

"It's fine," said the monster. "Just take these clothes off so that we can take turns dying again."

Evander swallowed, looking down at his chest, which was covered in deep cuts now, dripping with his own blood. Then he bent over, slowly undoing the bandages wrapped around his clothes.

After several moments, the man finally tore the last of them off, lifting the fabric high as he peeled the cloth away to expose the wounds underneath. Then he finally stared into his own eyes for a moment.

"Is this what you want?" asked the creature. "Are you sure you don't want to be stuck here like me, when you go down for the second time? It's up to you, little one."

The young hunter quickly nodded in response, straightening his back as he took a deep breath. Then he started walking toward the cabin, stopping at the entrance long enough to peer inside. He could see light coming through the open doorway‌—enough to shine in his face without blinding him.

The wolf-man narrowed his eyes. "Follow me."

With that, he stepped into the hut, closing the door behind him. Evander hesitated, wondering if there was any other way he could try to escape. But the monster already turned around and was walking toward the back of the cabin, giving him no more choice in the matter.

Then he glanced back over his shoulder, just in case… but all that he could see was the beast in the rearview mirror as he followed the monster. Then he slowly followed his guide deeper into the forest.