• Fight or Die

She couldn't run.

It was too late for Irise to get away by now.

The only option was to defend herself.

A large Dire Wolf crashed through the trees, though its might was unable to match that of the giant cedar. Its first instinct was to kill anything in sight, and that inculded her. The Dire Wolf thrashed towards her, and Irise panic-strickenly ravaged through the foliage for anything—a stem of thorns, a sharp leaf, a broken sword. . .

After a few seconds, she found a long stick, similar to the one she had when she first came to this world. Irise realized the Dire Wolf was only a few yards away from her, and she hastily stumbled from her spot just before it snapped its jaws where she was only moments before. Panic raged throughout her body, but for some reason Irise was fiercely calm. Angrily, the Dire Wolf let out an enraged howl that shook the terrain violently. She could see now why all the small critters had escaped while they could.

So much for starting out small, Irise mused. However, there was no time to make remarks. The Dire Wolf was already sprinting in her direction.

No time to move. It grasped her tightly in its jaws and threw her against the towering cedar tree. Irise felt as if she was choking as a dull ache ran down her spine. She realized blood was dripping from her mouth.

There was nowhere to run. As the Dire Wolf closed in on her, all Irise could do was hold out her hand defensively as she closed her eyes. . .

Fwoosh.

The Dire Wolf leapt back with a yelp. Irise opened her eyes to find.. was that a burn mark on its muzzle? Yes, it was. Had she just.. learned her first skill?

No time to think. The Dire Wolf shook out its pelt, shaking the ground along with it.

Irise staggered away from her place. The giant wolf ran snout-first into the cedar tree, and howled in pain. Blood dripped from its nose.

She had to find a way to stab it. But, for now, all she could do was avoid its attacks.

It was one after another, after another, after another. Until, at last, it collapsed onto the ground panting. Now was her chance.

Without hesitation, she ran—somehow rapidly—towards the wolf. Its underbelly was exposed.

With massive effort, she jabbed the long stick where the Dire Wolf's heart should have been. It shrieked woefully in agony.

"Now to add a little fire.." Irise muttered, reaching her hand out where the wound was. Fire shot out of her hand, and the wound was set ablaze.

It only took a few minutes for the wolf to die.

After the Dire Wolf took its last breath, Irise felt a sudden wave of exhaustion, and she collapsed into the wolf's fluffy coat.