"Who are you?" Cassius said as he stared cautiously at the shadow that he'd felt watching him. The figure was vaguely male and it rippled in the evening breeze, the only remarkable thing about it was the emerald green eyes. They stared at Cassius with interest, and what seemed to be concern. Before he could question it further, the figure shimmered and disappeared. Cassius remained cautious for several minutes, scanning the surroundings forest with both his eyes, and ears.
"What the fuck was that thing?" He mumbled as he resumed his trek through the evergreens. He hadn't felt any ill-intent from the figure, instead, it had just remained still; watching him. He shivered, he didn't like being watched; it often reminded him of his interactions with the Krauts, which seemed like a distant memory now. They would often catch German soldiers following, or spying on them from the distance; they never had good intentions.
He shook off the grim memories and returned his attention to the shadowy forest. The Great-Wood was truly beautiful, even if monsters and beasts lurked in every shadow. The journey so far had gone swimmingly, he walked several miles and spent much of the time reminiscing on his current situation. He was currently on a time sensitive mission to retrieve an ancient sword that would grant him unimaginable power, from some ancient palace in the mountains. "Sounds about right." He chuckled as he walked over the pine needles that riddled the ground. He had limited knowledge of this world, but from what he knew of Earth seasons; he guessed it was late fall. Soon the snow would start, and the pleasant temperature would rapidly drop.
Even with the life-or-death mission he currently found himself on, he felt more at peace now then he had in ten years. First the loss of his beautiful wife, then the death of his always optimistic son. Yes, Cassius had lived a hard life, but now he realized he had a second chance. In this life, he could be something more then a lonesome boat waiting out the storm. Here, he was the storm. A smile tugged at the side of lips, and his stride became more purposeful. This lasted for several hours, his joy, growing with each stride.
The sun had finally fell behind the mountains, and the forest became dark. Cassius wasn't the least big tired, his body was full of anticipation. He stopped in his tracks when a limb broke to his right. He held his breath and looked into the gloomy forest. A loud roar echoed through the trees, followed by the sound of limbs and trees crashing to the forest floor. "Shit!" Cassius screamed as a bear, the size of a tank cane crashing through the tree line; onto the trail. It's mouth was a gaping hole with giant fangs. The bear's fur was completely white, and it's eyes were red.
Cassius backpedaled into a tree, the bear ginormous eyes locked on his. It roared even louder and charged at him with unbelievable speed. Cassius rolled out of it's path as it rammed into the tree, tearing it in half. The sword the Chief gave him fell from his hands and was trampled under the behemoth of a bear. Splinters of wood flew through the air, several bounced off of Cassius's hard skin. He jerked to his feet and grabbed a broken limb from the ground. He took several steps back as the bear turned to face him. "Fuck you!" He yelled and slammed the limb down on it's giant head, as suspected, it had no effect. This only enraged the bear more, it flung out it's massive paw and struck Cassius across the chest. Cassius was flying through the air and slammed down into the dirt with a groan.
Cassius felt blood drip down his chest, the cloak that covered his body; torn into bits of cloth. He forced himself to his feet, just in time to dodge the angry bear as it charged past him. It's haunches struck Cassius and he was once again flung in the air, only this time; he crashed through a tree. "Son of a bitch! What the hell is wrong with you, bear?" He screamed at it. The bear turned with angry red eyes, it took off at full speed in his direction. Cassius, without think charged the bear; blood ran down from multiple lacerations on his body.
The bear reared back in the air, just before it reached him. Cassius refused to stop and punched the bear in the chest with all of his might. The bear was forced on to it's giant back and it whimpered in pain. Cassius, presses his advantage and climbed onto the bear's broad chest. The fur was thick and filled with dirt. He gripped the bear's giant head in his large hands, he roared in anger and frustration. The crimson runes on his body lit brightly, a strange aura gathered around him and the bear. Pain raced through his skull and he lost consciousness. His body fell limp onto the bear, his face burying itself into the bear's thick, white fur.
****
Cassius groaned, his entire body was sore and pulsing with pain. He put his hands behind his back, but quickly pulled them to his chest. He was laying on cold stone; memories flashed before his eyes of the battle with the bearhemoth. His eyes were still tightly closed, he was sure he was dead. "What the fuck!" He screamed as a soft, wet tongue licked across his face; leaving his face and stubble, drenched in slobber. His eyes shot open and he stared in shock at the face of a giant bear. It's tongue hung happily from it's mouth. It was the bear he'd fought, only it was much different. It's once white fur, was now crimson red. The most shocking part, it was even larger then before.
Cassius's eyes had finally adjusted enough to see his surroundings; he was lying in a giant cave. White bones of both animals and people, lined the cave's floor. The now, joyful bear, was nearly too large to be in the cave. Cassius shook of his shock and warily backed away, placing his back against the cold, cavern wall. His eyes never left the bear, but too his surprise; it didn't attack. It stared at him with earnest eyes; it's face resembling a giant puppy, instead of a horrifying beast. It opened it's mouth and panted happily; staring at Cassius with expectant eyes.
Cassius slid himself along the wall, further away from the bear. He had made it around ten feet away, but the bear scooted to him. It reached it's face in and licked his face again. Cassius sighed, he assumed the bear would have eaten him if it wanted too; besides it had completely changed. It was now crimson, instead of white; it was several times larger, and the menacing face was now happy. The strangest thing, something Cassius had previously missed; the bear's formerly red eyes, were now the same color blue as his.
He took a deep breath and hesitantly reached his hand out to pet the bear. It excitedly pushed it's head up against his hand and Cassius began to scratch. It snorted in pleasure and slobber fell from it's mouth. "Why aren't you trying to killing me anymore?" The bear looked at him with a strange expression and poked it's paw out to Cassius. It pressed the huge paw against his chest and snorted, "Something I did?" He asked, recalling the crimson flash. It nodded it's giant head and snorted.
Cassius ran his hand through his muddy hair and thought, "It must of been because of the flash, that would explain your change in appearance and demeanor." He looked at the bear who nodded, causing slobber to fly around the cave. "It must be something to do with my 'power'." He thought, "I believe I domesticated you." Cassius laughed out loud.
"What should I call you, boy?" He asked I question of the bear's gender; it nodded it's head in acknowledgment. "Hmm, how about, Chuck?" The bear sat back on it's haunches and clapped it's giant paws together. Cassius laughed and smiled at the bear, well Chuck, I'm in a hurry; so we better get on our way." He stood, noting his torn clothes. He looked back at the bear, Chuck had an innocent expression on his face. Cassius sighed and shook his head, he then left the cave.
With Chuck's help, he found his way back to the trail; picking up his dropped belongings on his way. The sword, Chief Yu'Ma had given him, was not damaged; thankfully. He quickly pulled a change of clothes from the bag and put them on, replacing his cloak. He then ate a piece of the dried steak, and gave one to Chuck when he saw his pleading look. Together, man and bearhemoth; they continued on towards the White Mountains. Chuck padded along, happily, behind Cassius.
They traveled this way for three days, at night the giant form of Chuck, would snuggle up against Cassius's much smaller body. Cassius didn't complain, Chuck had quickly grown on him. The bear would often disappear to find food, sometimes he would return with bits of food for Cassius. He would then drop them at his feet and sit down; an expectant expression on his innocent face. Cassius sighed and took a bite out of the bloody, raw meat. He nearly puked, but forced it down.
The further they went to the White Mountains, the thinner the air became. Luckily for Cassius, his new body was in great shape and didn't seemed to be affected by the change in atmosphere. Chuck, continued to walk beside Cassius in bliss. His ginormous frame, towering over Cassius. The night before they reached the base of the mountain range, they had just settled down to sleep, when a deep growl sounded from the shadows. This was immediately followed by several others, all from the surrounded forest. Cassius was on his feet, sword drawn, in a heartbeat. Chuck, who had already been to sleep, opened his big blue eyes. He sluggishly climbed to his feet and bared his fangs. Out from the darkness, stepped a grey wolf. It's body was nearly half the size of Chuck.
The wolf howled menacingly and ten other wolves stepped from the shadows. They were all slightly smaller than the big, grey wolf. They bared their fangs and warily advanced. The Alpha's black eyes were locked on Chuck, the ultimate threat. The glowing runes in Cassius's body enraged it. It broke the tension when it darted forward with astonishing speed. It leaped into the air, propelled by powerful hind legs, at Chuck; who lazily swatted it away with his paw.
Meanwhile, the other wolves were closing in on Cassius. As one they charged him, attempting to eliminate him while the bearhemoth, Chuck, was distracted. Cassius, who determined not to be outdone by the ridiculous bear, charged back. The runes on his body shone brightly and the heavy sword, moved gracefully in his hands. Within minutes, he had eliminated over half the wolves. Chuck in the other hand, was happily toying with the Alpha; whose anger had grown greatly. The beast hated how easily this creature dealt with him. Chuck was grooming himself with one paw, while fending off the Alpha with the other. This proceeded for several minutes, until the Alpha bled on his freshly groomed fur. This enraged Chuck and he grabbed the Alpha with both paws, and promptly bit it's head off. He then returned to grooming himself.
Cassius finally finished off the rest of the Wolves and turned to check on Chuck, who was licking his paws with his giant tongue, "Well then.." Cassius sighed in acceptance. Chuck looked up at Cassius with an innocent expression; he then snorted and collapsed onto his back to sleep.
Cassius propped himself up against Chuck's warm body, and stared up through the evergreens at the starry night sky. Tomorrow he would begin up the mountain in search of a sword that would supposedly grant him immense power. He turned his head and looked up ant the giant mountain range ahead of him, "Tomorrow." He whispered and closed his eyes.
****
The Emerald Palace, Capitol of Pelemonte
Dante gasped and looked around his study, everything was as it should be. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeing of foreboding. Something terrible was going to happen, and soon; he was sure of it. He jumped to his feet and grabbed his great sword from beside his chair. He ran past his guards, through the long corridors of the Emerald Palace.
He ran out onto the balcony above the training yard and scanned the horizon, for several seconds, he saw nothing. Commander Locke, who had been warned by the guards of Dante's outburst, ran up beside him. "What is it, my Prince?" He asked cautiously, his Prince was not a rash person. He followed Dante's grim gaze until he saw what caught the Prince's attention. His face paled and fear shot through his heart, "We are royally fucked." A giant black creature flew through the air, in their direction; it was followed by an endless army of black armored men.