Min couldn't believe her eyes as she gazed at the figure beside her. It felt like a surreal dream, yet there he was—a beastly-looking man, so close that she could almost touch him. Sergen fascinated her with his unique features: towering and muscular, his body covered in a thick, grayish fur from his ears down to his feet. His face appeared dark and rugged, reminiscent of oiled leather, with sharp canines and a transformative ability that bewildered her. His head morphed into a more animal-like form, complete with pointed ears and an elongated snout. Despite his alarming appearance, Sergen showed no aggression towards her. Instead, he maintained a brisk pace through the woods, clearly expecting her to keep up. The thought of the consequences of falling behind urged Min to comply.
Growing up in the woods had given Min certain advantages: toughened soles, a tolerance for the sun's rays, and an instinctive sense of direction. They journeyed in what she estimated to be a northwesterly direction. The terrain in this part of the Witch Wood was mostly flat, gradually sloping downhill towards a mysterious valley. The dense trees obstructed their view, but Sergen relied on his keen sense of smell and continued leading the way. Min had no choice but to follow. After all, he had threatened the lives of both her mother and herself. Escaping from him would only invite greater peril.
Curiosity got the better of Min as she finally mustered the courage to ask, "Why are we going to meet your people?"
"My tribe is under attack, as I mentioned before," he replied without turning to face her. "You, and others like you, may help us turn the tide in our favor."
"Others like me? You mean witches."
Sergen nodded, maintaining his steady pace.
"But you're a wolf-man! You single-handedly killed a bear! What can someone like me do? If you wanted magic, my mother would have been—"
"My decision is made," he interrupted, abruptly stopping and staring her down. His imposing figure loomed before her, but she tried her best not to retreat. "I needed one of your kind, and I made that choice. It's done. Accept it and move on." With those firm words, he turned and resumed jogging.
Min remained silent for a moment as she matched his pace. Finally, she spoke again, her voice filled with curiosity and concern. "So, what is the threat? Who is attacking your people?"
"They are the children of Bhalot, the She-Bear. They have forged an alliance with a witch among your kind, named San," he growled disdainfully at the mention of the name. "San grants them unnatural strength, but it corrupts their bodies and minds, as you witnessed."
"But why did the bear attack my mother and me?"
"Who knows?" Sergen shrugged dismissively. "I cannot fathom the intentions of a witch or the creatures that align with her. You will aid my people in putting an end to this, or you may come to regret the bear not catching you instead." With that foreboding warning, the wolf-man turned away and remained silent for the rest of their journey.
The rumbling thunder that had accompanied their emergence from the ravine finally fulfilled its promise, unleashing a downpour upon them. In the midst of the rainy season, rain came as a deluge. Min seized the opportunity for a much-needed bath, her hands gliding over her body as she jogged behind Sergen. The warm rain cascaded over her bare skin, washing away dirt and grime, cleansing the few scabs she had acquired. The scratches were superficial and didn't trouble her. The wound on her shoulder had miraculously healed, thanks to some power Sergen possessed. It was as if the injury had never existed, aside from some lingering muscle soreness and a hint of burning if she overexerted herself. Perhaps the Kelash possessed some form of magic, despite his previous claims.
As thunder crashed and lightning illuminated the sky, Min thoroughly cleaned her breasts, belly, and the sensitive areas between her thighs, rinsing away any remnants of their intimacy. She noticed Sergen stealing glances at her as they jogged, but he remained silent. Although she felt a slight soreness, there were no adverse effects from their passionate encounter. In her heart, Min couldn't help but appreciate the soreness, knowing how pleasurable her first experience with a man had been.
Hours passed as they continued jogging, the rain showing no signs of relenting. With darkness encroaching upon them, Min finally halted, leaning against a sturdy tree trunk to catch her breath. "Can't we rest for a while?" she pleaded, looking up at Sergen.
Sergen, who had yet to stop, turned to face her. He approached her closely, their eyes locked in a challenging gaze. It wasn't anger she saw in his eyes, but rather determination.
"The rain won't stop," she asserted, pushing her wet hair back and swiping a hand across her face. "I won't run away. I promised I'd do whatever you wanted, remember? No running. Just... please. I'm tired. Let's rest, at least for a little while."
Sergen narrowed his eyes at her, but Min stood her ground, swallowing her nervousness. After a brief standoff, he finally nodded and turned away. Min suppressed a sigh of relief and set about finding suitable shelter.
Due to the warmth of the rain and their deep location in the woods, Min decided against starting a fire, not wanting to attract unwanted attention. Instead, she spotted a tarotaro tree nearby and hurried towards it. The tree boasted leaves almost as long as she was tall. Min began plucking them from their drooping green stalks and stacked them for later use.
"Stay here," Sergen instructed. "I'm going on patrol. We still have another half-day's journey until we reach my tribe's hunting grounds." The familiar, unsettling cracking sound reverberated through the air once again, but Min couldn't tear her eyes away as Sergen underwent his transformation. His physical body shrank, his limbs shortened and thinned, his torso compressed, and his head sunk into his shoulders. In a matter of moments, the misshapen, furry man had transformed into a four-legged beast—the same wolf she had seen after he had saved her from the bear. Now, soaked and dripping, he stood tall on all fours, reaching past her waist. She knew he could easily tear her apart in this form, just as effortlessly as he could on two legs.
Did she hear his bones breaking and reforming with each transformation? The thought sent a shiver down her spine. It must be a painful process. Sergen shook himself vigorously, attempting to dry his fur to no avail, and disappeared into the darkness. Min watched him depart, wondering why her mother had never mentioned that men could transform into beasts. She continued constructing her shelter, her mind filled with questions and a newfound realization about the nature of men.
The colossal heart-shaped leaves of the tarotaro tree alone couldn't provide sufficient protection, but Min devised a plan. She fastened the leaves to dead branches using thin vines, creating a makeshift tent over a natural hollow she discovered near the base of the tree. After clearing away the wet debris of leaves and undergrowth, she created a relatively dry space beneath. She piled more debris around the edges, forming a barrier against the rain and wind. Finally, Min settled inside her makeshift shelter, listening to the soothing sound of rain hissing upon the roof of her little tent, her gaze fixed on the encroaching darkness.
She missed her mother. Though she was too old to cry over being alone and leaving home, a part of her had always known that this day would come. However, she never imagined it would be because of a man capable of transforming into a wolf. Or perhaps all men were wolves, and her mother had never seen fit to disclose that truth.
Min refrained from attempting to contact her mother again. What could she say? What good would it do to worry her further? Annoyed, she burrowed deeper into her warm hollow. Using leftover bits of soft leaves as a pillow, she laid her head back and closed her eyes.
Occasionally, the dark night would come alive with animal noises—hoots and distant calls. The first time caught her by surprise, causing her to startle. As the noises persisted, drawing nearer, Min made herself as small as possible within her little tent. Nothing stirred in the darkness beyond the sounds of the storm. Eventually, the noises subsided, allowing her to drift off to sleep.