Lumen walked the forested path towards his village, the imposing shadow wolf's hide slung over his shoulder like a grisly trophy. He was not in a jovial mood, despite his victory. Survival had taught him to be cautious, to trust no one outright, especially in this strange new world.
The warm glow of the sun filtered through the dense canopy overhead, casting dappled light on the forest floor. It was a stark contrast to the harsh and unforgiving world he had just traversed, but appearances could be deceiving.
As he rounded a bend in the road, he spotted a group of humans ahead. They were different from the villagers, their clothing a mishmash of Earthly styles. Lumen slowed his pace, wariness creeping over him. He had learned that danger often wore a familiar face.
