After some time, Baro stopped chanting, his voice trailing into the stillness around him. His thoughts took over, questions he had long avoided.
'It's time to look inward, he mused, and start asking myself the big ones. Who am I? What do I want?'
He sat cross-legged, absently poking at the fire with a stick. 'I'm Baro. I've spent most of my life starving and alone until Gauss found me. He says I lack faith—that's why I can't meet new people. But I like food... good food, and shiny things. Is that so wrong?'
The stick snapped in his hand as his thoughts turned bitter. 'These past years, I've done nothing but train with Gauss. He taught me to hunt, to wield a spear, but what for? It all feels so... pointless. He'd always say, 'Only in the dark can you find the light. Wisdom hides in the shadows.' What does that even mean?'
His gaze fell to the rabbit skewers roasting over the flames. He sighed. 'If I could do anything, I'd find a new teacher, like he said. Maybe make a friend or two—share some rabbit meat. That'd be nice.'
As if on cue, the peace shattered with a low growl. Baro's head snapped up. A bear loomed at the edge of the clearing, its eyes fixed on him.
"It wants my food," Baro muttered, reaching for his spear. But as the bear advanced, its focus shifted—not to him, but to a small, trembling wolf pup trapped against a rock.
'It's not hunting for food, Baro realized, it's killing for sport. His lip curled in disgust. That bear... it's cruel.'
But then, a flicker of understanding lit his eyes. 'No, that's not it. I need to see this differently. What if this is a lesson? Maybe this bear has something to teach me.'
Baro stood up, gripping his spear tightly. He ran between the bear and the pup, heart pounding but eyes steady.
"Oi, big guy!" he shouted. "Yeah, you with the claws and the thousand-yard stare. We need to talk."
The bear growled, unimpressed. It lunged. Baro dodged, stumbling back with a nervous laugh.
"Alright, Teacher! Tough love, huh? Fine. Lesson one—no weapons." He tossed his spear aside, his palms sweaty but his resolve firm.
The bear roared, its deafening cry shaking Baro to his core. He flinched but didn't back away.
"Lesson two—intimidation! You're showing me how to command respect. Got it. I'll work on my presence."
When the bear swiped at him, Baro scrambled up a tree, barely escaping. "Oh, I see! You're teaching me how to leave my mark. Territorial disputes, huh?"
The next swipe grazed his cheek, drawing blood. Baro winced but grinned through it. "Lesson three—take your hits like a man. Thanks for the reminder, Teacher!"
As the bear lunged again, Baro planted his feet, standing tall despite his trembling knees. "I get it now, Teacher. Life isn't fair, is it? That's the real lesson!"
He spread his arms wide, daring the beast to strike. The bear paused, perhaps confused by the audacity of this strange human. With a final snort, it turned and left.
Baro took this as a sign of approval. "Thanks for the lesson, Teacher," he said softly, watching the bear disappear into the woods and nodding his head.
Baro left this encounter bruised but alive under a tough but wise master.
A high-pitched yip drew his attention. The wolf pup, small and scruffy, nuzzled against his leg. Its bright eyes shone with admiration.
"You're a brave little guy," Baro said, crouching to scratch behind its ears. "But your mom's waiting for you." He gestured toward the treeline where a larger wolf—sleek and regal—watched them with piercing icy eyes.
The pup trotted toward her but stopped halfway. It glanced back at Baro, hesitated, and then scampered back, pressing itself against his leg.
Baro chuckled. "So, you've picked me, huh? Guess I'm your new pack now." He gave the mother wolf a nod. She lingered for a moment before releasing a low growl and vanishing into the shadows.
Baro stood, the pup at his heels. "Alright, little guy. First things first—we need a shelter. Somewhere warm and safe."
The two wandered until Baro found a cave. He inspected it carefully, searching for claw marks or signs of other inhabitants. Satisfied, he began gathering soft moss, leaves, and grass to makeshift a bed.
As night fell, he lay down on the makeshift bedding, the pup curling up beside him.
"Furfur," he murmured, naming his new companion. "We've got a lot to learn, you and me."
The firelight flickered on the cave walls as Baro drifted to sleep.