The wind blew hard, and Arthur felt his fingers tighten firmly around the hilt of his sword. The figure of the giant wolf slowly emerged from the mist, each step heavy and silent, compacting the snow under its wide paws. The creature was colossal, far larger than any wolf he had ever seen, with eyes that gleamed ominously, fixed on him as if studying him.
Arthur tried to remain calm, his heart pounding as he watched the wolf. "Well... I never thought I'd wake up in a place like this fighting a wolf the size of a horse," he muttered, forcing a courage he wasn't sure he felt. He raised his sword, adjusting his stance awkwardly, feeling the weight of the real blade in his hands.
The wolf snarled, baring teeth as sharp as razors, and without warning, lunged towards him with absurd speed.
Arthur tried to dodge, but the animal was too fast. The wolf leaped, knocking him into the snow and tearing the side of his shoulder with one of its claws. The pain was intense, but before he could fully process it, he felt the cut closing. He watched, stunned, as the skin returned to normal before his eyes. The pain still throbbed, but in seconds, there was no wound left.
"What the...?" he whispered, barely believing it.
But he had no time to reflect. The wolf was already advancing again. Arthur got up, his shoulder still sensitive, but firm. He felt something different in his body, as if his reflexes and strength were adapting to each movement. He planted his feet on the ground and readied his sword with more precision, becoming faster in his movements.
The wolf attacked once more, and this time, Arthur managed to dodge and turn the blade, hitting the animal's side. A deep cut opened on the creature's flank, and it let out a howl of pain. But that only seemed to make it even more furious. The wolf lunged at Arthur again, who tried to dodge, but one of the animal's paws hit him in the back, sending him tumbling into the snow.
He felt the pain tear his skin, a hot cut opening on his back. But again, the pain dissipated as the wound began to heal itself. Arthur gasped, realizing that his body was recovering at an impossible speed. He smiled incredulously, feeling a wave of adrenaline course through every fiber of his being. The pain was still there, but he was no longer afraid to die - he knew he would heal too quickly for that.
"Okay... looks like I have an advantage here," he murmured, getting up quickly, his eyes fixed on the wolf that glared at him furiously.
He twirled the sword, now more confident, and waited for the wolf to attack again. When the animal leaped, Arthur felt his body react almost on its own - the reflexes were instinctive, fast, as if they had always been there. He dodged with precision, running the blade across the creature's throat. The blow was accurate, and the wolf fell into the snow, its blood staining the white around it.
Arthur stepped back, panting, but his breathing quickly returned to normal. He looked at the fallen wolf, feeling a pang of guilt. "Well... sorry, buddy, but someone had to get out of this alive."
He sheathed his sword, taking a deep breath, and let calm return as he felt each scratch and bite gradually heal. The pain lessened, and he felt stronger, more confident, as if his body was accepting this new reality. Arthur let out a short laugh, almost incredulous. "This is incredible... I almost feel sorry for anyone who tries to finish me off now."
But then, a sound caught his attention - a soft rustle coming from a cluster of bushes a few meters away. He turned, still with his senses alert, and began to walk slowly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he approached the sound. Curiosity began to take hold of him; it seemed that nothing in this place was what it seemed.
Carefully parting the bushes, he found something small moving in the snow. It was a wolf - but not like the one he had just faced. This one was tiny, a pup, with its fur still short and its eyes frightened. The little wolf's eyes widened when it saw Arthur, and it backed away slightly, letting out a timid growl.
Arthur crouched down, observing the small creature. The pup was a miniature of the beast he had just killed. He realized that it was probably the child of the wolf that was now dead. He slowly extended his hand, trying to show that he meant no harm. "Hey, little one... I know this is horrible for you, but... I think we can work this out."
The pup looked at him suspiciously, but remained where it was, trembling and without the strength to flee. Arthur watched the animal carefully, feeling a strange weight in his chest. He had killed that creature's mother. Maybe he had no choice, but the pup didn't have to pay the price.
"Okay, I guess I owe you this, right?" He ran his hand through the pup's fur, which, despite being wary, didn't move. "I promise I'll take care of you."
With careful movements, Arthur picked up the pup, feeling the warmth of the small animal against his chest. The wolf settled in, letting out an almost relieved sigh. Arthur smiled, feeling an unexpected sense of responsibility. "Looks like I gained a companion, then."
With the pup safe in his arms, Arthur looked at the horizon, realizing that his journey was just beginning - and now, at least, he was no longer alone.