Several meters away, perched on a high branch of a towering pine, an unmoving figure observed, perfectly in sync with the snow-covered forest. Her eyes, glowing with an almost supernatural bright blue, tracked every movement of the man struggling through the snow below. ???? (internal thought, intrigued): A human... here? And that column of light... What's happening? Why does this place suddenly feel so different? Her lupine ears, sharp and alert, twitched subtly, catching even the faintest sounds: the hesitant crunch of snow under the man's feet, the distant whisper of the wind weaving through the massive trunks. Her soft, silky white tail swayed gently, mirroring the rhythm of her thoughts, while her piercing gaze remained fixed on the solitary figure below. The diffuse daylight, filtering through the branches, played across her ebony fur, casting bluish reflections that seemed to dance with every small movement. An aura of intrigue surrounded her, a striking contrast between shadow and the mystical glow she made no effort to conceal. Beneath her ash-gray cloak, she wore clothes designed for survival. Practical and fitted, they hugged her athletic frame, partially revealing arms marked with old scars—indelible reminders of past battles. A dark leather pauldron adorned her left shoulder, a detail that hinted at her status as a seasoned warrior. ???? (internal thought, wary): He doesn't look like the other humans I've seen. He's alone... But is he really harmless? She inhaled deeply, her breath controlled, almost imperceptible in the icy air. Her gloved fingers brushed against the rough surface of the branch—a reflexive motion, as if to anchor her focus. Every fiber of her body was tense, ready to act at the first sign of a threat. The man continued forward, stumbling occasionally in the deep snow. She observed the clumsiness of his movements but also the determination behind them. He was clearly vulnerable, yet something about him piqued her curiosity. Was it simply the column of light that had drawn her here? Or was there something more, a detail she had yet to grasp? ???? (internal thought, analytical): If he came here alone, he's either incredibly foolish... or incredibly dangerous. Her lips tightened slightly, reflecting the intensity of her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes, searching for clues, an answer. Who was this man? Why was he here, in this forest where even the bravest dared not tread? ???? (internal thought, observant): He doesn't seem very strong... but he's not panicking. He keeps moving, thinking. That's not typical behavior for someone who should have frozen to death by now. A sudden gust of wind swept through the trees, scattering snowflakes around her in a chaotic dance. Yet she remained still—a living statue, a bastion of calm amidst the wintry turmoil. Her eyes, still fixed on him, caught every movement, every detail. His clumsy gestures seemed to hide something else, a secret she couldn't yet unravel. In an almost unconscious reflex, she adjusted her fur-lined coat. Her fingers brushed against the fabric with a fluidity that betrayed her practiced ease, the motion perfectly silent. ???? (internal thought, intrigued): Why him? Why now? The column of light... he must be connected to it. But how? She narrowed her eyes slightly, as if this small action might help her solve the enigma he presented. His heavy, awkward steps sank deep into the snow, leaving clear tracks behind him—tracks that seemed to invite danger, a silent call to anyone who might follow. Yet he pressed on, step after step, as if refusing to surrender to the inevitable. ???? (internal thought, perplexed): He should have frozen to death by now. Everything here should push him back, yet he persists. Is it chance... or something more? An almost imperceptible disturbance caught her attention. Her ears subtly pivoted to the left, picking up a faint sound, too soft for a human to notice. The distant crack of a branch, or perhaps the whisper of the wind. Her entire body tensed briefly, ready to react. But nothing followed. Only the persistent whistle of the wind and the faint rustling of trees burdened by snow. After a moment, she eased the tension in her muscles, resuming her calm, calculated posture as an observer. ???? (internal thought, intrigued and cautious): If he survives this forest, maybe he's worth keeping an eye on. But why did that column appear? Why here? Why now? In a single fluid motion, she straightened fully on the branch. Her sleek, black silhouette contrasted sharply with the vast whiteness surrounding her, yet she seemed an inseparable part of it. Her bare feet brushed the wood with an almost otherworldly delicacy. Without a sound, she leapt in a perfectly controlled motion, vanishing into the dense, snow-covered branches of the neighboring trees. She moved swiftly, leaping from branch to branch with an ease that defied the laws of gravity. Every motion was precise, every jump calculated to minimize risk. With each impact, a cloud of snow fell from the branches, yet not a single sound betrayed her presence. She was a dancing shadow, an elusive figure among the snow-covered woods. When she judged herself far enough to remain unnoticed, she stopped. Perched on a massive branch, her eyes gleamed briefly in the dim light—sharp flashes, like fragments of stars in the frozen night. The wind rose once more, sweeping away any trace of her passage, causing the pine needles around her to tremble softly. And like a whisper in winter, she vanished, leaving only the fleeting impression that she had never been there at all.