A sudden blur burst from the bushes.
A creature leaped into the clearing, a wolf, its body sleek and muscular, built for both speed and strength. Its thick fur bristled under the blazing sunlight, and when it opened its jaws, sharp fangs glinted, easily capable of snapping through tree branches.
Dusk barely had time to react before the beast lunged straight at him.
"Oh hey, it's been a while." He grinned, completely unfazed.
The massive wolf crashed into him with full force, knocking him onto his back. Instead of an attack, however, the creature let out a playful whimper, its large paws scrambling against his chest as it nuzzled into him like an excited pup reunited with its friend.
"Ack! Hahaha, stop it! You're heavy!" Dusk protested, laughing as he tried to push the eager beast off. His hands instinctively sank into its thick fur, soft, warm, and well-groomed despite the wildness of the mountains.
The wolf's tail wagged furiously, thumping against the ground as it buried its snout into his neck, licking him with enthusiasm.
Dusk groaned, still laughing. "Alright, alright! I get it, you missed me!"
He pushed himself up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes before turning to the wolf. He gave a small gesture with his hand.
"Sit."
The wolf obeyed immediately, plopping down onto its haunches, though its tail continued to wag excitedly, kicking up small puffs of dust.
Dusk crouched and rummaged through his bag, pulling out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. As he unwrapped it, the scent of dried meat filled the air.
Every once in a while, the wolf would appear, watching him as he worked in the forest. Sometimes, they played. Other times, they simply lay in the shade, dozing off together beneath the trees. Ever since their first encounter, Dusk had made it a habit to bring extra food, just in case his furry companion showed up.
He set the food down on the ground. "Where have you been?" he asked, glancing at the wolf.
Of course, he didn't expect an answer.
The wolf simply stepped forward, sniffed the offering, and then began eating, its sharp teeth making quick work of the meal.
Dusk smiled to himself. "Figures."
He watched as the wolf devoured its meal, its powerful jaws making quick work of the food. As he observed it closely, he noticed something different.
"Man, you look bigger than last time," he remarked, tilting his head. The wolf's frame seemed more robust, its muscles more defined beneath its thick fur.
It showed no sign of acknowledging his words, too focused on eating.
Dusk chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You actually scared me a little back there."
He leaned back on his hands, watching the wolf eat, but a nagging thought lingered at the back of his mind.
The forest was still too quiet.
Even with his companion here, the usual sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves hadn't returned. It was as if the entire forest was holding its breath.
His gaze shifted upward.
Dark clouds were gathering in the sky, rolling in faster than they should. Just minutes ago, the sun had been shining through the canopy, but now, heavy storm clouds loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the trees. A chill crept into the air.
That's strange…
Storms weren't uncommon in the mountains, but the speed at which the clouds were forming was unnatural.
Dusk clicked his tongue. "Tch. Looks like it's about to pour."
He pushed himself to his feet, stretching his arms. "I should finish what I can before the rain comes."
The wolf had finished eating and was now licking its lips, eyes lazily following Dusk as he moved toward the felled trees.
"You sticking around or heading off?" he asked, glancing back at his furry companion.
The wolf yawned and plopped onto the ground, watching him but making no move to leave.
Dusk smirked. "Guess that means you're staying."
Without wasting another second, he grabbed his axe and got to work. If the storm was coming fast, he needed to move faster.
THUNK.
The familiar sound of his axe striking wood echoed through the unnatural stillness of the forest.
But even as he worked, he couldn't shake the unease creeping up his spine.
Something about this storm didn't feel right.
...
"Shit, it's raining."
The first few drops quickly turned into a downpour, heavy raindrops pelting against the leaves and soil. Within moments, the earthy scent of wet wood filled the air, and the distant rumble of thunder echoed through the mountains.
Dusk's wolf companion stood up, ears twitching as it gazed toward the deeper part of the forest. Then, as if giving a silent farewell, it brushed its thick fur against his legs before sprinting off into the trees, disappearing into the shadows.
He watched it go, shaking his head with a small smirk. "Not a fan of getting wet, huh?"
But he had no time to waste.
"I need to get home too."
Moving quickly, he gathered his things, securing his axe before reaching for the firewood he had prepared. He grabbed a length of sturdy vine, tying the logs together into a tight bundle. With practiced ease, he hoisted it onto his back, the weight pressing against his shoulders.
The rain made everything harder, his clothes clung to his skin, his boots sank slightly into the softening earth, and the path back home was quickly turning slick.
His worksite was less than a kilometer away from home. He could have chosen to work closer, but the trees here were denser, their wood better suited for firewood. With winter approaching, quality mattered more than convenience.
Adjusting his grip, he exhaled sharply and started moving, his pace quickening as the storm raged on.
Dusk pressed forward, the weight of the firewood on his back slowing him only slightly. The rain had not let up, pouring relentlessly as he trudged through the muddy forest path. But something gnawed at the edge of his awareness.
The air was too still.
Even with the storm raging above, there wasn't a single rustling leaf, no distant howls of mountain beasts, not even the chirp of a bird. It was as if the entire forest had gone silent.
Then, he saw it.
A faint orange glow flickered in the distance, barely visible through the sheets of rain. His brow furrowed. Fire? Lightning must have struck something. But as he moved closer, realization set in like ice in his veins.
That's… the direction of home.
His heart pounded. "Old man."
Without hesitation, he dropped everything, the bundle of wood, his pack, everything except his axe. His body moved on instinct, legs pushing against the slick earth as he sprinted toward the growing glow.
The closer he got, the stronger the scent of smoke became, mixing with the rain-soaked air. His shack came into view, flames licking at its walls, burning despite the downpour. But that wasn't the worst of it.
Something was there.
Something that shouldn't have been.
Its massive form stood amidst the wreckage of his home, unfazed by the storm. Its body was covered in gleaming black scales, each one reflecting the firelight like polished stone. Two enormous wings, now partially folded, twitched as if preparing to take flight. Its muscular arms and thick, powerful legs dug into the soaked earth, leaving deep imprints in the mud.
But what froze him in place, what sent a cold, crawling dread through his bones, was the red crystal embedded deep in its chest.
A Spawn.
A dragon.
His grip tightened around his axe, breath shaky as the reality of what he was seeing settled in.
"Old Pops!" He shouted, voice hoarse with panic.
The dragon's head snapped toward him, glowing amber eyes locking onto his figure. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, the beast stretched its wings, rainwater cascading off its scales as it prepared to take off.
Dusk's blood ran cold.
Something dangled from the edge of the dragon's maw, caught between its gleaming fangs. At first, he didn't want to believe it, his mind refused to process what he was seeing.
But he knew.
That arm.
The worn, calloused hand. The old scars that mapped across the skin.
It was his old man's arm.
A violent shudder ran through him, his breath caught between a gasp and a scream. His vision blurred at the edges, his heartbeat deafening in his ears.
No. No, no, no.
The dragon tilted its head slightly, as if aware of his horrified stare. Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, it swallowed.
A hollow ringing filled his head.
His knees nearly gave out.
But...
Like the twig he had been stepping all his life, something inside him snapped.
"BASTARD!"