The crunch of snow reverberated across the dark, lonely forest as Arthur walked wearily through it.
His body was a total wreck ,as pain seared through every nook and cranny. His bones creaked, and his muscles spasmed from time to time.
The cold bit into his skin, causing him to shiver,but he endured, navigating through the trees as carefully as he could—he couldn't afford to let anything affect Alice's already unstable condition.
She was the only family he had left;he couldn't lose her.
His head suddenly snapped behind him—he felt a presence.
His heart thumped as he observed his surroundings, but the eyes on him seemed to have disappeared—only for them to come back once he turned around.
It didn't seem to have any animosity toward him,so he tried his best to ignore it as he pushed forward.
Time was running out; he had to leave the open.
His current destination was Mr. Finnley's place—the only shelter he could survive the night before leaving to find whoever his mother had told him to find.
He couldn't go to town for obvious reasons;he was now a wanted man,and it wasn't like he had anyone he could trust, anyway.
"I guess I can't get my wagon back now,"he joked,even though he didn't find it funny.He felt like he needed to do something to avoid losing himself.
It took him longer than usual, but he made it to the house.
It was dark, messy, and the smell of blood hung in the air, but it was shelter.
Placing Alice down, he bolted the door shut—stacking as much debris as he could to barricade it before turning on a lamp.
Then he returned his attention to her.
Her condition was much worse than he had thought;her skin had become so pale and cold.
"Dammit," he cursed, scrambling around the house, looking for anything he could find to help.
He found some bandages, a knife, and clothes.
"Still hot," he muttered.
The fireplace coals were still hot, so he placed the knife among them, allowing it to heat up until it glowed red.
He had to sterilize the wound to prevent infection.
Picking it up, he walked over to Alice stroking her cheek and hair, a warm smile appearing on his face.
"It's gonna hurt, a lot. Please bear with it", he spoke comfortingly, whether the words were directed at her or himself—he did not know.
He placed the blade against her stump, and the flesh sizzled.
Alice's body jerked up instinctively, but she made no sound other than a slight groan as her expression darkened.
The smell of burning flesh and smoke invaded his nose; he forced himself not to puke. Sweat dripped down his face as he bit his lip, forcing himself to focus.
He continued until the wound was completely closed before wrapping it in a bandage.
Then he repeated the process on her side wounds, wiped her with a wet rag, and changed her clothes.
Some color returned to her skin, and her expression relaxed.
A smile spread across Arthur's face as he stroked her hair once more:
"You did good. You're gonna live. I'll make sure of that,"he said, even if he didn't completely believe it. He had to have faith.
Arthur's gaze darted suddenly toward a window—he felt the gaze again, it felt relieved?
But he couldn't find anything, no matter how hard he looked.
Forcing himself to put it out of his mind, he cleaned himself up, addressed his own wounds, and changed clothes before laying down.
Even though his body was a total wreck, he couldn't sleep—he didn't even try to.
His mind was fixated on the shard in his hand.
It seemed to speak to him, luring him in, which only puzzled him further.
What was my mother's life before this?
The question rang in his head repeatedly, but no answer came.
A rustle.
Arthur quickly sat up, keeping the shard in his pocket, as his eyes darted toward the sound.
Then he spotted it—it wasn't trying to be discreet as it walked slowly toward the house.
His senses screamed at him to run, but that wasn't an option.
Arthur immediately got up, carrying Alice and keeping her in a room, before rushing out, locking the door behind him.
Then he took his axe and a butcher's knife he collected from the house and stood waiting.
Hector stood in front of the house, his nostrils flaring slightly before a smile split his bear-like face.
"I knew I wasn't mistaken. There was a scent of another" he rumbled, his voice a low growl as he punched the door open.
Boom—wood fragments and splinters exploded inward as the door shattered.
His eyes scanned the area, finally landing on his prey: a boy with black hair that flowed freely, stopping just above his eyes.
Even with his injuries and wildly beating heart, the boy stood defiant, weapons at the ready.
"Edna's last one," Hector muttered, though his nostrils flared again—there was something else.
Arthur stared at the part-man, part-bear hybrid in front of him, its fangs protruding and claws sharper than blades.
Covered in bloodstains and reeking of earth, iron, and muck, it was a horrifying sight.
Arthur's heart pounded; sweat dripped from his face, and his knuckles whitened around his weapons.
What the hell is that?!
The creature barely acknowledged him, its gaze drifting outside, but Arthur knew instinctively—this thing was beyond him.
Still, he couldn't give up. He had to protect Alice.
'If I let him dictate this fight, I'll die.'
With a deep breath, he steeled himself and charged.
Hector's ears perked up, his body reacting before his eyes locked onto Arthur.
He raised his right paw, deflecting the axe with his claws—sparks flew with a metallic ring.
"A commendable effort," he said, his voice low as he shoved Arthur back.
"But you can't win. Don't make this more painful than it needs to be. I'm on a tight schedule."
Arthur rolled right as Hector's claws gouged the wall where he'd stood.
"Dammit," he cursed inwardly, dodging another slash. He could do nothing but retreat.
The lone lamp guttered on the floor, its flame clinging to the wick like a dying breath. Shadows clawed at the walls of the tattered cottage—shattered chairs, a splintered table, and torn linens littered the space. Arthur's boot slipped in a puddle of his own blood as he backed into a corner, his axe trembling in his grip.
Across the room, Hector's hulking silhouette filled the doorway, his bear-like snout splitting into a grin.
"Didn't I tell you? You'll only make this more painful," he rumbled,** swiping a clawed paw at a shelf and sending pottery crashing down.
Arthur flinched, the knife in his off-hand biting into his palm as he tightened his grip.
Hector lunged, a blur of matted fur and muscle. Arthur dove sideways, rolling over a shattered chair as claws gouged the wall. Splinters rained down; the lamp's light shuddered, stretching Hector's shadow into a monstrous parody on the ceiling.
"Stay still," Hector growled, swiping again. Arthur parried with the axe, the impact jolting his arms. The blade bit into Hector's forearm, drawing dark blood, but the beast barely blinked.
"That all?" Hector chuckled, yanking the axe from Arthur's grip and tossing it aside. Arthur scrambled backward, his shoulder slamming into the wall. The butcher's knife trembled in his hand— the bear hybrid never leaving his line of sight.
Hector advanced, his bulk eclipsing the lamplight. Arthur's breath sawed in his chest—his body screamed, but he couldn't stop. He feinted left, then lunged right, driving the knife toward Hector's ribs. The blade skidded off his hide as if striking stone.
"Pathetic," Hector snarled, backhanding him. Arthur's head snapped sideways; the world tilted as he crashed into the hearth. Embers scattered, stinging his skin. The lamp wobbled, oil sloshing as he reached for it.
Hector loomed, claws flexing. "You'll scream louder than the girl."
Arthur's hand closed around the lamp—he hurled it.
Glass shattered. Flames erupted across Hector's chest, painting the room orange. The beast roared, swatting at the fire, and Arthur seized his chance. He grabbed the axe and swung—thunk. The blade buried itself in Hector's thigh.
The bear-hybrid bellowed, staggering. Arthur yanked the axe free, blood spraying his face. He tensed his legs for a follow up attack but his body remained fixed in place.
"Argh!" Arthur groaned, staring at the flames as his body convulsed.
He fell to his knees, struggling to breathe.
"What's happening to me?"
His body suddenly burned. The prickly feeling that had subsided suddenly erupted as his entire body was engulfed with needle like sensations all over.
A gutteral scream escaped his lips; the pain taking over his sanity.
His heart thumped like crazy in his chest, threatening to explode.
Hector watched as he smothered the flames with his hand, his eyes reflecting a thoughtful gaze.
His passive demeanor completely vanished as he pounced, his claw towards Arthur, aiming to kill him.
"S-stay back!" Arthur screamed, raising his hand towards his attacker.
Then something extraordinary happened, the flames that were dying out around Hector roared back to life-burning hotter and brighter.
And unlike the initial flames that clung to his fur, this one was of a deep crimson red, sticking only on Hector, avoiding everything else.
Arthur's eyes shook at the events before him but he couldn't stare for long as the pain erupted once more —even worse than before. His head felt like it was spitting open as blood dripped down his eyes and nose.
"Argh", Hector groaned as he stumbled slightly but pressed forward. He wanted Arthur dead.
Crash
A silhouette burst through the window, jumping in front on Arthur as Hector's claw clashed with its own.
Hector staggered backwards, staring at the beast in front of him.
A direwolf— it's golden eyes burning with rage and hatred as it growled at him. Blood staining his pure white fur, evidence of Hector's previous assault.
"You're the lousy mutt from before", Hector growled, then glanced at the boy it protected and behind him.
His eyes narrowed, impatience evident I'm his expression.
With a deep sigh, he tensed his calves and jumped towards the wolf as they clashed.
The direwolf twisted mid-air, jaws snapping at the beast's throat, but Hector jerked back, the fangs grazing his scaled hide. The man-bear retaliated, slamming it into the wall with a loud thud. Plaster rained down as the direwolf shook off the blow, circling, snarling.
Hector charged, claws raking the floorboards. The wolf darted beneath his massive frame, teeth sinking into the tendon above Hector's heel. The bear-hybrid roared, stumbling, as the wolf yanked his head, ripping into the flesh.
"GAAH!" Hector bellowed, backhanding the wolf as it skidded into the overturned table, wood splintering beneath him. Blood flecked his muzzle, but he was already moving.
Hector swiped again, claws catching surrounding objects. The wolf dodged, leaping onto Hector's back, its jaws clamping on his neck. The man-bear thrashed, crashing into the hearth, embers scattering.
"Get. OFF!" Hector roared, slamming himself backward into the stone wall. Lucky's ribs cracked audibly, but he held fast, fangs buried deeper. Blood sheeted down Hector's fur as he stumbled, finally dislodging the wolf with a whip-like twist.
Blood dripped into Arthur's eyes, blurring his vision, but through the haze, he saw the wolf lunging at Hector—a shadow with golden eyes that flickered in the firelight.
Golden eyes.
The wolf snarled, tearing into Hector's arm, and Arthur glimpsed the jagged notch in its ear—a memory surged: Lucky as a pup, nosing Arthur's hand after they'd freed him from the trap, his torn ear bleeding but his gaze unwavering. "You're one of us now," Arthur had whispered, binding the wound.
"Lucky…?" Arthur choked out, disbelief and hope clawing at his throat.
The direwolf's tail twitched—a faint, desperate wag—before Hector hurled him into the wall. Plaster rained down as Lucky crumpled, wheezing.
Hector's claws struck again, raking Lucky's sides. The direwolf yelped, crimson soaking his fur, but retaliated with a vicious snap to Hector's wrist. Bone crunched. The man-bear howled, enraged, and seized Lucky by the throat. "DIE!" Hector snarled, lifting the wolf off his feet.
Arthur's body burned—needles of pain seering through his body, as he struggled to get himself upright but he fell, despite this—his eyes remained glued to Hector.
"GET OFF HIM", he screamed, watching Lucky whimper in the bear-man's grip but Hector paid him no attention.
'Get up. Burn him'
A voice slithered through his skull— it was cold and distant—Arthur had heard it before, in his dreams. His fingers clawed at the splintered floorboards, nails splitting as he dragged himself forward. Fire flickered weakly in his palm, sputtering like a dying candle.
'Pathetic', IT hissed. 'Let me in. I will help you.'
"Shut… up," Arthur gritted out, teeth stained red. His left arm gave out, shoulder dislocating with a sickening pop. He screamed, the sound raw, but lurched himself upright using the shattered remains of a chair.
Lucky's golden eyes met Arthur's—desperate—and then something snapped.
The flames surrounding Hector erupted, turning into an crimson ocean as it comsumed him.
Fire engulfed Hector's torso, the stench of charred fur and flesh choking the air. The man-bear howled, dropping Lucky.
The direwolf hit the ground rolling. With a guttural snarl, he lunged one last time, fangs sinking into Hector's thigh, tearing through muscle to bone — before retreating to avoid the flames.
"ENOUGH!" Hector bellowed, stumbling back, flames still clinging to his hide.
He glared at Arthur and then the wolf who remained glued to his side.
"This....isn't over" he growled as he made his towards the door—vanishing into the night.
Arthur watched as the man left the building before he collapsed, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. The flames died down to embers, disappearing as its target had left.
Lucky limped to his side, licking his bloodied hand—a feeble wag of his tail, with a whine softer than the crackling fire.
Arthur's gaze landed on him, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Y-You… idiot," Arthur choked, fingers curling in Lucky's singed fur. The wolf's breath hitched, but he nuzzled Arthur's cheek once before collapsing, against him.
Arthur cradled Lucky's body, the compass pulsing cold against his chest. Blood dripped from his nose, mingling with tears.
"You saved her," he whispered. "You saved me."
Lucky whimpered once more as he closed his eyes causing Arthur to panic for a moment but calmed down soon after—he could still feel Lucky's heartbeat.
"Don't scare me like that", he mumbled, relived as he looked up.
He had so many questions and no one to provide him answers.
He was scared and in pain but he had no one to depend on.
He glanced at the door in front of him, he had to close it before midnight but.... he couldn't move.
His body hurt too much.
His vision blurred, his body falling as he leaned into Lucky—he had fallen unconscious.