Appraisal
[Shadestalker (Crisis) (Lv. ???)]
Every instinct screamed at me to run, but the way its eyes tracked me told me flight would end quicker than a fight.
It moved closer. Slow. Deliberate. Each step carved tension into the air.
But then, behind it, another set of eyes appeared. Smaller. Lower to the ground.
A cub.
It stumbled into the clearing, oversized paws dragging as it tripped over roots and righted itself. Shadows clung to its fur like its larger counterpart, but faint, flickering. Its fangs were short, still growing in, and its golden eyes were wide and curious, flicking around, taking in the world with great interest.
The bigger one paused, head lowering as her gaze cut past me, lingering for a moment, before turning back, drawing her cub close with a sweep of her tail.
I swallowed, risking a glance behind me while it wasn't focused.
The fire..? No, the meat.
It glistened, sizzling as fat dripped into the fire, smoke curling upward.
It wants...the meat?
