For those who fantasize about adventures, exploring the unknown, and overcoming dangers, those fantasies may be just that, but for me, they are as real as going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning. Have I piqued your interest? Good! My adventure begins 32 years back, on a bright summer solstice morning.

At the time, I was living on the outskirts of Willow Forest with my two elder siblings Clime and Hector, as well as our father Leon. The forest itself was a dangerous and difficult environment to live near, with numerous predatory animals inhabiting territories.

Nonetheless, since we were children, our father has taught us that living in a small village is the most unsafe place to be; "You are safer when you put yourself in a danger that you can overcome, than in a danger of what you are not aware of, or strong enough to fight against." he used to say.

It is well known that bandits frequently raid settlements, killing or enslaving everyone; normally, pretty girls are left unharmed, but they wish they weren't.

He built his house near to the forest, but yet close to the settlement where he met our mother 15 years ago; as a retired mercenary who had gone through many circumstances, he knew how to stay hidden.

When it came to my personal life, I was the family's black sheep. I wasn't mistreated, or at the very least, I wasn't shown that I had been. During a typical day, my primary responsibility was ironically to see after the 6 sheep we kept for milk, meat, and fur.

The work wasn't difficult by itself, but crossing from the outskirts of the forest to the other side of it over a narrow walkway while seeing that no sheep were lost, eaten, or from what I could tell, I myself wasn't eaten, it put a lot of pressure on me.

Our house was relatively hidden by trees and bushes that had grown pretty tall being close to the old forest; but it was the only cover we had, and we couldn't let the animals feed around since would leave traces; thus, the only option was the creepy dark forest where the wind didn't blow, you could not see past 50 meters due to the thick vegetation, and you could swear that someone or something is watching your every step.

Old tales father used to say, told about big wars between the Dorumen Kingdom, the one we live in, and other neighbors a century ago. In the tales, the neighboring kingdoms were also fighting between each other for this kingdom's land.

During this time, thousands of folks were sheltering in this forest, scared of being killed by the invading forces; but no one returned, not even one.

Of course, he also told us tales of how he once slew a dragon, which everyone knows doesn't exist, or how he killed 10 people while having an injured hand. I couldn't trust what he said at that time, however, somehow the forest's tale seemed to bother me.

Having only 5 hours of sleep after a day of cutting trees and carrying them to the workbench where another body-intensive work followed, sucks. As I come to, I comprehend something terrible. Getting out of bed is going to hurt like hell!

It's not like my body isn't built for hard work- "Ah!" I grit my teeth and roll sideways to face my dog, who seems more exhausted than me. I smile at him while supporting my head with my arm.

Fenrir is a dog or the nearest thing to one. Four years ago, I was strolling through the Willow Forest, which is only a few hundred meters from my house, looking for wild fruits and plants. I discovered this white cub lying at the base of a tree in a small clearing, right after crossing between the heavy vegetation and trees.

Looking up close at the cub, he seemed coated in blood; however, the only injury visible was on his left front paw, but not life-threatening.

The fresh blood wasn't his. There was also a blood trail coming from the other part of the forest, and continuing in the dense foliage on his right side.

I knew that the cat size cub won't be safe if a predator would track the blood trail, so I took him home knowing that It won't be easy to make him trust me.

Today, things are different. Fenrir is not a little cub anymore, he has grown past anyone's expectations getting as close to 90 cm tall.

'Just look at him! That brilliant white fur and deep black eyes would make jealous every pet owner from here to the horizon, and back. I'd better be using him as a pillow from time to time; maybe it will lessen my body ache.' I groan while making my first steps out of the bed in such an awkward and rusty way that looked like, right now, I'm learning how to walk

In the dark room without any openings for the sun to burst in, not that there was any sun outside at this time; the only beacon from which I could tell where am I, was Fenrir. Even in this pitch-black enclosure, his fur was very visible, and he is also sleeping in the middle of the room every time.

"Morning buddy! Are you awake?" I chuckle and push in his fur with my foot

"Hey, wake up already. Don't tell me you snecked outside again last night and went to God knows where?! Come on, w-we g-g-got work to do, remember?" I push harder enough that I almost make him roll on the wooden floor

"Grrr!" Fenrir says

"Hah, what will I do if I go alone with the sheep and get attacked by a bear in the forest? Will, you at least bury my remains? Or will you eat them?"

Fenrir's saliva is falling

'I don't think I wanted to know the response to that question. There is no other option then.'

"If you come with me and keep me company today, I will personally skin a chicken for you and tell my dad I saw a fox around our home with some feathers in its mouth. I swear!"

Having a house made from wood isn't as comfortable as one may think. Besides the cold that penetrates between the cracks and the sound the wind produced while doing so, there was also the constant sound whenever someone was walking around.

'I can very well tell for example, that right now my father went outside, and is preparing to go somewhere since I can hear the horse's feet on the muddy ground.' I contemplate

"Rob! Come outside. We need to talk." says Leon, my father

I drop fast to my knees and try to find my wooden shoes, but while doing so, I hit my head on the edge of the small table which was only a few inches away.

"Ahh, ****!" I curse while pampering my head with my left hand while still searching for the shoes with my right one

Fortunately, after only a few more cursings, I manage to find them under the wooden table, sightly in the back. Hurrying to put them on, I turn toward my dog.

"Deal?"

"Wouf!" he responds, and we exit the house

Outside, the morning breeze was refreshing. The sun was yet to rise and the work yet to start. It is pretty quiet if you don't count the wind that sometimes moves the high grass giving you the impression that something is lurking through it; the sound made by the trees while arching their branches full of leaves which raises the hair on your back or the sound of dozens of crickets.

"What is i-" I try to say while I approach my father who was preparing the carriage for leaving

"Ah, you lazy asshole! I did it myself. Go wash your face. Maybe you'll wake up!" he stares knives at me

I raise my hands in defeat, turn around, and leave. 'It's not like I didn't expect this. I'm already used to being treated like this anyway. Let's just pretend that nothing happened. Yeah, let's do that." I look down at Fenrir who was sitting just a few meters ahead

"Let's go, my friend! It's time to say good morning to our neighbours." I blink

Half an hour later, the horizon started to glow. The morning sky, half-filled with white and grey clouds was visible once more. Walking with my bare feet in the front yard where the grass was thick but not high, extending my hands and taking in the first warm rays of the sun while feeling the humid soil between my fingers, was the best feeling... ever. I wished to get stuck in that moment, enjoying the feeling for eternity and maybe a bit more.

However, I wasn't some kind of God with magic powers that could stop the time or have a pocket universe where it is morning all the time, so I had to get my shoes back on, get the provisions for the day, walk the sheep safely on the western plains and get back in the afternoon.

On my way to the barn, I notice Hector and Clime coming out of the house. Father made it clear that Hector, the oldest brother is his favourite kid because he was my and Clime's mother and father until we grew old enough to take care of ourselves.

I wasn't harboring any ill thoughts towards him, but on the contrary, I respected him.

On the other hand, Clime while he looks like our father, has also our mother's defects... He was visibly shy sometimes, which was betraying his composed expression. When we were younger, there was almost no day without a small fight.

Now, being adults, we see no profit in beating someone, that someone being me; because If I wasn't able to do my job, someone had to, and we all know who was going to do it.

'So they will go with father in the village to sell our woodcraft and then enjoy themselves while I'm stuck all day with some brainless sheep.

That's so nice...' I sigh

"Hector! Check again if we have everything we need in the carriage." Leon says while coming out of the house

Hector nods and gets to work.

"Clime!" he settles his eyes on his second son, but then looks at the ground and again at his son's face as if he forgot what was he going to say

"Ah, yes… father?" replies Clime with shyness and a very clear excitement in his body language

"You.. go help your brother Hector. We must leave as soon as possible." he decides to say then gazes at me for a split second and goes back inside

Not wanting to see the smug grin on Clime's face when he leaves towards the village knowing that I'm not going with them; I go to the barn behind the house to take my food provisions and the wooden staff from the top of a pile of golden hay where I left them a while ago.

In the barn, the fence divides the room into compartments. With most of them empty of animals, we usually fill them with hay and other important farming tools that can't be kept out in the open.

As usual, Fenrir sits close to the entrance, looking at the opening towards the forest where the small path gets devoured by the high trees and bushes.

'He looks so intense that you'd think he hears something from this far. I hope that's just an overstatement.' my sight drops to the ground unfocused

Out of nowhere, I hear some steps getting closer and my shoulders straighten. Hector enters the bar. He passes by Fenrir without giving him a glance and stops one meter from my face.

We both look into each other's eyes for a couple of seconds. None of us is saying anything while at it as if it was some kind of glorified staring contest.

Then, my eyes water, for no reason.

'What is this? Am I crying? I'm fucking 20 years old... Hold your horses!'

He keeps staring at me with his brown eyes. For a moment, I thought that he is either going to punch me for some kind of reason, or laugh and leave while doing so. But none of those happens. Instead, he approaches me even closer, and closer... until my face rests on his chest.

"It's ok, little brother. It's ok." Hector says while petting my head

With no courage to move even a finger, I stay there and let my unruly tiers wet his clothes.

"Listen, I need to tell you a story about our mother. But, It's not the time now." he steps back while holding a hand on my left shoulder

"Meet me tonight here. Father will be too drunk to be awake after we return, and we will have all the time. All you need to know for now is that Christina, our mother, loved you very much." he continues

I nod at him while wiping my tears with my sleeves

"I will."

He smiles and leaves.

'I've never seen him smile like that before. This is so unreal.'

It was midday.

I ponder the morning events while I seek refuge under the shade of a wanderer tree on the western plains. 'What did my brother need to tell me, and why does my father never allow me to join them in the village?' Surely the sheep can spend a day munching hay in the barn.'

Realizing that my breath had faded out for a few minutes as If my body hasn't noticed that I'm still alive, I close my eyes and inhale a fresh mouth of air.

I expire softly looking at the landscape.

The western plains weren't all that different from where I live. Aside from what you can see from the horizon, which is largely plants and trees here and there, grass fills practically every location where there are no rocks. The grass isn't as tall or as dense as it is back home, but it conveys the same sense of untamed nature and mystery.

'When my father tasked me first time to come here, I remember being so angry, so frustrated that I had to walk all the way here through that creepy forest just to feed 6 sheep. After some time, I discovered that this place can also be a blessing. It become my sanctuary.' I think, leaving a sad smile forming on my face

Just a couple of metres away towards the forest, beyond a tall rock that was easily distinguished as being a bit taller than the tip of the grass around it, the sheep fed. Fenrir was on the other side of me, halfway between the sheep and the trees.

He was taking his job seriously. I couldn't be more proud of him.

Sometimes, he would go into the forest, doing what dogs do, and come back one hour or so later. I stopped asking myself a long time ago what was he doing in there. It was a usual thing for him to snick out of our house in the middle of the night and come back in the morning.

"He isn't probably a dog, just looks like one." I mumble under my breath

I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding, and the hours passed.

It was late afternoon. The sun was gently losing its strength, and I, without a care in the world, was having a nice nap in the middle of nowhere.

I was inside a bustling tavern, sipping a large cup of ale. The light was warmly golden, possibly from the several candles scattered around; although I sat alone at the table, the voices and vigorous laughter around me made me shiver for a while. "Unusual..." I decide to say.

Behind the counter, to my left, was a maiden, 'probably in her twenties,' wearing a long Lineweaver dress with a cut-out ****** displaying some of the largest boobs I'd ever seen. For the record, I hadn't seen many ladies or any of the opposite sex in particular at the time.

When she caught my fixed attention, she smiled and bowed respectfully; then, one instant later, she moved toward me, and I feel like my breathing becomes obstructed with each step she makes.

I pick up the mug, still staring at her treasure that bounces with every step, and raise it to my mouth to take a sip. I awoke with a huge, sloppy doggie kiss from the chin to the forehead.

My eyes widen in immediate realization and I raise to my feet. "Oh, Dear God! I fell asleep." I look around to see whether I'm still intact, stroking my body as if I had an unnoticed injury. I look after the sheep by making sure that they are still in the usual location. Not far from here, they were all huddled together.

"Uhh, everything seems right... but we're late. We should have left around 2 hours ago." I steady my breath while guessing the time by looking at the position of the sun

I wipe my forehead of sweat, but my hands only found the dog's saliva.

"Hah... good job, buddy!" I sigh at Fenrir, who was focusing on me and rub his fluff

He dims his eyes and thoroughly enjoys the gesture. I made the conscious decision not to pet him too much, preferring to do it only when he did something good, or I felt proud of him so that he would cherish it more.

'I learnt it the hard way. Not being shown appreciation at all.'

I approach the sheep with the wooden staff in my hand and the tiny bag that used to be full of food and water, and sling the staff towards them to make them walk in the route direction. Fenrir begins to bark at two of them who appear to be too indolent to move.

We come close to the Willow forest's entrance, and I'm working hard to maintain the sheep in a narrow line since sheep are known to follow another of their kind if it's in front. This reduces the chances of losing one of them because they determine some bushes seem tasty.

The deeper we go in, the less wind I feel and hear. I can only hear some of the top branches of the tall trees being blown in the wind if I concentrate hard enough. I whistle an order for Fenrir as I walk by a fallen tree that had been coated in moist moss for perhaps more than 60 years.

It was the simplest approach to give directives because it was quick and simple for him to comprehend. Fenrir jumped to the left side of the pack after hearing the instruction, snarling less frighteningly than usual. The sheep that had been nearly two metres apart from the rest of the flock had to return and walk in step with the others.

"Good job, buddy! Without you, I wouldn't be able to do this!" I catch him grinning.

After another 30 minutes of walking, the path was barely visible less than 10 meters ahead. I began to feel anxious. It never occurred to me that It will get dark so fast. And yet, there I was, cursing all known and unknown Gods and Goddesses for such good fortune; while trying not only to check if I was still travelling in the right direction but also to keep track of the sheep, who appeared to be acting oddly.

They walked quickly, then slowly, leaning slightly to the right or left. I instantly remembered seeing Clime so wasted that he couldn't stand in a spot for more than two seconds.

I shake my head to focus on the moment, but something came to my mind again when seeing some footprints on the muddy ground. By whistling a command to Fenrir, I was able to stop the sheep.

'We've been here before. Are we going around in circles?' looking frustrated

"However, something appears to be off." I take in my surroundings. Only the tips of the branches are visible through the darkness. Only the night birds and the occasional hushed rustling can be heard.

I stroll over to the next tree and look for a hand-made circle, similar to a hay bracelet.

When I go to the western plain, I normally leave them hanging so I don't get lost on the way back. I stopped requiring the hay bracelet once I discovered how to get in and out, and I stopped collecting them when I returned; but, things have changed lately. I'd never been caught during nighttime in the forest before.

"It should be around here..." I attempt to feel the hard tree bark at roughly 2 metres above the ground level where I generally cling them.

When I don't feel the bracelet, a terrible notion makes my body tremble with terror as it's never done before, and Fenrir's snarling grows louder.

I quickly turn around and walk back down the path, exactly where I checked the footprint earlier. Returning my gaze to the ground... To test if the measurements match, I positioned my foot next to the footprint.

'Please tell me this isn't what I think it is. Please tell me this isn't what I think it is. Please tell me this isn't what I think it is.' I repeat in my mind

And I was absolutely correct. It wasn't another man's footprint... because it wasn't a human footprint. My eyes widen as I gently touch the front of the footprint, with my left hand, which appears to have little holes as if the person who produced it had long and very sharp nails.

Fenrir was becoming lauder, and the sheep were becoming more distressed.

The saliva stick in my gut and couldn't swallow.

Although it was freezing outside, I was dripping with sweat as if I had just completed a 40-kilometre marathon. Daring to rise on my feet while still looking at the ground, I catch in my field of vision another pair of feet other than mine; dark green with long nails pointed toward me.

My heart began pumping blood at an unusually fast pace. Four things happened in a very short period, as though in slow motion thanks to the adrenaline.

Firstly, I raise my head and see something that cannot be unseen. I couldn't determine whether I was terrified, disgusted, or both. The hideous creature with red eyes and black pupils tries to leap on me, and it opened its mouth, which had teeth of all sizes.

Secondly, I lost my balance and landed flat on my back. Fenrir collided with the creature's midsection just as it was about to fall on me, knocking it a few m away to the side.

Thirdly, I try to regain my footing when I notice two more of those creatures leaping from the bushes, wreaking havoc on the sheep, ripping them apart, opening their wombs like a door and devouring the raw meat while the animals still move their legs as if they were running, unaware that they are already dead.

Lastly, because the beast, that had been tossed to the side a minute before, was rising up, I did what any true man with confidence and a clear mind would do. I run for my life.

The sickening sounds which the creatures made while chewing at the sheep corpses were loud and would make you vomit just by listening.

Fortunately, I wasn't there anymore to be withness to their feast or be their feast.

Right now, I was the fastest man alive, or at least that was my perception of myself when the trees appear from the front darkness at speed and were lost one by one into my peripheral vision while running like a maniac with Fenrir by my side.

"Buddy, if somehow we survive this... I'll cook for you the biggest chiken you've ever seen and I'll go the tavern and drink a mug of the strongest ale they got!" I glance at him

"Wouf!" he seemed happy

I was sprinting, jumping, and propelling myself ahead by placing my hands on the trees as they approached. Behind, the thing was still around twenty metres far from us. It was losing ground since it was slower, but it didn't appear to exhaust. It seemed quite possible that It would catch me at some point if I let down my guard and halted even for just a second. But I couldn't keep running all night. It was dark, and I didn't have a weapon, so I had to find a place to hide...

'But where?' looking all directions while my breath was harder with every step

On a whim, I sprint to the left with my final powers quicker, widening the space between me and the creature, causing it to lose sight of us.

After passing through a few dozens of trees and a stony terrain difficult to travel on where the roots were exposed, I notice some dense bushes on the side of a tiny clearing that would offer the ideal camouflage.

The ground was sturdier than in the deep portions of the forest where I was emerging from, which increased my confidence that I wouldn't be discovered by leaving tracks.

I jump headfirst into the largest bush I can locate and stay low. Fenrir followed suit, making no noise in the process.

The atmosphere was tense. My breath was heavy and I tried to regain control over it. I was afraid that my breath would blow up the cover. After waiting in silence for a couple of minutes, I let out a sigh I didn't realize I was holding.

'The creature lost strack of us. We're safe, for now.' I rub my friend's back fur

With the most immediate threat gone, I was beginning to comprehend the similarities of the view.

'This clearing, the shrubs and tree on the opposite side, within the clearing... Isn't this the location where I met Fenrir four years ago?' my pupils dilate

'Which means I'm only a half-hour walk away from home. I should wait a little longer to make sure that creature isn't around, then flee as fast as I can. But what will I tell my father? Would any of my brothers take me seriously? What if they assign me to look for the sheep, assuming it was just an excuse, and I actually lost them while sleeping? What if they go themselves and get killed?

I, most certainly, won't come inside this forest for as long as I live. No matter what.' I contemplate

Then, a warm sensation began to wash across my back. For a short moment, my vision dimmed, forcing me to look behind. Inside the bush, a narrow tunnel of leaves and thin branches were emerging. At the end, a small light was penetrating between the leaves hanging from the tunnel's walls, and I swear I heard people talking but couldn't understand what they were saying. It was a really complicated cacophony as if several people were speaking at the same moment but from afar.

I look at Fenrir, who is already on all fours and witnessing the same thing I am. He raises his head to meet my eyes.

"Should we check?" I wonder, and we both pursue in **for legs** the light at the end of the tunnel.