The dire wolf. A wild creature often used by nobility as symbols of power. Great size and strength, it also sought after for its fine fur. Not something a casual hunter can hunt, because the dire wolf is also known for its great intelligence.

"Bleargh, ugh, urh." The dire wolf is dry heaving and staggering towards a river. The trees are sparse, with bushes and saplings in between. Some of the bushes had berries on them, and some small spiders are seen fixing their webs. The sun has just risen, casting a fine orange glow on the leafs. However, the dire wolf is not looking good. Its mouth was leaking blood. The fur around its mouth, originally a light color, bloodied. It would intimidate most of the wildlife, but the constant gagging noises ruin the moment. Some of the birds in the trees are even laughing at the dire wolf.

"What the fuck did that rabbit eat?" Balto muttered to himself.

"The rabbit was easy to kill, but that horrible taste won't leave my mouth alone. At least the water will wash the shit out of my wounds. By the All Father, what did that rabbit eat? Rocks? The winter isn't even here yet, so it didn't need to be so desperate for food."

Balto reached the river. It was by no means a big river, but it was enough for small fish creatures to swim in it. The water surface is clear, with some rocks poking through the water surface. Frogs are croaking, and a fish is swimming against the current. A small mouse like creature is also drinking some river water, but is clearly startled by the sight of Balto. And after washing his mouth and eating a small brown frog, He wondered where he was. Wolves are pack animals, and it feels odd being all alone. Balto tried all the old tricks his mother once taught him if he ever got lost from the pack. He didn't pick up on any familiar scents, he didn't see anything obvious, and he hasn't tried howling. Why? Because unlike normal animals, a monster usually got better critical thinking. Balto knows that if his pack could hear him, others could as well. And that isnt a good thing.

"Where is this place even? I know it's the same forest, it looks familiar, but the smells are a bit different." He muttered while taking another whiff of the air.

"*sniff* Water *sniff* old smells, *sniff* squirrel. No smells from the pack." After cleaning his mouth and taking in a breath of air, it was time for him to move again.

The forest has a vast amount of wildlife and a lot of them are edible. Luckily for Balto, he isnt one of the monsters placed low on the picking line. But unluckily for him, and unknown to him, this usually only apply to dire wolves in groups. There are stronger monsters more than capable of killing a dire wolf. Such as the nemesis of all dire wolves. The bark bear for example is a dangerous monster. A bark bear is well known for its camouflage. Its skin and fur looks and feels like bark. It even smells like bark.

Good thing this oddly shaped tree has this convenient big bump growing on it. It is also so comfortable and warm. I didnt know trees grew like this. Why didnt mother say anything about trees like this. It even vibrates in a steady rhythm.

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*Yawn,* A quick nap and then back to looking for the pack. Hm... Is the world moving?

Balto moved away from the tree and the bump he was sleeping on turns around and lo and behold, it has a face that only a bear could love. Dire wolves are around 1.70 meters tall, and the bark bear is a staggering 2.50 meters tall. It stands up on its rear legs and releases a roar. The grass shakes with the roar, the force so great that Balto has to squint. It slams down back onto the ground and starts chasing Balto. The ground shakes as the bark bear sprints after Balto and after a half a second of panic, he runs as well.

"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck-" Balto looks behind him and sees the face of the bark bear trying to bite his tail. With a yipe and a scream, Balto speeds up in fear of losing his tail. While Balto is trying to jump around trees and small rocks, the bear doesnt seem to care about it at all and crush them all with its massive momentum.

If that thing fucking hits me, I'll turn into a pulp of meat! I dont want to die like this, I need to find the pack! Wait the river! Maybe I can escape the bear by going over the river. Something that fat couldnt swim.

The forest fauna runs away from the two huge monsters. While the dire wolf is trying to get rid of the bark bear, it seems to not bother with anything else. It breaks trees with ease, and the rocks that are in the way arent big enough to stop the rampaging beast. The splinters go flying and a poor bird that tried to escape is pierced right through the guts. And the dire wolf manages to get to the river and leaps for one of the rocks. And the bear stops by the water edge.

"Haha fatty, get fucked!" He yells at it. The bear is standing next to the water, and is giving Balto a look of ridicule. The bear huffs, and turns away.

"Yeah, get out of here!" Balto howls at it and does a little victory dance, but unknown to him, the bear is also mocking him.

"Dumb dire wolf. It is a miracle that the dumb thing hasnt died yet of being stupid." The bark bear is shaking its head and walking away.

And after the chase, Balto finally finds a small cave to rest in. A small hole made from two rocks being smashed together, and a small patch of moss growing on the ground inside of it. And with the sun fall, it looks like a comfortable little hole to sleep in.

Quite nice, and if something else tries to enter, it won't be able to because I am in here. It doesnt smell like something has been using this cave, either, so thats a nice bonus. Now to sleep.

Curling up in the cave and covering his snout with his close-to-death tail, he is now trying to sleep. But an itch is annoying him. He is trying to ignore it, but it feels so uncomfortable. It starts in his neck, and he tries to scratch the spot, but it doesnt help. It moves down his spine and Balto is rubbing his entire back against the mossy floor. It creeps from his spine and into his limbs and guts. He tries to stretch it out, but that doesnt help either. And before he can scream in pain, it stops. Panting, Balto shakes his body and looks at his back.

What the fuck was that itch? At least it is gone now. Going back to his original position, he closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.

His back seems to have changed. Underneath the fur, the once normal pale skin has taken a slightly green and pink color.