I flexed my hands and tightened my muscles. I felt like a snake coiled and ready to strike, I echoed the creature's growl with a challenge of my own.

In response, the Emberwolf sprung with uncanny agility. Its jaws, engulfed in flames, parted for a strike.

I pivoted on my right foot and drove my axe into its descent, a precise interception. The blade sank deep into its hide, wrenching a yelp of shock and agony from it. My left axe followed, a quick, ruthless strike cutting through the air.

As the second blade carved the Emberwolf’s side, embers hissed and spat, hanging momentarily in the cool air.

But the creature wasn't done. With a furious roar, it lunged for my exposed arm, fiery teeth bared.

All those hours in Salve weren't just for my health though, ironically, I guess they were. I was able to retract my arm, and narrowly evade its bite, and counter with a well-placed kick that slid the beast across the ash floor.

Sensing an opportunity, I advanced rapidly, axes shimmering with lethal intent. They crashed into the Emberwolf, drawing a chorus of pain that echoed throughout the forest.

Yet, this Emberwolf was no easy quarry. It rallied with a growl, lunging anew, with fiery eyes fixated on me, its prey.

I felt the searing pain before I understood it. The creature’s fangs punctured my side, a burning agony spreading through me.

This was my first injury outside of the arena and it jolted my nerves, it was a reminder that this wasn’t Salve, this was real. Fortunately I did not have time to dwell on my injuries, I had to win, to survive, to get home. Matching the Emberwolf's fury with my own, I retaliated, channeling all my strength into a final, powerful swing of my axes.

The impact was decisive. My axes found their mark, a sound blow. The beasts’ anguished cries reverberated one last time before fading, the fiery glow in its eyes extinguished. Standing tall, though panting from the exertion, I looked down upon my vanquished foe. Victory was mine. “You know, we could have been friends you and I. I’m a dog person.”

The forest's gentle hum returned, punctuated by the soft gurgles of the nearby stream. My axes felt heavy in my hands and, in my exhaustion, I let them fall to the ground. Falling to my knees, I gasped for breath, feeling both the sharp sting of my injuries and the weight of the victory I'd achieved. I had won, but the cost was evident.

I found my curiosity peaking as I studied the defeated beast. It was a magnificent creature, with its fiery, wild, power. Now it almost looked peaceful. “Good night Mongo, good fight and all.”

With the creature's cooling body before me, I tentatively extended my hand, hovering it just above its ashen coat. I thought occurred to me. How do I do this? I guess just give it a try. In my mind, I formed the thought: LOOT.

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Suddenly, a 'Loot' tab shimmered into my field of vision. “ Jackpot! Let's see what the forest slot machine's got for me today.'" I accessed it and was greeted by a list of treasures. My heart raced as I read the words: Blaze Strider Sabatons. They were leather boots. ‘Snazzy’ I thought, they wouldn’t match my pinstripe button up but its okay to clash in emergencies.

I took them out of my inventory and held them close to give them a once over. They appeared to be in good condition. And they were certainly better protection than my Allen Edmonds wingtips. This is excellent, I thought. But my wingtips did match better, best to keep those in my inventory just in case I need to match.

Also, on the beast were a few more treasures: a bandage, ideal for treating my fresh wounds, and a few leather scraps, maybe I could gain a leatherworking profession or sell them to someone.

The scraps immediately went into my inventory, which is funny because I didn’t even know it existed until I picked up those boots. I looked down at my injury. I should treat this as best I can now before it gets too bad.

I took off my shirt and looked at my side, the injury looked gruesome. I could see how far the beasts teeth had gone in. I was lucky that it retracted so quickly and didn’t try to shake me or something, it could have been much worse. Taking the bandage from my inventory into my hands, I started to tend to my wound, wrapping the fabric around the wounded flesh. The material was supple but strong, seemingly fusing with my skin. As the last fold settled, I felt it tighten, sealing the injury.

I was relieved at that. I wonder if it would be like Salve and bandages would not work in combat. Time would tell, I guess.

During this process, I watched my health bar. As it rose, likely accelerated by the bandage, I calculated that it would be back to full in time. I wasn’t sure quite how much time, but it seemed like not more than a few hours.

For a lingering moment, I stood amidst the ash trees, her memory vibrant and overwhelming. But I couldn't let sorrow halt my journey. Pushing the pain aside, I refocused on the task ahead.

Taking a deep breath, the distinct aroma of the ash forest filled my lungs. The tangible weight of the Blaze Strider Sabatons in my grip as I placed them on my feet, replacing my wingtips, the reassuring uptick of my health bar, and the untouched mana bar – all served as reminders of this new reality I was navigating.

Determined, I checked on my girlfriend and baby grief, yep still sealed away. I scanned the area for a way forward. As my health bar crept up, I felt another need tug at my attention. My stomach rumbled audibly, I would be hungry soon, and thirsty. But my mission was clear: venture deeper into this ashen expanse towards the looming city that encircled the coliseum, and find water and food on the way.

The forest’s silence felt uncanny, only interrupted by the crunch of my boots against the scorched ground. Yet, despite the quiet, an undercurrent of life thrummed around, it was nice, I hadn’t realized how much I had missed being in nature, even if it wasn’t what I would call a traditional greenspace. I found it exhilarating and was taking it all in as I walked.

That alertness proved invaluable. My senses jolted me to attention as another Emberwolf emerged, charging at me furiously. There was no time to strategize – this beast was all fiery wrath.

Recalling my encounter from a few minutes ago, I remembered the surprise in the Emberwolf's eyes by the stream. It hadn't anticipated a threat. But this one was different, aggressive, and evidently prepared to fight. I wondered about their range of instincts, their capabilities. Had it known I was here?

However, now wasn’t the time for musings. Here came furball 2.0, looking for a revenge I guess.“I shouldn’t just assume we are enemies, are you here to give directions or a tour or something?” I asked, chuckling to myself, I could still be breezy.

The beasts growled in response. Guess not, I steeled myself in response, tightening my grip on my axes and flexing my muscles. The rest of my body instinctively braced; every fiber ready for the impending clash. I lunged forward, meeting the Emberwolf's charge with one of my own.