Morning arrived with soft light slipping through the wooden gaps of the shelter. Ethan woke to the sound of the bark skinned creature shifting its weight on the straw. It tried to stand again testing its injured legs. The silver wolf sat close by watching protectively. Ethan smiled at the small scene. Two creatures from this strange world learning to trust each other because he brought them under the same roof. Back home he used to see similar moments among young animals when they learned to feel safe again.

Ethan stepped outside to stretch. Villagers already gathered near the entrance not out of fear now but curiosity. Some brought small baskets of food and herbs. A few asked if they could see the creatures. Ethan let them peek inside as long as they stayed quiet and gentle. Children stared with wide eyes as the wolf’s soft glow reflected in the dim light.

One boy raised a hand and asked the elder if he could touch the wolf. The elder hesitated then looked to Ethan. Ethan crouched beside the wolf and placed a calm hand on its neck. He motioned for the boy to approach slowly. The boy stepped forward with tiny careful steps. He extended his hand and the wolf sniffed it. After a moment the wolf pressed its head into the boy’s palm. The boy gasped with delight. The villagers whispered in awe. Even the elder’s eyes softened a little.

The hunter appeared at the edge of the crowd scowling as always. He muttered something under his breath then walked away. Ethan watched him go. He knew the man would not disappear. The hunter represented an old belief the world had followed too long. That beasts existed only to threaten. Someone like that did not let go easily.

Later that morning Mira returned with more herbs. She worked beside Ethan again, applying the soothing paste to the bark creature’s wounds. They communicated with gestures and short simple words. Ethan pointed at the herb she used and she told him its name. He repeated it until she nodded in approval. Then she asked for the English name. He explained it was similar to a leaf used for swelling back home. Mira repeated the word swelling several times until she could say it clearly. She smiled with pride. The exchange felt warm and natural like two keepers learning from each other across worlds.

The elder called Ethan to the main hall soon after. The villagers parted to let him through. Inside the council sat waiting with a map laid on the table. The elder pointed at a forest symbol near the village then drew a circle with his finger. He said a string of words Ethan recognized from the villagers earlier. Something about animals gathering near the edge of the woods. He sensed concern in the elder’s tone. Before he could react the hunter entered the hall again with a rough bundle in his hands. He threw it onto the table. Inside were broken branches covered with long claw marks.

The hunter explained something with sharp gestures. The elder frowned. Ethan stepped closer and examined the marks. They were too wide for small creatures and too inconsistent for a predator on a hunt. Then he recognized the pattern. He had seen similar signs when stressed animals back home paced or scratched at barriers. These marks looked like a creature searching for space or reacting to fear not rage.

Ethan pointed at the marks then mimed pacing. The elder watched closely. Ethan repeated the gesture showing how an animal circles restlessly. The elder’s eyes widened as understanding grew. The hunter protested angrily but the elder raised a hand to silence him. The village had listened to the hunter’s warnings for years. Now their trust in him was shaken. The elder wanted Ethan’s thoughts.

Ethan thought for a moment then knelt beside the map. He pointed at the forest then at the village then placed his hand on the table to show distance shrinking. He made small tapping sounds with his fingers like approaching footsteps. The villagers leaned in. Ethan was explaining that the creatures might be moving closer because something inside the forest was disturbing them.

The elder nodded. He spoke to the council and they murmured in agreement. The hunter’s jaw tightened. He did not like being ignored but the elders now had another voice to consider. After the meeting the elder placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. His expression was serious but not unfriendly. He gestured toward the forest with a questioning tone. Ethan understood. The elder wanted him to investigate the disturbance.

Ethan agreed with a nod. He returned to the shelter to check the wolf and the bark creature first. Both were resting. The wolf’s glow pulsed steady. The bark creature slept lightly but its breathing no longer trembled. Ethan touched both creatures gently before leaving. He whispered he would return soon.

A small group of villagers prepared supplies for Ethan including dried food and a skin filled with water. Mira insisted on giving him a small pouch of herbs for emergencies. She placed her hand over her heart before handing it to him. He repeated the gesture. It made her smile again.

Ethan traveled with two guards into the forest. They followed the trail beyond where he had first awakened. As they walked he noticed broken branches and faint claw marks on nearby trees. The guards were nervous but Ethan kept them calm with steady gestures. He crouched often studying signs of movement. The spacing of the claw marks suggested a creature larger than the glowing wolf but not aggressive by nature. Something had startled it. Ethan kept walking until they reached a clearing he had never seen before.

At the center of the clearing the ground was churned up as if a large animal had thrashed about in panic. Feathers scattered in patches glowed faintly blue. The guards whispered the name of a creature Ethan could not pronounce but the tone told him it was feared. He picked up one of the feathers. It was soft but pulsed with faint warmth.

Something big had been here and fled. Not to attack but to escape.

Ethan looked at the forest and felt the weight of what he discovered. The village was not in danger of a beast hunting it. The beasts were fleeing from something deeper inside the woods.

He needed to go back and tell the elder.
This was only the beginning.