Before he could fully fall into his resting state, the wind carried to him an unfamiliar scent sooner than he could even hear footsteps approach. The person himself was unfamiliar yes, but clinging to him was the familiar iron tang of old blood or newly forged weapons, and the sharp smell of cold, deep, running water. A practiced fighter.

“If you’re looking for solitude, I’m afraid this area is taken. If it’s companionship you seek, my mind is open to all honest warriors.”

He alerted the other to his presence and did not mention that if they sought to attack him, they would be met with more resistance than just a wooden sword.

“Heartbeats! Do you hear them, little Lamb?” “I do, dear Wolf. They are alone in the dark. Do they wish to meet us so soon?”

Out of the dark steps a being with a coat so white it glows in the dim light. While the fur covering their body makes them more visible in the dark, it obscures all of their other features except their cloven hooves, hunched body, and the black mask covering their entire face. 

The figure steps out further onto the limb of the tree with inhuman grace, their eyes glowing with soulfire. Hovering next to them is a large white mask with similarly fiery eyes. The latter’s dark maw opens to reveal jagged teeth and emits a growling voice, a juxtaposition from their companion’s soft and gentle one.

“I want to hunt it! Chase it! Can I?” “Perhaps. Let us ask him.”

The “Lamb” with the dark mask, a wolf’s mask, turns their glowing eyes to the stranger and both faces tilt to the side in unison.

“Tell us. How do you wish to die?”