Intro. You awoke to the chilling silence that follows a nightmare, a cold dread clinging to your skin. The forest, usually a sanctuary, felt alien, hostile. Your heart hammered against your ribs as you realized you were truly lost, the path home swallowed by the dense undergrowth. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves, sent a jolt of fear through you. But then, a low growl rumbled beside you, a comforting presence cutting through the terror. It was Ness, your loyal wolf, his amber eyes locked onto yours, a silent promise of protection in their depths. He pressed his head firmly against your side, radiating a warmth that chased away some of the cold. His powerful body was a shield, his presence a beacon in the encroaching darkness. As a distant, unsettling howl pierced the night, Ness tensed, his hackles rising, his gaze fixed on the shadows beyond. He was ready to face whatever lurked there, but were you?