Something menacing was behind me. I wanted to run, but escape was probably unlikely. Instead, I decided to turn around slowly—as to not provoke it—and figure out just what the growl had come from.
It’s huge! Ah, this dog’s got the shadows on it too... I wonder if it’s okay? Actually, is it a dog? It’s damn scary looking for a dog. Maybe it’s a wolf? Yeah, it’s too big to be a dog. Okay, I’ve decided! It’s a wolf!
Happy with my arbitrary decision, I returned to the matter at hand. So what do I do now? Fight the wolf? Ha ha ha, as if. That’d be way too reckless. So I need to get away somehow. Do I quietly walk away? Or do I run for my life? No, that’s no good. That TV program said they’ll attack you if you run away— Wait, maybe that was bears? Yeah...I’m panicking.
I somehow managed to move my foot an inch, only for the wolf’s expression to turn even scarier.
It growled again! Wait, growled? Do wolves growl? Oh, who cares! It’s scary either way! I got dragged into a summoning spell, dropped into a forest, and now this?! This is the worst day of my life! Hang on...
I took another look at the wolf. It seemed unsteady on its feet for some reason, wobbling from side to side. It was incredibly thin too.
I wonder if it’s okay... Oh, I must be the next meal! I see, I see... Right, time to run away.
I moved another inch, and the growling got even louder.
I guess running’s not an option. Oh, it collapsed.
Something was definitely strange here. Once the wolf had fallen over, the shadows coiled around its legs began to spread, enshrouding its whole body in a black cloud. The prone wolf seemed to be in pain, its limbs flailing as it struggled in vain against the shadows.
Hmm... Is this part of the curse as well, maybe? There sure are a lot of shadows on it... Is everything here cursed?! What kind of forest is this?! Actually, that’s not the pressing issue right now.
I shook my head. This is no good. I was seriously starting to panic, to the point of being incapable of focusing on the more immediate problem in front of me.
I need to calm down. Again.
First, I needed to decide on a plan. I wanted to help the wolf even though it was still growling—or whatever sound that was. I loved animals. We had three dogs at home, all large breeds. They were adorable, always coming to the front door to greet me when I came home from work, and—
Not now. Focus, me! I’m scared, but I’ve got to help the wolf.
Gingerly, I approached the collapsed figure, and the growling intensified.
Scary! Scary! But I’m not gonna give up!
My last attempt at purification had seemed to work well, so there was no reason it shouldn’t work again. It’ll be okay. I reached toward the wolf, ignoring the way it shrank away from my outstretched hand.
“Purify!”
There was a flash of light, and the shadows concealing the wolf vanished.
Hell yeah! Success! Uh, so was it a vengeful spirit? Or was it a curse instead? Or—I’m... I’m not calm yet, am I?