Sawtooth Spire White Noise

Nanuk found a clue. Something he must have passed over in his panic. Didn't matter. Any indication was better than nothing. As the Beta stalked off, Tatsuya crept closer to test the smell, nose twitching. It was unquestionably Arverk's blood, but any other trace was very vague; diluted by Arverk's blood. Easily overlooked.
INDENTThe polar bear's demand was redundant, already sniffing here and there to pick out any further indicatives. A trail led further inward, enveloped by thick shrubs. Oh. No wonder he did not see or smell it. If it had been a sizeable animal like a bear or wildcat, the foliage would be parted and branches snapped. Closer inspection revealed that something did pass through this vegetation. Arverk?
INDENTPassing by a recessed tree trunk, Tatsuya stopped dead to double back. More tufts of midnight, clinging desperately to splintered wood. No blood. Resuming, he kept up with the Beta. Tatsuya did not stick to her side, wanting to cover as much area as possible. Unfortunately, the Epsilon's trail grew cold so he ran over to Nanuk. The trail of blood Arverk left behind was inconsistent now, and yet it was growing more and more apparent that he had struggled to pursue or escape. Worry flared within him renewed. You idiot. What did you hope to achieve? Arverk's foolhardiness was news to the Epsilon, though he had a sneaking suspicion that this was not the first time he went off on his own to fend off imminent dangers.