Sunset Valley King of the Valley

His howl fell on deaf ears. No answer to be heard. Even so, the wolf advanced into the depths of the forest: Amaguq decided to assess the situation, even knowing it would be practically impossible for him to chase off the boars on his own.

The owl did not lie: the mistreated forest had the earth overturned, showing roots and stems of mushrooms partially unburied; the trees had their barks torn out by the boar's tusks. But the most prominent clue to the creatures' passage was the reek of piss that guided Amaguq like a trail.

Soon, he arrived at the boars' lair - a clearing, made by the animals themselves: a circular area where the earth had been turned over so many times that it mixed with snow and urine to form a dark pool of boar filth in the middle of the white forest.

It is one of nature's miracles: making one of the most delicious meats out of a creature that sleeps, eats, shits, and fornicates, all in the same place.

There were six wild boars, as the owl had counted: five of average size, too busy on digging their snouts in the mud to notice Amaguq's scent; and the beast: an oversized male with an impressive set of fangs, a malevolent gleam in his eyes as he watched over the sounder.

Amaguq had no way of dealing with such a creature, considering that the others would probably fight alongside him if he tried to attack. The odds don't favor lone wolves.

At most, all Amaguq could try was to hunt down one of the smaller ones, and even for that, he would have to rely on a remarkable amount of luck: first, he had to generate panic, so he could have a chance to separate one of the pigs from the group; and then, he would still have to make some effort to bring it down.

Amaguq focused on the clearing, waiting patiently, enduring the horrible smell. When a female wandered to the edge of the lair, Amaguq approached stealthily, in quick, light steps. He needed to attack from the right angle: if the boar turned the wrong way, it would be useless to chase it. The hunt would end before it starts.

He held his breath, and with a jump, he propelled his slender, muscular body into the clearing. The high-pitched screams hit him like a wall, and the frenzy began.

The boar ran into the forest, just as Amaguq intended! The wolf focused on his prey, but there was no way he could ignore the feeling of having the Beast chasing him furiously.

Amaguq ended up being betrayed by a sudden turn of his prey: the female boar rushed back to her beloved pool, leaving the wolf behind, watching as the boars regrouped, squealing in victory.

When he exited the woods, Amaguq walked with his head low, heavy with disappointment and shame. I lost to a pig! A GODDAMN PIG!

"I failed your quest." He admitted, choking on his words. The owl replied:

"I noticed: I still hear the bastards scream. But I must thank you: if anything, your boldness was a joy to witness."

"Nothing's left for you to do but to endure it until spring. With luck, when the plants flourish, and the bears awake from their slumber, this forest shall find its way back to normality."

"Curious, isn't it? To think about how much of our survival relies on sheer luck."