The little creature squeals as jaws broke its leg. It flails and screams, of course, the echoes filling the tunnels. Another predator, a pack-mate, finally silences it. These predators resemble wolves, though with much larger ears and no tails, perfect for cave-dwelling hunters. As youngest of the three approaches the rodent-esque prey, the eldest growls a warning, its red eyes and veins glowing slightly as its thick white fur stands on end. Small electrical arcs through its fur accent its warning display. The youngest backs down and whimpers, its ears flat. None left for the youngest, the elder two still hungry, the hunt continues.
The youngest wolf's ears perk up suddenly, a noise. It starts sniffing the air, trying to catch a scent as it's ears flick back and forth. There. The smell of meat, the smell of prey. It follows these smells, careful not to make a sound, the pack-mates have caught it too, now. The trail leads them towards the tunnel wall. As they get closer, the sounds of an empty stomach, ragged breathing, a heart beating faster. Prey is close. The wolves probe around the tunnel wall. Closer. The eldest stops at a crack in the tunnel wall, the thumping sound of a heart beat making it salivate.
" Transmute"
The wolves fall flailing as the earth beneath them gives way. They land yelping and howling onto the jagged stone spikes of the trap. In pain, rage, and fear their eyes and veins flare with red light as electricity surges through their fur. The wall of the tunnel grumbles as the crack parts to reveal the would-be "prey". A young boy, 17 years old. His black hair caked with mud, the ragged remains of a uniform stained with blood, sweat, and piss clinging to his unremarkable build, especially around the stump that was once his left arm. He tightens his grip on his make-shift spear, the entire thing made of compacted stone. The ravenous look in his eyes intensifies as he rears it up.
"I-TA-DA-KI-MAS!"
The boy stabs on each syllable, and continues even after the wolves fall silent.
He stops, panting for a moment, too much energy wasted. Kneeling, he puts his gloved hand to the floor.
"Transmute"
The ground beneath the trap rumbles and rises, the impaled wolves' bodies lifted off the spikes. The boy quickly grabs one of the wolves, his eyes darting around. Can't fight other monsters unprepared. Only strong enough to carry one, he grabs front paws of the closest wolf and heaves it over his shoulder, paying no mind to the fresh, red-black blood oozing down his back.
A bumbling run back to safety, have to hurry, something else might come. It might come. The phantom pains of his arm flare at the thought.
A few minutes of running, almost there, safe… and finally with some food! The evil look on his face mixed with tears at the pain from his stomach.
Wait… An echo? Footsteps, something large. Damn it! It has to smell the blood. Hurry! Almost there!
"TRANSMUTE!" The door to his hole opens.
The footsteps are picking up pace.
The boy shoves and kicks his meal into the hole, jumping in after it.
"TRANSMUTE!" The entrance closes behind him.
The boy holds his breath. The sounds of movement outside, heavy, lumbering. It has to be that thing again, that damned bear. Dissatisfied grunts and growls send shivers down his spine. It's started walking again. The sounds die down. The boy allows himself to breath, and, after waiting to be certain, turns his attention to food.
Something falls from the stone of the entrance as the boy starts skinning the wolf.
A scrap of cloth, torn days ago from his coat, from the arm that bear ate.
The words on it read:
"Hajime Nagumo
Occ: Smith"